^•^°^ u ^^ »*-^ ^ •> **'\ V-^' . C-ivCn ^^"■^ d* » • " • » ''b ^"^ . " • * ^ / \. -Sir/ '^^ -^^ /'-% /^-. "'^.s^' <^^. .^^"^-J- V ^ : %/ /i^^ \.^ .^'^ .^^''\. * ..-^'-V, - 6? «Ca ♦ A. .^ -^^ ^y^. JUVENILE PUBLICATIONS OF L. H. NELSON CO., Portland, Me. POPULAR EDITION. 32 pp., 8x10, profusely illustiateil. Little Stories of Great Pictures. The Storv of Longfellow. The Story of Washington'. The Story of Lincoln. The Courtship of Miles Standish. The Story of Frances Willard. The Story of Robert E. Lee. The Story of Wiiittier. The Story of Grant (in prpparation). The Story of Paul JONES(inprepaiati(iii). The Story of Garitkld (in prppaiaticmi TiiK Story of Laniiskkh (in preparation i. The SroHY tn' Franklin ( in preparation i. Paul Reyere's Ride. 32 pp., 6x9. A Little Book of Conundrums. Also publishers of Nelson's Interna- tional Series of Souvenir Books, em- bracing all prominent cities and resorts of the LTnited States and the Dominion of Canada. THE STORY of COLUMBUS BY ADA M. KENNICOTT Author of "UNDER RED PILLARS" ^. 1906 L. H. NELSON COMPANY' PORTLAND, MAINE LIBRARY of CONGRESS Two CoDies Received MAR 26 1906 „ Copyrleht Entry CLASS a XXc, No. /L^f(o V 'copy b. Copyright, 1906 L. H. Neison Company THE STORY of COLUMBUS jNE hright spring day, over four hundred years ago, two boys loitered along the white-beached shores of the Mediterranean. They were each about ten years old, but, while one was rather tall for his age, and of fair, ruddy complexion, the other was stunted in size, and dark and thin in feature. He limped slightly, and his shoulders were high and inclined to bow. " How the waves glitter ! " exclaimed the latter ; " and leap up, as if they enjoyed rushing in over the sands. Sometimes they seem to mock me because I cannot run and play with them, like other lads." " Let us say, rather," returned the other, "that they clap their hands for joy, and to praise Him who made them. The glad, bright waves ! They seem always trying to tell me of the lands beyond them, which some day I hope to see." THE STORY OF COLUMBUS " Is that why you study so hard, Christopher?" asked his comrade, toss- ing, as he spoke, a pebble into the white fringe of the surf. " Yes, Bartolo, my father cannot give me much schooling ; so I must make the most of it ; and since I want to follow the sea, it is needful to learn, as soon as I can, the things that a sailor needs to know." " If I were only strong enough," murmured Bartolo, " I would go with vou. Father says it is no wonder that more than half the Genoese boys go to sea ; for the land is so walled up by mountains, and is so full of fighting and troubles, that the most they can do is to follow the sea that rolls so near and beckons them away." " Well," answered Christopher, " it is no wonder we love the sea. We live by it, we play in it. We hear the stories the sailors tell, and we want to go where they have been and see what they have seen. But I have not told you. I am going to the University at Pavia, for a term ; and then school will be over for me." " And when you come back will you teach me what vmi have learned ? Oh, why am I so poor that 1 cannot go, too ? Poor ! and ugly ! and hunch- back I Ah, me ! ah, me ! And you so straight, and tall, and beautiful ! No, I will not envy you, my Christopher ! You have been so kind to me." "We must each be content with the lot which is given us, so the padre says," answered Christopher, " There is a reason for it all. God loves the sparrow just as well as the eagle, and the hyssop as the cedar." Children in those days did not write letters, so the lonely lad in Genoa and the busy student at Pavia, knew no more of each other till the term was done. To his young brothers and Bartolo, Christopher now seemed a wonder of learning, but for a while he worked patiently with his father, in the little woolen factory which had come down from their ancestors. Then, near his fourteenth birthday, his sea-faring relative, Admiral Colombo, visited them one day, saw the lad was promising, and sailed away with him. A brave and hardy man was Admiral Colombo, as one had need to be in those days, who sometimes went in government service, but oftener com- manded a squadron of his own. Pirates were plenty, also private navies, kept THE STOR^' OF COLUMBUS by noblemen who were each kings in their own domain, ;ind often squabbled. A merchantman was never sure of getting peaceably through those narrow seas. When Columbus was about nineteen, John of Anjou came to Genoa, for help to regain the kingdom ot his father, King Rene. All the bravest of the little republic rushed to his banner. You may be sure the Admiral was there, and with him )'oung Christopher. During the four years' war, the King came to depend so much upon the young sailor that he sent him upon the dangerous errand of cutting out a galley from the harbor of Tunis. In such bold adven- tures, the years swept on. A nephew of the admiral grew up, a wild corsair, who made himself so teirible that the Moorish mothers would say to their children; "Hush! be good, or Columbo will