THE LIFE AND VOYAGES OF CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS, WASHINGTON IRVIN ABRIOGBD AND ARRANGED BY THE AUTHOR, EXPRESSLY FOR TUB USB OF SCHOOLS. BATH, W. Y. R. L* UNDERBILL & 00. 1844. Entered according to act of Congress, in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty-four, hy Washing-ion Irving^ in th® Clerk's office of the Soathern District of New- York. A- I., "•''H^A* RICHARDSON & DOW, BR^'S BATH^N, Y, INTRODUCTION. 1. Whether in old times beyond tlic roach of history 'or tradition, there existed an intercourse between the op- iposite shores of the Atlantic; whether tlwj Egyptian legend concerning the island of Atalantis was indeed no •fable, and that such country did actuall}' «xist, and was swallowed up by some mighty convulsion of our globe, must ever remain matters of mere speculation. 2. Certain it is, that at the beginning of the fifteenth •century, nothing was known of lands in the western hemisphere. It is true, that articles had floated from time to time to the shores of the old world, giving indications to its wondering inhabitants of land in the west, far beyond their watery horizon, yet no one ventured to spread a sail in quest of it. 3. The vast waters of the Atlantic were regarded with mysterious awe, seeming to bound the world as with a chaos into which conjecture could not penetrate, and en- terprise feared to adventure. 4. " The ocean," observes an eminent Arabian geo- grapher of the time, " encircles the ultimate bounds of the inhabited earth, and all beyond it is unknown. No one has been able to verify any thing concerning it, on ac- count of ifes difficult and perilous navigation, its great ob. W irraoDuoTiOM. •ctirity, its profound depth, and frequent tempests ; through tear of its mighty fishes, and its haughty winds ; yet there are many islands in it, some of which are peopled, and others uninhabited. 5. There is no mariner who dares to enter into ita deep waters ; or if any have done bo, they have merely kept along its coast, fearful of departing from them. The waves of this ocean, although they roll as high as moun- tarns, yet maintain themselves without breaking ; for if they broke, it would be impossible for a ship to plough them." G. It is the object of the following work to relate the deeds and fortunes of the mariner who first had the judg. ment to divine, and the intr«?pidity to brave, the mysteries of this perilous deep ; and who, by his hardy genius, hig mflexible constancy, and his heroic courage, brought the ends of the earth into communication with each otiier. The narrative of his troubled life is the link which connccta the history of the old world with that of the nevr. ^- CHAPTER L Birlh^ pareTilage, education, and early life of ColumbuM, 1. Christopher Columbus, or Colombo, aa the name IS written in Italian, was a native of Genoa, and bora about the year 1435. He was the oldest of four children, having- two brothers, one named Bartholomew, the other Giacomo, or Diego as it is translated into Spanish, and one sister. 2. His father, Domenico Colombo, was a wool comber, as several of his ancestors had been before iiim. Attempts have been made, by those who attach value to hereditary rank, to prove Columbus of illustrious descent, and seve- ral noble families have laid claim to him since his name has become so renowned as to confer, rather than to re- ceive, distinction. His son Fernando thought justly on the subject. " I am of opinion," said he, " that I should derive less dignity from any nobility of ancestry, than from being the son of such a father." 3. Columbus evinced at a very early age, a decided incli- nation for the sea. His father, therefore, endeavoured, as far as his means afforded, to give him such an educa- tion as would make him a skilful navigator. He even sent him to tJie university of Pavia, where he studied geometry, geography, astronomy and navigation, and the Latin tongue. 4. His father was too poor, however, to keep him longer at the university than was suflicient to acquire the rudi- ments of the necessary sciences. The deep insight into them, which he afterwards displayed, v/as the result of experience and self instruction. Men of strong genius derive an advantage from thus having, at their very out- set, to contend with poverty and privations. They learn to depend upon themselves, to improv^e every casual ad- vantage, and to effect great ends by small means. Such a man was Columbus. His own energy and invention jsupplied every deficiency, and in all his undertakings, the scantiness of his means enhanced the grandeur of hia .achievements. 5. His first voyage was made shortly after leaving the ■ *■ « a Liri AND VOYAGSS oniversity, when he was about fourteen years of &ge. The seamring life in those days was ftill of peril and ad- venture. The feuds between the Italian states, and the holy wars with the Mahometan powers, filled the seas with cruisers ; some fitted out by sovereig-ri states ; some by powerful nobles ; and some by desperate adventurers. Piracy was almost legalized ; even a commercial voyage partook of a warlike character, and a merchant had often to fight his way from port to port. 6. Such was the rugged school in which Columbus was first broken into naval discipline ; and he had a teacher as rugged as the school. This was a relative named Co- lombo, a hardy old captain of the seas, bold and adven- turous, ready to fight in any cause, and to take up a quarrel wherever it might lawfully be found. 7. With this veteran cruiser Columbus sailed several years, and served in a squadron, of which he was admiral, fitted out in Genoa in 1459, by John of Anjou, Duke of Calabria, to make a descent upon Naples, in the hope of recovering tliat kingdom for his father, Renato, Count of Provence. In the course of this expedition, Columbus was detached by the old admiral on a daring enterprise, to cut out a galley from the port of Tunis, in which he acquitted himself with great resolution and address. 8. For several years aftorwards, he continued to voyage in the Mediterranean, and up the Levant. Sometimes he was engaged in commercial employ ; -sometimes in peri- lous cruises with liis old fighting relative, or with a no less fighting nephew of the same, named Colombo the younger ; who, we are told, was so terrible for his deeds against the infidels, that the Moorish mothers used to frighten their unruly children with his name. The last anecdote we have of this obscure part of the life of Co- lumbus is given by his son Fernando, and relates to a daring cruise with this bold rover. 9. Colombo the younger, hearing that four Venetian gal- leys, richly laden, were returning from Flanders, waylaid and attacked them with his squadron on the Portuguese coast, between Lisbon and Cape St. Vincent. A bloody battle ensued that lasted from morning until evening. The vessels graoplcd each other, the crev.'s fought >O^P COLUMBUS. 7 hand to hand, and from ship to ship. The vessel com- manded by Columbus engaged with a large Venetian galley. 10. In the fury of the contest they threw hand gre- nades and other fiery missiles. The galley took fire, and as the vessels were grappled together and could not be separated, they soon .became one flaming mass. The crews threw themselves into the sea. Columbus seized an oar that was floating near him, and swam to shore, which was full two leagues distant. Having recovered from his exhaustion, he repaired to Lisbon, where he found many of his Genoese countrymen, and wasinduced to take up his residence. 11. Such is the account given by Fernando Columbua of the first arrival of his father in Portugal. There are grounds for believing, however, that he had resided there some years previous to this battle, and that he was led thither, not by desperate adventure, but by a spirit of liberal curiosity, and in pursuit of honourable fortune. CHAPTER II. Portuguese discoveries. Residence of Columbus at Lisbon. 1. The career of modern discovery had commenced shortly before the time of Columbus ; but was confined to the western coast of Africa and the adjacent islands. It at length received a new impulse from Prince Henry of Portugal, son of King John the First. 2. That accomplished prince, by profound study of those sciences connected with the maritime arts, became per- suaded that Africa was circumnavigable, and that, by keep- ing: along its shores, a ship might sail from Europe to India. In thftsway an easier and cheaper channel might be opened for tnS^opulent trade of the east ; which had hitherto been eononKcd to Europe by an expensive internal route along the Red^ea and the Nile, and liad been monopo- lized by the Italian merchants. 3. In -seeking to carry this idea into effect, Prince d LIFE AND VOTAOE« Henry had to struggle against the ignorance and pre- judices of the age. Navigation was yet in its infancy ; mariners feared to venture far from land ; and looked with awe at the vast and unknown expanse of the At- lantic. They believed in the old error, that the imagi- nary circle called the torrid zone, which girdles the earth at the equator, was a region of impassable heat, com- pletely severing the two hemispheres. And they had a superstitious notion, that whoever doubled Cape Bojador would never return. 4. Prince Heery called in the aid of the most eminent men of science to dispel these errors. He established a naval college and observatory ; introduced great improve- ment in maps and charts, and in the use of the mariners' compass, and pushed the discoveries of his nation be- yond the region of the tropics, quite to Cape de Verde. 5. He obtained, also, a bull or ordinance from the Pope, giving the crown of Portugal sovereign authority over all the lands it might discover in the Atlantic, to India inclusive. 0; Henry died before he had accomplished the great object of his ambition ; but he had lived long enough to behold, through his means, his native country in a grand career of prosperity. He has been well described, as « full of thoughts of lofty enterprise, and acts of generous spirit." He bore for his device the magnanimous motto, « the talent to do good," the only talent worthy the am- bition of princes. 7. The fame of the Portuguese discoveries drew the learned, the curiou.s, and the adventurous, to Lisbon. Among the rest, Columbus arrived there about the year 1470. He was at that time in the full vigour of man- hood, and here it may not be improper to draw liis por- trait, according to the minute descriptions given of him by his contemporaries. ^ 8. He was tall, well formed, muscular, and of^an ele- vated and dignified demeanour. His visage av&.s long, and neither full nor meagre ; his complexion fair and freckled, and inclined to ruddy ; his nose aquiline ; his •cheek hones were rather high ; his eyes light gray, and apt to enkindle ; his whole countenance had an air of OW COLUMBUS. V authority. His hair, in his youthful days, was of a light colour, but care and trouble soon turned it gray, and at thirty years of age it was quite white. 9. His temper was naturally irritable, but he subdued it by the magnanimity of his spirit, so as to conduct himself always with a courteous and gentle gravity. Towards strangers he was engaging and affable, and his amiable manners in domestic life won him the love and devotion of his household. 10. He was moderate and simple in diet and apparel ; eloquent and animated at times in discourse, but always temperate in language, avoidmg oaths and all profane expressions. Throughout his life, he was noted for a strict attention to the offices of religion ; nor did his piety consist in mere forms, but partook of that lefty and solemn enthusiasm with whicli his whole character was strongly tinctured. 11. While at Lisbon, he was accustomed to att^-nd re- ligious service at the chapel of the Convent of All Siints. Here he frequently obtained a sight of a young lady, named Felipa, who resided in the convent. Sliew.-sthe daughter of an Italian cavalier, lately deceased, B-^rto- lomeo Monis de Palestrello, who had been a distinguish- ed navigator in the service of Prince Henry, and had colonized and governed the island of Porto Santo. 18. A romantic attachment took place between Co- lumbus and tiiis young lady, wliicli ended in marrio-ge. It was a matcli of mere affection, for neither of tb'^m i'ould boast of fortune, and Columbus was obliged to em- >loy himself in making maps and charts for the support vf his family. 13. This connexion brouglit liim more than ever into the spher^^ of discovery. His wife's sister was married to Pedro Correo, a navigator of note, between whom, and Columbus, there were frequent conversations about (he recent discoveries on the African coast, and the popu- lar theme, the discovery of a route by sea to India. His nother-in-law also related to him all that she knew of he voyages and discoveries of her late husband, and put .is charts and journal? into his possession. 