On the 16th of September, Viscaino, with a reduced crew, and short of many necessary provisions, sailed from Uraga. On the 25th, after covering more than two hundred leagues, he found himself in the latitude in which, according to certain charts, the islands were supposed to lie. Finding no sign of these, the general held a consultation with the pilots on board as to what would be the best method to pursue in searching for them. All agreed to sail southward to 32 degrees of latitude, and did so, coming across many signs of a proximity to land, such as floating pieces of pumice stone, ducks and turtles. But they did not find the islands. The general, who it is recorded would not allow himself to think of returning to Acapulco until he had ascertained whether the islands existed or not, gave orders to retrace the ship’s course. They continued their search with extraordinary diligence until October 12th, when some of the sailors became disheartened. The pilot then declared that, to his belief, the islands did not exist, and that he had exceeded his obligations and the viceroy’s orders. Some of the crew mutinied, and, as he had no armed men to back him, the general, to avoid being killed, was obliged to pacify them with good words. On the 14th a violent storm overtook them, followed on the 18th by a hurricane which obliged them to cut down the mainmast. For eleven days they were in great peril, and suffered from lack of water and food, all cooking utensils having been washed overboard. Giving themselves up as lost, and realizing the importance of continuing their voyage to New Spain, they held a consultation and decided that there was nothing to do but return to Japan, obtain a loan from the emperor, which their king would approve of, and make preparations to go back to New Spain in the following year. With a vessel which owed its escape from foundering to the lining which had been given it in Uraga, they reached this port, where further trials and deceptions awaited them. The first news learned by Viscaino, on reaching the harbor of Uraga, was the history of the shogun’s attempt to send an embassy and the loss of his vessel. The following is his characteristic comment on this disaster:-- “We found on reaching Uraga that the ship ‘San Sebastian’ had sailed and had run aground about a league from port, because the Japanese had insisted on carrying out their will, and had loaded it without permission from the Spaniards. The Japanese recognized their mistake.” On landing, Viscaino at once sent messages to Iyeyasu and the shogun, announcing his return and explaining his misfortunes and the absolute necessity there was for him to obtain means to fit himself out for his return journey to Mexico in the following year.