Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-08-21

se1lleS Tor another vessel ana more people.
As 1 could not by any means compel them,
1 assented apparently to their wishes, alter
ing the points OF the compass and spreading
| all sail. 1t was then evening, and the
next morning we were within the cape Of
Carthagena, while all were firmly of tine
opinion that they were sailing toward Mar
seilles"
Whether or not he was successful in this
exploit he does not state, but that his
courage deserved success you will all agree.
Returning to Genoa from this expedition
with Admiral Colombo, he was the hero of
the home circle and of his friends. Now it
was his turn to tell great stories. He was
no longer the mere listener You may be
sure that he improved the opportunity and
that he had many acmiring hearers.
His career was now surely marked out for
him. During the next few years he lived
on the water most of the time. As he put
it afterward: "Wherever ship had sailed
there have 1 journeyed.
At this time the future great explorer
was little more than Nrate, but it must be
remembered that piracyA as he practiced it,
was considered in those days a verv honor
able pursuit. It was an age when right was
measured by might The Mediterranean
was the scene of constant naval warfare.
Spain, Portugal, France and the several
Italian States were always seeking to de-
spoil each other or to plunder their COM
mon enemy, the Moors of Northern Africa
and the infdels who held the Holy Land
Every merchant vessel went armed, and ex-
pected to be obliged to fight its way from
port to port. Columbus took active part in
the privateering, but he seems to have gained
more fame than wealth. His heart was not
wholly in his work, for he still looked for
ward to making voyages of discovery for the
benefit of the world and of the church, and
to win honor and wealth for himself.
He had many adventures, in one of which
he nearly lost his life. He was captain of
a ship in the squadron of Columbo, the
Younger, as the nephew of the greater Ad-
miral was called: The squadron was prin-
cipally engaged in plundering the merchant
were returning from Flanders to Venice
when they met this Genoese feet that had
been lying in wait for them several days off
the coast of Portugal, near Cape St. Vincent
When the galleys were sighted at sunrise
one morning the Geuoese, running up the
flag of their republic, engaged their ancient
enemies in battle, rending the air with
''Viva San Georgia." their old war cry.
The Venetian sailors were brave men, not
easily scared, and did not attempt to run
away. Coming close to each other, the
opposing Vessels were SrappleU OF laSteneQ
together by the Genoese. The assailants
boarded the galleys and fought hand to
hand with the enemy. Again and again
the thoarders were driven back to their own
ships The guns on both sides disabled the
vessels, and the men cut each other down
with their cntlassea The dead and wounded
soon lay piled UP in dreadful heaps on the
decks or hosted about on the ocean waves
that their life blood had turned to q bright
crimson. Over the scene of the engage
ment the smoke of powder hung like
olsok pail. From early morn until late at
nigh: she fight continued, resulting in the
capture of the Venetian vessels
Early In the day Columbus had selected q
huge Venetian galley for his prize He was
foremost in leading the attack, and his crew
followed him brayely. The Venetians
fought desperately, and several times re-
pulsed their assailants. Finally, hand
grenades and other fiery missiles that were
then commonly used in battle were thrown,
and soon both vessels were on fire. As the
ships had been fastened together with
chains, it was impossible to separate them.
In few moments both were a mass of rag
ing flames and doomed to destruction. Co.
lunbus called upon his men to save them
selves as best they could. They all jumped
into the water, which was the only chance
of escape, but most of them were drowned.
A few escaped safely to land, which was
only two leagues distant Among the fotr-
innate ones was Columbus, who, supported
upon single oar, managed to swim that
distance, and was tossed upon the beach
more dead than alive.
TTn y. naays,.,,d Mt