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diff --git a/4116-h/4116-h.htm b/4116-h/4116-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..7479b9a --- /dev/null +++ b/4116-h/4116-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,16162 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> + <head> + <title> + CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS, Complete + </title> + <link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover.jpg" /> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + .indent5 { margin-left: 5%;} + .indent10 { margin-left: 10%;} + .indent15 { margin-left: 15%;} + .indent20 { margin-left: 20%;} + .indent30 { margin-left: 30%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 100%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + .side { float: left; font-size: 75%; width: 25%; padding-left: 0.8em; + border-left: dashed thin; text-align: left; + text-indent: 0; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; + font-weight: bold; color: black; background: #eeeeee; border: solid 1px;} + p.pfirst, p.noindent {text-indent: 0} + span.dropcap { float: left; margin: 0 0.1em 0 0; line-height: 1 } + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> + <h2> + CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS, Complete + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +Project Gutenberg's Christopher Columbus, Complete, by Filson Young + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Christopher Columbus, Complete + +Author: Filson Young + +Release Date: October 7, 2006 [EBook #4116] +Last Updated: August 24, 2016 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS, COMPLETE *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h1> + CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS + </h1> + <h1> + AND THE NEW WORLD OF HIS DISCOVERY + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + A NARRATIVE BY FILSON YOUNG + </h2> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img alt="bookcover.jpg (150K)" src="images/bookcover.jpg" + style="width:100%;" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <p> + <a name="frontpiece" id="frontpiece"></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img alt="frontpiece.jpg (42K)" src="images/frontpiece.jpg" + style="width:100%;" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img alt="titlepage.jpg (38K)" src="images/titlepage.jpg" + style="width:100%;" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h3> + TO + </h3> + <h3> + THE RIGHT HON. SIR HORACE PLUNKETT, + </h3> + <h3> + K.C.V.O., D.C.L., F.R.S. + </h3> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <p> + MY DEAR HORACE, + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p> + Often while I have been studying the records of colonisation in the New + World I have thought of you and your difficult work in Ireland; and I have + said to myself, “What a time he would have had if he had been + Viceroy of the Indies in 1493!” There, if ever, was the chance for a + Department such as yours; and there, if anywhere, was the place for the + Economic Man. Alas! there war only one of him; William Ires or Eyre, by + name, from the county Galway; and though he fertilised the soil he did it + with his blood and bones. A wonderful chance; and yet you see what came of + it all. It would perhaps be stretching truth too far to say that you are + trying to undo some of Columbus’s work, and to stop up the hole he + made in Ireland when he found a channel into which so much of what was + best in the Old Country war destined to flow; for you and he have each + your places in the great circle of Time and Compensation, and though you + may seem to oppose one another across the centuries you are really + answering the same call and working in the same vineyard. For we all set + out to discover new worlds; and they are wise who realise early that human + nature has roots that spread beneath the ocean bed, that neither latitude + nor longitude nor time itself can change it to anything richer or stranger + than what it is, and that furrows ploughed in it are furrows ploughed in + the sea sand. Columbus tried to pour the wine of civilisation into very + old bottles; you, more wisely, are trying to pour the old wine of our + country into new bottles. Yet there is no great unlikeness between the two + tasks: it is all a matter of bottling; the vintage is the same, infinite, + inexhaustible, and as punctual as the sun and the seasons. It was Columbus’s + weakness as an administrator that he thought the bottle was everything; it + is your strength that you care for the vintage, and labour to preserve its + flavour and soft fire. + </p> + <p> + Yours, <br /><br />FILSON YOUNG. <br /><br />RUAN MINOR, September 1906. