Project Gutenberg's Notable Voyagers, by W.H.G. Kingston and Henry Frith

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Title: Notable Voyagers
       From Columbus to Nordenskiold

Author: W.H.G. Kingston and Henry Frith

Release Date: November 15, 2007 [EBook #23494]

Language: English

Character set encoding: ASCII

*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NOTABLE VOYAGERS ***




Produced by Nick Hodson of London, England




Notable Voyagers, From Columbus to Nordenskiold, by W.H.G. Kingston and
Henry Frith.

________________________________________________________________________

Profusely illustrated, this rather long book is just pitched right, for
it gives interesting detail of some important voyages made from the
earliest days up to the end of the nineteenth century.  It is not too
terse, and not too profuse, just right to capture your interest and hold
it.

It was interesting, too, to be told the real story of Alexander Selkirk,
the original of the famous "Robinson Crusoe" book.

The story of some of the adventurers who looked for the North-West
passage were most interesting, as well.

There are over 100 illustrations, though a few of them are just little
thumb-nail icon-sized images placed at the ends of chapters.  The rest
are quite nice images, though shown here at only 30% of each linear
dimension of those we found in our scans of the book.

________________________________________________________________________

NOTABLE VOYAGERS, FROM COLUMBUS TO NORDENSKIOLD, BY W.H.G. KINGSTON AND
HENRY FRITH.

From Columbus to Nordenskiold.



CHAPTER ONE.

INTRODUCTION--A.D. 1486.

Columbus before the conclave of Professors at Seville--His parentage and
early history--Battle with Venetian galleys--Residence in Portugal--
Marries widow of a navigator--Grounds on which he founded his theory--
Offers his services to the King of Portugal--His offer declined--Sends
his brother Bartholomew to Henry the Seventh of England--Don John sends
out a squadron to forestall him--Sets off for Spain--Introduced by the
Duke of Medina Celi to Queen Isabella--She encourages him--Plan for the
recovery of the Holy Sepulchre--His long detention at Court while
Ferdinand and Isabella are engaged in the war against the Moors of
Granada--A hearing at length afforded him--His demands refused--Leaves
the Court in poverty and visits Palos on his way to France--Met by Juan
Perez, Prior of the Rabida convent--The Prior listens to his plans--
Introduces him to the Pinzons, and informs the Queen of his intended
departure--Sent for back at Court--All his demands agreed to--Authority
given him to fit out a squadron.

In the year 1486 a council of learned professors of geography,
mathematics, and all branches of science, erudite friars, accomplished
bishops, and other dignitaries of the Church, were seated in the vast
arched hall of the old Dominican convent of Saint Stephen in Salamanca,
then the great seat of learning in Spain.  They had met to hear a simple
mariner, then standing in their midst, propound and defend certain
conclusions at which he had arrived regarding the form and geography of
the earth, and the possibility, nay, the certainty, that by sailing
west, the unknown shores of Eastern India could be reached.  Some of his
hearers declared it to be grossly presumptuous in an ordinary man to
suppose, after so many profound philosophers and mathematicians had been
studying the world, and so many able navigators had been sailing about
it for years past, that there remained so vast a discovery for him to
make.  Some cited the books of the Old Testament to prove that he was
wrong, others the explanations of various reverend commentators.
Doctrinal points were mixed up with philosophical discussions, and a
mathematical demonstration was allowed no weight if it appeared to clash
with a text of Scripture or comment of one of the fathers.

Although Pliny and the wisest of the ancients had maintained the
possibility of an antipodes in the southern hemisphere, these learned
gentlemen made out that it was altogether a novel theory.

Others declared that to assert there were inhabited lands on the
opposite side of the globe would be to maintain that there were nations
not descended from Adam, as it would have been impossible for them to
have passed the intervening ocean, and therefore discredit would be
thrown on the Bible.

Again, some of the council more versed in science, though admitting the
globular form of the earth, and the possibility of an opposite habitable
hemisphere, maintained that it would be impossible to arrive there on
account of the insupportable heat of the torrid zone; besides which, if
the circumference of the earth was as great as they supposed, it would
require three years to make the voyage.

Several, with still greater absurdity, advanced as an objection that
should a ship succeed in reaching the extremity of India, she could
never get back again, as the rotundity of the globe would present a kind
of mountain up which it would be impossible for her to sail even with
the most favourable wind.

The mariner replied in answer to the scriptural objection that the
inspired writers were not speaking technically as cosmographers, but
figuratively, in language addressed to all comprehensions, and that the
commentaries of the fathers were not to be considered as philosophical
propoundings, which it was necessary either to admit or refute.

In regard to the impossibility of passing the torrid zone, he himself
stated that he had voyaged as far as Guinea under the equinoxial line,
and had found that region not only traversable, but abounding in
population, fruits, and pasturage.

Who was this simple mariner who could thus dare to differ from so many
learned sages?  His person was commanding; his demeanour elevated; his
eye kindling; his manner that of one who had a right to be heard, while
a rich flow of eloquence carried his hearers with him.  His countenance
was handsome; his hair already blanched by thought, toil, and privation.

He was no other than Columbus, who, after his proposals had been
rejected by the Court of Portugal, had addressed himself to that of
Spain, and had, year after year, waited patiently to obtain a hearing
from Ferdinand and Isabella, then occupied in their wars against the
Moors.

He had been a seaman from the age of fourteen.  He was born in the city
of Genoa about the year 1435, where his father, Dominico Colombo,
carried on the business of a wool comber, which his ancestors had
followed for several generations.  He was the eldest of three brothers,
the others being Bartholomew and Diego.  He had at an early age evinced
a desire for the sea, and accordingly his education had been mainly
directed to fit him for maritime life.

His first voyages were made with a distant relative named Colombo, a
hardy veteran of the seas, who had risen to some distinction by his
bravery.

Under this relative young Christopher saw much service, both warlike and
in trading voyages, until he gained command of a war ship of good size.
When serving in the squadron of his cousin information was brought that
four richly-laden Venetian galleys were on their return voyage from
Flanders.  The squadron lay in wait for them off the Portuguese coast,
between Lisbon and Cape Saint Vincent.  A desperate engagement ensued;
the vessels grappled each other.  That commanded by Columbus was engaged
with a huge Venetian galley.  Hand-grenades and other fiery missiles
were thrown on board her, and the galley was wrapped in flames.  So
closely were the vessels fastened together, that both were involved in
one conflagration.  The crews threw themselves into the sea.  Columbus
seized an oar, and being an expert swimmer, reached the shore, though
fully two leagues distant.  On recovering he made his way to Lisbon.
Possibly he may have resided there previously; certain it is that he
there married a lady, the daughter of a distinguished navigator, from
whose widow he obtained much information regarding the voyages and
expeditions of her late husband, as well as from his papers, charts,
journals, and memoranda.

Having become naturalised in Portugal, he sailed occasionally on voyages
to the coast of Guinea, and when on shore supported his family by making
maps and charts, which in those days required a degree of knowledge and
experience sufficient to entitle the possessor to distinction.

He associated with various navigators, and he noted down all he heard.
It was said by some that islands had been seen far away to the west when
they had been driven in that direction.  Whatever credit might have been
given to these reports by Columbus, he had far stronger reasons for
believing that, by sailing across the ocean to the west, he should reach
land.  He was of opinion that about one-third of the circumference of
the earth was unknown and unexplored.  A great portion of this might be
filled up by the eastern regions of Asia, while the tract of water
intervening between these countries might be less than at first
supposed.

In the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, two great travellers, Marco
Polo and Sir John Mandeville, journeyed eastward over a large portion of
Asia, and had given vivid descriptions of the magnificence of its cities
and scenery.  Marco Polo especially had described two large islands,
Ontilla and Cipango, the latter undoubtedly Japan, which it was expected
would be the first reached by a navigator sailing westward.

A Portuguese pilot, Martin Vicenti, after sailing four hundred and
fifty-two leagues to the west of Cape Saint Vincent, had found a piece
of carved wood evidently laboured with an iron instrument, and as
probably the wind had drifted it from the west, it might have come from
some unknown land in that direction.  A brother-in-law of Columbus had
likewise found a similar piece of wood drifted from the same quarter.
Reeds of enormous size, such as were described by Ptolemy to grow in
India, had been picked up, and trunks of huge pine-trees had been driven
on the shores of the Azores, such as did not grow on any of those
islands.  The bodies of two dead men, whose features differed from those
of any known race of people, had been cast on the island of Flores.
There were islands, it was rumoured, still farther west than those
visited, and a mariner sailing from Port Saint Mary to Ireland asserted
that he had seen land to the west, which the ship's company took to be
some extreme point of Tartary.

These facts being made known to Columbus, served to strengthen his
opinion.  The success indeed of his undertaking depended greatly on two
happy errors: the imaginary extent of Asia to the east, and the supposed
smallness of the earth.  A deep religious sentiment mingled with his
meditations.  He looked upon himself as chosen by Heaven for the
accomplishment of its purposes, that the ends of the earth might be
brought together, and all nations and tongues united under the banner of
the Redeemer.

The enthusiastic nature of his conceptions gave an elevation to his
spirit, and dignity and eloquence to his whole demeanour.  He never
spoke in doubt or hesitation, but with as much certainty as if his eyes
had beheld the promised land.

No trial or disappointment could divert him from the steady pursuit of
his object.  That object, it is supposed, he meditated as early as the
year 1474, though as yet it lay crude and immatured in his mind.
Shortly afterwards, in the year 1477, he made a voyage to the north of
Europe, navigating one hundred leagues beyond Thule, when he reached an
island as large as England, generally supposed to have been Iceland.

In vain he had applied to Don John the Second, who ascended the throne
of Portugal in 1481.  That king was so deeply engaged in sending out
expeditions to explore the African coast that his counsellors advised
him to confine his efforts in that direction.  He would, however, have
given his consent had not Columbus demanded such high and honourable
rewards as were considered inadmissible.

To his eternal disgrace the Bishop of Ceuta advised that Columbus should
be kept in suspense while a vessel was secretly dispatched in the
direction he pointed out, to ascertain if there was any truth in his
story.  This was actually done, until the caravel meeting with stormy
weather, and an interminable waste of wild tumbling waves, the pilots
lost courage and returned.

Columbus, indignant at this attempt to defraud him, his wife having died
some time previously, resolved to abandon the country which had acted so
treacherously.  He first sent his brother Bartholomew to make proposals
to Henry the Seventh, King of England; but that sovereign rejected his
offers, and having again made a proposal to Genoa, which, from the
reverses she had lately received, she was unable to accept, he turned
his eyes to Spain.

The great Spanish Dukes of Medina Sidonia and Medina Coeli, were at
first inclined to support him, and the latter spoke of him to Queen
Isabella, who giving a favourable reply, Columbus set off for the
Spanish Court, then at Cordova.

The sovereigns of Castile and Arragon were, however, so actively engaged
in carrying on the fierce war with the Moors of Grenada, that they were
unable to give due attention to the scheme of the navigator, while their
counsellors generally derided his proposals.

The beautiful and enlightened Isabella treated him from the first with
respect, and other friends rose up who were ready to give him support.

Wearied and discouraged by long delays, however, he had again opened up
negotiations with the King of Portugal, and had been requested by that
monarch to return there.  He had also received a letter from Henry the
Seventh of England, inviting him to his Court, and holding out promises
of encouragement, when he was again summoned to attend the Castilian
Court, and a sum of money was sent him to defray his expenses, King
Ferdinand probably fearing that he would carry his proposals to a rival
monarch, and wishing to keep the matter in suspense until he had leisure
to examine it.

He accordingly repaired to the Court of Seville.  While he was there two
monks arrived with a message from the Grand Soldan of Egypt, threatening
to put to death all the Christians and to destroy the Holy Sepulchre if
the Spanish sovereigns did not desist from war against Grenada.

The menace had no effect in altering their purpose, but it aroused the
indignation of the Spanish cavaliers, and still more so that of
Columbus, and made them burn with ardent zeal once more to revive the
contest of faith on the sacred plains of Palestine.  Columbus had indeed
resolved, should his projected enterprise prove successful, to devote
the profits from his anticipated discoveries to a crusade for the rescue
of the Holy Sepulchre from the power of the infidels.

During the latter part of the year 1490 Ferdinand and Isabella were
engaged in celebrating the marriage of their eldest daughter, the
Princess Isabella, with Prince Don Alonzo, heir apparent of Portugal.
Bearing these long and vexatious delays as he had before done, Columbus
supported himself chiefly by making maps and charts, occasionally
assisted from the purse of his friend Diego de Deza.

The year was passing on.  Columbus was kept in a state of irritating
anxiety at Cordova, when he heard that the sovereigns were about to
commence that campaign which ended in the expulsion of the Moors from
Spain.  Aware that many months must pass before they would give their
minds to the subject if he allowed the present moment to slip by, he
pressed for a decisive reply to his proposals with an earnestness that
would admit of no evasion.

The learned men of the council were directed to express their opinion of
the enterprise.  The report of each was unfavourable, although the
worthy friar Diego de Deza, tutor to Prince John, and several others,
urged the sovereigns not to lose the opportunity of extending their
dominions and adding so greatly to their glory.

Again, however, Columbus was put off.  Having no longer confidence in
the vague promises which had hitherto been made, he turned his back on
Seville, resolved to offer to the King of France the honour of carrying
out his magnificent undertaking.

Leaving Seville, his means exhausted, he travelled on foot, leading his
young son Diego by the hand, to the sea-port of Palos de Moguer in
Andalusia.  Weary and exhausted, he stopped to ask for bread and water
at the gate of the ancient Franciscan convent of Santa Maria de Rabida.

The Prior, Juan Perez de Marchena, happening to come up, and remarking
the appearance of the stranger, entered into conversation with him.  The
Prior, a man of superior information, was struck with the grandeur of
his views, and when he found that the navigator was on the point of
abandoning Spain to seek patronage in the Court of France, and that so
important an enterprise was about to be lost for ever to the country,
his patriotism took the alarm.  He entertained Columbus as his guest,
and invited a scientific friend--a physician--Garcia Fernandez, to
converse with him.

Fernandez was soon captivated by his conversation.  Frequent conferences
took place, at which several of the veteran mariners of Palos were
present.  Among these was Martin Alonzo Pinzon, the head of a family of
wealthy and experienced navigators.  Facts were related by some of the
mariners in support of the theory of Columbus, and so convinced was
Pinzon of the feasibility of his project, that he offered to engage in
it with purse and person.  The Prior, who had once been confessor to the
Queen, was confirmed in his faith by the opinions expressed, and he
proposed writing to her immediately, and entreated Columbus to delay his
journey until an answer could be received.

It was decided to send Sebastian Rodriguez, a shrewd and clever pilot,
to Santa Fe, where the Queen then was.  Isabella had always been
favourable to Columbus, and the Prior received a reply desiring that he
himself should repair to Court.  He went, and, seconded by the
Marchioness of Moya and other old friends, so impressed the Queen with
the importance of the undertaking, that she desired Columbus might be
sent for, and ordered that seventy-two dollars, equal to two hundred and
sixteen of the present day, might be forwarded to him, to bear his
travelling expenses.

With his hopes raised to the highest pitch, Columbus again repaired to
Court; but so fully occupied was he with the grandeur of his enterprise,
that he stipulated that he should be invested with the title and
privilege of admiral, and viceroy over the countries he should discover,
with one-tenth of all gains, either by trade or conquest.  It must be
remembered the pious and patriotic way--according to his notions--in
which he intended to expend the wealth he hoped to acquire.

The courtiers were indignant, and sneeringly observed that his
arrangement was a secure one, that he was sure of a command, and had
nothing to lose.

On this he offered to furnish one-eighth of the cost, on condition of
enjoying one-eighth of the profit.  The King looked coldly on the
affair, and once more the sovereigns of Spain declined the offer.
Columbus was at length again about to set off on his journey to Palos,
when the generous spirit of Isabella was kindled by the remarks of the
Marchioness of Moya, supported by Louis de Saint Angel, Receiver of the
Ecclesiastical Revenues in Arragon.  She exclaimed, "I undertake the
enterprise for my own crown of Castile, and will pledge my jewels to
raise the necessary funds!"

This was the proudest moment in the life of Isabella, as it stamped her
as the patroness of the great discovery.

Saint Angel assured her there was no necessity for pledging her jewels,
and expressed his readiness to advance seventeen thousand florins.  A
messenger was dispatched to bring back the navigator, with the assurance
that all he desired would be granted; and so, turning the reins of his
mule, he hastened back with joyful alacrity to Santa Fe, confiding in
the noble probity of the Queen.

Articles of agreement were drawn up by the royal secretary at once.
Columbus was to have for himself during his life, and his heirs and
successors for ever, the office of admiral of all lands and continents
which he might discover.

Secondly: He was to be viceroy and governor-general over them.

Thirdly: He was to be entitled to receive for himself one-tenth of all
pearls, precious stones, gold, silver, spices, and all other articles
and merchandise obtained within this admiralty.

Fourthly: He or his lieutenant was to be the sole judge in all cases and
disputes arising out of traffic between those countries and Spain.

Fifthly: He might then, and at all after times, contribute an eighth
part of the expense in fitting out vessels to sail on this enterprise,
and receive one-eighth part of the profit.

The latter engagement he fulfilled through the assistance of the Pinzons
of Palos, and added a third vessel to the armament.

Thus, one-eighth of the expense attendant on this grand expedition,
undertaken by a powerful nation, was actually borne by the individual
who conceived it, and who likewise risked his life on its success.

The capitulations were afterwards signed by Ferdinand and Isabella on
the 17th of April, 1492, when, in addition to the above articles,
Columbus and his heirs were authorised to prefix the title of Don to
their names.

It was arranged that the armament should be fitted out at the port of
Palos, Columbus calculating on the co-operation of his friends Martin
Alonzo Pinzon and the Prior of the convent.

Both Isabella and Columbus were influenced by a pious zeal for effecting
the great work of salvation among the potentates and peoples of the
lands to be discovered.  He expected to arrive at the extremity of the
ocean, and to open up direct communication with the vast and magnificent
empire of the Grand Khan of Tartary.  His deep and cherished design was
the recovery of the Holy Sepulchre, which he meditated during the
remainder of his life, and solemnly provided for in his will.

Let those who are disposed to faint under difficulties in the
prosecution of any great and worthy undertaking, remember that eighteen
years elapsed after the time that Columbus conceived his enterprise,
before he was able to carry it into effect; that the greater part of
that time was passed in almost hopeless solicitation, amidst poverty,
neglect, and taunting ridicule; that the prime of his life had wasted
away in the struggle; and that when his perseverance was finally crowned
with success, he had reached his fifty-sixth year.



CHAPTER TWO.

FIRST VOYAGE OF COLUMBUS--A.D. 1492.

Columbus returns to Palos--Assisted by the Prior of La Rabida--The
Pinzons agree to join him--Difficulty of obtaining ships and men--At
length three vessels fitted out--Sails in the _Santa Maria_, with the
_Pinta_ and _Nina_, on 3rd August, 1492--Terrors and mutinous
disposition of the crews--Reaches the Canary Islands--Narrowly escapes
from a Portuguese squadron seat to capture him--Alarm of the crews
increases--The squadron sails smoothly on--Columbus keeps two logs to
deceive the seamen--Signs of land--Seaweed--Flights of birds--Birds
pitch on the ship--Frequent changes in the tempers of the crews--
Westerly course long held--Course altered to south-west--Pinzon fancies
he sees land--Disappointment--Columbus sees lights at night--Morning
dawns--San Salvador discovered--Natives seen--Columbus lands--Wonder of
the natives--Proceeds in search of Cipango--Other islands visited, and
gold looked for in vain--Friendly reception by the natives--Supplies
brought off--Search for Saometo--Cuba discovered 20th October, 1492--
Calls it Juana--Believes it to be the mainland of India--Sends envoys
into the interior--Their favourable report of the fertility of the
country--A storm--Deserted by Martin Pinzon in the _Pinta_--First view
of Hispaniola--A native girl captured--Set free--Returns with large
numbers of her countrymen--Arcadian simplicity of the natives.

Columbus hastened to Palos, where he was received as the guest of Fray
Juan Perez, the worthy Prior of the convent of Rabida.  The whole
squadron with which the two sovereigns proposed to carry out their grand
undertaking was to consist only of three small vessels.  Two of these,
by a royal decree, were to be furnished by Palos, the other by Columbus
himself or his friends.

The morning after his arrival, Columbus, accompanied by the Prior,
proceeded to the church of Saint George in Palos, where the authorities
and principal inhabitants had been ordered to attend.  Here the royal
order was read by a notary public, commanding them to have two caravels
ready for sea in ten days, they and their crews to be placed at the
disposal of Columbus.  He himself was empowered to procure and fit out a
third vessel.

Orders were likewise read, addressed to the public authorities, and the
people of all ranks and conditions in the maritime borders of Andalusia,
commanding them to furnish supplies and assistance of all kinds for
fitting out the caravels.

When, however, the nature of the service was explained, the owners of
vessels refused to furnish them, and the seamen shrank from sailing into
the wilderness of the ocean.

Several weeks elapsed, and not a vessel had been procured.  The
sovereigns therefore issued further orders, directing the magistrates to
press into the service any caravel they might select, and to compel the
masters and crews to sail with Columbus in whatever direction he should
be sent.

Notwithstanding this nothing was done, until at length Martin Alonzo
Pinzon, with his brother, Vincente Yanez Pinzon--both navigators of
great courage and ability, and owners of vessels--undertook to sail on
the expedition, and furnish one of the caravels required.  Two others
were pressed by the magistrates under the arbitrary mandate of the
sovereigns.

The owners of one of the vessels, the _Pinta_, threw all possible
obstacles in the way of her being fitted out.  The caulkers performed
their work in an imperfect manner, and even some of the seamen who had
at first volunteered repented of their hardihood, and others deserted.

The example of the Pinzons at length overcame all opposition, and the
three vessels, two of them known as caravels, not superior to the
coasting craft of more modern days, were got ready by the beginning of
August.

Columbus hoisted his flag on board the largest, the _Santa Maria_; the
second, the _Pinta_, was commanded by Martin Alonzo Pinzon, accompanied
by his brother Francisco Martin as pilot; and the third, the _Nina_, was
commanded by Vincente Yafiez Pinzon.  The other three pilots were Sancho
Raiz, Pedro Alonzo Nino, and Bartolomeo Roldan.

Roderigo Sanches was inspector-general of the armament, and Diego de
Arana chief alguazil.  Roderigo de Escobar went as royal notary.  In
all, one hundred and twenty persons.

Columbus and his followers, having solemnly taken the communion, went on
board their ships.  Believing that their friends were going to certain
death, the inhabitants of Paios looked on with gloomy apprehensions,
which greatly affected the minds of the crew.

The little squadron set sail from Palos half an hour before sunrise on
the 3rd of August, 1492, and steered a course for the Canary Islands.
Columbus had prepared a chart by which to sail.  On this he drew the
coasts of Europe and Africa, from the south of Ireland to the end of
Guinea, and opposite to them, on the other side of the Atlantic, the
extremity of Asia, or rather India, as it was then called.  Between them
he placed the island of Cipango or Japan, which, according to Marco
Polo, lay one thousand five hundred miles from the Atlantic coast.  This
island Columbus placed where Florida really exists.  Though he saw his
hopes of commencing the expedition realised, he had good reason to fear
that his crews might at any moment insist on returning.

On the third day after sailing, it was discovered that the rudder of the
_Pinta_ was broken and unslung, probably a trick of her owners.  The
wind was blowing so strongly at the time that he could not render
assistance, but Martin Alonzo Pinzon, being an able seaman, succeeded in
securing it temporarily with ropes.

As the _Pinta_ also leaked, Columbus put into the Canaries on the
morning of the 9th of August, and was detained there three weeks, trying
to obtain a better vessel.  None being found, the lateen sails of the
_Pinta_ were altered into square sails.  While here the crews were
frightened by seeing flames burst out of the lofty peak of Teneriffe.
Shortly after a vessel arrived from Ferro, which reported that three
Portuguese caravels were watching to capture the squadron of Columbus,
who, suspecting that the King of Portugal had formed a hostile plan in
revenge for his having embarked in the service of Spain, immediately put
to sea and stood away from the coast.  He was now striking off from the
frontier islands of the Old World into the region of discovery.  For
three days the squadron was detained by a calm.  On the 9th of September
he saw Ferro, the most western of the Canary Islands, where the
Portuguese were said to be waiting for him, about nine leagues distant.
At length, a breeze filling the sails of his ships, he was able to stand
on his course, as he hoped, free of all danger.  Chaos, mystery, and
peril were before them.  The hearts of his crew sank as they lost sight
of land, and many of the seamen broke into loud lamentations.  The
Admiral tried to soothe their distress, and to inspire them with his own
glorious anticipations by describing to them the magnificence of the
countries to which he was about to conduct them, and the wealth and
glory which would be theirs.

He now issued orders to the commanders of the other vessels that, in the
event of separation, they should continue directly westward; but that,
after sailing seven hundred leagues, they should lay by from midnight to
daylight, as about that distance he confidently expected to find land.

As he foresaw the farther they sailed the more their vague terrors would
increase, to deceive them, he kept two logs; one correct, retained for
his own government, and the other open to general inspection, from which
a certain number of leagues were daily subtracted from the sailing of
the ships.

The crews, though no faint-hearted fellows, had not as yet learned to
place confidence in him.  The slightest thing alarmed them.  When about
one hundred and fifty leagues west of Ferro, they picked up part of the
mast of a large vessel, and the crews fancied that she must have been
wrecked drifting ominously to the entrance of those unknown seas.

About nightfall, on the 13th of September, he for the first time noticed
the variation of the needle, which, instead of pointing to the north
star, varied about half a point.  He remarked that this variation of the
needle increased as he advanced.  He quieted the alarm of his pilots,
when they observed this, by assuring them that the variation was not
caused by any fallacy in the compass, but by the movement of the north
star itself, which, like the other heavenly bodies, described a circle
round the pole.

The explanation appeared so highly plausible and ingenious that it was
readily received.  On the 14th of September they believed that they were
near land, from seeing a heron and a tropical bird, neither of which
were supposed to venture far out to sea.

The following night the mariners were awestruck by beholding a meteor of
great brilliancy--a common phenomenon in those latitudes.  With a
favourable breeze, day after day, the squadron was wafted on, so that it
was unnecessary to shift a single sail.

They now began to observe patches of weeds drifting from the west, which
increased in size as they advanced.  These, together with a white
tropical bird which never sleeps on the water, made Columbus hope that
he was approaching some island; for, as he had come but three hundred
and sixty leagues since leaving the Canary Islands, he supposed the
mainland still to be far off.

The breeze was soft and steady, the water smooth.  The crews were in
high spirits, and every seaman was on the look-out, for a pension of ten
thousand maravedis had been promised to him who should first discover
land.

Alonzo Pinzon in the _Pinta_ took the lead.  On the afternoon of the
13th of September he hailed the Admiral, saying that from the flight of
numerous birds and the appearance of the northern horizon, he thought
there was land in that direction; but Columbus replied that it was
merely a deception of the clouds, and would not alter his course.

The following day there were drizzling showers, and two boobies flew on
board the _Santa Maria_, birds which seldom wander more than twenty
leagues from land.  Sounding, however, no bottom was found.  Unwilling
to waste the present fair breeze, he resolved, whatever others thought,
to keep one bold course until the coast of India was reached.

Notwithstanding, even the favourable breeze began to frighten the
seamen, who imagined that the wind in those regions might always blow
from the east, and if so, would prevent their return to Spain.

Not long after the wind shifted to the south-west, and restored their
courage, proving to them that the wind did not always prevail from the
east.  Several small birds also visited the ships, singing as they
perched on the rigging, thus showing that they were not exhausted by
their flight.  Again the squadron passed among numerous patches of
seaweed, and the crews, ever ready to take alarm, having heard that
ships were sometimes frozen in by ice, fancied that they might be fixed
in the same manner, until they were caught by the nipping hand of
winter.

Then they took it into their heads that the water was growing shoaler,
and expressed their fears that they might run on some sand-banks and be
lost.  Then a whale was seen, which creature Columbus assured them never
went far from land.  Notwithstanding, they became uneasy at the calmness
of the weather, declaring that as the prevailing winds were from the
east, and had not power to disturb the torpid stillness of the ocean,
there was the risk of perishing amidst stagnant and shoreless waters,
and being prevented by contrary winds from ever returning to Spain.

Next a swell got up, which showed that their terrors caused by the calm
were imaginary.  Notwithstanding this, and the favourable signs which
increased his confidence, he feared that after all, breaking into
mutiny, they would compel him to return.

The sailors fancied that their ships were too weak for so long a voyage,
and held secret consultations, exciting each other's discontent.  They
had gone farther than any one before had done.  Who could blame them,
should they, consulting their safety, turn back?

Columbus, though aware of the mutinous disposition of his crew,
maintained a serene and steady countenance, using gentle words with
some, stimulating the pride and avarice of others, and threatening the
refractory.

On the 25th of September the wind again became favourable, and the
squadron resumed its westerly course.  Pinzon now, on examining the
chart, supposed that they must be approaching Cipango.  Columbus desired
to have it returned, and it was thrown on board at the end of a line.

While Columbus and his pilot were studying it, they heard a shout, and
looking up saw Pinzon standing at the stern of the _Pinta_, crying,
"Land! land!  Senor, I claim my reward!"

There was indeed an appearance of land to the south-west.  Columbus and
the other officers threw themselves on their knees, and returned thanks
to God.  The seamen, mounting the rigging, strained their eyes in the
direction pointed out, but the morning light put an end to their hopes.

Again with dejected hearts they proceeded, the sea, as before, tranquil,
the breeze propitious, and the weather mild and delightful.  In a day or
two more weeds were seen floating from east to west, but no birds were
visible.  The people again expressed their fears that they had passed
between two islands; but after the lapse of another day the ships were
visited by numberless birds, and various indications of land became more
numerous.  Full of hope, the seamen ascended the rigging, and were
continually crying out that they saw land.

Columbus put a stop to these false alarms, declaring that should any one
assert that they saw land, and it was not discovered within three days,
he should forfeit all claim to the reward.

Pinzon now proposed that they should steer south-west, but Columbus
persisted in keeping a westerly course.  On the 7th of October, at
sunrise, several of the Admiral's crew fancied that they saw land; the
_Nina_ pressing forward, a flag was run up at her masthead, and a gun
was fired,--the preconcerted signal for land.

The captain and his crew were mistaken notwithstanding.  The clouds
which had deceived them melted away.  The crews again became dejected.
But once more flocks of field birds were seen flying through the air to
the south-west, and Columbus, having already run the distance at the
termination of which he had expected to find the island of Cipango,
fancied he might have missed it.  He therefore altered his course to the
south-west.

As the ships advanced the signs of land increased: a heron, a pelican,
and a duck were seen bound in the same direction.  Branches of trees,
and grass, fresh and green, were observed.  The crews, however,
believing these to be mere delusions for leading them on to destruction,
insisted on abandoning the voyage.

Columbus sternly resisted their importunities, and the following day a
branch of thorn, with berries on it, and a staff artificially carved,
with other articles, were picked up, showing that land must be close at
hand.

All gloom and mutiny now gave way to sanguine expectations, and Columbus
promised a doublet of velvet, in addition to the pension to be given by
the sovereign, to whosoever should first see the longed-for shore.

As he walked the high poop of his ship at night, his eye continually
ranging along the horizon, he thought he saw a light glimmering at a
great distance.  Fearing that his hopes might deceive him, he
successively called up two of his officers.  They both saw it,
apparently proceeding from a torch in the bark of a fisherman, or held
in the hand of some person on shore, borne up as he walked.

So uncertain were these gleams that few attached any importance to them.
The ships continued their course until two in the morning, when Rodrigo
de Triana, a seaman on board the _Pinta_, descried land at two leagues
ahead.  A gun was fired from the _Santa Maria_, to give the joyful news.
When all doubt on the subject was banished the ships lay to.

Who can picture the thoughts and feelings of Columbus, as he walked the
deck, impatiently waiting for dawn, which was to show him clearly the
long-sought-for land, with, as he hoped, its spicy groves, its
glittering temples, its gilded cities, and all the splendour of Oriental
civilisation!

As the dawn of the 12th of October, 1492, increased, Columbus first
observed one of the outlying islands of the New World.  It was several
leagues in extent, level, and covered with trees, and populated, for the
naked inhabitants were seen running from all parts to the shore, and
gazing with astonishment at the ships.  The anchors being dropped, the
boats manned, he, richly attired in scarlet and holding the royal
standard, accompanied by the Pinzons in their own boats, approached the
shore.

On landing he threw himself on his knees, and kissing the earth,
returned thanks to God, the rest following his example.  He then,
drawing his sword, took possession of the island, which he named San
Salvador, in the names of the sovereigns of Castile.  The crews now
thronged round the Admiral, some embracing him, others kissing his
hands, expressing their joy; the most mutinous becoming the most
enthusiastic and devoted.

The natives, who had at first fled, supposing the ships monsters which
had risen from the deep, recovering their fears, now timidly advanced,
lost in admiration at the shining armour and splendid dresses of the
Spaniards, and their complexions and beards, at once recognising the
Admiral as the commander of the strangers.

Columbus, pleased with their gentleness, suffered them to scrutinise
him, and won them by his benignity.  The natives were equally objects of
curiosity to the Spaniards.  They were naked, painted all over with a
variety of colours and designs.  Their complexion was tawny, and they
were destitute of beards; their hair not crisp, like that of negroes,
but straight and coarse; their features were agreeable; their stature
moderate and well shaped; their foreheads lofty, and their eyes
remarkably fine.

As Columbus supposed that he had landed on an island at the extremity of
India, he called the natives Indians, as the inhabitants of the New
World have ever since been denominated.  Their only arms were lances
pointed with the teeth or bones of fishes.  There was no iron seen, and
so ignorant were the natives of its properties, that one of them took a
drawn sword by the edge, not aware that it would cut.

Columbus, to win their confidence, distributed among them coloured caps,
hawks' bells, and glass beads, with which they were highly pleased,
allowing the Spaniards unmolested to walk about the groves examining the
beautiful trees, the shrubs, fruits, and flowers, all so strange to
them.

The next morning canoes of all sizes, formed out of single trees, came
off, some holding one man, some forty or fifty, who managed them with
great dexterity.

They readily accepted toys and trinkets, which, supposing them to be
brought from heaven, possessed a supernatural virtue in their eyes.  The
only things they had to give in return were parrots and balls of
cotton-yarn, besides cassava cakes, formed from the flour of a root
called yuca, which they cultivated in their fields.  The Spaniards, who
were eagerly looking out for gold, were delighted to obtain some small
ornaments of that metal in exchange for beads and hawks' bells.  As it
was a royal monopoly, Columbus forbade any traffic in it, as he did also
in cotton, reserving to the crown all trade in it.

Misled by the accounts he had read in Marco Polo's works, he was from
the first persuaded that he had arrived at the islands lying opposite
Cathay in the Chinese seas, and that the country to the south, which he
understood from the natives abounded in gold, must be the famous island
of Cipango.

San Salvador, where he first landed, still retains its name, though
called by the English from its shape Cat Island.  It is one of the great
cluster of the Lucayos or Bahama Islands.  Coasting round it in the
boats, the Admiral visited various spots, and had friendly intercourse
with the natives, to whom he gave glass beads and other trifles.

He landed at another place, where there were six Indian huts surrounded
by groves and gardens as beautiful as those of Castile.

At last the sailors, wearied with their exertions, returned to the
ships, carrying seven Indians, that they might, by acquiring the Spanish
language, serve as interpreters.  Taking in a supply of wood and water,
the squadron sailed the same evening to the south, where the Admiral
expected to discover Cipango.  As the Indians told him there were
upwards of a hundred islands in the neighbourhood, he was confirmed in
his belief that they must be those described by Marco Polo, abounding
with gold, silver, drugs, and spices.

Several other islands were visited, but the explorers looked in vain for
bracelets and anklets of gold.  One day, just as the ships were about to
make sail, one of the San Salvador Indians on board the _Nina_, plunging
overboard, swam to a large canoe which had come near.  A boat was sent
in chase, but the Indians in their light canoe escaped, and reaching the
island fled to the woods.  Shortly afterwards a canoe, having on board a
single native, coming near, he was captured and brought to Columbus,
who, treating him with kindness won his heart; his canoe was also
restored to him, and that taken by the _Nina_ was set at liberty.

Soon afterwards, while traversing the channel between two islands, when
about midway another Indian in his canoe was overtaken, a string of
glass beads round his neck, showing that he had come from San Salvador.

Columbus, admiring his hardihood, had him and his canoe taken on board,
when he was treated with great kindness, bread and honey being given him
to eat.  It was too late to select a spot through the transparent sea
for anchoring, and the ship lay to until the morning, while the Indian
voyager, with all his effects and loaded with presents, was allowed to
depart.

Next day the natives came off, bringing fruits, and roots, and pure
water.  They were treated in the same way as the former had been.  Their
huts, which were formed of tall poles and branches neatly interwoven
with palm-leaves of a circular form, were visited.  They were clean and
neat, and generally sheltered under wide-spreading trees.  For beds they
had nets of cotton extended between two posts, which they called
hammocks, a name since generally adopted by seamen.

Columbus, as he sailed round the island, found a magnificent harbour,
sufficient to hold a hundred ships.  He was delighted with the beauty of
the scenery, the shady groves, the fruits, the herbs and flowers,--all
differing so greatly from those of Spain.  Everywhere the natives
received their visitors as superior beings, and gladly conducted them to
the coolest springs, and assisted them in rolling their casks to the
boats.  To the last island visited by Columbus he gave the name of
Fernandina.  Sailing thence on the 19th of October, he steered in quest
of a large island called Saometo, where, misled by his guides, he
expected to find the sovereign of the surrounding islands, habited in
rich clothes and jewels and gold, possessed of great treasures, a large
city, and a gold-mine.  Neither were found; but the voyagers were
delighted with the balmy air, the beautiful scenery, the graceful trees,
the vast flocks of parrots and other birds of gorgeous plumage, and the
fish, which rivalled them in the brilliancy of their colours.  No
animals were seen, with the exception of a dog which never barked, a
species of rabbit, and numerous lizards and iguanas.

Columbus was as much misled by his own fervent imagination as by not
comprehending the accounts given him by the natives.  He proposed that
his stay at those islands should depend upon the quantity of gold,
spices, precious stones, and other objects of Oriental trade which he
should find there.  After this he intended to proceed to the mainland of
India, which he calculated was within ten days' sail, and there, after
visiting some of its magnificent capitals described by Marco Polo, he
would deliver the letters of the sovereigns to the Grand Khan, with
whose reply he would return triumphantly to Spain.

Such was his idea when, leaving the Bahamas, he went in quest of the
island of Cuba, of which he had been told.

Touching at various islands, having crossed the Bahama bank, he came in
sight of Cuba on the morning of the 28th of October.  He was struck as
he approached by its lofty mountains, its far-stretching headlands, its
plains and valleys, and noble rivers.

He anchored in a beautiful stream, the banks overhung with trees.  Here
landing, he took possession of the island, giving it the name of Juana,
in honour of Prince Juan, and the river that of San Salvador.  Going on
shore in search of the inhabitants, he found only two abandoned huts,
containing a few nets, hooks, and harpoons of bone, showing that the
owners were mere savages.

Again he was delighted with the scenery, and the vast flights of birds
of gorgeous plumage, parrots, woodpeckers, and humming-birds flitting
among the trees, and sucking honey from the flowers.  He fancied too,
from the smell of the woods, that he perceived the fragrance of Oriental
spices.  He discovered also shells of the kind of oysters which produce
pearls.

Having experienced since his arrival soft and genial weather, he
concluded that a perpetual serenity reigned over those happy seas.
Though the inhabitants had fled, he remarked that their dwellings were
better built than those he had hitherto seen, being clean in the
extreme; and as he discovered a few rude statues and wooden masks
ingeniously carved, he supposed that these signs of civilisation would
go on increasing as he advanced towards _terra firma_.  He fancied that
the inhabitants had fled, mistaking his armament for one of those
scouring expeditions sent by the Grand Khan to make prisoners and
slaves.  He, however, with the assistance of his Indian friends,
succeeded in calming the fears of the natives, who came off in sixteen
canoes, bringing cotton-yarn and other simple articles of traffic.  He
forbade, however, all trading for anything but gold, that the natives
might be tempted to produce the real riches of their country.

Again misled by his guides, he was induced to believe that a powerful
chief lived in the interior of the country, and two of his officers were
therefore dispatched, carrying presents and specimens of spices and
drugs, to ascertain whether such productions were to be found there.
They were directed also to obtain all the information they could
respecting it.

While his envoys were absent he had his ships careened and repaired.
During this time reports were brought him of the existence of
cinnamon-trees, nutmegs, and rhubarb; and his native friends, when he
showed them gold and pearls, declared that there were people in an
island called Bohio who wore such things round their necks, arms, and
ankles.

The return of the envoys was eagerly looked forward to, but their report
when they appeared quickly disabused the Admiral's mind.  After
travelling about twelve leagues they arrived at a village of about fifty
houses, containing a thousand inhabitants, who had received them with
every mark of respect, looking upon them as beings of a superior order.
The villagers, however, were as little advanced in civilisation as those
on the coast, nor was gold, cinnamon, nor pepper to be found among them,
although they said such things existed far off to the south-west.

On their return with some of the inhabitants, the Spaniards were
surprised to see them roll up the dried leaves of a plant which they
called "tobacco," and smoke it with a satisfaction which the voyagers
could not comprehend, as it appeared to them an unsavoury nauseous
indulgence, little dreaming what determined smokers their descendants
would become.  The envoys described the country as fertile in the
extreme, the fields produced pepper, sweet potatoes, maize, pulse, and
yuca, while the trees were laden with tempting fruits of delicious
flavour.  There was also a vast quantity of cotton,--some just growing,
some in full growth,--while the houses were stored with it partly
wrought into yarn and nets.

Columbus was, by the misapprehension of terms, led into many errors.
Bohio, meaning simply "a house," and therefore signifying a populous
island, was frequently applied to Hispaniola.  His great object,
however, was to reach some civilised country of the East with which he
might establish commercial relations, and carry home its Oriental
merchandise as a rich trophy of his discovery.  Besides Bohio, he had
heard of another island called Babique, of which he now sailed in
search, hoping that it might prove some civilised island on the coast of
Asia.  Shortly afterwards he altered his course east-south-east,
following back the direction of the coast, and thus did not discover his
mistake in supposing Cuba to be a part of _terra firma_, an error in
which he continued to the day of his death.

Some time was spent in cruising about an archipelago of small and
beautiful islands, which has since afforded a lurking-place for
piratical craft.

In attempting to reach the supposed land of Babique, he met with a
contrary gale, which compelled him to put about, when he made signals to
the other vessels to do likewise.

The _Pinta_ did not obey him, and when morning dawned was nowhere to be
seen.  This circumstance disturbed Columbus, who had reason to fear that
Pinzon, jealous of his success, intended to prosecute the discovery by
himself, or to return to Spain with an account of the success of the
enterprise.

Finding that Pinzon did not rejoin him, he returned to Cuba, and
continued for several days sailing along the coast.  Again and again he
was struck with the magnificence of the scenery and size of the trees,
out of a single trunk of which canoes were formed, capable of holding
one hundred and fifty people.  On the 5th of December he reached the
eastern end of Cuba, and then steering large, away from it, he
discovered land to the south-east.  On approaching, he saw high
mountains towering above the horizon, and found that it was an island of
great extent, being Hagi or Hispaniola.

Again his native friends exclaimed, "Bohio!"--by which they meant to say
that it was thickly populated, though, as he understood the expression,
that it abounded with gold.  He was struck with the unrivalled beauty of
its scenery.  On the following day he entered a harbour at the western
end, which he called Saint Nicholas.  It was deep and spacious,
surrounded by trees, many of them loaded with fruit.

Sailing again, he entered another harbour, called Port Concepcion, now
known as the Bay of Moustique.  Wishing to open an intercourse with the
natives, he sent six well-armed men into the interior.  The people fled,
but the sailors captured a young female who was perfectly unclothed,--a
bad omen as to the civilisation of the island,--but an ornament of gold
in her nose gave hope that the precious metal might be found there.

The Admiral soothed her terror by presenting her with beads, brass
rings,--hawks' bells, and other trinkets, and sent her on shore clothed,
accompanied by several of the crew and three Indian interpreters.  She
would, however, willingly have remained with the native women she found
on board.  The party were afraid of venturing to the village, and,
having set her at liberty, returned to the ship.

The following morning nine well-armed men, with an interpreter from
Cuba, again landed and approached a village containing a thousand
houses, but the inhabitants had fled.  The interpreter, however,
overtook them, and telling them that the strangers had descended from
the skies, and went about the world making beautiful presents, they
turned back to the number of a thousand, approaching the Spaniards with
slow and trembling steps, making signs of profound reverence.

While they were conversing another large party of Indians approached,
headed by the husband of the female captive, whom they brought in
triumph on their shoulders.  The husband expressed his gratitude for the
magnificent presents bestowed on his wife.

The Indians, now conducting the Spaniards to their houses, set before
them a banquet of cassava bread, fish, roots, and fruits of various
kinds.  They presented also numbers of tame parrots, freely offering,
indeed, whatever they possessed.

Delighted as they were with all they saw, the Spaniards still bitterly
complained that they found no signs of riches among the natives.  Nature
abundantly supplying all they required, they were without even a
knowledge of artificial wants, and so unbounded was their hospitality,
that they were ready to bestow everything they possessed on their
guests.  The fertile earth producing all they required, they preferred
to live in that Arcadian state of simplicity which poets have delighted
to picture.  Their fields and gardens were without hedges or divisions
of any sort.  They were kind to each other, and required no magistrates
nor laws to keep them in order.  Alas! how soon was this happy state of
existence to be destroyed by the cruel, avaricious, and profligate
Spaniards.  Unlike their pious, high-minded, and sagacious chief, they
resembled the bloodhounds they were wont to let loose in chase of their
victims.

How different might have been the fate of the islands had such men as
the pilgrim fathers or the enlightened Penn been the first to settle
among them!  The bright light of true Christianity might have beamed on
their hearts, with all the advantages of civilisation, and far greater
happiness than they had hitherto enjoyed might have been their lot.  No
blame can be attached to Columbus, no slur can be cast on his fair fame.
He had achieved a glorious undertaking in discovering a new world, but
on its inhabitants he had been thus the instrument of bringing the
direst of curses, and, instead of promulgating the faith he professed,
the blackest disgrace on the Christian name.



CHAPTER THREE.

FIRST VOYAGE OF COLUMBUS CONTINUED--A.D. 1492.

The Tortugas--Returns to Hispaniola--Picks up an Indian in a canoe on
the way--The Indian's report induces a cacique to visit the ships--
Friendly intercourse with other caciques--Farther along the coast, an
envoy from the great cacique Guacanagari visits the ships--The notary
sent to the cacique--His large, clean village--The Spaniards treated as
superior beings--Cibao, mistaken for Cipango, heard of--The ship of
Columbus wrecked--Guacanagari's generous behaviour--Terror of the
Indians at hearing a cannon discharged--Delighted with hawks' bells--
Stores from the wreck saved--A fort built with the assistance of the
natives, and called La Natividad--The cacique's friendship for
Columbus--Abundance of gold obtained--A garrison of thirty men left in
the fort, with strict rules for their government--Guacanagari sheds
tears at parting with the Admiral--The _Nina_ sails eastward--The
_Pinta_ rejoins him--Pinzon excuses himself--His treachery discovered--
In consequence of it Columbus resolves to return to Spain--Pinzon's ill
treatment of the natives--Fierce natives met with--First native blood
shed--The Indians notwithstanding visit the ship--Columbus steers for
Spain--Contrary winds--A fearful storm--The device of Columbus for
preserving the knowledge of his discoveries--The Azores reached--
Castaneda, Governor of Saint Mary's--Crew perform a pilgrimage to the
Virgin's shrine--Seized by the Governor--Caravel driven out to sea--
Matters settled with Castaneda--Sails--Another tempest--Nearly lost--
Enters the Tagus--Courteously received by the King of Portugal--Reaches
Palos 15th of March, 1493--Enthusiastic reception at Palos--Pinzon in
the _Pinta_ arrives--Dies of shame and grief--Columbus received with due
honour by Ferdinand and Isabella--Triumphal entrance into Barcelona--His
discovery excites the enterprise of the English.

After a brief stay among the happy and simple-minded natives, the
weather becoming favourable, Columbus again attempted to discover the
island of Babique.  On his way he fell in with an island, to which, on
account of the number of turtles seen there, he gave the name of
Tortugas.  Meeting with contrary winds, he returned to Hispaniola, and
on the way fell in with an Indian in a canoe.  Having taken the man and
his frail barque on board, he treated him kindly and set him on shore at
Hispaniola, near a river known as Puerto de Paz.

The Indian gave so favourable a report of the treatment he had received,
that a cacique in the neighbourhood, and some of his people, visited the
ships.  They were handsomer than any yet met with, and of a gentle and
peaceable disposition.  Several of them wore ornaments of gold, which
they readily exchanged for trifles.

Another young cacique shortly afterwards appeared, carried on a litter
borne by four men, and attended by two hundred of his subjects.  He was
received on board, and, Columbus being at dinner, he came down with two
of his councillors, who seated themselves at his feet.  He merely tasted
whatever was given to him, and then sent it to his followers.

Dinner being over, he presented to the Admiral two pieces of gold, and a
curiously-worked belt, evidently the wampum still employed by the North
American Indians as a token of peace.  Columbus, in return, gave him a
piece of cloth, several amber beads, coloured shoes, and, showing him a
Spanish coin with the heads of the King and Queen, endeavoured to
explain to him the power and grandeur of his sovereigns, as well as the
standard of the cross; but these apparently failed to have any effect on
the mind of the savage chieftain.  Columbus also had a large cross
erected in the centre of the village, and, from the respect the Indians
paid to it, he argued that it would be easy to convert them to
Christianity.

Again sailing on the 20th of December, the expedition anchored in the
Bay of Acul.  Here the inhabitants received them with the greatest
frankness.  They appeared to have no idea of traffic, but freely gave
everything they possessed, though Columbus ordered that articles should
be given in exchange for all received.

Several caciques came off, inviting the Spaniards to their villages.
Among them came an envoy from an important chief named Guacanagari,
ruling over all that part of the island.  Having presented a broad belt
of wampum and a wooden mask, the eyes, nose, and tongue of which were of
gold, he requested that the ships would come off the town where the
cacique resided.  As this was impossible, owing to a contrary wind,
Columbus sent the notary of the squadron, with several attendants.  The
town was the largest and best built they had yet seen.  The cacique
received them in a large, clean square, and presented to each a robe of
cotton, while the inhabitants brought fruits and provisions of various
sorts.  The seamen were also received into their houses, and presented
with cotton garments and anything they seemed to admire; while the
articles given in return were treasured up as sacred relics.

Several caciques had in the meantime visited the ships.  They mentioned
a region, evidently the interior, called Cibao, which Columbus thought
must be a corruption of Cipango, and whose chief he understood had
banners of wrought gold, and was probably the magnificent prince
mentioned by Marco Polo.

As soon as the wind was fair, Columbus visited the chief, Guacanagari,
the coast having been surveyed by boats the previous day.  Feeling
perfectly secure, although so near the coast, he retired to his cabin.
The helmsman handed over his charge to one of the ship's boys, and
failed to notice that breakers were ahead.  Suddenly the ship struck;
the master and crew rushed on deck.  Columbus, calm as usual, ordered
the pilot to carry out an anchor astern.  Instead of so doing, in his
fright, he rowed off to the other caravel, about half a league to
windward.  Her commander instantly went to the assistance of his chief.
The ship had meantime been drifting more and more on the reef, the shock
having opened several of her seams.  The weather continued fine, or she
must at once have gone to pieces.

The Admiral, having gone on board the caravel, sent envoys to
Guacanagari, informing him of his intended visit and his disastrous
shipwreck.  When the cacique, who lived a league and a half off, heard
of the misfortune, he shed tears, and sent a fleet of canoes to render
assistance.  With their help the vessel was unloaded, the chief taking
care that none of the effects should be pilfered.  Not an article was
taken; indeed, the people exhibited the greatest sympathy with their
guests, who were treated with the utmost hospitality.