get you." Christopher sometimes sailed with him, as he had with his uncle. One time they attacked four richly-laden galleys on their way home from Flanders. The battle was terrible. All day long it lasted. The vessels were fastened together and the crews fought hand-to-hand. The ships were set ablaze by fiery missiles and, finallv, the crews cast themselves into the sea. Tossing alone on the waves at night, Christopher must have thought of home, and the bright visions he and Bartolo had painted (if the future. Was this to be the end? He would not give up. What was that floating near? Ah! an oar. He reached " Cutting out a galley from the harbor ot" Tunis" THE STORY OF COLUMBUS for it, — caught i t . Could he swim to the shore, two leagues away ? It was a weary task, but he accom- pHshed it ; and once more felt the welcome land beneath his feet. This seems to be the end of Christopher's life with his lawless relative. He pre- ferred studying the discoveries the Portu- guese were making, Bartolo always took the liveliest inter- est in Christopher's adventures. With a brave spirit, he, too, made the most of his few advantages. By doing the same tasks as other children he increased his strength. He also invented a system of very useful exercises. His shoulders lowered and straightened, his limp disappeared. He was now, though somewhat short in stature, neither awkward nor unpleasing. Twenty-five years from the day we first saw him, he was walking near the same spot, but not in the same company. Two men, both younger than himself, were with him. " Bartolo," said one, looking off at the sails, spread to a homeward wmd, "do you think our brother will ever come again? We all long for him, but the mother most of all." What was that floating near r Ah\ an oar " THE S r O R V OF COLUMBUS " A sailor told me not long since," answered Bartolo, " that he had met a man in Lisbon, who asked after us. He was ruddy and fair, but his hair was white, and they called him Christobal Colon. The sailor said he uas a great navigator, who drew maps and charts to show how the world looked, and taught strange things that could not be true. For instance, we know that this sea is called the Mediterranean because it is the center of the earth ; and that beyond the lands which border it, lies that fearful circle of fire over which the sun runs his course with such terrible heat that the earth beneath is only burn- ing sand, and the waves which beat on its shores boil as thev break. Then, on the west, spreads that endless ocean where he who sails too far, must go on till death finds him. " But the Portuguese have long been creeping farther and farther along the rocky shores of Africa, trying to go around it. Well, this Colon said all this venturing was right ; and he was sure that it anvone would sail straight west he could cross that dreadful ocean and come to India, where the rivers roll over sands ot gold, and from which our ships bring the silks, and spices, and precious stones that make our country and Venice so rich." " What strange ideas men will get," said Bartholomew. " But 1 think our Christopher sent us money by that same sailor." Here Diego, who was tired of talk so far beyond him, interrupted them. " See ! " exclaimed he, " yonder comes a stranger ! " And truly they saw approaching them, a man of majestic bearing, with clear, gray eyes, a fair, bright complexion, and hair as white as snow. " Can you tell me, my friends," he asked, " anything of one Christopher Columbus, or, as you speak it, Columbo ? " Bartolo's face lighted with joy at that voice, and he sprang forward crying, — " You are he ! Praise to God ! But how changed ! " " And >o«, too, my Bartolo. Are these the brothers whom I left so long ago?" "Aye," answered Bartholomew. " And who are glad to thank him who has paid their schooling. We were just wondering if vou would ever come again." " But you do not ask for your parents, — " put in Diego. THE STORY OF COLUMBUS " Because 1 have seen them," returned Christopher, with a smile. " Did you not know home would be my first thought ? They told me you were here. Let us now go back to them for mv visit must be short." The account which Columbus gave his family, at different times, we will relate at once. " 1 found Port- ugal," he said, "full of interest in geograph- ical discoveries. We learned more about that wonderful instru- ment, the compass, " One Christopher Columbus " ^j^ich enables US to sail out of land without fear. I met Dona Felipa Perestrello, whose father was a famous navigator, and had been governor of Ponto Santo. After our marriage Felipa's mother brought me all her husband's charts and papers, and told me what she knew of his expeditions. This showed me all the routes and plans ot the Portuguese. But I do not think, with them, that the shortest way to India is to go around Africa. I believe that, by sailing westward on the Atlantic, we can reach the golden island of Cipango and the country of Cathay, where Marco Polo tells us the monarch's palaces are roofed with gold, and their cups set