University of Virginia Library

6. CHAPTER VI.

The two or three hours that succeeded, were hours of
an extraordinary and intense interest. The three vessels
stood hovering off the dusky shore, barely keeping at a

safe distance, stripped of most of their canvass, resembling
craft that cruised leisurely at a given point, indifferent to
haste or speed. As they occasionally and slowly passed
each other, words of heart-felt congratulation were exchanged;
but no noisy or intemperate exultation was heard
on that all-important night. The sensations excited in the
adventurers, by their success, were too deep and solemn for
any such vulgar exhibition of joy; and perhaps there was
not one among them all who did not, at that moment, inwardly
confess his profound submission to, and absolute
dependence on, a Divine Providence.

Columbus was silent. Emotions like his, seldom find
vent in words; but his heart was overflowing with gratitude
and love. He believed himself to be in the farther east,
and to have reached that part of the world by sailing west;
and it is natural to suppose that he expected the curtain of
day would rise on some of those scenes of oriental magnificence
which had been so eloquently described by the
Polos and other travellers in those remote and little-known
regions. That this or other islands were inhabited, the little
he had seen sufficiently proved; but, as yet, all the rest
was conjecture of the wildest and most uncertain character.
The fragrance of the land, however, was very perceptible
in the vessels, thus affording an opportunity to two
of the senses to unite in establishing their success.

At length the long wished-for day approached, and the
eastern sky began to assume the tints that precede the appearance
of the sun. As the light diffused itself athwart
the dark blue ocean, and reached the island, the outlines of
the latter became more and more distinct: then objects became
visible on its surface, trees, glades, rocks, and irregularities,
starting out of the gloom, until the whole picture
was drawn in the grey solemn colours of morning. Presently
the direct rays of the sun touched it, gilding its
prominent points, and throwing others into shadow. It then
became apparent that the discovery was that of an island of
no great extent, well wooded, and of a verdant and pleasant
aspect. The land was low, but possessed an outline
sufficiently graceful to cause it to seem a paradise in the
eyes of men who had seriously doubted whether they were
ever to look on solid ground again. The view of his mother

earth is always pleasant to the mariner who has long
gazed on nothing but water and sky; but thrice beautiful
did it now seem to men who not only saw in it their despair
cured, but their most brilliant hopes revived. From the
position of the land near him, Columbus did not doubt that
he had passed another island, on which the light had been
seen, and, from his known course, this conjecture has since
been rendered almost certain.

The sun had scarcely risen, when living beings were
seen rushing out of the woods, to gaze in astonishment at
the sudden appearance of machines, that were at first mistaken
by the untutored islanders, for messengers from
heaven. Shortly after, Columbus anchored his little fleet,
and landed to take possession in the name of the two
sovereigns.

As much state was observed on this occasion as the
limited means of the adventurers would allow. Each vessel
sent a boat, with her commander. The admiral, attired
in scarlet, and carrying the royal standard, proceeded in
advance, while Martin Alonzo, and Vicente Yañez Pinzon,
followed, holding banners bearing crosses, the symbol of
the expedition, with letters representing the initials of the
two sovereigns, or F and Y, for Fernando and Ysabel.

The forms usual to such occasions were observed on
reaching the shore. Columbus took possession, rendered
thanks to God for the success of the expedition, and then
began to look about him in order to form some estimate of
the value of his discovery.[1]

No sooner were the ceremonies observed, than the people
crowded round the admiral, and began to pour out their
congratulations for his success, with their contrition for
their own distrust and disaffection. The scene has often
been described as a proof of the waywardness and inconstancy
of human judgments; the being who had so lately
been scowled on as a reckless and selfish adventurer, being
now regarded as little less than a god. The admiral was no
more elated by this adulation, than he had been intimidated
by the previous dissatisfaction, maintaining his calmness of
exterior and gravity of demeanour, with those who pressed
around him, though a close observer might have detected
the gleaming of triumph in his eye, and the glow of inward
rapture on his cheek.

“These honest people are as inconstant in their apprehensions,
as they are extreme in their rejoicings,” said Columbus
to Luis, when liberated a little from the throng;
“yesterday they would have cast me into the sea, and to-day
they are much disposed to forget God, himself, in his
unworthy creature. Dost not see, that the men who gave
us most concern, on account of their discontent, are now
the loudest in their applause?”

“This is but nature, Señor; fear flying from panic to
exultation. These knaves fancy they are praising you,
when they are in truth rejoicing in their own escape from
some unknown but dreaded evil. Our friends Sancho and
Pepe seem not to be thus overwhelmed, for while the last
is gathering flowers from this shore of India, the first
seems to be looking about him with commendable coolness,
as if he might be calculating the latitude and longitude of
the Great Khan's doblas.”

