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Columbus and the Egg
The great honors lavished upon the success of Columbus soon made enemies for him among the jealous courtiers of the Spanish court. One day at a dinner given in his honor Columbus was telling about his voyage. Another guest remarked that he did not think there was anything so very wonderful about discovering the West Indies. With quiet dignity Columbus took an egg and, turning to the man, asked, "Can you stand this egg on end?"
No, the man could not; and neither could any other guest at the table, although they all tried.
When the egg was handed back to Columbus he struck it lightly on the table, cracking the shell just enough to make it stand upright. Then everyone laughed to see how easily it could be done.
"Just so easily anyone could have discovered the West Indies after I had shown the way," said Columbus.
Columbus
at La Rabida
ABOUT half a league from the
little seaport of Palos de Moguer, in Andalusia, there stood,
and continues to stand at the present day, an ancient convent
of Franciscan friars, dedicated to Santa Maria de Rabida.
One day a stranger on foot, in humble guise, but of a distinguished
air, accompanied by a small boy, stopped at the gate of the convent
and asked of the porter a little bread and water for his child.
While receiving this humble refreshment, the prior of the convent,
Juan Perez de Marchena, happened to pass by, and was struck with
the appearance of the stranger. Observing from his air and accent
that he was a foreigner, he entered into conversation with him
and soon learned the particulars of his story.
That stranger was Columbus.
Accompanied by his little son Diego, he was on his way to the
neighboring town of Huelva, to seek a brother-in-law, who had
married a sister of his deceased wife.
The prior was a man of extensive information. His attention had
been turned in some measure to geographical and nautical science.
He was greatly interested by the conversation of Columbus, and
struck with the grandeur of his views. When he found, however,
that the voyager was on the point of abandoning Spain to seek
the patronage of the court of France, the good friar took the
alarm.
He detained Columbus as his guest, and sent for a scientific friend
to converse with him. That friend was Garcia Fernandez, a physician
of Palos. He was equally struck with the appearance and conversation
of the stranger. Several conferences took place at the convent,
at which veteran mariners and pilots of Palos were present.
Facts were related by some of these navigators in support of the
theory of Columbus. In a word, his project was treated with a
deference in the quiet cloisters of La Rabida and among the seafaring
men of Palos which had been sought in vain among sages and philosophers.
Among the navigators of Palos was one Martin Alonzo Pinzon, the
head of a family of wealth, members of which were celebrated for
their adventurous expeditions. He was so convinced of the feasibility
of Columbus's plan that he offered to engage in it with purse
and person, and to bear the expenses of Columbus in an application
to court.
Fray Juan Perez, being now fully persuaded of the importance of
the proposed enterprise, advised Columbus to repair to the court,
and make his propositions to the Spanish sovereigns, offering
to give him a letter of recommendation to his friend, the Prior
of the Convent of Prado and confessor to the queen, and a man
of great political influence; through whose means he would, without
doubt, immediately obtain royal audience and favor. Martin Alonzo
Pinzon, also, generously furnished him with money for the journey,
and the Friar took charge of his youthful son, Diego, to maintain
and educate him in the convent.
Thus aided and encouraged and
elated with fresh hopes, Columbus took leave of the little junto
at La Rabida, and set out, in the spring of 1486, for the Castilian
court, which had just assembled at Cordova, where the sovereigns
were fully occupied with their chivalrous enterprise for the conquest
of Granada. But alas! success was not yet! for Columbus met with
continued disappointments and discouragements, while his projects
were opposed by many eminent prelates and Spanish scientists,
as being against religion and unscientific. Yet in spite of this
opposition, by degrees the theory of Columbus began to obtain
proselytes. He appeared in the presence of the king with modesty,
yet self-possession, inspired by a consciousness of the dignity
and importance of his errand; for he felt himself, as he afterwards
declared in his letters, animated as if by a sacred fire from
above, and considered himself an instrument in the hand of Heaven
to accomplish its great designs. For nearly seven years of apparently
fruitless solicitation, Columbus followed the royal court from
place to place, at times encouraged by the sovereigns, and at
others neglected.
At last he looked round in search of some other source of patronage,
and feeling averse to subjecting himself to further tantalizing
delays and disappointments of the court, determined to repair
to Paris. He departed, therefore, and went to the Convent of La
Rabida to seek his son Diego. When the worthy Friar Juan Perez
de Marchena beheld Columbus arrive once more at the gate of his
convent after nearly seven years of fruitless effort at court,
and saw by the humility of his garb the poverty he had experienced,
he was greatly moved; but when he found that he was about to carry
his proposition to another country, his patriotism took alarm.
