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Christopher Columbus
Christopher Columbus
Translated from the German of Joachim Heinrich Campe BY GEORGE P. UPTON Translator of “Memories,” “Immensee,” etc. WITH FIVE ILLUSTRATIONS CHICAGO A. C. McCLURG & CO. 1911 Copyright A. C. McClurg & Co. 1911 Published September, 1911 THE · PLIMPTON · PRESS [W · D · O] NORWOOD · MASS · U · S · A...
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Translator’s Preface
Translator’s Preface
There are five representatives of the Columbus family more or less famous in the history of exploration, viz. , Christopher, the discoverer of America; Bartolomeo, brother of Christopher, governor of Isabella and founder of San Domingo; Diego, brother of Christopher, who accompanied him on his second voyage and subsequently entered the priesthood; Diego, son of Christopher, and his successor as governor of Hispaniola; Ferdinand, illegitimate son of Christopher, who accompanied his father on his
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Christopher Columbus Chapter I Portuguese Voyages of Discovery—The Youth of Columbus—His Arrival at Lisbon
Christopher Columbus Chapter I Portuguese Voyages of Discovery—The Youth of Columbus—His Arrival at Lisbon
The ancient Greeks were not the only nation which imagined there was a region in the Atlantic Ocean, an island beyond the Pillars of Hercules, the sea highway, now called the Straits of Gibraltar. The traditions of other people tell of a land where only happy mortals dwell. Greek poetry assigned this region to the ocean, which was supposed to surround the world as it was known at that time. The Romans also believed in this distant western land, and in the Christian Middle Ages these same traditi
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Chapter II Columbus’ Scheme Rejected in Lisbon—He Goes to Madrid and Has an Interview with Ferdinand and Isabella, after which he Endures Bitter Disappointments
Chapter II Columbus’ Scheme Rejected in Lisbon—He Goes to Madrid and Has an Interview with Ferdinand and Isabella, after which he Endures Bitter Disappointments
During the short voyages which Columbus made from the Canary Islands he was still busy with the great scheme upon which he was engaged in Lisbon. He often said to himself: “There must be a nearer route by sea to the Indies than that attempted by the Portuguese. If one sails from here across the ocean in a westerly direction he must at last reach a country which is either India or some region adjacent to it. Is not the earth round? And if round, must not God have created countries upon the other
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Chapter III Three Vessels Fitted Out for Columbus—The First Voyage of Discovery is made from Palos, August 3, 1492—Columbus on the Open Sea
Chapter III Three Vessels Fitted Out for Columbus—The First Voyage of Discovery is made from Palos, August 3, 1492—Columbus on the Open Sea
Columbus was overjoyed at the success which at last crowned his efforts and at once began actively fitting out the necessary vessels. Those which the King placed at his disposal were so small and poorly built that no man but Columbus would have trusted himself in them upon a vast, unknown sea whose dangerous spots were uncharted. The vessel which he commanded was named the Santa Maria ; the second, the Pinta ; and the third, the Nina . The last two were hardly larger than good-sized boats. The l
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Chapter IV Ocean Phenomena, Unknown to Columbus and His Crew, Increase the Fear of the Latter
Chapter IV Ocean Phenomena, Unknown to Columbus and His Crew, Increase the Fear of the Latter
On the second day after leaving the Canary Islands they made but eighteen miles, owing to light winds. As Columbus foresaw that nothing would intimidate his ignorant crew so much as the length of the voyage, he decided to play an innocent trick upon them by keeping one reckoning of distance for himself and another for them. He told them therefore that they had sailed only the first fifteen miles westward. On the twelfth of September, six days after their departure, they had sailed one hundred an
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Chapter V “Land, Land!”
Chapter V “Land, Land!”