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + PREFACE + </h2> + <p> + The writing of historical biography is properly a work of partnership, to + which public credit is awarded too often in an inverse proportion to the + labours expended. One group of historians, labouring in the obscurest + depths, dig and prepare the ground, searching and sifting the documentary + soil with infinite labour and over an area immensely wide. They are + followed by those scholars and specialists in history who give their lives + to the study of a single period, and who sow literature in the furrows of + research prepared by those who have preceded them. Last of all comes the + essayist, or writer pure and simple, who reaps the harvest so laboriously + prepared. The material lies all before him; the documents have been + arranged, the immense contemporary fields of record and knowledge examined + and searched for stray seeds of significance that may have blown over into + them; the perspective is cleared for him, the relation of his facts to + time and space and the march of human civilisation duly established; he + has nothing to do but reap the field of harvest where it suits him, grind + it in the wheels of whatever machinery his art is equipped with, and come + before the public with the finished product. And invariably in this + unequal partnership he reaps most richly who reaps latest. + </p> + <p> + I am far from putting this narrative forward as the fine and ultimate + product of all the immense labour and research of the historians of + Columbus; but I am anxious to excuse myself for my apparent presumption in + venturing into a field which might more properly be occupied by the expert + historian. It would appear that the double work of acquiring the facts of + a piece of human history and of presenting them through the medium of + literature can hardly ever be performed by one and the same man. A + lifetime must be devoted to the one, a year or two may suffice for the + other; and an entirely different set of qualities must be employed in the + two tasks. I cannot make it too clear that I make no claim to have added + one iota of information or one fragment of original research to the expert + knowledge regarding the life of Christopher Columbus; and when I add that + the chief collection of facts and documents relating to the subject, the + ‘Raccolta Columbiana,’—[Raccolta di Documenti e Studi + Publicati dalla R. Commissione Colombiana, etc. Auspice il Ministero della + Publica Istruzione. Rome, 1892-4.]—is a work consisting of more than + thirty folio volumes, the general reader will be the more indulgent to me. + But when a purely human interest led me some time ago to look into the + literature of Columbus, I was amazed to find what seemed to me a striking + disproportion between the extent of the modern historians’ work on + that subject and the knowledge or interest in it displayed by what we call + the general reading public. I am surprised to find how many well-informed + people there are whose knowledge of Columbus is comprised within two + beliefs, one of them erroneous and the other doubtful: that he discovered + America, and performed a trick with an egg. Americans, I think, are a + little better informed on the subject than the English; perhaps because + the greater part of modern critical research on the subject of Columbus + has been the work of Americans. It is to bridge the immense gap existing + between the labours of the historians and the indifference of the modern + reader, between the Raccolta Columbiana, in fact, and the story of the + egg, that I have written my narrative. + </p> + <p> + It is customary and proper to preface a work which is based entirely on + the labours of other people with an acknowledgment of the sources whence + it is drawn; and yet in the case of Columbus I do not know where to begin. + In one way I am indebted to every serious writer who has even remotely + concerned himself with the subject, from Columbus himself and Las Casas + down to the editors of the Raccolta. The chain of historians has been so + unbroken, the apostolic succession, so to speak, has passed with its + heritage so intact from generation to generation, that the latest + historian enshrines in his work the labours of all the rest. Yet there are + necessarily some men whose work stands out as being more immediately + seizable than that of others; in the period of whose care the lamp of + inspiration has seemed to burn more brightly. In a matter of this kind I + cannot pretend to be a judge, but only to state my own experience and + indebtedness; and in my work I have been chiefly helped by Las Casas, + indirectly of course by Ferdinand