with jewels. And I am convinced that I am chosen, by Heaven, to bring the ends of the world together, as Holy Writ says shall be lO THE STORY OF COLUMBUS done. But the expense of the journey is more than I can meet. I wrote to my native city, to offer her the first chance to help me in this grand enterprise, which will enrich any nation that undertakes it. But she thinks nothing of it. So I shall go back to Portugal." This Columbus did, after providing for the support of his aged father. The King of Portugal, to whom he next applied, liked the scheme. He, however, referred it to a junto, or committee. They called it a foolish idea; but, when the King still favored it, they persuaded him to an act that was dis- graceful indeed. He asked Columbus to leave his plans for the voyage with him, to consider. He, then, sent out a ship, said to be going to the Cape Verde Islands with provisions: instead of which it followed Columbus' route. After going westward for some days, it met stormy weather. The pilots, dis- mayed at the waste of wild, tossing waves stretching before them, turned back, declaring the thing impossible. Columbus was so angry at such dishonesty, that he left the country, with his son, Diego. He tried Genoa again, then Venice. Both were in trouble, and could not help him : so he turned to Spain, where there were dukes as rich as kings. All but one of these thought his idea only a dream. That one feared his government would be angry if he undertook it, so he wrote to the queen. She replied that he should send Columbus to her. The king and queen of Spain had separate kingdoms ; but public acts had to bear their united seals. King Ferdinand was cold-hearted and scheming : Oueen Isabella, mild and beautiful, yet strong, true, and noble. Columbus arrived in the midst of a great war. Isabella could not see him; but, the next year, Ferdinand called a council of the most learned men of the kingdom to meet and listen to him. Before these great men, in their grand and glittering robes, appeared Columbus, a simple mariner ; yet there was a majesty in his bearing and a quiet dignity in his speech, that gained the respect of the more intelligent and learned. Still, most of them said that it was very conceited in this man to suppose he knew more than all those who had studied the form of the world, and the many famous navigators who had been sailing about it for several thousand years. 1 1 THE STORY OF COLUMBUS " Ferdinand was cold-hearted and scheming" 12 THE S 1^ O R Y OF COLUMBUS " yueen Isabella mild and teauuiui, yet strong, true and noble" 1.? THE STORY OF COLUMBUS " Before these great men in their grand and glittering robes, appeared Columbus, a simple mariner " Others accused him of going against the Bible. One asked, — "Is there any person so foohsh as to beheve that there are antipodes with their feet opposite to ours . people who walk with their heels upward and their heads hanging down ' That there is a part of the world in which all things are topsy-turvy ; where the trees grow with their branches downward, and where it rains, hails, and snows upwards. Another held that, even if the earth were a sphere, only the northern part could be inhabited, and the other would remain a waste of water, or a chaos. Others said that even if a ship did reach India in such a way, she could never return : for no ship was ever yet known to sail up hill." Columbus dealt very patiently with their objections. He showed them that the wisest men of all ages believed that both hemispheres were habitable, though separated by a zone ot fire at the equator. " But there is no such zone," said he, " for 1, myself, have voyaged to the equator, and found the land rich in fruits and pastures, with many inhabitants. 14 THE STORY OF COLUMBUS And as tor going against the Holy Scriptures, — have 1 not loved thetn from my youth? And do they not all proclaim that these very things I wish to do, shall be done ? Listen to me ; and by us shall the ends of the earth be brought together." Then, throwing down his books and charts, his majestic form drawn to its full height ; his clear, gray eyes kindling with enthusiasm ; his fair face glowing with prophetic fire ; he poured forth those grand texts of Holy Writ which he firmly believed foretold his great discovery. Among those won by his eloquence and convinced bv his reasoning, was the learned triar, Diego de Deza, who brought over many others. From time to time, like meetings were held: but spring came, and new campaigns were opened, with the matter still undecided. During his years of waiting, Colum- bus was never idle, but won over many to his interests. The rulers of Spain were not ready to aid him, nor were they willing to let him go; so they kept him on with promises. Though he often fought bravely in the wars, and distinguished himself, yet through the season of festivities which followed, he met with jeers and ill- treatment, from the ignorant and thoughtless. Even the children touched their foreheads as he passed, for they were told that he was a madman. When a