Magellan

Preface

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AGELLAN performed a voyage far more difficult, perilous, and uncertain than that of Vasco da Gama ; and as an explorer of the ocean, he was not less persistent and dauntless. As Vasco found the water-way to Asia around the Cape of Good Hope, so Magellan, a little more than twenty years after, discovered the route to the same mysterious continent, by sailing westward instead of eastward, and by passing through the stormy straits, at the extreme southern point of the South American Continent, which still perpetuate his name and renown.

He crossed not only the Atlantic, but the Pacific also, and bestowed its gentle name upon the latter ocean ; and one of his ships was the first to sail completely around the globe, though Magellan did not himself live to assist in achieving this great triumph of navigation..

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IV PREFACE.

Besides encountering the many perils of the sea, the harrowing hardships of famine, the terrible scourges of disease, and threatened destruction by conspiracy and revolt, it was Magellan's fate to engage in fierce conflicts with savage tribes, and to meet with treachery at their hands, as well as to receive from them honest welcome and bounteous hospitality. No voyage, indeed, could be imagined, into which every feature of romance and adventure, of narrow escape and brilliant achievement, could be more crowded, than was that of Magellan from the port of Cadiz to the island clusters of Australasia.

Magellan's own character is well fitted to call forth the young reader's admiration. It was his ambition, not to enter upon a career of blood-shed and conquest, nor, mainly, to acquire wealth, honors, or power for himself ; but to achieve for the civilized world the vast benefits which he knew would follow the discovery of a route around the American Continent, and to confer upon heathen barbarians the blessings of what he devoutly believed to be the true faith.

He was generous and noble in disposition ; never wantonly cruel ; indulgent to and beloved by those whom he commanded ; brave as a lion, and indomitable in perseverance and tenacity of purpose ; undismayed by any obstacle, however formidable ; and reso-

PREFACE. V

lute in subduing men and circumstances to the end he had in view ; easily angered, but brief in his anger ; humane, considerate, and large-hearted.

The story of his famous expedition comprises one. of the most important as well as thrilling portions of tha- world's history ; and can scarcely fail to interest as well as inform those who peruse it.

Chapter I. Magellan Goes To Court

iy^ii|OT far from a quaint, picturesque old town ȣ^m in northern Portugal, called Villa Real, there lived, about the year 1500, a nobleman named Magellan. Although an " hidalgo," (nobleman) and descended from a proud and ancient family, Magellan was not rich ; but kept up such state and show as he could afford, in the home of his ancestors, which was a curious-looking edifice, with a tower, massive walls, and battlements, and which became, in troublous times, a fortress, as well as a residence.

Here Magellan was wont to entertain tha neighboring hidalgos, to receive such distingished captains, nobles, or voyagers as wandered so far away from the capital, and to lord it over the peasants who tilled the fields and vineyards which stretched over the slopes of the not distant mountains, and along the fertile banks of the pretty stream that flowed between his estate and the town.

The pride of Magellan's heart was his son, Fernan ; who, at the period that our story opens, was a vigorous young man of twenty. It was the custom of those days, as now, for the sons of European nobles to be brought up, not to any useful or hard-working occupation, but in ease and luxury; to be treated by their inferiors, even in earliest childhood, with ceremonious respect ; and to devote themselves freely to vigorous sports, and such pleasures as their neighborhood or their opportunities afforded. There were but two callings which these young patricians usually thought worthy of their adoption. They were not too proud to become soldiers ; and they were often glad to enter upon a political career, as courtiers or statesmen. At the time that Magellan lived, indeed, a third calling was espoused by many young men of high birth ; that of following the sea as voyagers and discoverers. But this pursuit was nearly akin to that of a soldier. The voyager commanded his ships upon the ocean ; but as soon as he had landed on a strange shore, he buckled on his armor, donned his helmet, drew his sword, and led his men against the inhabitants.