14. He thus obtained a knowle^e of the routes and ^10 LirS AND VOTAOGS leading- ideas of the Portuguese discoverers. Being, moreover, naturalized in Portugal, he was permitted to sad in some of the expeditions to the coast of Guinea ; and at one time resided in the recently colonized island 'of Porto Santo, where his wife had inherited some little property, and where she gave birth to a son, whom he named Diego. 15. (It was a period of great excitement with all con- cerned in maritime affairs. The recent discoveries had inflamed their imaginations, and given birth to rumours ■of all kinds, concerning unknown islands, hidden in the wastes of the Atlantic, and casually seen by mariners. Many of these were mere fables ; many had originated, doubtless, in the self-delusion ofsailort?, who beheld distant land in those summer clouds which lie along Ihe horizon. 16. The most singular delusion of the kind, is that re- corded of the inhabitants of the Canaries. They ima- gined, from time to time, that they beheld a vast island in the west, with lofty, mountains and deep valleys. It made its appearance in the clearest weather, and so dis- tinctly, that expeditions were fitted out in search of it. The fancied island, however, faded on their approacli, and was never to be found ; yet, it still continued occa- sionally to cheat the eye, and is actually laid down in old maps, under the name of St, Brandan, or St. Borondon. 17. Columbus participated largely in the excitement •of the age. "Every tale and rumour, that bore upon the popidar theme, was noted down by him with curious care. Ilis voyages along the coast of Guinea ; his residence at Porto Santo and his occupation in making maps and charts, led him more and more to speculate upon the great problem,j no one could tell wliether the ocean was not too vast tp be traversed, nor were the laws of specific gravity and of central gravitation ascertained, by which, granting the earth to be a sphere, the possibiUty of making the circuit of it, and of standing on opposite sides, would be manifest, 8. But beside these and many other scientific objec- tions, others of a graver nature were urged, partaking of the bigotry of the age, and savouring more of the cloister than the college. These went to prove that the theory under discussion was incompatible with the historica'l foundations of the Christian faith, and in open contradic- tion to certain specified passages of the Bible. 9. Columbus in the outset of the conference had been daunted by the greatness of his task, and the august na- ture of his auditory ; but he was sustained by what he considered a divine impulse, and he was of an ardent tem- perament,that became heated in action by its own generous fire. All scientific objections he cooJy combated by his own knowledge and experience, but at the scriptural objections, his visionary spirit took fire. 10. We are told of his commanding person, his ele- vated demeanour, his kindling eye, and the persuasive tones of his voice. How must they have given force to his words, as, casting aside his maps and charts, he met his opponents upon their religious ground, pouring forth those magnificent texts of scripture, and those mysterious predictions of the prophets, which he con- sidered types and annunciations of the sublime discovery which he proposed ! 11. Many of his hearers, in fact, were convinced by his reasoning, and warmed by his eloquence ; the majority, however, with the inert bigotry, and pedantic pride of cloistered life, refused to yield to the demonstrations of an obscure and unlearned foreigner, and, though the board held several subsequent conferences, it came to do decision. 12. For several years Columbus was kept in suspense, following the movements of the sovereigns in their ex- 23 LIFE AND VOYACBa peditions against the kingdom of Granada, and was thtw present at some of the most striking scenes of this wild, rugged, and mountainous war. In one of the severest campaigns, he is said to have distinguished liimself by his personal pro^yess. His expenses, while thus follow^- ing the court, were defrayed by the sovereigns, and hopes were continually given that his suit would be attended to ; but the tempest of warlike .affairs, which hurried the court from place to place, swept away all matters ef less immediate importance. 13. At length, in the w^inter of 1491, when the sove- reigns were about to depart on another campaign, Co- lumbus, losing all patience, pressed for a decisive reply. The learned counsel of Salamanca being, in consequence, called upon to report their decision, informed the sove- reigns that the majority of their body condemned the scheme as vain and impossible, and coi;isidered it unbe- coming such great princes to engage in an undertaking of the kind, on such weak grounds as had been advanced. 14. Notwithstanding this decision, the sovereigns stU] held out hopes, that, after the war slio-ald be concluded, they woidd be inclined to treat about the matter ; but Co- lumbus gave up all hope of countenance from the throne, and turned his back upon Seville, indignant at the delays and disappointments he had experienced. —.«©©«— CHAPTER Vm. Columbus seeks patronage amongst the Spanish Grandees. Returns to the convent of La Rabida. Resumes his negotiations with the Sovereigns. [1491.] 1. Columbus now sought to engage the patronage of the Dukes of Medina Sidonia, and Medina Cell. Both were powerful Grandees, whose principalities lay on the sea board, where they had ports, and shipping, and troops, and mariners, at their command. He had many inter- views with them severally, and was flattered by both with hopes of success, but both finally disappointed him. OF COLUMBUS. 23 2. He then determined to repair to Paris, having received a favourable ropiy to an application which he had made by letter, to the king" of France. He departed, therefore, for the convent of La Rabida, to take thence hia eldest son Diego, and leave him with his other son at Cordova. 3. When the worthy Friar Juan Perez beheld him ar- ive once more at the gate of liis convent, humble in garb, \nd oast down in spirit, he was greaily moved; but ^rhen he found that he v/as about to seek the employ of another g-overninent, his patriotism took the alarm. 4. He h-ad been confessor to the queen ; a sacred offica which g-ives a priest an almost })aternal privilege of advising. Availing himself of tiiis, he wrote to Isabella, strongly vindicating the scheme of Columbus, and con- juring lier not to reject an enterprise so glorious for Spain. 5. This letter vras despatched by an honest pilot of the neighbourhood ; and Columbus was persuaded to await the reply. It arrived in the course of a fortnight, and v»'as extremely encouraging. The queen thanked Juan Perez for his timely services, and requested him to repair immediately to the court, that ^ she might confer with him ; while Col ami" 'Js should remain at the convent until further orders 6. Before midnight, tnt warm hearted friar had saddled 'lis mule and departed. So effectual were his interces- sions, that in a short time, Columbus received a sum- mons to court, and money to enable him to appear there in befitting stylo. He accordingly exchanged hia thread-bare garment for one of more courtly texture, and, purchasing a mule, set out, reanimated with fresh hopes, for the camp at Santa Ft-', belbre Granada. 7. He arrived in time to witness the memorable sur- render of that capital to the Spanish anns. He beheld Boabdil, the last of the Moorish kings, sally fortli from the Alluimbra, and yield up the keys of that favourite seat of Moslem power ; while the king and queen, with all the chivalry and magnificence of Spain, moved forv/ard in proud and solemn procession, to receive this token of snbraission. The air resounded with shouts of joy, with \:ODga of triumph, and hymns of thanksgiving. Oa Si LIPB AND VOYAGES every side were beheld military rejoicings and relig-ioua oblations. 8. During this brilliant and triumphant scene, says an elegant Spanish writer, " A man, obscure and but little known, followed the court. Confounded in the crowd of importunate applicants, and feeding his imagination, in the corners of antechambers, with the pompous project of discovering a world, he was melancholy and dejected in the midst of the general rejoicing, and beheld with in- difference, almost with contempt, the conclusion of a conquest \yhich swelled all bosoms with jubilee, and seemed to have reached the utmost bounds of desire. That man was Christopher Columbus." 9. The moment had now arrived, however, when tho monarchs stood pledged to attend to liis proposals. They kept their word, and persons of contidence were appoint- ed to negotiate with him. At the very outset, liow- ever, unexpected difficulties arose. Columbus demanded that he should be made Viceroy and Admiral of all the countries he should discover, and receive one tenth of all the gains. 10. The courtiers were indignant at a demand of such titles and privileges, by one whom they regarded as a needy adventurer. One sneered at him, as devising a selfish bargain, wherein he had every thing to gain and nothing to lose. Upon this Columbus promptly offered to be at one eighth of the cost, provided he were ensured an eighth of the profits. 11. His terms, however, were pronounced inadmissU ble, and others more moderate were suggested in stead ; but Columbus refused to cede the least point, either of profit or dignity, and the negotiation was broken off. 12. It is Impossible not to admire the great constancy of purpose and loftiness of spirit here displayed by Co- lumbus. Though so large a portion of life had worn away in fruitless soliciting?, during which he had expe- rienced poverty, neglect, ridicule, and disappointment ; though there was no certainty that he would not have to enter upon the same career at any other court ; yet no- thing coidd make him descend to terms which he con- aidered beneath the dignity of his enterprise. OP COLUMBUS. 25 13. Indignant at tlie repeated disappointments he had experienced in Spain, he now determined to abandon it for ever, and, mounting his mule, salhed forth from Santa F^, on liis way to Cordova, with the intention of imme- diateiy proceeding from thence to France. 14. The friends of Columbus beheld his departure with despair : two of them, Luis de St. Angel, and Alonzo de Quintanilla, resolved to make one last effort in the cause. Hastening to the queen, they once more vin- dicated the enterprise, with tiie courage and eloquence which honest zeal inspires, and implored her to secure the glorious prize, before it was too late. 15. The generous spirit of Isabella was roused by this last appeal, Slie was eager for the enterprise ; but she remembered that king Ferdinand looked coldly upon it, and that the royal treasury v/as drained by the war. Her suspense was but momentary. " I undertake it," said she, " for my own crown of Castile, and will pledge my jewels to raise the necessary funds." 16. This wa.s the proudest moment in the life of Isa- bella ; it stamped her renown for ever as the patroness of the discovery of the New World. Her generous of- fer to pledge her jewels was not claimed ; St. Angel, who was receiver of the church revenues of Arragon, promised to advance tbe requisite money, as a loan, from his official treasury. 17. A courier was sent in all haste to call back Colum- bus. He was overtaken at the bridge of Pinos, about two leagues from Granada ; but hesitated to return and subject himself to further delays and disappointments. When he understood, however, that Isabella had pledged her word to undertake the enterprise, every doubt was dispelled ; he turned tlie reins of his mule, and hastened back joyfully to Santa Fe, confiding implicitly in the noble probity of that princess. 2$ tilFK AND VOYAGES CHAPTER IX. ArTangenimU ivitli tlie Spanish Sovereigns. Prepara- lions for departure. [1492.] 1. On arriving- at Santa Fe, Columbus was admitted immediately to tlie prcgencc of Isabella, and the benignity of his reception atoned for all past neglect. Through deference to the zeal she had thus suddenly displayed, the king yielded his tardy concurrence ; but Isabella wwj the soul of this grand enterprise. 2. A perfect understanding being now effected witli the sovereigns, articles of agreement were drawn up> to the following effect : — 1. That Columbus should have, for himself during hii» life, and his heirs and successors for ever, the office of higli admiral in all the seas, lands, and continents, he might discover, with similar honours and prerogatives to those enjoyed by the high admiral of Castile, in his district. 2. That ho should bo viceroy and governor general -over all the said lands and continents, with the privilege of nominating three candidates for the government of each island or province, one of whom should be selected by the sovereigns. 3. That he should bo entitled fo one tenth of all free profits, arising from the merchandise and productions of the countries within his admiralty. 