To attempt to write such a story is more than a pleasure, for the study of Magellan reveals a character high above his age; a man unselfish and true, who was filled with a passion for discovery, and who sought the welfare of humanity and the glory of the Cross rather than wealth or fame. Among great discoverers he has left a character well-nigh ideal. The incidents of his life are not only honorable, but usually have the color of chivalry.
His voyages, as pictured by his companion Pigafetta, the historian, give us our first view of the interesting native inhabitants of the South Temperate Zone and of the Pacific archipelagoes, and his adventures with the giants of Patagonia and with the natives of the Ladrone Islands, read almost like stories of Sinbad the Sailor. The simple record of his adventures is in itself a storybook.
Magellan, from his usually high and unselfish character, as well as for the lasting influence of what he did as shown in the new developments of civilization, merits a place among household heroes; and it is in this purpose and spirit I have undertaken a simple sympathetic interpretation of his most noble and fruitful life. I have tried to put into the form of a story the events whose harvests now appear after nearly four hundred years, and to picture truthfully a beautiful and inspiring character. To the narrative of his lone lantern I have added some tales of the Philippines.
H. Butterworth.
28 Worcester Street, Boston, Mass.
CONTENTS.
| CHAPTER | PAGE | |
| I.— | A strange royal order | [1] |
| II.— | Friends with a Purpose | [9] |
| III.— | Prince Henry the Navigator and Vasco da Gama | [15] |
| IV.— | The enthusiasts carry their plans to the king | [24] |
| V.— | About the happy Italian who wished to see the world.—Beautiful Seville! | [38] |
| VI.— | Enemies.— Estaban Gormez | [43] |
| VII.— | "Marooned" | [52] |
| VIII.— | "The wonders of new lands."—Pigafetta's tales of his adventures with Magellan.—The story of "the fountain tree."—"St Elmo's Fire" | [60] |
| IX.— | Pineapples, potatoes, very old people | [70] |
| X.— | The first giant.— The islands of geese and goslings.— The dancing giants | [76] |
| XI.— | Capturing a giant.— Magellan's decision | [84] |
| XII.— | The mutiny at Port Julian.— The Straits.— 1519 | [91] |
| XIII.— | "The Admiral was mad" | [99] |
| XIV.— | The Pacific.— The death of the giants | [103] |
| XV.— | Welcome to the Philippines | [108] |
| XVI.— | The visit of the King.— Pigafetta visits the King | [116] |
| XVII.— | Easter Sunday.— Magellan plants the cross | [122] |
| XVIII.— | Christianity and trade established.— The Baptist of the Queen | [129] |
| XIX.— | Halcyon Days | [136] |
| XX.— | The Death of Magellan | [139] |
| XXI.— | The Spice Islands.— Wonderful birds.— Cloves, cinnamon nutmegs, ginger.— The ships overloaded | [144] |
| XXII.— | Mesquita in prison | [157] |
| XXIII.— | Strange stories.— The wise old women.— The walking leaves.— The haunted sandalwood trees.— The Emperor Of China.— The little boy and the giant bird | [161] |
| XXIV.— | The lost day | [173] |
| XXV.— | In the Church of Our Lady of Victory.— Pigafetta | [176] |
| Supplemental | [183] | |