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Show Columbus' Story Lost When Columbus returned to Spnin from the New World, he stopped on Kebruary 14, 1103, at Santa Maria, one of the islands of the Azores, probably to take water. Four days before this he had encountered a most terrific storm and was convinced thai he, his men und his vessels must perish. Now Columbus realized in his hart that lie was troin back to Spain with news of a discovery second In im ' portance to no other. And when it seemed that his ship would sink at any moment he set to work to make a record of his mighty undertaking, hoping hop-ing that by some will of the Fates it would not be lost to posterity. So he carc-fully prepared as eoru-pli;:e eoru-pli;:e au account of his marvelous voyage as was possible under the fir-eumstances. fir-eumstances. lie wrote the details of his journey on a stout piece of parchment, wrapped it carefully In a piece of waterproof cloth, then placed It in an Ironbound barrel and threw it into the raging ocean. Tint the Fates were kinder to Coluwibus than to this account made in a time of stress. Certainly this, the first record of America, written by the brave hand of Columbus, would be the most precious pre-cious relic in nil the chronicles of our country. Alas, that it never has been found! And If I thought there were one' chance In a million of flndini It I would take my power boat, the I-'irt Folio, and cruise in the neighborhood of the Azores forever! S. Kosen-bacb Kosen-bacb in the Saturday Evening Post. |