Part 4 (1/2)
He thought of the plumed Indians and of the birds of splendid plumage that Columbus had brought back.
He heard much of Magellan, the ”new Columbus.” Why might he not go out upon unknown seas with him and discover new races, and bring back with him tropic spices, birds, and flowers?
He journeyed to Seville and there met Magellan. He entered into the dreams of the new navigator. He asked Magellan to let him sail with him.
”Why do you wish to enter upon such a hazardous undertaking?”
”I am desirous of seeing the wonderful things of the ocean!”
Magellan saw it was so. The Spaniards might distrust him, the Portuguese be jealous of him, but here was a man who would have no race prejudices--a man after his own heart, whom he could trust.
”You wish to see the wonders of the ocean world?” he asked.
”Yes, and I can write, and whatever I may do, and wherever I may go, I will always be true to you--the heart of Pigafetta will always be loyal to the Admiral!”
”My Italian Chevalier, you may embark with me to see the wonders of the ocean world. You shall follow my lantern.”
From that hour the young Italian lived in antic.i.p.ation. What new lands would he see, what palm islands, what gigantic men and strange birds, and inhabitants of the sea?
The young Knight of Rhodes had spoken truly, whatever light might fail, his heart would ever be true to the Admiral.
So the Knight embarked with the rude crew to follow, in the silences of uncharted seas, the lantern of Magellan.
He composed on the voyage a narrative for Villiers de l'Isle Adams, Grand Master of Rhodes. By this narrative we are still able to follow in fancy the lantern of Magellan through the straits that now bear the name of Magellan, to the newly discovered Pacific, and around the world.
His character was as spirited as Magellan's was n.o.ble.
We will sail with him in our voyage around the world, for _he_ went all the way and bore the news of Magellan's triumphs to Seville again.
Beautiful Seville! We must glance at the city here. She was the pride of Spain in those times when Spain dazzled the world. The Hispal of the Phoenicians, the Hispales of the Roman conquest, and the Seville of the Moors! Her glory had arisen in the twilight of history, and had grown with the advancement of the race.
She was indeed beautiful at the time when Magellan was preparing for the sea. The Moorish period had pa.s.sed leaving her rich in arts and treasures, and splendid architecture.
Situated on the banks of the Guadalquivir, circular in shape and surrounded with more than a hundred Moorish towers, and about ten miles in circ.u.mference, she rivaled the cities of Europe and of the Orient.
The great cathedral was being completed at that time, a mountain of art, arising from its plain of marble. It was four hundred and thirty-one feet long, and three hundred and fifteen feet wide, with solemn and grand arches lighted by the finest windows in Spain, perhaps the most enchanting lights through which the sun ever shone. The altars were enriched by the wealth of discovery.
[Ill.u.s.tration: The Giralda.]
Over this mountain of gold, marbles, and gems gleamed the Giralda, or weather vane, in the form of a statue, three hundred and fifty feet high.
Seville at this time was a city of churches. To these, sailors resorted while waiting for an expedition to complete its preparations for the sea, for most of them were good Catholics, and such as hoped for G.o.d's favor in the enterprise upon which they were about to enter.
Here, too, was the old Moorish palace, the Alcazar, with its delicate lacework like the walls of the Alhambra, but richer in color. In this palace was the Hall of the Amba.s.sadors, one of the most enchanting apartments ever created by the genius of man.
In the latter dream of Moorish fancy have pa.s.sed aching hearts, as well as those filled with wonder and delight. Here Pedro the Cruel received one of the kings of Granada, and murdered him with his own hand, to rob him of the jewels that adorned his person.
The tales of Pedro the Cruel haunted the city at this time.