Magellan dreams: he wonders at himself, at his inward commission; at his cast-out name and great opportunity.
One of his trusty friends comes to him; he is a Spaniard and his disquieting words break the serenity of the scene.
"Captain General, it hurts my soul to say it, but there is disloyalty on the ships—it is everywhere."
"I seem to feel the atmospheres of it," said Magellan. "Why should it be? The sea and the sky promise us success. Who are disloyal?"
"Captain General, they are your own countrymen!"
"And why do they plot treason under the Cross of discovery?"
"Captain General, if the ocean open new ways before you, and you should achieve all of which you dream, they will have little share in the glory; you are facing stormy waters and perils unknown, not for Portugal, but for Spain."
"Not for Spain alone, nor for Portugal, but for the glory of the Cross, and the good of all the world. A divine will leads me, and sustains me, and directs me. I am not seeking gold or fame or any personal advantage; my soul goes forth to reveal the wonders and the benevolence of Providence to the heart of the whole world. I go alone, and feel the loneliness of my lot. I left all that I had to make this expedition. It is my purpose to discover unknown seas. Joy, rapture, and recompense would come to me, beyond wealth or fame, could my eyes be the first to see a new ocean world, and to carry back the knowledge of it to all nations. What happiness would it be to me to ride on uncharted tides! My friend, you are loyal to me?"
"Captain General, I am loyal, and the Spanish sailors are loyal; it is your own men who plot in dark corners to bring your plans to naught."
In the shadow of one of the tall castles of another ship sit a band of idle men. They are Portuguese.