,KY
 
 
 
 
 
 THE 
 
 REAL AMERICA 
 
 IN ROMANCE 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 By 
 
 JOHN R. MUSICK 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 WITH READING COURSES 
 
 Being a Complete and Authentic History of America 
 from the time of Columbus to the Present Day 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Forty Illustrations In Photogravures, One 
 Hundred Half-Tone Plates, Maps of the Period 
 and Numerous Pen-and-ink Drawings, by 
 
 F. A. CARTER 
 
 
 fl\ 
 
 1S 
 
 y 
 
 
 WM. H. WISE & COMPANY 
 
 NEW YORK J909 CHICAGO 
 
 
 

 
 COPYRIGHT, 1906 AND 1907. BT 
 
 FUNK & WAGNALLS COMPANY 
 
 Bntered at Stationers' Hall, London, England 
 
 [Printed In the United State> of America] 
 
 U 738
 
 THE REAL AMERICA IN ROMANCE 
 
 Volume I 
 
 COLUMBIA 
 
 The Age of Discovery 
 
 By 
 
 JOHN R.MUSICK 
 
 ILLUSTRATIONS BY 
 
 FREELAND A. CARTER 
 
 47349 
 
 WM. H. WISE & COMPANY 
 
 NEW YORK J909 CHICAGO
 
 COPYRIGHT, 1891, BY 
 
 JOHN R. MUSICK 
 
 COPYRIGHT, 1906, 1907 AND 1908, BY 
 
 FUNK & WAGNALLS COMPANY 
 
 Entered at Stationers' Hall, London, England 
 
 [Printed in the United States of America]
 
 Brirtrattnn 
 
 TO MY MOTHER 
 
 FROM WHOSE LIPS I FIRST LEARNED THE STORY OF COLUMBUS, AND 
 
 WHO SOUGHT BY HIS LIFE TO TEACH ME TO PERSEVERE IK 
 
 TRUTH AND RIGHT TO A TRIUMPHANT END, THIS 
 
 VOLUME IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED.
 
 v 
 
 THE PLAN AND SCOPE 
 
 The world's greatest historians to the present time 
 have sought to put the interest of fiction into their 
 work, but they have been so limited by the narrative 
 style adopted that only a few of the greatest have 
 been even fairly successful. The vast majority of 
 histories never have been and probably never will be 
 read outside of a limited circle of tireless students. 
 
 In "The Real America in Romance," the author 
 has actually used the medium of romance to give an 
 
 authentic account of our country's 
 Romance and , , * 
 
 History Success- development >' and > lns tead of read- 
 fully Blended in g about historic characters and 
 events, we see the characters them 
 selves in action and live with them through the de 
 velopments of their day and generation. The reader 
 loses himself completely in the irresistible fascination 
 of the story, and the impressions are made on the 
 heart as well as on the mind. This is distinctly the 
 difference between the narrative style and that of 
 the novelist. You do not merely read about Colum 
 bus: you endure with him his hardships, share with 
 him his disappointments, and rejoice with him in his 
 achievements; you actually feel the thrill of discovery 
 when the New World is found. The author does not
 
 ii THE REAL AMERICA IN ROMANCE 
 
 merely tell you that Washington wintered at Valley 
 Forge with his army, in pitiable distress. He takes 
 you right into the camp, shows you the torn and 
 bleeding feet of the soldiers, makes you stand watch 
 with the half-fed sentries, with little to warm your 
 body save the fiery determination to die of cold, 
 hunger, or British bullets, rather than give up the 
 fight for your country. 
 
 The purpose of this work has been to make the 
 reading of history, which is commonly looked upon 
 
 as downright drudgery, a matter of 
 The Purpose i , , 
 
 t i 7 i genuine pleasure, and to so present 
 of the Work ' 
 
 the story of our country's develop 
 ment that the reader will be able, without mental 
 effort, to retain the knowledge acquired. Romance 
 and authentic history are blendad to their mutual 
 advantage, and so wonderfully well has the author 
 succeeded that one may read merely for recreation 
 and at the same time acquire a comprehensive knowl 
 edge of the four hundred years of American develop 
 ment. 
 
 As a means of interesting beginners in the study 
 of American history, of enlisting their enthusiasm 
 and impressing upon their minds correct and lasting 
 conceptions of the significance of historic events, as 
 a stimulus to memory and a preparation for a more 
 earnest pursuit of ( the subject, there can be no doubt 
 that these romances far excel the ordinary school 
 text-books upon which the average citizen is content 
 to rely for his knowledge of our country's develop-
 
 THE PLAN AND SCOPE iii 
 
 ment. It is the common experience of students 
 that knowledge acquired from the study of a narra 
 tive history is, at best, retained by the mind in a 
 chaotic state. This work has been prepared in the 
 belief that even the advanced student will be able 
 by the reading of these romances to form more defi 
 nite and lasting impressions, which serve as a founda 
 tion for the information acquired from other sources. 
 Franklin's old saying, "Necessity is the mother 
 of invention," is just as applicable in the field of lit 
 erature as in the world of science. 
 iscovery -^ wag ^ e necess ity f or sucn a work 
 of the Idea 
 
 that led the author to prepare this 
 
 publication. John R. Musick was for years Professor 
 of History and Literature in one of our Western col 
 leges. He had among his students a number born 
 of Scottish parents, who had passed through our 
 high school. He found that they, along with their 
 co-students, knew practically nothing of American 
 history when they entered college; yet these same 
 students were intimately acquainted with Scottish 
 historic characters and events. After making a 
 searching investigation as to the reason for this, he 
 found that not one of them had ever studied Scottish 
 history as such, but they had read Sir Walter Scott's 
 Waverley novels, to which they had had access in their 
 homes from childhood. The author carried this 
 thought in his mind for several years and during this 
 time he often discussed with the leading educators 
 means by which the study of American history could
 
 iv THE REAL AMERICA IN ROMANCE 
 
 be made more interesting. He was finally persuaded 
 by these men to take up the work himself, and "The 
 Real America in Romance," to which he gave the rest 
 of his life, is the result of this idea. 
 
 This is not a new principle. Froebel's experiments, 
 made three-quarters of a century ago, established the 
 psychological value of interest and demonstrated that 
 recreation could be used for educational purposes. 
 The kindergarten, an international institution, has 
 grown out of those experiments, and the student of 
 educational methods will recognize in "The Real 
 America in Romance" a still broader application of 
 these well-established principles. 
 
 The idea, briefly, is to weave the whole four hun 
 dred years of American development into a series of 
 
 fascinating romances; and this has 
 
 The Plan of ,1 j .1 ,r >, 
 
 enabled the author to hit upon a 
 
 the Series 
 
 unique plan of dividing the history 
 
 of our country into generations instead of epochs, 
 as most historians have done. He believes that the 
 true way to study history is to go beneath the surface 
 and follow the undercurrent. All the upheavals in 
 society are the result of thought movements which 
 have driven men into action, and these changes, 
 which are commonly called epochs, have come with 
 the changes in generations. He has, therefore, divided 
 the history of America into thirteen average lifetime 
 periods and has woven the important events and in 
 cidents of each generation into a dramatic whole; but 
 in doing so has made no historical sacrifices. The
 
 THE PLAN AND SCOPE v 
 
 historic characters of each generation have been 
 woven into the romance, but the author has taken no 
 liberties with them. His aim has been to help the 
 student realize history by making him live through 
 the several generations and become intimately ac 
 quainted with the historic characters who have built 
 up our institutions. The author believes that the 
 most important part of historical study and the truest 
 of all histories is that which treats not merely of the 
 happenings of war and bloodshed, but of the growth 
 of man's ideas and institutions. He believes that 
 anyone who has lived through the life, feelings, and 
 thoughts of the past has received that truly historical 
 education that fits him for the life of the future. His 
 constant aim, therefore, has been to make the reader 
 live through the thirteen generations of American 
 development, in order that his life may become co 
 extensive with the life of the nation. 
 
 Each volume is full of life and plot, complete in 
 itself, covering a distinct period of history; yet all 
 
 are skillfully connected in one un- 
 Greatest Serial , , , . 
 
 i? 1*7- -^ broken series extending over a 
 Ever Written 
 
 period of more than four hundred 
 
 years making it the greatest serial ever written. 
 
 In Volume I the romance is woven around the 
 career of the boy who accompanied Columbus on his 
 almost hopeless wanderings from court to court and 
 sailed with him on his voyages of discovery. The 
 author gives him the classic Spanish name, Her- 
 nando Estevan. In the intimacy which springs up 
 
 Vol.1 B
 
 vi THE REAL AMERICA IN ROMANCE 
 
 between Columbus and the boy, a strange story is 
 told of the mysterious disappearance of the lad's noble 
 father. Many remarkable adventures occur in the 
 course of unraveling the mystery and a dainty love 
 story runs through the whole. The scene changes 
 from Spain to the New World and later to Granada. 
 The hero of the story finally settles in San Domingo 
 and his descendants become the central characters of 
 the succeeding volumes. 
 
 In Volume IV two of Hernando Estevan's great 
 grandchildren are kidnapped by the crew of Sir 
 Francis Drake, who had been commissioned to de 
 stroy the Spanish settlements in the West Indies and 
 on the coast of Florida, and were carried back to 
 England, where the name was anglicized to Stevens. 
 One of these boys landed with the Pilgrims at Ply 
 mouth in 1620, the other settled in Virginia, thus 
 forming a northern and a southern branch of the 
 family. The change in the name is significant. It 
 marks the beginning of English domination and the 
 decline of Spanish influence in the New World. This 
 is traced throughout the series, until, at the close of 
 the Spanish- American War, Spain forfeits the last 
 vestige of her control in the Western Hemisphere. In 
 this war are two direct descendants of Hernando 
 Estevan, one with Dewey at Manila, the other with 
 Roosevelt's Rough Riders in Cuba. 
 
 Eighty per cent of the material in our public li 
 braries is fiction, and practically the only calls for 
 books are for this class of literature. If one reads at
 
 THE PLAN AND SCOPE vii 
 
 all, he reads fiction. It is safe to assume that most 
 of the knowledge of history acquired by the average 
 
 reader is through the reading of such 
 Romance as an bookg ^ are uguaU clagged ^ hig _ 
 
 Educational . ' t 
 
 Medium toncal novels. The object of most 
 
 of such productions is merely enter 
 tainment, and great liberties are often taken with 
 historic characters and events to make them suit the 
 purposes of fiction. Nevertheless, it may well be 
 questioned if, with all their distortions, the average 
 reader will not obtain a truer and more lifelike view of 
 a period from a historical novel than from the average 
 text-book on the subject. The recognition of this fact 
 furnished the motive for the production of "The Real 
 America in Romance," but the author employed fic 
 tion as a means, not as an end, and made every 
 thing subservient to the main object of teaching 
 history and impressing its lessons. 
 
 No one to-day will dispute the fact that knowl 
 edge acquired in a pleasant and entertaining manner 
 
 is much more easily and permanently 
 
 retained than that derived from con- 
 Lasting 
 
 stant effort and hard study. We 
 have no trouble in recalling stories read in childhood 
 and can, without mental effort, live them over again. 
 The history, however, which we really labored to 
 master, at the same impressionable age in life, is for 
 gotten with the exception of a few romantic incidents 
 here and there, such as the Courtship of Miles Stand- 
 ish and the Story of Pocahontas. The incidents
 
 viii THE REAL AMERICA IN ROMANCE 
 
 commonly used by novelists to portray characters 
 in fiction are not more interesting in themselves 
 than those in the lives of real historic characters. 
 If one were to take merely the incidents used by the 
 novelist to delineate his characters and put them 
 into a narrative, the most interesting romance ever 
 written would become just as dull and uninteresting 
 as any history. Does anyone believe for a moment 
 that the vicious literature of the present day would 
 be any menace to society if written in the same narra 
 tive style as our histories ? 
 
 It is universally conceded that Boswell's Life of 
 
 Johnson is the greatest biography 
 
 New Plan of , , , i , ,, -r> 
 
 _. that has ever been written. Bos- 
 
 Biography 
 
 well himself was one of the greatest 
 scholars of his day, and had for his subject "the 
 brightest ornament of the eighteenth century;" yet 
 the most careful study of the Life of Johnson will not 
 enable the reader to get as close to the man as he does 
 to Jean Valjean in a superficial reading of Victor 
 Hugo's "Les Miserables." The incidents in the life 
 of Samuel Johnson are not less interesting in them 
 selves than those which the novelist used to portray 
 the character of Jean Valjean, but the methods em 
 ployed by these authors are entirely different. Bos- 
 well's masterpiece is written in narrative style, while 
 Victor Hugo's "Les Miserables" is a romance. 
 
 John R. Musick has used the same means to make 
 the reader intimately acquainted with the historic 
 characters of America. It is an entirely new method
 
 THE PLAN AND SCOPE ix 
 
 of writing biography. He has surrounded the real 
 characters with typical men and women of their day, 
 and has done for the thirteen generations of American 
 life what Balzac in his "Comedie Humaine" did for 
 one generation of French life. The reader becomes 
 just as intimately acquainted with the great charac 
 ters of history as with Sydney Carton in Dickens' 
 "Tale of Two Cities" or Little Nell in "The Old 
 Curiosity Shop." 
 
 The boys of to-day will fill the important places of 
 to-morrow, and while the citizen is in the making 
 
 there is nothing of more importance 
 Importance of ,, ,, , . ,. 
 
 th Sub' t n a ^ norou gh preparation for in 
 
 telligent citizenship. A man must 
 know history before he can help to make it. He 
 cannot vote wisely or be a valuable citizen without 
 a conception of what his forefathers have striven for 
 and what it has meant for them to win or lose. He 
 must bring himself into full sympathy with the true 
 American spirit; in other words, he must first of all 
 catch up with the past. Education along these lines 
 is the most important training he can have to prepare 
 him for citizenship. Without a knowledge of the his 
 tory of his country, one can make no pretense to 
 education. It is as much of an impertinence to dis 
 cuss the necessity of a knowledge of history -with a 
 man of education as it is to discuss the necessity of 
 education itself. History is the most broadening, 
 stimulating, and instructive of all studies. It alone 
 teaches the earthly reward that awaits courage and
 
 x THE REAL AMERICA IN ROMANCE 
 
 cowardice, vice and virtue; it alone teaches the true 
 philosophy of life. 
 
 The boy who stands on the shoulders of a tall man 
 is able to see farther than the man, and we who to-day 
 stand on the shoulders of the great men of America 
 may be able to see farther into the future than they 
 have. President Roosevelt says, "The success of the 
 Republic is predicated upon the high individual 
 efficiency of the average citizen." In these days of 
 money-mania and public distrust, when so many 
 "great" men have fallen from their pedestals and 
 stand revealed in their true colors, it is refreshing to 
 turn back through these pages and become intimately 
 acquainted with the early heroes and patriots, the 
 men who laid the foundations of this Republic. The 
 lessons learned from their lives will never be forgotten. 
 Their undaunted patriotism are our highest ideals 
 all that is good and true and lasting in our Repub 
 lic to-day. No more shining examples of heroic self- 
 sacrifice can be found in the history of any nation. 
 These men are the world's beacon lights of liberty, 
 and no better preparation for citizenship can be pro 
 vided than an intimate acquaintance with these six 
 hundred historic characters. 
 
 The illustrations form a most important feature 
 of the work, adding as much to its historical value as 
 
 to its attractiveness. The artist, 
 
 A Historical , , -,-, , , . ~ . . 
 
 Picture Gallery Mr> Freeland A - Carter, is a man of 
 
 well-known ability and wide infor 
 mation. He stands in the front ranks of American
 
 THE PLAN AND SCOPE xi 
 
 book illustrators. He has done his work in a thor 
 oughly conscientious manner. Before beginning his 
 drawings, he carefully studied the author's plan and 
 purposes, as well as the manuscript of the books, 
 and consulted the best authorities as to the costumes 
 and environments of the people of each period cov 
 ered by the work. As a result, the drawings, of which 
 there are nearly four hundred, not only are pleasing 
 in an artistic sense, but they add in a marked degree 
 to the vividness of the historical narrative and the 
 charm of the romance; and they present much val 
 uable information concerning the people, their dress 
 their movements, and their surroundings that could 
 not be told in words. 
 
 The use of the Historical Index, to be found at 
 the end of each volume, will avoid any confusion 
 
 arising in the mind of the reader as 
 The Historical , , . , . ,, , i- , j 
 
 to which is authentic history and 
 Index i i . 
 
 which is romantic material. Only 
 
 the names of the real historic characters and actual 
 events appear, and this enables the reader who has 
 absolutely no knowledge of the subject to separate 
 the history from the fiction. The index serves the 
 further purpose of adding greatly to the value of the 
 series as a reference work. 
 
 The Reading Courses, comprising the fourteenth 
 
 volume of the series, were prepared 
 The Reading , , . . r T^J 
 
 under the supervision ot Jbdwin 
 
 Courses 
 
 Markham, the distinguished poet. 
 
 Not only do they form a guide to the systematic
 
 xii THE REAL AMERICA IN ROMANCE 
 
 reading of the thirteen romances, but they are full of 
 interesting and illuminating material and will be 
 found very entertaining reading in themselves. 
 
 The first few centuries of our history were little 
 more than a continuation of the quarrels that origin 
 ated in European countries. It is 
 im P rtant therefore that we study 
 the development of our own country 
 in connection with the history of those European 
 nations from which the first settlers came and by 
 which the subsequent course of America has been 
 influenced. Not the least valuable feature of these 
 Reading Courses are the sketches of European his 
 tory, which have been introduced to illuminate the 
 beginnings of our own. 
 
 The arrangement of the notes is first by page and 
 then by subject, the idea being that the reader, ad 
 vancing from page to page, will no- 
 Arrangement ,. .,. , i 
 
 , * tice it any comment is made upon a 
 
 of Notes J 
 
 subject on which he is not fully in 
 formed. The note gives all the explanation which is 
 thought necessary to make the point entirely clear, to 
 impress the historic lesson conveyed, or to make more 
 distinct the thread of events which the reader might 
 allow to slip in following the romance too closely. 
 These Reading Courses are especially valuable in 
 directing the work of beginners and, if preferred, 
 may be reserved by the teacher or parent, who may 
 arrange the lessons in the manner outlined and give 
 orally the instruction suggested by the notes. The
 
 THE PLAN AND SCOPE xiii 
 
 Romances and Reading Courses, taken together, 
 provide a complete text-book to the history of the 
 United States, a guide to its study, and a thoroughly 
 equipped instructor always at hand with suggestions, 
 assistance, and illuminating information. 
 
 The outlines have been arranged upon the as 
 sumption that about six months' time should be 
 
 devoted to the series, in order that 
 Arrangement ,, . ,. ,. , , 
 
 , -. the information conveyed may be 
 
 of Courses 
 
 well digested as the reading pro 
 ceeds. This arrangement is, of course, not hard and 
 fast and may be modified according to circumstances. 
 Each course is divided into readings of about the same 
 average length, but varying considerably according 
 to the relative amount of historic and romantic matter 
 in each chapter the readings being longer where 
 the romantic prevails. The thirteen romances are 
 divided into nearly two hundred readings, which may 
 be regarded in the nature of entertainments; and it 
 is predicted that these two hundred evenings of enter 
 tainment will be more helpful and the benefits more 
 lasting than two hundred evenings spent in hard 
 study. 
 
 Into these Reading Courses has been thrown all the 
 information which it has been thought would serve 
 in any way to make the text more complete, interest 
 ing, and instructive. The aim has been to enable 
 the reader to read these thirteen romances with the 
 same intelligent appreciation the author possessed 
 in his preparation of the series.
 
 xiv THE REAL AMERICA IN ROMANCE 
 
 Last, but not the least valuable feature, come the 
 Questions, a set for each volume, 
 which bring out the important facts 
 in our country's development. 
 
 "The Real America in Romance" is the only 
 authentic history of any country written in romance. 
 
 By combining the interest of fiction 
 Only Authentic with the educational value o f nis _ 
 History in ,11 
 
 Romance * or y> e author has given us a new 
 type of literary achievement and has 
 placed himself in the front ranks of the world's his 
 torians. It is with no small degree of pride that the 
 publishers announce the completion of a task that 
 has never before been attempted. 
 
 WM. H. WlSE AND COMPANYo
 
 PREFACE 
 
 THE belief is common that fiction should be heip- 
 ful as well as entertaining. Well-written historical 
 novels have always been regarded with favor. Bare 
 historical facts stripped of romance are dry reading 
 to the majority of the millions; and as history is full 
 of romance, why withhold it ? No land is more fertile 
 in song and story than the New World; its discovery 
 is like a fairy tale, and its discoverer a hero of enchant 
 ment. It is not our purpose to tell a new story, but 
 rather to narrate in a new form, an old but ever inter 
 esting one and bring before the public some faces that 
 may be new to the general reader. Great care has 
 been taken to have historical events and dates correct, 
 and not to confound truth with fiction. While the 
 information we have attempted to give in this volume 
 is presented through the medium of romance we be 
 lieve it will profit as well as entertain both the young 
 and the old. 
 
 We must acknowledge our indebtedness for the 
 chief incidents in this narrative to a host of celebrated 
 
 XV
 
 xvi COLUMBIA 
 
 writers, among whom are Las Casas, Dr. Chanca, 
 Peter Martyr, and he who stands pre-eminently great 
 among American writers, Washington Irving. Hav 
 ing conscientiously performed this duty to the best 
 of our ability, we submit the effort to a generous 
 
 public. 
 
 JOHN R. MUSICK.
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER I. PAGE 
 
 THE HORNS OF TAURUS ..... 1 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 CHRISTINA OVILARES ...... 
 
 CHAPTER m. 
 THE MADMAN OF GENOA . '. . . . 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 THE WISE MEN OF SALAMANCA . . . .. 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 THE FALL OF THE CRESCENT . . ... 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 AGAIN DENIED . . . . . . 
 
 CHAPTER VH. 
 
 AT THE BRIDGE OF PINOS . . . . us 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 FROM GLOOM TO SUNLIGHT . . . . . 132 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 SEEKING AN UNKNOWN WORLD . , . . 145 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 THE MUTINY . . . .. . JQI 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 LIGHTS ALONG THE SHORE . . . . 176 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 SEARCH FOR THE GRAND KHAN .... 193 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 FORT NATIVITY . ... . 210 
 
 xvii
 
 xviii CONTENTS 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 DESERTED THE STORM 229 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 THE ASSASSIN FOILED 249 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 RETURN TO PALOS ...... 263 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 A LESSON FROM AN EGG ..... 276 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 FATHER AND SON 292 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 EMIGRATION ....... 308 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 DESTRUCTION OF THE MIMIC EMPIRE . . . 322 
 
 CHAPTER XXI. 
 THE FIRST CHRISTIAN CITY OF THE NEW WORLD . 336 
 
 CHAPTER XXII. 
 A LOST BROTHER RETURNS .... 348 
 
 CHAPTER XXIII. 
 THE FOUNDING OF SAN DOMINGO . . . 363 
 
 CHAPTER XXIV: 
 COLUMBUS IN CHAINS ...... 375 
 
 CHAPTER XXV. 
 
 TEMPEST-TOSSED 397 
 
 CHAPTER XXVI. 
 
 SHIPWRECK 417 
 
 CHAPTER XXVII. 
 To THE RESCUE 428 
 
 CHAPTER XXVIII. 
 CONCLUSION 439 
 
 HISTORICAL INDEX ...... 444 
 
 CHRONOLOGY . . 465
 
 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS, 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Christopher Columbus, Photogravure. . Frontispiece 
 Hernando Estevan- ....... 1 
 
 Jewel of Moorish architecture ..... 3 
 
 The Mosque of Cordova ...... 5 
 
 An Andalusian village ...... 9 
 
 The wild, rocky shore ...... 12 
 
 Typical landscape . . . . . . .18 
 
 Crow-bait . . . . . . .20 
 
 The firm arm of the picador held him at bay . . 21 
 
 The chulo . . 23 
 
 Some one seized the lad and placed him out of danger. 26 
 Christopher Columbus . . . . . . 27 
 
 "God's out-of-doors" in Andalusia . . . .31 
 
 Mountain domes that towered into the heavens . . 33 
 "Is he slain, Duke?" ." . . . . . 38 
 
 Christina Ovilares . . . " . . . .46 
 
 Ivy-covered bridge . . ' . . ' . . . 47 
 
 "Peace, lad, say no more." . . . .51 
 
 The treasures of learning were immured in monasteries . 63 
 The great cosmographer . ... . . .66 
 
 Salamanca . . . . . ' . .69 
 
 Moorish ruins . . . . . . . .77 
 
 Cordova . . ... . . .81 
 
 Columbus in convent of La Rabida, Photogravure . 83 
 Martin Alonzo Pinzon . . . . . 85 
 
 Vincent Yanez Pinzon . i ' ."-..". . 87 
 In the Alhambra; seat of Moorish power . 89 
 
 "Look/' whispered the lad, seizing Columbus by the 
 
 arm; "he is my uncle Garcia!" .... . 92 
 
 Specimen of Gothic Architecture . . '.. .95 
 
 Miguel the mutineer ; . . . ,98 
 
 xix
 
 xx LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Moorish tower. . . . . ... . 102 
 
 Columbus before Queen Isabella Photogravure . . 104 
 
 Columbus recalled, Photogravure .... 130 
 
 Port of Palos, Photogravure . * \ 148 
 
 The departure from Palos . . , . 154 
 
 The mutiny ........ 178 
 
 Discovery of land,, Photogravure .... 194 
 
 Landing of Columbus . . . . . . 198 
 
 " What I am about to say may cost me my life." . . 203 
 
 Neuvitas ......... 206 
 
 Baracoa ......... 211 
 
 The open gardens ....... 214 
 
 The shipwreck . . . . . . . 218 
 
 A cacique and his wives . . . . . 220 
 
 A multitude of natives ...... 241 
 
 Seville .273 
 
 The golden tower, Seville; so called because it received 
 the gold which the Spanish ships brought from 
 
 America 278 
 
 Outside the city gate . . . . ... 285 
 
 The hamlet at the foot of the mountains . . . 299 
 
 War-hardened Moor . . . . . . 302 
 
 An Indian village . . . . . . . 333 
 
 Vegetation of the New World ..... 345 
 
 Along the coast of Cuba . . . . . 351 
 
 Wilderness of islands . . . . . . 353 
 
 The Admiral was greatly moved by the simple eloquence 
 
 of this untutored savage .... 357 
 
 The arrest of Columbus ...... 392 
 
 Columbus in chains ....... 394 
 
 TheAlhambra ....... 398 
 
 The deserted cottage . . . . . . 400 
 
 Map of the period ....... 418 
 
 The Mosquito Shore . . . . . .421 
 
 Along the Gold Coast . . . . . . 422 
 
 The coast of a savage country . 440 
 
 Death of Columbus, Photogravure . 442
 
 COLUMBIA. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 THE HORNS OF TAURUS. 
 
 MANY names once familiar in Spanish history have 
 been forgotten, or are so entangled in the threads 
 of fiction as to be of doubtful 
 origin. Among those still 
 clinging to history by the 
 slenderest cords of truth is the 
 once well-known name of Es- 
 tevan. At times it was lost 
 to the world, but after a few 
 decades again appeared under 
 the magical touch of some poet, 
 novelist, or historian; and in 
 the dim twilight of church 
 legend are to be found a thou 
 sand stories of this once powerful family. Spanish 
 romance has enshrined it in imperishable lines, and it 
 is destined to live as long as the language is spoken. 
 
 The name Estevan is a peg on which countless 
 charming inventions have been hung. Spanish, 
 Christian and Arabian poets, ballad writers, and an 
 cient chroniclers, historians to whose heads the wine 
 
 Vol. 11 1 
 
 HERNANDO ESTEVAN.
 
 2 COLUMBIA 
 
 of these delightful legends has too frequently mounted, 
 have made of "Estevan" the incarnation of their 
 own subtly-woven fancies. 
 
 The origin of the family is not known. Not being 
 directly related to the throne of any of the provinces, 
 no chronicler has ever troubled to investigate its gene 
 alogy. They are mentioned in the Arabian chronicles 
 of the Cid, a sort of professional highwayman, who 
 is himself wrapt in a mythical veil. 
 
 In his day none was more loyal to the house of 
 Castile than Philip Estevan, a prominent Spanish 
 grandee and a gallant knight, who fell in battle at 
 about the age of fifty. He left two sons, Roderigo 
 and Garcia, and a large estate to be divided be 
 tween them, with promises of ancestral honors for 
 each. Nearly two centuries of the history of the 
 Spanish provinces in the peninsula is largely a 
 record of minorities and civil wars; and, during this 
 time, the Estevan family had won its share of honors 
 in the conflict. The provinces divided their time 
 between fighting each other and their common enemy, 
 the Moors, whose occupation of Spain forms one of 
 the most splendid episodes in all history. "They were 
 a nation without a legitimate country or name, a 
 remote wave of the great Arabian inundation, cast 
 upon the shores of Europe. They seemed to have 
 all the impetus of the first rush of the torrent." 
 Within twenty years they had conquered nearly the 
 whole of Spain, from the Rock of Gibraltar to the 
 Cliffs of the Pyrenees, and had Charles Martel failed
 
 THE HORNS OF TAURUS 3 
 
 at Tours to roll back the surging tide of Moslem con 
 quest, all France, all Europe might have been over- 
 
 JEWEL OF MOORISH ARCHITECTURE. 
 
 run with the same facility as were the empires of the 
 East. This was one of the most important battles 
 in the world's history and saved western civilization
 
 4 COLUMBIA 
 
 from hopeless retrogression and ruin. "But for it, 
 perhaps the interpretation of the Koran would now 
 be taught in the schools of Oxford." 
 
 In architecture, literature, science, industry, manu 
 facture, and agriculture, the Spanish Moors were far 
 in advance of any northern European race at that 
 date. No other people in western Europe could have 
 then built a cathedral like the Mosque of Cordova. 
 The cities of Arabian Spain became the centers of 
 Christian students, who came from all countries to 
 instruct themselves in the useful arts. In philosophy 
 and the terms of mathematical and astronomical 
 science, they have left their impress on most of the 
 languages of western Europe. 
 
 With all this, however, the Moslem empire in Spain 
 was a brilliant exotic that took no permanent root 
 in the soil it embellished, and after eight hundred 
 years a period nearly as long as has passed since 
 England was subjugated by the Norman Conqueror 
 they were annihilated, and the exiled remnant of 
 this once powerful empire disappeared among the 
 barbarians of Africa. The Moors had no reserve of 
 civilization or of increasing resources to fall back upon 
 in northern Africa; they were degenerating, while 
 behind Christian Spain was a Europe ever growing 
 more civilized and richer in resources of every kind. 
 The conquest was retarded by the divisions and civil 
 wars of the Christian kingdoms, which finally united, 
 and the fiery courage of the Arabs was at length sub 
 dued by the persevering valor of the Goths. A few

 
 6 COLUMBIA 
 
 broken monuments, such as the Alhambra, are all that 
 remain to bear witness to their power and dominion. 
 
 Roderigo and Garcia Estevan developed into man 
 hood at about the time the numerous petty kingdoms 
 of Spain Castile, Aragon, Navarre, and the Moor 
 ish kingdom of Granada were being gradually 
 amalgamated into one comprehensive nationality, 
 to enter upon the arena of European politics and form 
 a nation that was to be one of the great powers of 
 earth. The brothers were of the ricos hombres, or 
 higher class, which acted in war or peace like so many 
 independent sovereigns. 
 
 During the reign of Enrique (Henry) IV. of Castile, 
 that kingdom fell into violent civil war. Enrique 
 was known as The Impotent, and the revolutionists 
 were determined that his brother, Alfonso, should 
 rule in his stead. Alfonso dying, however, the crown 
 was restored to Enrique on his formally naming his 
 sister Isabella as his heir. The proclamation of Isa 
 bella as successor to Enrique and heiress to the crown 
 of Castile and Leon was preceded by prolonged 
 intrigue, for Enrique attempted to place his daughter 
 on the throne against the wishes of his subjects. 
 
 Being now more than ever a brilliant matrimonial 
 object, Isabella was beset with numerous proposals 
 of marriage, and chose among her many suitors the 
 gallant Ferdinand of Aragon. 
 
 The marriage was not looked upon with favor by 
 Enrique and his advisers. The Marquis of Villena 
 even threatened imprisonment for Isabella. While
 
 THE HORNS OF TAURUS 7 
 
 in peril of being seized by him, she was taken to Val- 
 ladolid, guarded by a band of faithful knights, among 
 whom were Roderigo and Garcia. To Valladolid 
 came Ferdinand from Castile, disguised as a mer 
 chant. So impoverished were both that money had 
 to be borrowed to defray bridal expenses. Both Es- 
 tevans Garcia and Roderigo were present at the 
 wedding, and Garcia thereafter remained steadfastly 
 among their following. Roderigo joined the king, 
 Enrique IV., serving him till the monarch's death in 
 1474. True to her promise, Isabella made no attempt 
 to wrest the throne from her weak brother while he 
 lived; and now, at his death, she assumed govern 
 ment with little opposition. At Segovia, December 
 13, 1474, in the public square of the quaint old Cas- 
 tilian city, surrounded by gorgeously clad function 
 aries, invoking the blessing of heaven on her reign, 
 Isabella was solemnly proclaimed queen. The tableau 
 was heightened by the glorious Andalusian sunshine, 
 the fantastic old colonnaded houses, the singularly 
 beautiful situation of the city with its grouped and 
 castellated hills, the lofty presence of the majestic 
 and slender-columned cathedral, and the countless 
 variegation of clanging bells, floating standards, Te 
 Deums, and brilliant costumery. Garcia Estevan, 
 who had already grown to be a favorite with Fer 
 dinand, was the herald first to proclaim: 
 
 "Castile! Castile! for the King Don Ferdinand and 
 his consort Dona Isabella, Queen proprietor of these 
 kingdoms ! "
 
 g COLUMBIA 
 
 Both brothers were soon in a fair way to win high 
 and equal place in the good graces of the new sov 
 ereigns. But Garcia would not rest content with 
 divided favor. He was of an envious, jealous nature, 
 and mtfre inclined to hoard up wealth and honors 
 than to seek that fame and renown which his more 
 daring brother gained in many a hard-fought battle 
 field. Roderigo remained almost continually on the 
 frontier. Gallant, brave, and generous, he entertained 
 no thought of evil against his brother, but went on 
 seeking adventures by land and sea now cam 
 paigning against the Moors, now sailing away with a 
 Portuguese exploring party, now returning to plunge 
 into further warfare against the Moors. His mind 
 was fully occupied with loyal service and with deter 
 mination to add fresh laurels to the family name, 
 and he little guessed how many a gloomy hour Garcia 
 spent, grudging him his successes and forming vague 
 plans for his undoing. 
 
 Garcia's hostility toward his brother dated from 
 the death of their father; for Philip Estevan had 
 seen fit to bestow the greater part of the family 
 estate upon his favorite son. Enraged at this mark 
 of preference, Garcia began early to plot Roderigo's 
 ruin. A crisis might have been long delayed, how 
 ever, had not an incident happened, about a year 
 after the coronation of the Queen, of a nature so 
 wounding to Garcia's pride that his smouldering 
 malice flamed into fiery hatred. 
 
 The Moorish kingdom of Granada was by this time
 
 THE HORNS OF TAURUS 
 
 in constant war with the Christians. Hard pressed 
 by the increasing might of the Spanish arms under 
 Ferdinand and Isabella, they retaliated by continu 
 ally sending out predatory incursions into Spanish 
 territory. The clash of arms was everywhere heard in 
 the sweet valleys and among the sunny 
 
 AN ANDALUSIAN VILLAGE. 
 
 hills of Andalusia. 
 Cities and fortresses were falling 
 to the Spaniards. Villages were being sacked and 
 men, women, and children being carried away into 
 captivity by the Moors. One day Roderigo, while 
 riding unattended, encountered a small party of Moors 
 returning from one of their raids. In their midst was 
 a beautiful maiden. At sight of the knight the girl
 
 10 COLUMBIA 
 
 uttered a joyous and appealing cry. He, in an 
 instant, had lowered his visor, couched his lance, 
 and charged like a thunderbolt among her captors. 
 Two of the Moors were slain, the others were put 
 to flight, and the victor bore the lady in triumph to 
 Castile. As they rode she told him of her father, a 
 Christian gentleman of Navarre, who had fallen de 
 fending his home, leaving her to the mercies of their 
 enemies. She spoke, too, of her ancestral family, 
 once powerful, but now impoverished by the wars. 
 Roderigo listened enchanted with the sweet voice; 
 he loved her and determined to make her his wife. 
 
 The lady became at once a great favorite at court. 
 Her beauty and vivacity won all hearts. Among her 
 many suitors Garcia Estevan enrolled himself; and 
 when the maiden showed unconcealed preference for 
 her gallant rescuer and when, a little later, she mar 
 ried him amid great rejoicing, the bitter hatred of 
 Garcia knew no bounds. He sought out the king, 
 and with subtle skill worked to instill into the mon 
 arch's mind poisonous suspicions of Roderigo's loyalty. 
 He was only too successful, and in those days sus 
 picion was followed by condemnation. 
 
 Roderigo had not been married quite two years 
 when a son was born to him, but before his child was 
 old enough to call his name, the father was seized and 
 imprisoned. After a short time he was released, but 
 deprived of his estates and rank. But noble, gen 
 erous, and loyal to the last, he joined his king in a 
 campaign against the Moors, and won distinction in
 
 THE HORNS OF TAURUS 11 
 
 several hard-fought engagements. He was now only 
 a poor soldier, depending on his sword for a livelihood 
 for himself, wife, and child. Garcia, whose hatred 
 increased with years, began to fear that his brother 
 might regain his lost favors with the prince, and 
 set in operation new plots and intrigues, bringing 
 into his service an apostate Moor named Abdallah 
 Ahmed. They represented to their sovereigns that 
 Roderigo was offering his services to King John II., 
 of Portugal, and was secretly plotting an invasion of 
 Spain. 
 
 Hernando, Roderigo's little son, was but five years 
 of age when final ruin came. His parents lived in a 
 cottage on the coast, not far from the seaport town of 
 Palos, and the boy loved to sit on the beach and 
 listen to the waves breathing their mournful tale of 
 some far-off land. The child often wondered to what 
 vast unknown regions that great body of water ex 
 tended. 
 
 One day his father came home, his face deep lined 
 with anxiety and despair. Hernando listened in 
 simple childish wonder to hurried words. His father's 
 sighs and his mother's tears told him that something 
 terrible was in store. Then came a heart-breaking 
 farewell. His mother wept pitifully and could not 
 be comforted. Tearing himself from her embrace 
 the father caught Hernando in his arms, pressed a 
 warm kiss on his cheeks, and in an agony of spirit 
 cried: 
 
 "May God bless you both!"
 
 12 
 
 COLUMBIA 
 
 Then the father hurried away down to the wild, 
 rocky shore, where a boat was ready to carry him off 
 to a strange ship lying at anchor. The fugitive was 
 taken aboard the vessel, anchor was hoisted, and he 
 sailed away upon that vast expanse of unknown water. 
 Hernando and his mother stood on the edge of the 
 cliff, and watched the sail grow smaller and smaller 
 until it disappeared forever. Young as 
 he was, the lad knew his father 
 
 ^ 
 
 fin r^jfcf frtijn'** 5 * j yt y &f , ; ~ - -.^ ,^x 
 
 THE WILD ROCKY SHORE. 
 
 had been condemned, and was flying for his life. 
 He had heard him tell his mother that Abdallah 
 Ahmed, a wicked Moor, had, at the instigation of 
 Garcia, made a false oath against him, and that the 
 king had issued a warrant for him, dead or alive. 
 
 The boy lived alone many weary days with his 
 mother in their cottage. No tidings came from the 
 absent father and husband. Seiiora Doria, Hernan- 
 do's grandmother, came to live with them and 
 care for the unfortunate wife, who was dying of a
 
 THE HORNS OF TAURUS 13 
 
 broken heart. Weeks, months, and years passed, and 
 she grew more feeble as she waited and waited, 
 patiently hoping and praying for word of her beloved 
 husband. 
 
 She used to sit by the water, her little son at her 
 side. Gazing away over the unknown ocean she 
 would tell him stories from Marco Polo, about a 
 wonderful country beyond the sea of continents, 
 islands, cities, and people who dwelt there; and the 
 boy, listening to her, would exclaim: 
 
 "Surely my father must be on one of those islands, 
 and when I grow to be a man, mother, I will go and 
 bring him back, and then you shall weep no more." 
 
 Then she told him that, according to Marco Polo, 
 some of those islands were inhabited by wild, savage 
 people, who made their captives slaves. Perhaps 
 even then his father was a slave to some cruel master, 
 poorly fed, cruelly beaten, and longing to come home 
 to those whom he loved. Such an impression did 
 these stories make on the young boy's mind, and so 
 vivid became his imagination, that he fancied he 
 could hear his father's voice calling for deliverance 
 from out the great expanse of water. 
 
 His mother grew weaker and weaker. At last she 
 died; and Hernando sat alone on the beach and lis 
 tened to the waves, thinking he heard his father's 
 sighs and groans in their murmurs. And when the 
 storm lashed them to a fury he said that his father's 
 masters were angry and he could hear the shrieks of 
 the slave.
 
 14 COLUMBIA 
 
 Hernando had reached his thirteenth year and 
 still lived in the humble cottage with his grandmother. 
 They supported themselves by their garden, cow, and 
 goats. The boy grew strong, was a brave lad, and 
 had joined in one or two expeditions against the 
 Moors. He had but two objects in life; one was to 
 find his father; the other was to take vengeance on 
 the renegade Moor, Abdallah. 
 
 One morning Hernando and the good old grand 
 mother Doria sat at breakfast. As usual, their con 
 versation drifted away to the subject always nearest 
 their hearts, the lad's missing father. Old Doria was 
 never so happy as when sounding the praises of the 
 gallant knight, and in the proud Hernando she always 
 found an eager listener. 
 
 "I remember my father, and a grand, noble man 
 he was," interrupted the lad. "I see him yet hurry 
 ing down to the rocky shore, in his shining coat of 
 mail, his great sword clanging at his side." 
 
 " Ah, it was a sad day, lad, when the good knight 
 sailed!" 
 
 " They would have killed him, grandame, had he 
 stayed. But mother used to tell me of an Island of 
 Seven Cities, which had houses roofed with gold " 
 
 "Aye, and savage men who kill people or make 
 slaves of them," interrupted the grandmother. 
 
 Then the boy became sad and thoughtful. His 
 porridge grew cold, and he seemed far away, a witness 
 to his father's suffering and degradation. Suddenly 
 recovering himself, he said:
 
 THE HORNS OF TAURUS 15 
 
 "It won't be long. I will soon be a man; then 
 father shall be rescued, and the cruel Moor Abdallah 
 be put to death. Less than a year ago I saw Ab 
 dallah, and told him when I became strong enough to 
 wield a lance or arquebus I would slay him." 
 
 " Beware of the Moors, lad; beware of the Moors. 
 They are treacherous, heathen dogs, and may the 
 Holy Virgin be praised when they are all driven from 
 Christendom!" 
 
 The boy's eyes suddenly grew brighter, and he 
 exclaimed : 
 
 ".Oh, Grandame Doria, I forgot to tell you; I 
 met him again yesterday!" 
 
 "Who, the Moor?" 
 
 "No; heaven forbid! That dog is now penned up 
 with his scurvy countrymen, like sheep, in Granada, 
 with the king's artillery battling down the walls." 
 
 "Whom saw you, lad ? " 
 
 "The oddest' of men! They call him Old Anti 
 podes. I don't know what it means, grandame, but he 
 is a good, brave man, a sailor, and a great explorer." 
 
 " What is he like ?" 
 
 "Ah, good grandame, I never saw a face like his, 
 so full of kindness and love! His gray eyes and 
 snow-white hair and beard make him look like a 
 saint. I was on the road from Palos with some boys 
 when he passed. Some of the children cried: 'There 
 comes the mad man of Genoa,' and they ran away; 
 but I stood and watched him. As he passed by he 
 paused to look at me."
 
 16 COLUMBIA 
 
 "Did he speak?" 
 
 "No. He wore a breastplate, but he is more of a 
 friar than a soldier." 
 
 "Why do they call him a mad man, and if he be 
 mad, why does he go armed ? " 
 
 "They call him mad because he says the world 
 is round, and turns over in a day and night; and he 
 says people live on the other side of it." 
 
 "He must be mad, indeed," the incredulous grand 
 mother answered. "If the world was round or turned 
 over, we would fall off when we got on the under 
 side." 
 
 This theory had puzzled older heads than Her- 
 nando's, and wiser ones than Senora Doria. The 
 science of geography and natural forces was in its 
 infancy, and the laws of gravitation, now common 
 with every schoolboy, almost wholly unknown. 
 
 "I don't understand it, grandame, but he is no 
 mad man even if he does .say such strange things. 
 He is too good and too great to be a mad man. He 
 has spent his life in studying maps, charts, the stars, 
 and the earth, and he has already become a great 
 sailor and explorer. He wants to take a fleet, I am 
 told, and go around the world." 
 
 "Around the world?" 
 
 "Yes, grandame." 
 
 "When he reaches the under side he will fall off." 
 
 "No, grandame, I believe he is right; and if he 
 gets our sovereigns to fit out a fleet for him, I want 
 to go with him, for then I would find my father, and
 
 THE HORNS OF TAURUS 17 
 
 rescue him from slavery. O grandame, good, good, 
 grandame, I hear my father every night in my sleep, 
 calling me to come to his deliverance, and I must 
 go!" Unable longer to control his emotions, the boy 
 broke down. 
 
 "Poor child! long dwelling on that subject will 
 drive him mad too." 
 
 But buoyant childhood shakes off sorrow and care 
 as the spaniel does the water from his sides. Hope 
 and joy of youth will burst through the darkest 
 despair, and break over the strongest barriers, admit 
 ting sunshine to the saddest young heart. The boy's 
 sobbing was soon checked by the quick sound of 
 approaching footsteps, and a playmate, thrusting his 
 face within the door, called: 
 
 "Come, Hernando, have you forgotten the Plaza 
 deToros?" 
 
 The speaker was his playmate Alberto, and Her 
 nando now remembered having promised to accom 
 pany him that morning to the bull-fight near the 
 village. The fight was to be a grand affair, and was 
 as great an attraction in that day to the small boy of 
 Spain as the circus is to our own. Hernando glanced 
 at his grandmother for her approval, and the dear, 
 good old soul, glad of a little happiness for the child, 
 nodded ready assent. 
 
 It was fully three miles across rugged hills and 
 steep, thorny paths to the Plaza de Toros, which was 
 simply a vast arena, something like the old Roman 
 amphitheatre. But what was three miles to two 
 
 Vol. 12
 
 18 
 
 COLUMBIA 
 
 active boys full of excitement and admiration of 
 daring deeds? 
 
 The day was hot and dusty. The palm, maguay, 
 tumble-down walls, and distant towers, which loomed 
 vaguely in a whitish shimmer, were the only features 
 of the landscape. Round about stretched the eternal 
 circle of blue hills, forming the rim of a basin in 
 which lies the village of Palos, like a pearl in an oyster- 
 
 TYPICAL LANDSCAPE. 
 
 shell. Half a mile from Palos, amid a crowd of sol 
 diers, corralled horses, waiting vehicles, beggars, 
 cripples, and thieves, arose the Plaza de Toros. 
 
 There was little pretension to architectural or 
 artistic elevation about the Plaza de Toros. It wore 
 the severe and almost business-like aspect which 
 marked the unaesthetic Gotho-Spaniard, the un 
 changed child of hard Iberia, who looked for a sport
 
 THE HORNS OF TAURUS 19 
 
 of blood and death and required no extraneous stimu 
 lant. That it was built for the killing of bulls and for 
 no other purpose was plainly evident. The interior 
 of the arena was unadorned, but admirably calcu 
 lated for seeing, and a bull-fight is essentially a spec 
 tacle. In those times, as now, the bull-fight was a 
 Saturnalia. 
 
 The moving line of the Calle de Alcala became the 
 aorta of the village, through which wound a dense 
 mass, solid as a glacier and bright as a kaleidoscope. 
 There was no class unrepresented, from the grandee 
 in his blazoned carriage to the manola in her calico 
 gown. All faces were turned one way, all minds 
 filled with one purpose. One thought stirred in every 
 heart. One heart beat in every bosom. 
 
 Four hundred years have worked little change in 
 the Spanish bull-fight, and the arena of to-day is said 
 to be the arena of twenty centuries ago. Once inside, 
 the scene burst on the beholder in all the splendor of 
 open day; the vast space filled with the light of an 
 unclouded heaven spread above like an azure canopy. 
 
 Having gained admission to the amphitheatre, 
 Alberto and Hernando made their way into the arena. 
 This was crowded with men and boys, until the hour 
 for clearing it came, when they occupied humble 
 places between the first and second barriers, where 
 they would have an excellent view of the sport. At 
 the appointed hour the trumpet sounded, and the 
 crowd, which had been yelling itself hoarse, rose in 
 an outburst of enthusiasm. This was before the
 
 20 
 
 decay of the picturesque, and a Spanish assembly was 
 a glorious sight. Every shade and hue of the kaleido 
 scopic mass that fluttered and glittered in the 
 blazing sun and sombre shadow seemed in motion. 
 From the president's box a signal was given. Portals 
 opened and two alguazils, or police-officers, well 
 mounted and elegantly dressed, entered. After these 
 came the chief matador, 
 with a red flag and sword; 
 then the supernumeraries 
 with chulos, or assistants, 
 on foot all arrayed in 
 sparkling costumes of the 
 period. Next came the 
 picadors, mounted on verit 
 able crowbaits for steeds, 
 gayly dressed, with breast 
 plates and greaves of leather. 
 The procession ended with 
 some gayly equipped mules, 
 which were to remove the slain. 
 
 "Oh, oh! " exclaimed the boys, as the combatants 
 filed into the arena, bowing and smiling to the shout 
 ing spectators. 
 
 After the procession had marched entirely around 
 the arena, a second trumpet sound signalled the com 
 bat. The alguazil rode in front of the state box to 
 receive from the municipal authority the key to the 
 bull-pen. Catching the key in his hat, he handed 
 it to a chulo, and galloped off through the opposite 
 
 CROWBAIT.
 
 THE HORNS OF TAURUS 
 
 21 
 
 entrance with undignified haste, amid the jeers of 
 the crowd. The brilliant army of combatants now 
 separated, each taking his respective place. 
 
 The boys watched the chulo unlock the door which 
 was to admit the bull. Out he came, a great black 
 monster, with long, tapering horns, sharp as sword- 
 points. Released from his dark cell, and amazed at 
 
 THE FIRM ARM OP THE PICADOR HELD HIM AT BAY. 
 
 the novelty of the position, he gazed an instant at the 
 crowd in its brilliant array. After a brief interval 
 he recovered his senses, while his splendid Achillean 
 rage fired every limb, and with closed eyes and low 
 ered horns he charged the foremost of the three pica 
 dors, who were drawn up at intervals close to the 
 wooden barrier. The horseman on a blindfolded 
 nag, with presented spear, boldly awaited the onset, 
 speaking a few words of command to the wretched, 
 trembling animal. Only the poorest, broken-down
 
 22 COLUMBIA 
 
 hacks were sacrificed by the picadors. The steed won 
 as little sympathy as the bull. When gored to death 
 he was dragged out by the mules, leaving a bloody 
 furrow in the sand. The picador thrust his blunt 
 lance against the shoulder of the bull, and held him 
 back. In vain he kicked up behind and tossed his 
 sharp horns in the air; the firm arm of the picador 
 held him at bay. Seeing that nothing was to be 
 gained here, the bull turned aside and, charging an 
 other picador, threw horse and rider head over heels 
 on the ground ten feet away. But the bull did not 
 want to hurt anybody. He hugged the barrier, tried 
 to leap it, and then to break through the gate. There 
 seemed danger of his accomplishing it, and Hernando 
 suggested to his young companion that they get in 
 safer quarters. Alberto did not think so, as mounted 
 soldiers with lances were in the space between the two 
 barriers, to slay the bull in case he should leap the first. 
 The chulos now began to worry the bull. They 
 were all picked young men, who had just commenced 
 their bull-fighting career. The chulo's duty was that 
 of a skirmisher, to draw off the bull when a picador 
 was endangered. This was done with their parti 
 colored silken cloaks and banners. Their mercurial 
 address and agility were marvelous; they would 
 skim over the sand like birds of radiant plumage, 
 seeming scarcely to touch the earth. Then, as now, 
 the chief weapon of the chulo was the banderillo, a 
 barbed dart or arrow, which was wrapped with bits 
 of parti-colored cloth and ribbons. The tormentors
 
 THE HORNS OF TAURUS 23 
 
 shouted in front of the bull, waving their cloaks until 
 he charged straight into their midst. It seemed as 
 if the furious beast must inevitably gore some of 
 them, and Hernando held his breath in expectation 
 of some dreadful tragedy. But just as the roaring 
 monster with lowered horns dashed into their midst, 
 
 THE CHULO. 
 
 the men leaped nimbly aside, running in different 
 directions. 
 
 This was bull-fighting four hundred years ago; 
 and, in countries where this barbarous sport is still 
 tolerated, it is bull-fighting of the present. Such 
 torture is amusement to some at this day; perhaps, 
 then, we can in a measure, excuse Hernando and his 
 young companion for growing enthusiastic, in those 
 earlier, less civilized times, shouting with delight.
 
 24 COLUMBIA 
 
 when one feat more daring than another was per 
 formed. 
 
 Sitting in the front row, back of the second barrier, 
 was a man apparently fifty years of age, with broad, 
 high forehead, and hair white as snow. His plumed 
 hat lay on his knee, while his gray eyes were turned 
 upon Hernando with fatherly solicitude. Did his 
 prophetic soul read something in the bright lad, 
 which told him that the destiny of the child was hence 
 forth to be closely linked with his own? 
 
 The boys were watching the conflict with deepest 
 interest. The bull was goaded to madness, and the 
 sorry mounts of the picadors were unable to escape 
 his fury. He charged another, and no lance could 
 hold him back; he stood under the horse and drove 
 his sharp horns again and again into his body, until 
 the footmen tempted him away, and the unfortunate 
 beast, mortally wounded and dying, was half led and 
 half dragged from the arena. 
 
 The picadors had furnished sport enough, and the 
 first act ended as they retired. The second act was 
 to be played by the chulos, or what in modern days 
 are called banderilleros. 
 
 A chulo, taunting the bull with his red cloak until 
 he provoked a charge, took a barbed dart in each 
 hand; and as the bull dashed at him he escaped the 
 horns by bare six inches; leaning over, as he jumped 
 aside, to plant a dart on either side of his neck. This 
 was repeated again and again, until the bull wore a 
 collar of fluttering torture. This practice is almost
 
 THE HORNS OF TAURUS 25 
 
 the same at the present day, save that the banderillo 
 is decked with tinsel, paper flowers, and streamers, 
 instead of ribbons. 
 
 The bull tried hard to shake off the stinging collar, 
 and, finding it impossible, dashed right and, left at 
 everybody and everything; but in vain; the chulos 
 were too nimble for him. 
 
 At last he halted near the barricade and refused 
 to stir. The hated red cloak was again and again 
 flaunted in his eyes, but the poor, dumb animal knew 
 he was powerless; he was bleeding from a dozen 
 wounds; white slaver tinged with blood hung from 
 his open mouth. He panted and stood still. That 
 bloodshot eye had lost some of its fire, and a look of 
 despair, almost human, had taken its place. He was 
 ready to give up the fight, but he could never leave 
 the arena alive. A piteous bellow escaped him, as 
 with lowering head, he refused to move. 
 
 Determined to incite him to action, a nimble chulo 
 leaped on his back and drove a sharp banderillo in 
 each quivering flank. A wild bellow of agony and 
 rage, such as never before shook the arena, made the 
 ground quake, and like a flash the bull bounded away, 
 hurling the chulo to the earth ; and with the speed of 
 a comet he flew across the Plaza de Toros, clearing 
 the inside barrier at a single leap. 
 
 He was now almost on the two boys, Hernando 
 and Alberto. With cries of terror they wheeled to 
 fly; but the enraged bull saw them, and, lowering 
 his horns, gave vent to another earth-quaking roar,
 
 26 COLUMBIA 
 
 and rushed upon them. Wildest excitement pre 
 vailed everywhere. Men screamed and women 
 swooned, while members of the caudrilla hastened 
 after the escaped bull. 
 
 Hernando was half-way to the second barrier 
 when he stumbled and fell. A cry of despair escaped 
 his lips he seemed to feel those long, keen horns 
 tossing his body when there came a swift rush of 
 feet and he was seized and hurled out of harm's 
 way. At the same instant a mounted knight with 
 a keen lance charged the bull and slew him. 
 
 Almost fainting with dread, the lad glanced 
 upward to get a glimpse of his rescuer. It was the 
 same mild-faced man, with snowy hair and keen 
 gray eyes, whom he had attempted to describe to 
 his grandmother. Hernando looked into a counte 
 nance that showed perfect self-control. There was 
 no sign of fear in the man; and his whole figure was 
 clothed in a majesty that made him stand out for the 
 moment for what he actually was one of the 
 greatest men of all time.
 
 SOME ONE SEIZED THE LAD AND PLACED HIM OUT OF DANGER.
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 CHRISTINA OVILARES. 
 
 THROUGH the excited throng Hernando's pro 
 tector half led, half carried him. The boy was 
 trembling vio 
 lently, and divid 
 ing his time be 
 tween prayers 
 of gratitude and 
 glances at the 
 strange, father 
 ly face of the 
 man who had 
 rescued him. 
 The Plaza de 
 T o r o s had no 
 more attractions 
 for him. His 
 life, devoted to 
 the rescue of his 
 
 father from captivity among unknown barbarians, 
 had been almost sacrificed. 
 
 The stranger conducted the lad to a small public- 
 house and ordered a cordial for the boy, who was 
 faint from excitement. Hernando sank down on a 
 rude bench at the table, and his companion beside 
 
 27 
 
 CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS.
 
 28 COLUMBIA 
 
 him. An Andalusian girl brought wine, and pouring 
 a glass half full the stranger held it to the lad's 
 lips and said: 
 
 "Drink this." 
 
 It was the first time he had spoken, and if the boy 
 was moved by his appearance, he was charmed by 
 his voice. Never had he heard tones more gentle, 
 more deep and firm, as if the speaker was one for kings 
 and princes to obey. He drank the wine and pushed 
 back the glass, while, with his eager eyes fixed with 
 all a lad's inquisitiveness on the strangely sad face, 
 he asked: 
 
 "Who are you?" 
 
 "I am Christopher Columbus, a native of Genoa," 
 was the answer. 
 
 Christopher Columbus was at that time in the 
 full vigor of manhood, and of an engaging presence. 
 According to the minute descriptions given by his 
 contemporaries he was tall, well formed, muscular, 
 and of an elevated and dignified demeanor. His 
 face was long, and neither full nor meagre; his com 
 plexion, fair, freckled, and inclined to ruddy; his 
 nose, aquiline; his cheek bones, rather high; his eyes, 
 light gray, and quick to enkindle with enthusiasm ; his 
 whole countenance had an air of authority. His hair 
 in his youth was of a light color, but at thirty care, 
 sorrow, and disappointment had turned it white as 
 snow. He was moderate and simple in his diet and 
 apparel, eloquent in discourse, engaging and affable 
 to strangers, while his amiability and suavity in
 
 CHRISTINA OVILARES 29 
 
 domestic life strongly attached his household to him. 
 His temper was naturally irritable, but he subdued 
 it by the magnanimity of his spirit, comporting him 
 self with a courteous and gentle gravity, and never 
 indulging in any intemperance of language. Through 
 out life he was noted for his strict attention to the 
 offices of religion, observing rigorously the fasts and 
 ceremonies of the Church; nor did his piety consist 
 in mere forms, but partook of that lofty and solemn 
 enthusiasm which characterized his life. 
 
 At this period of the world's history the name 
 of Columbus was not generally known, and Her- 
 nando may be pardoned for never having heard it 
 before. Yet realizing that he was in the presence of 
 a remarkable man, he became abashed and silent. 
 Columbus, fixing his keen, gray eyes on Hernando, 
 said: 
 
 "You had a narrow escape, my lad." 
 
 "That I did, good sefior, but for you I should have 
 been killed." Hernando paused, then faltered sim 
 ply, " I thank you for saving my life. Do you not 
 go on a voyage soon? " he added. 
 
 "I know not how soon. I am here awaiting 
 the arrival of a friend whom I daily expect." 
 
 "Then you are on your way to Granada to fight 
 the Moors?" 
 
 "No, lad; we go to try to see the king and queen, 
 who are so occupied with this Moorish conquest 
 that they 'will scarcely consult with even the noblest 
 in the land on any topic other than war. You must
 
 30 COLUMBIA 
 
 go to your parents; your father will be anxious 
 about you." 
 
 "Alas! I have no father." 
 
 "Then he is dead?" 
 
 "No, good sefior, but lost. My father, wrongfully 
 accused by my uncle and a wicked Moor, was ordered 
 by the king to be imprisoned, and he sailed away 
 across the sea to save his life. My mother used to 
 tell me of lands far away across the waters where 
 savage and cruel people dwell, who have made a 
 slave of my father; and at times I fancy I can hear 
 him shriek and groan in bondage. I am going to 
 him some day." 
 
 Columbus, moved by the simple narrative, an 
 swered : 
 
 " You are too young to think of such a voyage, lad. 
 But your mother must be a good, wise woman; go 
 home to her and assure her of your safety." 
 
 "My mother is dead." 
 
 "She, too, is dead? Oh, how sad!" 
 
 "She died many years ago, when I was quite 
 young. My last promise to her was that my father 
 should be found and released from bondage. I live 
 with grandame Senora Doria, in the little cottage 
 beyond the hills." 
 
 Columbus felt strangely drawn toward this bright 
 lad whose life he had saved. He conducted him to 
 the crest of the hill and there bade him adieu. Then, 
 drawing his cloak about his shoulders, he stood and 
 watched Hernando as he hastened to his humble home.
 
 32 COLUMBIA 
 
 Hernando found his grandmother in a wild state 
 of excitement and grief. Alberto had preceded him, 
 and, not knowing that his young companion had been 
 rescued, was telling how the bull had tossed Her 
 nando up in the air again and again, goring him to 
 death with his sharp horns. The boy's vivid imagina 
 tion, and his fondness for exaggeration, made his 
 story highly plausible, and when Hernando entered 
 the cottage he was received like one come back from 
 the dead. 
 
 His grandmother caught him in her arms, and 
 with tears streaming down her cheeks, she blessed 
 her patron saint that the boy was spared. 
 
 For several days she would hardly allow him to 
 go from her side; but in time, as the recollection of 
 his late adventure grew dim and blunt, the restless 
 youth was again permitted to roam among the woods 
 and hills where his childhood had been spent. 
 
 Spain has always been noted for her charming 
 scenery; and with such a broad playground as 
 Andalusia, it is small wonder that Hernando became 
 a true lover of "God's out-of-doors," and pined when 
 in the cottage, pleasant as the grandmother made it. 
 In the loveliest atmosphere in the world, vast ranges 
 of serrated, ruddy-peaked mountains rose to greet 
 the boy every morning, while between lay beautiful 
 valleys, sometimes opening on an azure estuary of 
 the distant, purple-watered sea. Others were com 
 pletely locked in by mountain domes that towered 
 into the heavens nearly twelve thousand feet, piercing
 
 CHRISTINA 0V I LA RES 
 
 33 
 
 the air with penetrating and perennial coolness. 
 The rivers sent sluggish streams or silver torrents, 
 according to the season, through a country which 
 
 "MOUNTAIN DOMES THAT TOWERED INTO THE HEAVENS." 
 Vol. 1 3
 
 34 COLUMBIA 
 
 expanded before his young gaze into picturesque 
 vegas overflowing with wild olive, citron, the aloe, 
 the cactus, the palm, lemon, orange, and evergreen 
 oak, the silk-festooned mulberry, the snowy cot 
 ton and bending cane; now and again shooting up 
 into cliffs of dizzy height, surmounted by dragon- 
 like castles. 
 
 Though born and reared amid such scenery, it 
 never lost its charm for Hernando, and, enwrapped 
 as it was in a halo of mythical history, one can 
 not wonder that it blended strongly with his fine, 
 poetic imagination. Even the wind sighing among 
 the peaks, or rushing down the valleys, seemed 
 to him the voice of an exiled father calling for de 
 liverance. 
 
 It was an age as romantic as the scenery. Moor 
 and Christian roamed alternately through hill, valley, 
 and plain. The peaceful landscape of today might 
 be a field of carnage on the morrow. One week the 
 vermilion towers of the Alhambra rose enveloped in 
 light and perfume, in aromatic gardens, in fountains 
 and filigreed courts, in sparkling arabesques, in pre 
 cious tranquillity, wherein the golden voice of Ara 
 bian verse breathed forth its plaintive, mocking 
 whispers; the next, blood-red illumination burned 
 over the ensanguined turrets, and the din of arms, the 
 clangor of the sackbuts and cymbals, the flash of 
 furious cimeters, and the blaze of the assassin and in 
 cendiary flamed and resounded through its tempest- 
 tossed spaces.
 
 CHRISTINA OVILARES 35 
 
 City, village, and lonely valley were alike subject 
 to invasion, and peasant and noble lived in constant 
 fear. 
 
 One day, as Hernando was wending his way around 
 a rocky cliff, the sun's rays gleamed upon a weapon. 
 He crouched close to the earth, and peering out espied 
 four Moors on horseback riding down the glen. Only 
 the rugged bluff hid his little home from view, and the 
 proximity of these brigands alarmed the lad. The 
 village of Palos was a league away, and they might 
 destroy the cottage before help could come. Half a 
 mile farther around the foot-hill would bring them in 
 plain view of it. 
 
 One of them carried some object on his horse, and 
 Hernando, great as the distance was, saw that it was 
 a white girl, not over ten years of age, and a prisoner, 
 for she was tied on the horse. 
 
 "The dogs!" hissed the lad from his place of 
 concealment. "They are carrying the poor little 
 captive off to Granada to be a slave! " and his proud 
 Castilian blood boiled. 
 
 The Moors came riding down the valley; they 
 were now in plain view and now hidden by the 
 dense foliage of the orange or evergreen oak. Their 
 horses traveled slowly, and even from his distant 
 point of observation the boy could see that the 
 Moorish steeds were jaded from their long jour 
 ney. 
 
 Like a slender thread of silver a stream wound its 
 way along the valley, here appearing boldly and
 
 36 COLUMBIA 
 
 there hiding from view amid the rich palms and aloes. 
 The small cavalcade, reaching one of these graceful 
 curves, which brought it into full view of the lad who 
 was still watching with greatest eagerness, called a 
 halt. 
 
 The Moors dismounted, let their horses drink at 
 the stream, removed the saddles, and seemed prepar 
 ing for an hour's rest. Curiosity, or a stronger feeling, 
 overcame the lad's caution, and he crept along the 
 bluff until he was within half a furlong of the Moors. 
 His gaze riveted itself on the tall, sinewy fellow w r ho 
 wore a red turban and seemed leader of the small 
 band. Forgetting precaution for the moment, he 
 started half upright, hissing through his clenched 
 teeth: 
 
 "It is Abdallah, the dog who sent my father into 
 exile." 
 
 But he bethought himself in time to escape dis 
 covery, and, crouching behind a bunch of cactus, 
 gnashed his teeth as he watched the Moor talking to 
 the little prisoner. The child had been sobbing, and 
 the brutal fellow was threatening her with a drawn 
 cimeter. 
 
 "They shall not drag her away to Granada or 
 Arabia to live a life of slavery!" gasped the brave 
 lad, his soul rising with horror at the thought. 
 
 With mind made up and purpose formed, he 
 crawled back from the face of the bluff until he was 
 too far away to be seen by the Moors below, and, 
 springing to his feet, he ran down the slope, along the
 
 CHRISTINA OVILARES 37 
 
 tortuous path to the cottage. His father's arquebus 
 hung on the wall, and, as the lad knew how to load 
 and fire it, his first thought was to secure it and shoot 
 at the Moors from the top of the bluff, putting them 
 to flight. 
 
 Fortunately for the success of his plan, his grand 
 mother was not in the cottage on his arrival. Climb 
 ing up the wall, he took down the matchlock, which 
 had grown rusty from long disuse. Then a new diffi 
 culty arose; there was neither powder nor slow-match 
 and the gun was worthless. 
 
 "I can't use it, but there is father's cross-bow. 
 It will do quite as well," he thought. 
 
 Taking it down, together with several iron-pointed 
 bolts, Hernando examined the steel bow, the crank, 
 and the string, and decided they were fit for service. 
 Like the arquebus, long disuse had made the cross 
 bow rusty. The lad had a small, sharp sword of his 
 own, which he kept bright and in good condition; for, 
 young as he was, he had learned to handle it quite 
 effectively. 
 
 With sword and cross-bow he hastened back to 
 ward the bluff from which he expected to make the 
 attack. He paused before reaching it, to wind up the 
 bow and have it ready when he should come in sight 
 of the Moors. Placing the muzzle on the ground, and 
 taking the double crank in both hands, he began turn 
 ing. His agitation, his anxiety, and nervousness 
 doubtless aided to bring about disaster the bow 
 snapped in twain. 
 
 47349
 
 38 
 
 COLUMBIA 
 
 ' ' Saint Anthony ! What am I to do ? " cried the 
 lad. " Arquebus useless for lack of powder and cross 
 bow broken." 
 
 Overcome by his ill-fortune, he threw himself on 
 the ground face downward. He did not hear the 
 tramp of feet nor the clank 
 of swords, nor did he see 
 
 the two tall, powerful men 
 
 who were coming along the 
 path toward him. 
 
 A voice, so near at hand as to startle the lad, said: 
 
 "What's this before us? a lad and "a broken 
 cross-bow." 
 
 "Is he slain, duke?" 
 
 The last voice sounded familiar, and the boy sprang 
 to his feet, making a great effort to dry his tears before
 
 CHRISTINA OVILARES 39 
 
 the new-comers should discover his weakness. The 
 last speaker was his rescuer at the Plaza de Toros, 
 Christopher Columbus, and his companion a tall, 
 powerful man, with dark hair and beard. They wore 
 breastplates, and had swords at their sides. 
 
 "Have you been wounded?" asked the duke in a 
 tone that showed deep concern. 
 
 "By the mass, it's my young acquaintance of the 
 Plaza de Toros! What has gone amiss, my lad? 
 Your cross-bow is broken, and you have tears in your 
 eyes." 
 
 "Good seiior, I have suffered enough mortification 
 this day to make a Christian lad die; four infidel 
 Moors are in the valley, beyond the spur of the moun 
 tain, with a child prisoner whom they are carrying 
 into slavery. I brought my cross-bow to rescue her, 
 and broke it in winding." 
 
 "Why, Columbus, this is a gallant lad," said the 
 duke. 
 
 "Duke Medina Cell, you are brave," answered 
 Columbus, in a voice that was effective. "Heaven 
 forbid we should let a Christian child be dragged into 
 infidel slavery." 
 
 "My good sword is ready," was the quick response. 
 
 "Lad, lead the way," said Columbus, as he drew 
 his own bright blade from its scabbard. 
 
 "That I will, good senor, and I pray Heaven that 
 I may myself get a good chance at the dog Abdallah." 
 
 The boy led the way down the path to a place in 
 the bluff where the descent could be made without
 
 40 COLUMBIA 
 
 being seen by those below. Reaching the valley, they 
 crept through a dense growth of evergreen oaks until 
 they were within forty paces of the Moors; then they 
 were discovered. 
 
 "Christians, by Allah!" yelled Abdallah, leaping 
 to his feet. 
 
 There was no time to use the bow, match-lock, 
 or even the lance, for the Christians with drawn 
 swords were close upon them and the Moors barely 
 had time to get onto their feet and snatch their cim- 
 eters. 
 
 "Infidels, plunderers, thieves!" roared Medina 
 Celi, dealing blows right and left with his strong blade. 
 "Carry Christian children into slavery, will you?" 
 
 Columbus was at his side, and, though they were 
 two to four, they soon had the Moors hard pressed 
 and retreating. 
 
 "Abdallah, dog of a Moor!" cried the lad, "this 
 for my poor wronged father." And, leaping forward, 
 with his small, keen sword he struck the Moor a blow 
 on the side of the head. The stroke was aimed so 
 well, and delivered with such force, that the blade 
 passed through the Mohammedan's bonnet and cut 
 away the upper part of his left ear, inflicting a wound 
 on the side of his head. 
 
 With a terrible yell, the Moor dropped his cimeter 
 and, holding his hand on his bleeding ear, cried: 
 
 " Hernando Estevan, vengeance on your father 
 for this! I will have both his ears!" 
 
 The boy started back at the threat and allowed
 
 CHRISTINA OVILARES 41 
 
 the Moor to escape. The duke was a shrewd knight, 
 and, taking advantage of the momentary confusion 
 of his other adversary, he beat down his guard and 
 ran him through the body. 
 
 Seeing his companion fall, Abdallah uttered a yell 
 of rage and fear and fled. Medina Celi sprang to the 
 aid of Columbus, who was fighting the other two; 
 and soon they, finding everything against them, also 
 fled. 
 
 "My lord duke, an easy victory! " cried Columbus. 
 
 "Shall we not give chase?" asked the duke, 
 burning with anxiety to cut down the other rascals. 
 
 "No; see, they are mounting their Arabian horses 
 while we are on foot," returned Columbus. "Let us 
 look after the child see who she is, and what injury 
 has been done her." 
 
 The prisoner was a shy little maid, her cheeks very 
 pale and her eyes blinded with tears. Hernando was 
 already at her side, soothing her with the assurance 
 that there was no further danger. 
 
 "Sweet child, weep no more," said Columbus, his 
 kind face beaming with compassion. "Your captors 
 have fled save him that is slain." 
 
 But she still continued to sob, with grief rather 
 than fear; and Columbus, eager to know her story, 
 sat on a stone, and taking her on his knee, as would a 
 father, said: 
 
 " Little one, tell me your name." 
 
 "Christina Ovilares," she answered. 
 
 "Where is your home, Christina? "
 
 42 COLUMBIA 
 
 " Alas! I have none now. I did live three leagues 
 hence with my old grandfather; my mother being 
 dead, and my father slain in battle." 
 
 "And where is your grandfather, child? " 
 
 "He, too, is dead; the Moors attacked our cottage 
 this morning, slew him, burned our home, and carried 
 me away." 
 
 Overcome by the narration of her own sad story, 
 the child sobbed bitterly. 
 
 "Have you no relatives?" asked Columbus. 
 
 "None." 
 
 " Nor friends, nor home ? " 
 
 "None, senor." 
 
 "My lord duke, here is a pitiful story. What 
 shall we do ? I have no home to offer her." 
 
 "Grandame and I have room in our cottage for 
 her, and she shall come and live with us," said Her- 
 nando, before the duke could speak. 
 
 Columbus and the duke exchanged glances, then 
 the former said: 
 
 "I think that is the best that can be done." 
 
 "I agree with you, senor. Let us accompany them 
 to the cottage lest the Moors attempt another attack." 
 
 "Little fear of that," Columbus answered. "The 
 infidel dogs have learned a lessson." Pointing to 
 the Moor who had just fallen, he added: "We must 
 give him decent burial." 
 
 "Let us care for the living first, and give safe con 
 duct home to the lad and child; then will be time 
 enough to look after the dead."
 
 CHRISTINA OVILARES 43 
 
 As they started up the cliff, the three Moors were 
 discovered among the trees not a hundred paces down 
 the valley. One of them had dismounted, and, plac 
 ing the rest of his arquebus on the ground, was aiming 
 at them when discovered. They saw him apply the 
 slow-match; then there was a whiff of smoke, a stun 
 ning report, and a stone bullet struck the breastplate 
 of Columbus, causing him to stagger. 
 
