But the way was long and trying. The sailors began to lose courage again, and only the bravery and strong will of Magellan kept the fleet together. One ship, the Santiago, was wrecked in a great gale, and while off the coast of New Guinea (nö gin´nē) the crew and most of the officers of the San Antonio mutinied. They put their captain in irons and sailed back to Spain.
There they lodged a complaint against their captain and against Magellan. They accused the latter of great cruelty, and raised much ill feeling against him. Magellan’s wife and family were put into prison, and if the cavalier himself had been in Spain, it would have gone hard with him.
But Magellan was very far from Spain. With the three remaining ships he was still sailing in search of a passage into the sea which Balboa had discovered. On the 28th day of October, 1520, the fleet reached the seaway now known as the Straits of Magellan, between Patagonia (pat ä gō´nē ä) and Tierra del Fuego (tē er´rä del fwā´gō).
Hardly daring to hope that this was the passage they sought, they entered it and sailed on. Nearly a month later, on November 26, 1520, they passed out of the Straits and found themselves on the broad, blue Southern Sea. This sea was so quiet, so fair and beautiful, that Magellan at once named it the “Pacific,” or “peaceful,” Ocean.
The longed for seaway was discovered, and they were the first to sail through it! We may be sure that the hearts of the little company were glad. There was no more doubt; no more grumbling; no more rebellion against their leader. They knew, at last, that he was a great captain, and they followed him willingly across the unknown sea. They were now full of hope for the success of their voyage. They were eager to reach the rich spice islands which they were sure lay before them, and the ships sailed bravely forward over the beautiful Pacific.
On March 16, 1521, they came to the Ladrone (lä drōne´) Islands. To these Magellan gave the name Islas de las Velas (ēs läs dā läs vā´läs). It was Miguel de Legaspi (mē gā´el dā lā gäth´pē) who, when he visited them in 1564, called them the Ladrones. The expedition did not linger here, however, but soon sailed away toward the southwest, where the Spaniards hoped to find the spice islands which they sought.
They held steadily to their westward course, and in due time reached Jomohol (hō mō hōl´), now called Malhon (mäl hōn´), in the Straits of Suragao (sö rä gä´ō), between Samar (säm´är) and Dinegat (dē nā gät´). Here they touched, but did not remain. They sailed on along the coast of Mindanao (mēn dä nä´ō), instead, and early in Easter week came to the mouth of the Butuan (bö tö än´) River.
They were nearly out of food and water by this time, so they landed to see what supplies they could find. The chief of Butuan and his people were at first frightened by the sight of these white strangers. The Spaniards wore armor and carried firearms. They must have seemed strange to those simple people, who had never before seen such men or such weapons. The natives welcomed the strangers, and brought them fresh food and water. They helped the Spaniards to load these on their ships, and were in every way friendly.
IN THE STRAITS OF MAGELLAN.