new war was opened the sovereigns said they would treat with him at its close, but he had had enough of idle promises, and with his son Diego, set out on foot from the place where he had wasted so many precious years and been so shabbily treated. As they neared the little seaport of Palos, hungry and footsore, they stopped at the gate of the convent of Santa JMaria de Rabida. Though too proud to beg tor himself, Columbus asked a little bread and water tor his child. As they stood there, the prior of the convent, named Juan Perez, passed by, it would seem by a special Providence. Struck by the distinguished air of the stranger, and noting that he was a foreigner, he began to converse with him. He learned his story, and saw that this great project was about to be lost to Spain, forever. He sent for a scientific friend to advise with him ; and he, in turn, invited other;- to meet and talk with Columbus. One of these, Martin Alonzo Pinzon, was the head of a family of wealthy and adventurous 15 THE STORY OF COLUMBUS " Convent ot Santa Mana de Rabida " navigators. He offered to help the enterprise with his purse and in person, and to bear the expenses of Columbus, if he would go back to court. The friar, Juan Perez, who had once been confessor to Isabella, wished to write at once to her, and besought Columbus to wait at the convent until she should be heard from. In two weeks, the pilot who acted as messenger brought a reply from the queen, thanking Juan Perez and begging him to come to her immediately. The warm-hearted triar saddled his mule at mid- night, and departed joyfully, to plead the cause of his guest. So well did he succeed that the queen desired Columbus to come to her, and sent a generous sum for clothing and expenses. So we behold him again setting out for camp, halt-unwilling to run the risk of another disappointment. He arrived just in time to see the crescent, which for eight hundred years had held its place upon the highest tower of the Alhambra, come down before 16 THE STORY OF COLUMBUS the cross. But he looked with indifference upon the grand display, and wild rejoicings ; so small did the triumph seem to him, beside that he hoped for. The sovereigns at last kept their word with Columbus, and appointed persons of importance to treat with him. But these courtiers would not agree to his terms , which were that he should be admiral and viceroy over the countries he might discover, and have one-tenth of the gains. So the affair was broken off, and he started for France. Those who accepted his views were in great dis- tress. One, Luis Saint x^ngel, hurried to the queen and urged her to prevent so great an evil. " For," said he, " consider what triumpli vou will afford vour enemies, and what regret to yourself, if some other power accomplish this enterprise. This man, remember, offers to bear one-eighth of the expense, and all \()ii would risk would be two vessels, and about three thousand crowns. How small i'- this, besides what you willingly spend for a single battle ! And it max bring a world to your feet." The queen hesitated. Saint Angel stood breathless. Columbus' room in tlie Cunvcni 17 THE STORY OF COLUMBUS " The Alhambra" At last she exclaimed, " I will undertake it for niy crown of Castile, and will pledge my jewels for the money." " That is needless," he replied, " As your treasurer, I will advance it." Columbus, going on his lonely wa\', heard the clatter of horses' hoofs behind him. It was a courier from the queen, bidding him return. " No," he answered, " I go back no more, to be cheated by faithless promises." " But this time it is sure," pleaded the courier. " The money is ready and the queen's word is pledged." So Columbus returned to Santa Fe ; %\here he had immediate audience of the queen, who received him with kindness that made amends for past neglect. The articles of agreement were signed April ", 149;. Before his departure THE STORY OF COLUMBUS from the court, Isabella showed Columbus a great mark of favor. She appointed his son Diego, page to Prince Juan, the heir apparent, with an allowance for his support. This honor was granted only to the sons of people of distin- guished rank. Thus, at last, after eighteen years spent in struggle, disappointment, poverty, neglect, and ridicule, Columbus saw his efforts crowned with success. As the expedition was to sail from Falos, he joyfully returned to the con- vent, where Juan Perez, who was at the root of his success, received him with open arms. Columbus lost no time in beginning his preparations for the voyage. The queen had ordered the authorities at Palos to have two caravels, with their crews, ready for sea within ten days. These caravels were light vessels having decks only at the ends, or along the sides, such as woidd not, now, be thought seaworthy. The ignorance and superstition which he had had to fight, all along, now put new obstacles in his way. When it came out on what errand the expedition was bound, the owners of the vessels refused to furnish them, and the boldest seamen shrank from going. All kinds