Columbus smiled, and, accompanied by Luis, he drew
nearer to the two men mentioned, who were a little apart
from the rest of the group. Sancho was standing with his
hands thrust into the bosom of his doublet, regarding the

scene with the coolness of a philosopher, and towards him
the admiral first directed his steps.

“How is this, Sancho of the Shipyard-Gate!” said the
great navigator, “thou lookest on this glorious scene as
coolly as thou wouldst regard a street in Moguer, or a field
in Andalusia?”

“Señor Don Almirante, the same hand made both.
This is not the first island on which I have landed; nor
are yonder naked savages the first men I have seen who
were not dressed in scarlet doublets.”

“But hast thou no feeling for success—no gratitude to
God for this vast discovery? Reflect, my friend, we are
on the confines of Asia, and yet have we come here by
holding a western course.”

“That the last is true, Señor, I will swear myself, having
held the tiller in mine own hands no small part of the
way. Do you think, Señor Don Almirante, that we have
come far enough in this direction to have got to the back
side of the earth, or to stand, as it might be, under the
very feet of Spain?”

“By no means. The realms of the Great Khan will
scarcely occupy the position you mean.”

“Then, Señor, what will there be to prevent the doblas
of that country from falling off into the air, leaving us our
journey for our pains?”

“The same power that will prevent our caravels from
dropping out of the sea, and the water itself from following.
These things depend on natural laws, my friend, and
nature is a legislator that will be respected.”

“It is all Moorish to me,” returned Sancho, rubbing his
eye-brows. “Here we are, of a verity, if not actually beneath
the feet of Spain, standing, as it might be, on the
side of the house; and yet I find no more difficulty in
keeping on an even keel, than I did in Moguer—by Santa
Clara! less, in some particulars, good solid Xeres wine being
far less plenty here than there.”

“Thou art no Moor, Sancho, although thy father's name
be a secret. And thou, Pepe, what dost thou find in those
flowers to draw thy attention so early from all these wonders?”

“Señor, I gather them for Monica. A female hath a

more delicate feeling than a man, and she will be glad to
see with what sort of ornaments God hath adorned the
Indies.”

“Dost thou fancy, Pepe, that thy love can keep those
flowers in bloom, until the good caravel shall recross the
Atlantic?” demanded Luis, laughing.

“Who knoweth, Señor Gutierrez? A warm heart
maketh a thriving nursery. You would do well, too, if
you prefer any Castilian lady to all others, to bethink you
of her beauty, and gather some of these rare plants to
deck her hair.”

Columbus now turned away, the natives seeming disposed
to approach the strangers, while Luis remained near
the young sailor, who still continued to collect the plants of
the tropics. In a minute our hero was similarly employed;
and long ere the admiral and the wondering islanders had
commenced their first parly, he had arranged a gorgeous
bouquet, which he already fancied in the glossy dark hair
of Mercedes.

The events of a public nature that followed, are too familiar
to every intelligent reader to need repetition here.
After passing a short time at San Salvador, Columbus proceeded
to other islands, led on by curiosity, and guided by
real or fancied reports of the natives, until the 28th, when
he reached that of Cuba. Here he imagined, for a time,
that he had found the continent, and he continued coasting
it, first in a north-westerly, and then in a south-easterly
direction, for near a month. Familiarity with the novel
scenes that offered soon lessened their influence, and the
inbred feelings of avarice and ambition began to resume
their sway in the bosoms of several of those who had been
foremost in manifesting their submission to the admiral,
when the discovery of land so triumphantly proved the justice
of his theories, and the weakness of their own misgivings.
Among others who thus came under the influence
of their nature, was Martin Alonzo Pinzon, who finding
himself almost entirely excluded from the society of the
young Count of Llera, in whose eyes he perceived he filled
but a very subordinate place, fell back on his own local
importance, and began to envy Columbus a glory that he
now fancied he might have secured for himself. Hot words

had passed between the admiral and himself, on more than
one occasion, before the land was made, and every day
something new occurred to increase the coldness between
them.