Columbus, Herrera, Oviedo, Bernaldez, + Navarrete, Asensio, Mr. Payne, Mr. Harrisse, Mr. Vignaud, Mr. Winsor, Mr. + Thacher, Sir Clements Markham, Professor de Lollis, and S. Salvagnini. It + is thus not among the dusty archives of Seville, Genoa, or San Domingo + that I have searched, but in the archive formed by the writings of modern + workers. To have myself gone back to original sources, even if I had been + competent to do so, would have been in the case of Columbian research but + a waste of time and a doing over again what has been done already with + patience, diligence, and knowledge. The historians have been committed to + the austere task of finding out and examining every fact and document in + connection with their subject; and many of these facts and documents are + entirely without human interest except in so far as they help to establish + a date, a name, or a sum of money. It has been my agreeable and lighter + task to test and assay the masses of bed-rock fact thus excavated by the + historians for traces of the particular ore which I have been seeking. In + fact I have tried to discover, from a reverent examination of all these + monographs, essays, histories, memoirs, and controversies concerning what + Christopher Columbus did, what Christopher Columbus was; believing as I do + that any labour by which he can be made to live again, and from the dust + of more than four hundred years be brought visibly to the mind’s + eye, will not be entirely without use and interest. Whether I have + succeeded in doing so or not I cannot be the judge; I can only say that + the labour of resuscitating a man so long buried beneath mountains of + untruth and controversy has some times been so formidable as to have + seemed hopeless. And yet one is always tempted back by the knowledge that + Christopher Columbus is not only a name, but that the human being whom we + so describe did actually once live and walk in the world; did actually + sail and look upon seas where we may also sail and look; did stir with his + feet the indestructible dust of this old Earth, and centre in himself, as + we all do, the whole interest and meaning of the Universe. Truly the most + commonplace fact, yet none the less amazing; and often when in the dust of + documents he has seemed most dead and unreal to me I have found courage + from the entertainment of some deep or absurd reflection; such as that he + did once undoubtedly, like other mortals, blink and cough and blow his + nose. And if my readers could realise that fact throughout every page of + this book, I should say that I had succeeded in my task. + </p> + <p> + To be more particular in my acknowledgments. In common with every modern + writer on Columbus—and modern research on the history of Columbus is + only thirty years old—I owe to the labours of Mr. Henry Harrisse, + the chief of modern Columbian historians, the indebtedness of the + gold-miner to the gold-mine. In the matters of the Toscanelli + correspondence and the early years of Columbus I have followed more + closely Mr. Henry Vignaud, whose work may be regarded as a continuation + and reexamination—in some cases destructive—of that of Mr. + Harrisse. Mr. Vignaud’s work is happily not yet completed; we all + look forward eagerly to the completion of that part of his ‘Etudes + Critiques’ dealing with the second half of the Admiral’s life; + and Mr. Vignaud seems to me to stand higher than all modern workers in + this field in the patient and fearless discovery of the truth regarding + certain very controversial matters, and also in ability to give a sound + and reasonable interpretation to those obscurer facts or deductions in + Columbus’s life that seem doomed never to be settled by the aid of + documents alone. It may be unseemly in me not to acknowledge indebtedness + to Washington Irving, but I cannot conscientiously do so. If I had been + writing ten or fifteen years ago I might have taken his work seriously; + but it is impossible that anything so one-sided, so inaccurate, so untrue + to life, and so profoundly dull could continue to exist save in the + absence of any critical knowledge or light on the subject. All that can be + said for him is that he kept the lamp of interest in Columbus alive for + English readers during the period that preceded the advent of modern + critical research. Mr. Major’s edition’ of Columbus’s + letters has been freely consulted by me, as it must be by any one + interested in the subject. Professor Justin Winsor’s work has + provided an invaluable store of ripe scholarship in matters of cosmography + and geographical detail; Sir Clements Markham’s book, by far the + most trustworthy of modern English works on the subject, and a valuable + record of the established facts in Columbus’s life, has proved a + sound