The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1873-10-16
The Discovery of America,


third of August, 1492, three small ves-
sells, two of them without decks, but
with forecastles and cabins for the
crews, sailed from the little Port of
Palos, in Spain, ttndef the command of
Christopher Columbus, in seaich of
new world. 1t seems almost incredible,
that only four hundred years ago,
science had made such slight attain
ments that council of the most learned
men of Spain, appointed by the Grown,
should have declared the assertion that
the world was round to be absurd
"What p exclaimed these sages Of
the fifteenth century, "can any one be
so foolish as to believe that the world
is round, and that there are people on
their heels upward, and their heads
hanging down, like flies clinging to the
ceiling ?-that there is part of the
branches hanging downwafd, and
where it rains, halls, and SHOWS up
ward ?"
The general voice of the community
pronounced Columbus half-crazed
fanatic. Even those who had been in
duced 10 embark with him had entered
upon the perilous enterprise with the
greatest reluctance. And as the Admi-
raj spread his sails no cheers from the
shore greeted him. Tears, lamenta-
tions, and dismal forebodings op-
pressed nearly all hearts.
Columbus steered first for the Canary
Islands. A strong wind drove them
rapidly along into the abyss of unknown
seas, and as the hills of Spain sank be-
meath the horizon the timid and super
stitious seamen were filed with terror.
Already there were indications of
mutiny. On the third day out, one of
the vessels was disabled by the unship
ping of the rudder, which was supposed
to have been Intentionally done by
some one on board. The injury was
soon repaired sufficiently to allow the
crippled vessel to keep pace with the
rest of the feet by their shortening sail.
At the close of the week, they arrived
at the 'Canaries, about one thousand
miles from the Port of Palos. Here
they were detained three weeks, OBJ
tanning q new vessel for the disabled
one, which was found in many respects
unfit for service, and in making neces-
sary repairs.
On the 9th of September, Columbus
again spread his sails. He was now
fairly embarked on his voyage The
Canaries were on the frontiers of the
then known world. All beyond was
region unexplored. A calm kept the
vessels rolling for three days within
sight of the islands, but on the 9th a
wind sprang up and in few hours the
peaks of the Canaries disappeared be-
meath the horizon. It was Il sunny,
serene, and beautiful Sabbath but on
board the vessels there were discords
and murmurings.
Many of the seamen had been COM
PEELED, by royal decree, to embark on
this expedition. AS the last traces of
the known world vanished from their
sight they gave such loud expression to
their discomfort that it reached the ears
of the Admiral. He did everything in
his power to inspire them with his own
enthusiasm, but in vain. Both threats
of punishment and promises of large
reward were requisite to hold i'll check
the rising split of insubordination.
To allay the fears of the ignorant crew,
Columbus resorted to the artifce of
keeping two daily records, one correct
for himself, and one in which he made
the distance which separated them
from Spain much less than it really
was.
Slowly the days came and passed
away as the intrepid Admiral, inces-
sanity combating the mutinous dispo-
sition of his crew, pressed all sail, and
from the bows of his ship kept an
eager lookout toward the west, while
every change in the weather and every
object was examined with the keenest
scrutiny. A weed floating upon the
water, a sea bird of unusual plumage,
any change in the color of the sea OF
the aspect of the clouds was subjected
to the closest inspection. The lead was
frequently thrown, but no bottom could
be found.
By the first of October the little feet
had traveTsed two thousand three hun
tdred miles of the ocean, in a direction
almost due west. But, according tC
ed to the crew, they had only reached
the distance of seventeen hundred
miles. 1t was delightful, autumna
weather, and gentle breeze waftet
them over a smooth sea. They haC
fallen in with the trade winds, hitherto
an unknown phenomenon. But thi
! incessant blowing of the wind in the
: same direction day after day, with ne
variation, increased the alarm of til,
seamen. 1t seemed to them that the,
were being driven into regions wher'
there could be no possibility of return
The crew became more and NOR
| mutinous. Those on board the Ad
{ mirals ship had formed a conspirac,
2 to throw him overheard and immediate
/ ly to turn their bows toward home. N
r ordinary man could have controlle,
} such elements of disorder. But Colum
} bus, ever calm, dignifed. and just, b.
his presence alone overawed thes
, turbulent spirits. While sternly en-
} gagged in this moral struggle anothe
4 week of intense anxiety passed away
To inspire the seamen with some of hi
t own zeal he offered reward, amount
: ing to about one hundred and twenty
=, five dollars, to the one who should frs
9 catch sight of land. This gave rise t
: many false alarms. Every cloud in tn
e western sky which could be thought t
S vail mountain peak would give rise
the exciting shout of Gland land
Columbus, consequently, found it ne
: cessary to issue the order that whoeve
1 should give false alarm should forte
n all claim to the reward. The cloud
. we're often so marred in the wester
Y sky in forms so strikingly resemblin
t mountain peaks as to deceive the mos
/ practiced eye.
: Still the weary days came and wen
I | on1 No land Tho o. 1orro =