[1492 by Mary Johnston]@TWC D-Link book
1492

CHAPTER XII
8/10

"It is the star, sir! The needle no longer points to it! We thought you might explain to us unlearned--What we think is that distance is going to widen and widen! What's to keep needle from swinging right south?
Then will we never get home to Palos and our wives and children--never and never and never!" Said the Admiral, "It will not change further, or if it does a very little further!" In his most decisive, most convincing voice he explained why the needle no longer pointed precisely to the star.

The deviation marked and allowed for, it was near enough for practical purposes, and the reasons for the wandering-- I do not know if the wisdom of our descendants will confirm his explanation.

It is so often to explain the explanation! But one as well as another might do here.

What the _Santa Maria_ wanted was reassurance, general and large, stretching from the Canaries to India and Cathay and back again.

He knew that, and after no great time spent with compass needle and circularly traveling polar star, he began to talk gold and estate, and the pearls and silk and spices they would surely take for gifts to their family and neighbors, Palos or Huelva or Fishertown! It was truly the hope that upheld many on a voyage that they chose to think a witches' one.


<<Back  Index  Next>>

D-Link book Top

TWC mobile books