"Brave Admiral, say but one good word; What shall we do when hope is gone? " The words leaped as a leaping sword : "Sail on ! sail on ! and on !"Joaquin Miller.
Far, far away across the sea lies the sunny land of Italy, with its grey olive-trees, its fruitful vineyards, and, more precious than all, its darkeyed boys and girls. And in that fair country, nearly five hundred years ago, a hero was born.
Now, when a king"s son is born, bells are rung, thanksgiving hymns are sung, flags float proudly over the city, and the roaring of cannon proclaims the good tidings. But when Christopher Columbus was born there was no such rejoicing. The tiny baby boy came to the simple cottage of a working man of Genoa (j?n"- o-ah), and nobody knew that a hero"s life had just begun.
You must know, of course, that one does not become a hero all at once. This boy had much to learn. He had need of a strong body; so he had much playing to do, like other boys, in the open air, and much work as well, which made his muscles strong. He learned, as you do, to read and write; but he read and wrote the language of Italy.
And then he had to learn about ships, for the time was to come when he would command ships. He needed to know about the sea, for his great work would lead him across the wide ocean. He should know about men, for the time would come when he must direct men and they must obey. And, most of all, he had to learn to be very brave and patient if he would do a hero"s work for the world. How do you think he learned this lesson?
As you know, Genoa is built by the sea; and I can imagine the young Christopher playing by the water, running over the ships, climbing the masts, helping the sailors, listening to the captain, and learning all the while. At last he went to sea; and I have read that he once saved the lives of a captain and all his crew by his bravery in a great storm.
And now I shall tell you a queer thing. Most peoplewho lived in the time of Columbus thought that the earth was flat like a plate.
"Of course it is," said they; "we can see it with our eyes.""I have heard a man say that it was round," said a boy; but the older people cried, "He is silly! We have always known that the earth is flat. If it were round, we should of course fall off."Columbus had heard what the people said; but he had studied and thought much about the matter, and he was one of those who believed that the earth was round.
I must tell you another strange thing. The people who lived in Europe did not know that there were such countries as Australia and America in the world. Because they thought the earth was flat, they believed they would fall off if they came to the edge.
There was another reason, too, why they dared not go far from land; they feared to lose their way, for the compass was known only to a few. But by the time Columbus had grown to be a man it was in more general use.
In the time of Columbus people used to travel by land many weary miles to reach India, in order to bringback jewels, spices, curious shawls, and other costly things.
Columbus said to himself: "I know that the earth is round. People have travelled east to go to India. It is a long journey. By sailing west, I feel sure, I shall reach India by a shorter way."But nobody believed him. It was very hard to get money enough to go, and Columbus spent weary years, walking from place to place, trying to make people believe as he did; still, he was patient and brave.
At last Isabella, Queen of Spain, an able ruler, provided him with three ships, and ordered men to sail with him to find a shorter way to India.
What a glad day it was for Columbus when he saw his three ships in the harbour!
The sun shone brightly, flags floated, bells rang, and the people cheered when the ships sailed out of the harbour. The heart of Columbus swelled with joy. He felt sure that he was beginning a wonderful journey.
Day after day passed. The little ships were alone on a wide sea. No land was in sight. The sailors became afraid, and begged Columbus to turn back.
"Why are we here on this fool"s errand?" they cried. "We do not believe your foolish stories about a roundearth. We shall come to the end and fall off, or else be buried in this unknown sea." They met in secret, and planned to throw Columbus overboard and to turn their ships toward home.
But Columbus was not afraid. He talked with his men until they were quiet and promised to sail on for three days more. One day passed; no land in sight. A second day; still no land. On the third morning there came toward the ship, floating upon the water, a branch with red berries. Hope rose in the fearful hearts of the crew. Before night they heard the welcome cry, "Land ! Land ! Land !"What shouts rang through the air! What joy filled the breast of the brave Columbus! He and his men went in boats to the land; and, kneeling upon the shore, Columbus took possession of the new-found country in the name of his queen, Isabella. This was in the year 1492.
Astrange company of men crow ded around Columbus and his sailors. They had copper-coloured skins and straight, black hair. They had never seen white men before, and they thought the ships were great birds. Columbus called the people Indians, because he thought he had reached an island near India. But we know thathe found a new world.
After a few months, Columbus went back to Spain, his ships laden with curious treasures. He carried some Indians with him to show what he had found.
Then the people said, "Ah, the great Columbus was right, after all!" They sang his praises everywhere.
Did the boy who sat on the wharf at Genoa, gazing over the blue sea, dream that boys and girls would tell the story of his life hundreds of years afterwards in many lands which were yet to be discovered?
Drawn by R. C. Fricke
The Landing of Columbus.
About the Author.-The name of the author is not known.
About the Story.-Look up Italy on the map. Now find Genoa.Who was born there? How many hundred years ago? Why was he easily able to learn about the sea and ships? What makes some people think the earth is flat? What makes you think it is round? Why were the sailors afraid on the Atlantic Ocean? Why was Columbus not afraid? Suppose you are Columbus, then write or tell a short account of the voyage. Suppose you are an Indian, then write or tell an account of the coming of the white men.