CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS AND THE AGE OF DISCOVERY 15

men were appalled at the thought of their vast distance from home, and the apparent boundlessness of the ocean in which they sailed. But on the morning of October 11 the signs of land were so unmistakable that the most reluctant could doubt no longer. A floating branch of thorn with berries on it, a staff carved by the hand of man, and weeds that grow only on land1- all these were picked up from the water on that morning. All were now convinced that land was near, and that it was a matter of but a few days at most when the discovery would be made. The three caravels that night presented a scene of suspense and eager expectancy; not an eye was closed in sleep. About ten o'clock Columbus saw from the top of the castle of his vessel the dim flicker of a light at a great distance, and its uncertain movements indicated that it might be a torch in the hands of some one walking. As the long hours of the night wore away every eye was strained in the vigilant gaze into the far-away horizon in search of the longed-for land.

one of

First view

of land.

The midnight hour passed and it was October 12,2 1492, the most prominent dates in the world's history, made so by the work of the men of these three little, lonely vessels so far from the civilized world, with crews so lately despondent, but now so full of expectant gladness. Two hours more passed when suddenly a shout of wild joy arose from the deck of the Pinta. It was followed by the firing of a gun as the joyful signal of land. There was no mistake this time; the coming dawn revealed, at a distance of six miles, a verdant shore covered with waving trees. The goal had at last been reached, and we can only imagine the joy that filled the hearts of these men after their long and painful voyage that seemed to promise so little. And what must have been the feelings of Columbus at this sacred moment? What a world of emotion must have thrilled his soul when first he realized that the object for which he had spent long years of unceasing toil, and had sacrificed so much, had at last been achieved.

THE NEW WORLD

Columbus fully believed that the discovery he had made was a new and short route to the Indies, and that the land before him was probably one of the Japanese islands lying off the eastern coast of

1 The first one to see the land was a sailor namen Rodrigo de Triana. Columbus, however, received the reward for having seen the light a few hours before.

2 New style, October 21.

Asia. Had this been the extent of his discoveries, it would indeed have been a great boon to mankind, and his name would no doubt be remembered for all time.

But he had done far more than he knew. He had opened the way to the discovery of a continent, vast in its dimensions, unknown before to civilized man, a continent containing the greatest rivers of the world, lofty ranges of mountains extending for thousands of miles, and mineral wealth that would require centuries to unfold,a continent that was to be the seat of mighty empires and the home of millions yet to be born. What would have been the thoughts of Columbus had all this, as the result of his discovery, been presented to his vision?

The land first discovered by Columbus was one of the Bahama Islands which he called San Salvador.1 Soon after daybreak the three vessels cast anchor, and the admiral, richly clad in scarlet and bearing the royal banner of Spain, made for the shore in a small boat. He was accompanied by Pinzon and a few others. The beach was lined with human beings who had come running from the woods on seeing the vessels, which they thought to be gigantic white-winged birds. As the Spaniards approached the shore, the natives fled in terror, and in a few moments all were hidden away in the forest. Columbus on landing was overcome with emotion; he burst into tears; he bowed himself down and kissed the ground; he thanked God for the realization of the dream that he had cherished so long. He then drew his sword and took possession of the new lands in the name of the sovereigns of Spain, and exacted at the same time the most solemn promise of obedience from his followers. Their attitude had greatly changed; their bitterness toward the admiral for having led them so far into the region of the unknown was now replaced by a feeling little short of admiration. They surrounded and embraced him, kissed his hands, and promised the most implicit obedience.

The "Indians."

The natives, seeing that they were not pursued, and overcome by curiosity began again to emerge from their coverts. They approached the Spaniards slowly and timidly, bowing themselves to the ground again and again, and showing every sign of adoration. They were especially attracted by the

1 It is not positively known which of the Bahamas was the landing place of Columbus. Most writers believe it was Watling Island. See Adams's "Columbus," p. 89.

CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS AND THE AGE OF DISCOVERY 17

shining armor, the beards, the clothing, and the light color of their strange visitors, whom they thought to be inhabitants of the skies, and the commanding appearance of Columbus in his brilliant uniform plainly indicated that he was the leader.1

Columbus was greatly interested in the newly found specimens of the human race that stood before him. They were cinnamonbrown in color, darker than the European and lighter than the African, had straight, raven-black hair, high foreheads, expressive eyes, and well-formed bodies. They wore no clothing whatever, and all were males except one, a young female of beautifully formed body. Columbus believed himself to be in the Indies, and he called these people "Indians," a name that spread until it included all the aborigines of the Americas.

Columbus cruised for ten days about this island and its neighbors, and he was puzzled. He was searching for the Indies. He saw waving forests and crystal streams and bright-plumed birds; but where were the towered cities, the mighty rivers? where were the spices and the ivory and the gold? He found naked savages; where were the kings and the princes in their royal robes? Surely he must find Cathay? He bore a friendly letter from the king and queen of Spain to the Grand Kahn. Could he return to Europe without seeing the mighty emperor, or even locating his gorgeous dominions? Alas for the limitations of genius! Looking upon this scene from our standpoint, how pathetic it seems. Columbus was groping among these little islands in search of an empire that was more than ten thousand miles away, and between him and it lay an undiscovered ocean far greater in extent than the one that he had crossed.

