St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1884-04-26
THE FIRST JOURNEY AROUND THE
WORLD.

WORLD.
''What strait" said Uncle George,
slowly, separates South America from
Terra del Fuego?''
''sStrait of Magellan, answered
Ruthie triumphantly. At which Uncle
George declared himself quite satisfied
as to her learning, and gave her kiss
for a diploma. He would, however,
ask one question: "Why called Strait OF
Magellan, and who was MagellanP"
"She don t know of course" said Guy,
''nor either; but the name sounds kind
o. like an Irishman.
''No Irishman, but Portuguese; and
the original spelling was Magalhaens.
And if you would ike, 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 distant lands. He early de-
cided that of all 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 to
repair to court and ask the King to set
them a task--to give them employment.
Very much, I've no doubt, as people 90
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 peak on the Isthmus of Darien;
Magellan now hoped to find passage
by which he might sail into the newly |
found ocean. 80 he straightWay 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 fools errand.
Magellan declared that there were
other kings in Christendom besides I
King Manuel; and he set off to make
he same request of the King of Spain.
This time be was successful, and in Au-
gust, 1919, he gaily sailed out of the
larbor of Seville with five goodly ships
n his command.
'They sailed and sailed, and after
,Wo months reached Brazil. Here thew
made acquaintance with many curious
people, beasts and birds, and here thew
ested for some time, repairing their
hips and providing themselves With the
Kings necessary for further VOYAGE.
''At last they set sail for the south
yard, keeping sharp lookout for any
Met that might be a passage to the
,thers sea, AT first there was fair wealth.
II and smooth sailing, SO all were
Merry and hopeful; but months passed
way, as they fingered about the bays
nd inlets, or sought some safe haven
rom the storms that burst upon them.
hen the sailors became discouraged. I
nd clamored that the ships be turned ]
omeward. The stout heart of Mapel-
an never quailed. The continent. J
aid he, must end somewhere; and / {
hall keep on, if necessary, to the very
ole.' j
1.-THE 21st day Of October, 1920, was {
festival day Of the church, and mass !
ad just been concluded on board ship i
rhen cry was heard from the sailor !,
osted on the lookout. A long cape {
,as discovered looking out into the sea; {
nd beyond it, to his CREST delight, Ma t
elan saw wide inlet extending SOUTH t
esterly farther than thesseye could /
Zach. The ships were turned at once I
ito the channel; Magellan in constant +
read Of finding it brought TO sudden a
ose, and his hope of passage to the 2
acific again destroyed. It was a
range wild place: high craggy noun
Tins lowered on either hand, Jagged
ocks and reefs threatened the vessels n