The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-08-21
THE START FOR AMERICA.
An Account of Columbus ElnbRrkation IL
the New World.

An Account of bus ElnbRrkatiOn for
the New World.
On Aug. 2. 1492. everything was ready,
and tho crew WIS notified to embark, to
await the uncertain moment when q favor
able " nd should rermit the little feet to
sst sail. writes Emilio CASTELAR, in Century.
NothinR so beftted that solemn hour as =
votive procession from the c~aravels to the
monastery, to which the ayes Of the mari
ners turned As to a spiritual beacon.
headla nds. This pious duty performed,
the crew returned on board the c,ravsls,
where they patiently awaited the order to
sail. while Columbus retired to the monas-
tesy to eagerly watch for = ~favoring wind.
Columbus kept all sail on his c~aravels
during she night Of AUG. 2: Ths old salt.
of the crew looked for . favoring wind at
starting. and C%elumbus' eager wstchfulness
was not to pass unrswarded. From the
height on which La Rabida stood he
scanned sea and sky with steadfast gaze.
like one Of those sea birds, presages OF
changes Of wins and weather, o%lingine to
the scared and weather-beaten cliff. About
three in the morning, while the stars yet
twinklsd in the skies and all earth slum-
bs.ed, the awaited breeze sprang up. bring
ing new life to the discove,er's veins and
q~uickening tbs throbbing of his heart. The
lAuoo "9!Inufe0 III snouku nymnlRg THO
dawn u the waters rippled as though
hsaving with tho breath Of love and hope.
Columbus awakened Padre Juan, and he in
turn tho child Diego, and the three repaired
to tho chapel in quest of heavenly aid and
reliRi ous solacs for the approaching panHs
Of separation and for the fatsful voyage.
As in the %boundless ether shine the stnrs.
30 tho lamps fickered in tho little church,
lighting with their rays alike the COURSES
OF the ocean and the pathways of the soul.
The monk put on his priestly vestments
snd celebrated the holy sacrament at the
high altar. before tho taper-liRhtsd Virgin.
The hour was come and Columbus rssolute-
~ desceLded to the shore. pluckirg him
self away from the embraces that held him
to tho land like some desp-rcoted oak, for
the sail wings were ready to bsar him to
the realm of sea n sky. He soon reached
the wharf. and as the dawn broke in the
east the flagship majesticallv ran lnshore
to take the new argonaut on board.
The Tutoring sails, the hurried ma
neuvers of the crew, the boatswuin's
whistle and the cries of tho sailo 9 as
the ships got under way announced u
speedy departure. and attracted the es,ly
risen villagers to tho shore in their natural
desire to witness thescene. and to bid faro
we'll to departing friends and loved ones.
When Columbus spranR from the skiff on
board the onravel and the anchors were
weighed. a shudder ran alike through tho
departing sailors and the leave-takers on
the strand. Where they were going they
knew, but as their westward course, after
leaving Cadiz and the Canaries. was to take
them far beyo.d those lately won islands.
none knew whittier they were bound or the
duration OF the voyage. Tn cross floated
above the flagship, which bore ssaward to.
ward the unknown, seeking mysteries per
chance impenet,able and inaccessible TO
the human mind and unconqusrable by
hum an will. .