of fearfvd tales were spread abroad abo\it the regions of the unknown deep, and weeks passed with nothing accomplished. Then the sovereigns ordered that ships and crews be pressed into service, but this only roused tumult and confusion, without effecting anything. Finally, Martin Alonzo Pinzon and his brother Vincente Yanez, influential navigators, offered to go, and furnished one vessel. Two other ships, with their crews, were pressed into service, and consequently, made trouble all the way. Early Friday morning, August 3, 1492, the people of Palos watched the three ships sail out of the harbor, with tears and gloom, feeling that they should never see their friends again. Next morning, the Pinta's rudder broke loose. The men took this as a bad omen, but Columbus told them that no omen could be e\'il to those whose designs were good. He felt sure the rudder had been tampered with, which was far from cheering. When they had left the Canaries, ami were out of 19 THE STORY OP^ COLUMBUS "The people of Palos watched the three ships sail out of the harbor, with tears and gloom" sight of land, thev moaned and wailed, calling themselves wretches doomed to destruction. Columbus told them there was no danger, as he, himself, had voyaged much farther from land; and that they were sure of great riches at the end of their journey. But as days passed, and still they plowed over wav^es that seemed endless ; the faces of the men grew dark and threatening: they muttered in corners: they shook their fists and called the admiral a vain-glorious cheat : they even plotted to throw him overboard, and go back to Spain and say that he had fallen into the sea while looking at the stars. It is simply wonderful that he could in any \^';iy manage such a terrified and turbident crowd. Sometimes signs of land would appear. Then they would calm down, only to grumble 20 THE STORY OF COLUMBUS and threaten anew, as none was reached. Though these signs increased daily, Columbus felt he could not much longer keep control ; and was greatly relieved when the signs became proofs. Singing birds flew around them. The Pinta picked up a curiously wrought staff, and saw a cane, floating among weeds fresh-torn from the shore. That evening, he reminded his men of God's good- ness in leading them, without a storm, over the longest \'oyage ever made, and promised a reward to the person who should first see land. Before midnight, he saw a light on shore, like a torch carried from one home to another. At two o'clock in the morning, land was seen, and the ships lay to and waited for the dawn. What must have been the feelings of Columbus ! Over what countless obstacles, ciifliculties and dangers he had triumphed ! The mystery of the ocean was solved. His theory, which had been derided as the vision of a madman, was established. The glory of his name would endure while the world lasted. Yet he did not dream that two vast continents, never even imagined, lay before him. He expected to find the island then called Cipango, now known as Japan, and the country which Marco Polo named Cathay, and we call China. All that great stretch of country went, then, by the name of The Indies^ and was supposed to abound in gold, gems, and spices. If he could only have known how much greater a thing he had done than he had planned ! But it was his fate never to know. We read that no eye was closed, on ship-board, that night. All were watching when the dawn of that great day, Friday, October 12, 1492, came up out of the east, over a land which was nevcrniore to He hidden from all save its humble dwellers. Under the sweet, pink, i.iorning light the voyager saw " a beautiful island covered with trees, like a continual orchard." People came rushing to the shore, from all parts of the wood. They seemed to be lost in amazement at sight of the strangers. Columbus, robed in scarlet, and bearing the royal standard, entered his own boat. The Pinzons each carried the banner of the enterjirise blazoned with a green cross between the royal initials, surmounted with crowns. 21 THE STORY OF COLUMBUS ' What must have been the feelings of Columbus! ' 22 THE SrORY OF COLUMBUS As they approached the shore, Columbus noted, gladly, how soft and pure the air seemed, how transparent the sea looked, over shell-strewn beaches ; and that the vegetation was beautiful and luxuriant, while gleaming, unknown fruits weighed down the trees. When his feet at last touched the hoped-for land, he threw himself upon his knees; he kissed the earth ; and gave thanks to God with tears of joy. The rest followed his example. Then, rising, he drew his sword, displayed the royal standard, and took solemn possession of the land, in the name of the Spanish sovereigns, naming it San Salvador. He then called upon all present to take the oath of obedience to him, as admiral and viceroy, representing the sovereigns. " Then, rising, he drew his sword, displayed the royal standard, and took solemn possession of the land, in the name of the Spanish sovereigns, naming it San Salvador" ^.