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3 length, in an obstinate engagement, off the coast of Portugal, with some Venetian caravans, returning richly laden from the Low Countries, the vessel on board which he served took fire, together with one of the enemy's ships, to which it was fast grappled. Columbus threw himself into the sea; laid hold of a floating oar, and by the support of it, and his dexterity in swimming, he reached the shore, which was about two leagues distant.

After this disaster, Columbus repaired to Lisbon, where he married a daughter of Bartholomew Perestrello, one of the captains employed by Prince Henry in his early navigations, and who had discovered and planted the islands of Porto Santo and Madeira. Having got possession of the journal and charts of that experienced navigator, Columbus was seized with an irresistible desire of visiting unknown countries. To indulge it, he made a voyage to Madeira, and continued for several years to trade with that island, the Canaries, Azores, the settlements in Guinea, and all the other places which the Portuguese had discovered on the continent of Africa. By the experience acquired in such a number of voyages, Columbus now became one of the most skilful navigators in Europe. At this time, the great object of discovery was a passage by sea to the East Indies. This was attempted, and at last accomplished by the Portuguese, by doubling the Cape of Good Hope. The danger and tediousness of the passage, however, supposing it to be really accomplished, which as yet it was not, set Columbus on considering whether a shorter and more direct passage to these regions might be found out; and, after long consideration, he