The Europeans were scarcely less amazed at the scene now before them. Every herb, and shrub, and tree, was different from those which flourished in Europe. The inhabitants appeared in the simple innocence of nature, entirely naked. Their black hair, long and uncurled, floated upon their shoulders, or was bound in tresses around their heads. They had no beards, and every part of their body was perfectly smooth. Their complexion was of a dusky copper colour, their features singular rather than disagreeable, their aspect gentle and timid. Their faces, and several parts of their body, were fantastically painted with glaring colours. They were shy at first through fear, but soon became familiar with the Spaniards, and with transports of joy received from them glass beads and other baubles, in return for which they gave them such provisions as they had, and some cotton yarn, the only commodity of value that they could produce. Towards evening Columbus returned to his ships, accompanied by many islanders in their canoes, which, though rudely formed out of the trunk of a tree, they rowed with surprising dexterity. Thus, in the first interview between the inhabitants of the old and new worlds, every thing was conducted amicably, and to their mutual satisfaction. The one, enlightened and ambitious, forming already vast ideas with respect to the advantages which they might derive from the regions that began to open to their view. The other, simple and undiscerning, had no foresight of the calamities and desolation which were approaching their country.

Columbus, who now assumed the title and authority of admiral and viceroy, called the island which he had discovered San Salvador. It is bet

ter known by the name Guanahani, which the natives gave it, and is one of that large cluster of islands called the Lucaya or Bahama isies. It is situated more than 3000 miles west of Gomera, from which the squadron took its departure, and only four degrees south of it: so little had Columbus deviated from the westerly course which he had fixed on as the most proper.

The next day Columbus employed in visiting the coasts of the island; and, from the universal poverty of the inhabitants, he perceived that this was not that rich country for which he was looking. He therefore concluded, that San Salvador was one of the isles which geographers described as situated in the great ocean adjacent to India. Having observed that most of the people whom he had seen wore small plates of gold by way of ornament, in their nostrils, he eagerly inquired where they got that precious metal. They pointed towards the south: thither he immediately directed his course. He saw several islands, and touched at three of the largest, on which he bestowed the names of St. Mary of the Conception, Ferdinanda, and Isabella. He inquired every where for gold; and the signs that were uniformly made, by way of answer, confirmed him in the opinion that it was brought from the south. He followed that course, and soon discovered a large island, which the natives of San Salvador called Cuba. Here the people, who were all naked, seemed to be more intelligent than those of San Salvador: they treated the Europeans with the same respectful attention, kissed their feet, and honoured them as sacred beings allied to heaven.

Columbus visited almost every harbour on the north coast of the island; but, though delighted

with the beauty of the scenes which every where presented themselves, he did not find gold in such quantity as was sufficient to satisfy either the avarice of his followers, or the expectations of the court to which he was to return. The people of the country, as much astonished at his eagerness in quest of gold, as the Europeans were at their ignorance and simplicity, pointed towards the east, where an island, which they called Hayti, was situated, in which that metal was more abundant than among them.

Retarded by contrary winds, Columbus did not reach Hayti till the 6th of December. He called the port where he first touched St. Nicholas, and the island Hispaniola, in honour of the kingdom by which he was employed. Here the people possessed gold in greater abundance than their neighbours, which they readily exchanged for bells, beads, or pins; and in this unequal traffic both parties were highly pleased, each considering themselves as gainers by the transaction. Columbus was visited by a prince or cazique of the country, who appeared with all the pomp known among a simple people, being carried on a sort of palanquin upon the shoulders of four men, and attended by many of his subjects, who served him with great respect. His deportment was grave and stately, he gave the admiral some thin plates of gold, and a girdle of curious workmanship, receiving in return presents of small value.

Columbus, still intent on discovering the gold mines, continued to interrogate all the natives with whom he had any intercourse concerning their situation, and in full expectation of reaching soon those regions which had been the object of his voyage, he directed his course towards the east. He put into a

commodious harbour, which he called St. Thomas, and found that district to be under the government of a powerful cazique, named Guacanahari, who, as he afterwards learned, was one of the five sovereigns among whom the whole island was divided. He immediately sent messengers to Columbus, who, in his name, delivered to him the present of a mask, curiously fashioned with ears, nose, and mouth, of beaten gold, and invited him to the place of his residence, near the harbour now called Cape François. Columbus dispatched some officers to visit this prince, who, as he behaved himself with greater dignity, seemed to claim attention. They returned with such favourable accounts both of the country and of the people, as made Columbus impatient for that interview with the prince to which he had been invited.

He sailed for this purpose from St. Thomas's on the 24th of December: his ship, through the carelessness of the pilot, struck on a rock, and was lost; but by the timely assistance of boats from the other vessels the crew were all saved. As soon as the islanders heard of their disaster, they crowded to the shore, with their prince at their head, and afforded them all the assistance in their power; by which means every thing of value was carried ashore.

Columbus was now left with a single vessel : he felt the difficulty of taking all his men on board, and resolved to leave a part of his crew in the island, that, by residing there, they might learn the language of the natives, study their disposition, examine the nature of the country, search for mines, prepare for the commodious settlement of the colony with which he proposed to return, and thus secure and facilitate the acquisition of

those advantages which he expected from his discoveries. His men approved the design, and nothing was wanting but the consent of Guacanahari.

Having taken every precaution for the security of the colony, and obtained the full consent of the prince for his men to reside there, he left the island on the 4th of January, and on the 6th he A. D. discovered the Pinta, the vessel from which 1493. he had been separated more than six weeks. Pinzon, the captain, endeavoured to justify his conduct, by pretending that he had been driven from his course by stress of weather, and prevented from returning by contrary winds. The admiral, without farther inquiries, felt great satisfaction in this junction with his consort, which delivered him from many disquieting apprehensions, and restored Pinzon to his favour.

Columbus found it necessary, from the condition of his ships, as well as from the temper of his men, to hasten his return to Europe. The voyage was prosperous to the 14th of February, and he had advanced near 500 leagues across the Atlantic Ocean, when a storm arose, which seemed to bring in its train inevitable destruction. The sailors, at first, had recourse to prayers, to the invocation of saints, to vows and charms; but when no prospect of deliverance appeared, they abandoned themselves to despair. Columbus had to endure feelings of distress peculiar to himself. He dreaded that all the knowledge of his amazing discoveries was now to perish, and that his name would descend to posterity as that of a rash deluded adventurer, instead of being transmitted with the honour due to the author and conductor of the most noble enterprise that had ever been undertaken. These