 "Are you hurt, seiior? " asked the duke. 
 
 "No, no; my good breastplate saved me. Let us 
 get cross-bows or hand-guns, and pursue the villains." 
 
 "We've no need, sefior," cried the lad. "Behold! 
 some knights from Navarre are coming." 
 
 Waving plumes, polished helmets, and glittering 
 lances flashed up the valley. A score of mailed 
 knights, no doubt in pursuit of this same predatory 
 band, were galloping down the valley. 
 
 "Pray God they may not be too late," said the 
 duke. 
 
 "They see them! " cried Columbus. 
 
 " Ay, the Moors know their danger," the lad gasped. 
 "See how they mount and fly." 
 
 The knights spurred their horses at the top of their 
 speed, and flew like the wind down the road. 
 
 From their elevated position, our friends watched 
 the chase for miles. It was a race for life. The Moors 
 threw away their hand-guns and lances, even their 
 cimeters, everything in fact that would hinder their 
 flight. Pace by pace they increased the distance 
 between themselves and their pursuers.
 
 44 COLUMBIA 
 
 "Take the child to your home, lad; you can now 
 go in safety, for the Moors have been driven from 
 the valley," said Columbus. 
 
 "Will not the good senors come and 
 
 "No, lad; it is better we wait and meet the knights 
 on their return; besides, the slain, infidel though he 
 be, must have decent burial." 
 
 Strongly impressed with a strange new and great 
 responsibility, Hernando took the child's trembling 
 little hand in his own, and led her down the rugged 
 path to their cottage. The humble home, half buried 
 in evergreens, with the great blue bay beyond, was 
 lovely in its picturesque simplicity. Pausing in 
 sight of his cottage, Hernando said : 
 
 "I like you already." 
 
 She made no answer; but a grateful expression 
 came into the pale face. "Grandame will love you, 
 too, and you must weep no more." 
 
 When they reached the cottage, the senora was 
 amazed at the story her grandson had to tell. She 
 took the little girl in her arms, kissed away her tears, 
 and assured her she should have a home with them as 
 long as they lived. Christina's little heart was too 
 full for utterance, and, throwing her small arms about 
 the good old senora's neck, she sobbed herself to sleep.
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 THE MADMAN OF GENOA. 
 
 HERNANDO gave his warmest sympathies to the 
 little girl whom he had helped to save from a life of 
 slavery and degradation. Like himself, she was an 
 orphan, and it was only natural that his heart should 
 go out toward her. As two buds remaining on differ 
 ent trees of the same kind, after the tempest has 
 broken all their branches, produce more delicious 
 fruit if each, separated from the maternal stem, be 
 engrafted on the neighboring tree; so these two 
 children, early deprived of their parents and thrown 
 upon their nearest protector to receive them, served 
 to grow together into an affection for one another more 
 tender even than a brother and sister's. They soothed 
 each other's cares and shared each other's happiness. 
 When Hernando, low in spirit, sat by the sea-side 
 listening to the moaning of a captive father far away 
 across the great ocean, Christina whispered words 
 of hope and comfort in his ear. If Hernando was 
 hurt or in pain, a sight of Christina brought a smile of 
 happiness to his face, and sorrow and pain were for 
 gotten. If any accident befell Christina, the cries 
 of Hernando gave notice of the disaster; but the dear 
 little creature would suppress her complaints if she 
 found he was unhappy. 
 
 45
 
 46 
 
 COLUMBIA 
 
 After their first meeting the days were passed 
 as in a beautiful dawn, the prelude of a bright day. 
 
 They were of great as 
 sistance to the old sefiora 
 in her household duties. 
 As soon as the crowing of 
 the cock announced the 
 approach of dawn, Chris 
 tina arose, shook out her 
 curls, and hastened to 
 the neighboring spring 
 for water; then, return 
 ing to the house, pre 
 pared the breakfast. 
 When the rising sun 
 gilded the distant moun 
 tain-peaks, they offered 
 up their morning prayer 
 together, a ceremony 
 which always preceded 
 their first repast. They 
 often partook of their 
 breakfast before the door 
 of the cottage, seated on 
 the grass, under a canopy 
 
 of palms. Plentiful and wholesome nourishment 
 gave early growth and vigor to these children, and 
 their countenances expressed the peace and purity of 
 their souls- 
 
 So early does beauty develop in Spain, that, though 
 
 CHRISTINA OVJLABES
 
 THE MADMAN OF GENOA 
 
 47 
 
 only ten years of age, Christina's figure was in some 
 degree formed. A profusion of dark hair shaded her 
 face, to which her soft brown eyes and red lips gave 
 the most charming delicacy. In speech her eyes 
 sparkled with unusual brilliancy; in repose there 
 came over her features an expression of most tender 
 melancholy. 
 
 Hernando, who was over three years her senior, 
 had already begun to display evidences of youthful 
 
 IVY COVERED BRIDGE. 
 
 comeliness. He was considerably taller than she, 
 and his skin, darker by nature, had been tanned brown 
 by the sun and air of Andalusia. His black eyes 
 were piercingly bright and shaded by long, silken 
 lashes. He was a typical son of his race, noble in 
 bearing, loyal to king and country; a youth well- 
 warranted to prove a trusted follower of the great 
 master he was destined to serve. 
 
 They delighted to wander alone, hand in hand, 
 over rocks and hills, through shady glens, across
 
 48 COLUMBIA 
 
 ivy covered bridges, conversing in their soft Spanish 
 tongue; or to sit by the seaside watching the rising 
 swells gather in force and power, until the surging, 
 rolling wave broke in crested splendor on the cold, 
 gray rocks beneath. It was on such occasions that 
 the lad would fancy he heard the enchained captive 
 shriek in agony, and imploring his son to come to his 
 rescue. Over and over again, he told Christina the 
 story of his father and while she could not bear 
 the thought of giving up her new-found friend and 
 brother, she said nothing to deter him from his 
 mission. 
 
 One day as they sat on the sea-shore listening to 
 the myriad voices of the ocean, Christina descried a sail 
 in the distance. They watched the snowy speck 
 grow larger, and at last the small craft entered the 
 little harbor. A man disembarked, and from the 
 course he took he was evidently bending his steps 
 toward the village. 
 
 "I know him," the lad whispered, as the sunlight 
 fell on his noble features and snow-white hair. "It 
 is our good friend, Senor Columbus." 
 
 Both sprang to their feet and ran across the bit 
 of rocky headland to intercept the stranger. Recog 
 nizing them, he paused, and with a smile on his kind 
 face awaited their approach. 
 
 "My good children, it gives me joy to see your 
 happiness," he said, as they came up with him. 
 
 "We have you to thank for peace and life and joy," 
 Hernando answered. "We came to greet you, good
 
 THE MADMAN OF GENOA 49 
 
 sefior, and invite you to our cottage hard by, that 
 our grandame may thank you, and accord you 
 such hospitality as our means afford." 
 
 "I cannot comply, lad," Columbus answered, his 
 face growing grave. "I am to meet the Duke 
 Medina Celi at the castle beyond the village." 
 
 "The same grand man who fought so bravely for 
 Christina? You have a noble friend!" 
 
 "A noble friend, yes. But ah! my dear boy, my 
 life is full of bitter disappointment, and were my 
 work done, how gladly would I lay it down," answered 
 Columbus, with a sad shake of the head. " But, no," 
 he added almost immediately, as if starting from a 
 painful reverie, "I am called of Heaven to rescue 
 the Holy Sepulchre from the infidel. To do it, I 
 must find the treasures described by Marco Polo 
 beyond the seas, and raise an army for that purpose." 
 
 The boy only partially comprehended him. The 
 great man's eye lit with pious enthusiasm, and his 
 cheek glowed with rapture. The children gazed on 
 him in mingled awe and admiration, regarding him 
 as one inspired. 
 
 "Do you really mean to cross the sea?" Her- 
 nando asked. 
 
 "I do. God has commanded me, and I must 
 obey. Reason and science tell of a land over there, 
 where a mighty people dwell, greater and more 
 powerful than the nations we know; and, though 
 the wise may call me mad, I will yet find them. My 
 hair has whitened and my frame grown old, in 
 
 Vol. 14
 
 50 COLUMBIA 
 
 cherishing this thought. For twenty years I have 
 pleaded with kings and princes for authority and 
 means to prosecute my voyage; yet all have denied 
 me. But I have learned to wait, and as Heaven has 
 spared my life I am convinced I shall yet succeed." 
 
 Columbus, in reality, never doubted his final 
 success. Feeling assured that God had ordained him 
 for this special work, even in the midst of his keenest 
 despondency he never gave up in utter despair. 
 Daily he prayed for success and strength to surmount 
 every difficulty in the way to the discovery of a new 
 world. He prayed that each defeat and disappoint 
 ment might only strengthen him to renewed energy. 
 What man with such determination can fail? No 
 gate is barred to him who works with patience in the 
 light of understanding. 
 
 The children, watched him wending his way over 
 the hills until projecting rocks shut him out from 
 view, and then they hurried homeward. 
 
 Next day Hernando went to Palos, and on enter 
 ing the village he heard shouts and cries from a 
 crowd of idle boys. As he hastened forward to learn 
 the cause of their merriment, his quick ear caught 
 such cries as: 
 
 "Madman of Genoa! " 
 
 "Ho, ho! do your antipodes walk on their heads ? " 
 
 "And do trees grow with tops down? " 
 
 "Pray, wise sefior, how do your people stay on 
 the earth and not fall off ? " 
 
 "And won't your seas pour out ? "
 
 "PEACE. LAD: SAY NO MOKE."
 
 THE MADMAN OF GENOA 51 
 
 A rollicking crowd of vagabonds, sailors, thieves, 
 and smugglers followed a tall, stately man, whose 
 snow-white hair and grave demeanor demanded a 
 higher respect than the taunts and jeers he received. 
 Even smaller children joined the procession and 
 pointed at their foreheads as the grand man, unmoved 
 by their jests and sallies of wit, walked along the 
 street. Under his arm he carried a bundle of maps 
 and charts, for Columbus was a cosmographer, per 
 petually brooding over the sinuous lines of his sea 
 drawings. By the sale of these, too, he was enabled 
 to eke out a living for himself. 
 
 The lad, recognizing his friend and rescuer thus 
 exposed to taunts and insults, grew furious with rage, 
 and, leaping to his side, turned on the mob and 
 cried : 
 
 "For shame, cowards! How dare you insult so 
 good and great a man?" At which the troop of 
 vagabonds roared in derision. 
 
 Laying his arm upon Hernando's shoulder, he 
 drew the boy closely to his side and said : 
 
 "Peace, lad; say no more." 
 
 ' ' They shall not insult you ! ' '- Hernando answered, 
 his eyes filling with tears. 
 
 With a sweet, forgiving smile, indicating how far 
 he stood above malice and revenge, Columbus took 
 the boy's hand in his own, and said: 
 
 "Come with me." 
 
 As a father would lead a child, he conducted 
 him to the same public-house to which they had
 
 52 COLUMBIA 
 
 directed their steps on the day of the bull-fight; the 
 mob, hooting and jeering, followed them almost to 
 the door. In a room in which they would not be 
 interrupted, Columbus sat down, Hernando at his 
 side, and said: 
 
 "My lad, I pray you to think no more of that 
 foolish rabble, I have grown accustomed to their 
 sneers. You are young and impulsive: so once was 
 I, but time and long suffering have changed me. 
 Yet so long have men taunted me that but for my 
 conviction that I am called of Heaven, and cannot 
 resist the promptings of the voice within, I should 
 have long ago. believed that I was mad. If I be mad, 
 so were the great writers whose works I have studied. 
 In Plato's Atlantis we read of the country of which 
 Marco Polo tells us. If I be mad, so too were they; 
 but God and reason tell me they were perfectly sane 
 and truthful." 
 
 "You find no reason for doubt? " asked the boy. 
 
 "I do not. I have seen the maps furnished by 
 Paulo Toscanelli, made from the original maps of 
 Marco Polo and Ptolemy, and according to those 
 maps, a voyager sailing directly west would be sure 
 to reach the countries described by Marco Polo in 
 his travels. I have corresponded with the learned 
 Toscanelli, the ablest cosmographer of his day, and 
 he applauds my design of a western voyage." 
 
 "But those countries, if there are such countries 
 across the sea, are probably peopled by wild, fierce 
 creatures."
 
 THE MADMAN OF GENOA 53 
 
 "There may be many wild and curious people 
 beyond the sea, but we shall also find a grand coun 
 try. A world lies there, far surpassing ours, and it 
 is to bring our people into closer relation with that 
 world, and to discover new countries for our king 
 and queen, that I propose to risk my life on this 
 voyage. 
 
 "The city of Kanbalu, in the province of Cathay," 
 he continued, "is twenty-four miles square, and the 
 manufactures and merchandise brought there are 
 enough to supply the universe." 
 
 "Tell me all about it, please," the boy cried, his 
 eyes beaming with enthusiasm; and Columbus, who 
 never tired of the subject, resumed: 
 
 "Precious stories are to be seen there in abundance, 
 the pearls, the silks, and divers perfumes of the East. 
 Scarcely a day passes without the arrival of a thou 
 sand cars laden with silk." 
 
 "And the palace of the Grand Khan is there too. 
 What a magnificent building that must be! " cried the 
 boy, his dark eyes sparkling with interest. 
 
 "The Grand Khan's palace is a group of palaces 
 four miles in circuit. The interior is resplendent 
 with gold and silver, and in it are guarded the pre 
 cious vases and jewels of the sovereign. All the 
 appointments of the Grand Khan for war, for the 
 chase, and for the various festivities with which he 
 is won't to amuse himself, are too gorgeous for our 
 description." 
 
 "How wonderful!"
 
 54 COLUMBIA 
 
 "Wonderful as they are, the province of Cathay 
 is far inferior to Mangi. It contains twelve hundred 
 cities." 
 
 The boy was silent with amazement, and Colum 
 bus, warming up with his theme, went on: 
 
 "Quinsai, the capital, Marco Polo says, is the city 
 of heaven. He entered the city, examined it dili 
 gently, and affirms it to be the largest in the world, for 
 it is one hundred miles in circuit. Like Venice, 
 it is built on little islands, and has twelve thousand 
 stone bridges, the arches of which are so high that 
 the largest vessels pass under them without having 
 to lower a mast. It has three thousand baths and 
 six hundred thousand families. It abounds with 
 magnificent houses, and has a lake within its walls 
 thirty miles in circumference, on the banks of which 
 are the superb palaces of people of rank. Mangi was 
 conquered by the Great Khan, who divided it into 
 nine kingdoms, and appointed a tributary king over 
 each. He draws an immense revenue from it, for 
 the country abounds in gold and silver, sugar, spices, 
 and perfumes." 
 
 "Why do you not go there? " asked the boy. 
 
 "No one will help me," was the answer. "My 
 argument is unheeded, for few believe the world is 
 round. I have brought to bear my best argument, 
 and told them, over and over again, that by the 
 compass we can now sail unknown seas, and with 
 the astrolabe, by the altitude, determine our dis 
 tance from the equator. I tell them there is a
 
 THE MADMAN OF GENOA 55 
 
 world of wealth and grandeur awaiting the bold 
 discoverer." 
 
 It was on these airy stories of kings and golden 
 palaces that Columbus built his hopes and theories 
 of a new, unexplored world. Many other wild 
 tales of a land beyond the unknown sea were going 
 the rounds. Pieces of wood, strangely carved, had 
 been borne in by the tide; two dead bodies of an 
 unknown race were said to have drifted to one of 
 the Canaries. The inhabitants of these far western 
 isles declared that islands could be seen still west of 
 them; and so firm were they in the belief that they 
 asked permission of the king of Portugal to discover 
 and take possession of them. 
 
 The minds of the people were full of wild, fantastic 
 notions of this imaginary land. Some supposed it to 
 be the Antilla mentioned by Aristotle; others, the 
 island of Seven Cities so called from an ancient 
 legend of seven bishops,- who, with a multitude of 
 followers, fled from Spain at the time of the Moorish 
 conquest, and, guided by Heaven to some unknown 
 island on the ocean, founded on it seven splendid cities. 
 Others thought the island seen, the legendary island 
 of St. Brandon, named after a Scottish priest who, 
 tradition said, had gone away and established an em 
 pire on some unknown island, about the year A. D. 688. 
 
 Whether Columbus believed all these stories or 
 not, he knew that bold explorers had begun to navi 
 gate the unknown ocean, and that his new world 
 could not long remain undiscovered.
 
 56 COLUMBIA 
 
 "Have you asked any one to help you? " inquired 
 the boy, after the narrator had paused in his recital 
 of the wonders of the new world. 
 
 "Yes, many, and I still ask. I am here to meet 
 the Duke of Medina Celi again. Some time ago he 
 entertained me at his house, listened with the air 
 of conviction to my projects, and was once on the 
 point of granting three or four caravels, when he 
 changed his mind, thinking such important discoveries 
 belonged to some monarch who could take possession 
 of them." 
 
 "Have you explained your plans to any mon 
 arch? " 
 
 "I applied to King John of Portugal; he listened 
 to all I had to say, gained all my points of informa 
 tion, referred my proposition to a learned junto, and, 
 while I was kept in suspense awaiting his decision, 
 sent a fleet on the very course I had laid down. They 
 failed, for Heaven will never reward such treachery. 
 I have quitted King John and have declined all his 
 offers to renew the negotiations. My brother Barthol 
 omew is on his way to carry proposals to the king of 
 England, but I have little hope from that quarter." 
 
 "Have you tried to interest King Ferdinand and 
 Queen Isabella? " 
 
 "They are too much occupied. Conquest and 
 expulsion of the infidel fills their minds, and though 
 I have again and again been promised an audience 
 with them, I have again and again been disappointed. 
 'Hope deferred maketh the heart sick,' and I have
 
 THE MADMAN OF GENOA 57 
 
 often been sick at heart ! Did I not know that Heaven 
 had ordained me for this work, I should have aban 
 doned it years ago. Falsehood, perfidy, and dishonor 
 of people in high places, disappointments and shattered 
 hopes, turned my hair white at thirty. During all 
 these years, I have been exposed to continual scoffs 
 and indignities, such as you have witnessed to-day; 
 being ridiculed by the ignorant as a dreamer, and 
 stigmatized by the illiberal as an adventurer. The 
 very children point to their foreheads as I pass, and 
 call me the madman of Genoa." 
 
 "Surely you will never give up? " 
 
 "Give up! Never! Had not Heaven called me 
 to this work, I must have died of a broken heart years 
 ago; but being called of God, I cannot die until it is 
 accomplished. Through my friends, the duke of 
 Medina Cell and Alonzo de Quintilla I have been 
 enabled to gain the countenance of Pedro Gonzalez 
 de Mendoza, Archbishop of Toledo, and Grand 
 Cardinal of Spain. These have made intercession 
 with the monarchs, and a council of the wisest men 
 in Spain is to be held in Salamanca. Before this 
 council I am to appear and state my theories, and 
 they will make report to the royal princes now fight 
 ing with the Moors." 
 
 ' ' Then why are you not hopeful ? For surely they 
 will become convinced." 
 
 "There is little reason to be hopeful. They are 
 men wise in their own conceit, and as my theories 
 will conflict with their own set notions, I feel that they
 
 58 COLUMBIA 
 
 will be rejected as impractical. I have learned bitter 
 lessons from men theoretically wise." 
 
 "I thought you said you would succeed." 
 
 "In the end I will, but I fear not with them. 
 There may be years of disappointment, shattered 
 hopes, and heart-aches yet in store for me before 
 success crowns my efforts. But God's will cannot 
 be balked, and He sends me on this mission." 
 
 "Sefior," cried the boy, suddenly, seizing the hand 
 of Columbus in both his own, while his eyes sparkled 
 with a new, strange hope, "make me a promise." 
 
 "What?" 
 
 "I told you the story of my father." 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 "I want to go with you on your voyage to the new 
 world." 
 
 "Child, you know not what you ask." 
 
 "I do, good sefior. I too am called of Heaven to 
 rescue a captive father. I must go, for I feel that 
 this opportunity to rescue my father is sent from 
 Heaven." 
 
 Columbus gazed on the fresh, ardent, young face 
 and black, flashing eyes, and did not smile or say he 
 spoke foolishly. After a moment's thought he an 
 swered : 
 
 "On one condition only may you go." 
 
 "On what condition, sefior?" 
 
 "You must gain the consent of your grandmother. 
 I have a son of your age. I would not take him with 
 me, and I begin to love you almost as much as if you
 
 THE MADMAN OF GENOA 59 
 
 were a son. I hesitate to expose one so young to the 
 dangers and hardships of such a voyage." 
 
 The lad was jubilant; he felt that he could easily 
 win permission; yet he felt a pang at thought of 
 leaving Christina and the grandmother who had 
 been so kind to him. On ascertaining that Colum 
 bus was soon to set out for Salamanca, he exacted 
 a promise from him, that, should he gain his grand 
 mother's consent, he might accompany him thither. 
 
 On his return Hernando found Senora Doria 
 and Christina busy with their household duties. 
 The expression of happiness on the pretty face of 
 Christina grew to undisguised jojiulness as Hernando 
 approached. He dared not speak to the grand 
 mother until he had confided in Christina; so he 
 took her aside and told her of his interview with 
 Columbus. 
 
 "Then you will go away?" and the pretty face 
 fell and grew so sad that he kissed her again and again, 
 and assured her that, when his father was found, he 
 would return and never leave her. Then together 
 they returned to the grandmother, where Hernando 
 again made known his plan. Through the -entire 
 recital the grandmother sat in determined silence. 
 
 "Grandame!" cried the boy, beginning to fear 
 her unresponsiveness, " don't you know how my father 
 calls to me from across the sea ? Oh, will you not let 
 me go to him?" 
 
 "Hush, child. You are mad to think of such a 
 thing," said his grandmother.
 
 gO COLUMBIA 
 
 He quitted the cottage, and wandered to the little 
 glen by the sea, where he sank down upon the mossy 
 bank of a brooklet, and burying his face in his hands, 
 burst into a flood of tears. He had sobbed there bu* 
 a short time when a pair of light feet came skipping 
 over the rocks, a fairy-like being bent over the sad 
 youth, and a pair of tender eyes, beaming from out 
 a profusion of glossy curls, were full upon him. Chris- 
 tip*., who always shared his troubles, had come to 
 console him in his disappointment. 
 
 The old seilora was ill at ease at having refused 
 thp. lad's request. She imbibed all the superstitions 
 of the age, and believed that the boy had heard the 
 spirit of his father calling him to come to his rescue 
 across the waters. All afternoon her mind dwelt on 
 the subject, and when she retired at night it was the 
 last thought of her waking moments. 
 
 In sleep it did not leave her, for she was scarcely 
 locked in slumber before her dreaming fancy, look 
 ing out across the broad ocean to the westward, saw 
 a mighty light flash over the sea. She seemed trans 
 ported to the shores of an unknown land, where 
 strange, gnome-like figures with hard, cruel faces 
 met her on every hand. Amid the cries of slaves 
 and clank of chains she beheld Hernando's father. 
 
 But, oh, how changed! Years of slavery and 
 suffering had worn him away to a skeleton, and fixing 
 his agonized eyes on her, he groaned : 
 
 "Why do you withhold from me my only hope of 
 release from a living death? "
 
 THE MADMAN OF GENOA 61 
 
 The senora awoke with a shriek. The next m.oin- 
 ing she said: 
 
 "Hernando, I saw your father last night in a 
 vision, and I will now consent for you to go with 
 Sefior Columbus to the new world and release him 
 from his captors. " 
 
 With a cry of joy he embraced his grandmother. 
 Christina tried hard to keep back the grief that well- 
 nigh overpowered her. 
 
 "Who will care for you when I am gone?" he 
 asked her sadly. 
 
 "That will be my duty," the grandmother an 
 swered. 
 
 That very day Hernando went to Palos, where 
 he found Columbus and claimed fulfillment of his 
 promise. Placing his hand on the boy's head, the 
 great man said: 
 
 "Poor lad, I fear you but half realize the dangers 
 before us; yet henceforth let our destinies be one; 
 and surely no sacrifices are too great for so great 
 undertakings."
 
 CHAPTER rv. 
 
 THE WISE MEN OF SALAMANCA. 
 
 ABOUT a league from Salamanca, once the great 
 seat of learning of Spain, the road winds about 
 among hills, mountains, and picturesque passes, in 
 graceful serpentine curves, disclosing constant and 
 varied scenes of beauty. 
 
 The sun had not been an hour in the sky when a 
 man and a boy, each mounted on a mule, came jog 
 ging slowly along the tortuous way. As the distant 
 towers of Salamanca loomed into view, the face of 
 the tired lad grew brighter in anticipation of reach 
 ing the end of a long, fatiguing journey. 
 
 "We'll soon be there, senor," said Hernando, 
 pointing toward the tall spires and steeples of the old 
 Dominican Convent of St. Stephen, where they were 
 to be entertained during the conference. In the hall 
 of the convent Columbus was to appear before the 
 great body of theologians and philosophers to ex 
 pound his new theroies. 
 
 " Yes, we shall soon be there," Columbus answered. 
 
 "And you will convince them, I know." 
 
 The wise man shook his white head somewhat 
 dubiously, as he answered : 
 
 "False logic often convinces as readily as sound. 
 62
 
 THE WISE MEN OF SALAMANCA 
 
 63 
 
 I feel that I am not understood, and justice cannot 
 be given my plans until I have shaken the throne with 
 them. Men with set notions cannot be moved." 
 And Columbus bowed his head thoughtfully. 
 
 He was not of a despondent nature; grave and 
 earnest, he was yet far from possessing a melancholy 
 temperament. On the journey he had traveled for 
 hours in silence, buried in thought. Feeling himself 
 
 " THE TREASURES OF LEARNING WERE IMMURED IN MONASTERIES." 
 
 called of Heaven for this special work, it is not to be 
 wondered that his thoughts were beyond those of 
 mortal ken. Hernando seldom disturbed his medi 
 tations. His own sad thoughts checked the natural 
 overflow of his childish spirits. Added to the one 
 great shadow that had fallen on his young life the 
 unknown fate of his father was the regret at leav 
 ing Christina and his grandmother. 
 
 Reaching Salamanca, they proceeded at once to 
 the old Dominican Convent of St. Stephen, where
 
 64 COLUMBIA 
 
 they were to be lodged and entertained during the 
 course of the examination. 
 
 At this period in the world's history, religion and 
 science were closely associated in Spain. The treas 
 ures of learning were immured in monasteries, and 
 the professors' chairs were filled from the cloister. 
 The clergy dominated the State as well as the Church, 
 and, with the exception of hereditary nobles, posts 
 of honor and influence at court were almost entirely 
 confined to the ecclesiastics. 
 
 Columbus and his young companion were met at 
 the gate by a sleek, smiling old friar. 
 
 "Welcome to this holy convent; you have jour 
 neyed a long distance, judging by the dust on your 
 garments, and you stand in need of rest," was the 
 good friar's greeting. 
 
 "Our journey has been fatiguing," Columbus 
 answered. 
 
 "And may the saints be praised that you were not 
 assailed by the infidel Moors." 
 
 The very thought of the Moors caused the friar 
 to pause a moment, cross himself, and pray that the 
 marauding infideJ might be driven from the land of 
 the Christian. 
 
 "It is coming too," he added. "Our good sover 
 eigns are gaining all the while, and ere long Granada 
 must fall." 
 
 "I pray Heaven it may," Columbus devoutly 
 answered. 
 
 Entering the court, servants came to take the
 
 THE WISE MEN OF SALAMANCA 65 
 
 mules away to their stalls. The good friar, stroking 
 the boy's head, turned to Columbus and asked : 
 
 "Is the bright lad your son?" 
 
 "He is an orphan, a noble lad whom I love almost 
 as if he were my son." 
 
 "Ay, may he find a father in you. I will take you 
 to your apartments, where you will find food and 
 wine, and you must have rest, for the conference 
 begins its session tomorrow. The junto is already 
 assembling." 
 
 The boy carefully watched the face of Columbus 
 to see if this intelligence produced any change, but 
 his features expressed neither fear nor pleasure at 
 the announcement. His face was grave, grand, and 
 noble, as dignified and unmoved as if carved from 
 marble. Passing beneath the portals of the grand 
 old convent, they entered the chamber which the friar 
 had set apart for them. When dinner was served 
 Hernando was hungry, for the journey had given him 
 a keen appetite; but the mind of Columbus was so full 
 of his great subject that he paid little heed to his 
 food. 
 
 All that day they saw no one save their attend 
 ant, and Hernando, being wearied, was urged to 
 retire early in the evening. When the lad closed 
 his eyes in sleep, Columbus sat at a table, poring over 
 his charts and arranging his thoughts for the mo 
 mentous discussion that was to come on the morrow. 
 Whether or not he closed his eyes in sleep that night 
 the world will never know, but when the lad awoke 
 
 Vol. 15
 
 66 
 
 COLUMBIA 
 
 the sun was rising, and the great cosmographer still 
 sat poring over his books and maps. 
 
 Rising, Hernando dressed, and going to the side 
 
 of his benefactor, 
 asked : 
 
 "Have you 
 slept at all?" 
 
 "I am ready 
 now to present 
 my cause," was 
 the answer. 
 
 Instinctively 
 Columbus knew 
 that he was that 
 day to enter up 
 on the greatest 
 struggle of his 
 life. He felt that 
 the learned men 
 in whose august 
 presence he was 
 to present his 
 scheme would be 
 more eager to pick flaws in his arguments than 
 to accept them, even though he proved his plans 
 practicable and himself worthy of the king's pat 
 ronage. 
 
 "May I go with you?" asked the boy. 
 
 "Is it your wish?" 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 r 
 
 THE GREAT COSMOGRAPHEK.
 
 THE WISE MEN OF SALAMANCA 67 
 
 "The chances of success are small." 
 
 "Why do you say so?" 
 
 "I believe that the greater part of the learned 
 junto are already prepossessed against me." 
 
 "From what cause?" 
 
 "I am neither rich nor of noble blood, and men 
 of place and dignity are likely to be prejudiced against 
 such an applicant. They already consider me as a 
 kind of delinquent or impostor, whose faults are to 
 be detected and exposed. Again, I am only an ob 
 scure navigator, a member of no learned institution, 
 destitute of all the trappings and circumstances which 
 are thought necessary to make one worthy of consid 
 eration. But if this day is to be one of humiliation, 
 come and be a witness to it." 
 
 Columbus came and labored in the most inoppor 
 tune age of the world's history for his great achieve 
 ment, and nothing but his indomitable will coupled 
 with the enthusiastic hallucination that he was called 
 by Heaven to liberate the Holy Sepulchre, and this 
 discovery his only means of acquiring the necessary 
 funds, could have stimulated him to such prodigious 
 efforts. The imperfect state of science at the time 
 and the manner in which knowledge, though rapidly 
 extending, was still impeded in its progress by mon 
 astic conservatism, were against him. All subjects 
 were still contemplated through the obscure medium 
 of those ages, when the lights of antiquity were 
 trampled out and faith was left to fill the place of 
 inquiry. Bewildered in a maze of religious contro-
 
 6S COLUMBIA 
 
 versy, mankind had retraced its steps and receded 
 from the boundary line of ancient knowledge. 
 
 The hall of the old convent presented a striking 
 spectacle on this memorable occasion. The learning 
 and wisdom of Spain were there assembled to listen 
 to the theories and vagaries of an unknown man. 
 
 Upon a dais at one end of the hall sat the learned 
 junto, very grave, serious, and wise. On entering the 
 hall into the presence of the assembled wisdom of 
 Spain, the unknown navigator paused a moment. 
 He was dressed simply and his snow-white hair and 
 beard gave him a patriarchal appearance. He held 
 Hernando's hand in his left and under his right arm he 
 carried a bundle of maps and charts. He gazed on 
 the assembly to search their faces and, if possible, 
 read their disposition toward him. In the eyes of 
 one or two he saw marks of sympathy; in others, 
 interest or curiosity; but he read in a majority of the 
 junto only unyielding prejudice. Still, their appear 
 ance was so much more favorable than he had 
 expected that Columbus stooped and whispered to 
 the lad: 
 
 "They are kindlier than I anticipated." 
 
 Never had a more imposing scene been presented 
 in the old convent. A simple, obscure mariner 
 stood before an array of professors, friars, and digni 
 taries of the Church, to plead the cause of a new and 
 unknown world. At first only the friars of St. 
 Stephen seemed to show any interest in the matter; 
 the other members of the university yawned and

 
 70 COLUMBIA 
 
 lolled in their chairs, and showed every indication of 
 weariness. Columbus advanced toward the junto 
 and bowed; then one of the friars of St. Stephen 
 said: 
 
 "Proceed at once with your theories." 
 
 "Most holy and learned fathers " His tones 
 were deep and rich, as if flowing from the inmost 
 depths of a great soul. At the sound of his voice 
 every eye sparkled, every face expressed interest, and 
 listless indifference gave place to eagerness. "I 
 come, most holy fathers, called of Heaven to plead 
 the cause of an unknown world a world lying be 
 yond the seas a land where splendor, beauty, and 
 magnificence, such as have never come to us in our 
 fondest dreams, await the explorer." 
 
 As he became engrossed hi his theme, a glow 
 which seemed born of inspiration overspread his face, 
 and the lad gazing on him in wonder, muttered to 
 himself: 
 
 "Surely he is caUed of God!" 
 
 All save the learned friars of St. Stephen appeared 
 to have entrenched themselves behind the dogged 
 position that after so many profound philosophers 
 and cosmographers had been studying the form of 
 the world, and so many able navigators had been sail 
 ing about it for several thousand years, it was the 
 height of presumption for an ordinary man to assert 
 that there remained such a vast discovery to be 
 made. 
 
 But Columbus, having resurrected the theories of
 
 THE WISE MEN OF SALAMANCA 71 
 
 Ptolemy, Marco Polo, and Aristotle, had pinned his 
 faith to the judgment of the ancient philosophers 
 and astronomers, rather than navigators or intolerant 
 churchmen and philosophers of his own age. 
 
 As he gradually unfolded his plans, producing 
 argument after argument to establish his doctrines, 
 one of the most unyielding members of the junto 
 suddenly interrupted him with: 
 
 "What you say is sacrilege." 
 
 "Why say you so?" asked Columbus. 
 
 "It is in direct conflict with the Bible, the New 
 Testament, the prophets, the epistles and gospels, 
 as well as the expositions of various saints and com 
 mentators, St. Chrysostom, St. Augustine, St. Jerome, 
 St. Gregory, St. Basil, St. Ambrose, and Lactantius 
 Firmianus, the redoubted champion of our faith." 
 
 Being a religious enthusiast himself, Columbus 
 was hardly prepared for this turn of the discussion. 
 At that time, doctrinal points were bound up with 
 philosophical discussions, and mathematical demon 
 stration was allowed no weight if it appeared to clash 
 with a text of Scripture or a commentary of one of 
 the fathers. 
 
 After a moment's silence, Columbus replied: 
 
 "Holy fathers, I reverence the doctrines and 
 Scriptures of the Holy Church, but the possibility of 
 the antipodes in the southern hemisphere is an opinion 
 so generally maintained by the ancients as to be 
 pronounced by Pliny the great contest between the 
 learned and the ignorant."
 
 72 COLUMBIA 
 
 Nevertheless, the antipodes proved only a further 
 stumbling block in the way of the sages of Salamanca. 
 
 "Your statements cannot be true/' interposed 
 the principal objector, who had surrounded himself 
 with the works of Lactantius and St. Augustine, 
 who in those days were considered of almost divine 
 authority. "Listen, while I read what Lactantius 
 says on the subject." 
 
 And the friar read: 
 
 " 'Is there any one so foolish as to believe there 
 are antipodes with their feet opposite ours; people 
 who walk with their heels upward and their heads 
 hanging down; that there is a part of the world 
 in which all things are topsy-turvy; where trees grow 
 with their branches downward, and where it rains, 
 hails, and snows upward ? The idea of the roundness 
 of the earth was the cause of the inventing this fable 
 of the antipodes with their heels in the air; for the 
 philosophers, having once erred, go on in their absurd 
 ities, defending one with another.' ' 
 
 The friar paused, laid down Lactantius, and took 
 up as his next authority, St. Augustine. Resuming 
 the thread of his discourse, he added: 
 
 "St. Augustine pronounces the idea or existence 
 of antipodes, with which this would-be explorer seems 
 so thoroughly imbued, to be incompatible with the 
 historical foundations of our faith; since to assert 
 that there are inhabited lands on the opposite side of 
 the globe would be to maintain that there are races 
 not descended from Adam, it being impossible for
 
 THE WISE MEN OF SALAMANCA 73 
 
 them to have passed the intervening ocean. This 
 would be, therefore, to discredit the Bible, which ex 
 pressly declares that all men are descended from one 
 common parent. There are other points in the Holy 
 Scriptures incompatible with the theory of this man. 
 I believe he says the earth is spherical in form?" 
 
 The friar paused for a reply, and without any 
 hesitation Columbus said: 
 
 " Holy father, it is." 
 
 "Then to his proposition I can bring the most 
 direct proof that he is in conflict with God himself. 
 It is observed that, in the Psalms, the heavens are said 
 to be extended like a hide; that according to our com 
 mentators, refers to the curtain or covering of a tent, 
 which among the pastoral people of ancient times was 
 made of the hides of animals; and even St. Paul, 
 in his epistle to the Hebrews, compares the heavens 
 to a tabernacle or tent extending over the earth, 
 which of course must, by the very necessity of the 
 argument, be flat." 
 
 "Holy father, I fear that the figurative is being 
 construed literally," interposed Columbus. 
 
 "It is hardly for you to decide between the figura 
 tive and the literal in Holy Law," answered the friar, 
 sternly. "You, professing to be a Christian, have 
 proved yourself heterodox." 
 
 Columbus at once saw there was danger of his 
 being wrongfully accused, and had begun to say 
 something in his own defense when another friar, 
 more versed in science, rose and said:
 
 74 COLUMBIA 
 
 "Admitting that the earth is spherical in form, 
 and that there is a bare possibility of an opposite 
 side that is habitable, we all know from scientific 
 researches that it is impossible for one to arrive there, 
 in consequence of the insupportable heat of the 
 torrid zone. Again, even granting that this point 
 could be passed, the earth's circumference must be 
 so great as to require at least three years to make the 
 voyage, and as it would be impossible to take suffi 
 cient provisions, in my opinion, all would perish of 
 hunger and thirst." And having delivered this 
 remarkable opinion, the august personage seated 
 himself, believing that he had settled the entire 
 matter. 
 
 Another argued, on the authority of Epicurus, 
 that, admitting that the earth was spherical, it could 
 only be inhabited at the northern hemisphere, and 
 that section only was canopied by the heavens; 
 that the opposite side was chaos, a gulf, or a mere 
 waste of water. If a ship could reach the extremity 
 of India, she could never get back again, for the 
 rotundity of the globe would present a mountain 
 up which it would be impossible to sail, even with 
 the most favorable wind. 
 
 Other objections, more weighty in nature, and 
 more worthy of the distinguished university, were 
 then advanced, and Hernando began to tremble for 
 their cause; but its advocate stood unabashed and 
 unmoved by the arguments of the friars. 
 
 When all the objections had been made, Colum-
 
 THE WISE MEN OF SALAMANCA 75 
 
 bus proceeded to reply with cogent reasoning, logical 
 conclusions, and a depth of religion and knowledge 
 which swept away the dark clouds of objection. He 
 showed how the inspired writers were not speaking 
 technically as cosmographers, but figuratively, in 
 language addressed to all comprehensions. The 
 ignorant bigot of the past was as ready to misquote 
 and misinterpret the Scriptures as the scoffing infidel 
 of the present. 
 
 The commentaries of the fathers Columbus 
 treated with deference as pious homilies, but not as 
 philosophical propositions which it was necessary 
 either to admit or refute. But the objections drawn 
 from ancient philosophers he met boldly and ably, 
 upon equal terms, for he was well prepared on all 
 points of cosmography. He proved conclusively 
 that the most illustrious of those sages believed both 
 hemispheres to be habitable, though they imagined 
 that the torrid zone precluded communication. 
 
 Columbus never spoke in doubt or hesitation, 
 but, with as much certainty as if his eyes had beheld 
 the promised land. Continuing, he said : 
 
 "I can conclusively obviate that difficulty. I 
 have myself voyaged to St. George la Mina in Guinea, 
 almost under the equinoctial line, and found the 
 region not only traversable, but abounding in popu 
 lation, fruits, and pasturage." 
 
 And now, as the simple, unknown navigator 
 waxed eloquent, he elicited still closer attention 
 from all. His convictions gave him confidence in
 
 76 COLUMBIA 
 
 the execution of what he conceived to be his great 
 mission, and his ardent temperament was fed by its 
 own generous fires. His commanding person ; his 
 elevated demeanor, his air of authority, his kindling 
 eye, and the persuasive intonations of his voice, gave 
 majesty and force to his words, as, casting aside his 
 maps and charts, and discarding for a time his practi 
 cal and scientific lore, his visionary spirit took fire 
 at the doctrinal objections of his opponents, and met 
 them on their own ground, pouring forth those 
 magnificent texts of Scripture, and those mysteri 
 ous predictions of the prophets, which in his enthu 
 siastic moments he considered as types and annun 
 ciations of the sublime discoveries which he pro 
 posed. 
 
 The first sitting closed with one true friend gained. 
 Influenced alike by reason and eloquence, Diego de 
 Deza became convinced of the sanity of Columbus's 
 views. Diego de Deza was a learned friar of the 
 Order of St. Dominic and at that time professor of 
 theology in the Convent of St. Stephen. Later he 
 became Archbishop of Seville, the second ecclesiasti 
 cal dignitary of Spain. This able divine could 
 appreciate all forms of wisdom. Thoroughly im 
 pressed with the worth of the cause, he exercised 
 almost superhuman powers to curb the blind zeal of 
 his more intolerant brethren and to obtain for the 
 unknown mariner a dispassionate if not an unpreju 
 diced hearing. 
 
 Day after day Columbus pleaded before the junto,
 
 THE WISE MEN OF SALAMANCA 
 
 77 
 
 but notwithstanding his every exertion there was a 
 preponderating mass of inert bigotry and learned 
 pride in this erudite body, which refused to yield to 
 the demonstrations of an obscure foreigner, without 
 fortune or connections or any academic honors. 
 The most serious objection to his contentions was 
 raised late in the discussion; being that his theory 
 
 MOORISH RUINS. 
 
 could not be reconciled with the cosmography of 
 Ptolemy, which stationed the earth in the center of 
 the universe and to which all scholars yielded implicit 
 faith. How would the most enlightened of those 
 sages have been astonished, had anyone apprised them 
 that the man Copernicus, whose solar system should 
 reverse the grand theory of Ptolemy, was then in 
 existence. It was requisite, before Columbus could
 
 78 COLUMBIA 
 
 make his solutions and reasonings understood, that 
 he should remove from the minds of his auditors 
 those erroneous principles on which their objections 
 were founded a task more difficult than teaching a 
 new doctrine. 
 
 As time wore on, many began to lose interest in 
 the conference, and the decision was delayed again 
 and again. As days passed and news of battles won 
 and campaigns planned came from the front, the 
 junto seemed to prefer discussing the practical ques 
 tion of expelling the Moors to the impractical theory 
 of discovering a new world. A voyage to one of the 
 planets would today be regarded with as much 
 incredulity, a thing as wild and visionary, as was 
 this plan of Columbus. Fernando de Talavera, to 
 whom the matter was especially entrusted, had too 
 little esteem for it, and was too much occupied with 
 the stir and bustle of public concerns, to press it to 
 a conclusion; and thus the inquiry suffered from 
 continual procrastination and neglect. 
 
 Columbus waited day after day, week after week, 
 and month after month for a decision, but none 
 came. Early in the spring of 1487 the Castilian court 
 had departed from Salamanca, and repaired to Cor 
 dova, preparing for the memorable campaign against 
 Malaga. Instead of waiting in idleness the decision 
 of the junto, Columbus took an active part in the 
 campaign. He tried to persuade Hernando to return 
 to his home, but the youth said: 
 
 "No, no; I will go with you. You are my
 
 THE WISE MEN OF SALAMANCA 79 
 
 father's only hope, and I will not be parted from 
 you." 
 
 "We may not have a decision for months yet," 
 said Columbus. "When we do receive it, the chances 
 are that it will be against us." 
 
 "I must be with you whatever the decision," the 
 lad answered. 
 
 The summer of 1490 passed, and still Columbus 
 was kept in tantalizing suspense. 
 
 Both he and Hernando fought for Ferdinand and 
 Isabella in many battles, and doubtless their perilous 
 adventures and the many stirring scenes of the war 
 made the days spent in waiting less irksome. 
 
 Columbus and the boy still lingered at Cordova in 
 a state of irritating anxiety, when they learned that 
 the sovereigns were preparing to depart on a cam 
 paign in the Vega of Granada, determined never to 
 raise their camp from before the. city until their 
 victorious banners should float upon its towers. 
 
 Columbus knew that when once the campaign 
 was opened and the sovereigns were in the field, it 
 would be in vain to expect his suit to receive their 
 attention. He was wearied, if not incensed, at the 
 repeated postponements he had experienced, and 
 now pressed for a decisive reply with an eagerness 
 that would not admit of evasion. 
 
 "I must have a decision of the junto at once," 
 was the word sent to the king; and Ferdinand, sus 
 pecting that Columbus was thinking of applying 
 elsewhere for patronage, ordered Fernando de
 
 80 COLUMBIA 
 
 Talavera to hold a definite conference of the scientific 
 men to whom the project had been referred and 
 make a report. The bishop tardily complied, and at 
 length announced to their .majesties, as the general 
 opinion of the junto, that the proposed scheme was 
 vain and impossible and that it did not become such 
 great princes to engage in an enterprise which might 
 prove a mere chimera. 
 
 But Columbus .still retained, in the person of 
 Friar Diego de Deza, one enlightened friend and one 
 enthusiastic soul, and he so tempered matters that 
 the plan was not rejected. Fernando de Talavera 
 repaired to Cordova, where Columbus still lingered. 
 With hope brightening his face, Columbus hastened 
 to meet him, and asked: 
 
 "Have you a decision? " 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 "Do they reject it?" 
 
 "No. I am authorized to say that the great cares 
 and expenses of the wars have rendered it impossible 
 for the sovereigns to engage in any new enterprise; 
 but, when the war is over, they will have both time 
 and inclination to treat with you on the subject." 
 
 Columbus' countenance fell, and, leaning against 
 the wall, he said: 
 
 "I was almost foolish enough to hope." 
 
 "Does not this promise give you hope?" asked 
 the royal messenger. 
 
 "It is but a starving promise, at best, after so 
 many days of weary attendance and deferred hope."
 
 Vol. 16
 
 82 COLUMBIA 
 
 But he gained strength and courage to repair to 
 the court at Seville, and receive his answer from the 
 lips of his sovereigns. It was virtually the same, 
 declining to engage in the enterprise at present, but 
 promising, when the war was over, to give him their 
 aid in the affair. 
 
 "What shall we do now? Shall we wait?" 
 Hernando asked when they left the court. 
 
 "It is of no use," Columbus answered. "This 
 indefinite postponement is only a court mode of 
 evading importunity. We will leave Spain." 
 
 "Surely they will reconsider." 
 
 "I have no confidence in vague promises which 
 have so often led to disappointment. I have already 
 been beguiled out of too many precious years, and 
 tomorrow I will turn my back on Seville and depart 
 for France."
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 FALL OF THE CRESCENT. 
 
 ABOUT half a league from the little seaport town 
 of Palos de Moguer, in Andalusia, there still stands 
 an ancient convent of Franciscan friars, dedicated 
 to Santa Maria de Rabida. One day, according to 
 the multifarious writings of the Plieto, which are still 
 preserved at Seville, a stranger on foot, in humble 
 guise but of lofty air, accompanied by a bright- 
 faced boy, stopped at the gate of the convent, and 
 asked the porter for a little bread and water for his 
 child. While receiving this humble refreshment, 
 the prior of the convent, Juan Perez de Marchena, 
 happening to pass by, was struck by the appearance 
 of the stranger, and observing, from his air and 
 accent, that he was a foreigner, entered into conver 
 sation with him and learned the particulars of his 
 story. That stranger was Columbus. 
 
 The prior was a man of extensive information 
 who, from his close proximity to Palos, had given 
 considerable attention to geography and nautical 
 science. The inhabitants of Palos were among 
 the most enterprising navigators of Spain, having 
 made frequent voyages and discoveries on the African 
 coast. The prior was greatly interested by the 
 
 83
 
 84 COLUMBIA 
 
 conversation of Columbus, and much impressed with 
 the grandeur of his views. It was a remarkable 
 occurrence, in the monotonous life of the cloister, to 
 have a man of such a singular character, intent on 
 so extraordinary an enterprise, applying for bread 
 and water at the gate of his convent. 
 
 When the prior learned that the voyager was on 
 the point of abandoning Spain to seek patronage in 
 the court of France, and that so important an enter 
 prise was about to be lost forever to the country, his 
 patriotism took alarm. Being diffident of his own 
 judgment, he detained Columbus as his guest, and 
 sent for a friend Garcia Fernandez a physician, 
 resident in Palos. Fernandez was equally impressed 
 with the appearance and conversation of the stranger. 
 
 "It can yet be arranged, senor," asserted the good 
 doctor, "and you must remain a while longer." 
 
 "Alas! my friends, I have almost abandoned 
 hope. The king and queen are too much absorbed 
 in the conquest of Granada to listen to my theories. 
 They have no faith in me." 
 
 " You must stay and meet some friends from Palos. 
 You have heard of the Pinzons? " 
 
 "I have, though I never have seen them." 
 
 "You shall soon meet them, and they shall hear 
 your story." 
 
 The next day brought together those famous navi 
 gators who were destined to bring to each other eter 
 nal renown and ruin. Martin Alonzo Pinzon was 
 in the port of Palos at the time.
 
 FALL OF THE CRESCENT 
 
 85 
 
 At this time, the fame of the Pinzons was far 
 greater than that of Columbus, and Hernando, who 
 had often seen them when in port at Palos, had never 
 cherished any higher am 
 bition than to sail in one 
 of their ships. 
 
 The prior brought 
 with him from Palos a 
 tall, powerful man, with 
 broad, high brow and 
 dark beard. He wore a 
 sword and breastplate, 
 and as the lad studied 
 the face of the great 
 sailor, he kept asking 
 himself the question: 
 
 " Can he help us?" 
 
 Columbus seemed to feel that at last he had found 
 aid. Martin Alonzo Pinzon was an experienced 
 navigator, a man of good family and great wealth, 
 and was not so likely to be prejudiced by false logic 
 and theories distorted from truth as were the learned 
 men of the realm. 
 
 In the great sea-captain, the future discoverer 
 found an interested and intelligent listener, and they 
 were friends from their first meeting. 
 
 "I do not doubt your theory, Senor Columbus," 
 the sailor answered, when Columbus had explained 
 his plans. "I have, myself, when at sea, picked up 
 many relics drifting in from that unknown sea. In 
 
 MARTIN ALONZO PINZON.
 
 86 COLUMBIA 
 
 addition to bodies of a strange race which have floated 
 to our shores, I have taken up wood of a species un 
 known to us, as well as strange and wonderful carv 
 ings." 
 
 Hernando, who had been listening with breath 
 less interest and utter silence up to his point, now 
 allowed his anxiety to overcome his years, and asked 
 boldly: 
 
 "Would you undertake such a voyage, senor? " 
 
 Almost immediately he remembered that he was a 
 boy that it was not his place to speak and he 
 hung his head in confusion. Pinzon was as kind- 
 hearted as he was intelligent and brave, and with an 
 encouraging smile he answered : 
 
 " Yes, I am so favorably impressed with the plan 
 that I am willing to engage in it with my purse and 
 person. By all means, renew your application at 
 court, senor." 
 
 "Alas! I have no money," was the answer. 
 
 "I will bear the expenses myself. Give up, I 
 pray you, all idea of a journey to France." 
 
 "Wait, and by all means make one more effort," 
 said Friar Juan Perez, who, confirmed in his faith 
 by the concurrence of these learned and practical 
 councillors, now became one of the most enthusiastic 
 advocates of the new enterprise. "I was once con 
 fessor to the queen, and one of our calling always has 
 access to her. If you will remain, I will write to her 
 immediately on the subject." 
 
 Columbus was easily persuaded, for he felt that
 
 FALL OF THE CRESCENT 
 
 87 
 
 VINCENT YANEZ PINZON. 
 
 in leaving Spain he was abandoning home; and he 
 was also reluctant to renew in another court the 
 vexations and disappointments experienced in Spain 
 and Portugal. 
 
 " I will stay," he said at last. 
 
 "And I will send Sebastian 
 Rodriguez as ambassador to the 
 queen. Her majesty is in the 
 new military city of Santa Fe, 
 which has been built in the 
 Vega, before Granada." 
 
 In two days the ambass 
 ador set out with the friar's 
 letter, and in due time returned 
 with an answer from the queen 
 to Juan Perez, requesting him to repair immediately 
 to the court, leaving Christopher Columbus in con 
 fident hope until he should further hear from her. 
 The royal letter spread joy throughout the convent. 
 No sooner did the enthusiastic friar receive it, 
 than he saddled his mule, and, though it was nearly 
 midnight, set out through the country of the con 
 quered Moors, by roads which were by no means safe, 
 to Granada. 
 
 "Another long period of unrest and anxiety is 
 before me," remarked Columbus, when he was again 
 alone with Hernando. "But there is much ground 
 for hope. The sacred office of Juan Perez will gain 
 him a ready entrance to the court, and when once I 
 can get the ear of the queen I am certain of success."
 
 88 COLUMBIA 
 
 As history has proven, Columbus was correct in 
 all his surmises. Juan Perez gained admission to the 
 queen and laid the explorer's plans before her. 
 Though she had in a general way heard something of 
 Columbus as a wild, visionary enthusiast or adven 
 turer, his claims had never before been presented to 
 her in their true light. Juan Perez found an able 
 coadjutor in the Marchioness of Moya, who entered 
 into the affair with all of a woman's disinterested 
 enthusiasm, having formed the acquaintance of Col 
 umbus on a former occasion. She already knew 
 something of his plans, and how he had spent his life 
 in trying- to give to Spain a greater honor than any 
 nation had ever attained. 
 
 Isabella was moved by his unselfish devotion. 
 "This man Columbus must be of great mind, after 
 all," she said enthusiastically, at the conclusion of the 
 joint appeal of the marchioness and the friar. "Send 
 him to me; and, as he may doubtless have suffered 
 by long privations, -I will order that twenty thousand 
 maravedis in florins be forwarded to him, that he may 
 be fitted suitably for our presence and travel hither 
 marked by our royal favor." 
 
 Again there was joy at the convent and the town 
 of Palos, when Garcia Fernandez delivered the order, 
 and the money with it, to Columbus. 
 
 The intervening time Hernando had spent at home 
 with his grandmother and Christina, returning only 
 the day before Garcia Fernandez arrived with the 
 message and money.
 
 90 COLUMBIA 
 
 "May I accompany you?" he asked. 
 
 For a moment Columbus hesitated, and then 
 said: 
 
 "Yes, our destinies are linked together, and you 
 may go." 
 
 They at once exchanged their threadbare garments 
 for those more suited to a court, and set out again 
 for the camp before Granada. 
 
 But disappointments were not yet at an end. 
 In fact, from the beginning to the end of his life, 
 Columbus met with continuous disappointments. 
 It was a most inopportune period for the transaction 
 of any business with the court. Yet he met with a 
 favorable reception, and was given in hospitable 
 charge to his constant friend, Alonzo de Quint-ilia, the 
 accountant general. 
 
 "The moment is too eventful for your business 
 to receive immediate attention," said Quintilla. 
 "You must wait." 
 
 "I have long since learned to wait," the great man 
 answered calmly. 
 
 "It will not be long," Quintilla assured him. 
 "Boabdil was captured while on a plundering expe 
 dition a few days since, and now the Moorish king 
 is about to sally forth from the Alhambra, and 
 surrender the keys of the seat of Moorish power. 
 After almost eight hundred years, the Moors will 
 be expelled from Spain. Ah, that will be a grand 
 day ! " 
 
 Great crowds of people were already assembled
 
 FALL OF THE CRESCENT 91 
 
 to witness the gorgeous scene. Knights with glitter 
 ing lances, gleaming helmets, swords, and bucklers ap 
 peared everywhere. The hills and valleys were alive 
 and swarming with horsemen and foot-soldiers. Ladies 
 of rank and the wives of the soldiers mingled with the 
 military. The blast of trumpets and soft notes of 
 distant bugle-horns filled the air with melodious 
 sounds. 
 
 "Oh, oh !" cried Hernando. "See how the armor 
 glitters. See how the banners rise and fall ! " 
 
 "Beware, Hernando, or you will be trampled on," 
 said Columbus. "These trooper are careless." 
 
 "Give way to the heralds of the sovereigns!" 
 shouted a trooper. "Stand back! Away! You 
 block the path." 
 
 The horsemen passed on, shouting loudly for clear 
 space. A long retinue of nobles, princes, knights, 
 and ladies, all on horseback, leading the procession 
 of Ferdinand and Isabella, came riding down through 
 the throngs of people. 
 
 Heading the procession, mounted on a prancing 
 horse, a short arquebus in his hand, was a tall, finely 
 formed man, with flashing eye and haughty de 
 meanor. He was one of the newly-made knights, 
 for his armor was snow-white, and he was attached 
 to the staff of the king. 
 
 "Look," whispered the lad, seizing Columbus by 
 the arm. "He is my uncle Garcia, who, aided by the 
 Moor, procured my father's banishment. I have 
 told you of him "
 
 92 
 
 COLUMBIA 
 
 Columbus watched the knight with intense inter 
 est. Once Sir Garcia's eye fell on the boy whom he 
 had so greatly wronged, and, recognizing Hernando 
 amid the throng, he started slightly and averted his 
 face. But he turned his head as he rode away, and 
 
 " LOOK," WHISPERED THE LAD, SEIZING COLUMBUS BY THE ARM, 
 
 " HE is MY UNCLE GARCIA." 
 
 looked long and searchingly at the lad's white-haired 
 companion. 
 
 All eyes were turned eagerly upon the procession. 
 The kingly courtiers, lords, ladies, in all the pomp and 
 grandeur of the age, passed by; then came Ferdinand 
 and Isabella, most exalted of all this sublime proces 
 sion. 
 
 How melancholy the state of Columbus amid these 
 scenes of splendor! We can do no better than give
 
 FALL OF THE CRESCENT 93 
 
 the following faithful picture of him as drawn at the 
 time and handed down by Clemencin: "A man 
 obscure and but little known at this time followed the 
 court. Confounded in the crowd of importunate appli 
 cants, feeding his imagination in the corners of ante 
 chambers with the pompous project of discovering a 
 world, melancholy and dejected in the midst of gen 
 eral rejoicing, he beheld with indifference, almost 
 amounting to contempt, the conclusion of a conquest 
 which swelled the bosoms of all with jubilee, and 
 seemed to have reached the utmost bounds of desire." 
 
 The sunlight flashed on the bewildering scene of 
 burnished arms, glittering helmets, waving plumes, 
 and streaming banners. This was the most brilliant 
 triumph in Spanish history. After eight hundred 
 years the crescent had fallen, the cross was reared in 
 its place, and the standard of Spain floated from the 
 highest tower of the Alhambra. The whole court 
 and army celebrated the glorious victory. The air 
 resounded with shouts of joy, songs of triumph, and 
 hymns of thanksgiving. The king and queen in 
 great magnificence, seemed in every eye as more than 
 mortal, as if sent by Heaven for the salvation and 
 upbuilding of Spain. Hernando stood on tiptoe, 
 craned his neck, and mounted blocks of wood and 
 stone, in order to catch a glimpse of his sovereigns. 
 
 The court was thronged by the most illustrious of 
 that war like country and stirring era, and the flower 
 of the nobility was in attendance. The dignity of its 
 prelacy, the bards and minstrels, and all the retinue
 
 94 COLUMBIA 
 
 of a romantic and picturesque age, made it a scene 
 that has never been excelled in history. The whole 
 day was one of kaleidoscopic splendor, the glittering 
 of arms, sounds of music and rejoicing. 
 
 The joy of the Spaniards was the grief of the Moors. 
 After almost eight hundred years they must give up 
 the land they had come to regard their own. 
 
 At two o'clock in the afternoon, the Moorish army, 
 trailing the crescent, issued forth to render submis 
 sion. The stipulations of the surrender had already 
 been agreed upon, and nothing but the formalities 
 remained. 
 
 The Spaniards filled the air with shouts and cries 
 of joy; the Moors groaned and sobbed with bitterness. 
 It was then that the Moorish bard from the depths 
 of his soul sang thus: 
 
 "Beautiful Granada, how is thy glory faded! 
 The flower of thy chivalry lies low in the land of the 
 stranger. No longer does the Vivarrambla echo to 
 the tramp of steed and sound of trumpet; no longer 
 is it crowded with thy youthful nobles, gloriously 
 arrayed for the tilt and tourney. Beautiful Granada! 
 The soft note of the lute no longer floats through the 
 moonlit streets. The serenade is no more heard 
 beneath thy balconies. The lively castanet is silent 
 upon thy hills. The graceful dance of the zambra is 
 no more to be seen beneath thy bowers. Beautiful 
 Granada! Why is the Alhambra so lorn and deso 
 late? The orange and myrtle still breathe their per 
 fumes into its silken chambers; the nightingale still
 
 
 
 A.V
 
 96 COLUMBIA 
 
 sings within its groves; its marble halls are still 
 refreshed with the flash of fountains and gush of 
 limpid rills. Alas, alas! the countenance of the king 
 no longer shines within those walls. The light of the 
 Alhambra is forever set." 
 
 So deep grief and so great lamentations moved 
 Hernando to compassion. But suddenly his eyes 
 grew bright, glistening with hate, and starting from 
 the side of Columbus, he ran across the intervening 
 space between the people and ranks of the Moors, and 
 approaching a tall, dark-skinned fellow who had lost 
 the upper half of his left ear, he cried : 
 
 "Abdallah Ahmed, are you here?" 
 
 "Christian dog, have you come to rejoice over the 
 fallen?" the Moor answered. 
 
 "No." 
 
 "Then away!" 
 
 "No, no. I would ask you questions." 
 
 "How know you that the Mussulman will give 
 truthful answers?" 
 
 "You must swear by your prophet to give me 
 a truthful answer. Where is my father?" 
 
 "Think you that I know?" 
 
 "None better than you!" 
 
 "I know nothing to tell." 
 
 "Dog of a Mohammedan, you deserve to have 
 your other ear cut from your head." 
 
 The infuriated Moor raised his hand, and would 
 have struck the lad had not a fellow Moor seized his 
 arm.
 
 FALL OF THE CRESCENT 97 
 
 "Are you mad, Abdallah? Know you not that 
 we dare not touch the child of a Christian?" 
 
 "I'll bide my time; but, Hernando Estevan, my 
 hate goes ever with you: you stole from me the fair 
 child Christina. I will be revenged; and when we 
 again invade Andalusia, Christina shall depart thence 
 with Abdallah." 
 
 The wrath of Hernando had now almost burst all 
 bounds. At the thought of Christina's name being 
 polluted by the breath of the villain, he sprang 
 forward with clenched fist to strike his enemy, when 
 suddenly a gayly caparisoned horseman spurred his 
 steed between them. 
 
 Turning his flashing eyes on Hernando, he cried: 
 
 " Away, youngster away ! " 
 
 "Uncle Garcia, there stands the man whose lying 
 tongue ruined my father," cried the excited youth. 
 
 "I know you not away!" 
 
 "You are my uncle Garcia Estevan." 
 
 "Lying brat, away." 
 
 "In the name of my wronged father " the lad 
 began; but Garcia Estevan flew into a rage, and with 
 the flat side of his sword, he struck at the youth. 
 
 But the blow fell harmlessly, and the moving 
 throng carried the boy far out of reach and hid him 
 effectually in the dense crowd. 
 
 "Shame! Shame!" cried many voices, as the 
 knight rode angrily away. 
 
 Vol. 17
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 AGAIN DENIED. 
 
 DURING the remainder of the imposing ceremony 
 Garcia was ill at ease, and the Moor Abdallah kept 
 from sight. The face of the boy haunted the wicked 
 uncle, and when he reached his chamber that night 
 he determined to know more 
 of the lad and to discover 
 what was his object in 
 Granada. He summoned 
 his esquire, and asked him 
 if he knew the boy Her- 
 nando or the old man with 
 him. 
 
 "I do not, Sir Garcia," 
 the esquire answered. 
 
 "Can you learn anything 
 of them, Sancho?" 
 "I know a man who can easily do so." 
 "Find him and send him to me." 
 Sancho went away, and an hour later reappeared 
 with a low-browed, surly, villainous-looking fellow 
 who by his attire and manner was evidently a sailor. 
 "What is your name?" asked the knight. 
 "I am Miguel, a sailor from Palos." 
 98 
 
 MIGUEL THE MUTINEER.
 
 AGAIN DENIED 99 
 
 "I desire to engage your services." 
 
 "In what, sir knight?" 
 
 "There is an old, white-haired man here with a 
 boy. I saw them today following the parade." 
 
 "And they are in your way, sir knight?" asked 
 Miguel with perfect coolness. 
 
 The knight smiled grimly at the fellow's readiness. 
 "I merely want to know who he is, and what brings 
 him here," he said. 
 
 "The lad?" 
 
 "I know him. He is the son of my brother, who 
 fled Spain a few years ago to escape the wrath of an in 
 jured king. I want to know of the lad's white-haired 
 companion, and what motive finds him in Granada." 
 
 "I will learn, sir knight. Unless I mistake, they 
 are the same who were at Palos a few weeks since. I 
 will learn all." 
 
 Sir Garcia slept but little that night, and when he 
 did, he dreamed of the pale-faced lad, whose eyes 
 were so strikingly like the wronged brother's. 
 
 "What cursed fate comes now to snatch from me 
 the rewards I have won by years of toil and danger and 
 scheming?" he asked himself, as he tossed upon his 
 bed. "Are the golden spurs to be stripped from me 
 by a brat and an infernal old camp-follower?" 
 
 When he found the morning sunlight streaming 
 into his chamber, he called his servant and asked for 
 the sailor Miguel. 
 
 "Ho is in waiting, Sir Garcia." 
 
 The Anight rose, dressed and breakfasted hur-
 
 100 COLUMBIA 
 
 riedly; then sent for the spy. Miguel entered with 
 shifting eyes, as if conscious of ever-present guilt. 
 
 "Have you learned anything?" asked Sir Garcia. 
 
 "I have, senor." 
 
 "Well?" 
 
 "The lad's companion is a Genoese navigator 
 named Christopher Columbus." 
 
 "Why is he here?" 
 
 "He came to have an audience with the queen 
 and her councilors." 
 
 "For what purpose?" asked Garcia, trembling 
 visibly. 
 
 The sailor, who was slow of speech, hesitated a 
 moment and answered: ' 
 
 "Christopher Columbus has determined to go to 
 the antipodes." 
 
 "Where is that?" 
 
 "I know not, sir knight, but it is some place in 
 which he expects to discover a new world." 
 
 "Is he an explorer? " 
 
 "Yes, senor, he is." 
 
 "I have heard of him. Now, tell me for what 
 purpose he has asked an audience with the queen." 
 
 "To fit out a fleet to go to the antipodes and 
 discover this new world." 
 
 Sir Garcia was obviously relieved. Placing some 
 gold in the fellow's hand, he said: 
 
 "That will do for the present, Miguel. Go, but 
 be near at hand when I call for you." 
 
 The sailor rose, bowed and hurried away, elated
 
 AGAIN DENIED 101 
 
 at his good fortune. Left alone, the cunning Garcia 
 began to consider what was to be done. 
 
 "Why does this man want to explore the unknown 
 sea on which my brother disappeared years ago? " he 
 asked himself; "and why is he so attached to my 
 brother's son ? I must look still further into this." 
 
 Calling his esquire into his presence, Sir Garcia 
 said: 
 
 "The man Columbus is here to hold an audience 
 with the queen and her councilors, and Fernando 
 de Talavera is one of them. I would see him." 
 
 "Yes, my lord." And with a bow the esquire 
 quitted the room. In due time, Fernando de Tala 
 vera arrived, and Garcia at once plunged into the 
 subject. 
 
 "Have you met this man Columbus?" 
 
 "I have, sir knight." 
 
 "Are you one to deliberate with him on this wild 
 scheme of exploring the antipodes?" 
 
 "I shall probably be one of that body." 
 
 "Do you not think it folly for the government to 
 send out such an expedition?" 
 
 "I do." 
 
 "Will you oppose it? " 
 
 "I have always opposed it, but my voice does 
 not outweigh the other advisers of the queen. She 
 has determined to give him an audience, and I greatly 
 fear she will consent to his schemes." 
 
 The cunning Garcia had seen Columbus but once; 
 but that one view of the noble, resolute face had
 
 102 
 
 COLUMBIA 
 
 convinced him that the man would make great de 
 mands on his sovereigns. Garcia's plan for defeating 
 the purpose of Columbus was to deal so niggardly 
 with him that he would refuse to accept the terms 
 
 MOORISH TOWER. 
 
 offered. When the plan was suggested to Fernando 
 de Talavera, he, being personally hostile to the pro 
 ject of Columbus, at once fell in with Sir Garcia's idea. 
 The moment had now arrived when the monarchs 
 stood pledged to give Columbus their attention. 
 The war with the Moors was over, Spain was delivered
 
 AGAIN DENIED 103 
 
 from the intruders, and the sovereigns might securely 
 turn their thoughts to foreign enterprises. Isabella 
 kept her word with- Columbus, and, as soon as matters 
 could be arranged, prepared to receive him at her 
 own court. 
 
 "May I accompany you?" Hernando asked. It 
 was the morning on which Columbus was preparing 
 to deliver a final appeal, a plea that was destined to 
 go thundering down the ages. 
 
 With a kindly smile, the great navigator answered : 
 
 "We have stood side by side; I cannot refuse 
 your request now." 
 
 Columbus appeared in the royal presence of the 
 good queen, as self-possessed as usual, neither daz 
 zled nor daunted by the splendor of the court or the 
 majesty of the throne. 
 
 Seated on the throne, surrounded by lords, nobles, 
 courtiers, ladies of rank, and high Church dignitaries, 
 was one of the purest and most beautiful characters of 
 history Queen Isabella. 
 
 Contemporary writers have been most enthusiastic 
 in their descriptions of this noble queen. Though 
 strongly attached to her husband and studious of 
 his fame, yet she always maintained her distinct 
 rights as an allied princess. She exceeded him in 
 personality, in personal dignity, in acuteness of 
 genius, and in grandeur of soul. Combining the 
 active and resolute qualities of man with the softer 
 charities of woman, she mingled in the warlike 
 councils of her husband, engaged personally in his
 
 104 COLUMBIA 
 
 enterprises, and, in some instances, surpassed him in 
 the firmness and intrepidity of her measures; while, 
 being inspired with a truer idea of glory, she infused 
 a more lofty and generous temper into his subtle and 
 calculating policy. 
 
 It is in the civil history of their reign, however, 
 that the character of Isabella shines most illustrious. 
 Her fostering and maternal care was continually 
 directed to reform the laws and heal the ills engend 
 ered by a long course of internal wars. She loved 
 her people, and while diligently seeking their good, 
 she mitigated, as much as possible, the harsh measures 
 of her husband, directed to the same end but inflamed 
 by a mistaken zeal. 
 
 She was always an advocate for clemency to the 
 Moors, although she was the soul of the war against 
 Granada. In the intervals of state business, she 
 assembled round her the ablest men in literature 
 and science, and was directed by their counsels 
 in promoting letters and arts. Through her patron 
 age, Salamanca rose to that height which it assumed 
 among the learned institutions of the age. She 
 promoted the distribution of honors and rewards for 
 the promulgation of knowledge; she fostered the art 
 of printing, but recently invented, and encouraged 
 the establishment of presses in every part of the 
 kingdom. Books were admitted free of duty, and 
 more, we are told, were printed in Spain at that 
 early period of the art .than in the present literary 
 age.
 
 AGAIN DENIED 105 
 
 It is wonderful how much the destinies ot coun 
 tries depend at times upon the virtues of individuals, 
 and how it is given to great spirits, by combining, 
 exciting, and directing the latent powers of a nation, 
 to stamp it, as it were, with their own greatness. 
 Such beings realize the idea of guardian angels 
 appointed by Heaven to watch over the destinies 
 of empires. Such was now for Spain the illustrious 
 Isabella. 
 
 Hernando gazed on her in wonder and admiration. 
 Her splendid court costume and glittering crown were 
 overshadowed by the majesty and beauty of her face. 
 She was well formed, of medium size, of great dignity 
 and gracefulness of deportment, and a mingled gravity 
 and sweetness of manner. Her complexion was fair; 
 her hair auburn, inclining to red; her eyes were of 
 a clear blue, with a benign expression a singular 
 modesty of countenance, gracing, as it did, a wonder 
 ful firmness of purpose and earnestness of spirit. 
 
 Approaching quite to the throne, Columbus knelt 
 before the queen, who gave him her hand to kiss. 
 Then he rose and waited her royal pleasure. As on 
 the occasion of his visit to Salamanca, the great 
 navigator had an abundance of maps and charts, 
 which Hernando carried for him. 
 
 About the queen Columbus saw several friendly 
 faces, among them Friar Juan Perez and that noble 
 woman, the Marchioness of Moya. 
 
 "Senor Columbus, proceed," said the queen, whose 
 voice rang with all the music of silver chimes.
 
 106 COLUMBIA 
 
 Unfolding a chart which he held in his hand, 
 Columbus began: 
 
 "Greatest and best queen, most beloved of all 
 sovereigns, ruler of a powerful nation, I beseech you 
 to pardon my persistent requests for an audience. 
 Did I not know that I am led by the hand of Heaven, 
 chosen from among men for the accomplishment of 
 its high purpose, I should not dare come before you 
 and plead the cause of an unknown world. But I have 
 in Holy Writ read of the discoveries I contemplate 
 making, which are darkly shadowed forth in the mys 
 tic revelations of the prophets. The ends of the earth 
 I would see brought together, and all nations, tongues, 
 and languages united under the banner of the Holy 
 Church. The triumphant consummation of my enter 
 prise, great queen, is to bring the remote and unknown 
 regions of the earth into communion with Christian 
 Europe; carrying the light of the true faith into be 
 nighted and pagan lands, and gathering their countless 
 nations under the holy dominion of the Church." 
 
 A better preface to his argument could not have 
 been chosen. The sympathies of the queen and her 
 ecclesiastics could not have been more quickly 
 gained than by this avowed intention. The closest 
 attention was henceforth given him. 
 
 Only Fernando de Talavera seemed unmoved by 
 the powerful words; and as Columbus warmed to 
 his mighty project, advancing reason after reason, 
 and holding throne and attendants spellbound, 
 Talavera became alarmed.
 
 AGAIN DENIED 107 
 
 Columbus placed his argument under three heads, 
 and considered each in its turn. 
 
 First, he asserted as a fundamental principle that 
 the earth is a terraqueous sphere, which may be 
 traveled around from east to west, and that when on 
 opposite points men stand foot to foot. According 
 to Ptolemy, he divided the circumference from east 
 to west at the equator into twenty-four hours of fif 
 teen degrees each, making in all three hundred and 
 sixty degrees. Comparing the globe ~of Ptolemy 
 with the earlier map of Marinus of Tyre, he supposed 
 that fifteen hours had been known to the ancients, 
 extending from the Canary Islands to the city of 
 Thinae in Asia, a place set down as at the eastern 
 limits of the known world. 
 
