had taken place on the shore, and that the Spaniards had protited considerably by it. This intelligence began to dissipate the gloom which hung over the face of the admiral. Guacanagari perceived the sudden transition, and guessing the cause of it, informed him that this metal was found in abundance at Cibao, which lay at no great distance; and that he would procure him plenty of it, if he would accompany him to his habitation. His complaisant and hospitable reception by the inhabitants soon effaced the impression of all the hardships and dangers which he had experienced at sea, nay, even the loss of his ship itself, which he now began to consider as a favorable accident. The cacique treated him with venison, fish and other food, tarts of cassava, and several roots and delicious fruits. He ate very sparingly and soberly, himself, and after he had finished his repast, washed his hands, which he had previously rubbed with certain herbs. After this he conducted the admiral through a series of winding arbors and fragrant groves. On their return from this enchanting promenade, he made Columbus a present of a mask, with pieces of fine gold suspended from the ears, eyes, nose and other parts. The neck was ornamented with a number of pieces of the same metal; he also distributed similar precious toys amongst the Spaniards, who had accompanied their leader. Columbus, in grateful return, presented a number of European trinkets, which the islanders valued as something divine, and which they eagerly showed their friends, repeating in a kind of transport the word turey, which in their language signifies heaven. They believed themselves capable of discerning the most pure gold from the inferior kind by the smell; the base gold they called guanin; and when they received some pieces of brass, silver, or any white metal, they smelled, and declared them to be turey, of inestimable value, and gave pieces of guanin and fine gold for them. They were chiefly captivated with bells, for which they readily gave all that they possessed. They danced and leaped to the sound of them in a grotesque manner. A small buckle, or the head of a nail, were valued by them as the most precious of gifts. The cacique was not less rejoiced and transported at the present of a shirt and a pair of gloves.

Columbus now informed the cacique that he had determined to leave a part of his men on the island, and set sail for Spain, whence he should speedily return with a greater force and abundance of valuable presents. In order more deeply to impress the minds of the natives with an idea of the superiority of their visitors, he caused his men to perform sham-fights, in which the clashing of the swords, the shooting of the cross-bows, the discharge of the musketry, and above all, the thunder of the cannon, produced a

mighty effect. The force of a cannon ball, which pierced the side of the stranded vessel, caused the simple islanders to fall upon the ground with surprise and terror. The Spaniards then erected a wooden tower, surrounded by a ditch, as the beginning of a settlement, to which Columbus gave the name of Navidad, or Christmas, from the day of the shipwreck. Feasts and entertainments followed; in one of which the cacique appeared, crowned with a golden diadem and attended by five inferior caciques, each with a golden crown. Much conversation was carried on respecting the country, and a certain province was spoken of, by the name of Cibao, which, of course, Columbus mistook for Cipango, the ancient name of Japan. The Spaniards also discovered a root which they imagined to be rhubarb. The islanders gave them every assistance in preparing their new settlement, and furnished them liberally with provisions.

Columbus left thirty-nine persons at Navidad, under the command of Diego de Arana. He gave them directions to prosecute their discoveries along the coast, to cultivate the soil, search for gold, and conciliate the natives. With strong injunctions to preserve discipline and good order, which unfortunately never were heeded, he took leave of the colony January 4th, 1493, and coasted onward to the east. The second day he discovered the Pinta bearing down for him before the wind. The two commanders met, and Martin Alonzo attempted to excuse his desertion by pretending he had been blown off by contrary winds. Columbus stifled his resentment at his treachery and falsehood, and listened to the detail of Pinzon's adventures. He had made no discovery of importance, but he had obtained a considerable quantity of gold, one half of which he had kept to himself, and distributed the rest among his crew. He had seized four men and two women of the natives, whom Columbus afterwards set at liberty.

In the progress of Columbus along this coast, the Spaniards discovered red pepper and pimento. They also saw another novelty, in the shape of fishes with heads like human beings. Columbus called them sirens, but they were no other than the misshapen animal now known as the manati, or sea-cow. Toward the eastern extremity of Espanola, they met with inhabitants of a new aspect. Their faces were black, their hair long and tied behind, with plumes of parrot's feathers stuck in their heads. They had bows, arrows and heavy clubs, and made demonstrations of hostility; but the Spaniards appearing friendly, they were induced to barter. One of them went on board the ship, and was regaled with presents. By the imperfect help of the Lucayan interpreters, they learned that in some parts of these regions the metal called guanin was

RETURN OF COLUMBUS TO SPAIN.

