CHAPTER XIII.-The Portuguese cross the Equator from Guinea to Congo-
John II. conceives the idea of a Route by Sea to the Indies-His Artifices to
prevent the Interference of other Nations-The Overland Journey of Covillam
to India-The Voyage of Bartholomew Diaz-The Doubling of the Tremen-
dous Cape-Its Baptism by the King-Injurious Effects of Success upon Por-
tuguese Ambition.....
CHAPTER XIV.-Birth of Christopher Columbus-His Early Life and Educa-
tion-His First Voyage-His Marriage--His Maritime Contemplations-Ho
makes Proposals to the Senate of Genoa, the Court of Venice, and the King
of Portugal-The Duplicity of the latter-Columbus visits Spain-Juan de
Marchena-Columbus repairs to Cordova-His Second Marriage-His Letter
to the King-The Junto of Salamanca-Columbus resolves to shake the dust
of Spain from his feet-Marchena's Letter to Isabella-The Queen gives
Audience to Columbus-The Conditions stipulated by the latter-Isabella
accepts the Enterprise, while Ferdinand remains aloof...
CHAPTER XV.-The Port of Palos-The Superstition of its Mariners-The
Hand of Satan-A Bird which lifted Vessels to the Clouds-The Pinta and
the Nina-The Santa Maria-Capacity of a Spanish Caravel-The three Pin-
zons-The Departure-Columbus' Journal-The Helm of the Pinta unshipped
-The Variation of the Needle-The Appearance of the Tropical Atlantic-
Floating Vegetation-The Sargasso Sea-Alarm and threatened Mutiny of
the Sailors-Perplexities of Columbus-Land! Land! a False Alarm-Indi-
cations of the Vicinity of Land-Murmurs of the Crews-Open Revolt quelled
by Columbus-Floating Reeds and Tufts of Grass-Land at last―The Vessels
anchor over-night.......
CHAPTER XVI.-Discovery of Guanahani-Ceremonies of taking Possession-
Exploration of the Neighboring Islands-Search for Gold-Cuba supposed by
Columbus to be Japan-The Cannibals-Haiti-Return Homewards-A Storm
-An Appeal to the Virgin-Arrival at the Azores-Conduct of the Portuguese
-Columbus at Lisbon-At Palos-At Barcelona-Columbus' Second Voyage
-Discovery of Guadeloupe, Antigoa, Santa Cruz, Jamaica-Illness of Colum-
bus-Terrible Battle between the Spaniards and the Savages-Columbus re-
turns to Spain-His Reception by the Queen-His Third Voyage--The Region
of Calms-Discovery of Trinidad and of the Main Land-Assumpçion and
Margarita-Columbus in Chains.......
CHAPTER XVII.-The Failing Health of Columbus-His Fourth Voyage-
Martinique, Porto Rico, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama-His Search for a
Channel across the Isthmus-He predicts an Eclipse of the Moon at Jamaica
-His Return-The Death of Isabella-Columbus Penniless at Valladolid-His
Death-His Four Burials-The Injustice of the World towards Columbus-
Christopher Pigeon-Amerigo Vespucci-The New World named America—-
Errors of Modern Historians-The District of Columbia-John Cabot in
Labrador-Sebastian Cabot in Hudson's Bay-Vincent Yanez Pinzon at the
Mouths of the Amazon...........
CHAPTER XVIII.-Portuguese Navigation under Emmanuel-Popular Preju-
dices-The Lusiad of Camoens-Vasco da Gama-Maps of Africa of the Period
-Preparations for an Indian Voyage-Religious Ceremonies--The Departure
--Rendezvous at the Cape Verds-Landing upon the Coast-The Natives-An
Invitation to Dinner, and its Consequences-A Storm-Mutiny-The Spectre
of the Cape..........