4. That he, or his lieutenant, should be the sole judge of all causes and disputes arising out of traffick between those countries and Spain. 5. Tiiat he might then, and at all after times, con- tribute an eighth part of the expense of cxped'tions to sail to tlio countries he expected to discover, and should receive m consequence an eighth part of the profits. 3. Tliese capitulations were signed by Ferdinand and 'Isabella, tit the city of Santa Fe, in the vega or plain of 'Granada, on the 17th of April, 1492. All the royal 'documents, issued in consequence, bore equally the sig- natures of Ferdinand and IsabeUa, but her separate crown. •of Castile defrayed all the expense. OF COLUV.BUS. 2'7 4. One of tlie g-reat objects held out by Colnmbrrs iri his undertaking-, was the propagation of tlio Christiai-h faith. He expected to Wnd barbarous and iuiidel nsftions- in the unknown parts of the east, and to ^nsit the terrii- tories of tlie Grand Khan, whos3 conversion' liad i?j for- mer times baen an object of pious missions. The sove- reigns concurred with him in these ideas, an fly when he afcervrards departed on his voyai^'O, they act»allj gave- him letters addressed to the Grand Khan of Tartary. 5. Tsor did Jiis rehg-ious zeal st'op here. He esmest- iy proposed that the profits which niight arise from hi:?- discoveries, mig-Jit be consecrated to a crusade t& rescue the holy sepidchre at Jerusalem, from the power of the~ infidels. In fact, this pious but romantic enterprise was a leadintT- object of h^s ambition throughout his subsequent hfe, and ho considered his great discovery bnt as a dis;- pensation of Providence, to furnisli means for the re- covery of the Holy Sepulchre. 6. The agreement with the sovereig-ns being- conertidedv Columbus was emj)0wered to fit out tln-ee ships for the enterprise. The only restriction put upon his vetyaw" was, tiiat lie should avoid the coast of Guinea, and aii other places included in the recent discoveries o<' Portug-al. t 7. Th.e port of Palos do Moguer was fixed upon as th^ place of embarcation. The commmiity of that town- were under oblitratio'is, for some misdemeanour^ to serve the crown for oni; year witli two caravels. Columbu.*r received an order upon tin.' authorities of Palos, to fit thes-t.-' caravels tor sea within ten days, aiid to place thern an(? their crews at his disposition. 8. Orders were issued also, commanding the inhabi- tants of the sea-board of Andalusia, to liirnish all sup- plies and assistance to tlie expedition, at reasonubie- rates, and threatening all such as should cause any in>- pediment with severe penalties. 9. As a mark of particular favour to Columhuf, Isav bella, before his departure from the court, ap))ointed his son Diego page to Prince Juan, tlie heir a])parent^ arr honour granted only to the sons of persons of distinguished rank Thus gratified in his dearest wishes, Cdiaaiibas took 28 LIFE AND VOYAGK8 leave of the court on the 12th of May, and set out joyfully for Palos. 10. Let those who are disposed to faint under dif- ficulties in the prosecution of any great and worthy un- deitaking remember, that eighteen years elapsed after Columbus conceived his enterprise, before he was en- abled to carry it into effect ; that the most of that time was passed in almost hopaless solicitation, amidst pover- ty, neglect, and taunting ridicule ; that the prime of hia life had wasted away in the struggle ; and that, when his perseverance was finally crowned with success, he was about fifty-six years of ago. His example should teach the enterprising never to despair. 11. Columbus was received with open arms by Juan Perez, at the convent of La Rabida. The zealouc friar accompanied him to the parochial church of St. George, in Palos, where the royal order for the caravels was read by a notary public, in presence of the authorities of the place. 12. Nothing could equal the astonishment and horror of the community, when they learnt the nature of the expedition, in which they w-ere ordered to engage. All tlie frightful tales and fables with which ignorance and superstition are prone to people obscure and distant regions were conjured up concerning the unknown parts of the deep, and the boldest seamen shrunk from such a wild and chimerical cruise into the wilderness of the ocean. 13. Repeated mandat'-s were issued by the sovereigns, ordering the magistrates of Palos, and the neighbouring town of Moguer, to press into the service any Spanish vessels and crews they might tliink proper, and threaten- ing severe punishments on all who should prove refrac- tory. It w^as all in vain ; the communities of those places were thrown into complett; confusion ; tumults and altercations took place, but nothing of consequence was effected, 14. At length Martin Alonzo Pinzon, the wealthy and enterprising navigator already mentioned, stepped for- ward in the cause. He v.as joined by his brother Vi- cente Yanez Pinzon, who was likewise an able navigator. They supplied ColumbiLs with funds to pay the eighth OF COLUMBUS. 29 part of the expense, which he had engaged to advance ; and furnished two of the vessels required. They, more- over, agreed to sail in the expedition. 15. The example and persuasions of the Pinzons had a wonderful effect ; for they were related to many of the seafaring people of the neighbourhood, and had great in- fluence among them. M^ny of their relations and friends agreed to embark, and the two vessels were ready for sea within a month. It). The third vessel was slower in its equipment. It had been pressed into tlie seiTice against the will of the owners and the crew, who were strongly repugnant to the voyage. These people did all they could to throw obstacles in the way of the voyage, and prevent the sail- ing of the ships, so that Columbus had to use harsh and arbitrary measures with them. At length all difficulties were vanquished, and, by the beginning of August, the vessels were ready to- sail. 17. After all the objections made by various courts to undertake this expedition, it is surprising how inconside- rable was tlie armament required. Two of the vessels were light barques, called caravels, not superior to river and coasting craft of modern days. They were built high at the prow and stern, with forecastles and cabins for the crew, but were without deck in the centre. 18. Only one of the three, called the Santa Maria, was completely decked, on beard of which Columbus hoisted his flag. Martin Alonzo Pinzon commanded one of the caravels, called the Pinta, and was accompanied by his brother, Francisco Martin,. as mate or pilot. The other, called the Nina,* had latine sails, and was commanded by Vicente Vanez Pinzon. The whole number of per- sons embarked was one hundred and twenty. 19. The squadron being ready to put to sea, Columbus confessed himself to the^'riar Juan Perez, and partook of the communion ; and me example was followed by the officers and crews, committing themselves, .with devout ceremonials, to the especial guidance and protection of heaven, in tliis perilous enterprise. * rroQOunccd Ninya. The h in always pronounced as irfollowedbjr jb 3* 30 LIFE AND VOYAGES ^ 20. A deep g-loom was spread over \he whole commu- nity of Palos, tor almost every one had ?ome relation or friend on board of the squadron. The spirits of the sea- men, already depressed by tlieir own tears, were stii] more cast down, at brholding-tJic aliiiction of those thoy lett behind, who took leave of them v/ith tears and lamen- tations, as of men they were never to behold again. CHAPTER X. Events of the first Voyage. 1. It was early in the morn in or of Friday the 3d of August, 1492, that Columbus put to sea, steering- for the Canary Islands, Irom whence he intended to strike due west. 2. As a gfuide by which to sail, he had a chart, on which the coasts of Europe and Africa were laid down as known to geographers ; and opposite to them were placed the sliores of Asia, according to the description of Marco Polo ; with the intervening island of Cipango, (or Ja- pan,) at which Columbus expected first to arrive, as at a resting place. 3. On the third day after setting sail, the Pinta mado signal of distress, her rudder being broken and unhung. Columbus was mucli disturbed at the occurrence. He suspected it to have been done through the contrivance of the owners, and feared further difficulties from that quarter. 4. For three weeks he cniised among the Canary islands, in hopes of finding some other vessel to replace the Pinta ; but not meeting with any, he had her repair- ed, and furnished with a new ^^dder. 5. While making these repairs, and taking in wood and water, news came that thrpe Portuguese caravels had been seen hovering oft* the island of Fcrro. Colum- bus, who was tremblingly alive to any thing that might impede his e.xpedition, feared that those vessels might be sent in pursuit of him by the king of Portuga]. ' OF COLU-MBUS. Ul 'J. Ea^cr to get far upon the ocean, out of sighl either of land or sai], he put to sea early on the morning of the 6th of September, but for three clays was tantalized by a proibund calm, wliich detained him within a short distance of the island. At lengtli, on the 9th, a breeze sprunc^ up with the sun, and in the course of the day, the heights of Ferro gradually faded from the horizon. 7. On losing sight of this last trace of land, the hearts of the crews failed tliem, for they seemed to have taken leave of the vrorld. Behind them was every thing dear to the heart of man — country, family, friends, lite itself;, before them every thing was chaos, mystery, and peril. Many of the rugged seamen shed tears, and some broke' into loud lamentations. 8. Columbus tried to soothe them by splendid accounts of the countries he expected to discover ; promising them riches, estates, and all mamier of delights ; nor were, these promises made for purposes of deception, for jio certainly believed he would realize them all. 9. Foreseeing that the vague terrors already aw^aken- ed would increase the farther they thought themselves from land, he determined to keep his crews ignorant of the real distance they advanced. He kept, therefore, two reckonings of the sailing of the ships; one private and correct, for his own use ; the other open to general inspection, in which a number of leagues was subtracted from each day's progrct^s. 10. When about one hundred and fifty leagues v/est of Ferro, they fell in with a part of a mast of a large ves- sel, and the crews, easily dismayed by every portent, looked with a rueful eye upon this fragment of a wreck, , drifting ominously at the entrance of these unknown sea.?. 11. On the 153th of September, in the evening, Co- lumbus, for the first time, noticed the variation of the needle, a phenomenon which had never before been re- marked. He at first made no mention of it, lest his peo- ple siiould be alarmed ; but it soon attracted the attention of the pilots, and filled them with consternation. 12. They apprehended that the compass was about, to lose its mysterious virtues ; and, without this guide, what was to become of them in a vast and trackless ocean 1 32 LIFE ANJ> VOYAGES Columbus tasked his science and ingenuity for reasons with which to allay their terrors. 13. He told them that the direction of the needle was not to the polar star, hut to some fixed and invisible point. The variation, therefore, was not caused by any fallacy in tlie compass, but by tlie movement of the north star itself, which, like the other heavenly bodies, had its changes and revolutions, and every day described a circle round the pole. The high opinion they entertained of Columbus as a profound astronomer gave weight to his theor)'-, and their alarm subsided. ^ 14. They had now arrived within the influence of the ^ trade wind, which, following thd sun, blows steadily from east to west between the tropics, and sweeps over a few adjoinhig degrees of the ocean. With this propitious breeze directly aft, they were wafted gently but speedily over a tranquil sea, so that for many days they did not ehifb a sail. 15. Columbus in his journal perpetually recurs to the bland and temperate serenity of the weather, and com- pares the pure and balmy mornings to those of April in Andalusia, observing, that the sung of the nightingale was alone wanting to complete the illusion. 16.' They now bngan to see large patches of herbs and weeds all drifting from the west. Some were such as grow about rocks or in rivers, and as green as if recently washed from the land. On one of the patches was a live crab. They saw also a white tropical bird, of a kind which never sleeps upon the sea ; and tunny iish played about the ships.,_„.^'*i..^^,^-v,x-v .>^~>-' v.*< • • - ' y 17. As they advanced, various other signs gave ani- •mation to the crews. Many birds were seen flying from the west ; there was a cloudiness in the north, such as often hangs over land ; and at sunset the imagination of the seamen, aided by their desires, would shape those clouds into distant islands.