It forms no part of this work to dwell on the events that
followed, as the adventurers proceeded from island to island,
port to port, and river to river. It was soon apparent that
very important discoveries had been made; and the adventurers
were led on day by day, pursuing their investigations,
and following directions that were ill comprehended, but
which, it was fancied, pointed to mines of gold. Everywhere
they met with a gorgeous and bountiful nature,
scenery that fascinated the eye, and a climate that soothed
the senses; but, as yet, man was found living in the simplest
condition of the savage state. The delusion of being
in the Indies was general, and every intimation that fell
from those untutored beings, whether by word or sign, was
supposed to have some reference to the riches of the east.
All believed that, if not absolutely within the kingdom
of the Great Khan, they were at least on its confines.
Under such circumstances, when each day actually produced
new scenes, promising still greater novelties, few bethought
them of Spain, unless it were in connexion with
the glory of returning to her, successful and triumphant.
Even Luis dwelt less intently in his thoughts on Mercedes,
suffering her image, beautiful as it was, to be momentarily
supplanted by the unusual spectacles that arose before his
physical sight in such constant and unwearied succession.
Little substantial, beyond the fertile soil and genial climate,
offered, it is true, in the way of realizing all the bright expectations
of the adventurers in connexion with pecuniary
advantages; but each moment was fraught with hope, and
no one knew what a day would bring forth.

Two agents were at length sent into the interior to make
discoveries, and Columbus profited by the occasion to careen
his vessels. About the time when this mission was
expected to return, Luis sallied forth with a party of armed
men to meet it, Sancho making one of his escort. The
ambassadors were met on their way back at a short day's
march from the vessels, accompanied by a few of the natives,
who were following with intense curiosity, expecting

at each moment to see their unknown visiters take their
flight towards heaven. A short halt was made for the purpose
of refreshing themselves, after the two parties had
joined; and Sancho, as reckless of danger on the land as
on the ocean, stalked into a village that lay near the halting
place. Here he endeavoured to make himself as agreeable
to the inhabitants, as one of his appearance very well
could, by means of signs. Sancho figured in this little
hamlet under some such advantages as those that are enjoyed
in the country by a great man from town; the spectators
not being, as yet, sufficiently sophisticated to distinguish
between the cut of a doublet and the manner of wearing
it, as between a clown and a noble. He had not been
many minutes playing the grandee among these simple beings,
when they seemed desirous of offering to him some mark
of particular distinction. Presently, a man appeared, holding
certain dark-looking and dried leaves, which he held
out to the hero of the moment in a deferential manner, as
a Turk would offer his dried sweet-meats, or an American
his cake. Sancho was about to accept the present, though
he would greatly have preferred a dobla, of which he had
not seen any since the last received from the admiral, when
a forward movement was made by most of the Cubans,
who humbly, and with emphasis, uttered the word “tobacco”
—“tobacco.” On this hint, the person who held forth the
offering drew back, repeated the same word in an apologizing
manner, and set about making what, it was now plain,
was termed a “tobacco,” in the language of that country.
This was soon effected, by rolling up the leaves in the form
of a rude segar, when a “tobacco,” duly manufactured,
was offered to the seaman. Sancho took the present, nodded
his head condescendingly, repeated the words himself,
in the best manner he could, and thrust the “tobacco” into
his pocket. This movement evidently excited some surprise
among the spectators, but, after a little consultation,
one of them lighted an end of a roll, applied the other to
his mouth, and began to puff forth volumes of a fragrant
light smoke, not only to his own infinite satisfaction, but
seemingly to that of all around him. Sancho attempted an
imitation, which resulted, as is common with the tyro in
this accomplishment, in his reeling back to his party with
the pallid countenance of an opium-chewer, and a nausea
that he had not experienced since the day he first ventured
beyond the bar of Saltes, to issue on the troubled surface
of the Atlantic.

This little scene might be termed the introduction of the
well-known American weed into civilized society, the misapprehension
of the Spaniards, touching the appellation,
transferring the name of the roll to the plant itself. Thus
did Sancho, of the ship-yard gate, become the first Christian
tobacco smoker, an accomplishment in which he was so
soon afterwards rivalled by some of the greatest men of
his age, and which has extended down to our own times.

On the return of his agents, Columbus again sailed,
pushing his way along the north shore of Cuba. While
struggling against the trades, with a view to get to the eastward,
he found the wind too fresh, and determined to bear
up for a favourite haven in the island of Cuba, that he had
named Puerto del Principe. With this view a signal was
made to call the Pinta down, that vessel being far to windward;
and, as night was near, lights were carried in order
to enable Martin Alonzo to close with his commander.
The next morning, at the dawn of day, when Columbus
came on deck, he cast a glance around him, and beheld the
Niña, hove-to under his lee, but no signs of the other
caravel.

“Have none seen the Pinta?” demanded the admiral,
hastily, of Sancho, who stood at the helm.

