Drake bestowed on this country the name of Albion, in consequence of the whiteness of the cliffs, which resembled those of England, and because his native land was so-called. CHAPTER EIGHTEEN. VOYAGE OF SIR FRANCIS DRAKE, CONTINUED--A.D. 1579-80. Search of passage to north-east abandoned--Passage across the Pacific--A group of islands made--Thievish practices of the natives--Called the Carolines--The Moluccas reached--Friendly reception by the King of Ternate--Comes off in his state barge--His magnificent jewels--The _Hind_ sails--Careened at an island near Celebes--Gigantic trees, fire-flies, crabs--Gets among reefs and shoals--Strikes on a rock-- Perilous position of the ship--Gets off--A heavy gale--Runs under bare poles--Anchors off Baratira--Natives friendly--Sails on to Java--The Rajah treats them well--The _Golden Hind_ sails across the Indian Ocean--Rounds the Cape of Good Hope--Touches at Sierra Leone--Enters the Channel--Plymouth reached the 25th of September, 1580--Received by the Queen--The Queen visits the _Golden Hind_--Drake knighted--His subsequent enterprises against the Spaniards--In command of the _Bonaventura_ attacks the Spanish Armada--His last expedition to the West Indies, and death at sea. After touching at some islands which lie about a day's sail to the westward of California, where there was a large supply of seals and aquatic birds, the _Golden Hind_ continued her course. In consequence of the increased cold, all idea of finding a passage round the north of America, by the consent of every officer on board, was abandoned, and a course was steered which, it was hoped, would enable them to reach the Moluccas. For full sixty-eight days the voyagers sailed on, their view during the whole of that period being bounded by sky and sea. As far as their experience went, it was to them a Pacific Ocean, for they had smooth water and favouring breezes. They fell in with the usual sights, flying-fish endeavouring to escape from their foes the bonitos; huge whales showing their presence by spouting clouds of mist into the air; while now and then a strong-winged bird passed in their sight.