- Every one was eager to be the first to behold and announce the wished-for shore ; for the sovereigns had promised a pensionof thirty crowns to whomso-^ver should first, discover land.-;.- 18. Columbus sounded occasionally with a line of two hundred fathoms, but found no bottom. . Martin Alonzo OF COLUMBUS. 33 Pmzon, as well as others of his officers, and many of the seamen, ware often solicitous for Columbus to alter his course, a. id steer in the direction of these favourable signs ; but he persevered in steering" to the westward, trusting- that, by keeping- in one steady direction, he should reach the coast of India, even if he should miss the intervening islands. 19. Notvv'ithstauding the precaution which had been taken to keep the people ignorant of the distaiice they sailed, they gradually became uneasy at the length of the voyage. They had advanced much farther to the west than ever man had sailed before, and though alreai^- beyond the reacli of succour, v/ere still pressing^^f^d and onward into that apparently boundless nhymr 20. Even the favourable wind, which seMed as if providentially sent to waft them to the new^orld with bland and gentle breezes, was conjured by th^r fears into a source of alarm. They feared that the^Kd in these seas might always prevail from tlie east, ^^if so, would never permit tlieir return to Spain. ^m 21. A few light breezes from the wfi^Rillayed for a time their last apprehension, and sev^B small birds, >;uch as keep about groves and orchardaKme snigmg in tiie morning, and flew away at night. •Their song was wonderfully cheering to tiie hearts of the poor mariners, who hailed it as the voice cf land. The birds they had hitherto seen- had been large and strong of wing ; but such small birds, they observed, were too feeble to fly far, and their singing showed that they were not ex- hausted by tiieir flight. 22. On the following day there was a profound calm. Tlie sea, as far as the eye could reach, was covered with those submarine weeds which are detached by currents from the bottom of the ocean, so that it had the appear- ance of a vast inundated meadow, t 23. The seamen now feared that the sea was growing shalldV, or might have shoals, and rocks, and quick- sands. They dreaded lest their vessels should be stranded as it were, in mid-ocean, far out of the track of human aid, and Vv'ith no sliore where the crews could take refuge. Columbus proved the fallacy of thiB 34 LIFE AND VOYAGES alarm, by sounding with a deep sea-line, and finding- no bottom. 24. For three days there was a continuance of light suuimsr airs, from the southward and wt-slward, and the sea was as smooth as a mirror. The crews now became uneasy at the cahnness of the weather. . Tiiey observed that the contrary winds they cxi)erienccd wx»re transient and unstcaHy, and so light as not to rutile the surface of the sea ;\tne only winds of constancy and force were fram the east, and even those liad not power to disturb the torpid stillness of llie ocean : there was a risk, there- fose, either of perishing amidst shoreless waters, or of being prevented, by contrary winds, trom ever returning to their native country. 25. Columbus continued, with admirable patience, to reason witlUhe.se ab?iird fancies, but in vain ; vvhen for- tunately theii^' came on a heavy swell of the sea, unac- companied by^wind, a phenomenon that often occui*s in the broad ocean, caused by the impulse of some past gale, or distant current of wind. It was, nevertheless, regard- ed with astonishment by the marinersi, and dispelled the imaginary terjia^ occasioned by the calm. 20. The siu^on of Columbus was d;iily becoming more and more critical. The impatience of the seamen nose to absolute mutiny. They exclauned against him as an ambitious desjjerado, bent upon doing somethijig extravagant to render himself notorions. • 27. What obligation bound them to continue on ? They had already penetratr'd into seas where man had never before adventurs-'d. W(^re they to sail on until they should all perish, or return with their frail ships be impossible] Who would blame thein should they consult their own safety? The admiral was a foreigner, without friends; his scheme had been condemned by the learned ; there was no ])arty in Its favour, and many wlio would be grati- (led by his failure. 28. Some even went so far as to propose, that they should throw iiim intx) the sea, and give out that he had fallen overboard wliile contemplating the stars with his astronomical instruments. Columbus was not ignorant ;-«f these cabals, but ho kept a serene and steudfttst couu- or COLVMBVS. 8& teiiance, soothing some with gentle words, stimulating the pride or the avarice of others, and openly menacing the most refractory with puni-chnient. 29. On the 25ih of September, new hopes arose to divert the public discontent. Martin Alonzo Pinzon, mounting- on the stern of his vessel, shouted, " Land ! land I Senor, I claim the reward." There was, indeed, such an appearance of land in the south-west, that Co- ■umbus himself was persuaded of tlie fact. / ^ 30. Throwing hnnself upon his knees, he gavoijt'hanlif an end to their hopes aa to a dream ; the 'fiincied lanC proved nothing but an evening clo'dd, and^fead vanished in the night. , ^- J31. By tiie 7th of October, they had come seven iiun- dred and fiily leagues, the distance at which Colunjbus had computed to iind the island of Cteango. Signs of land had multiplied for several days ^st. There were now great fliglits of small field birds m the south-west, whicli seemed to indicate some neighbouring land in hat direction, were they were sure of Tood and a rest- ing-place. o2. Yielding to the solicitations of Martin Alonzo Pinzon, and his brothers, Columbus, on the evening of the Till, altered his course to the west soutli-west. As he advanced, tlie signs of land increased ; the birds came singing about the ships ; and herbage floated by as fresh and green as if recently from shore.* When, however, on the evening of the third day of this new course, the seamen beheld tlie sun go down upon a slioreless horizon, tliey again broke forth into loud clamours, and insisted upon abandoning the voyage. 33. Coinmbus endeavoured to pacify them by gentle words and liberal promises ; but, finding these only m- creased their violence, he assumed a different tone, and told them it was useless to murmur ; the expedition had been sent by the soverein-ns to seek the Indies, and, hap. pen what might, he was determined to persevere, until, bj the blessing of God, he should accomplish the enterprise. 3D LIFE AND VOYAGES 34. He was now at open defiance with his crew, and his situation would have been desperate, but, fortunately, the manifestations of land on the following- day were such as no longer to admit of doubt. A green fish, such as ke^^ps about rocks, swam by tlie ships ; and a branch of tl/orn, with berries on it, floated by : they picked up, alfeo, a ree oy their insolence, now crouched at his feet, begging hif-. tbrgivjeness, and offering for the future the blindest obe- dience to his commands. 0. The na: ives, when, at the dawn of da}% they had beheld tlie ships hovering on the coast, had supposed them some monsters, which had issued from the deep during the night. Their veering about, without any apparent elTort, and the shifting and furling of their sails, resembling huge wings, filled them with astonishment. 7. When they beheld the boats approach the shore, and a number of strange beings, clad in glittering steel, or raiment of Aarioas colours, landing upon the beach, they fled in affrigiit to the woods. Finding, however, that there was no attem})tto pursue or molest them, the}- gradually recovered from their terror, and approached the Spaniards with great awe, frequently prostrating themselves, and mailing signs of adoration. 8. During the ceremony of taking possession, they remained gazing, in timid admiration, at the complexion, the beards, the shining armour, and splendid dress of the Spaniards. % The adm.iral particularly attracted their at- tention, from his commanding height, his air of authority, his scarlet dress, and the deference paid to him by his -companions. 9. When they had still furtl^ ^r bcovered from their fears, they approached the M^tmrds, touched their .beards, and examined their hands and faces, adminng their whiteness. Columbus, pleased with their confiding simplicity and gentleness, submitted to their scrutiny with perfect acquiescence. 10. The wondering savages were won by this benij^- 40 LIFE AND VOYAGES wity ; they now supposed that the ships had sailed out of the crystal firmament which bounded their horizon, or had descended from above, on their ample wings, and that these marvellous being-s were natives of the skies. 11. The people of the island were no less objects of curiosity to the Spaniards, differing-, as they did, from any race of men they had ever seen. They were en- tirely naked, of a moderate stature, well shaped, of a copper hue, with agreeable features, lofty foreheads, and fine eyes. Their hair was coarse and straight ; they had no beards, and were painted with a variety of colours. 12. They appeared to be a simple and artless people, and of gentle and friendly dispositions. Their only arms were lances, hardened at the end by fire, or pointed with a flint or the bone of a fish. Columbus distributed among them coloured caps, glass beads, hawlc's bells, and other trifles, which they received as inestimable gifts, and, de- corating themselves with them, v/ere wonderfully de- lighted with their finery. 13. The island was called by the natives Guanahani, and is one of the Bahama islands. Columbus supposed it to be at the extremity of India, and therefore called the inhabitants Indians, an appellation which has since been extended to all the aboriginals of the new world. 14. The Spaniards remained all day on shore, refresh- ing themselves among the beautiful groves, and returned to their ships late in the evening, delighted with all they ^had seen. 15. On the following morning, at daybreak, some of the natives came swimming off to the ships, and others in canoes, formed of a single tree, and capafie of holding from one man to the number of forty or fifty. They had little to offer, in return for trinkets, except balls of cotton yam, domesticated parrots, and cakes of a kind of bread called cassava, madeA^ the yuca root, which consti- tuted a principal part '(^heir food. 16. The avarice of the discoverers was awakened by perceiving small ornaments of gold in the nose? of some of the natives. On being asked where thi^- precious metal was procured, they answered by signs, pointing to the south ; and Columbus understood them to say, that OF COLUMBCS. 41 a king- resided in that quartei*) who was served in great vessels of gold. 17. Ho interpreted every thing- according to his pre- vious ideas derived from the work of Marco Polo, and supposed the rich island to the south to be Cipango, and the king who was served out of golden vessels, to be its monarcn, whose palace was said to be covered with plates of gold. As soon, therefore, as he had taken in a supply of wood and water, ho set sail in quest of this opu- lent island ; taking seven of the natives with him to ac- quire the Spanish language, and serve as interpreters and guides. W\4' 18. He now beheld a number of beautiful islands, I/' green, level, and fertile, which he supposed to be part of the Archipelago described by Marco Polo as stretching along the coast of Asia, and abounding with spices and odoriferous trees. 19. The inhabitants approached the Spaniards with offerings of fruits, and birds, and cotton, regarding them as super-human beings. When they landed in quest of water, they took them to the coolest springs, and sweet- est and freshest runs, tilling their casks, rolling them to the boats, and seeking in every way to gratify them. 20. Columbus was enchanted by the lovely scenery of these islands. "I know not," says he, "where first to go, nor are my eyes ever weary of gazing on the beauti- ful verdur3. The singing of the birds is such, that it seems as if one would never desire to depart hence. There aro flocks of parrots that obscure the sun, and other birds of many kinds, large and small, entirely dif- ferent from ours. Trees, also, of a thousand species, tJ. each having its particular fruit. ^^ii 21. Tlie fish also partook of the novelty which char- acterized most of the objects in this new world, and rivalled the birds in the brilliancy of their colours. The scales of some glanced back th-^^ays of light like precious stones^ and as they sported about the ships, they flashed gleams of gold and silver through the crystal waves. 22. Columbus was disappointed in his hopes of finding gold 0*- spices in these islands ; but the natives continued to point to the south, and spoke of an island in that di- 4* 42 LIFE AND VOYAGES rection, callsd Cuba, v^hicli, the Spaniards understood thc-m to sa}', abounded in gold, pearls, and spices, and carried an an extensive connnerce, and that large mer- chant ships came to trade with the inhabitants. 