55

found in lumps as big as the stern of a ship; also that one of the islands was inhabited solely by women, who lived like the Amazons of old. An occurrence shortly after took place which confirmed the Spaniards in the belief that the warlike natives whom they now saw, were the Caribs, of whom they had received such terrifying accounts from the harmless and timid islanders they had previously visited. A number of the Spaniards having gone on shore with the Indian they had so kindly treated, they were attacked from an ambush by upwards of fifty men, whom they repelled, receiving however, some wounds. Notwithstanding this, the next morning the natives came down to the shore again and visited the ship with every demonstration of friendship. Their cacique spoke frequently of the neighboring islands of Martinico and Carib; he also made Columbus a present of a golden crown. During the two following days a brisk trade was carried on for provisions, but the natives always went armed. Four young men having gone on board, who appeared remarkably intelligent, they were secured for transportation to Spain; and with these and six or seven previously obtained at the other islands, Columbus left the New World and steered for home, on the 16th of January.

His voyage was prosperous till the 12th of February, when, believing himself not far from the Azores, he was assailed by a furious storm, which separated the ships. The sailors put up vows to heaven, but the tempest waxed fiercer every hour, and destruction appeared inevitable. Columbus, thinking his consort had foundered, and doubting whether his own ship would survive, was unwilling, nevertheless, that the world should lose the knowledge of the great discovery he had made. He accordingly wrote a short account of his proceedings, which he inclosed in cere-cloth covered with wax and placed in a tight water-proof casket, accompanied with a notice, offering a reward of a thousand ducats to any one who should deliver the package, unopened, to the Spanish sovereigns. This he threw into the sea, in hopes of its being picked up after his own ship had gone to the bottom. But shortly after this, the gale abated, and they came in sight of the Azores. The Portuguese received Columbus roughly, and impris oned some of his men. Another gale drove him from his anchor. age, and threatened his ship with destruction; but again his benignant star prevailed. He obtained the release of his men, and soon set sail. A third tempest overtook him as he approached the coast of Spain, and, just as the crew had given themselves up for lost, they descried the promontory of Cintra, and made an unexpected escape into the Tagus. The fame of the discovery being quickly spread abroad, Columbus was invited to the court

of Lisbon, where he excited the envy and jealousy of the Po guese, by his narration of the riches and wonders of the new-for countries. Leaving Lisbon, he again put to sea, and arrived, the 15th of March, at Palos, from whence he had sailed sev months before.

CHAPTER VI.

Exultation of the Spaniards on the return of Columbus.-Honors paid him by the court.-His second voyage to the New World.-He finds the colony at Navidaa extirpated.-Builds another fortress.-Distress of the colonists.-The natives become hostile.-Columbus defeats one hundred thousand of them in the battle of Vega Real.-Avarice of the Spaniards.-They impose tasks upon the natives. -Attempts of the islanders to starve their invaders.-Terrible cruelty of the Spaniards.-Discords among the colonists.-Civil war.-Return of Columbus to Spain.-Jealousies excited against him.-A new plan of government projected for the colony.-Third voyage of Columbus.-Discovery of Trinidad and the main land of South America.-Ill success of the scheme of settlement.-The Indians reduced to slavery.-Intrigues against Columbus.-He is deposed from his authority and sent to Spain in fetters.-Vile ingratitude of the Spanish court.-Fourth voyage of Columbus.-His treatment by Ovando.-Loss of the Spanish homeward-bound fleet.-Columbus explores the coast of America.-Attempts a settlement there.-His disasters.-He is shipwrecked at Jamaica.-Returns to Spain and dies.-The continent named after Amerigo Vespucci · Greediness of the Spaniards.-Sufferings and extirpation of the natives.

Columbus before the king and queen of Spain.

COLUMBUS, on landing, proceeded immediately to Barcelona, where the court resided. His journey was a continued triumph. The nobility and the people crowded to meet him, and followed him in throngs to the presence of Ferdinand and Isabella. He pre

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