The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1892-01-15

pltlate heaven ny solemn VOWS Auu acts
Of penance BY his orders a number OF
beans. equal 10 the number Of persons on
board We're put into cap. on one Of
which was cut the sign Of the cross
Each Of the crew made u VOW that.
should he draw forth the marked bean,
be would make pilgrimage 70 the
shrine Of Santa Maria de Guadalupe,
bearing wax taper Of five pounds
weight. The admiral was the first to
put in his hand and the lot fell upon him.
From that moment he considered him
felf a pilgrim. bound to perform the
vow. Another lot was cast in the same
way for pilgrimage TO the chapel OF
our Lady Of Loretto. which fell upon .
seaman named Pedro de Villa. and the
admiral engaged 10 bear the expenses OF
his tourney A third lot was also cast
for pilgrimage 70 Santa Clara de Mo-
guer. to perform solemn mass and TO
watch all night in the chapel. and this
likewise fell upon Columbus.
The tempest still raging with nabated
violence. the admiral and all the mari
ners made vow. thar II spared, wherever
they first landed they would 60 in pro
cession barefooted and in their shirts TO
offer up prayers and thanksgivings in
some church dedicated to the Holy Vir-
gin. Besides these general acts OF pro-
pitiation. each one made his private vow.
binding himself to some pilgrimage or
vigil or other rite of penitence and
thanksgiving at his favorite shrine. The
heavens. however. seemed deaf TO their
vows: the storm grew still more wild
and frightful and each man gave him
self up for lost. The danger Of the ship
was augmented by the want Of ballast,
the consumption Of the water and pro-
visions having lightened her so much
that she rolled and tossed about at the
mercy OF the waves. To remedy this.
and to render her more steady, the adj
miral ordered that all the empty casks
should be filed with sea water. which in
some measure gave relief.
During this long and awful conflict OF
the elements the mind Of Columbus was
a prey to the most distressing anxiety.
He feared that the PiDta had foundered
in the storm. In such case the whole
history Of his discovery, the secret OF
the New World. depended upon his own
feeble bark, and one surge Of the ocean
might bury it forever in oblivion. The
tumult Of his thoughts may be judged
from his own letter to the sovereigns:
II could have supported this evil for
tune with less grief" said ne, had my
person alone been in jeopardy, since !
am debtor for my life 10 the Supreme
Creator and have at other times been
within a step Of death. but it was .
cause Of infinite sorrow and trouble to
think that after having been illuminated
from on high with faith and certainty
10 undertake this enterprise, after hav-
ing VIGOROUSLY achieved it. and when
on the point Of convincing my opponents
and securing TO your highnesses great
glory and vast increase Of dominions. il
should please the Divine Majesty to defeat
all by my death. 1t would have been
more supportable also had not been &C
companied by others who had been
drawn on BY my persuasions, and who,
in their distress. cursed not only the
hour Of their coming, but the fear in.
spired by my words which prevented
their turning back, as they had at vari.
Gus times determined. Above all, my
grief was doubled when ! thought Of
my two sons. whom | had left at schoo
in Cordova. destitute in q strange land
without any testimony Of the services
rendered by their father, which, 4
known. might have inclined your high
nesses 10 befriend them. And although
on the one hand. | was comforted b.
faith that the Deity would not permit
work OF such great exaltation to hi
his church. wrought through 50 man,
troubles and contradictions, to remain
imperfect. yet. on the other hand, r.
Elected on my sins. as punishment 70
which he might intend that should b
deprived OF the glory which would re
dound to me in this world"
In the midst Of these gloomy appre
tensions an expedient suggested itself
by which, though he and his ship
should perish. the glory Of his achieve
ment might survive to his name and Il
advantages be secured to his sovereignf
He wrote on parchment brief accoun
OF his voyage and discovery. and Of hi
having taken possession Of the newt
found LANDS in the name Of their cathC
lie majesties- This he sealed and d
rected to the king and queen, supe1
scribing promise OF thousand duca'
TO wLomsoever should deliver the paolxs
unopened. He then wrapped II in
! waxed cloth. which be placed in the Ger
! ter OF cake Of wax, and irclosing th
whole in large barrel threw it into I'll
, sea. giving his men to suppose be wa
performing some religious vow. Le'
| this memorial should never reach II
! land. be inclosed copy In . simils
!. manner and placed it upon the poop.
that, should the caravel be swallowed Q
1 by the waves. the barrel might float Q
q and survive.
Z These precautions In some measu
. mitigated his anxiety, and he was ST
/ more relieved when. after heavy sho,
/ ers. there appeared at sunset . streak
Q clear sky in the west. giving hopes tn
n the wind was about to shift TO that qua
a ter These hopes were confirmed; {
D vorable breeze succeeded. but the 3
n still ran 20 high and unanimously tn
4 little sail could be carried during q