“Señor, I did, as long as eyes could see a vessel that
was striving to get out of view. Master Martin Alonzo
hath disappeared in the eastern board, while we have been
lying-to, here, in waiting for him to come down.”

Columbus now perceived that he was deserted by the
very man who had once shown so much zeal in his behalf,
and who had given, in the act, new proof of the manner in
which friendship vanishes before self-interest and cupidity.
There had been among the adventurers many reports
of the existence of gold mines, obtained from the descriptions
of the natives; and the admiral made no doubt that
his insubordinate follower had profited by the superior sailing
of his caravel, to keep the wind, in the expectation to
be the first to reach the Eldorado of their wishes. As the

weather still continued unfavourable, however, the Santa
Maria and the Niña returned to port, where they waited for
a change. This separation occurred on the 21st of November,
at which moment the expedition had not advanced
beyond the north coast of Cuba.

From this time until the sixth of the following month,
Columbus continued his examination of this noble island,
when he crossed what has since been termed the “windward
passage,” and first touched on the shores of Hayti.
All this time, there had been as much communication as
circumstances would allow, with the aborigines, the Spaniards
making friends wherever they went, as a consequence
of the humane and prudent measures of the admiral. It
is true that violence had been done, in a few instances, by
seizing half a dozen individuals in order to carry them to
Spain, as offerings to Doña Isabella; but this act was easily
reconcilable to usage in that age, equally on account of
the deference that was paid to the kingly authority, and on
the ground that the seizures were for the good of the captives'
souls.

The adventurers were more delighted with the bold, and
yet winning, aspect of Hayti, than they had been with even
the adjacent island of Cuba. The inhabitants were found
to be handsomer and more civilized than any they had yet
seen, while they retained the gentleness and docility that
had proved so pleasing to the admiral. Gold, also, was
seen among them in considerable quantities; and the
Spaniards set on foot a trade of some extent, in which the
usual incentive of civilized man was the great aim of one
side, and hawk's-bells appear to have been the principal
desideratum with the other.

In this manner, and in making hazardous advances
along the coast, the admiral was occupied until the 20th of
the month, when he reached a point that was said to be in
the vicinity of the residence of the Great Cacique of all
that portion of the island. This prince, whose name, as
spelt by the Spaniards, was Guacanagari, had many tributary
caciques, and was understood, from the half-intelligible
descriptions of his subjects, to be a monarch that was much
beloved. On the 22d, while still lying in the Bay of Acúl,
where the vessels had anchored two days previously, a

large canoe was seen entering the haven. It was shortly
after announced to the admiral that this boat contained an
ambassador from the Great Cacique, who brought presents
from his master, with a request that the vessels would move
a league or two farther east, and anchor off the town inhabited
by the prince himself. The wind preventing an
immediate compliance, a messenger was dispatched with a
suitable answer, and the ambassador returned. Fatigued
with idleness, anxious to see more of the interior, and impelled
by a constitutional love of adventure, Luis, who had
struck up a hasty friendship with a young man called Mattinao,
who attended the ambassador, asked permission to
accompany him, taking his passage in the canoe. Columbus
gave his consent to this proposal with a good deal of reluctance,
the rank and importance of our hero inducing
him to avoid the consequences of any treachery or accident.
The importunity of Luis finally prevailed, however,
and he departed with many injunctions to be discreet,
being frequently admonished of the censure that would await
the admiral in the event of anything serious occurring.
As a precaution, too, Sancho Mundo was directed to accompany
the young man, in this chivalrous adventure, in
the capacity of an esquire.

No weapon more formidable than a blunt arrow having
yet been seen in the hands of the natives, the young
Count de Llera declined taking his mail, going armed only
with a trusty sword, the temper of which had been tried on
many a Moorish corslet and helm, in his foot encounters,
and protected by a light buckler. An arquebuse had been
put into his hand, but he refused it, as a weapon unsuited
to knightly hands, and as betraying a distrust that was not
merited by the previous conduct of the natives. Sancho,
however, was less scrupulous, and accepted the weapon.
In order, moreover, to divert the attention of his followers
from a concession that the admiral felt to be a departure
from his own rigid laws, Luis and his companions landed
and entered the canoe at a point concealed from the vessels,
in order that their absence might not be known. It is owing
to these circumstances, as well as to the general mystery
that was thrown about the connexion of the young grandee
with the expedition, that the occurrences we are about to

relate were never entered by the admiral in his journal,
and have, consequently, escaped the prying eyes of the
various historians who have subsequently collected so much
from that pregnant document.