 "The Portuguese," continued Columbus, "have 
 advanced the western frontier one hour more by the 
 discovery of the Azores and Cape de Verde Islands. 
 There then remain eight hours, or one-third the 
 circumference of the earth, unknown and unexplored. 
 This space may in a great measure be filled up by the 
 eastern regions of Asia, which may extend so far as 
 to nearly surround the globe, and even to approach 
 the western shores of Europe and Africa. The tract 
 of ocean between these countries is no doubt less 
 than has been supposed." 
 
 Under the second head of his argument, Colum 
 bus submitted to the queen authors whose writings 
 had weight in convincing him that the intervening 
 ocean could be but of moderate expanse and easily
 
 108 COLUMBIA 
 
 traversed. Among these he cited the opinion of 
 Aristotle, Seneca, and Pliny that one might pass 
 from Cadiz to the Indies in a few days. From the 
 wonderful narratives of Marco Polo and John Mande- 
 ville, with which he was thoroughly acquainted, he 
 quoted page after page. He read the letter of Fer 
 nando Martinez, a learned canon of Lisbon, who 
 maintained that India could be reached by a western 
 course, asserting that the distance could not be greater 
 than four thousand miles in a direct line from Lisbon 
 to the province of Mangi, near Cathay. 
 
 Lastly, he enumerated the various indications of 
 land in the west; objects which had floated to the 
 known world the dead bodies of a strange race of 
 men, branches of trees bearing an unknown fruit, 
 and pieces of wood strangely carved and evidently 
 of a workmanship unknown to the inhabitants of 
 Europe. Reeds of an immense size, grown no doubt 
 in an unknown land, had floated from the west to the 
 island of Porto Santo, where pieces of wood, strangely 
 carved by other than iron instruments had also been 
 cast up on the shore. 
 
 Having concluded his eloquent appeal, he stood 
 with his head bowed awaiting an answer. 
 
 At last the queen said, "I have listened with care 
 and great interest to all you have said, and I am 
 strongly impressed with the force and logic of your 
 conclusions. I shall gladly co-operate with you, and 
 tomorrow those in whom I have confidence will be 
 appointed to meet you and arrange all plans."
 
 AGAIN DENIED 109 
 
 Then she rose and extended her hand to Columbus. 
 With a reverence and gratitude well becoming his 
 great soul, Columbus made his obeisance; and with 
 Hernando by his side was permitted to precede the 
 court from the audience-room. 
 
 "It is settled now that we may go, is it not?" 
 asked the lad eagerly, as they returned to their apart 
 ments. 
 
 "We have a hope." 
 
 "A hope! Is it not sure? " 
 
 "No; we may not be able to make terms. If 
 the queen should choose certain parties to negotiate 
 with me, it might even yet fail. I will make this 
 voyage on my own terms or never make it." 
 
 When Columbus met the queen's representa 
 tives, his fears were realized. Foremost among them 
 appeared Fernando de Talavera, and behind him 
 the cruel, sinister face of Sir Garcia Estevan, 
 both of them pledged to balk the enterprise. Tal 
 avera had risen by the recent conquests to be 
 Archbishop of Granada. How Sir Garcia had ever 
 contrived to become one of the queen's agents, 
 Columbus was never able to learn. 
 
 Talavera was the first to speak: 
 
 "Our royal princess and queen of Castile, Isa 
 bella, has sent us to consult with you. She is favor 
 ably impressed with your proposed voyage, and 
 wishes to know on what terms you will under 
 take it." 
 
 This was what Columbus desired. So fully im-
 
 HO COLUMBIA 
 
 bued was he with the grandeur of his enterprise that 
 he would listen to nothing but princely conditions. 
 He answered: 
 
 "My principal stipulations are that I shall be in 
 vested with the titles and privileges of admiral and 
 viceroy over the countries I may discover, with one- 
 tenth of all the gains, either by trade or conquest." 
 
 "You demand too much," cried Talavera, who 
 was nettled to see one whom he had considered a 
 needy adventurer aspiring to a rank and dignity 
 superior to his own. 
 
 "It is certainly a shrewd request, Senor Colum 
 bus," put in the sneering Sir Garcia. "You propose 
 to secure, at all events, the honor of a command, and 
 have nothing to lose in case of a failure." 
 
 To this charge Columbus replied : 
 
 "I will furnish one-eighth of the cost, on condition 
 of enjoying one-eighth of the profits." 
 
 " Where will you get the means? " asked Sir Garcia, 
 with another sneer. 
 
 "Friends in Palos will furnish money for the 
 enterprise." 
 
 "Your demands are unreasonable," said Fernando 
 de Talavera. 
 
 "Your terms are quite beyond consideration," 
 added Sir Garcia, who was glad of any opportunity 
 to thwart the man who had befriended his broth 
 er's child. 
 
 One of the others, more favorable to Columbus, 
 asked:
 
 AGAIN DENIED m 
 
 "Would you not be satisfied with terms a little 
 less favorable to yourself?" 
 
 "No; nothing less than I have stated," was the 
 answer. 
 
 "It seems that this lofty solicitor will not be 
 suited with less than dignities that approach the 
 grandeur of the throne," put in the sneering Sir 
 Garcia. 
 
 "My uncle hates us, and he will defeat us yet," 
 Hernando whispered to Columbus. 
 
 The wise man thought he understood the cause 
 of Sir Garcia's animosity. He gave the lad a hopeful 
 smile, but would not yield a point to the queen's am 
 bassadors. At last they left him to make report to 
 her majesty. 
 
 "We are as far away as ever," cried Hernando, 
 when he and Columbus were alone. 
 
 Columbus was silent. 
 
 "It's all on account of my uncle. I only impede 
 you, seiior." 
 
 "Nay, lad, do not blame yourself. Your uncle 
 may hate me on your account, but it is not 
 your fault. Heaven always rewards the just in the 
 end." 
 
 "Yes, sefior, but sometimes it is a long distance 
 to the end." 
 
 Isabella was always attentive to the opinions of 
 her ecclesiastical advisers, and the archbishop, being 
 her confessor, had peculiar influence over her. As 
 we have seen, he had been unduly prejudiced by Sir
 
 112 COLUMBIA 
 
 Garcia, and in acquainting her with the demands of 
 Columbus, he concluded with the following words: 
 
 "Your gracious highness will see that this un 
 known man is making princely demands demands 
 which the dignity of the throne of Castile cannot 
 consider. With a treasury depleted by long wars 
 with the Moors, I can not advise your highness to 
 accept such exorbitant terms." 
 
 The queen bowed her head in thought, and then said : 
 
 "The proposed advantages might be bought at 
 too great a price. Offer more moderate conditions, 
 but such as are highly honorable and advantageous." 
 
 The archbishop and his followers bowed, and 
 quitted her royal presence. 
 
 Columbus was found awaiting the report from her 
 majesty. He was cool, determined, and unmoved. 
 
 "You have her majesty's answer?" he asked, 
 as the archbishop and Sir Garcia entered his chamber. 
 
 "She sends us to say that your demands are too 
 great, but that we are authorized to make more mod 
 erate terms, yet such as are stricly honorable 
 
 "Say no more," interrupted Columbus, impa 
 tiently. "I have made my demands, and I will listen 
 to nothing else." 
 
 "You are determined to abide by your decision? " 
 
 "Tell the gracious queen that, notwithstanding 
 my love and loyalty toward her majesty, I will not 
 in this matter cede one point of my demand." 
 
 "Is that your final answer? " 
 
 "It is."
 
 AGAIN DENIED 113 
 
 "Shall we bear it to her majesty? " 
 
 "You may." 
 
 As they departed there was a look of mounting 
 triumph on the villainous face of Sir Garcia Estevan. 
 The more he saw of the attachment of Columbus for 
 his nephew, the more he feared him and determined 
 to defeat him. 
 
 "The lad will share his honors, no doubt," thought 
 Sir Garcia, "and, if they should succeed in the great 
 discovery which he proposes, he might even super 
 sede me in my title and estates. I must see that he 
 does not suceed." 
 
 The matter was reported as unfavorably as possi 
 ble to the queen. She, still reluctant to see the enter 
 prise fail, was about to ask one more interview, when 
 Fernando de Talavera said: 
 
 "It is useless, your majesty. This common sailor 
 will not listen to reason. He is a dreamer, a specu 
 lator, and an adventurer, determined at all hazards 
 to elevate himself to the nobility with succession 
 forever." 
 
 "What is your advice, then, in the matter?" 
 asked the queen. 
 
 "To break off all negotiations at once," inter 
 posed Sir Garcia, eagerly. 
 
 "I advise the same, your majesty," answered the 
 archbishop. "I regard his plans as delusions, and 
 himself as one gone mad over long speculation on 
 vague and impossible theories." 
 
 But the queen still delayed giving up the plan. 
 
 Vol. 18
 
 114 COLUMBIA 
 
 That patient, earnest face, those speaking eyes, and 
 the deep intonations of the ringing voice, which had 
 carried conviction to her heart, haunted her and 
 caused her to stand forth at last, his steadfast friend 
 and patron. But her advisers overruled her for the 
 time being, and she said: 
 
 "You may inform him that negotiations are at 
 an end." 
 
 Columbus had been expecting such a report, and 
 when it came he received the blow with humility 
 and courage. 
 
 Hernando, in fact, showed the greater evidence of 
 disappointment. He believed that he was, in a 
 measure, the cause of the failure. 
 
 "Will you abandon the plan now? " he asked. 
 
 "My life is consecrated to this enterprise," Colum 
 bus answered. " I will accept no paltry offer for my 
 compensation." 
 
 Then in a tone that denoted still greater deter 
 mination, he continued: 
 
 "It is my one opportunity to raise the necessary 
 funds to rescue the Holy Sepulchre. If I fail in this, it 
 means failure in a still greater enterprise." And as if 
 to justify his persistence in holding out for his terms, 
 he concluded, "Perhaps Bartholomew will have bet 
 ter success in England." 
 
 Nothing could shake his determination or make 
 him descend to terms beneath the dignity of his cause. 
 For this "great constancy and loftiness of soul," Las 
 Casas highly commends his friend Columbus.
 
 AGAIN DENIED 115 
 
 The truth is, Columbus entertained a greater am 
 bition than the discovery of a new world, one 
 which would require vast resources, and it was to 
 this enterprise that his income from Cipango, with 
 its gold-roofed temples, was to be consecrated. 
 
 The commerce of his native Genoa had been de 
 stroyed by the Turks and in his youth he had more 
 than once crossed swords with them in the conflict. 
 Now he came to look upon himself as a second God 
 frey de Bouillon, called of Heaven to deliver Jeru 
 salem from the grasp of Mohammed. 
 
 Fiske says, "Long brooding over his cherished 
 projects, in which mere chimeras were interwoven 
 with anticipations of scientific truths, had imparted 
 to his character a tinge of religious fanaticism. He 
 had come to regard himself as a man with a mission 
 to fulfill, as God's chosen instrument for enlarging 
 the bounds of Christendom and achieving triumphs 
 of untold magnitude for its banners." 
 
 In this mood he conducted his negotiations, with 
 no thought of his present obscurity and indigence. 
 His ardent imagination enabled him to realize the 
 magnitude of his enterprise, and he felt that in his 
 hand he held the destiny of future empires. 
 
 Though so large a portion of his life had been worn 
 away in fruitless importunings, though there was no 
 certainty that the same weary career was not to be 
 entered upon at any other court, yet so indignant 
 was he at the repeated disappointments he had ex 
 perienced in Spain that he determined to abandon
 
 116 COLUMBIA 
 
 the country forever, rather than compromise his de 
 mands. Hope long deferred had depressed his spirits 
 sadly, and he felt it would be a relief to be beyond the 
 borders of Spain. 
 
 When he informed the lad that he had determined 
 to leave him at the cottage near Palos, and seek in 
 a foreign land the aid which had just been denied, 
 Hernando was greatly distressed. 
 
 "I have encumbered you, I know," he said, "and 
 but for me, you might have succeeded." 
 
 '/You are unjust to blame yourself," answered 
 Columbus. "I have no regrets that I have befriended 
 you. Oftentimes in distress you have given me 
 courage. Have no fears of the final result, for each 
 disappointment and failure only increases my deter 
 mination; and I shall yet succeed." 
 
 The friends of Columbus gathered about him, and 
 tried to dissuade him from departure. Among them 
 were Luis de St. Angel and Alonzo de Quintilla. 
 
 "Surely after so nearly succeeding, you will not 
 now abandon the cause?" said the accountant- 
 general. 
 
 "Abandon the cause no, I shall never abandon 
 the cause," Columbus answered, in his lofty manner. 
 "But I am about to abandon Spain. I would have 
 given to my adopted country the glory and honor 
 of discovering a new world; but they have declined 
 the proffer, and I must now seek in a foreign land 
 what is denied me at home." 
 
 The mules were saddled, and, sad and dejected,
 
 AGAIN DENIED 117 
 
 but by no means despairing, Columbus and the lad 
 mounted and rode away. The two friends stood and 
 watched them wend their way down the long road 
 and disappear around a spur of the mountain.
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 AT THE BRIDGE OF PINOS. 
 
 "Do NOT despair, Senor Columbus," said Her- 
 nando, as they journeyed along on their mules. 
 . "I cannot despair," was the answer. 
 
 "Have you never doubted, after so many failures, 
 that you were really called of Heaven to perform 
 this great task?" 
 
 To this Columbus slowly and solemnly made 
 answer: 
 
 "The ways of God are mysterious to us. He 
 chasteneth those whom he loveth. We are not 
 permitted to lift the veil and gaze into the future, 
 and perhaps it is best that we are not. I have no 
 doubt of Heaven's having called me to this task, 
 else why should I struggle on from year to year? 
 It is useless to think of abandoning the work. I 
 could not give it up, try as I might. I am powerless 
 to resist the promptings of Heaven, and each failure 
 only makes me the more determined to succeed. Had 
 I not been called of God, I should have long since 
 despaired, and left my work to another and wiser 
 age." 
 
 " If God has really called you, why does He place 
 so many obstacles in the way of success? " 
 118
 
 AT THE BRIDGE OF PINOS H9 
 
 "The ways of Providence are inscrutable and 
 beyond our understanding. We know not why the 
 wicked seem to prosper while the good are oppressed 
 with calamity and affliction; yet the eye of faith can 
 pierce through it all, and see even the golden prize 
 beyond a world of sorrow and darkness. I know 
 God has called me, and this introductory school of 
 disappointments may be necessary to fit me for the 
 great work which is laid out before me." 
 
 They journeyed on, and the boy, with his troubled 
 eyes bent on the ground, was buried in painful 
 thought. His wild fancy went out across land and 
 sea, until from that far-off unknown region he again 
 heard the groans of the captive long bound in chains, 
 and waiting waiting for freedom. 
 
 "Oh, come, come, come!" every hoof-beat seemed 
 to say. Every zephyr that stirred the leaves of the 
 Andalusian forest seemed whispering, " Come." From 
 the mountain-top, r from the valley, the winding steep, 
 or the deep gorge at their side, there came to his ear 
 the ever pathetic wail, "Come!" His lively imagina 
 tion, stirred by long dwelling on the painful subject, 
 seemed ever to go out and converse with his captive 
 father. 
 
 Columbus, lost in thought, forgot the boy, until 
 Hernando said: 
 
 "Grant me one request, sefior? " 
 
 "What is it, my lad?" 
 
 "When you do go, that I may go with you." 
 
 "That I have promised."
 
 120 COLUMBIA 
 
 "From whatever port your fleet of discovery may 
 sail, I may go, too? " 
 
 "You shall go." 
 
 A sigh escaped Hernando's lips, as if he had not 
 full faith in the promise of Columbus. During the 
 many months he had journeyed with the great man 
 from town to town, he had never known him to fail in 
 good faith; but there were so many plans and sorrows 
 in that troubled mind that he doubted if he would be 
 remembered. Then there was danger of years being 
 spent in fruitiest 1 application. The white head was 
 bent lower, and the frame seemed to have grown 
 older, since his trust in the queen had been shattered. 
 
 "Heaven grant that help may come," silently 
 prayed the lad, as they rode on together. 
 
 Columbus was asking himself how much longer 
 he could endure such disappointments. From the 
 utmost depths of his being he felt the promptings of 
 a mighty ambition inspired by the noblest motives 
 a great soul rising up within itself and demanding 
 recognition of the world. Had he all along been 
 wrong, and was he to die unhonored and unknown? 
 Were those great impulses within his breast to perish 
 before they could be given forth to the world? And, 
 after all, was he to have inscribed on his tomb the 
 word "Failure"? 
 
 "It is darkest just before dawn," says a wise old 
 saw, and not infrequently this proves true. Never 
 had Columbus more cause to yield to despair than 
 the day he rode forth from Santa Fe", believing he
 
 AT THE BRIDGE OF PINOS 121 
 
 had turned his back forever on Spain. Man pro 
 poses and God disposes, and Columbus little dreamed 
 what course events would take before he had finished 
 his career. 
 
 His enemies, meantime, had watched his depar 
 ture with great satisfaction; and Garcia Estevan and 
 Fernando de Talavera, feeling confident they had 
 driven the troublesome applicant away forever, 
 quitted the side of the queen to engage in other 
 matters, leaving Isabella free to be approached by 
 the friends of Columbus. 
 
 A man who has been almost lost to history stood 
 watching Columbus as he rode away from Santa 
 F6 on that February day in the year of 1492. 
 His name was Luis de St. Angel, receiver of the eccle 
 siastical revenues in Aragon. When the form of 
 Columbus disappeared in the distance, he turned to 
 Alonzo de Quintilla, and said: 
 
 "For shame! that Spain should lose so glorious 
 a prize." 
 
 "You speak truly; but what is to be done?" 
 
 "We must seek the queen, Quintilla. Now that 
 Sir Garcia and the archbishop have left her, we must 
 plead with her to accede to his terms. He demands 
 nothing if he fails, and no more than is just if he 
 succeeds." 
 
 Then and there was formed in the mind of this 
 noble friend of Columbus the decision to intercede 
 for him; and the eloquent plea which Luis de St. 
 Angel made for the cause of Columbus proved to be
 
 122 COLUMBIA 
 
 the turning-point which gave to Spain the glory 
 of discovering the New World, and to Isabella the 
 honor forever of being the patroness of . its dis 
 coverer. Columbus had failed utterly, and, sad of 
 heart, was leaving Spain forever, but this man, 
 whose name has seldom been mentioned in connec 
 tion with the great event, succeeded after Columbus 
 had failed. 
 
 "You are right," answered the great-hearted 
 Quintilla. "His demands are only just." 
 
 "Let us hasten to the queen." 
 
 The friends of Columbus hurried to the palace 
 and begged for an immediate audience. Fortunately, 
 they found the Marchioness of Moya and several other 
 friends at the court. Luis de St. Angel was spokes 
 man, and the exigency of the moment gave him 
 courage and eloquence. 
 
 Isabella was a little surprised at her officers 
 almost thrusting themselves into her presence; but 
 she was slow to anger, and listened patiently to the 
 impassioned entreaty of St. Angel, in which was even 
 mingled reproaches: 
 
 "Your majesty's subjects are both grieved and 
 astonished that the good queen, who has evinced 
 the spirit to undertake so many perilous enterprises, 
 should hesitate at one where the loss will be so tri 
 fling while the gain may be incalculable. If Colum 
 bus succeeds, he will win the honors he asks. Many 
 a common soldier has been knighted for valor on 
 the field of battle, and spurs thus won are of higher
 
 AT THE BRIDGE OF PINOS 123 
 
 consideration than any hereditary title or honor. If 
 the navigator succeeds, and your majesty has great 
 faith that he will, then is he not worthy of his 
 demands? Again, noble queen, I would remind you 
 how much might be done for the glory of God, the 
 exaltation of the Church, and the extension of your 
 own dominion. Think what cause of regret to your 
 self, of triumph to your enemies, and of sorrow to 
 your friends, should the enterprise you have rejected 
 be accomplished by some other power; and it will 
 be, if you refuse the offer made by Columbus. Re 
 member, great and noble queen, what fame other 
 princes have acquired by their discoveries, and here 
 is an opportunity which surpasses them all. I 
 entreat your majesty not to be misled by the asser 
 tion of learned men that the project is the dream 
 of a visionary. The judgment of Columbus is sound 
 and his plans practical. Even his failure would not 
 reflect disgrace upon the crown. It is worth the 
 trouble and expense to clear up even a matter of 
 doubt upon a subject of such great importance, 
 for it belongs to enlightened and magnanimous 
 princes to investigate questions of the kind, and to 
 explore the wonders and secrets of the universe. 
 Columbus has liberally offered to bear one-eighth of 
 the expense, and I can assure you that all the requi 
 sites for this great enterprise will consist of but 
 two vessels and about three thousand crowns. I 
 beseech your majesty, do not let escape this golden 
 opportunity of placing new laurels on your brow.
 
 124 COLUMBIA 
 
 While there is yet time, send a messenger after this 
 man Columbus, and bring him back." 
 
 The argument was made with that persuasive 
 power which honest zeal imparts, and the Queen of 
 Castile was greatly moved by the force of it. 
 
 The Marchioness of Moya also exerted her elo 
 quence to persuade the queen, in language and man 
 ner so earnest that Isabella could no longer resist. 
 Her generous spirit was enkindled. It seemed as 
 if for the first time, the enterprise opened to her 
 mind in all its real grandeur, and at the conclusion 
 of the marchioness's appeal she declared : 
 
 "I am resolved; I will undertake it." 
 
 She glanced at Ferdinand, as if seeking his ap 
 proval, but the king only shook his head. 
 
 "What says my liege, will he not join me in this 
 great cause? " asked the beautiful queen. 
 
 "I cannot," was the answer. 
 
 "Why say you so? " 
 
 Ferdinand had all along looked coldly on this 
 scheme, and in the height of the discussion had 
 remained silent. It was only when directly addressed 
 that he spoke at all. 
 
 "Our royal finances have been absolutely drained 
 by the war, and some time must be given to replen 
 ishing them." 
 
 "Were the treasury full, would you consent? " 
 
 "But the treasury is empty!" the king an 
 swered. 
 
 The queen had declared that her resolution was
 
 AT THE BRIDGE OF FINOS 125 
 
 formed and she would undertake the enterprise, but 
 how could she draw from a thoroughly exhausted 
 treasury for a measure to which the king was averse? 
 
 There was a moment of hesitation, and all watched 
 this suspense with trembling anxiety. Then, with 
 enthusiasm most worthy of herself and the cause, 
 Isabella exclaimed: 
 
 "I undertake the enterprise for my own crown of 
 Castile, and will pledge my jewels to raise the means." 
 
 St. Angel, eager to secure this noble impulse, 
 cried : 
 
 "I assure your majesty it is not necessary to 
 pledge your jewels, as I am ready to advance the 
 funds." 
 
 "Can you?" cried the queen. 
 
 "I can, and with your leave I will. All we ask 
 is your sanction." 
 
 "I give it." 
 
 "Then we will send for Columbus, and enter at 
 once into the contract." 
 
 "Where is he? " 
 
 "He left the city for the port of Palos, doubtless 
 to take his departure from Spain forever." 
 
 "Let a courier be despatched at once. Instruct 
 him to make no halt until he has overtaken the navi 
 gator. Send for a courier at once." 
 
 The king did not try to dissuade the queen. 
 Seeing she was determined in the matter, he quitted 
 the council chamber. 
 
 We may as well state in this connection that St.
 
 126 COLUMBIA 
 
 Angel really secured the funds for this expedition 
 from the coffers of Aragon; seventeen thousand 
 florins being advanced by the accountant out of 
 the treasury of King Ferdinand. That prudent 
 monarch, however, took care to have his kingdom 
 indemnified some few years later; for in remunera 
 tion of this loan, a part of the first gold brought from 
 the New World was employed in gilding the vaults 
 and ceiling of the royal salon in the grand palace 
 of Saragoza, in Aragon, anciently the Aljaferia, or 
 abode of the Moorish kings. 
 
 In [certain quarters it is quite commonly main 
 tained that Columbus encountered from the Church 
 nothing but opposition; but even a free thinker, with 
 proper regard for facts, cannot fail to perceive that 
 the men who were instrumental in bringing about a 
 favorable turn in the affairs of Columbus after he 
 himself had utterly failed were all of the clergy. 
 When we consider that Columbus was inspired by his 
 ambition to enlarge the dominions of the Church and 
 deliver Jerusalem from the infidel, and that his pa 
 troness, Queen Isabella, was influenced through her 
 religious faith to aid him, we cannot fail to give to the 
 influence of the Church a large share of the credit for 
 the discovery of America. 
 
 While the page was seeking a courier, the queen 
 was all impatience, lest Columbus should be gone so 
 far that she could not bring him back. 
 
 "We must not lose this opportunity," she cried, 
 in her great anxiety. "I never realized the splendor
 
 AT THE BRIDGE OF PINOS 127 
 
 of the undertaking before. Had I done so, it would 
 have received much more careful consideration." 
 
 "Your majesty must not blame yourself," said 
 St. Angel. "It will not be too late." 
 
 "Why does the courier not come? A moment 
 seems an hour lost. Every second of precious time 
 Columbus is getting farther and farther away, and 
 may be beyond recall ere our courier can overtake 
 him." 
 
 At this moment a courier entered breathless, 
 for he knew that some matter of great moment was 
 about to be intrusted to him. 
 
 "Mount the swiftest horse in the stables, and ride 
 for life, until you overtake Christopher Columbus, now 
 on his way to Palos," commanded the queen rapidly. 
 "Tell him the queen accedes to his proposal, and asks 
 his immediate return." 
 
 "Who is this Columbus?" asked the courier, for 
 at this time Columbus was not generally known 
 among the court attaches. " May I beg your majesty 
 to describe him?" 
 
 "With your majesty's permission, I will," said 
 St. Angel. 
 
 "Proceed," the queen answered. 
 
 Then St. Angel spoke tersely: 
 
 "He is tall and erect, with hair and beard of snowy 
 whiteness, though but fifty-six years old. His face 
 is heavily furrowed with sorrow, disappointment, and 
 care, rather than with age. He rides a mule, is 
 accompanied by a boy fifteen or sixteen years of
 
 128 COLUMBIA 
 
 age, similarly mounted, and is now on his way across 
 the Vega to the bridge of Pinos." 
 
 "Go! hasten!" cried the queen. "The future 
 glory and renown of Spain depend on your speed." 
 
 "Your majesty, I go." 
 
 The courier bowed, and quickly retired. A 
 powerful black Arabian horse, noted for speed and 
 endurance, was saddled, and leaping on his back the 
 courier sped away like the wind in pursuit of the 
 man who but a few hours before had been re 
 jected. 
 
 The day was mild despite the month of February. 
 In this delightful semi-tropical clime the rigors of 
 winter are scarcely ever known. The morning was 
 almost as mild as a May day in New England, and 
 tropical plants were blooming along the roadside. 
 Feathered warblers were caroling their sweetest 
 songs, and all nature seemed to rejoice. 
 
 But Columbus and his young companion paid 
 little heed to the beauties of luxuriant growth all 
 about their pathway. Their minds were rilled with 
 vexatious thoughts and disappointments. The sun 
 had long since crossed the meridian and was descend 
 ing low in the horizon, and yet the two journeyed 
 on, forgetful that they had passed over the noonday 
 hour without halting for rest or refreshments. 
 
 Youth is joyous. It is the exception for gloom 
 and despair to settle over a young mind, and Her- 
 nando, despite the recent disappointments, felt his 
 spirits rise with the songs of the birds.
 
 130 COLUMBIA 
 
 They had pursued their lonely -journey across 
 the Vega and reached the pass approaching the bridge 
 of Finos, about two leagues from Granada, at the 
 foot of the mountain Elvira a pass famous in the 
 Moorish wars for many a desperate encounter be- 
 tween the Christian and the infidel. The shadows 
 were lengthening, and the eyes of the lad were wan 
 dering away to westward, when suddenly on the air 
 there came the sound of a horse's hoofs. 
 
 Deeply buried in thought, Columbus heeded them 
 not, but the ear of his young companion was quicker, 
 and turning in his saddle he saw a man mounted on 
 a black charger coming after them at full speed. His 
 splendid attire and glittering trappings indicated 
 that he was a servant of the royal household, and for 
 a moment the youth was speechless in wonder. The 
 pursuer took off his gorgeously plumed hat, swung it 
 in the air, and in a loud voice called to them to halt. 
 They had just reached the bridge of Pinos when the 
 shout reached their ears. 
 
 "We are pursued, Sefior Columbus," said the lad. 
 
 Turning in his saddle, Columbus gave the ap 
 proaching man a hasty glance, and remarked: 
 
 "It's the queen's courier; he comes to bring us 
 news." A glow of revived hope gleamed in his 
 face. 
 
 "Halt, halt, halt!" cried the courier, waving his 
 hat above his head. 
 
 Columbus and Hernando stopped almost on the 
 bridge, and awaited the rider's approach.
 
 AT THE BRIDGE OF PINOS 131 
 
 "Are you Christopher Columbus?" asked the 
 courier, reining in his panting steed. 
 
 "I am he," was the answer. 
 
 "The queen has sent me to summon you back to 
 Santa Fe." 
 
 Columbus's eyes lighted again; but he hesitated. 
 Was it, after all, worth while to return and subject 
 himself to the further equivocations of the court? 
 
 "I doubt whether it is better to delay my depar 
 ture," he said at last. "I gave her majesty, the 
 queen, my terms and she rejected them, and I can do 
 no more." 
 
 "Senor, try once more," began the boy. 
 
 "Her majesty accedes to your terms," cried the 
 courier. 
 
 "Go, sefior, go!" cried Hernando, who was all 
 hope and excitement. "We shall yet succeed!" 
 
 The youth's enthusiasm was contagious. Colum 
 bus turned his mule about and . hastened back to 
 Santa Fe, confiding in the noble generosity of the 
 queen.
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 FROM GLOOM TO SUNLIGHT. 
 
 LET those disposed to faint under difficulties, in 
 the prosecution of any laudable undertaking, remem 
 ber that eighteen years elapsed from the time Colum 
 bus conceived his enterprise until he was enabled 
 to carry it into effect; that the greater part of that 
 time was passed in almost hopeless solicitation amid 
 penury, neglect, and taunting ridicule; that the 
 prime of his life had wasted away in the struggle, 
 and that when his perseverance was finally crowned 
 with success he was in his fifty-sixth year. His 
 example should, inspire the enterprising of all genera 
 tions never to despair. 
 
 It was nightfall before Columbus reached Santa 
 Fe, but the queen had made provision for him and 
 Hernando to be lodged in a wing of the castle. The 
 next morning she called him before her and assured 
 him that his terms would be agreed upon. 
 
 "The king has not granted his favor," the queen 
 continued, "and I undertake the project for my 
 crown of Castile; yet I feel confident that he can at 
 least be persuaded to give a nominal consent." 
 
 "His majesty's co-operation in my plans would 
 add great weight to my authority," Columbus 
 answered. 
 
 132
 
 FROM GLOOM TO SUNLIGHT 133 
 
 "I shall seek to obtain it. By the bye, Senor 
 Columbus, is this little boy whom I always see with 
 you your son?" 
 
 "No, your majesty. He is a lad with whom I 
 was accidentally thrown, and who wishes to go with 
 me on the voyage. But I have a son, for whom I 
 have a favor to ask." 
 
 "What favor?" 
 
 "When I sail I leave him practically an orphan 
 among strangers. He will be unprovided for, as all 
 my means, as well as the substance of friends, are 
 hazarded in this enterprise. He is a bright, honest, 
 earnest lad, and would serve you well. Can you not 
 care for him? " 
 
 The generous-hearted queen was moved, and 
 after a few moments' reflection answered: 
 
 " I will make him a page to our young Prince Juan, 
 the heir apparent, with an allowance for his support." 
 
 Columbus was deeply grateful to the good queen. 
 It was more than he had dared hope for, for this was an 
 honor granted only to persons of distinguished rank. 
 
 Diego was at once sent for, and as Hernando still 
 lingered at Santa Fe, he met the son of his benefactor. 
 They were soon fast friends, and were seldom sepa 
 rated until Diego's appointment was confirmed and 
 he had entered on his duties. 
 
 In their rambles about the court and city the boys 
 related their personal histories. 
 
 "I go with your father to seek my father," said 
 Hernando.
 
 134 COLUMBIA 
 
 "And I remain, perhaps to lose a father/' Diego 
 answered. 
 
 "Be of good cheer, for he will succeed in his great 
 enterprise, and place your name among the bright 
 est in history." 
 
 "I have read of great men, and their lives have 
 always had more sorrow than joy in them. To be 
 great involves much misery, and I sometimes wonder 
 if honors gained by conquest or discovery are worth 
 the inevitable pain." 
 
 They had wandered beyond the walls of the city 
 and were sitting under the wide-spreading branches 
 of a giant old oak. Suddenly a cavalier was dis 
 covered galloping down the road toward them. 
 
 He wore no helmet or visor, and his features were 
 in plain view. Hernando started to his feet, crying: 
 
 " It is my Uncle Garcia! " 
 
 Diego Columbus, having heard the dark story 
 of Hernando's wrongs, felt his heart swell with 
 indignation, and was strongly inclined, boy as he 
 was, to denounce the villain to his face. 
 
 Sir Garcia drew rein in front of the boys, and, 
 fixing his eyes on Hernando, asked: 
 
 "Were you with Columbus?" 
 
 "Yes, senor." 
 
 "Are you his son?" 
 
 "No; there is his son." 
 
 "Was he made page to Prince Juan? " 
 
 "He was." 
 
 "Are you going with Columbus on this voyage? "
 
 FROM GLOOM TO SUNLIGHT 135 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 "Is your name Hernando Estevan?" 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 The knight nodded and rode away. For a long 
 time the boys stood gazing after him, and at last 
 Diego asked: 
 
 "What does he mean?" 
 
 "I cannot say," Hernando answered. 
 
 "Whatever his meaning may be, it bodes you 
 no good, Hernando." 
 
 "Perhaps not. He aided the wicked Moor to 
 work my father's ruin, and I have no doubt he would 
 do me an injury if he dared." 
 
 Sir Garcia Estevan meantime was ill at ease, and 
 when he had reached his own chamber he sat down 
 to determine what course to pursue. 
 
 "Columbus has succeeded at the moment we 
 thought defeat assured," he reflected. "He takes 
 Roderigo's son with him on this voyage of discovery. 
 If I were assured that Roderigo was dead, there would 
 be less to fear; but, if living, and the expedition of 
 Columbus proves successful, then I have cause to 
 tremble. Even if Roderigo be dead, and the son 
 comes to share the glories of Columbus, he may yet 
 displace me; for the lad evidently has his ambition, 
 and no love for me. I must defeat the voyage." 
 
 He pondered long over the curious case, and 
 finally called his esquire. 
 
 "Do you know where the sailor Miguel can be 
 found?" he asked.
 
 136 COLUMBIA 
 
 "I do, Sir Garcia." 
 
 "Bring him to me at once." 
 
 "Yes, Sir Garcia." 
 
 The esquire bowed and retired. The knight 
 took off his greaves and breastplate, and hung them 
 by his sword upon the rack. An hour later the 
 sailor was ushered into his presence. Miguel bowed 
 and stood humbly before the knight. 
 
 "I am very much interested in you, Miguel," 
 remarked the knight, with a smile; "I have become 
 so interested in you that I have taken the pains to 
 examine into your past history." 
 
 Miguel grew uneasy and shifted his gaze. 
 
 "You have been engaged in many doubtful 
 enterprises; among them, smuggling." 
 
 "Oh, sir knight 
 
 "Peace! I have not declared that it was my 
 intention to expose you. I have sent for you to 
 learn if you are willing to serve me.' 
 
 "With my life, my lord." 
 
 "Swear it!" 
 
 "I swear on the holy cross." 
 
 "If you prove false, you shall pay dear!" 
 
 "Yes, my lord. What would you have me do?" 
 
 "Columbus has secured the aid of the crown in a 
 prospective voyage, and the rumor has already 
 spread that he will sail from the port of Palos. He 
 takes with him on that voyage a boy named Her- 
 nando, a partially insane lad, filled with an hallucina 
 tion that his father is a captive on some island far
 
 FROM GLOOM TO SUNLIGHT 137 
 
 off in the western seas. You must see to it that the 
 voyage fails." 
 
 "How shall I bring it about?" 
 
 "Hasten to Palos and ship as one of the crew on 
 board the admiral's vessel; there you will find many 
 ways. Incite a mutiny." 
 
 "Ay, I see." 
 
 "Scuttle the ship." 
 
 "And lose my own life." 
 
 "Do it while so near land that you may escape. 
 But if that be too difficult, see that neither the lad 
 nor Christopher Columbus comes back alive." 
 
 "I understand you, my lord." 
 
 "If necessary, use the dagger; you know how. 
 Make way with both before you let them return to 
 triumph over me." 
 
 "I understand 
 
 "Your reward shall be two thousand florins, but 
 do not slay unless success promises to crown their 
 efforts." 
 
 "Why not slay them in any event? " 
 
 "I do not seek to have unnecessary blood on my 
 hands. If they fail, they return humiliated, and 
 I do not care to take their lives. Only in case of 
 success are they dangerous. You can easily incite 
 the crew to mutiny. The ships are richly laden; 
 seize them and sail to some foreign port, where you 
 can dispose of vessels and cargo to an advantage." 
 
 Meanwhile Columbus was closing negotiations 
 with the king and queen. A perfect understanding
 
 138 COLUMBIA 
 
 having been effected with the sovereigns, articles of 
 agreement were ordered to be drawn up by- Juan 
 de Coloma, the royal secretary. They were to the 
 following effect : 
 
 "First, That Christopher Columbus should have 
 for himself, during his life, and his heirs and successors 
 forever, the office of admiral in all the lands and conti 
 nents which he might discover or acquire in the ocean, 
 with similar honors and prerogatives to those en 
 joyed by the high admiral of Castile in his district. 
 
 "Second, That he should be -viceroy and governor- 
 general over all of said lands and continents; with 
 the privilege of nominating three candidates for the 
 government or province, one of whom should be 
 selected by the sovereigns. 
 
 "Third, That he should be entitled to reserve 
 for himself one-tenth of all pearls, precious stones, 
 gold, silver, spices, and all other articles of merchan 
 dise, in whatever manner found, brought, bartered, 
 or gained within his admiralty, the costs being first 
 deducted. 
 
 "Fourth, That he or his lieutenant should be the 
 sole judge in all causes and disputes arising out of 
 traffic between those countries and Spain, provided 
 the high admiral of Castile had similar jurisdiction 
 in his district. 
 
 "Fifth, That he might then, and at all times there 
 after, contribute an eighth part of the expense in 
 fitting out vessels to sail on this enterprise, and 
 receive an eighth part of the profits."
 
 FROM GLOOM TO SUNLIGHT 139 
 
 The last stipulation admitting Columbus to bear 
 an eighth of the enterprise, was made in consequence 
 of his indignant proffer on being reproached by Sir 
 Garcia Estevan with demanding ample emoluments, 
 while incurring no part of the expense. Through 
 the aid of the Pinzons of Palos he fulfilled the en 
 gagement, and added a third vessel to the arma 
 ment. Thus one-eighth of the expense attendant 
 on this grand expedition, undertaken by a powerful 
 nation, was actually borne by the man who con 
 ceived it, and who staked his life on its success. 
 
 So slow were the papers in preparation that the 
 capitulations were not signed by Ferdinand and 
 Isabella until the seventeenth day of April, 1492, 
 when they were duly executed at the city of Santa 
 Fe, in the Vega or plain of Granada. 
 
 A commission was drawn out in form and issued 
 by the sovereigns to Columbus, in the city of Granada, 
 on the thirtieth of the same month, in which the 
 dignities and prerogatives of viceroy and governor 
 were made hereditary in his family; and he and his 
 heirs were authorized to prefix the title of Don to 
 their names, a distinction in those days accorded 
 only to persons of rank and estate. 
 
 The chief aim of Columbus, as we have shown, was 
 the propagation and extension of the Christian reli 
 gion and the rescue of the Holy Sepulchre from the 
 hand of the infidel. The latter was the dream of his 
 life, and the great aim for which he labored. Be 
 lieving he would reach the western shore of Asia,
 
 140 COLUMBIA 
 
 letters to the Grand Khan of Tartary were issued to 
 him by the king and queen of Spain. 
 
 While these negotiations were pending at court, 
 Hernando Estevan left Granada and hastened to 
 his home to acquaint his family of Columbus' 
 success, and spend a few days with them before he 
 took his departure on that voyage to seek an unknown 
 world. 
 
 He had been away almost three years, return 
 ing only at long intervals. Senora Doria had grown 
 older, and her hair was grayer. The furrows on 
 her face had deepened, but she was still strong and 
 active. 
 
 The greatest change was in Christina. She was 
 now thirteen years of age, and had developed a rare 
 and wonderful beauty. 
 
 When he came to greet her with a brotherly kiss 
 as of old, she shrank from him, and her cheek flushed 
 hot with a crimson richer than the cactus flower. 
 The lad checked himself. What did it mean? Had 
 she grown afraid of him, or had his long absence made 
 her careless about him? Hernando was grieved by 
 her treatment, until, on the next day after his arrival 
 he accidentally caught her kissing a small present 
 he had brought her from Granada. He could not at 
 first comprehend the world of tenderness she evinced 
 for this bauble. None can say how dear to the heart 
 is the veriest trifle touched by the hand of one we 
 love, and this simple gift was to Christina an object of 
 youthful adoration.
 
 FROM GLOOM TO SUNLIGHT 141 
 
 "Why is Christina so changed?" Hernando asked 
 himself again and again. 
 
 From the moment of his return the coy little 
 maiden had experienced strange sensations and 
 unaccountable impulses. Those soft eyes had lost 
 their wonted lustre, the rose tint had left her cheek, 
 and she grew bashful and retiring. Fitful moods 
 of joy mingled with sighs and frequent tears, in her 
 tender heart. The simple amusements of her child 
 hood were abandoned, and she shunned the society 
 of those whom she loved so well. Their presence 
 seemed only to increase her bewilderment, and she 
 sought, in the solitude of the deep-shaded forests and 
 rocky glens, to find relief for her strangely throbbing 
 heart. 
 
 One day, while wandering about the rocky steeps, 
 she suddenly came on Hernando, who was seeking 
 her. She advanced sportively to meet him, but was 
 suddenly overcome by confusion; her pale cheeks 
 were covered with blushes and her eyes no longer 
 dared meet his. 
 
 "Christina," cried Hernando, as she turned away, 
 "why do you always fly from me?" 
 
 His voice, so gentle and tender, reached her ear, 
 and arrested her almost fleeing steps. She paused, 
 her eyes still on the ground, and stood trembling, 
 from what cause she could not tell. 
 
 Slowly and carefully, as a child tiptoes toward 
 a hare which it fears will take fright, the boy advanced 
 to the bashful maiden.
 
 142 COLUMBIA 
 
 "Christina, why are you so unhappy? Why do 
 you shun me in this way? Our happiest moments 
 have been spent wandering, hand in hand, along 
 this very beach. Our days together now are few 
 indeed, for soon I shall depart on an unknown sea 
 to seek a lost father. Can you not greet me as 
 the dear little sister you once were? I may never, 
 never return from the great unknown water. Many 
 have sailed away upon it; few have ever come back." 
 
 He was interrupted by a sob, and saw tears trick 
 ling down her pretty cheeks. Blaming himself for 
 causing her needless pain, Hernando sprang to her 
 side, and clasping the maiden in his arms, pressed a 
 kiss upon her tear-stained cheek. 
 
 "Forgive me, Christina," he said, " I have wounded 
 you." 
 
 "Hernando, brother, you are all I have to love, 
 for the cruel infidel left me without kindred on earth. 
 And now you must go too." 
 
 Abashed at her own voice, the maiden was again 
 seized with an almost uncontrollable desire to fly. 
 Hernando placed an arm about her. She started, 
 but he held her fast, and, overcome with an emotion 
 as sudden as it was overpowering, she threw her 
 arms about his neck and sobbed bitterly. Her 
 soul found rest, but only momentarily. When he 
 sought to soothe her by his embraces, she turned 
 away her head, and fled toward the ocean. His 
 caresses excited too much emotion in her heart, and 
 she sought the seashore.
 
 FROM GLOOM TO SUNLIGHT 143 
 
 Hernando vexed himself in vain, endeavoring to 
 comprehend the meaning of these new and strange 
 caprices. But to no end. Shy, coy, and distant 
 as she was, her eyes were always on him, and her 
 heart was his. He went to the cottage, where he 
 told the old grandmother of her changed demeanor, 
 and Dame Doria, shaking her head, answered 
 sadly: 
 
 "Christina and yourself will soon be children no 
 longer." 
 
 The lad's face was mournful, and gaining no con 
 solation from his grandmother, who would say no 
 more, he sought out the solitude of the seaside. There 
 he sat listening to the sobbing waves beating gently 
 against the pebble-strewn shore, or to the far-off 
 splash of the porpoise in the water. Unconsciously 
 his thoughts traveled far seaward. Was his father 
 soon to be found and rescued from a life of slavery, 
 he asked himself, or had he been all these years de 
 luding himself? Might not his father be sleeping 
 beneath the sea, and his search be quite in vain? 
 
 A gentle footstep on the sands behind him startled 
 the lad from his painful reverie ,and, turning quickly, 
 he beheld Christina, her face flushed with shy confu 
 sion. Again she would have run away; but a glance 
 at his sad, pale face won her to his side. 
 
 "Are you ill?" she asked. 
 
 "I am sad, Christina. I feel as if my heart would 
 break." 
 
 "Why are you sad?"
 
 14 i COLUMBIA 
 
 "My sister is so changed." 
 
 "How am I changed?" 
 
 "She flies from me as if she either despised or 
 feared me. Which is it?" 
 
 "Neither." And her head hung and her radiant 
 eyes dropped beneath his gaze. He had been watch 
 ing the sweet unfolding of the beautiful girl's life, all 
 these years the blooming of a flower that was to 
 exceed in beauty and fragance the rarest exotic of all 
 flowery Spain. 
 
 "Have I grown hateful to your sight, that you 
 should seek to avoid me? Am I a thing to be despised, 
 that you should shun me? What has caused this 
 great change?" 
 
 Smiling, she answered: "My dear brother, you 
 wrong me. You have grown far dearer to me, now 
 that I am about to lose you, than ever before. 
 Forgive me, and remember that we both have 
 changed; you have grown so big and strong, and I 
 I will soon cease to be a child. I cannot understand 
 myself, but believe me when I say I love you 
 more dearly than ever." 
 
 Again he embraced her, and for a long while 
 they sat side by side clasped in each other's arms, 
 while the sea waves beat upon the beach at their feet. 
 
 Far away beyond the blue sea roamed the thoughts 
 of the lad. Cowardly Doubt, who ever attacks us 
 in our weakest moments, plie;l him with a multitude 
 of questions. Was the coming voyage, after all, but 
 the freak of a madman? Was Columbus himself
 
 FROM GLOOM TO SUNLIGHT 145 
 
 only a clever lunatic who had deceived the crown, 
 and, like the siren in the fable, was destined to lure 
 ships and crews to ruin? But even at the thought, 
 Hernando's faith cast out all distrust; and he knew 
 that Columbus was what he professed a learned 
 and experienced navigator, called of Heaven to per 
 form a great work. 
 
 After a long silence the beautiful girl at his side 
 asked : 
 
 "When does the fleet sail?" 
 
 "It may not be for two or three months." 
 
 "Why not fill the few days left to us with joy and 
 cheer rather than with gloom and sadness?" 
 
 "Our lives have been such a perpetual sorrow 
 that a burst of sunshine is almost dazzling: so let us 
 welcome it. This is a transition from gloom to 
 sunlight, for Columbus, after so many years, has 
 triumphed over prejudice and ignorance. And I 
 shall find my father and return, Christina, never 
 again to leave you." 
 
 Christina leaned toward him and placed her cheek 
 to his; and they rose and returned to the cottage in 
 silent happiness. 
 
 Vol. 110
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 SEEKING AN UNKNOWN WORLD. 
 
 IN selecting Palos as the place where the fleet was 
 to be made ready, Columbus doubtless counted on 
 the co-operation of Martin Alonzo Pinzon, resident 
 there, and on the assistance of his zealous friend, the 
 prior of the convent of La Rabida. No doubt the 
 government was willing to give him his preference 
 in the matter, inasmuch as the port of Palos, for 
 some misdemeanor, had been condemned to serve 
 the crown for a year with two armed caravels, both 
 of which became a part of the armament of Columbus. 
 
 Columbus reached Palos on the 22d of May, and on 
 his arrival went at once to the neighboring convent of 
 La Rabida, where he was gladly received by the 
 worthy prior Fray Juan Perez, who in the excess of 
 his joy said: 
 
 "You have at last received your long and well- 
 merited reward, my son." 
 
 In due time Hernando was summoned to join the 
 waiting fleet at Palos. Christina and the grand 
 mother bore the parting bravely, promising to follow 
 on slowly and be present at the sailing of the fleet. 
 
 On the 23d of May, Columbus, accompanied by 
 Fray Juan Perez, proceeded to the Church of St. 
 146
 
 SEEKING AN UNKNOWN WORLD 147 
 
 George in Palos, where the alcalde, the regidors, and 
 many of the inhabitants had been ordered to attend. 
 A notary public, standing on the porch of the church, 
 read the royal order, commanding the authorities of 
 Palos to have two armed caravels ready for sea within 
 ten days and to place them at the disposal of Colum 
 bus, who was empowered to fit out a third vessel. 
 The crews of all three were to receive the ordi 
 nary wages of seamen employed in armed vessels, 
 and to have four months' pay in advance. They 
 were to sail in such direction as Columbus under 
 royal authority should command, and were in all 
 things to obey him. They were forbidden to go to 
 St. George La Mina, on the coast of Guinea, or 
 any other port of the lately discovered possessions 
 of Portugal. 
 
 The public authorities and the people of all ranks 
 and conditions in the maritime borders of Andalusia 
 were commanded to furnish supplies and assistance of 
 all kinds, at fair prices, for the fitting out of the ves 
 sels; and penalties were denounced on such as should 
 cause any impediment. 
 
 Among those gathered about the church listening 
 to the orders was Miguel, who was among the first to 
 volunteer. No sooner had he done so, than he went 
 to a young, timid recruit, and said : 
 
 "Do you know where we are to sail?" 
 
 "No," was the answer. 
 
 "We go to seek an unknown world." 
 
 The youth's cheek paled.
 
 148 COLUMBIA 
 
 "That man is Columbus, the madman of Genoa, 
 who is going to sail around the world, through a sea 
 of liquid fire, to islands inhabited by winged beasts 
 and dragons, where giants fifty cubits high live on 
 the flesh of shipwrecked mariners; a land whence no 
 one ever returns." 
 
 The wild story spread rapidly; and so shrewdly 
 did Miguel manage it, that Columbus never dreamed 
 that he had betrayed the expedition. The owners 
 of vessels refused to furnish them. The boldest sea 
 men shrank from such a wild, chimerical cruise in the 
 wilderness of the ocean. All kinds of frightful tales 
 and fables were conjured up concerning the unknown 
 regions of the deep; and nothing can be stronger 
 evidence of the boldness of this undertaking, than the 
 extreme dread in which some of the most adventurous 
 navigators held it. 
 
 Weeks elapsed. Further mandates were issued 
 by the sovereigns, ordering the magistrates of the 
 coast of Andalusia to press into service any vessels 
 they might think proper. Juan de Penalosa, an 
 officer of the royal household, was sent to see that 
 these commands were properly obeyed. The order 
 was acted upon by Columbus in Palos and the neigh 
 boring town of Moguer, but with as little success as 
 before. 
 
 The communities of those places were thrown into 
 confusion. Tumults ensued, and on several occasions 
 they were on the eve of riot. 
 
 "I thought our troubles over," said Hernando to
 
 '
 
 SEEKING AN UNKNOWN WORLD 149 
 
 Columbus, a few days after joining him, "but they 
 seem only to have commenced." 
 
 "I will see Martin Alonzo Pinzon and his brother 
 tomorrow," Columbus answered. "We need their 
 services again; we cannot succeed without them." 
 
 "I thought, having the aid of the crown, none 
 other was needed." 
 
 "Just now Martin Alonzo Pinzon and his brothers 
 may be more effective than the king and queen. 
 They are navigators of great courage and ability, 
 owning numerous vessels and keeping many seamen 
 in their employ. They have many relatives among 
 the seafaring inhabitants of Palos and Moguer, and 
 great influence throughout the neighborhood. If 
 they decide to go with us, it will inspire courage 
 and confidence in all the others." 
 
 Next day Columbus sent for Martin Alonzo and 
 his brother, Vincent Yanez Pinzon, and after making 
 them acquainted with the true situation, said: 
 
 "You see the strait to which I am reduced. 
 Although aided by the crown, I want still more. I 
 need men who will inspire the sailors with confi 
 dence. You have both, my friend. You believe in 
 my theory. Will you still further aid me?" 
 
 Alonzo Pinzon asked for time to confer with his 
 brother, and, Columbus assenting, they retired to a 
 separate apartment. Hernando remained in the 
 outside hall with Columbus, who, with head bowed 
 and hands clasped behind his back, paced up and 
 down before the room in which the Pinzons were
 
 150 COLUMBIA 
 
 ji consultation. After two hours, the door opened 
 and the brothers came out. Columbus paused and 
 fixed his eyes on them'with an eager, inquiring look. 
 
 "We have decided to go," said Martin Pinzon. 
 "We will furnish one of the vessels, and will accom 
 pany you." 
 
 "My friends, you have saved the expedition and 
 will win eternal honor for your names and country." 
 
 Two other vessels, with owners and crews, were 
 pressed into service by the arbitrary mandate of 
 the sovereigns. It is a striking instance of the 
 despotic authority exercised over commerce in 
 those times, that respectable individuals should 
 thus be compelled to engage in what appeared to 
 be a mad and desperate enterprise. 
 
 But all difficulties had not yet been removed. 
 Sir Garcia Estevan, the most malignant enemy of 
 Columbus, came to Palos to hinder and delay the 
 equipment. He did nothing openly; but, aided by 
 Miguel, his hireling, he covertly caused difficulties 
 to arise among the seamen who had been compelled 
 to embark. Gomez Rascon and Christoval Quintero, 
 owners of the Pinta, one of the ships pressed into 
 service, were made to believe it a mad, desperate 
 enterprise, and exerted all their influence to defeat 
 the voyage. The calkers employed on the vessel did 
 their work in a careless and imperfect manner, and, 
 on being required to do it over again, refused and 
 departed. Many seamen, who in the first wave of 
 enthusiasm had enlisted, repented their hardihood
 
 SEEKING AN UNKNOWN WORLD 151 
 
 and sought to retract; others deserted and concealed 
 themselves in the interior; and thus, from the time 
 of Sir Garcia's appearance, difficulty after difficulty 
 arose. None, of course, could be traced to him. 
 
 The influence and example of the Pinzons had a 
 great effect in allaying this opposition and inducing 
 many of their friends and relatives to embark. 
 They represented that the enterprise was one which 
 would shed glory throughout all time, and that every 
 man w r ho engaged in it would immortalize his name. 
 It is quite certain that the assistance of the Pinzons 
 was very important, if not indispensable, in fitting 
 out and launching the expedition; and despite Garcia 
 Estevan and his hirelings, the preparations went 
 steadily on. 
 
 The ships in which Columbus was to embark 
 were vessels to which no mariner of the present day 
 would think of entrusting his life for such a voyage. 
 The largest, a ship of no considerable burden, was 
 commanded by Columbus as admiral, who gave it 
 the name of Santa Maria, out of respect for the 
 Blessed Virgin, whom he honored with singular 
 devotion. Of the second, called the Pinta, Martin 
 Alonzo Pinzon was captain, and his brother Francis, 
 pilot. The third, named the Nina, had lateen sails 
 and an open deck, and was under command of Vin 
 cent Yanez Pinzon. These two were light vessels, 
 hardly superior in burden or force to large boats. 
 
 There were three other pilots Sancho Ruiz, 
 Alonzo Nino, and Bartolomeo Roldan. Roderigo
 
 152 COLUMBIA 
 
 Sanchez, of Segovia, was inspector-general of the 
 armament, and Diego de Arana, a native of Cordova, 
 chief alquazil. Roderigo de Escobar went as royal 
 notary an officer always sent in the armaments of 
 the crown to take official notes of all occurrences. 
 These, with a physician and a surgeon, together with 
 various private adventurers, several servants, and 
 ninety mariners making, in all, one hundred and 
 twenty persons, including Columbus and Hernando 
 constituted the members engaged in the expedition. 
 
 By the beginning of August every difficulty had 
 been overcome, and the vessels were ready for sea. It 
 had been a busy day in the little town of Palos. All 
 was bustle, confusion, and excitement. At dusk 
 Miguel stole away from the village to the ruins of an 
 ancient castle, half a league distant. He found a 
 knight in armor awaiting him. It was Sir Garcia 
 standing by his steed, one arm impatiently thrown 
 across the animal's neck. 
 
 "What news, Miguel?" he asked, as the sailor 
 came up. 
 
 "The expedition is ready to sail." 
 
 "Can we prevent it?" 
 
 "No, Sir Garcia," 
 
 "In which ship goes the lad? " 
 
 "With the admiral." 
 
 "Miguel, you must be in the same ship." 
 
 "Trust me to do your bidding, Sir Garcia." 
 
 The knight then proceeded to give his hireling 
 final orders; and history has recorded, in letters
 
 SEEKING AN UNKNOWN WORLD 153 
 
 that will never fade, how faithfully those instruc 
 tions were carried out. 
 
 It was Thursday, August 2, 1492. The sun was 
 high in the sky, though it had not passed the meridian. 
 On the morrow the fleet was to sail, and Senora 
 Doria and Christina had not come. All day Her- 
 nando watched the gray, dust-strewn road, wind 
 ing about among the hills beyond the convent; but 
 it was evening before he saw two females, mounted 
 on donkeys, coming toward Palos. Recognizing 
 them as his grandmother and Christina, he flew to 
 meet them. 
 
 "Come with me," he cried, "we have a house 
 prepared for you, where you may rest until the depar 
 ture of the vessels." 
 
 Late that night Columbus found the boy and the 
 girl standing on the beach, gazing off at the three 
 vessels lying in the harbor. He was about to speak 
 to them, but rinding both in tears, regarded their 
 mournful silence as too sacred to be broken. 
 
 The squadron being ready to put to sea, Colum 
 bus made confession to the friar Juan Perez and 
 partook of the sacrament of the communion. His 
 example was followed by his officers and most of the 
 crew; and they entered upon their enterprise full of 
 awe, and with the most devout and affecting cere 
 monial, committing themselves to the special guid 
 ance and protection of Heaven. 
 
 Friday, the third day of August, A. D. 1492, was 
 the day set for sailing. The morning dawned bright
 
 154 COLUMBIA 
 
 and clear. The ocean which our adventurers were to 
 explore was calm and mild as the summer sky. Long 
 before dawn of day the town had been awake, and 
 everybody was now astir. The old, the sick, the 
 lame, and the blind, those who but seldom crept 
 from their houses, were early risen. A deep gloom 
 overspread the village, for almost everyone had some 
 relative or friend aboard the squadron. 
 
 The sailors had been taken aboard the day before, 
 but Hernando, Columbus, and a few others remained 
 to bid a last farewell. Many an eye grew dim and 
 many a breast heaved with sobs, as the morning 
 dawned. Christina and the grandmother embraced 
 Hernando and bade him farewell, perhaps forever. 
 The lad smiled bravely, and uttered words of en 
 couragement which grown men and battle-scarred 
 veterans could not speak. 
 
 Columbus took his place in the bow of the boat 
 which was to convey them to the vessel; Hernando 
 stood in the stern, smiling bravely and waving his 
 cap at the loved ones on shore. 
 
 ' ' Farewell, Christina ! Grandame, farewell ! Weep 
 not for me, for I will soon return and bring back my 
 father." 
 
 "So the fool has really set out to find his father," 
 sneered a dark knight on the shore. 
 
 The boat reached the Santa Maria and was hoisted 
 on board. Then anchors were raised, sails unfurled, and 
 deep-throated cannon boomed forth the news that the 
 squadron had departed to discover an unknown world.
 
 SEEKING AN UNKNOWN WORLD 155 
 
 "Oh, he is gone, he is gone! " cried Christina, and 
 fell into the arms of the weeping grandmother. 
 
 When she recovered self-possession, the squadron 
 was out of sight, and she wrung her hands and sobbed 
 in wild despair, for hours refusing to be comforted. 
 
 Columbus set sail from the bar of Saltes, a small 
 island formed by the arms of the Odiel, in front of 
 the town of Huelva, steering in a southwesterly 
 direction for the Canary Islands, whence it was his 
 intention to strike due west. As a guide to his course, 
 he had made a map that was an improvement over 
 the one sent him by Paulo Toscanelli. 
 
 The exultation of Columbus never exhibited itself 
 above the calm, dignified demeanor of the admiral 
 until the little fleet was under way and the shore 
 began to fade from view. After eighteen years of 
 hard labor, after enduring disappointment and 
 scoffs and indignation, beyond the lot of ordinary 
 mortals, it is no wonder that he should now exhibit 
 some signs of triumph. He paced the quarter-deck 
 as the Santa Maria bounded over the waters, and 
 his face, usually so grave and solemn, was lighted 
 with smiles. Hernando had borne up well until the 
 little seaport town faded from sight, and then, cover 
 ing his face with his hands, he gave way to tears. 
 
 "Cheer up, my lad, be brave. We have tri 
 umphed.- Our expedition cannot now fail." 
 
 "It is not dread of danger before, but regret for 
 those behind, that causes my tears," he answered. 
 
 His was not the only damp cheek on that deck
 
 156 COLUMBIA 
 
 Many a hardy sailor's eye grew dim, and many 
 bearded faces were wet with tears, as the coast of 
 Spain faded from view. 
 
 "Oh, land of our fathers, beautiful home of our 
 wives and children, shall we never see thee more?" 
 they cried, pressing to the ship's stern, and stretching 
 their hands toward the fast-fading shore. This was 
 only the beginning of a period of dread and discon 
 tent, fomented always by the spy Miguel, who never 
 lost an opportunity to breed discord among his fel 
 low-sailors. 
 
 The exultation of Columbus was soon checked by 
 his want of confidence in the resolution and perse 
 verance of his crews. As long as he remained within 
 reach of Europe, there was no certainty that in a 
 moment of repentance and alarm, they might not 
 renounce the prosecution of the voyage and insist on 
 a return. 
 
 Symptoms soon appeared to warrant his appre 
 hensions. Miguel was constantly whispering with 
 the men, and the ominous shaking of heads and 
 nervous anxiety, betrayed in the features of each, 
 bore evidence that trouble was brewing. 
 
 But Columbus was equal to the emergency. 
 Reassuming his calm and dignified demeanor, he 
 seemed to have no apprehension, and continued 
 giving orders as if there was nothing to fear. At 
 night he studied the stars, and the day he spent with 
 his log-book and astrolabe, making calculations and 
 estimates.
 
 SEEKING AN UNKNOWN WORLD 157 
 
 On the third day out Columbus was in his cabin 
 thus engaged, when the door opened and Hernando, 
 entering unannounced, cried: 
 
 "Lord admiral, the Pinta is making signs of 
 distress." 
 
 His face expressing anxiety, Columbus hastened 
 on deck and, seizing a glass, glanced at the 
 vessel. 
 
 "She is indeed in trouble," he said. "Her rudder 
 is broken and unhung. This, I fear, has been done 
 through the contrivance of Gomez Rascon and Chris- 
 toval Quintero to disable their vessel and cause her 
 to be left behind." 
 
 One man on whose ears those words fell could 
 easily have solved the mystery. His evil black eyes 
 sparkled with devilish satisfaction, and he mumbled 
 to himself: 
 
 "The admiral guesses but too well. Sir Garcia 
 and the owners of the Pinta pay me liberally, and 
 I never fail to do my work satisfactorily." 
 
 Columbus was much disturbed at this occurrence. 
 The wind was blowing strongly at the time, so that 
 he could not render assistance without endangering 
 his own vessel. But the captain of the Pinta secured 
 the rudder by cords, so as to gain a temporary control 
 over it. The control was only temporary, however, 
 for next day the fastenings gave way, and the other 
 ships were forced to shorten sail until the rudder 
 could be secured. 
 
 Not only was the rudder broken, but the Pinta
 
 158 COLUMBIA 
 
 had sprung a leak, and the admiral determined to 
 put into the Canary Islands and seek some vessel to 
 replace the damaged one. On the morning of the 
 9th of August, six days after leaving the port of Palos, 
 they reached the Canaries. 
 
 As no suitable vessel could be found to take the 
 place of the Pinta, a new rudder was made for her, 
 and she was otherwise repaired to make her sea 
 worthy for so long and mysterious a voyage. The 
 lateen sails of the Nina were altered into square sails, 
 that she might work more steadily and securely, 
 and be able to keep company with the other vessels. 
 All this required three weeks' time. One day as 
 they lay off the coast of one of the Canaries, Her- 
 nando was amazed and alarmed at beholding the 
 lofty peak of Teneriffe sending forth volumes of 
 flame and smoke. 
 
 "Look, look!" cried Miguel to a party of sailors 
 on deck. "Behold, the very bowels of the earth 
 are aflame. We will find the fires grow more frequent 
 as we advance, until we shall be consumed in a sea 
 of flame. That is an omen sent by Heaven to warn 
 us not to proceed." Being ready to take alarm at 
 any extraordinary phenomenon and construe it into 
 a disastrous portent, the sailors were willing to be 
 lieve him and were already on the eve of a panic, 
 when Hernando hastened to the admiral with the 
 alarming intelligence. Columbus took great pains 
 to dispel their apprehensions, explaining the natural 
 causes of those volcanic fires and verifying his ex-
 
 SEEKING AN UNKNOWN WORLD 159 
 
 planations by citing Mount Etna and other well- 
 known volcanoes. 
 
 One day while they were lying off the island of 
 Gomera, taking in wood and provisions, a vessel 
 arrived from Ferro. The captain was a distant 
 relative of the Pinzons, and, learning the object of 
 the expedition, he hastened to Martin Alonzo Pinzon's 
 vessel. After a short consultation they went to 
 gether on board the admiral's ship. 
 
 "We have news, admiral, that may be alarming," 
 said Captain Pinzon. 
 
 "What is the news?" 
 
 "The captain, whose word may be taken as true, 
 reports three armed Portuguese caravels hovering 
 off the island of Ferro, evidently with the intention 
 of capturing you." 
 
 "I have suspected some such hostile strategy 
 on the part of the king of Portugal, in revenge for 
 having engaged in the service of Spain," Columbus 
 answered. 
 
 "What will you do?" asked Pinzon. 
 
 "Is the Pinta seaworthy?" 
 
 "She is, admiral." 
 
 "Get ready to sail at once." 
 
 "I will be ready in an hour." 
 
 "Can you convey your order to your brother?" 
 
 "I can." 
 
 "Do so; we will sail at daylight." 
 
 At dawn Columbus had a signal-light hoisted at 
 the mast-head of the Santa Maria, and the vessels
 
 160 COLUMBIA 
 
 weighed anchor. They were scarcely clear of the 
 harbor, and the gray twilight still overspread the 
 waters, when a vessel, suddenly rounding a point, 
 came within bow-shot of the Santa Maria. 
 
 "Admiral! the Portuguese!" cried Hernando, 
 who stood on the poop-deck. 
 
 The quick eye of Columbus soon discovered the 
 boy's mistake. "It is a Moorish caravel," he an 
 swered. The Moor came along until she was near 
 enough for the Spaniards to see her deck, and, as 
 it grew lighter every moment, they even made out 
 the features of the dark-skinned sailors. 
 
 "Hernando Estevan," cried a voice from the 
 approaching vessel. "Son of the Christian slave, 
 whither are you bound? Be where it may, take 
 the curse of the Moor with you." 
 
 The speaker was a tall, powerful fellow, whose 
 left ear had been cut away close to his head. It 
 was the lad's old enemy, Abdallah Ahmed. 
 
 Before Hernando could reply, the Moorish caravel 
 swept by, and the little fleet went bounding away 
 before a stiff breeze. Land faded from sight, and 
 they were far, far out on an unknown sea, seeking 
 an unknown world.
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 THE MUTINY. 
 
 COLUMBUS felt relieved when land finally disap 
 peared, and they were speeding farther and farther 
 away into the unknown wilderness of water. "They 
 cannot desert now; we must go on." 
 
 The wind was fair and the vessels made good 
 speed. The Nina, now that her sails were squared, 
 managed to keep pace with the others. Most of 
 the crew had borne up well until now, but on losing 
 sight of the last trace of land and knowing that they 
 were entering upon an unexplored ocean, their hearts 
 failed them. On the second day out Columbus 
 found a strong sailor in tears. 
 
 "How is this, a man weeping? Shame! It is 
 for women and children to shed tears," he said, 
 halting at the sailor's side. 
 
 "Never before have men been separated from 
 the world as we are," answered the sailor. "Behind 
 us is everything that the heart holds dear country, 
 family, friends, life itself; before us are mystery, 
 chaos, and death." 
 
 "Oh, no, my brave man! Do not despair! We 
 have far different things before us," said Columbus, 
 in a cheerful tone. "You will live to return home 
 VOL iii 161
 
 162 COLUMBIA 
 
 and tell those friends of adventures of which they 
 never dreamed." 
 
 "No, no, we shall never see our homes again," 
 said another. 
 
 It became necessary for the admiral to inspire 
 them with hope and confidence, in order to avert 
 serious results. A number of the despairing ones 
 had gathered about, and he addressed them thus: 
 
 "Why give way to fears and cowardice when so 
 much lies in store for you? A lofty ambition should 
 fill you with joy at our glorious anticipations. I 
 am taking you to magnificent countries; to islands 
 in the Indian seas teeming with gold and precious 
 stones; to the regions of Mangi and Cathay, with their 
 cities of universal wealth and splendor. Be of good 
 cheer, and I will give you lands and gold in abun 
 dance. Riches in gold, jewels, and fine raiment, 
 such as kings might envy, shall be yours. Why 
 will you despair?" 
 
 Columbus made these promises, believing confi 
 dently that they would all be realized. 
 
 He issued orders to the other vessels that in 
 case they should become separated, they should 
 keep on due westward; but that, after sailing seven 
 hundred leagues, they should lay by from midnight 
 until daylight. At about that distance he expected 
 to find land. 
 
 It seems remarkable that Columbus should have 
 taken into his confidence one so young as Hernando, 
 but the lad had been with him so long and he had
 
 THE MUTINY 163 
 
 found the boy's judgment so good, that in some things 
 he trusted him even before the Pinzons. Hernando 
 was quick of perception and seemed to read the 
 thoughts of the sailors. On discovering that their 
 fears increased with the distance from Spain, he 
 communicated with the admiral. 
 
 "If there were only some way to deceive them," 
 said Hernando. "If we could only make them be 
 lieve that we were not going so far nor so fast as we 
 are, it might allay their apprehensions." 
 
 With a smile Columbus answered: 
 
 "Many years since, I learned a lesson that may be 
 of great advantage to me now." 
 
 "What was it, admiral?" 
 
 "It happened once, that King Reiner whom 
 God hath taken to himself sent me to Tunis 
 to capture the galley Fernandina. When I arrived 
 off the island of St. Pedro in Sardinia I was informed 
 there were two ships and a carrack with the galley; 
 by which intelligence my crew were so troubled 
 that they determined to proceed no farther, but to 
 return to Marseilles for another vessel and more 
 men. As I could not by any means compel them, 
 I assented, apparently, to their wishes, altering the 
 point of the compass and spreading all sail. It 
 was then evening, and next morning we were 
 within the Cape of Carthagenia, while all were 
 firmly of opinion that they were sailing toward 
 Marseilles." 
 
 "How can that lesson help us now, admiral? "
 
 164 COLUMBIA 
 
 "It is never wise for the commander of a ship to 
 let the crew know all, and sometimes it may be 
 necessary to deceive them." 
 
 "Are you now deceiving them? " 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 "In what way?" 
 
 "I knew their anxiety and terror were increasing 
 in proportion to their distance from their native land, 
 and I keep two reckonings." 
 
 "Two?" 
 
 "Yes, two; one correct, which no one but myself 
 sees, in which the true course of the ship is noted; 
 in the other, which is open to general inspection, a 
 number of leagues is daily subtracted from the sailing 
 of the ship, so they are in ignorance of our real dis 
 tance." 
 
 On the eleventh day of September, when about 
 one hundred and fifty leagues west of Ferro, the look 
 out called the attention of Columbus to something 
 floating on the water. 
 
 "What is it? " asked the admiral. 
 
 "A mast," Hernando answered. The boy was in 
 the forecastle and was one of the first to make the 
 discovery. 
 
 Columbus signaled the other vessels to lay to. 
 Lowering a boat, Hernando with six others pulled to 
 the piece of floating mast and brought it on ship 
 board. From its size, it evidently had belonged to a 
 vessel of about one hundred and twenty tons burden, 
 and it had lain in the water until it was almost rotted.
 
 THE MUTINY 165 
 
 The crews of the exploring ships, alive to everything 
 that could excite hopes or fears, looked with rueful 
 eyes upon this wreck of some unfortunate voyager, 
 drifting ominously at the entrance of those unknown 
 seas. 
 
 "Do not allow this to alarm you," said Columbus 
 to the crews, when he saw that a panic was likely to 
 spread among them. "This broken mast has no 
 doubt been in the water for years, and probably has 
 floated from one of our own ports." By alternately 
 encouraging and threatening them, .he allayed to a 
 slight degree their dread of the unknown sea. 
 
 Hernando, boy as he was, studied the admiral. 
 He was continually in his confidence, knew many of 
 his secrets, and soon became aware of the fact that the 
 admiral was becoming more perplexed and puz 
 zled as they advanced farther into this unknown 
 region. The very heavens were changing. The con 
 stellations of the east were disappearing and strangers 
 taking their places. 
 
 On the evening of September the 13th, Hernando 
 chanced to go to the admiral's cabin. They had 
 advanced fifty leagues farther into the unknown 
 world, and even Hernando had almost begun to doubt 
 that the admiral was correct in his calculations. He 
 found the navigator seated at a table with a chart 
 and compass before him. 
 
 Hernando was privileged to enter the admiral's 
 cabin at all hours. He spoke on entering but, re 
 ceiving no answer, gently closed the door, and took
 
 166 COLUMBIA 
 
 a step toward the admiral, so as to get a glimpse of 
 his face. Never had he seen anything more terri 
 fying. A deathlike pallor had overspread it, the 
 lips were parted as if gasping for breath, and he 
 almost fancied he could hear throbbing heart-beats. 
 What was the meaning of all this? Hernando knew 
 that some crisis was at hand. 
 
 "Admiral, admiral, what has happened?" he cried. 
 
 "See, it varies!" cried Columbus, starting to his 
 feet; and clutching the lad's arm he pointed to the 
 compass. "It varies; it no longer points to the north." 
 
 For a moment the boy stood in speechless amaze 
 ment. But he was ignorant of the art of navigation, 
 and the face of this man on whose knowledge and 
 judgment he had staked his life inspired far greater 
 fear in him than did the shifting instrument before 
 them. 
 
 "What made it wrong? " Hernando asked. 
 
 For a moment Columbus did not answer. At last 
 he said: 
 
 "It seems as if the very laws of nature are being 
 reversed as we advance, and that we are entering 
 another world, subject to unknown influences." 
 
 "Perhaps the compass is broken." 
 