Although the elder Magellan was not rich, young Fernan had been reared amid surroundings of comfort, petted and humored by his fond father and equally doting mother, waited upon obsequiously by the retainers of the house, greeted with humble respect by the peasants and village-folk wherever he made his appearance, and enjoying, to the full, the rough pleasures which the wild country round afforded.

The broad valley where he dwelt was almost surrounded by lofty and savage mountains, clothed with vast, luxuriant forests ; while the slopes that descended from it to the meadows along the river bank, were covered by thickly clustering vineyards, bearing the luscious purple grapes from which the famous port wine is made.

Perhaps the chief pastime of Fernan's boyhood

MAGELLA.N.

and youth was the hunt. Among the mountains roamed the wild boar; the forests were, many of them peopled with deer; while of smaller game there was an abundance ; so that the sportsman need never despair of returning home with well-stocked game-bag, and often found his burden — a deer or a boar — too heavy to be carried without the aid of servants. It was Fernan's delight to follow his hounds, with a merry party of stalwart youths like himself, through the echoing mountain forests, and up the rugged banks of the sparkling river ; to ride frantically in pursuit of the wild game, and come to close quarters with the fleet stags and tusk-gnashing boars ; and to carry home in triumph the trophies of his day's sport. Sometimes he encountered even more formidable foes than these ; for the " Traz os Montes," near his home, were then infested by savage bands of brigands, who sought no richer prizes than the noble youths who ventured, in pursuit of game, too near their lairs. Fernan was as brave as a lion, and liked nothing better than a battle with the murderous robbers who now and then attacked him and his comrades. He had early learned the use of arms ; and was a good swordsman, and a skilful shot. More than once he was brought in wounded from his struggles with the bandits ; but he made light of his injuries, and had no sooner recovered than he plunged into the mountain wilds as fearlessly as before.

Not very many miles from the valley in which he dwelt, was Oporto, next to Lisbon the most important city in Portugal. It is from this city that " port" wine takes its name. Oporto is situated on the Atlantic, at the mouth of a wide river. It is a quaint old place, with narrow, zigzag streets, many ancient, lofty houses, adorned in the showy fashion of six or seven centuries ago, and possessing many noble churches and other public buildings. Its harbor is spacious, and to this day is picturesque with the ships of many nations.

In Fernan's time, Oporto was even a busier place than it now is. It was the resort of the nobility of all the country round, and its gaieties and dissipations were only less brilliant than those of Lisbon itself. The round of social pleasures was kept up there with much state and ceremony; while its trade, principally in wine,

D MAGELLAN.

made the quays, and the region near them, verycrowded and busy.

It was the custom of Fernan's father to spend, with his family, a portion of each year at Oporto; and there the young man had many a taste of the pleasures of city life. As he grew older, he became more and more fond of visiting the quays, and of taking sails in the harbor. He made the acquaintance of captains and sailors, and delighted to go on board the caravels and study their arrangements and rigging, and talk with the men about their adventures on the great deep. He would sit for hours in some dark cabin, and listen breathlessly to the tales of perilous voyages, of disastrous shipwrecks on strange coasts, and of desperate fights with savages. He heard with beating heart about the wonderful discoveries which were then being constantly made ; about the exploits of Columbus, the heroic discovery of the way to India by his own countryman, Vasco da Gama, and the quick succeeding expeditions that now sailed between the old and the new world.

Of a bold, fearless, adventurous spirit, Fernan was soon seized with an intense passion for the sea. As he stood on the bustling quays of Oporto, and looked far out where rolled the mighty waves of the Atlantic, he wished that he, too, was a captain, and longed to try his fortune in strange lands. The pastimes of his country home now seemed to him dull and paltry; he said to himself that he was wasting his life,and that, instead of hunting boars and fighting brigands, he might be discovering new lands and winning renown like that of Columbus and da Gama. Even the exciting pleasures of the city — the bull-fights and masquerades, the tournaments and routs, began to pall upon him, and he pined to go out into the world, and see more of men and countries.

