Part 10 (2/2)
”When the Captain General came to know of it, he sent to fetch him with his s.h.i.+p's boat, and brought him to one of the little islands in the port. This giant was of a better disposition than the other, and was a gracious and amiable person, he loved to dance and leap. When he leaped, he caused the earth to sink to a palm's depth at the place where his feet touched.”
The good giant remained for a time with the adventurers. They gave him the name of John. They learned him to p.r.o.nounce the name of Jesus.
”Say Pater Noster,” said they.
”Pater Noster,” said the giant.
”Say Ave Maria,” said the men.
”Ave Maria,” said the susceptible giant.
They made him presents when he went away, among them some of the many tinkling bells.
”We must capture some of these people,” said the Captain, ”and take them to Spain for wonders.”
So the explorers began to study how to secure some interesting specimens of these tall people, to excite the wonder of the people of Spain.
CHAPTER XI.
CAPTURING A GIANT.--MAGELLAN'S DECISION.
The attempts to capture wild giants greatly interested Pigafetta.
Our historian says that it was ”done by gentle and cunning means, for otherwise they would have done a hurt to some of our men.”
One day some sailors saw four giants hidden in some bushes, and they were unarmed. They brought these into the power of the Captain. Two of them were young, and such as would excite admiration anywhere for their n.o.ble development.
They gave these two l.u.s.ty young Herculeses as many knives, mirrors, bells, and trinkets as they could hold in their hands, and while the delighted youths were thus abounding in riches, the Captain said:
”Now show them the iron fetters.”
The two youths could but wonder at these when they were brought.
The Captain ordered that the fetters be presented to them.
But their hands were already full. What could they do with them? Where could they put them?
The Captain signified to them that he would ornament their feet with the fetters. To this they consented.
So the fetters were put on the feet of each of them, like necklaces or rings, but when the young giants saw a blacksmith bring a hammer and rivet the fetters, they began to be distrustful and presently greatly agitated. They tried to walk, but they could not move.
Our historian thus describes their fury when they saw that they were helplessly bound:
”Nevertheless when they saw the trick which had been played on them they began to be enraged, and to foam like bulls, crying out to the _devil_ to help them.” We do not see why our Knight should have taken this view of the case; we would think that two human beings who had been so treacherously deceived, might have been regarded as appealing to the Deity of justice.
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