Two days afterwards Guacanagari came on board the _Nina_ to visit the
Admiral, and, with tears in his eyes, offered him all he possessed.
While he was on board a canoe arrived with pieces of gold, and, on
observing his countenance light up, the cacique told him there was a
place not far off, among the mountains, where it could be procured in
the greatest abundance.  He called the place Cibao, which Columbus still
confounded with that of Cipango.

Guacanagari, after dining on board, where he exhibited the utmost
frankness, invited Columbus to his village.  Here he had prepared an
abundant banquet, consisting of coneys, fish, roots, and various fruits.
He afterwards conducted the Admiral to some beautiful groves, where a
thousand natives were collected to perform their national games and
dances.

In return, the Admiral sent on board for a Castilian accustomed to the
use of the Moorish bow and arrows.  The cacique was greatly surprised at
the skill with which the Castilian used his weapon, and told him that
the Caribs, who made frequent descents on his territory, were also armed
with bows and arrows.

Columbus promised his protection, and, to show his host the powerful
means at his disposal, ordered a heavy cannon and an arquebus to be
discharged.  At the report the Indians fell to the ground, as if they
had been struck by a thunderbolt.  As they saw the shot shivering a
tree, they were filled with dismay, until Columbus assured them that
these weapons should be turned against their enemies.

The cacique now presented Columbus with a wooden mask, the eyes, ears,
and other parts, of gold; and he also placed a golden crown on his head,
and hung plates of gold round his neck.  The natives, though willing to
receive anything in exchange for gold, were chiefly delighted with the
hawks' bells, dancing and playing a dozen antics as they listened to the
sound.  An Indian gave even a handful of gold for one of the toys, and
then bounded away, fearing that the stranger might repent having parted
so cheaply with such an inestimable a treasure.  The shipwrecked
Spaniards, delighted with their idle life on shore, expressed their wish
to remain on the island.  This, with the friendly behaviour of the
natives, induced Columbus to agree to their proposal.  He considered
that they might explore the island, learn the language and manners of
the natives, and procure by traffic a large amount of gold.  He resolved
also to build a fortress for their defence, to be armed with the guns
saved from the wreck.  With his usual promptness he had the work
commenced.

When Guacanagari heard that some of the Spaniards were to be left on the
island for its defence from the Caribs, he was overjoyed, as were his
subjects, who eagerly lent their assistance in building the fortress,
little dreaming that they were assisting to place on their necks the
galling yoke of slavery.

While the work of the fortress was rapidly going on, Guacanagari treated
the Admiral with princely generosity.  As Columbus, on one occasion, was
landing, the cacique met him, accompanied by five tributary chiefs, each
carrying a coronet of gold.  On arriving at his house, Guacanagari took
off his own crown and placed it on the head of the Admiral.  Columbus
presented, in return, a collar of fine coloured beads, his mantle of
cloth, a pair of coloured boots, and placed on his finger a large ring
of silver, which the Indians valued far more than gold.  The cacique
also exerted himself to procure a great quantity of gold.

Columbus, by misunderstanding names and descriptions, formed the most
magnificent idea of the wealth of the interior of the island, and even
in the red pepper which abounded he fancied that he traced Oriental
spices.  He was thus led to believe that the shipwreck was providential,
as, had he sailed away, he should not have heard of its vast wealth.
What in some spirits would have awakened a grasping and sordid cupidity
to accumulate, immediately filled his vivid imagination with plans of
magnificent expenditure.

To the fortress, which was of some size, and sufficiently strong to
repulse a naked and unwarlike people, Columbus gave the name of La
Navidad, in memory of having escaped shipwreck on Christmas Day.  He
considered it very likely to prove most useful in keeping the garrison
themselves in order, and to prevent them wandering about and committing
acts of licentiousness among the natives.

Of the numbers who volunteered he selected thirty-nine in all, among
whom was a physician, a ship's carpenter, a cooper, a tailor, and a
gunner; the command being given to Diego de Arana, notary and alguazil
of the armament, with Pedro Gutierrez and Rodrigo de Escobedo as his
lieutenants, directing them to obtain all the information in their
power.  He charged the garrison to be especially circumspect in their
intercourse with the natives,--to treat them with gentleness and
justice,--to be highly discreet in their conduct towards the Indian
females, and, moreover, not to scatter themselves, or on any account
stray beyond the friendly territory of Guacanagari.

On the 2nd of January, 1493, Columbus bade farewell to the generous
cacique and his chieftains, commending those he left behind to their
care.  To impress the Indians with an idea of the warlike prowess of the
white man, after a banquet he had given at his house, he ordered them to
engage in mock fights with swords, bucklers, crossbows, arquebuses, and
cannon.

Guacanagari shed tears as he parted with Columbus, who, returning on
board, two days afterwards set sail, the garrison on shore answering the
cheers of their comrades who were about to return to their native land.
The ship, being towed out of the harbour, they stood to the eastward,
but were detained for two days by a contrary wind.

On the 6th, a seaman aloft cried out that he saw the _Pinta_.  The
certainty that he was right cheered the heart of the Admiral and his
crew.  In a short time she approached, and, as the wind was contrary,
Columbus put back to a little bay west of Monte Cristo, where he was
followed by the _Pinta_.

Pinzon endeavoured to excuse himself, but Columbus discovered that he
had purposely separated, and had gone to Hispaniola, where he had
remained trading with the natives; collecting a considerable quantity of
gold, the greater part of which he retained, and the rest divided among
the men to secure his secret.

Columbus, however, knowing the number of friends the Pinzons had on
board, repressed his indignation; but so much was his confidence in his
confederates impaired, that, instead of continuing his explorations, as
he hoped to have done when he first saw the _Pinta_, he resolved at once
to sail for Spain.

While obtaining wood and water for the voyage at a river flowing into
the bay, so much gold was perceived in the sand at its mouth that the
name of Rio del Oro, or the Golden River, was given to it.  At present
it is called the Santiago.  Turtles of large size were found here, and,
as a proof how so sagacious a man as Columbus might deceive himself, he
states that he here saw three mermaids, who were very far from lovely,
although they had traces of human countenances.  They were undoubtedly
manatees or sea-cows.

Putting into the river where Pinzon had been trading, some of the
natives complained that he had violently carried off four men and two
girls to be sold as slaves in Spain.

Discovering that such was the case, Columbus ordered that they should be
restored immediately to their homes, and, giving them numerous presents
and clothing, he sent them on shore.

Proceeding on, they anchored in a deep gulf a little way beyond Cape
Cabron.  The natives were found to be of a ferocious aspect, hideously
painted.  Their hair was long, tied behind, and decorated with coloured
feathers; some were armed with war-clubs; others had bows as long as
those used by English archers, with slender reed arrows pointed with
bone or the teeth of a fish.  Their swords were of palm wood, as hard
and heavy as iron, not sharp, but broad, and capable, with one blow, of
cleaving through a helmet.

Columbus fancied that they must be Caribs, but an Indian on board
assured him that the Caribbean Islands were much farther off.  They made
no attempt, however, at first, to molest the Spaniards.  One of them
came on board the Admiral's ship.  Various presents having been given
him, he was sent again on shore in one of the boats.

As she approached, upwards of fifty savages, armed with bows, arrows,
war-clubs, and javelins, were seen lurking among the trees.  The Indian,
however, speaking to them, they laid by their arms, and parted with two
of their bows to the Spaniards.  Suddenly, however, mistrusting their
visitors, they rushed back to where they had left their weapons, and
returned with cords as if to bind the Spaniards.  The latter on this
immediately attacked them, wounded two, and put the rest to flight, and
would have pursued them had they not been restrained by the commander of
the boat.

This was the first time native blood, soon to flow so freely, was shed
by the white man in the New World.  It greatly grieved Columbus thus to
see his efforts to maintain a friendly intercourse frustrated.

Next day, notwithstanding the above occurrence, when a large party went
on shore, the cacique who ruled over the neighbourhood came down to meet
them, and sent a wampum belt as a token of amity.  The cacique, with
only three attendants, without fear entered the boat, and was conveyed
on board the caravel.  Columbus highly appreciated this frank, confiding
conduct, and, having placed biscuits and honey and other food before his
guests, shown them round the ship, and made them several presents, he
sent them back to the land highly gratified.  No other interruption
occurred to their friendly intercourse.  Four young Indians who came on
board gave such glowing accounts of the islands to the east, that
Columbus prevailed on them to accompany him as guides.  He also wished
to visit two islands which he fancied to exist,--one inhabited by
Amazons, and the other by men; but a favourable breeze springing up for
Spain, and observing the gloom in the countenances of the seamen,--
knowing as he did also their insubordinate spirit, and the leaky state
of the ships, and that, should they founder, his glorious discovery
would be lost to the civilised world,--he deemed it wise to steer
directly homewards.  The favourable breeze, however, soon died away, and
for the remainder of the voyage light winds from the eastward prevailed.

The _Pinta_ also sailed badly, her foremast being so defective that it
could carry but little sail.  In the early part of February, having run
to about the thirty-eighth degree of north latitude, they got out of the
track of the trade winds, and once more were able to steer a direct
course.  The pilots, by the changes of their courses, at length got
perplexed; but Columbus kept so careful a reckoning that he felt sure of
their position.  The two principal pilots made out that they were one
hundred and fifty leagues nearer Spain than he knew to be the case.  He,
however, allowed them to remain in their error, that he alone might
possess a knowledge of the route to the newly-discovered countries.  By
his calculation they were not far off from the Azores.  On the 12th of
February a strong gale with a heavy sea got up, and the next day the
wind and swell so increased that Columbus was aware that a heavy tempest
was approaching.  It soon burst upon them with frightful violence,
increasing still more on the 14th, the waves threatening every moment to
overwhelm their battered barks.  After laying to for three hours they
were compelled to scud before the wind.  During the darkness of the
night the _Pinta_ was lost sight of.  The Admiral steered as well as he
could to the north-east to approach the coast of Spain, showing lights
to the _Pinta_; but no answering signals were seen, and fears were
entertained that she had foundered.  The following day the tempest raged
as furiously as before on the helpless bark.  During the storm the
ignorant and superstitious crew cast lots as to who should perform
pilgrimages to their respective saints, in which the Admiral, no less
superstitious than his men, joined.  Two of the lots fell on him.  Each
man also made his private vow to perform some pilgrimage, or other
penitential rite.

The heavens, however, were deaf to their vows.  The storm increased, and
the crew gave themselves up for lost.  The Admiral took the wisest steps
to preserve the ship, by ordering that the empty casks should be filled
with water, to ballast her better.  His mind all the time was a prey to
the most painful anxiety.  His fear was that the _Pinta_ had already
foundered, and that his vessel would also go to the bottom.

An expedient occurred to him at this time by which, though he and his
ships should perish, the glory of his achievement might survive to his
name, and its advantages be secured to his sovereigns.  He wrote on a
parchment a brief account of his voyage and discovery; then, having
sealed and directed it to the King and Queen, he wrapped it in a waxed
cloth, which he placed in the centre of a piece of wax, and, enclosing
the whole in a large cask, threw it into the sea.  He also enclosed a
copy in a similar manner, placing the cask on the poop so that it might
float off should the vessel sink.

These precautions somewhat mitigated his anxiety.  Towards sunset a
streak of clear sky appeared in the west, the sign of finer weather.  It
came, though the sea ran so high that little sail could be carried.

At daybreak on the morning of the 15th the cry of "Land!" was raised.
The transports of the crew equalled those exhibited on first beholding
the New World.  Various conjectures were offered as to what land it was.
Some thought it the rock of Cintra, others the island of Madeira,
others a portion of Spain.  Columbus, however, knew that it was one of
the Azores, in possession of the Portuguese.

On the evening of the 17th of February the vessel dropped her anchor off
the island of Saint Mary's, the most southern of the Azores, and at
length the great navigator was enabled to enjoy the first moments of
sleep he had taken for many a day.

Next morning the inhabitants were astonished, on seeing the battered
vessel, that she had been able to live through the gale, which had, with
unexampled fury, raged for fifteen days.  Three seamen who had landed
were persuaded to remain and give an account of their adventures.

After some time the Governor, Juan de Castaneda, who claimed an
acquaintance with Columbus, sent off fowls, bread, and various
refreshments, apologising for not coming himself, on account of the
lateness of the hour.

On the following morning Columbus reminded his people of their vows, to
go in procession to the shrine of the Virgin at the first place where
they should land.  The messengers who had been kept on board were sent
to make preparations, and a priest arrived at a small chapel dedicated
to the Virgin some little distance off.  One-half of the crew then
landed and walked in procession, barefooted and in their shirts, to the
chapel, while the Admiral waited their return to perform the same
ceremony with the remainder.

Scarcely, however, had the first party begun their prayers than they
were surrounded by a gang of horse and foot from the village, and made
prisoners.

As the hermitage could not be seen from the caravel, not being aware of
what had taken place, the Admiral feared that his boat had been wrecked,
and accordingly, weighing anchor, he stood in a direction to command a
view of the chapel.

He now caught sight of a number of armed horsemen, who, dismounting,
entered the boat, and came towards the caravel.  He accordingly got
ready to give them a warm reception, but they approached in a pacific
manner, and Castaneda himself, who was in the boat, asked leave to come
on board.

Columbus reproached him for his perfidy, to which he replied that he was
only acting in accordance with the orders of his sovereigns, so that
Columbus began to fear that a war had broken out between the two
countries during his absence.  He had no time to ascertain the truth
before another heavy gale coming on, he was driven from his anchorage,
and compelled to stand out to sea.

For two days the vessel remained in the greatest peril, short-handed as
she was, being unable to return to her anchorage at Saint Mary's.

As soon as she dropped anchor, a notary and two priests came off
demanding to see his papers on the part of Castaneda, who had sent them
to assure him that if it should be found that he really sailed in the
service of the Spanish sovereigns, he would render him every assistance
in his power.

The notary and priest were satisfied with his letters of commission, and
the following morning the boat and seamen were sent back.  From the
latter Columbus learnt the cause of Castaneda's conduct.  The
inhabitants had told them that the King of Portugal, jealous lest his
expedition should interfere with his discoveries in India, had directed
his governors of islands and distant ports to seize and detain him
wherever he should be met with.

Having been detained two days longer at Saint Mary's in an endeavour to
take in wood and ballast, but being prevented by the heavy surf which
broke upon the shore, he set sail on the 24th of February.  After a fine
run of two days the weather again became tempestuous, and there appeared
every probability of the ship foundering.

On the 3rd of March land was descried, and it was with the greatest
difficulty that the ship could be kept off the shore.  At daylight on
the 4th the voyagers found themselves off the rock of Cintra, a few
miles from Lisbon.  Rather than risk another night at sea, Columbus
determined to hazard the chance of falling into the hands of the
Portuguese.  The ship was accordingly steered in and brought up opposite
Rastello, at the mouth of the river Tagus.

The oldest mariners who came off assured Columbus that they had never
known so temptestuous a winter, and had been watching his vessel with
the greatest anxiety since she had first been seen.  He immediately
dispatched a courier to the King and Queen of Spain with the tidings of
his discovery, and requested permission of the King of Portugal to go up
to Lisbon, fearing that the inhabitants of Rastello, when they heard of
her rich freight, might be tempted to rob her.

The King of Portugal, who was some distance from the capital, at once
invited Columbus to visit him.  During the interview which ensued he
endeavoured to conceal his vexation at having refused the proposals
which had been made him by the navigator.

His Court tried to persuade him that Columbus had visited countries over
which, according to the Pope's bull, he had the right to rule.  Some had
the baseness to hint that Columbus should be assassinated, and suggested
that he should be embroiled in a quarrel, during which the project might
be accomplished.

The King, happily, had too much magnanimity to agree to so nefarious a
measure.  He treated Columbus with the greatest courtesy, and a large
party of cavaliers escorted him back to his ship.

By the time Columbus reached her the weather had moderated, and, again
setting sail, on the 15th of March, A.D. 1493, he entered the port of
Palos, whence he had sailed on the 3rd of August of the preceding year,
having taken not quite seven months and a half to accomplish this
momentous maritime enterprise.

The enthusiastic reception he met with from the inhabitants of Palos can
be imagined.  They had given him and his companions up for lost.  Bells
were rung and the shops shut; all business was suspended; and the
inhabitants came thronging to the ship to ascertain the fate of their
friends.  On landing, he went to the principal church, accompanied by a
concourse of people, to return thanks to God for the accomplishment of
his enterprise.

As the Court was at Barcelona, he felt inclined to go there in his
caravel, but, considering her condition, he finally resolved to proceed
by land.  That very evening, while the bells were sending forth their
peals of triumph, the _Pinta_, commanded by Martin Alonzo Pinzon,
entered the river.

Pinzon had been driven by the gale into the Bay of Biscay, and had
reached the port of Bayonne.  Fancying that Columbus had perished, he
had written to the sovereigns claiming credit to himself for the
accomplishment of the undertaking.  On hearing that Columbus had arrived
before him, his heart sank within him.  He made his way unobserved to
his own house, and, on receiving a reproachful letter from Ferdinand and
Isabella, he took to his bed, and in a short time died of deep chagrin
on seeing Columbus receive all the honours he had himself hoped to
obtain.

Columbus, having performed the journey to Barcelona in safety, was
received with the greatest possible respect by Ferdinand and Isabella,
whose nobles and courtiers vied with each other in endeavouring to do
him honour.  His entrance into the city was like a Roman triumph.  The
courtiers and hidalgos, and a vast concourse of people, came forth to
meet him.  Before him were paraded the Indians, decked out according to
their savage fashion, and after these were borne various kinds of live
parrots, stuffed birds and animals, and rare plants; while there was a
conspicuous display of Indian coronets, bracelets, and other decorations
of gold.

Columbus followed on horseback, accompanied by a brilliant cavalcade of
Spanish chivalry.  The windows and balconies were crowded with the fair;
the very roofs were covered with spectators.

The King and the kind Queen awaited his arrival seated on a throne, in a
vast and splendid saloon, under a rich canopy of brocade of gold.  They
raised him as he attempted to kneel, and had a seat placed for him near
them,--a rare honour in so punctilious a Court.  He here narrated his
adventures, to which they listened with wrapt attention; and, when he
retired from the royal presence, he was attended by the whole Court to
his residence.

Ferdinand and Isabella setting the example for many days, all the nobles
of the land exerted themselves to do him honour.  He modestly received
all the attentions paid to him.  Though his mind was teeming with
magnificent schemes for the future, he did not forget that for the
deliverance of the Holy Sepulchre, and believing that ere long vast
wealth would accrue to him, he made a vow to furnish, within seven
years, an army of four thousand horse and fifty thousand foot, for the
rescue of the Holy Sepulchre, and a similar force within the five
following years.

Not only Spain, but all the civilised nations of the earth rejoiced at
the important discovery achieved by Columbus.  In England especially it
excited that spirit of discovery which was ere long to add so greatly to
her wealth and renown.

During his sojourn at Barcelona the sovereigns took every occasion to
bestow on Columbus personal marks of their high consideration.
Frequently the King appeared on horseback, with Prince Juan on one side
and Columbus on the other.

To perpetuate in his family the glory of his achievement, a coat of arms
was assigned him, in which the royal arms--the castle and lion--were
quartered with his proper bearings, which were a group of islands
surrounded by waves.  To these arms were added the words--

"A Castella y a Leon Nuevo Mundo dio Colon."

"To Castile and Leon Columbus gave a new world."



CHAPTER FOUR.

SECOND VOYAGE OF COLUMBUS--A.D. 1403.

Preparations for another voyage rapidly made--Foneseca appointed to
superintend the expedition--Indians brought home baptised--Fleet sails
from Bay of Cadiz on the 25th of September, 1493--Steers for the
Canaries--Ordered to rendezvous at Navidad--Fine passage across the
Atlantic--On Sunday, 3rd of November, a lofty island seen, and therefore
called Dominica--The Antilles--Lands near a Carib village--Pineapples
first seen--Supposed cannibals--Diego Marques and eight men missing--
Ojeda goes in search of them--The missing party returns--Land at Santa
Cruz--Caribs in a canoe fiercely attack the Spaniards--Fleet comes off
Porto Rico--A neat village visited--Fleet reaches Hispamola--Invitations
from a cacique to remain--A supposed Indian convert escapes--Two dead
bodies of white men discovered--Painful suspicions aroused--Fleet
arrives off La Navidad at night--Canoe comes off, and Columbus hears of
the destruction of the settlement--Sails from La Navidad and founds the
town of Isabella--Expedition of Ojeda to the Golden Mountains--Ships
sent home--Proposal to exchange Caribs for cattle--A mutiny suppressed--
Diaz imprisoned--Columbus makes an expedition into the interior--Forts
built--Columbus proceeds on a voyage of discovery--Surveys south coast
of Cuba--Friendly meeting with natives--Enters the harbour of Jago de
Cuba--First sight of Jamaica, called by Columbus Santiago--Hostility of
the natives--Attacked by the Spaniards--Bloodhounds first used--Canoes
formed of enormous trees.

We must briefly follow the adventures of Columbus to their termination.
In spite of the efforts of Don John, King of Portugal, to reap advantage
from the discovery of Columbus, Ferdinand and Isabella obtained from the
Pope a bull, making over the newly-discovered lands and all such others
as might be discovered to the crown of Castile.  The utmost exertions
were at once made to fit out a second expedition.  The affairs of the
New World were placed under the superintendence of Juan Rodrigues de
Foneseca, Archdeacon of Seville, who was finally appointed Patriarch of
the Indies.  He was a worldly man, malignant and vindictive.  He not
only wronged the early discoverers, but frequently impeded the progress
of their enterprises.  Other men of similar character were associated
with him.

A royal order was issued that all ships in the ports of Andalusia, with
their captains, pilots, and crews, should be held in readiness to serve
in the expedition.  Columbus and Foneseca were authorised to freight or
purchase any of those vessels they might think proper, and overcome them
by force if refused.

To provide for the expenses of the expedition, a royal revenue arising
from Church tithes was placed at the disposal of the treasurer Pincello,
and further funds were derived from the jewels and other valuables, the
sequestrated property of the unfortunate Jews, banished from the kingdom
according to the bigoted edict of the preceding year.  As the conversion
of the heathen was professed to be the grand object of this expedition,
twelve zealous and able ecclesiastics were directed to accompany it.  At
their head was Bernado Boyle, one of those subtle politicians of the
cloister who in those days glided into all temporal concerns.

The Indians Columbus had brought to Barcelona were baptised, the King,
Queen, and Prince Juan officiating as sponsors; and great hopes were
entertained that on their return to their native country they would
facilitate the introduction of Christianity among their countrymen.  One
of them, who remained in the household of Prince John, died not long
afterwards, the first of his nation who entered heaven, according to the
notion of a Spanish historian.

The Spanish monarchs were anxious for the speedy departure of the
expedition, on account of the proceedings of King John of Portugal, who
had prepared a large armament for the avowed object of an expedition to
Africa, its real destination being to seize upon the newly-discovered
countries.  Before, however, the Portuguese vessels sailed, the King was
compelled to sign a treaty by which the Papal line of partition was
moved to three hundred and seventy leagues west of the Cape de Verde
Islands.  The Spaniards might appropriate all countries to the west of
the line, the Portuguese to the east.  But no one appears to have
reflected that they must ultimately meet at the antipodes.

The Spanish fleet, consisting of three large ships of heavy burden, and
fourteen caravels, large and small, was rapidly got ready.  The number
of persons permitted to embark had been limited to a thousand, but so
many volunteers applied, that the number was increased to twelve
hundred, among whom were numerous cavaliers of the best families, eager
to acquire honour or obtain the gold supposed to abound in the Indies.

The best pilots of Spain, husbandmen, miners, carpenters, and other
mechanics, were engaged for the projected colony; horses, mules,
domestic animals of all kinds were shipped, as well as grain, seeds,
vines, sugar-canes, and saplings, and vast quantities of merchandise,
consisting of trinkets, beads, hawks' bells, and looking-glasses.

At dawn on the 25th of September the fleet set sail from the Bay of
Cadiz, and keeping wide of the coast of Portugal, stood south-west for
the Canaries, where it arrived on the ist of October.  After touching at
the Grand Canary, Columbus anchored on the 5th at Gomera, where he
obtained a supply of water, and also purchased calves, goats, sheep,
eight hogs, and a number of domestic fowls, these latter the progenitors
of those now found in abundance in the New World.  By sealed
instructions the commanders were ordered in case of separation to
rendezvous in the harbour of La Navidad, the residence of the cacique
Guacanagari.

After leaving Gomera Columbus steered considerably more to the southward
than in his first voyage, hoping to fall in with the islands of the
Caribs.

Being in the region of the trade winds, the breeze continued fair and
steady, while the sea was perfectly smooth.  As October drew on, they
were visited by showers and a storm, lasting, however, only four hours.
They were cheered during it by observing the lights of Saint Elmo, which
the ignorant mariners believed to be the body of the saint himself
holding lighted tapers as an assurance of safety.

How different was this voyage to the former!  Then tears and wailing
accompanied the unwilling seamen on board, and often and often, their
hearts failing them, they desired to turn back.  Now one and all pressed
on, eager to witness the wonders of the New World.  On the evening of
Saturday, the 2nd of November, Columbus was convinced, by the colour of
the sea and other signs, that he was drawing near the land, and
accordingly ordered a vigilant watch to be kept during the night.

On Sunday, at dawn, a lofty island was seen to the west, and as the
ships glided on, others rose to sight covered with forests, while
flights of parrots and other tropical birds passed from one to the
other.  To the first island seen, on account of the day on which it was
discovered, Columbus gave the name of Dominica, or Sunday Island.  On
the whole group the appellation of The Antilles was bestowed, because a
group so-called was supposed to exist off the coast of Asia, and
Columbus now fully believed that he had arrived at it, and that the
mainland was to be found at no great distance farther west.

Six beautiful islands were seen during the day, to one of which he gave
the name of Marigalante, the name of his ship.  It was overspread with
trees, some in full bloom, others laden with unknown fruits.

Sailing on to a larger island with a volcanic peak in the centre, they
saw a cataract, of prodigious height, descending from the mountain-side.
The Admiral called this island Guadaloupe, in fulfilment of a promise
to the monks of the convent of Guadaloupe in Estremadura to call some
newly-discovered place after it.

Landing here, the Spaniards visited a village, the inhabitants of which
fled, some leaving their children behind.  These were soothed by binding
hawks' bells and trinkets round their arms.  The huts were formed with
the trunks of trees, interwoven with twigs and branches, and thatched
with palm-leaves.  They were square, and each had its portico, one of
which was decorated with images of serpents tolerably well carved in
wood.  Hammocks of cotton netting were hung up, and their utensils were
formed of calabashes or earthenware.  There were great quantities of
cotton and many bows and arrows, as also domestic geese and large
parrots of blue, green, white, and scarlet plumage.

Here the Spaniards first met with the anana, or pineapple, with the
fragrance and flavour of which they were delighted.  In another house
was the sternpost of a vessel, probably part of a wreck driven across
from the coast of Africa.  The voyagers, however, were struck with
horror at the sight of what they took to be human bones and skulls,
convincing them that the island was inhabited by Caribs, supposed to be
cannibals.

Leaving this spot, Columbus sailed some miles along the coast.  The boat
landing succeeded in taking and bringing off a boy and several women.
From them he understood that this was one of the islands of the Caribs,
and that it was their custom to make descents on the neighbouring
islands, in order to carry off the youngest and best-looking women, and
to murder and eat the men.

He had just gained this information when it was reported to him that
Diego Marques, the captain of one of the caravels, and eight men were
missing.  They had landed in the morning, and strayed into the woods.
The night passed away, and they did not appear.  The next morning
parties were sent in quest of them, each with a trumpeter to sound
calls, and guns were fired from the ships.

The searching parties found, as they supposed, human limbs suspended
from the beams of houses, and some declared that they saw the head of a
young man recently killed, while parts of his body were roasting before
a fire.

The natives were seen on shore, looking with wonder at the ships.  When
the boats approached, they fled to the woods.  Several women, however,
came off, and some were captured.  Columbus ordered that they should be
decorated with hawks' bells and other baubles, and sent on shore to
entice off the men.  They soon, however, returned to the boats stripped
of their ornaments, imploring to be taken on board again.  The greater
portion of the male inhabitants were, they informed the Spaniards, on a
cruise in search of prisoners and booty.

Anxious to continue his course to Hispaniola, Columbus was much annoyed
at the absence of the wanderers.  At length Alonzo de Ojeda, a brave
young cavalier, offered to go in search of them.  Ojeda and his party
had great difficulty in making their way through the tangled forest.  In
vain they sounded their trumpets and shot off their arquebuses.  No
reply was received, and they returned on board without tidings of the
stragglers.

Several days passed, and the fleet was about to sail, when the missing
ones appeared on the beach, their haggard looks showing how much they
had suffered.

They had been lost in the trackless forest, too dense to allow them to
see any distance ahead, until they had reached the sea-shore, keeping
along which they had made their way to the ships.

Leaving Guadaloupe on the 10th, Columbus passed Mont Serrat and Antigua,
and, the weather becoming boisterous, anchored off an island, to which
he gave the name of Santa Cruz.  Here a boat was sent on shore, and the
crew visited a village, deserted by the men, but secured a few women and
boys, most of them captives from other islands.  On returning they saw a
canoe, the people in which--two of whom were women--were so entranced at
the sight of the ships that the boat got close up before they perceived
it.  The Indians now attempted to escape, but, finding their retreat cut
off, they plied their bows and arrows so rapidly that two Spaniards were
wounded, the women fighting as fiercely as the men.  Though the canoe
was upset, the savages still, while swimming, discharged their arrows at
their foes.  They were, however, captured and brought on board, some of
them wounded.

One of them was evidently their Queen.  She was accompanied by her son,
a young man strongly made, with a frowning brow and a lion's face.  The
hair of these savages was long and coarse, and their eyes were encircled
with paint, so as to give them a hideous expression.

Though captives in chains, they still retained their defiant air.  They
were afterwards carried prisoners to Spain.  One of the Spaniards died
of a wound from a poisoned arrow shot by one of the women.

After this Columbus reached a group of upwards of fifty small islands,
to which the name of Saint Ursula and the Eleven Thousand Virgins was
given.  Continuing his course, he came off a beautiful island, covered
with forests and indented with fine havens.  It is now known by the name
of Porto Rico.  This was the island from which most of the captives who
had fled to the ships had been taken by the Caribs.

After running for a whole day along this beautiful coast, the squadron
anchored in a bay at the west end, abounding in fish.

On landing they found an Indian village constructed round a common
square like a market-place, with one large and well-built house in it.
A wide road led thence to the sea-shore, fenced on either side.

The whole place had an air of great neatness.  Not a human being,
however, was to be seen, the natives having concealed themselves.

After remaining here two days Columbus stood for Hispaniola.  This ended
his cruise among the Caribbean Islands, the inhabitants of which he
described as cannibals, and the most warlike people hitherto met with.

On the 22nd of November the squadron came off the eastern end of
Hispaniola, or Hayti, and the sailor who had died of his wound was here
sent on shore to be buried.

Several natives came off with a message from the cacique of the
neighbourhood inviting Columbus to land, and promising great quantities
of gold, but, anxious to reach La Navidad, he continued his course.  The
next place he put into was Las Flechas, where he landed one of the young
Indians, who it was supposed had been converted to Christianity,
handsomely apparelled and loaded with trinkets.  But the youth either
forgot his promises or was murdered on account of his finery, as nothing
more was heard of him.

Only one young Indian, who had been sent by Guacanagari, and who, having
been to Spain, had been baptised and named after the Admiral's brother,
Diego Colon, remained on board, and he continued always devoted to the
Spaniards.

On the 25th Columbus anchored in the harbour of Monte Cristo, wishing to
form a settlement in the neighbourhood of the stream to which he had
before given the name of the Golden River.

Near this, on the green banks of a rivulet, the bodies of a man and boy
were found, the former with a cord of Spanish grass about his neck, his
arms extended and tied by the wrists to a stake in the form of a cross.

It was impossible, from the state of decay in which they were found, to
ascertain whether they were European or Indians.  Painful doubts,
however, were raised, and the following day two other bodies were
discovered, one of which was evidently the corpse of a white man.

Gloomy forebodings were now raised as to the fate which might have
befallen Arana and his garrison.  The frank and fearless conduct,
however, of the natives who came off to the ships somewhat allayed the
suspicions of Columbus.  He sailed on, hoping to find the greater part
of the garrison alive, until he arrived off the harbour of La Navidad,
late on the evening of the 27th.  Two guns were fired, but no reply was
received.  While waiting in dismal suspense for the morning, about
midnight a canoe approached the fleet; but the people in it would not
come on board until they perceived the Admiral standing on the deck of
his ship, when they came up the side without hesitation.  One of them
was a cousin of the cacique Guacanagari.  He brought a present of two
masks ornamented with gold.

To the inquiries of Columbus as to what had become of the garrison, the
Indians replied that several had died of sickness, others had fallen in
a quarrel among themselves, and others had removed to different parts of
the island, where they had married native wives.  He added that
Guacanagari had been attacked by the fierce cacique of the Golden
Mountains of Cibao, who had wounded him in battle and burnt his village,
and that he still remained ill of his wound in a neighbouring hamlet.
Columbus was greatly relieved on finding that the cacique and his people
still remained faithful, and he hoped that some of the Spaniards
scattered about the country, on hearing of his arrival, would quickly
hasten on board.

In the morning, however, not a canoe was to be seen.  The inhabitants,
too, kept out of the way.  A boat was therefore sent on shore.  On
landing, the crew hastened to the fortress.  It was a ruin.  The
palisades were beaten down, and the whole presented the appearance of
having been sacked, burnt, and destroyed.

Columbus, on visiting the ruins the next morning, discovered no dead
bodies, but broken utensils and torn vestments were found scattered here
and there among the grass.

In vain cannon and arquebuses were fired.  Proceeding along the coast in
a boat for about a league, Columbus came to a hamlet, the inhabitants of
which had fled with their goods.  In their houses, however, were found
European articles, such as stockings, pieces of cloth, and a Moorish
robe.  While he was absent the bodies of eleven Europeans were
discovered buried in different places, evidently some time dead, as
grass had grown over their graves.

At length the Indians, recovering from their alarm, came up to the
Spaniards, and from them the fate of the garrison was in some measure
ascertained.

With the exception of Arana and two or three others, the people left
behind had disobeyed all the orders given by Columbus.  The simple
natives soon discovered that the beings they had at first worshipped as
gods were gross sensualists, who carried off their wives and daughters,
and possessed themselves of their gold and property by fraud and
violence.

In vain Arana interposed his authority.  His lieutenants deserted him
and set off on an expedition to the mines of Cibao, where they were
captured by Caonabo and put to death.  Others, abandoning the fortress,
lived carelessly about the neighbourhood, and Caonabo burst upon the
fortress while the residue of the garrison were asleep, and, setting it
on fire, massacred some, while others fled to the sea and were drowned.

Guacanagari and his people had fought faithfully in defence of their
guests, but were easily routed, and the cacique being wounded, his
village was burnt to the ground.

Columbus afterwards visited the unfortunate Guacanagari, who received
him in the same friendly spirit as before; but Father Boyle and others
declared their belief that he was acting a treacherous part, and
advised, when he afterwards returned the Admiral's visit, that he should
be detained.  Columbus, however, rejected the counsel of his followers
as contrary to sound policy and honourable faith.  The cacique, seeing
that he was mistrusted, took his departure, and for long kept out of the
way of the Spaniards.

Finding that this was not a suitable place for a settlement, Columbus
weighed anchor on the 7th of December, but in consequence of adverse
weather he put into a harbour about ten leagues east of Monte Cristo.
He was here struck by the advantages of its spacious harbour, there
being also two rivers watering a green and beautiful plain, while the
soil appeared to be fertile, and excellent fish were found.  It was also
at no great distance from the mountains of Cibao.

It being considered, therefore, that no situation more favourable for
the projected colony could be found, the troops and labourers were
landed with their provisions, articles for traffic, guns, ammunition,
and live stock of all sorts, and an encampment was formed round a sheet
of water.

Streets and squares were projected; a church, public storehouse, and a
residence for the Admiral were commenced.  These were built of stone.
The other houses were constructed of wood, plaster, and reeds; and for a
short time every one exerted himself with the utmost zeal.

To the first Christian city in the New World thus founded Columbus gave
the name of Isabella, in honour of his royal patroness.  Sickness,
however, soon broke out among the colonists, several died, and even
Columbus was confined for many weeks to his bed.

Notwithstanding his illness, he continued to give directions,
superintending the building of the city and the management of the fleet.
His mind, however, was oppressed with the thought that, in consequence
of the destruction of the fortress, he should be compelled to send back
the ships empty, instead of laden with gold and spices, to the great
disappointment of the sovereigns.  Before dispatching them, therefore,
he sent Ojeda, at the head of an expedition, to the Golden Mountains, to
try and obtain some of the precious metal.  Another young cavalier was
also sent away on a similar expedition, and both returned with
favourable reports as to the inexhaustible wealth of the district.
Thus, with more satisfaction than he had expected, Columbus was able to
send back the ships to Spain.  He recommended various persons to the
notice of the sovereigns, to whom he sent a petition for provisions,
wine, medicine, clothing, arms, horses, to be dispatched to the colony
with all speed.  He sent also the men, women, and children taken in the
Caribbean Islands, recommending that they should be carefully instructed
in the Spanish language and the Christian faith.  In his ignorant zeal
for promulgating that faith, he proposed to establish an exchange of the
cannibal pagans as slaves, against live stock to be furnished to the
colony, fancying that these slaves would be thus converted to the
Catholic faith.

The sovereigns, however, did not agree with his ideas, but ordered that
the Caribs should be converted like the rest of the islanders.

The city of Isabella having made considerable progress, the church being
open for service, Columbus prepared to lead an expedition to the
mountains of Cibao.

Jealousy of Columbus' superior merits and the rewards he had received
had been for some time rankling in the hearts of some of his officers.
As he was about to set off on his expedition, a mutiny was designed, but
discovered before it broke out, and the leader, Bernal Diaz, was
confined on board one of the ships, to be sent to Spain for trial.

Columbus now commenced the proposed expedition, leaving his brother Don
Diego in command of the city and the ships.  He was well received by the
natives wherever he went, and was fully satisfied that the region was
prolific in gold.  To secure it he built a fortress called Saint Thomas,
to the command of which he appointed Pedro Margarite, and garrisoned it
with fifty-six men.

Delighted with all he had seen, Columbus returned to Isabella on the
29th of March.  Great progress had been made, and many of the seeds had
already sprung up, bearing fruit.  Unfortunately, however, bread had
become scarce, and there was no means of grinding wheat.  Disease also
had attacked the settlers, and many persons of all ranks had died.  He
was, however, anxious to proceed on his voyage of discovery, and
supposing that he could trust his subordinates, he left ample
instructions for their conduct.  He directed Margarite, with a strong
force, to explore the province of Cibao, while Ojeda was to assume the
command of Saint Thomas.  One of the objects of the expedition was to
secure the persons of any chiefs who had exhibited hostile feelings
towards the Spaniards.  Several were thus captured and sent in chains to
Isabella.  At length Columbus, satisfied that the colony would go on
well, set sail, intending to visit the coast of Cuba at the point where
he had abandoned it, and thence to explore it on the south side.  He, it
must be remembered, supposed it to be the extreme end of Asia, and that
by following its shores he must at length arrive at Cathay, and those
other rich countries described by Mandeville and Marco Polo.

Having visited La Navidad, where Guacanagari kept out of the way, he
continued his course westward, until he reached the port of Saint
Nicholas, whence he beheld the extreme point of Cuba.  Having crossed
the channel, he sailed along the southern coast of that island for a
distance of twenty leagues, until he entered a harbour, which from its
size he called Puerto Grande.  Going on shore, he arrived at some
cottages, where, although the inhabitants had fled, great quantities of
fish, utias, and iguanas were found, some hung up, others roasting
before the fires.  The Spaniards, who had long been fasting, satisfied
their appetites on the food, and then set out to explore the country.
On their way they saw a party of Indians, collected on the top of a
rock, looking down upon them with astonishment.

Though most of the natives ran off, one remained, whose apprehensions
were quickly dispelled by the friendly way the young Lucayan interpreter
spoke to him.  Going after his companions, he soon brought them back.
They assured Columbus that he was welcome to the food which had been
consumed; but he, with his usual liberality, directed that ample
compensation should be made to them.

The next harbour in which he brought up he called Saint Jago de Cuba.
Here he was treated with the usual simple hospitality of the natives.
Wherever he went he inquired for gold, and the natives invariably
pointed to the south, intimating that the country abounded with gold in
that direction.

He therefore, without delay, steered in search of this reported island.
He had not sailed many leagues before the summits of lofty mountains
were seen rising above the horizon.  As he approached the island he was
struck with the beauty of its scenery, the majesty of its forests, the
fertility of its valleys, and the number of its villages.

In a short time seventy canoes filled with savages, gaily-painted, and
decorated with feathers, paddled off a league from the shore, uttering
loud yells, and brandishing lances of pointed wood.  They were quickly
soothed, however, by the interpreter, and a few gifts bestowed upon
them, so that they did not molest the ship.

Coasting westward, Columbus, finding a sheltered harbour, made
preparations for careening the ship, which leaked.  As he was entering,
the boats sounding ahead, two canoes came up, filled with Indians, who
hurled their darts; but wishing to avoid any act of hostility, he
ordered the boats to return and, standing on, came to an anchor.

Directly afterwards the whole beach was covered with savages, painted
chiefly with black, and all wearing coronets of feathers.  They showed
their hostile intentions by hurling their javelins towards the ship,
making the shores ring with their war-whoops.

As further forbearance might have been mistaken for cowardice, the
Admiral sent a boat on shore full of well-armed men, who let fly a
volley of arrows from their crossbows, wounding several Indians, and
throwing the rest into confusion.  They then sprang on shore and let
loose a dog, who pursued them with sanguinary fury.  This was the first
time bloodhounds had been used against the natives, afterwards to be
employed with such cruel effect by the Spaniards in their Indian wars.

Columbus then landed and took formal possession of the island, which he
called Santiago, but it has retained its original Indian name of
Jamaica.

Notwithstanding this unpleasant commencement, the natives soon entered
into a friendly intercourse with their visitors.  Columbus was struck
with the appearance of their canoes, which were carved and painted, many
of them being of large size, formed of the trunk of a single tree.  He
measured one, which was ninety-six feet long and eight broad, hollowed
out of a species of mahogany-tree.

He now coasted along the northern shore of Jamaica, the natives
everywhere coming off and trading without fear.  At the last place where
he touched in Jamaica a young Indian came off and begged the Spaniards
to take him to their country.  Notwithstanding the tears and
supplications of his friends, he persisted in his request, and Columbus
ordered that he should be received on board and treated with kindness.

As the wind at the western end of Jamaica was found to be contrary,
Columbus resolved to return to Cuba, and not to leave it until he had
explored its coast sufficiently to determine whether it was _terra
firma_ or an island.



CHAPTER FIVE.

SECOND VOYAGE OF COLUMBUS CONTINUED--A.D. 1494.

Again off Cuba--The numerous keys--Inhabitants hide--Sees a canoe--
Curious mode of fishing--Intercourse with the friendly cacique of
Ornofay--Believes that he is approaching Asia--The natives welcome the
strangers--Sailing west, the Spaniards land near some mountains--The
archer's report of white-robed natives--Columbus believes that he shall
soon reach the Indian Ocean--Error as to the extent of Cuba--Returns
eastward--Visited by a cacique and his venerable minister--Stands across
to Jamaica--Coasts along it--A cacique with his family come off to the
ships requesting to be taken to Spain--The squadron stands across to
Hispaniola--Natives show signs of hostility, but become friendly--
Columbus struck down with illness--Carried to Isabella--His brother
Bartholomew meets him--Efforts to improve the colony--Traitorous designs
formed against Columbus--Accusations sent home--Aguado sent out to
investigate his conduct--Columbus resolves to return to Spain--A rich
gold-mine discovered--Sets sail--Detained by contrary winds--Puts into
Guadaloupe--Attacked by Amazons--Huts plundered--Some of the Amazons
captured--Again sails--Prolonged passage--Spaniards propose to kill the
prisoners--Prevented by Columbus--The vessels reach Cadiz--Finds a
squadron about to sail for Isabella--Honourably received by the
sovereigns.

Standing across to Cuba, Columbus reached Cabo de la Cruz, near which,
landing, he was cordially received by the cacique and his subjects, who
had long since heard of him.  The Admiral endeavoured to ascertain from
the cacique whether Cuba was an island or a continent.  The reply was
such as to induce him to believe that it was the latter.

Meeting with a storm, fortunately of short duration, he soon found
himself among a labyrinth of keys and small islands, so numerous that it
was impossible to count them.  To these he gave the name of The Queen's
Gardens.  At first he thought of leaving this archipelago to the right,
and standing out to sea; but he recollected that Sir John Mandeville and
Marco Polo had mentioned that the coast of Asia was fringed with islands
to the number of several thousands, and persuading himself that he was
among that cluster, he hoped soon to arrive at the dominion of the Grand
Khan.

The weather became unfavourable, adding greatly to the difficulties of
navigation.  These islands were generally uninhabited, but on the 22nd
of May he came to one to which he gave the name of Santa Marta.  Here
was a large village abandoned by its inhabitants.

Quantities of fish were found in their dwellings, as also domesticated
parrots, scarlet cranes, and some dumb dogs, which they fattened as an
article of food.  One day a number of natives were seen in a canoe,
occupied in fishing.  They employed a small fish, tied by the tail, the
flat head of which was furnished with numerous suckers, by which it
attached itself so firmly to any object as to be torn to pieces rather
than abandon its hold.  In this way the Spaniards witnessed the taking
of a tortoise of enormous size.  The same mode of fishing is said to be
employed on the eastern coast of Africa.  The natives led the Admiral to
suppose that the sea was full of islands south and west, and that Cuba
ran to the west without any termination.

Having extricated himself from this archipelago, Columbus steered for a
mountainous part of Cuba, and landing at a large village, he was
received with the same kindness which invariably distinguished its
inhabitants.  He found them mild, hospitable, and pacific; even the
animals were tamer as well as larger and better than those seen
elsewhere.  Here stock doves were brought to him, whose crops were found
to contain several spices.  The cacique told him that the name of his
province was Ornofay, and that farther on to the west was the province
of Mangon, whose inhabitants would give him more ample information.  He
was struck by the sound of the name.  It resembled that of Mangi, the
richest province of the Grand Khan bordering the ocean.  He understood
the Indians to say that it was inhabited by people who had tails, and
wore garments to conceal them.  He recollected that Sir John Mandeville
had recorded a story to the same effect as current among certain naked
tribes, who could not conceive that people would wear clothes unless to
conceal some defect.  He flattered himself, therefore, that he should
soon come to the rich province of Mangi and the long-robed inhabitants
of the empire of Tartary.  He therefore sailed on, animated by one of
the pleasing illusions of his imagination, along a coast where, for
thirty-five leagues, the navigation is unembarrassed by banks or
islands.  The shores were thickly populated.  As the vessels glided by,
the natives came off in their canoes to offer fruits and other
productions of the land.  Often too the sound of their loud music could
be heard, as they celebrated the arrival of the white men.

It is sad to think that this whole district was soon depopulated, the
simple inhabitants destroyed by the ruthless hand of the cruel and
bigoted Spaniard.  Again the vessels were entangled among sand-banks,
and the water appeared as white as milk.  This appearance was produced
by fine sand raised from the bottom by the agitation of the waves and
currents, but the seamen, unable to account for it, entreated that they
might return to the east.  Columbus, however, would not consent to
relinquish his voyage, believing, as he did, that he was on the eve of a
brilliant discovery.  The caravel was sent ahead to explore.  Only by
the greatest caution, toil, and peril did he succeed in making his way
through the narrow channels.

At length, with a fair wind, he steered towards some mountains seen
rising close to the coast, and came to an anchor near a beautiful grove
of palm-trees.  Here a party was sent on shore to obtain wood and water.
While they were thus employed an archer, who had gone into the forest
with his crossbow in search of game, came hurrying back, declaring that
he had seen, through an open glade, a man in a long white dress, two
others following in white tunics reaching to their knees, their
complexions as fair as those of Europeans.  Behind these appeared many
more, to the number of thirty, armed with clubs and lances.  They gave
no signs, he confessed, of hostile intentions, the man in the long white
dress alone advancing.

The watering party having no wish to encounter so many armed men,
hastened back to the ship.  Columbus, on hearing the story, was fully
persuaded that they were the clothed inhabitants of Mangon.

The following day he sent a strong force to penetrate into the interior.
They, however, found it impossible to get far on account of the matted
grass and creeping vegetation, and at length returned, wearied and
exhausted, to the ships.  The next day another party was dispatched, but
they came back, some declaring that they had seen the tracks of a lion,
others of a griffon.  Probably the marks were produced by alligators,
while the supposed white-robed natives were no doubt tall white cranes,
of which the bold archer had suddenly come in sight.  The only
inhabitants seen on the coast were perfectly naked.  Columbus attributed
this circumstance to their being mere fishermen, and supposed that the
civilised regions lay in the interior.

For several days Columbus continued exploring the coast, until he
perceived that it took a bend to the south-west.  This accorded with the
descriptions given by Marco Polo of the remote coasts of Asia.  He was
now sure that he was on that part of the Asiatic continent beyond the
limits of the Old World laid down by Ptolemy, and that by continuing his
course he should arrive at the point where this range of toast
terminated in the Aurea Chersonesus of the ancients.  Doubling this, he
would emerge into the seas bordered by the luxurious nations of the
East.  Stretching across the Gulf of the Ganges, he might continue on to
the Straits of Babel Mandel, and arrive on the shores of the Red Sea.
Thence he might make his way by land to Jerusalem, taking ship at Joppa,
and traverse the Mediterranean to Spain, or sail round the whole coast
of Africa, and thus circumnavigate the globe.

These notions, though not his enthusiasm, were shared by many of the
able navigators on board; but they considered the vessels, strained and
leaky, with rigging worn out, totally inadequate to the undertaking.  Of
this Columbus himself became convinced, and after exploring the coast
for four days longer, and finding it still trending to the south-west,
all declared that it was impossible so extensive a continuity of land
should belong to a mere island.

That no one might afterwards blame him for abandoning the enterprise, he
made each pilot and master sign a document expressing his opinion on the
subject, and as he had no other opportunity of verifying this idea, he
died in the belief that Cuba was the extremity of the Asiatic coast.

From this point, escaping numerous perils, he now again steered
eastward, until on the 7th of July he anchored in the mouth of a fine
river, intending to give the crews rest and recreation after their
confinement of two months on board.  He was here visited by the cacique
and his venerable minister of fourscore years, who brought a string of
beads, to which he attached a mystic value, and a calabash of a delicate
kind of fruit.  These he presented in token of amity.

The people also brought utias, large pigeons, bread, and rich fruits;
indeed, they and the chief cacique received him with mingled
demonstrations of joy and reverence.

In all remarkable places Columbus visited he erected crosses in
conspicuous situations.  Here a large one of wood was elevated on the
bank of a river.  Mass was then performed, and after it was concluded,
the old counsellor approached, and expressed his satisfaction that the
strangers thus gave thanks to God.

"Be not vainglorious," he added, "at all you have accomplished.  Know
that there are two places to which the souls of men go: the one dismal,
foul, and dark, prepared for those who have been unjust and cruel; the
other pleasant and full of delight for such as have promoted peace on
earth.  Beware, then, that you wrongfully hurt no man, and do no harm to
those who have done no harm to thee."

The Admiral, greatly moved, assured him that he rejoiced to hear his
doctrine respecting the future state, and told him that he had been sent
by his sovereigns to teach them the true religion, and to help them
subdue their enemies the cannibals, and therefore that all peaceable men
might look to him as their protector.

The old man then offered to embark with the Admiral, seized with a
desire to visit the wonderful country from which he and his followers
came, and only with great reluctance, moved by the lamentations of his
wife and children, would he abandon his project.

After remaining several days here, Columbus put to sea; but unable to
fetch Hispaniola, stood over to Jamaica, intending to finish its
circumnavigation.  The inhabitants came off, exhibiting the most
friendly disposition whenever the vessels neared the shore, and Diego
Colon, the interpreter, never failed to expatiate on the wonders he had
seen in Spain, and the prowess of the Spaniards who had defeated the
dreaded Caribs.