 "No, they are all the same. I have thought for 
 several days they were varying. As we advance, they 
 no longer point to the north, but to the northwest. 
 Day by day for three days I have studied this won 
 derful phenomenon, something the world has never 
 known."
 
 THE MUTINY 167 
 
 The boy grew frightened, and, turning to Colum 
 bus, asked: 
 
 "What are you going to do? Must we go back 
 and leave my poor father in this unknown world?" 
 
 "Would you go back?" 
 
 "No; not if every law of nature were reversed." 
 
 "Noble lad, neither would I. The change of the 
 compass is only a new discovery in science, and can 
 be harmonized with navigation, though it will cause 
 us no little trouble when our pilots discover it. I 
 must find some excuse for the variation of the needle." 
 
 "Can it be kept secret?" 
 
 "Impossible. They have the sailing of the ship, 
 and will soon know it." 
 
 At this moment, a form was crouching at the 
 door of the cabin, a pair of dark, piercing eyes were 
 glittering with fiendish satisfaction. Under his 
 breath Miguel the spy hissed: 
 
 "Something has gone wrong. What is it? I 
 wish I could catch the words." 
 
 Then hearing footsteps he sped away into the 
 darkness. 
 
 Columbus was not mistaken in regard to the pilots. 
 They were quick to perceive the variation, and a little 
 later three of them came to the admiral. Sancho 
 Ruiz was spokesman. 
 
 "Lord admiral," he said, "we have made a very 
 wonderful, if not alarming, discovery." 
 
 "What is it?" asked Columbus. 
 
 "The laws of nature are changing as we enter
 
 168 COLUMBIA 
 
 another world, and come under unknown influ 
 ences." 
 
 "Make your meaning more plain, Ruiz." 
 
 "The compass is about to lose its power, and 
 without it we have no guide in the vast, trackless 
 ocean. It no longer points directly north, but is 
 varying northwest." 
 
 Columbus taxed his ingenuity to the utmost for 
 explanations to allay their terror. He allowed no 
 outward demonstration to indicate that he was not 
 master of the situation. With entire composure, he 
 answered : 
 
 "What you say is true, Senor Ruiz, but if you 
 will examine the matter closely it becomes very 
 simple. The direction of the needle is not to the 
 polar star, but to some fixed and invisible point. 
 These variations which we have discovered are not 
 caused by any fallacy in the compass, but by the 
 movement of the north star itself, which, like other 
 heavenly bodies, has changed its revolutions, and 
 every day describes a circle round the pole." 
 
 The pilots beheld in Columbus a profound astron 
 omer, and his theory was accepted as correct. On 
 the next day, the 14th of September, Hernando was 
 standing on the deck of the Santa Maria, when he 
 suddenly saw two large birds, and running aft to 
 Columbus, he called: 
 
 "Admiral, here is a good omen birds flying! " 
 
 "Birds! a harbinger of land! Where are they?" 
 cried Columbus, going forward.
 
 THE MUTINY 169 
 
 "There!" answered several sailors, pointing to 
 the birds within bow-shot of the vessel's prow. 
 
 "A heron and a Rabo de Jun.co," cried Columbus. 
 "These are fowls which never venture far from land. 
 Our voyage will soon be over." 
 
 All the afternoon the two birds hovered about the 
 ships, but disappeared at sundown. Those tropical 
 nights were delightfully cool, but dark. The sky 
 was a stranger to the voyagers, and they seemed glid 
 ing on into a vast unknown world of water. 
 
 "Santa Maria! Look!" cried a sailor. 
 
 "Saints preserve us!" groaned scores of voices. 
 
 The whole sky was lit with a lurid glare. A great 
 flame of fire seemed to fall from the dark heavens 
 into the sea, about four or five leagues distant. 
 
 It was a meteor, a common phenomenon in warm 
 climates, and especially in the tropics. They are 
 always observed in the serene blue sky, falling as it 
 were from the heavens, but never beneath a cloud. 
 In the transparent atmosphere of one of those beauti 
 ful nights, when every star shines with the purest 
 lustre, they often leave a luminous train behind, 
 lasting twelve or fifteen seconds, and might easily 
 be mistaken for a flame. The boldest sailors were 
 on their knees, believing they were entering a sea of 
 fire and that the ships would soon be consumed. 
 Again Columbus was put to his best to explain all 
 he knew of meteors, and it took some time to restore 
 even partial confidence to his men. 
 
 With favorable winds and occasional showers,
 
 170 COLUMBIA 
 
 they had made considerable progress, though, ac 
 cording to the secret plan of Columbus, he managed 
 to suppress several leagues in the daily reckoning, 
 to which the crew had access. 
 
 Coming within the influence of the trade winds, 
 they were wafted speedily over a tranquil sea and 
 for several days they did not shift a sail. All 
 were amazed and delighted with the bland and tem 
 perate weather, so soft and cool and soothing. The 
 entire day was like an Andalusian April morn, and 
 wanted but the song of the nightingale to complete 
 the illusion. 
 
 They now came to a part of the sea where large 
 patches of herbs were found drifting from the west, 
 and these increased in abundance as they advanced. 
 Some were of the kinds that grow about rocks; 
 others such as are produced in fresh water streams. 
 While some were yellow and withered, many were 
 green and fresh as if they had just been washed from 
 land. One day, a white tropical bird, such as never 
 sleeps on the sea, was discovered; tunny fish, also, 
 were seen playing about the vessels. 
 
 Filled with joy and hope, Columbus gathered the 
 crew of his vessel in the forecastle, and thus addressed 
 them 
 
 "My brave men, you need no longer despair, for 
 we are, without doubt, nearing land. There is an 
 account given by Aristotle of certain ships of Cadiz, 
 which, coasting the shores outside the straits of 
 Gibraltar, were driven westward by an impetuous
 
 THE MUTINY 171 
 
 east wind, until they reached a part of the ocean 
 covered with weeds, resembling sunken islands, and 
 in the waters they found many tunny fish, as we 
 see them. All these things indicate that we are 
 certainly not far from land." 
 
 Next day two boobies, birds which seldom fly 
 more than twenty leagues from land, were sighted. 
 This further added to their hopes and encourage 
 ment. 
 
 The weeds continued to increase, and Miguel, 
 ever watchful for an opportunity to breed discontent 
 among the sailors, suggested that the weeds might 
 continue to grow thicker on the surface of the water, 
 until it would be impossible for the ships to force 
 their way through. The wind was gentle at all 
 times, and for hours there would be absolute calm. 
 
 "You have all heard how ships have been frozen 
 up in the northern seas, unable to move," argued 
 Miguel to a party of willing listeners. "That will 
 be our fate. The wind is constantly falling off, and 
 we shall soon be unable to stir." 
 
 Hernando, who had become a self-constituted 
 spy upon Miguel, hastened to Columbus. The 
 admiral listened with an attentive ear, and, when the 
 lad had finished, said, in his grave, solemn manner: 
 
 "The fellow is mischievous, Hernando; watcJi 
 him, and I will go at once and pacify the crew." 
 
 When Columbus reached the deck, he found 
 terror and desperation about to seize the sailors. 
 
 "Why are you alarmed?" he asked. "These
 
 172 COLUMBIA 
 
 weeds and this calm are, beyond a doubt, caused by 
 our near approach to land." 
 
 Notwithstanding the assurances of the admiral, 
 the crews were not satisfied, and the mischievous 
 Miguel was constantly fomenting discontent. The 
 more Columbus argued, the more boisterous be 
 came the murmurs of his crew, until, on Sunday, 
 the 25th of September, there came a heavy swell 
 of the sea, unaccompanied by wind a phenom 
 enon which often occurs in the broad ocean 
 being either the expiring undulations of some past 
 gale or the movements given the sea by some dis 
 tant current of wind. It was nevertheless regarded 
 with astonishment by the mariners, and for a short 
 time dispelled their imaginary terrors, occasioned by 
 the calm. 
 
 From this time on, the situation became daily 
 more critical. The favorable signs, which increased 
 the admiral's confidence in the belief that they were 
 nearing land, were derided by Miguel and those 
 craven spirits whom he had gathered about him, so 
 that Columbus began to fear they would yet compel 
 him to turn back. 
 
 It was night one of those strange, still nights, 
 such as no one aboard the squadron had ever seen 
 before. The sky was full of strangers; the sea, 
 of weeds and grass. The admiral was alone in his 
 cabin, filled with anxiety, when Hernando entered. 
 
 "I am glad you have come, Hernando, for we have 
 reached a crisis," said Columbus.
 
 THE MUTINY 173 
 
 "What do you mean, admiral?" 
 
 "All day long I have watched them, gathered 
 about in little knots and groups; they have fed 
 each other's discontents, until now the storm is ready 
 to break." 
 
 The admiral was in armor, and his sword lay on the 
 table at his side. The boy regarded these signs as 
 ominous, and asked: 
 
 "What would you have me do? " 
 
 "You are a brave lad, and I can trust you. Go, 
 arm yourself, and be ready for any emergency. Then, 
 putting on your cloak so as to conceal your armor, 
 go forth on deck, learn what they are doing, get their 
 plans, and return." 
 
 "I will." 
 
 The lad bowed and retired. 
 
 "If my brother, and a handful more that I could 
 trust as I do that boy, were on board, I should feel 
 safe. Though some of the crew seem faithful, at 
 times I mistrust all." 
 
 While the admiral was thus moodily and almost 
 despairingly meditating on his present perilous condi 
 tion and the mutinous disposition of the crew, there 
 came a sharp rap on the door of his cabin. 
 
 "Come in," he called. 
 
 The door opened, and Ruiz the pilot, followed by 
 half a dozen, entered. 
 
 "Lord admiral," said Ruiz, "the crew are about 
 to mutiny, being determined to make us turn back." 
 
 "Never!" said Columbus. "No, though these
 
 174 COLUMBIA 
 
 decks swim with blood, we will prosecute our voyage 
 to the end." 
 
 In the meanwhile the little spy was cautiously 
 creeping along the dark deck to where the crew were 
 gathered in a knot at the forecastle, with Miguel 
 haranguing them. Slowly and cautiously, on bended 
 knees, without noise, and with the motions of a creep 
 ing cat, Hernando glided nearer to the mutineers. 
 Reaching a gun-carriage unobserved, he crouched 
 down in the darkness behind it and listened. 
 
 Unaware of his presence, Miguel continued. 
 With zeal and eloquence he was saying: 
 
 "This man is a desperado, bent in his mad fantasy 
 upon doing something extravagantly notorious. 
 What are our sufferings and dangers to one content to 
 lose his own life for the chance of fame and distinction ? 
 What obligations bind us to continue with him ? And 
 when, pray, will the terms of our contract be fulfilled ? 
 We have already penetrated unknown seas untrav- 
 ersed by a ship, far beyond man's usual sailing. 
 You have already won names for courage and hardi 
 hood in undertaking such an enterprise and persist 
 ing in it, and how much farther are we to go in quest 
 of merely conjectured land? Are we to sail until we 
 perish, or until return becomes impossible? If we 
 do, we shall be the authors of our own destruction. If 
 we consult our safety and turn back before it is too 
 late, who can blame us? Complaints made by 
 Columbus will have no weight, for he is a foreigner, 
 without friends or influence, and his schemes have
 
 THE MUTINY 175 
 
 been condemned by the most learned men in Spain. 
 He has no party to uphold him, and a host of 
 opponents who would rejoice at his failure. If 
 you fear his complaints, we might seize him and 
 cast him into the sea, giving out that he had acci 
 dentally fallen overboard." 
 
 "Seize him," interrupted one. 
 
 "Yes, seize the admiral and cast him overboard," 
 cried another. 
 
 "Let us strike at once." 
 
 "At once, at once," and a dozen daggers and 
 swords flashed in the starlight. The mutineers rose 
 and moved toward the cabin. 
 
 Swift as a flash the lad glided along the deck of 
 the vessel and darted through the cabin door. 
 
 There stood the admiral, sword in hand, the pilot, 
 and five others, all with weapons drawn. 
 
 "Lord admiral, they are coming the mutineers 
 are coming! " cried the lad, his eyes flashing with 
 excitement. 
 
 "Come, we will meet them on deck! " cried Colum 
 bus, and with drawn sword he led out his handful of 
 faithful followers.
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 LIGHTS ALONG THE SHORE. 
 
 INSTEAD of finding Columbus unprepared, as they 
 had confidently anticipated, the mutineers were 
 themselves surprised. They had expected to find 
 the admiral alone in the cabin; instead, he met them, 
 sword in hand, on the quarter-deck, with a half- 
 dozen brave men, well armed, close behind him. 
 The ship's lanterns were deceitful and did not reveal 
 the real number of Columbus's followers. 
 
 "There they are, admiral," cried the lad, pointing 
 out the mutineers with his sword. 
 
 "Knaves! villains! " cried the admiral. "Would 
 you disobey the good queen's commands, leave 
 wonderful discoveries to others, and bring certain 
 destruction upon yourselves?" and he advanced 
 threateningly toward them. 
 
 The mutineers, dismayed at having their secret 
 plans discovered, made scarcely any resistance; 
 and throwing down their weapons, all, save Miguel, 
 fled to the forward part of the ship, where they 
 dropped on their knees, implored mercy, and swore 
 future obedience to all orders. Miguel would have 
 followed their inglorious example had not the admiral 
 disarmed him and held him fast. 
 176
 
 LIGHTS ALONG THE SHORE ffl 
 
 "Oh, pray, my lord, spare me!" he cried, strug 
 gling desperately to break away. 
 
 "Cease, villain; cease your struggling, or I will 
 run you through," cried Columbus. 
 
 But the trembling wretch continued to implore 
 the admiral to spare his life. 
 
 "Have mercy oh, have mercy!" he groaned. 
 
 "Know you not the fate of traitors and muti 
 neers? " 
 
 "Oh, pray, have mercy! " 
 
 "Do you deserve it? " 
 
 "Mercy, mercy!" 
 
 "The law put your life in my power, and you have 
 forfeited all claims to mercy." 
 
 "Spare me, spare me! " 
 
 Hernando was too kind-hearted not to be moved 
 by those pleadings and tears. 
 
 "Spare him, I pray you, my lord," he began. 
 
 "Do you ask that he be spared?" 
 
 "Surely he can do us no harm if he be kept con 
 fined in the hold and in chains." 
 
 The admiral had a tender heart, but sound judg 
 ment told him that in this case it was best to assume 
 harshness. Fear is the iron hand with which to con 
 trol such incorrigible characters as Miguel. Drag 
 ging the mutineer to his feet, he gave him over to 
 the officers and said: 
 
 "Take him below, load him down with irons, and 
 see that he communicates with no one. His fate 
 shall be determined hereafter." 
 
 Vol. 112
 
 178 COLUMBIA 
 
 A groan went up from the prisoner. He knew full 
 well that by maritime law, he had forfeited his life. 
 
 Ruiz and one or two more seized the culprit and 
 dragged him from the deck. He begged and im 
 plored for life, but was unceremoniously taken 
 down into the hold of the ship and there made fast. 
 Columbus put up his sword and walked boldly for 
 ward, where the remainder of his crew were gathered 
 in the forecastle, trembling with dread apprehension 
 at the admiral's dire wrath. 
 
 "Oh, mercy, mercy!" the most timid began. 
 
 Having witnessed the treatment of their ring 
 leader, they entertained little hope of escaping pun 
 ishment. 
 
 "Mercy!" said the admiral, sternly. "Do you 
 deserve mercy?" 
 
 "Mercy, mercy!" 
 
 "Down on your knees, all of you, and swear never 
 again to attempt mutiny." 
 
 All fell on their knees, and swore anew allegiance 
 to the admiral. Columbus then ordered them to 
 return to their duties. 
 
 "Bear in mind," he added sternly, as the sailors 
 began to disperse, "the first man who makes another 
 attempt at mutiny dies." 
 
 Harshness was not natural with Columbus and 
 it was only toward the most desperate that he con 
 tinued to exercise it. He meted out to each such in 
 ducements as were necessary to create loyalty in him, 
 or strengthen it. Maintaining a serene and steady
 
 LIGHTS ALONG THE SHORE 179 
 
 countenance, soothing some with gentle words, en 
 deavoring to stimulate the pride and avarice of 
 others, and openly menacing the refractory with 
 signal punishment should they do more to impede 
 the voyage, he again became master of the ship. 
 
 Hernando, who had ever been faithful to the 
 admiral, even at the imminent risk of losing his life, 
 was now even more than ever in his confidence. 
 
 He begged that Miguel be spared. 
 
 "By law he has forfeited his life," Columbus an 
 swered. 
 
 "Is not mercy due even where life is forfeited? " 
 
 "Not when it jeopardizes other lives," said the 
 admiral. "If I spare this man, as you would have 
 me do, what assurance have I that he will not again 
 incite the crew to mutiny?" 
 
 "His oath, my lord." 
 
 "His oath is of no more strength than a rope of 
 sand." 
 
 "Will you not try him?" 
 
 "Try him? It would be criminal now to give 
 that man his liberty. The morality and lives of the 
 crew, as well as the success of our enterprise, depend 
 on his being kept in chains." 
 
 "But you will not put him to death? " 
 
 "Neither he nor his late companions in the mu 
 tiny must think otherwise. You need rest; go to 
 your bunk and take what sleep you can get." 
 
 "Admiral, you are in need of rest yourself. You 
 have scarcely slept for weeks."
 
 180 COLUMBIA 
 
 "Nor will I sleep, save enough to preserve life 
 and reason, until we have sighted the shores of this 
 new world. Get to your berth, and do not disturb 
 your mind with thoughts of the wicked. They 
 bring their own misery on themselves." 
 
 Next day the wind again became favorable, and 
 they were enabled to resume their course directly 
 westward. The breezes being light and the sea 
 calm, the vessels sailed so near to each other that 
 Columbus and Martin Alonzo Pinzon stood on 
 their own decks, and conversed with each other for 
 hours. 
 
 "Have you quelled the mutiny?" asked Pinzon. 
 
 "Effectually." 
 
 "I don't see the chief hanging at your yard-arms." 
 
 "I am menacing others with his fate. If the 
 crews continue faithful, I may even give them their 
 liberties on reaching land." 
 
 The idea of mercy to the mutineers was repug 
 nant to Pinzon, who believed in dealing out only the 
 sternest justice. 
 
 "Have you examined the chart I sent you three 
 days ago?" asked Columbus. 
 
 "I have." 
 
 "Where do you think we are? " 
 
 "According to the indications, we must be in the 
 neighborhood of the island of Cipango, and the other 
 islands which you have marked on the map." 
 
 "I believe so, too, but it is possible that the ships 
 have been borne out of their track by the prevail-
 
 LIGHTS ALONG THE SHORE 181 
 
 ing currents, or we may not have come so far as the 
 pilots have reckoned." 
 
 Columbus was shrewd enough to provide against 
 possible disappointment. It might be fatal to his 
 plans to set a time or distance too accurately for 
 reaching the mystic shore, the whereabouts of which 
 he was shrewdly guessing. 
 
 " There may be a mistake," said Martin Alonzo 
 Pinzon, "and yet I feel confident we are nearing 
 land." 
 
 "Everything goes to prove it. Have you finished 
 with the chart?" 
 
 "Yes, for the present." 
 
 "Please toss it to the deck of my ship." 
 
 They were sailing so close together that Martin 
 Pinzon tied a cord to the chart and flung it on board 
 the Santa Maria. It fell at the feet of Columbus, 
 who picked it up and spread it out before him. Ruiz 
 and Hernando were at the side of the admiral, and 
 several sailors were near, all eager to know something 
 of their locality. 
 
 Suddenly a wild shout rang out from the deck of 
 the Pinta. 
 
 "What is that?" cried Columbus. 
 
 "See, see! " shouted Hernando, pointing to Martin 
 Alonzo Pinzon, who was standing on the high poop- 
 deck at the stern of his vessel, looking off to the 
 southwest. 
 
 "Land, land!" cried Pinzon, at the top of his 
 voice.
 
 182 COLUMBIA 
 
 The keen eyes of Columbus followed the direction 
 indicated by Pinzon's finger, and he saw, about 
 twenty-five leagues away, what indeed had the ap 
 pearance of land. The admiral threw himself on his 
 knees and returned thanks to God, all his crew fol 
 lowing his example, and the wildest rejoicing followed. 
 On board the Pinta, a scene of equal excitement and 
 a ceremony fully as impressive had begun. Martin 
 Alonzo Pinzon repeated the Gloria in excelsis, in 
 which he was joined by the crews of all three vessels. 
 
 The seamen now mounted to the masthead or 
 climbed about the rigging, straining their eyes in the 
 direction pointed out. The conviction of land in 
 that quarter became so general, and the joy of the 
 people so ungovernable, that Columbus found it 
 necessary to vary from his usual course, and stand 
 all night to the southwest. The morning light, how 
 ever, put an end to all their hopes, as to a dream. 
 The fancied land proved to be nothing but an even 
 ing cloud, which vanished during the night. With 
 dejected hearts they once more resumed their west 
 ern course, from which Columbus would never have 
 varied but in compliance with the clamorous wishes 
 of his crew. 
 
 "I will change no more," he said. " For several 
 hours we have followed a chimera; henceforth we 
 shall steer by our original course." 
 
 For several days they continued, with the same 
 propitious breeze, tranquil sea, and mild, soothing 
 weather. The water was so calm that the sailors
 
 LIGHTS ALONG THE SHORE 183 
 
 amused themselves by swimming about the vessel. 
 Dolphins began to abound, and flying fish darting 
 into the air, fell upon the decks. The continued 
 signs of land diverted the attention of the crews and 
 insensibly lured them onward. 
 
 A reckoning was made on October 1st, which, 
 according to figures furnished the pilots, was five 
 hundred and eight-four leagues from the Canary 
 Islands, but the true reckoning was seven hundred 
 and seven. On the 2d of October, discouraging signs 
 appeared, the weeds were seen floating from the east 
 to the west, and on the third day no birds were 
 sighted. 
 
 At noonday Martin Pinzon hailed the admiral's 
 ship, and desired to come on board for consultation. 
 
 "Come!" Columbus answered, though he seemed 
 to know what the proposed consultation portended. 
 
 When Pinzon was aboard the admiral's vessel 
 he said: 
 
 "I fear, my lord admiral, we have passed between 
 islands, from one to the other of which the birds have 
 been flying." 
 
 "Such are the indications." Columbus answered. 
 
 "Would it not be well to change our course, and 
 steer farther south? " 
 
 "No; our charts and maps all indicate that 
 Cipango, Maguay, and St. Borodon lie westward." 
 
 "The crews are beginning to murmur again." 
 
 "I am sorry, as it will compel me to resort to a 
 stricter discipline than I had intended. I have one
 
 184 COLUMBIA 
 
 of their number now in irons, and it may be necessary 
 to place others there, or even resort to hanging the 
 leaders, rather than ruin the expedition." 
 
 Next day there was a decided change, and the 
 hopes of all rose once more. They were visited by 
 such flights of birds and the various indications of 
 land became so numerous, that from a state of de 
 spondency they passed into one of confident expecta 
 tion. The sailors, eager to obtain the promised prize, 
 were continually giving the cry of land on the least 
 appearance of anything resembling an island. 
 
 Realizing the demoralizing effects of raising false 
 hopes, Columbus declared that should any one give 
 such notice, and land not be discovered within three 
 days afterward, he should henceforth forfeit all claim 
 to the reward. 
 
 On the morning of the 6th of October, Martin 
 Alonzo Pinzon again came on board, and notified 
 Columbus that he was losing confidence in their 
 present course. He urged the admiral to change it, 
 but Columbus refused and issued an order, that 
 should the ships become separated, each was to stand 
 due west and endeavor as soon as possible to join the 
 company again. He also directed that the vessels 
 should keep near him at sunrise and sunset, since 
 at those periods the atmosphere was most favorable 
 to the discovery of distant land. 
 
 On the 7th of October, several of the admiral's 
 crew thought they saw land to westward, but none 
 ventured to proclaim it for fear of losing the reward.
 
 LIGHTS ALONG THE SHORE 185 
 
 "The Nina sees it," Hernando whispered to the 
 admiral. "Look how she presses forward. Santa 
 Maria, what a sailor she is! " 
 
 The boy and the admiral stood side by side, the 
 former in breathless excitement, the latter calm and 
 unmoved, watching the ship. 
 
 "See, see!" cried Hernando, clapping his hands 
 with joy. "She hoists a flag at her masthead, and 
 there goes a gun." 
 
 The boom of one of the ship's cannon at this 
 moment rang out over the sea. New joy was awak 
 ened throughout the little squadron and every eye 
 was turned to the west. As they advanced, how 
 ever, their cloud-built hopes faded away, and be 
 fore evening the fancied land had again melted 
 into air. 
 
 Again dejection settled on the crew, and it required 
 all the skill of Columbus to rouse them. 
 
 "Look at the great flights of birds going south 
 west," he said. "They must be certain of some 
 neighboring land, where they will find food and a 
 resting-place. The Portuguese attach great impor 
 tance to the flight of birds; for by following them 
 they have made most of their discoveries." 
 
 Columbus had now come seven hundred and fifty 
 leagues, the distance at which he had expected to find 
 the island of Cipango; but as there was no appear 
 ance of it, he concluded he must have missed it 
 through some mistake in the latitude. On the 7th of 
 October, he hailed the Pinta, and asked her captain
 
 186 COLUMBIA 
 
 to come aboard the Santa Maria. When he came 
 Columbus said: 
 
 "I have been thinking, Pinzon, that we might have 
 passed the island of Cipango, and, as all the birds 
 seem flying west-southwest, we had better alter our 
 course to that point, for two or three days at least."* 
 
 "I am in accord with you, admiral; it will not be 
 much of a deviation, in any event," returned Martin 
 Alonzo Pinzon. 
 
 "I shall give immediate orders for the whole 
 squadron to sail for three days in the new course 
 which I have laid down." 
 
 During the three days in which the squadron 
 stood in the new course, the flights of birds increased 
 as they advanced. 
 
 But, as land was not reached, the crew came to 
 regard all this as a mere delusion, beguiling them 
 on to destruction; and when, on the evening of the 
 third day, they saw the sun go down on a shoreless 
 ocean, they broke forth into a turbulent clamor. 
 They exclaimed against this obstinacy, as they 
 termed it, in continuing a voyage into a boundless 
 ocean, and insisted on abandoning it as hopeless and 
 foolish. The seeds of dissension sown by Miguel had 
 taken firm root, and though the chief mutineer was 
 in chains below, his plans flourished after him. 
 
 * This determination to change his course to west-south 
 west, a course always favored by the Pinzons, doubtless gave 
 rise to the absurdly untrue story, that Columbus had prom 
 ised the mutineers, if no land were discovered in three days, 
 he would return to Spain.
 
 LIGHTS ALONG THE SHORE 187 
 
 Columbus tried to pacify them by gentle words and 
 promise of large rewards, but finding their discontent 
 increasing, he once more assumed a decided tone. 
 Calling Hernando, Roderigo de Escobar, Diego de 
 Arana, Roderigo Sanchez, and all the officers and 
 gentry of the king's household about him, he bade 
 them again don their swords and bucklers; and once 
 more he faced the mutineers. 
 
 Stern determination marked every line of the 
 admiral's features, and advancing on the mob, which, 
 sullen and almost defiant, had fallen back to the 
 forecastle, he cried: 
 
 "I have come to crush out this mutiny forever. 
 It is useless for you to resist. The expedition has 
 been sent out by your sovereigns to seek the Indies; 
 and happen what may, I am determined to perse 
 vere, until by the blessing of God I shall accom 
 plish the enterprise." 
 
 For the time being Columbus and the officers 
 over-awed the mutineers, but from day to day they 
 continued to murmur, and gradually grew more bold. 
 Fortunately, the manifestations of land on the follow 
 ing day no longer admitted of doubt. At early morn 
 Hernando was in the forecastle, and called the admi 
 ral's attention to the increased quantity of seaweeds. 
 
 "I observed them, but we have had floating 
 weeds for days." 
 
 "There's something we've not had," cried the 
 boy, pointing to an object in the water near the 
 prow of the vessel.
 
 188 COLUMBIA 
 
 "What, my lad?" 
 
 "There is a green fish such as keeps about the 
 rocks." 
 
 "True, true you are quite right; I see it now 
 myself. That is certainly a good omen." 
 
 "And there look, what is that?" the boy 
 shouted in a burst of joy. 
 
 "What where?" 
 
 "A bush a floating bush!" 
 
 "I see it," cried the admiral, almost as much 
 elated as the lad. "Lower a boat." 
 
 "Let me go and get it?" cried Hernando. 
 
 "You shall." 
 
 Consequently, when the boat was lowered, Her 
 nando took his place in the bow. Six sturdy sailors 
 seized the oars and the boat glided through the 
 waters to the green object, which was a branch of 
 thorn-bush bearing some red berries. Hernando 
 seized it with a shout of joy. As the boat rowed 
 back to the ship, he plucked off one of the berries, 
 saying: 
 
 "I will be first to eat the fruit of the new world." 
 
 The berry was tart, but palatable, and of a species 
 unknown to Columbus. The admiral next tasted of 
 the berries, and sent a few to the Pinzons. The same 
 day they picked up a reed, a small board, and a staff 
 artificially carved. All rebellious gloom now gave 
 way to sanguine expectation; and throughout the 
 day each one was eagerly on the watch, in the hope 
 of being first to discover the long-sought land.
 
 LIGHTS ALONG THE SHORE 189 
 
 At sunset a sailor, approaching Columbus, saluted 
 him meekly and said : 
 
 "My lord admiral, I come from the prisoner 
 Miguel, who has grown sick with confinement and 
 implores his liberty." 
 
 With a stern countenance, Columbus answered: 
 
 "No. Miguel has proven himself our enemy. 
 He has stirred up all the discontent and been the 
 author of much of the misery we have suffered, and 
 such mischief-makers cannot be granted liberty 
 before the promised land is reached." 
 
 " Will he be given freedom then? " 
 
 "Perhaps." 
 
 "He prays that he may be with the great and 
 good admiral when he lands." 
 
 Columbus was unable to refuse so small a request 
 and he granted it. 
 
 That evening when, according to the invariable 
 custom on board the admiral's ship, the mariners 
 had sung the Salve Regina, or vesper hymn to the 
 Virgin, Columbus addressed the crew solemnly. 
 
 "Consider how, by his grace, God has conducted 
 us with soft and favorable breezes across a tranquil 
 ocean, cheering our hopes with increasing signs, as 
 our fears augmented, leading and guiding us to the 
 promised land. Remember the orders I gave on 
 leaving the Canaries, that after sailing westward 
 seven hundred leagues, we make no sail after mid 
 night. Present appearances authorize such a pre 
 caution. It is probable that we shall make land
 
 190 COLUMBIA 
 
 this very night, so keep a vigilant lookout from the 
 forecastle, and whoever shall make the discovery 
 will receive in addition to the reward, a doublet of 
 velvet from the sovereigns." 
 
 The breeze had been fresh all day, with more 
 sea than usual, and progress had been considerable. 
 At sunset they again stood westward and ploughed 
 the waves at a rapid rate, the Pinta, owing to her 
 superior sailing, keeping ahead. Great animation 
 prevailed throughout the ships, and not an eye was 
 closed for sleep that night. 
 
 As Columbus took his station on the top of the 
 castle (at this day called cabin), on the high poop of 
 his vessel, Hernando, who followed him, asked- 
 
 "May I stay at your side tonight? " 
 
 "You may, brave lad. We shall see the fruition 
 of all our hopes before the dawn of day." 
 
 "Will my father be there? Will I find him?" 
 
 " I hope to find him and many other brave sailors 
 who may have been cast away." 
 
 About ten o'clock at night Columbus thought he 
 beheld a light glimmering in the distance. 
 
 "Hernando, do you see anything?" he asked. 
 
 "Where?" 
 
 "Look straight ahead." 
 
 After a few moments' staring into the intense 
 darkness, the boy answered: 
 
 "I believe I see a light." 
 
 "Are you quite sure? " 
 
 "I I am not. Yet it glimmers."
 
 LIGHTS ALONG THE SHORE 191 
 
 At this moment Pedro Gutierrez, gentleman of 
 the king's bed-chamber, chanced to pass by and 
 Columbus hailed him. 
 
 " Ay, ay," he answered. 
 
 " Do you see a light ahead ? " 
 
 " By the mass, I believe I do! " 
 
 Columbus was now trembling with excitement, 
 but determined to be certain before he announced 
 land. He called to Roderigo Sanchez, of Segovia, 
 and made the same inquiry. 
 
 "Come up to the round-house and be quite certain 
 of your answer," said the admiral; but before he could 
 ascend the lights had disappeared. They saw them 
 once or twice afterward, in sudden and passing 
 gleams, as if they were torches in the barks of fisher 
 men, rising and sinking on the waves, or in the hand 
 of some person on shore, borne up and down as he 
 walked from house to house. 
 
 So certain were they that they were approaching 
 land, and so eager to sight it during the night, that 
 despite former orders the vessels continued under 
 easy sail until two o'clock in the morning. 
 
 Roderigo de Triana, a sailor on board the Pinta, 
 was at the masthead, piercing the darkness with 
 eyes long accustomed to the sea. Suddenly his con 
 victions became a certainty, and he gave the joyful 
 shout of discovery. There was no mistake now, and 
 from a heart overburdened with joy he shouted: 
 
 "Land, land, land!"* 
 
 *The reward was afterward adjudged to the admiral, he 
 having first seen the light along the shore.
 
 192 COLUMBIA 
 
 The joyful cry was taken up by all the squadron, 
 and cannon boomed forth the glad tidings: "Land, 
 land, land!" 
 
 There was no sleep that night: all was given up 
 to joy and thanksgiving. Not two leagues away land 
 was to be seen plainly. Columbus ordered the ves 
 sels to lay to and wait for morning; and, as the 
 admiral paced the deck, his cheeks wet with tears of 
 joy, Hernando pressed his hand, and asked: 
 
 "Shall I see my father on the morrow?" 
 
 "God grant you may, brave lad and faithful son."
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 SEARCH FOR THE GRAND KHAN. 
 
 "GoD in heaven be glorified!" 
 
 The thoughts and feelings of Columbus from the 
 discovery of land to the dawn of day were tumultuous 
 and intense. At last, despite every difficulty and 
 danger, the great object of his life seemed within his 
 grasp. The mystery of the ocean was revealed; his 
 theory, which had been the scoff of sages, was tri 
 umphantly established, and he had secured to himself 
 a glory durable as the world itself. 
 
 It is difficult to conceive the feelings of so great 
 a man in this moment of triumph, or the conjectures 
 which thronged his mind as to the land before him, 
 enshrouded in darkness. That it was fruitful had been 
 evinced by the vegetation floating from the shores. 
 Even as he paced the deck of his vessel he thought he 
 perceived a strange aromatic fragrance from the shores 
 of that mystic land. Up and down, up and down 
 the deck, all night long the admiral walked, planning 
 and dreaming dreams for the future. Would the ris 
 ing sun throw its burning rays on a thousand gilded 
 towers and blazing minarets of some strange city, or 
 would he find merely a desert island, populated by a 
 Vol. Iis 193
 
 194 COLUMBIA 
 
 few shipwrecked mariners? With eager impatience 
 he waited the dawn of day. 
 
 Hernando moved restlessly about the ship, praying 
 that the morrow might prove auspicious to his dearest 
 wish. 
 
 " Father in heaven and the saints be praised! Oh, 
 grant that I may find him in this strange, new world! 
 Seas, cease your murmurs; the captive shall be free." 
 
 The waves laving the sides of the vessel seemed 
 to laugh with bubbling joy. 
 
 Would the night never wear away? Every man 
 on board the ships was eager for the dawn. Oh, for 
 one flash of sunlight to reveal to them that strange, 
 mysterious shore! Never did crew so long to see the 
 daylight come. The moving lights which had first 
 discovered the strange land to them were convincing 
 evidence that it was the residence of man. But who 
 were its inhabitants? Were they like those of other 
 parts of the globe, or were they some strange, mon 
 strous race, such as those whom the people of that day 
 were prone to imagine as peopling all remote and un 
 known regions? Was the land before them some wild 
 island of the far Indian sea, or the far-famed Cipango, 
 the object of bright golden fancies? 
 
 The night grew darker before dawn, and there 
 were those among the sailors who thought, after all, 
 that this was only another vision that would pass 
 away with the morning light. 
 
 The first faint streaks appearing in the eastern 
 horizon brought the sailors of every ship to the sides

 
 SEARCH FOR THE GRAND KHAN 195 
 
 of the vessels, and all eyes were strained to catch a 
 glimpse of that unknown land. 
 
 "It's there; it's no cloud that the sunlight will 
 dispel," whispered a dozen. 
 
 A sailor touched the admiral's arm, and, gaining 
 his attention, bowed and meekly said: 
 
 "I hope the admiral has not forgotten the unfor 
 tunate Miguel, who lies a prisoner below." 
 
 "Go and liberate him," was the answer. 
 
 "The admiral is very kind." 
 
 Brighter and brighter grew the morning until the 
 sable cloak of night faded to the sober gray of twi 
 light, which, chameleon-like, was turning to a rosy 
 light. The chill of early morn was unnoticed by 
 Columbus or his shivering, sleepless crew. 
 
 The liberated Miguel climbed to the deck, and, 
 gazing out over the waters, saw the land for which 
 the white-haired man and his boy companion had 
 dared so much. Then and there, had he possessed a 
 spark of manhood in his dark soul, he would have 
 repented. But his small, cunning eyes gleamed with 
 a new thought, and he muttered to himself: 
 
 "Neither Columbus nor the lad shall be first to 
 return with the glad news of this discovery. The 
 laurels they would win shall be snatched from them." 
 
 It was on Friday morning, the 12th of October, 
 1492, that Columbus first saw the New World. As 
 day dawned, his eager eyes beheld before him a level 
 island, several leagues in extent and covered with 
 trees, like a far-stretching orchard. No signs of cul-
 
 196 COLUMBIA 
 
 tivation or civilization were observable, and but for 
 the dark heads peeping out at them from the dense 
 foliage, he would have believed it uninhabited. At 
 last a strange, wild people, entirely naked, could be 
 seen running from all parts of the woods down to 
 the seashore. 
 
 "Do you see my father among them?" the lad 
 asked, as Columbus turned his glass on the men of 
 this strange, new land. 
 
 "No, my lad; but a slave would probably be left 
 in the interior." 
 
 Columbus brushed a tear from his eye as he spoke. 
 He knew how fond the delusion had grown to Her- 
 nando and how bitter would be his disappointment. 
 
 The admiral made signal for the ships to cast 
 anchor and the boats to be manned and armed. It 
 was a solemn and impressive ceremony: the man 
 who had suffered and dared so much was now about 
 to take possession of the new-found world in the name 
 of Spain. Columbus, accompanied by several royal 
 officers, including the notary public, Hernando Este- 
 van, the liberated Miguel, who stealthily slipped into 
 the boat just as it was pushing off, and a number of 
 armed sailors, set out for shore. Martin Alonzo 
 Pinzon and his brother, Vincent Yanez, put off in 
 their separate boats to accompany him, each with 
 a banner of the enterprise, emblazoned with a green 
 cross, having on either side the letters "F" and " Y," 
 the initials of the Castilian monarchs, Fernando and 
 Ysabel (Isabella) , surmounted by crowns.
 
 SEARCH FOR THE GRAND KHAN 197 
 
 For this imposing ceremony Columbus was richly 
 attired in scarlet, and carried the royal standard. 
 
 As he approached the shore, the explorers were 
 delighted with the purity and suavity of the atmos 
 phere, the crystal transparency of the sea, and extra 
 ordinary beauty of the vegetation. Unknown fruits 
 grew in rich abundance, overhanging the shore. 
 
 Columbus stood in the bow of the boat, watching 
 the naked inhabitants retreating among the trees as 
 he advanced toward the shore. 
 
 On landing, Columbus threw himself on his knees, 
 kissed the earth, and returned thanks to God with 
 tears of joy an example followed by nearly all the 
 others, whose hearts overflowed with gratitude. 
 Then rising, the admiral drew his sword, displayed 
 the royal standard, and assembling around him the 
 two great captains, with Roderigo de Escobar, notary 
 of the armament, Roderigo Sanchez and others, he 
 took solemn possession in the name of the Castilian 
 sovereigns, giving the island the name of San Salva 
 dor. Having complied with the requisite forms and 
 ceremonies, he called on all present to take oath of 
 obedience to himself as admiral and viceroy, repre 
 senting the persons of the sovereigns 
 
 Then Columbus offered the following prayer: 
 
 " Domine Deus, ceterne et omnipotens, sacro tuo verbo 
 Ccelum, et terram, et mare creasti; benedicatur et glori- 
 ficetur nomen tuum, laudetur tua majestas, quce dignita 
 est per humilem servum tuum, ut ejus sacrum nomen 
 agnoscatur, et proedicetur in hoc altera mundi parte."
 
 198 COLUMBIA 
 
 The crew now burst forth in the most extravagant 
 transports of joy. They thronged around the admi 
 ral with overflowing zeal; some embraced him, others 
 even kissed his hands. Those who had been most 
 mutinous during the voyage, with the exception of 
 Miguel, who held himself aloof, were now most en 
 thusiastic. Some begged favors of him, as if he al 
 ready had wealth and honors at his disposal. Even 
 those who had outraged him by their insolence now 
 kneeled at his feet, promising the blindest obedience 
 for the future. 
 
 Hernando was still kneeling when a voice just 
 above him muttered in a hard, harsh whisper: 
 
 "He has triumphed at last." 
 
 On glancing upward the lad saw the evil face of 
 Miguel the mutineer bending over him. 
 
 There was a devilish, malignant expression in the 
 villain's face. Hernando, however, was too much 
 preoccupied with the imposing ceremony of discov 
 ery and conquest, to give much heed to the mutineer. 
 But he did not fail to note that some of the more 
 avaricious of the sailors were down on the sands 
 searching for particles of gold, pearls, and shells. 
 
 Since early dawn the natives had watched the 
 three great monsters on the deep, believing them to 
 be enormous sea-birds ; and when they sent out boats 
 filled with strange beings clad in glittering steel, and 
 variously colored raiment, they became frightened and 
 fled to the woods. Hernando was anxious to speak 
 with the natives, and as soon as the imposing ceremony
 
 SEARCH FOR THE GRAND KHAN 199 
 
 was over he rose and went to the nearest grove of 
 trees, where a few of the bolder remained. 
 
 The natives finding they were not pursued, six of 
 them, among whom was one female, young, beautiful, 
 and well formed, advanced toward the Spaniards. 
 After prostrating themselves several times, they 
 came to the admiral, whom they recognized by his 
 splendid raiment and noble demeanor to be chief in 
 authority. A few moments later, when they had 
 somewhat overcome their astonishment and fear, they 
 approached the Spaniards, touched their beards and 
 examined their hands and faces, admiring their 
 whiteness. 
 
 Hernando went boldly to one of the oldest of 
 the natives, one who seemed to be in authority, 
 and asked: 
 
 "Can you tell me where my father is?" 
 
 The savage gazed at him in wonder, but made no 
 answer. 
 
 "Do you know where the white prisoner is?" 
 asked the lad, still answered only by a stare of 
 stupefied amazement. 
 
 "Come, come, lad," said Columbus. 
 
 "Where shall we find him? He must be some 
 where on the island." 
 
 "Be patient," returned the admiral. "All things 
 come to those who wait. We are on one of the 
 extreme islands of the Indies, and may find your 
 father further inland." 
 
 The hope and expectancy which had buoyed up
 
 200 COLUMBIA 
 
 Hernando all through the long voyage now began 
 to give place to doubt, and he was almost ready 
 to despair. But there was excitement and interest 
 enough to keep his mind constantly engaged. The 
 Spaniards were disappointed in not finding gold 
 more abundant, but the admiral assured them that 
 they would find large quantities farther inland, or 
 on some other island. 
 
 The admiral distributed among the natives 
 colored caps, glass beads, hawks-bells, and other 
 such trifles as the Portuguese were accustomed to 
 trade with among the nations of the gold coast of 
 Africa. 
 
 In every manner possible the anxious lad tried 
 to make his wishes known to the natives. The 
 young woman, who seemed possessed of a higher 
 degree of intelligence than the others, listened 
 attentively to his words, studied his pantomime 
 with care, yet comprehended nothing. She knew 
 the lad was in distress, and her simple heart went 
 out to him; she tried to console him, but he 
 was as ignorant of her intent as she was of his 
 language. 
 
 Next morning the shore was thronged with 
 natives, some even swimming off to the ships or 
 paddling about in their canoes. They were all 
 eager to procure more toys and trinkets, believing 
 that they came from beings from another world. 
 
 The island where Columbus had thus first set 
 foot in the New World was called by the natives
 
 SEARCH FOR THE GRAND KHAN 201 
 
 Guanahane. It still retains the name of San Sal 
 vador, but it is sometimes called by the English, 
 Cat Island. 
 
 "This is not the island of Cipango!" said 
 Columbus to the Pinzons, as they explored San 
 Salvador. 
 
 "Hardly Cipango, I fear," answered Martin Alonzo 
 Pinzon, with a smile. 
 
 "Yet Cipango is not far away, and we will con 
 tinue our voyage westward until it is found." 
 
 "If we could understand the language of the 
 natives, admiral, they might tell us many things," 
 said Hernando. 
 
 "Yes, my lad, and I have determined to take 
 seven of these natives with us, to teach them the 
 Spanish language. We will leave San Salvador 
 tomorrow, and keep them constantly with us as 
 our guides in the New World." 
 
 The admiral carried out his plans, taking ssven 
 of the natives, among whom was the Indian girl 
 who had displayed so remarkable a degree of intelli 
 gence. They proved apt pupils and in a few days 
 began to pick up various words in Spanish, though 
 they conversed more by signs. 
 
 They found a vast number of green islands, 
 level and fertile, all about them. The Indians on 
 board indicated that they were innumerable, well 
 peopled, and at war with each other. Columbus 
 spent much of his time teaching the Indians and 
 asking them questions. They gave him the names
 
 202 COLUMBIA 
 
 of over a hundred islands, and he turned to Martin 
 Pinzon, who was at his side, and said: 
 
 "There can no longer be a doubt that we are 
 among those islands described by Marco Polo as 
 studding the sea of China and lying a great dis 
 tance from the mainland." 
 
 At the various points at which they touched 
 they found the Indians peaceable, and, as soon as 
 they had overcome their timidity, perfectly will 
 ing to come on board. They told Columbus of a 
 warlike tribe called the Caribs. 
 
 "Perhaps the Caribs have my father a captive," 
 said the lad. 
 
 One day Hernando asked the girl again about 
 his father, and she gave him some signs of encour 
 agement which led him to believe that his father 
 was among the Caribs. 
 
 From island to island the explorers went, filled 
 with new wonder, as the islands grew larger and 
 the mountains higher and more imposing. 
 
 But the mischief-breeder was ever busy. Miguel 
 was a shrewd knave and a keen pryer into human 
 frailty. He had noted how Martin Alonzo Pinzon 
 seemed to chafe under the admiral's command. 
 
 One day while on board the Pinta he asked 
 to talk with the captain. Martin Alonzo was an 
 austere man, but Miguel contrived to approach him 
 on some pretense. When they were alone he said: 
 
 "Senor Captain Pinzon, why do you allow this 
 foreigner to win all the honors of this expedition?"
 
 SEARCH FOR THE GRAND KHAN 203 
 
 "What do you mean?" demanded Pinzon. 
 "Do you not understand me?" 
 "I do not." 
 
 "WHAT I AM ABOUT TO SAY MAT COST ME MY LIFE." 
 
 "I was asking myself, sefior captain, if I dared 
 make myself plain." 
 
 "Why not?" 
 
 "What I am about to say may cost me my 
 life, and you can understand that I am a little 
 wary of my speech."
 
 204 COLUMBIA 
 
 Pinzon answered: 
 
 "You and I are alone. You may speak freely." 
 
 "You will not be offended at my boldness? " 
 
 "No." 
 
 "I was about to ask why you should allow this 
 foreigner, Christopher Columbus, to bear off all the 
 honors and emoluments of an expedition for which 
 you deserve more credit than he." 
 
 "I don't see that I can help it, even if I would." 
 
 "There is a way, captain." 
 
 "Yes?" 
 
 "There is no need that this Genoese beggar 
 should come, and by your help, your money, ships, 
 and sailors, make discoveries that will place him next 
 to the throne. What would he have been but 
 for you?" 
 
 "Nothing." 
 
 "Only a beggar," added the shrewd Miguel. 
 "For him you paid an eighth, while he paid nothing. 
 He had nothing to risk. You risked life and for 
 tune. Now, why should he reap all the reward?" 
 
 An argument more suited to its purpose could not 
 have been offered, and Finzon was moved, but he 
 was careful not to let the villain know it. After 
 a few moments' hesitation, he answered: 
 
 "I don't see how I can prevent it." 
 
 With a crafty smile Miguel answered: 
 
 "If the captain will allow me, I will suggest. 
 Let him put about some dark night, sail at once for 
 Spain, and make report of this great discovery to
 
 SEARCH FOR THE GRAND KHAN 205 
 
 the king and queen; by so doing he will be first 
 to gain their favor." 
 
 Martin Alonzo Pinzon started and fixed his 
 piercing black eyes on the mutineer's face. It 
 was an evil face, full of cunning and malignance, 
 and the eyes shone with the fiendish light of a ssr- 
 pent. Martin Alonzo did not decide at once to 
 follow the base suggestion; in fact, he rejected it 
 at first as dishonorable. But the matter kept 
 weighing on his mind from day to day, until the 
 scheme, disgraceful as it was, had taken complete 
 possession of him. 
 
 A few days after leaving San Salvador, Columbus 
 discovered Fernandina, a beautiful island, which 
 he left on the 19th of October. The natives spoke 
 frequently of a large island where gold and 
 diamonds were in abundance, pointing off to the 
 southwest as the locality where these riches were to 
 be found. Columbus understood them to speak of 
 some powerful monarch, whom he supposed to be 
 the Grand Khan. They next discovered an island, 
 which they named Isabella in honor of the queen. 
 
 Here there were large lakes of fresh water, with 
 marvelous groves about them, and everything as 
 green as Andalusia in April. The music of birds 
 filled the forests with sweetest melodies, and fruits 
 and flowers abounded in profusion. But Columbus 
 was disappointed. He did not find the drugs and 
 spices which he had hoped to carry away in great 
 quantities.
 
 206 
 
 COLUMBIA 
 
 From island to island they wandered, seeing 
 naked Indians enough and mute dogs, but little 
 gold. Yet ever in the hope of reaching the Grand 
 Khan and delivering to him the letters from his 
 sovereigns, Columbus continued his westward voyage, 
 until, on the 28th of October, they came in sight of 
 a great land. The Spaniards were long in doubt 
 
 NEUVITAS. 
 
 whether this was the island of Cipango or a continent. 
 They were struck with awe as they approached its 
 lofty mountains, its grand harbors, and sweeping 
 rivers. 
 
 Columbus's heart was full to overflowing, for he 
 was enjoying in some measure the fulfillment of his 
 hopes, and the hard-earned but glorious reward of 
 his toils and perils.
 
 SEARCH FOR THE GRAND KHAN 207 
 
 "This is the most beautiful land, that eyes ever 
 beheld," exclaimed the enraptured explorer. He 
 found the place full of excellent ports and deep 
 rivers. The natives, timid at first, afterward became 
 bolder, and, when they found the strangers were kind, 
 became very friendly. Many expeditions were made 
 into the interior, up the rivers, and through the forests. 
 The island for such it proved to be was later to 
 be known as Cuba, and the present town of Neuvitas 
 marks the place where Columbus disembarked. 
 
 The natives whom Columbus had undertaken 
 to instruct in Spanish were but little proficient in 
 the language by this time, and the misinterpretation 
 of their words caused many serious mistakes. Un 
 derstanding from them that a powerful king lived 
 in the interior, and believing him to be the Grand 
 Khan, Columbus determined to send two envoys, 
 in company with Indian guides, across the country 
 in search for him. For this mission he chose two 
 Spaniards, Roderigo de Jerez and Luis de Torres, 
 the latter a converted Jew, who knew Hebrew and 
 Chaldaic, and even something of Arabic, one or more 
 of which languages Columbus supposed might be un 
 derstood by this Oriental prince. 
 
 "May I go with them?" asked Hernando, when 
 the embassy was ready to start on its march through 
 the wilderness. "They go to the interior and may 
 discover my father." 
 
 The admiral consented, and, shouldering his 
 cross-bow, the lad accompanied the envoys.
 
 208 COLUMBIA 
 
 The expedition failed, for the Grand Khan could 
 not be found, and the ambassadors were compelled 
 to return with the report of only a wilderness which 
 seemed unending. On their return Hernando saw 
 the Indians going about with fire-brands in their 
 hands and a certain dried herb which they rolled 
 up in a leaf. Lighting one end, they put the other 
 in their mouths and exhaled and puffed smoke. 
 
 He asked an Indian what it was and was an 
 swered by the one word: 
 
 "Tobacco." 
 
 Filled with boyish curiosity, Hernando asked one 
 of the Indians for a roll and on being given one 
 lighted it. A few whiffs at it and he became deathly 
 sick. His white companions grew very uneasy, 
 but the Indians evinced no concern. Roderigo de 
 Jerez and Luis de Torres supposed that the lad was 
 poisoned, and threatened to kill the Indians; but 
 Hernando shortly recovered. Never again would 
 he touch tobacco, although he lived to see the use 
 of it growing popular. 
 
 The islands of Babeque and Bohio were so often 
 mentioned by the natives that Columbus determined 
 on the return of his ambassadors, to go in search 
 of them. 
 
 Accordingly, on the 12th of November Columbus 
 turned his course to the east-southeast, to follow back 
 along the coast; and on the 19th again the squadron 
 put to sea, and for two days made ineffectual attempts 
 against head-winds to reach an island directly east,
 
 SEARCH FOR THE GRAND KHAN 209 
 
 about sixty miles distant, which he supposed to be 
 Babeque. 
 
 The words breathed into the ears of Martin Alonzo 
 Pinzon by the mutineer, like all other evil, began to 
 grow and take possession of his soul, and he who, in 
 the darkest hours, was the truest, trustiest friend of 
 Columbus, became now a cool, calculating, treach 
 erous enemy. The wind continuing obstinately ad 
 verse and the sea rough, Columbus put about his 
 ship toward evening of the 20th, making signals for 
 the others to follow him. 
 
 The Pinta, which was considerably to eastward, 
 paid no attention to his signals. Columbus re 
 peated them, but they were still disregarded. Night 
 coming on, he shortened sail and. hoisted signal 
 lights to the masthead, thinking Pinzon would yet 
 join him. This he could easily do, having the wind 
 astern; but when morning dawned the Pinta was 
 no longer to be seen. 
 
 "What does it mean?" asked the amazed ad 
 miral. 
 
 Miguel heard the question and walked forward 
 to conceal a smile of triumph 
 
 Vol. 114
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 FORT NATIVITY. 
 
 COLUMBUS was greatly troubled by the conduct 
 of Martin Alonzo Pinzon. He tried to believe the 
 Pinta would yet join them, but all the while he suf 
 fered no little uneasiness. Some sudden swell of the 
 sea might have hurled her upon the breakers, and at 
 that very moment she might be a wreck among the 
 rocks of some of the islands. In order to find the 
 Pinta, he put back to Cuba, and hugged its coast as 
 closely as he dared on account of rocky reefs and 
 dangerous sandbars. He explored many rivers and 
 harbors which today bear the names he gave them. 
 
 But, at last, under the belief that he was going to 
 the golden island of Bohio, where, according to the 
 imperfect account of the savages, gold was to be found 
 in abundance, he set sail from the coast of Cuba. 
 Baracoa, the first town founded on the island, marks 
 the point where he left the coast of Cuba for the 
 island of Hayti, which the admiral named Hispaniola, 
 because of its fancied resemblance to Spain. 
 
 In the transparent atmosphere of the tropics 
 
 objects are descried at a great distance; and the 
 
 purity of the air and serenity of the deep blue sky 
 
 give a magical effect to the scenery. Under these 
 
 210
 
 FORT NATIVITY 
 
 211 
 
 advantages, the beautiful island of Hayti revealed 
 itself to their eyes. Its mountains were higher and 
 more rocky than those of the other islands, and the 
 stone cropped out from among the densest and richest 
 forests. The mountains swept down into luxuriant 
 plains and green savannas; while the appearance of 
 
 cultivated fields, of numerous fires at night, and 
 columns of smoke by day, proved it to be populous. 
 
 It was evening on the 6th of December when 
 Columbus entered a fine harbor which he called St. 
 Nicholas. On the next day they coasted along the 
 island and entered a harbor which they called Port 
 Conception, now known as the Bay of Moustiaue.
 
 212 COLUMBIA 
 
 "We must find some means of communicating 
 with the natives," said Columbus. "As they fly at 
 our approach, I will send six armed men into the 
 interior." 
 
 Hernando, with faint hope of finding his father, 
 begged to be one of the number and was granted the 
 privilege. They found several cultivated fields and 
 traces of roads and fires, but tlfe inhabitants had 
 fled in terror to the mountains. 
 
 On the 12th Hernando and a sailor captured an 
 Indian girl, who wore an ornament of gold in her 
 nose. This roused their hopes of finding more of the 
 precious metal. She was clothed and loaded with 
 presents, and sent with some Indian interpreters and 
 sailors to assure her people that the white strangers 
 were friends. 
 
 Confident of the favorable impression which the 
 report of the woman must produce, the admiral 
 pressed his attentions on the natives and was finally 
 conducted by them to their homes, where the 
 Spaniards were hospitably entertained. They re 
 turned to their ships, enraptured with the beauty of 
 the country, which surpassed, as they said, even that 
 of the luxuriant plains of Cordova. 
 
 It is impossible to refrain from- dwelling on the 
 picture given by the first discoverer, of the state of 
 manners found among these natives before the arrival 
 of the white men. According to his accounts, the 
 people of Hayti existed in that state of primitive and 
 savage simplicity which some philosophers have
 
 FORT NATIVITY 213 
 
 fondly pictured as the most enviable on earth; sur 
 rounded by natural blessings, without even a knowl 
 edge of artificial wants. 
 
 One of the most pleasing descriptions of the in 
 habitants of this island is given by old Peter Martyr, 
 who gathered it, as he says, from the conversations of 
 the admiral himself. "It is certain," says he, "that 
 the land among 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 con 
 tent with so little, that in so large a country they 
 have rather superfluity than scarceness; so that they 
 seem to live in the golden world, without toil, dwel 
 ling in open gardens; not intrenched with dikes, 
 divided with hedges, or defended with walls. They 
 deal truly one with another, without laws, without 
 books, and without judges. They take him for an 
 evil and mischievous man who ta'keth pleasure in 
 doing hurt to another." 
 
 Hernando made inquiry of the natives of Hayti 
 for his father, but, as before, was not understood. 
 He could not believe that his father would be held in 
 captivity by these hospitable people, and concluded 
 that he must be at Babeque or a captive among the 
 warlike Caribs, of whom he heard such frequent 
 mention. 
 
 On the 14th of December Columbus made another 
 attempt to find the island of Babeque, but was again 
 baffled by adverse winds. He landed at an island 
 which, from the abundance of turtles, he called
 
 FORT NATIVITY 215 
 
 Tortugas. This island in after years became the head 
 quarters of the famous buccaneers of the West Indies. 
 
 For several days the admiral continued beating 
 about the island of Hayti, unable, by reason of 
 contrary winds and adverse tides, to make much 
 headway. On the 24th of December he set sail from 
 Port St. Thomas, and steered to eastward with the 
 intention of anchoring at the harbor of the cacique 
 (or ruler), Guacanagari. The wind was from the 
 land, but was so light as to scarcely fill the sails. 
 
 Since Miguel's release from imprisonment, Co 
 lumbus had had no reason to doubt his honor or 
 sincerity. The fellow was an expert seaman, and, 
 though he had been constantly setting traps to en 
 compass the ruin of Columbus, the over-trusting 
 admiral supposed that his enmity would end with the 
 discovery of land. It was night, and Columbus, 
 worn out by long watching, placed the helm in the 
 hands of Miguel as the most skilful mariner, and, 
 ordering him to remain at his post, went to his cabin 
 to seek a little much-needed sleep. 
 
 Hernando was still on deck, and no sooner had 
 Columbus retired than the steersman called to him. 
 
 "Well?" the lad answered. 
 
 "Come and take the helm." 
 
 "It is against orders," interposed Hernando. 
 " You are instructed never to intrust the helm to one 
 of the ship's boys." 
 
 "Come and take it, but for a moment." 
 
 "I must not."
 
 216 COLUMBIA 
 
 But Miguel had not practiced subtle craft to 
 poor purpose: in short space he prevailed and Hern- 
 ando consented to take the helm for a moment. 
 The other sailors took advantage of the absence of 
 Columbus, and in a little while the entire watch was 
 buried in slumber. In the meantime, the treacherous 
 currents which run swiftly along this coast were 
 carrying the vessel dangerously in-shore. The boy 
 did not hear the roar of breakers ahead. Suddenly 
 there came a grating sound and a sickening jar. The 
 boy shouted loudly: 
 
 "Help! quick, Miguel, or we'll be wrecked!" 
 
 Columbus, whose cares never permitted him to 
 sleep deeply, was first on deck. The master of the 
 ship, whose duty it was to have been on watch, made 
 his appearance next, followed by others of the crew 
 only half- awake and thoroughly frightened. 
 
 "What is the meaning of this?" demanded Co 
 lumbus. 
 
 "We are grounded, admiral," answered Hernando. 
 
 "Where is the helmsman?" 
 
 "I was at the helm." 
 
 "You!" 
 
 "Yes, admiral." 
 
 "Where is the sailor? Where is the watch?" 
 
 "All here." cried several voices about him, for 
 
 * 
 
 the deck was now covered with men. Columbus 
 knew it was time for action rather than reproof. He 
 ordered the sailors to take the boat, carry the anchor 
 astern, and work the vessel off. The master and
 
 FORT NATIVITY 217 
 
 sailors, among whom was Miguel, sprang into the boat; 
 but confused, as men are likely to be when suddenly 
 awakened by an alarm, instead of obeying the com 
 mands of Columbus they rowed off to the Nina, about 
 half a league to windward. 
 
 Vincent Yanez Pinzon no sooner learned of this 
 apparent desertion of the admiral than he manned 
 his own boat and hastened to the relief of Colum 
 bus. But by that time, nothing could be done for 
 the Santa Maria, though Columbus had her masts 
 cut away. She was deeply imbedded in the sand, 
 and her stern swinging around broadside to the 
 breakers, she was forced by each succeeding wave 
 farther and farther upon the shore, until she fell over 
 on her side. Fortunately, the weather continued calm, 
 otherwise the ship must have gone to pieces and the 
 entire crew have perished amid the currents and 
 breakers. 
 
 Columbus and his crew took refuge OR board the 
 Nina. Diego de Arana, chief judge di the ar 
 mament, and Pedro Gutierrez, the king's butler, 
 were immediately sent on shore as envoys to the 
 cacique Guacanagari, to inform him of the intended 
 visit and disastrous shipwreck. 
 
 The cacique lived about a league away, and when 
 he heard of the disastrous shipwreck of his visitors he 
 shed tears. All his people, with all their canoes, were 
 placed at the service of the admiral and the stranded 
 vessel was soon unloaded. The utmost kindness and 
 hospitality were shown to the white men and every-
 
 218 
 
 COLUMBIA 
 
 thing in the power of the natives was done to make 
 them comfortable. 
 
 The day after Christmas the cacique Guacana- 
 gari came on board the Nina to see Columbus. He 
 was deeply moved by the dejected bearing of the 
 admiral and offered every consolation in his power. 
 Hernando, meantime, saw some Indians coming in 
 
 THE SHIPWRECK. 
 
 canoes to the ship, holding up bits of gold of no in 
 considerable quantity, which they offered for hawks- 
 bells and trinkets. He hastened to the admiral with 
 the joyful news that gold abounded on the island. 
 
 "Then we are repaid for all our suffering," an 
 swered the admiral. 
 
 Guacanagari, observing the changed demeanor 
 of the admiral, asked his interpreter the cause. 
 
 "It is because gold is being brought to the ad 
 miral," was the answer. 
 
 " Is the great admiral so fond of gold ? " the cacique 
 asked.
 
 FORT NATIVITY 219 
 
 "He seems so/' answered the interpreter. 
 
 "Not far off, among the mountains, gold is as 
 plentiful as stone." 
 
 "Where is it?" 
 
 "Cibao." 
 
 "Cibao," repeated Columbus, who had been listen 
 ing to the interpreter. "Ay, he means the island of 
 Cipango." 
 
 The cacique dined with the admiral on that day, 
 and his manner was princely yet modest. His whole 
 deportment, to the enthusiastic eyes of Columbus, 
 betokened the inborn grace and dignity of lofty 
 lineage. 
 
 In fact, the sovereignty among the people of this 
 island was hereditary. The form of government was 
 completely despotic; the caciques had entire control 
 over the lives, the property, and even the religion of 
 their subjects. They had few laws and ruled accord 
 ing to their judgment and their will; but they ruled 
 mildly and \vere implicitly and cheerfully obeyed. 
 
 Next day Guacanagari entertained Columbus and 
 his officers on shore, with a thousand natives to amuse 
 his guests. After the feast, he conducted the admiral 
 and his officials to the beautiful groves which sur 
 rounded his residence. Here the cacique's attend 
 ants performed several games and dances, which 
 Guacanagari had ordered to lighten the spirits of his 
 guests. 
 
 "I think it well to give them an exhibition of 
 some of our skill in arms," said Columbus to Vincent

 
 FORT NATIVITY 221 
 
 Yanez Pinzon, when the entertainment given by the 
 savages was ended. "Who is our best archer?" 
 
 Pinzon answered: 
 
 "Miguel is by all odds the best. He served in the 
 wars of Granada and can handle the Moorish bow 
 and arrows." 
 
 "Send for him and bring a Moorish bow and a 
 quiver of arrows; also an arquebus and alombard; we 
 must teach them some of the powers of gunpowder." 
 
 Miguel came with the Moorish bow and a quiver 
 of arrows. A target was set up at a great distance 
 and the mutineer began sending arrows all around it, 
 at last driving one centre. The natives were amazed 
 at the wonderful skill which he displayed. The cac 
 ique then made Columbus understand that the Caribs^ 
 who often invaded his territory and carried off- his 
 subjects, were likewise armed with bows and arrows. 
 
 Through his interpreter, Columbus answered: 
 
 "Have no more fears of the Caribs, for our Castil- 
 ian monarchs can destroy them. We have weapons 
 still more powerful, as you shall see." 
 
 Hernando then took an arquebus, placed the rest 
 on the ground, aimed at a small tree some distance 
 away, and applying a slow match, sent the ball whiz 
 zing through the air, shattering the tender bark. 
 Then the lombard, or cannon, was fired. 
 
 On hearing the report the Indians fell to the 
 ground, as if struck by a thunder-bolt; and when 
 they saw the effects of the balls, rending and shivering 
 the trees like a stroke of lightning, they were further
 
 222 COLUMBIA 
 
 filled with dismay. Being assured, however, that the 
 Spaniards would defend them with these arms against 
 their dreaded enemies, the Caribs, their alarm gave 
 place to exultation, considering themselves under the 
 protection of the sons of Heaven, who had come from 
 the skies armed with thunder and lightning. 
 
 "They will always be our friends," said Columbus 
 to Pinzon. 
 
 After the games were over, all went to examine the 
 wreck. 
 
 "What is your opinion, Captain Pinzon?" asked 
 Columbus. 
 
 "I fear we can never get her afloat." 
 
 "And the Pinta gone," said Columbus. "I am 
 afraid we cannot carry all back in the Nina." 
 
 "It would greatly crowd her, admiral." 
 
 "I have thought that as the sailors are so favor 
 ably impressed with the island and the natives, we 
 might build a fort and leave a garrison." 
 
 "Your plan is a wise one, admiral, for it will form 
 the germ of a future colony," said Vincent Yanez. 
 
 "The wreck of the caravel will easily afford ma 
 terials to construct a fortress, which can be defended 
 by her guns, and supplied with her ammunition; 
 while provisions enough can be spared to maintain a 
 small garrison for a year." 
 
 After a moment's reflection on the plan, which 
 seemed growing in Captain Pinzon's favor, Columbus 
 added as a further argument: 
 
 "The men we leave can explore the island, and
 
 FORT NATIVITY 223 
 
 make themselves acquainted with its mines and 
 other sources of wealth. They can at the same 
 time procure by traffic a large quantity of gold from 
 the natives, learn their language and accustom them 
 selves to their habits and manners, so as to be of 
 great use in future dealings with them." 
 
 They at once proceeded to put the plan into execu 
 tion. The wreck was broken up and brought piece 
 meal to shore, a site chosen, and preparations made 
 for the erection of a tower. With the aid of the na 
 tives, the work progressed rapidly and before the work 
 was completed Columbus grew to look upon the loss 
 of the Santa Maria as a providential event, myster 
 iously ordained by Heaven to work out the success of 
 his enterprise. One day he discoursed at some length 
 to Hernando on the ways of Providence, as together 
 they were directing some details of the work on the fort. 
 
 "The greatest enterprise would soon come to 
 naught," he said, "if left entirely to the direction of 
 men. Without this seeming disaster, we should never 
 have remained to find out the secret wealth of this 
 island, but should merely have touched at various 
 parts of the coast and passed on. As it is, when we 
 return from Spain we shall, no doubt, find a ton of 
 gold collected in traffic by those whom we shall be 
 compelled to leave behind, and mines and spices will 
 be discovered in such quantities that before three 
 years have passed our sovereigns will be able to under 
 take a crusade for the deliverance of the Holy Sep 
 ulchre."
 
 224 COLUMBIA 
 
 Such was the generous enthusiasm of Columbus. 
 The prospects for great wealth immediately filled his 
 mind with magnificent enterprises for the Church, 
 instead of awakening a grasping avidity to accumu 
 late vast riches for himself. But how futile are our 
 attempts to interpret the inscrutable decrees of Provi 
 dence! The shipwreck, which Columbus considered 
 an act of divine favor to further his enterprise, shack 
 led and limited all his future discoveries. It linked 
 his fortunes to this island, which was destined to in 
 volve him in a thousand perplexities and becloud his 
 declining years with humiliation and bitter disappoint 
 ment. 
 
 On being informed that it was the intention of the 
 admiral to leave a part of his men for the defense of the 
 island against the Caribs, while he returned to Spain 
 for more, Guacanagari was overjoyed. His subjects 
 manifested equal delight at retaining these wonder 
 ful people among them and at the prospect of the 
 future arrival of the admiral with ships freighted with 
 hawks-bells and other articles precious to them. 
 
 From time to time the cacique sent some one of his 
 family, or some principal person of his attendants, 
 to console and cheer the admiral, assuring him that 
 everything in his possession should be at his disposal. 
 Never in a civilized country were the vaunted rites 
 of hospitality more scrupulously observed than by 
 this uncultivated savage. 
 
 He eagerly lent his aid in the construction of 
 the fortress, little dreaming that he was assisting in
 
 FORT NATIVITY 225 
 
 placing the galling yoke of perpetual slavery and ruin 
 on the necks of his own people. 
 
 The second day after work had been commenced 
 on the fortress, some Indians arrived at the harbor 
 from a distant part of the island. Columbus, 'Her 
 nando, Miguel, and several others, went to learn 
 what news they brought. The interpreter, after con 
 ferring with the Indians, said: 
 
 "They say a great vessel, like those of the admiral, 
 is anchored in a river at the eastern part of the island." 
 
 "What vessel can it be?" asked Roderigo de 
 Escobedo. 
 
 "It's the Pinta!" cried Columbus, his face light 
 ing up with joy. 
 
 "The fool! why didn't he crowd all sail for Spain?" 
 Miguel hissed through his set teeth, turning away to 
 prevent his companions seeing his expression of rage. 
 
 Hernando, however, was near enough to hear him. 
 Hastening to his side, he asked : 
 
 "What do you mean, senor?" 
 
 "It matters not to you." 
 
 "It does matter to me," the lad answered, while 
 a dangerous light kindled in his eyes. Wheeling 
 about, Miguel walked away into the dense wood, and 
 Hernando, determined to know what his manner 
 had to do with the strange desertion of the Pinta, 
 followed him. He was soon discovered, and draw 
 ing his sword, the mutineer turned upon the lad 
 and cried: 
 
 "Not a rod farther or I will pin you to the earth!" 
 
 Vol. 115
 
 226 COLUMBIA 
 
 "Miguel, mutineer and thief, I know your black 
 heart! I have watched you, and I know you for 
 what you are. Indirectly, you are the cause of all 
 our admiral's troubles." 
 
 "I will not be taunted by you, you young dog!" 
 cried Miguel, and he thought "Why delay longer! 
 Am I not to be rewarded for slaying the lad ? He has 
 followed me into .the wood. I will run him through 
 and conceal the body." With uplifted sword he 
 leaped at the lad, crying: 
 
 "You shall die!" 
 
 Young as he was, Hernando's life had more than 
 once depended on his sword, and he was not taken 
 off his guard. Snatching his own weapon from its 
 sheath, he parried the blow and met his antagonist 
 with wonderful coolness and skill. But what could 
 a boy's sword do, be it ever so skillfully handled, 
 against an utterly lawless man ? He was forced back 
 ward down to his knee and heavy blows rained upon 
 him. 
 
 Hernando's strength was ebbing fast; another 
 moment and he would have been overcome. Sud 
 denly a tall, dark form leaped from the thicket at his 
 side. It was Guacanagari, the cacique. Seizing 
 Miguel by the waist as if he had been a child, he 
 hurled him several feet away. 
 
 The cacique uttered not a word. Turning away, 
 he left the wretch groaning on the ground. Hernan- 
 do could only thank his rescuer with signs and return 
 to the fort. He did not tell the admiral of his well-
 
 FORT NATIVITY 227 
 
 nigh fatal encounter with Miguel, and Columbus 
 never knew of the struggle in the wood. 
 
 Meantime, Columbus had dispatched a Spaniard 
 and several Indians, in a canoe, to search for the 
 Pinta. After three days' absence they returned, 
 stating that though they had pursued the coast 
 for twenty leagues, they had neither seen nor heard 
 of the Pinta and could only regard the report as 
 false. 
 
 "Perhaps, after all, Martin Alonzo Pinzon has 
 had the good sense to sail for Spain and tell the 
 monarchs of his discoveries," thought Miguel, who 
 had crawled back to the ship, his body bruised and 
 his face livid with hatred. 
 
 Since the shipwreck of the Santa Maria the de 
 sertion of the Pinta was a matter of great consequence 
 to Columbus. Should the Pinta be lost, he would 
 have but one vessel to return to Spain; and should 
 the third vessel perish, every record of this great dis 
 covery would be swallowed up with it, and the name 
 of Columbus be remembered only as that of a mad 
 adventurer, who, despising the opinions of the learned 
 and the counsels of the wise, had departed into the 
 wilds of the ocean, never to return. The uncertain 
 ty and imagined horrors of his fate might deter all 
 future enterprises, and thus the New World remain, 
 as heretofore, unknown to civilized man. 
 
 Under these circumstances, Columbus deter 
 mined to abandon all further prosecution of the voy 
 age, and for the present to give up his purpose of
 
 228 COLUMBIA 
 
 visiting the Grand Khan. He decided to return at 
 once to Spain and report his marvelous discovery. 
 
 While the fort, which he named Fortress La 
 Navidad, or Nativity, in memorial of their having 
 escaped from the shipwreck on Christmas day, was in 
 course of construction, Guacanagari and five tribu 
 tary caciques came and placed a crown of gold on the 
 head of the admiral. Columbus took from his neck a 
 collar of fine colored beads, placed it about that of the 
 cacique, and gave him his mantle and many trinkets. 
 