guide in nautical matters; while the monograph of Mr. Elton, which + apparently did not promise much at first, since the author has followed + some untrustworthy leaders as regards his facts, proved to be full of a + fragrant charm produced by the writer’s knowledge of and interest in + sub-tropical vegetation; and it is delightfully filled with the names of + gums and spices. To Mr. Vignaud I owe special thanks, not only for the + benefits of his research and of his admirable works on Columbus, but also + for personal help and encouragement. Equally cordial thanks are due to Mr. + John Boyd Thacher, whose work, giving as it does so large a selection of + the Columbus documents both in facsimile, transliteration, and + translation, is of the greatest service to every English writer on the + subject of Columbus. It is the more to be regretted, since the documentary + part of Mr. Thacher’s work is so excellent, that in his critical + studies he should have seemed to ignore some of the more important results + of modern research. I am further particularly indebted to Mr. Thacher and + to his publishers, Messrs. Putnam’s Sons, for permission to + reproduce certain illustrations in his work, and to avail myself also of + his copies and translations of original Spanish and Italian documents. I + have to thank Commendatore Guido Biagi, the keeper of the Laurentian + Library in Florence, for his very kind help and letters of introduction to + Italian librarians; Mr. Raymond Beazley, of Merton College, Oxford, for + his most helpful correspondence; and Lord Dunraven for so kindly bringing, + in the interests of my readers, his practical knowledge of navigation and + seamanship to bear on the first voyage of Columbus. Finally my work has + been helped and made possible by many intimate and personal kindnesses + which, although they are not specified, are not the less deeply + acknowledged. + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p> + September 1906. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + ILLUSTRATIONS AND MAPS + </h2> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <blockquote> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> +<a href="#frontpiece">"LES CONQUERANTS"</a> Frontpiece By NORMAN WILKINSON +<a href="#genoastreet">SAINT ANDREW’S GATE</a> +<a href="#genoastreet2">STREET IN GENOA</a> +<a href="#p113">LA RABIDA</a> +<a href="#p127">PALOS HARBOUR</a> +<a href="#p141">THE SEA ASTROLABE</a> +<a href="#p143">PORTUGUESE MAPPEMONDE</a> +<a href="#behaimglobe">BEHAIM’S GLOBE</a> +<a href="#p163">WATLING’S ISLAND</a> +<a href="#p227">CARAVEL. (FIFTEENTH CENTURY</a> +<a href="#espanola">MAP OF ESPANOLA</a> +<a href="#fourvoyages">THE FOUR VOYAGES OF COLUMBUS</a> + +<a href="#portrait">CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS</a>—Frontispiece Volume II. +<a href="#crudemap">MAP OF THE NORTHERN COAST OF ESPANOLA</a>—Drawn by COLUMBUS +<a href="#veragua">VERAGUA</a> +<a href="#facsimile">FACSIMILE LETTER OF COLUMBUS</a> +<a href="#westindies">THE WEST INDIES</a> +<a href="#isabella">ISABELLA OF CASTILE</a> +<a href="#ferdinand">FERDINAND OF ARRAGON</a> +<a href="#deathplace">HOUSE AT VALLADOLID WHERE COLUMBUS DIED</a> +</pre> + </blockquote> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + CONTENTS + </h2> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + <a href="#bk1">BOOK I.</a> + </h2> + <p> + <br /> <br /><br /> + </p> + <h3> + THE INNER LIGHT + </h3> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <p> + I <a href="#ch1">THE STREAM OF THE WORLD</a> + </p> + <p> + II <a href="#ch2">THE HOME IN GENOA</a> + </p> + <p> + III <a href="#ch3">YOUNG CHRISTOPHER</a> + </p> + <p> + IV <a href="#ch4">DOMENICO</a> + </p> + <p> + V <a href="#ch5">SEA THOUGHTS</a> + </p> + <p> + VI <a href="#ch6">IN PORTUGAL</a> + </p> + <p> + VII <a href="#ch7">ADVENTURES BODILY AND SPIRITUAL</a> + </p> + <p> + VIII <a href="#ch8">THE FIRE KINDLES</a> + </p> + <p> + IX <a href="#ch9">WANDERINGS WITH AN IDEA</a> + </p> + <p> + X <a href="#ch10">OUR LADY OF LA RABIDA</a> + </p> + <p> + XI <a href="#ch11">THE CONSENT OF SPAIN</a> + </p> + <p> + XII <a href="#ch12">THE PREPARATIONS AT PALOS</a> + </p> + <p> + XIII <a href="#ch13">EVENTS OF THE FIRST VOYAGE</a> + </p> + <p> + XIV <a href="#ch14">LANDFALL</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + <a href="#bk2">BOOK II.</a> + </h2> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h3> + THE NEW WORLD + </h3> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <p> + I <a href="#ch1b">THE ENCHANTED ISLANDS</a> + </p> + <p> + II <a href="#ch2b">THE EARTHLY PARADISE</a> + </p> + <p> + III <a href="#ch3b">THE VOYAGE HOME</a> + </p> + <p> + IV <a href="#ch4b">THE HOUR OF TRIUMPH</a> + </p> + <p> + V <a href="#ch5b">GREAT EXPECTATIONS</a> + </p> + <p> + VI <a href="#ch6b">THE SECOND VOYAGE</a> + </p> + <p> + VII <a href="#ch7b">THE EARTHLY PARADISE REVISITED</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + <a href="#bk3">BOOK III.