23. Columbus concluded this to be the desiied Cipan- ^o, and the merchant ships to be those of the Grand Khan. He set sail in search of it, therefore, and arrived in sight of it on the 28th October. 24. As he approached this noble island, he was struck with the grandeur of its mountains, its fertile valleys and (ong sv/eeping plains, covered by stately forests, and ^watered by noble rivers. He anchored in a beautiful river, and taking formal possession of the island, gave it the name of Juana, in honour of Prhice Juan, and to the river the name of San Salvador. 25. Columbus spent several days' coasting this part of the island, and exploring the fine iiarbours and rivers with which it abounds. In the sweet smell of the woods, and the odour of the flowers, he fancied he perceived the fftigrance of oriental spices, and along the shores he found shells of the oyster which produces pearls. He frequently deceived himself, in fancying that he heard the song of the nightingale, a bird unknown in these countries.J X* 2G. Ever since his arrival among these islands he had experienced nothing but soft and gentle weather ; and he observed that the grass grew to the very edge of the water, as if never molested by an angry surge. He concluded, therefore, that a perpetual serenity reigned ov( r these seas ; little suspicious of the occasional bursts of fury to which they are liable, and of the tremendous hurricanes which rend and devastate the face of na- ture. 27. While coasting the island, he landed occasionally and visited the villages, the inhabitants of which fled to the woods and mountains.. The houses were constnict- cd of branches of oalm-trces, in the shape of pavilions, and were scattered under the spreading trees, like tents in a camp. He found in them rude images, and wooden masks, carved with considerable ingenuity. Finding smplementa for fishing in all the r.abins, he concluded OF COLUMBUS. 43 that the coast were inhabited merely by fishermen, who supplied the cities in the interior. 28. After coasting- to the north-west for some distance, Cohnnbus came in sight of a great head-land, to which, from the groves which covered it, he gave the name of the Cape of Palms. 29. Here, from misunderstanding the Indian names,' be fancied himself on the m.ain land of Asia, and sent two Spaniards, one of them a Jew, who understood ori- ental languages, to explore th'e interior and seek the residence of the sovereign. Two Indians were sent with them as guides, and they were well supplied with beads - and other trinkets for travelling expenses. 30. After penetrating about twelive leagues they came to a large village of about a thousand souls. ITie In- habitants crovv'ded round them, examined their skins and raiment, and kissed their heads and feet in token of ad- miration. Provisions were placed before them in the principal house, after which the Indians seated them- selves round them on the ground,, and waited to hear what they had to say. 31. The Jew ibund his oriental languages ofno avail, and the ambassadors had to msike all their communica- cations through an Indian interpreter. They found that the natives had neither gold nor spices to offer, and knew of no great inland city ; the envoys, therefore, broke up_i^ the conference and returned to' the ships, ^ T> 32. They brought back, however, intelligence of what doubtless appeard to them a strsnge and' savage piece of luxury. Tiiey had remarked several Indians with cer- tain dried herbs rolled up in a leaf. One' end of thia they put in their mouths, and lighting^the other end with a fire brand, inhaled and puffed out the srooke with great ap- parent enjoyment, A roll of this kind they called a to- bacco, a name since transferred to the weed itself. 33. As fast as one allusion passed away from the mind of Columbus, another succeeded. He was undeceived as to the supposed prince and his inland city, but the [ndians now pointing to the eastward, repeated the words Babeque and Bohio, which he understood to be islands or provinces wliere the people collected gold along" the^ 44 LIFE AND VOYAGES river banks by torch light, and wrought it into bars with hammers .^><^ 34. He accordingly ran along the coast of Cuba for two or three days, and then stood out to sea in the direc- tion pointed out by the Indians to find i^abeque, which he supposed to be some rich and civilized island. The wind, however,, came directly ahead, so that, after seve- ral attempts to keep on, he was obliged to put back to Cuba. 35. He made signals for the Pinta to do the same, but they were not attended to by her commander, Martin Alonzo Pinzon. The day closed, but Columbus con- tinued to make signals during tlie night by lights at the mast head. They were equally disregarded. At dawn of day the Pinta was no longer to be seen. 36. Columbus was disquieted at this. Pinzon had for some time shown impatience at being under his com- mand. He was a veteran navigator; and a wealthy nan ; and having furnished two oi" the vessels, and part of the funds for the expedition, seemed to think him- self entitled to as much authority and importance as the admiral, 37. Columbus considered his disappearance a wilful desertion. He feared that he intended to make a cruise by himself, or what was worse, to hasten back to Spain and claim the merit of this grand discovery. These thoughts distracted his mind, and impeded him in the free prosecution of his voyage^^v^"" 38. For several days he continued exploring the coast of Cuba, until he reached tlie eastern end, to which, from supposing it the extreme point of Asia, he gave the name of Alpha- and Omega, the beginning and the end. While steering at large beyond this cape, undetermined what course to take, he descried high mountains towering above the clear liorizon to the south-east, and giving evidence of an island of great extent. He immediately stood for it, to the great consternation of his Indian guides, who assured him by signs that the inhabitants had but one eye, and were fierce and cruel cannibals. 39. In the transparent atmosphere of the tropics, ob- ject? are descried at a great distance, and the puritv of Ot COLUMBUS. 45 the air and serenity of the deep-blue sky give a magical -|i chann to scenery. Under these advantages, the beau- ^^ tiful island of Hayti revealed itself to the eye as they approached. — VV" 40. Its mountains were higher and more rocky than \ 1 those of the other islands, but the rocks rose from among rich forests. -The mountains swept down into luxuriant plains and green savannahs, while the appearance of cultivated fields, with the numerous fires at night, and the columns of smoke v/hich rose in various parts by day, all showed it to be populous. It rose before them in all the splendour of tropical vegetation, one of the most beautiful islands in the world, and doomed to be one of the most unfortunate. . • CHAPTER XII. i Coasting of Hispaninla. Shipivreck, and other Oecut' rences at the Island. [1492.] 1. On the evening of the 6th of December, Columbus entered a harbour at the v.^estern end of the island, to which he gave the name of St. Nicholas. Not being able to meet with any of the inhabitants, who had fled from their dwellings, he coasted along the northern side of the island to another harbour, which he called Conception. 2. Here the sailors caught several kinds offish similar to those of their own country ; they heard also the notes of a bird which sings in the night, and which they mis- took for the nightingale, and they fancied that the features of the surrounding country resembled those of the more beautiful provinces of Spain : in consequence of this idea, the admiral named the island Espafiola, or, asli| is com- ji. monly written, Hispaniola. ]/[ 3. After various attempts to obtain a communication with the natives, three sailors succeeded in overtaking a young and handsome female, who was flying from them, and brought their wild beauty in triumph to the ships. She was treated with the greatest kindness, and dismiss- 46 LIFE AND VOYAGES • ed finely clothed, and loaded with 'presents of beads, hawk's bells, and other baubles. 4. Confident of the favourable impression her treat- ment, and the sight of her presents, must produce, Co- lumbus, on the follow! no- day, sent nine men, with an in- terpreter, to her village which v.^as situated in a fine valley, on the banks of a beautiful river, and contained about a thousand houses. 5. The natives fled at first, but, being- re-assured by tlie interpreter, came back to the number of two thoi» ^and, and approached tlie Spaniards with awe Oi\% ^embling, often pausing and putting their hands upor' their heads in token of reverence and submission. \V 6. The female also, came borne in triumph on tiiir .--^^ ehoulders of her countrymi-n, followed by a niuititude, • and preceded by her husband, who was full of gratitude for the kindness with which slie Jiad been treated. The natives conducted the Spaniards to their houses, and set before them cassava bread, fish, roots, and fruits of various kinds ; for a frank liospitality reigned throughout the island, where as yet the passion of avarice was unknown. 7. The Spaniards returned to the vessels enraptured with the beauty of the country, surpassing, as they said, even the luxuriant valley of Cordova ; all that they com- plained of was, that they saw no signs of riches among the natives. 8. Continuing along the coast, Columbus was visited by a young cacique, apparently of great importance, who came borne on a litter by four men, and attended by two hundred of his subjects. He entered the cabin where the admiral was dining, and took his seat beside him, with a frank unembarrassed air, while two old men, who were his councillors, seated themselves at liis feet, watching his lips, as if to catch and communicate his ideas.c:^) 9. IfVn iny thing were given him to eat, he merely tast- ed it, and sent it to his followers, maintaining an air of great gravity and dignity. After dinner, he presented the admiral with a belt curiously wrought, and tW3 pieces of gold. Columbus made him various presents in return, and showed him a coin bearing the likenesses of Fer- OF COLUMBUS. 4?7 dinaiid and Isabella, endeavouring to give him an idea of the power and grandeur of those sovereigns. 10. The cacique, however, could not be made to be- lieve that there was a region on earth which produced euch wonderful people and wonderful things, but persist- ed in the idea that the Spaniards were more than mortal, and that the country and sovereigns they spoke of must exist somewhere in the skies. 11. On the 20th of December, Columbus anchored in r>, fine harbour, to which* he gave the name of St. Tho^ mas. Here a large canoe visited the ships, bringing messengers from a chieftain named Guacanagari, who resided on the coast a little farther to the eastward, and reigned over all that part of the islandi^ The mes- sengers bore a present of a broad belt, Vv^ronght inge- niously with coloured beads and bones, and a wooden mask, the eyes, nose, and tongue of which were of gold. 12. They invited Columbus, in the name of the cacique, to come with his shij)s opposite to the vilKige where he resided. Adverse v/inds prevented an immediate com- pliance with this invitation ; he therefore sent a boat well armed, witli the notary of the squadron, to visit the chief- tain. He returned with favourable accounts of the ap- pearance of the village, and tlie hospitality of the cacique. 13. Early in the morning of the 24th of December, Columbus weighed anchor, with a light wind that scarcely filled the sails. By eleven o'clock at night, he Vv'as within a league and a half of the residence of the cacique : the sea was calm and smooth, and the ship almost motionless. Having liad no sleep the preceding night, he retired to take a little repose, 14. No sooner had he left the deck, than the steers- man gave the helm in charge to one of the ship-boys, and went to sleep. The rest of the mariners on duty followed his example, and^in a little while the whole crew was buried in slecp.ly along this coast, car- ried the ship smoothly, but with great violence, upon a sandbank.' The boy, feeling the rudder strike, and hear- ing the rushing of the sea, cried out for aid. Columbus was the first to. take the alarm, and was soon followed by 46 LIFB AND VOYAGES the master of the ship, and his delinquent companion*. The admiral ordered them to carry out an anchor astern, that they miglit warp the vessel oft'. 