One day, when he had been thinking more seriously than usual about his present life, and yearning to change it for a more stirring one, he sought his father in the hall of the house, where the bluff old noble sat, warming his heels before a blazing log-fire.

As he approached, Magellan observed that the young man's brows were knit, and that his face Wore a serious and thoughtful expression.

"What troubles you, Fernan?" asked the hidalgo. " For some time you have seemed distraught, as if something had happened to perplex you. Sit here by me, son, and open your heart to me."

Fernan did as he was bidden, and after a moment, said : " It is true, my father, that I am not content. I no longer enjoy those pastimes and pleasures that were once my delight. I thirst for adventure, for a stirring life by land and sea. You see, sir, I am now a man, I would go forth into the world, and try my fortune."

" And that shall you, if you please !" said the old man. "To be sure, Traz os Montes is but a dull place for one so brave and ambitious as you ; and even Oporto is but a narrow field for your aspirations. You shall go to court, my lad, and seek the favor of our good King Manuel. It will be ill luck if he does not speedily find some exploit for you ; I warrant me, a stalwart youth like you will find merit in his royal eyes."

Fernan sprang joyfully to his feet, and seized and kissed his father's hand. " You fill me with happiness, my father ! " he exclaimed. " Nothing do I desire so much as to go to Lisbon, and see the splendors of the court, and take service with the king ! Think you, sir, that he will receive me in his household? And may it be, that I shall be sent ere long, on some glorious expedition of conquest and discovery? I long to ride the stormy billows, to match my prowess with savage hosts, to win a name and power! When may I go — shall it be soon, my lord ? "

" In what haste are you, Fernan, to leave home and kindred I" replied the old man, sorrowfully. " But you have an impetuous soul, and mayhap nothing will content you but to go forth into the world. King Manuel knows me, and knows that he hath no more sturdy or loyal subject. I doubt not, he will receive you on my petition. Go, then; prepare with such haste as you please ; and depart for Lisbon as soon as you are ready."

It was with light, brisk step that Fernan, after thanking his father with trembling voice for his goodness, left the hall, and repaired to his own room, in an upper story of the house. A glow ' of high spirits already suffused his face, but just now so long-drawn with discontent ; and as he paced up and down the floor, with a multitude of feverishly happy thoughts rushing through his brain, his eyes kindled, and his fists clenched in his excitement. Now and then he broke out into some warlike ballad, or some sailor's song, that he had heard in the barracks, or on the caravels at Oporto; and then, becoming calmer, he would look around the room, to see what he could carry with him to the royal court.

There were many preparations to make before he could set out for Lisbon. In order to appear properly at court, a young nobleman must have several suits of rich attire. He must have tunics and trousers of velvet and silk, trimmed with gold and silver lace ; he must have slashed caps, with high-nodding plumes; he must have a full suit of glistening armor, helmet, cuirass, buckler, and all ; he must have an ample supply of silk stockings, of velvet shoes and slippers, and long top-boots ; he must wear a sword, with chased and jewelled hilt and scabbard ; he must be supplied with arquebuses and daggers and belts ; and, not least, he must be provided with at least one high-mettled, thorough-bred steed, on which to prance and gallop at the state shows and processions. In providing himself with these things, Fernan now busied himself absorbingly during his waking hours. Tailors stitched

MAGELLAN GOES TO COURT. II

away unceasingly on his fine new clothes ; the hidalgo sent to a distance, and purchased a noble, milk-white horse, for there were none in his stables fit for so momentous a use ; and ere many weeks Fernan found himself splendidly equipped for his journey to Lisbon.

One bright morning, there was a lively bustle in the courtyard of his father's mansion at Villa Real. The hidalgo himself, richly dressed, and surrounded by his wife, sons and daughters, stood on the broad steps that led from the door to the paved court, while the servants were gathered in groups below. Presently Fernan's white horse, with gay trappings, was brought out ; and then Fernan himself appeared, very fine, in a bran-new suit, with plumed cap, and a sword hanging at his side. With him were to go attendants, who soon cantered in the courtyard on their steeds.