 So great was the activity of the Spaniards in the 
 construction of their fortress, and so ample the assist 
 ance rendered by the natives, that in ten days it was 
 sufficiently complete for service. A large vault had 
 been made, over which was erected a strong wooden 
 tower, the whole surmounted by a wide ditch. It 
 was stored with ammunition saved from the wreck 
 or brought from the caravel; and, with the guns 
 which they had mounted, the whole had a formid 
 able aspect, sufficient to overawe the natives and 
 discourage any hostility. Columbus really thought 
 very little force necessary to hold the Haytians in 
 subjection. The fortress and garrison were more a 
 restriction on the Spaniards themselves, to prevent 
 their wandering about or committing acts of licen 
 tiousness among the Indians, than measures for pro 
 tection. 
 
 But if it should become a means of defense, Fort 
 La Navidad would be no inconsiderable place of 
 refuge.
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 DESERTED THE STORM. 
 
 "HOME again! back to the Old World, and my mis 
 sion unaccomplished! My father still the slave of 
 some wild, barbarous people," groaned Hernando Es- 
 tevan, as he paced up and down on the seashore two 
 nights before the admiral was to set out on his return. 
 
 Notwithstanding it was the first of January the 
 weather in this tropical clime was pleasant. Colum 
 bus had been walking on the beach, thinking how 
 much he had to thank God for, when he came upon 
 his young friend bowed down in grief. 
 
 "What, in tears!" cried the admiral. "What 
 means this? " 
 
 'My lord admiral, on the day after tomorrow 
 we sail for the Old World, and my father's fate is 
 unknown." 
 
 "My lad," said Columbus, solemnly, "I fear this 
 is all a delusion. I have no doubt that your father 
 has been dead thess many years. Put the thought 
 from your mind. You have done your duty as a good 
 son should, and you can do no more. Come, take 
 cheer." 
 
 It was like tearing his heart from his bosom for 
 Hernando to give up the hope of finding his father. 
 229
 
 230 COLUMBIA 
 
 He paused a moment, listening to the sobbing waves, 
 and thought he could hear his father's voice among 
 them, calling to him for help. But the admiral as 
 sured him it was only his fertile imagination, quick 
 ened by long dwelling on the subject, and by the 
 strongest reasoning and persuasion the lad became 
 partially reconciled. 
 
 Next day final arrangements were made for de 
 parture. From the number who volunteered to 
 remain on the island Columbus selected thirty-nine 
 of the most able and exemplary, among them a physi 
 cian, a ship-carpenter, a caulker, a cooper, a tailor, 
 and a gunner, all experts in their several callings. 
 The command was given to Diego de Arana, a native 
 of Cordova, and notary alquazil to the armanent, 
 who was to retain all the powers vested in him by the 
 Catholic sovereigns. In case of his death, Pedro 
 Gutierrez was to command, and after him Roderigo 
 de Escobedo. 
 
 The boat which belonged to the Santa Maria was 
 left with them to be used in fishing; also a variety of 
 seeds to sow, and a large quantity of articles for 
 traffic, in order that they might procure as much gold 
 as possible by the time of the admiral's return 
 
 Before leaving, Columbus gave to the men who 
 remained behind, some excellent advice, which, had 
 it been followed, might have averted the disaster 
 that befell them. 
 
 "Is Miguel to remain, admiral?" asked Her- 
 nando.
 
 DESERTED THE STORM 231 
 
 "No, he returns with us. I could not leave hi 
 the colony a man of such vicious tendencies." 
 
 On the 2d of January, 1493, Columbus landed to 
 take a farewell of the generous cacique and his chief 
 tains, intending next day to set sail. He gave them 
 a parting feast at the house devoted to his use, and 
 commended to their kindness the men who were to 
 remain, especially Diego de Arana, Pedro Gutier 
 rez, and Roderigo de Escobedo. 
 
 In order to fully impress the Indians with the 
 warlike prowess of the white men, Columbus caused 
 the crews to perform skirmishes and sham battles 
 with swords, bucklers, lances, cross-bows, arquebuses, 
 and cannon. The natives, astounded at the accuracy 
 and effect of the small arms, were stricken with awe 
 when the heavy lombards were discharged from the 
 fortress, wrapping it in wreaths of smoke, shaking the 
 forest with their report, and shivering trees with the 
 heavy stone balls used in artillery in those times. 
 The festivities of the day ended, Columbus embraced 
 the cacique and his principal chieftains and took a 
 final leave of them. Guacanagari had been completely 
 won by the benignity of the admiral's manners and 
 the parting scene was sorrowful on both sides. 
 
 Although Columbus had intended to set sail on 
 the third day of January from Fort Nativity, all 
 arrangements were not completed nor anchor weighed 
 until the morning of the fourth. Companionship in 
 perils and adventures had tied the members of the 
 crew together with strong bonds of sympathy ; and the
 
 232 COLUMBIA 
 
 parting between the Spaniards who embarked and 
 those who remained behind presented an affecting 
 scene. The little garrison, however, evinced a stout 
 heart and cheer after cheer followed their departing 
 comrades as they gazed wistfully after them from the 
 beach. 
 
 The wind being light, it was necessary to tow the 
 caravel out of the harbor and clear of the reefs. They 
 sailed eastward toward a lofty promontory, destitute 
 of trees, but covered with grass, having at a dis 
 tance the appearance of a towering island, and con 
 nected with Hispaniola by a low neck of land. To 
 this promontory Columbus gave the name of Monte 
 Christi, by which it is still known. They remained 
 near the place for two days and again set sail with 
 a favoring breeze. After weathering the cape, they 
 had gone about ten leagues when the wind again 
 turned to blow sharply from the east, forcing them 
 to tack. 
 
 Hernando, who was at the masthead, suddenly 
 discovered a vessel standing around a point of rocky 
 headland. 
 
 "A sail, a sail! " he cried. 
 
 "A sail where away? " asked the admiral, who 
 was anxiously pacing the forward deck. Hernando 
 pointed it out, and no sooner had the eyes of Colum 
 bus rested on the vessel, than he cried joyfully: 
 
 "The Pinta, the Pintal " The certainty of the 
 fact gladdened the heart of the admiral and had an 
 animating effect throughout the ship; for it was a
 
 DESERTED THE STORM 233 
 
 joyful event to the mariners to meet with their com 
 rades once more and have a companion ship on their 
 homeward voyage. 
 
 There was one, however, to whom the sight of 
 the Pinta was no joy. Miguel cast one glance at the 
 ship, and, recognizing her, walked aft, hissing through 
 his teeth: 
 
 "The fool! Why did he loiter about the island 
 when he should have been on his way to Spain?" 
 
 Sweeping down toward them, directly before the 
 wind, came the Pinta. Martin Alonzo Pinzon was 
 not really a bad man at heart, and no doubt had 
 already repented his attempted desertion. 
 
 "I must speak with your brother," said Columbus 
 to Vincent Pinzon. 
 
 "We can't do it here, admiral, for the wind is too 
 adverse and obstinate. But there is a bay a little 
 west of Monte Christ!, in which you can anchor in 
 safety." 
 
 "We will put back there, and signal the Pinta to 
 follow." 
 
 The signal was given and the Pinta rounded to 
 and followed the Nina back to the little bay, where 
 both vessels dropped anchor, and Martin Alonzo 
 Pinzon came aboard the Nina. He attempted in 
 vain to appear composed; his countenance fell, and 
 this man, naturally great and good, stood dishonored 
 before Columbus. 
 
 " You demand an explanation of my abandonment 
 of the squadron,?" asked Pinzon.
 
 234 COLUMBIA 
 
 "Yes. I suppose you had good reasons?" 
 
 "I had. I was compelled, from the severe stress of 
 weather, to part company and have ever since been 
 seeking to find you." 
 
 Columbus listened to his words in suspicious 
 silence and the doubts he had entertained were sub 
 sequently warranted by information given him by one 
 of the sailors. While Pinzon was engaged with his 
 brother, Columbus took the sailor to his cabin and 
 asked: 
 
 "Why did your captain desert us?" 
 
 The sailor looked uneasily about, and, toying with 
 his cap, answered: 
 
 "He is my captain." 
 
 "But I am your admiral. Why did he part com 
 pany with us?" 
 
 " One of the Indians aboard told him of large quan 
 tities of gold in a region to eastward. And his ship 
 being the best sailor, he worked to windward when 
 the others were obliged to put back." 
 
 "Did he find the golden region?" 
 
 "No, admiral; for ten days he was entangled 
 among some small islands, but was at last guided to 
 Hispaniola, where he remained three weeks trading 
 with the Indians." 
 
 "What was the traffic?" 
 
 "Gold. He traded trinkets for gold, which he 
 got in large quantities. One-half he kept, and one- 
 half divided among the crew to secure their fidelity 
 and secrecy."
 
 DESERTED THE STORM 235 
 
 "And where was he going when sighted?" 
 
 "I don't know, but I believe he intended to return 
 to Spain." 
 
 Cautioning the sailor not to mention the interview, 
 Columbus dismissed him. The admiral repressed his 
 indignation at the flagrant breach of duty and men 
 tioned the matter to no one. It was policy to make 
 no open war upon Pinzon during the voyage, for 
 he had a powerful party of relatives and townsmen 
 aboard the armament. To such a degree was his 
 confidence in his associates impaired, that Colum 
 bus resolved to return to Spain at once, while under 
 more favorable circumstances he might have been 
 tempted to explore the coast, in the hope of freighting 
 his ship with treasure. 
 
 Martin Alonzo and his brother Vincent had mean 
 while been engaged in a long, serious conversation in 
 the forward part of the ship. As Martin Alonzo 
 turned about to quit the deck, some one touched his 
 arm, and he recognized the sailor Miguel. 
 
 "Well, what will you?" began Martin Alonzo. 
 
 "Captain great captain, can you vouchsafe a 
 word with me?" 
 
 Pinzon bent a steady gaze upon the mutineer. 
 Had he possessed the power to turn resolutely from 
 temptation, it would have saved him from ruin, dis 
 grace, disappointment, and an untimely death; but, 
 great as Martin Alonzo Pinzon was, he had his weak 
 ness. He listened. 
 "It is not too late yet," his evil genius whispered.
 
 236 COLUMBIA 
 
 "Your ship is a superior sailor, and could soon out 
 distance the admiral. Is it not right that you should 
 save your vessel and crew, and that some one should 
 live to give a report to the sovereigns?" 
 
 The devil speaks honeyed words for his purpose, 
 and is armed with argument so plausible that no one can 
 dispute it; and but for the small voice of conscience, 
 reason would be swayed like a reed in a wind-storm. 
 
 Columbus sailed with Pinzon back to the coast 
 where he had been trading, to which he gave the 
 name of Rio de Gracia. Hernando went on shore 
 with some interpreters to talk with the Indians. On 
 his return, he said: 
 
 "Admiral, the natives make complaint that Cap 
 tain Pinzon has carried off two girls and four men, 
 who are yet on his vessel." 
 
 "Can this be true?" the admiral asked, hardly 
 prepared to believe that one in whom he had reposed 
 such great confidence could be guilty of this further 
 act of dishonor. 
 
 "They say it, and we can easily ascertain." 
 
 "Yes I will go aboard at once. Come with 
 me." 
 
 They went aboard the Pinta. As soon as Colum 
 bus had gained the deck, he turned to Martin Alonzo, 
 and asked: 
 
 " Have you four men and two girl natives prisoners 
 on board your ship?" 
 
 "I have." 
 
 "What do you propose doing with them?"
 
 DESERTED THE STORM 237 
 
 "Take them to Spain and sell them as slaves." 
 
 "You cannot." 
 
 "Why?" 
 
 "I forbid it, and demand their release." 
 
 The dumfounded Pinzon muttered something 
 about their being prisoners of conquest. 
 
 "I will have no people forcibly taken from the 
 natives, with whom we are on the most friendly rela 
 tions. They must be released." 
 
 "You have natives aboard your own ship?" 
 
 "I have, but they go willingly and are not to be 
 sold as slaves." 
 
 Hot words passed, but Columbus at last prevailed, 
 and the prisoners were released, loaded down with 
 presents, and sent on shore. Again the vessels 
 weighed anchor, and coasted the island until they 
 came to a beautiful headland to which Columbus gave 
 the name of Capo del Enamorado, or Lovers' Cape, 
 now known as Cape Cabron. A little beyond this 
 they came to a gulf about ten miles wide and extend 
 ing far inland. 
 
 "Let us land," said Hernando to the admiral. "I 
 see people on shore, who are quite different from any 
 with whom we have heretofore met. Perchance they 
 may be the warlike Caribs, who have my father a 
 prisoner." 
 
 On landing, they found the natives the opposite of 
 the gentle and peaceful people whom they had hereto 
 fore met in the New World. They were ferocious- 
 looking creatures, hideously painted, with their long
 
 238 COLUMBIA 
 
 hair tied behind, and decorated with the feathers of 
 parrots and other birds of gaudy plumage. Some 
 were armed with war-clubs, others had bows of the 
 length of those used by English archers, and slender 
 reeds pointed with hard wood, stone, bone, or the 
 tooth of a fish for arrows. Their swords were of 
 palm-wood, as hard and heavy as iron, and capable 
 of cleaving the skull at a single blow. 
 
 Hernando told the interpreter to ask them if they 
 had a white slave among them, but either he was not 
 understood or these strange, wild people cared not to 
 answer, and the lad turned away with a sigh. The 
 Spaniards bought two of their bows and a few arrows 
 to take to Spain, and one warrior was even induced to 
 go on ship-board. 
 
 Columbus believed these people were the Caribs 
 so often spoken of by the natives; but when asked if 
 they were, the warrior pointed beyond to the east, 
 where lay the Caribbean, and mentioned the island of 
 Mantinino, which Columbus fancied him to say was 
 peopled only by women. 
 
 "That is the island mentioned by Marco Polo." 
 said Columbus. "The inhabitants are women. The 
 men live on another island, and once a year visit the 
 island of the Amazons. All male children are sent to 
 the island of men, allfemales are kept by the Amazons." 
 
 This myth was only another of the mistakes of 
 Columbus. Having regaled the warrior and made 
 him numerous presents, Columbus ordered him to 
 be put in the boat and taken ashore.
 
 DESERTED THE STORM 239 
 
 "The natives are already growing uneasy," said 
 Columbus, "and are watching us even now from 
 the woods. You had better go well armed." 
 
 Hernando sitting in the bow of the boat, with 
 the warrior at his side, saw over fifty of the savages 
 lurking in the woods, with bows, arrows, war-clubs, 
 and javelins. 
 
 "There's danger there," he whispered to his 
 companions. 
 
 The warrior arose and spoke to his companions, 
 and they immediately laid down their weapons and 
 came to meet the Spaniards. Hernando had in 
 structions to purchase a few more of their weapons, 
 and as soon as the Indians had gathered about them 
 he proposed to trade for some. They had parted 
 with two bows, when suddenly one, who seemed a 
 chief, uttered the war-cry of his tribe. In a moment 
 every savage ran to his weapons. 
 
 "Look, look! they are going to fight!" cried 
 Hernando, placing his arquebus and aiming it. 
 But having no slow-match light, and with no 
 time to get one, he seized his cross-bow and pro 
 ceeded to wind it up with a double crank. The 
 savages returned with cords as if to bind the Span 
 iards. 
 
 Hernando's companions were not one whit behind 
 him, and three or four cross-bows sent bolts flying 
 among the natives. The lad hit a savage in the 
 right shoulder, another was wounded in the arm, 
 and they all fled.
 
 240 COLUMBIA 
 
 "Pursue them, cut them down! " cried the angry 
 sailors, one of whom had been slightly bruised by 
 a javelin striking his cuirass. 
 
 "Hold! Don't pursue them! " cried Hernando, 
 who commanded the boat. "We have wounded 
 two and put all to flight; enough. We will return 
 to the caravel." 
 
 This was the first encounter between the white 
 men of the Old World and the savages of the New. 
 Columbus was grieved to see that all his exertions to 
 maintain an amicable intercourse were in vain. He 
 consoled himself, however, that if these were Caribs 
 or frontier Indians of a warlike character, they would 
 be inspired with a dread of the force and weapons 
 of the \vhite man, and deterred from molesting the 
 little garrison at Fort Nativity. They were in fact 
 a bold, hardy race, inhabiting a mountainous dis 
 trict called Ciguay, extending five and twenty leagues 
 along the coast, and several leagues into the interior. 
 They differed in language, features, and manner from 
 the other natives of the island, possessing the rude 
 but independent and vigorous character of moun 
 taineers. 
 
 The day after the skirmish a multitude of the 
 natives appeared on the beach, and the admiral 
 sent a boat-load of well-armed sailors to meet them, 
 and learn if they still entertained feelings of hostility. 
 Their conduct betokened of freedom and confidence, 
 evincing neither fear nor enmity. The cacique who 
 ruled over the neighboring country was on shore;
 
 DESERTED THE STORM 
 
 241 
 
 he sent to the boat a string of beads formed of small, 
 hard shells, which Columbus understood to be a token 
 and assurance of amity. The white men were not 
 
 yet fully aware of the 
 meaning of this sym 
 bol the wampum belt 
 the pledge of peace, 
 held sacred among all 
 the Indians of the New 
 World. 
 
 A MULTITUDE OF NATIVES. 
 
 Columbus named this gulf Gulfo de las Flechas, 
 or the Gulf of Arrows, it being the place where the 
 first encounter had occurred, and arrows being the 
 chief weapons used; but the name has been changed, 
 and today it is known as the Gulf of Samana. An 
 hour before daylight, on January the 16th, 1493, 
 
 Vol. 116
 
 242 COLUMBIA 
 
 taking advantage of a light and favorable wind, the 
 Spanish vessels took their departure. 
 
 Columbus first steered to the northeast, in which 
 direction the young Indians with them assured him 
 he would find the island of the Caribs and that of 
 Mantinino, the abode of the Amazons; it being the 
 admiral's desire to take several of the natives of each 
 to present to the sovereigns of Aragon and Castile. 
 After sailing about sixteen leagues, the Indian guides 
 changed and pointed southeast, toward Porto Rico, 
 which was probably known to the natives as the island 
 of Carib. But before they had gone two leagues on 
 the new course, a favorable breeze for the return to 
 Spain sprang up, Columbus determined to to take 
 advantage of it, and at once made sail for home. 
 
 "You must bear us company on our return," 
 was the order of Columbus to the commander of the 
 Pinta. 
 
 Though Pinzon promised that he would, the ad 
 miral had begun to lose faith not only in him, but in 
 his brother and the pilots. Great profits and honors 
 were to be reaped, and the Pinzons were human; 
 they possessed their jealousies and envy, and it 
 was but natural that they should become moody 
 over the reflections that, but for their aid, this man 
 would never have earned such glory. 
 
 Columbus had so often found the Pinzons, the 
 pilots, and Miguel the mutineer engaged in secret 
 whispered consultations, that he had come to fear 
 the worst for the outcome of the voyage.
 
 DESERTED THE STORM 243 
 
 The trade winds, which had been favorable on 
 the voyage out, were equally adverse on the return. 
 The promising breeze soon died away, and through 
 out the remainder of January the light winds which 
 prevailed from the east prevented any very great 
 progress. The foremast of the Pinta had been sprung, 
 so she could carry but little sail: this also detained 
 them. The weather was mild and pleasant, and the 
 sea so calm that the Indians whom they were taking 
 to Spain frequently plunged into the water and swam 
 about the ships. They killed several tunny fish and 
 one large shark, the former adding considerable to 
 their low stock of provisions. 
 
 Besides keeping a careful reckoning Columbus 
 was a vigilant and careful observer of those indica 
 tions furnished by the sea, air, and sky. The fate 
 of all, in that unknown region which he had trav 
 ersed, often depended on these observations. On 
 the 10th of February Vincent Yanez Pinzon and 
 the pilots Ruiz and Bartolomeo Roldon, who were on 
 board the admiral's ship, examined the charts and 
 compared the reckonings to determine their situa 
 tion, but could come to no agreement. 
 
 "Let us confer with the admiral," said Pinzon. 
 When Columbus had their account of the reckon 
 ing, he said to himself: 
 
 "Both are wrong. They think they are one 
 hundred and fifty leagues nearer Spain than they 
 are, and in the latitude of Madeira; whereas I know 
 we are nearly in the direction of the Azores."
 
 244 COLUMBIA 
 
 He listened to them, but gave them no informa 
 tion calculated to enlighten them. When they 
 were gone from his cabin, he turned to Hernando 
 and said: 
 
 "They are five hundred miles off the true reck 
 oning. The suppression of the true calculation is 
 of great advantage to us." 
 
 "Why did you not tell them all, and give them 
 the true reckoning? " 
 
 "My lad, they would then be as wise as I, while I 
 prefer to leave them in error, and would rather add 
 to their perplexity than clear the matter up for them." 
 
 "Why do thus, admiral? " 
 
 "They will have but a confused idea of the voyage, 
 at best, and I doubt if any of them could return. 
 I alone will possess a clear knowledge of the route. 
 There is so much treachery among us that I have 
 learned it is best to keep my own secrets." 
 
 This was a lesson of wisdom and sagacity which 
 Hernando never forgot. On the 12th of February, as 
 they were congratulating themselves that they would 
 soon reach the land, which many had almost given 
 up all hope of ever beholding again, the wind rose 
 and the sea ran high, though they still kept their 
 eastward course. On the following day, after sun 
 set, the wind and swell increased, and flashes of 
 lightning to the northeast gave warning of an ap 
 proaching storm. 
 
 Hernando stood on deck by the side of Colum 
 bus, trusting in him as in a father.
 
 DESERTED THE STORM 245 
 
 "I fear we are going to have a tempest which 
 will try our crazy vessels to their utmost," said the 
 admiral. "Be prepared to die." 
 
 "I am prepared, admiral, for any ordeal," the 
 lad bravely answered, "and if death comes, I shall 
 not shrink from it. One favor I crave." 
 
 "What is it?" 
 
 "Let me stay at your side." 
 
 "It is granted." 
 
 "Then I am ready for storm and shipwreck." 
 
 The scene was grand and imposing one calcu 
 lated to strike the beholder with awe and admiration. 
 The heavens were black, and the world was 
 shrouded in darkness. The angry, leaping waters 
 swirled in the shrieking wind. Every billow, which 
 gathered force and rose in its might in their wake, 
 came roaring on like some furious monster determined 
 on destruction, until it broke in crested splendor 
 over the stern of their frail craft, driving it on 
 beam-ends. The whole surface of the sea was a 
 white sheet of foam, filled with deep, yawning pits, 
 and black, unfathomable chasms. The white fleecy 
 foam driven horizontally even to the very decks 
 of the vessels looked like snow issuing from the 
 bosom of the ocean. The horizon portended a last 
 ing tempest; sky and water seemed to blend. Thick 
 masses of clouds of frightful shape swept across the 
 zenith with the swiftness of birds, while others ap 
 peared motionless as columns of stone. Not a single 
 spot of blue sky could be discerned in the whole
 
 246 COLUMBIA 
 
 firmament, and a pale yellow gleam lighted up all 
 objects of the sea and the skies. 
 
 On the morning of the 14th there was a lull 
 and they made a little sail; but just as the fright 
 ened sailors were beginning to hope, the wind again 
 rose from the south, with redoubled fury, and raged 
 throughout the day, increasing in violence as night 
 approached; while the vessels rocked terribly in 
 the cross-sea, the broken waves threatening to over 
 whelm them. 
 
 For three days they kept just sail enough to run 
 ahead of the waves and prevent foundering; but, 
 the tempest still augmenting, they were obliged to 
 scud before the wind. In the darkness of night they 
 lost sight of the Pinta. The admiral kept as much 
 as possible to the northeast, to approach the coast 
 of Spain; and he signaled for the Pinta to do the 
 same and keep in company with him. Martin Alonzo 
 afterward claimed that owing to the weakness of her 
 foremast, he was compelled to scud before the 
 wind directly north. For some time the Pinta 
 answered the signals, but soon her lights gleamed 
 more and more distant, until they were lost in 
 the gloom and darkness. Had she been swallowed 
 up in the ocean, or was the Pinta in reality deserting 
 Columbus in his sore distress? When day dawned, 
 Columbus, who had passed a sleepless night, vainly 
 swept the frightful waste of broken waves, lashed 
 into a fury by the gale. There was no sign of the 
 Pinta.
 
 DESERTED THE STORM 247 
 
 "I fear she has gone down/' he said. His words 
 fell on the ears of Miguel at his side, and the mutineer, 
 uttering a smothered curse, added under his breath: 
 
 "Why didn't the fool go to Spain weeks ago?" 
 
 The sun rose and the wind and waves rose with 
 it, and through the dreary day the almost helpless 
 ship was driven by the fury of the tempest. As 
 evening approached Columbus mustered the crew 
 in the forward part of the ship and said: 
 
 "All human skill is baffled and confounded by 
 the warring elements, arid there alone remains to 
 us to propitiate Heaven by solemn vows and acts of 
 penance. Take a number of beans, equal the num 
 ber of persons on board, cut the cross on one, and 
 put them all in a cap; then let each of the crew 
 make a vow, that, should he draw the marked bean, 
 he will make a pilgrimage to the shrine of Santa 
 Maria de Guadalupe, bearing a wax taper of five 
 pounds weight." 
 
 The crew all assented, and each made the vow. 
 The admiral was first to put in his hand, and the lot 
 fell on him. Holding the marked bean in his hand, 
 he solemnly said: 
 
 "From this moment I shall consider myself a pil 
 grim, bound to perform the vow." 
 
 As the storm still raged, a second lot was cast in 
 the same manner for a pilgrimage to the chapel of 
 Our Lady of Loretto. This fell upon a sailor named 
 Pedro de Villa, and Columbus at once agreed to bear 
 the expenses of the journey. A third lot was also
 
 248 COLUMBIA 
 
 drawn for a pilgrimage to Santa Clara de Moguer to 
 perform a solemn Mass and watch all night in the 
 chapel, and this also fell on Columbus. 
 
 Columbus feared that the Pinta had gone down 
 rather than that he had been deserted. Should his 
 own feeble bark perish, his great discoveries would 
 be lost, swallowed up in the ocean. The storm raged 
 still more furious than before. 
 
 "Why not write out your discoveries, put the 
 account in a cask and throw it overboard? It may 
 reach Spain," suggested Hernando. 
 
 It was a bare hope, but Columbus adopted the 
 plan. He wrote an account of the voyage and dis 
 coveries, 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; superscribing a promise of a thousand 
 ducats to whomsoever should deliver the packet 
 unopened. He then wrapped it in waxed cloth, 
 which he placed in the center of a cake of wax, and 
 enclosing the whjole in a large barrel, threw it into 
 the sea, pretending to his crew that he was performing 
 some religious vow. Fearing that this memorial 
 would never reach the land, he enclosed another 
 copy in a similar manner and placed it on the poop, 
 so that, should the caravel be swallowed up by the 
 waves, the barrel might float off and survive.
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 THE ASSASSIN FOILED. 
 
 IT is an indication of the great unselfish nature 
 of Columbus, that even in the midst of personal 
 danger, with death staring him in the face, he should 
 think of his discoveries rather than his own safety. 
 The measures he had taken relieved his anxiety to 
 a slight extent, but he was far more at ease when, 
 after heavy showers, there appeared at sunset a 
 streak of clear sky in the west, giving hope that the 
 wind was about to shift. This hope was con 
 firmed, for a favorable breeze sprang up, though 
 the sea still ran so high that there was great danger 
 of being overwhelmed and foundered by the waves. 
 
 On the morning of the 15th of February the 
 storm had considerably abated, and the sea, which 
 had been for days lashed into a fury, was growing 
 calmer every hour. At dawn of day Columbus was 
 on deck, with his young friend, as usual, at his 
 side. 
 
 "Let me go to the maintop, admiral; my eyes 
 are sharp and accustomed to long distances." 
 
 "The waves still run high." 
 
 "Not so high as yesterday, and I was in the foretop 
 for hours then." 
 
 249
 
 250 COLUMBIA 
 
 
 
 "Go, but have a care; I would as soon lose my own 
 son." 
 
 The active boy ran quickly up the rigging and 
 had scarcely gained the position when Rui Garcia, a 
 mariner, cried: 
 
 "Land land, ho!" 
 
 The shout was taken up on deck and the cry of 
 "Land, land!" rang out over the wild waters. 
 
 Poor, weary souls, worn out with long continued 
 battling with the tempest, the sailors had dropped 
 down on deck to catch a moment's sleep, but they now 
 started up with transports of joy at once more gain 
 ing sight of the Old World. 
 
 As the sun rose in a cloudless sky it revealed the 
 shore lying east-northeast, directly over the prow of 
 the caravel, and the pilots at once began to dispute 
 as to what land it was. One said it was the island of 
 Madeira; another, that it was the rock of Cintra near 
 Lisbon; while Columbus, from his private reckonings 
 and observations, concluded it to be one of the Azores. 
 A nearer approach proved it to be an island; it was 
 but five leagues distant, and the voyagers were con 
 gratulating themselves on the assurance of being 
 speedily in port, when the wind veered again to the 
 east-northeast, blowing directly from the land, while a 
 heavy swell kept rolling from the west. 
 
 For two days they hovered about the island, 
 always in sight but unable to get into port, or to reach 
 the other island of which they caught occasional 
 glimpses through the mist and rack of tempest. On
 
 THE ASSASSIN FOILED 251 
 
 the evening of the 17th they approached near enough 
 to the first island to cast anchor, but, their cable part 
 ing, they had to put to sea again, where they remained 
 beating about until the following morning, when 
 they anchored under shelter of its northern side. 
 Columbus had been in such a state of agitation for 
 several days that he had scarcely taken food or sleep. 
 Although suffering with rheumatism, he had kept his 
 post on deck, exposed to. the wintry cold, the pelt 
 ing storm, and drenching surges of the sea. On the 
 night of the 17th he fell asleep, more from exhaus 
 tion than tranquillity of mind. Had one-tenth the 
 perils and difficulties beset them on their outward 
 voyage that they encountered on their return, his 
 timid and factious crew would have rebelled against 
 the enterprise, thrown him into the sea, and returned 
 home. 
 
 The island they had made was St. Mary's, one of 
 the southern Azores, and a possession of the crown of 
 Portugal. The admiral's trials were not yet over. 
 Miguel, one of the first to land, set off to find Juan de 
 Castaneda, the governor of St. Mary's, and to en 
 deavor, partly by truth but mostly by falsehood, to 
 rouse him against Columbus. 
 
 On the following morning Columbus reminded his 
 people of their vow to perform a pious procession at 
 the first place at which they should land. There was 
 to be seen from the ship, at no great distance from the 
 sea, a small hermitage or chapel dedicated to the Vir 
 gin, and arrangements were immediately made for the
 
 252 COLUMBIA 
 
 performance of the rite. Three messengers, returning 
 to the village, sent a priest to perform mass, and one- 
 half of the crew, landing, walked barefoot to the 
 chapel; while Columbus, with the other half, awaited 
 their return to perform a like ceremony. 
 
 The mariners entered the little chapel, but had 
 scarcely begun their prayers and thanksgiving when 
 the soldiers and citizens of the village, horse and foot, 
 headed by the governor, surrounded the hermitage 
 and made all prisoners. This was indeed an ungen 
 erous reception for the poor, tempest-tossed mariners 
 on their first return to the abode of civilized man 
 far different from the hospitality extended to them by 
 the savages of the New World. Miguel, who had been 
 one of the instigators of the trouble, kept out of sight, 
 and his comrades were in ignorance of his guilt in the 
 affair. History makes no mention of it, but his 
 design, we need hardly say, was the capture and de 
 struction of the admiral and Hernando. 
 
 Columbus was unable to see the hermitage from 
 the deck of the Nina owing to an intervening point 
 of land, and growing uneasy at the long delay, weighed 
 anchor and stood in a little nearer where he could see 
 the shore. The first object that met his view was a 
 number of armed horsemen dismounting and entering 
 a boat. 
 
 "They are coming to us," said the amazed Colum 
 bus. 
 
 "Yes, admiral, they intend to fight." 
 The suspicions of Columbus were at once aroused,
 
 THE ASSASSIN FOILED 253 
 
 for he knew the hostility of the Portuguese to his 
 enterprise. He ordered his men to arm themselves 
 and keep out of sight, though near at hand, to either 
 defend the vessel or surprise the boat, as occasion 
 might require. As the boat drew nearer, he dis 
 covered the governor in it. When within hailing 
 distance, the governor called out: "May I come 
 aboard?" 
 
 "Certainly, if your visit is a peaceable one." The 
 boat, however, still remained at a distance, and 
 Columbus, unable longer to contain himself, now cried 
 out: 
 
 "Governor Castaneda, where are my men, whom 
 I sent ashore to do penance at your chapel? Have 
 you made them prisoners, wronging the Spanish 
 monarchs and your own sovereigns?" 
 
 "Who are you?" demanded the governor. 
 
 "Christopher Columbus, lord admiral of the high 
 seas, viceroy and governor-general of the new coun 
 tries I have discovered," and Columbus displayed his 
 letters patent, stamped with the royal seal of Castile. 
 "Release my men and send them aboard, or you may 
 look for the vengeance of Spain." 
 
 Castaneda replied in a voice of contempt: 
 
 "I have no fear of your sovereigns, my lord ad 
 miral. They have had enough to do to drive out the 
 Moors. What I have done has been under instruc 
 tions of my king and sovereign." 
 
 "Then your conduct will provoke a war between 
 Spain and Portugal."
 
 254 COLUMBIA 
 
 The boat with the governor returned to shore, and 
 Columbus, unable to decide what course to pursue, 
 continued to beat around the island without gaining 
 any satisfactory information until the 22d, when they 
 returned to their anchorage at St. Mary's. A boat 
 bringing off two priests and a notary now pulled to the 
 ship. 
 
 "What is your wish?" demanded Columbus, when 
 they came in hailing distance. 
 
 "We want to see your papers," the notary an 
 swered. 
 
 "Come aboard and examine them." 
 
 With some degree of caution they came aboard the 
 caravel, and the notary said: 
 
 "Governor Castaneda is disposed to render you 
 every service he can, if you really sail in service of the 
 Spanish sovereigns." 
 
 "There are my papers," answered Columbus, and 
 he showed them to the priests and notary, who seemed 
 satisfied. On the following day the prisoners were 
 liberated, and all, save Miguel, came on board. He, no 
 doubt fearing the punishment he so richly merited, 
 kept aloof from the admiral. 
 
 The mariners, during their detention, had collected 
 information which threw some light on the conduct of 
 Castaneda. The king of Portugal, jealous lest the 
 expedition of Columbus might interfere with his own 
 discoveries, had sent orders to his commanders of dis 
 tant ports to seize and detain Columbus if the oppor 
 tunity presented itself. Castaneda, acting on those
 
 THE ASSASSIN FOILED 255 
 
 orders, had in the first instance hoped to surprise 
 Columbus in the chapel, and, failing in that, had at 
 tempted to get him in his power by stratagem, but 
 was balked by finding Columbus on guard. 
 
 For two days longer the admiral remained at St. 
 Mary's, endeavoring to take in wood and ballast, but 
 was prevented by the heavy surf which broke on the 
 shore. On the 24th he again set sail for Spain, and 
 on the 27th, when within one hundred and twenty- 
 five leagues of Cape Vincent, encountered another 
 furious gale. The nearer he approached home the 
 more boisterous grew the sea, and he could not help 
 feeling that he was being repulsed, as it were, "from 
 the very door of the house." The poor, tempest- 
 tossed admiral one day said to Hernando: 
 
 "Well may the sacred theologians and sage phil 
 osophers declare that the terrestrial paradise is in the 
 utmost extremity of the East, for it is the most tem 
 perate of regions." 
 
 On the 2d of March the caravel was struck by 
 a squall of wind which tore off her sails and forced 
 her to scud under bare poles. Again they were 
 threatened with destruction, and another lot was 
 cast for a pilgrimage, barefoot, to the shrine of Santa 
 Maria de la Cueva, in Huelva, and, as usual, the lot 
 fell to Columbus. There was something singular 
 in the recurrence of this circumstance. Las Casas 
 devoutly considers it as an intimation from the 
 Deity to the admiral that these storms were all on his 
 account, to humble his pride and prevent his taking
 
 256 COLUMBIA 
 
 to himself the credit of a discovery which was the 
 work of God. 
 
 On the 4th of March, at daybreak, they found 
 themselves off the rock of Cintra, at the mouth of the 
 Tagus, and much as they had cause to mistrust the 
 Portuguese, Columbus was forced to run in for shelter. 
 Accordingly, about three o'clock in the afternoon, he 
 anchored opposite to the Rastello, to the great joy of 
 the crew, who returned thanks to God for their es 
 cape from so many perils. 
 
 Immediately on his arrival Columbus despatched 
 a courier to the king and queen of Spain with tidings 
 of his discoveries, and also wrote to the king of Portu 
 gal, then at Valparaiso, requesting permission to go 
 with his vessel to Lisbon. A report had got abroad 
 that the Nina was laden with gold and he felt inse 
 cure at Rastello. 
 
 On the following day Columbus was summoned 
 on board a Portuguese man-of war, but he asserted 
 his rank and refused to leave his vessel. The cap 
 tain then came on board the caravel and tendered 
 his services to Columbus. 
 
 "Admiral," said Hernando, when the captain had 
 departed, "I was on shore today, and while there saw 
 Miguel." 
 
 "What! I thought him lost. I have not seen 
 him since we left St. Mary's," answered Columbus. 
 
 "He is here; and I have every reason to believe 
 that it is he who is spreading all these stories about 
 wealth aboard. He means us no good."
 
 THE ASSASSIN ROILED 257 
 
 "Watch him, my lad." 
 
 "It is my purpose." 
 
 Columbus received permission to go to Lisbon; 
 also a request to call upon King John. Columbus 
 would gladly have declined the royal invitation, but 
 much as he distrusted the Portuguese king he dared 
 not refuse. His messenger had already gone by an 
 overland route to Spain, and he soon hoped for fair 
 weather to bear his shattered bark to Palos. He 
 sailed to Lisbon and prepared to set out for Val 
 paraiso. 
 
 "May I accompany you, admiral?" asked Her- 
 nando. The lad, on account of his ceaseless vigil 
 and constant watching, was almost broken down. 
 His eyes were sunken, his face pale, with a hectic 
 flush on his cheek that the admiral thought alarming. 
 
 "No, Hernando, you must have rest. The 
 weather is rainy and you should not expose your 
 self. I will have attendants." 
 
 On the second day after his arrival Columbus set 
 out for the king's palace, and was met by the princi 
 pal cavaliers of the monarch's household, who came 
 out to meet him and conduct him in great pomp to 
 the palace. 
 
 He did not see a pair of evil eyes watching him, 
 nor did he recognize the crafty face of Miguel Gan- 
 zola, the mutineer. 
 
 "I will slay him yet," Miguel hissed. "I began 
 for reward. I will end for hate. " 
 
 The admiral was royally entertained by King 
 
 Vol. 117
 
 258 COLUMBIA 
 
 John. Columbus was ordered to seat himself in the 
 king's presence, an honor granted only to persons of 
 royal dignity, and after many congratulations on his 
 safe return, the king made minute inquiries about 
 the soil, the land, the people, and the gold in the 
 newly discovered regions. He was deeply chagrined 
 that by his lack of faith in Columbus, he had allowed 
 his rivals to win so rich a prize. Some historians 
 claim that the Portuguese were so envious that they 
 determined to put Columbus to death. They have 
 doubtless confused the acts of Miguel with the 
 designs of King John. 
 
 One historian says: 
 
 "Seeing the king much perturbed in spirit, some 
 even went so far as to propose, as a means of imped 
 ing the prosecution of these enterprises, that Colum 
 bus should be assassinated; declaring that he 
 deserved death for attempting to deceive and em 
 broil the two nations by his pretended discoveries. 
 It was suggested that his assassination might be 
 accomplished without incurring any odium. Ad 
 vantage might be taken of his lofty deportment to 
 pique his pride, provoke him into an altercation, and 
 then despatch him, as if in casual and honorable 
 encounter." 
 
 King John has left a fair reputation for honor 
 and it is very doubtful if he ever contemplated any 
 such crime. It is hard to believe that such dastardly 
 counsel could have even been proposed to a monarch 
 who, in spite of the humiliation which he unques-
 
 THE ASSASSIN FOILED 259 
 
 tionably suffered when Columbus returned covered 
 with glory from his discoveries, extended to him all 
 the honors due a distinguished benefactor of man 
 kind. 
 
 Miguel, the hired assassin, may have ingratiated 
 himself into the favor of people of all ranks, poison 
 ing their minds against the man he had grown to 
 hate, and it was no doubt his conduct which gave 
 rise to the current report which has been handed 
 down in history by Portuguese, as well as Spanish, 
 authorities. Other counsel, in which there was a 
 mixture of craft and courage, was more relished by 
 the king, and he resolved privately, before Columbus 
 had left Portugal, to fit out a powerful expedition, 
 under command of one of the most distinguished 
 captains of the age, Don Francisco de Almeida, and 
 take possession of the newly discovered country; 
 possession then, as now, being considered the best 
 claim and an appeal to arms the clearest mode of set 
 tling so doubtful a question. Columbus after leav 
 ing the king paid his respects to the queen, and then 
 set out for Lisbon, hoping soon to return to Palos. 
 
 Hernando Estevan not unlike his master was 
 often swayed by secret impulses. It was an age 
 of superstition and one cannot wonder that Her 
 nando was moved by his impressions. Some omin 
 ous voice seemed whispering to him that Columbus, 
 the man whom he had come to love almost as a father, 
 was in danger. This feeling arose, no doubt, from 
 the presence of the mutineer in Portugal. Miguel
 
 260 COLUMBIA 
 
 had been seen in Lisbon and Valparaiso, and it was 
 thought that his presence boded no good to the safety 
 and welfare of the admiral. 
 
 Columbus had already been detained two or three 
 days longer than necessary, and Hernando, stealing 
 ashore at night, procured a horse and armed only 
 with his sword and dagger set off to find him. Never 
 sallied forth a knight-errant with stouter heart or 
 more trusty blade. Though young in years, he 
 was old in the science of war. Setting out alone, 
 without even a guide, he rode over the rough and 
 dangerous road between Lisbon and Valparaiso. 
 Night had set in before he began his journey. And 
 a dark night it was not a single star appeared in 
 the heavens. 
 
 Unacquainted with the road though he was, the 
 lad pushed boldly on, up hill and down, until he 
 came to where the way wound through a forest. 
 He was just thinking that this would be an excell 
 ent spot for an assassin to waylay an unsuspecting 
 victim, when the sound of hoofs reached his ears. 
 The lad drew rein, with the approaching horseman 
 but a few rods away. From the clank of arms he at 
 first supposed him to be a soldier; but the awkward 
 ness of the fellow as he dismounted, dragging his 
 heavy matchlock after him convinced Hernando 
 that he was not an expert horseman. The lad rode 
 into the bushes, determined to know more of the 
 strange traveler. Having become accustomed to 
 the darkness, he was enabled to make out the out-
 
 THE ASSASSIN FOILED 261 
 
 lines of a thick-set, stoop-shouldered man, whose 
 garb was that of a sailor. 
 
 "I know him," the youth said to himself. 
 
 Dismounting, Hernando made his horse fast to a 
 tree, and, drawing his long, keen dagger, he crept a 
 little nearer. There was a slight jingling of iron 
 rods as if the stranger was setting the rest of his arque 
 bus to get it ready for firing, and he saw the glow of 
 a slow-match. 
 
 Then there came on the air the tramp of other 
 horses. Hernando at once surmised that the man 
 with the arquebus was an assassin lying in wait for 
 his victim. Some of the party of advancing horse 
 men bore links which lighted up the road, but failed 
 to penetrate the dense wood in which Hernando 
 was watching. A voice was at this moment heard to 
 say: 
 
 "It can scarcely be three leagues to the port, and 
 I am anxious, the wind being fair and God willing, to 
 sail to-morrow." 
 
 "It is the admiral, and this is an assassin sent to 
 kill him," thought the youth. 
 
 Dagger in hand, with all the ferocity and 
 cunning sagacity of a tiger expressed in his crouch 
 ing body, he crept nearer and nearer to the mur 
 derer. The man with the arquebus was stooping 
 low, and the glow of the slow-match hidden behind 
 his cap revealed his features to the lad behind, but 
 not to those in front. 
 
 "Miguel! " he whispered.
 
 262 COLUMBIA 
 
 The hand that clutched the dagger did not tremble, 
 and the holder crept nearer and nearer. Miguel 
 aimed his gun at Columbus, who rode nearest him, 
 and applied the match. 
 
 As the flash and report rang on the air some one 
 struck the arquebus, and the next instant a hand 
 grappled the villain's throat and a voice hissed in his 
 ear: 
 
 "Coward murderer! " 
 
 The ball from the arquebus missed the mark and 
 the admiral was uninjured, but Hernando felt that 
 the time had come to settle with his antagonist and, 
 knowing full well with whom he had to deal, he 
 did not hesitate. The advantage of surprise quite 
 overcame the disparagement of age and strength. 
 He was quick to strike and struck home. A yell 
 of agony followed the blow and he struck again and 
 again. 
 
 The admiral, with his attendants and link-bearers, 
 galloped forward into the wood. But all was over. 
 There was Hernando, with a blood-stained dagger 
 in his hand, standing over a dead body.
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 THE RETURN TO PALOS. 
 
 "HERNANDO!" cried the admiral, as the light 
 from the blazing torches fell full on the face of the 
 youth in the wood by the dead body. 
 
 "It is all over." 
 
 "What have you done? " 
 
 "Slain your enemy, put out of the way the man 
 who would have assassinated you." 
 
 The overturned rest, the empty arquebus still 
 hot and smoking, the burning match, and the naked 
 sword in the hand of the dead man supplied all miss 
 ing links in the story. 
 
 "Who is he, Hernando?" 
 
 "Your bitterest enemy, Miguel. He came to 
 kill you, and I slew him." 
 
 " I forbade your leaving the ship," said the admiral. 
 
 "I know you did, admiral; and now that I have 
 saved your life I am ready to endure any punishment 
 you may choose to inflict." 
 
 In a moment Columbus had clasped the lad in a 
 warm embrace. 
 
 King John had sent Don Martin de Norona and 
 a numerous train of cavaliers to escort Columbus 
 and his pilot. Don Martin had fallen a short dis- 
 263
 
 264 COLUMBIA 
 
 tance in the rear of the cavalcade, when the report 
 of the arquebus wakened the echoes of the night, 
 and clapping spurs to his horse he reached the spot 
 just as Columbus clasped his preserver to his breast. 
 
 "Hulloa, admiral, what means this?" cried Don 
 Martin. "Have some of the dogs of robbers dared 
 to attack you?" 
 
 "It's an old enemy, Don Martin'." 
 
 "Who is the lad?" 
 
 "Hernando Estevan, the companion of many of 
 my severest dangers and trials and the preserver of 
 my life." 
 
 "And the man slain?" 
 
 Columbus then proceeded to explain that he was 
 an old enemy, who for some unknown cause had 
 sought to thwart his plans and take his life. Though 
 he allowed no such hint to escape his lips, it was for 
 a while a serious question in the mind of Columbus 
 whether the assassin had been acting on his own 
 account or in the employ of King John. After all, 
 the Portuguese king might only be pretending 
 friendship in order to blind Columbus and take him 
 unawares. Fearing, however, that he might do the 
 Portuguese monarch wrong, he determined to say 
 nothing about this adventure and his narrow escape. 
 
 "It is a singular affair, and I shall report it to 
 the sovereign," said Don Martin. 
 
 "I pray you do nothing of the kind, Don Martin." 
 
 "And why?" 
 
 "It will only agitate the king without cause.
 
 THE RETURN TO PAWS 265 
 
 It is merely an old enemy slain by my young friend, 
 and I pray that no mention ever be made of it in 
 Portugal or in Spain." Columbus had his way and 
 the affair was kept a secret. 
 
 "What shall we do with the body?" asked Don 
 Martin. 
 
 "Leave it, and some of the peasants will find it 
 in the morning and give it Christian burial," Colum 
 bus answered. 
 
 The finding of a dead body in the woods or lonely 
 mountain passes was a common occurrence in those 
 days and occasioned little comment. The cavalcade 
 went to Llandra, where Columbus slept until morning; 
 when a servant of the king arrived to attend him to 
 the frontier, if he preferred to return to Spain by land, 
 and to provide horses, lodgings, and all else he might 
 stand in need of. 
 
 Columbus was pleased with this marked display 
 of favor on the part of the king of Portugal, but 
 decided to return in his caravel. 
 
 "Inform your monarch that I am highly honored 
 by his attention, but that I prefer, as the wind is 
 favorable, to return in one of the shattered vessels 
 in which I left last year." When the royal messen 
 ger was gone, Columbus thought: "I have done 
 King John wrong even to suspect him." 
 
 "How soon will you put back into Palos?" Her- 
 nando asked, when they were once more on the deck 
 of the Nina. 
 
 "At once."
 
 266 COLUMBIA 
 
 "Heaven be praised! " 
 
 "Are you so anxious to return, my lad?" 
 
 " Yes, my lord admiral," the youth answered. " It 
 seems that we have spent a lifetime in that new world. 
 Doubtless many stories have gone back to Palos; 
 and and I know two women who are anxiously 
 scanning the ocean day by day, hoping for my 
 return. One is still young, though sad, and the 
 other has grown old with years and grief." 
 
 "We sail in the morning, and in two days, Heaven 
 willing, we shall reach the port of Palos," Columbus 
 answered. 
 
 Next day was the 13th of March, 1493, and at 
 dawn the Nina weighed anchor, unfurled her sail to 
 the breeze, and sailed away for Palos. At early day 
 light Hernando was awake and on deck at the side 
 of the admiral, whose own great heart was beating 
 high with hope. When it became known throughout 
 the vessel that at last, after so many delays, they had 
 in reality set out on their return to Palos, the sailors 
 broke forth in transports. 
 
 The praises of the saints were sung, and such joy 
 was never known on shipboard. Standing at the 
 bow of the vessel, filled with a deep happiness as 
 strong as the current of a mighty river, was the 
 youth whose fortunes have been so strangely blended 
 with the admiral's. Though young in years, he was 
 a man in thought. 
 
 Bending over, he watched the sharp prow cleav 
 ing the water, and thanked Heaven for every favor-
 
 THE RETURN TO PAWS 267 
 
 able breeze. The air was raw and sharp, and the 
 admiral expostulated with him urging him to go 
 below and take some rest. 
 
 "I cannot rest, my lord, when every second brings 
 me nearer home. Are any landmarks familiar along 
 the way?" he asked. 
 
 "Many; our pilots feel entirely safe. They are at 
 home in these waters." 
 
 It was late at night when the admiral induced 
 Hernando to retire, but at daylight next morning he 
 was again at his post, rejoicing that they were rapidly 
 nearing their harbor of safety. The day was cloudy 
 most of the time and a heavy fog prevailed; this, with 
 contrary winds, made the voyage difficult and perilous. 
 
 "Still watching?" asked the admiral, joining 
 Hernando. 
 
 " Yes, admiral; I feel that I cannot leave this spot. 
 I was the last to turn my eyes from Palos and I must 
 be the first to see the port on our return. I left them 
 more than half a year ago standing there, straining 
 their tear-stained eyes to watch my departure. Shall 
 I find them awaiting my return, I wonder?" 
 
 "I trust you may." 
 
 "And yet we may never reach Palos, for it seems 
 as if the fiends and furies of the tempest contend 
 with us at our very doors. All may yet be lost." 
 
 "No, not all . " Columbus answered . ' ' Even though 
 my ship should sink and all of us go down with her, I 
 have sent an account of the voyage and my discoveries 
 to the sovereigns, so that they will not be lost."
 
 268 COLUMBIA 
 
 The 15th of March dawned and found every sailor 
 on deck and wide-awake. The enthusiasm and excite 
 ment of the return were scarcely less than on the morn 
 ing of the first landing in the new world. At sunrise 
 they safely landed at the bar of Saltes, and thunder 
 ing cannon announced their return to the little sea 
 port town. 
 
 The Nina found the wind contrary, yet by skilful 
 management they worked her gradually into port. 
 
 The long-expected return of Columbus was a great 
 event in the history of Palos, \vhere everybody was 
 more or less interested in the outcome of the expe 
 dition. The most important and wealthy sea-cap 
 tains of the place had engaged in it, and there was 
 scarcely a family but had some relative or friend 
 among the navigators. The departure of the ships 
 on what appeared to be a chimerical and desperate 
 cruise had spread dismay and gloom over the place; 
 and the storms which had raged throughout the 
 winter had greatly heightened the general despond 
 ency. The friends who had departed on the voyage 
 were mourned as lost, imagination lending mysterious 
 horrors to their fate; picturing them as driven about 
 over wild and desert wastes of shoreless water, or 
 perishing amid mountains of stone, seething whirlpools 
 or treacherous quicksands, or a prey to those monsters 
 of the deep with which the credulity of the time peo 
 pled every distant and unknown sea. Death in any 
 defined or ordinary form did not begin to compare 
 with such an awful fate.
 
 THE RETURN TO PAWS 269 
 
 Now, what means that thundering gun at sea? 
 and look, a sail approaches! Old sailors, whose 
 weather-beaten eyes had long grown accustomed to 
 scanning the ocean, seized glasses and swept the 
 waters. 
 
 "It's the Nina, the Nina!" cried an old sailor, 
 who had a son on board the vessel. The glad cry 
 was taken up from street to street. The whole 
 community seemed wild. Bells were rung, cannon 
 and arquebuses fired, shops closed, all business sus 
 pended, and for a time there was nothing but tumult 
 and hurry. By chance, Senora Doria and Christina 
 were in the village, and hearing the tumult, rushed 
 into the street to inquire the cause. 
 
 "Joy, joy, joy!" shouted a sailor hurrying by. 
 "The ship which was lost is returned. One of the 
 long missing Columbus caravels is in port." 
 
 "Grandame, grandame, he may be aboard!" 
 cried Christina, her eyes beaming with hope. After 
 weary months of waiting, they had given up all hope 
 of ever seeing the youth again; now that one of the 
 ships of the little fleet was returning and they felt a 
 hope that he might be aboard, it seemed as if they 
 were about to receive a visit from the dead. They 
 went with the multitude down to the quay to watch 
 the incoming vessel. 
 
 Standing erect on the cross-piece of the bowsprit, 
 leaning forward, trying to pierce the distance and 
 make out the features of those on shore, was Hernando 
 Estevan. Could this be true ? Was it a reality, or only
 
 270 COLUMBIA 
 
 a pleasant dream from which he would awake? Were 
 they really gliding into the peaceful harbor of 
 Palos, crowned with glory? Columbus, too, was 
 moved by sensations as strange as Hernando's. 
 Had he really found a new world, or was it but the 
 fantasy o a diseased brain, brought on by long 
 dwelling on the mysterious subject? Columbus for 
 the first time began almost to doubt his own sanity. 
 Never before had his terrible task seemed so difficult 
 and impossible. He was roused from his strange 
 reverie by hearing a shout : 
 
 "She's there, she's there! the Saints be praised!" 
 And leaning from the fore-rigging of the ship, Her- 
 nando waved his cap in the air. 
 
 A joyous shout came in response from land, a 
 sweet girlish voice reached his ears and a bright blue 
 turban, such as the young Andalusian women of the 
 period wore, was waved in the air. 
 
 "Tell me, Christina, do you see him? My eyes 
 are growing dim and I cannot tell," said the aged 
 senora. 
 
 "Behold! someone mounts the fore-rigging; see, 
 he stops, he waves his cap. 'Tis he, 'tis he; 'tis 
 Hernando, and he sees us!" 
 
 Then the multitude crowded to the water's edge 
 to get a glimpse of the sailors on deck, and there was 
 a crowding forward of those on deck to view those on 
 shore. They almost pushed Hernando into the water. 
 Friends, wives, parents, and children were waiting to 
 receive loved ones, and equal anxiety was expressed
 
 THE RETURN TO PAWS 271 
 
 by all. Everybody was anxious to know the fate of a 
 relative or a friend, and all eager to learn the full 
 particulars of such a wonderful voyage. 
 
 "Stand back!" cried Columbus, intending that the 
 return should be as imposing as the departure had 
 been. But there was one who heard him not. The 
 Nina swept into port, and, with heart beating high, 
 Hernando was ready for the leap ashore. Anchor 
 was dropped, boats lowered, and one of the first to 
 enter was Hernando. For once he was deaf to the 
 command of the admiral, and sprang on shore before 
 the boat touched the beach. While the admiral was 
 landing in imposing ceremony, the youth was embrac 
 ing his grandmother and Christina. 
 
 "Have you come, oh, have you come at last?" the 
 little maiden cried, the blood leaping to her pale cheeks. 
 The joy of knowing he was safe, of holding his hand 
 once more, seemed too great to be real. 
 
 When Columbus landed, the multitude thronged 
 to see and welcome him, and a grand procession was 
 formed to the principal church, to return thanks to 
 God for so signal a discovery made by the people of 
 that place; forgetting, in their exultation, the thou 
 sand obstacles they had thrown in the way of the 
 enterprise. 
 
 And Columbus, who a few months before was 
 derided as a beggar, a madman, and an adventurer, 
 was now hailed with shouts and acclamations every 
 where. Joy and gladness filled the quiet little village 
 to overflowing. Never in the history of the world
 
 272 COLUMBIA 
 
 had Palos known such a day as the 15th of March, 
 1493, and the hero of the hour was he who not long 
 before had arrived there a poor pedestrian, asking 
 bread and water for his child companion at the gate 
 of a convent. 
 
 As soon as the ceremonies at the church were 
 over, Columbus inquired of the alcalde of Palos where 
 the court was. 
 
 "At Barcelona," was the answer. 
 
 "I believe I will sail for the city at once." 
 
 "I pray you, my lord, go by land; it is surely safer; 
 and after all you have suffered from an angry sea, I 
 should think you would be unwilling to risk your life 
 on the water until you have imparted your dis 
 coveries to the king and queen." 
 
 "A sailor's home is on the sea." 
 
 "Not when his life is of such value to the world as 
 yours. After all the dangers and disasters you have 
 experienced, I trust you will change your resolution 
 and proceed by land." 
 
 Hernando Estevan joined his entreaties to the 
 others, and the admiral was at last prevailed upon 
 to alter his plan. He dispatched a letter to the 
 king and queen, informing them of his arrival, and 
 made arrangements to depart next day for Seville to 
 await their orders. 
 
 After the first emotions of the meeting between 
 Hernando, Christina, and the grandmother had 
 somewhat subsided, the senora asked: 
 
 "Did you find your father?"
 
 THE RETURN TO PAWS 
 
 273 
 
 "No," he answered, sadly. 
 
 "Nor learn his fate?" 
 
 "I learned nothing of him." Then he told how 
 they had found many tribes of strange, wild people, 
 but none knew anything of his father. "I fear the 
 ship in which he sailed went down." 
 
 Then the grandmother became silent, and Chris- 
 
 SEVILLE. 
 
 tina stole to the side of her foster-brother/entwined 
 an arm about his neck, and whispered: 
 
 "Do not be downcast or disconsolate. 1 have 
 lost my parents, but so long as you are with me I 
 shall not complain." 
 
 "Nor shall I; we have each other." The pious 
 old grandmother, who had been watching the chil 
 dren, exclaimed : 
 
 Vol. 118
 
 274 COLUMBIA 
 
 "Heaven has decreed them for each other; God 
 is kind, even when chastening." 
 
 In the midst of general rejoicing throughout the 
 village, a sailor came to Columbus and said: 
 
 "Admiral, behold, another comes. See, the Pinta, 
 commanded by Martin Alonzo Pinzon, is now entering 
 the river." 
 
 Columbus left the house where he was resting and 
 hurried to the quay. 
 
 "The fellow is right/- he said, as his eyes fell on 
 a ship dropping anchor in the harbor. "It is the 
 Pinta which I thought lost, but which basely deserted 
 me." Columbus ordered a boat that he might go to 
 meet the captain, but Pinzon put ashore further 
 up the bay, and, filled with shame and confusion, 
 denied himself to Columbus. 
 
 After separating from the Nina, the Pinta was 
 driven before the gale into the Bay of Biscay, and 
 made the port of Bayonne. Doubting whether 
 Columbus had survived the tempest, Pinzon wrote 
 from this port to the sovereigns, giving information 
 of the discoveries he had made, requesting permis 
 sion to come to court and communicate the particu 
 lars in person. As soon as the weather had permitted, 
 he again set sail, anticipating a triumphant reception 
 in his native port of Palos. On entering the harbor 
 he beheld the vessel of the admiral riding at anchor, 
 while the very skies and hills and mountains rang 
 with enthusiasm; and his heart died within him. 
 
 It is said by some historians that Martin Alonzo
 
 THE RETURN TO PAWS 275 
 
 Pinzon feared to meet Columbus in this hour of his 
 triumph lest he should be put under arrest for his 
 desertion on the coast of Cuba; but he was a man of 
 too much resolution and courage to entertain any 
 such fear. It is more probable that consciousness 
 of his misconduct made him unwilling to go before 
 the public in the midst of their enthusiasm for Colum 
 bus, and he no doubt sickened at the honors heaped 
 upon a man whose superiority he had been so unwilling 
 to acknowledge. Therefore he boarded his boat, was 
 privately landed, and kept out of sight until he heard 
 of the admiral's departure. He then returned to his 
 home, broken in health and deeply dejected, con 
 sidering all the honors heaped upon Columbus as so 
 many reproaches upon himself. He waited long and 
 anxiously for an answer from his sovereigns. When 
 it came it proved to be crushing to his hopes, for it 
 was full of reproaches, and forbade his appearing 
 at court. The anguish of his feelings gave virulence 
 to a bodily malady, and shortly afterward he died. 
 Martin Alonzo Pinzon was, perhaps, a better man 
 than he will ever receive credit for being. Like 
 many another great soldier or sailor, his ambition 
 proved his ruin. In considering him, let us gaze 
 charitably on the picture which represents the Martin 
 Alonzo Pinzon of years before, when life was full of 
 promise, and ambition in her golden car had not 
 swung down the path of time, dragging him captive 
 at her wheels.
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 A LESSON FROM AN EGG. 
 
 THOUGH urged to remain at Palos, where every 
 honor in the power of the people was tendered him, 
 the admiral was too anxious to present himself to 
 the sovereigns, to prolong his stay. He selected to 
 take with him six of the natives brought from the 
 New World, together with specimens of the multi 
 farious products of the newly discovered regions. 
 
 Early the morning after his arrival Hernando 
 came to where the admiral was lodging. The ser 
 vant informed him that Columbus was sleeping; so 
 Hernando was about to go away, when the well-loved 
 voice called to him: 
 
 "Hernando, my lad, is it you? " 
 
 "Are you awake, admiral?" 
 
 "I awoke just this moment. Come in; I wish 
 to talk with you." 
 
 Columbus was still in bed when Hernando entered. 
 The youth had grown more diffident, for he realized, 
 since he had been an eye-witness to the honors heaped 
 upon him, the greatness of his beloved master. He 
 stood, cap in hand, his face overwhelmed with confusion. 
 
 "To what do I owe this early morning visit? 
 I know full well you would not have come at this 
 276
 
 A LESSON FROM AN EGG 277 
 
 hour had you not something of importance to com 
 municate." 
 
 "I have come to make a request, my lord," 
 answered Hernando. 
 
 "What is it?" 
 
 "I learn that you set out today for Seville to 
 await the summons to the court of the king and 
 queen at Barcelona." 
 
 "Such is my intention." 
 
 "May I accompany you?" 
 
 "Would you leave your home so soon?" 
 
 "I do not wish to separate from them, but I 
 I have been with you through your trials, I should 
 like to be a witness to your crowning triumph." 
 
 "Your wish shall be granted. These poor honors 
 which I have won shall be shared with every deserv 
 ing follower." 
 
 "Do you start at an early hour?" 
 
 "Yes, lad." 
 
 Hernando quitted the bed-chamber of the ad 
 miral, and went to his grandmother and Christina 
 to acquaint them with his intention to depart with 
 the admiral and to make a few necessary preparations 
 for the journey. 
 
 Hernando's costume was scarcely inferior to the 
 admiral's, and was well suited for so grand an occasion. 
 Accompanied by a guard of honor which was headed 
 by a good monk, mounted on a sleek, fat mule, 
 they set out for Seville. The native islanders who 
 accompanied them were arrayed in their simple,
 
 A LESSOX FROM AN EGG 279 
 
 barbaric costume, and were decorated with gay 
 plumage, collars, bracelets, and other ornaments 
 of gold rudely fashioned. Columbus also exhibited 
 to the wondering villagers as they passed along 
 considerable quantities of the same metal in dust 
 or in crude masses, numerous vegetable exotics 
 possessed of aromatic or medicinal virtues, and 
 several kinds of animals and birds unknown to 
 Europe the gaudy plumage of the latter giving a 
 brilliant effect to the pageant. 
 
 No procession has ever created more intense 
 excitement. News of the return of the explorer, 
 and of his journey to Seville, and thence to Bar 
 celona, spread like wild-fire, and men quitted their 
 ordinary pursuits and journeyed for miles to see 
 the wonders from another and an unknown world. 
 Women and children, too, hastened to throng the 
 roads and gaze on the strange people from that 
 far-off land. The admiral's progress through the 
 country was everywhere impeded by the multitudes 
 thronging forth to gaze at the extraordinary spec 
 tacle, and on the more than extraordinary man, 
 who in the emphatic language of the time, which 
 from its familiarity has now lost its force first 
 revealed the existence of a "new world." 
 
 It was nearly noon before they came in sight of 
 the busy and populous city of Seville. All morning 
 the procession had been pushing its way through 
 crowds of enthusiastic people, who thronged even 
 the country roads.
 
 280 COLUMBIA 
 
 "Look, admiral, look!" cried Hernando, pointing 
 toward the city, where a great concourse was as 
 sembled. 
 
 "What crowds! what swarms of people!" cried 
 the fat, jolly old monk who headed the procession. 
 "My lord admiral, methinks you will find a goodly 
 company to greet you." 
 
 Amid thundering cheers the procession moved 
 slowly forward to the city gate. As soon as the 
 guard at the towers caught sight of the banners of 
 Columbus, the signal was given, and the cannon 
 from the walls roared and clouds of smoke rose 
 over the scene. Surely never was such a gala-day 
 known, even in Seville. 
 
 Slowly the procession moved forward, and re 
 newed cries of "Long live Columbus, long live my 
 lord admiral!" filled the air. 
 
 "How can we enter the city?" asked Hernando, 
 as the procession halted amid the shouts and cries 
 of the excited populace. 
 
 "We must wait until they have partially recov 
 ered from their excitement." 
 
 The monk, on his sleek mule, seemed com 
 plete master of the situation. He pressed forward 
 in the throng, and pushing aside a halberdier, 
 cried : 
 
 "In Heaven's name, sir, do you mean to keep 
 the admiral without the gate all day? Give way, 
 give way unless you idiots are made of stone. 
 Santa Maria! you lubberly, overgrown swine, are
 
 A LESSON FROM AN EGG 281 
 
 you going to stand in the way until the crack o' 
 doom? Cannot you move? Hold that fractious 
 horse, sir knight in God's name I pray you to 
 hold your horse, unless you would trample down 
 the admiral and his followers." 
 
 The monk carried a stout staff in his hand, and 
 losing his temper, he began laying about him until 
 he had cleared a passage to the gate, and the ad 
 miral and his followers and attendants had passed 
 through beneath the portals. 
 
 Inside the city the crush and excitement was 
 even greater. 
 
 "Santa Maria, what crowds of people! " cried the 
 monk. 
 
 As they passed down the street, every window, 
 balcony, and housetop was crowded with specta 
 tors, eager to catch a glimpse of the great man. 
 
 "Look at the Indians," cried Hernando. "See 
 how excited and astounded they are. This is a new 
 scene to them, and they are dumb with amazement." 
 
 The poor creatures were bewildered and lost in 
 wonder. The waving banners, prancing steeds, 
 blasts of trumpets, strains of music, thunder of 
 cannon, and hordes of gaily costumed people, were 
 too splendid and grand for their simple minds to 
 comprehend. 
 
 A house was set apart for Columbus and his 
 attendants. Wherever the admiral went Hernando 
 accompanied him, and was frequently mistaken for 
 his son Diego, a page in the royal household.
 
 282 COLUMBIA 
 
 "How long will you halt in Seville?" Hernando 
 asked the admiral. 
 
 "Until I hear from the sovereigns, and arrange 
 ments can be made for pressing on in our journey." 
 
 The sun was dipping behind the western moun 
 tains four or five days after the arrival of Columbus 
 in Seville, when a courier from the royal court 
 arrived on a powerful black steed, with foam- 
 whitened flanks. 
 
 "Whom do you seek?" demanded the guard. 
 
 "I would see the lord admiral, Christopher 
 Columbus." 
 
 "Do you come from our good king and queen?" 
 asked the guard. 
 
 "I do." 
 
 Columbus was informed of the arrival of the 
 courier and sent for him at once. He received 
 the communication with joy, for it was all he could 
 desire. The king and queen expressed their de 
 light, and requested him to repair at once to the 
 court to devise plans for a second and more ex 
 tensive expedition. As summer, the time favor 
 able for a voyage, was approaching, they desired 
 him to make arrangements at Seville, or elsewhere, 
 such as might delay the voyage as little as possi 
 ble. They desired him also to inform them by 
 return courier what was to be done on their part. 
 
 The letter was addressed to him by the title of 
 "Don Christopher Columbus, our admiral of the 
 ocean, sea, and viceroy and governor-general of
 
 A LESSO.\ T FROM AN EGG 283 
 
 the islands discovered in the Indies"; and in con 
 clusion promised him further great rewards. 
 
 No one but Hernando was in the room when the 
 admiral opened the letter. Having finished it, he 
 folded the document and sat for a long time gazing 
 at the superscription. Not a word escaped his lips, 
 but his eyes grew dimmer and dimmer until the 
 tears, which had been slowly rising, overflowed and 
 fell down his cheeks unchecked. Not understand 
 ing the strange emotions which stirred the soul 
 of the great man, Hernando sprang to his side and 
 cried : 
 
 "What has gone amiss, admiral; have our sov 
 ereigns denounced you?" 
 
 "No, no, brave youth; I weep for joy." Pointing 
 at the superscription he added: ''There is the title 
 for which I have struggled and prayed. Here it is, 
 acknowledged by the sovereigns themselves. I have 
 waited and labored a long, long time for it." 
 
 "And your work is not yet done, admiral." 
 
 "No." 
 
 "There is still a glorious work for you." 
 
 "Ay, for God. The Holy Sepulchre is in pos 
 session of the unbeliever. I shall now be able to raise 
 a sufficient army and go to the rescue of Palestine." 
 
 Columbus lost no time in complying with the com 
 mands of the sovereigns. He sent a memorandum 
 of the requisite ships, men, and munitions of war, and, 
 having made such preparations at Seville as circum 
 stances permitted, set out for Barcelona, taking with
 
 284 COLUMBIA 
 
 
 
 him the six Indians and the various curiosities and 
 productions brought from the New World. 
 
 By this .time the fame of his wonderful discovery 
 had resounded throughout the nation. Many still 
 doubted it, while the more credulous believed not only 
 that, but much stranger and wilder stories. Imagi 
 nation took its wildest flight in enlarging on the 
 wonderful countries which had been discovered. 
 The news that the procession was to pass at a 
 certain place was sufficient to insure a vast crowd. 
 The people lined the country roads and thronged 
 the villages, so much so that good-natured as he 
 usually was the monk frequently lost his temper. 
 
 The streets, windows, and balconies of the towns 
 were filled with eager spectators, who rent the air 
 with their acclamations. The journey was continu 
 ally impeded by the multitude pressing to gain a sight 
 of Columbus and of the Indians, who were regarded 
 with as much astonishment as if they had been natives 
 of another planet. Their progress was delayed to 
 such an extent that it was the middle of April before 
 Columbus arrived at Barcelona. 
 
 Every preparation had been made to give the 
 admiral and his faithful followers a solemn and mag 
 nificent reception. The beauty and serenity of the 
 weather in that genial season and favored clime con 
 tributed to give splendor to this memorable ceremony. 
 As he drew near, many of the youthful courtiers and 
 hidalgos, together with a vast concourse of the popu 
 lace, came forth to meet and welcome him. The
 
 A LESSON FROM AN EGG 
 
 285 
 
 entrance of Columbus into the noble city of Barcelona 
 was equal to one of the triumphs which the Romans 
 were accustomed to accord to conquerors. 
 
 Columbus arranged his procession skillfully, so 
 that it appeared to the best advantage. The six 
 
 '; 
 
 ?F^-3fc&& " 
 
 OUTSIDE THE CITY GATE. 
 
 Indians, painted according to their wild, savage 
 fashion, and decorated with their native orna 
 ments of gold, followed the monk, mounted on 
 his sleek little mule. After these were some of the 
 various kinds of live parrots, together with stuffed
 
 286 COLUMBIA 
 
 birds and animals of unknown species, and rare 
 plants supposed to be of precious qualities; while 
 great care was taken to display the Indian coronets, 
 bracelets, and other decorations of gold, in order that 
 a favorable impression of the richness of the newly 
 discovered regions might be formed. 
 
 After this procession followed Columbus, mounted 
 on a richly caparisoned horse; and at his side, 
 on a beautiful, spotted Andalusian pony, rode Her- 
 nando, as gorgeously dressed as a young prince. 
 Both were surrounded by a brilliant cavalcade. 
 
 "Behold, my lord, how the streets are crowded," 
 cried the boy. "The multitude makes them almost 
 impassable." 
 
 "Our friend the monk will force a passage," the 
 admiral answered, with a smile. 
 
 "The windows and balconies are crowded with 
 women and children, and the very roofs are cov 
 ered," the youth said. 
 
 Barcelona was never so thronged, before nor since. 
 It seemed as if the public eye could not be sated with 
 gazing on these trophies of an unknown world and on 
 the remarkable man by whom it was discovered. There 
 was a sublimity in this event that mingled a solemn 
 feeling with the public joy. It was looked upon as a 
 vast and signal dispensation of Providence, in reward 
 for the piety of the monarchs. And the majestic and 
 venerable appearance of the discoverer, in contra 
 distinction to the general idea which had been form 
 ed of him, as a young and reckless rover, seemed in
 
 .-1 LESSOX FROM AX EGG 287 
 
 harmony with the grandeur and dignity of his achieve 
 ments. 
 
 "Who is the youth at' his side? Is it his son?" 
 was asked by many. 
 
 "Hernando Estevan, a youth who has been with 
 him through all his tribulations." 
 
 An armed, plumed, and helmeted knight heard 
 the words and bit his lip with vexation. Turning his 
 horse about, Sir Garcia uttered a curse at his ill- 
 fortune. He knew not why Miguel had failed him, 
 but determined if the villain lived to punish him, 
 little knowing that his hired assassin was beyond 
 reach of punishment. 
 
 In order that the reception might be witnessed 
 by the people and at the same time possess suit 
 able pomp and distinction, the sovereigns ordered 
 their throne to be placed in a public place, under a 
 rich canopy of brocade and gold, in a vast and splendid 
 saloon. Here the king and queen, seated in state, 
 with Prince Juan beside them, and many dignitaries 
 gathered about, awaited the arrival of him who at 
 that time was the greatest man in Spain. This is 
 high praise, for in addition to the sovereigns, the 
 principal nobility of Castile, Valentia, Catalonia, and 
 Aragon were present, all impatient to behold the 
 discoverer. 
 
