overwhelm the ships or to dash them against the rocky shore. One of the vessels sprang a leak and another barely escaped the rocks. At last they rode safely at anchor in a small bay where the sailors demanded the return of the expedition to Spain. They had suffered danger enough, they said. But Magellan stoutly refused, and, after refitting the ships and repairing the damage of the storm, he again set sail southward, seeking a passage to the western ocean. On the morning of October 21, 1520, Magellan was celebrating the day sacred to the eleven thousand virgins, when, as the ceremony ended, one of the sailors espied a cape or headland, beyond which nothing could be seen, and, as they rounded the point, "Magellan's heart leaped within him to perceive that there was a broad inlet running in a southwesterly direction, and that while the land was plainly visible on its southern side, its limit inland could not be seen. Naming the point the Cape of the Virgins, he gave orders that the fleet should boldly enter the inlet and endeavor to find out whither it led." 1 The shores were rugged and steep, with occasional forests. The main channel was divided into many inlets and bays and in places was almost closed up by rocky islands. The jutting reefs and breakers were to be avoided and it was necessary to survey the channel closely as they 1 Towle's "Life of Magellan." "The advanced. Pigafetta, as quoted by Fiske, says: straight now cauled the straight of Magellanus, beinge in sum place. C. x. leaques in length: and in breadth sumwhere very large and in other places lyttle more than halfe a leaque in bredth. On both the sydes of this strayght are great and hygh mountaynes couered with snowe, beyonde the whiche is the enteraunce into the sea of Sur. Here one of the shyppes stole away priuile and returned into Spayne." More than five weeks were spent in working their way through these winding channels. At length, in a sheltered bay, the fleet cast anchor. Two ships were sent ahead to explore the channel while the others waited. While attempting to return, the two vessels were overtaken by a furious storm and driven forward, and, after passing through several straits and bays, they reached a channel from which they could see the boundless ocean beyond. At last Magellan "was relieved by seeing them speeding rapidly toward the bay, with flags and streamers flying gayly at their mastheads. They were soon alongside the flag-ship, and Mesquito, hastening on board, eagerly advanced to Magellan and fell at his feet. 'Praise be to God, Admiral,' cried he, when he could recover his breath so as to speak, we have found the outlet.' Magellan, with flushed face, his whole body trembling with excitement, 6 6 raised the faithful captain from the deck, and clasping him about the neck, burst into tears of joy. Is it indeed true?' he said, with faltering voice. And have you seen the other ocean, the western ocean beyond?' 'We have indeed seen it with these very eyes,' replied Mesquito. 'We came near perishing in the storm, but we kept on and have succeeded.' Having embraced the other officers, Magellan said, 'My Comrades, we have at last triumphed. Our perils have been great, our trials and hardships sore and many. But the reward of all has come. The passage that leads from the Atlantic to the further Ocean, and opens the nearest way from Spain to the rich Molucca islands is found. It is just before us. We shall pass through it into the ocean beyond, if God still protect us. We shall make other discoveries, find wealth and fame for ourselves and new lands for our king. Let the captains return to their ships, and assemble their crews to tell the good tidings; let your cannon speak to awake echoes among the crags; float the royal flag from your mastheads, array the decks with streamers and ribbons, let meat and drink be set forth in plenty, and render thanks to God for leading us to this great discovery. The four ships were anchored alongside and the day was given up to feasting and celebration. When the 1 Towle's "Life of Magellan." feast was done, altars were erected on the deck and the priests chanted the song of triumph. The fleet now set sail and advanced through the channel in a series of bays and narrow straits. Following the course of the first two ships they came at last to a narrow strait and a cape that jutted into it, from which they could dimly see the distant ocean. This place Magellan named Cape Forward. But at this point the channel divides into two parts, both extending far away, and he was at a loss to know which to follow. Before sending forward the ships to explore these channels, he called together his principal men and asked their opinions about his future course. Should they return now to Spain and make known this discovery or proceed on the long voyage across the new ocean to the Moluccas? In spite of hardship, riches and honor could be had by sailing on to the Moluccas. Some were eager to go on but the chief pilot, Gomez, objected and urged Magellan to return to Spain for provisions and better ships. Magellan at once replied, "We will go on even if we have to eat the leather from the ship's yards.' The Concepcion and the San Antonio were now sent out to explore the two channels. After waiting impatiently for several days, Magellan set out along the southern channel. Advancing, they came to a wide current in which many small fishes were found. Magellan |