The moment of parting came ; and Fernan advancing to his parents, knelt to receive their blessing, and was fondly folded in their arms. He embraced in turn his brothers and sisters, waved an adieu to the retainers of the household who gathered to see him off ; and, springing lightly upon his horse's back, rode forth, followed by his attendants, on his way to Lisbon.

It took several days to traverse the highways that led from Villa Real to the capital of the kingdom. Fernan's journey was, however, through a smiling and fruitful country, where the vineyards grew luxuriantly, and were just now laden with luscious ripe grapes of many colors. At night, he put up at a wayside inn, where he occupied the best room the house afforded, and regaled himself right merrily on the ragouts and omelets which were served up to him smoking hot, with his wine and biscuits. Everywhere he was received with the honor due to his rank and his destined position at court ; nor did any accident befall him until, on an Autumn afternoon, his eyes were gladdened by the sight of Lisbon in the distance.

On reaching the capital, and after taking quarters at a hotel which stood not far from the royal palace, Fernan lost no time in seeking an audience of King Manuel. This was easy enough to obtain. Among the young courtiers, Fernan found several old friends from his own part of the country ; and they found no difficulty in introducing him to the royal presence.

MAGELLAN GOES TO COURT. I3

King Manuel was still youthful, and carried himself with truly royal grace and dignity. His face was rather a stern one, but bore upon it the impress of a grave and thoughtful, rather than an ill-natured character. Ambitious, and eager to advance the glory and power of his realm, and to outvie its rival, Spain, in the conquest and dominion of distant lands, he was an ardent student, and employed his time rather in serious affairs of state than in the frivolous gaieties of court life.

The monarch was seated in the great hall of his palace, surrounded by his courtiers and officers, when Fernan, arrayed in his most brilliant suit, was ushered into his presence.

" The son of the hidalgo Magellan is right welcome," said King Manuel, as Fernan bowed low before him ; " and it will please me to give him a place in my household." With that, the king went on to inform Fernan that his duty would be to attend the royal person, that he should have a certain stipend every month with which to maintain himself, and that he should be provided with an apartment in the palace.

In no long time, Fernan had become completely accustomed to court life. The fine dresses, the brilliant displays, the balls and parties, the great dinners and imposing ceremonies, for awhile amused and distracted him. He enjoyed the city, with its busy streets, its crowded roadstead, its fine buildings, its gay life. ; and not less, the companionship of many young men of his own rank and age, with whom he passed many a jolly and boisterous hour.

But his ambition was by no means satisfied by these pastimes and pleasures. The court to him was only the high road to a more stirring and manly career. As he saw the fleets of caravels sail out of the harbor, on their way to newly found lands in Africa, Asia, and America, he longed, too, to traverse the seas, and seek the glories of combat, and the still nobler glories of discovery. Impatiently he watched the preparations of his more lucky companions, who were chosen to take part in these expeditions; he chafed under the necessity by which, while they went forth in search of adventures, he was still bound by his service to the. king.

Meanwhile, he grew : n the royal favor. King Manuel, perceiving him to be more aspiring and more serious than many of his fellow-courtiers, kept him about his own person, and often engaged in conversation with him. Fernan attracted the king's good will by the enthusiasm with which he talked of the discoveries which had been made by the Portuguese voyagers ; and in his own mind, the kinp- soon marked him out as one likely in the not distant future, to be of important service to the state. Had Don Manuel continued to esteem Fernan so highly, he would have added one more bright jewel to his crown, in the possession of the famous straits, the discovery of which is to be described in the following pages ; but, unfortunately for Portugal, in the course of time he took a dislike to the ambitious young.man, and Spain, instead of Portugal, reaped the benefit of his rare genius.

