COLUMBUS IN THE NEW world.

43

and took the oath of allegiance to him as such; many, at the same time, entreated his forgiveness for the sorrow and distress they had caused him.

The natives, who were present at all these scenes, were astonished and perplexed at the novelty of the ships, the men, their color, dress, arms, and ceremonies. The Spaniards were nearly as much surprised. The islanders differed from them in almost every respect. Their features were regular, except the forehead, which was uncommonly broad; their skin was of an olive color, like that of the inhabitants of the Canary islands; their hair was thick, black, and erect, mostly cut off above the ears, hanging down the shoulders of some, or tied up with a string around their heads. They went quite naked, and were painted, or rather speckled with different colors. They appeared to be very mild-tempered, but extremely stupid; so ignorant and destitute of any kind of knowledge, that they were incapable of forming any conception of the new objects around them. The first impression seemed to raise in their minds an idea of a superior order of beings, in consequence of which they ran away with the utmost precipitation; but when they saw that no one pursued them, they returned with marks of the deepest humility. Some threw themselves prostrate on the earth, and others raised their eyes and hands to heaven, endeavoring to express, by such gesticulations, that they considered the Spaniards as descended from heaven.*

Columbus distributed several glass beads, little bells, and other trifles amongst them, which they preferred to gold and diamonds. Those who had not received any of these presents offered whatever they possessed for them. As the Spaniards were on their return to the ships, several of the natives followed them, and those who could not get into canoes, swam, and when they got a few glass beads and broken bits of glass, they returned quite contented.

*The belief that the Spaniards were immortal beings continued a long time among the natives of the New World. The Indians of Porto Rico gave a remarkable in. stance of this persuasion. Some time after the Spaniards had settled among them they were desirous of making an experiment, in order to determine whether the Spaniards were mortal like themselves. One of their caciques prevailed upon a young Spaniard, by many entreaties, to pay him a visit. He was carried over a river, and when at the middle of the stream, the Indians dropped him into the water and held him under till he was drowned. They then carried him to the shore and called upon him to arise. No signs of life appeared, yet they could not be persuaded to believe him dead, and remained three days by him, expecting him every moment to return to life. Finding that the body began to putrefy, they reported the fact to the cacique, who nevertheless still remained distrustful. But after several days more spent in watching the body, with no signs but those of further decay, the Indians began to believe the Spaniards were mortal like themselves. The consequence was a general insurrection a short time afterwards.

The first and second day passed away in this little commercial intercourse. The rudeness and poverty of the people were visible on every occasion. The only articles of barter which they produced were spun cotton, parrots, sticks like lances, and javelins with. points hardened in the fire, and sharp bones joined to them.

These were the only arms they exhibited; there were no uncommon animals to be seen, nor higher marks of art. Their edgetools were made of sharp stones. With such instruments, and the aid perhaps of fire, they hollowed trunks of trees into canoes, the largest of which would carry forty-five men. These they rowed with oars or paddles, and if they were overset by accident, they were such expert swimmers, that they would turn their canoes over again, and bale out the water with hollow gourds. But what particularly excited the attention of the Spaniards were little pieces of gold, which some of the natives wore suspended from their noses. Being asked by signs where they obtained this metal, they pointed to the south, where they said it was to be had in abundance. They also represented that savage and warlike men came to their island from the northwest, to plunder; and that in the battles which took place they had received many wounds, the scars of which they showed. Thus Columbus became convinced of the existence of a continent, or rich islands, at no great distance at the south and west.

Having passed three days at St. Salvador, which the natives called Guanahani, he took on board seven of the inhabitants and sailed to a smaller island, about seven leagues distant. Without stopping there, he shaped his course to another, which seemed to be larger than the last, and about ten leagues to the west. He cast anchor here, and took possession of it, by the name of Santa Maria de la Concepcion. The inhabitants approached with the same marks of astonishment and respect as those of St. Salvador, whom they resembled so exactly in their persons, canoes, artificial works, and the fruits of the island, that they seemed to be one nation. From this island, Columbus sailed eight miles farther to the west, and reached a still greater island, level like the rest, beautiful, and encircled with delightful coasts. In all probability it was that which is called Cat Island in the modern charts; Columbus called it Fernandina, in honor of king Ferdinand. He immediately despatched a native of St. Salvador with some trinkets, as presents to the inhabitants, and ordered him to inform them, at the same time, of the pacific intentions of the Spaniards; in consequence of which they did not fly; but they were not less amazed than the other islanders, and evinced the same high opinion of he Spaniards. As some of the seamen went ashore to procure

COLUMBUS PURSUES HIS DISCOVERIES.

