Part 11 (2/2)
Some of them came to him to say that the wind blew cold, that the sea was full of perils, that nothing but disaster could come by pus.h.i.+ng on into the sea where they were tending.
”Turn south,” said they.
The answer of Magellan was royal and loyal. We give it in what, from what was reported of it, must be in his own thought, and very nearly his own words.
”Comrades, my course was laid down by Caesar (the King) himself.
I--will--not--depart--from--it--in--any--degree. I will open to Caesar an unknown world.”
CHAPTER XII.
THE MUTINY AT PORT JULIAN.--THE STRAITS.--1519.
Days of mutiny came in the cold waters.
The spirit of disloyalty that had found expression in the inspector broke out anew at Port St. Julian. It spread through the officers and crews of three of the s.h.i.+ps. These caused to be published the resolution that they would sail no farther.
”You are leading us to destruction,” said the mutineers.
Luis de Mendoza, Captain of the Victoria, the treasurer of the expedition, was a leader of the mutiny. Another disturbing spirit was Gasper de Queixada, Captain of the Concepcion.
Magellan, of the kind heart, had, as we have seen, the resolution to meet emergencies. This expedition was his life. It must not be opposed, hindered, or thwarted. He lived in his purpose. He must stamp out the mutiny. He no more used gentle and courteous words. He thundered his will.
One day Ambrosia Fernandez, his constable, came to him, and said:
”Three crews are ready to mutiny, to force you to go back.”
Magellan saw that he must make the leaders of these s.h.i.+ps his prisoners, or that he would become theirs.
”Constable,” he said, ”pick out sixty trusty men and arm them well. Go with them on board the treasurer's s.h.i.+p, and arrest Mendoza and lay him dead on the deck.”
The fleet was moored in line. It was flood tide, and Mendoza's s.h.i.+p rode astern of Magellan's, and the s.h.i.+p of Queixada, ahead.
Magellan prepared his own crew to face the consequences of a tragedy should one occur. He ordered his hawser to be attached to the cable, and called his crew to arms.
When the flood tide was at its height, Fernandez, the constable, prepared to execute his order.
He appeared before the s.h.i.+p of the mutinous Mendoza, and asked to be received on board.
”Back to your own s.h.i.+p,” said the mutineer. ”I command the Victoria.”
”But we are few against many,” said the constable, ”and I have a message from the Admiral which I must deliver.”
He was helped on board the Victoria.
His feet had no sooner touched the deck than he seized Mendoza.
”I arrest you in the name of the Emperor.”
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