The Friar had once been confessor to the queen, and knew that
she was always accessible to persons of his sacred calling. He
therefore wrote a letter to her, and at the same time entreated
Columbus to remain at the convent until an answer could be received.
The latter was easily persuaded, for he felt as if on leaving
Spain he was again abandoning his home.
The little council at La Rabida now cast round their eyes for
an ambassador to send on this momentous mission. They chose one
Sebastian Rodriguez, a pilot of Lepe, one of the most shrewd and
important personages in this maritime neighborhood. He so faithfully
and successfully conducted his embassy that he returned shortly
with an answer.
Isabella had always been favorably disposed to the proposition
of Columbus. She thanked Juan Perez for his timely services and
requested him to repair immediately to the court, leaving Columbus
in confident hope until he should hear further from her. This
royal letter, brought back by the pilot at the end of fourteen
days, spread great joy in the little junto at the convent.
No sooner did the warm-hearted friar receive it than he saddled
his mule, and departed, privately, before midnight to the court.
He journeyed through the countries of the Moors, and rode into
the new city of Santa Fe where Ferdinand and Isabella were engaged
in besieging the capital of Granada.
The sacred office of Juan Perez gained him a ready admission into
the presence of the queen. He pleaded the cause of Columbus with
enthusiasm. He told of his honorable motives, of his knowledge
and experience, and his perfect capacity to fulfill the undertaking.
He showed the solid principles upon which the enterprise was founded,
and the advantage that must attend its success, and the glory
it must shed upon the Spanish Crown.
Isabella, being warm and generous of nature and sanguine of disposition,
was moved by the representations of Juan Perez, and requested
that Columbus might be again sent to her. Bethinking herself of
his poverty and his humble plight, she ordered that money should
be forwarded to him, sufficient to bear his traveling expenses,
and to furnish him with decent raiment.
The worthy friar lost no time
in communicating the result of his mission. He transmitted the
money, and a letter, by the hand of an inhabitant of Palos, to
the physician, Garcia Fernandez, who delivered them to Columbus
The latter immediately changed his threadbare garb for one more
suited to the sphere of a court, and purchasing a mule, set out
again, reanimated by hopes, for the camp before Granada.
This time, after some delay, his mission was attended with success.
The generous spirit of Isabella was enkindled, and it seemed as
if the subject, for the first time, broke upon her mind in all
its real grandeur. She declared her resolution to undertake the
enterprise, but paused for a moment, remembering that King Ferdinand
looked coldly on the affair, and that the royal treasury was absolutely
drained by the war.
Her suspense was but momentary. With an enthusiasm worthy of herself
and of the cause, 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. It stamped her renown forever as the patroness
of the discovery of the New World.
The Mutiny
WHEN Columbus left the Canaries to pass with his three small
ships into the unknown seas, the eruptions of Teneriffe illuminated
the heavens and were reflected in the sea. This cast terror into
the minds of his seamen. They thought that it was the flaming
sword of the angel who expelled the first man from Eden, and who
now was trying to drive back in anger those presumptuous ones
who were seeking entrance to the forbidden and unknown seas and
lands. But the admiral passed from ship to ship explaining to
his men, in a simple way, the action of volcanoes, so that the
sailors were no longer afraid.
But as the peak of Teneriffe sank below the horizon, a great
sadness fell upon the men. It was their last beacon, the farthest
sea-mark of the Old World. They were seized with a nameless terror
and loneliness.
Then the admiral called them around him in his own ship, and
told them many stories of the things they might hope to find in
the wonderful new world to which they were going, -- of the lands,
the islands, the seas, the kingdoms, the riches, the vegetation,
the sunshine, the mines of gold, the sands covered with pearls,
the mountains shining with precious stones, the plains loaded
with spices. These stories, tinged with the brilliant colors of
their leader's rich imagination, filled the discouraged sailors
with hope and good spirits.
But as they passed over the trackless ocean, and saw day by
day the great billows rolling between them and the mysterious
horizon, the sailors were again filled with dread. They lacked
the courage to sail onward into the unknown distance. The compass
began to vacillate, and no longer pointed toward the north; this
confused both Columbus and his pilots. The men fell into a panic,
but the resolute and patient admiral encouraged them once more.