The hope which the floating sea-weed and the flight of birds had aroused among the seamen soon vanished, for, although they had now sailed seven hundred and seventy miles to the west, no land had yet been seen. Fortunately no one except the Admiral knew how to calculate the distance. Columbus continued to conceal a considerable part of it and announced that they had sailed five hundred and fifty miles. But even this distance from the fatherland seemed much too long to them. They began anew to si
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Chapter VI Columbus Discovers Several Islands, among them Guanahani, Cuba, and Haiti—Traffic with the Natives
Chapter VI Columbus Discovers Several Islands, among them Guanahani, Cuba, and Haiti—Traffic with the Natives
Columbus first landed upon one of the islands commonly known as the Bahamas. [15] One of them is called Guanahani, and this is the one first discovered. Columbus named it San Salvador, the Island of Deliverance, but it is no longer known by that name. The delighted mariners stood for some time and gazed with astonished eyes at a part of the world they had never seen before, now brightly illuminated by the rising sun. They could hardly satisfy themselves with the sight of this smiling, fruitful l
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Chapter VII Prince Guakanahari—The Admiral’s Vessel Wrecked—Forty-three Men Remain Behind—The Return Voyage Begins
Chapter VII Prince Guakanahari—The Admiral’s Vessel Wrecked—Forty-three Men Remain Behind—The Return Voyage Begins
While the ships were lying at anchor in an inlet of the same island of Hispaniola the cacique who ruled that region heard of the arrival of these wonderful white men and condescended to make the Admiral a visit. His retinue was quite imposing. He himself was borne in a litter by four men, his princely body almost as destitute of clothing as those of his dependents. The cacique went on board without the slightest hesitation and, observing that the Admiral was seated at table, entered the cabin, a
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Chapter VIII The Return Voyage—Storm on the Way—Arrival at the Azores, Lisbon, and Palos
Chapter VIII The Return Voyage—Storm on the Way—Arrival at the Azores, Lisbon, and Palos
A fresh west wind, which fortunately had sprung up, carried the vessels swiftly along and the joyful crews already fancied themselves in Spain telling their astonished listeners the story of the wonders of the New World. Then suddenly a storm cloud arose in the western sky. The storm rapidly approached. It grew darker and darker and the frightened sailors, in anxious expectancy of what might happen, stood around the deck watching the Admiral who, with his customary composure, issued the necessar
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Chapter IX Columbus’ Second Journey in 1493—Several Islands Discovered—The Spaniards Find their Fort Destroyed and the Colonists Dead
Chapter IX Columbus’ Second Journey in 1493—Several Islands Discovered—The Spaniards Find their Fort Destroyed and the Colonists Dead
Hardly had the news of Columbus’ approach reached Palos before the people rushed to the harbor to see with their own eyes whether it was true. As the vessel drew near and they recognized upon its deck, one his son, another his brother, a third his friend, and a fourth her husband, a universal outburst of joy rent the air, thousands of arms were outstretched in welcome to the loved strangers, and thousands more shed tears of joy. As Columbus stepped ashore he was greeted by the roar of cannon, th
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Chapter X New Discoveries—Columbus in Great Danger—Uprising of the Natives
Chapter X New Discoveries—Columbus in Great Danger—Uprising of the Natives
During the building of the city of Isabella Columbus had to contend with a thousand difficulties which only a spirit like his could overcome. The Spaniards, who were naturally lazy, became still less inclined to put forth unnecessary exertion in that hot climate, and loudly protested against a manner of life the demands of which they had not foreseen. They had gone there with glowing expectations of securing great treasures and had been promised an easy, pleasant life, whereas they had to toil d
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Chapter XI The Natives are Subjugated—Columbus is Traduced in Spain—He Returns to Europe and Suffers Many Hardships on the Voyage
Chapter XI The Natives are Subjugated—Columbus is Traduced in Spain—He Returns to Europe and Suffers Many Hardships on the Voyage
With the two armies confronting one another the time had come which must decide for either the lives of the Spaniards or the freedom of the natives. Upon the one side were a hundred thousand Indians, armed with clubs, spears, and arrows, the latter tipped with bone or flint. Upon the other were only two hundred infantry and twenty cavalrymen, supported by a small force of Indians under the command of Guakanahari. The contrast was great, but what the Europeans lacked in numbers they made up in th
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Chapter XII Columbus is Graciously Received by Ferdinand and Isabella—His Enemies Unable to Shake their Confidence in Him—The Third Voyage in 1498—Discovery of the Island of Trinidad at the Mouth of the Orinoco
Chapter XII Columbus is Graciously Received by Ferdinand and Isabella—His Enemies Unable to Shake their Confidence in Him—The Third Voyage in 1498—Discovery of the Island of Trinidad at the Mouth of the Orinoco
Serenely conscious of the value of his services, but with that modesty which is characteristic of all noble spirits, the calumniated world-discoverer approached the throne of his sovereign to establish his innocence of the false accusations made against him. But it was not necessary for him to defend himself, for his mere countenance impressed his royal judges at once with the esteem in which they had previously held his services, as well as with shame for their own credulity. As soon as he had
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Chapter XIII Wretched Condition of the Colony—Vasco da Gama Sails around the Cape of Good Hope to the East Indies—Ojeda’s Undertaking—Cabral Discovers Brazil
Chapter XIII Wretched Condition of the Colony—Vasco da Gama Sails around the Cape of Good Hope to the East Indies—Ojeda’s Undertaking—Cabral Discovers Brazil