^ THE STORY OF COLUMBUS •' Thev crowded around the admiral, kissed his hands, and embraced him. " When you think of it, it seems rather odd to walk into a strange country and claim it in such a matter-of-course way , but, in those days, might made right, even more than it does now. The crew, who had been so sure, all along, that they were doomed to destruction, now gave way to unbounded joy. They crowded around the admi- ral, kissed his hands, and embraced him. Those who had been most fractious appeared now the most devoted. Those who had been most insolent crouched at his feet, begging his pardon and promising perfect obedience in future. As for the natives, they beheld the ships, at dawn, and thought them huge monsters which had risen out of the deep. They watched their motions with dreadful anxiety, believing the sails white wings, w hich moved them about so easily. But, when the boats reached the shore, and strange beings, covered' 24 THE STORY OF COLUMBUS with gleaming steel and bright colored garnients, stepped upon the beach, they fled in terror to the woods. Then, as no one pursued, they stole back, pros- trating themselves with signs of adoration. They gathered, admiringly, round the strangers ; touching their beards timidly, and struck by the whiteness of their hands, they now thought the ships had descended from above, on their wide, white wings; and that these wonderful beings lived in the skies. The Spaniards, also, looked curiously at the natives, whose like they had never seen. They were quite naked, and their faces and bodies were painted. They had pleasant features, fine eyes and foreheads, and gentle manners. We have not space to follow Columbus in his cruising among his lovely islands, which he called the West Indies. He still met with niany trials, the worst being that the Pinta's commander, Martin Pinzon, before so friendly and trustable, deserted him and sailed away on his own account. Early in January, Columbus set out on his return. Two days later, the Pinta joined him, Pinzon making a false excuse for his conduct. When Columbus found that he had seized some natives to sell in Spain, as slaves, he obliged him to return them to their homes, with presents. This made Pinzon still more unfriendly. If the weather had l)een as stormy on the outward voyage as on the return, Columbus could not have discovered the New World. They were pursued bv such furious tempests that they often despaired of reaching home. In one of these, the ships became separated and Columbus, driven upon the Portuguese coast, was obliged to anchor at the mouth of the Tatrus. When the Lisbon people heard of this wonderful barque, laden with people and products of a freshly-discovered world, they were wild with amazement and curiosity. For days, the river was covered with boats, and the vessel thronged with distinguished visitors. Many grumbled because their king had lost this great discovery and honor to their country. The king sent for Columbus, and asked him to give an account of his adventures. He received him as an equal, but, while seeming; to listen with 25 THE STORY OF COLUMBUS " Santa Maria " 26 THE STORY OF COLUMBUS pleasure, was angry with himself for rejecting this splendid enterprise. He even tried to make out that the discoveries really belonged to Portugal, and held a meeting with his councillors about it. Some advised to assassinate the admiral, but the king woidd not hear of that. Others said, " Let him go to Spain, but send out an armament to seize the new country." He was, therefore, escorted to his ship, with great honors, and reached Palos, March i <, 1493. You remember how gloomily the people of that port had bidden the sailors good bye, expecting never to see them again. When they had thought of them it had been as driven about over desolate, watery wastes ; or swallowed up by the monsters which, to them, peopled the unknown sea. And now, behold! One of the lost ships was sailing up the river! She came on, she anchored, — her boats touched the shore. What was this ? She was returning in triumph. She had discovered a new world. Some of its people, and many of its wonderfid products, were on board. All Palos was overjoyed. Bells rang, shops were closed, — all was hurry and tumult. A grand procession marched to the principal church, to thank God for this magnificent event. Wherever Columbus appeared, he was greeted with cheers and praises. Did any remember how, only a year before, he had humbly asked bread for his child at the gate of their convent? That same night, while the pe?ls were still ringing from the towers, the Pinta, commanded by Martin Pinzon, sailed up the river. It had been driven by the storm into the port of Bayonne. While it lay there, Pinzon seems to have thought, " Columbus is probably lost. I will write to the sovereigns about the country I have discovered, and ask permission to come and tell them of it." Then, he had hastened to his native port of Palos, expecting to meet with a grand reception. But, when he entered the harbor, there was the Admiral's vessel, riding at anchor; and the town was ringing with his praises. Quietly he slipped into his boat and went, privately, to his home. He seemed to feel the honors paid to Columbus as so much against himself. 