 Columbus and Hernando entered the spacious 
 hall, surrounded by a brilliant crow y d of cavaliers. 
 The admiral was conspicuous for his stately and com 
 manding person, which, with his countenance ren-
 
 288 COLUMBIA 
 
 dered venerable by his white hair, gave him the august 
 appearance of a Roman senator. He was greeted 
 with applause, and a modest smile lighted up his 
 features, showing that he enjoyed the state and glory 
 in which he came. What could be more deeply 
 moving to a mind fired by noble ambition and con 
 scious of having greatly deserved, than thesa testi 
 monials of admiration and gratitude from a nation 
 rather, from a world, for was not the whole civilized 
 world at this moment turning its eyes upon the hum 
 ble Genoese sailor? 
 
 As Columbus approached the sovereigns, Her- 
 nando halted, for the admiral was about to take his 
 place among the grand and august of the realm. At 
 his approach the sovereigns rose, as if receiving a per 
 son of the highest rank. Kneeling before them upon 
 the rich vermilion carpet, he offered to kiss their 
 hands, but there was some hesitation on the part of 
 the sovereigns about permitting this act of homage. 
 Taking his hand in her own, Queen Isabella raised 
 Columbus to his feet, and in a most gracious manner 
 said: 
 
 "I pray you, be seated, admiral, and narrate to 
 us the striking events of your wonderful voyage and 
 discoveries, and give us a description of the islands 
 you have discovered." 
 
 To sit in the presence of the sovereigns was a rare 
 honor in this proud and punctilious court. In a 
 calm, modest manner Columbus proceeded to give 
 a brief account of his wonderful discoveries, display-
 
 A LESSON FROM AX EGG 289 
 
 ing specimens of unknown birds and animals, rare 
 plants of medicinal and aromatic virtues; gold in 
 dust, in crude masses, or labored in barbaric orna 
 ments; and, above all, the native wild people, who 
 were objects of such intense and inexhaustible interest. 
 The queen was delighted. She took some of the 
 smaller birds and animals in her hands, fondled them, 
 and gave them to her page to care for. She con 
 versed with the young Indian woman, who had 
 learned a little Spanish, and was delighted with all 
 she saw and heard. Columbus, after pointing out 
 all he had brought with him, said: 
 
 "These are but the harbingers of greater discov 
 eries yet to be made, which will add realms of incal 
 culable wealth to the dominions of your majesties, 
 and whole nations of proselytes to the true faith." 
 
 When he had finished, the sovereigns fell on their 
 knees, all present following their example; and raising 
 their clasped hands to Heaven, their eyes filled with 
 tears, they poured forth thanks and praises to God 
 for sa great a providence. A deep and solemn en 
 thusiasm pervaded that splendid assembly, and pre 
 vented all common acclamations of triumph. When 
 Columbus retired from the royal presence, a shout 
 went up from the multitude. Alone with Hernando, 
 he broke down and wept. 
 
 "I shall this day make a vow," he declared. 
 "Great wealth must soon accrue to me, and I will 
 give it all to my heavenly Master; within seven, 
 years I will furnish an army, consisting of four thou- 
 
 Vol. 119
 
 290 COLUMBIA 
 
 sand horse and fifty thousand foot, for the rescue of 
 the Holy Sepulchre, and a similar force within five 
 years thereafter." 
 
 One pair of jealous, envious eyes watched Colum 
 bus, and felt keenly a pang at every sound of his 
 praise. It was the guilty Sir Garcia. He felt that 
 the triumph of Columbus in some way endangered 
 his own prosperity; and had Miguel lived, or could 
 he have found another equally faithful, no doubt he 
 would have attempted the admiral's assassination. 
 
 Among the notables frequently with the great 
 discoverer and Hernando was Pedro Gonzalez de 
 Mendoza, the grand cardinal of Spain, and first 
 subject of the realm; a man whose reputation for 
 piety, learning, and high, prince-like qualities gave 
 signal value to his favors. Sir Garcia Estavan, the 
 scheming knight, had managed by his subtilty to in 
 gratiate himself into the good will of the cardinal. 
 Pedro Gonzalez de Mendoza invited Columbus and his 
 youthful companion to a banquet, where he assigned 
 the admiral the most honorable place at the table and 
 had him served with the ceremonials which in those 
 punctilious times were observed toward sovereigns. 
 
 Sir Garcia was present, and impatient of the 
 honors paid Columbus and meanly jealous of him 
 as a foreigner, asked during the banquet: 
 
 "My lord admiral, do you not think, in case you 
 had not discovered the Indies, there are other men 
 in Spain who would have been capable of the en 
 terprise?"
 
 A LESSON FROM AN EGO 291 
 
 Columbus was usually cool and good-tempered, 
 but his brow lowered a little at this insulting query; 
 and taking an egg, he handed it to Sir Garcia, saying: 
 
 "Sir knight, can you make that egg stand on 
 end?" 
 
 Wondering what that could have to do with 
 answering his question, Sir Garcia took the egg, 
 tried to stand it on end, but failed. Then every one 
 at the table, in turn, tried to stand the egg on end, 
 but all failed. When all had given it up, Columbus 
 took the egg, struck the small end upon the table so 
 as to slightly break and flatten it, and left it standing 
 on end. 
 
 "There, sir knight," he said, with a triumphant 
 smile, "you can do it now; and when I have once 
 shown the way to the New World, nothing is easier 
 than to follow it."
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 FATHER AND SON. 
 
 DURING his sojourn at Barcelona, the sovereigns 
 took every occasion to bestow on Columbus personal 
 marks of their consideration. He was admitted at 
 all times to the royal presence, and the queen de 
 lighted to converse with him on the subject of his 
 enterprises. Occassionally the king appeared publicly 
 on horseback, with Columbus on his one side and 
 Prince Juan on the other. To perpetuate in his 
 family the glory of his achievement, a coat of arms 
 was assigned the admiral in which the royal insignia, 
 the castle and lion, were quartered with his proper 
 bearings, which were a group of islands. To these 
 arms was afterward annexed the motto: 
 
 " A Castilla y a Leon, 
 Nuevo mundo dio Colon." * 
 
 One day, when the admiral was riding with the 
 king, Ferdinand asked: 
 
 "Who is the youth, admiral, to whom you are 
 so fondly attached?" 
 
 "His name is Hernando Estevan, a son of Rod- 
 erigo Estevan, whom your highness may remember." 
 
 1 To Castile and Leon 
 Columbus gave a new world." 
 292
 
 FATHER AND SON 293 
 
 "I do; he was the elder brother of Sir Garcia 
 and formerly an heir to the estates since confis 
 cated. There were some charges of treason against 
 him." 
 
 "Made by Abdallah Ahmed, the Moor, and sub 
 stantiated by his own brother, were they not, your 
 majesty?" 
 
 "You are right, admiral." 
 
 "Those charges were false, though in the civil 
 wars he was true to the house of Castile, while his 
 brother championed the cause of Aragon. I do 
 not censure your majesty, but I believe you were 
 wrongly informed." 
 
 "What became of Roderigo?" 
 
 "His fate is unknown. He took passage in a 
 ship and sailed westward, and his vessel was never 
 heard from. His son maintains that his father lives 
 in slavery, and he hoped to find him among the 
 strange people on the islands we discovered. I 
 believe, however, that, if he lives at all, he is a slave 
 in some far-off Moorish or Arabian province." 
 
 "What grounds have you for such belief?" 
 
 "The reasons for it I have kept from the son, as 
 they might lead to an expedition that would end in 
 his death. On various occasions strange hints have 
 been dropped, both by the Moor and Sir Garcia, 
 which lead me to such a belief. I feel that I have 
 strong reasons for this conclusion." 
 
 After a moment's reflection, the king said: 
 
 "A sailor just returned from Moorish captivity
 
 294 COLUMBIA 
 
 has narrated to one of my courtiers a most remark 
 able story." 
 
 "Have you heard it?" 
 
 "Not from his own lips, but from the knight to 
 whom it was told, and it made such an impression 
 upon me that I intend sending for him and hear 
 ing it over again." 
 
 "I trust your majesty will send forthwith for 
 this man, and that I also may be a listener." 
 
 Consequently, arrangements were made for the 
 next day, that the king and the admiral might, from 
 the prisoner's own lips, hear the story of his captivity 
 and bondage. Columbus was at hand ready to hear 
 the recital, and had not been long with the monarch 
 in the royal chamber when an old man, with long, 
 snow-white hair, beard, and bent form, appeared 
 before them. His pale, wrinkled face seemed to bear 
 the stamp of death and the dungeon's mould upon 
 it, and spoke volumes of suffering. He tottered for 
 ward, leaning heavily on his staff as he approached the 
 royal presence. The king had great compassion for 
 age and weakness, and bidding him be seated, urged 
 him to tell his own sad story. Thus abjured by his 
 monarch, the sufferer spoke: 
 
 "My liege, this hair is white, but not with years 
 nor sickness; this form is bowed, these limbs bent, 
 not with toil, but cramped and crooked in a foul dun 
 geon. How long did I lie in that dungeon, my liege? 
 I know not. It was years, many, oh! so many; how 
 many I have no means of knowing. Day and night
 
 FATHER AND SON 295 
 
 were quite as one. The blessed Sabbath was un 
 known, and only went to make up further accursed 
 hours of agony and suffering. 
 
 "I was a simple sailor, who, next to the God I 
 worshipped, loved my ocean home and the sover 
 eign under whose flag I sailed. One day we were 
 a few leagues off the Canaries, when, in the gray of 
 morning, we were surprised by a Moorish rover. The 
 robbers gave us chase. We crowded as much canvas 
 as our yards could spread and our masts carry, but 
 the pursuer rapidly overhauled us; and though we 
 fought, we were carried by the board, and, after 
 losing two men killed and five wounded, were made 
 captives and carried to a Moorish dungeon. Whilst 
 there, my liege, my eyes beheld much misery, and my 
 ears grew accustomed to groans of agony and death. 
 One man I shall remember as long as my facul 
 ties remain. No braver, nobler, truer chevalier ever 
 couched a lance in Spain. He was tall, young, and 
 handsome when they brought him first, but how 
 soon he changed! The color faded from his cheek, 
 and his hair, as you see mine, turned into threads of 
 whitest snow. They chained him to a column of 
 stone where he could not move a single pace, and 
 with the pale light of the dungeon falling upon him, 
 he withered and grew old. Fettered hand and foot, 
 he pined away, listening to the hollow groans of his 
 fellow-prisoners, like himself chained to pillars of 
 stone and unable to move hand or foot. I was near, 
 and often did I hear him cry out!
 
 296 COLUMBIA 
 
 " 'Oh! my wife and child! Each aching member 
 of this racked, tortured body would I give to know 
 they were free from the persecutions of my wicked 
 brother! ' " 
 
 "Whom meant he by his wicked brother? " inter 
 rupted the king, who was all attention. 
 
 "I know not, my liege. He never spoke his name, 
 only once making mention that he conspired with 
 another to poison the mind of the monarch against 
 him, so that he was forced to fly. When he was most 
 despondent and bewailed his wretched fate loudest, 
 I sought to cheer him with words from where I sat, 
 or even venture a song, but my own voice sounded 
 too like a hollow mockery, and at last I -desisted. 
 One by one our fellow-companions perished and were 
 borne away, until we alone remained. How we did 
 it, I know not, but Heaven came at last to aid us. 
 The very iron bands which encircled us became rusted 
 and brittle, and one awful night we broke from 
 our dungeon and fled to the hills and mountains. 
 Many weary days did we wander, pursued by men and 
 beasts, going we knew not whither. Reason totters 
 at the recollection, and I hesitate, my liege, to speak 
 of our sufferings and dangers, lest you grow incredu 
 lous and fail to believe my story. One day when we 
 were sorely pressed by our pursuers, my companion 
 was wounded by an arrow and unable to travel 
 farther. I left him in the hut of a kind Andalusian 
 mountain shepherd on the frontier, who promised 
 to take care of him. I wept as a child at bidding him
 
 FATHER AND SON 297 
 
 farewell, perhaps forever, and after weeks of weary 
 flight, I was picked up by some knights and brought 
 hither, broken down in mind and body. This, my 
 liege, is my story." 
 
 "Do you know your companion's name? " 
 
 "I do, my liege, but at his request I have told it to 
 none. Yet, if your highness demands it 
 
 "His life may depend on the revelation. What 
 is his name? " 
 
 "Roderigo Estevan." 
 
 The admiral started from his seat with a glad cry, 
 and the king showed scarcely less pleasure. The 
 sailor thought he could go to the hut where he had 
 left the wounded man, and the king and the admiral 
 speedily fitted out a secret expedition, led by a chev 
 alier named Carpio, to go in quest of the wounded 
 man. 
 
 "I should like to lead the party," said Columbus. 
 "I love this youth, and it is my duty to find his 
 father " 
 
 "We cannot think of it, admiral," Ferdinand inter 
 posed. "Your value to the world is too great to 
 warrant risking your life among the brigands of the 
 frontier. Should you perish there would be no one 
 to guide men to these newly acquired dominions, 
 and all might be lost. No, no, no! Chevalier Car 
 pio has long been accustomed to such undertakings 
 and his familiarity with the frontier makes success 
 almost assured. We can trust him to go, and you 
 must stay."
 
 298 COLUMBIA 
 
 When Hernando was informed that his father was 
 alive, among the mountains, his joy was unbounded. 
 So earnest were his entreaties that he was permitted 
 to accompany the expedition, which was kept a pro 
 found secret, for the king and Columbus both doubted 
 Sir Garcia. The admiral thought he could even trace 
 much of his own failure and delay to the unworthy 
 knight. 
 
 The expedition, headed by Chevalier Carpio and 
 Hernando, set out at midnight, and before dawn of 
 day was more than five leagues distant from Barce 
 lona. 
 
 The chevalier was as gallant a knight as ever wore 
 the golden spurs or led a score of battle-scarred vet 
 erans. He was as kind-hearted as brave, and his soul 
 was aroused within him at the story of the wrongs 
 of Roderigo Estevan, so that he swore by the mass 
 to rescue him if alive and avenge him if dead. 
 Hernando rode at his side, and as the chevalier heard 
 the sad story from his lips, he grew to love the youth 
 as a brother. 
 
 "Yours has been a sad and stormy life," said the 
 chevalier; "but we believe that the worst is over 
 and you are soon to realize your fondest hopes, the 
 rescue of your father." 
 
 "Heaven grant I may; but I did not dream he 
 was among the Moors. I have always thought he 
 was a slave to some wild tribe across the ocean." 
 
 "The words of the Moor Abdallah should have 
 aroused your suspicion."
 
 FATHER AND SON 
 
 299 
 
 "I thought them but an idle boast, only uttered 
 to throw me off the course I was following." 
 " Abdallah has been a curse to your family." 
 "Should "we meet with him, I pray you to spare 
 him to my vengeance." 
 
 With a smile the chevalier answered: 
 "Surely, young as you are, you would not dare 
 cross blades with the war-hardened Moor." 
 
 THE HAMLET AT THE FOOT OF THE MOUNTAINS. 
 
 "Abdallah met me in combat once before, sir 
 chevalier," said the boy, stoutly; "and should we 
 meet again my experience and skill would be more 
 than a match for his strength and size." 
 
 All night long the white-haired sailor led them 
 southward, and when morning dawned they were 
 at a little hamlet at the foot of the mountains. The
 
 300 COLUMBIA 
 
 inhabitants were a mongrel class of Andalusians, 
 Moors, Ethiopians, and Arabs, who were not a little 
 alarmed at seeing a body of armed horsemen enter 
 their village. No doubt the villagers were in league 
 with the mountain robbers who infested the front 
 ier. Dismounting at the public-house, Carpio order 
 ed food for his men and horses. 
 
 "We will rest here for three or four hours," he said 
 to the impatient Hernando, who was all anxiety to 
 press on up the mountains without a halt. 
 
 During the pause the proprietor of the public-house 
 made himself acquainted with the chevalier and 
 plied him with questions, which Carpio so skillfully 
 parried as to leave him no wiser than before. 
 
 "The sovereigns of Spain promised not to cross 
 the frontier without permission of the Moorish king," 
 the Andalusian finally said. 
 
 "We break no treaty," answered the shrewd 
 Carpio. 
 
 "Are your searching for brigands? " asked the 
 Andalusian. But nothing was gained by question 
 ing the evasive chevalier, so the Andalusian aban 
 doned his plan and grew sullen and morose. He 
 retired to a spot where a small party of his fellows 
 were assembled, and they conversed in suspicious 
 whispers, which portended no good to our adventur 
 ers. 
 
 There is no season more delightful than an An 
 dalusian May, the time of the expedition. The 
 party, taking leave of the hamlet, advanced into one
 
 FATHER AND SON 301 
 
 of the most delightful regions of all sunny Spain. 
 On every side, rose vast ranges of serrated, ruddy- 
 peaked mountains, between which lay most de 
 lightful valleys. A wild, ever-changing panorama 
 of beauty opened up before them mountains tipped 
 with gold and bordered with emerald, streams of 
 crystal and vermilion, valleys dotted with flowers of 
 every hue pleasing to the eye; birds by day and 
 insects by night making a constant round of melody. 
 
 Few men were to be seen, but occasionally they 
 caught a glimpse of a strange, dark-visaged Andalu- 
 sian or Moor lurking in the wood. The sound of 
 clanking arms sometimes brought forth from the 
 mountain cottage a woman, who shaded her eyes with 
 her hand while she gazed on the glittering helmets 
 and burnished lances of the cavaliers. 
 
 In places the mountain path became so steep they 
 were forced to lead their horses; or, again, fol 
 lowed some winding path that led along a narrow 
 ledge on the mountain side at a dizzy height, where 
 a single misstep would hurl them to certain destruc 
 tion, hundreds of feet below. 
 
 Thus the frontier was reached, and their guide, 
 who had silently led the expedition, informed them 
 that they were within a league of the mountain cot 
 tage where he had left the wounded fugitive. The 
 sun had passed the meridian, but it was thought that 
 they could reach the place before night. Hernando's 
 heart beat high with hope. After all these years of 
 searching, was he, ere the close of another day, to see
 
 WAR-HARDENED MOOR.
 
 FATHER AND SON 303 
 
 the face of his father, which he remembered beaming 
 with kindness on him in his infancy? Was the poor 
 victim of many wrongs, groaning under the captivity 
 of years, to be restored to liberty and friends? But 
 there has been a miscalculation, for nothing is more 
 deceitful than distances in a mountain country. In 
 silence they journey on, the hours glide by, and yet 
 the cottage is not reached. Is the guide at fault; 
 has he mistaken his way? 
 
 Sunset in Andalusia! A grim, gray waste, bor 
 dered by an unending chain of mountains, looking 
 vaster and drearier under the fast falling shadows of 
 night; a red glow far to the west falls luridly across 
 the darkening sky and ghostly mountain peaks; a 
 dead, grim solitude, an immense, crushing loneliness, 
 pervades the region where life, save in gorgeous vege 
 tation appears not to exist; the world seems young, 
 as if just turned from the hand of the Creator. 
 
 Like a slender thread of silver the young moon 
 hangs in the ethereal vault, and the pale, lambent 
 glow of the evening star shoots athwart the path of 
 the departing day. At the base, dimly outlined 
 against the darkening sky, but with clear-cut peak, 
 rises a huge mountain before the little band. The 
 guide points up the mountain side, and whispers: 
 
 "There!" 
 
 But hark! A sound like the martial tread of 
 armies and the clank of arms falls on their ears, 
 a moment later three-score dark-skinned riders pour 
 out of the mountain pass. They are Moorish bandits,
 
 304 COLUMBIA 
 
 and the dim, uncertain light reveals foe to foe. They 
 are directly in the pathway to the cottage where the 
 wounded man lies. But one result can follow such 
 a discovery. 
 
 With visors down and lances couched, the Span 
 iards, though inferior in numbers, charged recklessly 
 on the Moors, who were still pouring in from the pass. 
 There was a prolonged crash, like a succession of 
 thunderbolts; lances flew into splinters, and men and 
 steeds rolled quivering in the dust. The first onset 
 was but the beginning of carnage. Swords flashed 
 in the twilight and arrows hummed through the air. 
 There was no time to use the matchlock, and but little 
 to fit the feathered points of the darts to the bow 
 string. The sober gray of twilight gave place to a 
 darker hue, and the conflict still raged, although the 
 faces of the combatants were hardly discernible. But 
 the sharp eyes of hate were quick to pierce the deep 
 ening gloom. At the first onset Hernando received a 
 frightful blow, which loosened his casque, and sent it 
 rolling upon the ground. He was stunned by the 
 shock, and his horse thrown back upon its haunches, 
 but he still retained his seat. 
 
 "Hernando Estevan, Christian dog, it is you!" 
 cried a voice. Then Abdallah the Moor, his heredi 
 tary enemy, charged him with drawn cimeter. The 
 lad's sword was in his hand, and he parried the stroke 
 aimed at his head; and his horse regaining its feet 
 Hernando pressed his antagonist with blows and 
 thrusts which required all the Moor's skill to parry.
 
 FATHER AND SON 305 
 
 Some on foot and some on horseback, friend and foe 
 mingled in one revolving mass, difficult to distinguish. 
 A lance pierced the Moor's horse and the animal fell; 
 in a moment the youth rode over his fallen enemy, and 
 as Abdallah Ahmed rolled from his steed, Hernando 
 leaned forward in his saddle, and with a quick thrust 
 sent his long, keen blade into the Moor's breast. 
 Almost to the hilt the blade disappeared beneath 
 the joints of armor, and with a gasping sob the 
 Moor fell by the side of his wounded horse, never to 
 rise again. Hernando had avenged his father. 
 
 The Moors, though numbering three to one, were 
 taken at a disadvantage, and after a short, stubborn 
 resistance retreated through the pass, leaving four 
 of their number slain and two wounded in the hands 
 of the Christians. From one of the captives they 
 learned that Abdallah Ahmed, having gained informa 
 tion that an escaped prisoner was hiding at the cot 
 tage of a shepherd, was on his way to slay the fugi 
 tive, when he met the Spanish cavalcade in the 
 pass. 
 
 "Let us hasten to the cottage," cried the anxious 
 Hernando, and as soon as the wounded could be 
 taken care of, they followed the white-haired guide 
 up the mountain path to a small hut. 
 
 The simple-minded, honest shepherd met them at 
 the door. He had heard the sounds of conflict in 
 the valley below, and being a timid man, trembled as 
 he asked:- 
 
 "In God's name, men, what was the noise in the 
 
 Vol. 120
 
 306 COLUMBIA 
 
 valley? Methought all the armies of the earth were 
 battling." 
 
 "All is quiet now, and you are in no danger, 
 sefior," Carpio answered. "Where is the fugitive 
 who escaped the Moorish prisons and was wounded?" 
 
 For a moment the mountaineer hesitated, and then 
 said: 
 
 "I cannot deceive you, senor; he is here, but I 
 trust you will do him no harm." 
 
 "We are his friends, come to save him." 
 
 They were then admitted to the cottage, where a 
 tall, grave man, with a broad, high forehead, deep, 
 black eyes and hair of purest white, was sitting on a 
 chair, his wounded leg on a stool. One glance at the 
 fine, noble face, and despite the changed, wasted 
 features, Hernando recognized him he had sought so 
 long. Rushing forward, he cried: 
 
 "Father!" 
 
 Amazed, scarcely trusting his ears, Roderigo 
 Estevan, clasped the lad to his heart and cried, 
 "Noble lad, if you are indeed my son, I am fully 
 repaid for my years of suffering." 
 
 "I am your son, dear father, never more to be 
 parted from you," said Hernando. 
 
 Then they sat at the shepherd's humble board, 
 ate of his simple fare and listened to tales of adven 
 ture and encounters with Moorish bandits. The pris 
 oner rescued from a living death thrilled the hearts 
 of all with the horrors of his long imprisonment. 
 Hernando had the wonders of his voyage to relate to
 
 FATHER AND SOU ' 307 
 
 an eager listener and when the morning sun rose 
 beyond the mountain ranges and turned the peaks to 
 shining gold, father and son were still engaged in 
 earnest conversation. 
 
 At an early hour the expedition was making rapid 
 progress toward Barcelona. They had scarcely 
 reached the city when a messenger from the king 
 ordered Roderigo to appear before him. So grieved 
 was the monarch at the wrongs which the innocent 
 man had suffered, and so eager was he to make 
 amends for this miscarriage of justice, that a general 
 pardon was ordered at once, clearing forever the name 
 of Roderigo Estevan from the stain of dishonor.
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 EMIGRATION. 
 
 THE higher a man rises in social and political 
 power, the greater will be his fall, should he fall; 
 and to a man with a vaulting ambition and haughty 
 pride, such as Sir Garcia Estevan possessed, the 
 blow is crushing. From the moment the herald 
 announced the return of Christopher Columbus, the 
 knight felt that his evil star had risen and his good 
 fortune gone forever. Yet so cunningly had his 
 manipulations with Miguel been planned that he felt 
 secure from direct charge of assassination, perhaps 
 from discovery. Miguel himself had been slain with 
 out breathing a word of the dark secret, and not 
 dreaming that his brother lived, Sir Garcia felt him 
 self tolerably secure. 
 
 But on Roderigo's sudden return to life, Garcia 
 shut himself up in his castle, brooding and consumed 
 with dread. He feared an actual encounter. He 
 dared not meet Columbus or Hernando face to face. 
 His hatred toward all three deepened from day to 
 day. 
 
 Any unusual sound through the rooms, any arrival 
 in the court below, set him all a-tremble; and he 
 would rise from his chair and tramp wretchedly and 
 308
 
 EMIGRATION 309 
 
 endlessly about his apartments, crying out against 
 his fate. 
 
 The story of his brother's wrongs, meantime, had 
 gone forth among the people and rumors of imminent 
 downfall seemed fairly to filter through the walls and 
 enwrap him in a cloud of terror. He seemed to hear 
 accusing voices; he looked into his attendants' 
 faces with shudders of apprehension. 
 
 The blow fell one day, quite suddenly and unan 
 nounced. A messenger from the king demanded 
 entrance to the knight's presence. When admitted, 
 the man spoke without waste of words: "I am an 
 officer from his majesty, come with a warrant. I 
 arrest you on a charge of conspiracy." 
 
 Sir Garcia sprang from his chair. "Conspiracy! 
 I, a sworn knight, a conspirator against my king? " 
 And he clutehed the officer's arm in an iron grip. 
 
 "Nay, sir knight, it is not with treason against 
 the crown that you stand charged, but with con 
 spiracy against a subject of the realm." 
 
 "Who? What is his name?" 
 
 "Sir Roderigo Estevan." 
 
 "Sir Roderigo Estevan," muttered the knight; 
 "my brother returned to life." His hand fell help 
 lessly and he let himself be led away. 
 
 None knew better than Garcia the character of the 
 king's action toward offenders such as he. Stern 
 almost to the extent of wanting mercy, Ferdinand 
 needed all the softening influence of his queen's 
 gentle heart to mitigate the severity of his judgments
 
 310 COLUMBIA 
 
 and decisions. This sternness we may doubtless 
 trace to the three absorbing and entirely successful 
 objects of his life the conquest of the Moors, the 
 expulsion of the Jews, and the installation of the 
 Inquisition. Unsparing toward enemies of the king 
 dom and the Church, he strove to maintain as strict 
 justice in all affairs of his court. Garcia knew he 
 might expect no mercy at the hands of his king. 
 
 On hearing of his brother's arrest, Roderigo hast 
 ened to the monarch and pleaded for a royal pardon. 
 The king listened with an attentive ear, and when 
 Estevan had ended he said: " I cannot but commend 
 your forgiving spirit, but out of public necessity I 
 must refuse your prayer. Justice must be done 
 though the heavens fall, and justice demands that 
 a crime against a subject, as well as against the crown, 
 shall not go unpunished." All entreaty was in vain; 
 and through the years that followed, Roderigo's 
 petitions were ever met with the same determined 
 refusal. 
 
 The king continued: "Senor Estevan, I wish in 
 part, at least, to make amends for some of the great 
 wrongs you have suffered at my hands." 
 
 "My liege, I make no complaint." Roderigo 
 answered. 
 
 "True, and the fact that you have made none 
 makes me feel more keenly the hurt I have done you. 
 I wish to undo those errors. How can I in any way 
 accomplish this now? No one save a monarch 
 devoted to the welfare of his kingdom knows the
 
 EMIGRATION 311 
 
 trials to which he who wears the crown is sub 
 jected. We cannot see all things ; we cannot give 
 every matter a personal investigation; and, as was 
 true in your case, we are frequently misinformed by 
 designing persons. When we have made a mistake, 
 'we are anxious to find a remedy. Amends for your 
 misfortunes you can perhaps suggest yourself. Shall 
 I not restore your ancient estate? " 
 
 "My liege, I have left to me only the declining 
 years of my life. My one desire is to spend the few 
 years left me in company with my only son, from 
 whom I have been separated since his infancy." 
 
 "Will you then, for your son's sake if not your 
 own, accept a title?" 
 
 "My liege " began Roderigo. 
 
 But Hernando had stepped forward. "Your 
 majesty," he began, "I beg to win that honor, if 
 it comes at all, by my own worth and effort. Your 
 majesty has vast possessions beyond the sea. A 
 new world has been opened up to civilized man, and 
 with your majesty's gracious permission we will 
 go there and serve your majesty and win fresh 
 laurels for our house." 
 
 "My son speaks, I am convinced, with a wisdom 
 and courage far beyond his years," said the father. 
 "The greatest honor a man can win is the esteem 
 of his fellow man. My son is too young to be knighted 
 and the favor should not be conferred on the father 
 for what the son has done or shall yet do. We ask 
 no honors; we are only humble citizens who go forth
 
 312 COLUMBIA 
 
 to make up the hardy people that are to build a new 
 empire." 
 
 "And you are most needed," answered the king 
 with fine enthusiasm. "The hidalgoes of high rank, 
 the Andalusian cavaliers, schooled in arms, who 
 enter on this new life hoping for military glory, 
 wealth, and renown, are worth not half so much to 
 the new country as are those who go to make the 
 wilderness clear to faithful labor and the earth 
 yield her fruits to man. I will issue a commission 
 to you, with a patent, and grant to you all the land 
 you may require; and you may locate it anywhere 
 in our newly acquired possessions." 
 
 Estevan thanked his sovereign, and assured him 
 that the land-grant would be worth much more 
 than an impoverished estate or an empty title. 
 They had a long interview with Christopher Colum 
 bus, agreeing to become members of the emigrant 
 party, which was to leave Spain shortly for the New 
 World. 
 
 They then set out for Seville, going thence to 
 Palos. A messenger had been sent in advance to 
 notify the good grandmother of the return of Her- 
 nando's father. 
 
 Christina was as eager to see the good Roderigo 
 Estevan as if he had been her own father. Was 
 he not already like a father? And when she beheld 
 the face so deeply furrowed with grief and hopeless 
 imprisonment, she embraced him and wept for joy 
 that he was restored to his family.
 
 EMIGRATION 313 
 
 Once more Hernando and Christina roamed hand 
 in hand by the seashore. Her embarrassment gone, 
 she was never more happy than when at his side. 
 Again their voices were heard among the dear old 
 hills, and they sat and listened to the dashing surf 
 on the seashore. The waves laughed and bubbled 
 with joy. Their crested foam told no tale of cap 
 tivity, slavery, and chains. The birds joined in 
 their music from the groves behind them and gave 
 their aid to the laughing sea to make up one grand 
 round of merriment. In the fullness of her joy 
 Christina said: 
 
 " We have every cause to be happy. Our troubles 
 have rolled away like a storm cloud leaving the sun 
 brighter than before, and the future bids fair to be 
 a long summer day of quiet joy." 
 
 After a moment's silence, Hernando said: 
 
 "Christina, we have decided to go to the New 
 World." 
 
 "Who?" 
 
 "Father and I." 
 
 "Will you leave me so soon?" and before the 
 question had escaped her lips her eyes filled with 
 tears. 
 
 "I shall soon return, Christina, and with such 
 riches as you nor I ever dreamed of possessing; then 
 I will take you and the good grandame Senora 
 Doria with me, and there in that strange, new land 
 we will build us a home that in magnificence will 
 excel the king's palace. The king has issued a patent
 
 314 COLUMBIA 
 
 and grant to us, and the future is bright with 
 hope." 
 
 It must not be supposed by the reader that Her- 
 nando's vision of great wealth was a mere creation 
 of his youthful imagination. The most extravagant 
 fancies regarding the New World were entertained 
 by all members of the expedition. The accounts 
 given by the voyagers who composed the first crew 
 were full of exaggerations, for, in fact, they had 
 nothing but confused notions concerning it, like the 
 recollection of a dream; and it is evident that Colum 
 bus himself had beheld everything through the 
 delusive medium of his hopes. The cupidity of the 
 avaricious was inflamed by the idea of regions of 
 unappropriated wealth, where the rivers rolled over 
 golden sands and the mountains teemed with gems 
 and precious metals; where groves produced spices 
 and perfumes and the shores of the ocean were strewn 
 with pearls. 
 
 But Christina had found the months of weary 
 waiting for Hernando's return from the first voyage 
 almost unbearable, and could not easily be persuaded 
 to sacrifice her present happiness for prospects of 
 wealth or the anticipation of greater happiness in 
 the future. After a few days, however, she became 
 somewhat reconciled to the thought and reluctantly 
 consented to his leaving. In due time, Hernando 
 and his father set out for Barcelona, where Colum 
 bus still tarried, pending preparations for his more 
 extensive visit to the New World.
 
 EMIGRATION 315 
 
 Some complications had arisen between Spain 
 and Portugal, over territorial rights. These were 
 settled temporarily by the pope's drawing an imagi 
 nary line from the North to the South Pole, a hundred 
 leagues west of the Azores and Cape de Verde Islands; 
 ceding to Spain all lands that might be discovered 
 west of the line and reserving for Portugal all newly 
 discovered countries east of the boundary line. 
 
 A doctrine had been established among Christian 
 princes during the Crusades, which gave to them 
 the right to invade, ravage, and seize upon the 
 territories of infidel nations, under the plea of defeat 
 ing the enemies of Christ and extending the sway of 
 His Church on earth. In conformity to the same 
 doctrine, the pope, by reason of his superior authority 
 over all temporal things, was considered as em 
 powered to dispose of all heathen lands to such 
 potentates as would engage to reduce them to the 
 dominion of the Church and propagate the true 
 faith among their benighted inhabitants. 
 
 With these matters adjusted satisfactorily, prep 
 arations for the second voyage continued. 
 
 Pinelo, who acted as cashier to provide for the 
 expenses of the expedition, had two-thirds of the 
 Church tithes placed at his disposition; while other 
 funds were drawn from the jewels and valuables of 
 the sequestered property of the unfortunate Jews 
 banished from the kingdom according to an edict of 
 the preceding year. As these resources were still 
 inadequate, Pinelo was authorized to supply the de-
 
 316 COLUMBIA 
 
 ficiency by a loan. Requisitions were likewise made 
 for provisions of all kinds, as well as for artillery, pow 
 der, muskets, lances, horses, corselets, and cross-bows. 
 Notwithstanding the introduction of firearms, the 
 cross-bow was still preferred by many to the arquebus, 
 or matchlock, not so much because of its being 
 more destructive and effective, as on account of the 
 unwieldiness of the arquebus which had to be rested 
 on an iron rack and fired with a slow-match. The 
 flintlock which followed the matchlock had not yet 
 come into use. The military stores which had accu 
 mulated during the war with the Moors of Granada 
 furnished a great part of these supplies. Almost 
 all these orders had been issued by the 23d of May, 
 1493, while Columbus was yet at Barcelona, and 
 rarely has there been witnessed such a scene of 
 activity in the dilatory offices of Spain. 
 
 Roderigo Estevan was still lame from the arrow 
 wound received at the time of his escape, and had 
 to walk with a staff. But he was recuperating rapid 
 ly, and by the time he and his son returned to Bar 
 celona, was restored to something like youthful activ 
 ity. Going to the admiral he told him of his inten 
 tion to emigrate to the new world. 
 
 The conversion of the heathen being professedly 
 the great object of these discoveries, twelve zealous 
 and able ecclesiastics were chosen to accompany the 
 expedition for that purpose; among them was Ber 
 nardo Buyl or Boyle, a Benedictine monk of talent 
 and reputed sanctity, but at the same time one of
 
 EMIGRATION 317 
 
 the subtlest politicians of the cloister, in a day when 
 the state was almost wholly controlled by the clergy. 
 Before the sailing of the fleet he was appointed by the 
 pope his apostolic vicar for the New World, and 
 placed as superior over his ecclesiastical brethren. 
 
 By way of offering Heaven the first fruits of these 
 pagan nations, the six Indians whom Columbus had 
 brought to Barcelona were baptized with great state 
 and ceremony, the king and queen and Prince Juan 
 officiating as sponsors. Great hopes were enter 
 tained that on their return to their native country, 
 they would facilitate the introduction of Christianity 
 among their countrymen. 
 
 Before the departure of Columbus from Barcelona, 
 the provisional agreement made at Sante Fe was con 
 firmed, granting him titles, emoluments, and preroga 
 tives of admiral, viceroy, and governor of all the 
 countries he had discovered or might discover. He 
 was also entrusted with the royal seal, with authority 
 to use the names of their majesties in granting letters 
 patent and commissions within the bounds of his 
 jurisdiction; with the right, also, in case of absence, 
 to appoint whomsoever he chose in his place, and to 
 invest him for the time with the same powers. 
 
 Cadiz was to be the scene of the second departure 
 of Columbus, and thither all stores and valuables 
 were sent. Thither flocked adventurers, statesmen, 
 and ecclesiastics, all desirious of entering upon a 
 voyage from which, a few months before, everybody 
 shrank. It was not a question of who could be in-
 
 318 COLUMBIA 
 
 duced to go, but of who should be selected from among 
 the many applicants. Among the noted personages 
 who engaged in the expedition was the young cava 
 lier, Don Alonzo de Ojeda, a relative of the grand 
 inquisitor of Spain, a man of good family and reared 
 under the patronage of Columbus' friend, the Duke 
 of Medina Celi. He had fought in the wars against 
 the Moors, and because of extraordinary personal 
 endowments and a daring spirit, was considered a 
 great acquisition to the expedition. 
 
 Hernando and his father hastened to the little 
 cottage near Palos, to gather up a few effects and take 
 final leave of Christina and the good grandmother 
 before departing on the long voyage. Hernando 
 little knew the disappointments in store for him, nor 
 did he realize the years of separation that were to 
 follow this parting with Christina. He seemed to be 
 living in the future, while Christina, woman-like, was 
 enduring bravely the agony of the separation, which 
 her intuition told her would bring weary years of wait 
 ing, and she responded but feebly to Hernando's 
 attempt to be cheerful. With the father it was en 
 tirely different. He cared little if he never returned 
 to the scenes of so much misery. His thoughts, until 
 now, had been of Hernando and his future; but when 
 they reached the crest of the hill which was to sep 
 arate them from the little home they were leaving 
 and as they turned to wave a last farewell before 
 beginning the descent, Roderigo turned to his son 
 and broke the silence.
 
 EMIGRATION 319 
 
 "We are leaving the little cottage home, and 
 I shall probably never return. Many memories, 
 pleasant and painful, dwell about the place, and I 
 cannot leave it without a heartache. It was there 
 I took your sweet young mother in her blushing 
 womanhood, and there we lived the few blissful hours 
 of joy allotted to us; there you were born. But, 
 my son, other and sadder memories dwell there. 
 From that cottage I fled for life, pursued by the avar 
 ice and hatred of one who by nature should have 
 defended me. There I embraced your mother for the 
 last time and went forth to a living death. We shall 
 be happier, no doubt, in the new home we shall make 
 in that new world. We go to lay the foundation of a 
 powerful nation. Kings and lines of kings yet unborn 
 will live to bless the first emigrants to that new land." 
 
 The journey to Cadiz lay through a country 
 wild with excitement. It seemed as if all South 
 Spain would gladly migrate across the western ocean 
 to the unknown regions of the New World. They 
 found the admiral at Cadiz superintending the em 
 barkation. Greeting them warmly, he took the hand 
 of Hernando and said: 
 
 "Since you have found your father, I have lost 
 a son. I wish I might have you with me as con 
 stantly as on the other voyage, but I cannot ask you 
 to abandon your father and cleave to me." 
 
 "You shall always be my great admiral, and I 
 will always serve you," the youth returned. 
 
 Columbus made no answer but he embraced the
 
 320 COLUMBIA 
 
 lad with tenderest affection, struggling to control 
 his emotions. 
 
 The departure of Columbus on his second voyage 
 of discovery presented a brilliant contrast to his 
 gloomy embarkation at Palos. At dawn of day on 
 the 25th of September, 1493, the bay of Cadiz was 
 whitened by his fleet. Three large ships and four 
 teen caravels loitered and waited with flapping sails 
 the signal to get under way. The harbor resounded 
 with the well-known sound of the sailor hoisting sail 
 or weighing anchor. A motley crowd was hurrying 
 on board and taking leave of friends, confident of 
 a prosperous voyage. Many anticipated an early 
 return; others, eager to escape the vengeance of a 
 broken law, were going to that strange, wild world, 
 to begin a new and, they hoped, a better life. 
 
 There was the high-spirited cavalier bound on ro 
 mantic enterprise; the hardy navigator, ambitious 
 of acquiring laurels in those unknown seas; the roving 
 adventurer, seeking novelty and excitement; the 
 keen, calculating speculator, eager to profit by the 
 ignorance of savage tribes; and the pale missionary 
 from the cloister, anxious to extend the dominion of 
 the Church, devoutly zealous for the propagation 
 of the faith. All were full of animation and lively 
 hope. Instead of being regarded by the populace as 
 deluded men, bound upon a dark and desperate en 
 terprise, they were contemplated with envy, as 
 favored mortals going to golden regions and happy 
 climes, where nothing but wealth, luxury, wonders,
 
 EMIGRATION 321 
 
 and delights awaited them. Columbus, conspicuous 
 for his height and commanding appearance, was 
 attended by his two sons, Diego and Fernando the 
 eldest but a stripling who had come to Cadiz to 
 witness the departure of their illustrious father on his 
 second voyage. Wherever the admiral went, every 
 eye followed him and every tongue sounded his 
 praises. 
 
 Standing on the high poop-deck of one of the 
 largest vessels was Roderigo Estevan, the emigrant, 
 with his son Hernando. Anchor was weighed, 
 and amid the wildest cheers, the thunder of can 
 non, and the waving of banners, the fleet set sail. 
 
 Long after the fleet had been under way Her 
 nando stood gazing off at the lovely hills of Spain, 
 until the shores of the Old World faded from his 
 sight. 
 
 Vol. 121
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 
 DESTRUCTION OF THE MIMIC EMPIRE. 
 
 A SEA voyage in the olden time, when naviga 
 tion was in its infancy, was a different affair from 
 the sea voyage of to-day where one rides in a 
 floating palace, and most of the dangers and incon 
 veniences of storms and rough weather are over 
 come. Then, months instead of days were occu 
 pied in crossing the ocean. 
 
 Before his departure Columbus had given the 
 commander of each vessel a sealed letter of instruc 
 tions, in which was specified his route to the harbor 
 of Nativity, the residence of the cacique Guaca- 
 nagari. These instructions were to be opened only 
 in case of their being separated by accident, as he 
 wished to leave a mystery, as long as possible, 
 the exact route to the newly discovered country, 
 lest adventurers of other nations, particularly the 
 Portuguese, should follow in his track and inter 
 fere with his enterprises. 
 
 When in mid-ocean they encountered a fearful 
 rain-storm one night, during which they saw those 
 -lambent flames usually called 'St. Elmo's fire, 
 playing on the masts of the vessels. These lights 
 have always been objects of superstitious awe 
 322
 
 DESTRUCTION OF THE MIMIC EMPIRE 323 
 
 among sailors. When they appeared Columbus 
 explained: "It is the body of St. Elmo and we 
 may now hold it for certain that no one is in dan 
 ger of this tempest." Then the crew joined in 
 chanting litanies and orisons. 
 
 They reached the island of Dominica, where 
 they made a short stay, and then continued west 
 ward, discovering the Antilles. The first landing 
 was made at Guadaloupe, where the savages were so 
 much frightened that they ran away, and in their 
 terror and confusion left their children behind them. 
 
 Hernando, who was one of the first to go ashore, 
 caressed one of the screaming infants and to amuse 
 it, bound hawks-bells to its arms. All the other 
 little fellows, anxious for some of the same toys, 
 soon gathered about him, and were treated in a 
 like manner. 
 
 The Spaniards continued cruising about among 
 the islands, going farther southwest, and finding 
 among some of them what they thought to be evi 
 dences of cannibalism. 
 
 On the 14th of November, owing to a stress of 
 weather, Columbus was forced to put in at one 
 of the Carib islands, called by the Indians "Ayay," 
 but to which he gave the name of "Santa Cruz." 
 Hernando's father was sent on shore with a well- 
 manned boat, to get water and procure information. 
 They found a village deserted by the men, but 
 secured a few women and boys, most of them 
 captives from other islands.
 
 324 COLUMBIA 
 
 Hernando, who had been left to watch the coast, 
 now ran to his father, and cried: 
 
 "Father, I see a canoe coming round a point 
 of land; look, it is in view of the ships." 
 
 "You are right, my son. They knew nothing 
 of our presence. See, they gaze in wonder on the 
 ships! Come now, while they are so absorbed, let 
 us steal upon them and capture them." 
 
 The Spaniards leaped into their boat, and pulled 
 with all possible speed for the canoe. They were 
 almost on it before discovered. With a savage 
 yell, the Indians seized their paddles and tried to 
 escape, but could not, as the boat was between 
 them and the land, cutting off their retreat. 
 
 "They are going to fight," cried Hernando, as 
 the savages caught up their bows and arrows, 
 which they used with great vigor and rapidity. 
 Notwithstanding that the Spaniards covered them 
 selves with their bucklers, two of them were 
 wounded. The women fought as desperately as the 
 men, and one of them shot an arrow with such 
 force that it passed through a buckler, wounding 
 the man who held it. At Roderigo's command, 
 the Spaniards dashed their boat against the canoe, 
 capsizing it. 
 
 But the trouble was not over, for some of the 
 savages climbed upon the sunken rocks, and others 
 discharged their arrows while swimming. 
 
 "Don't hurt them if you can avoid it," cried 
 Roderigo; but Ruiz, a sailor, being hard pressed
 
 DESTRUCTION OF THE MIMIC EMPIRE 325 
 
 by one fellow, transfixed him with a lance. One 
 by one they were overtaken and captured with the 
 greatest difficulty, and brought to shore, where 
 the man who had been run through with the lance, 
 soon died. One of the women, from the obedience 
 and deference paid her, appeared to be their queen. 
 She was accompanied by her son, a young man 
 strongly built, with a lion's face and scowling 
 brow. He had been wounded in the conflict, but 
 seemed wholly indifferent to pain or the blood 
 which trickled down his side and dropped on the 
 sand. The hair of these savages was long and 
 coarse; their eyes were encircled with paint so as 
 to give them a hideous expression, and bands of 
 cotton were firmly bound above and below the 
 muscular parts of the arms and legs, so as to cause 
 them to swell to a disproportionate size. The 
 Caribs were warlike and fierce, and refused to be 
 conciliated. In the skirmish they used poisoned 
 arrows, and one of the wounded Spaniards died in 
 a few days from the arrow sent through his buckler 
 by the woman. 
 
 For several days the fleet continued to cruise 
 about among the Caribs, trying in vain to concil 
 iate them, but day by day becoming more fully 
 impressed with their prowess and warlike natures 
 Evidences of cannibalism became so plain that one 
 of the Spaniards, Peter Martyr, in his letter to 
 Pamponius Lsetus, says: 
 
 "The stories of Lestrigonians and of Polyphe-
 
 326 COLUMBIA 
 
 mus, who fed on human flesh, are no longer doubt 
 ful! Attend, but beware, lest thy hair bristle 
 with horror! " 
 
 It was the 23d day of November, 1493, that the 
 fleet arrived off the eastern extremity of Hispan- 
 iola, or what is now known as the island of Hayti. 
 The greatest excitement prevailed throughout the 
 crews at the thought of soon arriving at the end 
 of their voyage. Memories of the pleasant days 
 passed among the delightful groves and gentle 
 natives haunted those who had been here on the 
 former voyage, and others looked forward with 
 eagerness to scenes painted to them in all the cap 
 tivating illusions of the golden age. 
 
 Hernando and his father, with a dozen sailors, 
 were sent ashore to bury the Biscayan sailor who 
 had died from the poisoned shot of the Carib queen. 
 Two light caravels hovered near the shore to guard 
 the boat's crew while the funeral ceremony was 
 performed on the beach under the trees. Several 
 natives came off to the ship with a message to 
 the admiral from the cacique of the neighborhood, 
 inviting him to land and promising him great 
 quantities of gold; but Columbus was anxious to 
 return to Fort Nativity and, giving the messengers 
 presents, dismissed them. 
 
 On the 25th they anchored in the harbor of 
 Monte Christi, where Columbus was anxious to fix 
 upon a place for a settlement in the neighborhood 
 of the stream to which, on his first voyage, he had
 
 DESTRUCTION OF THE MIMIC EMPIRE 327 
 
 given the name of Rio del Oro, or the Golden River. 
 Among others who landed here were the Estevans, 
 father and son. While roaming about the coast 
 they were horrified to find on the green banks of 
 the rivulet the bodies of a man and a boy, the 
 former with a cord of Spanish grass about his 
 neck, his arms extended and tied by the wrists to 
 a stake in the form of a cross. 
 
 "We cannot tell whether they are Spaniards 
 or Indians," the youth remarked, as he gazed at 
 the bodies before him. 
 
 "No, they have lain too long for one to deter 
 mine," the father returned. 
 
 "Father, let us not make our home here." 
 
 "Why?" 
 
 "These dead bodies make a forbidding beginning." 
 
 This discovery changed all the plans of the 
 emigrants, and those who had contemplated land 
 ing here decided to go on to Fort Nativity. 
 
 Sinister doubts and fears rose in the breast of 
 the admiral on learning of the discovery, and he 
 resolved to set sail at once for the harbor of Nativity. 
 
 On the night of the 27th of November they ar 
 rived opposite the harbor they desired so much to 
 reach, and cast anchor about a league from land, 
 not daring to venture through those dangerous 
 reefs after dark. It was too late to distinguish 
 objects, and the admiral, anxious to let the Span 
 iards in port know of his arrival, fired two cannon. 
 
 "There is no answer," Columbus exclaimed in
 
 328 COLUMBIA 
 
 alarm, after listening to the echoes rolling along the 
 shore. "Let everyone watch for some gleam of a 
 signal light or sign of life." All complied, but none 
 was to be seen; darkness and a death-like silence 
 hovered over the scene. The admiral paced his 
 deck in the greatest anxiety, and never did he more 
 long for morning. 
 
 "I see a canoe, admiral!" said Hernando, about 
 midnight. 
 
 "Where?" 
 
 "Coming toward us." 
 
 "Perhaps it is some of the Spaniards from the 
 fort," and the anxious face of the admiral gleamed 
 with hope as he spoke. 
 
 "No; there are Indians in the boat," Hernando 
 answered, when the bark was near enough for him 
 to make out the occupants. 
 
 "Bring Diego Colon to the deck," Columbus 
 commanded. The admiral was trembling with 
 anxiety, for somehow he felt strangely certain that 
 all w r as not well with the little colony he had left 
 on the island. 
 
 Diego Colon was a young Lucayan, native of the 
 island of Guanahani, who had been baptized at Bar 
 celona and named after the admiral's brother, Diego 
 Colon. He continued always faithful and devoted 
 to the Spaniards. 
 
 The canoe came up to within a cable's length of one 
 of the ships and paused, and the Indians who were in 
 it hailed the ship and called for the admiral. They
 
 DESTRUCTION OF THE MIMIC EMPIRE 329 
 
 were at once directed to his ship, where Columbus 
 stood on the deck waiting in the greatest anxiety. 
 They drew near and stopped. 
 
 "Tell them to come on board," said Columbus to 
 his interpreter, who stood at his side. 
 
 Diego Colon spoke to them, and asked why they 
 did not come aboard, and was answered that they 
 wanted to see the admiral before doing so. Columbus 
 went over to the side of the ship, and lights were held 
 up, that his features might be recognized; then the 
 Indians, being satisfied, came aboard the ship with 
 out further hesitation. 
 
 One of them, a cousin of the cacique Guacanagari, 
 brought a present from him of two masks ornamented 
 with gold. 
 
 "Ask them about the Spaniards who remained on 
 the island," said Columbus to his interpreter. Some 
 how the very manner of the Indians seemed to in 
 crease the fear of the admiral. 
 
 Diego Colon spoke to them, and for several min 
 utes they continued conversing in a gibberish, well- 
 nigh distracting to the eager, listening admiral and 
 officers. Then Diego turned to Columbus and said: 
 
 "My language, the Lucayan, is very different from 
 that of Hayti, and I am not sure that I understand 
 all they say; but they seem to be telling us that 
 several of the Spaniards fell sick and died, others 
 quarreled among themselves, and others removed to 
 a different part of the island, where they have taken 
 wives. Guacanagari has been assailed by Caonabo,
 
 330 COLUMBIA 
 
 the fierce cacique of the golden mountains of Cibao, 
 who wounded him in battle and burned his village, 
 so that he remains ill of his wound in a neighboring 
 town; but he will come in person to welcome the 
 admiral tomorrow." 
 
 "What do you think of the story the Indians tell, 
 father?" Hernando asked, when the account had been 
 translated. The Estevans were a short distance from 
 the admiral, yet near enough to hear what the inter 
 preter said. 
 
 "I don't believe it," answered the father. 
 
 "Nor I." 
 
 " I doubt if the admiral gives much credence to it." 
 
 "He has great faith in the cacique." 
 
 The Indian visitors were served with wine, for 
 which they evinced a great fondness, and departed 
 considerably under its influence. Morning dawned 
 and the day advanced and began to decline without 
 the promised visit from the cacique. 
 
 "Why does he not come?" the admiral asked him 
 self impatiently again and again. Hernando, with 
 the freedom and familiarity which long association 
 might warrant, went to Columbus and said: 
 
 "The Indians may have been lost, admiral. They 
 left the ship with their heads muddled by wine, and 
 it is possible their canoe capsized before they reached 
 the shore." 
 
 There was a silence and an extremely suspicious air 
 of desertion about the whole neighborhood. On their 
 preceding visit to the harbor they had found it a
 
 DESTRUCTION OF THE MIMIC EMPIRE 331 
 
 scene of unending animation; canoes gliding over the 
 waters, Indians in groups on the shores or under the 
 trees, or swimming off to the caravel. Now, not a 
 canoe was to be seen, not an Indian hailed them from 
 the land, nor was there any smoke rising from among 
 the groves, to give a sign of habitation. 
 
 Roderigo Estevan, Hernando, and twenty others 
 were sent on shore to reconnoitre. On landing they 
 hastened to the fortress, which they found in ruins; the 
 palisades were broken down, and the whole presented 
 the appearance of having been sacked, burned, and 
 destroyed. Here and there were broken chests, 
 spoiled provisions, and the ragged remains of Euro 
 pean garments. 
 
 "My son, there is treachery here," said Rod 
 erigo. 
 
 "Surely something terrible has happened. Not 
 an Indian approaches us, whereas on our former visit 
 they were friendly as brothers." 
 
 "The garrison has doubtless been murdered," said 
 Roderigo. 
 
 At this moment Hernando saw two or three dark 
 faces watching them at a distance among the trees; 
 and, calling his father's attention to them, he said : 
 
 "Let us go to them. Perhaps they may be able 
 to tell us something." 
 
 Accompanied by his father and Diego Colon, 
 Hernando started toward them; but the faces van 
 ished at their approach,, and when the three had 
 reached the spot where the Indians had been seen,
 
 332 COLUMBIA 
 
 they could find no trace of them. Meeting no one to 
 explain the unhappy fate of the colony, they returned 
 with dejected hearts to the ships, and related their 
 sad discovery to the admiral. 
 
 Columbus was still loth to believe in the perfidy 
 of Guacanagari, and went ashore next day to look 
 for the village of the cacique, which he found to be a 
 heap of burned ruins, showing that it had been in 
 volved in the disaster of the garrison. 
 
 The admiral determined to take full measures 
 against leaving matters in doubt in this manner. He 
 ordered Arana to clear out the well and make every 
 possible search for any evidence that might throw 
 light on the mystery, while he, with Roderigo, Her- 
 nando, and three boats loaded with armed men, set 
 out to look for a better site for a fortress. After pro 
 ceeding about a league they came upon a hamlet, the 
 inhabitants of which fled at their approach, taking 
 with them whatever they could and hiding the rest 
 in the grass. In the houses were European articles 
 which to all appearances had not been procured by 
 barter, such as stockings, pieces of cloth, an anchor 
 of the wrecked caravel, and a beautiful Moorish robe, 
 which evidently had not been unfolded since brought 
 from Spain. Not a single European could be found, 
 and the admiral returned to Fort Nativity, where 
 he learned that seven dead sailors had been found 
 buried. 
 
 This was Hernando's first disappointment in the 
 New World and it was shared by every member of
 
 DESTRUCTION OF THE MIMIC EMPIRE 333 
 
 the crew, including Columbus himself. Instead of 
 regions that had been explored, they found the same 
 impenetrable mystery. Instead of a prosperous 
 settlement with an accumulation of gold, the colony 
 had been wiped out of existence. Nor was that all. 
 
 AN INDIAN VILLAGE. 
 
 When they left these shores to return to Spain, the 
 natives were as friendly as brothers; in fact, they had 
 looked upon the Spaniards as celestial beings and had 
 regarded them with adoration. Now the natives were 
 suspicious of the white men and there were evidences 
 of base treachery.
 
 334 COLUMBIA 
 
 The outlook was not encouraging, to say the least, 
 but they did not despair. Roderigo Estevan argued 
 that though first attempts at building up a new 
 empire might fail, he had seen enough of this new 
 world to believe it was destined to become one of the 
 mighty nations of earth. 
 
 Later, Columbus came upon a village where he 
 found the cacique Guacanagari reclining in a ham 
 mock of cotton net, suffering from wounds received 
 in battle. He was much affected on beholding the 
 admiral and shed many tears as he related the disaster 
 to the garrison which he had attempted to defend. 
 He pointed out several of his subjects present, who 
 had received wounds in the battle, and referred to 
 them as proof of his good faith. Subsequent his 
 torians have considered his conduct suspicious and 
 have implicated him in the death of the Spaniards, 
 but Columbus did not upbraid or reproach him. 
 
 It is curious to note this first footprint of European 
 civilization in the New World. No sooner was the 
 admiral gone than the Spaniards left at Fort Nativity 
 gave way to their passions to such an extent as to 
 make the friendly Indians their enemies. 
 
 Dissensions grew up among themselves, which 
 finally resulted in open brawls, and they weakened 
 their numbers to such an extent that they could 
 make little resistance to their enemies when roused. 
 They disobeyed Columbus in separating their forces 
 and in wandering away from the fort ; and they paid 
 the penalty with their lives.
 
 DESTRUCTION OF THE At I MIC EMPIRE 335 
 
 The destruction of this mimic empire presents, in 
 a diminutive compass, an epitome of the gross vices 
 which degrade civilization and the great political 
 errors which sometimes subvert the mightiest empires. 
 Public good was sacrificed to selfish interests and total 
 destruction was brought about by aspiring dema 
 gogues, ambitious to command a petty fortress in a 
 wilderness and to exercise supreme control over eight 
 and thirty men.
 
 CHAPTER XXI. 
 
 THE FIRST CHRISTIAN CITY OF THE NEW WORLD. 
 
 THE Spaniards at Nativity had experienced many 
 misfortunes, both by land and sea, and a cloud of 
 gloom hovered over the place. The ruins of the 
 fortress and the graves of their murdered countrymen 
 were continually before their eyes. The forests no 
 longer looked beautiful and inviting. Instead, there 
 was a suspicion of treachery lurking in their shades 
 and the superstitious mariners began to look upon 
 the site as under some baneful influence. These 
 were sufficient objections to discourage the colony 
 from settling here, but Hernando and his father, who 
 had been scouring the vicinity for a suitable place to 
 settle, had discovered other drawbacks of a more 
 serious nature. In reporting their observations to 
 Columbus, Hernando called attention to the natural 
 disadvantages of the location. 
 
 "The land in this locality," he said, "is low, moist, 
 and seems to be unhealthful; and besides, admiral, 
 we have found no stones suitable for building pur 
 poses." 
 
 "I have determined to abandon the place alto 
 gether and seek some more favorable situation," was 
 the decision of the admiral, announced first to Her- 
 336
 
 FIRST CHRISTIAN CITY OF NEW WORLD 337 
 
 nando privately and then publicly to the colony. 
 "No time must be lost," continued Columbus. 
 "The animals on board the ships are suffering from 
 long confinement and the men, unaccustomed to 
 the sea, are languishing for the refreshment of 
 land." 
 
 Accordingly, on the 7th of December, the fleet 
 weighed anchor and set sail for the port of La Plata, 
 but adverse weather drove them into a harbor about 
 ten leagues east of Monte Christi. This harbor was 
 spacious and was commanded by a point of land 
 which, being protected on one side by a natural wall 
 of rocks and on the other by a dense forest, presented 
 a strong position for a fortress. Another and a 
 stronger inducement for them to form their settlement 
 in this place was the report from the natives in the 
 adjacent village that the mountains of Cibao, where 
 the gold mines were situated, lay at no great distance. 
 Hernando was eager to settle here, as he desired to 
 locate his land grant in the vicinity of the Cibao 
 mountains, where he hoped, with the assistance of 
 his father, to accumulate no small amount of gold. 
 All seemed pleased with the beauty of the spot, and 
 unanimously agreed that no more favorable situation 
 for the colony could be found. 
 
 An animated scene now presented itself. An 
 encampment was formed on the margin of the plain, 
 plans were drawn, and streets and squares projected. 
 In a little while the whole place was in activity, and 
 here was formed the first Christian city of the New 
 
 Vol. 122
 
 338 COLUMBIA 
 
 World, to which Columbus, in honor of his royal 
 patroness, gave the name of Isabella. 
 
 It has already been pointed out that few members 
 of the colony were accustomed to the sea and all had 
 suffered severely from confinement and seasickness, 
 and from having to subsist for so long a time on salt 
 provisions, much damaged, and mouldy biscuit. 
 The exposure on land, before houses could be erected, 
 brought on maladies which left them in no physical 
 condition for the tasks before them. 
 
 It would be hard to imagine a more disappointed 
 lot of men than these colonists who were to inhabit 
 this first city of the new world. Many had antici 
 pated the golden regions of Cipango and Cathay, 
 where they might amass wealth without labor or 
 even the trouble to seek it; others expected to find 
 regions of Asiatic luxury, abounding with delights; 
 still others, a splendid and open career for gallant 
 adventures. Imagine, then, such a colony of people 
 finding themselves confined to the margin of an 
 island, surrounded by an almost impenetrable forest, 
 doomed to toil painfully in a wilderness for mere sub 
 sistence and able to obtain any comfort only by the 
 severest exertion! These disappointments sank deep 
 into their hearts; their spirits flagged as their golden 
 dreams melted away; and the gloom of despondency 
 aided the ravages of disease. 
 
 Columbus himself did not escape the prevalent 
 maladies. The responsibilities under which he found 
 himself kept his mind in a state of constant agitation.
 
 FIRST CHRISTIAN CITY OF NEW WORLD 339 
 
 The cares of so large a squadron; the incessant vigil 
 ance required, not only against the lurking dangers of 
 those unknown forests, but against the passions and 
 follies of his followers; the distress he had suffered 
 because of the murdered garrison all these had 
 harassed his mind and broken his rest while on board 
 ship. Since landing, new cares and toils had crowded 
 upon him, completely overpowering his strength, and 
 he was confined to his bed by severe illness for several 
 weeks; but his energetic mind rose superior to the 
 sufferings of his body and he continued to give direc 
 tions for the building of the town. 
 
 The embryo city of Isabella was rapidly assuming 
 form. A stone wall was built around the town, pro 
 tecting it against any sudden attack by the natives; 
 and having at length recovered from his long illness, 
 Columbus prepared for immediate departure to Cibao. 
 
 In the meantime, twelve of the vessels of his squad 
 ron had been returned to Spain, under command of 
 Antonio de Torres, leaving only five for the service of 
 the colony. Columbus used this opportunity to send 
 to Spain specimens of the gold already found among 
 the rivers and mountains of Cibao, and in his report 
 to the sovereigns he repeated his confident anticipa 
 tions of soon being able to make large shipments of 
 gold, precious drugs, and spices; the search for them 
 being delayed for the present by his own sickness and 
 the labors required in building the infant city. He 
 reported that their provisions were already running 
 low, and inasmuch as it would require some little time
 
 340 COLUMBIA 
 
 for them to obtain from their own fields and gardens 
 an adequate supply for the subsistence of the colony, 
 which consisted of a thousand souls, he requested that 
 supplies be sent from Spain for present needs. We 
 should not fail to mention that the admiral in this 
 letter recommended to the notice and favor of the 
 sovereigns two men at whose hands he was destined 
 to receive the most signal ingratitude, Pedro Mar- 
 garite and Juan Aguado. 
 
 In his letter there is one suggestion of a most per 
 nicious tendency, written in that perverted view of 
 natural rights prevalent at the time, but fruitful of 
 much misery in the world. Through mistaken zeal, 
 Columbus considered that the greater the number of 
 these pagans transferred to the Catholic soil of Spain 
 the greater would be the number of souls put in the 
 way of salvation; and he proposed to establish an 
 exchange of them as slaves, against live stock to be 
 furnished by merchants to the colony. Such is the 
 strange sophistry by which upright men may some 
 times deceive themselves. Columbus thought he was 
 following the dictates of his conscience, when in 
 reality he was allowing himself to be influenced by 
 consideration of his own interests. In his eagerness 
 to procure immediate profit for his sovereigns and 
 relieve the drain upon the treasury, he sent, without 
 waiting for royal sanction, a consignment of Indian 
 prisoners, suggesting that they be sold as slaves at 
 Seville. But the compassionate spirit of Isabella 
 revolted at the idea of treating these gentle people as
 
 FIRST CHRISTIAN CITY OF NEW WORLD 341 
 
 slaves. As the patroness of the New World, she looked 
 upon these people as under her special care and she 
 anticipated with pious enthusiasm the glory of lead 
 ing them from darkness into the paths of light. She 
 ordered that they be sent back to their native country, 
 and recommended that the inhabitants be conciliated 
 by the gentlest means; but, unfortunately, her orders 
 came too late to Hispaniola. The seeds of animosity 
 had already been sown and the colonists had invited 
 the vengeance of the natives. 
 
 The command of the city and ships during the 
 admiral's absence on this expedition into the interior 
 was entrusted to his brother, Don Diego. Las Casas, 
 who knew Don Diego personally, represented him as 
 a man of great merit and discretion, of a gentle and 
 pacific disposition, and more characterized by sim 
 plicity _than by shrewdness. He was sober in his 
 attire, wearing almost the dress of an ecclesiastic, and 
 Las Casas thinks he had secret hopes of preferment in 
 the Church. 
 
 As the admiral intended to build a fortress in the 
 mountains and make preparations for the working of 
 the mines, he took with him the necessary workmen, 
 miners, and implements, and on the 12th of March 
 set out at the head of about four hundred men, well 
 armed and equipped. On this expedition a road was 
 opened for the march of the army, which was called 
 "The Gentleman's Pass," in honor of the gallant 
 cavaliers who effected it. This narrow, rugged foot 
 path, winding among rocks and precipices, still exists
 
 342 COLUMBIA 
 
 in its primitive rudeness and is the only practicable 
 defile which traverses the Monte Christi range of 
 mountains in that vicinity. 
 
 This expedition did not result in the discovery of 
 any large quantities of gold and after the foundation 
 of the Fortress of St. Thomas had been laid and the 
 structure was well along, Columbus decided to return 
 to Isabella and continue his voyage of discovery. 
 
 Hernando had partially recovered from the dis 
 appointment he experienced on landing at Nativity, 
 and he set out with a new determination on this expe 
 dition, his father accompanying him and sharing with 
 his son the enthusiasm which the prospects of imme 
 diate wealth inspired. 
 
 "I bought these two pieces of virgin ore from an 
 old man today," was Roderigo's report, at the close 
 of a day which had been unfruitful for the son. "He 
 thought himself richly repaid with a hawk-bell which 
 I gave him in exchange; and when I spoke of the size 
 of the specimens, he indicated by signs that they 
 were insignificant as compared with the pieces of gold 
 found in his country." 
 
 "They are the finest nuggets I have seen," replied 
 Hernando, as he examined them closely. 
 
 "What do you say that we accompany him to 
 morrow?" 
 
 "It's no use. The land of promise is always beyond 
 the mountains," replied Hernando despondently. "I 
 have been searching for two whole days in remote 
 valleys and along rugged streams, where I was told I
 
 FIRST CHRISTIAN CITY OF NEW WORLD 343 
 
 would find masses of ore as large as a child's head. It 
 is useless to seek further here, and with the admiral's 
 permission I shall return with him to Isabella and go 
 with him on this voyage of discovery, in the hope of 
 finding the object of all our expeditions, the land of 
 the Grand Khan." 
 
 "My son, you must not be disheartened. Great 
 riches are not acquired in a day or in a week." 
 
 "But Christina" 
 
 "Did you not send her a message by Antonio de 
 Torres?" 
 
 "Yes, but I did not wish to distress her with my 
 disappointments. I did not tell her of the ruins we 
 found at Nativity, and she will not know but that I 
 have already accumulated great riches." 
 
 "Who knows, perhaps tomorrow will bring your 
 fortune?" 
 
 "No, I shall leave with the admiral tomorrow, to 
 continue the search by sea." 
 
 "Then what say you, Hernando, that I remain 
 here? Perhaps Providence will reward both of us 
 for our labors. At any rate we shall double our 
 chances of success by separating." 
 
 To this they agreed. It was not necessary for 
 Hernando to seek permission to accompany the 
 admiral, for Columbus had already arranged for his 
 going, and they reached Isabella together on the 29th 
 of March. 
 
 Columbus was highly pleased with the appearance 
 of everything in the vicinity of the harbor. The
 
 344 COLUMBIA 
 
 plants and fruits of the Old World, which he was 
 endeavoring to introduce into the islands, gave prom 
 ise of rapid increase. Everything was in an advanced 
 state. The seeds of various fruits had produced 
 young plants; the sugar-cane had prospered exceed 
 ingly; European vines, which had been transplanted, 
 already began to form their clusters, and the day after 
 their arrival at Isabella Hernando found heads of 
 wheat which had been sown the latter part of January. 
 Many of the smaller kinds of garden herbs came to 
 maturity in sixteen days, and the larger kinds, such as 
 melons and cucumbers, were ready for the table within 
 a month after the seed had been put into the ground. 
 
 One of the benefits resulting from their expedition 
 into the interior was a better knowledge of the natives. 
 Columbus had already discovered the error of one of his 
 opinions concerning these islanders, formed during his 
 first voyage. They were not so entirely pacific nor so 
 ignorant of the warlike arts as he had imagined. He 
 had been deceived by the enthusiasm of his own feelings 
 and by the gentleness of Guacanagari and his subjects. 
 
 Columbus had also indulged in the error that the 
 natives of Hayti were destitute of all notions of reli 
 gion, but it was soon discovered that they had their 
 faith, though of a vague and simple nature. They 
 believed in a supreme being, inhabiting the sky, who 
 was immortal, omnipotent, and invisible; to whom 
 they ascribed, as origin, a mother, but no father. 
 Their ideas with respect to the creation were vague 
 and undefined. They gave their own island of Hayti
 
 priority of ex- 
 istence over 
 all others, and 
 believed that 
 the sun and 
 the moon orig 
 inally issued 
 out of a cavern 
 in the island 
 to give light to 
 the world. They be 
 lieved mankind issued 
 from another cavern, 
 the large men from a 
 great aperture, 
 the smaller men 
 from a little 
 cranny . For 
 along time, there 
 were no women, 
 but as they wan 
 dered on one occasion near 
 a small lake, they saw cer 
 tain animals among the 
 branches of the trees, which 
 proved to be women. Four 
 of these females were cap 
 tured and from them the 
 world was peopled. 
 
 VEGETATION OF THK NEW WORLD.
 
 346 COLUMBIA 
 
 Like most savage nations, they had a tradition 
 concerning the universal deluge, equally fanciful with 
 most of the preceding. Most singular of all was their 
 mode of treating the dying and the dead. When the 
 life of a cacique was despaired of, they strangled him, 
 out of a feeling of respect, rather than suffer him to 
 die like the vulgar. After death, the body of a 
 cacique was opened, dried at a fire, and preserved. 
 Of others, the head only, or a limb, was treasured as 
 a memorial. 
 
 Their idea of a future life was a place of reward, 
 to which all spirits of good men repaired after death. 
 Here they were reunited to the spirits of those they 
 had most loved during life; here they enjoyed, unin 
 terruptedly and in perfection, those pleasures which 
 constituted their felicities on earth. 
 
 Such are a few of the characteristics remaining 
 on record of these simple people, who perished from 
 the face of the earth before their customs and creeds 
 were thought of sufficient importance to be investi 
 gated. Many of these particulars were collected by 
 Columbus during the excursion among the mountains. 
 The natives appeared to him an idle, improvident 
 race, indifferent to most of the objects of human 
 anxiety and toil. 
 
 The hospitality which characterizes men in such a 
 simple and easy mode of existence was extended to 
 Columbus and his followers, and wherever they went 
 there was a continual scene of festivity and rejoicing. 
 The natives came from all parts of the island, bring-
 
 FIRST CHRISTIAN CITY OF NEW WORLD 347 
 
 ing presents and laying the simple treasures they 
 possessed at the feet of the beings whom they still 
 considered as descended from the skies to bring 
 blessings to their island. 
 
 As, in imagination, we accompany the little army 
 through the lofty and rugged gorge of the mountains 
 on their way back to Isabella, we cannot but pause 
 to cast back over this beautiful region a look of 
 mingled pity and admiration. The dream of natural 
 liberty, of ignorant content, and loitering idleness 
 was as yet unbroken, but the white man had pene 
 trated the land and the indolent paradise of the 
 Indian was about to disappear forever.
 
 CHAPTER XXII. 
 
 A LOST BROTHER RETURNS. 
 
 THE increasing discontent of the motley popula 
 tion of Isabella was a source of great anxiety to 
 Columbus. He could not proceed on his voyage of 
 discovery with affairs in their present condition, and 
 it was imperative, before leaving, to put the island 
 In such a state as to secure tranquillity. Columbus, 
 therefore, determined to send into the interior every 
 able-bodied man whose presence was not absolutely 
 needed in the city. By this means, not only would 
 they explore the land, but they would become accli 
 mated and accustomed to the diet of the natives. 
 The general command was entrusted to Pedro Mar- 
 garite, who was relieved of the command of St. 
 Thomas by Alonzo de Ojeda. With this distribution 
 of the forces and the affairs of Isabella under the 
 direction of his brother Don Diego as president of 
 the junta, Columbus felt prepared to depart on his 
 discoveries. 
 
 This expedition of Columbus is of minor impor 
 tance today, and we will not attempt, therefore, to 
 follow him step by step in his bold but cautious 
 advances along the bays and channels of an unknown 
 coast, ignorant of the dangers which might await 
 348
 
 A LOST BROTHER RETURNS 349 
 
 him in the interminable regions of mystery that 
 still kept breaking upon his view. 
 
 The plan of this expedition was to revisit the 
 coast of Cuba at the point where he had quitted 
 it on his first voyage, thence to explore it on its 
 southern side. As has already been observed, 
 Columbus supposed Cuba to be a continent, the 
 extreme end of Asia; and if so, he believed that by 
 following its shores in the proposed direction, he 
 must eventually arrive at Cathay and those other 
 rich and commercial though semi-barbarous coun 
 tries described by Mandeville and Marco Polo. 
 