The time for rest and recovery had not yet come for poor Columbus. Unforeseen blows, new difficulties, new anxieties, new labors and dangers, so great that they would have tested the endurance of a well man and exhausted any man not worn down with trouble, were awaiting him. His noble brother, Bartolomeo, during his absence had conducted an expedition to a favorable and not far distant region and had begun the erection of a new city, which he named San Domingo in honor of his father, Domenico. T
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Chapter XIV Columbus Again Calumniated at the Spanish Court—Bobadilla is Ordered to San Domingo on a Tour of Investigation—He Sends Columbus Back to Spain in Fetters—Columbus Vindicated by his Sovereigns—Ovando Sails to the New Countries with a Fleet of Thirty-two Vessels
Chapter XIV Columbus Again Calumniated at the Spanish Court—Bobadilla is Ordered to San Domingo on a Tour of Investigation—He Sends Columbus Back to Spain in Fetters—Columbus Vindicated by his Sovereigns—Ovando Sails to the New Countries with a Fleet of Thirty-two Vessels
Roldan and his followers did everything in their power to escape responsibility for the disorder which had occurred and fasten the blame upon Columbus. At the same time many malcontents returned to Spain angry because, in place of the riches they had expected, they had encountered only hardships and poverty. All of these people regarded Columbus as the sole cause of their blasted hopes, and accusations and curses were heaped upon him all over Spain. Encouraged by his powerful enemies, they overw
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Chapter XV Ovando Calls the Audacious Bobadilla to Account—Columbus Undertakes his Fourth Voyage in 1502
Chapter XV Ovando Calls the Audacious Bobadilla to Account—Columbus Undertakes his Fourth Voyage in 1502
Never had so strong a fleet been sent to the West Indies as that consigned to Ovando, the new governor. While he was sailing away with his thirty-two vessels and two thousand five hundred men, Columbus had to remain at home with the mortification of seeing another reap what he had sown with so many inexpressible hardships. Soon after Ovando’s departure a terrible storm arose which dispersed his vessels. The news reached Spain that the fleet was lost. The King, overcome with distress at this new
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Chapter XVI Columbus Vainly Attempts to Find the Passage between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans
Chapter XVI Columbus Vainly Attempts to Find the Passage between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans
In pursuance of his plan Columbus sailed from the coast of Honduras to the eastward, hoping to find the straits which the natives assured him were in that direction. On their eastern journey along the coast they saw men who were very different from those they had met before and at the same time more uncivilized. They went entirely naked, ate raw meat and fish, and their ears were distended even to their shoulders by the many things they wore in them. They were tattooed with pictures of deer, lio
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Chapter XVII Columbus Abandons the Hope of Discovering a Passage to the Pacific and Returns to Jamaica, where his Vessels are Exposed to Great Danger—Two Boats are Sent to Haiti for Help
Chapter XVII Columbus Abandons the Hope of Discovering a Passage to the Pacific and Returns to Jamaica, where his Vessels are Exposed to Great Danger—Two Boats are Sent to Haiti for Help
Before Columbus could reach the gold region of Veragua he was forced by a gale to come to anchor for a shorter or longer time at different places to weather the storms. At one of these places he beheld a curious sight. The natives did not live on the ground like other people but in houses in the air, built among the branches of trees. In reality it seemed as if they lived like the birds. They chose this mode of living to protect themselves from floods, wild animals, and their enemies. They reach
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Chapter XVIII Conspiracy against Columbus at Jamaica—He Returns to Spain and Vainly Seeks Reinstatement—He Dies at Valladolid in 1506
Chapter XVIII Conspiracy against Columbus at Jamaica—He Returns to Spain and Vainly Seeks Reinstatement—He Dies at Valladolid in 1506
Day after day the companions of Columbus watched the region whence Fiesko was to come with the news that Mendez had made a landing at Hispaniola, but they watched in vain. Fiesko did not appear. Thereupon they became desperate. They were sure both the adventurers had been lost and all hope of release from the island vanished. The air was filled with their complaints and these complaints at last changed to open revolt. They shrieked, cursed, and threatened the life of Columbus, and the dark hour
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Chapter XIX Diego, Columbus’ Son, Secures the Rights coming to him from his Father—The Spaniards Extend their Authority in Central America and Rule Cruelly—Ponce de Leon’s Discovery of Florida
Chapter XIX Diego, Columbus’ Son, Secures the Rights coming to him from his Father—The Spaniards Extend their Authority in Central America and Rule Cruelly—Ponce de Leon’s Discovery of Florida
Diego, Columbus’ eldest son, after the death of his great father, urged the demand for the fulfilment of the contract made by the King, by virtue of which the government of the West Indies was vested in his family for all time, but it was all in vain. Ferdinand displayed the same prejudice and injustice to the son that he had to the father. All Diego’s representations and appeals for justice were disregarded. At last he ventured to appeal from the King to the judge whose duty it was to investiga
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Appendix
Appendix
The following is a chronological statement of the principal events treated of in this volume: LIFE STORIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE Translated from the German by GEORGE P. UPTON 36 Volumes Now Ready American Explorers Historical and Biographical Musical Biography Legendary Illustrated. Each 50 cents net A. C. McCLURG & CO., Chicago Historical and Biographical Musical Biography Legendary Illustrated. Each 50 cents net A. C. McCLURG & CO., Chicago ...
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