45 water, the natives assisted them in filling and carrying it to the boats. The usual barter immediately commenced, by which it appeared that these islanders were not so limited in their ideas as the first, and that they were somewhat farther advanced in civilization, for they made sharper bargains for their commodities. They wore mantles of cotton, and the young women above eighteen years of age, wore skirts of the same material. Their houses, or huts, resembled tents, but were entirely destitute of ornaments, or any other thing worthy of attention, except swinging beds, which they called hammocks; these were nets suspended from two posts by cotton ropes. As to other matters, they differed little, or not at all, from the other islanders. The only land animals, were a kind of little dog which did not bark; there were some reptiles, such as lizards and serpents. They also saw fish of different shapes and very lively colors. What peculiarly attracted their attention were certain trees, with branches and leaves of various forms on each tree, and yet as different from each other as those of the reed and the mastic.

When they sailed farther to the southwest, they came to an island, which surpassed all those they had yet discovered, both in size and beauty. This island rose higher above the sea, and the interior was not so flat and uniform as the rest, but exhibited a variety of hills, beautiful meadows and groves, and was well watered. Allured by such enchanting scenes, Columbus went on shore, took possession, and changed its old name of Samoete into that of Isabella, in honor of the queen. It is the same probably as that afterwards called Long Island. Columbus penetrated into it till he found a village, the inhabitants of which fled, affrighted at the sight of the foreigners. They took courage, however, in a short time, and began to barter like the rest. Aloe plants were found, a vast number of singing birds, and a species of lizards, which are now known under the name of iguanas.

CHAPTER V.

Discovery of Cuba.-Beauty of the country, and improvement in the appearance of the inhabitants.-Columbus imagines it the realm of the Great Khan.-Sends an exploring expedition into the interior.-They discover tobacco.-Columbus directed southerly by the natives for gold.-Desertion of Martin Alonzo Pinzon.-Mistakes of the Spaniards.-Discovery of Espanola. Description of the country and people.-Native appellations of the island.-The Spaniards obtain much gold.They are visited by the cacique Guacanagari.-His courtesy towards the Spanards.-The admiral's ship wrecked on the coast of Espanola.-Humanity and generosity of the natives.- Columbus builds a fort on the island at Navidad.-He leaves a colony there.-Discovers the Carib Indians.-Sails for Spain Escapes the tempests and the Portuguese.-Arrives at Palos.

COLUMBUS discovered Cuba at sunset, on the 27th of October. The next morning presented him a noble view of a most beautiful country, diversified with gently-sloping hills, lofty mountains, and copious streams of water. The fleet anchored at the mouth of a river, in full view of the most enchanting prospect. The shores were covered with green trees, some in vernal bloom, and others weighed down with fruit. The richness of the grass seemed to vie with that which clothes the fresh valleys of Andalusia in the month of May. Columbus was so charmed with the view, that he sprang ashore, took possession of the island, and called it Juana,

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47

after Prince Don Juan. Two houses were found here, which contained many fire-places, with nets, and fishing-hooks of bone; they also saw a little clay, but none of the inhabitants appeared.

The natives who had accompanied the Spaniards, pointed to the villages towards the west, in consequence of which Columbus on the next morning crossed the river and proceeded along the coast. In the course of a mile, he discovered another river, and a little farther on, a large one called Mares, with an indifferent harbor, and a number of habitations along the shores. The fleet entered this haven, and Columbus, anxious to know the country, despatched some men in boats to the villages; but the inhabitants ran away at their approach with the utmost haste. The cottages were of the same simple structure as the former, like tents covered with palm leaves, but larger, and somewhat more finely decorated. The nets, hooks and fishing utensils were also proportionally better. Several tame fowls were seen, little dogs and heads of figures carved in wood. It was supposed that these cots belonged to fishermen, whom the Spaniards hoped to find by advancing into the country.

Columbus communicating with natives of Cuba.

Sailing farther along the coast, they met inhabitants, who informed them that by travelling four days' journey into the interior they would reach Cubanacan, and find plenty of gold. This name signifies the centre of Cuba; but Columbus, impressed with the notion that he had arrived at the continent of India, understood it to mean the dominions of the Great Khan, a Tartar chief, famous in the narrative of Marco Polo. In this belief he sent four men on