As the ships were one day standing along the coast under easy sail, with
a light wind, three canoes came off.  In the largest, handsomely carved
and painted, sat a cacique, his wife, two daughters, two sons, and his
five brothers.  One of the daughters, eighteen years of age, was
beautiful in form and countenance, and though destitute of clothing, was
of modest demeanour.  In the prow stood the standard-bearer, clad in a
mantle of variegated feathers, with a tuft of gay plumes on his head,
while he bore in his hand a fluttering white banner.  Two Indians, with
caps of feathers, their faces painted, beat upon drums, while two
others, with caps of green feathers, blew their trumpets of black wood
ingeniously carved.  There were six others in caps of white feathers,
who appeared to be guards to the cacique.

Having arrived alongside the Admiral's ship, he came on board with all
his train.  He wore on his head a band of small green stones, joined in
front by a large jewel of gold; two plates of gold were suspended to his
ears; to a necklace of white beads hung a large metal plate, resembling
gold, in the form of a _fleur de lys_, while a girdle of variegated
stones completed his costume; though his wife and daughters, with the
exception of girdles, to which were suspended tablets of coloured
stones, were unadorned.

The chief, warmly greeting the Admiral, told him that his object in
coming was to accompany him to Spain, to do homage to the King and
Queen.  Columbus, knowing the dangers that the simple savage and his
people would be exposed to, was touched with compassion, and determined
not to take them from their native land.  He therefore told him that as
he had many places to visit, he could not take him then, but would at
some future time fulfil his desire.  Reluctantly the cacique and his
family re-embarked in his canoe and returned to the shore, while the
ships continued their cruise.

Columbus now stood across to Hispaniola.  On sending a boat on shore
near a large village, the inhabitants issued forth with bows and arrows,
while others came provided with cords to bind their expected prisoners.
These were the natives of the eastern province.  Their hostility,
however, was only in appearance, for directly the crew landed they threw
aside their arms, and readily brought provisions, asking for the
Admiral, whose fame had spread over the whole island.  Shortly after
this he was weatherbound for several days in a harbour formed by an
island close to the coast.

When once free, and in seas now well known, being relieved from all
anxiety and the excitement which had so long existed, his mind and body
sank exhausted by his almost superhuman exertions.  He was struck by a
sudden malady, which deprived him of his memory, sight, and all his
faculties, and he fell into a deep lethargy, resembling death itself.
In that state he was borne back to Isabella.  Soon after arriving there
he recovered consciousness, and his heart was cheered by seeing his
much-loved brother Bartholomew, from whom he had been separated many
years, standing over him.

Bartholomew had in the meantime made a voyage to Africa, and visited
Henry the Seventh of England and Charles the Eighth of France, and on
his arrival in Spain had been sent out in command of three ships,
freighted with supplies for the colony.

He had arrived just after his brother had sailed, and since had been
waiting for his return.  On his recovery, aided by his two excellent
brothers, Bartholomew and Diego, Columbus took the most energetic steps
for the benefit of the colony.  A turbulent spirit existed among the
settlers, and many of the natives had been driven into hostility.  By an
inexcusable stratagem of Ojeda, one of the most powerful caciques,
Caonabo was captured.  Several others were afterwards taken prisoners.
The Spaniards, however, quarrelled among themselves, and neglecting the
excellent regulations of Columbus, set his authority at defiance, while
some of those he had most trusted openly rebelled.  Margarite, one of
the principal officers, and the cunning friar Boyle, with other
worthless men, sent home insidious reports regarding his administration
of the government.  He, aware of the accusations against him, forwarded
counter reports, and, in the meantime, endeavoured to obtain all the
gold to be procured to satisfy the cupidity of Ferdinand.  He built
several fortresses, both in the gold region and other parts of the
country, and in a short time the whole of the inhabitants were reduced
to a helpless state of slavery, for, though he intended that they should
be treated with justice and kindly, the heartless and greedy Spaniards
thought only how they could obtain the largest amount of profit from
their labours.

In spite of all his representations, his enemies so contrived to poison
the mind of Ferdinand, that a commissioner, Juan Aguado, armed with
supreme authority, was sent out to investigate the behaviour of
Columbus, and to administer the government.

The Admiral received him with calmness and courtesy, and gave him no
opportunity of creating a quarrel.  All the rebels and dissatisfied
spirits, however, thronged round Aguado and brought their accusations
against Columbus, who, finding that Aguado was about to return to Spain,
resolved likewise to go there, in order to defend himself.

As Aguado was about to sail, a fearful hurricane burst over the island
and destroyed his four ships.  Columbus on this ordered that the _Nina_,
which was in a shattered and leaky condition, should be prepared, and
another vessel constructed out of the wrecks.

At this juncture a young Spaniard, who, in consequence of wounding a
man, had fled from the settlement and concealed himself among the
natives near the mountains, where he married, had, by the aid of his
wife, discovered a rich gold region.

Knowing that he should be pardoned, he returned and reported the
discovery to Columbus, who, highly elated, fully believed that the mines
were those of the ancient Ophir.

The _Santa Cruz_, the new caravel, being finished and the _Nina_
repaired, Columbus appointed his brother, Don Bartholomew, as
Adelantado, to govern the island, and going on board, set sail on the
12th of March, 1496.  Aguado went on board the other vessel, and between
the two were two hundred and twenty-five passengers, all those who
wished to return to the old country, as well as thirty Indians, with the
cacique Caonabo, one of his brothers, and a nephew.  Even captivity
could not crush the spirit of the haughty chief till he fell ill, and
died before the termination of the voyage.

After meeting with baffling winds for a long time, on the 6th of April
Columbus found himself still in the neighbourhood of the Carib Islands,
his crew sickly and his provisions diminishing.  He bore away,
therefore, in search of supplies, and after touching at Maregalante,
made sail for Guadaloupe.  Here a boat going ashore to obtain wood and
water, a large number of females, decorated with tufts of feathers and
armed with bows and arrows, as if to defend their shores, were seen
issuing from the forest.  The natives on board having explained to these
Amazonian dames that the object of the Spaniards was barter, they
referred them to their husbands, who, they said, were in a different
part of the island.

As the boats pulled along the beach numbers of natives approached,
shouting and yelling, and brandishing their weapons, and discharging
flights of arrows.

A few shots from the firearms of the Spaniards drove them off.  The boat
when landing met with no further opposition, and, contrary to the
injunctions of the Admiral, they plundered and destroyed the native
huts.  Honey and wax were found in the houses, and hatchets made of hard
and heavy stone.  One of the seamen declared that he found a human arm
roasting, but this statement was probably made to excuse himself and his
companions for the wanton mischief they had committed.

While some of the men were obtaining wood and water, Columbus dispatched
a strongly-armed party of forty into the interior.  Here they
encountered a number of women of large and powerful form, their long
hair flowing loose upon their shoulders, and their heads decorated with
plumes of various colours.  Ten women and three boys were brought back.
Among the former was a woman of great strength and of proud spirit, who
endeavoured to escape, but being pursued by a Spaniard, was overtaken
while attempting to strangle him, and was captured.

After they were brought on board Columbus ordered them to be restored to
the island, but the chieftainess, whose heart had been touched by the
misfortunes of Caonabo, insisted on remaining to comfort him, and was
thus carried captive to Spain.

Guadaloupe was left on the 20th of April, but a whole month was spent
beating against contrary winds and currents, so that water and
provisions began to fail, and the people were put upon short allowance.
So reduced were they at last that some of the Spaniards proposed, as an
expedient, that they should kill and eat their Indian prisoners.  Others
suggested that they should throw them into the sea.

Columbus had to exert all his authority to prevent this atrocious act.
He urged them to wait with patience, and assured them that in a short
time they would see Cape Saint Vincent.

Many scoffed, declaring that they were on a different part of the coast,
but on the 10th he ordered that sail should be taken in at night, and on
the next morning they were in sight of the very land he had predicted.

After a dreary voyage of three months, on the 11th of June the vessels
anchored in the Bay of Cadiz.  He found three caravels on the point of
sailing, to carry provisions to the colony.  Nearly a year had passed
without relief of any kind having been sent out, as four vessels which
had sailed in January had been lost.  By this squadron he wrote to his
brother, the Adelantado, urging him to bring the island into a peaceful
and productive state, and to send to Spain all Indians who should injure
any of the colonists.

Columbus was honourably treated by the sovereigns, although the mind of
Ferdinand was evidently poisoned by the representations of his enemies.
Notwithstanding the cruel opposition of his foes, the great navigator,
refusing to take the repose his health so much required, bent on
prosecuting his discoveries, employed all his energies to obtain
forthwith the command of another expedition.



CHAPTER SIX.

THIRD VOYAGE OF COLUMBUS--A.D. 1498.

Columbus, after many delays, fits out another squadron, and sails on his
third voyage, 30th May, 1498--Touches at Gomara--Retakes a prize to a
French privateer--Off the Cape de Verdes--Sends three of his ships to
Hispaniola, and steers south-west with the remainder--Long becalmed--
Steers west and sights Trinidad--Sees mainland of South America--Natives
come off--Alarmed by music--A bore threatens to destroy the ships--
Enters the Serpent's Mouth--Sails up the Gulf of Paria--Mistakes the
promontory for an island--Anchors at the mouth of the river--Natives
come off--Pearls seen among them--Large quantities procured--Passes
through the Dragon's Mouth--Natives seen fishing for pearls--Three
pounds weight obtained--His eyesight failing, steers for Hispaniola--
Makes the land fifty leagues more to the west than he had expected--
Reaches Isabella--Disastrous state of the settlement--Bobadilla sent out
to supersede Columbus--Summoned to Isabella--Columbus and his brothers
sent in chains to Spain--Arrival--Reaction in his favour--Honourably
received at Court--Ovando sent out to supersede Bobadilla--The belief of
Columbus that a passage into the Indian Ocean was to be found--Obtains
authority to fit out another fleet.

It was not without numerous wearying delays that Columbus at length
succeeded in getting another squadron fitted out to prosecute his
discoveries.  He at length obtained six vessels, with which he set sail
on the 30th of May, 1498.  Having heard that a French squadron was
cruising off Cape Saint Vincent, he first stood to the south-west,
touching at the islands of Porto Santo and Madeira, and then continued
his course to the Canary Islands.  As he approached Gomara on the 19th
of June, he saw at anchor a French privateer with two Spanish prizes.
The former put to sea in all haste, followed by her prizes, one of which
had only four men on board, besides six Spanish prisoners.  Though he
sent three of his vessels in pursuit, the privateer and one of the
prizes escaped, but the six Spaniards on board the other, rising on
their captors, she was retaken and brought back to the port.

Leaving Gomara, Columbus dispatched three of his ships to carry supplies
to Hispaniola, and with the three remaining vessels prosecuted his
voyage towards the Cape de Verde Islands.  Though suffering from
sickness, he continued to keep his reckoning and make his observations
with his usual minuteness.

Touching at the Cape de Verdes, he was disappointed at not obtaining the
goats, sheep, and cattle he had expected.  The weather was sultry and
depressing, and he and his crew suffered greatly.  Steering south-west
for about one hundred and twenty leagues, he reached the fifth degree of
north latitude, the region known among seamen by the name of the "calm
latitudes."  Suddenly the wind fell, a dead calm commenced, which lasted
for eight days.  The air was like a furnace, the tar melted, the seams
of the ships yawned, the salt meat became putrid, the wheat was parched,
the hoops round some of the casks of wine and water shrank, while others
burst, letting out their contents.

To get out of this latitude he steered to the south-west, hoping to find
a milder temperature farther on.  In this he was not disappointed.  At
length a cool breeze filled the sails of the vessels, and they again
made good progress.

Columbus intended to have stood first to the south and then westward,
but the heat had made the vessels leak so excessively that it was
necessary to find a harbour as soon as possible.  The provisions were
also spoiled, and the water nearly exhausted.  On the 31st of July but
one cask of water remained in each ship, when about midday a seaman at
the masthead hailed that he saw the summits of three mountains rising
above the horizon.

Columbus had before determined to give the name of the Trinity to the
first land he should behold, and was struck by the appearance of these
three mountains united in one.  He therefore called the island La
Trinidad.  Steering to its eastern extremity, he saw a rock resembling a
galley under sail off a headland, which, in consequence, he called Punta
de la Galera.  No safe anchorage appearing, he coasted westward in
search of a harbour and water.  Instead of a sterile land, he saw the
country covered with groves of palm-trees, cultivated in many places,
and enlivened by hamlets and scattered habitations, while streams came
rushing down the hill-sides.

At length anchoring, abundance of water was obtained from a limpid
brook, and traces of animals were seen, which must have been those of
deer, though supposed to be those of goats.

When coasting the island, he now for the first time saw, stretching away
to the south, that mighty continent of which he had so long been in
search, it being the land near the many mouths of the Oronoco; supposing
it, however, to be an island, he called it La Isla Santa.  On the 2nd of
August he cast anchor near the south-west portion of Trinidad.  As the
ships approached this place, a large canoe, with five and twenty Indians
on board, put off from the shore.

He in vain tried to induce the savages to come on board, by offering
them looking-glasses, glass, beads of polished metal, and glittering
trinkets.  They remained gazing in mute wonder at the ships, but kept
their paddles ready to make off at the least attempt to approach them.
They were young, well formed, and naked, excepting fillets of cotton
bound round their heads, and coloured cloths about their loins.  Besides
their bows and arrows, they carried bucklers,--an article of armour now
first seen among the inhabitants of the New World.

Believing that they might be affected by music, Columbus ordered the
band to strike up; but the Indians, mistaking the sounds as a sign of
hostility, seized their bows and let fly a shower of arrows.  The
discharge of a couple of crossbows, however, put them to flight.  They
afterwards approached the other ships, but had conceived an especial
fear of that of the Admiral.

Columbus, supposing himself to be in the seventh degree of latitude,
though actually in the tenth, expected to find the inhabitants similar
to the natives of Africa, under the same parallel,--black, with crisp
hair,--and was astonished at finding these natives even fairer than
those met with farther north.

The ships brought up at Point Arenal, the nearest to the mainland,
between which and the island Columbus observed, night and day, a current
flowing at a tremendous speed, boiling and raging to such a degree that
he thought it was crossed by a reef of rocks.  From its dangerous
appearance he gave to it the name of Boca del Sierpe--the Serpent's
Mouth.  He feared that the current from the east would prevent his
return, while his ships might be lost on the supposed rocks, should he
attempt a passage.

That night, while kept awake by his illness, he heard a terrible roaring
from the south, and beheld the sea heaped up and covered with foam, like
a huge watery ridge the height of the ships, rolling towards them.  As
this furious surge approached, rendered more terrible in appearance by
the obscurity of night, he trembled for the safety of his vessels.  His
own ship was lifted up to such a height that he feared she would be
overturned, while another was torn from her anchorage.  The crews
expected to be swallowed up, but the surge passed on and gradually
subsided.

Early in the morning he sent the boats to sound the water at the
Serpent's Mouth, and to his great joy several fathoms were found; the
currents and tides setting both ways, either to enter or return.  A
favourable breeze springing up, he entered the tranquil expanse between
Trinidad and the mainland of Paria, and, to his great surprise, he here
found the water fresh.

He continued northward towards a mountain at the north-west point of the
island, and here beheld two lofty capes, one projecting from the island
of Trinidad, the other at the end of the long promontory of Paria,
which, supposing it to be an island, he named Isla de Gracia.  Between
these capes was another channel beset with rocks, among which the
current forced its way with roaring turbulence, to which he gave the
name of Boca del Dragon.

Not wishing to encounter it, he steered along the inner side of the
promontory, round which, fancying that it was an island, he expected to
get, and then to be able to strike northward for Hispaniola.

The country appeared to be cultivated in some places, and in others
covered with fruit-trees and plants, and abounding with monkeys.  He
was, however, greatly astonished at finding the water still fresh, and
that it became more and more so the farther he proceeded.  It was that
season, however, when the rivers which empty themselves into the Gulf of
Paria are swollen by rains.  He was surprised also at the calmness of
the sea, not being aware that the only two entrances were by the
Serpent's and Dragon's Mouths into this large expanse of water.

For some time no inhabitants were met with.  At length the ships brought
up at the mouth of the river, and immediately a canoe with three Indians
came off to the caravel anchored nearest the shore, when the captain,
springing in, upset her, and the people, as they were swimming, were
secured.  Being brought to the Admiral, they were presented with beads,
hawks' bells, and sugar.  The report they gave in consequence, on
returning on shore, induced many other natives to come off.  They were
tall, finely formed, and graceful in their movements, being armed with
bows and arrows and targets.  The men wore cotton cloths of various
colours about their heads and loins, but the women were destitute of
clothing.  They brought maize and other eatables, with beverages, some
white, made from maize, others green, expressed from various fruits.
They judged of everything by the sense of smell.  As they came near they
smelt the boat, then smelt the people, as they did all the articles
offered them.  Although setting little value on the beads, they were
delighted with the hawks' bells, and still more so with anything of
brass.  Taking some of the people as guides, he proceeded west for eight
leagues, to a point which he called the Needle.  So beautiful was the
country, that he gave it the name of The Garden.

Here many natives came off, and invited the Admiral on shore in the name
of their King.  Many wore collars and burnished plates of that inferior
kind of gold, called by the Indians _guanin_, and they pointed to a land
in the west, from whence they said it came; but the cupidity of the
Spaniards was excited by strings of pearls round the arms of some of
them.  These, they said, were procured at the sea-coast on the northern
side of Paria, and they showed the mother-of-pearl shells from which
they were taken.

To secure specimens to be sent to Spain, Columbus dispatched some boats
to that part of the shore.  Numbers of the natives came down, and
treating the Spaniards as beings of a superior order, regaled them with
bread and various fruits of excellent flavour.  They had among them tame
parrots, one of light green with a yellow neck, and the tips of the
wings of a bright red, others of a vivid scarlet, except some azure
feathers in the wing.  These they gave to the Spaniards, who, however,
cared for nothing but pearls, many necklaces and bracelets of which were
given by the Indian women in exchange for hawks' bells or articles of
brass.

The Spaniards returned on board highly delighted at the way they had
been treated, while the quantity of pearls seen among the natives raised
the sanguine anticipations of Columbus, who was anxious to send the
finest specimens to the sovereigns.

Still believing the peninsula of Paria to be an island, he sailed on
westward until compelled, by finding the water more shallow as he
advanced, to anchor, when he sent a caravel to explore.  She returned
the following day with a report that at the end of the gulf there was an
opening of two leagues, which led into an inner gulf, into which flowed
a quantity of fresh water by four openings.  It was in reality the mouth
of the large river now called the Paria.  To the inner gulf Columbus
gave the name of the Gulf of Pearls.

Finding no passage to the westward, the ships proceeded in an opposite
direction for the Boca del Dragon.  On the 13th of August they anchored
in a fine harbour, to which Columbus gave the name of Puerto de Gatos.
Here also were seen mangroves growing in the water with oysters clinging
to the branches, their mouths open, as the Spaniards supposed, to
receive the dew which was afterwards thought to be transformed into
pearls.  That they were thus formed was believed until comparatively
late years.

The passage through which he was about to pass is extremely dangerous
after the rainy season, and the water which rushes through it foams and
roars as if breaking on rocks.  Scarcely had the ships entered than the
wind died away, and shipwreck appeared imminent, but they were at length
carried through by the current of fresh water into the open sea.

Columbus now stood to the westward, running along the northern coast of
Paria, still supposing it to be an island, intending to visit the Gulf
of Pearls.  To the north-east he saw the two islands of Tobago and
Granada, and on the 15th those of Margarita and Cubagua, afterwards
famed for their pearl fishing.

On approaching the latter, a number of Indians were seen fishing for
pearls.  A boat being sent to communicate with them, a seaman offered a
broken piece of gaily-painted porcelain to a woman who had round her
neck a string of pearls, which she readily gave in exchange.

On this the Admiral sent people on shore, who with beads and hawks'
bells soon procured three pounds weight of pearls, some of very large
size.

The coast still trending to the westward, and rising into lofty ranges
of mountains, Columbus began to suspect that he was off the mainland of
India; but his eyesight failing, he was reluctantly compelled to steer
for Hispaniola to seek for needed rest.  On making land, after a sail of
five days, he found that he was fifty leagues to the westward of his
destination, having been driven across by the strong steady current
which sets in from the east, and assists to give an impetus to the Gulf
Stream.

Sending on shore for an Indian messenger to take a letter to his brother
the Adelantado, a canoe came off with several Indians, one of whom
carried a Spanish crossbow.  As this was not an article of traffic, the
Admiral feared that fresh troubles had arisen, and that the weapon had
fallen into the Indian's hands by the death of a Spaniard.

Sailing, he arrived near the mouth of the river on the 30th of August,
when a caravel, appeared, on board of which came the Adelantado.  The
brothers met with mutual joy, but the latter grieved to see the great
navigator so broken down in health, a mere wreck of himself, though with
his spirit still rising superior to all bodily affliction.

Though considerable progress had been made in the building of Isabella,
now called San Domingo, at the mouth of the Ozema, the Adelantado had
sad accounts to give of the state of the island.  Rebellion had been
rife among the colonists in all directions.  The Indians had been
barbarously treated, and all authority had been set at defiance.
Attempts had been made to murder the Adelantado, and the leaders had
sent home the most serious accusations against him and Columbus and
their brother Diego.  They had succeeded too well in raising suspicions
in the mind of Ferdinand as to the loyalty of Columbus, and an officer
of the royal household, Don Francisco de Bobadilla, was sent out
nominally to investigate the causes of the rebellion, but with power to
arrest the persons and sequestrate the effects of those he might
consider guilty; while he was to take upon himself the government of the
island, and to demand the surrender of all fortresses, ships, and other
royal property.

Columbus had gone into the interior to arrange matters, while the
Adelantado and his brother had almost succeeded in overcoming the
rebellion, when Bobadilla, accompanied by a guard of twenty-five men and
six friars, who had charge of a number of Indians sent back to their
country, appeared off Saint Domingo on the 23rd of August, 1500.
Landing, without stopping to investigate the conduct of Columbus and his
brothers, he instantly commenced the most arbitrary proceedings.  He
took up his residence in the house of Columbus, of whose whole property,
gold, plate, jewels, horses, together with his public and even private
letters and manuscripts, he at once possessed himself.

Don Diego was seized, thrown into irons, and confined on board a
caravel.  Columbus was summoned to San Domingo; he came, almost
unattended, when, being at once seized, Bobadilla gave orders that he
should be put in irons, and confined him in the fortress.

When the irons were brought, every one present shrank at the task of
putting them on the limbs of the venerable and illustrious prisoners,
either from a sentiment of compassion at so great a reverse of fortune,
or out of habitual reverence for his person.  A wretched cook named
Espinosa was the only person found to rivet the fetters.  The great
navigator conducted himself with the magnanimity which might have been
expected.  The injustice and ingratitude of the sovereigns alone wounded
his spirit, and he bore all his present misfortunes in silence.

Though the Adelantado was at the head of a strong force when summoned to
San Domingo, he returned unattended, and was treated as his brother had
been.  Columbus had expected to have suffered on the scaffold, and was
greatly relieved when he found himself conducted on board a caravel
commanded by a worthy captain--Alonzo de Villejo--who told him that he
had orders to carry him to Spain.

He and his brother embarked, amidst the scoffs and shouts of a miscreant
rabble, who took a brutal joy in heaping insult on his venerable head.

Villejo, touched by the sufferings of Columbus, treated him with much
respect, and would have relieved him of his shackles, but he answered,
"No: their Majesties commanded me to submit to whatever Bobadilla might
devise; by their authority he has put upon me these shackles.  I will
wear them until they direct them to be taken off, and I will preserve
them as relics and memorials, as the reward of my services."

The page of history presents no sadder picture than Columbus in chains
crossing the ocean from those lands discovered by his genius, boldness,
and perseverance.

The voyage was favourable and of moderate duration.  In a short time the
ship, with her illustrious prisoner on board, arrived at Cadiz.
Columbus a prisoner and in chains produced almost as great a sensation
as his triumphant return from his first voyage.  A reaction took place,
and a strong sympathy was expressed, against which it would have been
odious for the Government to contend.  The ignominious manner in which
Columbus had been treated created murmurs of astonishment at the Court
at Grenada, and a letter written by him on board reached the
noble-minded Isabella before the document sent home by Bobadilla.  She
saw how grossly Columbus had been wronged and the royal authority
abused, and her heart was filled with mingled sympathy and indignation.

The Queen and Ferdinand instantly sent off to Cadiz, directing that the
prisoners should be set at liberty and treated with all distinction; and
they wrote a letter to Columbus, expressing their grief at what he had
suffered, and inviting him to Court.  Conscious of his integrity, his
heart was cheered, and he anticipated an immediate restitution of all
his rights and dignities.

He appeared in Grenada, not as a disgraced man, but richly dressed, and
attended by a noble retinue.  He was received with unqualified favour
and distinction, and as he beheld tears in the benign eyes of Isabella,
he threw himself on his knees, and for some time could not utter a word
for the violence of his tears and sobbing.  Enabled to speak, he
defended himself fully; indeed, the imputations of his enemies had been
his best advocate.

Meantime the Pinzons and several other explorers had sailed forth,
chiefly in search of pearls and gold.

While we feel indignant at the treatment received by Columbus, we must
not forget the miseries of the helpless natives his discoveries had
brought within the power of so-called civilised Europeans.

The excellent Las Casas gives a vivid and faithful picture of the
tyranny exercised over the Indians by worthless Spaniards; wretches who
in their own country had been the vilest of the vile, but had in the New
World assumed the tone of grand cavaliers.  Over much of their conduct
it is necessary to draw the veil.  Their very pleasures were attended
with cruelty.  At the least freak of ill humour they inflicted blows,
and lashes, and even death itself, on their helpless slaves.

Such were some of the evils which had sprung up under the rule of
Bobadilla.  The wrongs of the natives reaching the benevolent heart of
Isabella, she urged that a new governor, Don Nicolas de Ovando, should
be sent out to supersede him, to inquire into the conduct of Columbus.
Ovando shortly afterwards sailed in command of one of the largest fleets
that had yet proceeded to the New World.

We should always bear in mind the lofty enthusiastic aspirations which
influenced the mind of the great navigator.  He had hoped by the wealth
he should obtain to win the Holy Sepulchre from the infidels, but more
practical schemes soon occupied him.  The wealth brought from the East,
owing to the discoveries of the Portuguese, aroused him to emulation.
He had found a strong current setting westward, through the Caribbean
Sea, between the coasts of Paria on the south and Cuba on the north, the
latter, as he believed, being a part of the Asiatic continent stretching
onwards in the same direction.  He believed therefore that there must be
a straight opening into the Indian Sea, and, could he discover it, he
believed that he should be able to reach India by a far more easy route
than any yet followed.

His plan was listened to with attention by the sovereigns, and he was
authorised to fit out another armament.

He asked permission to touch at Hispaniola for supplies on the outward
voyage, but the sovereigns, knowing that he had many enemies in the
island, forbade him doing so.  They, however, to soothe his feelings,
wrote him a letter dated the 14th of March, 1502, solemnly assuring him
that all his dignities should be enjoyed by him and his sons after him,
and that they would bestow further honours and rewards upon him and them
as well as upon his excellent brothers.



CHAPTER SEVEN.

FOURTH AND LAST VOYAGE OF COLUMBUS--A.D. 1502.

Columbus sails from Cadiz the 9th of May, 1502, in command of four
caravels--Reaches Martinico, and steers for San Domingo to change one of
his vessels finds Bobadilla about to sail--Refused admission to the
port--Warns the Governor of an impending hurricane--Keeps close in with
the land--Escapes--Bobadilla's ship founders--Only one with the treasure
of Columbus reaches Spain--Touching at Jamaica, stands across to Bonacca
off the coast of Honduras--Visited by a cacique in a large canoe laden
with numerous articles--Search for the supposed strait--Goes on shore on
the mainland--The natives bring presents--Sails along the coast--Stormy
weather continues--Columbus suffers from illness--Fine weather--Off the
Mosquito shore--Natives offended at their presents not being accepted--
Hostages brought--Frightened at seeing the notary write--Natives carried
off as guides--Ships anchor in the Bay of Caribaro--Large quantities of
gold seen among the natives--Reaches the coast of Veragua--Hostility of
natives--Frightened into friendship--Much gold obtained--Columbus quits
the gold region in search of the straits--Hears of the gold region of
Ciguere--Anchors in Puerto Bello--Passes Nombre de Dios--Anchors in
Cabinet Harbour--The seamen insult the natives, who attack the ships--
Put to flight by the guns--Columbus sails in search of the gold-mines of
Veragua.

Columbus had reached the age of sixty-eight years when he embarked upon
his fourth voyage.  His squadron consisted of four caravels, the
smallest of fifty tons burden, the largest not exceeding seventy; the
crews amounted, in all, to one hundred and fifty men.  He had with him
his faithful and intrepid brother, Don Bartholomew, and his younger son,
Fernando.  The squadron sailed from Cadiz on the 9th of May, A.D. 1502,
and after touching at Ercilla, on the coast of Morocco, stood away for
the Canaries, where it arrived on the 25th of May, on the evening of
which day he took his departure for the New World.  Without shifting a
sail it reached Martinico.

Though prohibited from touching at Hispaniola, one of his vessels was so
bad a sea boat that he ventured to steer for San Domingo, in order to
change her for another.

Arriving off the river on the 29th of June, he found a fleet with
Bobadilla on board, as well as a large amount of treasure and several
unhappy Indian captives.

The agent of Columbus had shipped four thousand pieces of gold, recently
collected or recovered from Bobadilla, on board one of the caravels.

Columbus immediately sent to ask permission of Ovando, who had assumed
the government, to enter the harbour, stating that the weather looked
threatening, and that he believed a hurricane was brewing.

Ovando most ungraciously refused the boon asked for by Columbus, who
then again sent on shore, entreating that, although shelter was denied
to him, the fleet about to sail might be detained in harbour until the
coming tempest had spent its fury.

This request was also refused, the Governor and his officers not
believing the warning.  Columbus, therefore, steered along the coast,
keeping as close to the shore as possible, convinced that the storm
would blow from the north.  The crews at once began to complain, having
lost their reliance on one who was subjected to such ill treatment.

Within two days his predictions were verified.  A fearful hurricane
burst upon them, during which the ship carrying Bobadilla and an
unfortunate cacique foundered, together with an enormous mass of gold,--
the principal part of the treasure gained by the miseries of the
Indians.  Many other ships were lost, some returning to San Domingo
sorely battered, while only one, the weakest of the fleet, with the
treasure of the Admiral on board, continued her voyage to Spain.

The squadron of Columbus, though having suffered much, safely reached
the port of Hermoso, at the west end of San Domingo.  Here he remained
several days, and then, after touching at some small islands off Jamaica
swept by the current, he reached a group near the coast of Honduras, one
of which he called the Isla de Pinos, now known as Guanaja, or Bonacca.

The Adelantado, on landing on its beautiful and fertile shore, saw an
immense canoe approaching, eight feet wide, and of great length, though
formed of the trunk of a single tree.  Under a canopy of palm-leaves sat
a cacique, with his wives and children, rowed by twenty-five Indians.

The canoe was filled with all kinds of articles of manufacture and
natural production.  The Indians, without fear, came alongside the
Admiral's caravel.  He was delighted to obtain, without trouble,
specimens of so many important articles of this part of the New World.
Among them were hatchets formed of copper, wooden swords with channels
on each side of the blade, in which sharp flints were firmly fixed by
cords formed of the intestines of fishes, such as were afterwards found
among the Mexicans.  There were bells and other articles of copper, and
clay utensils; cotton shirts worked, and dyed with various colours;
great quantities of cacao, a fruit as yet unknown to the Spaniards, and
a beverage resembling beer, extracted from Indian corn.  Their
provisions consisted of maize bread, and roots of various kinds.  Many
of the articles they willingly exchanged for European trinkets.  The
women were wrapped in mantles like the female Moors of Grenada, and the
men had cloths of cotton round their loins.  From their being clothed,
and from the superiority of their manufactures, the Admiral believed
that he was approaching more civilised nations.

The natives stated that they had just arrived from a rich cultivated
country, with the wealth and magnificence of which they endeavoured to
impress him.  His mind, however, being bent on the discovery of the
strait, and believing that he could easily visit them at some future
period, he determined to seek the mainland, and keep steadily on until
he reached the opening between it and Paria.

Had he followed the advice of his visitors he might have discovered
Mexico, and even the Southern Ocean might have been disclosed to him.
He was encouraged to persist in the course he had designed by hearing
from an old man, whom he had detained as pilot, that there were many
places farther on abounding in gold.

Reaching the mainland on Sunday, the 14th of August, he and his
officers, and many of the men, landed, and Mass was performed under the
trees.  On the 17th the Adelantado went ashore near the mouth of a
river, and took possession of the country in the name of their Catholic
Majesties.  At this place upwards of a hundred Indians appeared, laden
with bread, maize, fish, fowl, vegetables, and fruits.

These they laid down as presents, and then, without speaking a word,
drew back.  The Adelantado distributed among them various trinkets,
which so pleased them that they came with still more abundant supplies.
These natives had higher foreheads than those of the islands.  Some were
entirely naked and had their bodies tatooed, some wore coverings about
the loins, and others short cotton jerkins without sleeves.  The
chieftains had coats of white or coloured cotton.  The Indian guide
asserted that some of them were cannibals.

Day after day, exposed to storms, drenching rains, and currents,
Columbus made his way along the coast of Honduras, often gaining only a
league or two in the day.  Though suffering from gout, he still attended
to his duty, having had a small cabin fitted on deck from which he could
keep a look-out.  Often he was so ill that he thought his end was
approaching.

At length, after two months of continued gales, fine weather returned,
and he doubled the Cape, to which he gave the name of Gracias a Dios, or
Thanks to God.  He next sailed along what is now called the Mosquito
shore, seeing many rivers in which grew enormous reeds, abounding with
fish, alligators, and turtles.

While the squadron was anchored near a river and the boats were on shore
to obtain wood and water, a bore, or swell of the sea, occurred, by
which one of them was swallowed up, and all on board perished.  The
name, therefore, of El Rio del Desastro was given to the river.

The next place at which the ships dropped anchor was between a beautiful
island, which Columbus called La Huerta, or The Garden, and the
mainland, where some way up was a native village named Cariari.  The
inhabitants, seeing the ships, quickly gathered on the shore, prepared
to defend their country; but when the Spaniards made no attempt to land,
their hostility ceased, and, waving their mantles, they invited the
strangers on shore.  Swimming off, they brought mantles of cotton and
ornaments of guanin.

The Admiral, though he made them presents, would take nothing in
exchange, and the savages, supposing that their proffered gifts were
despised, retaliated, pretending indifference to the things offered
them, and, on returning on shore, tied all the European articles up and
left them on the beach.

The following day, while a boat cautiously approached the shore to
procure water, a venerable-looking Indian appeared, bearing a white
banner on the end of a staff, and leading a girl of fourteen, and
another of about eight years of age.  These he made signs were to be
detained as hostages while the Spaniards were on shore.  They were taken
on board, and being kept under the care of the Admiral, were clothed and
adorned with various ornaments, and on the following morning were
restored to their friends, who appeared grateful for the kind way in
which they had been treated, but returned all the presents they had
received.

On the Adelantado approaching the beach, two of the principal natives,
wading into the water, carried him ashore in their arms.  Wishing to
collect information, he ordered the notary of the squadron to write down
their replies; but no sooner did they see the pen, ink, and paper than,
supposing he was working some necromantic spell, they fled in terror.
After some time they returned, scattering a fragrant powder in the air,
intended, apparently, to counteract it.  The Spaniards, equally
ignorant, also fancied that the Indians were performing some magic rite;
indeed, Columbus asserts that they believed all the hardships and foul
winds they had experienced on the coast were owing to the witchcraft of
the natives.

On leaving this place, Columbus carried off two of the natives, to serve
as guides, promising that he would restore them, with ample
remuneration, on his return.

The squadron then sailed along the coast now known as Costa Rica, and
anchored in a large bay, full of islands, called Caribaro, the
neighbourhood of which, the natives of Cariari had asserted, abounded
with gold.  The islands were covered with groves, which sent forth the
fragrance of fruits and flowers; and so deep and narrow were the
channels, that the spars of the vessels, as they passed on, brushed the
overhanging branches.  The natives were at first afraid, but, encouraged
by the guides, advanced with confidence.  They wore numerous ornaments
of pure gold, and one of them exchanged a plate of gold, valued at ten
ducats, for three hawks' bells.

The country on the mainland was hilly, the villages perched on the
heights.  As the boats proceeded to the bottom of the bay, they met ten
canoes, the Indians in which had their heads decorated with garlands of
flowers, and coronets formed of the claws of beasts and the quills of
birds, while most of them wore plates of gold about their necks.
Although they refused to part with the gold, they told the Spaniards it
was to be had in abundance within the distance of two days' journey,
mentioning, among other places, Veragua.

Columbus, eager to discover the strait, cared, at this time, very little
for the gold, and sailing along the coast, now known as that of Veragua,
came off the mouth of a large river.  Here the natives rushed into the
water, brandishing their weapons; but were quickly pacified, and
bartered away seventeen plates of gold, worth one hundred and fifty
ducats, for a few toys.

When the Spaniards next day went on shore, the natives exhibited a
hostile disposition, but a bolt from a crossbow wounding one of them,
and a cannon being fired, they fled with terror; and on being pursued,
threw down their weapons, and, gentle as lambs, brought three plates of
gold, meekly receiving the articles given in exchange.  A similar scene
was enacted at the next place, and nineteen plates of pure gold were
obtained.  Here, for the first time, Columbus met with signs of solid
architecture, which he believed indicated his approach to civilised
lands.  As he ran along the coast, but was unable to land on account of
the heavy sea, the guides pointed out numerous towns where gold
abounded, one of them being Veragua, where they said the plates of gold
were fabricated, and near which were the rich mines.

Soon after this he arrived opposite a village, where he was told the
country of gold terminated, but still believing that he should discover
a strait, he pushed on.  He understood from the Indians that there was a
magnificent country called Ciguare, situated at about ten days' journey
to the west, where the people wore crowns and bracelets and necklets of
gold, and used it for all domestic purposes; that they were armed like
the Spaniards, with swords, bucklers, and cuirasses.  He also fancied
they said that the sea continued round to Ciguare, and that ten days
beyond it was the Ganges.  Probably they were describing Mexico or Peru.

The country was everywhere beautiful and fertile in the extreme.  On the
2nd of November the squadron anchored in a commodious harbour, to which
Columbus gave the name of Puerto Bello, which it still retains.  They
were delayed here ten days by heavy rains and stormy weather, but the
painted natives brought off provisions, though few had ornaments of
gold.

Again sailing eastward, they passed the point now known as Nombre de
Dios, but being driven back, anchored in a harbour, which, from the
large fields of Indian corn, fruits, and vegetables, was called the Port
of Provision.  They here remained until the 23rd, endeavouring to repair
their vessels, which were fearfully pierced by the teredo.  Misled by
the seamen, always eager to get on shore, who went to sound it, he
entered a small harbour, which he called The Cabinet.  It was infested
with alligators, which filled the air with a musky odour.

The natives gathered in large numbers, and at first treated their
visitors with hospitality; but the rough seamen soon committed excesses
which aroused their hosts to vengeance.  In a short time the natives
were seen approaching to attack the vessels.  Not until some shotted
guns were fired among them did they take to flight.

The seamen now began to murmur at the continuance of the tempestuous
weather, declaring that the looked-for straits would never be found.
Columbus might have begun to suspect the same, and, to the great joy of
his men, he expressed his intention of relinquishing his search for the
present.  Sailing on the 5th of December from the Cabinet, he steered in
search of the gold-mines of Veragua.



CHAPTER EIGHT.

LAST VOYAGE OF COLUMBUS, CONCLUDED--A.D. 1503-6.

The squadron encounters fearful storms--Returns to Veragua--The
Adelantado visits the cacique Quibian--Vessels nearly lost by a bore in
the river--The Adelantado sets off for the gold-mines--During a second
excursion collects much gold--Columbus resolves to form a colony--The
vessels prevented from crossing the bar--Eighty men engaged in building
a fort--Diego Mendez goes on a scouting expedition, and discovers the
treacherous designs of Quibian--Visits the village of the cacique--The
Adelantado undertakes to capture Quibian--He succeeds--The cacique
escapes on his way down the river--Is supposed to be lost--Columbus
prepares to sail--Indians attack the settlement--Driven off--Tristan
goes up the river for water--He and his party destroyed by the Indians--
Settlement again attacked--The Spaniards entrench themselves--No
communication possible with the ships--Fearful tragedy on board--Gallant
conduct of Ledesma--The settlement abandoned--The ships, pierced by the
teredo, unseaworthy--One abandoned at Puerto Bello--Stands across to
Cuba--A tempest--Narrow escape--In vain endeavouring to get westward,
steers for Jamaica--The caravels run on shore and prepared for defence--
Diego Mendez obtains provisions--Crosses in a canoe to Hispaniola--
Mutiny of Porras and others--They put to sea in canoes--Driven back by a
storm--Misconduct on shore--Instigate the Indians to withhold
provisions--Columbus predicts an eclipse of the moon--A second mutiny--
Arrival of Escobar--Refuses to take Columbus away--Adventures of
Mendez--Porras persists in his rebellion--Porras captured by the
Adelantado--Vessels arrive--Columbus reaches San Domingo--Reaction in
his favour--Returns with his brother to Spain--His last illness and
death.

The vessels put into Puerto Bello, then once more stood westward; but
the wind, again heading them, began to blow with such terrible violence,
that they were obliged once more to run back towards the port they had
left; but before they could reach it, they were driven out to sea by a
terrific gale.  Here for days they were tossed about, while the rain
poured down in a perfect deluge, and to add to the terror of the seamen
a waterspout was seen approaching, from which they narrowly escaped.
For a short time the tempest ceased, but again raged with greater fury
than before.  No serious damage, however, having occurred, the vessels
at length, on the 3rd of February, 1503, came to an anchor off the river
Yebra, which was within a league of another river known as the Veragua,
running through the country said to abound in gold-mines.

Both rivers were sounded, and the Yebra, or Belen as Columbus called it,
being somewhat the deepest, the caravels entered it at high tide.  At
first the natives assumed a menacing attitude, but assured by the guides
of the pacific intentions of the Spaniards, they received them in a
friendly way.  Besides a quantity of fish and provisions, they brought
also numerous golden ornaments,--objects delighting the greedy eyes of
the Spaniards.  The Adelantado lost no time in ascending the river in a
well-armed boat to the residence of Quibian, the principal cacique of
the country.

The chief, a tall powerful warrior, received him in a friendly manner,
and presented him with various golden ornaments.  The following day
Quibian visited the Admiral, by whom he was hospitably entertained.

Suddenly, on the 24th of January, a vast mass of water came rushing down
the river, forcing the ships from their anchors, and dashing them
against each other with such violence that the foremast of the Admiral's
vessel was carried away, and the squadron placed in great danger; a
furious storm and the heavy surf on the bar preventing them from running
out to sea.

When the weather moderated, the Adelantado paid another visit up the
river to Quibian, who came down to meet him with a large train of his
subjects unarmed, making signs of peace.  The chief was naked, and
painted after the fashion of the country.  Seated on a stone, he
received the Adelantado with great courtesy, and acceding to his wishes
to visit the interior of his dominions, supplied him with three guides
to conduct him to the mines.

Leaving a party to guard the boats, the Adelantado set off on foot with
the remainder, sleeping one night on the road.  After travelling about
six leagues, they entered a forest, where the guides informed them the
mines were situated.  The whole soil indeed seemed to be impregnated
with gold, and in the space of two hours each Spaniard had collected a
considerable quantity from among the roots of the trees.

Reaching the top of a hill, the guides pointed out to the Adelantado a
wide forest region, which they assured him, for a distance of twenty
leagues, abounded with gold.  It appeared, however, that by the
directions of Quibian they had deceived him, and taken him to the mines
of a neighbouring cacique, with whom he was at war, and that the real
mines of Veragua were nearer and far more wealthy.

After this the indefatigable Adelantado made another exploring
expedition along the coast and through the interior, from which he
returned well laden with gold.  Columbus, satisfied that the mines of
Veragua and those of the Aurea Chersonesus were identical, considered
that this would be a suitable place to found a colony and establish a
mart which should become the emporium of a vast tract of mines.  The
Adelantado agreed with him, and offered to remain with the greater part
of the people while the Admiral should return to Spain for
reinforcements and supplies.

Eighty men were selected to remain, and they immediately set about
building dwellings and a store-house within bowshot of the river Belen.
Columbus endeavoured to conciliate the good-will of the Indians, that
they might bring provisions to the colony, and he made many presents to
Quibian to reconcile him to this intrusion into his territories.

When an attempt was made, however, to carry the vessels over the bar, it
was found there was not sufficient water for them.  They had to wait for
the periodical swelling of the river before this could be accomplished.

Columbus was satisfied with the good disposition of the natives, but the
chief notary, Diego Mendez, his attached friend, had some doubts about
the matter, and offered to sally forth and visit a large Indian camp
which it was discovered had been formed in the neighbourhood.

Rowing up the river in a strongly-armed boat, he suddenly came upon a
thousand or more Indians evidently on a warlike expedition.  Landing
alone, he offered to accompany them.  This proposition was received in a
suspicious manner, and he returned to his boat.  Watching narrowly
during the night, he perceived that they went back to Veragua.

Hastening to the Admiral, he expressed his opinion that the Indians
intended to surprise the settlement.  Further to ascertain the
intentions of Quibian, he undertook to penetrate to his head-quarters.
Accompanied by one Rodrigo Escobar, he made his way to the mouth of the
Veragua, where he induced two Indians to convey him and his companion up
the river.

On reaching the village of the chief, the two Spaniards observed a
bustle of warlike preparation, and heard that Quibian was confined to
his house by a wound.  Mendez on this announced that he was a surgeon,
and offered to cure the chief of his wound.  Making his way towards the
chief's residence, he came upon an open space where he saw raised on
posts the heads of three hundred enemies of the tribe slain in battle.

As he approached the house, a powerful Indian--son of the cacique--
rushed out and struck him a blow; but Mendez producing a box of
ointment, pacified him.  Though unable to gain access to the cacique, he
escaped without further injury to the boat, and he and his companion
made their way down to the harbour.

It was evident that the natives intended hostilities, and from an Indian
who had become attached to the Spaniards they learned that Quibian
intended to surprise the Spaniards by night, to burn the vessels and
houses, and make a general massacre.  To prevent him carrying out his
plan, the Adelantado offered to go up the river and capture him and his
principal chiefs and family during the night, and to bring them in
chains on board.

Taking Diego Mendez, with seventy men and an interpreter, he set off on
the 30th of March.  Reaching the neighbourhood of the village, he left
the rest of his people, and, accompanied by Diego Mendez and four
others, went forward.  The remainder, two and two, climbed the hill.  It
was arranged that upon the discharge of an arquebus they were to
surround the dwelling and suffer no one to escape.

As the Adelantado approached, Quibian came out to meet him, and seated
himself in the porch; Don Bartholomew telling Mendez and his companions
to remain at a little distance, and that when they should see him take
the cacique by the arm, to rush immediately to his assistance.

He then advanced with his Indian interpreter, and after a short
conversation, pretending to examine the cacique's wound, he took him by
the arm.

At the concerted signal four of the Spaniards rushed forward, the fifth
discharged his arquebus.  The cacique attempted to get loose, but was
held firm in the iron grasp of the Adelantado.  A violent struggle
ensued, but Diego Mendez and the rest coming up, Quibian was bound hand
and foot; and at the report of the arquebus the main body of the
Spaniards surrounded the house and seized all who were within, the wives
and children of Quibian included.  When the savages saw their chief a
captive, with loud cries they implored his liberty, offering a rich
treasure as his ransom.

The Adelantado, deaf to their entreaties, carried off Quibian and the
other prisoners to the boat, committing them to the charge of Juan
Sanchez, the principal pilot, while he remained on shore with part of
his men to secure the Indians who had escaped.

The night was dark, and as the boats proceeded down the river Quibian
pretended that the cord which bound him to a bench hurt his limbs, and
the pilot loosed it.

The wily Indian, watching his opportunity, plunged into the water, and
in the darkness and confusion it was not known whether he sank or
reached the bank.  Sanchez, crestfallen, returned in the boats to the
ships.

The next morning the Adelantado, seeing from the nature of the country
that it would be impossible to overtake the fugitives, contented himself
with carrying off all the coronets, necklaces, and plates of gold found
in the cacique's mansion, to the value of three hundred ducats, and got
safely on board.

Columbus, believing that Quibian had perished and that the vigorous
measures of the Adelantado had succeeded in quelling the natives, made
preparations for sailing.  The river having swollen, he got three of the
caravels over the bar by landing their cargoes, but left the fourth for
the use of the settlement.  Taking leave of his brother, and making his
final arrangements, he set sail.  The wind, however, continued adverse,
and on the 6th of April, wishing to communicate with his brother, he
sent a boat on shore under the command of Diego Tristan, captain of one
of the caravels.

As Tristan approached the shore he found his countrymen, some on board
the caravel, some on the sea-shore looking at the ships, and others
scattered about the houses, when suddenly a vast number of Indians
rushed forward with yells and howls, launching their javelins through
the windows and roofs, or thrusting them through the crevices of the
woodwork, wounding some of those who were within.

At the first alarm the Adelantado, seizing a lance, sallied forth with
seven or eight men, and being joined by Diego Mendez and others, they
drove the enemy into the forest, killing and wounding many of them.  In
spite of their furious sallies the savages could not withstand the keen
edge of the Spanish swords and the attacks of a fierce bloodhound, and
fled howling through the forest, leaving a number dead on the field,
having, however, killed one Spaniard and wounded eight, among the latter
of whom was the Adelantado.

Tristan had been afraid to approach the land lest his countrymen should
spring on board and sink the boat, and when the Indians had been put to
flight he proceeded up the river in quest of fresh water, disregarding
the warnings of his friends on shore.  He had get up some way, and was
passing through a narrow channel between high, rocky, and wooded banks,
when he was suddenly assailed by showers of darts and arrows.  As the
crew, losing all presence of mind, made no attempt to row away, only
covering themselves with their bucklers, in a short time he and the
whole of them, with the exception of one man, were massacred.  The
survivor, springing overboard, gained the bank of the river unperceived,
and made his way down to the settlement with the tidings of the death of
his captain and comrades.

The Spaniards were dismayed.  They were few in number in the midst of
exasperated savages.  The Admiral, ignorant of their misfortunes, they
said, would sail away, and leave them to perish.  In vain the Adelantado
remonstrated.  They insisted on embarking in the caravel and following
Columbus.  The water, however, had fallen, and she could not be got over
the bar.  They attempted to put off in the boat, but a heavy surf
rolling on the shore made this impossible.

In the meantime the Indians, instigated by Quibian, who had escaped,
again attacked the Spaniards, rushing out from their coverts in the
woods, and hurling their javelins and darts.  As the huts were so near
the woods that they might at any moment be surprised, a spot was chosen
on the shore, where a breastwork was thrown up formed of the boats,
casks, and cases, in the embrasures of which were placed two small
pieces of artillery.  Here, when the Indians came on, they were received
with so warm a fire from the arquebuses and guns that they quickly took
to flight.  The little garrison knew, however, that before long their
ammunition would fail and their provisions be exhausted, and that they
could anticipate nothing but destruction in the end.

Columbus all this time was not aware what was taking place on shore.  He
became anxious, however, at the non-appearance of Diego Tristan and his
party, but as there was one boat only remaining, he was afraid of
sending her off lest she should be overwhelmed by the surf breaking on
the beach.

A fearful circumstance now occurred.  The prisoners were confined at
night in the forecastle of the caravel, the hatchway of which was
generally secured by a strong chain and padlock.  Several of the crew
slept on this hatchway, and as it was so high as to be considered out of
the reach of those beneath, they neglected to fasten the chain.

The Indians, discovering their negligence, made a heap of stones from
the ballast directly under the hatchway.  Several of their most powerful
warriors then mounting on the top, and bending their backs, by a sudden
effort forced up the hatch.  In an instant the greater part of the
Indians sprang forth, some plunging into the sea and swimming for the
shore.  Several were seized and forced back into the forecastle, when
the hatchway was chained down and a guard was set for the remainder of
the night.