15. They sprang into the boat, but, being confused and seized with a panic, instead of obeying the com- mands of Columbus, they rowed off to the other caravel. Vincente Yailez Pinzon, who commanded the latter, re- proached them with their cowardice, and refused to ad- mit them on board ; and, manning his boat, hastened to the assistance of the admiral. ^^' 16. In the mean time, the ship swinging across the stream, was set more and more upon tlie bank. Efforts were made to lighten her, by cutting away the mast, but in vain. The keel became bedded in tlie sand ; the seams opened, and the breakers beat against her, until she fell over on one side. Fortunately, the weather con- tinued calm, otherwise botli ship and crew must have perished. The admiral abandoned the wreck, and took refuge, with his men, on board of the caravel. He lay t» until daylight, sending messengers on shore to inform the cacique Guacanagari of his disastrous shipwreck. 17. When the chieftain heard of the misfortune of hi& guest, he was so much afflicted as to shed tears ; and never, in civilized country, were the rites of hospitality more scrupulously observed, than by this uncultured savage. He assembled his people, and sent aff all his canoes to aid in unloading the wreck. The effects were landed, and deposited near his dwelling, and a guard set over them, until houses could be prepared, in which they could be stored. 18. There seemed, however, no disposition among the ■ natives to pilfer or conceal the most triflirig article. On the contrary, they manifestejil as deep a concern as if the disaster had happened to /themselves, and their only study was how they could administer reliePiEfQd consola- tion.\)^Columbus was greatfy..affected by this unexpected goodnbss. " These people," said he, to th^overeigns, *' love their neighbours as theii^elves, their discourse is ever sweet and gentle, and accompanied by a^smile. I swear to your majesties therels not in the world a better natioii or a better land.'V^ OF COLUMBUS. 4i& , 19. When the cacique mci with Columbus,, he was much moved at beholdinnr his dejection, and offered him every thing he possessed t!iat could be of service to him. He invited him on shore, where a banquet was prepared for his entertainment, consisting of various kinds of fish ' and fruit, and an animal called Utia by the natives, which resembled a coney. After the collation, he conducted him to a beautiful grovo, where upwards of a thousand of the natives were assembled, all perfectly naked, who per- formed several of their games and' dances. 20. When the Indians had finished their games, Co- lumbus gave them an entertainment in return, calculated to impress them with a formidable opinion of the military power of the Spaniards. A Castilian, who had served in the wars of Granada, exhibited his skill in shooting with a Moorish how, to the "great admiration of the ca- v v _ cique. A cannon and an arquebus were hkewise dis- ' V^ charged ; at the sound of which the Indians fell to the ground, as though they had been struck by a thunderbolt. 21. When tliey saw the effect of the ball rendincr and shivering the trees, they were filled with dismay. On being told, hov/ever, that the Spaniards would protect them with these arms, against the invasions of their dreaded enemies, the Caribs, their alarm was changed into confident exultation, considering themselves under the protection of the sons of heaven, who had come from the skies, armed with thunder and lightning. / 22. The cacique placed a coronet of gold on the head of Columbus, and hung plates of the same metal round his neck, and dispensed liberal presents among his fol- lowers. Whatever trifles were given in return were re- garded with reverence as celestial gifts, and were said by the Indians to have come from Tureij, or heaven. 23. When Guacanagari perceived the great value which the admiral attached to gold, he informed him, that there was a place, not far off, where it abounded ; and he pror mised to procure him, from thence, as much as he desired .,fclJL- This golden region, was called Cibao, and lay among" \\ high and rugged mountains. The cacique who ruled over it owned many rich mines, and had bamiers of WTOughVgold. 50 LIFE AND VOYAGES 24. Three houses had been given to the sliipwrecked crew for their residence. Here, living on shore, and ming-ling freely vi^ith the natives, they became fascina- ted by their easy and idle mode of life. They were go- verned by their caciques with an absolute but patriarchal and easy rule, and existed in that state of primitive and» savage simplicity v/hich some philosophers have fondly pictured as the most enviable on earth. 25. "It is certain," says old Peter Martyr, "that the land nmong these people is as common as the sun and water ; and that ' mine and thine,' the seeds of all mischief, have no place with them. They are content with so little, that, in so large a country, they have rather superfluity than scarceness ; so that they seem to ^ive in a golden, world, without toil, in open gardens, neither intrenched, nor shut up by walls or hc^lges. They deal truly with ■one another, without laws, or books, or judges. "^!^ 26. In fact, they seemed to disquiet themselves about notliing ; a few fields, cultivated alm.ost without labour, furnished roots and vegetables, their groves were laden with delicious fruit, and the coast and rivers abounded with fish., Softened by the indulgence of nature, a great part of the day was passed by them in indolent re- pose^hithat luxury of sensation inspired by a serene sky and \'otiM?tuous climate, and in the evening they danced in their fragrant groves, to their national songs, or tho rude.^i|ind of their sylvan drums. 27. v\''hen the Spanish mariners looked back upon their own toilsome and painful life, and reflected upon the cares and hardsliips tlmt must still be their lot, should they return to Europe, they regarded with a wistful eye the easy and idle existence of the Indians, and many of them, representing to the admiral the difficulty and dan- ger of embarking so many persons in one small caravel, entreated permission to remain in the island. 28. Columbus granted their request, determining to found a colony. The wreck of the caravel would fur- nish materials and arms for a fortress ; and the people w.lio should remain in the island could explore it, learn the language of the natives, and collet gold, ti'hile'tb« admiral returned to Soain for reinforcements.^^ OF COLUMBUS. 51 29. Guacanag-an wasoverjoyod at finding that, some of these \vc-;d3riul strangers werc^ to renmin ibr the defence of his island, and that the admiral intended to revisit it. He readily gave permission to build the ibrt, and his subjects cag-crly aided in its construction, little dreaming that they \ve.re assisting- to place on their necks the gall- ing- yoke of perpetual and toilsome slavery. 30. In ten days the fortress vras completed. It con- fiisted of a strong wooden tower, with a vault beneath, and the whole was surrounded by a wide ditdi. It was Kupj)lied with llie ammunition and mounted with the cannon saved from ti)0 wreck.^ Columbus gave the fortress and harbour the name of La Navidad, or The Nativity, in meniorJal of having been preserved from the wreck of his sliip on Christmas day. , 31. From the number of volunteers tJiat offered to re- main, he selected thirty-nine of the most trustworthy, putting them under the command of Diego de Arana, notary and alguazll of the armament. In case of his death, Pedro Gutierrez was to take the command, and he, in like case, to be succeeded by Rodrigode Escobido, 32. He charged the men to be obedient to their com nianders, respectful to Guacanagari and his chieftains, and circumspect and friendly in their intercourse with the natives. As tlieir saf ;ty would depend upon tlieir • united force, he warned them not to separate nor to stray beyond the territory of the friendly cacique. He enjoined it upon the ofricers. to employ themselves in gaining a icnowledge ofthe island, in amassing gold and spices, and ill searching for a more safe and convenient harbour, -s^ 33. Before his doj^arture, he gave the natives another military exhibition, to increase their awe of the white men. The Spaniards pt^rformed skirmishes and mock tights, with swords, buckler.'^, lances, crossbows, and fire- arms. The Indians were astonished at the keenness of the steeled weapons, and the deadly power ofthe cross- bows and nmsketSj: but nothing equalled their awe and adniiration whenitiVe caiuiO'i were discharged from the fortress, wrapping it in smoke, shaking the forests with their thunder, and shivering the stoutest trees. 34. When Columbus took leave of Goacanagari, the / 52 LIFE AND VOYAGES kind-hearted cacique shed many tears ; for he had been completel}"- won by the benic^nity of his manners. The seamen, too, had made many pleasant connexions among the Indians, and they parted with mutual regret. 35. The sorest parting-, however, was witli tlieir cona- rades who remained behind. When the sig-nal g-un was fired, they gave a parting cheer to the gallant handful of volunteers thus left in the wilderness of an unknown world, who echoed their cheering as they gazed wistful- ly after them from the beach, but who were destined never to welcome their return. <«• _ CHAPTER Xm. Retiirn Voyage. Violent Storms. Arrival at Pertu- gal. [1493.] 1. It was on the 4th of January tha-t Columbus set sail. 0n the 6th, as he was beating aleng tiie coast, with a head wind, a sailor at the mast-head cried out that there was a sail at a distance, standing towards them. To their great joy it proved to be the Pinta, which came sweeping before the wind with flowing canvass. 2. On joining the admiral, Pinzon endeavoured to excnso his desertion, by saying that he had been separated bj' stress of weather, and had ever since been seeking him. 'Columbus listened incredulously to these excuses, but Jivoided any words that might produce altercations, and .ilistUfb the remainder of the voyage. He ascertained, :tfterwards, that Pinzon had parted company intentional- ly, and liad steered directly east, in quest of a region where the Indians assured him he would iind gold in H.bundance. 8. They guided him to Hispaniola, where he had been for seme time in a river about fifteen leagues east of La Navidaii, trading with the natives. Hf^ had collected a large quantity of gold, one half of which he retained as captain, and the rest he divided among his men, to secure their secrecy and fidelity. On ieavin-g the river, he had carried cfi four Indian men and two girls, as slaveiJ. OP COL\JMBU^ 53 4. Columbus sailed for this river, to which he gave the name of Rio de Gracia ; but it long" continued to be known as the river of Martin Alonzo. Here he ordered the four men and two girls to be dismissed, well clothed, and with many presents, to oXcme for the wrong they had experienced, and to allay tli^pstile feeling it might have caused among the natives. ^Kis restitution was not made without great unwiliingne^Ky^ many angry words, on the part of Pinzon. ^^^^ 5. After standing for s^^e distance further alon^ the coast, tliey anchored in a vast bay, or rather gulf, three leagues m breadth, extending far inlaqd, and bordered by the mountains of Ciguay. Here they had a sharp skir- mish with tiie natives, in which several of the latter were slain. They were a hardy and warliJ^e race of moun- taineers, fierce of aspect, hideously painted, and their heads decorated with feathers. *&, They fought with war-clubs, bows and arrows, and ewords of pahn wood, so hard and heavy as to cleave through a helmet to the vejy brain. Several of the In- dians were killed. This was the first contest with the people of the New World, and the first time that native blood was shed by white men. From this skirmish the place received the name of the gulf of arrows ;* it is now called the gulf of Samana. 7. Columbus lamented this conflict, and apprehended further hostilities ; but, to his surprise, the natives on the following' day resumed their intercourse as if nothing had happened. The cacique, whose name was May^ona- bex, came on beard with only three attendants, and throughout all their subsequent dealings they betrayed no signs of lurking fear or enmity. 8. This frank and confiding conduct, so indicative of a brave and generous nature, was properly appreciated by Columbus : he entertained the cacique with greaA^tinc- tion, and at parting made many presents to hiiflpd his attendants. This Mayonabex, in subsequent ^ents of this history, will be found to acquit himself with valour and magnanimity, under the most trying circumstances, • Ei Golfo de las Flech«». 54 LIFE AND VOYAGES 9. Columbus, on leaving the bay, took four younor In- dians, to g-uide him to the Caribbean islands, situated to the east, of which they gave iiim very interesting- ac- counts, as well as of the island of raantinino, said to bo inhabited by Amazons. A favourable! breeze sprang up, however, for the voyage homevrards, aiid, seeing gloom and impatience in the countenances of his men, at the idea of diverging from theirroute, he gave up his inten- tion of visiting these isl£lMi|0r the present, and made all sail for Spain. ^K^ 10. The fiwourable breeze soon died away ; lio-htwinda from the east, and frequent calms, succeeded ; bufthey had inten-als of favourable weather, and by the 12th of Feb- ruary they had made such progress as to begin to flatter themselves with tl^e hopes of soon beholding land. The wind now came on to blow violently ; on tlie following evening there were three hashes of lightning in the north-north-east ; from which signs Columbus predicted an approaching tempest. 