20 Gardiner G. Hubbard — Discoverers of America. 



All voyages before that of Columbus had been coastmg voy- 

 ages, the sailors keeping in sight of land. Columbus pushed 

 out into the unknown and trackless ocean, leaving the land far 

 behind. Good seamen were unwilling to undertake so terrible 

 a voyage, so convicts were obtained, liberated from prison on 

 condition of sailing with Columbus. A brave, resolute and self- 

 contained spirit was necessary to command such a crew on 

 such an expedition. New wonders startled him each day. The 

 magnetic needle, instead of pointing steadily northward, swerved 

 toward the west. The wind for many days blew unvaryingly 

 from the east, and the sailors thought it would prevent them 

 from returning. The Saragossa sea puzzled them. They daily 

 grew more timid as they sailed further and further into the 

 ocean, though they had sailed much further than they supposed. 

 No voyage like that was ever made before and none like it can 

 ever be made again, for the great discoverer solved the problem 

 and reached the east by sailing west. 



How like a tragedy the life of Columbus ! Twelve years of 

 preparation and waiting, five in Portugal and seven at the court 

 of Isabella; his demand; its rejection; his recall; his depart- 

 ure from Palos Avith three small vessels; his triumphant return 

 after the discovery of America, admiral and governor ; sent home 

 in chains ; his death, poor, unknown and forgotten. Contrast 

 this with what has recently taken place at Palos. Last SeiDtem- 

 ber (1892) the greatest war ships of the world from Spain, Italy, 

 Germany, Great Britain and the United States, propelled by a 

 power unknown to Columbus, escorted from the harbor of Palos 

 three little ships, two without decks, fashioned after the ships 

 of Columbus. 



At the time of Columbus' death none to honor him ; now all 

 Europe and the new world unite in rendering him the greatest 

 homage ever paid to man I 



