To the joy of all the ships good St. Anseline came down one night to the fleet of Magellan. The poetical Italian tells the story in this way:
"During these storms, the body of St. Anseline appeared to us several times.
"One night among others he came when it was very dark on account of bad weather. He came in the form of a fire lighted at the summit of the main mast, and remained there near two hours and a half.
"This comforted us greatly, for we were in tears, looking for the hour when we should perish.
"When the holy light was going away from us it shed forth so great a brilliancy in our eyes that we were like people blinded for near a quarter of an hour. We called out for mercy.
"Nobody expected to escape from the storm.
"It is to be noted that all and as many times as the light which represents St. Anseline shows itself upon a vessel which is in a storm at sea, that vessel never is lost.
"As soon as this light had departed the sea grew calmer and the wings of divers kinds of birds appeared."
Beneficent St. Anseline who manifested his presence by illuminations in the mast and spars in equatorial waters! The beautiful illusion has long been explained and dispelled. It is but an electric fire at the end of atmospheric disturbances. But it is usually a correct prophecy of fair skies and smooth seas. It is now called St. Elmo's Fire.
If ever there was an expedition that the saint of the mariners might favor it would seem to be this.