In the morning the Spaniards, on lifting the hatch, found to their
horror that their captives were all dead.  Some had hanged themselves
with the ends of ropes, their knees touching the floor, while others lay
strangled, having drawn the ropes tight with their feet.  Columbus,
fearing that the prisoners who had escaped would stimulate their
countrymen to some act of vengeance, was anxious to communicate with his
brother.  It still seemed impossible for the boat to reach the shore,
when Pedro Ledesma, a pilot of Seville, volunteered to swim to the beach
if the boat would carry him outside the breakers and wait his return.

Stripping himself, he plunged into the sea, and buffeting the surges,
reached the shore.  He here found the intended settlers verging on
despair, and also heard the fate of Diego Tristan.

With a message from the Adelantado, the brave pilot made his way back to
the boat.  Columbus, on receiving the alarming intelligence brought by
the pilot, was thrown into a state of the greatest anxiety.  Rather than
allow the settlement to be broken up, he would have joined the
Adelantado with all his people; but how, then, could he send tidings of
his important discovery to the sovereigns?  After much trouble of mind
he resolved to embark the people and abandon the settlement.

Bad weather and a heavy sea rendered this for a long time impossible.
At length the wind going down, the sea became calm, and he was able to
send the boat on shore.  Every exertion was at once made to bring off
the people.  The zealous Diego Mendez had been actively employed in
making sacks to hold the biscuit.  He also constructed a raft, which
greatly facilitated the conveyance of the stores, arms, and ammunition.

The caravel was also dismantled.  Her provisions and stores were got
off, so that nothing remained but her hull.  The joy of the Spaniards
when they found themselves safe on board was unbounded, and the Admiral,
as a reward for his services, gave the command of the caravel, vacant by
the death of the unfortunate Diego Tristan, to the zealous Diego Mendez.

By the end of April, with a favourable wind, Columbus left the
disastrous shores of Veragua; but his ships, honeycombed by the teredo,
could with difficulty be kept afloat.  To the surprise of his pilots,
instead of standing northwards towards Hispaniola, he steered due east,
knowing that the the current, which has a strong set into the Caribbean
Sea, would have swept him far away out of his intended course.

He continued on to Puerto Bello, where he found that one of his caravels
was so pierced by the teredo that he was compelled to leave her behind,
and to divide her crew between the two remaining vessels.  He then
proceeded on as far as what is now known as the Gulf of Darien.

Having struggled in vain against contrary winds and currents, he on the
ist of May stood northward in quest of Hispaniola.  As the wind was
easterly, with a strong current setting to the west, he kept as near the
wind as possible.  So ignorant were the pilots that they fancied all
this time that they were to the east of the Caribbean Islands, whereas
the Admiral feared truly that he should fall to the westward of
Hispaniola.

Sailing across the Caribbean Sea, he at length sighted two small islands
to the north-west of Hispaniola, which he called the Tortugas, from the
quantity of turtles seen about them, though now known as the Caymans.
Passing west of these, he found himself among the islands to the south
of Cuba which he had called the Queen's Gardens.  Here he cast anchor.
His crews were almost worn out, and the only provisions left were a
little biscuit, oil, and vinegar, while they were obliged to labour
incessantly at the pumps.

Suddenly a tempest burst upon them.  Three of their anchors were lost,
and the vessels, driving together, nearly knocked each other to pieces.
With the greatest difficulty they were separated, and the Admiral's ship
anchored with his sole remaining cable, which in the morning was found
nearly worn asunder.  At the end of six days, the weather moderating, he
sailed eastwards for Hispaniola.

Contrary winds, however, compelled him at length to stand across for
Jamaica, where, on the 23rd of June, the caravels put into Puerto Bueno,
now called Dry Harbour.  No natives being found, the following day they
sailed eastward, and entered another harbour, called Porta Santa Gloria.
Here, at length, Columbus was compelled to give up his arduous struggle
against the elements; his ships, reduced to mere wrecks, could no longer
be kept afloat, and he ordered them to be run aground within bowshot of
the shore, and fastened side by side.  Here they soon filled with water
to the deck.  Cabins were therefore erected at the bow and stern, for
the accommodation of the crews, and the vessels were placed in the best
possible state of defence against any sudden attack of the natives.

To prevent his men roving about the neighbourhood, he ordered that no
one should go on shore without a special licence, and every other
possible precaution was taken to prevent giving offence to the Indians.
Scarcely had these arrangements been made, than the natives appeared in
vast numbers, bringing provisions to barter.  That no disputes might
arise, two persons were appointed to superintend all such trading
transactions.  It was feared, however, that the food thus furnished
would soon fall short, in which case the Spaniards would be reduced to
famine.  In this emergency, Diego Mendez, with his accustomed zeal,
offered to set off with three men on a foraging expedition.  He was
everywhere treated with the utmost kindness by the natives, who supplied
him and his companions with meat and drink; and he made arrangements
with the cacique of a numerous tribe that his subjects should hunt and
fish, and bring cassava bread every day to the harbour.  They were to
receive, in exchange, various articles which they most valued.

This arrangement being made, Mendez dispatched a message to apprise the
Admiral, and then proceeded upon his journey, during which he visited
three different caciques, who all agreed to his proposals.

Having now sent back his companions, Mendez made his way to the eastern
end of the island, where he found a powerful cacique, named Ameyro.  He
won over this chief by his ingratiating manner, and, having purchased a
canoe, induced him to send six Indians to navigate it.  He made a
successful trip, and when he rejoined the Admiral, he found that the
canoes of the friendly chief had already arrived with abundance of
provisions.

The great desire of Columbus was now to get from the island.  But his
ships were like sieves, and he had but one small boat.  The idea
occurred to him that he might send Diego Mendez, in the canoe lately
obtained, to Hispaniola.  He broached the subject to his worthy
follower, who at once agreed to perform the hazardous voyage, provided
no better man was to be found to undertake it.

All were perfectly ready to let Mendez go.  He accordingly embarked, the
Admiral's despatches being ready, with one Spaniard and six Indians.
The brave officer at first paddled to the east end of the island, where
he remained waiting for calm weather.  When here, he and his men were
seized by a party of savages, who were about to kill them, when Mendez,
making his escape, reached his canoe and got back to the harbour.  Still
undaunted, he resolved to make another attempt, and being joined by
Bartholomew Fiesco, a Genoese devoted to the Admiral, in another canoe,
he and his associates set off, escorted by the Adelantado, to the east
end of the island, with an armed party to prevent the savages from
molesting them.  The weather being serene, they once more set off,
hoping to reach Hispaniola in four or five days.

Soon after this sickness broke out among the crews of the two caravels,
while many bitterly blamed the Admiral, considering that all their
misfortunes were owing to him.

Week after week went by, and no ships appearing, Columbus, with too much
reason, feared that his friends had perished.

It had been arranged that Mendez, as soon as he could send off a vessel,
was to proceed on to Spain with the Admiral's despatches giving an
account of his new discoveries, and that Fiesco was to return in a
vessel to take him and his companions off from Jamacia.

Meantime, two brothers, Porras by name, the eldest of whom was a captain
of one of the caravels, had concocted a vile plot to seize Columbus,
capture the largest Indian canoes to be found, and go on in them to
Hispaniola.

The Admiral was in his cabin, confined to his bed by gout, when, on the
2nd of January, 1504, Francisco de Porras entered, and, uttering bitter
complaints, accused him of having no intention of returning to Spain.

Columbus maintained his calmness, and suggested that the officers should
meet together, and decide what measures should be pursued.  Porras,
however, replied that there was no time for further consultations, and
told the Admiral that he must either embark, or remain by himself.  He
then shouted, "I am for Castile!  Those who choose may follow me!"

"I will follow you, and I, and I!" answered the crew, brandishing their
weapons.

Columbus leapt from his bed, but fell.  A few of his faithful adherents
gathered round him, while the Adelantado sallied forth, lance in hand,
to take the whole brunt of the assault.  Columbus entreated that no
blood might be shed, and told the mutineers that they might depart
peaceably.

Hearing this, they at once prepared for embarking in ten canoes, which
had been purchased of the Indians.  Many who had not taken part in the
mutiny joined the deserters, and the whole set off along the coast.  As
they proceeded they landed and committed outrages upon the Indians,
robbing them of their provisions and whatever else they coveted.  As
they did so they told the Indians that Columbus would pay them, and
advised them to kill him if he did not.

Reaching the eastern end of the island they put off, intending to stand
across the gulf; but a heavy sea arose, and fearing that their light
canoes would be swamped, they threw the helpless Indians, whom they had
taken to paddle them, overboard.  When some of the natives attempted to
seize the gunwales and save themselves, the barbarians cut off their
hands and stabbed them with their swords.

The deserters, on reaching land, took up their abode in an Indian
village, the inhabitants of which they treated in their usual tyrannical
manner.  They then wandered from village to village, a dissolute gang,
supporting themselves by robbery, and passing like a pestilence through
the island.

Columbus, meantime, supported by conscious rectitude, devoted himself to
relieving the sufferings of his sick companions who remained with him.
The good faith with which he had ever acted towards the natives now
produced a beneficial effect, and supplies of provisions were brought
from time to time, which were scrupulously paid for.  As, however, the
trinkets lost their value, the supplies fell off, and at length entirely
ceased.  Every day the difficulty of procuring food increased, and when
any was brought, a ten times higher price than formerly was asked for
it.  The atrocities committed by Porras and his party had produced an
injurious effect on the minds of the natives, even against the Admiral,
and they hoped that, by withholding provisions, either to starve him and
his people, or to drive them from the island.

At this juncture Columbus ascertained that there would be a total
eclipse of the moon in the early part of the night, and he, in
consequence, conceived a device, which, according to the erroneous
notions of those days, he probably considered a pious and excusable
fraud.  To make the natives believe in his superior powers, he invited
the principal cacique and his followers to a conference, when he told
them that the white men worshipped a great divinity, who would be
displeased if his votaries were allowed to starve; and, lest they should
despise his warning, the moon would be ordered to change its colour and
gradually lose its light that _very_ night.  Many of the Indians were
alarmed, others treated the prediction with derision.

When, however, they saw a dark shadow steal over the moon, seized with
terror, they hurried to the ships, and entreated Columbus to intercede
for them.  He promised to do so, and, retiring to his cabin, waited
until he saw that the eclipse was about to diminish, when, coming forth,
he assured them that they would be pardoned, provided they fulfilled
their promise, in sign of which he would withdraw the darkness from the
moon.

The Indians once more seeing the planet shining brightly? came with all
reverence to Columbus to propitiate him with gifts, and from that time
forward there was no lack of provisions.

Many months went by, and at length more of his followers became
desperate, and another conspiracy was formed by an apothecary Bernado,
who, with two confederates, designed seizing the remaining canoes, and
making their way to Hispaniola.

The mutiny was on the point of breaking out, when, just eight months
after the arrival of the two shattered barks in the harbour, a vessel
was seen in the offing.  She stood in and a boat approached, in which
was Diego de Escobar, a wretch who had been condemned to death by
Columbus and pardoned by Bobadilla.

Putting a letter on board for the Admiral from Ovando, he then withdrew
to a distance, and shouted out that he had been sent by the Governor to
express his concern for the sufferings of Columbus, and his regret that
he had no vessel of sufficient size to bring him off, but would send one
as soon as possible.

This was the first intimation that Columbus had received of the safe
voyage of Mendez and Fiesco.  In writing an answer to Ovando, he vividly
depicted the dangers of his situation, and recommended Mendez and Fiesco
to his favour, assuring him that they were only sent to apply for
succour.  Escobar receiving the letter, returned on board, and making
all sail, was soon lost to sight.

Columbus well knew that jealousy was the cause of Ovando's cruel
conduct, and that he had sent Escobar as one who would have no sympathy
with his sufferings.  Diego Mendez and his companions had nearly
perished on their voyage across the channel, but he had at length
reached the western end of Hispaniola, from whence he set off to coast
in his canoe one hundred and thirty leagues to San Domingo.  After
proceeding eighty leagues against adverse currents and in danger from
hostile tribes, he was informed on landing that the Governor was at
Xaragua, fifty leagues away.

Undaunted by difficulties, he proceeded on foot through forests and over
mountains, until he arrived at Xaragua, having achieved one of the most
perilous expeditions ever undertaken by a devoted follower for the
safety of his commander.

Ovando received him kindly, but kept him seven months under various
pretexts, until he at length had permission to go to San Domingo, where
he hoped to purchase a vessel to go to the rescue of his beloved
commander.

When left in doubt, after the appearance of Escobar, as to whether
assistance would really be sent, Columbus endeavoured by kind measures
to win back Porras and his rebel crew to their allegiance.

Porras, however, who had formed a plan to attack and plunder the
stranded caravels and make the Admiral prisoner, persuaded his men to
hold out.  On this the sturdy Adelantado resolved to try the effect of
force, and taking with him fifty followers, he set out for the camp of
the traitor.

On approaching he sent two messengers, who had before accepted the offer
of pardon, to treat with Porras; but he would not permit them to
approach, and he and his men, brandishing their weapons, defied the
Adelantado, six of them vowing that they would put him to death.  Two of
the strongest of their number, however, quickly fell beneath his
flashing sword; and many others lay killed or wounded, when Porras,
rushing forward, struck at the Adelantado's shield, in which his sword
remained fixed.  Before he could withdraw it, several of the
Adelantado's party closing on him, made him prisoner.  His followers,
seeing this, fled, and Don Bartholomew returned in triumph with his
prisoner to the Admiral.

Next day the fugitives sent a petition, couched in abject terms, for
pardon, swearing that they would for ever afterwards remain faithful.

At length, after a year of alternate hope and despondency, the Spaniards
saw two vessels approaching the harbour.  One had been fitted out by
Diego Mendez, and the other was sent by Ovando, placed under the command
of Salcedo, the Admiral's agent at San Domingo.

Joy filled the hearts of the exiles as they approached.  Columbus nobly
forgave the rebels, and all were received on board, Porras alone being
still kept a prisoner, while the Indians wept when they beheld the
departure of their guests, having experienced nothing but just and
gentle treatment from Columbus.

The vessel set sail on the 28th of June for San Domingo.  Adverse winds
and currents still opposed his progress, and it was not until the 3rd of
August that Columbus reached the little island of Beata, on the coast of
Hispaniola, and not, in consequence of the same cause, until the 13th
that he anchored in the harbour of San Domingo.  Here a strong reaction
in his favour took place, and many of those who had jeered as he was led
away a prisoner in chains, now came forward to welcome him with every
mark of respect.  He was lodged in the house of Ovando, who, however,
set at liberty the traitor Porras, and even talked of punishing the
Admiral's followers for having, in the fray at Jamaica, killed several
of the mutineers.

Columbus had much cause for grief when he saw the desolation brought
upon the island by the cruel treatment of the natives, and heard of the
horrible massacres which had been perpetrated by Ovando and his agents.
He was eager to depart, and as soon as the vessels which had brought him
from Jamaica could be repaired, he put one under charge of the
Adelantado, while he, with his son and domestics, embarked on board the
other.

Most of his late crew remained at San Domingo, and even the most violent
of the rebels were helped from his purse.  Scarcely had he left the
harbour than the mast of his vessel was carried away; so sending her
back, he embarked on board that commanded by the Adelantado.

The caravel continued her voyage, sorely buffeted by storms, during
which one of her masts was sprung, he all the time lying prostrated by
sickness in his cabin.  It was not until the end of several weeks that
the tempest-tossed barks anchored, on the 7th of November, in the
harbour of San Lucar.

Thus ended the last voyage undertaken by the great navigator.  From San
Lucar he was conveyed to Seville, where he hoped to obtain rest after
all his toils; but on arriving there he found his affairs in confusion,
as they had been ever since his property had been seized by Bobadilla.
His great anxiety was to get to Court to defend himself from the
malignant accusations of his enemies; but his patroness, the magnanimous
Isabella, fell ill and died.  Ferdinand, though he treated him with
respect, made constant excuses for not attending to his requests.

At length King Philip with Juana arrived from Flanders to take
possession of their throne of Castile, and the Admiral, trusting that in
the daughter of Isabella he would once more find a patroness, being too
ill to leave his bed, sent his brother the Adelantado to petition for
the restoration of his honours and estates.

It was the last time he was to see his gallant brother.  Before the
return of Don Bartholomew, feeling his end approaching, leaving his
eldest son Don Diego his heir, he made his dying bequests in the
presence of his faithful followers, Mendez and Fiesco, and on the 20th
of May, 1506, at the age of seventy years, he yielded up his dauntless
spirit to his Maker.



CHAPTER NINE.

VOYAGE OF VASCO DA GAMA, TO FIND A WAY TO INDIA BY SEA, AND TO DISCOVER
THE KINGDOM OF PRESTER JOHN--A.D. 1497.

Early voyages of Portuguese to coast of Africa--Prince Henry of
Portugal--Cape Bojador discovered--Madeira visited by Gonzales--Dom Joao
the Second--Bartholomew Diaz discovers Cape of Storms, called by the
King Cape of Good Hope--Envoys sent to Prester John--King Manuel fits
out a squadron--Appoints Vasco da Gama to command them--Paulo da Gama--
Nicholas Coelho--Grand ceremony at leave-taking--Squadron sails--Meet at
Cape de Verde Islands--Enter a bay on African coast--Intercourse with
natives--Veloso nearly caught by them--Ships stand off the land--Terror
of the crews--Wish to return--Da Gama refuses--The Cape of Good Hope
doubled--Ships stand along south coast of Africa--No natives seen--A
tremendous gale--Clamours to return--Mutiny suppressed by a device of
Coelho's--Da Gama puts his pilots in irons.

Nearly a century before Vasco da Gama sailed on his renowned voyage, a
spirit of discovery had been aroused in the breasts of the rulers of
Portugal.  Prince Enrique, who had accompanied his father, King Joao, on
an expedition against Cueta in Africa, had obtained from several Moors
much information concerning the coasts of that dark continent, which had
fired his ambition to ascertain more about it.  Hitherto Europeans had
not ventured beyond the Cape, to which was given the name of Cabo Nao,
signifying in Portuguese, No, or in other words, This cape is not to be
passed.

Prince Enrique, believing this idea to be a bugbear, fitted out two
vessels in A.D. 1417, with orders to their commanders to push beyond the
dreaded cape.  This they succeeded in doing; but on finding the sea
breaking furiously on another cape farther to the south, to which they
gave the name of Bojador, they also turned back.

The next year the Prince sent a second expedition under Joao Gonzales.
Being driven off the African coast by a gale, the ships put into the
harbour of Porto Santo in a small island a little to the northward of
Madeira, and then returned home.  The Prince, on hearing of this,
dispatched a ship carrying some colonists provided with agricultural
instruments, plants, and seeds, as well as cattle and other animals.
Among the latter were a couple of rabbits, which increased so
prodigiously, that the corn and plants of all descriptions were
destroyed by them, and as they could not be got rid of, it became
necessary to remove the human inhabitants.

The next year, by order of the Prince, Gonzales, again sailing,
re-discovered the island of Madeira, at which the Englishman, Lionel
Machin, with the hapless Arabella Darcy, two centuries before, had
landed and died.  The Portuguese gave to it the name of Madeira, which
means Wood, in consequence of finding it overgrown with trees.  To clear
a part for settlement they set the wood on fire, but being of a dry
character, the trees burned until the whole were destroyed.

Several years passed, when Prince Enrique dispatched an experienced
seaman, Captain Gilianez, charging him to pass the dreaded Cape of
Bojador.  Gilianez proceeded thirty leagues beyond it, but dreaded to go
farther.  He turned back, therefore, satisfied at having performed his
commission.  Next year he proceeded another twelve leagues to the south,
to a part of the coast where a number of sea-wolves, or rather seals,
were taken.

Thus, year by year, expeditions were sent out, each gaining, step by
step, a knowledge of the African coast, until in the reign of Dom Joao
the Second, in 1486, Bartholomew Diaz sailed with three ships, resolved
to proceed farther than any of his predecessors.  Touching at several
places on the coast, he at length reached an until then unknown cape, to
which he gave the name of Il Cabo Tormentoso, or the Cape of Storms, on
account of the furious gales and heavy seas he there encountered.

The seamen, frightened by the weather, and believing that Nature had set
a barrier against their further progress, insisted on returning,
although Diaz was convinced that he had reached the southern end of the
continent.  On the arrival of Diaz at Lisbon, the King, delighted with
his discovery, gave to the cape the name of Cabo de Boa Esperanza, or
Cape of Good Hope.  Dom Joao had in the meantime dispatched overland two
envoys with directions to visit the kingdom of Prester John, and was
preparing to send out an expedition by sea, when death put a stop to his
projects.

His successor, Dom Manoel, resolved, however, to carry them out, but
before doing so he set to work to obtain all the information in his
power.  On consulting a Jewish astronomer, Zacato, he learned the cause
of the ill success many of the expeditions had met with.  He could not
understand why some of his captains had in certain latitudes encountered
storms, while others had passed through them in fine weather.  The Jew
suggested that as the ocean is very large, in some parts it is summer
and in others winter, and that his ships following the same course, some
might arrive in a region where winter prevails and meet with storms, and
when the other reaches the same latitude it may be summer, and perfectly
fine weather be enjoyed.  Thus, he continued, when navigators have
obtained more experience, they will know when to sail so as to obtain
summer during the whole of the voyage, and will then be able to come
from and go to the Cape of Good Hope without difficulty.

Notwithstanding the valuable information the astronomer Zacato had given
the King, he was compelled, with other Jews, to fly from Portugal, on
account of the persecution to which they were subjected.  The King, Dom
Manoel, at once gave orders for the completion of the ships which Dom
Joao had commenced, and directed that they should be as strong and
serviceable as possible.  The sailors who had gone on a previous
expedition were collected, and the ships were supplied with double the
usual amount of sails and tackling, as well as with artillery,
munitions, and provisions, including all sorts of fruits, especially
preserves, for the use of the sick, nor were priests for confession
forgotten.

Rich merchandise, and gold and silver articles, goblets, swords and
daggers, shields and spears, all highly ornamented, fit to present to
the rulers of the countries to be visited, were also collected.  All the
slaves to be found, who could speak Eastern languages, were purchased,
that they might act as interpreters.  The King having made these
preparations, had next to fix on a leader for the expedition.  Among the
cavaliers who attended his Court was one who had already seen much
service at sea, Vasco da Gama, a man of noble lineage, son of Estevan da
Gama, formerly Comptroller of the Household of King Dom Alfonso.  The
King, summoning Vasco into his presence, offered him the command of the
squadron he proposed sending out to discover a way to the East Indies by
sea.

The cavalier at once gladly accepted the honourable charge, saying at
the same time that he had an elder brother, named Paulo da Gama, whom he
requested the King to appoint as Captain-Major to carry the royal
standard.  The King, pleased with his modesty, and satisfied that he was
a man especially fitted for the undertaking, granted him his request,
but desired that he himself should carry out all the arrangements for
the expedition.

Paulo, in consequence of a quarrel with the chief magistrate of Lisbon,
had been compelled to quit the city.  He was summoned back, and a free
pardon granted him.  The two brothers having selected a particular
friend, Nicholas Coelho, to command one of the ships, the three, without
loss of time, set to work to prepare them for the voyage.  They were
named respectively the _Saint Miguel_, the _Saint Gabriel_, and _Saint
Raphael_.  The crews were at once directed to learn the arts of
carpenters, rope-makers, caulkers, blacksmiths, and plank-makers,
receiving additional pay as an encouragement, while they were furnished
with all the tools necessary for their crafts.  Da Gama also selected
the most experienced masters and pilots, who now, instead of being
guided by their charts, would have to depend upon their own sagacity,
their compasses, and lead-lines, for running down strange coasts and
entering hitherto unknown harbours.  To save the officers and trained
seamen as much as possible from risking their lives, da Gama begged the
King to order six men who had been condemned to death to be put on board
each ship, that they might be sent ashore in dangerous regions, or left
in certain places, to acquire a knowledge of the language and habits of
the people.  These cut-throat gentlemen were, as may be supposed,
afterwards a source of no small trouble and anxiety to the commanders of
the ships.

The preparations for the voyage being completed, the King and Queen,
with their Court and many of the nobles of the land, assembled in the
cathedral of Lisbon, to hear Mass, and bid farewell to the gallant
explorers.  The three captains, richly dressed, advanced to the curtain
behind which the Royal Family had sat during the service, and dropping
on their knees, kissed their sovereign's hand, and expressed their
readiness to expend their lives in the important undertaking with which
he had entrusted them.  They then, mounting their horses, and
accompanied by numerous nobles and gentlemen, as well as by a procession
of priests and monks, with tapers in their hands, chanting a litany, to
which a great concourse of people uttered responses, rode down to the
harbour.  The King went with them in his barge as they joined their
several ships, bestowing on them his blessing, and earnestly praying
that they might enjoy a prosperous voyage and return home in safety.
Vasco da Gama embarked in the _Saint Raphael_, Paulo in the _Saint
Gabriel_, and Nicholas Coelho in the _Saint Miguel_.  The ships were all
of the same size, measuring about one hundred and twenty tons, and each
carried about eighty persons, officers and men.  They were accompanied
by a store ship of two hundred tons, under the command of Gonzalo Nunez,
which was to continue with them only a part of the way, and to supply
them with provisions and stores.  It was on Saturday, the 8th of July,
1497, the anchors being weighed and the sails loosed, that Vasco da Gama
proceeded down the Tagus on his memorable voyage.

He first steered so as to reach the Cape de Verde Islands, where he had
ordered the ships to rendezvous in case of separation.

Having sighted the African coast, they again stood out to the westward,
meeting with a heavy gale, against which they had to beat for several
days, until the crews were almost worn out, and the ships received no
little damage.  Being separated, as it was expected would be the case,
they all steered for the Cape de Verde, where Paulo da Gama, Coelho,
Diaz, and Nunez rejoined one another, but the Captain-Major had not
arrived.

At length his ship made her appearance, when, to show their joy, they
saluted him with salvoes from their artillery, for fears had been
entertained that he was lost.

Having taken in water and repaired the damaged spars and rigging, they
again sailed.  Here Diaz parted from his friends to proceed on his
separate voyage.

After battling with wind and waves for five months, they entered a bay
to which the name of Saint Elena was given.  Here they set up an
astrolabe of wood three spans in diameter, which they mounted on as many
poles in the manner of shears, to ascertain the sun's altitude.

While Vasco da Gama was thus employed with his pilots, he observed
behind a hill two negroes, apparently gathering herbs.  He immediately
ordered his people to surround them, which they did, one being caught.

As the poor captive was too frightened to understand the signs made, the
Captain-Major sent for two negro boys from his ship, and made them sit
by him and eat and drink, to banish his fears.  At length the negro
appeared to have overcome his alarm, on which da Gama induced him to
point out by signs where his people were to be found.  Having given him
a cap and some beads and bells, the Captain-Major ordered him to be set
at liberty, making signs to him to return to his companions and tell
them that if they would come they would receive similar articles.

The negro, fully comprehending what was desired, set off, and returned
with a dozen men, to whom various presents were made.  They appeared,
however, not to value articles of gold and silver and spices.  The next
day upwards of forty more came, and were so familiar, that a man-at-arms
named Fernando Veloso begged permission to accompany them, and obtain
more information about their country.  While he was gone, Coelho
remained on shore to look after the crews, who were collecting wood and
catching lobsters, while da Gama, not to be idle, went in chase of some
young whales.  Having speared a whale, the rope being made fast to the
bow of the boat, the animal in its struggles nearly upset her, but
fortunately running into shallow water, offered no further resistance.

As it was getting late in the day, the boats were about to return to the
ships, when, just as they were shoving off, Vasco da Gama saw Fernando
Veloso, who was somewhat of a braggadocio, coming rapidly down the hill,
looking every now and then behind him.  On this the Captain-Major
directed Coelho, whose boat was nearest, to pull in and take him off.
The sailors, however, for the sake of frightening Fernando, rowed on
slowly.

Before he reached the beach two negroes sprang out and seized him, when,
as matters were becoming serious, some sailors leaping on shore struck
right and left at Fernando's assailants in a way which brought blood
from their noses.  Perceiving how their companions were being treated, a
number of other negroes rushed out, very nearly catching the boaster,
and began throwing stones and shooting arrows at Coelho's boat.  Fearing
that matters might grow serious, Vasco da Gama rowed in to try and
pacify the natives; but before he could do so he received an arrow
through his leg, and the master of the _Saint Gabriel_ and two seamen
were also wounded.

Finding that nothing could induce the natives to be friendly, and
Veloso, having been rescued, Vasco da Gama ordered the boats to return
to the ship, and then sent back a party of crossbow-men to chastise the
savages.

No information about the cape or the people had been gained, for
Fernando could only describe the dangers he had encountered.
Accordingly, the anchors were weighed and the squadron stood out to sea.
The wind, however, blew hard from the southward, while tremendous waves
rose up, threatening destruction to the vessels, and, as they could only
sail on a bowline, they continued for many days standing off land.  They
then tacked and stood back, when once more they put about close hauled,
so that they at length reached a far southern latitude.  The heavy sea
still running and the wind blowing harder than ever, the crews suffered
greatly; still the Captain-Major insisted on continuing his course.
Once more tacking and making the land, the masters and pilots became
much alarmed from seeing it extending away to the west, and they
declared that it went across the sea, and had no end to it.

Vasco da Gama, on hearing of their complaints, assured them that the
cape was near, and that by making another tack on their return they
would find that they had doubled it.  He accordingly ordered the ships
to be put about, doing his utmost to raise the sinking courage of his
companions.

On the ships sailed, day after day, in spite of the heavy winds and
seas.  He himself took no repose, sharing the hardships his men were
enduring, never failing to come on deck, as they did, at the sound of
the boatswain's pipe.  The terrified and disheartened crews of the
several ships clamoured loudly to return to Portugal, but their captains
told them that they had resolved to follow the fortunes of their leader.

At length the pilots and masters entreated Vasco da Gama to tack back
again, on the plea that the days were short, the nights long, and the
vessels leaky, while the wind blew strongly, and cold rain and sleet
came beating in their faces.  He accordingly ordered the ships to be put
about, declaring at the same time, should he find that they had not
weathered the cape, he should again tack, as he would never turn back
until he had accomplished his object.

The weather now happily began to moderate, and the crews believing that
they were approaching the land, their spirits rose.  Vasco da Gama's
wish was to keep close hauled; but at night, when he was asleep, the
pilot kept away, hoping thus to ease the ship and more quickly to get
sight of land.  As the admiral carried a huge lantern at the poop, the
others followed, each showing a light one to another.

Finding that they did not make the land, they were convinced that their
great object was accomplished--the dreaded Cape of Storms, now joyfully
called the Cape of Good Hope, doubled.  So it was, and Vasco da Gama had
established for himself a name imperishable on the page of history.
With great joy, they praised God for delivering them from the dangers to
which they had been exposed.

Sailing free, with all canvas spread, they one morning sighted a range
of lofty mountains, their peaks touching the clouds, at which, falling
on their knees, they returned thanks to Heaven.  Though they ran on all
day, they were yet unable to reach the land till the evening.  At night
they continued along the coast, which here trended from west to east.
During the night they sailed on under single canvas to the eastward.
They passed several large bays and rivers, from which fresh water came
forth with powerful currents.  They also found many fish, which they
killed with spears.

A bright look-out was kept in the fore-top for shoals which might be
ahead, while the pilots hove the lead, but found no bottom.  At night
they stood off shore under easy sail.

Thus for three days they ran on, until they discovered the mouth of a
large river, when, shortening sail, they entered it, a boat going before
and sounding.  At length they came to an anchor.  Here they found good
fishing, but no beach was to be seen, rocks and crags forming the shore.

Vasco da Gama and Coelho then went on board Paulo's ship, where the
three captains dined together, and talked cheerfully over the dangers
they had encountered and their prospects for the future.  The
Captain-Major next day sent Coelho up the river in a boat; but after
proceeding twenty leagues, finding no inhabitants, he returned, when the
ships got up their anchors, and, aided by the current, the boats towing,
they sailed once more into the open ocean.

They now continued their course along the land, entering several other
great rivers and bays, but meeting with no one on shore nor any boats at
sea, and keeping all the time a good look-out so as not to run on the
rocks or on shoals.  As the country appeared to be unpeopled, the
Captain-Major determined to enter no more rivers.  All day long they ran
on in sight of the shore in the hope of at length seeing some towns and
villages, and at night they stood away to sea, shortening sail.

After being becalmed for some time, another heavy gale arose, and,
fearful of being driven on shore, they again stood off land.  When they
had got, as they supposed, far enough out, they sent down the loftier
spars, secured the lower masts and yards with additional stays, and,
with all canvas furled except their foresails, prepared to weather the
storm.  On finding the fierce wind which began to blow, the pilot and
master urged the Captain-Major, for fear the ships should founder, to
run back along the coast and enter the river which they had before
discovered; but he replied that he would not allow such words to be
spoken, for, as he was going over the bar at Lisbon, he had sworn not to
turn back a single foot of the way he had once gained, and whoever
should dare to counsel such a proceeding should be hove overboard.

Notwithstanding that the tempest increased he remained firm.  The gale
now blew from one quarter, now from another.  At times the wind fell,
but the sea continued tossing about with such power that the ships,
labouring severely, were in great danger, now lurching on one side, now
on another; while the men had to secure themselves from being washed
overboard or dashed along the decks.  As yet things had not grown to
their worst.  It became difficult even to work the pumps, while the
water came in both from above and below, and many of the crew sank and
died.  Again the pilots and masters of the other vessels urged their
captains to put back; but they received the same answer as before, that
as long as Vasco da Gama set the example they could not accede to their
request, while he declared that even should he see a hundred die before
his eyes, return he would not, for that by so doing they would lose all
their labours.  He reminded them that having already doubled the Cape of
Storms, they were in that region in which India was to be discovered.
"Trust in God, He will deliver us," he added.

Notwithstanding the brave words of their leader, the seamen continued to
clamour; but even though the sea began to go down and the wind to abate,
and the ships were able to get nearer each other, the crews with loud
cries insisted that they should seek for some harbour where they might
be repaired.

On this Vasco da Gama again swore by the life of the King, that from
that spot he would not turn back a span's breadth until they had
obtained the information they had come to seek.  The sailors shouted
that they were many, and that they feared death, though their captain
took no account of it.  Vasco da Gama replied that he took the same
account of death as any of them, but that they had heard his resolution,
and he intended to keep to it.

At this juncture a furious blast struck the ships, the sea again getting
up in such a way that they were frequently hidden from the sight of each
other, and could only be perceived as they rose to the top of a sea
before again falling into the trough.

Lights were hung out so that they might keep together, for the
Captain-Major had been warned before sailing of the danger of
separating, and his friends and relatives on board the other ships were
ever on the watch to prevent such a catastrophe.

Mutiny was nearly breaking out on board the ship of Nicholas Coelho; but
he was warned by a young boy who had overheard the discussions of the
malcontents, and he therefore took all the means in his power to defeat
their objects.  Passing near the Captain's ship, the brave Coelho warned
him in language which the mutineers could not understand of their
intentions, and at the same time told him that it would be as well to
put about, since they had determined on doing so.

Vasco da Gama immediately comprehended the meaning of Coelho's words,
and replied, so that those on board his own ship might hear, that he
could not withstand the tears and lamentations of his people, nor did he
wish to have to give an account to God of their lives, and that he had
begged them to labour on for their own safety; observing that should the
weather again become bad, he would put back, but that to exculpate
himself with the King, he should draw up a document explaining his
reasons for returning, and should require them to put their signatures
to it.

On going to his cabin he desired his secretary to draw up the paper, and
then ordered three of the seamen who were the most clamourous to come in
and sign it.  Immediately they did so they were seized and put in irons,
and the master and pilots were treated in the same manner.  He then
returned on deck, and addressing his crew, told them that they had no
longer a master or pilot, that he himself would take charge of the ship
and direct her course aright.

Still further to convince his crew that he did not depend on the master
or pilots, he ordered their nautical instruments to be brought to him,
when, taking them in his hands, he threw them one by one into the sea,
exclaiming as he did so, "I need no other pilot save God, and will from
henceforth direct the course of our ships."

On hearing this the crew were still more afraid, and entreated him not
to put the prisoners to death.

To this Vasco da Gama consented, saying that he did so in consequence of
their entreaties; and to prove that he did not require the services of
those officers, he ordered them to remain in their cabins, still in
irons, and forbade them to give any instructions for the navigation of
the ship, except for the trimming of the sails.  He then, running
alongside the other ships, told their crews that he had put his master
and pilots in irons, and promised that he would conduct them back in
safety.

Nicholas Coelho, on hearing this, was rejoiced, but feigning sorrow,
told his ship's company that he regretted what had happened, and that he
would entreat the Captain-Major, when the ships next met, to liberate
the prisoners.

Paulo da Gama spoke in the same way, and with much urbanity, to his
people, also promising to intercede for the prisoners.  Thus, the crews
being tranquillised, they promised to obey the orders of their
superiors.



CHAPTER TEN.

VOYAGE OF VASCO DA GAMA, CONTINUED--A.D. 1498.

The squadron sails along the coast on Christmas Day--That part is named
Natal--Reaches the "River of Mercy"--Careen ships--The _Saint Miguel_
broken up--Coelho ascends the river--Meets natives, who come on board--A
column erected--A native vessel sighted--Chase another--Davane, a
Moorish broker, captured--Offers to conduct them to Cambay--A zambuk
taken--Davane engaged in the service of the Portuguese--Squadron enters
harbour of Mozambique--The sheikh visits the _Saint Raphael_--Promises
to send pilots--His intended treachery--Machado left on shore--Voyage
along coast continued--The pilots plot to wreck the ships--Anchor off
Mombas--Two convicts sent on shore--Narrow escape of the _Saint
Raphael_--A zambuk taken, with her owner and his wife--Melonda reached--
Friendly reception by the King of Nicholas--Coelho visits him--The
captains pay him a visit in great state--The King comes on board the
_Saint Raphael_--Pleasant intercourse with the people.

At length, the wind moderating and there being a great want of water, in
consequence of the casks having broken or become leaky, Vasco da Gama
stood close in for the land, to look for some harbour into which he
might run to repair the ships, as well as to obtain a supply of that
great necessary of life.

The end of the year 1497 was approaching, and at Christmas, called by
the Portuguese Natal, the squadron passed that part of the coast, to
which they in consequence gave the name it has since retained.  At
length, at early dawn, they came off the mouth of a large river, into
which the Captain-Major led the ships, and dropping their anchors, the
crews exclaimed "The mercy of the Lord!" for which reason the name of
the "River of Mercy" was bestowed on it.

Paulo, coming on board his brother's ship, entreated that the prisoners
might be set at liberty.  The Captain-Major consented on condition that
if God should bring them back to Lisbon, they would agree again to be
put in chains, and be thus presented to the King to receive his pardon.

The crews then proceeded to careen their ships, but on examining the
_Saint Miguel_, commanded by Nicholas Coelho, she was found to be so
severely damaged, many of her ribs and knees being broken, that she
could not be repaired.  It was therefore decided to break her up, and to
make use of her masts, timbers, and planks in repairing the others.

They now set to work on the Captain-Major's ship, first discharging all
the lighter stores into that of Paulo, when everything heavy below decks
was placed on one side, which caused her to heel over, and with the aid
of a tackle fixed to the mainmast, they canted her so much that her keel
was laid bare.  Stages being formed, the crew got on them, some cleaning
the planks from the growth of seaweed, some extracting the caulking
which was rotten, when the caulkers put in fresh oakum, and pitched it
over.  The officers took upon themselves the task of supplying the men
with food and drink while they were at work, and so much dispatch was
used that in one day and night they had finished one side.  They then
turned her over, and performed the same work on the other.

The _Saint Raphael_ being once more loaded, Paulo's ship was next
repaired and strengthened with additional knees and ribs and inner
planking.  The stores of the _Saint Miguel_ being divided between the
two ships, the Captain-Major received Coelho on board his own.  They
then, having taken all the planking and timber they required from the
_Saint Miguel_, set her on fire, that the nails might be secured.  This
important work being accomplished, Nicholas Coelho was sent with twenty
men up the river.  After ascending it for two leagues he found the banks
covered with woods, and discovered some canoes fishing.  The men on
board them were dark, but not very black, being almost naked, with the
exception of a kilt of leaves round their middles.  Without the
slightest hesitation they entered the boat, and several canoes followed
her as she returned to the ship, while some of the natives ran back to
take the news to their villages.

The people came on board without showing the slightest fear, and on
biscuits, with slices of bread and marmalade, being given them, they did
not seem to understand that the food was to be eaten until they saw the
Portuguese eat, when they devoured it eagerly.  Meantime, a number of
other canoes came alongside.  The people were so numerous that the
Captain-Major would not allow more than a dozen or so to come on board
at a time.  The first who had been entertained went down the side very
unwillingly.  They brought some birds resembling hens, and a yellow
fruit, which had the appearance of walnuts.  The latter the Portuguese
would not touch until they saw the natives eat them, when, following
their example, they were much pleased with the taste.  Biscuits and wine
were then offered to the savages, but they would not touch the latter
until they saw the Portuguese drink.

The Captain-Major then gave them a looking-glass.  When they saw it they
were much amused, and as they gazed into the mirror, they laughed
heartily and made jokes, telling their companions in the canoes.  On
being allowed to carry it away, they were highly delighted, and left six
of the birds and much of the fruit.

In the afternoon they returned, bringing a quantity of the birds, which
they willingly exchanged for pieces of shirts, which the seamen cut up
to give them, or for any trifles.

The birds, when killed and dried in the sun, kept well.  A mass of stone
being found at the entrance of the river, a hole was made in it, into
which a marble pillar was fixed, six of which having been brought out
for the purpose of being thus erected.  On the base of each pillar were
two escutcheons, one the arms of Portugal, and on the opposite side a
representation of the globe, together with an inscription, "Of the
Lordship of Portugal, Kingdom of Christians."

Vasco da Gama, pleased with the diligence shown by his officers and men,
called them together, entreating them to be of good courage, and not to
allow the thoughts of treason--so hateful to God--to enter their hearts;
and, being aware that it was from faint-heartedness that they had given
way before, he forgave them.  He pictured to them the joy they would
feel when, on their return to Portugal, he would present them to the
King, and describe their dangers and labours.

With tears of joy they exclaimed, "May the Lord, in His great mercy, so
will it!"  Returning to their ships, the anchors were weighed, and, with
a fair breeze, on the 24th of February, 1498, they sailed out of the
river.

After running along the coast for some distance, they sighted a sail,
which, on observing, they stood out to sea; but it was lost sight of
during the night.  Proceeding on, when close to land they arrived off a
large creek, near the mouth of which they saw a zambuk at anchor.  On
this Vasco da Gama ordered the ships to heave to, and sent a boat in
chase of a canoe which was seen leaving the zambuk, carrying her crew,
who were trying to escape, on shore.  She was soon overtaken, when the
six blacks who were on board her threw themselves into the sea.  One
Moor alone remained on board, he being unable to swim.  He wore on his
head a round skull-cap, made of silk of various colours, sewn with gold
thread, and small rings in his ears.  His shirt was of white stuff, and
a girdle of coloured cloth was fastened round his waist.

The Portuguese, taking him into their boat, went to the zambuk; but she
was empty, the Moor having been about to freight her with a cargo for a
certain merchant, for whom he acted as agent.

Returning with their captain to the ship, the Portuguese were delighted
at finding a man from whom they could obtain information about the
country.  They then set sail, and continued their course.  The Moor was
well entertained, and seemed perfectly contented with his lot.  Great
difficulty was, however, found in carrying on a conversation with him,
as the only interpreter on board was an African slave, who spoke Arabic,
of which the Moor understood but a few words.  He made his captors
comprehend, however, by signs, that farther on there were people who
understood that language.  Vasco da Gama offered him cakes of sugar,
olives, and wine.  He freely ate of everything, but would not touch the
wine.  The Captain-Major then presented him with a long robe, with which
he appeared highly pleased, and examined with curiosity everything he
saw.  On showing him spices, he gave the Portuguese to understand that
he could fill their ships with such things.  He was, as it turned out, a
broker, and being an intelligent man, with a keen eye to business, he at
once determined to become the broker of the Portuguese, hoping to make a
good profit by loading their ships.  He offered to conduct them to
Cambay, of which he was a native, and showed much satisfaction when they
agreed to go there with him.

Sailing on, the ships came off the banks and shoals of Sofala, when the
Moor, by signs, warned them to keep a look-out for danger ahead.
Standing out to sea, the shoals were passed during the night.  Shortly
afterwards they sighted another sail ahead, when the _Saint Raphael_,
edging out to sea to prevent her escape, quickly got up with her.  The
boat being sent alongside, two blacks--cafres, as the Portuguese called
them--were brought on board the _Saint Raphael_.  Immediately a boat was
dispatched to Paulo da Gama's ship to bring a black, a native of Guinea,
who sailed with him, that he might interpret.  The blacks, though from
opposite sides of the coast, perfectly understood each other, showing
that at that period the language of Congo extended from the Atlantic to
the Indian Ocean.

The zambuk was laden with pigeons' dung, and was bound for Cambay, where
it is used in dyeing stuffs.  The Captain-Major gave the blacks biscuit,
salt fish, and wine, which they ate and drank with evident satisfaction,
not refusing the wine as the Moor had done.

The vessel called a zambuk was probably the style of craft similar to
the dhow of the present day, with a high stern, the bow sharp and low,
and either perfectly open or partially decked over with light planking.

The Moor, Davane--which he said was his name--now informed the
Captain-Major that farther on they should come to a place of large size,
thickly peopled and with much trade, and that from thence he would
conduct them to Cambay, where he would load the ships with full cargoes
of drugs and spices, as it was a rich country, and the greatest kingdom
in the world.

The Captain-Major replied that he considered himself fortunate in having
met him, and swore that he would reward him richly for the work he
performed.  Davane then advised him to follow the zambuk, the crew of
which, being acquainted with the navigation, would pilot the ships clear
of all dangers.  Six Portuguese sailors were therefore sent on board
her, that no treacherous trick might be played, and the same number of
blacks brought to the _Saint Raphael_.

Although the zambuk's sails were of matting, she made better way than
either of the ships.  After steering on for twenty days, they arrived
towards the end of March, 1498, off Mozambique, and, piloted by the
zambuk, entered the harbour, where they dropped anchor in a spot
sheltered from the sea winds.

On the shore a large number of houses covered with thatch and many
people were seen.  The Portuguese sailors were now brought from the
zambuk, and the blacks, rewarded with pieces of white stuff, were sent
to their own vessel.  The blacks having gone on shore and reported how
well they had been treated, canoes came off from the beach with
cocoa-nuts and hens.  The Moor Davane, having received a present of a
scarlet cap and a string of coral beads, was carried on shore by Nicolas
Coelho, with directions to obtain fresh provisions and to learn where
the ships could water.

Davane informed the Sheikh, who acted as governor for the King of the
country, that the Portuguese were making a voyage to Cambay to obtain
cargoes of pepper and drugs, and that they were, he understood,
Christians.  Not crediting the account, the Sheikh told the Moor that he
intended to visit the ships himself.  It was found that many Moors were
settled in the country as merchants, carrying on an extensive commerce
in silver, gold, ivory, and wax; indeed, that most of the kings and
rulers of these countries were Moors and Mohammedans.

After some delay, the Sheikh came off to the _Saint Raphael_ in a vessel
composed of two canoes lashed together, upon which rested poles and
blankets, forming a deck, which was canopied by mats affording shade.

The Sheikh was seated on a low round stool, covered with a silk cloth,
with a cushion for his feet, while his attendant Moors were squatted
round him.  He was a well made, dark man, dressed in a jacket of velvet,
and a blue cloth trimmed with braid and gold thread wrapped round him,
his drawers being of white stuff, reaching down to the ankles.  Round
his waist he wore a silk sash, in which was stuck a silver-mounted
dagger; and in his hand he carried a sword, also mounted with silver.
He wore on his head a turban of many colours, with braid and fringes of
gold thread wrapped round a dark-coloured skull-cap.  His attendants
were dressed in the same fashion.  Some were fair, and others very dark,
being the sons of black women and white Moorish merchants who had for a
long time been established in the country.  A couch covered with a
carpet for the Moors to sit upon, and chairs being placed on the
quarter-deck, the Captains in their richest costumes stood ready to
receive the Sheikh as he arrived alongside.  The trumpets then sounded,
and the sailors assisted him to ascend on board.

The Sheikh, taking the right hand of Paulo de Gama, pressed it between
both of his, and raised it to his breast.  He then took his seat on one
of the chairs in the middle, while his attendants occupied the bench.
The Captains sat on either side of him.  The Moor Davane, as
interpreter, remained standing and ready to explain what was said.

The Sheikh looked round with astonishment at all he saw, and expressed
his pleasure at the arrival of the strangers, inquiring of what country
they were, and what they came for.

Vasco da Gama explained that they were from a far-off country, and
servants of the greatest king of the Christians that existed in the
world, who had sent out a vast fleet to seek for merchandise, but that
they had been separated from their companions in a storm, and that they
were unacquainted with the land to which they were going for cargoes.

The Sheikh inquired what they would do if they could not find the
country.  Vasco da Gama replied that they would sail about the sea until
they died, because, should they return without bringing the merchandise
they were in search of, their king would cut off their heads.

The Sheikh requested to be shown the sort of merchandise of which they
were in search.  The Captain-Major then exhibited some pepper, cinnamon,
and ginger.  The Sheikh, laughing to his own people, replied that he
would send pilots who would conduct them to where they could fill their
ships with as much as they required, and then asked what merchandise
they had brought to purchase the articles they wanted.  The
Captain-Major replied that it was on board the other ships, but that
they had gold and silver to pay for what they bought.  The Sheikh
observed that with gold and silver they could obtain all over the world
whatever they required, and he then requested the Captain-Major to order
the trumpets to sound, as he and his people much liked to hear them.

On taking his leave, he promised to send pilots who would faithfully
serve his visitors.  A handsome present was then offered to him,
consisting of five ells of fine scarlet cloth, five of satin, two
scarlet caps, four highly ornamented Flemish sheath-knives, and a
mirror.

Davane was now sent on shore to bring off the pilots, who each received
payment in advance, and he then went back to obtain provisions.  The
Sheikh took this opportunity of cross-questioning him, and learning the
force and means of defence possessed by the two ships.

Believing that they were richly-laden, and that he could capture them,
he forthwith laid a plan to effect his object.

Davane did not know the whole plan at the time, but suspecting that
treachery of some sort was intended, on his return on board immediately
warned Vasco da Gama, and advised him to be on his guard.  The Sheikh
soon after sent off requesting the Captain-Major and his officers to
visit him, and offering to take charge of their sick.  His plan was, as
soon as the boats should go to the watering-place, to seize the crews,
and then, having secured them and the chief officers, to sail out, with
four Moorish vessels in the harbour, and attack the Portuguese ships.

When, therefore, a boat was sent on shore, by Davane's advice, two guns
were placed in her, and a screen fitted which could be raised to shelter
the crew from arrows.  Nicolas Coelho went in command of her, with ten
seamen and twelve men-at-arms with crossbows.

One of the Moorish pilots, who was taken in the boat to conduct her to
the watering-place, instead of steering for it, during the whole night
led her through numerous creeks, intending to run her ashore, as the
tide was falling, when, had he succeeded, she and all on board would
have become an easy prey to his treacherous countrymen.

Coelho, on discovering the design of the pilot, was on the point of
killing him, when, just as the boat got into the bay at early morning,
the traitor threw himself into the sea, and coming up again at a
distance from the boat, swam rapidly for the shore.  The Portuguese
rowed after him, but he kept ahead, and as the boat approached the
beach, a concourse of people came down, discharging flights of arrows
and stones from slings at her.  This being seen from the ships, Vasco da
Gama declared that he would go at once and burn the Moorish vessels; but
he was overruled by his brother, who represented that their men might
thus be exposed to danger, and that though it would be easy to send the
vessels to the bottom with their artillery, should they do so in a new
country, they would be looked upon as pirates, and the help they
required denied them.

In consequence it was resolved to send on shore a complaint to the
Sheikh of the outrage; but Davane declined going, on the plea that he
should very likely, if he did so, be killed.  It was deemed prudent,
therefore, to leave the place.

Soon after the anchors were got up, and the ships were under sail, a
boat came off with a white flag, bearing a message from the Sheikh, who
complained of the attempt made to kill his pilot, and of his visitors
going away without any sufficient cause for their departure.  He
promised, should anyone have done them injury, to inflict summary
justice on the offender.

