St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1912-10-30

treasurer advanced the money re-
quired.
A small fleet of vessels was made
ready for the voyage, and on Friday,
August 8, 1892, Columbus set sail
from Palos, a port Of Spain.
On the day before sailing the voy-
ayers went to the monastery of La
Rabida, where they confessed their
sins and received Holy Communion,
after which they marched in process
sion to their ships.
Columbus sailed first to the Ca
nary Islands where he remained a
short time repairing his ships.
When they had sailed about sixty
days without discovering any land
the sailors began to grow alarmed
and begged Columbus to give them
leave to return to Spain. They even
threatened to throw him overheard
/ if he did not consent.
At first he tried to calm their fears
by promises of great rewards, and,
as these offers had no effect, he
took a decided stand and told them
that he had been sent by the rulers
of Spain, and with Gods blessing
they would continue until they
reached the land they were seeking.
Every evening the crews of each
ship assembled upon deck and
chanted the ''Salve Regina in honor
of the Blessed Virgin under whose
patronage they sailed.
One night shortly after midnight
the sailors on one of the vessels, the
''Pinta" saw lights moving in the
distance, and the next morning a new
land presented itself to view.
On October II, 1892, Columbus,
richly dressed, and carrying a drawn
sword landed upon the shores of the
New World and took possession of it
in the names of the King and Queen
of Spain.
The natives were very much sur
lprised at the appearance of the
Spaniards whom they regarded as
children of the sun. Their friendship
was soon won by distributing beads
and shell ornaments among them.
The land first discovered by Col
umbus was one of the Bahama Is
lands, now known as Waiting Is
land, to which he gave the name of
Hispaniola He supposed that he
had reached India and consequently
named the natives Indians.
He was received with great favor
by the king and people who were
delighted with the gold and many
curiosities which he brought back
with him.
/ Columbus made three other voy-
ages to the New World and was ap-
pointed governor of Hispanicla by
the King of Spain.
The Spanish countries, jealous Of
his success, circulated false stories
about him which caused him to be
deprived of the government of His
PAMELA, and be sent home in chains.
Columbus never forgot this unjust
treatment and carried his chains
about with him during his life and,
should be buried with him.
After a time he was set free and
allowed to make another voyage to
America, during which he was ship
wrecked on the Isle of Jamaica. At
ter a variety of dangers and suffer-
ings he returned to Spain where he
died shortly after at Vallidolid, in
the sixty-fifth year of his age.
His last moments were devoted to
prayer and to the reception of the
rites of that religion which he had
cherished and practiced during his
life. His last words were those
of the Royal Prophet: Unto Thy
hands o Lord, commend my
spirit"
"He has given to thee the keys of
the gates of the ocean which were
closed with such mighty chains"
RUTH F. HARRIS,
Mt. st. Joseph Academy.