St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1884-04-26

two ships for the purpose of explora-
ton, and to await their return. So the
two sailed on through the winding per-
ilous passage; a terrible storm arose.
and as several days passed without
tidings, Magellan gave them up as lost.
But DOW they are seen returning. with
! flags and pennons flying. we have
found the outlet! have seen the other.
ocean! was the joyful cry that echoed
in the desolate strait Cheers of fri
umph and the boom of cannon broke
the awful stiffness of the place, and a
religious service was offered as thanks
giving.
Into the great western sea sailed
the little fleet. For days and even
weeks they sailed without one contrary
wind. Therefore they named the new
ocean the Pacific, SO different is it from
the stormy Atlantic.
1.-The name of the Molucca or Spice
Islands had long fascinated Spanish
voyagers, and Magellan was now in
quest Of these. But the very mildness
OF the ocean proved dangerous, for the
ships were becalmed many DAYS, and
the sailors suffered terribly for lack OF
provisions. At last, however. they
reached beautiful island, where the
natives received them very cordially,
gave them food and curious presents.
Here the Spaniards celebrated the East
er festival, and converted the King of
the island to Christianity.
/" Proceeding, they came to another
island called Sebu Here the entire
royal family, and others to the number
of eight hundred were baptized at one
time. But alas! Ready as these people
were to become Christians they did not
remain such; and little image of
Christ given by Magellan to the Queen
of Sebu. was found by subsequent yoy-
ayers worshipped as heather deity.
A glorious thought had taken pos
session OF Magellan since he entered
the Western Ocean Other sailors had
seen the Spice Islands, with their CHINA
mon, cloves, nutmegs, ginger; others
had looked on the Pacific. But If he
should keep right on and so complete
the circumnavigation of the globe
that would be something never done be-
fore by mortal man. The thought
thrilled him, and henceforth he lived
for this object.
. am sorry to tell you that the brave
voyager was not destined to realize his
wish. The King of Sebu had an enemy
in the King of an adjacent island, and
Magellan went to war in defence of his
new friend. He was killed, braVely
fighting to the last.
So many of the old voyagers have
left a name stained with cruelty and
injustice that we can not admire them
even in their daring, high-spirited
deeds. But we need not hesitate to
admire and honor Fernan Magellan.
Not inferior in courage to the most
courageous of them. his spirit was kind
as noble. Although firm, he was mild
and generous, and greatly beloved by
his sailors. He was devoted to what
he thought the true faith, and wished to
benefit mankind in his mighty under
5akings. You do well, little Ruth, TO
the hero's Straits-it was a
great and good man who first sailed
through them.
..And the ships? They kept on.
From one strange island to another
hey went, with many adventures. many
pleasures, many perils and hardships.
And three years from the time they set
out they again entered the harbor of
beautiful old Seyille-they had made
he circuit of the globe. 1hey-I said;
Dnly one OF the fair ships that had sailed
way. The Santiago had grounded on
he rocks of Patagonia; another had
'een run away with by the treacherous
blot, Gomez, who had put back to
spain and wickedly reported the others
IS lost; the Conception had been burned
n the East Indies; the Trinidad had
remained at the Spice Is
ands. Only the Victoria came home,
lone and triumphant, to recount the
wonderful things of the voyage The
ailors walked directly from the ship to
he church, where they offered praise
nd thanks for their safe return; and
here was great rejoicing and feasting
n Seville and in all Spain.
Now | will tell You curious thing
4 arithmetic. According to the reck-
ming on board ship it was the 9Th Of
eptember when they reached home;
Yerybody in Spain said it was the 9th.
he voyagers had therefore lost day.
he Emperor Charles V. did not puzzle
is own Uranium with the problem, but
called up a learned man who
bowed that in going from east to west
ley must necessarily lose one day;
lille if they had sailed the other way
ley would be one day ahead of Seville
me. IN Y. Eranatner.
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