On this the Captain-Major ordered one Joao Machado, a convict, who
understood a little Arabic, to go on shore in the canoe, and explain to
the Sheikh that they had been deceived by the pilot, and that when the
Portuguese tried to catch him, his people had come out with arms in
their hands to fight, and that it was on account of the want of
sincerity in the Sheikh and his countrymen that the Portuguese were
going away.  It was intended that Joao Machado should remain in the
country in older that on their return he should be able, should he live,
to give them full information about the people.

While the _Saint Raphael_ was hove to, she struck upon a shoal, and was
with difficulty got off, in consequence of which it was afterwards named
the Banks of Saint Raphael.

Vasco da Gama, irritated at being unable to punish the chief, put the
pilot in irons to prevent his escape.  The wind being contrary, the
ships brought up off an island about a league from Mozambique, where the
Admiral awaited the return of his messenger.  Machado, however, did not
come back,--the Sheikh, being highly pleased at having it in his power
to do so, kept him as a captive.  He was also afraid that the people in
the canoe would be seized and detained as hostages until the Portuguese
prisoner had been returned.

It may be as well here to relate that Joao Machado, the first of his
countrymen who ever resided in that part of the world, exchanged his
condition much for the better.  He quickly learned the language, and
being honourably treated, ultimately was enabled to travel through many
countries until he reached Cambay.  From this place he went to others,
the languages of which he acquired; and being a man of great
intelligence and fine appearance, he gained the good-will of the Sheikh
and his followers, and so raised himself that he was ultimately able
greatly to benefit his fellow-countrymen.

There being no inhabitants on the islands, the crews landed, and Mass
was performed by the two priests, the only survivors of six who had
embarked.  The crews also confessed and received the Sacrament, and a
Mass was offered in praise of Vasco da Gama's patron Saint George.

The Captain-Major, who was a hot-tempered man, angry that the Sheikh had
not further communicated with him, then took it into his head to send
Nicolas Coelho back to Mozambique in a boat with cannon and well-armed
men, to ask him for a pilot; and should he refuse to supply one, to fire
at the Moorish vessels, and send them to the bottom.

In this, however, he was overruled by his brother Paulo.  The wind
becoming favourable, they proceeded on their voyage along the coast.
The remaining pilot told them that he would conduct the ships to a great
city named Quiloa, abounding in wealth, where he stated that numerous
Christian traders resided.  This he said with a treacherous design,
intending, in revenge for having been put in irons, to deliver them into
the hands of the people, hoping that they would all be killed.

Again Davane, who by this time could express himself very clearly in
Portuguese, warned the Captain-Major of the pilot's treacherous plan.

The pilots and masters were therefore charged to be on the watch, Vasco
da Gama threatening to put out the eyes of the pilot should the ship
strike upon a shoal.  Notwithstanding this, the pilot, even though he
should die on the spot, had resolved to wreck the ships.

Sailing on, they came off Quiloa, where it was the intention of the
pilot to carry out his design; but a contrary wind springing up, the
ships were driven out to sea, and so, avoiding the danger, continued on
along the coast until they reached Bombaza (Mombas), a large commercial
city.  Unable to enter the river, the ships came to an anchor outside
the bar.  The King of Mombas had already received a message from the
Sheikh of Mozambique, saying that the Portuguese were Christians and
robbers, and came as spies to the countries they visited.  The King
consequently, though resolved to destroy them, to throw them off their
guard, treacherously sent a large boat laden with fowls, sheep,
sugarcanes, citrons, and large sweet oranges, with an envoy inviting
them to enter the harbour, and sending also two pilots to conduct them.

Excusing himself, Vasco da Gama sent two convicts, intelligent men, to
see the city, and ascertain if there were any Christians residing there.
The men were courteously received by the King, and conducted about the
city by an old Moor, who took them to the house of two merchants,
Abyssinian Christians, by whom they were courteously received.  One of
them was the next morning sent back by the King to give a favourable
report of their treatment on shore, and to request the Captain-Major to
enter without further delay.

On this, not believing any harm was intended, he ordered the anchor to
be weighed; but on the sails being set, the ships missed stays and were
being driven by a current towards a bank, when the anchors were let fall
and the sails furled.

The holloaing and shouting raised by the Portuguese while performing
these manoeuvres so frightened the pilots, that believing their
treachery was discovered, they slipped overboard and swam to the shore.

One, however, was detained, and in order to make him confess, according
to the cruel custom of the times, he was tortured by having boiling
grease dropped on his body until he acknowledged that he and his
companions had been commanded by the King to let the ships drift on the
banks.

Returning thanks to Heaven for their miraculous preservation as it was
considered, as soon as the tide turned, it being moonlight, the
Captain-Major ordered the anchors to be weighed and the ships to stand
out to sea.  In weighing, however, one of the cables broke, and the
anchor remained behind.  One of the convicts afterwards reported that
the King punished the pilots for running away.

Having left Mombas, they steered northward, along the coast as before,
until they sighted two zambuks, one of which was captured.  She had on
board eighty men, and was laden with ivory.  The captain had his wife on
board, a very pretty woman, richly dressed, with four women to attend on
her; he had besides a chest full of jewels and money.

The old Moorish captain, to whom the name of Dias was given, with his
wife and her attendants, were brought on board the _Saint Raphael_,
where they were treated so courteously by da Gama, that he completely
won their hearts.

The crew of the zambuk were divided among the two ships, and ten
Portuguese were put into her, with directions to touch nothing, and not
to lose sight of the squadron.

In less than three days the squadron reached Melinda, situated on a
plain close to the sea, and consisting of numerous fine buildings
surrounded by walls.  The ships dropped anchor among a number of
vessels, all dressed out in flags, while flags were also exhibited on
the walls, to show the pleasure the King of Melinda felt at their
arrival.

Next morning a canoe came off, bringing a well-dressed personage, who
said that the King desired to know what they wanted in his country, that
he might send whatever they had need of from the city.

The Captain-Major replied that he required a good many things, but
without the King's leave he would not enter the port.

The old Moor, Captain Dias, who had been taken out of the zambuk, now
requested that he might be sent on shore, promising to bring back a
report of whatever the King had to say.  This being approved of, he was
put into a skiff which was passing and conveyed on shore.

Captain Dias, on his arrival at the palace, informed the King that the
Portuguese had escaped the snares laid for them at other places, that
they had injured no one, and that he was directed to say that if leave
was not given them to enter the port, they would sail away at once.

The King, evidently pleased with this, immediately dispatched a boat
laden with refreshments of all sorts to the Captain-Major, requesting
him to enter, sending a pilot at the same time to conduct in the ships.
Vasco da Gama, however, thought it prudent before weighing anchor to
dispatch Davane to ascertain the real temper of the King.

Davane accordingly went on shore in the boat which had brought the
provisions, dressed in a red robe, so as to look as dignified as
possible, and presented himself at the palace.  After some conversation
with the King, satisfied that his intentions were honest, he thanked his
Majesty for the refreshments he had sent, and said the Captain-Major,
accepting his invitation, would enter when the pilots thought fit.

Several persons of distinction came on board, among them the principal
priest of the mosque, who was honourably received: preserves in a silver
vase, and water with a napkin, being presented to him.  The pilots
having taken in the ships and anchored them in a secure place, they were
decked out with flags.  The crews then fired a salute with all their
artillery, so that the very city shook.  Several of the larger guns
being discharged to seaward, the shots went skimming and ricochetting
over the water, causing great amusement to the people collected on the
beach, while the trumpets sounded and the men cheered.

When the priest was about to be sent on shore he informed the
Captain-Major that he had been directed to remain there as a hostage
until all arrangements were completed.  On this the Captain-Major
assured him that he required no hostages, as he was convinced of the
good intentions of the King.

Soon after this the old Moor Dias, who had been captured in the zambuk,
presented himself to the King, and entreated that he would make interest
to have himself, his wife, and crew restored to liberty, observing that
none of his property had been touched, nor had any harm been done them.
The King accordingly sent a message to Vasco da Gama, who immediately
directed Davane to take a boat and tow the zambuk, with the old Moor and
all his property, to the city, and present them to the King.

When Captain Dias and the others heard this, they exclaimed, raising
their hands to heaven, "May God reward you and all your company, and
restore you to your country in health and safety!"

By this and other judicious measures, Vasco da Gama secured the
friendship of the King.  Nicolas Coelho was also sent on shore, richly
dressed, accompanied by Davane, to pay a visit of ceremony to the King,
who was highly pleased at seeing him, and bade him sit on the same
carpet on which he himself was seated, a stool inlaid with ivory and
worked with gold being placed for him.

The sagacious Coelho did not fail to impress the King with the great
power and dignity of the sovereign of Portugal, whom he represented as
the chief Christian monarch of the world.  After the interview, Coelho
was carried on board the _Saint Raphael_ in the King's barge of state,
richly adorned and gilt.  The King also presented him with some fine
coloured cloths, and with a ring having a blue stone set in it.

Everything the ships required was purchased on shore, and paid for with
silver testoons, which went for double their worth.  The honest Coelho's
visit having been so successful, it was arranged that the King should
have an interview with the two chief Captains.  The day being fixed,
they dressed themselves in their most splendid costumes, all the men
they took with them being likewise handsomely clothed.

Each Captain went in his boat, seated on a chair covered with crimson
velvet, with a carpet underneath, the sides of the boats being covered
with rugs, on which the men sat.  The boat, adorned with several flags,
had also two swivel guns, and two cannoneers ready to discharge them.

A salute being fired as they left the ships, they proceeded side by side
to the shore, where the King was waiting for them with his attendants,
the people crowding the walls, the houses, and beach.

The King then came on board Vasco da Gama's boat, where a carpet had
been spread and a chair placed for him to sit upon.  The usual
complimentary speeches having been exchanged, the Captains falling on
their knees tried to kiss his hand, when the King made them rise, on
which the crews of the boats shouted "Welcome, the Lord be praised!"
The trumpets sounded and the great guns saluted as had been arranged.
On hearing the trumpets the King seemed highly delighted.

The King having landed, the two brothers returned to their ships, and
gave an account to Nicolas Coelho of what had passed.

The next day Vasco da Gama paid a visit to the King at his palace, where
his Majesty made him sit down on a silk dais, and the same sort of
compliments passed as before.

The chief drawback to the satisfaction of the voyagers was that,
although furnished with a variety of provisions, they were unable to
obtain flour, which was not produced in the country.

The King, that they might not be cheated, sent a crier over the city,
ordering that nobody was to sell anything to the Portuguese for more
than it was worth, and that, should the law be infringed, he would burn
down the culprit's house.

The King now expressed his wish to visit the ships, and the
Captain-Major having fixed a day, they were cleaned and ornamented with
flags; the quarter-decks were covered with figured stuffs from Flanders,
and carpets and rugs, lances with the points burnished, and naked swords
and other weapons, with splendid breast-plates, on which were engraved
the arms of the Captains, were hung up; while in the cabin was a
sideboard covered with plate, all the attendants being splendidly
dressed.

The Captain-Major, going on shore, received the King, who was
accompanied to the ship by numberless boats, with flags flying,
kettledrums and other musical instruments being played; but when the
trumpets of the Portuguese sounded, all kept silence that they might be
heard.  The great guns of the ships fired salutes and the people shouted
as the King, mounting the ladder, came on board, where the Captains,
supporting him in their arms, with great courtesy placed him in a chair
on the quarter-deck.

The King having sat some time, was conducted into the cabin, where a
handsome table was spread with napkins, conserves, confectionery and
preserved almonds which had been brought in glass bottles, oranges and
cases of marmalade.

The King and his courtiers appeared to have been more pleased with the
olives than anything else.  They were presented with wine in gilt
vessels, which they refused, but they drank water from silver cups and
gilt glasses.

After the King had finished eating, Vasco da Gama took a richly gilt and
chased hand-basin and ewer to match, and was about to pour water on the
King's hands; but to this, out of courtesy, his Majesty would not
consent.  He, however, allowed one of his people to pour out the water,
when he washed his hands and mouth, and dried them on a napkin
embroidered with gold.

The Captain-Major then ordered the water to be emptied, and put the
basin and ewer in their cases, and requested the King to accept them,
saying that, as they had been employed in his service, it would be
improper to allow anybody else to make use of them.

At this the King was highly pleased, declaring that no sovereign in
India possessed such things.  On returning to the shore, the King would
not allow the Captains to leave their boats as he took leave of them.
Vasco da Gama also sent the chair in which the King had sat as a
present, greatly to his delight.

Thus was a firm friendship secured between the explorers and the
natives, so that the former could go on shore without the slightest fear
of receiving ill treatment.



CHAPTER ELEVEN.

VOYAGE OF VASCO DA GAMA, CONTINUED--A.D. 1498.

Vessels fitted with tanks--Native pilots agree to guide them to India--
Their advanced knowledge of navigation--Another column erected--A
convict lad left with the King--Farewells--Ships sail--Mortality--Coast
of India seen--Anchor off Capocate--Dark-skinned naked natives appear--
Da Gama's politic treatment of natives--A Nair comes from the King of
Calecut--Da Gama fabricates a story to account for his visit--The
Moorish traders plot to destroy the Portuguese--A Castilian comes on
board--Warns da Gama of the Moors' plot--Nicolas Coelho sent on shore
with rich presents for the King--Tired by delays--Coelho received by the
King--Arrangements made for trading--Merchandise landed--Damaged spices
offered in return--Received by the Portuguese--The Castilian warns da
Gama not to venture on shore without hostages--Hostages sent off--Vasco
da Gama visits the King of Calecut--Magnificent presents sent by the
King.

The time for continuing the voyage having arrived, being the 15th of
July, 1498, the King assisted his new friends in making all preparations
for their departure.  He sent on board two experienced pilots, the
Mozambique pilot also agreeing to go with them.  They had constructed
tanks at the bottom of the ships, sewn together with coir thread and
covered with pitch in such a way that they were more watertight than
casks.  Each ship had four of these tanks placed at the foot of the
mainmast, containing thirty pipes of water.

Their pilots possessed nautical instruments greatly differing from their
own, but equally useful; indeed, they were not much inferior in skill to
the Portuguese navigators.  To each of the pilots, in the presence of
the King, Vasco da Gama gave fifty cruzadados to leave with their wives,
with which the King was greatly pleased, and still more so when the
Captain-Major judiciously presented him, in a handkerchief, with ten
golden Portugueses.  The King assured Vasco da Gama that the broker
Davane would act honestly, and that as he was now fairly acquainted with
the Portuguese language, he would be of the greatest benefit.  He warned
his friends, however, to be on their guard against the people of
Calecut, who were noted for their want of faith, advising them not to
trust themselves on shore without safe hostages.  Like a true friend, he
gave them much more faithful counsel.  He had also prepared a banquet,
at which they were sumptuously entertained, and he sent boats laden with
food to the ships sufficient for both crews.

The last duty Vasco da Gama had to perform was to set up one of the
marble pillars which he had brought.  The King, on hearing of his
intention, requested that it might be placed within the palace, but
Vasco da Gama explained that the object was to let it be visible to all
who entered the port, and it was accordingly placed on the summit of a
hill near the city.  It was similar to that they had erected at the
mouth of the River of Mercy.  The King sent stonemasons to assist in
erecting it.  When it was placed the crews of the ships landed and
offered up prayers, when the trumpets sounded and a salute was fired
from the ships.

The Captain-Major now presented the King with a convict ship-boy, saying
he was left in order, should any Portuguese ships come to the country,
that he might be able to describe the benefits and gifts the King had
bestowed on his countrymen.  Vasco da Gama requested also, should the
boy wish to go to any other place, that he might be permitted to do so,
as no one without a willing heart could serve well.  The same day the
pilots went on board the ships, one accompanying Paulo da Gama, and the
other, as also the Mozambique pilot, Vasco da Gama.

The men had cabins given them in which to live and stow their property.
Lastly the King sent off boats laden with biscuits, rice, butter,
cocoa-nuts, powdered sugar in sacks, sheep salted whole and others
alive, and fowls and vegetables in great abundance.  He also accompanied
the boats alongside the ships, showing by unmistakable signs his regret
at parting with them, and saying very affectionate things while he bade
them farewell.  As they hoisted in the boats the trumpets sounded, and
the crews shouted "Lord God have mercy upon us!  Farewell!"

With a fair wind the next morning, the trumpets sounding and the ships
dressed in flags, the anchors were weighed, the sails hoisted, and the
crews praising God for the favours shown them, they stood out to sea.
The hardships they had endured and sickness had already carried off many
of the seamen of both ships.  Of the six priests four had died.  Scurvy,
although the name was unknown, had broken out during the lengthened
period they had been at sea, without the power of obtaining fresh
provisions, which could alone have cured the complaint.

After sailing on for twenty-two days, land was espied, as the pilots had
told them it would be; and a lofty mountain, off which they came, was,
they were informed, in the kingdom of Cananor.  The name of the mountain
was Delielly, or The Rat, so named on account of the number of rats
frequenting the region, which prevented it being inhabited.  On nearing
the land, they sailed along it until they came in sight of a large city
of thatched houses, in a bay called Cananor.

As a reward for the services they had rendered in carrying the ships
safely across the Indian Ocean, each pilot received a robe of red cloth
and ten testoons.

Standing along the coast, the ships passed close to the town of Cananor,
which, being a mean place, greatly disappointed Vasco da Gama, as he
supposed that it was Calecut; but the pilots set him right, and
conducted him twelve leagues farther on, when the anchors were dropped
off the town of Capocate, two leagues from the large city of Celecut,
situated in a bay.  As they gazed towards the shore, they could see a
number of dark, nearly naked people, their only garments being cloths
half-way down their thighs, who came flocking to the beach.  A council
was held on board Paulo da Gama's ship, when Davane advised that no one
should venture on shore without hostages.  He stated that the King of
Calecut was the most powerful sovereign on the coast of India, and that
he was very vain and very rich on account of the trade of his city.

In a short time a number of fishing-boats came off, and, being called
alongside by the Moorish pilot, the fishermen willingly sold their fish.

Vasco da Gama told the pilots to repeat to the fishermen the story he
had invented: that he had separated from a large fleet of Portuguese
ships of which he was in search, and that he had hoped to find them at
this port.  He would allow no one on board to trade except the pilots,
who were ordered to give whatever the fishermen demanded.

Among other boats one loaded with wood came alongside, but as the ships
had abundance it was not purchased.  There were six men in the boat, and
knowing that they would be disappointed at not finding a market for
their wood, to their great surprise, as also to that of Davane, Vasco da
Gama ordered that a vintin should be given to each of them; so that,
when they returned on shore, they did not fail to praise the strangers.

The Captain-Major had resolved not to land until he had received
permission from the King to do so, but three days passed and no
messenger came off.  Davane was therefore directed to go on shore, with
a request to the ruler of the country that he would allow the Portuguese
to visit him.  Just as he was about to set off a large boat came to the
ship, bringing an officer of the King, called a Nair.  His only garment
was a white cloth, covering his body from the middle to half-way down
his legs.  He carried a light round shield and a short sword with an
iron hilt.  Addressing the Captain-Major, who was pointed out to him, he
stated that he came to ascertain who the new-comers were, and what they
required in the port.

Vasco da Gama replied that he was the servant of the greatest Christian
king in the world, who had sent a fleet of fifty ships out to these seas
to obtain cargoes of pepper and drugs, in exchange for the rich
merchandise of gold and silver which they had brought, and that the
Portuguese were anxious to establish a lasting peace with the King and
people of the country at which they had arrived.  He then stated that he
himself was the ambassador who had been empowered to arrange the terms
of the treaty his sovereign desired to make with the Zamorin of Calecut.
To impress the natives with an idea of the power of the King of
Portugal, and to prevent them from venturing on any hostile proceedings,
for fear of the consequences, he added that he had been separated from
the rest of his fleet for a couple of years, during which he had had
visited Melinda, with whose King he had formed a lasting treaty of peace
and friendship.  He now requested the Zamorin to conclude one of the
same character between their two nations; and, this being done, he would
ask permission to land and carry on a trade with his people.

Soon after the Nair had gone back to the shore, a boat laden with fowls,
figs (fresh and dry), and cocoa-nuts, came off.  They were accepted out
of courtesy, but the Captain-Major sent word that he could neither buy
nor sell anything until the treaty was concluded.  He stated, moreover,
that he could not go on shore until the King had sent hostages for his
safety.

Now, as was afterwards ascertained, a large number of wealthy Moors
resided in Calecut, who had got the entire trade of the country into
their hands.  They were Mohammedans, and by means of their wealth had
won over a large number of the common people to their faith.

They, on hearing of the arrival of the Portuguese, at once became
jealous lest the new-comers should take the trade from them, and
therefore resolved by every artful means to defeat their object, by
representing to the King that they were spies, come to gain information
about the land and to possess themselves of it.  For this purpose the
Moors had won over the chief ministers of the King to favour their
designs, though the liberality exhibited by the Portuguese had at the
first gained his good-will.

Before going on shore himself, the Captain-Major sent Davane,
accompanied by Joab da Nunez, one of the convicts,--a Christian and a
man of talent, who could speak Arabic and Hebrew, and also understood
the Moorish language, although he could not speak it,--that he might go
to the city and ascertain the way of transacting business; he was
ordered to buy only provisions, while he listened to what was said
without speaking himself.

On reaching the shore the two were so mobbed that they had great
difficulty in making their way, until an officer appeared, who took them
under his charge, and compelled the people to move aside so that they
could pass through the streets.  The officer invited them to his house,
and on their way they encountered a man clothed as a Moor, but who
addressed them in Castilian, and requested them to come to his house,
which they obtained permission from the officer to do.  The seeming Moor
gave them a brief outline of his history.  He was, he said, a native of
Seville, but that when a boy he was made a prisoner, and after having
served many masters, had obtained his freedom.  Although he had all the
time, he averred, pretended to be a Moor, he was still at heart a
Christian.  On hearing the account he gave of himself, Joab Nunez
invited him off to see the Captain-Major, and the next day he made his
appearance on board.  He then acknowledged that his object had at first
been to betray the Portuguese, but on entering the cabin his heart had
been changed, and his great desire was now to serve them.  He warned
them of the treachery intended them by the Moors, and offered to go on
shore to obtain all the information he could, so as to give it to them.

At a council held soon after by the three Captains, Paulo and Nicolas
Coelho entreated Vasco da Gama not to go on shore, as he would hazard
his life; but he replied that he had resolved to do so in the service of
the King; that his life he did not value, and that should he be killed,
they must make the best of their way back to Portugal with the account
of their important discovery.

He consented, however, before he went himself, to send Nicolas Coelho to
obtain an audience of the King, and to ascertain his feelings towards
the Portuguese.  Accordingly he got ready the presents intended for his
Majesty, and ordered twelve of the best-looking of his men, handsomely
dressed, to accompany the brave captain.

The presents consisted of a piece of the finest scarlet cloth, one of
crimson velvet, and another of yellow satin, a chair covered with
brocade and studded with silver-gilt nails, a cushion of crimson satin
with tassels of golden thread, a smaller one of red satin for the feet
to rest on, a hand-basin and ewer chased and gilt, a splendid gilt
mirror, fifty scarlet caps, and fifty sheathed knives with ivory handles
gilt.

These things being arranged, were placed in napkins on the deck.  The
Nair, who soon afterwards came on board, greatly admired them, and
intimated that the King was ready to receive the ambassador.

On this Nicolas Coelho, accompanied by the twelve men in rich costumes,
at once went on shore, and, surrounded by the people, proceeded to the
palace.  He, however, was not received that evening, and was compelled
to take up his abode in the house of one of the natives, where he was
but meanly entertained.

During the night the Castilian came and warned him not to grow angry
with these delays, as he was thus treated in order to make him lose his
temper.  Following this advice, he the next morning pretended to be
quite at his ease.

At length, when the overseer appeared, Nicolas Coelho requested that a
boat might be prepared to take him back to the ship.  Seeing that he was
not to be put out of temper, the overseer at last consented to introduce
him to the King, whom he found seated in a summer-house on a low couch
covered with white cloth, one of his priests attending near him.

Coelho kept silence until the King bade him speak.  He then, Joab Nunez
acting as interpreter, delivered the message he had brought from the
Captain-Major.

After hearing it, the King bade him retire, saying that the overseer of
the treasury would bring him an answer; but Nicolas replied that he
could receive no answer but from the King himself.  After he had waited
for some time, the priest brought him out an agreement signed on the dry
leaf of a palm-tree, granting all the requests of the Captain-Major, the
priest swearing that it was the King's signature.

When Nicolas Coelho returned on board and gave an account of his
interview with the King, Vasco da Gama was highly pleased, and ordered
flags to be hoisted, trumpets to be sounded, and salutes to be fired.

Having appointed Digo Diaz to act as factor, and Pedro da Braga as
clerk, to be assisted by Joao Nunez, Davane, and one of the pilots from
Melinda, he sent on shore for the purpose of trading, a chest of
unwrought branch coral, the same quantity of vermilion, a barrel of
quicksilver, fifty pigs of copper, twenty strings of large cut coral,
and as many of amber, five Portugueses of gold, fifty cruzados, and a
hundred testoons in silver; as also a table with a green cloth, and a
pair of wooden scales.  He directed his people to accept the prices
offered, and to verify the weight of everything with the scales.  The
clerk was ordered likewise to write down in a book which he carried the
particulars of all transactions.

On arriving on shore, the factor hired a large house in two
compartments, one for trade and the other for living in.

The overseer of the treasury soon made his appearance, and sending for a
money-changer, weighed all the money, and proved it with his
touchstones, setting a value on each coin which the clerk wrote down.
It was found to be higher than in Portugal.  A price was then set upon
each article of merchandise separately, on which a large profit was
made.

The overseer of the treasury then inquired whether they wished to begin
weighing at once, and on their replying "Yes," he ordered a large number
of sacks of pepper to be brought.  These were weighed, and sent off to
the ships.

As evening approached, the overseer requested the factor to say what
goods were required for the next day, that he might have them ready.
Accordingly Pedro da Braga was sent back to learn this from the
Captain-Major, and to give a report of the transactions which had been
concluded.

It should have been said that two armed boats were sent from the ships,
which, as they could not on account of the surf reach the shore, were
anchored outside, with guns in their bows to protect the factory, the
people being carried ashore in the light native skiffs.

Vasco da Gama having received a hint that the natives were great rogues,
resolved to outwit them by leading them to suppose the Portuguese to be
so ignorant that they might easily be cheated, and thus greatly to
desire their return to the country.  He therefore directed the factor to
receive any goods offered, and to pay whatever price might be asked, and
always to appear perfectly satisfied.

The trading was carried on day after day.  Pepper, being the heaviest,
was the first article obtained.  Ginger was next purchased; but it was,
in order to preserve it, covered with clay.  More than a due proportion
had, however, been put on, of which the factor was aware; but according
to the orders he had received, he did not complain, but desired that it
should be surrounded by more clay, that it might keep the better, paying
for it as though it was all ginger.

Cinnamon was next offered.  The factor said he would rather wait, but
the overseer of the treasury declared that as it was ready it must be
received.  When it came it was found to consist of old cinnamon of bad
quality, done up in packages of sticks and mats.  The factor again
pretended not to notice the way he was cheated, but sent word to the
Captain-Major, who directed him to take even worse goods.

These were afterwards offered, much of the pepper being mouldy and unfit
for use, but it was received as if it had been in good order.  Though
the King was highly pleased at thus easily getting rid of the damaged
goods in his stores, the Moorish merchants, more keen-sighted than he
was, declared, with some show of reason, that the Portuguese could not
be honest traders, but were in reality pirates, who had come to spy out
the land.

According to the Oriental custom, to give the Portuguese a great idea of
his importance, the King pretended to have forgotten all about the
embassy, and day after day deferred sending a message to say that he was
ready to receive it.  The ministers at length, however, bribed by the
Moorish merchants, who were anxious to get the Portuguese Admiral into
their power, and hoped to do so should he venture on shore, advised the
King no longer to delay inviting him to pay his promised visit.

On hearing this, the Castilian, disguising himself as a beggar, came to
the factory, and begging alms in Castilian, was recognised by the
factor, who took him inside.

The Castilian then strongly advised that the Captain-Major should not go
on shore without proper hostages, and promised to give a sign as to
which was a good one of those offered.  After this he retired, begging
as he had entered.  The factor wrote to the Captain-Major, warning him
of the treachery intended, and a message was conveyed to the King
intimating that Vasco da Gama would not come until proper hostages were
delivered up.  Three nairs were accordingly sent to the factory, one of
whom the Castilian pointed out as the King's nephew, and advised that he
especially should be strictly watched.  On the arrival of the hostages
on board, they were received with due honour and conducted into one of
the cabins, where a watch was set over them.

As he was about to depart, Vasco da Gama received information that the
King had gone into the country, where he would receive him.  The
hostages soon afterwards requested to be allowed to go on shore to eat;
but this Vasco da Gama would not allow, observing that as he had
received them from the King, he could only return them by the King's
command.

He had, in the meantime, sent word by a messenger, that he could not
present himself as an ambassador before the King, except at his own
royal palace.  At length the messenger returned, saying that his Majesty
had returned to the city, and was now ready to receive the embassy.

Upon this the Captain-Major embarked in his barge, accompanied by Davane
as interpreter, taking with him several large Indian boats, loaded with
packages.

Arriving at the factory, he dressed himself in a tawny-coloured cloak
coming down to his feet, and underneath a short tunic of blue satin,
with white buskins, and on his head he wore a blue velvet cap, having a
white feather in it, fastened with a jewel; a richly enamelled collar on
his shoulders, and a sash with a handsome dagger completed his costume.
He had also a page habited in red satin.  Before him went a file of men,
handsomely dressed, then other men carrying the various gifts; in front
of all the chair, carried upon Davane's head, while at their head
marched trumpeters sounding their instruments, the whole being conducted
by the factor, with a cane in his hand and his cap off.

As they proceeded through a long street the crowd was so great, many
among the people being Moors, with swords and shields, that it was with
difficulty the Portuguese could make their way, until several nairs
arrived and drove the rabble aside.

The factor, having entered the palace, presented each of the articles to
the King, who expressed great satisfaction, especially with the chair,
on which he took his seat.

When the Captain-Major arrived, he was conducted through many courts to
a building opposite to that where the audience was to be held.  From
thence he proceeded to a hall adorned with silken stuffs of various
colours, in which the King was seated on the chair just presented to him
under a white canopy, handsomely worked and covering the whole room.  He
was a very dark man, half naked, covered only from the middle to the
knees by a white robe, at the end of which was a long point, on which
were threaded several gold rings set with remarkably handsome rubies.

On his left arm he wore a bracelet, above the elbow, consisting of three
rings, the centre one studded with rich jewels, and from it hung a large
glittering diamond of inestimable price.  Round his neck was a string of
pearls of the size of hazel-nuts.  The string took two turns, and
reached to his middle.  Above it he wore a thin gold chain, to which was
suspended a jewel in the form of a heart, surrounded by pearls and
rubies.  In the middle was an emerald of the size of a bean.

These jewels, according to the information received from the Castilian,
belonged to the ancient treasury of the Kings of Calecut.  The long dark
hair of the King was tied in a knot on the top of his head, and round
the knot he wore a string of pearls, at the end of which was a
pear-shaped pearl of large size.  To his ears were suspended golden
fairings of round beads.

By the side of the King stood two pages, one holding a red shield with a
border of gilt and jewels, and a drawn sword, having a hilt ornamented
with gold and pendent pearls.  The other page held a gold cup, into
which the King spat.  By the side of his chair was a priest, who from
time to time gave him a green leaf containing lime and areca, which he
chewed, making his teeth and gums red.

Vasco da Gama, in his character of ambassador, on arriving made a
profound salutation, and the King, bowing his head and extending his
right hand and arm, touched the right hand of the Captain-Major with the
tips of his fingers, and bade him sit on the dais by his side.

Vasco da Gama, through his interpreter, explained who he was, and
repeated the account he had already given.  He then presented a letter
which had been written as if coming from the King of Portugal, and
signed with his hand and seal.  The King, receiving it, placed it on his
breast with both hands, and then, opening it, gave it to the overseer to
be translated, and assured Vasco da Gama that he might have whatever
merchandise he wished to take on board and whatever he required for his
ships, and that he might send his people on shore to amuse themselves
and to buy what they liked.  Having ordered his minister to announce
this by the crier, he dismissed Vasco da Gama, saying that he would
speak to him when more at leisure another day.

The Captain-Major, highly satisfied, retired, the trumpets blowing
before him until he reached the factory, where he took up his abode for
the night.  Next day the overseer brought the Captain-Major twenty
pieces of fine white stuff embroidered with gold, and twenty other
pieces of stuff also white, and ten of coloured silk; also four large
loaves of benzoin and fifty bags of musk, as well as six basins and six
jars of porcelain.  The overseer said that the King sent these things
for Vasco da Gama's own use, and that when he went away he would send
more for his King.  Other presents were returned, and everything
appeared to go on smoothly.

Vasco da Gama was much struck by the barbaric splendour of this petty
Oriental potentate, little aware that in the far-off interior there were
other sovereigns possessed of infinitely greater wealth and power, with
whom the Portuguese would have found it impossible to contend.



CHAPTER TWELVE.

VOYAGE OF VASCO DA GAMA CONCLUDED--A.D. 1498-9.

Treacherous trick to entrap Vasco da Gama--The Castilian warns him not
to complain--Badly treated--Carried from place to place a prisoner--
Sends on board for merchandise--Still kept a prisoner--Orders his
brother to set sail for Spain--Nicolas Coelho refuses to desert him--He
again sends, ordering the hostages to be set free--The King learns the
treachery of the Moors and makes amends to Vasco da Gama--The Moors
threatened with vengeance--The ships sail for Cananor--The King sends
provisions and invites the captains to land--Nicolas Coelho sent with
presents--The King has a pier and pavilion built, extending into the
sea--The Captains visit him in great state--Davane leaves them--Sail and
anchor in a harbour of the islands of Angediva--Native vessels--Friendly
fishermen--Plot of a pilot to destroy the Portuguese--A Jew Admiral of
the King of Goa sent to capture them--The Jew seized--Confesses--His
fleet of fustas destroyed--The survivors made slaves--The Jew turns
Christian--The ships sail across the Indian Ocean--Dreadful sickness--
Mombas bombarded--A fleet of zambuks out of Pate attacks the
Portuguese--Driven off--Second visit to Melinda--Pass close round the
Cape of Good Hope--Many deaths--The Sargarco Sea--Reach the island of
Tercejra--Death of Paulo da Gama--Enter the Tagus the 18th of September,
1499--Vasco da Gama cordially received by the King, who gives him the
title of Dom--Nicolas Coelho exhibits the treasures to the Queen--Second
voyage of Vasco da Gama--Anchade reaches China--Macao founded--Sequeiro
sails up the Red Sea to the country of the Emperor of Ethiopia--The
supposed Prester John--The Moluccas discovered by Abreu--Third voyage of
Dom Vasco da Gama as Viceroy of India--His magnificent state in 1524--
His death at Cochin, the same year--Buried at Vidigueira in Portugal, of
which he was Count--Succeeded by his son Dom Estevan.

The trade at the factory continued.  Drugs, cloves, and nutmegs were
brought in; the cloves, however, were mostly bits of stick, and the
nutmegs were half rotten, but the factor received them as if they were
sound.

The chief minister now arrived in a richly ornamented litter, borne on
men's shoulders, with a similar one empty, having a silken canopy over
it and soft cushions within, saying that he was sent to bring the
ambassador to pay another visit to the King.  Accordingly Vasco da Gama
got into the one intended for him, while eight of his men got ready to
accompany him on foot and unarmed.  Just as they were setting out, the
Castilian passed, and uttered the words,--"Sufrir y callar."

"Endure and do not complain."

The Captain-Major had expected to arrive at the country palace of the
King, but instead he found himself, as night fell, at a poor house with
common straw mats on which to sit.  Boiled rice and boiled fish were
brought for supper, but he was too indignant at the way he was being
treated to eat.

The next day the journey was continued, but by some means the officer
who had charge of Vasco da Gama got him separated from five of his men.
The heat was excessive; the sun beat down on their heads with terrible
force.  At last they reached a river, when they embarked in a boat, in
which the Captain-Major was conducted a considerable distance,
accompanied by Joao Nunez and two others.  Again they landed, when the
Captain-Major was shut up in a house, by himself while his men were
placed in another, though both were ignorant how near they were
together.  The following day they were led by narrow paths through a
jungle, and at the end of it the Captain-Major was again shut up,
separated from his men.  He now became not only indignant, but very
anxious.  At last he was led out and conducted to where the Prime
Minister had taken up his quarters.  That official, who looked very much
out of humour, did not even bid him sit down, but kept him standing
until Joab Nunez, who had been sent for, arrived.  He then said that a
ship had come from Mombas, by which information had been received that
the Portuguese were pirates, and that they had behaved as such at Mombas
and Quiloa.  He added that the King of Calecut was very angry, and had
ordered the Portuguese ship to be captured, and the officers and crews
to be kept in prison until they confessed the truth.  He therefore
advised the Captain-Major to confess the truth to him, that he might
relate to the King what he said.

Vasco da Gama, on hearing this, almost laughed.  He replied that, if
taken to the King, he would tell him the truth, and that he might go and
say so.  The Prime Minister, on hearing this, was in a great rage, and
cross-questioned Joab Nunez, who replied as he had been instructed.  The
minister then told Vasco da Gama that he must land all the merchandise
from both ships, and have it put into the factory, and that after that
the King would fill them up with what they required.

Vasco da Gama replied that he would obey the commands of the King, but
that it would be necessary to send a message to the ships, or otherwise
the merchandise would not be delivered up.  To this, however, the
minister appeared in no way inclined to agree.

In the meantime the men who had landed with the Captain-Major, and who
had been kept separated from him, were in great alarm as to what had
happened, as were also those on board the ships; for the factor could
give them no information, and serious fears were entertained that he had
been murdered.  The hostages had also made an attempt to escape, as the
minister had sent them word by the boy who brought their food to do so;
but Paulo had kept too strict a watch to allow them to get out of the
cabin in which they were confined.

At length one of the men who had accompanied the Captain-Major, Joab
Setabal, came on board, in a native boat, saying that he had been sent
by Vasco da Gama, to let his brother know how treacherously he had been
entrapped, and directing him to send a boat laden with merchandise of
all sorts, and also that, should he himself not appear, he was to take
back the factor, and allow nobody else to go on shore.

Paulo da Gama, mild as he generally was, became furious on hearing this,
but at once sent back the native boat laden with merchandise.  When the
boat arrived at the factory, the factor sent to the minister--who had
let him know where he was, and that the Captain-Major was with him--to
say that it had arrived, but that unless Vasco da Gama was allowed to
return on board, no more would be sent.

On hearing this the Captain-Major was much annoyed, and told the
minister that if he would dispatch ten large native boats, he would
agree to go off and bring them back full of goods.

When, however, he was about to embark, the minister stopped him, saying
that all the Portuguese might return to their ships with the exception
of himself, the interpreter, and two others, who must remain on shore
for the present; and that when the merchandise arrived, then he would
send him on board.

The Captain-Major, clearly seeing the treachery intended by the
minister, dissembling his anger, sent word to his brother that he was
convinced, even should the boats full of goods be landed, he himself
would not be given up; and he therefore charged him to send the hostages
on shore, and then to make sail and return to Portugal.  "If he himself
should be killed," he added, "nothing would be lost, but that if Paulo
and the ships were destroyed, their country would fail to reap the
benefit they had obtained for her."  He also entreated Paulo to lose no
time in getting under weigh, as he was very sure that the Moors would
send out their ships to attack them.

On receiving this message, Paulo da Garna and all the crews swore that
without the Captain-Major they would not leave the port, nor would they
send any more goods; while honest Nicolas Coelho was eager to go on
shore, resolving that if the Captain-Major were not set free, he would
remain with him.

The hostages were then brought out of the cabin, and Paulo da Gama asked
them if they were sent by the King to remain in case any harm should be
done to the ambassador.  They acknowledged that such was the case, and
that the Portuguese might cut off their heads if they pleased.

Paulo da Gama then replied that he had no intention of depriving them of
life, but that they should be immediately sent on shore, without any
stipulation, as he would trust to their honour to exert their influence
in obtaining the liberty of his brother and his companions.  He remarked
also that should any harm be done their ambassador, the inhabitants of
Calecut would for ever be considered by all nations as the most
treacherous and barbarous people in the world.  He then bestowing many
handsome presents on the hostages, sent them on shore with all due
honour in one of the ship's boats.

Meantime the Moors had gone to the King, and declaring that the
Portuguese were pirates, had offered to go out in their ships and attack
them.  The King, believing this falsehood, ordered the goods in the
Portuguese factory to be brought to his palace, and commanded that the
Captain-Major and his companions should at once be put to death.

His chief priest and overseer of the treasury, on hearing this order
issued, and clearly foreseeing the consequences, hurried to the king,
and entreated him not to commit so atrocious an act, observing that the
Portuguese had done no harm, but had been kind and peaceable, and had
presented the richest presents ever yet offered to a sovereign in India.
At this juncture the hostages arrived, and by stating how liberally
they had been treated, and how nobly they had been set free, turned the
scale in favour of the Portuguese.

The King immediately sending for Vasco da Gama, humbly begged his pardon
for the way he had been treated, declaring that much had been done
without his knowledge, and that he also had been deceived by evil
counsel.  Vasco da Gama replied that the King must act according to the
dictates of his sense of honour, and that had he murdered an ambassador,
the world would have spoken very ill of his Majesty.

The King then gave Vasco da Gama several pieces of fine stuff, and a
piece of silk, with several rubies and pearls, and again asking his
pardon, and saying that those who had given him bad counsel should be
punished, honourably dismissed him.

On his way to the boats Vasco da Gama met the factor, who informed him
that the factory had been robbed, no doubt by the order of the King, but
he would not allow the factor to complain, though he warned the overseer
of the treasury that he would at some time come back and revenge on the
heads of the Moors the wrongs he had received.  He then embarked with
all his men, and proceeded to the ships.  The Castilian, as they were
shoving off, leaped into the boat and begged leave to accompany them.
Vasco da Gama was received with unbounded joy by his brother and the
officers and crews of the ships.

He rewarded the Castilian for his services by giving him five
Portugueses of gold and a piece of cloth and several red caps, and he
signed a paper to the effect that he was a sincere friend to the
Portuguese, a faithful Christian, and that all confidence might be
placed in him.  With this the Castilian returned on shore, when he told
the Moors of the hatred they had produced in the breasts of the
Portuguese, who swore that they would revenge themselves on their return
to India.  He also informed the overseer of the treasury that the
Portuguese, when they came back, would be his sincere friends.  These
things were related to the King, who immediately dispatched the
Castilian with one of his chief ministers again to express his regret at
what had happened, saying that if the Portuguese would come again on
shore they would see the punishment he would inflict on the persons who
had injured them.

The Captain-Major replied that he should not return to the port, and
that he would take upon himself at a future time the punishment of the
Moors who had behaved ill to him and his followers.

As there was a fair wind the ships set sail and ran down the coast until
they came off Cananor.  The King of that country having heard all that
had taken place, resolved to win the friendship of the Portuguese.

No sooner did the ships approach than he sent off a large boat, carrying
a minister, to invite them to his country.  Following the first boat
came a number of others, laden with provisions of all sorts.  The King
stated that he would fill up their ships with cargoes of the goods they
had come in search of, at more favourable prices and in better condition
than those they had obtained in Calecut.

Vasco da Gama, highly pleased, as soon as the ships came to an anchor,
sent off a boat with Nicolas Coelho, bearing valuable presents, similar
to those before presented to the King of Calecut, but no one else was
allowed to land.

Nicolas Coelho was well received, and was sent back in a native boat by
the King, with a message expressing a hope that the Captain-Major would
visit him.  He also brought word that the King had ordered a wooden pier
to be run out into the water, with a small pavilion at the end of it.

The next day his Majesty came with numerous attendants and took a seat
in the pavilion, which was adorned with silken stuffs, and had also
within it a dais covered with silk.  As soon as he came in sight the
captains, in their most splendid costumes, accompanied by a number of
their men handsomely dressed, the boats being highly decorated, and
having streamers flying of white and red silk, and the trumpets
sounding, while salutes were fired as they left the ships, rowed for the
pier.

On approaching the pavilion in which the King was seated, the two
Captains, taking off their hats, bowed profoundly, when he, stepping to
the front, entreated them to come up and take seats by his side.  He
then asked which of them had been imprisoned in Calecut.  Paulo da Gama,
pointing to his brother, answered, "That is the person whom the King of
Calecu: thus insulted."

The King of Cananor then told them that he had received a letter from
the King of Calecut exculpating himself, and saying that what had been
done was without his sanction, and that he was determined to inflict a
severe punishment on the guilty persons.  Much further conversation took
place of a satisfactory character, when the Captains returned to their
ships.

They were three days taking on board the goods and provisions with which
the King of Cananor supplied them.  Vasco da Gama here dismissed Davane,
and signed a document calling on all the captains coming from Portugal
to treat him as a sincere friend, whom they were always to honour.  He
gave him also a hundred cruzados and a hundred testoons, besides the
payment due to him, and goods and other presents, so that the honest
broker departed highly pleased.

As the crews were lifting the anchors, two large boats came off with a
further supply of fowls and other fresh provisions.  The sails were then
loosed, and the two ships commenced their homeward voyage on the 20th of
November, in the year of grace 1498.  After proceeding some distance,
finding the winds contrary, the pilots recommended that they should put
back; but as Vasco da Gama objected to this, they steered a course for
the island of Angediva, which had a good port with plenty of wood and
water, where they proposed to remain until the monsoon had commenced.
The only inhabitant of the island was a hermit, who lived in a grotto,
and subsisted on what was given him by passing ships.

The people enjoyed themselves much by being able to go on shore without
fear of interruption.  Several native vessels came in, not seeing them
until they were round the point.  They were of two descriptions, some
having their planks sewn together with coir rope, which had keels, and
others flat bottomed, the planking being secured by nails.  Their
anchors were of hard wood, with stones fastened to the shanks, so that
they might sink to the bottom.  The rudders were fastened by ropes
passed outside.  They had no tops, and only one large sail of matting.
Instead of decks they had compartments, in which the different sorts of
merchandise was stowed, the whole covered with matting of palm-leaves,
which formed a sort of shelving roof so that the water could run off it,
and was of strength sufficient to enable the crew to walk on the top.
They had no pumps, but only buckets of leather.  The yards were long and
tapering, two-thirds abaft the mast and one-third before it, with only a
single sheet.  The tack of the sail was made fast to the end of a sprit
almost as long as the mast, so that they could set their sails very
flat, and steer close to the wind.  When they had to tack they lowered
the sail half down the mast, and then hauled upon the heel of the yard
until they brought it to the foot of the mast, and passed it over to the
other side.

The ships which came in attempted to escape, but the boats were sent
after them with Moorish pilots, who persuaded them to return, assuring
them that the Portuguese were peaceable, and wished to be their friends.
The captains, therefore, brought figs, cocoa-nuts, and fowls, and
persuaded the fishermen who had before kept away to come and sell their
fish while the crews and passengers landed to wash their clothes, so
that the Portuguese and the natives became great friends.

Here the ships were refitted, and water taken in.  While thus employed,
a floating object, which looked like a large raft, was seen approaching
from the main coast, covered over with branches.  Vasco da Gama's
suspicions being aroused, he inquired of the fishermen what it was.
They informed him that it in reality consisted of a number of large low
boats fastened together, and was the device of a famous pirate, Timoja
by name, who hoped thus to get alongside, and then, with his men, while
the Portuguese were unprepared, attack them.

On this the Captain-Major ordered his brother and Nicolas Coelho, who
was on board the same ship, to get under weigh, and go out and meet the
pirate.  They did so, firing their guns as they approached with such
effect, that the boats were seen to separate and make with all speed
towards the shore.

Thus the Portuguese were saved from the threatened danger.  Some time
passed, when, their preparations being nearly completed, a small, fast,
rowing vessel, called a fusta, carrying sails as well as oars, was seen
approaching Vasco da Gama's ship, and would have been received without
suspicion had not the faithful fishermen again warned him that treachery
was intended.  They said that during the night they had observed a large
number of fustas come in and conceal themselves in the islets and bays
round the island, not more than half a league off, and that it was very
evident from this that they intended mischief; that they were under the
command of a Jew, who was admiral of the fleet of Sabayo, the ruler of
Goa, a large city twelve leagues off; that the object of the Jew was to
surprise the ships, hoping to find them unprepared, and carry them into
Goa, so that Sabayo might obtain their cargoes.  Soon after dawn a small
fusta, with the Jew, came close up to the ships, as if about to pass by
them to some other part.  On getting near the stern he hailed the ships
in Castilian, saying, "God preserve the Christian captains and their
crews," when the rowers giving a shout, the trumpets from the ships
replied.  The Jew, getting nearer, said, "Noble captain, give me a safe
conduct, that I may come on board your ships to learn the news."  Vasco
da Gama replied that he might come on board in peace, and that they
would do him honour, as they were highly pleased to see a person who
could speak their language.  On this he came up the side, when he was
placed in a chair, and the question as to who he was, and where he came
from, was put to him.

The Captain-Major now ordered Nicolas Coelho, who was in the other ship,
to come with a boat full of armed men, on the side where the fusta lay,
and to board and capture her crew.

Several men were stationed ready to seize the Jew, and at the same
moment he and all his men were then suddenly made prisoners.  The Jew,
on finding himself bound, complained bitterly of the way he had been
treated, having trusted to the safe conduct which had been given him.
The Captain-Major replied that he was aware of the treachery that he had
intended, and that he should be flogged, and tortured by having hot fat
poured on him, if he refused to confess his evil intentions.  The Jew,
finding there was no escape, acknowledged that he was worthy of death,
but entreated that the noble Captain would have pity on his white beard.

On this the Captain-Major ordered him to be unbound, and becomingly
dressed.  The Jew then informed the Admiral that when a lad he was
living at Grenada, that on the capture of that city by the Christians he
had left Spain, and travelling through many lands, he had gone to Mecca.
Thence he had made his way to India, where he had taken service with
Sabayo, who had made him captain-major of his fleet; that to please his
master he had undertaken to capture the Portuguese ships.  He now
repented of his design, and as a proof of his desire to obtain the
friendship of the Portuguese, he offered to deliver up all the fustas
into their hands.

It was therefore arranged that the Jew should go in his own fusta,
manned by Portuguese, and that several boats should follow, with the
crews well armed.  As soon as it was dark they pushed off from the
ships.  As they approached where the fustas lay, the people on board
hailed to know who was coming, when the Jew replied, "It is I.  I bring
some relations with me."

On this the fusta and boats dashed on, the Captain-Major shouting his
war-cry of Saint George, while the crews, who had kept their matches
concealed, shouting and firing their guns, threw their powder-jars among
the sleeping crews, who being thus alarmed, leaped into the sea, while
the fighting men, who were few in number, made but a faint resistance.
They were all immediately killed, while the fusta went about destroying
the hapless wretches who were in the water.  A number also who had taken
refuge on the island were made prisoners, not one escaping.  The boats
and fusta, having thus finished the work, returned to the ships.  The
Portuguese then selected from among the captives twelve of the
strongest-looking men, to work the pumps and do other service, while the
rest were killed in the presence of the fishermen, who accordingly knew
there would be none left to betray them.

The Captain-Major gave the fishermen permission to carry off the fustas;
but this they declined doing, taking only the sails and tackling for
their own boats.

The Jew, seeing the punishment inflicted on the other prisoners, became
dreadfully alarmed, suspecting that he also would be put to death.  The
Captain-Major, however, ordered him to be taken below, and confined in a
cabin.

The monsoon having just commenced, the pilots advised that the ships
should proceed on their voyage.  They accordingly made sail and steered
westward, their great object accomplished, across the Indian Ocean.  The
wind was fair, and the sea, as before, calm; but sickness broke out
among the men, and many more died.  The first land made was near the
city of Magadaxo.  The Captain-Major having had ample experience of the
Moorish rulers of these coasts, bombarded it as he sailed by.  He then
proceeded, without stopping, until he came off another city called Pate,
from which eight large zambuks came out to attack him.  A few broadsides
drove them away, and he sailed on until he reached Melinda.