So buoyed up by his faith and hope, they continued to sail onwards
over the pathless waters.
The next day a heron and a tropical bird flew about the masts
of the ships, and these seemed to the wondering sailors as two
witnesses come to confirm the reasoning of Columbus.
The weather was mild and serene, the sky clear, the waves transparent,
the dolphins played across the bows, the airs were warm, and the
perfumes, which the waves brought from afar, seemed to exhale
from their foam. The brilliancy of the stars and the deep beauty
of the night breathed a feeling of calm security that comforted
and sustained the sailors.
The sea also began to bring its messages. Unknown vegetations
floated upon its surface. Some were rock-plants, that had been
swept off the cliffs by the waves; some were fresh-water plants;
and others, recently torn from their roots, were still full of
sap. One of them carried a live crab, — a little sailor afloat
on a tuft of grass. These plants and living things could not have
passed many days in the water without fading and dying. And all
encouraged the sailors to believe that they were nearing land.
At eve and morning the distant waning clouds, like those that
gather round the mountain-tops, took the form of cliffs and hills
skirting the horizon. The cry of "land" was on the tip
of every tongue. But Columbus by his reckoning knew that they
must still be far from any land, but fearing to discourage his
men he kept his thoughts to himself, for he found no trustworthy
friend among his companions whose heart was firm enough to bear
his secret.
During the long passage Columbus conversed with his own thoughts,
and with the stars, and with God whom he felt was his protector.
He occupied his days in making notes of what he observed. The
nights he passed on deck with his pilots, studying the stars and
watching the seas. He withdrew into himself, and his thoughtful
gravity impressed his companions sometimes with respect and sometimes
with mistrust and awe.
Each morning the bows of the vessels plunged through the fantastic
horizon which the evening mist had made the sailors mistake for
a shore. They kept rolling on through the boundless and bottomless
abyss. Gradually terror and discontent once more took possession
of the crews. They began to imagine that the steadfast east wind
that drove them westward prevailed eternally in this region, and
that when the time came to sail homeward, the same wind would
prevent their return. For surely their provisions and water could
not hold out long enough for them to beat their way eastward over
those wide waters!
Then the sailors began to murmur against the admiral and his
seeming fruitless obstinacy, and they blamed themselves for obeying
him, when it might mean the sacrifice of the lives of one hundred
and twenty sailors.
But each time the murmurs threatened to break out into mutiny,
Providence seemed to send more encouraging signs of land. And
these for the time being changed the complaints to hopes. At evening
little birds of the most delicate species, that build their nests
in the shrubs of the garden and orchard, hovered warbling about
the masts. Their delicate wings and joyous notes bore no signs
of weariness or fright, as of birds swept far away to sea by a
storm. These signs again aroused hope.
The green weeds on the surface of the ocean looked like waving
corn before the ears are ripe. The vegetation beneath the water
delighted the eyes of the sailors tired of the endless expanse
of blue. But the seaweed soon became so thick that they were afraid
of entangling their rudders and keels, and of remaining prisoners
forever in the forests of the ocean, as ships of the northern
seas are shut in by ice. Thus each joy soon turned to fear, —
so terrible to man is the unknown.
The wind ceased, the calms of the tropics alarmed the sailors.
An immense whale was seen sleeping on the waters. They fancied
there were monsters in the deep which would devour their ships.
The roll of the waves drove them upon currents which they could
not stem for want of wind. They imagined they were approaching
the cataracts of the ocean, and that they were being hurried toward
the abysses into which the deluge had poured its world of waters.
Fierce and angry faces crowded round the mast. The murmurs
rose louder and louder. They talked of compelling the pilots to
put about and of throwing the admiral into the sea. Columbus,
to whom their looks and threats revealed these plans, defied them
by his bold bearing or disconcerted them by his coolness.
Again nature came to his assistance, by giving him fresh breezes
from the east, and a calm sea under his bows. Before the close
of the day came the first cry of "Land ho!" from the
lofty poop. All the crews, repeating this cry of safety, life,
and triumph, fell on their knees on the decks,and struck up the
hymn, "Glory be to God in heaven and upon earth." When
it was over, all climbed as high as they could up the masts, yards,
and rigging to see with their own eyes the new land that had been
sighted.
But the sunrise destroyed this new hope all too quickly. The
imaginary land disappeared with the morning mist, and once more
the ships seemed to be sailing over a never-ending wilderness
of waters.
