Read "American Boys Afloat" by Oliver Optic online for free on Textopian. Full text with search, annotations, highlights, and AI-powered reading aids.
"I say, Flix," said Louis, as he seated himself on one of the stools with which the forecastle was provided, as they were passing the Old Mole, "did it ever occur to you that our voyage from the Bahama Islands was over about the same track as that taken by Columbus when he discovered the New World?"
"I never thought a word about it, my darling," replied Felix.
"I wonder you didn't, for I persuaded you to read Irving's 'Life of Columbus'; and you know he took his final departure from the Canary Islands."
"I know he did; but he did not come back that way, and he had some mighty tough weather, just as we had in coming to the Canaries."
"He returned by the Azores. But I was going to ask you a question, Flix."
"Is it a question?"
"Do you remember seeing the word 'cosmography' in the book?"
"I do remember that same; and I remember seeing the dictionary in regard to it. It is a very big word for a mighty small matter."
"Not at all. What do you understand by the word?"
"I should say that, according to Columbus, it meant the science or the art of drawing maps."
"More than that; for it includes geography and astronomy and something more than that, for it is the science of the universe, comprehending the laws and relations of all its parts."
"Then it is a big subject; but Captain Columbus did not mean by it much more than the description of countries, seas, and oceans. He might as well have called it geography. A cosmographer is one who studies the world or the universe; and that is what Columbus was, for he had an astrolabe, and took the sun like any other old salt."
"Very good, Flix; and I am glad you read so understandingly."
"Did you think I was a fool? " asked Felix with a little gentle indignation in his tone and looks.
"I knew you were not; and, like Captain Columbus, you are a cosmographer," replied Louis, rallying his companion with a laugh.
"Is it I? Not much!"
"But you are" --
"Neutral Ground! " called Scott from the pilot-house. "It's about a half-mile wide, and then comes San Felipe."
"Named after our engineer," added Felix.
"Precisely so: and that place is in Spain. You are studying the coast of that country, and therefore you are a cosmographer," continued Louis.