27 THE STORY OF COLUMBUS The sovereigns' answer to his letter rebuked his conduct, and forbade him to appear at court. His grief at this increased his illness, so that in a few days he died. Poor man ! He had done much for the cause, and might have had a large share of the glory, if he had not lost all by one mean action. We see from this how needful it is to be, not only sometimes, but always, true to ourselves and others. The Spanish sovereigns were dazzled by this new, great empire, added to their own so easily, with small cost and no warfare. They sent tor Columbus to come, at once, to court. He gladly obeyed. His lame was already spread abroad. Wherever he appeared, people thronged to see him, and the air was rent with cheers. His journev was hindered by the crowds which pressed " Thev sent for Columbus to come, at once, to court " 28 THE STORY OF C O L U M BUS " The sovereigns received him as an equal " about him and the Imlians, who seemed to them like beings from another planet. His passage through the country was like the "progress " of a king. As he drew near Barcelona, a \ast concourse of nobles and courtiers came forth to meet him. " His entrance into the city was like one of those triumphs which the Romans decreed to their conquerers." One could scarcely get through the streets for the midtitudcs. The windows and balconies were crowded ; the roots covered with eager spectators. The sovereigns received him as an equal; and when he hail, at their request told the wonderfid story ot his ad\'entures, they sank on their knees and gave thanks, with tears ot joy. All present tollowed their example and, as the noble strains of the Te Deum Laudamus rose from the choir, all hearts seemed to go with them, heavenward. 29 THE STORY OF COLUMBUS The whole civilized world hailed the news of the discovery with wonder and delight. Columbus was treated as a member of the royal family. The Grand Cardinal, Mendoza, invited him to a banquet, and gave him the most honorable place at the table. This made one of his courtiers so jealous that he rudely asked Columbus whether he did not suppose there were other men in Spain who could discover the West Indies, if he had not. Columbus was always very shrewd, and quick of thought. Holding up an egg, he asked the company to make it stand on end. When all had tried, and failed, he tapped the end on the table, enough to break it, and left it standing. This story has been told many times; but it always teaches two useful lessons, — one is, that there is almost always some way to do a difficult thing ; the other, that it seems easy enough, after someone has shown the way. Columbus had now no lack of friends, but he prized most those who had helped him when he was poor and obscure. He departed on his second voyage, in great state, with a fleet of three large ships and fourteen caravels: the crews hurrying joyfully on board, with friends merrily envying them the voyage. The Admiral, tall and commanding, was the center of admiration. His old friend, Bartolo, and his younger brother, now Don Diego, were with him, but Bartholomew had gone to England, to lay his brother's project before the king, about the time that Columbus left Portugal; and nothing had since been heard from hini. On one of his exploring tours in the New World, Columbus was taken violently ill, and by long unconscious. Great was his joyful surprise, when he revived, to find his favorite brother beside him. Bartholomew having been taken prisoner and plundered by pirates, much time had passed before he could reach England. The king received him kindly, and agreed to help the enter- prise. Hastening to Spain with the good tidings, he was met, at Paris, by the news that the discovery was made; and his brother had returned in triumjih. He reached Spain just after Columbus left for his second voyage. The sover- eigns gave him command of three provision ships and sent him to overtake the 30 THE STORY OF COLUMBUS tlcet. So, in that coi;ntry which was but their dream when they parted, they met again. It would be pleasant to end our story here: for, by the intrigues of his enemies, Columbus was sent back from his third voyage in chains, which he orderetl buned with him, " as an example of the gratitude of kings." The sovereigns declared that this ill-treatment was no fault of theirs, and received him, with honors, at court. But, after the queen died, "The country he discovered was named for another" Ferdinand neglected him,- the moneys due him were not paid ; the country he discovered was named tor another , and he died a poor and disappointed man. Then King Ferdinand built a monument to his memory, on which was inscribed, — " To Cdstilc and L,co?i Columbics gave a New Woi^ld'''' 31 •^^.^ ''•■ °-^ y.-^iX '■°--i-^S y.-^iX cO^.-^^^.^Oo ^^o"-w^v^' vw> v«^\.-^ \-m^y \;»T^^ .*•' c?.' 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