When the Spaniards asked the natives where gold could be procured, they always pointed to the south. They also told of a rich and populous island called Cuba. This must be Cipango, thought Columbus, and thither he steered. They discovered the Cuban coast, but it seemed much like the other lands they had seen. The admiral sent two explorers far into the interior; they found the most luxuriant groves swarming with bright-hued birds and insects; they found fields of maize and cotton, but no rich cities as Cuba. Marco Polo had described-only rude villages of huts aswarm with naked barbarians, such as they had seen at San Salvador. Again was Columbus baffled, and he sailed away after a cruise

1 Irving, Vol. I, p. 195.

C

of several weeks and discovered the island of Hayti, which he named Hispaniola (Spanish land). The autumn weeks passed. Pinzon with the Pinta had separated from the other two caravels, no one knew why. On Christmas Day the Santa Maria drifted upon the shoals of an island and was wrecked. Columbus now bethought himself of his condition. The world had not yet heard of his great discoveries. Only the little Nina was left him, and a vast ocean rolled between him and civilization. Suppose she, too, were wrecked! He and his friends must then spend their lives among the savages in these far-off islands of the sea, and who would tell the story of their discoveries? Except as a dreamer and a fanatic, who then would remember the name of Columbus? It is true, they had not found Cathay, nor could they bring back spices and precious stones; but they had discovered strange, beautiful lands beyond the dark sea, and a new race of mankind; and the coast of Asia they thought must be near, and if so, the way to the Indies was found at last. this not success? This story Columbus wished to bear to the sovereigns of Spain and to proclaim it to the waiting world.

was

Moved by such thoughts Columbus determined to embark for Europe without delay. In a rude building made of the timbers of the Santa Maria forty of the men, who wished to remain, made their home, and the rest embarked on January 4, carrying with them ten of the native Indians. In a few days they unexpectedly overtook Pinzon with the Pinta cruising about the Cuban coast, and the two launched out together for Europe. After sailing for some time they encountered a storm of the most violent character. The small vessels labored and struggled for life, lost in the hollow of the waves or riding high on their crest, at length drifting apart to meet no more during the voyage. The crew of each believed the other to have perished.

Columbus almost abandoned hope of ever reaching Europe, and he prepared two carefully written accounts of his discoveries; the one he retained in the ship, while the other he sealed in a ball of wax, placed it into an air-tight casket addressed to Ferdinand and Isabella, and threw it overboard, in the hope that, should he and his crew find a grave beneath the billows, some future wanderer of the ocean might pick up the little token, and that it might reveal to the world the strange story of their romantic wanderings, and thus the name of Columbus might not perish nor the benefits of his success be lost to mankind.

CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS AND THE AGE OF DISCOVERY 19

March 15,

But the storm abated and the little craft was still afloat, and, strange to say, a few weeks later, on the same day and but few hours apart, the Nina and the Pinta, after their long separation, were moored in the haven at Palos, Spain, whence they had weighed anchor more than seven months before.'

LATER CAREER OF COLUMBUS

1493.

Seldom in any country has a private citizen received such homage as was accorded Columbus by Spain on the completion of this famous voyage. The people of Palos were wild with joy when they learned that the vessels entering their harbor on that fifteenth of March were the same that had gone on their perilous voyage the year before. The places of business were closed, bells were rung, and the whole people gave themselves up to a long fête of exultation. What a contrast between this reception of the hero and that given him a few years before when, in these same streets, he was jeered by the rabble as an adventurer and a madman when he was forced to beg a crust of bread for his hungry child at the little convent on the hill!

2

Columbus soon apprised his sovereigns at Barcelona of his return and his success, and they bade him come at once into their presence. His journey thither was a triumphal march. In front of the procession were six of the ten Indians brought from the New World; next were exhibited live parrots, stuffed birds of unknown species, plants and Indian ornaments and trinkets. Columbus rode superbly in the midst surrounded by the choice chivalry of Spain. As the procession entered Barcelona the people abandoned themselves to the most unrestrained enthusiasm. The streets were thronged with a surging multitude, the windows were filled with wondering eyes, and even the house tops were covered Reception of with men eager to get a glimpse of this strange proThe king and queen sat in state upon the throne, beneath a canopy of gold, erected for the occasion, and surrounded by the highest nobility of Spain. Here they waited to do honor to this civilian, whose achievements had made for them, as

cession.

Columbus at
Barcelona.

1 It is notable that the voyage westward had been begun on a Friday, had left the Canaries on Friday, that land was first sighted on Friday, that the return voyage was begun and ended on Friday.

2 One had died on the voyage and three were ill at Palos. Irving gives a fine description of Columbus's reception by Ferdinand and Isabella.