Chapter II. Magellan At The Wars

ERNAN had not been long at court, when an event occurred which threw Lisbon into excitement, and which was destined to turn the current of Fernan's. future life. This was the return of the famous discoverer. Vasco da Gama, from his second voyage to India.

The victories which da Gama had gained, his successful voyages to and from India, the splendid reception with which he was welcomed home, the honors of nobility and fortune that were showered upon him, the praises of him that rang through Portugal, all excited Fernan's ambition, and stimulated anew his longing to enter upon a career of adventure. In no long time he made Vasco da Gama's acquaintance, and was soon admitted to his intimacy; and many an hour did the young man spend at da Gama's house, listening

MAGELLAN AT THE WARS. \J

to the soul-stirring tales of his exploits by sea and land. Da Gama told him of the marvellous riches of India; of the customs of the people, and the struggles in which they had engaged with the Portuguese; and in such glowing colors described the romance of that distant land, the perils which there awaited the Portuguese warriors, and the glories which they might achieve, that Fernan burned to take part in its further conquest.

There was then at the Portuguese court, a brave and enterprising captain, named Francisco D'Almeyda. He had won renown at the famous seige of Granada, and in fighting the Moors in Africa ; and he was descended from one of the noblest families of Portugal. King Manuel had no more courageous or courtly subject.

Some time after Vasco da Gama's return, D'Almeyda was chosen as the first viceroy, or governor of India. So much loved and trusted was he, that no sooner was his approaching departure for the East announced, than a crowd of seekers after adventure, of all ranks and conditions, flocked to him and begged to be allowed to go with him.

D'Almeyda knew Fernan Magellan, whom he had long been in the habit of meeting about the court. He had seen more than one instance of his bravery, arid was deeply impressed with the restless ardor of his ambition. No sooner did Fernan, therefore, appear before him, and eagerly ask for a place under his command, than the viceroy freely promised him what he desired.

Fernan now set eagerly about his preparations for departure. He besought and easily obtained the consent of King Manuel ; and finding that he had plenty of spare time before D'Almeyda sailed, he employed it in revisiting his home in Traz os Montes, to bid adieu to hisparents,brothers and sisters, and take a last look at the familiar scenes of his childhood. He was going a long way off, into the midst of many dangers, and might never behold those beloved haunts again.

He was in the flower of young manhood, being about twenty-five years of age, when, from- the deck of the flag-ship of D'Almeyda's fleet, he saw, with contending emotions, the shores of Portugal growing dim and fading away in the distance. He found himself at last a soldier, in a large and well-appointed force ; and he was impatient that

MAGELLAN AT THE WARS. ig

the voyage should be rapidly pursued, and that they should quickly reach the scene of their future exploits.

No untoward mishap marked the progress of the fleet. Gentle winds wafted it on its course; scarcely a gale assailed it as it sped on, touching now at the Cape Verde Islands, now at the pretty harbor at St. Helena, and 'at last near the Cape of Good Hope.

D'Almeyda's first task was to secure Portuguese garrisons at certain points on the East African coast, where, according to the reports that had reached King Manuel, there was an abundance of gold and other riches. Entering the harbor of Quiloa, a town on the coast ruled over by a barbarian king who was hostile to the Portuguese, he assailed, captured, and plundered it. Fernan here had his first taste of the excitements and dangers of battle, and side-by-side with his noble commander, he fought with a headlong and lion-like courage which. at once marked him out as a hero among his comrades.

From Quiloa, where he built a fort, D'Almeyda went to Mombaza, further up the coast; and here, too, the Portuguese met with a stout resistance from the natives. These natives had already had a taste of European warfare ; for some years before Vasco da Gama had attacked them. He had, it seems, lost some of his cannon overboard. These the natives had managed to haul up from the bottom of the sea ; and, somehow, they had learned how to use them; so that* when D'Almeyda assailed them, he was amazed to be welcomed with the roar of artillery. He succeeded, however, after a desperate fight, in capturing Mombaza, where he found an abundance of spoil ; and he remained in this place some days.