 On the 24th of April the little squadron set sail 
 from the harbor of Isabella. After touching at 
 Monte Christi, he anchored the same day at Nativ 
 ity, in the hope of reviving friendly relations with 
 Guacanagari, which would be highly advantageous 
 to the Spaniards in their present state of helpless 
 ness. 
 
 Hernando was one of the party sent to invite the 
 cacique to visit Columbus, but his report, on returning 
 to the ship, was not reassuring: 
 
 "My lord admiral, Guacanagari fled at sight of 
 our ship and cannot be seen." 
 
 "Did he send no word? " asked Columbus eagerly, 
 for he was anxious to renew friendly relations with 
 the cacique before leaving on this voyage, which 
 would probably mean an absence of several months. 
 
 "He merely sent word that he would visit you 
 soon."
 
 350 COLUMBIA 
 
 "Then we shall not wait for a visit so reluctantly 
 promised," the admiral replied. 
 
 No time was lost in making their departure, and 
 a few days later Columbus landed on the island of 
 Jamaica, to which he gave the name of Santiago, 
 and took possession of it; but it has retained its 
 original Indian name of Jamaica. This discovery 
 proved to be the most important event of the voyage. 
 Columbus' disappointment at not finding gold in Ja 
 maica was followed by a determination to sail for Cuba 
 and not to leave it until he had explored the coast a 
 sufficient distance to determine whether it was terra 
 firma or an island. Animated by one of the pleasing 
 illusions of his ardent imagination, Columbus pur 
 sued his voyage, favored by a strong breeze, along 
 the supposed continent of Asia. The appearance 
 of the squadron spread wonder and joy among the 
 natives along the seacoast. Columbus' fame had 
 spread far and wide since his first voyage, and the 
 natives hailed with delight the arrival of these wonder 
 ful beings who brought with them the blessings of 
 heaven. The usual refreshing evening showers 
 were followed by a delightful breeze from the shore, 
 laden with the sweetness of the land and the distant 
 songs of the natives mingled with their rude music, 
 made in celebration of the arrival of the white men. 
 So delightful to Columbus were these spicy odors 
 and cheerful sounds that he exclaimed to Hernando, 
 "The nights pass away as a single hour ! " 
 
 It is impossible not to note the striking contrasts
 
 352 COLUMBIA 
 
 which are sometimes presented by the lapse of time. 
 This section of the island, described by Columbus 
 as "populous and animated and inhabited even along 
 the margin of the coast," is now silent and almost 
 deserted. Only a few villages are to be found 
 between Batabano and Trinidad, a distance of fifty 
 leagues. Civilization, which has covered some parts 
 of Cuba with prosperous cities, has left this a solitude. 
 The whole race of Indians has long since passed 
 away, perishing under the domination of the strangers 
 whom they welcomed with adoration. 
 
 The glowing hopes of Columbus were always 
 leading him on to new enterprises. Combining his 
 present conjectures as to his situation with the im 
 perfect geographical knowledge of that day, he 
 conceived a triumphant return to Spain by way of 
 the Mediterranean after circumnavigating the globe. 
 That they were now coasting the continent of Asia 
 and approaching the confines of Eastern civilization 
 was an opinion shared by all his fellow-voyagers, 
 among whom were several able and experienced 
 navigators. They were far, however, from sharing 
 his enthusiasm. 
 
 Hernando constantly enjoyed the confidence 
 of the admiral; in fact, he was about the only member 
 of the crew to whom Columbus could turn to express 
 his secret thoughts, and he joined enthusiastically 
 in all the plans which the ardent imagination of the 
 admiral conceived. He was steadfast and unwaver 
 ing in his loyalty to the master whom he loved and
 
 A LOST BROTHER RETURNS 
 
 353 
 
 could not be moved by the arguments or protesta 
 tions of the others. 
 
 "What glory are we to receive from the success 
 of the enterprise? " asked one who shrank from the 
 perils which were daily increasing. "The ships are 
 strained by injuries received in running so frequently 
 aground, the cables and rigging are worn, and our 
 provisions are almost exhausted. Most of the biscuit 
 left has been spoiled by the sea water. The crew 
 is completely worn out by incessant labor and dis- 
 
 WILDERNESS OF ISLANDS. 
 
 heartened at the appearance of the sea, which con 
 tinues to present but a mere wilderness of islands." 
 
 "Your arguments are useless," was Hernando's 
 response. "The admiral has determined to con 
 tinue the voyage until he has settled beyond all 
 doubt that we have discovered a continent." 
 
 "We have already followed the coast far enongh 
 to satisfy our minds that this is a continent, and 
 though we doubt not that civilized regions lie in 
 the route we are pursuing, our provisions will be 
 exhausted and our vessels disabled before we can 
 reach them." 
 
 Vol. 123
 
 354 COLUMBIA 
 
 Columbus himself was aware of the inadequacy 
 of his vessels, and, after persevering four days longer 
 against the protests of his crew, he consented to turn 
 back. 
 
 This decision, however, was first stated privately 
 to Hernando. "I have other orders to issue," said 
 the admiral, "before this is proclaimed. We 
 have had recent proof of a disposition to depreciate 
 our discoveries and this one must not rest merely 
 on my own assertions. Send round the public notary, 
 Fernando Perez de Luna, to each of the vessels, accom 
 panied by four witnesses, including yourself, and 
 demand formally of every person on board, from 
 captain to ship-boy, whether he has any doubt 
 that the land before him is a continent, the begin 
 ning and end of the Indies, by which any one might 
 return overland to Spain and by pursuing the coast 
 of which he would soon arrive among civilized people. 
 If any one entertains a doubt, let him express it 
 now before we turn back." 
 
 All declared, under oath, that they had no doubt 
 as to the truth of this; and a formal statement, 
 which was drawn by the notary and signed with the 
 name of every member of the crew, is still in existence. 
 It was then proclaimed by the notary that if any one 
 should subsequently, out of malice or caprice, con 
 tradict the opinions thus solemnly avowed, he should, 
 if an officer, pay a penalty of ten thousand maravedis; 
 if a ship-boy or person of like rank, he should receive 
 a hundred lashes and have his tongue cut out.
 
 A LOST BROTHER RETURNS 355 
 
 All further exploration of the coast was abandoned 
 and on the 13th of June he stood to the southeast. 
 They had not sailed many days when they came in 
 sight of a large island with mountains rising majes 
 tically above this labyrinth of little keys. To this 
 Columbus gave the name of Evangelist. The island 
 later became a notorious resort for pirates. It is at 
 present known as the Isle of Pines. 
 
 The squadron anchored in a number of harbors 
 before they finally reached Hispaniola. In all im 
 portant places which they visited, crosses were 
 erected, to denote not only the discovery of the 
 country but its subjugation to the true faith. 
 
 On one occasion when Columbus disembarked 
 for this purpose, he was met upon the shore by the 
 cacique, accompanied by a venerable Indian of 
 grave and dignified deportment. The old man 
 brought a string of beads, to which a mystic value 
 was ascribed, and a calabash of a delicate fruit. 
 These he presented to the admiral in token of amity. 
 They then took Columbus by the hand and led him 
 to the grove, where preparations had been made for 
 the celebration of mass. While the Spaniards 
 worshipped in this natural temple the Indians looked 
 on with awe and reverence. From the tones and 
 gesticulations of the priest, the lighted tapers, and 
 the smoking incense, the natives perceived that they 
 were witnessing a ceremony of a sacred and mysterious 
 nature. When the service was ended, the old man, 
 who had looked on with profound attention, ap-
 
 356 COLUMBIA 
 
 preached Columbus and made an oration in the 
 Indian manner, which was translated by the Lucayan 
 interpreter, Diego Colon. 
 
 "This which thou hast done/' said the Indian, 
 "is well, for it appears to be thy manner of giving 
 thanks to God. I am told that thou hast lately 
 come to these lands with a mighty force and subdued 
 many countries, spreading great fear among the 
 people; but be not, therefore, vainglorious. Know 
 that according to our belief, the souls of men have 
 two journeys to perform after they have departed 
 from the body; one to a place, dismal and foul and 
 covered with darkness, prepared for those who have 
 been unjust and cruel to their fellow-men; the other, 
 pleasant and full of delight for such as have pro 
 moted peace on earth. If, then, thou art mortal 
 and dost expect to die and dost believe that each one 
 shall be rewarded according to his deeds, beware 
 that thou wrongfully hurt no man, nor do harm to 
 those who have done no harm to thee." 
 
 The admiral was greatly moved by the simple 
 eloquence of this untutored savage, and assured him 
 that he had been sent by his sovereigns to teach them 
 the true faith. 
 
 After an absence of more than five months, during 
 which the expedition had struggled with perpetual 
 difficulties and dangers and had suffered almost con 
 stantly from a scarcity of provisions, the crew returned 
 to Isabella exceedingly enfeebled and emaciated by 
 the toils and privations of the expedition. The
 
 358 COLUMBIA 
 
 extraordinary fatigue both of mind and body during 
 an anxious and harassing voyage had proved too 
 great a strain on the physical endurance of the man 
 who was" always in command. Columbus had shared 
 in all the hardships of the commonest seaman. He 
 existed on the same scanty allowance of food and 
 exposed himself to the same buffetings of wind 
 and weather; but he had other cares from which his 
 crew were exempt. While the sailor, worn out by 
 the labors of his watch, slept soundly through the 
 raging storms, the anxious commander was on duty 
 long sleepless nights. The safety of his ships de 
 pended on his watchfulness; but above all, he felt 
 that the eyes of a jealous nation and an expectant 
 world were anxiously watching for the result of his en 
 terprises. During the greater part of the voyage, he 
 had been excited by the constant hope of arriving 
 at India and returning triumphant to Spain after 
 circumnavigating the globe. When these expecta 
 tions failed him, the conflict with incessant hardships 
 and perils stimulated him on the return voyage. 
 But when at last he found himself in a known and 
 tranquil sea and relieved from all anxiety, the sup 
 port of excitement was withdrawn and mind and 
 body sank helplessly under a load of almost super 
 human exertions. Columbus was stricken suddenly 
 with a malady which deprived him of all his faculties 
 and he fell into a deep, death-like lethargy. He 
 was borne back to Isabella in a state of complete 
 insensibility. When at last he regained his faculties,
 
 A LOST BROTHER RETURNS 359 
 
 a joyful surprise awaited him. At his bedside 
 were Hernando and Don Diego, and another the 
 companion of his youth, his confidential coadjutor, 
 his brother Bartholomew, from whom he had been 
 separated for years. 
 
 Hernando already knew to what extent the 
 admiral had included his brother Bartholomew in 
 his plans, and had heard him express many an anx 
 ious thought concerning the fate of his brother who 
 had been sent to England to make application to the 
 court of King Henry VII at about the time Colum 
 bus took his departure from Portugal, but from 
 whom no word had ever been received. 
 
 "I was several years reaching the court of Eng 
 land," was the story told to Hernando by Bartholo 
 mew himself. "On the voyage I was captured and 
 robbed by a corsair and reduced to such poverty 
 that for a long time I had to struggle for a mere 
 existence." 
 
 "And did you eventually lay the admiral's plans 
 before the English monarch?" Hernando inquired 
 eagerly. 
 
 "Yes, and the proposition met with more ready 
 attention than from any other sovereign. We en 
 tered into an agreement for the prosecution of the 
 enterprise and I departed at once for Spain in search 
 of my brother. On reaching Paris, I received the 
 joyful intelligence that the discovery had already 
 been made, that he had returned in triumph to Spain 
 and was then actually at the Spanish court, honored
 
 360 COLUMBIA 
 
 by the sovereigns, caressed by the nobility, and 
 idolized by the people; and I myself a person of 
 sufficient importance to be noticed by the French 
 monarch Charles VIII, who, understanding that I 
 was low in purse, furnished me with a hundred 
 crowns to defray the expenses of my journey to Spain. 
 I reached Seville just as the admiral had sailed 
 on his second voyage. I immediately repaired to 
 the court, then at Valladolid, and was received 
 with distinguished favor by their majesties, the 
 king and queen. They gave me command of a 
 small expedition, freighted with supplies for the 
 colony; but again I arrived too late, reaching Isa 
 bella just after the departure of the squadron for 
 the coast of Cuba." 
 
 "Then even had Spain failed us, all would not 
 have been lost? " asked Hernando, who was thinking 
 that but for the intercession of Luis de St. Angel 
 Columbus would have been allowed to leave Spain 
 forever. 
 
 "No. Had the good queen not recalled the 
 admiral, he would undoubtedly have sailed on the 
 voyage of discovery from an English port, instead 
 of from Palos," replied Don Bartholomew. 
 
 "And the honor of discovering the new world 
 would have belonged to England?" 
 
 "Yes. Their procrastination came near costing 
 the Spanish monarchs the greatest glory of their 
 reign. It shows how important a link in the chain 
 of destiny the slightest incident may become."
 
 A LOST BROTHER RETURNS 361 
 
 ''That is the voice of the admiral now," said Her- 
 nando, as he hastened to his bedside. 
 
 In the outer room Don Bartholomew waited 
 impatiently to be admitted to the presence of his 
 illustrious brother. Presently Hernando returned 
 and announced that the admiral had regained con 
 sciousness. 
 
 "He has been overwhelmed with cares and has 
 been almost constantly surrounded by- strangers. 
 It will be an inexpressible relief to him to see you 
 and know that you are here to share his responsibili 
 ties." 
 
 The meeting between the admiral and Don Barthol 
 omew, after so many years of separation, can be 
 better imagined than described. Since their separa 
 tion in Portugal, Christopher Columbus had won for 
 the family name a glory that already had shed its 
 rays into every civilized country in the world. 
 
 The portrait of Don Bartholomew has suffered 
 by having remained too much in the shade of his 
 illustrious brother. It is worthy of being brought 
 into the light as a companion to that of the discoverer. 
 Less amiable and engaging, perhaps, in its lineaments, 
 and less characterized by magnanimity, its traits 
 are nevertheless bold, generous, and heroic, and 
 stamped with iron firmness. Las Casas, who knew 
 him personally, tells us that he was prompt, active, 
 decided, and of a fearless spirit; anything which he 
 attempted to do was carried into instant execution, 
 without consideration of the difficulties or dangers
 
 362 COLUMBIA 
 
 to be encountered. His person corresponded to his 
 mind; he was tall, muscular, vigorous, and command 
 ing. He had an air of great authority, but some 
 what stern, lacking the sweet-tempered, authoritative 
 demeanor of the admiral. He was equally vigorous 
 and painstaking in intellect, but less enthusiastic 
 in spirit and soaring in imagination. He was more 
 the practical business man and possessed greater 
 worldly wisdom, which is so important in the ordinary 
 concerns of life.
 
 CHAPTER XXIII. 
 
 THE FOUNDING OF SAN DOMINGO. 
 
 DURING Columbus' absence, things had not gone 
 at all well. Instead of carrying out the military tour 
 commanded by the admiral, Margarite had lingered 
 among the populous and hospitable Indian villages, 
 and the Spaniards had outraged the dearest feelings 
 of the natives by their licentious conduct. Notwith 
 standing the protests of Don Diego, Margarite per 
 sisted in a course of outrages and oppression, fatal to 
 the tranquillity of the island. He took no notice of 
 Don Diego, but acted as if he were supreme in com 
 mand. Supported by an aristocratic faction in the 
 colony, who affected to consider Columbus and his 
 family as mercenary and upstart foreigners, Mar 
 garite took possession of the ships which brought out 
 Don Bartholomew and returned to Spain to report 
 the disastrous state of the colony. 
 
 The whole island had become a scene of discord 
 and violence through the flagrant violation of the 
 rules Columbus had prescribed for the peace of the 
 inhabitants. It was no small task to restore order, 
 and in his anxiety to relieve himself of a part of his 
 responsibilities, which weighed heavily upon him 
 during his illness, Columbus immediately appointed 
 363
 
 364 COLUMBIA 
 
 Don Bartholomew adelantado, an office corresponding 
 to that of lieutenant-governor. This appointment 
 was not made because of any desire to aggrandize his 
 family, but it was looked upon as such by the colony, 
 especially by those who came in conflict with his 
 authority. The king himself considered it an undue 
 assumption of power; but Columbus realized the 
 necessity of his brother's assistance in the present 
 critical state of the colony and felt that this co-opera 
 tion would be ineffectual unless it bore the stamp of 
 high official authority. 
 
 The confidential relations which existed between 
 the admiral and Hernando gave the latter free access 
 at all times to the secret councils of the admiral. 
 Returning from a scouting expedition, Hernando 
 rushed into the presence of the junta and announced 
 that the allied caciques were already assembled in 
 great force in the vega. 
 
 "They are only two days' march from Isabella," 
 said he, "and are planning a general assault upon the 
 settlement in overwhelming numbers." 
 
 "We had better carry the war into the territories 
 of the enemy, rather than suffer it to be brought to 
 our own door," advised Don Bartholomew, who was 
 of a decidedly military turn of mind. 
 
 "We will take the field at once," declared Colum 
 bus; and a few days later he was leading an army of 
 two hundred infantry and twenty horse, armed with 
 cross-bows, swords, lances, and heavy arquebuses, 
 through the mountain pass of the cavaliers, whence
 
 THE FOUNDING OF SAN DOMINGO 365 
 
 he had first looked down upon the beautiful regions 
 of the vega. 
 
 With what different feelings did he now contem 
 plate it! The vile passions of the white man had 
 already converted this smiling, beautiful, and once 
 peaceful region into a land of wrath and hostility. 
 On his previous expedition the natives came from 
 far and near to welcome the Spaniards with adora 
 tion. The same rich forest below him now swarmed 
 with lurking warriors. 
 
 "I had hoped to rule over this inoffensive people 
 as a patron and benefactor," said Columbus in com 
 passionate tone; and after a moment's hesitation, he 
 added pathetically, "but now I find myself compelled 
 to assume the odious character of a conqueror." 
 
 The Spaniards had an easy victory, which Col 
 umbus followed by a military tour through the island 
 and reduced the natives to obedience. Having been 
 forced by the confederacy of the caciques to take the 
 field, the admiral now asserted the rights of a con 
 queror and imposed a heavy tribute on the subjugated 
 provinces. Each subject above the age of fourteen 
 years was required to pay tribute. In the mining 
 regions this was payable in gold dust; while in those 
 districts which were remote from the mines each 
 individual was compelled to furnish twenty-five 
 pounds of cotton every three months, and on paying 
 his tribute received a copper medal as a certificate 
 of payment, which he was to wear about his neck. 
 
 The taxes and tributes thus imposed bore heavily
 
 366 COLUMBIA 
 
 upon the spirit of the natives. Unused to labor of 
 any kind and accustomed to the untasked idleness of 
 their soft climate and fruitful groves, death itself 
 seemed preferable to a life of toil. They were obliged 
 to grope day by day, with bending body and anxious 
 eye, along the borders of their rivers, sifting the sands 
 for the grains of gold which were constantly growing 
 more scarce; or to labor in their fields, beneath the 
 fervor of a tropical sun, for their taskmasters. They 
 sank to sleep at night, weary and exhausted, and 
 seldom spoke except of the times that were past, 
 before the white man introduced sorrow and slavery 
 among them. All spirit of opposition was at length 
 quelled, but in this way many thousands of the na 
 tives perished miserably. Those who survived sub 
 mitted humbly to the yoke. So deep an awe did they 
 feel for their -conquerors that it is said a Spaniard 
 might safely go alone all over the island and the 
 natives would carry him from place to place on their 
 shoulders. 
 
 While Columbus was pacifying the island Mar- 
 garite was busily engaged undermining his reputation 
 at the court of Castile. He accused the admiral of 
 deception and charged him with laying excessive 
 tasks upon the community during a time of general 
 sickness; with wantonly inflicting severe punish 
 ments on the common people; and with heaping 
 indignities on Spanish gentlemen. Nothing was said, 
 however, of the exigencies which demanded unusual 
 labor; nor of the profligacy which required chastise-
 
 THE FOUNDING OF SAN DOMINGO 367 
 
 ment; nor of the seditious cabals of the Spanish cav 
 aliers, who had been treated with indulgence rather 
 than severity. The popularity of Columbus received 
 a vital blow and immediately began to decline. The 
 confidence of the sovereigns was impaired and it was 
 determined to send some person of rank, who could 
 be trusted to take upon himself the government of 
 the island in case of the continued absence of the 
 admiral. Later, however, Juan Aguado was chosen 
 as a mark of consideration for Columbus, who had 
 highly recommended him to royal favor. 
 
 Notwithstanding his obligation to Columbus, 
 Aguado allowed his head to be turned by a little tem 
 porary power, and lost sight of the respect and grati 
 tude due his benefactor. He arrived at Isabella in 
 October, 1495, while the admiral was still absent on 
 his expedition into the interior to re-establish tran 
 quillity. He found Don Bartholomew in command, 
 but, assuming a tone of authority as though the reins 
 of government had been transferred into his hands, 
 he interfered with public affairs and paid no respect 
 to the adelantado. Without awaiting the return of 
 Columbus, Aguado caused his letter of credence from 
 the sovereigns to be proclaimed pompously by sound 
 of trumpet: 
 
 "Cavaliers, Esquires, and other persons, who by 
 our orders are in the Indies, we send you Juan Aguado, 
 our groom of the bedchambers, who will speak to you 
 on our part. We command you to give him faith 
 and credit."
 
 368 COLUMBIA 
 
 Nor was this all. The rumor was circulated that 
 the downfall of Columbus and his family was at hand 
 and that the auditor had arrived, empowered to hear 
 and redress all grievances of the public. It was a 
 time of jubilee for offenders. Every culprit became 
 an accuser. 
 
 This intelligence reached Columbus in the interior 
 of the island and he immediately hastened to Isabella, 
 accompanied by Hernando. A violent scene was 
 expected at the ' impending interview. Aguado, 
 secure in his royal letter of credence, looked forward 
 to the outcome with the ignorant audacity of a little 
 mind. The sequel shows how hard it is for petty 
 spirits to anticipate the conduct of a man like Col 
 umbus in an extraordinary situation. Schooled by 
 a lif*e of trials, Columbus had learned to bring his 
 passions into subjection to his judgment. He had 
 too true an estimate of his own dignity to enter into 
 a contest with a shallow boaster like Aguado. Above 
 all, he had too profound a respect for his sovereigns. 
 He received Aguado, therefore, with grave and punc 
 tilious courtesy, ordering that the letter of credence 
 be again proclaimed by sound of trumpet in the 
 presence of the populace, and listened to it himself 
 with solemn deference. 
 
 Aguado was not prepared for this turn of affairs. 
 He had expected that in the heat and impatience of 
 the moment, Columbus would say or do something that 
 could be construed into disrespect for the authority 
 of the sovereigns.
 
 THE FOUNDING OF SAN DOMINGO 369 
 
 Hernando never failed in his loyalty to the ad 
 miral, but he was in such a state of agitation over the 
 impending downfall of Columbus that he was of 
 little service to any one, not even himself. He was 
 disheartened at his continued failure to find vast 
 quantities of gold, and the glowing hopes which he 
 held out to Christina before his departure from Spain 
 were fast fading from his mind. Now, added to his 
 own disappointment was his great anxiety for his 
 loved master; so it is little wonder that his heart 
 almost failed him but be it said to his credit, he 
 was far more concerned about the fate of Columbus 
 than about himself. 
 
 "The admiral's forbearance," said Hernando to 
 Don Bartholomew in a confidential interview, "is 
 regarded by the colony as a lack of moral courage; he 
 is looked upon by everybody as a declining power 
 
 "And Aguado hailed as the lord of the ascendant! " 
 interrupted Don Bartholomew. 
 
 "Every culprit in the colony is loud in his clamor 
 against the admiral," continued Hernando, "and 
 Aguado has not the discrimination to perceive what 
 is true and what is false in these complaints. The 
 admiral should defend himself against these charges. 
 If he will not, then you, Don Bartholomew, must 
 speak in his defense." 
 
 "My lad," replied Don Bartholomew gently to the 
 impulsive statements of the youth, "it is useless to 
 defend one's self when the word of a lawbreaker is of 
 more value than the oath of a loyal subject. Every 
 
 Vol. 124
 
 370 COLUMBIA 
 
 culprit is encouraged to vilify the admiral, under the 
 promise of Aguado's friendship. When he has se 
 cured information sufficient in his judgment to insure 
 our ruin, he will return to Spain. One of us must 
 return with him and plead our cause before the sov 
 ereigns. Her majesty, the queen, will see that 
 justice is done." 
 
 Their conversation was interrupted at this point 
 by the admiral himself, who came to say that Aguado 
 had decided to return to Spain and that he had re 
 solved to accompany him. 
 
 "There are active enemies of standing and influ 
 ence at court, who are seeking every occasion to throw 
 discredit upon us and our enterprises. I must return 
 and explain the real causes of the repeated disappoint 
 ments in the profits anticipated from our discoveries." 
 
 "Are you never to have peace, admiral?" asked 
 Hernando. 
 
 "I am beginning to fear not. After laboring so 
 many years to convince the Spanish monarchs that 
 there was a new world to discover, it seems equally 
 difficult to prove the advantage of the discovery." 
 
 Before they separated, it was decided that Don 
 Bartholomew should remain, and continue the ad 
 ministration as adelantado of the island. Just as the 
 ships were ready to depart for Spain, a terrific storm 
 swept the island and sank three of the vessels with 
 all who were on board. The others were driven 
 about, dashed against each other, and tossed mere 
 wrecks upon the shore. The only vessel which
 
 THE FOUNDING OF SAN DOMINGO 371 
 
 withstood the storm was the Nina, and that in a very 
 shattered condition. Columbus gave orders to have 
 her immediately repaired and another caravel con 
 structed out of the wreck of those which had been 
 destroyed. 
 
 While waiting for the ships to be made ready for 
 sea an important discovery was made, which influ 
 enced Hernando to remain in Cuba until Columbus 
 should return from Spain. 
 
 On his return from the voyage made in search of 
 the kingdom of the Grand Khan, Hernando was over 
 joyed to find his father at Isabella. Their disappoint 
 ment at his failure to find gold in any quantity was 
 swallowed up in their pleasure at being together again. 
 The years of separation had strengthened the bond of 
 affection between father and son, and Hernando 
 spent most of his time, when not actively serving the 
 admiral, in the company of his father. 
 
 As they were strolling alone one evening on the 
 outskirts of the village, Hernando was accosted by a 
 young Aragonese, who showed plainly by his manner 
 that he was afraid to enter the streets except under 
 the protection of night. 
 
 "I am Miguel Diaz, formerly in the service of the 
 adelantado, but now an outcast from among my 
 countrymen. I am eager to return to civilized life, 
 but must first obtain a pardon." 
 
 "Have you suffered innocently?" asked Roderigo, 
 whose own bitter experiences as an exile were vividly 
 recalled by Miguel's statement.
 
 372 COLUMBIA 
 
 "I was never tried for any crime. I have suffered 
 voluntary exile," replied Miguel. "In a quarrel with 
 a comrade some months ago, I wounded him dan 
 gerously, and fearful of the consequences, I fled from 
 the settlement. Wandering about the island I finally 
 came to an Indian village (the present site of San 
 Domingo), where I was received with kindness by 
 the natives. The village was governed by a female 
 cacique, who soon conceived a strong attachment for 
 me. As I was not insensible to her tenderness, we 
 were shortly afterwards married in accordance with 
 the rites of her religion and we have lived very hap 
 pily together. But it is a melancholy lot to be exiled 
 thus from one's countrymen, and she has constantly 
 feared that I would desert her for my own people. 
 That we may continue to live together in happiness, 
 she has sent me to persuade the colony to abandon 
 Isabella and settle upon the fertile banks of Ozema, 
 promising that the utmost kindness and hospitality 
 will be extended by her subjects. She herself has 
 informed me of certain mines in the neighborhood, 
 and from careful inquiry I am sure they abound in 
 gold. I have come here, relying on these tidings to 
 secure for myself a pardon. Will you take my mes 
 sage to the adelantado and not betray me if I wait 
 here for your return?" 
 
 "I recall the circumstances. The man whom you 
 wounded has since recovered," replied Hernando. 
 "I will conduct you to Don Bartholomew and let you 
 tell your own story. I am sure you will be pardoned."
 
 THE FOUNDING OF SAN DOMINGO 373 
 
 HernandoV. enthusiastic assurance left no room 
 for doubt in Miguel's mind and lie presented himself 
 boldly before the adelantado at once. Hernando was 
 not mistaken. No news could have come more op 
 portunely. The admiral was anxious to remove the 
 settlement to a more healthy and advantageous situ 
 ation. He was desirous also of carrying home some 
 conclusive proof of the richness of the island ; and if 
 these representations were correct, here was a means 
 of accomplishing both his purposes. Don Bartholo 
 mew , accompanied by Hernando and his father and 
 a party including Miguel Diaz, set out at once to ascer 
 tain the truth. 
 
 The Indians of the neighborhood received the 
 Spaniards with the promised friendship and in every 
 respect the representations of Miguel Diaz were fully 
 verified. When the adelantado returned with his 
 favorable report and with specimens of ore, the 
 anxious heart of Columbus was greatly elated. He 
 gave orders that a fort should immediately be erected 
 in the vicinity of the mines and that they should be 
 diligently worked. 
 
 Later Hernando went to the admiral for permis 
 sion to locate his land grant in the vicinity and remain 
 with his father and work in the mines, and Columbus en 
 couraged him in the belief that these were richer than 
 any that had been previously discovered and would 
 lavishly repay diligent working. When the admiral 
 was told that traces of ancient excavations had been 
 found he exclaimed enthusiastically:
 
 374 COLUMBIA 
 
 "At last, Hernando, we have found the ancient 
 Ophir! These undoubtedly are the mines which 
 supplied King Solomon with the gold for the temple at 
 Jerusalem." 
 
 In such a state of exaltation were they over the 
 prospects of the wealth in store, that neither realized 
 the pain that separation would bring; but when, a 
 few days later, the fleet sailed for Spain, Columbus, 
 standing alone on the deck of his ship, saw through a 
 mist of tears the slowly receding form of Hernando. 
 Keen, indeed, was the pang of parting from the youth 
 ful companion of his disappointments and triumphs, 
 and on his face was an expression of utter loneliness. 
 
 Of all the messages entrusted to the admiral's care 
 none was so zealously guarded as the one from Her 
 nando Estevan, which was destined to gladden at 
 least one heart in sunny Andalusia.
 
 CHAPTER XXIV. 
 
 COLUMBUS IN CHAINS. 
 
 WHEN Columbus landed in the port of Cadiz, a 
 feeble train of wretched men crawled forth, emaciated 
 by the diseases of the colony and the hardships of a 
 three months' voyage. They were not laden with 
 the spoils of the Golden Indies. Instead, they 
 brought nothing but tales of sickness, poverty, and 
 disappointment. This was in striking contrast to the 
 admiral's appearance on his former triumphant 
 return. He endeavored as much as possible to coun 
 teract these unfavorable indications and to revive the 
 enthusiasm of the public, but he was doomed to 
 experience the reverses to which they are subject who 
 have once launched from "the safe shores of obscurity 
 on the fluctuating waves of popular opinion." The 
 world is prompt to lavish its admiration at first, but 
 soon becomes indifferent, then cold, and fancies it has 
 been defrauded into giving with such prodigality. 
 The history of our own times furnishes striking exam 
 ples of like character; and human nature was pretty 
 much the same then as now. Columbus was a for 
 eigner, serving an adopted country, without relatives 
 or powerful connections at' court; and envy and 
 malice had been but too successful in undermining his 
 375
 
 376 COLUMBIA 
 
 popularity. In three short years, which had been 
 filled with trials and tribulations for the admiral, the 
 public had become accustomed to the stupendous 
 wonder of a newly discovered world, and now turned 
 a ready ear to every report derogatory to the fame of 
 the discoverer. 
 
 In those days the most rapid means of communica 
 tion was by courier and this service was employed 
 only for the most important affairs. The newspaper 
 was not then in existence to send forth to the public 
 every morning a report of the happenings of the day 
 previous. Rumors circulated readily and as there 
 was no means of confirming or denying the truth of 
 such reports, the people were accustomed to accept 
 such news as authoritative. 
 
 The news of Columbus' return reached the little 
 cottage, which is already familiar to the reader as the 
 scene of many incidents related in this story, late one 
 evening, as a rumor that was circulating in Palos. 
 Christina waited anxiously through the night, and the 
 next day she made frequent trips to the crest of the 
 hill, which commanded a more distant view of the 
 road that wound about the hills of Andalusia. Each 
 time she returned to the cottage with an aching heart, 
 though all the while trying to console the good grand 
 mother with explanations of Hernando's delay. For 
 three long, weary days these two anxious souls waited 
 impatiently for confirmation of the rumor of Her 
 nando's homecoming. At last Christina broke down 
 under the strain of anxiety. She could console her-
 
 COLUMBUS IN CHAINS 377 
 
 self no longer. Recalling the many stories of peril 
 and adventure which Hernando told her on his return 
 from the first voyage, she was sure he must have been 
 among the unfortunate ones w y ho perished in the 
 expedition. Finally, when no message came, she 
 began to doubt Hernando's fidelity. "He has no 
 doubt returned," she thought, "with wealth and with 
 the influence which his intimate acquaintance with 
 the admiral gives him, and forgetting his promises 
 to me, will seek the hand of a princess. Indeed, why 
 should he share his good fortune with an orphan who 
 has never been anything more than the object of his 
 charity? Do I not already owe my life to him?" 
 
 At last, when she had justified such conduct in 
 her own mind and was on the point of speaking her 
 thoughts to Senora Doria, a courier arrived with the 
 message which Hernando had entrusted to the ad 
 miral. Had it been received a few days earlier, this 
 letter would have been poor consolation to Christina, 
 who had already waited nearly three years for Her 
 nando's return; but after the anxiety that had filled 
 her mind with doubt of her lover, it was sufficient 
 merely to know that she had not been forgotten. 
 Hernando's letter was accompanied by an invitation 
 from the admiral for Christina to come to Cadiz before 
 he took his departure, and as he was daily expecting a 
 summons from the sovereigns, Christina and the 
 grandmother were on their way early the next morn 
 ing. 
 
 Christina expected to see Columbus clad in the
 
 378 COLUMBIA 
 
 finest raiment, and she wondered greatly when he 
 presented himself in the humble garb of a Franciscan 
 monk, simply girded with a cord; later, however, she 
 learned that this was in fulfillment of a penitential 
 vow made in a moment of danger a custom prev 
 alent in those days and frequently observed by 
 Columbus. 
 
 The admiral was enthusiastic in his praises of 
 Hernando's unselfish devotion. 
 
 "In all our hardships he has been my constant 
 companion. When others protested, he was uncom 
 plaining; when they would have turned back and 
 brought ruin to our enterprises, he was unwavering in 
 his loyalty and steadfast in his determination to 
 execute the orders entrusted to him. I little realized 
 the sacrifice of personal service I was making in con 
 senting to let him remain in the colony." 
 
 Such w 7 arm praise of Hernando from so great a 
 man as Columbus filled Christina's heart with pride; 
 she had a hard struggle to control her emotions, but 
 listened calmly as the admiral continued: 
 
 "All preparations had been made for him to return 
 with me, but while the fleet was lying at anchor we 
 were visited by a terrific storm which destroyed all 
 our vessels save one; and, unfortunately, Hernando 
 lost everything he had accumulated. While our 
 ships were being a second time made ready, an impor 
 tant discovery was made in the richest provinces of 
 Asia. The ancient Ophir, from which Solomon pro 
 cured the gold for his temple at Jerusalem, was found,
 
 COLUMBUS IN CHAINS 379 
 
 and Hernando remained behind to assist in the dili 
 gent working of those mines. When ne returns 
 he will be one of the richest men in all Spain." 
 
 So impressive and convincing was the manner of 
 Columbus that no one could listen to his accounts of 
 'his discoveries without sharing his enthusiasm; and 
 Christina was made to feel as she never had before 
 that these few years of separation would be produc 
 tive of rich returns in happiness and prosperity for 
 Hernando and herself. 
 
 During their interview, a courier arrived with a 
 letter from the sovereigns, congratulating Columbus 
 on his safe return and inviting him to present himself 
 at court as soon as he should recover from the fatigues 
 of his voyage. Preparations were made for an early 
 departure, and Christina and Senora Doria returned 
 to the cottage near Palos. On his way to court, 
 Columbus made a studious display of the treasures 
 he had brought from the New World. The necessity of 
 resorting to such means the mere glitter of gold 
 to dazzle the gross perceptions of the multitude can 
 be taken as indicative of the attitude of the public 
 mind at that time toward the discoveries of Columbus. 
 If gold were not to be found there in prodigal abun 
 dance, what availed it that an unknown navigator 
 had opened to the world these vast new regions. 
 
 The reception which he received at the hands of 
 the sovereigns was different from what he had antic 
 ipated. No mention was made of the complaints 
 made by Margarite or the inquiries conducted by
 
 380 COLUMBIA 
 
 Aguado. The sovereigns were too conscious of the 
 extraordinary difficulties of Columbus' situation not 
 to tolerate what they may have considered errors of 
 judgment. 
 
 Encouraged by the favorable attention which he 
 received and the interest which the sovereigns mani 
 fested in the accounts of his recent voyages and dis 
 coveries, Columbus now proposed more extensive 
 enterprises, and asked for this purpose a fleet con 
 sisting of eight ships, two of which were to proceed at 
 once to Hispaniola, for the relief of the colony; the 
 remaining six to be put under his command for the 
 voyage of discovery. The promise was readily given 
 and doubtless it was made in good faith; but again 
 Columbus was destined to meet with irritating delays. 
 The ambition of Ferdinand taxed the resources of 
 Spain to the utmost. At that time an army was being 
 maintained in Italy, under Gonsalvo of Cordova, to 
 assist the King of Naples in recovering his throne, 
 from which he had been suddenly deposed by Charles 
 VIII, of France; and another on the frontiers of 
 Spain, which were threatened with invasion by the 
 French. At the same time these armies were in the 
 field, Ferdinand was laying the foundations of a wide 
 and powerful connection through the marriages of the 
 royal children. It was this family alliance which 
 afterward consolidated such an immense empire 
 under his successor and grandson, Charles V. With 
 such cares pressing upon the minds of the sovereigns, 
 the distant and uncertain enterprises of Columbus
 
 COLUMBUS IN CHAINS 381 
 
 were easily neglected and were postponed until the 
 following spring of 1497. 
 
 When at last everything else was in readiness for 
 the preparations for the expedition, an entirely new 
 and unexpected difficulty arose. The charm of nov 
 elty, which in the preceding voyages made many crowd 
 into the service of Columbus, had been dispelled and 
 an odium had been thrown upon his enterprises. The 
 public no longer looked upon the New World as a 
 region of wealth, but as a land of poverty and hard 
 ship. To supply the lack of voluntary recruits, it was 
 necessary to commute the sentences of criminals to 
 transportation to the new settlements, where they 
 were to labor in the public service. This measure was 
 adopted at the suggestion of Columbus himself, which 
 shows the desperate straits to which he was reduced 
 by reason of the reaction of public sentiment. 
 
 At length, after all manner of harassing delays, 
 six vessels were fitted for sea, and on the 30th of May, 
 1498, Columbus set sail from the port of San Lucas de 
 Barrameda on his third voyage of discovery. 
 
 At the Isle of Ferro the fleet was divided and 
 three of the ships were sent directly to Hispaniola, 
 carrying supplies to the colony at San Domingo. 
 The admiral continued with the other three ships to 
 the Cape de Verde Islands, whence he sailed south 
 west on the 4th of July, arriving a week later within 
 five degrees of the equator. This course brought 
 him needless perils and hardships. Had he sailed 
 straight west from Ferro across the ocean, he might
 
 382 COLUMBIA 
 
 have had a comfortable voyage, with the trade winds 
 filling his sails, to the point where he touched land in 
 South America; but through ignorance of atmos 
 pheric conditions hi the tropical regions, he followed 
 the custom of his day hi first sailing to the parallel 
 upon which he wished to cross the ocean. This 
 brought him into the neutral zone between the 
 northern and the southern trade winds, a trifle north 
 of the equator 
 
 The perils encountered have been best described 
 in the words of Washington Irving: 
 
 "The wind suddenly fell and a dead, sultry calm 
 commenced, which lasted for eight days. The air 
 was like a furnace; the tar melted; the seams of the 
 ship yawned; the salt meat became putrid; the wheat 
 was parched as if with fire; the hoops shrank from 
 the wine and water casks, some of which leaked and 
 others burst; while the heat in the holds of the vessels 
 was so suffocating that no one could remain below a 
 sufficient time to prevent the damage that was taking 
 place. The mariners lost all strength and spirits, 
 and sank under the oppressive heat. It seemed as if 
 the old fable of the torrid zone was about to be real 
 ized, and that they were approaching a fiery region 
 where it would be impossible to exist." 
 
 During this time the admiral suffered extremely 
 from gout, but he was required to be constantly on 
 duty and his anxiety allowed him no repose. The 
 distresses of his men continued to increase, until on 
 the 31st of July when their supply of fresh water
 
 COLUMBUS IN CHAINS 383 
 
 was exhausted land was sighted. The summits 
 of three mountains rising above the horizon were 
 first seen; and with a feeling of devotion, Columbus 
 gave the land the name of La Trinidad, signifying 
 Trinity. While coasting Trinidad, he discovered 
 the Orinoco and his vessels were nearly swamped by 
 the surging tide which poured from the mouth of that 
 stupendous river. This discovery convinced him that 
 the coast to the south of him was that of a continent 
 a continuation of the Cuban coast previously 
 explored, and which he believed was the extreme 
 mainland of Asia. 
 
 He believed that by following this river one 
 might arrive at the apex of the world, the terres 
 trial paradise, the Garden which the Lord planted 
 in Eden and he cited many authorities to support 
 his opinion. 
 
 Continuing westward, he explored the pearl coast 
 of Paria, and the abundance of fine pearls discovered 
 confirmed the good opinion already formed of that 
 country. 
 
 He would gladly have pursued this westward 
 course, but by this time, the 19th of August, his 
 strength had failed him and he steered straight to 
 Hispaniola. Three months, to the very day, from 
 his departure from Spain, he arrived almost the 
 wreck of his former self at the mouth of the river 
 Ozema, the site of the new city which he had 
 directed Don Bartholomew to build in his absence. 
 This settlement was afterward called San Domingo
 
 384 COLUMBIA 
 
 and was the origin of the city which to this day bears 
 that name. 
 
 Before Columbus came ashore he was welcomed 
 with affectionate ardor by Don Bartholomew and 
 Hernando. The meeting between the two brothers 
 was a source of mutual joy. They were strongly at 
 tached to each other; each had had his trials and suffer 
 ings during their long separation, and each looked 
 with confidence to the other for strength and comfort. 
 
 "I am nearly blind from incessant watching," 
 Columbus replied when Hernando remarked his 
 haggard appearance. "Anxious watching at all 
 hours and in all weathers wears harder upon me as 
 my years increase; but now, Hernando, that I have 
 younger shoulders on which to place the responsi 
 bilities, I shall have respite from my toils." 
 
 When he arrived at San Domingo both mind and 
 body craved relaxation; but from the time he entered 
 public life he was destined never again to know the 
 peace of repose. On his third visit to the New World, 
 he found everywhere scenes of poverty and suffering 
 and the former hospitality of the natives at an end. 
 The island was in the throes of a rebellion, headed by 
 Francisco Roldan, the alcalde mayor, or chief judge 
 of the island, a man under the deepest obligations to 
 the admiral. 
 
 Roldan was one of those base spirits who grow 
 venomous in the sunshine of prosperity. His bene 
 factor had returned to Spain apparently under a 
 cloud of disgrace. No word coming from Columbus
 
 COLUMBUS IN CHAINS 385 
 
 for so long a time, Roldan considered him ruined and 
 began to devise means by which he might reap per 
 sonal profit from the downfall of the admiral. His 
 aim was to bring final ruin to Don Bartholomew and 
 Columbus, both with the colony and the government 
 at home. 
 
 The wars with the natives and the seditions among 
 the colonists had put a stop to the labor of the mines, 
 and all hopes of acquiring wealth had been abandoned. 
 What was still worse, they were facing the horrors cf 
 a famine. Such was the desperate state in which 
 Columbus found the colony in consequence of his 
 long detention in Spain. 
 
 "The adelantado has been wonderfully alert and 
 skillful in his management of the affairs of the colony 
 during your absence, admiral," said Hernando when 
 he was alone with Columbus. "He is always at the 
 post of danger at the critical moment. In accordance 
 with your policy not to leave discontented men in 
 idleness, he has been most active in making frequent 
 marches from one remote province to another. But 
 Roldan, in his efforts to undermine Don Bartholo 
 mew's influence, has caused reports to be circulated 
 that those marches were made in order that Don 
 Bartholomew might enrich himself with the spoils of 
 the caciques. With subtle skill he has sought to 
 instill poison into the minds of the colonists, and one 
 by one has added them to his following until he could 
 openly defy the adelantado. Our loyal service and 
 best efforts have accomplished but little." Her- 
 
 Vol. 125
 
 386 COLUMBIA 
 
 nando finished his unsolicited report in a half apolo 
 getic tone. 
 
 "With every exertion the best of men can accom 
 plish but a limited amount of good, but it seems in the 
 power of the most contemptible individual to do 
 incalculable mischief," replied Columbus. 
 
 The first thing Columbus did on his arrival was to 
 issue a proclamation approving of all the measures 
 adopted by the adelantado and denouncing Roldan 
 and his associates. Later he offered the rebel pardon 
 on condition of his immediate return to duty. The 
 offer was accompanied by a request that he come to 
 San Domingo, and the positive assurance of personal 
 safety for him. Roldan treated the proffered pardon 
 with contempt and intimated, at the same time, that 
 in his hands he held the fortunes of the admiral, to 
 make or mar as he pleased. This arrogant reply was 
 not what Columbus had hoped to receive and it 
 served' to make his position an even more difficult 
 one. 
 
 "Order the men of San Domingo to appear under 
 arms, that we may ascertain the force with which we 
 can take the field, in case of necessity," were the 
 directions given the adelantado, after a brief confer 
 ence between himself and Columbus, at which Her- 
 nando was present. "While this order is being 
 executed, circulate the report, Hernando, that the 
 force is to be led against the rebels under Roldan." 
 
 Later, Hernando reported to the admiral that he 
 had caused this rumor to be spread, and added
 
 COLUMBUS IN CHAINS 387 
 
 "Only seventy men have appeared under arms, and 
 not more than half of them are to be relied upon." 
 
 "What excuse do they offer?" 
 
 "One affected to be ill, another lame; some had 
 relatives, others friends, among the followers of Rol- 
 dan." 
 
 "An appeal to arms would only betray our weak 
 ness," said Columbus. 
 
 "Such a course," advised Don Bartholomew, 
 "would completely prostrate the dignity and author 
 ity of the government. We must temporize, how 
 ever humiliating." 
 
 "I had hoped to put an end to this rebellion before 
 the squadron returns to Spain, so as to send favorable 
 accounts of the island to the sovereigns, but I have 
 already detained the fleet eighteen days, in the hope 
 of sending home as many of the discontented colon 
 ists as care to return. We cannot delay the ships 
 longer." 
 
 This council was held on the 17th of October and 
 on the following day the fleet put out to sea. Col 
 umbus wrote the sovereigns an account of the rebel 
 lion, stating that Roldan pretended it was a mere 
 quarrel between himself and the adelantado, of which 
 he, Columbus, could not be an impartial judge. He 
 entreated that Roldan be summoned to Spain, where 
 the sovereigns might be his judges. 
 
 Roldan and his friends also used this opportunity 
 to send letters to Spain, justifying the rebellion by 
 charging Columbus and his brothers with oppression
 
 388 COLUMBIA 
 
 and injustice and painting their conduct in the black 
 est colors. One would hardly suppose that the rep 
 resentations of these rebels would have any weight 
 against the exalted services of Columbus; but popu 
 lar prejudice was on their side, and numerous friends 
 and relatives in Spain, some of whom were in the con 
 fidence of the sovereigns. Columbus, to use his 
 own simple but affecting words, was "absent, envied, 
 and a stranger." 
 
 The cold reply which Columbus received from 
 Spain in response to his earnest entreaties to the 
 sovereigns had a disheartening effect upon him. 
 Full of zeal, however, for the success of his under 
 taking and of fidelity to the interests of -the sover 
 eigns, he resolved to spare no personal sacrifice of 
 dignity in order to bring to an end the troubles of the 
 island. 
 
 Roldan was finally restored to his former position 
 of alcalde mayor, or chief judge, and Columbus bore 
 patiently the insolence of the man and of the shame 
 less rabble which had returned, under his protection, 
 to the settlement. While Columbus was laboring 
 with loyal zeal to bring the island back to obedience, 
 and making great sacrifices to accomplish that end, 
 his enemies were busy discrediting him at court. 
 Every vessel which sailed from the New World carried 
 complaints representing Columbus and his brothers 
 as upstarts, unaccustomed to command and inflated 
 with their sudden rise from obscurity. He was even 
 accused of a design to cast off all allegiance to Spain
 
 COLUMBUS IN CHAINS 389 
 
 and either make himself sovereign of the newly dis 
 covered countries or yield them into the hands of 
 some other power. By the time he had succeeded in 
 restoring a measure of tranquillity in the island, 
 events had come to pass in Spain which were to over 
 whelm him with distress and leave him crushed in 
 spirit for the remainder of his days. 
 
 King Ferdinand had never regarded Columbus with 
 entire cordiality, and since ascertaining the importance 
 of his discoveries had regretted the extensive powers 
 vested in his hands. The insistent clamors which had 
 arisen during the brief administration of Don Barthol 
 omew at length determined the king to send out some 
 person of rank and ability to investigate the affairs of 
 the colony. This man was empowered, should he find 
 Columbus and his brother culpable, to supersede 
 them in the government a singular mode of insur 
 ing partiality. The man chosen for this high office 
 was an officer of the royal household, Don Francisco 
 de Bobadilla. He is described by his contemporaries 
 as needy, passionate, and ambitious; three weighty 
 objections to his appointment to a position where the 
 judge was to derive wealth and power from the con 
 viction of the accused. 
 
 Columbus was absent from San Domingo on the 
 23d day of August, 1500, when two caravels were 
 descried off the harbor, about a league at sea. Don 
 Bartholomew also was away on an expedition, and 
 Don Diego was in command temporarily. He sup 
 posed the ships in the harbor had arrived from Spain
 
 390 COLUMBIA 
 
 with supplies and hoped to find on board Columbus' 
 son, Diego, whose presence the admiral had request 
 ed to assist him in his various concerns. Hernando 
 put out in a canoe to inquire whether Diego was on 
 board. Bobadilla himself replied, "I am the com 
 missioner sent out to investigate the rebellion." 
 
 The master of the caravel, who was standing by 
 his side, then called to Hernando: 
 
 "What report have you of the island?" 
 
 "The rebellion has been crushed. Seven of the 
 rebels have been hung this week and five more are in 
 the fortress of San Domingo, condemned to suffer the 
 same fate," replied Hernando, with the confident 
 assurance that the information would be gratifying 
 to the commissioner, who was coming in the interests 
 of peace. 
 
 In reply to his question, Hernando told Bobadilla 
 that Don Diego was in command and that the admiral 
 and Don Bartholomew were absent from the city. 
 When he returned to San Domingo with the news that 
 a commissioner had arrived to make inquiry into the 
 late rebellion, there was great agitation throughout 
 the community, while everyone awaited in breathless 
 suspense the landing of the commissioner. 
 
 The next morning Bobadilla came ashore with all 
 his followers and went to the church to attend mass, 
 where he found Don Diego. In the presence of the 
 populace assembled at the door of the church after 
 the service, Bobadilla ordered his letters patent to 
 be read, authorizing him to investigate the rebellion,
 
 COLUMBUS IN CHAINS 391 
 
 seize the persons and property of the delinquents, 
 and 'proceed against them at once with the utmost 
 rigor of the law; then, addressing Don Diego, "I 
 demand the persons of all prisoners, with the deposi 
 tions taken concerning them; and order that the men 
 by whom they were accused and those by whose 
 commands they were arrested appear before me." 
 
 "The proceedings were by order of the admiral, 
 who holds superior powers to any which you can 
 possess; and without his authority, I cannot obey 
 your commands," replied Don Diego. 
 
 The self-important Bobadilla was incensed at 
 Don Diego's refusal to execute his orders, and he 
 retorted boastfully, "I will show you that I have 
 command, not merely over you, but over the admiral 
 himself." 
 
 The next morning Bobadilla again appeared at 
 mass, resolved on assuming at once the authority 
 which rightly was to be his only after full investiga 
 tion of affairs and ample proof of the malconduct of 
 Columbus. In the presence of the people he ordered 
 read his other royal letter, investing him with the 
 government of the islands. He then took the cus 
 tomary oath of office and again demanded the pris 
 oners confined in the fortress and was again refused 
 by Don Diego. 
 
 When his commands had been refused the third 
 tune, Bobadilla repaired to the fortress to take the 
 prisoners by force of arms. The post was commanded 
 by Miguel Diaz, the Aragonian cavalier who owed
 
 392 COLUMBIA 
 
 his pardon and restitution to honor to Hernando's 
 intercession with the adelantado. Miguel Diaz's 
 loyalty to the admiral could not be shaken by threats 
 and Bobadilla was compelled to storm the fortress, 
 which he found destitute of a garrison and formidable 
 in name only. 
 
 While Bobadilla was making this arrogant en 
 trance into office, Hernando was hastening to the 
 admiral, who was at Fort Conception, one of the five 
 military posts of the island. 
 
 "These are the unauthorized acts of some rash 
 adventurer," said Columbus in reply to Hernando's 
 report. "It is impossible to believe that this man 
 is sanctioned by the government in such intemperate 
 measures," he continued with indignation, as Her 
 nando laid before him the details of Bobadilla's 
 actions in taking possession of the admiral's house 
 and seizing his property, both public and' private, 
 even his most secret papers. 
 
 The repeated assurances of high consideration on 
 the part of the sovereigns and the perpetual preroga 
 tives granted to him, with all the solemnity of a com 
 pact under their hand and seal, forbade him to con 
 sider the recent events at San Domingo as other than 
 outrages on his authority by some misguided indi 
 vidual. 
 
 "We must proceed to Bonao, in order that we 
 may be near San Domingo," said Columbus. 
 
 "Shall I order the guards to accompany you?" 
 asked Hernando, eager to render some service.
 
 COLUMBUS IN CHAINS 393 
 
 "No, we will travel unattended." 
 
 They had hardly reached the place, when an 
 alcalde from Bobadilla arrived, bearing copies of his 
 letters patent, but accompanied by no special letter 
 or message to the admiral. None of the common 
 forms of courtesy was observed in superseding him in 
 command. 
 
 Columbus was exceedingly embarrassed but he 
 wrote Bobadilla in guarded terms, welcoming him to 
 the island. He received no reply, and while this 
 insulting silence was maintained toward him, he re 
 mained in an anxious and perplexed state of mind, 
 uncertain what course to pursue. Finally, a sum 
 mons was received from Bobadilla to appear before 
 him at once, accompanied by the royal letter of cre 
 dence; and without further hesitation the admiral de 
 parted for San Domingo, unattended except by Her- 
 nando. On reaching San Domingo^ Columbus found 
 his brother Don Diego in irons, confined on board a 
 caravel, with no reason assigned for his imprisonment. 
 
 Hernando had gone to seek his friend, Miguel 
 Diaz, and learn from him what information he could, 
 but had been gone only a few minutes when he re 
 turned in a great state of agitation. 
 
 "Admiral," he cried, "Bobadilla has ordered that 
 you be put in chains and confined in the fortress, and 
 three officers are coming to make the arrest." 
 
 Hernando wept bitterly, but Columbus uttered 
 not a word, nor did he display the least emotion. 
 With characteristic magnanimity he looked beyond the
 
 394 COLUMBIA 
 
 petty tyranny of this shallow agent to the sovereigns 
 who had employed him. 
 
 When the officers arrived and proceeded to carry 
 out the orders of Bobadilla, Hernando could not bear 
 to witness the outrage and left the room; and Boba 
 dilla, although he had the admiral and Don Diego in 
 his power, was anxious and ill at ease. Don Bar 
 tholomew was still at large with an armed force 
 under his command, and knowing his warlike spirit, 
 Bobadilla feared he might take some violent measures 
 when he learned of the imprisonment of his brothers; 
 but Columbus sent a message to Don Bartholomew, 
 instructing him to repair peaceably to San Domingo 
 and urging him to submit quietly to all present 
 wrongs. 
 
 The adelantado complied with these instructions 
 and hastened to San Domingo, where he received the 
 same treatment as was accorded his brothers. They 
 were kept in ignorance of the cause of their imprison 
 ment and were separated from each other. Bobadilla 
 himself did not see them nor would he permit others 
 to visit them. 
 
 It is a question whether Bobadilla really had the 
 authority to arrest Columbus and his brothers, but 
 there is no doubt but that he reversed the order of 
 his instructions. Having pre-determined that Col 
 umbus was in the wrong, he had to assume by the 
 same rule that all those opposed to Columbus were 
 in the right. It was necessary, for his own justifica 
 tion, to inculpate the admiral and his brothers; and
 
 COLUMBUS IN CHAINS.
 
 :>:* -4
 
 COLUMBUS IN CHAINS 395 
 
 the rebels he had been sent to punish became, by this 
 simple rule of perversion, necessary witnesses to con 
 vict those against whom they had rebelled. His 
 became a common cause with theirs, and in a manner 
 he made the rebels his confederates in the ruin of 
 Columbus. After having obtained what he considered 
 sufficient testimony to condemn the prisoners and 
 secure himself in command, he decided to send the 
 admiral and his brothers home in chains. 
 
 Hernando was well-nigh broken-hearted at the 
 sad fate that had come upon his beloved master. He 
 and Roderigo spent many an anxious hour in the 
 little cottage that had been erected on his land grant 
 just outside of San Domingo. Immediately on 
 learning that Columbus was to be sent back to Spain, 
 Hernando set about securing permission to accom 
 pany him; and almost to his own surprise was suc 
 cessful in his attempt. It was arranged that Rod 
 erigo should stay in San Domingo and live on Her- 
 nando's land grant, which, as it had been issued by 
 the king himself, was beyond Bobadilla's power to 
 confiscate. 
 
 By this time San Domingo swarmed with mis 
 creants just delivered from the dungeon. There was 
 a perfect jubilee of triumphant villainy. The most 
 malicious slanders were shouted in the streets outside 
 the fortress where the admiral was confined. When 
 they reached his ears in the dungeon, Columbus 
 reflected on the violence already manifested and 
 began to be apprehensive for his life. He feared
 
 396 COLUMBIA 
 
 that he might be sacrificed without a hearing; and 
 when the officer, Alonzo de Villejo, who had been 
 appointed to take charge of the prisoners and conduct 
 them back to Spain, entered with a guard, Columbus 
 thought he was to be taken to the scaffold. 
 
 "Villejo," he said mournfully, "whither are you 
 taking me?" 
 
 "To the ship, your excellency, to embark," replied 
 the officer. 
 
 "To embark!" repeated the admiral, earnestly; 
 "Villejo, do you speak the truth?" 
 
 "By the life of your excellency," replied the 
 honest officer, "it is true." 
 
 When the admiral saw the face of Hernando he 
 was comforted. It should be said to the credit of 
 Villejo that he discharged the duties of his office in a 
 more generous manner than was intended by Boba- 
 dilla. Hernando soon secured permission to remove 
 the irons; but when they approached Columbus to 
 liberate him, he would not consent. 
 
 "No," said he, proudly; "their majesties com 
 manded me by letter to submit to whatever Bobadilla 
 should order in their name. By their authority he 
 has put me in chains. I shall wear them until they 
 order them to be taken off, and shall preserve them 
 afterward as a memorial of the reward of my services." 
 
 He did so, and kept them hanging in his room to 
 the day of his death.
 
 CHAPTER XXV. 
 
 TEMPEST-TOSSED. 
 
 "DoN CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS, DISCOVERER OF THE 
 
 NEW WORLD, ARRIVES A PRISONER IN CHAINS." 
 
 WHAT a sensational headline such an announce 
 ment would make in a modern metropolitan daily 
 papsr! Imagine, if you can, such an announcement, 
 and you will be able to form some conception of the 
 commotion created in Spain when Columbus landed 
 at Cadiz in custody of Alonzo de Villejo. The excite 
 ment was only slightly less than on his triumphant 
 return from the first voyage. 
 
 In their eager determination to ruin Columbus 
 his enemies had defeated their own object by their 
 violence. Persecution pushed too far produces a 
 reaction in the public mind, and when Columbus 
 arrived at Cadiz, those who had been loud in their 
 clamor against him were moved by the shameful 
 treatment accorded him into loud expressions of 
 sympathy, against which not even the government 
 could contend. The halls of the Alhambra were 
 filled with murmurs of astonishment when the tidings 
 of his arrival in such an ignominious manner reached 
 the court at Granada. 
 
 In those days it required considerable time to 
 397
 
 Xkl.i &rw*MtiffW<
 
 TEMPEST-TOSSED 399 
 
 send a message from Cadiz, through the winding 
 passes of the mountains, to Granada; and in waiting 
 for a reply to the message which he sent the sover 
 eigns immediately on his arrival, Columbus was 
 compelled to spend many days and nights in restless 
 suspense. 
 
 When the noble-minded Isabella learned that the 
 royal authority had been abused and how greatly 
 Columbus had been wronged, her heart was filled with 
 mingled sympathy and indignation. Without wait 
 ing for any evidence that might come from Bobadilla, 
 orders were sent to Cadiz that the prisoners should 
 instantly be set at liberty and treated with all dis 
 tinction. 
 
 The anxiety had not been less telling on Hernando 
 than on the admiral himself; and in addition to his 
 concern for his master, he was being consumed by a 
 desire to see Christina. After a few days, Columbus 
 succeeded in persuading Hernando that he could be of 
 no further service before the departure for Granada, 
 and the youth set out for Palos, with the little cottage 
 home of his childhood as his goal. 
 
 With what impatience does a traveler approach 
 the end of his journey, after many weary days of 
 travel. The desire to be at his journey's end seems 
 to increase in mathematical proportion as the distance 
 lessens. To Hernando, the journey from Cadiz to 
 Palos seemed longer than the voyage across the 
 Atlantic. He begrudged his steed the few moments 
 that were lost for necessary rest and refreshment,
 
 400 
 
 COLUMBIA 
 
 and on arriving at Palos he tarried only long enough 
 to confirm the report which had preceded him, of the 
 arrival of the squadron; then again he was on his 
 way to the cottage in the hills near by. 
 
 "Our arrival has been reported in Palos," said he 
 to himself, "and no doubt the news has reached 
 
 THE DESERTED .COTTAGE. 
 
 Christina. She has been expecting me for several 
 days. Doubtless she is looking for me now perhaps 
 will be coming to meet me;" and he watched the 
 path with anxious eye. 
 
 The shades of night were gathering as Hernando
 
 TEMPEST-TOSSED 401 
 
 approached the cottage, his hearjt throbbing violently 
 with emotion; but to his utter amazement no light 
 was to be seen; the door was closed. He called 
 loudly for Christina and the grandmother, but heard 
 no sound in reply save the echo of his own voice. 
 Everything was still; the cottage was deserted. 
 
 Nature is kind and wonderfully sympathetic in 
 preparing her children for the calamities that are 
 inevitable. The violent state of Hernando's emotions 
 saved him now from being completely crushed by the 
 blow. Scarcely knowing what he did, he returned to 
 Palos and went direct to the home of Vincent Yanez 
 Pinzon, who had been captain of one of the caravels 
 that sailed with Columbus on his first voyage. Heart 
 sick and anxious, he searched his mind for any pos 
 sible clue that might shed light on the disappearance 
 of his loved ones. He knew that the little port of 
 Palos, which had been so slow in furnishing the first 
 fleet for Columbus, was now continually agitated by 
 the passion for discovery. From the various sea 
 ports of Spain departed an almost constant stream of 
 vessels, encouraged by the discoveries of Columbus 
 to undertake all sorts of voyages of exploration. To 
 Hernando, groping in the dark for hope, came the 
 thought as if by inspiration, "Christina and Grandame 
 Doria have despaired of my returning and have sailed 
 in one of the squadrons for Hispaniola"; and to 
 Captain Vincent Yanez Pinzon he turned as the one 
 who could most likely confirm or deny the truth of 
 his conviction. 
 
 Vol. 126
 
 402 COLUMBIA 
 
 He found that Captain Pinzon had just returned, 
 after an absence of almost a year, from the voyage 
 which resulted in the discovery of the famous kingdom 
 of Brazil. To his former glory he had added the 
 honor of being the first European to cross the equi 
 noctial line in the western ocean. 
 
 "They applied for passage in our squadron," 
 replied Captain Vincent to Hernando's questioning, 
 "but were dissuaded when told that we did not con 
 template following in the path of the admiral." 
 
 "Do you refer to the aged sefiora and her grand 
 daughter, Captain Vincent ?" asked another member 
 of the household, who had entered the room just in 
 time to hear the reply to Hernando's question. 
 
 "Yes, Sefiora Doria and Christina," said Hernan- 
 do eagerly. 
 
 "They were here only a few weeks ago. Have 
 they met with misfortune?" 
 
 "I greatly fear some calamity has overtaken them. 
 I have just come from the cottage and found, it de 
 serted," answered Hernando. 
 
 "They seemed greatly agitated over the rumors 
 of the impending downfall of Columbus, which have 
 persistently circulated in Palos since Bobadilla 
 sailed." 
 
 "Did they speak of leaving for the new world?" 
 inquired the anxious lover. 
 
 "Sefiorita Christina desired to know if another 
 expedition was expected to sail soon, and I mentioned 
 that two vessels would leave shortly from Cadiz."
 
 TEMPEST-TOSSED 493 
 
 "They are no doubt members of the expedition 
 which sailed under the command of Roderigo Bas- 
 tides," was the reassuring comment of Captain Vin 
 cent, who had been an attentive listener to the con 
 versation. 
 
 Hernando's mind was greatly relieved and he was 
 persuaded to remain over night for much-needed rest. 
 Early the next day he was on his way back to Cadiz 
 to join the admiral, hoping, perchance, that he might 
 find Christina and his grandmother there, before they 
 should have sailed for the New World. On arriving, 
 he made diligent inquiry, only to learn that they were 
 in the squadron which sailed from Cadiz just a few 
 weeks before he had arrived there; and though bit 
 terly disappointed at the deferred meeting with 
 Christina, the knowledge that no evil had befallen 
 her helped in large measure to mitigate his trouble. 
 He was comforted, too, by the thought that his father 
 would care for Christina for her own sweet sake as 
 well as for his son's as tenderly as though she were 
 his own daughter. 
 
 During Hernando's absence the royal messenger 
 had arrived from Granada, and the prisoners had 
 been restored to liberty. The sovereigns' letter to 
 the admiral was couched in terms of gratitude and 
 affection and was filled with expressions of their 
 grief at the wrongs he had suffered. The loyal heart 
 of Columbus was greatly cheered by the letter and 
 the return of Hernando gave him new courage. 
 
 " We shall receive immediate restitution of all our
 
 404 COLUMBIA 
 
 rights and dignities," was the confident assurance 
 with which Columbus greeted Hernando. 
 
 The royal invitation for Columbus to present him 
 self at court was accompanied by a purse of two 
 thousand ducats to defray the expenses of the jour 
 ney, and they immediately departed for Granada, 
 where they arrived on the 17th of December, 1500. 
 
 There is a noble scorn which supports the soul 
 and silences the tongue of a great man like Columbus 
 in the presence of the unworthy. He had endured 
 uncomplainingly the insults of ignoble men; but he 
 possessed quick sensibilities, and when the queen 
 received him in tears he was unable to control his 
 long-suppressed feelings. Throwing himself on his 
 knees, he was for some time unable to speak for the 
 violence of his grief. Hernando could not keep back 
 his tears, and when he saw the sovereigns raise the 
 admiral to his feet, his heart was too full for utterance. 
 Presently, when Columbus had regained self-posses 
 sion, he began an eloquent and high-minded vindica 
 tion of his conduct. 
 
 "My lord admiral, there can be no vindication on 
 your part," was the reassuring interruption of the 
 queen. "You stand in the presence of your sover 
 eigns a deeply injured man, and it remains for them 
 to vindicate themselves of the charge of ingratitude 
 toward their most deserving subject." 
 
 "The proceedings of Bobadilla have been contrary 
 to our instructions," said the king, "and he shall 
 immediately be dismissed from his command."
 
 TEMPEST-TOSSED 495 
 
 After receiving their gracious letter inviting him to 
 court, Columbus had expected to be received cordial 
 ly by his sovereigns, but he was hardly prepared for 
 the unqualified favor and distinction which they 
 accorded him. No public notice was taken of the 
 charges made by Bobadilla and Columbus was assured 
 that his property would be restored and that he would 
 be reinstated in all his privileges and dignities. 
 
 " A restoration of the vice royalty will immediately 
 take place," said Columbus when he and Hernando 
 were alone together after the reception at court. 
 
 "Then we shall return in triumph to San Do 
 mingo?" 
 
 "God grant we may," replied Columbus, who 
 knew that the lad's eager question was prompted by 
 a deeper feeling than the mere desire to humiliate 
 their enemies. 
 
 Both were doomed to disappointment ; Hernando, 
 as usual, sharing the bitter humiliation which threw 
 a cloud of gloom over the remainder of the admiral's 
 days and all the while nursing his own heartache. 
 The long, weary months of separation from Chris 
 tina, which had stretched into years, began to wear 
 on the youth and at times he doubted if he should 
 ever see her again 
 
 The ambitious Ferdinand had found his resources 
 inadequate for his numerous enterprises; and unable 
 to fit out many armaments himself, a general license 
 had been granted in 1495 to undertake voyages of 
 discovery. This was followed by various expeditions
 
 406 COLUMBIA 
 
 headed by enterprising individuals, most of whom 
 had sailed with Columbus on his first voyages. The 
 career of glory which Columbus had opened for him 
 self was now thronged by favored adventurers, and 
 the different seaports fairly swarmed with fleets that 
 were fitted out without expense to the government. 
 In this way, Spanish territories were extended and 
 the royal treasury benefited by a liberal share of the 
 proceeds of these voyages, without expense to the 
 crown; and Ferdinand realized that the services of 
 Columbus were no longer indispensable. At length 
 he repented of having given such great powers and 
 prerogatives to Columbus, and each voyage, instead 
 of adding to his feeling of obligation, made the king 
 regret more and more the growing magnitude of the 
 reward, until at last he came to feel that he had been 
 outwitted by one of his subjects and a foreigner 
 at that. After repeated disappointments, Hernando 
 began to doubt if the admiral would ever again be 
 restored to favor. 
 
 Aside from the fact that Ferdinand may have 
 doubted the innocence of Columbus with respect to 
 some of the charges brought against him, there is 
 another important consideration which no doubt 
 had great influence upon the king in deciding his 
 attitude toward Columbus. Numerous discoveries 
 had aroused the ambition and avarice of the monarch 
 to a wonderful degree, and his jealousy was equally 
 inflamed by the competition of other enterprising 
 nations, who were seeking a share of the golden world
 
 TEMPEST-TOSSED 407 
 
 which he was eager to monopolize. The expeditions 
 of the English and the Portuguese caused him great 
 uneasiness. To secure possession of the New World, 
 it had become necessary to establish local governments 
 in the most important places, which he determined 
 to put under a central government at San Domingo. 
 This action on the part of the sovereigns would greatly 
 increase the importance of the concessions made to 
 Columbus, and the king had not contemplated giv 
 ing such co-operation when the government was 
 granted to him. 
 
 These considerations made the restitution of his 
 powers all the more desirable to Columbus, but with 
 the growing importance of the office it became more 
 and more a matter of repugnance to the selfish mon 
 arch. Columbus, being of foreign birth, the King 
 may have doubted his loyalty and have been reluctant 
 on that account to entrust him with such an impor 
 tant command so far away from the parent country; 
 but it is more than likely that the monarch regret 
 ted having made such a poor bargain with one of 
 his subjects, and was anxious to exclude Columbus 
 from his high office in such a manner as not to bring 
 odium upon the crown. 
 
 The delay in restoring the admiral to his former 
 position was excused on the ground that his personal 
 safety might be endangered and the government 
 thrown into confusion by his return, so long as the 
 violent factions recently in arms against him were 
 still in existence. Bobadilla was to be dismissed im-
 
 408 COLUMBIA 
 
 mediately and some officer of talent and discretion 
 was to supersede him in command and hold the gov 
 ernment for a period of two years. At the expiration 
 of that time Columbus might resume command with 
 safety to himself and advantage to the crown. With 
 such excuses and the promises which accompanied 
 them, Columbus was obliged to content himself. 
 That Isabella was acting in perfectly good faith 
 there is no doubt; but Ferdinand, by his subsequent 
 conduct toward Columbus, has forfeited any claim 
 to so favorable an opinion. 
 
 For more than nine months Columbus stayed in 
 Granada and Hernando remained at his side, assist 
 ing the admiral in his endeavors to straighten out his 
 affairs from the chaotic state into which they had 
 been thrown by the rash conduct of Bobadilla. 
 During this time and while he was soliciting the 
 restoration of his offices, Columbus was constantly 
 smiled upon by the sovereigns, and repeated promises 
 were made that he should be reinstated as soon as 
 seemed expedient. But he had long since learned 
 that great intervals may elapse between promise and 
 performance. Hernando accepted these promises in 
 good faith and remained constantly with the admiral. 
 He labored cheerfully in the hope that the day was 
 not far distant when the sovereigns would restore the 
 admiral to his former position and they could return 
 in triumph to Hispaniola. 
 
 If ever a spirit was supplied with food for misan 
 thropy it was the spirit of Columbus; but though he
 
 TEMPEST-TOSSED 409 
 
 was checked in one direction, his enthusiasm broke 
 out afresh in another. In his darkest hours and while 
 experiencing the bitterest disappointments, his mind 
 was filled with glorious speculation. During all his 
 leisure time, he searched the prophecies of the Holy 
 Scriptures for revelations that might be construed to 
 bear upon the discovery of the New World, the con 
 version of the Gentiles, and the recovery of the Holy 
 Sepulchre. He believed that from his earliest infancy 
 he had been chosen by Heaven for the accomplish 
 ment of these great designs, and he entreated his 
 sovereigns not to reject, as extravagant and imprac 
 ticable, his plan for rescuing the Holy Sepulchre nor 
 to heed the discredit that might be cast upon the 
 undertaking by others. 
 
 It was this ambition that fired the enthusiasm of 
 Columbus in his great enterprises. The great object 
 of his life, and the one to which the profits accruing 
 from his discoveries should be dedicated, was the 
 rescue of the Holy Sepulchre. Such an undertaking 
 might be considered extravagant at the present day, 
 but there was nothing preposterous about it when we 
 consider the age in which he labored. The spirit of 
 the Crusades had not yet passed away ; every cavalier 
 was ready to draw his sword in the cause of the 
 Church, and religion mingled a glowing and devoted 
 enthusiasm with the excitement of warfare. 
 
 The weight of Columbus' sixty-five years of life, 
 which had been filled with care and troubles, was 
 beginning to break his once powerful constitution,
 
 410 COLUMBIA 
 
 but his mind retained all its accustomed vigor; and, 
 stimulated by the achievement of Vasco de Gama 
 in doubling the Cape of Good Hope, he conceived a 
 grand project for another voyage of exploration. 
 
 The discovery of the New World had as yet brought 
 but little revenue to Spain, but the route discovered 
 by Vasco de Gama opened a way to the vast riches of 
 the East and immediate wealth was pouring into 
 Portugal. Columbus now conceived the idea of a 
 voyage which should result in the discovery of a 
 passage opening into the Indian sea. 
 
