On the right bank of the River Pasig (pä´sig), in Manila, near the bridge of Spain, is another monument in honor of this brave nobleman and soldier. Ferdinand Magellan ranks with the great sailors of the world. Not even Columbus was wiser or more skillful than he. The discovery of the passage between the two great oceans, and the long, dangerous journey across seas to these islands, are feats that make him worthy of a high and honorable place in the world’s history.
After the death of Magellan, Captain Duarte Barbosa (dö är´tā bär bo´thä) took command of the fleet. The king of Cebu had not sworn friendship with him, however, and the chief of Butuan had gone back to his home, so the Spanish had no strong friend in the island. The king invited Barbosa and his men to a feast on the island, and at this feast the captain and twenty-six of his men were killed. The Cebuans offered to give up a Spanish sailor named Juan Serrano (hō än´ sā rä´nō) for two cannons from one of the ships, but the Spanish would not come inshore to bring the cannons and take their shipmate on board. They sailed away and left him to his fate.
THE TOMB OF MAGELLAN, ON THE ISLAND OF MACTAN.
In all, thirty-two Spaniards were killed at Cebu. This left them so short of men that they could not get the three ships away. So, as the Concepcion was the poorest of the three, they sunk her in Cebu harbor. After doing this they made haste to get away from the scene of their ill fortune. Captain Juan Caraballo (kär ä bäl´yō) was now made commander of the expedition, and with less than a hundred men all told, the two ships went on to Borneo.
Summary.—Ferdinand Magellan, a Portuguese noble, leaving his own country because of ill treatment, became a subject of Spain. King Charles I. fitted out a fleet for him, and Magellan agreed to spend ten years seeking for islands in the Southern Sea, to conquer for Spain. On August 10, 1519, the fleet sailed from San Lucar de Barrameda, southward. Magellan sailed down the eastern coast of South America, seeking a passage into the ocean which Balboa had discovered and named the Southern Sea. They had many hardships. One ship was wrecked and one deserted; but on October 28, 1520, they reached the passage now known as the Straits of Magellan. This passage is between Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego. They sailed through the Straits, and on November 26, 1520, entered the Southern Sea. Magellan named this sea the Pacific Ocean. On March 16, 1521, the fleet reached the Ladrone Islands. They did not remain long, but sailed toward the southwest. They touched at Malhon, and went on along the coast of Mindanao. They landed at the mouth of the Butuan River, and were well received by the chief and his people. Magellan claimed the country for Spain. The chief of Butuan went with the Spanish to Cebu. Magellan swore friendship with the king of Cebu, and the latter was baptized. Magellan, with forty Spaniards, offered to fight the people of Mactan, who were at war with the Cebuans. Magellan was killed, however, and the Spaniards were driven back. The new Spanish leader was killed, with twenty-six of his men, at a feast given by the king of Cebu on shore. The Spanish sunk one of their ships; and the other two, with all the Spaniards left, sailed for Borneo.
Questions.—What did people believe in the time of Columbus about the shape of the earth? What did they think about the sea? What European first saw the Pacific Ocean? How did he reach it? Who was Magellan? How did he come to take service with the king of Spain? When did Magellan’s fleet leave Spain? What course did it take? Tell when he discovered the Straits. Where did Magellan go after entering the Pacific? Give an account of his landing at Butuan. Where did he go next? How did he die? What then became of the fleet?
Chapter II.
EARLY SETTLEMENTS.
