Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1884-05-02
AROUND THE R

$50.
"swhat strait" said Uncle George.
slowly, separates South America from
Terra del Fuego?"
"'Strait of Magellan" answered
Ruthie triumphantly. At which Uncle
George declared himself quite satisfied
as to her learning, and gave her a kiss
for a diploma. He would, however,
ask one question: '.Why called Strait of
Magellan, and who was Magellan?"
''She don't know of course" said Guy,
''nor l either; but the name sounds kind
O. like an Irishman."
''No Irishman, but a Portuguese; and
the original spelling was Magalhaens.
And if you would like, I'll tell you the
story of the first journey around the
world"
IF you please, UNCLE" said Rose.
GO ahead" cried Guy.
''Fernan Magellan was born in the
year 1880, and was therefore twelve
years of age when the Old World was
startled by the discovery of the New.
He lived near the old city of Oporto, in
Portugal; and the boy became fond Of
walking about the wharves watching
the ships come and go, and hearing
from the busy sailors marvellous tales Of
new and distapt lands. He early de-
cided that of an things he would like to
be a voyager-a discoverer. The Ma
gellan family, although not rich, ranked
among the nobility; and it was custom-
airy for young men of noble families 70
repair to court and ask the King to set
them a task--to give them employment.
Very much, I've NJ doubt, as people go
to Washington nowadays seeking for
Office.
$50 they fitted him out as finely as
they could; and his appearance must
have been attractive, for he soon OBJ
tanned = place in the service of De AL
meyda, who was going on an expedi-
ton to India.
"After several years of sailing, fight
ing Moors, Hindoos, Malays and others,
Magellan returned to his native land.
He had never given up his idea of going
on an independent voyage Of discovery;
Vasco da Cana had found a passage to
the East around the Cape of Good Hope,
and Balboa had seen the Pacific Ocean
from a peak on the Isthmus of Darien:
Magellan now hoped to find a passage
by which he might sail into the newly
found ocean,. So he s%traightway re-
paired to King Manuel and asked to be
fitted out for such an expedition. But
the King refused to do any such thing.
and scolded him roundly for having
come on such a FOOLS errand.
magellan declared that there were
other kings in Christendom besides
King Manuel; and he set off to make
the same request of the King of Spain.
This time be was successful, and in Au-
gust, 1919, he gaily sailed out OF the
harbor of Seville with five goodly shins
in his command.
''They sailed and sailed, and after
two months reached Brazil. Here thew
made acquaintance with many curious
people. beasts and birds, and here they
restea for some time, repairing their
ships and providing themselves With the
things necessary for a further VOYAGE.
SAT last they set sail for the sonth-
ward. keeping a sharp lookout for any
inlet that might be a passage to the
other sea. At first there was fair wealth.
err and smooth sailing, so all were
merry and hopeful; but months passed
away, as they fingered about the bavs
and inlets, or sought some safe haven
from the storms that burst upon them
Then the sailors became discouraged
and clamored that the ships be turned
homeward. The stout heart of Maoel.
Ian never quailed. The continent,
said ne. must end somewhere; and I
pole
.The 21st day of October, 1920. was
a festival day Of the church, and mass
had just been concluded on board shin
when a cry was heard from the sailor
posted on the lookout. A long cane
was discovered looking out into the sen:
and beyond it, to his great delight. Ma,
gellan saw a wide Inlet eNtend:n. south.
westerly farther than Tn. eve cnn1d
reach. The ships were turned at onca
into The channel; Magellan in constant
dread OF finding it brought to a sudden
close. and his hope of q passage to tho
Pacific again destroyed. It was -
strange wild place; high crage NOM
talns lowered on either hand. iarrad
rocks and reefs threatened the vessels
with destruction.
1t was thought best to send forward
Two ships for the purpose of %exnlora1
ton, ard to await their return. r. ~.
two sailed on through the Winding Nov,
llous passage; a terrible storm srp.a
and as several days passed :thn't
i,dlnggs, Magellan gave them up as lo"t
but now they are seen Returning vel
nagS and pennons flying. we h,.a
found the outlet! have seen the otho,.
cea was the joyful cry that echned
in the desolate strait. Cheers ~ I've. .e.
umph and the boom of cannon h.a ~
,nt awful stiffness of the place, and q
giving. 'Aanhs-
Into the great western sea sailed
t02 uttlo fleet. For dave e"lleu