Del Cano bowed.
Arms granted to Sebastian Del Cano,
Captain of the Victoria, the first vessel
that circumnavigated the globe.
Magellan showed the new lantern to the officers. It was made of beaten reeds that had been soaked in water, and dried in the sun. It would hold light long, and carry it strongly and steadily.
"All the ships must have these new farols," said he, "and I must teach you how to signal by them."
He stood up. The moon was rising, and the dusky, purple air became luminous.
He held the farol in his hand.
"Two lights," he said, "shall mean for the ship to tack.
"Three lights that the sails shall be lowered. Four, that they shall stop.
"Five lights, or more, that we have discovered land, when the flagship shall discharge a bombard. Follow my lantern always; you can trust it wherever it may fare. My farol shall be my star!"