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THE SEA. 



commander of a fleet against the infidels." He must have commanded a goodly fleet, for 

 while Christopher Columbus was with him he took four large Venetian galleys, after a 

 desperate fight. The vessel in which Columbus was, took fire, and he had to leap into 

 the water and make for the land, two leagues distant. He was an excellent swimmer, 

 and, by the aid of a floating oar, he succeeded in landing on the coast near Lisbon. This 

 was his first introduction to that city. Here he married a lady of good family, Donna 

 Felipa Moniz. Her mother was the widow of Perestrello, one of the captains who had 

 re-discovered Madeira, and she put at the disposal of Columbus all the charts and journals 



BARTHOLOMEW DIAZ ON HIS VOYAGE TO THE CAPE 



left by her husband, from which he learned much of the discoveries made by the Portuguese. 

 It was at this time that he began to think seriously of attempting a passage to the Indies 

 by the westward. 



Columbus first laid his plans before Prince John of Portugal, who lent a favourable 

 ear, but on account of the large expenses connected with his expedition to the Guinea 

 Coast, which had not hitherto been crowned with any great success, could not promise 

 immediate action. Later, by the advice of one Doctor Calzadilla, in whom he reposed great 

 confidence, the King of Portugal resolved to attempt secretly the discovery which Columbus 

 had proposed. Accordingly, a caravel was fitted out under pretence of carrying supplies to 

 the Cape Verd Islands, with private instructions to sail to the west. Those sent on the 

 expedition had little knowledge or enterprise, and after vaguely wandering about the 

 Atlantic some time, returned to the Cape Yerde Islands, laughing at the undertaking as 