Owing to calms, the voyage lasted nearly four months during which, from
the want of fresh provisions, scurvy, scarcely before known, attacked
the crews.  Ulcers broke out on their arms and legs, and their gums
became swollen and rotten, so that thirty men died, and others could
hardly move about.  Some of the pilots also mutinied, and wanted to put
back to Calecut; but Vasco da Gama had them placed in irons, and
undertook the guidance of the ships himself.

On the shore near Melinda they found the King waiting to receive them,
and standing in the water.  The Captains leaping out of their boats, he
embraced them and conducted them to his palace, where he treated them
right courteously.  He wrote a letter on gold leaf to the King of
Portugal, calling him his brother and promising to befriend his people.

Vasco da Gama, pleased with the conduct of the native pilots, begged
that two of them might be permitted to accompany him to Portugal, at
which the King expressed his pleasure.  To reward the pilots, the
Captain-Major presented them with two hundred cruzados in gold, to be
given to their wives.

Several more men here died, and were buried on shore, so that the crews
of the two ships were reduced to a very small number.  Before they took
their departure, the King sent a magnificent present to the King and
Queen of Portugal.  Among other articles was a broad gold neck-chain,
with precious stones and pearls, worth ten thousand cruzados; a chest
richly inlaid with silver and ivory, full of white stuffs, silks and
gold thread, and a piece of ambergris set with silver, half an ell long,
and as thick as a man's wrist.

Vasco da Gama, in order to sustain the honour of the King of Portugal,
presented numerous valuable articles in return.  After taking an
affectionate farewell of the King of Melinda, the native pilots being
received on board and Mass having been said, the Captain-Major ordered
the anchors to be weighed, and on the feast of San Sebastian, 1499, the
ships sailed from Melinda.  They first stood out from the land, and then
made a course along it to the southward.  They sighted Mozambique, but
did not put in there, and continued their course until off Sofala, where
they encountered several severe squalls.  They escaped danger by furling
all the sails, warned in time by the native pilots.  Sometimes they were
exposed to heavy seas with little or no wind, which greatly tried the
ships.

At length they came off the Cape of Good Hope, in sight of which they
passed without accident.  Pressing on all sail, they stood into the
Atlantic, when, seeing the Cape astern and that they were steering
towards Portugal, the seamen in their great joy embraced each other, and
then, kneeling down, offered up their praises and thanksgivings to
Heaven for having thus far preserved them.

In order to make the shortest possible course for Portugal they kept
away from the land, but as they approached the equator they suffered
much delay from calms.  Paulo da Gama was also taken very ill, and kept
to his bed, when Vasco went on board his ship that he might be with him
leaving Coelho in charge of his own.

Seeing that they were approaching Portugal, the pilots who had mutinied
became very uneasy, until Vasco da Gama told them that they were
forgiven, but that he should take them bound into the presence of the
King.  Even the stoutest hearted, however, might have doubted whether
they should ever reach the land, for the ships were so leaky that it was
necessary to keep the pumps constantly at work.  Frequent calms were
also met with, and they passed through a vast mass of seaweed, to which
the name of Sargarco was given, from its resembling the leaf of the
grape so-called.  That part of the ocean has ever since retained the
name of the Sargarco Sea.  It is that vast collection of seaweed thrown
off by the Gulf Stream, and prevented from drifting farther south by the
counter-current which sets westward towards Central America.

At length, to the great joy of the pilots, they caught sight of the
north star, almost on the same altitude as it was seen at Portugal.
They thus knew that they were approaching the termination of their
voyage.  Steering north, they came to an anchor in the port of Angra, in
the island of Terceira, towards the end of August.  So battered were the
ships that it was with difficulty they could be kept afloat.  Of the two
crews not sixty men survived.  Many of these also died on reaching the
shore, and among them, to the great grief of his brother, was Paulo da
Gama, who survived but one day, and was buried in the Monastery of Saint
Francis.

The authorities wished to discharge the cargoes and place them on board
other ships, but to this Vasco da Gama would not consent; and having
them partially repaired, he again sailed, accompanied by several other
vessels, and arrived safely in the Tagus on the 18th of September, 1499.
Endeavouring to overcome the grief he felt for the loss of his brother,
handsomely dressed, his beard, not cut since he sailed, streaming over
his breast, he landed to present himself to the King, who had come down
to the beach at Cascaes to welcome him.  The next day the King received
him at his palace, when he bestowed upon him the honourable title of
"dom," to be borne by him and his heirs.  They afterwards repaired to
the Queen's apartments, where Nicolas Coelho, who had charge of the
presents, was summoned, and where, having kissed the hands of the King
and Queen, they exhibited the magnificent jewels and stuffs which they
had brought.

Although the King promised to reward honest Coelho, it does not appear
how this was done.  The pilots, having been brought in chains before the
King, as Vasco da Gama had sworn to do, they were pardoned.  The old
Jew, the Moorish pilots, and the prisoners taken in the fustas were
landed, and either from the instructions they received from the priests
on board or afterwards, all became Christians, the old Jew taking the
name of Gaspar da Gama, the Captain-Major standing as his godfather.
The King also had frequent conversations with him, and so pleased was
his Majesty with what he heard that he made him many presents from his
own wardrobe and horses from his stables, and gave him the slaves who
had been brought from India.  After this he was always known as Gaspar
of the Indies.

The crews were handsomely paid, and each man received a portion of the
cargoes to bestow in gifts on their families and friends, while the
heirs of the deceased also received the wages which were their due.
This memorable voyage lasted, from the day Dom Vasco left Lisbon to that
of his return, exactly thirty-two months, and of the one hundred and
fifty men who left Portugal only fifty-five came back.

This voyage may be considered one of the most notable on record.  The
dreaded Cape of Storms, henceforth to be known as the Cape of Good Hope,
had been doubled, a large portion of the east coast of Africa hitherto
unknown had been visited, the Indian Ocean, which no European keel had
ever before ploughed, had been traversed, and India, the great object of
the voyage, had been reached, all the difficulties and dangers to which
the explorers were exposed being manfully overcome.  More remarkable
still had been the return voyage in battered ships, the scanty crews
suffering from sickness, yet their brave leaders, with indomitable
perseverance and hardihood, keeping on their course week after week and
month after month over the ocean, guided by the stars and the imperfect
instruments they possessed.

Twice after this Vasco da Gama sailed for India.  His second voyage was
commenced in 1502, when he visited many places he had before discovered,
and returned the next year with twelve richly-laden ships.  Meantime the
Portuguese had sent out, year after year, numerous fleets with large
bodies of men, who, by force or stratagem, took possession of many
places along the eastern coast of Africa, and on the west of that of
Hindostan.  Among the most important were Goa and Cochym and others on
the coast of Ceylon.  While penetrating eastward their ships reached the
Indian Archipelazo and the far-off shores of China.

In 1505 Dom Francisco de Almeyda was sent out to India under the title
of Viceroy, in command of twenty-two ships, and in them fifteen hundred
men, when he began the erection of those forts by means of which the
Portuguese ultimately established themselves in the country.

The following year Alfonso da Alburquerque and Tristan da Conha sailed
with thirteen ships and thirteen hundred men.  On their passage the
latter, parting company off the Cape of Good Hope, ran far away to the
south, where he discovered the islands which still bear his name--
Tristan da Conha.  He afterwards, with part of his fleet, cruised along
the Arabian shores, while Alburquerque was employed in trading, building
forts, and establishing factories on the coasts already discovered.

Other commanders followed, and Fernando Perez da Andrade, sailing east,
passed through the Straits of Malacca, until he reached Canton, then the
most celebrated sea-port on the southern coast of China.  Thence he sent
an ambassador to the Emperor of China, to settle trade and commerce.  At
first things went well; but when the next Portuguese squadron arrived,
the people on board behaved so outrageously to the Chinese that their
envoy was murdered, and they were driven out of the country.  Some years
afterwards the Portuguese obtained leave to settle in a little island
opposite to Canton.  It was called Macao, and they have ever since held
it, though subject to the Emperor of China.

In 1520 Jago Lopez da Sequeiro sailed for the Red Sea, with a fleet of
twenty-four ships.  Coming to the island of Mazua, he found it forsaken
by the inhabitants, who had fled over to Arquico, a port belonging to
the Emperor of Ethiopia, the far-famed Prester John, whose country was
now first discovered by sea.  At this time it was a vast monarchy, and
extended along the shores of the Red Sea above one hundred and twenty
leagues.

In following years the Portuguese made some progress into the country,
five hundred of them being sent under the command of Don Christofero da
Gama, to assist the Emperor against his rebellious subjects and his
enemies the Turks.

The Moluccas, five in number, named Tirnate, Tidore, Mousel, Machien,
and Bacham, were discovered by Antonio da Abreu.

In 1521 Antonio da Brito was sent from Malacca to take possession of
them.  The Portuguese were, however, ultimately driven out by the Dutch,
who hold them to the present day.  In the year 1524 Dom Vasco da Gama
was again sent out as Viceroy of India, being the second person who had
held that important post.  He now possessed the title of Conde da
Vidigueira and Admiral of the Indian Seas.  He was accompanied by his
two sons, Dom Estevan and Dom Paulo da Gama, on board the _Saint
Catarina_, with numerous officials, and everything calculated to
maintain his state, besides a guard of two hundred men with gilt pikes,
clothed with his livery.  He kept also a magnificent table, at which all
his officers dined with him.  He ruled the country with a stern and
inflexible justice, which was much required, as abuses of all kinds had
sprung up; and so, although he was much feared, he was greatly
respected.  Leaving Goa, he went to Cochin, a city of considerable size,
where many Portuguese had established themselves.  Here he was shortly
afterwards seized with a mortal malady, of which he died a few minutes
past midnight on the 24th of December, 1524, when he was succeeded in
his vice-royalty by his son, Dom Estevan.

His remains were sent to Portugal in 1538, and buried in a tomb at
Vidigueira, from which town he took his title.  It would have been
fortunate for the honour of Portugal had all her Viceroys of India
possessed the same sense of duty as that which animated the renowned
Vasco da Gama.



CHAPTER THIRTEEN.

VOYAGE OF FERNANDO MAGALHAENS--THE DISCOVERER OF THE STRAITS OF
MAGELLAN--ROUND THE WORLD A.D. 1519-20.

Rivalry between the crowns of Castile and Portugal--Magalhaens, a
Portuguese, offers his services to the Emperor Charles the Fifth of
Spain, to find a passage through America into the Pacific--Associated
with Ruy Falero--Offer accepted--The squadron, consisting of the
_Trinidad_ and four other ships, leaves Seville the 10th of August,
1519--Long detained by calms--Enters harbour in the Brazils--Proceeds
farther south--Winter season--Enters Port Saint Julien--Visited by a
gigantic native dressed in skins--Terror at seeing himself in a mirror--
Brings off a guanaco--Two natives captured--Attempt to take two more
defeated--Natives called Patagons--Possession of the country taken for
the crown of Spain--Mutiny discovered--Ringleaders executed--One of the
squadron wrecked--Squadron sails south--Entrance to the straits
discovered--Ships advance through them--The crews, alarmed, desire to
return--Two ships missing--Smoke seen--Land to south called Tierra del
Fuego--One of the ships deserts--Cape Deseado reached--The Pacific
appears--Squadron steers north-west--Two small islands seen--Fearful
sufferings from hunger--The crews attacked by scurvy--The Ladrones
reached, so-called from thievish natives--Some natives killed--Island of
Good Signs--Arrive at the Philippines--Natives friendly--Anchor off the
Island of Mazaqua--The Rajah Colamba--The Admiral plants a banner with a
cross, and invites the natives to worship it--Two officers dine with the
Rajah, who gets tipsy--The ships sail--The Rajah accompanies them--Reach
Zebut--Tribute demanded by the Rajah--Refused--How Magalhaens converted
the Rajah and all his people to the Romish faith.

Jealous rivalry for some time existed between the crowns of Castile and
Portugal, to obtain possession of the rich countries lately discovered
by their subjects in the Eastern seas and Pacific.  The Pope, who
claimed to be the Lord Paramount of the whole world, had munificently
bestowed all the lands in the east on the crown of Portugal, and those
in the west on that of Spain.  Yet these gifts rather increased than
diminished the contention existing between the two countries.  Each was
ready to undertake any enterprise which might injure the other.

Fernando De Magalhaens.

Of this ill feeling several adventurers took advantage, and if their
offers of service were not accepted at one Court, they went over to the
other to seek employment.  Among them was Fernando Magalhaens, a
Portuguese gentleman of good family, who had considerable experience in
nautical affairs, having performed a voyage to India and as far as the
Straits of Malacca.  He was also formed by nature for command,
possessing a courage in danger which nothing could appal, at the same
time a calm and amiable temper, which won the regard of all those with
whom he was brought in contact.  His personal appearance,
notwithstanding, was rather mean, as he was short in stature, and was
lame from a wound which he had received in battle with the Moors.  He
had, however, a quick and ready mind, and never wanting in
self-possession, was very fertile in expedients.  The pride of the
Spanish officers, and the national jealousy they felt, made them,
however, murmur sometimes against his authority.  He had eloquence to
support his views, and indomitable perseverance to carry them out.

After serving in India under the famous Albuquerque, he offered his
services to Portugal to lead an expedition to the west; but on meeting
with a rebuff, he went to Spain.  Here he formed the acquaintance of a
talented astronomer, Ruy Falero, and soon afterwards they together
proceeded to Cardinal Ximenez, to propose leading an expedition westward
from the Atlantic into the newly-discovered South Sea.  Their proposals
being favourably listened to by the Emperor Charles the Fifth, were
accepted, and they were furnished by his orders with five ships, manned
by two hundred and thirty-four men, having provisions for two years.  To
the adventurers was granted a twentieth part of the clear profit, and
the governorship of any islands they might discover was to be vested in
them and their heirs, who were to bear the title of Adelantado.

The squadron, which was fitted out at Seville, consisted of the
_Trinidad_, the Admiral's ship, of which Estevan Gomez, a Portuguese,
went as pilot; the _Saint Vitoria_, commanded by Don Luis de Mendoza;
the _Saint Antonio_, Don Juan de Carthagena; the _Santiago_, Don Juan
Serrano; and the _Conception_, Don Caspar de Quixada.

The Admiral Magalhaens depended chiefly on the naval skill of thirty of
his Portuguese countrymen whom he took with him, as he did likewise on
that of Serrano, who had served for many years in India, and for some
time at the Moluccas, which islands they hoped to reach from the
eastward, instead of their being approached, as before, from the west.

The ships being ready, the squadron set sail on the 10th of August,
1519, and steering south, they arrived on the 3rd of October off the
Cape de Verde Islands.  Getting into the region of calms, they were
detained for the long space of seventy days without making any progress;
but at last a breeze springing up, they got to the south of the line,
then steered a course which brought them about twenty degrees south in
sight of the coast of Brazil.  Putting into harbour, they obtained an
abundant supply of fruits, sugar-canes, and animals of various kinds,
differing greatly in appearance from those of Europe.  Proceeding about
two and a half leagues farther south, they again came to an anchor, at
the mouth of a large fresh water river, probably that of the Rio de la
Plata, as no other of the size mentioned exists in the south of the
continent.

Here, soon after they arrived, a number of persons of wild and furious
aspect and prodigious stature, making strange noises, rather resembling
the bellowing of bulls than the voices of human beings, came down to the
beach.  Notwithstanding their enormous size, these people when they ran
were so nimble, that none of the Spaniards or Portuguese could overtake
them.

They had not, however, much intercourse with these savages; they here,
however, obtained some pearls from oyster-shells which they fished up.
Proceeding south, they in a short time came off two islands, so thickly
covered with seals and penguins that they might easily, in the course of
a few hours, have laden all their ships with them.  The penguins were
black, heavy-looking, unwieldy fowl, extremely fat, covered with a sort
of down instead of feathers, having bills like those of ravens.  Fish
appeared to be their only food.

Continuing south until they reached latitude 49 degrees 30 minutes, the
weather becoming very tempestuous, with a contrary wind, they put into
harbour, hoping that the wind would soon change, when they might
continue their course.  In this, however, they were disappointed.  Day
after day went by, and the weather only grew worse and worse.  It was
evidently the winter of that region, though on the other side of the
line it was summer.  This caused no small astonishment to the crews.
They went on shore, but finding no inhabitants, believed that they had
arrived at some desert region of the world.  The wind blew fearfully
hard, with sleet and rain, and being ill provided to meet the inclemency
of the season, they preferred living on board.

One day they had landed for the sake of exercise, when, to their
surprise, they saw a human being approaching them.  He was a big fellow,
and strongly built, his body painted all over, with a stag's horn on
each cheek and large circles round his eyes.  The natural colour of his
skin, as far as could be perceived, was yellow, and his hair was of a
light tint.  His only garment was the skin of a beast roughly sewn
together, covering his whole body and limbs from head to foot.  In his
hand he carried a stout bow, and his arrows, instead of having iron
heads, were tipped with sharp stones.  As he advanced he began singing
and dancing, and as he got nearer he stood for some time throwing dust
upon his head.  The Spaniards imitating him, he came close up to them
without any signs of fear.  Being invited to go on board the ships, he
willingly stepped into a boat.  The Spanish chronicler declares that so
big was he, that the tallest of their number only reached up to his
waist; but as no persons of a stature so gigantic have been seen in the
country since, this statement must be doubted.  The Admiral welcomed him
on board, and directed that meat and drink should be given him, of which
he willingly partook, and seemed to enjoy himself.  Various toys were
shown him, and among them was a mirror, in which, happening to see
himself, he was so frightened that, starting back, he capsized two of
the crew, and did not easily recover his composure.

His dress, which was composed of several skins, was wrapped round his
body from his head to his ankles.  On his feet he wore shoes or boots of
the same material as his robe, so roughly made as to be almost round,
from which circumstance the Spaniards called him Patagon, or Big-footed,
a name they applied to all the people of that country.

He was so well treated that on returning on shore he induced several of
his countrymen to visit the ships, and one of them especially behaved
with so much good humour, and was so completely at his ease, that he won
the regard of the voyagers.  To show his gratitude, he brought them off
an animal, from the skin of which, he let them understand, the robe he
wore was composed.  The voyagers had never seen any creature like it
before, and described it as a beast which was neither mule, horse, nor
camel, but partaking of all three, having the ears of a mule, the tail
of a horse, and the body shaped like a camel.  He was probably a guanaco
or llama, commonly known as the Peruvian sheep.  The Admiral, wishing to
make prisoners of some of these big fellows, gave orders to his crew to
secure them.  Accordingly, while the poor savages were being amused with
toys put into their hands, which they grasped eagerly, the Spaniards put
iron shackles on the legs of two of them, persuading the men that they
were fine ornaments, like the rest of the things shown them.  They
appeared highly pleased with the jingling sound they produced when
struck together, until they suddenly found themselves hampered and
betrayed, on which they began bellowing like bulls, and shouting to
their god--_Setebos_--for assistance.  From this Shakespeare has
undoubtedly taken the name of the demon _Setebos_, introduced in the
play of the "Tempest."  This act of treachery was not calculated to
raise the Spaniards in the opinion of the natives.  One of the prisoners
remained on board the Admiral's ship, while his companion was carried to
another for safe keeping.

In spite of this they did not object to the strangers coming among them,
although they kept their women out of the way.  They were all dressed
like those who came on board, in the skins of beasts, and their hair was
short or tied up by a string.  They had apparently no fixed dwellings,
but lived in huts covered with skins and supported by poles, so that
they could easily be moved.  They were not seen to cook their food, but
ate meat raw, with a sweet root called capar, which name they applied to
the ship's biscuit offered them.

The only remedies they were seen to use when sick was bleeding and
vomiting.  The former was performed by giving a chop with an edge tool
to the part afflicted, while the latter was produced by thrusting an
arrow down the throat of the patient.

The voyagers, ignorant and superstitious themselves, declared that they
saw among the savages on shore all sorts of strange creatures of
horrible forms, such as horned demons, with long shaggy hair, throwing
out fire before and behind, which especially made their appearance when
the natives were dying.

The Captain had a great wish to secure some females as companions to the
men, that a race of giants might be introduced into Europe; but though
the ladies were far from attractive, their husbands exhibited great
jealousy, and would not allow them to appear.  It was resolved,
therefore, to capture two of their principal men, that they might be
exchanged for women.

After a time the natives, having overcome their fears, again mixed
freely with their visitors.  On one occasion a number of Spaniards had
gone on shore, when two natives came among them, upon whom they threw
themselves, nine Spaniards seizing one man, while a number of others
brought his companion to the ground.  Some of the Spaniards having ropes
ready, had begun to bind the hands of one of their captives, but he
struggled so violently, at the same time shouting out for assistance,
that he managed to break loose from them, and, striking out right and
left, sent them flying in all directions; then bursting away, he took to
flight, the other soon afterwards following his example.  One of the
Spaniards pursuing was shot by an arrow.  The rest fired at the
fugitives, but could not hit them, for instead of running along in a
straight line, they kept leaping from side to side at a rate equal to
that of a horse at full gallop.

From the name of Patagons or Patagonians, which the natives have ever
since borne, their country was called Patagonia, and that of Saint
Julien was given to the port in which the squadron had sought refuge.
The Admiral now took solemn possession of the country around for the
crown of Spain, erecting on the shore a cross, the sign of sovereignty.
He was sorely troubled, however, by discovering that a mutiny had been
projected by many of the crew, headed by two of the principal officers,
Don Luis Mendoza and Don Juan de Carthagena, with others of inferior
rank.  Should he put to sea, he had reason to believe that they would
run off with some of the ships.  He therefore waited in port, hoping to
reduce them to obedience.  Fortunately, the greater number of officers
and men remained faithful.  The Admiral, concealing the knowledge he had
obtained of their treachery, was able at length to seize the
ringleaders.

This done, having summoned a council of his principal officers, the
mutineers were tried and condemned, Mendoza to death, and Carthagena,
with others less guilty, to be left in the country among the savages.
No time was lost in carrying this stern decree into execution.  A stout
gallows was erected on the shore, on which, notwithstanding his rank,
Don Luis was hung, while Don Juan de Carthagena, a priest, and others,
were landed and driven among the natives, to endure whatever fate was in
store for them.

Having re-established his authority, the Admiral sent the _Saint Iago_
on an exploring cruise, when she discovered a river, to which the name
of Santa Cruz was given, it being the anniversary, in the Romish
calendar, of the finding of the holy cross.  The vessel having advanced
about three leagues farther, a storm coming on, she was wrecked; but her
crew escaped to the shore, and after enduring great hardships they got
back to the harbour of Saint Julien, where they rejoined their
companions, and were distributed among the other ships.

The bad weather and the quelling of the mutiny kept the squadron at the
port of Saint Julien for five months.  At the end of this time the
Admiral set sail, and the unfortunate Patagonians who had been entrapped
were carried off, the equally unfortunate Spaniards being left on shore.
Sailing southward, the explorers at length reached the latitude of 51
degrees 40 minutes, where, finding a convenient port, and plenty of
fuel, water, and fish, they remained two months longer.  Magalhaens
carefully examined every inlet and bay as he proceeded, hoping to find a
passage through the continent into the South Sea, of the existence of
which passage he was fully persuaded.  He was not aware how close he had
been to it in the last harbour where he had taken refuge.

On reaching latitude 52 degrees, an opening appearing in the rocky
mountainous-looking coast, the squadron sailed into it, having on one
side a cape, to which the Admiral gave the name of Cabo de los Virgines,
because it was discovered on the feast of Saint Ursula and the Eleven
Thousand Virgins.  At first many supposed that it was merely a deep bay
or gulf, but as the ships proceeded on, the hopes of the Admiral that he
had at length discovered the long-sought-for channel increased.  The
wind being fair, onwards they sailed, though when night came down upon
them they were compelled to anchor.

At this juncture the pilot Estevan Gomez proposed, as it was doubtful
whether they could get through, and as their provisions were running
short and their ships were unseaworthy, that they should return to
Spain.  The Admiral listened to all that was said in silence, and then
declared that rather than fail in fulfilling his promise to the King of
Spain, he would endure far greater hardships than they had yet suffered,
and would eat the skins on the ship's yards and rigging; and he forbade
any one, on pain of death, to speak of turning back on account of want
of provisions, or their longing for home.

Anxiously they waited for the return of day, when the light would enable
them to see their way.  The channel, as they proceeded from east to
west, varied greatly in its breadth, sometimes being several leagues
wide, and in others no more than half a league across.  The land on both
sides was high, rugged, and uneven, the mountains capped with snow, in
some places barren, and in others covered with woods.  Having sailed on
upwards of fifty leagues, a broad channel was seen opening out before
them.  Two ships were sent to explore it, while the Admiral and others
came to an anchor.  During their absence a violent storm arose, and
great fears were entertained that the ships were lost.  For two days the
Admiral waited for their re-appearance, and, at length, a cloud of smoke
being seen rising to the southward, it was supposed that it was produced
from fires kindled by those of the ship wrecked crews who had escaped.

Now, more than ever, the people believed that the voyage had ended, and
were giving way to despair, when the two ships were seen approaching
under full sail, with flags flying.  As they drew near the crew shouted
with joy and fired salutes from their guns.  The captains of the
exploring vessels reported that a passage had been seen ahead, but that
they deemed it wise to return and announce their discovery.  From the
circumstance of the smoke rising in the south, to the country on which
it was seen was given the name of "Tierra del Fuego," or the Land of
Fire.

On this the squadron again got under weigh and sailed forward; but
another passage appearing, opening out to the south-east, the two ships
which had been before sent away were again dispatched to ascertain in
what direction it led.  One of them returned, but the crew of the other,
instigated by the traitor Estevan Gomez, finding themselves away from
the Admiral, rose on their captain and officers, and, confining them
below, insisted on returning homewards.  In vain the Admiral looked out,
expecting her to rejoin him.  Day after day the rest of the squadron
pressed on, their gallant commander anticipating the realisation of his
long-cherished hopes.  We may picture him, as he stood on the forecastle
of the _Trinidada_, leading the way, eagerly looking out ahead.  How
anxious he must have felt when the channel narrowed, and it became
possible that some rocky barrier might impede his progress!  Then, as he
saw it again stretching out into a broad, lake-like expanse, how he must
have rejoiced, while seamen in the chains on either side kept heaving
the lead and announcing the depth of water.  On and on the explorers
pushed their way under all sail.  If they saw the natives in their tiny
canoes, darting out from behind some rocky point, they were too eager to
stop and communicate with them.

Above their heads rose the lofty snow-capped mountains, their outlines
reflected in the calm waters, often producing scenes of much grandeur,
though the barren and rugged rocks offered no temptation to the voyagers
to land.

A hundred leagues had been passed over, and, unless the land should
extend much farther west, according to the theory held by the Admiral,
the termination of the channel must be reached.  What must have been his
joy, when about ten leagues more had been made good, on the 28th of
November, 1520, as rounding a point to which he gave the name of Cape
Deseado, he saw the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean spreading out to
the westward.  From the topmast-head not a speck of land could be seen,
to denote that there was the slightest impediment to his further
progress into the great South Sea.

He had now practically demonstrated that it was possible to sail to the
east by way of the west.  To the long-sought-for straits Magalhaens
ultimately gave the appellation of the Straits of the Patagonians; but
it has more properly ever since been called after his name, corrupted by
the English into Magellan.

Having waited at the entrance of the straits for the missing ship till
the time appointed for her rejoining had passed, the three remaining
vessels proceeded on their voyage.  The cold being severe, the Admiral
considered it desirable to steer towards the Line, and accordingly
shaped a north-westerly course.

On the 24th of January, 1521, a small island was discovered, to which
the name of Saint Pablo was given, in memory of the hapless Patagonian,
who, after being baptised, had shortly before died.  A few days
afterwards another small island was sighted, and called Tiburones, or
Shark's Island.  In this manner he proceeded for three months and twenty
days, having sighted only the two small islands already mentioned.  The
crew by this time had exhausted all their provisions, including even
their bread.  The fresh water had become so bad that it could be with
difficulty swallowed, while they at length had nothing left to eat but
pieces of skin and bits of feather.  In order to enable them to chew
these unsavoury morsels, they were first steeped in hot water for some
days, and then cooked with any fat or grease which remained.  Owing to
the impure and scanty means of subsistence many died, and those who
remained became sickly, weak, and low spirited.  The gums of many of
them grew over their teeth on both sides, so that they were unable to
masticate the pieces of skin, and were thus miserably starved to death.
The sea, however, continued smooth and the wind fair, and they were
blown gently along at a good rate.  In consequence of the calmness of
the water, the Admiral gave the sea over which he was sailing the name
of the Pacific Ocean, which it has ever since retained, although
considered by many, from their different experience, very inappropriate,
as at certain periods severe storms prevail there, as in other parts of
the world.

In a short time nineteen men had died, and thirty were so weak that they
were unable to do duty.  After sailing on all this time, they were
anxiously looking out for islands where they could obtain fresh
provisions, but, except the two barren rocks they passed, none were
seen.

The needles of their compasses varied so much, and moved so irregularly,
that they were often compelled to quicken them with a touch of the
loadstone.

After crossing the equator and steering west, they at length arrived, on
the 6th of March, at a cluster of three fertile inhabited islands in
thirteen or fourteen degrees north latitude, just three months and
twenty days from the time of leaving the Straits.

Here they anchored.  No sooner did the natives perceive them, than they
came off in their canoes, bringing cocoa-nuts, yams, and rice.  They
were well-formed men, of an olive-brown colour, their teeth stained
black and red.  Some of them wore long beards, and the hair of their
heads hung down to their waists.  They were perfectly naked, their
bodies anointed with cocoa-nut oil, some of them wearing head-dresses
made from the leaves of the palm-tree.  The women appeared to have some
idea of modesty, and wore coverings of cloth made from the bark of a
tree.  Their hair was black and thick, reaching almost to the ground.
They appeared to be very industrious, and were seen employed in making
nets and mats from fibre.  Their houses were built of timber, thatched
with large leaves, and divided into several apartments, the beds in
which were of palm mats piled one above another.  Their only weapons
were clubs and long poles tipped with horn.  Their canoes were formed of
planks sewn together with fibre, the stem and stern alike, and were
painted either black, white, or red.  The sails, which were balanced by
outriggers, were made of broad leaves sewn together, and the rudder was
formed of a broad board at the end of a pole.

When the Spaniards went on shore, the natives received them in a
friendly way, but soon showed that they were of an especially thievish
disposition, pilfering everything on which they could lay hands, either
from those who landed, or when they themselves went on board the
vessels.

From this circumstance Magalhaens bestowed on the islands the name of
the Ladrones, or thieves.  The voyagers, indeed, found it impossible to
enjoy any quiet, either while they were ashore or on land, as the
natives stood hovering about to pick up whatever they could find.

At length they stole one of the boats from the stern of the Admiral's
ship, on which, to punish them, he landed with a party of ninety men,
and marching up the country, set fire to one of their villages, which
being built of wood thatched with leaves, burnt rapidly.  He also killed
some of the natives, who, when they were wounded, drew out the arrows,
and gazed at them with astonishment, as if they had never before seen
such weapons.  When the Spaniards retired, after their cruel exploit,
the natives followed them in wellnigh a hundred canoes, as if disposed
to renew the traffic; but instead of doing so, as they got near,
uttering shouts and shrieks, they threw showers of stones on board the
ships, and then took rapidly to flight.

Having refreshed themselves, and finding no advantage could be gained by
a longer stay at the Ladrones, the Spaniards set sail.  They touched at
a beautiful uninhabited island, where they found springs of clear water
and abundance of fruit-trees, and to this the Admiral gave the name of
the Island of Good Signs.

While the ships lay at anchor, canoes from other islands, seen in the
distance, came towards them, bringing presents of fish, cocoa-nuts,
cocoa-nut wine, and other provisions.  Though nearly naked, they were
remarkably well behaved, and wore ornaments of gold, and cotton
head-dresses.  Their bodies were tatooed and perfumed with aromatic
oils.  They used harpoons and fishing--nets, and had swords, lances,
clubs, and shields.

When the Spaniards went on shore they found that the island was
cultivated, and that spices were grown, of which they saw considerable
stores.  The whole group was at first called the Archipelago of Saint
Lazarus, but it is now known as a portion of the Philippines.  The
island where the squadron anchored was called Humuna.  The wine, it was
found, was the sap of a tree, which was drawn out by cutting off a
branch, into which a large reed was fixed, and by its means the sap, of
a light amber colour, with a tart taste, dropped out, when it was
considered at once fit for drinking.

The fruit, with which many of the voyagers now first became acquainted,
was described as big as a man's head, with two rinds, the outermost
being green, two fingers thick, and full of strings and shreds.  Within
this was a shell of considerable thickness and very hard, the kernel
being white and of the thickness of a finger, with a pleasant taste like
that of almonds.  In the midst was a hollow full of pure limpid water,
of a very cordial and refreshing nature.  When the natives wish to make
oil of it, they leave the root to steep in water until it putrifies.
They then set it over a fire, and boil it until the oil rises to the
surface.

Their visitors came from the island of Zulvan, where they produced
cinnamon, spices, cloves, nutmegs, ginger, and mace, which they brought
off in their canoes.  They exhibited also numerous articles made of
gold.  They had earrings of gold, and had jewels fastened with pieces of
gold to their arms, besides which they possessed daggers, knives, and
lances ornamented with the same metal.  They were broad-shouldered,
well-made men, of olive colour, their naked bodies being well greased
and anointed with oil.

On the 25th of March the squadron left Humuna, and steering between
numerous islands, again brought up off the island of Mazagua.  The
Admiral having on board a slave, a native of Sumatra, took him to act as
interpreter in his intercourse with the chief or Rajah of the island.

Everything was done to impress the Rajah with the power of the
Europeans, and the dignity of the King their master.  The Rajah was a
fine-looking man, with long hair, of an olive complexion, and his body
perfumed with sweet oil.  He had gold rings in his ears, three on every
finger, and on his head he wore a fine silk turban, while a piece of
cotton, embroidered with silk and gold, covered his body to the knees.
At his side he carried a long dagger, with a gold handle and a scabbard
of fine carved wood.  He and his Court were constantly chewing the
areca-nut.

In order to impress the Rajah Colambu, as the prince was called, with
the power and superiority of Europeans, the Admiral dressed up one of
his sailors in complete armour, and directed three others to cut at him
with swords, and endeavour to pierce him with their poniards.  The
Rajah, on seeing that he was unharmed, was much astonished, and remarked
that one warrior so protected might contend with a hundred foes.

"Yes," replied the Admiral, through his interpreter, "and each of my
three vessels has two hundred armed in the same manner."

The natives appeared to have no religious rites, but only lifted up
their faces, their hands joined together, towards heaven when they
called upon their god Abba.

Under the idea of inducing the natives to become Christians, the Admiral
landed on Easter Day, with a banner, on which was portrayed a cross, a
crown of thorns, and nails.  He told all his men to reverence it, and
informed the Rajah that it should be set up on some high mountain, not
only as a memorial of the good treatment the Christians had received,
but for his own security, since if they devoutly prayed to it, they
would be protected from lightning and thunder.  Some of the Spaniards
then received the communion, and after discharging their muskets, to the
great astonishment of the savages, returned to their ships.

The Rajah promised to do as the Admiral wished, knowing no better.
After this a priest, the chronicler of the voyage, and a companion, went
on shore to partake of a feast which the Rajah had prepared, and which
was served in porcelain vessels.  His manner of eating and drinking was
to take alternately a mouthful of meat and a spoonful of wine, lifting
up his hands to heaven before he helped himself, when he suddenly
extended his left fist in a way which made the priest expect that he was
going to receive a buffet in the face.  Among the luxuries on the table
were candles, composed of gums, rolled up in palm-leaves.  The Rajah,
who had on the previous day attended Mass and nominally professed
himself a Christian, became so tipsy that he was unable to attend to any
of the duties of the state.

On his recovery he requested that the Admiral would allow his crews to
assist in gathering in his harvest, which friendly office they performed
with much satisfaction.  This done, the ships again sailed, accompanied
by the Rajah in his big canoe; but she being unable to keep up with the
squadron, he and his people were taken on board, and after passing by
several other islands, the ships arrived on the 7th of April, about
noon, at Zebut, the principal port of the Philippine Islands.

In order to impress the Rajah of this place and his people--two thousand
of whom, armed with spears and shields, were collected at the water's
edge gazing at a sight so novel to them--with the greatness and power of
the Spaniards, the ships were decked with banners and a salute fired
from all the great guns, which caused no small amount of consternation
among the spectators.

To allay their fears, an envoy, accompanied by the slave from Sumatra,
called Enrique, to act as interpreter, was sent on shore, who informed
the Rajah that it was the custom for Spaniards to discharge their cannon
whenever they came into great ports, and that it was done in respect to
him.  The envoy also expressed the high consideration in which the King
of Spain, the greatest monarch on the earth, and his Captain-General
Magalhaens, held the Rajah of Zebut, adding that the ships had come, on
their way to the Moluccas, to obtain provisions and articles of
merchandise.  The Rajah, in return, bade them welcome, but said that it
was customary for all ships to pay him tribute, and that he expected the
like acknowledgment from them.

This the envoy positively refused, informing him that the
Captain-General was the servant of so great a king that he never had
yet, nor ever would, make an acknowledgment of the sort to any prince in
the world, and that if he would not receive them peaceably, he would
soon have his hands full of war.

The Rajah, advised by a Moor who was at his Court, and by the Rajah
Mazagua, the next day was ready rather to pay tribute himself than
excite the hostility of his visitors.  However, they did not require
tribute, and only wanted liberty to trade, which was cheerfully granted.

The next day the two Rajahs of Mazagua and Zebut came on board, when,
after some conferences had been held, the Admiral persuaded them to
embrace the Christian faith.  This they forthwith did, being baptised,
together with several of the ladies of their families.

The Rajah of Zebut received the name of Carlos, after the Emperor, and
his son that of Fernando.  The Rajah of Mazagua was called Juan, and a
Moorish Christian received the name of Christopher.

Besides the princes and their Court, five hundred persons of inferior
rank were also baptised; so that Magalhaens congratulated himself on the
wonderful success of his first attempt at converting the heathen.  He
then told them that, as they had become Christians, they must do away
with their idols; and all to be found being forthwith broken to pieces,
crosses were erected in their places.  As he had previously done, the
Admiral urged them to pray before the crosses devoutly, morning and
evening.

The Queen, with forty of her ladies, and her daughter, the wife of the
heir apparent, was also baptised.  The latter was young and handsome,
and wore a robe of white cloth, her head being adorned with a tiara of
date-leaves.

After the ceremony Mass was performed, which the Queen attended.  She
was habited in a garment like that of her daughter, and over her head
and shoulders she wore a silken veil striped with gold.  Three young
girls walked before her, each carrying one of the royal hats.

Having bowed to the altar, the Queen seated herself on a cushion of
embroidered silk, when she and her attendants were sprinkled by the
Admiral with rose-water,--a scent in which the women of the country
greatly delighted.

The Admiral obtained still further credit, and gained over more
proselytes, by a cure which he was said to have effected on the brother
of the Rajah of Zebut.  The Prince complaining of illness, the Admiral
assured him that if he would be baptised and break all his idols, he
would to a certainty be cured, pledging his word for the result.  The
rite was performed, the Admiral taking care to administer certain
medicines for the space of five days, at the end of which time the
prince acknowledged that he was perfectly well.

Thus, in less than fourteen days after the arrival of the squadron, the
whole of the inhabitants of Zebut and the neighbouring regions had been
converted to the new faith adopted by the Rajah and his nobles, with the
exception of one village of idolaters, which still stoutly held out
against it.  To convert them more readily, the Admiral with a party of
men attacked the village, which they burnt to ashes, and then erected
the cross on its ruins.



CHAPTER FOURTEEN.

VOYAGE OF MAGALHAENS, CONTINUED--A.D. 1521-2.

The Rajahs of Zebut and Mazagua pay tribute--Magalhaens attacks the
Rajah of Matan--Sad death of the Admiral--Treachery of the Rajah of
Zebut--Massacre of Spanish officers--Don Juan Serrano cowardly
deserted--Ships sail away--Reach Bohol--The _Conception_ burnt--Touch at
Mindanao and Cagayan Sooloo--Hear of Borneo--Sufferings from hunger--
Friendly reception at Puluan--Provisions obtained--Arrak first met
with--Cross to Borneo, and anchor off a large city--The Rajah treats the
Spaniards handsomely--Wealth of the Rajah--Customs of the people--
Carvalho deposed, and Espinosa chosen Captain, with Sebastian del Cano
under him--Reach Cimbuhon--Ships careened--Curious birds and insects--
The Moluccas reached--Anchor at Tidor--Spices obtained--The _Trinidad_
abandoned--The _Vittoria_ alone leaves the Moluccas--Portuguese vessels
robbed--The Cape of Good Hope rounded--Dreadful sufferings from hunger--
Many die--Put into harbour of Santiago in the Cape de Verdes--Portuguese
discover where they have been--Attempt to capture the ship--Del Cano,
now Captain, escapes--The _Vittoria_ arrives in the harbour of Saint
Lucar, 6th of September, 1522--Del Cano rewarded with patent of
nobility--The _Vittoria_ afterwards lost--The name of Magalhaens or
Magellan justly given to the Straits he discovered.

So submissive had the Rajahs of Mazagua and Zebut become, that they now
willingly paid tribute to the Spaniards, supplying them abundantly with
provisions, and treating them with the greatest hospitality whenever
they came on shore.  The satisfaction of the Admiral was still further
increased by hearing that the Moluccas, of which he had come in search,
were to be found at no great distance to the southward.

Not far from Zebut lies the island of Matan, the Rajah of which, though
willing to pay every courtesy to the strangers, declined to acknowledge
the sovereignty of the Emperor, or to pay him tribute.

This so incensed the Admiral, that he resolved forthwith to reduce the
refractory Rajah to obedience, notwithstanding that he was warned of the
power of his foe, who possessed an army of six or seven thousand men,
and although naked like the rest of the inhabitants, were furnished with
bows, arrows, darts, and javelins.

Juan Serrano and other officers implored him not to go, but he persisted
in his design, laughing at the notion that naked savages could contend
with Spaniards wearing coats of mail and helmets.  The Admiral set out
with fifty of his men thus caparisoned, accompanied by his ally, the
Rajah of Zebut, whose services, however, he declined, bidding him wait
in his boats to witness the fight and the certain defeat of their foes.
On reaching the shore, the Admiral landed, on the 27th of April, 1521,
and at once, with his muskets and crossbows, attacked the enemy, who
were drawn up to receive him.  The natives were brave fellows, and
though some fell, others came on, soon learning to despise the slight
effect produced by the bolts of the crossbows and the shots from the
ill-constructed firearms of their invaders.

Perceiving that the Spaniards' heads were cased in iron, but that the
lower part of their bodies were exposed, they took aim at their legs,
and many were thus severely wounded.  The Admiral, seeing a village near
at hand, and fancying that by destroying it the enemy would be overawed,
sent a part of his men to burn it down.  This they did, but being set
upon by an overwhelming force, two were killed, while the rest were
compelled to retreat.

In the meantime, another body of savages attacking the Admiral and his
remaining followers--now reduced to seven or eight men--he himself was
wounded in the leg by an arrow, and he was repeatedly struck on the head
by stones.  Twice his helmet was knocked off, and his temple was wounded
by a lance thrust between the bars of his visor.  At length his
sword-arm was disabled, and he could no longer defend himself.  He
called on his men to retreat, and, fighting round him, they made their
way to the shore, hoping to get on board the boats, which were still at
some distance.  In vain the boats rowed in to his rescue.  He was
already in deep water, when, wounded in the leg, he fell on his face.
Recovering himself, he turned several times as if imploring the
assistance of his companions; but, terror-stricken, they were
endeavouring to reach the boats, and a crowd of savages rushing on,
quickly dispatched him, and dragged off his dead body.  The Rajah of
Zebut coming up--for the fight had taken place some distance from the
boats--rescued the survivors.  Of the whole party who had landed, eight
were killed with their leader, and twenty-two were wounded.  The result
of the battle had an effect very disastrous to the Spaniards on the
minds of their converts, whom they at first were inclined to look upon
as superior beings, but now learned to despise.

Thus ignominiously perished, on the very eve of success, the justly
celebrated mariner, Fernando de Magalhaens, ever to be remembered as the
discoverer of the passage between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, and
who, had he lived, would have been the first circumnavigator of the
globe.  He must not be judged by the present standard.  His religion was
bigotry and gross idolatry, and his last act, for which he paid the
penalty of his life, was utterly unjustifiable.

Don Juan Serrano, having become leader of the expedition, in vain
endeavoured to recover the body of the Admiral by making the most
tempting offers to the Rajah of Matan, who was, however, too highly
pleased with the trophy of victory he had obtained to restore it.  It
was no wonder, also, that the new religion at once fell into contempt
among the recent converts, while the Rajah of Zebut was anxious to make
friends with his rival of Matan.

Instigated by the interpreter Enrique, the Rajah of Zebut formed a plan
for treacherously destroying the Spaniards, hoping thus to get
possession of their ships and the rich cargoes they contained.

Concealing his designs under the guise of friendship, he invited all the
officers, and as many of the people as could come, to a banquet which he
had prepared for them.

Fancying that they should receive a valuable present of jewels, which he
had expressed an intention of sending to the Emperor, they accepted the
invitation.  A party of thirty-four accordingly landed, but as they were
proceeding to the Rajah's palace, two of their number, Juan Carvalho and
Sebastian del Cano, pilots, suspecting from certain signs that something
was amiss, returned to the boats and pulled back to the ships.

Scarcely had they got on board when fearful shrieks and shouts and
clashing of arms were heard, as if men were engaged in desperate fight,
and they saw several of their companions come rushing down towards the
shore.

They immediately brought the broadsides of the ships to bear on the
town, and began firing their guns in the hopes of driving back the
savages.  The fugitives were quickly overtaken.  Some were struck down;
others were seized, among whom was Don Juan Serrano.  He was dragged,
bound hand and foot, to the water's edge.  He shouted to his countrymen
to desist from firing and to rescue him.  The natives told him that he
should be delivered up if the Spaniards would supply them with artillery
and ammunition.  This they would have done, but the cunning savages
first wished to get the guns into their hands, hoping afterwards to
obtain possession of the ships.

Carvalho and the remainder of the crews suspecting this, weighed their
anchors ready to put to sea.  Serrano, on observing what they were
about, threw himself on his knees, entreating them not to leave him in
the hands of the treacherous savages.  Finding, on mustering their
forces, that only eighty men now remained, and fearing that should they
continue longer they themselves would lose their lives, they refused to
listen to his entreaties, and loosing the sails, they stood away from
the shore, thus leaving to a cruel fate their talented captain, the best
seaman among them, who, had he been saved, would undoubtedly have proved
of the greatest advantage to the expedition.  What ultimately became of
him was never known.  Many years afterwards, it was reported that eight
Spaniards had been sold as slaves by the Rajah of Zebut to the Chinese.
The two ships, now commanded by Carvalho, proceeded on their way to the
Moluccas.  On reaching the island of Bohol, as their numbers had been
greatly reduced by sickness and the loss of men at Matan and Zebut, they
shifted the guns and stores of the _Conception_ into the two other
ships, and then burned her.

Touching at the island of Mindanao, they met with a friendly reception
from the Rajah.  It was found to abound in rice, sugar, ginger, hogs,
hens, and other animals.  They next touched at Cagayan Sooloo, where
from some of the natives they heard of the large island of Borneo
existing to the west.  The inhabitants appeared to possess much gold,
and they used poisoned arrows, which they darted by the force of their
breath through hollow reeds.  At their sides they wore daggers
ornamented with precious stones.  Magnificent trees were seen on shore,
but no provisions, so greatly required, could be obtained.  In
consequence of this, they were so nearly starved that many of the men
proposed landing on one of the islands and establishing themselves there
for life.

On reaching Puluan, however, and finding provisions abundant, they
resolved to continue their voyage.  Besides the articles they found at
Mindanao, it produced large figs, sweet potatoes, cocoa-nuts, and
sugar-canes.

The Rajah, as a token of peace, drew some blood out of his left arm, and
marked his body, face, and the top of his tongue with it.  The
Spaniards, to win his regard, imitated his example.  The people went
perfectly naked, and occupied themselves chiefly in cock-fighting.

The voyagers here first met with arrak, which the natives distil from
rice.  Having obtained a pilot, the Spaniards crossed over to the large
island of Borneo, and on the 8th of July they came to an anchor off a
city which was said to contain twenty-five thousand houses.  They were
built within high water mark, and raised on posts.  When the tide was
full, the people communicated by boats going about from house to house.

Soon after they dropped anchor, the Rajah, who was a Moor, of
considerable power, sent handsome presents on board, and invited the
Captains to visit him.

On landing, the Spaniards found two elephants, covered with silk
trappings, ready to conduct them to his palace.  In front of it a feast
had been prepared, consisting of meat, fowl, and fish, placed on the
floor, round which they sat on mats.  The natives, after each mouthful,
sipped arrak from porcelain cups, and used golden spoons to eat their
rice.  The feast being over, it was announced to the Captains that the
Rajah was ready for them.  On their way they passed through a large
saloon, in which were a number of courtiers, and from thence into an
anteroom, where three hundred guards, armed with poniards, were drawn
up.  At the farther end of the apartment was a curtain of brocaded silk,
and on this being pulled aside, the Rajah, a stout man of about forty,
was seen seated at a table, with a little child by his side, and chewing
betel, while behind him stood his female attendants, who were supposed
to be the daughters of the chief men and to govern his household.

As the courtiers--who were naked, with the exception of a piece of
ornamented cloth round their waists--approached, they raised their
hands, clasped, three times over their heads; then, lifting up their
feet one after the other, they kissed their hands before speaking.  They
wore numerous rings on their fingers, and daggers with gold hilts set
with gems.  The Rajah, as the gifts of the Spaniards were presented to
him, bowed slightly, and returned others of brocade and cloth of gold
and silver.  While in his presence the explorers observed the way in
which suitors made their petitions, none being allowed to address him
personally.

The suitor, having arrived at an outer chamber, presented his petition
to a courtier, who repeated it to one of higher rank, and he again
passed it on to a person of still greater importance, who then whispered
it through a hollow cane fixed in the wall, reaching the inner chamber,
into the ear of the chief officer of state, by whom it was conveyed to
the Rajah himself.

The Captain heard that the Rajah possessed two pearls the size of hens'
eggs, and that when placed on a polished table they kept continually
moving.

The ceremony of introduction being over, and permission to trade being
granted, the curtain was again drawn aside to allow of their exit, and
the Captains retired.  So great was the confidence established that they
remained in the palace during the night.  Their sleeping-apartment was
lighted by two wax candles in silver candlesticks, and two large lamps,
with four lights to each, were kept burning all night, being attended by
two men to trim them.

The people were skilful in the manufacture of porcelain, of which they
exported large quantities.  Their vessels were also ingeniously formed;
those belonging to the Rajah had their prows carved and richly gilt.
The country produced camphor, cinnamon, sugar-cane, ginger, oranges,
lemons, melons, and many other fruits, with abundance of beasts and
birds.

Having regained their ships, notwithstanding the polite treatment they
had received, under the pretence that they were about to be attacked by
some junks, the Spaniards seized several in the harbour, which they knew
were richly-laden, and kidnapped a number of wealthy persons on board
them.

Leaving Borneo, the two ships proceeded to the island of Cimbuhon.  On
their way the crews insisted on deposing the pilot, Cavalho, who had
never been liked, and in his stead they chose Espinosa as
Captain-General, with Sebastian del Cano under him.

Finding a commodious port, with abundance of fresh water and fuel, they
hove down their ships and caulked them.  This occupied them forty days.
To obtain suitable wood for repairs, they had to search for it in the
forests, and drag it with infinite labour from among the prickly bushes,
their feet suffering greatly, as their shoes had worn out.

It was here that the priest Pigafelta found what he fancied was an
animated leaf.  He was watching a tree resembling that of a mulberry,
when several leaves fell off.  The moment they were touched they sprang
away.  He kept, he says, one of these animated leaves in a dish for
eight days.  They were, in reality, not leaves, but insects, which, from
their resembling leaves, are enabled to escape the attacks of other
creatures; indeed, they were the well-known leaf-insect of the mantis
species.

The island abounded with cassowaries, the East Indian ostrich, and wild
hogs.  They also captured a fish with a head resembling that of a hog,
having two horns and something like a saddle on its back.  After leaving
this place, they encountered a tremendous storm, when, in their alarm,
they vowed to set free a slave, in honour of their three saints, Saint
Elmo, Saint Nicolas, and Saint Clare.

