But as it was, in a miserable little caravel, tempest-racked, with masts sprung and sides worm-eaten, the weary disappointed Columbus with the boy Ferdinand, returned at last to Spain. And about two years later, in the City of Valladolid, “the Grand Old Admiral,” who had given a New World to the Old, died almost in poverty. As he passed away, he murmured, “Into Thy hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.” THE PEARLS AGAIN The curse of the pearls still held strong after Columbus’s death. News of the discovery of the Pearl Islands in the New World, spread rapidly through Europe. Many cruel and greedy pearl-hunters hastened to set out for the islands. They pillaged the native villages. They hunted the Indians like wild beasts. They forced them to work in the mines. But, worst of all, they made them dive into the deep sea for pearls, under the most horrible conditions. Then it was that the compassionate friend of the Indians, the humane priest Bartolome de Las Casas, took up their cause and pleaded for them with the Spanish Crown. But Spain was too far away for the Crown to control Spanish officials in America, and do much to lessen the sufferings of the natives. Thus sorrow and desolation followed the finding of the sea-jewels. In time, they became a rich part of the cargoes of the Treasure Galleons. And they forged one of the first links in the chain of oppression which bound all Spanish America for over three hundred years. For how this chain was broken by the great Liberators, read:-- _Miranda, the Flaming Son of Liberty_, page 325; _San Martin, the Protector_, page 235; _O’Higgins, First Soldier, First Citizen_, page 393; _Bolivar, the Liberator_, page 371. OCTOBER 14 WILLIAM PENN THE FOUNDER OF PENNSYLVANIA _As Justice is a preserver, so it is a better procurer of Peace, than War._ WILLIAM PENN _Within the Land of Penn, The sectary yielded to the citizen, And peaceful dwelt the many-creeded men._ _Peace brooded over all. No trumpet stung The air to madness, and no steeple flung Alarums down from bells at midnight rung._ _The Land slept well. The Indian from his face Washed all his war-paint off, and in the place Of battle-marches, sped the peaceful chase._ * * * * * _The desert blossomed round him; wheatfields rolled Beneath the warm wind, waves of green and gold, The planted ear returned its hundredfold._ JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER WILLIAM PENN was born in London, October 14, 1644 Received the Charter, granting him Pennsylvania, 1681 Composed the Plan for the Peace of Europe, 1693 He died in England, May 30, 1718. THE BOY OF GREAT TOWER HILL In a house on Great Tower Hill near London Wall, was born William Penn, who was to become the Founder of Pennsylvania.