The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-07-11

shore of an unknown island. which thew
named in gratitude for their deliverance,
Porto Santo. When the storm abated they
perceived what was apparently a low bank
of clouds in the western horizon, but which
proved upon investigation to be another
island, Astounding in timber lands. in con-
sequence Of which fact they named it Ma
deira. the Portuguese for timber. Elated
with their success, they made all possible
speed back to Portugal and reported to
their royal commander.
Prince Henry at once fitted out three
ships, which he gave to his captains, with
orders to return and colonize the islands. To
Perestrello he assigned the g~overnorship OF
Porto Santo. Filled with ambition by the
honor conferred upon him BY his prince,
Perestrello sought in his enthusiasm to rival
the achievements of the first great naval
captain, Noah. Had he been content to
emulate the maritime successes only Of that
time-honored sailor, all would have been
we'll with him. Unfortunately he endsav-
ared to compass his geological exploits as
well, not rejecting that Noah, in his day
and generation, possessed the earth, com-
pared to which his little island was a some
what limited domain. Eve and two
he conveyed & variety Of animals
aboard his ship for transportation to his
distant home. that they might there in
crease and multiply and thus insure an
always we'll filed larder in the guberna-
torial mansion. Among them was a pair
OF rabbits, the choice of which proved
conolusively that Dom Bartolomao had
given more attention TO the study Of nnvi-
CATION than zoomony. In an incredibly
short space OF time those rabbits ON ed the
island. They multiplied to an extent that
dened determination, and by their Unsuitable
voraclty deEtoyed every plant and blade of
grass. 80 that the fertile island soon became
Rdesert, and Dom Bartolomeo was Obliged to
leave them TO their own destructlon and re-
tnrn tn pnStnrn1 "a ,ii3 No.
however, but in 1446 again visited Porto
banto, and was then accompanied bv his
second wife, Dona Isabella Monis. Guided
BY her wlse counsels, and possibly profitiop
q trlne by eIperlenre-Qonts were subs,l-
tuted for rabbits on the later exreaition-
be was more successful in his sdninistra-
tion of affairs. and Porto Santo became
theIr permanent home.
Dona Isabella bore several Children
among them a daughter. Fel1pa, who was
the prioe of her fathers heart. Dom Bar.
tolomeo made her his companion on the oc-
caslonal voyages he made to Lisbon. talked
with her on the subjects which had alwnys
engaged his mind, and from him she i'm
bibed n daring spirit and a lows of adventure
quite unusual to her sex. In the wear l470
Dom Bsrtolomeo died, and his widow re-
turned to Lisbon. placed Dom Felips in the
convsns OF All Saints TO complete her edu-
cation.
Shortly after this time, CHRISTOPHER Col
umbus drifted 10 Libson. ProsY historians
assume that no was drawn thither bv the
fame OF tho Portuguese discoveries, which
had spread far And wide, ana which was
attracting the curious and sdveuturesome
Of every eiime 10 the Portuguese CAPITA,
The fact that his brother, bartholomew
was . resident of Llbson, where he was en-,
gagged IN the bunineEs OF making maps and
ohxFts and the sale of books, accounts more
reasonably for the Appearance OF Columbus
there, especially ~ he became a partner in
tne basinksa.
He waG then about % years of age, tall
q wall proportional, affable, vet dipni-
Continued ON Seventh Page.