He Must Therefore Have
Been 45 Years Old When He Set Out In 1492 For The Discovery Of America;
And 59 Years Old At His Death, In 1506.
- E.
[3] Or rather Cape Carthago, on the coast of Barbary near Tunis. - E.
[4] It is highly probable that the original translator may have here
mistaken the braccio of 1.913 English feet, for the fathom of 6 feet.
In fathoms, this tide rises to the incredible height of 156 feet;
whereas in braccios, it amounts only to 49 feet: And besides there
are braccios considerably shorter than the one here assumed. - E.
[5] There is some inexplicable ambiguity in this passage, which the
original translator must have misunderstood, and which cannot now be
explained. - E.
[Illustration: Chart of North Western Africa]
SECTION II.
Of his first coming to Portugal, and the cause or motives of his
proposing to discover the West Indies.
The occasion of his first coming into Portugal, arose from his attachment
to a famous man of his name and family, named Columbus, long renowned on
the sea as commander of a fleet against the infidels; insomuch that even
in his own country his name was used to frighten young children. This man,
known by the name of Columbus the young, to distinguish him from another
great sea captain of the same name, was a person of great prowess, and
must have commanded a goodly fleet, as he captured at one time four
Venetian galleys, of such size and strength as I could not have believed
unless I had seen them fitted out.
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