11. It soon burst upon them with frightful violence, their small and crazy vessels were little fitted for the wild storms of the Atlantic ; all night they were obliged to scud under bare poles at the mercy of the elements. As the morning dawned, there was a transient pause, and they made a little sail ; but the wind rose with re- doubled fury from the south, and increased in the night, the vessels labouring terribly in a cross sea, which threat- ened at each moment to overwhelm^ them or dash them to pieces. 12. The tempest still augmenting, they were obliged again to scud before the wmd. The admiral made signal lights for the Pinta to keep in company ; but she was separated by the violence of the storm ; her lights gleam- ed more and more distant, until they ceased entirely. When^ie day dawned, the sea presented a friglitful wasteflmdld broken waves, lashed into fury by the gale ; ColurnlH looked round anxiously for the Pinta, but she was nowhere to be seen. 13. Throughout a dreary day the helpless bark wag driven along by the tempest. Seeing all human skill baffled and confounded, the admiral endeavoured to pro- OF COLUMBUS. 55 pitiate heaven by solemn ^vs. Lots were cast to per- form pilgrimages and ^^^^cp.s, most of which fell upon himself. A vow '^^J^V^ made by the admiral and the whole crew, that -iPui^v/ere spared to reach the land they would walk iy procession, barefooted, to offer up thanksgiving- in som;} church dedicated to the Virgin. 14. The heavens:, however, seemed deaf to all their vows ; the storm grew still more furious, and every one gave himself up for lost. Tlie rtiind of Columbus was a prey to the most distressing anxiety. He was liarassed by the repinings of his crew, who cursed the hour of their leaving their country, and their want of resolution in not compellir.'g him to abandon the voyage. He was afflict- ed, also, when he thought of his two sons, who would be left destitute by liis death. 15. But he had another source of distress, more in- tolerable than death itself It was highly probable that the Pinta had foundered in the storm. In such case, the historj^ of his discovery wquld depend upon his own feeble bark ; one surge of the ocean might hjjiy it for ever in oblivion, and his name only remain as that of a desperate adventurer, who had perished in pursuit of a chimera. 16. To guard against such a result, he wrote on parcli- ment a brief account of his discovery, and of his having taken possession of the newly found lands in the name of their Catholic majesties. This he sealed and directed to the king and queen, and superscribed a promise of a thojisand ducats to whomsoever should deliver the packet tmopened. He tlien wrapped it in a waxed cloth, which he placed in the centre of a cake of wa.\, and enclosing the whole in a cask, threw it into the sea. A copy of this memorial he enclosed, in a similar manner, and placed it upon the stern of his vessel, so that, should the caravel sink, the cask might float off and survive. ■ 17. Happily, these precautions, though wise, were superfluous ; at sunset there was a streak of clear sky in the west, the wind shifted to that quarter, and on the morning of the 15th of February they came in sight ofland. 18. The transports of the crew at once more beholding the old world were almost equal to those they had expo^ 56 LIFE AND VOTTAOES nenced on discovering' the new. For two or three days, however, the wind again l^Mne contrary, and they re- mained hovering in sighl^^Rind, of which they only caught glimpses through tl^mist and rack. At length they came to anchor, at tiie island of St. Mary's, the most sovitliern of the Azores, and a possession of the crown of Portugal. 19. An ungenerous reception awaited the poor tem- pest-tossed mariners, on their return to the abode of civi- lized man, far different froi^ the kindness and hospitality they had experienced among the savages of the new world. Columbus sent one half of the crew on shore, to fulfil the vow of a barefooted procession to a chapel of the Virgin, which stood on a solitary part of the coast, and awaited their return to perform the same ceremony with the remainder. 20. Scarcely had they begun their prayers, when a party of horse and foot, headed by the governor of the island, surrounded the chapel, and took them all prison- ers. The real object of this outrage was to get posses- sion of tffe person of Columbus ; for the king of Portu- gal, jealous lest his enterprise might interfere v/ith his own discoveries, had sent orders to his commanders of islands and distant ports to seize and detain him w' herever fie should be met with. 21. Having failed in this open attempt, the governor next endeavoured to effect his pur])ose by stratagem, but was equally unsuccessful. Being thus baffled in his -aim, and being threatened with tlie^vengeance of the 'Spanish sovereigns, he released his priseners, after two or three days' detention, pretending to have acted through doubts of Columbus having a "regular cemmission. 22. The voyagers again set sad with pleasant weather, but were soon overtaken by a tempest, which rent their sails and threatened instant distruction. The crew were again reduced to despair, and made vows of fastings and pilgrimages. The storm raged for a night and day, and rose to its utmost fury on the night of the 3d of March. The sea was wild, broken, and mountainous, the rain fell ui torrents, and lightning flashed, and thund^ pealed fi^m various iparts of the heavens. OF COLUMBUS. 57 23. In the first watch of this fearful night, the seamen gave the usually welcome ^^ of land ; but it only increased tlie alarm, for they were Hkorant of their situation, and dreaded being- driven on sfroro, or da-<:hed upon the rocks. Taking in sail, therefore, th(-y endeavoured to keep to sea as rnucli as possible. At day.br(?ak on the 4th of March, they found themselves clT the rock of Cintra, at the mouth of the Tagus, 24. Though distrustful of the good will of Portugal, Columbus had no alternative but to run in for slielter^^ — - and he accordingly anchored about three o'clock in the river, opposite to Rastello. The inhabitants came off from various parts of the shore, k) congratulate him on ' what they deemed a miraculous preservation, for they had been watching tlie vessel ^he whole mornino:, with great anxiety, and putting up prayers fcr her safety. «. ,^i ^ 25. Such were the difficulties and perils with which Co- lumbus had to contend on his return to Europe : had one tenth part of them beset his outward vov-age, his factious erew would have risen in arms against the enterprise, and he never would have discovered the new \vorid. — «e©©— CHAPTER XIV. Visit of Cohimhus to the Coiirf of Porlv^oL Arrival at Pains. [149a.] 1. The arrival of a bar!: in the 'J\gus, freighted witn the people and productions' of a newJj' discovered world, filled ell lii.sbon with astonishment. For several days the river was cover'nl with barges and boats, bearing visiters to the siiip of the most distinguished rank. 2. All liung v, ith rapt attention en the accounts of the voyoge, and gazed v^^ith insatiable curiosity upon the plants, and animals, and above ail, upon the inhabitants of th.c new world. The enthusiasm of some, and the avafice of otliers, was e.xcited ; wHile many repined at the 'incredulity of the king and his cr.unsellors, by whicli se c^T&nd a .discovery had been for eter lost to Porlugra, 63 LIFE AND VOYAGES 3. Immediately on his arrival, Columbus wrote to the king of Portug;al, who \\'a|||t Valj)araif-'o, about nine leagues from l^isbon, inform^g- him of ihe cveiits of his voyage, and the route he had pursued, lest the king yjiould suppose i>e had been in the track of tlio Portu- guese discoverers. Oa the 8th of March, he received a reply, congratulating him on !iis arrival, and inviting him to court. The king at the same thnc ordered, that any thing which the admiral required for himself or his vessel should be furnished free of cost. 4. Columbus set o'lt reluctantly for tho court, for he distrusted the good laith of the king. His reception, however, was of the most honourable kind. The prin- cipal officers of the royal liousehold came forth to meet him, and conducted him to the palacey The king re- quested him to seat himself in his presence, a privilege only granted to persons of royal dignity. lie welcomed him to Portugal, and congratulated him on the glorious result of his enterprise ; though secretly, he repined that this splendid enterprise had been offered to liimself and refused. 5. He held repeated conversations with Columbus, and made minute inquiries as to the routes by which he had sailed, and thp soil, productions, and people of the countries which he had discovered, seeming to take great pleasure in his replies. 6. The true object of th^se inquiries, however, was to ascertain whether the regions in question did not fall within the scope of the paj)al bull or ordinance, granting to the crown of Portugal all the land it should discover from Cape Non to the Indies, 7. King John suggested thece doubts to his counsel- lors, who eagerly encouraged them ; for among them were the very persons who had scoffed at Columbus as a dreamer, and his success covered them with confusion. They declared that tJie natives brought in the caravel answered exactly to the description of the people of that part of India ofranted to Portugal i)y the papal bull ; and that the newly discovered land clearly fell within the Portuguese territories. 8. Some endeavoured to awaken the anger of the king, OF COLUMBUS. 59 bv (leclarino: that Columbus had talked of liis discoveriea m an arrogant and vainglorious strain, merely to revenge himself upon the monarch for liaving rejected his propo- sitions. 9. Others even went so far as to propose, as an eftec- tual means of impeding the prosecution of tliese enter- prises, that Columbus should be assassinated. It would he an easy matter to take advantage of his lofty deport- ment, to pique his pride, provoke liim to an altercation* and suddenly despatch him as if in casual and honoura- ble encounter. 10. Happily, the king had too much magnanimity to adopc such wickv^u and dastardly counsel. Though se- rretlv grieved and mortified that tht^ rival power of Spaiij oiiould liave won tins triumph vvhich he had rejected, yet he did jusT.ice to tlie great nient of C^umbus, and hon- oured him as a distinguished benefactOTKo mankind. He felt it his duty, also, as a generous {)rmce, to protect all strangers driven by adverse fortune to his ports. 11. Columbus, therefore, after being treated with the most honourable attentions, was escorted back to his ship by a numerous train of cavaliers of the court. On the way he paid a visit to the queen at a monastery at Villa Franca, where ho was listened to v/ith wonder, as he related tlie events of his voyage to her majesty and the Jadios of her court. 12. Pitting to sea on the loth of March, he arrived safely at Palos op. the 15th ; having taken not quite seven months and a half to accomplish this most momentous of ail martitime enterprises. ^ 13. The people of Palo? had remained in the greatest anxiety about the fate of this expedition, in which so many of tlioir friends wore embarked. When, therefore, they beheld one of the adventurous vessels furling her sails in their harbour, from the discovery of a world, the whola community broke fortl*. into a transport of joy, the bells were rung, the shops shut, .and all business was suspended. 14. Columbus landed, and walked in procession to the church of St. George, to return thanks to God. Where- ver he passed, the air rang with acclamations, and he (30 LIFE ANt» VOYAGES received such honours as are paid to sovereigns. What a contrast was this to his departure a few months before, followed by murmurs and execrations ! or rather, wliat a. contrast to his first arrival at Palos, a poor pedestrian, cra- vijig- bread and water for his child at the gate of a convent, ! 15. Having des|xitched a letter to the sovereigns in- forming them of his arrival, he received an answer within a few days, addressed to him by his titles of admiral and viceroy. They n||mis&d him still greater rewards, and urged him to coiiSto them immediately at Barcelona, to J concert plans focrapecond and more extensive expedition. *'^* 16. It is fittii^here to speak a word of the fate of Martin AlonzoMnzon. When separated from Colum- bus in the storiMhe was driven into the bay of Biscay, and made the jmt of Bayonne. Doubting whether Co- lumbus had surlKed the tempest, he immediately wrote to the sovereigi^^iving an account of the discovery, and' requesting perlni^ion to come to court and relate the particulars in pcrsoa. 