One morning, as Fernan was looking about him in this strange African town, he was surprised to see, propped up near the gate of the palace, a large iron anchor. On examining it further, he found that it had, without doubt, come from Portugal. He hastened to report the discovery to D'Almeyda ; who, on questioning some of the natives, learned that it was an anchor which Vasco da Gama had lost in the harbor, and which had been hauled up, and by order of the king, placed at his palace gate as a curiosity.

The next place at which the fleet stopped was the friendly town of Melinda, where Vasco da Gama had been welcomed and treated with lavish hospitality. The old king, who had shown him so much attention, was dead ; but in his stead ruled his son, who proved equally well-disposed towards the Portuguese. D'Almeyda was received with cordial greeting, visited the king in his flourishing city, and was allowed to build a fort on the heights that rose above it.

All this time, the fleet had been gradually drawing nearer to India, its final destination ; and on leaving Melinda, it struck directly across the ocean, favored by the trade winds, and after a rapid voyage, reached Malabar.

Fernan, who had shown conspicuous bravery in all the battles in which the Portuguese had been engaged with the Africans, and had become a great favorite, both with D'Almeyda and with his fellow-soldiers, was delighted to see at last the land of which he had heard so much, and where he hoped to fight his way up to fame and fortune. He gazed in wonder at the singular costumes of the natives, the gorgeous turbans and tunics that adorned the persons of the princes and great men, the bazaars, full of rich cloths, fine carvings, and luscious fruits; and marvelled at the luxurious vegetation that crowned the hills and clustered in the valleys.

But he was soon called away from all this sightseeing, by his duties as a soldier. He had not come merely to visit a strange land, and idly observe its curiosities and customs. There was stern work before him ; and he cheerily obeyed the summons that called upon him to follow his commander.

He served gallantly with D'Almeyda in his many attacks upon the Indian chiefs and towns that still resisted the Portuguese sway ; went with him to Cochin and Cananore, took part in the desperate seige of Coulam, and that of Onor, and engaged in many a fight with the Moors, who, jealous of the Portuguese, exerted their utmost energies to drive them from India.

It happened that, after Fernan had been in India some time, a famous Portuguese general, Alfonso de Albuquerque, arrived with a large force, with the purpose of carrying the conquests of Portugal still further east. Albuquerque was one of the greatest soldiers of his time. He had a noble nature, was refined, generous, energetic, and as brave a man as there was in the world. His soldiers idolized him, because, though very stern when offended, he cheerfully shared their hardships, and always led them in person. He had a pleasant, genial face, which was rendered yet more benign by the long, snowwhite beard that fell over his breast, almost to his waist ; his eye was bright and kindly, but in battle was lit up with the fierce fire of his valor and enthusiasm ; his bearing was at once dignified and gracious.

To Albuquerque, Fernan was at once attracted, and, as D'Almeyda was now busy with the civil affairs of his viceroyalt}^, and matters were, for the time, quiet in India, he hastened to enlist under Albuquerque's standard.

Near the straits between the Indian Ocean and the Persian gulf lies an island, on which stood, and still stands, the city of Ormuz. It is an old saying in the East, that " the world is a ring, and Ormuz is the gem set in it." At the time of which we speak, Ormuz was, in consequence of its position as commanding the straits between the two oceans, one of the most important places in all Asia. Its harbor was always full of the quaint craft of the Eastern waters ; Arabian, Moorish, Persian, Indian, Malay, Tartar, and Armenian boats might have been seen crowded together in its roadstead ; while its markets teemed with the various wares produced in the countries to which they belonged. The city itself was alive with trade ; its streets and squares were spread over a wide area ; and it possessed many stately buildings.

The Portuguese had long looked with covetous eyes upon so fine a military position, and so rich an emporium; and Albuquerque was resolved to add this " gem of the world" to the crown of his royal master.