Despair took possession of the crews. Again the cry of "Land
ho!" was heard. But the sailors found as before that their
hopes were but a passing cloud. Nothing wearies the heart so much
as false hopes and bitter disappointments.
Loud reproaches against the admiral were heard from every quarter.
Bread and water were beginning to fail. Despair changed to fury.
The men decided to turn the heads of the vessels toward Europe,
and to beat back against the winds that had favored the admiral,
whom they intended to chain to the mast of his own vessel and
to give up to the vengeance of Spain should they ever reach the
port of their own country.
These complaints now became clamorous. The admiral restrained
them by the calmness of his countenance. He called upon Heaven
to decide between himself and the sailors. He flinched not. He
offered his life as a pledge, if they would but trust and wait
for three days more. He swore that, if, in the course of the third
day, land was not visible on the horizon, he would yield to their
wishes and steer for Europe.
The mutinous men reluctantly consented and allowed him three
days of grace.
At sunrise on the second day rushes recently torn up were seen
floating near the vessels. A plank hewn by an axe, a carved stick,
a bough of hawthorn in blossom, and lastly a bird's nest built
on a branch which the wind had broken, and full of eggs on which
the parent-bird was sitting, were seen swimming past on the waters.
The sailors brought on board these living witnesses of their approach
to land. They were like a message from the shore, confirming the
promises of Columbus.
The overjoyed and repentant mutineers fell on their knees before
the admiral whom they had insulted but the day before, and craved
pardon for their mistrust.
As the day and night advanced many other sights and sounds
showed that land was very near. Toward day delicious and unknown
perfumes borne on a soft land breeze reached the vessels, and
there was heard the roar of the waves upon the reefs.
The dawn, as it spread over the sky, gradually raised the shores
of an island from the waves. Its distant extremities were lost
in the morning mist. As the sun rose it shone on the land ascending
from a low yellow beach to the summit of hills whose dark-green
covering contrasted strongly with the clear blue of the heavens.
The foam of the waves broke on the yellow sand, and forests of
tall and unknown trees stretched away, one above another, over
successive terraces of the island. Green valleys, and bright clefts
in the hollows afforded a half glimpse into these mysterious wilds.
And thus the land of golden promises, the land of future greatness,
first appeared to Christopher Columbus, the Admiral of the Ocean,
and thus he gave a New World to the nations to come.
The First Landing of Columbus in the New World
IT was on Friday morning, the 12th of October, that Columbus
first beheld the New World. As the day dawned he saw before him
an island, several leagues in extent, and covered with trees like
a continual orchard. Though apparently uncultivated it was populous,
for the inhabitants were seen issuing from all parts of the woods
and running to the shore. They were perfectly naked, and, as they
stood gazing at the ships, appeared by their attitudes and gestures
to be lost in astonishment.
Columbus made signals for the ships to cast anchor and the
boats to be manned and armed. He entered his own boat, richly
attired in scarlet, and holding the royal standard; while Martin
Alonzo Pinzon and his brother put off in company in their boats,
each with a banner of the enterprise emblazoned with a green cross,
having on either side the letters "F." and "Y.,"
the initials of the Castilian monarchs Fernando and Ysabel, surmounted
by crowns.
As he approached the shore, Columbus was delighted with the purity
and suavity of the atmosphere, the crystal transparency of the
sea, and the extraordinary beauty of the vegetation. He beheld
also fruits of an unknown kind upon the trees which overhung the
shores.
On landing he threw himself on his knees, kissed the earth,
and returned thanks to God with tears of joy. His example was
followed by the rest.
"Almighty and Eternal God," prayed Columbus, "who
by the energy of Thy creative word hast made the firmament, the
earth and the sea; blessed and glorified be Thy name in all places!
May Thy majesty and dominion be exalted for ever and ever,
as Thou hast permitted Thy holy name to be made known and spread
by the most humble of Thy servants, in this hitherto unknown portion
of Thine empire."
Columbus, then rising, drew his sword, displayed the royal
standard, and assembling around him the two captains and the rest
who had landed, he took solemn possession in the name of the Castilian
sovereigns, giving the island the name of San Salvador.
| Almighty and Eternal God, who by the energy of Thy creative word hast made the firmament, the earth and the sea; blessed and glorified be Thy name in all places! May Thy majesty and dominion be exalted for ever and ever, as Thou hast permitted Thy holy name to be made known and spread by the most humble of Thy servants, in this hitherto unknown portion of Thine empire |
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