17. As soon as tljo weather was favourable, he again set sail for Palos, and, by a singular coincidence, reached there on the eveniiW of the day on which Columbus had arrived. It is said lib feared to meet the admiral, in this hour of his triumph, lest he should put him under arrest for his desertion on the coast of Cuba ; but this is not probable, for he was a man of too much resolution to yield to such a fear. ^ 18. Whatever may have been his motive, he landed privately in his boat, and kept out of sight until the de- •parture of the admiral, when he returned to his home, broken in health, and deeply dejected, awaiting the reply of the sovereigns to his letter. \, The reply at length ar- rived, forbidding his coming to court, and severely re- proaching him for his conduct. This completed his humiliation ; the wounds of his feelings gave virulence to his bodily isalady, and in a few days he died, a victim to grief and repentauce. 19. Let no one, however, indulge in harsh censurea over the grave of Pinzon. His merits and services' are entitled to the highest praise ; his errors should be re- garded with iiwlulgence. Ho way one of the first in OP COLVMBUS. 61 Spain to appreciate the project of Columbus ; he aided hiua with his purse when poor and imknown at Palos ; he eiiabled him to procure and fit out ships, when even the royal mandates were ineffectual ; and finally he em. barked in the expedition with his brothers and his friends, staking- life, property, every thing, upon the event. 20. He had thus entitled himself to participate largely m the glory of this iiimiortal enterprise ; but, unfortu- liately, forgetting for a moment the grandeur of the cause^he yielded to the incitements of self-interest, and was guilty of that act of insubordination which has cas* a shade upon his name. 21. Much may be said, however, in extenuation of hi- fault : his consciousness of having rendered great ser- vices to the ex])edit;on, and of possessing property in tlie ships^ and his habits of command, which rendered him impatient of control. 22. That lie was a man naturally of generous senti- ments and honourable ambition, is evident from the poignancy with which he felt tlie disgrace drawn upon him by his conduct. A mean man would not have fallen a victim to self-upbraiding for having been convicted of a mean action. His story shows iiow one lapse from duty may counterbalance the merits of a thousand ser- vices ; how one moment of weakness may mar the beauty of a whole life of virtue ; and how important it is for a man, under all circumstances, to be true, not merely to others, but to himself "^ CHAPTER XV. Reception of Columhus by the Spanish Sovereigns at Barcelona. [1493.] 1. The journey of Columbus to Barcelona was like the progress of a sovereign. Wherever he passed, the country poured forth its inhabitants, who rent the air with accla- mations. In the large towns, the streets, windows, and balconies were filled with spectators, eager, to gain a 6 tt Oa LIFE AND VOYAGES sight of him and of the Indians whom he carried with him, who were re.'^arded with as much astonishment as if they had been natives of another planet. 2. It was about the middle of April that he arrived at Barcelona, and the beauty and serenity of the weather, in that genial season and favoured climate, contributed to give splendour to the memorable ceremony of his recep- lion. As he drew near the place, many of the youthful ■;ourtiers and cavaliers, followed Ijy a vast concourse of the populace, came forth to meet him. His entrance into this noble city has been compared to one of those tri- umphs which tJie Romans were accustomed to decree to conquerors. 3. First were paraded the Indians, painted according to their savage fashion, and decorated with their orna- ments of gold. After these were borne various kinds of live parrots, together with stuffed birds and animals of unknown species, and rare plants supposed to be of pre- cious qualities ; while especial care was taken to display the Indian coronets, bracelets, and other decorations of gold, which might give an idea of tlio wealth of the new- ly discovered regions. After this followed Columbus, on horseback, surrounded by a brilliant cavalcade. 4. The streets were ahnost impassable from the multi- tude ; the houses, even to the v.^ry roofs, were crowded with spectators. It seemed as if tlie public eye could not be sated with gazing at these trophies of an unki^.own world, or on the remarkable man by whom it had been discovered. 5. There was a sublimity in this event that mingled a solemn feeling with the public joy. It was considered a signal dispensation of Providence in reward for the piety of the sovereigns ; and the majestic and venerable ap- pearance of the discoverer, so different from the youth and buoj^ancy that generally accompany roving enter- prise, seemed in harmony with the grandeur and dignity of the achievement. * 6. The sovereigns had ordered their throne to be placed in public, under a rich canopy of brocade of gold» where they awaited his arrival, seated in state, with Prince Juan beside them, and surrounded by their nobles. Co» OF COLUMBUa. 68 lumbu^gived in their presence, accompanied by a brilliai^^mjv^d of cavaliers, among whom, we are told, he w^^^spicuous for his stately and commanding- person, which, with his venerable gray hairs, gave him the august appearance of a senator of Rome. 7. A modest smile lighted up his countenance, show- ing that ho enjoyed the state and glory in which he came ; and certainly nothing could be more deeply rnovincr to a mind inflam.ed by nob'e ambition, and conscious of having nobly deserved, than these testimonials of the admiration and gratitude of a nation, or rather of a world. 8. On his approach, the sovereigns rose, as if receiv- ing a person of the highest rank. Bending on liis knees, he would have kissed their hands in token of homage, but they raised him in the most gracious manner, and as- signed him a se.at himself in their presence; wliich was con- sidered a rare honour in this proud and punctihous court. 9. He now gave an account of the most striking events of his voyage, and displayed the various proriucti^^nd the native inliabitants which he had brought from\^e new world. Ha assured their majesties that all th^ were but harbingers of greater discoveries which he had yet to make, wJiidi would add realms of incalculable wealth to their domiivons, and whole nations of prose- lytes to the true faith. 10. When he had finished, the king and queen sank on their knees, raised their hands to lieaven, and, with eyes filled with tears of joy and gratitude, poured forth thanks and praises to God, All present followed their example ; a deep and solemn enthusiasm pervaded that splendid assembly, and prevented all common acclama- tions of triumph. ^,/<4t/ -- 11. The anthem of Te Deinn, chanted by the choir of the royal chapel, with the melodious accompaniments of histruments, rose in a full body of harmony, bearing up, as it were, the feelings and thoughts of the auditors to heaven. Such was the solemn and pious manner in which the brilliant court of Spain celebrated this sublime event ; offering up a grateful tribute of melody and praise, and giving glory to God for the discovery of another world. • I F 64 LIFE AND VOYAGES 12. Wliile the mind of Columbus was excit^by this triumph, his pious scheme for the deliveranc^^Kie holy sepulchre \yas not forgotten. Fiusiied witnl^^^dea of the vast wealth that must accrue to himself from his dis- coveries, he made a vow to furnish, within seven years, an army of four thousand horse and tit\v thousand foot, for a crusade to the holy land, and a similar force within the five follov/ing years. 13. It is essential to a full knowledge of tlie character and motives of this extraordinary m.an, that this visionary project should be borne in recollection. It shows how much his mind was elevated above selfish and mercenary views, and filled with those devout and lieroic schemes which, in the time of the crusades, had inflamed the am- bition of the bravest warriors and most ilhistrious princes. 14. During liis sojourn at Barcelona, tlie sovereigns look every occasion to bestow on him the highest marks of personal consideration, lie was admitted at all times to the royal presence ; appeared occasionally with the king on horseback ; and the queen delighted to converse familiarly with him on the subject of his voyage. 15. To perpetuate in his family the glory of his achieve- ment, a coal of arms was given him, in which he was allowed to quarter the royal arms, the castle and lion, with those more peculiarly assigned him, which were a group of islands surrounded by waves : to these arms were atlerward annexed the motto : To Castile and Leon Columbus gave a new world." 16. Th'j pension of thirty crowns, which had been de- reed by the sovereigns to whomsoever should first dis- over land, was adjudged to Columbus, for havuig first rteen the light on the shore. It is said that the seaman who first descried the land was so incensed at being dis- appointed of what he deemed his merited reward, that he renounced his country and his faith, and, crossing into Africa, turned Mussulman ; this anecdote, however, : on rather questionable authority. » * A CASTIUA Y A LEON NUBVO MUNDO DIO 0OLO>» • •• OV COLUMBUS. 65 17- There are ncAer wanting base and envious minds to decry die greatest actions. At one of tlie banquets given to Jplumbus by the nobility, a shallow courtier, meanly j(^ous of him as a foreigner, abruptly asked whether he thought that, in case he had not discovered the Indies, there would not have been men in Spain ca- pable of the enterprise. 18. Columbus made no direct reply, but, taking an egg, invited the company to make it stand upon one end. When every one had attempted it in vain, he struck it upon the table, broke one end, and letl:. it standing on the broken part. 19. In this simple and pleasant manner he reproved the afler-sagacity of this conceited courtier ; showing him, that the most perplexing tilings become the easiest to be done, when we are once shown the way. 30. The tidings of the great discovery of Columbus soon spread throughout the civilized world, filling every one with astonishment and delight. Men of learning and science shed tears of joy, and those of ardent imagi- nations indulo-ed in the most extravagant and delightful dreams. 21. Notwithstanding all this triumph, hov,-ever, no one had an idea of the real importance of the discoverv. The opinion of Columbus was universally adopted, that Cuba was the end of the Asiatic continent, and that the adja- cent islands were in the Indian seas. They were called, therefore, the West Indies, and as the region tlms dis- covered appeared to be of a vast and indefinite extent, and existing in a state of nature, it received the compre- hensive appellation of "the New World." CHAPTER XVI. Papal Bull of Partition. Preparations for a second Voy- age of Discovery. [1493.] 1. The Spanish sovereigns lost no time in taking ms. On the following dq.y, parties were sent in quest of them, each with a trumpeter, to sound calls and signals, and guns were fired from the sliips, but all to no purpose. 9. Alonzo do Ojeda then set off with forty men mt? the interior of the island, beating up the forests, aR'i making the mountains and valleys resound with trumpet* and fire-arms, but with no better success. Their search was rendered excessively toilsome by the closeness an(i luxuriance of the forests, and by the windings and dou- blings of the streams. 10. Several days elapsed without tidings of the strag- glers, and Columbus, giving them up for lost, was on the point of sailing, when they made their way back to the fleet, haggard and exhausted. For several days they had been bewildered in the mazes of a forest so dense as almost to exclude the day. 11. Some of them had climbed trees in hopes of get- tmg a sight of the stars by which to govern tlieir course, but the height of the branches shut oat all view of the heavens. They were almost reduced to despair, when they fortunately arrived at the sea shore, and keeping along it, came to where the fleet was at anchor. 12. After leaving Gaudaloupc, Columbus touched at other of the Caribbean islands. At one of them, a ship's boat, sent on shore for water, had an encounter with a canoe, in which were a few Indians, two of whom were females. The women fought as desperately as the men, and phed their bows with such vigour, that one of them sent an arrow through a Spanish buckler, and wounded the soldier wlio bore it. 13. The canoe being run down and overset, they con- tinued to fight while in the water, gathering themselves occasionally on sunken rocks, and managing their wea« pons as dexterously as if they had been on firm grouiad. It was wjth the utmost