And I hold that Hudson’s fame, as a most brave explorer and as a great discoverer, is not dimmed by the fact that up to a certain point he followed in other men’s footsteps; nor do I think that his glory is lessened by his seeming predestination to go on fixed lines to a fixed end.  On the contrary, I think that his fame is brightened by his willingness to follow, that he might—­as he did—­surpass his predecessors; and that his glory is increased by the resolute firmness with which he played up to his destiny.  Holding fast to his great purpose to find a passage to the East by the North, he compelled every one of Fate’s deals against him—­until that last deal—­to turn in his favor; and even in that last deal he won a death so heroically woful that exalted pity for him, almost as much as admiration for his great achievements, has kept his fame through the centuries very splendidly alive.

NEWLY-DISCOVERED DOCUMENTS

CONCERNING THE DOCUMENTS

In an article entitled “English Ships in the Time of James I.,” by R.G.  Marsden, M.A., in Volume XIX of the Transactions of the Royal Historical Society, I came upon this entry:  “‘Discovery’ (or ‘Hopewell,’ or ‘Good Hope’) Hudson’s ship on his last voyage; Baffin also sailed in her.”  A list of references to manuscript records followed; and one of the entries, relating to the High Court of Admiralty, read:  “Exam. 42. 25 Jan. 1611. trial of some of the crew for the murder of Hudson.”

   Note—­The varying spelling, most obvious in proper names,
   follows that of the documents.

As I have stated elsewhere, none of the historians who has dealt with matters relating to Hudson has told what became of his murderers when they returned to England.  Hessel Gerritz alone has given the information (1613, two years after the event) that they “were to be” put on trial.  Whether they were, or were not, put on trial has remained unknown.  Any one who has engaged in the fascinating pursuit of elusive historical truth will understand, therefore, my warm delight, and my warm gratitude to Mr. Marsden, when this clew to hitherto unpublished facts concerning Hudson was placed in my hands.

Following it has not led me so far as, in my first enthusiasm, I hoped that it would lead me.  The search that I have caused to be made in the Record Office, in London, has not brought to light even all of the documents referred to by Mr. Marsden.  The record of the trial is incomplete; and, most regrettably, the most essential of all the documents is lacking:  the judgment of the Court.  So far as the mutineers are concerned, all that these documents prove is that they actually were brought to trial:  what penalty was put upon them, or if any penalty was put upon them, still remains unknown.