Anxiously they looked for the sign of the assistance they sought, when
at length, to their joy, they observed the desired lights flickering at
their mast-heads, which continued shining for two hours, when the storm
abated.  They were thus convinced that Saint Elmo, the friend to
mariners, had come to their assistance, accompanied by the other two
saints.

At the next island, Sarraugan, where they touched, they seized two
natives, whom they compelled to go as their pilots to the
long-sought-for Moluccas.  The Portuguese had reported that the sea was
too shallow to be navigated, but on sounding they found it upwards of
fifty fathoms.  They well knew, indeed, that their rivals had an object
in describing it as dangerous.

At length, on the 8th of November, at sunrise, they entered the harbour
of Tidore, one of the Moluccas.  The Mohammedan ruler of the island,
Almanzor, at once came on board to welcome them, assuring them of his
affection for his brother the King of Spain, and inviting them to
establish a factory on shore.

Here the spices they sought for were given in exchange for red cloth,
drinking-glasses, knives, and axes.  The houses, like those of Borneo,
were built on piles, and fenced round with cane hedges.  Provisions of
all sorts were brought off to the ships, and water, which, though it
rushed out of the mountains very hot, became perfectly cool when exposed
to the air.

The Rajah of the neighbouring island of Bachian sent a present to the
King of Spain,--a couple of birds about the size of turtle-doves, with
small heads, long bills, and two long feathers at their sides, their
bodies being of a tawny colour.  The Moors told them that the birds
never fly, but are blown by the wind from heaven.  They were, indeed,
the first specimens they had seen of the now well-known birds of
Paradise, of which there are numerous species.  The population generally
were heathens, the Moors having gained an ascendancy in the islands only
forty years before.

When about to sail, the _Trinidad_ was found so leaky that she was left
behind, and the _Vittoria_ proceeded alone on her voyage, with a crew of
forty-seven Europeans, thirteen Indians, and some pilots from the
Moluccas.

In her progress her captain did not scruple to rob any Portuguese or
native traders he met with, taking whatever he wanted.  They touched at
various islands, where they obtained sandal-wood, ginger, and different
sorts of fruit.

Passing to the north of Java, they ran through the channel between that
island and Sumatra, taking care to avoid the Straits of Malacca, on the
north shore of which the Portuguese had a settlement.  They now steered
directly for the Cape of Good Hope.  As they approached Madagascar, in
consequence of the want of provisions, a mutiny broke out, some of the
men wishing to put into Mozambique to repair the ship and obtain food;
but as it was known that the Portuguese were there also, who would
perhaps make them prisoners and take possession of their ship, the
captain, supported by most of the officers, refused to listen to their
complaints, and steered a course so as to round the Cape.  By this time
twenty-one men of those who had left Tidore had died.  They passed the
Cape of Good Hope on the 6th of May, 1522.  They were now suffering
greatly both from sickness and starvation, and, after two months, at
length sighting the Cape de Verde Islands, when nature being unable
longer to hold out, rather than risk death from famine, they put into
the harbour of Santiago, and threw themselves on the mercy of their
rivals.  To their surprise, they found that although, according to their
reckoning, it was Wednesday, the 9th of July, it was in reality
Thursday, the 10th, showing that they had lost a day.  This was in
consequence of their having sailed west with the sun.  Had they gone
round in the opposite direction, they would, in the same way, have
gained a day.  The Spaniards had no difficulty in obtaining provisions,
and a supply of food was got on board.

The men had been strictly enjoined not to say where they came from, but
one of them, who with twelve more had gone ashore, offered some spices
in exchange for food and drink, when it was suspected that they had
visited the Moluccas.  On this the Portuguese immediately seized them;
but, by some means, Sebastian del Cano, who was now captain, observing
the preparations for attacking his vessel, ordered the cable to be cut,
and, all sail being made, he carried the _Vittoria_ out of the harbour
in safety.

He now, with his diminished crew, continued his progress to the
northward.  After a farther voyage of nearly two months, the successful
commander, who was to reap the chief benefits of the voyage, brought the
_Vittoria_ safe into the harbour of Saint Lucar on the 6th of September,
1522; the whole circumnavigation having occupied nearly three years,
during which fourteen thousand six hundred leagues of sea had been
traversed.  On the 8th he took the vessel up the river to Seville.  The
eighteen survivors of the crew of sixty who sailed from the Moluccas,
landing, walked barefooted in their shirts, carrying tapers in their
hands, to offer thanks for their safe return.

Sebastian del Cano, escaping the fate which befell so many Spanish
navigators, was handsomely received and rewarded, letters patent of
nobility being bestowed upon him, with a globe for a crest, having the
motto, "Primus me circum dedisti"--"You first encompassed me."

The vessel herself, after becoming the theme of poets and historians,
who declared that she deserved a shrine of gold, was ignominiously lost
on her passage from Saint Domingo.

Putting aside the conduct on many occasions of the explorers, we must
give due praise to the leader of the expedition who conducted it so
nearly to a successful termination.  By it was demonstrated without
doubt the spherical form of the earth.  The passage from the Atlantic to
the Pacific was discovered, with numerous hitherto unknown islands, and
the way thus opened to the several voyagers who subsequently sailed
forth to explore the wide expanse of the Pacific Ocean.



CHAPTER FIFTEEN.

VOYAGE OF SIR FRANCIS DRAKE ROUND THE WORLD--A.D. 1577.

Drake introduced to Queen Elizabeth--Describes his birth, education,
early voyages, adventures with Hawkins, capture of treasure, and first
sight of the South Sea--Exploit and death of Oxenham--Drake's
liberality--His plan unfolded--The Queen's sanction--A squadron of five
vessels equipped--Sails on 15th of November, 1577--Puts into Mogador--
visited by Moorish chiefs--A seaman carried off by the Moors--Small
prizes taken--Drake's generosity--Touches at the Cape de Verdes--The
inhabitants fly--Expedition on shore--No provisions to be obtained--A
Portugal ship taken, and the pilot, Nuno da Silva, detained--The
Portugals liberated, and a pinnace given them--Captain Doughty's
misconduct--The coast of Brazil sighted--Native alarm fires seen--A
tempest--The _Christopher_ separates--Squadron enters Rio de la Plata--
The _Christopher_ returns--Sails along the coast--Another storm--Caunter
lost sight of--Approach of winter--The Admiral in danger--Rescued by
Captain Thomas of the _Marigold_--Lands--Natives fly--Their huts
visited--Mode of catching ostriches--The squadron collected--The
_Elizabeth_ broken up--Natives appear--Friendly intercourse--The
_Christopher_ run on shore--The _Mary_ recovered--Squadron anchors in
Port Saint Julien.

One morning, in the early part of the year 1577, Queen Elizabeth was
seated in the private audience-chamber of her palace, attended by her
ladies in waiting and two or three courtiers, who stood round in
graceful attitudes, eager to catch her words, and equally ready to make
suitable replies to the remarks of her Majesty, when a page entered and
announced her Vice-Chamberlain, Sir Christopher Hatton, attended by a
sea captain--Master Francis Drake--whom he craved permission to
introduce.

"Admit them," said the Queen.  "I have long desired to hear from Captain
Drake's own lips an account of his adventures."

In a brief space of time the Vice-Chamberlain entered, followed by a
person who in appearance differed much from the gaily habited courtiers
in attendance on her Majesty.  He was a man apparently between thirty
and forty years of age, with the air and carriage of a seaman.  His
figure, somewhat below the middle height, was exquisitely proportioned;
his chest broad, and his head round and well formed.  Though sunburnt,
his complexion was naturally fair and sanguine, his countenance open and
cheerful, his hair of a brown colour, and his beard full and carefully
trimmed.  His large and lively eyes beamed with intelligence, and his
mouth was firm set, while his whole countenance showed a quick and
resolute character.

Bowing low as he entered, he was introduced in due form.  He replied in
a free and unembarrassed manner to the questions the Queen put to him.

"I have been well informed, Captain Drake, of the good service you have
rendered to the Earl of Essex with your three frigates in subduing the
rebellion in Ireland; but I desire to know more of your earlier exploits
in the West Indies, and I shall be pleased to be informed of your birth
and parentage."

Exhibiting due modesty in all he said, Captain Drake replied that he had
been at sea from his boyhood.  He was the eldest among twelve sons of
Master Edward Drake, Vicar of Upnor, and was born in the year 1544 in a
cottage near Tavistock, on the banks of the Tavey.  From his earliest
days, having constantly seen the royal ships anchored in the Medway, his
desire had been to follow the sea; and to gratify his wishes, when he
was of an age to leave home his father placed him with the master of a
bark, in which he used to trade along the shore, and sometimes to carry
merchandise into Zealand and France.  His master dying, left him his
bark as a mark of his good-will, and when but eighteen he became purser
of a vessel frequenting the ports of Biscay.  He shortly afterwards
entered a ship commanded by Master John Hawkins, engaged in the slave
trade.  Having obtained a cargo partly by the sword and partly by other
means at Sierra Leone, they were conveyed across the Atlantic to the
island of Hispaniola.

Having made a voyage or two with Master Hawkins, he obtained the command
of the _Judith_, a bark of fifty tons, one of a squadron under the same
Admiral.

The ships having taken in their cargoes of slaves as usual, Master
Hawkins sailed for the Canaries and the Spanish Main, that he might
exchange his freight for silver, sugar, and other commodities most
valued at home.  On passing the town of Rio de la Hacha, Master Hawkins
stormed it, because the Governor refused to trade with him.

"Such an act was not in accordance with our will," observed the Queen.
"But go on, Master Drake."

"Reaching the Gulf of Mexico, the squadron was compelled to seek shelter
in the port of San Juan del Ulloa.  At first the Spaniards believed that
we were part of a fleet they were expecting, and were in great
consternation when, coming on board, they discovered their mistake.  Our
commander assured them that our sole desire was to seek shelter from
stress of weather, and procure provisions and merchandise, for which he
would pay, but he deemed it prudent to detain two persons of consequence
as hostages.  His proposals were accepted.  Near us lay twelve merchant
ships, laden with two hundred thousand pounds' worth of goods; but,
though we might easily have mastered them, the Admiral, knowing that it
would displease your Majesty, refrained from doing so.

"While waiting for the answer from the Viceroy of Mexico, the expected
Spanish fleet arrived with a cargo valued at one million eight hundred
thousand pounds.  We were sorely tempted, it must be confessed, to go
out and attack them, and we knew that if they were admitted our safety
would be jeopardised, as the haven is confined and the town populous.

"At length the Viceroy agreed to the terms proposed by Master Hawkins,
and we in a friendly way exchanged visits with the officers of the newly
arrived fleet.  Thus lulled into security, we did not dream of the vile
treachery the Spaniards were preparing, until we observed an unusual
bustle on board their vessels, and soldiers in great numbers gathering
on shore.  Master Hawkins was at dinner in his cabin on board the
_Minion_, when a Spaniard, Villa Nueva by name,--but an old villain he
was by nature, your Majesty will allow,--attempted to plunge a dagger,
which he had concealed in his sleeve, into the Admiral's breast.  But
Master Hawkins was too quick for him, and, having him bound, sprang on
deck, where he saw the Spaniards from their admiral's ship, which lay
close to the _Minion_, about to board her.

"On this, shouting `God and Saint George!  Upon those traitorous
villains, and rescue the _Minion_!' he and his men drove back the
Spaniards and set their ship on fire.

"He then made sail and stood for the mouth of the harbour, though
surrounded by foes.  I, on board my little bark, the _Judith_, followed
his example, firing at the treacherous Spaniards, who in their ships and
boats endeavoured to overwhelm us.  They succeeded too well with the
rest of the squadron, all of which were captured and their crews
butchered.  This foul deed was done, although we had in no way offended
the Spaniards.  Your Majesty will doubtless see that we have just cause
to retaliate on those wretches for their unexampled treacherous
cruelties towards your Majesty's faithful subjects.

"On my arrival in England, feeling sure that I was acting justly, I
fitted out two ships, the _Dragon_ and _Swan_, with which I sailed to
the Spanish Main; and in the following year I again went out in the
_Swan_, more to obtain information of those seas than to make reprisals,
although I captured not a few goodly barks laden with merchandise.

"In 1572 I again sailed in command of the _Pacha_, of seventy tons, and
the _Swan_, of twenty-five tons, of which my brother John, who had taken
to the sea, was captain.  Reaching the coast of America, we were joined
by another bark, belonging to the Isle of Wight; and now, having
obtained the friendship of a tribe of natives, the Cimarrones, we
considered ourselves sufficiently strong to attack the town of Nombre de
Dios, where we expected to obtain a rich booty; but, disappointed in
this, led by one of our dark-skinned allies, we resolved to intercept
the mules bringing treasure from Panama to the aforesaid place.  We
therefore left our squadron in the Sound of Darien, and marched
overland.  Though again at first disappointed, we at length fell in with
a train of fifty mules laden with gold and silver, of which we took
possession.  It was on this journey that the chief of the Cimarrones,
taking me by the hand, led me to the top of a high tree in which steps
had been cut, and where twelve men might sit with ease.  Thence I could
see, at the same time, the Atlantic, from whence we came, and that
Southern Ocean so greatly desired, on the other hand; for on both sides,
the trees having been cut down, nothing impeded our view.  On this,
calling up my men, and among them my trusty follower John Oxenham, I
prayed Almighty God of His goodness to give me life and leave to sail
once in an English ship on that sea.  On this, John Oxenham swore that,
unless I should beat him from my company, he would, by God's grace,
follow me.  As I was narrating to your Majesty, we secured the gold and
part of the silver; but, as we could not carry the remainder across the
mountains, it was concealed until an opportunity might occur for our
removing it.  By a sad mishap, one of our seamen fell into the hands of
the Spaniards, and when I sent a party to recover the treasure, it had
been carried off; the poor fellow, as we found, having been put to the
torture to reveal its hiding-place.  On our march back we surprised and
burnt Venta Cruz, and obtained more booty, returning to our ships just
in time to escape a large body of Spaniards, who had been assembled to
attack us.

"We safely reached Plymouth on Sunday the 9th of August, 1573, when the
people in the church, hearing of our arrival, rushed out to welcome us,
leaving few to hear the preacher finish his discourse.

"Though not relating to myself, I must tell your Majesty how my faithful
friend John Oxenham sailed away forthwith, accompanied by carpenters and
other artificers, determined to do that which never man had before
enterprised.  Crossing the Isthmus of Darien, he built a pinnace, in
which he embarked on the South Sea.  Having taken two prizes, he was
returning with his booty across the isthmus to his ship, when he was
assailed by overwhelming numbers of the Spaniards and made prisoner.  Of
his sad fate I have gained tidings.  He was carried to Lima, and there,
according to the vile custom of those foes of the human race, cruelly
tortured and put to death.  It makes the heart of a man burn within him
to avenge such treatment of your Majesty's subjects."

The Queen did not reply, but she had no desire to check the ardour of
the brave captain.

"Master Drake has not mentioned to your Majesty a circumstance of which
I have been told," observed Sir Christopher Hatton.  "Before coming
away, he presented his cutlass to the chief of the Cimarrones, who had
shown a great longing for it; and when in exchange the cacique gave him
four large wedges of gold, Master Drake, declining to appropriate them,
threw them into the common stock, observing he thought it just that such
as bore the charge of so uncertain a voyage on his credit, should share
the utmost advantage that the voyage produced; and good fortune
deservedly attended him to the end of his enterprise."

"On what matter have you desired this interview, Captain Drake?" asked
the Queen.

"It is one which, for obvious reasons, Master Drake desires should not
be made public," observed Sir Christopher Hatton.

On this her Majesty signed to her courtiers to retire out of earshot,
and then ordered Drake to speak.  He accordingly, craving her Majesty's
sanction, and pointing out its importance, and the gold and advantage
which her kingdom might derive from its prosperous issue, unfolded his
design.  His ambition was, he said, to conduct a fleet of stout ships,
well armed, through the straits which the Portuguese Magalhaens had
discovered more than half a century before, into that Pacific Ocean
which he had navigated from east to west, and on which John Oxenham's
bark had floated, and he himself had besought Almighty God that he too
might sail in an English ship.  He spoke not at the time of attacking
the Spaniards wherever he should meet them, and depriving them of the
wealth they had procured by the death of the thousands of helpless
Indians they had enslaved, knowing that her Majesty, since she was at
peace with Spain, could not openly approve of such a proceeding.

What more was said need not be repeated; but as he took his parting
farewell of the Queen, her Majesty presented him with a sword, saying,
"We do account that he which striketh at thee, Drake, striketh at us."

With this verbal warrant, the brave Captain lost no time in making
energetic preparations for his projected voyage.  He found no lack of
followers eager to share his fortunes; but, according to the best of his
judgment, he chose men of experience and tried bravery, on whom he could
depend.  He gave out that the squadron was intended for a trading voyage
to Alexandria, though neither his officers nor the ever-watchful
Spaniards were deceived by those pretexts.

Five ships were procured, and, being rapidly fitted out, were supplied
with all necessary stores and munitions.  Drake himself superintended
everything, down to the minutest point, so that nothing required might
be wanting.  It was to this, as well as to the interest he took in his
men, and to his superior seamanship and enterprise, that much of his
success was owing.

His squadron consisted of five vessels,--the _Pelican_, of a hundred
tons burden, in which he himself sailed; the second being the
_Elizabeth_, vice-admiral, burden eighty tons, Captain John Winter; the
third the _Marigold_, a bark of thirty tons, Captain John Thomas; the
fourth the _Swan_, a fly-boat of fifty tons, Captain John Chester; the
fifth the _Christopher_, a pinnace of fifteen tons, Captain Thomas Moon.
These ships were manned with a hundred and sixty-four able seamen,
officers, and others, and among other things carried were several
pinnaces, ready framed in pieces, to be set up in smooth water as might
be required.  He had a band of musicians, his cabins were richly
furnished, and the services for the table, and many utensils even
belonging to the cook room, were of silver.  All things being ready, the
Admiral and his officers went on board, and set sail from Plymouth Sound
at five o'clock in the afternoon of the 15th of November, 1577.

When off the Lizard, meeting with a heavy south-westerly gale, they were
driven back, the _Pelican_ and _Marigold_ having to cut away their
mainmasts, to Falmouth, where they remained until the 13th of the next
month, when, all their damages being repaired, they once more put to
sea.

All on board were eager to know their destination.  When out of sight of
land, the Admiral, should the ships be separated, appointed Mogador as a
rendezvous, and it was thus guessed that they were not bound up the
Straits of Gibraltar.

Sighting the Barbary coast on the 25th of December, the squadron entered
the harbour of Mogador, in the dominions of the King of Fez, on the
27th.  While some of the people were employed in setting up a pinnace,
several natives appeared, among whom were two Moorish chiefs, requesting
to be taken on board to the Admiral.  A boat was accordingly dispatched,
and the two Moors were brought off, an Englishman being left as a
hostage.  The Moors were courteously entertained.  When wine was
presented to them, they declined drinking it in public, but had no
objection to swallow a good quantity when they could do so unobserved.

On their return the hostage was restored.  The next day some men and
camels came down to the beach, apparently wishing to trade, as they
exhibited various commodities.  On this a boat from one of the ships,
unknown to the Admiral, was sent to meet them, when one of the men in
her, John Fry by name, wishing to become a hostage, that he might hear
them speak and observe their manners, leapt hurriedly on shore, and ran
on some way from the boat.  Before he was aware of his danger, he was
seized by the Moors, who, lifting him up on one of the camels, set off
with him at a rapid rate.  As the rest of the crew were about to land, a
large number of the natives sprang out from behind the rocks, and
compelled the English seamen to retreat.  It was afterwards found that
the man had been carried off by the orders of the King of Fez, who
wished to gain information regarding an expected invasion of his
territory by the Portuguese.

Drake, on hearing what had occurred, landed a party of men and marched
some distance into the interior, but the Moors kept out of his way, so
that he was compelled to return without gaining information; and,
supposing that Fry was lost, he ordered the squadron to put to sea.  Fry
meanwhile was kindly treated by the King of Fez, who, finding that no
information could be got from him, sent him back to the coast, where, to
his grief, he found that the fleet had sailed.  He, however, before long
got home in an English merchant vessel.

Running down the African coast, they took three Spanish fishing-boats
called caunters, and shortly afterwards two caravels, when at length
they caught sight of the Southern Cross.  Passing Cape Barbas, they
sighted a Spanish ship at anchor.  She was captured with only two people
on board, the rest having fled on shore.  In a harbour, three leagues
within the cape, the ships brought up, and there remained several days,
obtaining fresh water and provisions, as well as all sorts of fish in
abundance.

The people here appeared to be suffering from famine, and a wretched
woman, with a babe in her arms, was brought down to the beach to be sold
as a slave; but Drake indignantly refused to purchase her, saying that
he did not trade in human beings.  Other people brought leather bags to
buy water.  Drake gave them water, but declined receiving payment in
return.  Having refitted the ships and discharged all the Spanish
prizes, except one caunter, in exchange for which the _Christopher_ was
given to the owner, and one caravel, the squadron proceeded to the Cape
de Verde Islands, and put into the harbour of Saint Mary's.  Here, when
the inhabitants, who were subjects of the King of Portugal, saw them
coming on shore, they fled to the mountains, and no provisions or fresh
water could be purchased.

A party, under Captain Winter and Mr Thomas Doughty, was sent on shore
to try and obtain what was required.  They saw large herds of goats;
wild hens, and salt which had been gathered in great quantities from the
rocks.  The country was fertile, covered with trees and vines, bearing
delicious grapes, with which the seamen refreshed themselves.  There
were many other fruit-trees, some bearing plantains, a pleasant and
wholesome fruit, others figs, with ripe fruit on them.  Sailing from
Saint Mary's on the 30th of January, they the next day passed the island
of Saint Jago, beyond which lies the burning island called by the
Portuguese Fogo.  To the south-west of this island they took a Portugal
ship laden with wine, linen and woollen cloths, and other necessaries,
bound for the Brazils, and having many gentlemen and merchants on board
her.  The command of this prize was given to Thomas Doughty, who was an
old friend of Drake's, and much trusted by him.

The ships passed by several towns, the people in which fired off their
great guns to signify that they were prepared for an assault.  The pilot
of the Portuguese ship, Nuna da Silva, being found to be an expert
mariner, well acquainted with the coast of Brazil, was taken on board
the admiral.

Passing Fogo, the squadron brought to off the fertile island of Brava.
Here the only inhabitant to be found was a monk, who had built himself a
rude dwelling; but on seeing the English landing, he fled, leaving
behind him the relics of his false worship--a cross with a crucifix, an
altar with its superior altar, and idols of wood of rude workmanship.

Here the Portugals taken near Saint Jago were dismissed; the
_Christopher_, pinnace, being given them in exchange for their own ship,
and wine, bread, and fish for their provision, excepting Nuna da Silva,
who, when he heard that the fleet was bound for the South Sea, willingly
remained with Drake.

Only a small supply of water being taken on board, the fleet sailed from
Brava on the 2nd of February, steering a course for the Straits of
Magellan.  Passing the equator on the 17th, they sailed for sixty-three
days out of sight of land.

Drake was not without his troubles: it having been found that Captain
Doughty had appropriated to his own use certain presents made by the
prisoners, he was superseded by Thomas Drake, the Admiral's brother.
This disgrace appears to have rankled in Mr Doughty's heart, and caused
him to feel a bitter animosity against his former friend and commander.
During this long passage the squadron sometimes met with adverse winds
and violent storms, when lightnings flashed and terrific claps of
thunder rattled above their heads; at others they were long becalmed,
suffering from the effects of the sweltering heat of the torrid zone.
They were depressed, and would have suffered greatly from the want of
water, had they not been able to supply themselves, both before and
after crossing the Line, by means of the heavy showers which every day
fell, the water being collected in sails and sheets.

When in the tropics they saw, for the first time, shoals of flying-fish
of the size of pilchards, chased by bonitos and dolphins, or
"_dorados_," as the Spaniards called them.  Also, as they watched the
flying-fish trying to escape from their foes in the water, they observed
huge birds pounce down and seize the helpless fugitives.  Cuttle-fish
likewise--strange, black creatures--leapt on board the ships in
considerable numbers.  These and other novel sights did not fail to
interest them.  On the 5th of April they sighted the coast of Brazil,
where the land was low, and, sounding, they found only twelve fathoms
three leagues off the shore.  Huge fires were observed, kindled by the
inhabitants.  The Portuguese had before this landed on the coast, and
reduced the natives to a miserable stage of bondage, compelling them by
their cruelty to fly from the fertile parts of the country into the more
unfruitful districts.

Drake wished to go on shore, but, finding no harbour, the squadron
coasted along until the 7th of April, when a terrible storm of wind from
the southward rose, during which the _Christopher_ was separated from
the rest of the fleet.  She was the caunter taken at Blanco, on which
the name of _Christopher_ was bestowed when the vessel originally
so-called was given to the prisoners.  After the squall, which lasted
only three hours, the squadron continued beating to the southward, until
they got off the Rio de la Plata, up which they ran until they came to
an anchor under Cape Joy.  Drake so-called it from the satisfaction he
felt at seeing the _Christopher_ come in two days after they had
anchored, he having thoughtfully appointed it as a rendezvous, should
any of the vessels be separated.

Among the principal of his subordinate objects was to keep the fleet
together, to obtain good drinking-water and fresh provisions as often as
possible.  They found the climate delicious, and saw a number of large
deer.  Considerably higher up the river they anchored near some rocks,
where they killed a large number of seals, or sea-wolves, as the
Spaniards called them.  They found their flesh wholesome and pleasant,
and salted a number for their further use.

Having spent a fortnight in the River Plate, they again put to sea, when
shortly afterwards the fly-boat _Swan_ was lost sight of.  In order to
save the inconvenience of so many vessels to look after, Drake
determined to lessen their number, that the crews of those remaining
might be strengthened and have less duty to perform.  Winter was coming
on, and, in order to prepare for it, a convenient harbour was searched
for.  While examining the coast, on May 8th, during another storm, the
caunter was again separated from the fleet.  The ships being much tossed
about, they stood in with the intention of coming to an anchor near a
headland, off which many rocks were observed.  Drake, who never trusted
to other men when he could perform the work himself, despising danger
and toil, had a boat lowered, and rowed in himself to examine the bay.

Approaching the shore, a native was seen singing and dancing, and
shaking a rattle, expecting him to land.  Suddenly the wind still
further increased, while a thick fog coming on, the Admiral lost sight
of his ships.  He immediately pulled off to try and regain them, but
would very probably have been lost in the heavy sea running, had not
Captain Thomas of the _Marigold_, at great risk, stood in, and having
taken him on board, bravely rode out the gale.

Next morning the weather cleared, but the rest of the ships were nowhere
visible; the Admiral, therefore, landing, lighted up large signal-fires
in the hopes of their being seen by the ships.  The natives had fled up
the country for fear of the strangers.  The seamen found, however, in
their huts near the shore the flesh of upwards of fifty ostriches cured,
as well of that of other birds, the size of the former being equal to
legs of mutton.  They discovered also the device by which the ostriches
were captured.  This consisted of the head, neck, and plumage of the
bird fixed to the end of a pole, with large feathers sticking out behind
sufficient to conceal a man's body.  With these the ostriches were
stalked and driven either into some neck of land, or against large and
strong nets, with the assistance of dogs.

The dispersed ships, seeing the fires, shortly came to an anchor,
excepting the _Swan_ and the _Mary_, the Portugal prize, which had
parted company.  This not being a convenient place, the squadron sailed
on the 15th of May, and on the 17th anchored in a sheltered bay, where
they remained fifteen days.  Having made various necessary arrangements,
the Admiral sailed northwards to look out for the _Swan_, and dispatched
Captain Winter in the _Elizabeth_ for the same object.  She was
fortunately soon discovered, and being brought back, was unladen and run
on shore, when she was broken up, her ironwork and planking being
distributed among the ships, the latter to be used as fuel and other
purposes.

While the crews were thus employed, the natives made their appearance on
the top of a hill, leaping, dancing, and holding up their hands, and
crying out in a curious fashion.  With the exception of a skin of fur
cast about their shoulders, they were naked.  Their bodies were painted,
and the chiefs wore feathers in their hair, which looked at a distance
like horns.

The Admiral on this sent a boat on shore with knives, bells, beads, and
other things, which he thought would please them.  Seeing the strangers,
two of the natives came rushing down at a great rate, but stopped short
when still at some distance.  On the English retiring, they, however,
advanced and took the articles which had been placed on sticks so that
they could be seen, leaving instead plumes of feathers, and bones shaped
like large toothpicks.

Their confidence was soon gained, and numbers coming down, mixed freely
among their visitors.  They appeared to be a mild, well-disposed people,
and learned to place implicit confidence in the Admiral, who won the
affection of the chief by bestowing upon him the cap he usually wore.
The savage, as a curious mark of his affection, wounded himself with an
arrow in the leg, letting the blood stream on the ground.

These natives were well-made, good-looking, and remarkably active and
swift of foot.  They obtained from the birds and seals frequenting the
shore an abundance of food, which, it appeared, they ate raw.  They were
all armed with short bows, and arrows of reed headed with flints.  The
English here killed large numbers of birds, which were so tame that they
perched on the men's heads and shoulders, and in a bay near at hand they
took upwards of two hundred seals in the space of an hour.

Having repaired and provisioned the ships, on the 3rd of June they set
sail, steering southward, but anchored again in two days in a bay, where
the caunter _Christopher_ was run on shore and her cargo removed.

Again they proceeded, after anchoring a short time, until they brought
up once more in another bay in 15 degrees 20 minutes, short only one
degree off the mouth of the straits.

Here the Admiral, anxious to find the long-missing _Mary_, which had on
board their chief store of wine, determined to sail back again until
they reached the latitude where she had been lost.  A bright look-out
was kept for her, and happily, on the evening of the 19th of June, when
the squadron was within a few leagues of Port Saint Julien, the missing
ship was sighted.  They were greatly rejoiced at this; but she was found
to be so much out of order, and her crew had suffered so many
privations, that the Admiral thought it well to put into that harbour,
which was to prove a place fatal to several of their number.



CHAPTER SIXTEEN.

VOYAGE OF SIR FRANCIS DRAKE, CONTINUED--A.D. 1578.

Squadron at Port Saint Julien--Attacked by the natives--Captain Winter,
and Oliver the gunner, killed--Doughty's conspiracy--Trial--Execution--
Squadron sails--Enters the Straits of Magellan--Name of the _Dolphin_
changed to the _Golden Hind_--Passage through the Straits--Elizabeth
Island--Meets natives--Enters the Southern Ocean--Ships driven before a
northerly gale--The _Marigold_ lost sight of--After a month's buffeting,
the two ships gain a harbour--The _Hind_ again driven to sea--The
_Elizabeth_ deserts her--A pinnace lately set up remains, but is finally
lost--The _Hind_ alone regains a harbour--Sails north--Calls off Mucho
Island--Boat treacherously attacked by natives--Drake wounded--Refuses
to retaliate--Reaches the mainland--Search for provisions--Meets an
Indian--Treats him kindly--His friends bring off provisions--He pilots
the _Hind_ to Valparaiso--Capture of a richly-laden vessel, and sack of
the town--Sail northward--Put into a bay--Boat's crew attacked by
Spaniards--Minjoy killed--The pinnace set up--Drake sails in her--Driven
back by foul winds--Booty obtained from an Indian asleep and from a
train of llamas--Indians come off on balsas--Two Spaniards, through
fear, bring off provisions--Llamas described--Vessels at Arica and
Arequipa plundered--A vessel laden with linen captured--Callao reached--
Drake hears of the _Cacafuego_--Plunders several vessels--Sails in
pursuit of the _Cacafuego_--Pursued.

The squadron came to an anchor in Port Saint Julien on the 20th of June,
and, having arranged various matters, the next day but one the Admiral,
accompanied by his brother, John Thomas, Robert Winter, Oliver the
master gunner, John Brewer, and Thomas Hood, rowed up along the shore in
search of a good place for watering.

Not far off on the shore was seen the remains of a gibbet, supposed to
be that set up by Magalhaens for the execution of one of his rebellious
captains.  On landing, two huge natives, called by that navigator
Patagons, came down and appeared to be friendly, being ready to receive
whatever was offered to them.  They took especial pleasure at seeing Mr
Oliver, the master gunner, shoot with his bow, till they were joined by
an ill-tempered-looking savage, who tried to draw them away.  At this
juncture a number more of big fellows, armed with bows, who had hitherto
been concealed, crept up towards the English.  While Mr Winter was also
shooting with his bow, thinking to amuse them as Mr Oliver had done,
the string broke.  Not liking their gestures, the Admiral ordered his
party to retreat, covering themselves with their targets, and
remembering, probably, how Magalhaens had been slain, ordering them to
break all the arrows aimed at them.

While Mr Winter was trying to repair his string, an arrow shot by one
of the savages pierced his lungs, but he did not fall.  On this the
master gunner levelled his caliver--a sort of blunderbuss--but it missed
fire, and before he could shoot it off two savages, taking sure aim at
him, killed him on the spot.

Many other natives had by this time made their appearance, and were
coming on with threatening gestures, when the Admiral, taking the
gunner's piece, fired it at the native who had killed him, and as it had
been loaded with bullets and small shot, it tore open his belly.  The
tremendous roars he uttered, equalling that of ten bulls together, so
appalled his companions that they took to flight.

Drake, unwilling further to injure them, allowed them to escape, and had
Captain Winter, to whom he was greatly attached, conveyed down to the
boat, leaving the body of the gunner behind.  Mr Winter, however, was
too severely injured to recover, and died the following day on board his
ship.  That night a boat was again sent on shore with a number of men
well armed.  Here they discovered the body of the gunner lying where he
had fallen, with his coat wrapped up to form a pillow, and an English
arrow stuck in his right eye, showing, as it was conjectured, that the
natives had no wish to be on hostile terms with their visitors.  He and
Mr Winter were buried together, close to the spot where the Spanish
captain was supposed to have died.

Drake was greatly grieved at the loss of his friend Winter and his
gunner, but he had a still greater anxiety on his mind from the reports
he received of the conduct of one whom he had considered his friend, Mr
Thomas Doughty.  His conduct in appropriating the gifts made to him by
the Portuguese prisoners was reprehensible, but it was now found that he
was plotting a mutiny to kill the Admiral or to supersede him in the
command, intending to carry off some of the squadron, and to sail on a
different venture.

So strong was the evidence brought of the nefarious designs of Doughty,
that the Admiral was compelled to summon together forty of the principal
officers.  By these, he sitting as president, Doughty was found guilty,
and was condemned either to suffer death, to be left on shore among the
savages, or to be sent home as a prisoner in one of the vessels, with a
full statement of his trial, to be dealt with as her Majesty the Queen
might think proper: the choice of which punishment he would suffer was
offered him.

Rather than undergo the shame of being sent home, or to endure the
wretched fate which would have been his lot among the savages--some days
being allowed him to decide--he resolved, after fully acknowledging his
guilt, notwithstanding the persuasions of his friends to the contrary,
to select the first alternative offered, desiring only that he might
take the communion with the Admiral, as a token that he died at peace
with him and all men.

Strange as it may seem, the sacred ordinance having been celebrated by
Mr Francis Fletcher, the preacher and pastor of the fleet, he dined at
the same table as the Admiral, both appearing cheerful and drinking to
each other as if only some journey had been in contemplation.

After dinner he was led forth, and entreating those around to pray for
him, he kneeled down and bade the executioner perform his office.

The stern justice meted out on a gentlemen and an officer who had
hitherto been highly esteemed, had no doubt a great effect in deterring
others who might have contemplated any mutinous proceedings.  He was
taken on shore and buried where Don Luis de Mendoza was supposed to
lie--in a grave close to those of Mr Winter and the gunner.

This painful duty performed, and other matters arranged, the _Mary_, the
Portuguese prize, being in a leaky state, she was run on shore near the
island on which, for the two months of their stay, their tents had been
pitched.

Here her planks were stripped off, and divided amongst the other three
ships, which now constituted the whole squadron, besides the pinnaces
which were still on board.

Having wooded, watered, and thoroughly repaired their vessels, the
explorers sailed from this "Port Accursed," as some of the seamen called
it, on the 17th of August, and again steered southward.

On the 20th they came off the Cabo de las Virgines, as the Spaniards
called the entrance to the Magellan Straits.  About four leagues off it
had the appearance of black rocks full of grey stars, against which the
sea beat like the spouting of whales.  At this cape the Admiral ordered
the ships to lower their topsails on the bunt, in homage to the Queen's
Majesty; and he here changed the name of his ship, the _Pelican_, to
that of the _Golden Hind_, in compliment to his patron Sir Christopher
Hatton, whose coat of arms bore a golden hind.  A sermon being preached
by the chaplain, Master Fletcher, and prayer being offered up, the
squadron entered the straits, passing along which, with land in sight on
both sides, they in a short time made their way through a narrow
channel, with a strong wind blowing astern.  They then passed through a
broad expanse.  The following night they saw a lofty island to the
southward, which appeared to burn like that of the island of Fogo.  The
tides as they passed on rose and fell regularly, the difference between
high and low water being upwards of five fathoms.

On the 24th of August they came off a large and fruitful island, on
which, the weather being fine, the Admiral and some of his officers
landed, taking possession of it in the name of her Majesty, and calling
it Elizabeth Island.  Some other islands close to it abounded with
strange--looking birds, somewhat in size less than a goose, and although
they could not fly, ran at a great rate.  They were in reality penguins,
which abounded in those regions.  In one day they killed no less than
three thousand.  On another island they found the body of a man who had
been long dead.  From these islands onwards the passage was so crooked
and narrow that they very frequently had to come to an anchor.  They
found numerous harbours and abundance of fresh water.  The mountains
here rose to a great height, their tops apparently lost in the sky, and
covered with ice and snow.  On the low grounds many fine trees were
seen, with green grass and herbs, the temperature being very similar to
that of England.

The inhabitants made fires as they passed along, but did not come off to
them.  As they drew near the western entrance of the straits, the
passage appeared so narrow, with so many broad channels opening to the
southward, that the Admiral doubted which to select.  He, therefore,
ordering the squadron to anchor, put off himself in a boat, and rowed
forwards to survey the passage.  Having found one of sufficient width,
he turned back to rejoin the fleet.  On his way he fell in with a canoe
made of bark, and full of people.  It was of a peculiarly elegant form,
turning up both at the stem and stern in a semicircle, the workmanship
being also excellent in the extreme.  The people in it were of low
stature, but of compact form, and had their faces painted.  They were on
their way to the island off which the ships lay at anchor.  A visit was
afterwards paid to them on shore.  Their dwellings were of framework,
covered with the skins of beasts.  Their food appeared to be mussels and
other shell-fish.  All their houses were of bark neatly sewn together.
Their knives were formed of mussel-shells of great size, and were so
sharp that they could cut the hardest wood with them, as well as bone,
out of which they made the fizgigs they used for killing fish.

On the 6th of September, to the joy of all on board, the three ships
sailed proudly into the South Sea, having accomplished the whole passage
in about a fortnight, which had occupied their predecessors--Magalhaens,
Loyasa, and Juan de Ladrilleros, who had come from the Pacific side--
several months.

The land to the south had been found to consist, not of a mainland, or
even of one large island, but of numerous islands, with broad passages
between them.  In consequence of the cold weather which now came on, the
Admiral intended to sail northward, to get as soon as possible into a
warmer latitude; but, a furious north wind arising, the ships could in
no way make head against it, and were driven farther and farther south
and east.

Instead of finding it the Pacific Ocean, they, from their experience,
considered that it should be called the Stormy Sea.  Day after day the
tempest blew with extraordinary violence.  During that period, on the
15th of September, an eclipse of the moon occurred, which lasted for a
considerable time, adding to the horrors of the storm.  For many days
they ran on under bare poles, being unable to face it.  On the 30th of
the same month, the _Marigold_, commanded by Captain John Thomas, who
had rendered such service to the Admiral, and having many other of his
friends on board, was separated from her consorts.  It was hoped,
however, that she might be able to rejoin them at their place of
rendezvous, about the thirtieth degree of south latitude, on the coast
of Peru.

For a whole month the two remaining ships, sorely battered by the
tempest, were out of sight of land, which at length regaining, on the
night of the 7th of October, they ran into a harbour to the southward.
They had not, however, long dropped their anchors before both ships were
again driven out to sea, and that of the Admiral left an anchor behind
her, but a sloop which had been put up at the entrance of the straits
soon regained the harbour.  The _Elizabeth_ was lost sight of, while the
_Golden Hind_ was driven far away to the southward, where she lay
helplessly tossed about by the fury of the waves.  Again, the storm
abating, she made sail, and sighted the utmost cape or headland of those
islands, about the fifty-sixth degree of south latitude, and since known
as Cape Horn.

On the 28th of October the _Golden Hind_ anchored within a creek of the
same island.  Though people were seen on shore, no communication was
held with them.  On the 30th of October, with a fair wind, Drake steered
to the north-west, and then north, in order not to lose sight of the
continent.  The following day the explorers came off an island covered
so thickly with birds that they were able to obtain a plentiful supply;
indeed, the whole fleet might have been equally well furnished.

Coasting along in sight of land, they observed a lofty range of
mountains, but the country appeared barren, without water or wood,
except here and there, where Spanish settlements had been formed.  There
being no possibility of obtaining information of the missing ships, they
again ran off towards an island called Mucho, on account of its large
size.  Here they came to an anchor on the 25th, and found it a fertile
place, with an abundance of sheep, cattle, Indian corn, and potatoes.
The inhabitants were Indians, who had been driven off by the cruelty of
the Spaniards, and had here fortified themselves.  On ascertaining that
the visitors were English, they came with great courtesy, bringing with
them various fruits and two fat sheep, which they presented to the
Admiral.  He, in return, gave them a variety of useful articles, at
which they seemed greatly pleased, and signified that they would return
with further provisions.

Next day, therefore, at an early hour, the Admiral, with a number of
men, repaired to the beach, carrying articles for barter.  He first put
two men ashore, with casks to obtain water at a place which had been
pointed out, but scarcely had they landed when they were treacherously
set upon and killed.  Shortly afterwards, five hundred savages, armed
with bows and darts, springing up from behind the rocks where they had
been concealed, let fly a shower of arrows.  The boat being driven in by
the force of the sea towards the beach, the crew had great difficulty in
pulling off.  The Admiral received two wounds, one under his right eye,
and one on his head, nearly penetrating to the bone; the rest of the
party being also severely injured in different parts of their bodies.
Had they not succeeded in getting the boat off, the whole might have
been massacred.  The arrows were long reeds, with heads of stone, and
their darts were of great length, with iron or bone tips.

Serious as were the wounds, none proved mortal, and although the chief
surgeon was dead, and the other had gone off in the _Elizabeth_, so that
they had only a lad, whose anxiety to do right was far greater than his
skill, they all in a short time recovered.  Drake, though he might have
revenged himself on the ignorant savages for their unwarrantable attack,
convinced that they were influenced from their hatred of the Spaniards,
who had so cruelly ill-treated them, refrained from retaliating.

In the afternoon the _Golden Hind_ again set sail, Drake being anxious
to fall in with the missing ships as soon as possible, and to find some
convenient harbour where fresh provisions and needed repose for the
wounded men could be obtained.

On the 30th of November the Admiral put into a bay at about the
thirty-second degree of south latitude, and forthwith sent a boat to
discover what likelihood there was that the place would afford the
things they stood in need of.  After a long search, neither fresh
provisions nor water could be found; but they saw on shore huge herds of
buffalo, though no signs of inhabitants.  On their return they fell in
with an Indian canoe, which, with the person in it, they brought
alongside.  He was a fine-looking man, dressed in a white shirt reaching
to his knees.  His hair was long, but he had no beard; he appeared to be
of a mild and amiable disposition, and very grateful for the things the
Admiral gave him.  He was a fair specimen of the gentle and harmless
people whom the Spaniards were treating so barbarously.

The native's confidence having been thoroughly won, he was sent away in
the _Hind's_ boat, accompanied by his own canoe, that he might be landed
wherever he chose.  Being put on shore, he met several of his friends,
to whom he described the kind treatment he had received, and they,
accompanied by their chief or head man, in a short time came off to the
ship, bringing hens, eggs, a fat hog, and other provisions.  The Indian
gave them to understand that they could not obtain a sufficient supply
of necessaries at that place, but offered to pilot them to a harbour a
short way to the southward, where they might procure all they required.

Instead, therefore, of landing and going in chase of the buffaloes, as
they had proposed doing, they set sail under their new pilot, and in a
short time came to an anchor in the harbour of Valparaiso, not far from
the town of Santiago.

None of the missing ships were here to be seen, nor could tidings be
obtained of them.  They found, however, a large ship, which, as they
sailed in, welcomed them by beat of drum, supposing that they were
Spaniards.  At once, therefore, pulling on board, they rudely undeceived
the crew by clapping them all down below, with the exception of one man.
He, managing to jump overboard, swam to shore and alarmed the
inhabitants, who speedily took refuge inland, carrying all they had time
to snatch up.

On examining their prize, the _Grand Captain_, they found that she was
laden with eighteen hundred jars of wine, upwards of twenty five
thousand pesos of gold, and a crucifix of gold set with emeralds.  Going
on shore, they found a further quantity of wine, and supplied themselves
with bread and all other necessaries in great abundance of which they
stood in need.  They also plundered a church of its ornaments and
relics, among which were two cruets, a silver chalice, and an
altar-cloth.  All these, according to the curious notions which governed
the rovers, were bestowed, as his share of the booty, on Master Fletcher
the chaplain, who did not consider that he was in any way bound to
decline them.

Having carried off the pilot of the _Grand Captain_, who, being a Greek,
was called Juan Greigo, as well as the ship herself, they set sail, and,
piloted by the friendly native, steered northward, until they reached
the place where they had taken him on board.  He was here, being loaded
with presents, set on shore, seeming very grateful for the way he had
been treated.

As the _Golden Hind_ sailed towards the Line, a sharp look-out was kept
for the missing vessels, while at the same time a search was made for a
convenient harbour into which they could run and refit the ship, as
likewise set up one of the pinnaces.  The Admiral was anxious to do
this, as the boat was too small to carry sufficient men should they
encounter any Spaniards, and the ship was too large to put into small
harbours.

As soon as the pinnace was completed, he intended to sail to the
southward and examine every creek and small bay on the way, so that
should either of the missing vessels have run in for shelter, she might
be discovered.

With this object, on the 19th of December the _Golden Hind_ entered a
bay not far from the southward of Coquimbo, then called Cyppo, and
inhabited by Spaniards.  Fourteen of the seamen having landed, they were
observed by the people of the town, who speedily, to the number of three
hundred--of whom a hundred were mounted Spaniards, the others naked
Indians, running like dogs at their heels, showing the miserable
condition to which they were reduced--came out to attack them.

They were descried in time by the English seamen, who, scrambling round
the rocks, gained their boats.  One man, however, Richard Minjoy, vowing
that he would not be put to flight by a hundred despicable Spaniards,
remained on the rocks, daring them to come on; but he had not long thus
stood when an arrow pierced him, and the Indians being sent to drag him
up to the beach, he was there cruelly beheaded by the Spaniards, who cut
off his right hand and plucked out his heart, then setting up the body,
made the Indians shoot at it.  All this was done in the sight of the
crew.

After this exhibition of their cruel vengeance the Spaniards retired,
leaving the body to be devoured by the beasts of the field and fowls of
the air; but the seamen, in spite of the risk they ran, went on shore
and buried it.

This not being the sort of place the English were in search of, nor the
treatment they desired, they speedily got under weigh, and came on the
following day to a convenient harbour some distance to the northward of
Cyppo.  Here some time was spent in refitting the ship, and bringing her
into better sailing trim, as also in building the pinnace.

As soon as the latter was finished, the Admiral, with a party of picked
men, set sail to proceed to the southward; but a contrary wind springing
up, he was compelled to return.  In this bay vast quantities of fish
resembling the gurnard were found, so that in two or three hours, with
only four or five hooks and lines, sometimes four hundred were taken.

Sailing on the 19th, two days afterwards they reached an island off a
high cape, where they found four Indians fishing from their canoes.
These men undertook to pilot them to a place where fresh water was to be
found.

The natives fulfilled their promise, but the amount of water was very
insufficient for the requirements of the ship.  While constantly looking
out for fresh water, they discovered a Spaniard lying asleep, probably
drunk, with a bag containing four thousand Spanish ducats.  Without
disturbing the poor man's slumbers, they relieved him of his charge,
which they carried off.

Again landing, they met another Spaniard with an Indian boy, driving
eight llamas, each laden with two leathern bags, and in each bag was
found fifty pounds weight of refined silver.  Unable to endure the
thoughts of a Spanish gentleman turning carrier, they relieved him of
his charge, themselves becoming drivers, but directing the animals
towards their boats.  The entire weight of the booty thus acquired was
eight hundred pounds.

Proceeding northwards, they saw several Indian towns, the people from
which came off in a curious kind of boat, bringing various sorts of
fish, wishing to exchange them for knives, beads, and looking-glasses.
Even the old men were as willing to accept such trifles as the young.
They, like the rest of their countrymen, appeared to be of a mild and
agreeable disposition.

The boats, if they could be so-called, were perfect novelties to the
voyagers.  They consisted of two large inflated skins fixed side by
side, with a board on the top of them, on which the paddler sat,
carrying his merchandise.  They are known as _balsas_.

The _Hind_ next came off the town of Normarena, governed by two
Spaniards.  Drake, wishing to obtain further refreshments, sent on shore
to invite them to traffic.  Rather from fear than love they consented,
and among other things sent off several llamas, which were in height and
length about the size of a small cow; but they must have been of great
strength, for three full-grown men and a boy were seen seated on the
back of one of them, their feet not reaching the ground.  The sheep, as
they were called, had necks like camels, but their heads much resembled
those of ordinary sheep.  Their wool was exceedingly fine.  The
Spaniards employed them to carry loads of silver from the mines.  The
voyagers heard that, throughout the province of Cuzco, so rich was the
soil that every hundred pounds of earth yielded twenty-five pounds of
pure silver.  This, of course, was an absurdity; but so inflamed were
their minds with ideas respecting the wealth of the country, that they
were ready to believe anything told them.

From this place no harbour in which the missing vessels could have taken
refuge was found, until the _Golden Hind_ arrived off the town of Arica,
on the 7th of February.  The country around it appeared rich and
fertile; the port was frequented by vessels from Lima and other parts of
Peru, and was inhabited by Spaniards.

Here two vessels were found at anchor, the crews of which were on shore,
and the voyagers visiting them discovered upwards of forty bars of
silver, each weighing about twenty pounds.  These they carried off, and,
without communicating with the people on shore, proceeded on to Ylo.
From thence, on their way to Lima, they met another bark at Arequipa,
which had begun to load with gold and silver; but, hearing of their
proceedings, the crew had re-landed her cargo.

Shortly afterwards they met another vessel laden with linen, and,
thinking that it might be useful, they took her with them.  As the
Admiral was now preparing for more active proceedings, collecting the
prizes, he hoisted their canvas, lashed their helms, and, the wind being
off shore, sent them sailing away across the Pacific.  Great must have
been the astonishment of the natives of some distant islands, when these
tenantless barks arrived off their shores.  So rapid had been the
progress of the _Golden Hind_, that on the 15th of February she entered
Callao, the port of Lima, before news of her being on the coast had
reached those who resided there.

They here found a fleet of thirty ships, among which the _Golden Hind_
brought up, no one suspecting her character.  Had they not been anxious
about their missing vessels, they would have been tempted to take
possession of the unarmed merchantmen.

Before their character was discovered, they visited several of the
vessels in search of information, but they could hear nothing of their
friends.  They were told, however, that on the 3rd of February a large
ship, called the _Cacafuego_, laden with a rich cargo of gold and
silver, had sailed for Panama, from which point all goods were carried
across the isthmus to the Atlantic shore, to be transmitted to Spain.

Having obtained all the information he required, Drake pulled round in a
boat to the different ships, on board one of which, belonging to a
certain Michael Angelo, one thousand five hundred bars of plate, besides
a chest of silver royals, and silk, linen, and other things, were found.
Of these the owners were quickly relieved.  Several other ships were
visited, and whatever articles of value were found on hoard them taken,
though the whole did not amount to much.  The crews being mostly on
shore, no resistance was offered.

