the new island was supposed to lie, for seen from Porto Sanco
toward the north-east was a heavy cloud, sometimes brighter, sometimes
darker, but never wholly dispersed.

The ignorant and superstitious inhabitants had many wonderful stories to
relate of this cloud; they all believed that no ship could safely
approach it. Some held it to be an island hanging between heaven and
earth, in which some Christians had been hidden by God from the power of
their Moorish foes, some that it led into the land of spirits. Towards
this cloud Gonsalie steered his ships, in spite of the murmurs and
almost the open mutiny of his terrified crew. "The shadow is but a
mist," said he, "a cloud caused by the heat of the sun's rays drawing
the moisture from the land beneath; have no fear, my children, for those
who do their duty will God protect."

Through the mists and heavy clouds they sailed on, and at last emerged
into clear, pure air, to see fair before them the island of their hopes.
The sailors who had before resisted the captain's will, now fell on
their knees begging his forgiveness, and praying to be allowed to land
at once and wander through the valleys of this lovely land. Soon
Gonsalie, Jean de Morales, and some of the sailors pulled through the
surf and set foot on the island, which they called Madeira, because it
was so well wooded. They landed almost on the very spot where Lionel and
Arabella had first come on shore, and before long the new-comers stood
in reverence and in pity by the graves of the first discoverers.

The island was formally taken possession of in the name of the King of
Portugal, and before long a colony was sent thither, Gonsalie being
appointed governor.

Then the dying wish of Lionel was granted, and over his grave was built
a church, in which the new inhabitants might worship God.

This is the story which we have received as the history of the discovery
of the island of Madeira, now so well and so familiarly known to us,
where many of our own countrymen go year by year, seeking to recover
health and strength amongst the sheltered and wooded vales where the
English husband and wife found their last refuge.

[Illustration: Visiting the Graves. (Page 66.)]

The history was written in Portuguese by Don Francesco Alcafarado, a
noble at the court of King John I. of Portugal. He was himself one of
the discoverers. It is considered possible that some of the details
which he has given may have been altered i