The Lafayette advertiser. [volume] (Vermilionville [i.e. Lafayette], La.) 1865-19??, 1890-04-26

sards Of savages to the bosom of on
Holy Church! What blessings woule
we not draw on ourselves and thos,
beloved families, from Which far from
trying to delude you, I pledge my
word of honor that with the assistance
of the Almighty l will bring you back
safe to the domestic hearth. All
ask of you, my friends, is three days
more. If by that time no land be in
sight, I shall lay down my insignia Of
honor and abide by your orders"
mariners" says Fernando, "what
risk you in accepting this proposal:
Three days more or, less in a voyage
of several months, make but little diff
ference. If he succeeds you will gain
honor, riches, blessings, name. If
no new thing happens; you are free,
guiltaess of human blood, innocent be-
fore the king, since you have obeyed
the order of his admiral until by his
own choice he laid down his command.
You have everything to gain nothing
to lose"
"This is certainly true" said Martin
Pinzon to his brothers ard their Off
GERS. "what say you mates?"
"We consent to this tlial and will
keep our word, but so must the admi-
ral."
"Aye! ayew says Columbus, "I
thank you all for this favor and blame
you not for this moment of forgetful-
ness; because l know that you are all
as [ myself am in a precarious posi-
ton. [ hope that all will turn for the
best. Goodbye sailors, I need soli-
tude and prayer"
The greatest man of his time retires
to his cabin and there amidst his trials
and tribulations, he does not give way
to womanish tears or useless complaints
but low before a crucifix he humbly
kneels and with all the devotion Of
his Christian heart he prays thus: cal
mighty Father, who knowest all, past,
present and future, who readest the
heart of man as mortals do an open
book, who art all, and in whom all
is contained and without whom all is
as nothing, thou knowest that is is not
mine, but thine honor, which moved
me to this enterprise. It is for thee,
my God that I have braved the fury
Of the storm and faced these mid-ocean
dangers for the propagation of thy ho-
ly religion. Yet, my God! if thou
deemest another man more worthy
than of this honor. thy will be done
my God, and not mine. Whatsoever
thou decidest, Lord Of Heaven and
earth, l will conform myself to Thy
DEGREES and bow my head in humble
submission and holy obedience" .
Can such deep humility and cons
stant faith remain unrewarded? No,
the Almighty has destined him to an
honor Of which he never dreamt, that
Of discovering not a passage but a con-
tinent-a continent hitherto unknown.
Two long days have passed, long on
account of the discord between the
soldiers and Of the anxiety weighing
heavily on the tender hearted Colum-
bus, but how short when considered
as two days just out Of the three grant,
ed and that the end was approaching,
success or failure, honor or ignomity,
wealth or poverty hung by a thread
Of but a few hours.
True the admiral's hopes and ex-
pectations have been strengthened by
the sight Of green branches floating
in the water, but once before he and
his sailors have been deceived in this
manner and he scarce trusts these
signs, yet he hopes against hope.
1t is 4 A. M. and the third day will
dawn in a few hours. A knock at the
door Of his cabin causes Columbus
heart to leap within himself; now he is
to learn about his success or his doom.
Brave as is he, he trembles with sup
pressed excitement and nervousIy
pushes his door ajar. Fernando steps
in pale and detected and even, before
he speaks, Columbus has understood
The news and said: "My friend, is all
hen lost"
Gall! all! the soldiers have taken up
arms and are in full rebellion. They
wait but for daylight to act"
my God. thy will be done, not;
mine, are the only words pronounced
by the great man.. Yet the foul deed of
injustice is never to be accomplished.
The pale glimmers Of the rising sun
but dispell the shades of night, when
The congregated vessels perceive :. an
Isle of verdure at their right, whilst
he watchman on board the third YES
'el, cries out: !''Land! land" I
The news is Immediately brought to |
who now displays as much |
humility and moderation as he ere
while displayed courage and real mer-
+. Fervently raising up his heart to
Sod, he attributes to Him all success
hereof. He then steps on deck
where he is hailed with delight and
l..