While thus employed they saw a stranger entering the port, but she got
timely notice of how the English were engaged, and, nutting about, made
her escape to sea.  Not knowing, however, the direction they intended to
sail, she stood northward, and only deferred for a time falling into the
hands of her enemies, for she was soon afterwards captured.

The two largest ships were carried out of the harbour, where their
mainmasts were cut away, while the cables of the smaller vessels were
chopped through, so that they might drift wherever the tide might carry
them.

These precautions were not unnecessary.  Drake at once made chase after
the rich prize he had heard of, but there was still the risk of his
being overtaken.  While yet in sight of the port, the _Golden Hind_ lay
becalmed, and from her deck two large vessels were seen standing off the
land to attack her.  The boats were lowered, and the crews pulled with
might and main to keep ahead.

Nearer and nearer their enemies approached.  The odds were fearfully
against them.  The English well knew that the Spanish ships would be
crowded with men, who would, in overwhelming numbers, should they get
alongside, endeavour to crush them.  But their hearts did not fail.
Cheering each other they rowed on, resolved if overtaken to fight to the
last.  Drake, however, had no idea of risking an action, for even though
he might gain the victory, his ship and many of his people would be
injured, and he would probably be compelled to abandon his undertaking.

As the voyagers watched the approaching foe, to their great joy they saw
cats'-paws playing over the ocean; then their sails were filled by a
breeze, which increased to a fresh gale, and away they flew on their
desired course.

Still the Spanish ships followed, and the next morning appeared to be
gaining on the _Golden Hind_.  By noon, however, they were seen to haul
their wind and turn back, the reason being that the Spaniards, in their
hurry to get on board, had forgotten to bring with them any provisions,
and, like other men, had no desire to fight on empty stomachs.



CHAPTER SEVENTEEN.

VOYAGE OF SIR FRANCIS DRAKE, CONTINUED--A.D. 1579.

The _Golden Hind_ chases the _Cacafuego_--Pursued by the Spaniards--
Captures several vessels--The Line crossed--When off Cape Francisco a
sail seen ahead--The _Cacafuego_ heaves to--Is captured and plundered--
Dismissed with a letter from Drake--The _Hind_ puts into Cano--Other
prizes taken--Sails for Guatuico--A council interrupted, and judge and
prisoners carried off--Booty obtained--The pilot Da Silva and all
prisoners set at liberty--The _Hind_ sails northward--Bitter cold--
Driven to the southward--Puts into the bay of San Francisco--A fort
built--Natives appear--Friendly behaviour--Strange ceremonies--Visit
from the King, who makes his country over to her Majesty--Drake
horrified at the attempt of the natives to worship him--They at length
take their departure--Drake's excursion into the country--Sees deer--
Coneys--Native huts--Preparations for departure--Grief of the natives--
The _Golden Hind_ sails away--The country named Albion.

Onward pressed the _Golden Hind_, her crew eager to overtake the
richly-laden _Cacafuego_, or the _Spitfire_, as we will translate her
name.  Drake considered that she was likely to touch at other ports to
take in more cargo, and, trusting to that circumstance and to her being
occasionally becalmed, he confidently hoped to overtake her before she
could reach Panama and land her cargo.

The sharpest of look-outs was kept ahead, and the seamen were constantly
in the fore-top straining their eyes in expectation of catching sight of
her white canvas.  Every port was narrowly scanned on the chance of her
having put in there.  When the wind fell, the crew eagerly leapt into
the boats to pull ahead.  When there was a breeze every inch of canvas
the ship could carry was spread to urge her along.  The chase would
prove a rich prize, for her cargo was worth many times more than that of
all the vessels they had hitherto captured.

Drake was not aware all this time that he had enemies following astern,
resolved to sink the _Golden Hind_, and hang the bold rover captain and
every one of his pirate crew, for such they considered them, or, should
they escape, purposing to lie in wait for them as they should attempt to
pass again to the eastward through the Straits of Magellan.

A favouring breeze filling her sails, the _Golden Hind_ pressed on.  The
ports of Paita, Saint Helena, and Guayaquil were successively passed;
but, on the principle that a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush,
they hove to some time after leaving Callao to capture a ship they
sighted on their way, the one which had before escaped.

Another they took in the port of Paita, partly laden with wine, and a
third, laden with ships' stores, besides eighty pounds weight in gold.
They made quick work of it, however, for they had just heard that a
vastly superior force was on the look-out for them.

When near the Line they captured another vessel, belonging to Gabriel
Alvarez.  From him, as well as from the prisoners taken in the other
ships, the information they had before received was confirmed, that the
_Cacafuego_ was but a short distance ahead of them.  Their hopes,
therefore, rose higher than ever.  Drake, who was not less eager than
his men to capture the rich argosy, to sharpen their eyesight promised
to the first that should discover her the gold chain he wore round his
neck.

It was the ist of March.  The Line was passed.  Far off, on the
starboard bow, the lofty headland of Cape Francisco was seen, though dim
and indistinct.  All day long the seamen, with eager eyes, had been
looking out ahead and on either side, hoping to espy the tiny speck of
white just above the horizon.  The day was clear, the sun shone brightly
down from an unclouded sky, and the _Golden Hind_ in hot haste sped on,
her canvas spread wide on either side to catch the breeze.  Midday was
passed.  In spite of the heat every one was on deck, the eyes of most of
the ship's company, whether there or aloft, looking in the direction
they were going.

Presently a shout rose from the summit of the highest mast, to which
John Drake, a seaman, had climbed--

"A sail, a sail! right ahead!"

"Should the stranger prove to be the _Cacafuego_, the chain of gold
shall be yours, John," replied the Admiral.

If human muscles could have urged on the _Golden Hind_ at a greater
speed than she was going, the men would have exerted their strength
until they had dropped.  They could do nothing, however, but stand on
deck or cling to the masts and shrouds, looking at the distant sail with
still more eagerness than before.

Gradually the topsails of the stranger rose above the horizon, then her
courses or lower sails, then the hull itself came into view.  As they
examined her from the trucks to the water's edge, they were more and
more convinced that she was the argosy of which they had been so long in
chase.  What was their astonishment, at length, to see her clew up her
sails and heave to!

"Is she so strongly armed that she can venture to stop and fight us?"
was the question.

No one had anticipated that she earned guns.  Such had not been the
practice of the Spaniards in those seas, for they had been fully
convinced that no enemies could venture through the straits to wrest
their ill-gotten treasures from their hands.  Hitherto they had enjoyed
the monopoly of tyrannising over the Indians, and of all the profitable
commerce carried on along the coast.  Drake had aroused them from their
sleep of security.

The _Golden Hind_ got nearer and nearer to the stranger.  John Drake
felt convinced that he had won the Admiral's chain.  Presently the ship
ahead was seen to put her helm up and make all sail, endeavouring to
escape; but it was too late,--already she was within range of the guns
of the _Golden Hind_, which forthwith began pouring forth their shot,
aimed not at her hull--that was too precious to be injured--but at her
masts and spars.  The English were rejoiced to see the efforts made by
the Spanish captain to escape, for this convinced them that his cargo
was a valuable one, or he would not have run the risk of losing his life
or the lives of his men from the iron shot which came rattling on board.
Another shout, triumphant and jubilant, rose from the deck of the
_Golden Hind_.  The mast of the chase was shot away, and the
adventurers, soon getting up to her, made fast alongside.

She was indeed the _Cacafuego_.  The captors eagerly pressed on board,
the Spanish captain and his crew having no heart to oppose them.  He
confessed that, when he hove to, he had taken the _Golden Hind_ for a
Spanish ship, sent by the Viceroy with some special message for him to
convey to Panama, and great had been his astonishment when he discovered
her real character.  The Admiral, setting all sail, carried his prize
away from the land, out of the track of passing vessels or of the
Spanish squadron sent in chase of him, that he might at his leisure
transfer her cargo to the hold of the _Golden Hind_.

Unbounded was the delight of the seamen when they found that the riches
she contained were fully equal to the amount they had been led to
expect.  At first, to be sure, they found chiefly fruit, conserves,
meal, and sugar; but before long they ferreted out cases of jewels and
precious stones, thirteen chests of silver royals, eighty pounds weight
of gold twenty-six tons of uncoined silver, not to speak of two very
beautiful silver-gilt drinking-bowls and like trifles; the whole valued
at 360,000 pesos, or somewhere like 75,000 pounds,--in these days equal
to a million of money, not taking into account the precious stones and
other booty.  The bowls, with which Drake was mightily pleased, belonged
to the pilot, and when the Admiral told him he must have one of them for
a punch-bowl, to show his contempt and hatred of the English, he
presented the other to the Admiral's steward.  Nearly six days were
spent in unloading the ship of her precious cargo, when she was allowed
to proceed on her way to Panama; Drake having presented to the captain,
Juan de Anton, some linen and other articles, and a letter addressed to
Captain Winter and other officers of the squadron, requesting them,
should they fall in with him, to give him double the value of anything
they might receive, and treat him well.

The _Golden Hind_ then stood off the coast, to avoid any Spanish vessels
that might be on the look-out for her.  Though still searching for the
missing ships, the explorers had now very little hope of finding them.

Both officers and crew, indeed, began to pine for home, with a great
desire also to carry the enormous wealth they had obtained with them.
Drake's great object was now--having repaired and stored the ship--to go
in search of a passage round the northern end of America into the
Atlantic Ocean.  That one existed he had ever believed, though he little
thought of the icy barrier which blocked it up.  His hope was that he
should find it, and that then he and his companions should speedily with
joy return to their longed-for homes.

He now shaped a course for the island of Cano, off the coast of
Nicaragua.  On his way he fell in with one more Spanish ship, laden with
linens, silk, and china dishes, and a falcon of finely-wrought gold, on
the breast of which was set a large emerald.  Having taken only the more
valuable portions of the cargo, the vessel was dismissed, an Indian and
a pilot only being detained.

On the 16th of March they reached Cano, when they entered a fresh water
river suitable for their object.  While the _Hind_ and the pinnace lay
at anchor, about a mile from the shore, suddenly they found the vessels
quiver and shake as if they had struck a rock.  A terrible earthquake
was taking place, the effects of which were felt even at that distance
from the land.

They here obtained fresh water, wood, and an abundance of fish, besides
monkeys and several animals killed on shore.  While the ship was here,
the pinnace, being dispatched on active duty, brought in a prize, laden
with honey, butter, and other commodities, besides which were letters
from the King of Spain to the Governor of the Philippines, and charts,
or sea cards, as they were called.  The latter afterwards proved of
considerable value to the voyagers.

The Admiral, considering it prudent, with a long voyage in prospect, to
thoroughly provision the ship, determined to put into some place where
he might, either by fair means or by force, obtain a sufficient quantity
of the articles he considered necessary.  He therefore compelled the
pilot who had last been taken to steer the ship to Guatulco.  He reached
that place in safety.  As soon as they had dropped anchor, the boats
were lowered and a well-armed party hastened on shore.

Marching up to the largest building, they found a council of the
principal inhabitants, who altogether consisted only of seventeen
Europeans, trying a number of Indians accused of forming a plot to burn
the place.  To the astonishment of the Spaniards, and to the no small
joy probably of the accused Indians, all were hurried on board, when the
judge was compelled, upon the threat of being carried off, to write to
his fellow-townsmen, advising them to offer no resistance.

While he was thus kept as a hostage, the place was ransacked; but the
only valuable booty collected was a bushel of silver reals.  One of the
party, however, Thomas Moon, observing a Spanish gentleman running off
in great fright, pursued and took from him a chain of gold and some
jewels.

The rovers obtained also numerous articles of provision, clothing,
stores, and suchlike, which they much needed.  They here landed the
Portuguese pilot Nuna da Silva, whom they had brought from the Cape de
Verdes, and likewise set at liberty all the other prisoners they had
taken.

Having thus arranged their business on shore, on the 16th of April they
set sail, standing out into the ocean.  Obtaining a fair wind, they
steered northward for one thousand four hundred leagues, until they
reached the forty-second degree of north latitude.  Here they found the
cold so intense, that many of the crew suffered greatly.  The air was
biting in the extreme, and even the ropes of the ship on which the rain
fell became covered with ice.  This occurred not only at night, but
during the day, when the sun was shining.

As they sailed two degrees farther north, the seamen could scarcely keep
themselves warm with the thickest clothing they could put on.  They
found it difficult also, even with double the number of men, to work the
ropes and trim the sails.  The crew, not without reason, began to
murmur, and declared that they should never be able to endure the cold.
The Admiral, however, urged them to persevere.  They were standing on
when they found themselves close to a shore trending to the westward,
and, compelled by a contrary wind, they put into a bay, where they
brought up; but the anchorage appearing very insecure, they sailed out
again.  The Admiral would have continued on his course again in search
of a passage, but a northerly wind springing up, drove the _Golden Hind_
once more to the southward.

Though it was in the height of summer, the cold continued so bitter,
that many would have taken to their beds had they not been compelled to
attend to the working of the ship.  During this time also the sky became
so overcast with clouds and thick mists, that it was impossible to take
an observation.  At length they came to the conclusion that there was no
passage at all along the north shore of America, or that it was so
blocked up with ice as to be impassable.  They ran in and dropped anchor
in a roadstead, since called the Bay of San Francisco.

The following day the natives came down to the beach, and sent off a man
in a canoe, who, as he approached, stood up and made a long speech,
using a variety of gesticulations, moving his hands and turning his head
about in all directions.  His address concluded, he turned back and made
for the shore.  In a short time he came again, and behaved exactly in
the same manner; a third time he appeared, bringing with him as a
present a bunch of feathers, much like those of a black crow, all neatly
and cleverly put together, forming a sort of crown, such as was also
worn by the principal persons in attendance on the chief.  He also
produced a small basket made of rushes, filled with a herb, which the
natives called _tabak_, from which the French take the word _tabac_, and
the English tobacco.  Having tied this to a pole, he placed it in the
boat alongside.

Drake would at once have recompensed him with several articles, but the
only thing he would receive was a hat, which was floated off to him.

As the ship had sprung a leak and required to be put on shore, she was
carried nearer, in order that her cargo might be landed, and that she
might be repaired.

In order to guard against any attack from the natives, the Admiral
decided on throwing up a fort, in which, for security, their valuable
cargo and stores might be placed, and which would serve as a protection
to themselves.

While the English were thus employed, the natives were seen coming over
the brow of a hill, at the foot of which, close to the beach, the fort
was being built.  At first only a few warriors appeared, armed with bows
and arrows, then more and more came.  The seamen sprang to their arms;
Drake ordered them not to fire or to show any sign of alarm.

The savages, it appeared, however, had no hostile intentions, for they
approached in a humble fashion, as if they were inclined rather to
reverence the white strangers than to attack them.  Their numbers still
further increased.

It being intimated to them by signs that they must lay aside their bows
and arrows, they willingly did as they were directed.  The example of
the first parties was followed by the rest.  Drake, anxious to secure
their good-will by every possible means, distributed among them various
articles of clothing, of which they stood greatly in need.  As the
natives by their reverential gestures appeared to look upon their
visitors as beings of a superior order, Drake, shocked at the thoughts
of allowing himself or his men for a moment to be so worshipped, tried
to make them understand that he and his companions required clothing as
much as they did, as also food and water, for which purpose he and his
companions ate and drank in their presence.  Notwithstanding this,
nothing apparently could remove the idea entertained by the Indians that
the white men were divinities.

In return for the shirts, linen, cloths, and other articles they had
received, they offered feather ornaments, net-work bags, quivers made of
deer-skin, and various skins.

The costume of these people was not very elaborate.  The women wore on
their shoulders the skins of deer, with the hair upon them, in addition
to which they had petticoats formed of rushes combed out, hanging down
from their waists to their knees.  They appeared to be very obedient to
their lords and masters, and did not even venture to move without asking
permission.  The men wore scarcely any clothing whatever.

Having satisfied their curiosity, or whatever brought them to visit the
strangers, they retired towards some woods seen in the distance, where
their dwellings were supposed to be.

Scarcely had they reached the woods, when they began weeping and crying
out, the women especially shrieking in shrill tones, the sounds,
although they were three-quarters of a mile off, reaching to the fort.

Drake wisely considered, in consequence of the experience he had had
with other savages, notwithstanding the humble way in which they had
behaved, that it would be dangerous to trust them too much, well aware,
also, that any trifling event might cause a breach of the peace.

For two days none of the savages came near the voyagers, who were thus
able to finish the fort without interruption.  It was constructed of
rough stones and stakes, so that with their guns and crossbows it might
easily be defended against any number of assailants.

At the end of two days a still larger number of people than before
appeared in the distance, men, women, and children, who brought with
them, as they had before, feathers and bags of _tabak_, as propitiatory
offerings.  On reaching the top of a hill they stopped, when one of
their number, who appeared to be their chief, commenced an oration in a
loud voice, which could be clearly heard, though he was at some
distance; while he used at the same time the strangest and most violent
gestures, exerting himself until he was breathless.

When he had concluded, the rest bowed their bodies, crying "Oh!" as if
to give their consent to the truth of all he had spoken.  This done, the
men, leaving their bows and arrows on the top of the hill with their
women and children, approached the fort with their presents.  As they
did so, the women began shrieking in the most piteous tones, tearing
their flesh with their nails, and dashing themselves against hard stones
and stumps of trees and prickly bushes until blood streamed from their
cheeks and all parts of their bodies.  Supposing that they were
performing some rite in honour of the diabolical beings they worshipped,
Drake, to avert the evil which might ensue should he calmly sanction
such a proceeding, ordered his men to fall on their knees, he himself
setting the example.  There they offered up prayers to God, that He
would in His own good pleasure open the eyes of the savages, that they
might in due time be called to a knowledge of Himself and Jesus Christ,
whom He hath sent to be the salvation of the Gentiles.

While the chaplain was reading certain portions in the Bible, and the
seamen were joining in the prayers and singing psalms, the savages
watched them attentively, at every pause uttering "Oh!" as if highly
pleased.

The service over, the savages approached, and their first request was
that the English would again sing them some psalms.

On further presents being offered them, they left them behind, wishing
to show that they had not come to receive such things.  Towards the end
of another three days a still larger number of people appeared: so
great, indeed, was the concourse, that it seemed as if the whole
population of the country for a considerable distance must have been
assembled.

From the midst of the crowd two persons were seen approaching, who from
their gestures were supposed to be heralds.  As far as could be
understood, their _Hioh_ or King was at hand, and desired to pay the
strangers a visit.

One of the heralds spoke in a low soft voice, as if to prompt his
companion; the other repeated word by word what was said in a loud and
sonorous tone.  The speech lasted half an hour.  At the end of it they
requested that something might be sent to their _Hioh_, as a token that
he would be received as a friend.

With this request Drake willingly complied, and a suitable present was
placed in the hands of the heralds, who took their departure.

In a short time a handsome man of great stature was seen approaching,
who from his plumed head-dress and a coat of rich skins which he wore,
reaching to his waist, was shown to be their King.  In front marched a
fine-looking man of large size, carrying a heavy black club, to which
was suspended two feather crowns and three chains of great length, made
of bone highly polished, and a bag containing _tabak_.

He was accompanied by some tall warriors, who formed his body-guard,
their head-dresses and coats being very similar to those of the King.
They all had their faces painted, some with white, others black, and
others of various colours, each man carrying in his hand a gift of some
sort.  Behind these came a concourse of nearly naked people, their long
hair being gathered into a bunch behind, and ornamented with plumes of
feathers in various forms, some having stuck a feather on each side on
the front of their heads, which looked like horns.

Last of all came the women and children, the women carrying, hung round
their necks in front, baskets of _tabak_ and roots which they called
_petah_,--no doubt the potato,--and boiled fishes.  Their baskets,
formed of dried grass, were neatly woven, the edges ornamented with
mother-of-pearl and shells; while on the sides were interwoven red
feathers in various devices.  So fine were these baskets that they would
hold water.

As the _cortege_ approached they struck up a loud chant, to the measured
time of which they marched forward.  As they got nearer, after a shout
of welcome had been uttered by the entire concourse, the sceptre-bearer
advanced, and in a manly voice commenced an oration, prompted by a
companion, and at the conclusion, according to the rule, they all
shouted "Oh!" to signify "Amen."

The King himself then, accompanied by both men and women, the children
only being left behind, with stately step came down the hill.  On
reaching its foot, close to the fort, the sceptre-bearer commenced in a
slow measure a dignified dance, keeping time to a chant or song which he
began; then the King and his guards and every other person joined in the
song and dance, the women also dancing, but not singing.  In this way,
dancing and singing, they advanced close up to the fort.

So satisfied was Drake that these performances were friendly, that he
allowed them freely to enter the fort.  When the women approached with
their offerings, it was seen that blood was streaming from their bodies,
their faces, and necks.

They now requested Drake to sit down, when both the King and his chief
men made long orations, and these the English understood to signify that
they desired to place the country and everything they possessed at the
feet of her Majesty the Queen.  They were still further convinced of
this when the King--the rest singing a joyful song--placed the crown on
the Admiral's head, and threw the bone chains which had been brought
round his neck, addressing him as "_Hioh_."

Drake, not considering this as any superior reverence to himself, but
only such as would be paid to the King, did not think it right to refuse
the homage or the gifts thus freely offered, hoping that in time to come
it might redound to the honour and profit of his country, and that these
children of nature would willingly receive missionaries of the Gospel,
and be brought to a right knowledge of the true and ever-living God.

The natives now dispersing themselves among the English, each selected
some person on whom to bestow his present, choosing, it was observed,
most willingly the youngest.  This done, they again commenced shrieking
and tearing the flesh on their faces.  In vain the officers and men
endeavoured to dissuade them from continuing such heathenish practices,
by lifting up their eyes and hands to heaven, as if pointing to the
living God, whom they ought to serve.

Becoming at length more calm, the natives began to exhibit their sores
and wounds, shrunk sinews, and other complaints from which they
suffered, by signs beseeching them to cure them, as if by merely blowing
upon them this could be done.  On this the young surgeon got out such
lotions, plasters, and ointments as he fancied might do them service.
It was almost night before the savages retired, but nearly every day
they returned, and sometimes forgot to bring food with them, when the
Admiral ordered them to be supplied with mussels, seals, and such meat
as could be spared, with which they appeared well pleased.

Observing that their offerings were not acceptable, they refrained from
bringing them, but still came down and sat in groups, watching what was
going forward.  They appeared to be people of an especially tractable
and mild nature, free from treachery.  Their only weapons were their
bows and arrows, which constituted all their wealth.  These were,
however, so small and weak that they could do but little injury with
them; they employed them chiefly to shoot the fish swimming along shore
or the smaller animals of the chase.  This seemed strange, as the men
were strong, and would take up loads such as two or three Englishmen
could barely lift, and carry them without difficulty up or down hill for
a mile together.  They also ran with exceeding swiftness and for a long
time.

Having got on well in the repairing and refitting of the ship, Drake and
his officers made an excursion into the interior, where they saw vast
herds of fat deer, and the whole land seemed burrowed by small animals
somewhat like coneys, the heads resembling those of rats, the feet of
moles, and having tails of great length.  Under their chins and on
either side was a bag, into which they stowed their food after they had
gathered it, that they might either feed their young or themselves at
their leisure.  The people ate the meat of these animals, and the skins
were considered of great value, the King's robes of state being made of
them.  Several of the native houses were entered.  The lower part
consisted of a square pit dug in the earth, with a roof; while the upper
portion was formed by several poles stuck in the ground and joined
together at the top, the whole being interlaced with twigs, and this
being covered with earth was impervious to cold or rain.  The doorway
was of the size and shape of the scuttle of a ship, formed in the
sloping roof, and served also to allow the escape of smoke.

A fire was placed in the centre, and the beds of the inmates were on the
hard ground, covered only with rushes and mats.  The huts being low, and
without any means of ventilation except from a single small doorway, the
heat within, even though there was no fire, when a number of persons
were collected, was intense.

By the time the Admiral returned, everything was ready for continuing
the voyage.  Before sailing he put up a strong post, with a brass plate
fixed to it, on which was engraved the name of the Queen, the day and
year of their arrival, and the free giving up of the province, both by
the King and the people, into her Majesty's hands, together with a
sixpence, showing her Majesty's picture and arms.  Underneath Drake's
name was engraven, and further particulars.  He believed that no
Spaniard had ever before set foot on the shore, not being aware that
Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, a Portuguese by birth, had thirty-seven years
previously explored the coast by command of the Viceroy of Spain.

As the natives perceived that the English were about to take their
departure, the ship being now hauled out, with her sails ready for
hoisting, they gave themselves up to unbounded grief, so that nothing
that could be said to them seemed to lighten their sorrow.  They could
not be prevented lighting a fire, supposed to be sacrificial; but when
the English commenced praying and singing psalms, they appeared to
forget their fury, and came round, lifting up their hands and eyes to
heaven, as they saw them doing.  On the 23rd of July they took a
sorrowful farewell of their visitors, who, shoving off in their boats,
went on board the _Golden Hind_.  Her crew, as they sailed away, saw
fires burning on all the surrounding heights, kindled by the natives,
evidently either to do them honour or to show their affection.

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.

Good fellowship prevailed amongst them, no words of discontent escaped
from their lips.  They had confidence in their leader, and, above all,
reliance on God's good providence.  They were men pious after a manner.
The robberies they committed did not trouble their consciences, for they
considered that they had lawfully despoiled the Spaniards of their
unlawfully gotten gains.  They each considered that they had performed a
noble and meritorious act in thus revenging on the heads of the tyrants
the injuries inflicted on the helpless Indians, as well as of those
which they and their countrymen had received.  Even Master Fletcher, the
chaplain, looked with a complacent eye on the crucifix set with
brilliants, the bowls, chalices, and other articles, which, according to
his view, having been taken from the idolatrous temples of the hated
foe, were his proper share of the spoil; and he was ready to receive as
many more similar articles as might be allotted to him.

As the sailors thought of the huge bars of silver and the chests of
plate stowed away in the hold, they prayed with all earnestness to
Heaven for a successful termination to their voyage, and resolved, like
true men as they were, that nothing should be lacking on their part to
accomplish it.

At length a group of islands was seen, from which a large number of
canoes came off, manned some by four, others by fifteen men, bringing
with them cocoa-nuts, fish, potatoes, and fruits.  Their canoes were
formed out of one tree, but smoothly and cleverly hollowed out, having
the appearance of being skilfully burnished.  The bow and stern were of
the same shape, turned inwards in a semicircle, and highly ornamented
with glistening shells.  On either side of the canoe pieces of timber
were hung out, from a yard to a yard and a half long, according to the
size of the canoes, to the ends of which was fastened a beam, the object
being to keep them from upsetting.

The ears of the natives hung down on either side of their cheeks,
weighted by heavy ornaments.  Some had nails on their fingers an inch
long, and their teeth were as black as pitch, caused by rubbing them
with a black pigment contained in a cane.

On first coming alongside they appeared ready to trade in an ordinary
honest way, and gave the articles they had brought off willingly for
whatever they received; but others coming round in great numbers,
snatched up anything they could get hold of, and made off with it.

Drake, to show that this was not approved of, would not deal with those
who had thus behaved.  They still, however, came round with the greatest
impudence, and asked for more.  At length, to warn them, he ordered a
gun without shot to be fired over their heads.  On hearing the sound, in
natural alarm they leapt overboard, and dived under their canoes, when,
waiting until the ship had passed on, they got into them and made for
the shore.  Others, however, in a short time came off, one of whom had
the impudence to steal a dagger from a seaman's belt.  Being ordered to
restore it, instead of so doing, he grasped at other things, and tried
to make his escape.  At length the seamen, losing patience, handling the
ropes' ends and other still more formidable weapons, drove their roguish
visitors overboard, and as they sailed away, bestowed on the group the
name of the Islands of Thieves, now known as the Carolines.  Thence
sailing southward, the _Hind_ passed several islands till she reached
that of Mindanao, whence two canoes came off; but the wind blowing
strong, Drake could not wait to communicate with them.

On the 3rd of November she came in sight of the high-peaked Molucca
Islands, to the east of which lies the great island of Gilolo.  The two
principal are called Ternate and Tidore.  Drake had intended to touch at
the latter, but when near the little island of Motir, belonging to
Ternate, a person of consequence, the Viceroy of the island, came off
with the information that the King had driven the Portuguese, who were
enemies to him as well as to them, out of Ternate, and that he was
anxious to receive the English with due honour, and to open up a
commercial intercourse with them.  He assured Drake that if he dealt
with the Portuguese, he would find them treacherous and deceitful, and
that the King of Ternate would have nothing to do with him if he had any
intercourse with them.

In consequence of this Drake resolved to run to Ternate, off which
island, early the next day, the _Golden Hind_ came to an anchor.  The
Admiral immediately sent a velvet cloak to the King, with a message
stating that he came on a friendly visit.

The Viceroy did not fail strongly to impress the King's mind with an
idea of the consequence and power of the Queen of England, and he came
back carrying a signet ring, as a sign to Drake that he would be well
received, saying that the King himself, with his nobles, would soon pay
him a visit on board.

Meantime Drake sent one of his officers on shore, who was met on landing
by a number of the chief people, and by them was conducted into the
presence of the King.

His Majesty blamed himself for not having at once come off to pay his
promised visit, and announced his intention of speedily making his
appearance.  The ship was accordingly decked with flags, the officers
and crew were attired in their best, while the guns were got ready to
fire a salute.  At length signs were perceived that the great person was
coming off.

Three large canoes, each of which contained some of the chief people of
the kingdom, approached.  Canopies were spread from one end of the
canoes to the other, of fine mats supported on a framework of reeds.
The occupants were attired in white linen or cloth of Calicut, each
person seated in order according to his rank, the white heads of some of
them showing the wisdom of the King in employing grave and reverend
councillors.  Besides them were a number of young, handsome-looking men,
who, also attired in white, stood under the canopy, but showing, from
the places they occupied, that they were of inferior rank.  Round them,
again, were arranged soldiers, neat and orderly, with their arms
brightly polished.  On the galleries on the outside of the state barge
sat the rowers, in three ranks, each canoe having eight.  At the head of
the canoe sat two men, one holding a drum and the other a brass
instrument, with which they struck time to direct the rowers.  In the
bow also was a handsome brass cannon of about a yard in length, and each
man, except the rowers, had his sword, dagger, and shield, some of them
carrying other weapons, such as guns, lances, bows, and darts.

As these magnificently equipped barges came near the ship, they rowed
round and round, one following the other, the chief persons in them
bowing low as they did so, in token of homage.  They then put the former
envoy on board, who signified that the King was coming, and desired that
a hawser might be sent to the barges, in order that they might tow the
ship into a better berth.

As the _Golden Hind_ went gliding on, the King himself came off in a
handsome barge, richly ornamented, accompanied by six grave and ancient
fathers, and as he approached he also bowed towards the ship in a far
more humble way than could have been expected.  He was a tall, very
corpulent man, of a pleasant and handsome countenance.  So great was the
respect shown him, that even the chief councillors did not speak to him
except on their knees.  Drake, wishing to do all the honour in his power
to the King, and highly pleased at the confidence he exhibited, ordered
the ordnance to be fired, the trumpets to sound, and the band to strike
up a lively tune.

This delighted the King so much that he requested the band to come into
a boat, which was towed by his barge for a whole hour together.  Drake,
to strengthen the friendship thus commenced, sent a variety of presents
to the King, who had in the meantime dispatched a messenger to bring his
brother, named Moro.  The latter soon appeared, accompanied by a number
of followers, all handsomely dressed, in barges as magnificent as those
of the King.

His Majesty now expressed his wish to return on shore, saying that he
would come back the next day, and before night he sent on board rice,
sugar-canes, and sugar in various forms, fowls, plantains, cocoa-nuts,
and sago, now first known to the English.  They might also have obtained
any amount of cloves, but Drake did not wish further to load his ship.

The Admiral was expecting the arrival of the King, when Prince Moro came
with apologies, saying that if Drake would go ashore he himself would
remain as a hostage.  To this, however, all the officers were greatly
averse, suspecting treachery, and he therefore determined to send
several of them with Prince Moro, retaining the Viceroy of Motir as a
hostage.

On landing they were courteously received by a large number of persons
of rank in handsome dresses, and were conducted to the palace.  This was
a four-sided building, the centre canopied by a cloth of many colours,
such as tents are made of.  All the way round it were cushioned seats.
It was the usual council-house, and not used for any other purpose.  On
one side was the chair of state, placed on a handsome carpet, having
over it a very beautiful and rich canopy.

As the King did not make his appearance for an hour, the officers had
time to examine things at their leisure.  Before he appeared, about
threescore noble, grave, and ancient personages entered and took their
seats round the building, while at the farther end were a large number
of richly dressed young men.  Outside stood four fine-looking
white-headed persons clothed in red robes reaching to the ground, having
turbans on their heads similar to the Turks.  They were, it was
understood, strangers, but long resident in the country.  Two of them
were Turks, one an Italian, and the last a Spaniard, who had been
rescued from the Portuguese.

At length the King appeared, followed by ten grave senators, walking
under a rich canopy embossed with gold, and guarded by twelve men armed
with lances, the points turned downwards.

The officers, accompanied by Prince Moro, rose to meet him.  He received
them graciously.  He was dressed like his countrymen, but far more
sumptuously.  His garments from the waist downward were of cloth of gold
of the richest description; his legs were bare, but on his feet he wore
red slippers; his head-dress was a sort of turban twisted through wide
gold rings, and somewhat resembled a crown.  Round his neck he wore a
massive gold chain; on his left hand four magnificent rings, adorned by
a diamond, an emerald, a ruby, and a turquoise; and on his right an
unusually large turquoise in one ring, and in another ring many diamonds
of a smaller size artistically arranged.

While he sat in his chair of state, on his right side stood a page
holding a large fan, richly embroidered and set with sapphires, with
which he constantly fanned his master.  The heat was excessive, both on
account of the sun's rays and the number of persons assembled.

The officers, having delivered their message, received permission to
take their departure.  Before retiring to the boats, they had time to
examine the castle, which was very ill fortified.  It had only two guns,
which had been captured from the Portuguese, and they were not mounted.
The present King had lately succeeded his father, who had been killed by
the Portuguese.  Having driven them out of the country, he greatly
increased his strength, and was contemplating an attack on Tidore, from
which he hoped to expel them.

While the _Golden Hind_ remained off Ternate, a stranger came on board,
very well dressed, and of courteous manners.  He described himself as a
Chinese, related to the Emperor of China.  He said that being accused of
a crime of which he was innocent, he thought it prudent to quit his
country and travel, after having obtained permission from the King, that
should he bring back anything curious, he should obtain his pardon.

Having described the unbounded wealth of China, he entreated Drake to
visit the country before returning to Europe.  Drake, however, having
already more than wealth enough on board his ship, and wishing to get
back to England as soon as possible, declined his offer.

On the 9th of November, having shipped all necessary stores and
provisions, the _Golden Hind_ proceeded on her voyage.  It was
necessary, however, before she could attempt to cross the wide expanse
of the Indian Ocean, and to encounter the storms off Cape Horn and in
the Atlantic, which might be expected, to careen and thoroughly repair
her.  On the 14th, therefore, they anchored at a convenient spot near an
uninhabited island off the east coast of Celebes.  The first thing they
did was to pitch their tents, and entrench themselves as strongly as
they could on the shore, lest any of the inhabitants of the larger
island in view might attack them.  After having thus provided for their
security, they landed the cargo and set up a smith's forge.  As all
their coals were spent, before they could use it, they had to
manufacture charcoal.

The place was remarkably healthy, and those who had hitherto been sickly
quickly recovered their strength.  The island was thickly wooded with
trees of great height.  Among them fire-flies in vast numbers were seen
flitting, at night every twig on the trees appearing as if lighted up by
stars.

They also saw what they took to be huge bats, which moved rapidly
through the air with short flights.  When they alighted they hung on the
boughs, with their backs downwards.  They also found, in vast numbers,
large land crabs, which lived in colonies under the roots of trees, but
never, as far as they could see, entered the water.  They accordingly
called this place Crab Island.

All necessary repairs being completed, the _Golden Hind_ sailed on the
12th of December, directing her course westward.  When off the coast of
Celebes, she became entangled among reefs and shoals, from out of which
it required the greatest possible care to find a free passage.  Here
they were sailing, now in one direction, now in another, until the 9th
of January, when, a favourable breeze springing up, they believed that
they had extricated themselves from their dangerous position, and that
they had an open sea before them.  They were running under all sail,
when, in the beginning of the first night watch, a loud grating sound
was heard,--the masts quivered: the _Golden Hind_ had run hard and fast
on a rock.  No land was in sight; there appeared no hopes of getting her
off.  Like pious men as they were, of a sort, they fell down on their
knees and implored God's protection.  They then rose,--their brave
Admiral setting the example,--and bestirred themselves to see what could
be done.  The pumps were tried and quickly sucked dry, showing that the
hull of the _Golden Hind_ was sound.

It was now deemed important to carry an anchor out to seaward, but
before doing so a boat was lowered, into which the Admiral leaped,
undertaking the charge of sounding all round the ship; but even at a
boat's length from her no bottom was found to which a cable could reach.
She appeared fixed hard and fast, and should any sea get up she must
inevitably quickly go to pieces.

Of this all were thoroughly convinced, although, Drake and his officers
setting the example, all manfully kept up their spirits.  Their boat
could not carry more than twenty persons at once with safety, while the
whole company consisted of fifty-eight, and the land was six leagues
from them, the wind being directly off shore.  At first it was proposed
to send one boat-load on shore, but there was the risk of their falling
into the hands of the savage inhabitants.  Anxiously they awaited the
return of day.  It came at length.  They forthwith made another attempt
to carry out an anchor, but no holding ground was found.  They were
apparently on the very pinnacle of a rock.  It was the top of high
water.  There appeared every probability that, when the tide became
lower, the ship would fall over on her bilge and be destroyed.

Again they took to praying, and, after a short address by the Admiral
and chaplain, they all together partook of the sacrament.  Then, lest
they should be guilty of not using all lawful means to free themselves
from their danger, they commenced unloading the ship by casting all the
goods they could lay their hands on into the sea.

Powder and shot and provisions were hove overboard, for they trusted
that, should God permit the ship once more to float, He would not allow
them to fall into the hands of their enemies, or to perish from want of
food.  The tide continued to fall, but the breeze blew strongly against
the side which was inclined towards the rock, and kept the ship on an
even keel, although, at one time, on that side there was not more than
seven feet of water, while she required thirteen to float her.  The
breeze increasing, she heeled over on the opposite side, where the water
was the deepest, and by this means, her keel tearing away the coral
rock, she was suddenly floated, at a moment no one expected, into deep
water.  A shout of joy escaped the throats of the gallant crew of the
_Golden Hind_, nor did they forget to offer up their grateful thanks to
Heaven for their delivery.  This was the greatest danger they had
hitherto encountered.  For many days afterwards, however, they were
entangled among the reefs off the low coast of Celebes.

On the 20th of January, Drake, desiring to come to an anchor, sent the
boat a considerable distance off, to look for a spot where he could
bring up.  Before, however, she could return, the ship was struck by a
wind from the south-west, little short of a hurricane, by which the sea
was rapidly lashed into fury, endangering not only the boat, but the
ship herself, for she was now caught on a lee shore, off which it seemed
impossible to beat.  Happily the violence of the storm passed over, and
the _Golden Hind_, picking up her boat, was able to ply off the land.
Although she got clear of that danger, for many days she was exposed to
others of a similar nature, and, being struck by another violent squall,
it became necessary to furl all sail and to run under bare poles.

On the 6th of February five islands were in sight, towards one of which
they steered, and came to an anchor.  Here they wooded and watered, and
on the 8th, as they were again at sea, two canoes were seen coming off
to the ship.  The natives in them, who were fine-looking fellows, but
naked, with the exception of turbans on their heads and cloths round
their loins, invited them to come to their town of Barativa.

Piloted by the strangers, the _Golden Hind_ steered on for the town.
The inhabitants appeared honest and hospitably inclined, and brought off
a plentiful supply of nutmegs, pepper, lemons, cucumbers, cocoa-nuts,
figs, sago, and other fruits.  Indeed, they behaved in so kind and
friendly a way that the crew of the _Golden Hind_ felt themselves safer
and more at their ease than they had at any place they had visited, with
the exception of Ternate.

Two days were spent in recruiting their strength after their toil, and
taking fresh provisions on board.  Once more they sailed westward, and,
after passing many other islands, on the 9th of March came in sight of
the large island of Java.  Drake, without hesitation, accompanied by
several of his officers, went on shore and presented himself to the
King, by whom he was cordially welcomed and entertained with music and a
review of his troops.  They found that this island was governed by a
principal chief or Rajah, named Donan, who had under him several other
rajahs, each presiding over a certain district.  Scarcely a day passed
that the Rajah or some of his subordinates did not come on board.  They
were invariably entertained by music and the exhibition of those things
which it was thought would be pleasing to them.

Rajah Donan, in return, entertained them with a concert of his national
instruments, which sounded strange in their ears; he likewise sent on
board an ox.  Though these visits caused some interruption, the crew,
eager to prosecute their voyage, laboured hard in refitting and cleaning
the bottom of the ship, which was found to be covered with barnacles,
greatly impeding her sailing.

In all their transactions with these people they found them a mild and
gentle race, honest and just in their dealings.  Goats, hens,
cocoa-nuts, plantains, and other kinds of fruits were obtained.  The
_Golden Hind_ at length set sail from Java on the 26th of March,
steering west-south-west, directly for the Cape of Good Hope.

Thus, as they had passed over the Pacific, the bold mariners steered
their course, day after day the sea and sky alone in sight, until the
21st of May, when high rocky land was seen on the starboard bow, which
they well knew was the southern part of Africa.  They coasted along
until the 15th of June, when, with a smooth sea and gentle wind from the
south-east, they passed so near to the Cape that they might have sent a
shot on shore from one of their guns.

Thus their experience differed greatly from that of the Portuguese, who
had always represented it as a cape of storms.  The crew of the _Golden
Hind_ suspected that they had done so for the purpose of preventing
other mariners from attempting to pass it.  The crew of the _Golden
Hind_ had now proved that the dreaded cape could be rounded and the
Straits of Magellan passed through in safety.

For a whole month they did not again sight land until the 15th of June,
when they passed Rio de Sesto, where they saw some boats of negroes
fishing, but did not communicate with them.  On the 22nd of the same
month they came to an anchor off Sierra Leone, where, at the mouth of
the river Tagoine, they spent two days watering.  They were not a little
astonished to see countless numbers of oysters clinging to the branches
of the mangrove-trees overhanging the water.  These and plenty of
lemons, which they found very wholesome and refreshing, were used as
food.

Once more the _Golden Hind_ was at sea steering northward, the richest
argosy which had ever yet floated on the ocean.  The hearts of the
gallant crew beat high as they neared their native shores.  No longer
fearing danger, even from revengeful Spaniards, they stood on until,
greatly to their joy, soundings were struck.  The well-known Land's End
and the Start came in sight, and on the 25th of September, 1580--Sunday,
according to the reckoning on board--the _Golden Hind_, after a voyage
of two years and ten months, dropped her anchor in the harbour of
Plymouth.

Great was the astonishment of the mariners when they found that the true
day, with those who had remained on shore, was Monday the 26th, they not
being aware that they had lost a day by the course they had steered,
following the sun, and thereby gaining on him.

When the amount of wealth Drake had brought was known, his arrival was
hailed throughout the kingdom as an event of national importance; still
more so by those who could best appreciate the value of his great
undertaking in having circumnavigated the globe, passed through the
Straits of Magellan, and made many most important discoveries.

There were those, however, who endeavoured to detract from his merits,
and accused him merely of being a successful pirate.  Others blamed him
for having put the unhappy Doughty to death, and many complained that
his attack on the Spaniards would lay their mercantile marine at the
mercy of their enemies.

He was, notwithstanding the remarks of his detractors, graciously
received at Court in private, although the Queen thought it necessary to
show him a certain amount of coldness in public.

So violent were the complaints made by the Spanish ambassador, that she
sequestrated the treasure brought home by the _Golden Hind_, and part of
it was paid over to the Spanish agent, by whom it was transmitted to
Philip, and employed in supporting the Irish rebellion.  The Queen,
however, laughed at the complaints of the ambassador that the English
had intruded into the South Sea, observing that she knew not why her
subjects and others should be prohibited from sailing to the Indies,
which she could not acknowledge to belong to the Spaniards by virtue of
the Pope's bull, for that could never oblige princes who owed him no
obedience, nor by reason that the Spaniards had arrived here and there,
had erected cottages, and given names to capes and rivers.

A rupture with Spain becoming inevitable, Queen Elizabeth, throwing
aside her simulated coldness, received Drake openly, and expressed her
admiration of his boldness, discretion, and brilliant success.  The
_Golden Hind_ having been brought up to Deptford on the 4th of April,
1581, she went on board in state, and Drake, who knew the tastes of his
royal mistress, spared no pains in preparing a worthy banquet.  Copies
of Latin verses written by the Winchester scholars, praising the _Golden
Hind_ and her commander, were nailed to the masts.  The banquet over,
the Queen conferred upon Drake the honour of knighthood, and issued
orders that his ship should be preserved as a monument of the glory of
the nation and of the illustrious navigator.

After a residence of two or three years on shore, Sir Francis Drake put
to sea in command of a squadron destined to attack the Spaniards
wherever they should be found.  Having captured some small vessels, he
surprised Saint Jago, the chief town of the Cape de Verde Islands, and
thence sailed for the Leeward Islands, after which he visited the
principal town of San Domingo, though less booty was obtained than was
expected.

His next enterprise was directed against Carthagena, which was gallantly
captured, the Governor, Alonzo Bravo, being taken prisoner.  After a
part of the city had been destroyed, a ransom of thirty thousand pounds
was accepted for the preservation of the latter.  The yellow fever,
however, broke out, and carried off numbers of the victorious
Englishmen, so that projected attempts on Nombre de Dios and Panama were
abandoned, and the squadron sailed for the coast of Florida.  Here two
settlements, San Augustine and Santa Helena, were burned, and then,
touching at Virginia, Drake took on board the hapless survivors of the
colony commenced the previous year by Sir Walter Raleigh.

Though the booty obtained was insignificant, the dismantling of so many
fortresses at the commencement of the war was of importance.

This was the first of many services rendered by the great navigator.
Rumours of an intended invasion of England by the Spaniards, with their
so-called Invincible Armada, induced the merchants of London to fit out
at their own expense twenty-six vessels of different sizes, which were
placed under the command of Drake.  To this squadron four ships and two
pinnaces were added by the Queen, the largest of which, named the
_Bonaventura_, was commanded by Drake in person.

With this force, early in April, 1587, he sailed from Plymouth to look
out for the Spaniards.  Hearing from the commanders of two Dutch vessels
that a Spanish fleet was lying at Cadiz, about to sail with stores and
ammunition of all sorts, he steered for that port, and in the course of
one day and two nights destroyed shipping amounting to ten thousand
tons.

This important service rendered, he gained information that the _Saint
Philipe_, a Portuguese carrack from the East Indies, was expected at
Terceira, one of the Azores.  Though the crews of the squadron were
almost destitute of provisions, by threats and promises he induced them
to continue at sea, and ere long came in sight of and captured the
richest prize ever yet taken; but valuable as was her cargo, still more
so were the papers found on board, for from them the English merchants
acquired so thorough a knowledge of the Indian trade, that they were ere
long able to found that profitable company which established the empire
of Britain in the East.

Returning home, Sir Francis was in the following year appointed
Vice-Admiral under Lord Howard of Effingham.  Before long news came that
the Spanish Armada was approaching the coast.

Who does not know how Drake, warping his ships out of Plymouth Harbour,
attacked the haughty Dons, hanging on their rear as they sailed
vauntingly on, harassing, capturing, and destroying them?  How he ran
alongside a mighty galleon commanded by Don Pedro de Valdez, which at
the name of Drake surrendered without striking a blow?  How the navy of
England did their part, though Heaven gained them the victory?

The war with Spain continuing, Drake, in conjunction with Sir John
Hawkins, took command of an expedition for the purpose of crushing the
power of the Spaniards in the West Indies.  The fleet, consisting of six
ships of the navy and twenty-one private vessels, and having on board
twenty-five thousand soldiers and sailors, sailed from Plymouth on the
28th of August, 1595.

It was unfortunate from the commencement.  First detained in the Channel
from a false report that another armada was about to be sent against our
shores, no sooner did it arrive off Dominica, than one of the vessels
was captured by the enemy, whom in consequence it was no longer possible
to surprise.  The squadron then proceeded to Porto Rico; but Hawkins
died on the evening of their arrival off the place; and shortly
afterwards a shot from the fortress entering the cabin of Drake's ship,
where he and his officers were seated at supper, knocking the stool from
under him, killed Sir Nicholas Clifford and several others.

The place was captured the next day, but the Spaniards having removed
all their treasure, and their women and children, the invaders reaped
but a barren victory.

Several places fell into the hands of the English, and were given to the
flames; but though a small amount of booty was obtained, their numbers
were greatly reduced by this desultory style of warfare.  An expedition
under Sir Thomas Baskerville to capture Panama failed, and the party
with difficulty got back to their ships.

This last calamity so preyed on Drake that he was seized with a fever,
and after languishing for nearly three weeks, he expired near Porto
Bello on the 28th of January, 1595, in the fifty-first year of his age.
His followers showed the deepest grief at his loss.  His body, enclosed
in a leaden coffin, was committed to the deep with all the pomp which
circumstances would allow.  Thus, as was said, he lived by the sea, died
on it, and was buried in it.  The whole country mourned his loss, and
though his last enterprise had been unsuccessful, all united in admiring
the genius and valour of one whose memory, as was written of him, will
survive as long as the duration of that world which he circumnavigated.



CHAPTER NINETEEN.

VOYAGE OF CAVENDISH ROUND THE WORLD--A.D. 1586.

Parentage of Cavendish--Sails with Sir Richard Grenville to the West
Indies--Introduced to the Queen--Fits out expedition for the South Sea--
Sails from Plymouth--Lands at Sierra Leone--Attacks a negro town--
Passage across the Atlantic--Anchors off coast of Brazil--Puts into Port
Desire--Large size of natives--Attacked by them--Enters the Straits of
Magellan--A deserted Spanish colony--One man rescued--San Felipe
visited--Port Famine--Enters the Pacific--The squadron puts into Mocha--
Obtains provisions by a mistake of the natives--An expedition on shore
at Quintero--Twelve of the crew cut off--Anchors off Moron Moreno--
Degraded natives--Proceedings at Areca--Prisoners taken and tortured--
Payta plundered--The island of Paria and its wealthy cacique--The
English surprised by Spaniards--Several killed--Cavendish burns the
place--Several vessels captured--Cocoa found on board a prize--Some
persons made prisoners on shore held captive till provisions are
brought--In search of the Manilla galleon--She is attacked and
captured--The prisoners well treated--The _Santa Anna_ set on fire--The
_Desire_ and _Content_ set sail--Ersola, a pilot, carried off--The
_Content_ lost sight of--No tidings ever received of her--The ship
touches at Guham and proceeds on to the Philippines--Treachery of Ersola
discovered--He is hung--A Spanish frigate put to flight--Death of
Captain Havers--Java reached--Reception by the Rajah--The Indian Ocean
crossed--A tempest--Passes the Cape of Good Hope--Touches at Saint
Helena--Hears of the defeat of the Spanish Armada--Enters Plymouth with
silken sails--Knighted by Queen Elizabeth--Sails on a second voyage--
Numerous disasters--Dies of a broken heart.

At an early age Thomas Cavendish, by the death of his father, William
Cavendish, of Trunley Saint Martin, in the county of Suffolk, became an
orphan, and the possessor of that goodly estate on which he was born.
From his childhood he had been wont to gaze on the ocean, which rolled
in front of the family mansion, and thus at an early age he became
enamoured of a sea life.

Instead of spending his time in hunting and hawking, or other field
sports, and indulging in the luxurious ease which his wealth would have
allowed, as soon as he had power over his fortune, after following the
Court of her Majesty for a short period, he resolved to undertake some
noble enterprise which might bring credit to himself and redound to the
honour of his country.

Hearing that Sir Richard Grenville, afterwards so celebrated, was about
to sail, for the purpose of founding a colony in Virginia, in 1585, he
fitted out a vessel at his own cost, of which he took command, and
sailed in the fleet of that brave captain.  Although he gained but small
profit by the voyage, he obtained a considerable amount of nautical
skill, and a knowledge of the islands of the West Ind