Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1891-09-18

! uO0ut tno smooth sea- NIlI nerOn, "
! pelican and duck were seen, all bound
In the same direction. Tho heritage
which hoated by was fresh and green, as
II recently from land. and the air, Colum-
bus Observes was sweet and fragrant MS
April breezes in Seville.
All these, however, we're regarded by
thu crews as so many decisions beguiling
them on to destruction, and when on the
evening of tho third day they beheld the
sun 20 down upon a shoreless horizon,
they broke forth into turbulent clamor,
They exclaimed against this obstinacy in
tempting fate by continuing ON into a
boundless seq. Thay insisted upon turn
ing homeward and abandoning the voy-
age rs hopeless. Columbus underworld
20 pcify them by gentle words and
promises OF large rewards; but finding
that they only increased in clamOr, he
assumed decided tone lie told them
it was useless to murmur, the expedition
had been sent by the sovereigns to seek
the Indies, and, happen what might, he
was determined to persevere, until, by
the blessing Of God. ne should accomplish
the enterprise.
Columbus was now at open defiance
with his crew, and his situation became
desperate. Fortunately the manifesto
tons Of the vicinity of land were such
ON the following day as no longer to adj
init doubt, Besides q quantity of fresh
weeds, such az grow in rivers, they saw
green fish Of kind which keeps about
rocks then a branch of thorn with Der
ries on it, and recently separated from
the tree, foated by them then they
picked up reed, small board, and
above all, a staff artifcially carved. All
gloom and 1nutiny now gave way to
sanguine expectation; and throughout
the day each one was eagerly on the
watch, in hopes Of being the first to dis
cover the long sought for land.
IN the evening when, according to In
variable custom on board Of the admir-
aIsship, thelnariners had sung the "Salve
Regina" or vesper hymn to the Virgin, he
made an impressive address TO his crew.
lie pointed out the goodness Of God in
thus conducting them by soft and favor
ing breezes across a tranquil ocean, cheer
ing their hopes continually with fresh
signs, increasing Us their fears augment
cd, and thus leading and guiding them
to promised land. He now reminded
them Of the orders he had given on leav-
ing the Canaries, that, after sailing west
ward ZOO leagues, they should not make
sail after midnight. Present appearances
authorized such a precauuon. lie thought
it probable they would make land that
very night; he ordered, therefore, a Wig
liant lookout to be kept from the fore.
castle, promising to whomsoever should
make the discovery doublet Of velvet,
in addition to the pension to be given by
the soyereiSus.
The breeze had been fresh all day,
with more sea than usual, and they had
made great progress. At sunset they
had stood again t. the west, and were
blowing the waves at u rapid rate, the
Plnta keeping the lead from her superior
sailing. The greatest animation pre-
vailed throughout the ships; not an eye
wac closed that night. As the evening
darkeued Columbus took his station on
the top Of the castle or cabin on the high
poop Of his vessel, ranging bis eye along
the dusky horizon and maintaining an
W
10 o'clock he thought he beheld light
glimmering at u great distance Fear
ing his eager hopes might deceive him
he called to Pedro Gutierrez, gentleman
Of the kings bedchamber, and inquired
whether he saw such light; the latter
replied in the affirmative. Doubtful
whether 1T might not yet bo some de
fusion Of the fancy, Columbus calle1
Rodrigo Sanchez, Of Segoyia, and made
the same inquiry. By the time the latter
had assembled the roundhOusc, the light
had disappeared, They cav it once o.
twice afterward in sudden and passing
CLEANS, as if it were torch in tn,
bark Of fisherman, rising and sinking
with the waves; or In the hand Of som,
person on shore, borne up and down II.
lie walked from house to house. S
transient and uncertain were thes,
CLEANS that few attached any importauc,
TO them; Columbus, however. consldere,
them as certain signs Of land, and, more
over that the laud was Inhabited.
They continued their course until ii
the morning, when gun from the Pints
gave the joyful signal to land. 1t Wa
first iesoried by r mariner named Rod
rso de Triana; but the reward was az
terward adjudged to tho admiral, fol
having previously perceived the light
The land was now clearly seen about tW,
leagues distant, whereupon they took il
sail and laid to, waiting inpatiently fol
, the dawn.
Tho thoughts and feelings of Colum
bus in this little space of time must hav,
been tunultuous and intense. At length
in spite Of every difficulty rad danger
lie had accomplished his object. Til
great mystery Of the ocean was revealed
/ his theory, which had been the SCOT o
e. sases, was triulnphantly established; b.
e. had occurred to himself a glory Gara
Die as The world itself.
q Il is difficult TO conceive the feeling
) Of such 4 man at such moment, or L.,
CouIcc,ures which must have throuBe,
> upoa his mind as to the land before him
q covered with darkness That it wa
: fruitful wa6 evident from tho vegetable
vvn'rh Aoafad frNrn 10 ab,r.r H.