Islands and Enemies by Marianne Hering

Author:Marianne Hering [Hering, Marianne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: JUVENILE FICTION / Readers / Chapter Books, JUVENILE FICTION / Religious / Christian / Action & Adventure
ISBN: 9781684283293
Publisher: Focus on the Family
Published: 2022-04-05T00:00:00+00:00

The New Scribe

Beth dropped the quill. She rushed out of the cabin to see the boats from Cebu.

On the main deck, sailors scurried about. Beth leaned against the ship’s railing. She put a hand on her brow to block the afternoon sun. She wanted to see what the lookout had seen.

Several long, narrow boats sailed toward Magellan’s fleet. The leading boat had a bright-colored sail. About twenty rowers pulled on oars. A bare-chested, barefoot man sat on a chair. Above his head was a little roof covered in large leaves.

In moments, the leading boat came alongside the Trinidad.

Henry, Pigafetta, and Magellan stood at the railing on the forecastle deck. They were above Beth.

Beth heard the man in the chair shout. She felt the conch vibrate.

“Greetings, brothers in Jesus Christ,” the man said. “The king wants you to visit. He will meet you on shore in the morning. It is about the warriors of Mactan.”

Henry translated for Magellan.

Magellan said, “Tell the king that we will come tomorrow to help him. We will plan the battle together.”

Henry shouted the words in the island language.

Then the boats turned around and headed to shore.

Beth climbed to the forecastle deck.

“Are you going ashore with Magellan tomorrow morning?” Beth asked Pigafetta.

Pigafetta rolled his eyes. “I am the captain-general’s personal assistant,” he said. “His scribe. His second pair of eyes.”

“And?” Beth said.

“I must be there,” he said. “I keep a diary of events.”

Magellan asked Beth, “You can understand the island language, correct?”

Beth nodded.

The captain-general turned to Pigafetta. “The girl will go with me to meet the king of Cebu. She can take over as scribe,” he said. “You are needed on board.”

Pigafetta’s jaw opened and shut like a fish out of water. “But, but . . .”

“I don’t want to take his place,” Beth said.

“No one can take Pigafetta’s place,” Magellan said. “I trust the Italian with my life. I need him here to make sure no one harms the Trinidad. I don’t trust Elcano. He is up to something.”

Pigafetta bowed and said, “As you wish, Captain-General. I will be in charge of the fleet in your absence.”

Magellan spoke to Beth, “You are to go back to my cabin. Write of the day’s events.”

Beth nodded. She walked back to Magellan’s cabin. She lit a candle on the desk for light.

Pigafetta’s journal was still open. Beth spent a little time reading it. She snacked on fruit and nuts that had been left on the desk. She paid careful attention to the part about the mutiny. Elcano and others had tried to get rid of Magellan.

She read about the crew’s near starvation. She read about the joy they felt at finding Cebu and food.

The last entry was amazing:

SUNDAY, APRIL 14, 1521

In the center of the city, islanders gathered to be baptized. Everyone was especially glad that King Humabon wanted to become a Christian.

Forty of our men stood around the ceremony area in their armor. Tapestries and palm leaves decorated the platform. Cannons from the ship fired in honor of the celebration.

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