THE LOST DAY.
When they reached the Cape Verde Islands, the sailors found that a very
strange thing had happened.
They had lost a day--or, the islanders had gained a day!
They met the ships from Seville there, and doubtless disputed with the
traders in regard to what day of the week it was.
"This is the 6th of September," they said; "a day that we shall ever
have occasion to celebrate."
"It is the 7th of September," said their joyous friends.
The sailors consulted with each other. All agreed that it was the 6th of
September. Nowhere had they failed to make a daily memorandum. The
people of Seville must have lost a day.
The solar year consists of three hundred and sixty-five days and six
hours, and if one sails West three years one will gain a day, and if one
sails East, one will lose a day.
If the reader will note the following dates of this wonderful voyage, he
will solve the mystery of the "lost day:"
CHRONOLOGY OF THE FIRST VOYAGE ROUND THE WORLD.
Magellan arrives at Seville October 20, 1518.
Magellan's fleet sails from Seville, Monday[A] August 10, 1519.
[A] The 10th of August was Wednesday, and Monday
was the 8th of August: all the other dates of the
week and month agree and are consistent with each
other.
Magellan sails from San Lucar de Barrameda,
Tuesday September 20, 1519.
Magellan arrives at Teneriffe September 26, 1519.
Magellan sails from Teneriffe, Monday October 3, 1519.
Magellan arrives at Rio Janeiro December 13, 1519.
Magellan sails from Rio December 26, 1519.
Magellan sails from Rio de la Plata February 2, 1520.
Magellan arrives at Port St. Julian March 31, 1520.
Eclipse of sun April 17, 1520.
Loss of Santiago.
Magellan sails from Port St. Julian August 24, 1520.
Magellan sails from river of Santa Cruz October 18, 1520.
Magellan makes Cape of the Virgins, entrance
of straits October 21, 1520.
Desertion of San Antonio November, 1520.
Magellan issues from straits into the Pacific,
Wednesday November 28, 1520.
Magellan fetches San Pablo Island January 24, 1521.
Magellan fetches Tiburones Island February 4, 1521.
Magellan reaches the Ladrone Islands, Wednesday March 6, 1521.
Magellan reaches Samar Island of the Philippines,
Saturday March 16, 1521.
Magellan reaches Mazzava Island, Thursday March 28, 1521.
Magellan arrives at Zebu Island April 7, 1521.
Death of Magellan at Matan, Saturday April 27, 1521.
Arrival of San Antonio at Seville May 6, 1521.
Arrival of Victoria and Trinity at Tidore,
Friday November 8, 1521.
Victoria sails from Tidore December 21, 1521.
Victoria discovers Amsterdam Island, Tuesday March 18, 1522.
Victoria doubles the Cape of Good Hope May 18, 1522.
Victoria arrives at San Lucar, Wednesday[A] September 6, 1522.
[A] According to ship's time.
They sought provisions of the Portuguese colony at Cape Verde.
The Portuguese persecution of the expedition, which Magellan had made
for Spain, did not cease even here. The Victoria sent out boats for
rice. One of the sailors could not restrain his joy, and told the
Portuguese who he was and whence he came.
The jealousy of the Portuguese was aroused again.
"The expedition carries glory to Spain," said they. "Did not the King
tear the arms from Magellan's door?"
One of the boats sent out for rice did not return. The Victoria knew why
they were detained, and sailed away while she could, to bear the
glorious news of the discovery to Seville.