 "Such an achievement, Hernando," said he again 
 and again, in his wonted enthusiasm, "will surpass not 
 merely the discovery by Vasco de Gama, but even 
 those of our previous expeditions. If we can by such 
 a discovery link the New World with the opulent ori 
 ental regions of the Old, it will make a magnificent 
 close to our labors and consummate the one great 
 object of my life." 
 
 "Have you laid these plans before the sovereigns?" 
 inquired Hernando. 
 
 "No, but I shall without delay." 
 
 When later he went to the sovereigns with his 
 plans, they listened to him with great attention. 
 So convincingly did he plead that his proposition was 
 immediately accepted and he was authorized to fit 
 out a squadron at once; and in the autumn of 1501 
 the admiral and Hernando repaired to Seville to make 
 the necessary preparations. 
 
 The work progressed slowly, and to Hernando,
 
 TEMPEST-TOSSED 4 1 1 
 
 who was daily growing more impatient, things seemed 
 to be at a standstill. When at last the fleet was ready 
 for sea, Columbus sought permission to touch at His- 
 paniola, but this privilege was denied him by the 
 sovereigns, except on the return voyage. 
 
 "This will be a cruel blow to Hernando," said 
 Columbus to himself. "He has labored with the hope 
 of joining Christina constantly before him"; and 
 for a time Columbus was greatly perplexed as to 
 how he should announce this unpleasant news to 
 Hernando. 
 
 "The sovereigns have forbade our stopping at 
 Hispaniola for supplies," was the explanation given 
 by Columbus to Don Bartholomew for the necessity 
 of taking a larger supply of provisions than was 
 originally contemplated. When the admiral spoke 
 he did not see Hernando standing near enough to 
 hear him; but the expression on the boy's face indi 
 cated plainer than words that he had overheard the 
 remark. For some moments no one spoke. Their 
 silence seemed to be more expressive of their sym 
 pathy for Hernando. 
 
 "I am sorry, Hernando, that I did not receive this 
 command in time for you to sail with Ovando." 
 
 "Does the admiral believe I would desert the 
 cause at the last moment?" answered the youth, in a 
 tone that showed that his feelings had been wounded. 
 
 "It could not have been considered desertion, my 
 faithful friend," responded the admiral tenderly, 
 "I have Don Bartholomew and my sons to assist me.
 
 412 COLUMBIA 
 
 You must sometimes think of yourself; and, besides, 
 there are others depending upon you." 
 
 "But to you, my lord admiral, I owe my life." 
 
 "That debt, Hernando, has been paid a thousand 
 times by your loyal service," answered Columbus. 
 
 This conversation took place on the 8th of May, 
 1502, after all preparations had been made for the 
 voyage. The next day the fleet sailed from Cadiz on 
 the fourth and last voyage of discovery. The little 
 squadron swept steadily on its course over a favor 
 able sea, without shifting a sail, and arrived about 
 the middle of June at one of the Caribbee Islands, 
 called by the natives Mantinino. Three days were 
 spent here, to allow the seamen to wash their clothes. 
 After taking in wood and water, they again put to sea. 
 Shortly after they had left Mantinino, Columbus 
 called Hernando to his cabin and announced his 
 intentions to sail to San Domingo, contrary to the 
 instructions of the sovereigns. 
 
 "Our principal vessel has sailed extremely ill and 
 has constantly delayed the rest of the squadron. 
 We will exchange it for one of the fleet which recently 
 conveyed Ovando to San Domingo." 
 
 Hernando could not conceal the joy it gave him 
 to learn that he was so soon to see Christina. The 
 expression of his face showed that he had not been 
 as happy since that day, so long ago, when the 
 admiral gave permission for him to sail on the first 
 voyage of discovery. 
 
 "There can be no blame for departing from orders
 
 TEMPEST-TOSSED 413 
 
 in a case of such importance," replied Hernando; 
 but he could hardly be expected to give an unpreju 
 diced opinion in a matter of such consequence to him 
 self. 
 
 Don Nicholas de Ovando, a favorite of Ferdinand 
 and a native subject of rank, had been chosen to 
 supersede Bobadilla. Las Casas describes him as 
 " a man of great prudence, capable of governing many 
 people, but not of governing the Indians, on whom 
 he inflicted incalculable injustice. He possessed 
 great veneration for justice, was an enemy to avarice, 
 and sober in his mode of living." Such is the picture 
 drawn of him by a contemporary historian, but his 
 conduct hi many instances is hi direct contradiction 
 to it; in fact, the seven years of his administration 
 in Hispaniola were so full of atrocities that one can 
 hardly read his name without a feeling of horror. 
 His attitude toward Columbus was certainly ungen 
 erous and unjust. 
 
 The fleet conveying Ovando to San Domingo con 
 sisted of thirty ships, the largest that had yet sailed 
 to the New World, and departed from Spain about 
 three months before Columbus sailed on his last 
 voyage of discovery. 
 
 When the admiral arrived in the harbor of San 
 Domingo, he found ready for sea the fleet which 
 brought out Ovando. He immediately sent ashore 
 Hernando and the captain of one of the caravels to 
 wait on the governor and explain that his purpose 
 in coming was to procure a vessel in exchange for one
 
 414 COLUMBIA 
 
 of his caravels, which threatened soon to become 
 unseaworthy. 
 
 When Hernando returned to report to Columbus 
 he was full of grief and indignation. 
 
 "My lord admiral, Ovando refuses your request 
 and further orders you to depart at once." 
 
 The real greatness of Columbus never loomed up 
 in such proportions as when contrasted with the petty 
 tyranny of men like Ovando, who sought to subject 
 him to every possible humiliation. Even after he 
 had been denied the hospitality of the city he had 
 founded, he was solicitous of his enemies' safety. 
 His practiced eye had detected an approaching storm 
 and he sought to avert the danger to the fleet which 
 was about to sail. 
 
 "Return to the governor, Hernando, and warn 
 him of the impending tempest. Entreat him not to 
 permit the fleet to put to sea for several days." 
 
 This time Hernando was ridiculed as the represent 
 ative of a false prophet. The weather to a less 
 experienced eye was favorable, and the pilots and 
 seamen scoffed at the prediction of the admiral. 
 Hernando was denied permission to visit his father; 
 and worse than all, was obliged to return to the 
 squadron without learning anything of the where 
 abouts of Christina uncertain, even, but that she, 
 finding him absent, was about to return to Spain with 
 the fleet then making preparations to depart. His 
 disappointment was terrible the more so because 
 of his recently kindled hope of seeing Christina with-
 
 TEMPEST-TOSSED 415 
 
 out delay but the brave youth bore it silently, and 
 in his report to the admiral did not even mention the 
 ridicule experienced as his representative. Only in 
 the solitude of the night did he permit himself the 
 luxury of grief. A heart less courageous, a soul of 
 baser metal, must needs have despaired. An unkind 
 fate seemed to oppose his every effort to join Chris 
 tina. Unable to communicate with her in any way, 
 to assure her of his unchanging affection, he was tor 
 tured by all manner of doubts concerning her faith in 
 him. Knowing well the wild and lawless state of 
 affairs that existed in San Domingo, he groaned at 
 the thought that he, her only natural protector, could 
 not be at her side to shield her from harm. 
 
 "Shall I never see you again, little Christina?" 
 he thought. "May I never bring you the happiness 
 that will blot from your memory these cruel years of 
 separation?" 
 
 At last, worn out by the violence of his emotions, 
 he fell asleep. 
 
 The crew murmured loudly at being shut out from 
 a port of their own nation, when even strangers, under 
 similar circumstances, would be admitted; but the 
 admiral was uncomplaining, nor did Hernando rail 
 at his fate. 
 
 Columbus kept his squadron close to shore, and 
 sought for safe anchorage in some wild bay of the 
 island until after the storm which he knew was cer 
 tainly coming. In the meantime, the fleet, with 
 Bobadilla in command, sailed from San Domingo.
 
 416 COLUMBIA 
 
 Within two days after they stood confidently out to 
 sea the predictions of Columbus were verified. The 
 fleet had scarcely reached the eastern point of His- 
 paniola when a tremendous hurricane swept over it 
 with awful fury, involving everything in wreck. The 
 ship which carried Bobadilla, Roldan, and a number 
 of the enemies of Columbus, was swallowed up with 
 all its crew. Most of the ships were entirely lost, 
 some returned in a shattered condition to San Do 
 mingo, and only one was able to continue her voyage 
 to Spain. That one the weakest of the fleet 
 had on board four thousand pieces of gold, the prop 
 erty of Columbus. 
 
 "We will not inquire now," said Las Casas, who 
 witnessed the destruction of the fleet, "into this 
 remarkable divine judgment, for at the last day of the 
 world it will be made quite clear to us." Such an 
 instance of poetic justice is not often seen in this 
 world. If such judgments were more frequent, per 
 haps the ways of Providence would not have come so 
 generally to be looked upon as inscrutable.
 
 CHAPTER XXVI. 
 
 SHIPWRECKED. 
 
 AFTER the tempest which sent Bobadilla and 
 his fleet to the bottom of the ocean, Columbus put 
 to sea, but had scarcely left the harbor in which he 
 had taken refuge when he was compelled to seek 
 shelter from another storm. Altogether, two weeks 
 or a little more were lost after his arrival in the harbor 
 of San Domingo on the 29th of June, 1502. During 
 this time, however, he had repaired his vessels and the 
 crew had refreshed themselves and were prepared 
 to continue the voyage of discovery. 
 
 On the 30th of July, he discovered an island a few 
 leagues off the coast of Honduras, to the east of the 
 gulf of that name. This island, which was called by 
 the Indians Guanaja, still retains that name; and 
 in later years has been extended to include a group of 
 smaller islands surrounding it. 
 
 Don Bartholomew and Hernando, with two 
 launches full of sailors, landed on one of the princi 
 pal islands, which they found to be extremely fertile. 
 While they were on shore, Hernando beheld a great 
 canoe, arriving as from a distant voyage. He was 
 ^.nazed at the size of the boat and cried out to 
 Don Bartholomew, "Behold the gondola!" The 
 
 Vol. 127 417
 
 418 , COLUMBIA 
 
 boat was eight feet wide and as long as a galley. It 
 had been made from the trunk of a single tree and 
 was built after the manner of the gondolas of Venice. 
 The canopy in the center of the canoe, under which 
 sat a cacique and his family, was constructed of 
 palm leaves and was sufficiently close to exclude 
 both sun and rain. Twenty-five Indians rowed the 
 boat, and later when they came alongside the ad 
 miral's caravel, the Spaniards discovered, to their 
 great delight, that the canoe was filled with all sorts 
 of manufactured articles and natural products of 
 the adjacent country. These natives had a more 
 developed sense of modesty than any that had yet 
 been discovered. The women wore mantles, in 
 which they wrapped themselves like the Moorish 
 women of Spain, and the men wore cloths of cotton 
 round their loins. 
 
 Columbus examined with great curiosity and in 
 terest the contents of the canoe, and was astonished 
 to find manufactured articles of copper, and utensils 
 neatly formed of clay, marble, and of hard wood. 
 These indications he accepted as evidence that they 
 were approaching more civilized lands. 
 
 It is supposed that these natives had come from 
 Yucatan. The Spaniards endeavored to learn the 
 particulars of their country, but as the interpreter 
 who accompanied the fleet spoke a different lan 
 guage, they could understand the Indians but im 
 perfectly. 
 
 "These natives seem to be trying to impress us with
 
 75- 60 
 
 1492 TO 1506, 
 
 HOW MUCH of THE New 
 WORLO MAO BEN DISCOVERED l/P 
 TO THE DEATH OF, COLUMBUS, 
 THE: CONCLUSION OF THIS 
 
 BOOft A. D. /SO6. 
 
 OK-AWN fOfT 
 
 /o
 
 SHIPWRECKED 419 
 
 the wealth and magnificence of their country," said 
 Hernando. 
 
 "They have undoubtedly come from some rich, 
 cultivated country to the west," Columbus replied. 
 
 "Will it not be well to follow their advice and 
 steer in that direction?" 
 
 But the admiral's whole mind was filled with the 
 idea of discovering a passage leading into the Indian 
 Ocean, and he answered, "At some future time we 
 can visit their country." 
 
 Had he followed the advice of the natives, he would 
 have arrived, within a day or two, at Yucatan; the 
 discovery of Mexico would have necessarily followed; 
 the Pacific Ocean would probably have been dis 
 closed to him; and these and other splendid discov 
 eries would have shed fresh glory on his declining 
 years. 
 
 On leaving the island of Guanaja, Columbus stood 
 southwardly for the mainland and after sailing a few 
 leagues, discovered a point of land now known as 
 Cape Honduras. On Sunday, the 14th of August, 
 Don Bartholomew landed here, with the captains of 
 the caravels and many of the seamen, to celebrate 
 mass, under the trees on the seashore, according to 
 the pious custom of the admiral. From here they 
 proceeded with great difficulty along the coast of 
 Honduras. For upwards of sixty days they ex 
 perienced the same stormy weather that had de 
 tained them on the coast of Hispaniola. There was 
 almost incessant tempest, with heavy rains, and such
 
 420 COLUMBIA 
 
 thunder and lightning that it seemed as if the end of 
 the world were at hand. 
 
 During this time Columbus suffered extremely 
 from gout; but that his serious illness might not 
 prevent him from attending to his duties, he had a 
 small cabin constructed on the stern. Here he 
 was constantly attended by his faithful compan 
 ion, Hernando, and though confined to his bed, 
 he kept a lookout and regulated the sailing of the 
 ships. 
 
 "We have seen many tempests, Hernando," he 
 said, "but none so violent or of such long duration. 
 I am anxious about Don Bartholomew, whom I per 
 suaded against his will to come on this expedition. 
 His vessel is the weakest of the squadron. I am 
 constantly distressed, too, at the exposures which 
 my son has endured." 
 
 "It is this anxiety that aggravates your own 
 malady. Fernando is bearing the hardships with 
 the courage of a veteran. My lord admiral must 
 seek repose of mind, as well as of body." 
 
 "You are brave, Hernando. I would gladly have 
 spared you the hardships and perils of this expedition." 
 After a moment's interruption, caused by violent 
 pain, Columbus continued, "You share our disap 
 pointments and nurse your own heartaches uncom 
 plainingly. While the crew is murmuring against 
 any further prosecution of the voyage, you are ever 
 at your post, eager to press on." 
 
 Such praise from the master he loved filled Her-
 
 SHIPWRECKED 
 
 421 
 
 nando with an emotion too deep for words, and he 
 could make no reply. 
 
 After struggling for upwards of forty days, during 
 which time they had made only seventy leagues, 
 they arrived on the 14th of September at a point 
 where the coast makes a turn directly south, along 
 
 what is now called 'the Mosquito 
 shore. . After doubling this cape, 
 they enjoyed an easy wind and free 
 navigation, and swept on with flowing sails and hearts 
 filled with joy. To commemorate this sudden relief 
 from peril, the admiral gave to the cape the name of 
 Gracias a Dios, which signifies Thanks to God. 
 
 Early in October the squadron sailed along what 
 is now known as Costa Rica, or Gold Coast, so named 
 from the gold and silver mines afterward found in the 
 mountains of that region. Here, for the first time, 
 the Spaniards found specimens of pure gold, which 
 the natives were wearing in the form of large plates 
 suspended round their necks. The cupidity of 
 the crew was greatly excited, but Columbus pressed
 
 422 
 
 COLUMBIA 
 
 on in quest of the great object of the expedition, 
 anchoring on the 2d of November in an excellent 
 harbor, which, from the sweetness and beauty of the 
 surrounding country, he called Puerto Bello. This 
 place marks, lacking a few leagues, the extreme 
 southern point reached by Columbus on his fourth 
 voyage of discovery. The squad 
 ron was detained here for a week, 
 
 ALONG THE GOLD COAST. 
 
 by heavy rain and adverse winds, after which they 
 sailed eastward for a distance of eight leagues. 
 The continued stormy weather disheartened the 
 members of the crew, who were disappointed at not 
 being allowed to explore the rich coast they had left 
 behind. At last Columbus was persuaded to relin-
 
 SHIPWRECKED 423 
 
 quish the further prosecution of the voyage and they 
 returned to the coast of Veragua to search for gold. 
 
 " It is our last opportunity to silence the reproaches 
 of our enemies in Spain," remarked the admiral 
 pathetically. 
 
 He had endured untold hardships in the pursuit of 
 this last great undertaking. He had been disap 
 pointed in his expectation of finding a strait through 
 what is at present known as the Isthmus of Darien; 
 but it was because Nature herself had been disap 
 pointed. For does it not appear that she attempted 
 to make a passage there? 
 
 In the voyage from Puerto Bello to Veragua, a 
 distance of about thirty leagues, they were blown 
 and tossed about for nearly a month, in such a man 
 ner as to baffle all seamanship. Nearly all their pro 
 visions had been consumed, and those which 
 remained were damaged by the leakage of the ships. 
 Their biscuit was so filled with worms that the men 
 could satisfy their hunger only by eating in the dark. 
 With his accustomed activity, Don Bartholomew 
 explored the surrounding country. The natives 
 seemed unwilling to give any information about the 
 gold mines, but the Spaniards were convinced from 
 what they saw and heard that the various accounts of 
 the wealth of Veragua were correct. They secured 
 twenty plates of gold and other articles of the same 
 precious metal, in exchange for the veriest trifles. 
 The Indians informed them that the mines lay among 
 distant mountains. Don Bartholomew was induced
 
 424 COLUMBIA 
 
 by these reports to ascend the river Veragua, and the 
 reports which he brought from the interior led Colum 
 bus to believe that he had at last reached the fountain 
 head of riches, those regions of the Asiatic continent 
 which had been the source of the unbounded wealth 
 of King Solomon. 
 
 "I shall report to the sovereigns that we have seen 
 more indications of gold within two days after our 
 arrival in this country than during four years in 
 Hispaniola," remarked the admiral, with his usual 
 enthusiasm, after he had listened eagerly to Don 
 Bartholomew's report of the regions of unappro 
 priated wealth, twenty days' journey in extent, 
 which he found in his ascent of the Veragua. 
 
 "Here is a good place to found a colony," suggested 
 Hernando. 
 
 "We will establish a mart that shall become the 
 emporium of a vast tract," said the admiral, and 
 continued eloquently: 
 
 "Hispaniola, the object of our pride and hopes, 
 has been taken from us; the pearl coast of Paria is 
 being ravaged by favored adventurers; but here 
 is a region more favored than either. It will afford 
 us some consolation for the wrongs we have suffered." 
 
 It was agreed that Don Bartholomew should 
 remain with a force of eighty selected men, for the 
 purpose of taking possession of the country and work 
 ing the mines; while the admiral should return to 
 Spain for reinforcements and 'supplies. Final ar 
 rangements were made for the management of the
 
 SHIPWRECKED 425 
 
 colony, and the admiral took an affectionate leave 
 of his brother and got under way with three of the 
 caravels, leaving the fourth for the use of the colony. 
 It was his intention to touch at Hispaniola on his 
 way home and send supplies and reinforcements 
 from there for the aid of the colony. Hernando was 
 to accompany the admiral as far as San Domingo 
 and there remain; and once more he was jubilant 
 at the prospect of seeing Christina and gathering 
 under his own roof the scattered remnant of his 
 family. Soon they would be together again, and 
 the meeting would be all the sweeter for the many 
 weary years of separation. He promised himself that 
 the love and devotion which he would shower upon 
 Christina should be sufficient to compensate her for 
 all that she had endured for the sake of his vanished 
 ambition. Only one thought disturbed his peace 
 of mind he could not rid himself of the fear that 
 Christina had sailed for Spain with the fleet under 
 Bobadilla's command, and had possibly perished 
 in the storm which wrecked most of the crew. 
 
 The admiral was compelled to anchor a league 
 from shore and await a favorable wind, and before 
 his departure disastrous tidings from the settlement 
 were received, which filled his heart with grief and 
 alarm. Hostile natives had surprised the colony 
 and taken the Spaniards completely off their guard. 
 One man had been killed and eight wounded in the 
 conflict. Among the latter was Don Bartholomew 
 who received a slight thrust of a javelin in the breast.
 
 426 COLUMBIA 
 
 The colonists insisted on following the admiral in 
 the caravel left for their use, and the remonstrances 
 of Don Bartholomew were in vain; but finding the 
 vessel landlocked they were in a state of mutiny. 
 There was no alternative for Columbus but to take 
 all of them with him and abandon the settlement 
 temporarily. 
 
 Toward the end of April, 1503, Columbus left the 
 disastrous coast of Veragua, but he had not pro 
 ceeded far when he was obliged to leave one of his 
 caravels, it being so eaten by worms that it was im 
 possible to keep it afloat. All the men were now 
 crowded into two caravels. 
 
 The violent weather encountered on the voyage 
 is best described by the admiral's own words, that it 
 seemed "as if the world would dissolve." He strug 
 gled against contrary winds and the usual currents 
 from the east, and made repeated endeavors to beat 
 up to Hispaniola; but every effort was in vain. In 
 despair the admiral at last headed for the island of 
 Jamaica, to seek some safe port, for there was immi 
 nent danger of foundering at sea. At last he was 
 compelled to give up the long and arduous struggle 
 against the persecution of the elements, but not until 
 his ships had been reduced to mere wrecks and could 
 no longer be kept afloat. The caravels were run 
 aground in the harbor to which he had given the name 
 of Port Santa Gloria on the occasion of his first visit 
 to the island of Jamaica. 
 
 Shipwrecked on the shores of a savage island, in
 
 SHIPWRECKED 427 
 
 an unfrequented sea, we leave the reader to imagine 
 Hernando's feelings. He had struggled bravely for 
 years in pursuit of an object, which again and again 
 had seemed to be just within his reach; but ever it 
 had vanished ere he could put out his hand and grasp 
 it. Happiness seemed to him a mere will o' the wisp, 
 as uncertain as life itself.
 
 CHAPTER XXVII. 
 
 TO THE RESCUE. 
 
 IT was a distance of over two hundred leagues to 
 San Domingo. The islands of Jamaica and Hispan- 
 .iola are separated by a gulf forty leagues wide, 
 swept by contrary currents. The rest of the way lay 
 along the coast of a savage country, and one under 
 taking the journey would be subject to perils both 
 by land and sea. The light canoe of the Indian was 
 the only means of transporting a messenger to Ovan- 
 do. Who would think of undertaking so hazardous 
 a voyage in such a frail bark? There was scarcely 
 one chance in a thousand for success. To have com 
 manded any one to attempt it would have been almost 
 equivalent to committing murder. 
 
 Foraging expeditions had been sent out among the 
 natives of the island, and the immediate wants of 
 the Spaniards were provided for, but the admiral 
 knew the Indians could not be depended upon for aid 
 and he was without means of compelling them to 
 furnish his people with provisions. It was neces 
 sary therefore to find some means of communicating 
 with Ovando. Columbus was greatly distressed 
 and spent much time deliberating upon the most 
 practicable means of sending notice of his situation 
 428
 
 TO THE RESCUE 429 
 
 to the governor at San Domingo. Qne evening while 
 he was thus engaged in deep thought, Hernando came 
 upon him alone. 
 
 "My lord admiral, we are in a perilous situation," 
 said Hernando, who knew the thoughts which were 
 absorbing the admiral's mind. 
 
 "Only a few realize, Hernando, in how great peril 
 we are placed." 
 
 For a few moments there was absolute silence, 
 which at length was broken by Hernando. 
 
 - " THE COAST or A SAVAGE COUNTRY." 
 
 'Admiral, I have a plan, w r hich if it meefs with 
 your favor, may deliver us all from our present 
 dangers." 
 
 The admiral looked up, his face troubled, as if 
 anticipating the rash offer Hernando was about to 
 make. 
 
 "The only means we have of reaching Hispaniola is 
 by canoe," continued Hernando, "and such an under 
 taking is not only difficult 
 
 "But impossible," interrupted Columbus. "It 
 would be necessary to traverse a gulf forty leagues 
 wide, passing between islands where the sea is ex 
 tremely wild and dangerous." In so forbidding a
 
 430 COLUMBIA 
 
 tone did the admiral speak that Hernando hesitated 
 to proceed with the plan he was about to propose ; 
 and before he could collect himself, the admiral fin 
 ished, "No one would venture upon an undertaking 
 so extremely perilous." 
 
 Hernando, who had regained his self-possession, 
 replied quickly: 
 
 "Admiral, my life has many times been placed in 
 
 peril of death. God hath hitherto preserved me in 
 
 a miraculous manner and he will not desert us now. 
 
 It is the only means of salvation for the expedition 
 
 and my only hope of joining Christina." 
 
 Columbus felt instinctively that the youth had 
 determined upon this desperate enterprise and that 
 nothing could be gained by direct opposition to his 
 plans. He did not attempt, therefore, to openly dis 
 suade him, but decided on a more diplomatic course 
 to accomplish the same end. After a moment's 
 hesitation, the admiral replied: 
 
 "Hernando, there are certain murmurers in the 
 expedition, who say that you and Don Bartholomew 
 are entrusted with all affairs where honor is to be 
 gained. I beg, therefore, that you do not add to my 
 present embarrassment. Wait until I can summon 
 all the people and propose this enterprise publicly, 
 to see if among them there is one who will undertake 
 it. If all decline, you may then come forward and 
 risk your life, with my permission." 
 
 Hernando knew that certain members of the crew 
 regarded him with great jealousy, and he readily
 
 TO THE RESCUE 431 
 
 assented to the admiral's proposal, but continued 
 his preparations for the departure. 
 
 Columbus could not bring himself to allow the 
 youth he loved to so risk his life, and he felt, more 
 over, that if any one attempted such a perilous jour 
 ney, the lot should fall to some older member of the 
 crew a veteran, and not a mere youth. While 
 discussing the project with Hernando, Columbus was 
 running over in his mind the different members of 
 the crew, and finally decided to approach Diego 
 Mendez, a man whom he esteemed highly for his 
 loyalty and courage, and persuade him to volunteer 
 his services. Accordingly, he at once sought Diego 
 Mendez and found him willing, even eager, to under 
 take the journey; and arrangements were made for 
 him to offer his services at the appointed time. 
 
 Accordingly, the next day the crew was assem 
 bled by order of the admiral, who was confident that 
 Hernando would not be given an opportunity to risk 
 his life in this way. When the proposition was 
 made, there was a moment's silence. Hernando was 
 just on the point of speaking, when Diego Mendez 
 stepped forward and said, "Your excellency, I have 
 but one life to lose, yet I am willing to risk it in 
 your service and for the good of all here present." 
 
 Columbus embraced his zealous follower, immeas 
 urably relieved at Hernando's escape, and immediate 
 preparations were made for the expedition. The 
 boat, which was an Indian canoe, was furnished with 
 a mast and a sail, and when provisions were put in,
 
 432 COLUMBIA 
 
 there remained sufficient room for six Indians, Diego 
 Mendez, and a Spanish comrade. That Spanish com 
 rade was Hernando Estevan, who had secretly 
 determined to accompany Mendez. 
 
 Quite unprepared for this turn of affairs, Columbus 
 protested and tried to dissuade Hernando but in 
 vain. Hernando listened patiently to all the ad 
 miral said, and then replied: 
 
 "My lord admiral, the pain of your displeasure 
 robs me of the pleasure of risking my life to save you 
 and my comrades here; but even that cannot deter 
 me. Do not let me depart without your blessing. 
 Consider that we go to seek relief from an unfriendly 
 governor, who would gladly leave you here to perish 
 if he thought by such means he could be rid of you. 
 It is better, anyway, that. two of us should go; then, 
 if either fails, our undertaking will not be altogether 
 defeated. None has served you with greater loyalty 
 than I; perhaps that loyalty will help me to succeed 
 where an older man would not. Give the message 
 to Diego Mendez, and if he fails to secure aid from the 
 governor, I shall, as a last resort, seek to raise an 
 expedition privately and come to your rescue." 
 
 Columbus, seeing that protests were unavailing, 
 gave a reluctant consent and the blessing Hernando 
 besought. From the depths of his heart went up a 
 prayer that God would guard and direct the brave 
 youth whom he loved so well. 
 
 When everything was in readiness, they departed 
 along the coast to the eastward. The voyage was
 
 TO THE RESCUE 433 
 
 toilsome and perilous, but they made their way 
 against strong currents and at length arrived at the 
 eastern end of the island, a distance of thirty-four 
 leagues from the harbor. While waiting here for calmer 
 weather before striking out boldly into the open sea, 
 they were captured by a band of hostile Indians, 
 who carried them a distance of three leagues into the 
 interior, determined to kill them. Some dispute 
 arose over the division of the spoils taken from the 
 prisoners, which they decided to settle by casting 
 lots. While they were thus engaged, Diego Mendez 
 escaped, found his way to the canoe, embarked in it, 
 and returned to the harbor alone, after an absence 
 of fifteen days. He reported at once to the admiral, 
 and manifested great distress at being obliged to 
 leave Hernando to his fate. "But," said he, "I 
 knew I could help neither him nor my shipwrecked 
 comrades by remaining there, and I felt that if I 
 returned to you, I might succeed in a second attempt 
 to secure aid for our party. Hernando himself would 
 have bade me go." 
 
 Columbus' grief at the almost certain death of 
 his friend was pitiful though he could not but hope 
 against hope for Hernando's escape, and did not 
 give him up for lost for several days, during which 
 time his appearance was daily expected. But as 
 the days wore on and brought no sign of the youth, 
 Columbus was finally compelled to give up hope and 
 mourned as dead his faithful friend. 
 
 After his companion escaped, Hernando was 
 
 Vol. 128
 
 434 COLUMBIA 
 
 guarded more closely by the Indians and as he had 
 been carried still farther into the interior, he had 
 little hope of finding his way back to the harbor, 
 even if he should escape. After many weary weeks 
 of captivity, the time was finally set for his death, 
 and on the night before the Indians were cele 
 brating the occasion with a weird dance about a 
 great fire. 
 
 Even then Hernando did not despair, but only 
 sought the harder to contrive some way to outwit 
 his captors. Providentially, almost, he noticed that 
 a little shadow was slowly, steadily creeping across 
 the face of the moon, and he remembered that Colum 
 bus had said that a total eclipse was due to occur soon. 
 As if by inspiration came the thought that he might 
 use this strange phenomenon of Nature to frighten his 
 superstitious captors into letting him go. He sent for 
 the cacique and told him that he was a worshiper of 
 a God dwelling in the skies, who rewarded all who did 
 well and punished all transgressors. This great Deity, 
 he said, was incensed against the Indians for threat 
 ening to take the life of one of his children; and 
 the moon was changing color as a warning to them 
 that if they persisted in this course, they should be 
 scourged with famine and pestilence. At first the 
 Indians treated the prediction with derision, but as 
 they beheld the dark shadow stealing over the moon, 
 they began to tremble with fear. With the progress 
 of the eclipse, their fears increased and when they 
 saw a mysterious darkness covering the earth, their
 
 TO THE RESCUE 435 
 
 terror knew no bounds. The cacique and his princi 
 pal warriors threw themselves at the feet of the cap 
 tive and begged him to intercede with his God to 
 withhold the threatened punishment, promising that 
 he should have not only his liberty, but anything 
 else he might desire. Hernando affected indifference 
 to their supplications, until the eclipse began to pass 
 off the face of the moon, and then he informed them 
 that his God had deigned to pardon them, on condi 
 tion of their sending him to his people across the 
 intervening gulf. 
 
 When the credulous natives saw the moon re 
 stored to its former brightness, they overwhelmed 
 Hernando with thanks for his intercession. They 
 began immediate preparations to convey him to His- 
 paniola, and the next morning found them on their 
 way across the gulf in canoes. There was no wind, 
 the sky was without a cloud, and the heat was in 
 tolerable. Exhausted by heat, the Indians would 
 plunge into the water to cool themselves, and return 
 with new vigor to their labors. By the close of the 
 first day they had lost sight of land. During the 
 night the Indians took turns, one half sleeping while 
 the others rowed Hernando standing guard all the 
 while, with their only weapons hi his possession. In 
 this way they toiled through the first night, their 
 frail barks heaving up and down with the swelling of 
 the ocean. The light canoes seemed scarcely capa 
 ble of withstanding the broad undulations of a calm 
 sea and Hernando could not but wonder uneasily
 
 436 COLUMBIA 
 
 how they would be able to live amid waves and 
 surges, should the wind rise. 
 
 During the first day the Indians, fatigued and 
 tormented by thirst, had drunk up nearly all the 
 water, and in the face of this new suffering, all others 
 were forgotten. Before the end of the second day 
 their strength failed them. Hernando had secretly 
 reserved for such extremity two small kegs of water. 
 The precious contents were administered in sparing 
 mouthfuls to those who still labored at the oars. 
 For the rest .of the day they continued wearily toil 
 ing on, Hernando all the while keeping an anxious 
 lookout for land. The sun went down on a shoreless 
 sky; there was not even a cloud on the horizon which 
 might have deceived them into a hope. The night 
 closed upon them without any sight of the island and 
 they now despaired of reaching it. Two of the In 
 dians died; others lay panting at the bottom of the 
 canoes. The night had far advanced; the last drop 
 of water had been dealt out. Those whose turn it 
 was to take repose were unable to sleep from the 
 intensity of their thirst, while those on duty could 
 scarcely move their paddles through the water. It 
 seemed impossible that they should live to reach 
 Hispaniola. 
 
 Hernando was now about to despair. He sat 
 watching the horizon, which was gradually being 
 lighted by the faint rays of light which precede 
 the rising moon. As it rose, he perceived that it 
 seemed to emerge from behind some dark mass ele-
 
 TO THE RESCUE 437 
 
 vated above the level of the sea. Immediately he 
 gave the cry of "Land! " The almost expiring In 
 dians, roused to new life, exerted themselves with 
 feverish energy, and by "dawn they had reached the 
 shore and landed on the bank of a beautiful river. 
 There they were able to slake their thirst and were 
 kindly received by the natives. 
 
 After remaining for two days' rest, Hernando 
 departed with Indian guides from the island to cover 
 the one hundred and thirty leagues along the coast 
 that still separated him from San Domingo. They 
 started by canoe, but after proceeding eighty leagues 
 with infinite toil, always against the currents, they 
 lost their boats. Still undaunted by difficulties or 
 fatigue, he proceeded on foot, through savage forests 
 and over mountains, until at last he arrived at San 
 Domingo. 
 
 He had accomplished an undertaking which Colum 
 bus himself, who knew no obstacles, had pronounced 
 impossible. Nothing less than his devotion to the ad 
 miral and his great love for Christina could have in 
 spired such a heroic effort. But the journey had been 
 made at terrific cost to both mind and body, and the 
 moment Hernando realized that he was once more 
 among friends, he sank unconscious under a strain 
 that had overtaxed his physical endurance. Some 
 weeks later when he regained consciousness, he found 
 himself amongst familiar surroundings. At first he 
 thought he was dreaming, for he seemed to be in the 
 little house he had erected on his land grant near San
 
 438 COLUMBIA 
 
 Domingo. But the atmosphere of the place was 
 changed, as if it had been prepared for his home 
 coming; and the beautiful girl who sat by his bedside 
 surely it could not be yes, yes, it was Christina. 
 
 "Christina, my guardian angel, is it you who has 
 nursed me back to life? " 
 
 Such scenes are too sacred for description, and we 
 shall leave them to enjoy alone those moments 
 of unalloyed happiness, which seemed all the sweeter 
 because of the years of hardship and separation that 
 had kept them apart.
 
 CHAPTER XXVIII. 
 
 CONCLUSION. 
 
 THE faithful Mendez, undaunted by the perils and 
 hardships he had suffered, offered to depart, imme 
 diately on a second expedition which proved to 
 be successful. He was received with great kindness 
 by Ovando, who expressed the utmost concern at the 
 unfortunate situation of Columbus and promised 
 immediate relief; but "he was a slippery knave, who 
 knew how to deal out promises without taking the 
 first step toward their fulfillment." 
 
 Eight months had elapsed since Mendez's second 
 departure, and in the meantime, Columbus was the 
 tenant of a wreck on a savage coast, at the mercy, 
 not only of the barbarous hordes who had been trans 
 formed into ferocious enemies, but a mutinous crew. 
 It was a terrible year that the admiral spent on the 
 wild coast of Jamaica. He was confined to his bed 
 by excruciating maladies, which hardships and anx 
 iety had heaped upon his advancing age. Before the 
 year ended, there was a pitched battle, in which Don 
 Bartholomew led the loyal forces in a victorious 
 attempt to quell a band of mutineers. 
 
 Ovando threw impediments in the way of Men- 
 dez's obtaining the required relief, and in this way 
 439
 
 440 COLUMBIA 
 
 prevented Hernando from co-operating with him; 
 but both had been active in stirring up public 
 sentiment in favor of the admiral so much so that 
 Ovando's conduct had aroused great indignation in 
 San Domingo and he was openly condemned by the 
 clergy. At length, just as Hernando was about to 
 purchase some ships privately, on Columbus' account 
 and was on the point of sending for the admiral, 
 Ovando sent two ships over to Jamaica and brought 
 Columbus and his starving party to Hispaniola. 
 This was late in June, 1504. 
 
 Hernando's recovery was followed by an early 
 marriage to Christina, and when Columbus arrived 
 at San Domingo on the 13th day of August, 1504, 
 one of the first to welcome him was Hernando, whom 
 the admiral greeted as one returned from the dead. 
 He found his youthful companion settled down to a 
 peaceful and quiet life in the little home on his estate. 
 With him were Roderigo and the aged Senora Doria, 
 who had come to look upon the discoverer of the New 
 World with reverence as a man called of Heaven 
 for a great work. 
 
 The admiral was visibly affected at seeing Her 
 nando again, and received him with all the affection 
 due a long-lost son. 
 
 "I have not seen you so happy in many a day," 
 remarked Hernando, as he conducted Columbus to 
 his home on the outskirts of the city. 
 
 "I was unable to learn if you had lived to reach 
 San Domingo; and to find you not only alive, but
 
 CONCLUSION 441 
 
 reunited with your family, gives me double cause for 
 rejoicing," replied the admiral tenderly. 
 
 "We are all very happy. The years of separation 
 prepared us for a higher appreciation of our present 
 blessings. All these years I have been searching for 
 riches, not realizing my wealth in the possession of 
 your affection and confidence, and in the love of a 
 pure, devoted woman." 
 
 "Such love as that is a greater luxury than any 
 thing that gold can buy. I trust, my son, that you 
 will remain in this New World and be one of the men 
 to lay the foundation of a great empire," was the ad 
 miral's admonition; and it was never forgotten by the 
 head of the Estevan family in America, whose de 
 scendants have given freely of their services to the 
 upbuilding of the nation. 
 
 Hernando was silent for some moments, as he 
 reflected that his services for his beloved master were 
 "ended, and then replied, "I shall be content to remain 
 here always, unless I can further serve you." 
 
 But Columbus would not tolerate even the sug 
 gestion. "My work is nearly finished. I shall 
 return to Spain where my two faithful sons will care 
 for me. Your thought now must be of Christina 
 and your father and Seiiora Doria." 
 
 Hernando then spoke of the chaotic state of the 
 admiral's affairs, which had given him great concern 
 ever since his arrival in San Domingo. 
 
 "Your interests have been sacrificed during your 
 absence."
 
 442 COLUMBIA 
 
 "But those of the crown have suffered, also, under 
 poor management." said Columbus. "The principal 
 source of revenue has been cut off and the island 
 has been almost depopulated of its original inhabi 
 tants." 
 
 "Hispaniola has been the scene of atrocities such 
 as have scarcely been surpassed in all history," 
 added Hernando with indignation. 
 
 "The desolation of the island has grieved me 
 sorely, but I am powerless to interfere. My advice 
 is ill received by the governor, and the sooner I 
 return to Spain the better it will be for the peace and 
 prosperity of Hispaniola." 
 
 A month later Columbus sailed for Spain. For 
 tune seemed to persecute him to the end of his last 
 voyage, for he had scarcely left the harbor when he 
 was encountered by a sudden and severe storm. 
 For several weeks he was tempest-tossed, suffering 
 at the same time the most excruciating pain from his 
 malady; and when he anchored in the harbor of San 
 Lucas on the 7th of November, 1504, he was in the 
 grip of his last illness. 
 
 The subsequent history of Columbus is brief, 
 but it is a sad page in the great book of humanity. 
 When he arrived in Spain, Queen Isabella was on her 
 deathbed and a few days later passed away. Her 
 death was a great blow to the fortunes of Columbus. 
 It left him to the cold ingratitude of Ferdinand, who 
 realized that a little more delay, a few more disap 
 pointments, and the loyal heart of his faithful servant
 
 CONCLUSION 443 
 
 would cease to beat, and he would be free from the 
 just claims of one who, in ceasing to be useful, had 
 become a burden. 
 
 What visions of glory would have filled Columbus' 
 mind had he realized that he had discovered a new 
 continent, equal in magnitude to the whole of the 
 Old World. However, he died in ignorance of the 
 real grandeur of his discovery and the New World 
 bears the name of another but he needs no monu 
 ment to perpetuate his memory. His name shall 
 not cease to be a household word until "languages 
 are dead and lips are dust." 
 
 He expired at Valladolid, with great resignation, on 
 the Day of Ascension, the 20th of May, 1506. His last 
 words were, "Into thy hands, Lord, I commend my 
 spirit." His cherished plan of rescuing the Holy 
 Sepulchre was never fulfilled, and perhaps it was 
 God's will it should not be. That so great and good 
 a man as Columbus should have been neglected in 
 his old age and left to die of cold ingratitude 
 broken-hearted and disappointed will bring pain 
 and regret to the hearts of all who read his pathetic 
 story, so long as the world shall stand.
 
 HISTORICAL INDEX 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Adelantado, Don Bartholomew appointed 363 
 
 Agreement between Columbus and sovereigns signed. . . 137 
 Aguado, Juan, arrives at Isabella with letter of credence 
 
 from sovereigns 367 
 
 his letter of credence proclaimed by sound of 
 
 trumpet 367 
 
 received by Columbus 368 
 
 encourages complaints against Columbus 369 
 
 Alarms, false, penalty for 184 
 
 Alfonso, death of 6 
 
 Alhambra, In the; seat of Moorish power, illustration. . . 89 
 
 Alhambra, The 34 
 
 Alhambra, The, illustration 398 
 
 Almeida, Don Francisco de, given command of expedi 
 tion sent out by King John 259 
 
 Andalusia, "God's Out-of-Doors " in, illustration 31 
 
 Andalusian village, illustration 9 
 
 Antilla 55 
 
 "Antipodes, Old" 15 
 
 April 17, 1492, date of agreement between Columbus 
 
 and sovereigns 139 
 
 Arabs, the, subdued by persevering valor of the Goths. . 4 
 
 Aragon, kingdom of 6 
 
 Arana, Diego de, given command of colony 230 
 
 Architecture, jewel of Moorish, illustration 3 
 
 Architecture, specimen of Gothic, illustration 95 
 
 Arms of Columbus, coat of 292 
 
 Arrows, Gulf of 241 
 
 444
 
 HISTORICAL INDEX 445 
 
 Articles of agreement between Columbus and sovereigns . 138 
 
 Atlantis, Plato's 52 
 
 August 3, 1492, Columbus sailed from Palos 153 
 
 Azores, Columbus reaches the 251 
 
 Babeque and Bohio, Columbus determines to go in 
 
 search of islands of 208 
 
 Baracoa, the first town founded on island of Cuba 210 
 
 Baracoa, illustration 211 
 
 Barcelona, Columbus sets out for 283 
 
 Barcelona, reception of Columbus at 286-288 
 
 Barrameda, San Lucas de, Columbus sails from port of . 381 
 Bartholomew, Don (See Columbus, Don Bartholomew) 
 
 Bastides, Roderigo, sails from Cadiz 403 
 
 Birds discovered 168 
 
 Boabdil, capture of 90 
 
 Bobadilla, Don Francisco de, sent out to investigate 
 
 affairs of colony 389 
 
 advised of conditions before landing at San Do 
 mingo 390 
 
 has letters patent read at door of the church and 
 
 demands custody of all prisoners 390 
 
 takes fortress by force of arms 391 
 
 maintains insulting silence toward Columbus 393 
 
 arrests Columbus and brothers, and sends them in 
 
 irons to Spain 393 
 
 no public notice taken of charges by 405 
 
 .fate of 416 
 
 Bouillon, Godfrey de 115 
 
 Boyle Bernardo, Benedictine monk 316 
 
 Bullfight, Spanish, general description of 19-25 
 
 Bush with berries discovered floating in water 188 
 
 Cacique, a, and his wives, illustration 220 
 
 Cadiz, scene of Columbus' second departure 317 
 
 Columbus arrives at 375 
 
 Columbus sails on fourth voyage from 412 
 
 Canary Islands, Columbus reaches 158
 
 446 HISTORICAL INDEX 
 
 Caribbee Islands, Columbus arrives at 412 
 
 Caribs, The 221 
 
 Caribs, evidences of cannibalism discovered among 325 
 
 Casas, Las, considers the lots which fell to Columbus as 
 
 an intimation from the Deity 255 
 
 Casas', Las, estimate of Don Bartholomew 361 
 
 Casas, Las, quotation from 416 
 
 Castaneda, Juan de, Governor of St. Mary's 251 
 
 surrounds hermitage and makes sailors prisoners . . . 252 
 
 addresses Columbus 253 
 
 sends two priests and a notary to examine Col 
 umbus' papers 254 
 
 liberates seamen 254 
 
 cause of his conduct 254 
 
 Castile, house of 2 
 
 Enrique IV of 6 
 
 kingdom of 6 
 
 Celi, Medina, Duke of 39 
 
 Columbus seeks aid of 56 
 
 Charles V, grandson of Ferdinand 380 
 
 Charles VIII of France, receives Don Bartholomew 
 
 with favor 360 
 
 advances a hundred crowns to Don Bartholomew . . 360 
 
 deposes King of Naples from throne 380 
 
 Christian city, Isabella, first of the New World 337 
 
 Church, influence of, credited with discovery of America 126 
 
 Cid, the national hero of Spain 2 
 
 Cintra, Rock of, near Lisbon, Columbus arrives at 256 
 
 Cipango, Columbus concludes he has missed island of . . . 185 
 Clemencin's description of Columbus at time of celebra 
 tion of the downfall of Granada 93 
 
 Coat of arms of Columbus 292 
 
 Coloma, Juan de, the royal secretary 138 
 
 Colon, Diego, the Lucayan interpreter 328 
 
 Columbus, Bartholomew, Don, carries proposal to King 
 
 of England 56
 
 HISTORICAL INDEX 447 
 
 Columbus, Bartholomew, Don, cause of delay in reaching 
 
 England 359 
 
 his proposition is received favorably by King 
 
 Henry VII 359 
 
 learns of discovery of New World on his arrival in 
 
 Paris 359 
 
 entertained by French monarch, Charles VIII 360 
 
 sets out for Spain 360 
 
 reception of, by Spanish monarchs 360 
 
 arrives with squadron at Isabella 360 
 
 at bedside of the admiral 361 
 
 estimate of by Las Casas 361 
 
 appointed adelantado 363 
 
 investigates reports of Miguel Diaz 373 
 
 left in charge of colony in Veragua 424 
 
 wounded in conflict with natives 425 
 
 arrest of, by Bobadilla 394 
 
 Columbus, Christopher, ridiculed by populace in streets 
 
 of Palos 15 
 
 sketch of 28,29 
 
 native of Genoa 28 
 
 name of, not generally known 29 
 
 believed himself called of Heaven to rescue Holy 
 
 Sepulchre 49, 67 
 
 his correspondence with Toscanelli 52 
 
 built his theories on stories of Marco Polo and 
 
 other travelers 52-55 
 
 applies for aid to the Duke of Medina Celi 56 
 
 deceived by King John of Portugal 56 
 
 entertained in convent of St. Stephen 63, 64 
 
 gives reasons for believing junto prejudiced against 
 
 him 67 
 
 his arguments before the junto 70-76 
 
 hears arguments of junto 70-74, 77 
 
 accused of being heterodox 73 
 
 his voyage to St. George la Mina in Guinea 75
 
 448 HISTORICAL INDEX 
 
 Columbus, Christopher, lingers at Cordova 79 
 
 demands decision of junto 79 
 
 goes to Seville 82 
 
 decides to leave Seville for France 82 
 
 asks porter at convent for food for his child 83 
 
 meets Juan Perez de Marchena, who detains him as 
 
 his guest 83-84 
 
 meets Garcia Fernandez 84 
 
 meets the Pinzons 84-86 
 
 receives twenty thousand maravedis in florins 
 
 from .the queen.. . 88 
 
 entertained by Alonzo de Quintilla 90 
 
 melancholy state of, described by Clemencin 93 
 
 before Queen Isabella.. 103, 105-109 
 
 states his terms 110 
 
 rejects terms of queen's agents 112 
 
 resolves to devote revenues from discoveries to 
 
 rescue of Holy Sepulchre 114-115 
 
 again decides to leave Spain and makes departure 
 
 from Santa Fe 116-117 
 
 overtaken by courier at Bridge of Pinos 130 
 
 returns to Santa Fe 131 
 
 articles of his agreement with sovereigns 138 
 
 chief aim of, the extension of the Christian religion.. 139 
 received by Perez and accompanied to church of St. 
 
 George 146-147 
 
 seeks aid of Pinzons 149 
 
 makes final preparations and sails from Palos 153 
 
 tries to inspire crew with his own glorious 
 
 anticipations, 162 
 
 ruse of, to deceive crew while in service of King 
 
 Reiner 163 
 
 makes false reckoning 164 
 
 discovers variation of compass 166 
 
 explains to pilots variation of the compass 168 
 
 members of his crew propose throwing him overboard 175
 
 HISTORICAL INDEX 449 
 
 Columbus, Christopher, his crew becomes mutinous. . . . 176 
 threatens forfeit of claim to the reward, to stop false 
 
 alarms 184 
 
 concludes he has missed Cipango 185 
 
 alters course 186 
 
 reward for the discovery of land adjudged to 191 
 
 lands at San Salvador 196 
 
 takes possession of San Salvador in name of Spanish 
 
 sovereigns 197 
 
 takes seven of the natives to teach them the Spanish 
 
 language 201 
 
 discovers Cuba 206, 207 
 
 sends envoys into the interior of Cuba, in search of 
 
 Grand Khan 207 
 
 determines to go in search of islands of Babeque 
 
 and Bohio 208 
 
 deserted by Martin Alonzo Pinzon 209 
 
 suffers shipwreck in Santa Maria 216-217 
 
 and crew of Santa, Maria take refuge on board Nina 217 
 
 receives assistance from Guacanagari 217-218 
 
 dines Guacanagari and is entertained by him 219 
 
 forms the plan of a colony 222 
 
 is given affectionate reception by Guacanagari 224 
 
 selects thirty-nine members of crew for colony 230 
 
 gives advice to colony 230 
 
 gives parting feast to Guacanagari and his chief 
 tains 231 
 
 awes natives by discharge of firearms 231 
 
 departs from Nativity 231-232 
 
 finds Martin Alonzo Pinzon near Monte Christi 232 
 
 commands Pinzon to release natives and sends them 
 
 back with presents 236 
 
 has first encounter with natives 240 
 
 encounters violent storms on return voyage 245 
 
 and crew draw lots and make vows 247, 248 
 
 second lot falls to 248 
 
 Vol. 129
 
 450 HISTORICAL INDEX 
 
 Columbus, Christopher, throws overboard barrel contain 
 ing account of his voyages 248 
 
 reaches the Azores '. 250 
 
 demands release of seamen captured by Castaneda . . 253 
 
 agents of Castaneda examine his papers 254 
 
 and crew again cast lots for another pilgrimage 255 
 
 arrives off the Rock of Cintra 256 
 
 summoned on board Portuguese man-of-war, but 
 
 refuses to leave his vessel 256 
 
 sends courier to Spanish sovereigns and King John 
 
 of Portugal 256 
 
 receives request to call upon King John 257 
 
 is conducted to palace of King John 257 
 
 in presence of King John 257-258 
 
 pays his respects to the Queen of Portugal 259 
 
 spends night at Llandra 265 
 
 sails for Palos 266 
 
 arrives at Palos 268 
 
 reception of, on his arrival at Palos 268-272 
 
 goes to meet Pinzon 274 
 
 sets out for Seville 277 
 
 reception of, on road to Seville 279 
 
 receives invitation from the sovereigns 282 
 
 sets out for Barcelona 283 
 
 reception of, on way to Barcelona 284 
 
 displays trophies of the New World 285 
 
 enters Barcelona 286 
 
 reception of, by the nobility 287 
 
 reception of, by sovereigns 287-289 
 
 ordered to be seated in the presence of the sov 
 ereigns 288 
 
 makes vow to furnish an army for the rescue of the 
 
 Holy Sepulchre 289 
 
 invited to banquet by grand cardinal of Spain 290 
 
 and the anecdote of the egg 291 
 
 extravagant fancies of, regarding the New World. . . 314
 
 HISTORICAL INDEX 451 
 
 Columbus, Christopher, makes preparation for second 
 
 expedition 314 
 
 provisional agreement made with, at Santa Fe, 
 
 confirmed 317 
 
 powers with which, was invested 317 
 
 departure of, on second voyage 320 
 
 gives sealed instructions to the commander of each 
 
 vessel 322 
 
 arrives off eastern extremity of Hispaniola 326 
 
 anchors in harbor of Monte Christi 326 
 
 anchors opposite harbor of Fort Nativity 327 
 
 visited by cousin of cacique 329 
 
 learns of disaster to Fort Nativity 329 
 
 visits Guacanagari 334 
 
 abandons Fort Nativity 336 
 
 founds Isabella 337 
 
 illness of 338 
 
 requests supplies* from Spain 339 
 
 suggests exchange of natives for live stock 340 
 
 recommends Margarite and Aguado to favor of 
 
 sovereigns 340 
 
 leads expedition into interior 341 
 
 returns to Isabella 343 
 
 opinion of, regarding the natives is changed 344 
 
 makes distribution of forces in island 348 
 
 tries in vain to see Guacanagari 349 
 
 sails for Cuba 349 
 
 continues voyage along supposed continent of Asia . 350 
 
 plan of, to circumnavigate the globe 352 
 
 continues voyage against protests of crew 354 
 
 compels crew to express opinion under oath 354 
 
 abandons exploration of the coast 355 
 
 lands for celebration of mass 355 
 
 is addressed by venerable Indian 356 
 
 falls into a deep, death-like lethargy 358 
 
 finds brother, Don Bartholomew, at his bedside 359
 
 452 HISTORICAL INDEX 
 
 Columbus, Christopher, appoints Don Bartholomew 
 
 adelantado 363 
 
 makes war on the natives 364 
 
 imposes tribute upon the natives 365 
 
 popularity of, receives vital blow 367 
 
 reception of Aguado by 368 
 
 complaints against, encouraged by Aguado 369 
 
 resolves to return with Aguado to Spain 370 
 
 departure of, delayed by storm which wrecks the fleet 370 
 
 believes ancient Ophir has been discovered 374 
 
 arrives in Cadiz 375 
 
 clothes himself as Franciscan monk 378 
 
 invited by sovereigns to present himself at court. . . 379 
 
 reception of, by sovereigns 379 
 
 proposes another voyage 380 
 
 sails on third voyage 381 
 
 perils encountered 382 
 
 speculation of, in regard to Garden of Eden 383 
 
 touches at South America 383 
 
 arrives at San Domingo in broken health 383 
 
 finds island in throes of rebellion 384 
 
 adopts measures to restore tranquillity 386 
 
 offers to pardon Roldan 386 
 
 finds an appeal to arms would betray his weakness. . 387 
 
 sends report of rebellion to sovereigns 387 
 
 receives reply from sovereigns 388 
 
 first impression of, regarding Bobadilla's conduct . . 392 
 
 ignored by Bobadilla 393 
 
 arrest of 393 
 
 put in irons 394 
 
 fears he is being taken to scaffold 396 
 
 refuses to have chains removed, except by order 
 
 of the sovereigns 396 
 
 arrives in Cadiz, a prisoner in chains 397 
 
 and his brothers are set at liberty by authority of 
 
 sovereigns 399
 
 HISTORICAL INDEX 453 
 
 Columbus, Christopher, invited to court 404 
 
 received by queen, in tears 404 
 
 is promised restoration of honors 405 
 
 remains nine months in Granada 408 
 
 inspired by achievement of Vasco de Gama to under 
 take fourth voyage 410 
 
 begins preparations for fourth voyage 410 
 
 forbidden to land at Hispaniola 411 
 
 refused hospitality of San Domingo 414 
 
 suffers extremely from gout 420 
 
 anxiety of, regarding his son Diego and brother 
 
 Bartholomew 420 
 
 report of, regarding Veragua 424 
 
 prepares to leave colony in Veragua and depart for 
 
 Hispaniola 424 
 
 abandons colony and sails for Hispaniola 426 
 
 wrecked on shore of Jamaica 426 
 
 is rescued through efforts of Diego Mendez 439 
 
 returns to Spain 442 
 
 neglected by Ferdinand 442 
 
 last illness and death of 443 
 
 Columbus, Diego, appointed page to Prince Juan 133 
 
 Columbus, Diego, Don, given command of city 341 
 
 personality of 341 
 
 authority of, ignored by Margarite 363 
 
 in irons 393 
 
 Compass, variation of 166 
 
 Complications between Spain and Portugal 315 
 
 Consultation between Columbus and Martin Alonzo 
 
 Pinzon 183 
 
 Copernicus, solar system of . . . : 77 
 
 Cordova, the Mosque of 4 
 
 Castilian court repaired to 78 
 
 Columbus at 79 
 
 illustration 81 
 
 Gonsalvo of 380
 
 454 HISTORICAL INDEX 
 
 Coronation of Isabella, December 13, 1474 7 
 
 Costa Rica, discovery of 421 
 
 Crusades, doctrine established during 315 
 
 Cuba, discovery of 206-207 
 
 December 13, 1474, coronation of Isabella 7 
 
 Destruction of Bobadilla's fleet. 415 
 
 Deza, Friar Diego de, convinced by arguments of Col 
 umbus 76 
 
 remains friendly to Columbus 80 
 
 Diaz, Miguel, in voluntary exile, marries a female cacique 
 is sent by Indian wife to persuade the colony at 
 
 Isabella to settle on banks of Ozema 371-372 
 
 refuses to obey commands of Bobadilla 391 
 
 Diego-, Don (See Columbus, Don Diego) 
 
 Dominica, Island of 323 
 
 Eden, Garden of, supposed location of, according to 
 
 Columbus 383 
 
 Egg, the anecdote of 291 
 
 Empire, destruction of mimic 335 
 
 Encounter with savages of Ciguay 239-240 
 
 Enrique (Henry) of Castile, the Impotent 6 
 
 attempts to place daughter on throne 6 
 
 death of 7 
 
 Epicurus, cited to prove impossibility of circumnavi 
 gating the earth 74 
 
 Escobar, Roderigo de, royal notary of expedition 152 
 
 European civilization in the New World, first foot 
 prints of 334 
 
 Ferdinand, King, of Aragon 6 
 
 borrows money to defray nuptial expenses 7 
 
 goes to Valladolid disguised as merchant 7 
 
 marriage of, to Isabella 7 
 
 attempts to dissuade the queen from aiding Col 
 umbus 124 
 
 sternness of, due to the three absorbing objects of 
 
 his life. . , . 310
 
 HISTORICAL INDEX 455 
 
 Ferdinand, King, of Aragon, forms family alliance 380 
 
 general license granted by, to navigators 405 
 
 attitude of, toward Columbus 406 
 
 his neglect of Columbus 442 
 
 Fernandez, Garcia, urges Columbus to remain in Spain. . 84 
 
 Fernandina, island of, discovered 205 
 
 Ferro, Isle of, fleet divided at 381 
 
 Firearms of the times 316 
 
 First voyage, Columbus sails on 153 
 
 account of return trip 243-248 
 
 Fiske, quotation from 115 
 
 Fourth voyage, Columbus', object of 410 
 
 France, Columbus decides to leave Seville for 82 
 
 Gama, Vasco de, doubles Cape of Good Hope 410 
 
 "Genoa, Madman of, " Columbus called 15-50 
 
 Genoa, Christopher Columbus, native of 28 
 
 Gold Coast, discovery of 421 
 
 Golden Tower, illustration 278 
 
 Good Hope, Cape of, doubled by Vasco de Gama 410 
 
 Goths, the, subdue the fiery courage of the Arabs 4 
 
 Granada, the Moorish kingdom of 6 
 
 Guacanagari, the cacique 215 
 
 gives Columbus aid 217-218 
 
 is dined by Columbus and entertains him in turn. . . 219 
 his hospitable treatment of Columbus and the crew . 224 
 
 Columbus reluctant to believe in perfidy of 332 
 
 visited by Columbus 334 
 
 explains the disappearance of the Spaniards from 
 
 Fort Nativity 334 
 
 Guadaloupe, first landing made at 323 
 
 Guanaja, discovery of 417 
 
 Gutierrez, Pedro 230 
 
 Henry VII, King of England, receives Don Bartholomew 
 
 with favor 359 
 
 Hispaniola, (Hayti), discovery of 210-211 
 
 transcendent appearance of 210-211
 
 456 HISTORICAL INDEX 
 
 Hispaniola, (Hayti),why so named 210 
 
 native form of government of 219 
 
 Columbus arrives off the eastern extremity of 326 
 
 Columbus forbidden to stop at 411 
 
 Holy Sepulchre, Columbus believes himself called of 
 
 Heaven to rescue 49, 67 
 
 Columbus makes vow to furnish an army for rescue 
 
 of , ' 289-290 
 
 Columbus entreats sovereigns not to reject his plans 
 
 for rescue of 409 
 
 Honduras, Columbus off coast of 417 
 
 Cape, discovery of 419 
 
 Impotent, Enrique the 6 
 
 Indians baptized at Barcelona 317 
 
 Indian girl captured 212 
 
 Irving, Washington, quotation from 382 
 
 Isabella, formally named heiress to the crown of 
 
 Castile 6 
 
 taken to Valladolid to escape Marquis of Villena .... 6-7 
 
 marriage of, to Ferdinand 7 
 
 coronation of .7 
 
 Isabella, Queen, receives Juan Perez and becomes 
 
 interested in Columbus' plans 88 
 
 orders twenty thousand maravedis in florins sent 
 
 to Columbus 88 
 
 character sketch of 103 
 
 listens to Columbus 105-109 
 
 breaks off negotiations with Columbus, acting upon 
 
 advice of Fernando de Talavera 113 
 
 persuaded to recall Columbus 122-124 
 
 offers to pledge her jewels to aid Columbus 125 
 
 sends for Columbus 127 
 
 objects to treatment of natives as slaves 340 
 
 death of 442 
 
 Isabella, Island of, discovered 205 
 
 Columbus founds city of 337
 
 HISTORICAL INDEX 457 
 
 Isabella, Island of, inhabitants of 338 
 
 Columbus returns to 343 
 
 discontent of inhabitants of 348 
 
 the return to, after exploring expedition 356 
 
 Jamaica, discovery of by Columbus 350 
 
 Jerez, Roderigo de, sent into the interior of Cuba by 
 
 Columbus in search of the Grand Khan 207 
 
 John II, King of Portugal 11 
 
 sends fleet, while Columbus is kept awaiting his deci 
 sion 56 
 
 receives Columbus 257 
 
 advised to assassinate Columbus 258 
 
 sends out expedition to take possession of the 
 
 newly discovered territory 259 
 
 Kanbalu, city of, in province of Cathay 53 
 
 Khan, Grand, palace of 53 
 
 letters to, issued by sovereigns 140 
 
 Columbus decides to abandon further search for. . . . 227 
 
 Lactantius quoted to disprove existence of antipodes .... 72 
 
 Land discovered 191 
 
 Land discovered, which proves to be the Azores 250 
 
 Landing of Columbus 196 
 
 Lights seen on shore 190 
 
 Llandra, Columbus spends night at 265 
 
 Luna, Fernando Perez de, takes oath of entire crew 354 
 
 "Madman of Genoa," Columbus called 50 
 
 Malaga, Columbus takes part in campaign against 78 
 
 Mandeville, Sir John 108 
 
 Mantinino, island of 238 
 
 Marchena, Juan Perez de, meets Columbus 83 
 
 Marco Polo, stories from 13 
 
 maps of 52 
 
 Margarite, Pedro, recommended to favor of sovereigns 
 
 by Columbus 340 
 
 general command entrusted to 348 
 
 conduct of, during absence of Columbus 363
 
 458 HISTORICAL INDEX 
 
 Margarita, Pedro, returns to Spain in ships which brought 
 
 out Don Bartholomew 363 
 
 charges made by, against Columbus 366 
 
 Martel, Charles, turns back the tide of Moslem conquest 2-3 
 Martyr, Peter, pleasing description of inhabitants given 
 
 by 213 
 
 May 30, 1498, Columbus sails on third voyage 381 
 
 May 9, 1502, Columbus sails on fourth voyage 412 
 
 Mendez, Diego, persuaded by Columbus to carry message 
 
 to San Domingo 431 
 
 captured by natives, escapes, leaving comrade to 
 his fate 433 
 
 makes second attempt, and is successful 439 
 
 Mendoza, Pedro Gonzalez de, is friendly to Columbus ... 57 
 
 invites Columbus to banquet 290 
 
 Monte Christi, discovery of 232 
 
 Columbus anchors in harbor of 326 
 
 Moorish architecture, jewel of, illustration 3 
 
 Moorish bard, lamentation of 94, 96 
 
 Moorish king, capture of 90 
 
 Moorish kingdom of Granada 6 
 
 Moorish kingdom of Granada in war with the Christians. 8-9 
 
 Moorish ruins, illustration 77 
 
 Moorish tower, illustration 102 
 
 Moors, The, overrun Spain within twenty years 2 
 
 the conquest of, retarded by divisions of Christian 
 kingdoms 4 
 
 the Spanish, in advance of any northern European 
 race 4 
 
 Andalusian villages sacked by 9 
 
 Moslem conquest checked at Tours by Charles Martel ... 3 
 Moslem Empire in Spain overthrown after eight hun 
 dred years 4 
 
 Mosque, The, of Cordova 4 
 
 illustration 5 
 
 Mosquito Shore, exploration of 421
 
 HISTORICAL INDEX 459 
 
 Moustique, Bay of 211 
 
 Moya, Marchioness of, becomes interested in Columbus' 
 
 plans and intercedes for him with queen 88 
 
 helps persuade Queen Isabella to recall Columbus... 124 
 
 Mutiny of crew 176 
 
 Natives, surprise of, at landing of Columbus 198 
 
 Natives, Columbus takes seven, to teach them the 
 
 Spanish language and use them as interpreters. . . 201 
 
 Columbus suggests exchange of, for live stock 340 
 
 their ideas of religion 344 
 
 hospitality of 346 
 
 Columbus is compelled to make war on 364 
 
 Columbus imposes tribute on 365 
 
 Nativity, Fort, erected 228 
 
 Columbus departs from 231 
 
 Columbus learns of disaster at. 329 
 
 ruins of, discovered 331 
 
 cause of destruction 334 
 
 abandoned 336 
 
 Navarre, The kingdom of 6 
 
 Neuvitas, town of, illustration 206 
 
 marks the place where Columbus first landed in 
 
 Cuba 207 
 
 New World, extravagant fancies regarding 314 
 
 Nina, Vincent Yanez Pinzon appointed captain of 151 
 
 goes to relief of Columbus 217 
 
 Norman Conqueror, England subjugated by 4 
 
 Norona, Don Martin de, escorts Columbus and his pilot . . 263 
 
 October 12, 1492, discovery of land 195 
 
 October 28, 1492, discovery of Cuba 206 
 
 Ojeda, Don Alonzo de, sails with Columbus on second 
 
 voyage 318 
 
 is given command of St. Thomas 348 
 
 Ophir, ancient, believed by Columbus to have been dis 
 covered 374 
 
 Ore, virgin, discovered 342
 
 460 HISTORICAL INDEX 
 
 Orinoco River, discovery of 383 
 
 Ovando, Don Nicholas de, description of 413 
 
 throws impediments in way of Mendez 439 
 
 Palos, seaport town of 11 
 
 port of, condemned to serve the crown for two 
 
 years 146 
 
 authorities of, commanded to supply Columbus with 
 
 two armed caravels 147 
 
 inhabitants of, refuse to furnish supplies 148 
 
 Columbus enters the harbor of 268 
 
 Paria, pearl coast of 383 
 
 Pass, The Gentleman's 341 
 
 Penalosa, Juan de, sent to Palos to enforce commands. . 148 
 Perez", Friar Juan, former confessor to queen, sends 
 
 letter to her 86 
 
 receives answer from queen and sets out for 
 
 Granada 87 
 
 received by Queen Isabella 88 
 
 Perils of third voyage 381 
 
 Personality of Columbus 28 
 
 Pinelo, cashier second expedition 315 
 
 Pines, Isle of, disco very of 355 
 
 Pinos, Bridge of 130 
 
 Pinta, The, pressed into service 150 
 
 in distress 157 
 
 discovered 232 
 
 becomes separated from the Santa Maria in the 
 
 storm 246 
 
 Pinzon, Martin Alonzo, meets Columbus 85 
 
 is appointed captain of Pinta 151 
 
 announces discovery of land, which proves to be 
 
 mistake 181 
 
 deserts Columbus 209 
 
 is found by Columbus near Monte Christi 232 
 
 makes apology to Columbus 234 
 
 attempts to make captives of natives 236
 
 HISTORICAL INDEX 461 
 
 Pinzon, Martin Alonzo, writes the Spanish sovereigns 
 
 from Bayonne 274 
 
 arrival of, at Palos 274 
 
 death of 275 
 
 Vincent Yanez, brother of Martin Alonzo Pinzon. . . 149 
 
 appointed to command of Nma 151 
 
 goes to relief of Columbus 217 
 
 discovers Brazil 402 
 
 Pinzons, The, decide to accompany Columbus on voyage 
 
 of discovery 150 
 
 influence of, helpful 151 
 
 Plato's Atlantis 52 
 
 Plaza de Toros 18 
 
 Pliny, belief of, in antipodes 71 
 
 Polo, Marco, stories from 13 
 
 maps of 52 
 
 Port Conception 211 
 
 Porto Rico 242 
 
 Portugal, complications between Spain and 315 
 
 Columbus pays his respects to queen of 259 
 
 Ptolemy, maps of 52 
 
 cosmography of 77 
 
 Puerto Bello, extreme southern point reached by 
 
 Columbus 422 
 
 Quinsai, capital of Mangi, description of 54 
 
 Quintilla, Alonzo de, friend to Columbus 57 
 
 entertains Columbus at Granada 90 
 
 Rabida, La, Convent of. 83 
 
 Columbus received by Perez at 146 
 
 Rebellion, island in state of 384 
 
 Reckonings compared 243 
 
 Religion of natives 344-346 
 
 Rodriguez, Sebastian, sent as ambassador to the queen . . 87 
 
 Roldan heads rebellion 384 
 
 treats Columbus' offer of pardon with contempt. . . 386 
 
 restored to position of alcalde mayor or chief judge . . 388
 
 462 HISTORICAL INDEX 
 
 Roldan, fate of 416 
 
 Salamanca, council of, arranged for 57 
 
 seat of learning of Spain 62 
 
 Columbus arrives at 63-64 
 
 illustration 69 
 
 Castilian court departs from 78 
 
 Sanchez, Roderigo, inspector-general of the armament. . 152 
 
 San Domingo, settlement of 372 
 
 Columbus arrives at, in broken health 383 
 
 Columbus denied hospitality of 414 
 
 San Salvador, Columbus lands at 196-197 
 
 Columbus takes possession of, in name of Spanish 
 
 sovereigns 197 
 
 Santa Maria, so named out of respect for the Blessed 
 
 Virgin 151 
 
 wreck of 216-217 
 
 wreckage of, used for building of fort 223 
 
 wreck of, looked upon by Columbus as providential . 223 
 
 Second expedition, preparations for. 314-316 
 
 Second voyage, character of crew who sailed on 320 
 
 Segovia, Isabella proclaimed queen at 7 
 
 September 25, 1493, Columbus sailed on second expedi 
 tion 320 
 
 Seville, Columbus repairs to court at 82 
 
 illustration 273 
 
 sets out for 277 
 
 Shipwreck of Columbus on coast of Jamaica 426 
 
 Slaves, Columbus proposes sending natives to Spain as . 340 
 
 Spain, overrun by Moors within twenty-five years 2-3 
 
 numerous petty kingdoms of, united 6 
 
 charming scenery of 32-34 
 
 complications between Portugal and 315 
 
 Spanish bullfight, general description of 19-25 
 
 Spanish celebration of victory 93-94 
 
 St. Angel, Luis de, friend to Columbus 116 
 
 intercedes with queen for Columbus 122
 
 HISTORICAL INDEX 463 
 
 St. Angel, Luis de, offers to advance funds for expedition 125 
 St. Augustine quoted to prove existence of antipodes 
 
 incompatible with the Holy Scriptures 72-73 
 
 St. Brandon 55 
 
 St. Elmo's fire seen during a storm 322 
 
 St. Mary's, one-half of crew lands to perform mass at.251-252 
 
 St. Nicholas, Harbor of 211 
 
 St. Paul quoted to disprove existence of antipodes 73 
 
 St. Stephen, Dominican convent of, Columbus enter 
 tained in 63-64 
 
 St. Thomas, Fortress of 342 
 
 Talavera, Fernando de, decision of junto delayed by. ... 78 
 ordered by King Ferdinand to give definite decision, 
 
 and reports unfavorably on Columbus' project. . . 80 
 
 authorized to negotiate with Columbus 109 
 
 Territorial rights, complications "over, between Spain'and 
 
 Portugal 315 
 
 Third voyage, perils of 381 
 
 Torres, Antonio de, returns to Spain with twelve vessels 
 
 of squadron 339 
 
 Torres, Luis de, sent into the interior of Cuba by Colum 
 bus, in search of Grand Khan 207 
 
 Tortugas, Columbus lands at island of 215 
 
 Toscanelli, Paulo, maps of 52 
 
 correspondence of Columbus with 52 
 
 Tours, Moslem conquest checked at 3 
 
 Triana, Roderigo de, first to see land of the western 
 
 world 191 
 
 Tribute imposed upon natives by Columbus 365 
 
 Trinidad, La, discovery of 383 
 
 Valladolid, Isabella flees to 67 
 
 Columbus expires at 443 
 
 Variation of compass 166 
 
 Variation of compass explained by Columbus to pilots . . 168 
 
 Vegetation, Columbus pleased with advanced state of. . 343 
 
 Vegetation of the New World described 344
 
 464 HISTORICAL INDEX 
 
 Veragua, Columbus returns to coast of 423 
 
 exploration of, by Don Bartholomew 423 
 
 Columbus' contemplated report to sovereigns of . . . 424 
 Columbus abandons colony at, anc 1 sails for His- 
 
 paniola 426 
 
 Village, an Andalusian, illustration 9 
 
 Villages, sacked by Moors. 9 
 
 Villejo, Alonzo de is appointed to conduct Columbus to 
 
 Spain 396 
 
 Villena, Marquis of, threatened imprisonment for Isabella 6 
 
 Vows of Columbus and crew 247-248 
 
 Weeds seen floating 170 
 
 Wise men of Salamanca, the, arguments of, in reply to 
 
 Columbus 71-74 
 
 Yucatan, Columbus visited by natives of 417
 
 This book is DUE on the last date stamped below 
 
 BEC'D LO-Um. 
 
 068 
 
 APR 1 8 19 
 
 Form L-9-15m-ll,'27
 
 A 000 291 593 2