Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-11-25
Gales aud Sketfhes.
IROUyDTHE WORLD.

There was time 8UtU Tue Scdildu VIM
ventured days voyage out of sight OF
land was considered rash and daring in the
extreme. Year by year men grew more
bold. The Portuguese had pioneered the
way across the Atlantic to some OF the
various groups OF islands which stud its
breadth and unguided barks were often
driven by stress of weather or accident into
untried paths OF discovery. which some
times lead to wealth and power. But 1t
remained for the genius of Columbus,
as broad as it was far-reaching-as per-
sistent as it was penetrating-to start
out with the invincible belief that one
could sail around the world, and with the
deliberate determination TO do it.
His object of reaching the eastern shores
of Asia, BY sailing westward, was never
attained, for his pathway was blocked
with continent But surely he did
not regret it when he was thereby enabled
to Law a new world in the lap of his pat
roness. Queen Isabella of Spain.
Others followed in his footsteps. The
English sent the Cabots, the Portuguese,
Magellan, etc, and all brought back
the most marvellous accounts OF the
wealth and wonders of these new lands,
to excite the curiosity, cupidity. and am
bition of the restless and rowing, the har-
DIV and resolute. Thus Sebastian Cabot
had explored the American seaboard from
Hudson's bay to Virginia, in 1893 and
1917. Vasco Nunez de Balboa, from the
mountains of Panama, had caught the
first sight of the vast unexplored waters
of the Pacific and Magellan had reached
it with his ship by sailing
through strait where he left his
name at the southern extremity of the
continent, in 1920. Sailing still westward
across the Pacific this bold navigator had
reached the isle of Zebu, where he was
killed, so near the extremity of a previous
voyage from the other direction, that he
is fairly entitled to be called the first cir
cumnavigator of the globe.
But the spirit of adventure was not yet
exhausted nor the love of gold satiated,
when, in 1889 or 1545. as some authorities
say, in a cottage on the banks of the Tavv.
in Devonshire, was born one who, by his
own brave deeds, won a place in the
world and in history.
We like to know something of the
place where great men were born, and
this is the picture which has been left
us of the house where Sir Francis Drake,
Queen Elizabeth's bravest sea captain, was
born:
There is something peculiarly beauti-
full in this spot. 1t is so sequestered that
it seems shut out from all the world all
is tranquil and in harmony; there is cheer.
tulness in the verdure of the meadows;
the little plot of grass is thickly set with
tufts of daisies and with white clover.
Here stood the old barn looking cottage
(for it was no better) in which Drake first
drew his breath, with its antique windows.
and all its character of past times about
it. till it was pulled down to give place to
an ox-stall or some such common append
age, to the farm house hard by"
The eldest of y sons would not have
much opportunity to dream away his time
among the daisies and clover.
1t is disputed point among historians
whether his father was a sea. faring man.
clergyman, or both. but it matters little
as far as the son is concerned. 1t is GER
tain that he was not long a burden upon
any one, for his father having so large
a family. at a very tender age APP
pren.iced this, the eldest. to a
neighbor who traded to Zealand and
France. (They had moved before this
from DcVOnSnlrc TO hent.
The taste for the sea and for trading.
thus acquired, probably determined his
future life. Moreover, his fidelity and
diligence gained for him the kindly regard
of his master who, dying a bachelor, be-
queathed to him the vessel IN which he had
served so faithfully. This was the begin
ming of his prosperity.
He was now Young man of eighteen
or twenty, and hearing that his kinsman,
John Hawkins, already quite famous
among the adventurers of the sea. was
fitting out his third expedition, young
Drake sold his own ship, and, with a party
of kentish friends, went to Plymouth and
joined him.
The career he now entered upon, with
the light of later years thrown upon it,
can only appear cruel and revolving. The
Guinea trade, as it was called, had follwed
! in the wake of maritime discovery, and
meant simply this; A ship or ships would
/ repair first to the west coast of Africa
where by fraud. violence, or at best by
taking advantage of the cruel native wars
a cargo of human beings was obtained
which was then carried to the Spanish is
! lands and colonies of America. There the
poor creatures were bartered for silver,
sugar, etc. and, generally. in those days,
| found cruel, merciless masters. How this
inhuman traffic could ever have been
palliated by any human being in any age
is a mystery to us now. But we must not
forget that the gospel of love was Just
beginning at that time to be unveiled from
the darkness and superstition of the mid
die ages, and let us remember also, with
some fear and trembling for ourselves
who live in this enlightened age, how Of
ten we are content Ito do as others do
without inquiring critically or conscienti-
ously into the right or worng of it.
To return to our story.
In this first voyage Drake met with
disaster. He was intrusted with the
command OF the Judith. one of the
smallest vessels in the fleet. Having
obtained their cargoes of Africans, they
took the usual course for Spanish Amer
lea, to dispose OF them. But the gov
ernor of small Spanish town, Rio de la
Hacha. where Drake stopped. refused
to trade with HIM, in obedience. the
man claimed, to the command of the
king, his master. might made right
in those days, and so. although Spain
and England were then at peace. Drake
stormed the town and greatly exasper.
i ated the Spaniards. Full sorely he paid
for it atterward. While off the coast of