</a> + </h2> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h3> + DESPERATE REMEDIES + </h3> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <p> + I <a href="#ch1c">THE VOYAGE TO CUBA</a> + </p> + <p> + II <a href="#ch2c">THE CONQUEST OF ESPANOLA</a> + </p> + <p> + III <a href="#ch3c">UPS AND DOWNS</a> + </p> + <p> + IV <a href="#ch4c">IN SPAIN AGAIN</a> + </p> + <p> + V <a href="#ch5c">THE THIRD VOYAGE</a> + </p> + <p> + VI <a href="#ch6c">AN INTERLUDE</a> + </p> + <p> + VII <a href="#ch7c">THE THIRD VOYAGE</a> (continued) + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + <a href="#bk4">BOOK IV.</a> + </h2> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h3> + TOWARDS THE SUNSET + </h3> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <p> + I <a href="#ch1d">DEGRADATION</a> + </p> + <p> + II <a href="#ch2d">CRISIS IN THE ADMIRAL’S LIFE</a> + </p> + <p> + III <a href="#ch3d">THE LAST VOYAGE</a> + </p> + <p> + IV <a href="#ch4d">HEROIC ADVENTURES BY LAND AND SEA</a> + </p> + <p> + V <a href="#ch5d">THE ECLIPSE OF THE MOON</a> + </p> + <p> + VI <a href="#ch6d">RELIEF OF THE ADMIRAL</a> + </p> + <p> + VII <a href="#ch7d">THE HERITAGE OF HATRED</a> + </p> + <p> + VIII <a href="#ch8d">THE ADMIRAL COMES HOME</a> + </p> + <p> + IX <a href="#ch9d">THE LAST DAYS</a> + </p> + <p> + X <a href="#ch10d">THE MAN COLUMBUS</a> + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + THY WAY IS THE SEA,<br /><br /> AND THY PATH IN THE GREAT WATERS,<br /><br /> + AND THY FOOTSTEPS ARE NOT KNOWN.<br /><br /> + </h2> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + <a name="bk1" id="bk1"></a>BOOK I. + </h2> + <h3> + THE INNER LIGHT + </h3> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + <a name="ch1" id="ch1"></a>CHAPTER I + </h2> + <h3> + THE STREAM OF THE WORLD + </h3> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p> + A man standing on the sea-shore is perhaps as ancient and as primitive a + symbol of wonder as the mind can conceive. Beneath his feet are the stones + and grasses of an element that is his own, natural to him, in some degree + belonging to him, at any rate accepted by him. He has place and condition + there. Above him arches a world of immense void, fleecy sailing clouds, + infinite clear blueness, shapes that change and dissolve; his day comes + out of it, his source of light and warmth marches across it, night falls + from it; showers and dews also, and the quiet influence of stars. Strange + that impalpable element must be, and for ever unattainable by him; yet + with its gifts of sun and shower, its furniture of winged life that + inhabits also on the friendly soil, it has links and partnerships with + life as he knows it and is a complement of earthly conditions. But at his + feet there lies the fringe of another element, another condition, of a + vaster and more simple unity than earth or air, which the primitive man of + our picture knows to be not his at all. It is fluent and unstable, yet to + be touched and felt; it rises and falls, moves and frets about his very + feet, as though it had a life and entity of its own, and was engaged upon + some mysterious business. Unlike the silent earth and the dreaming clouds + it has a voice that fills his world and, now low, now loud, echoes + throughout his waking and sleeping life. Earth with her sprouting fruits + behind and beneath him; sky, and larks singing, above him; before him, an + eternal alien, the sea: he stands there upon the shore, arrested, + wondering. He lives,—this man of our figure; he proceeds, as all + must proceed, with the task and burden of life. One by one its miracles + are unfolded to him; miracles of fire and cold, and pain and pleasure; the + seizure of love, the terrible magic of reproduction, the sad miracle of + death. He fights and lusts and endures; and, no more troubled by any + wonder, sleeps at last. But throughout the days of his life, in the very + act of his rude existence, this great tumultuous presence of the sea + troubles and overbears him. Sometimes in its bellowing rage it terrifies + him, sometimes in its tranquillity it allures him; but whatever he is + doing, grubbing for roots, chipping experimentally with bones and stones, + he has an eye upon it; and in his passage by the shore he pauses, looks, + and wonders. His eye is led from the crumbling snow at his feet, past the + clear green of the shallows, beyond the furrows of the nearer waves, to + the calm blue of the distance; and in his glance there shines again that + wonder, as in his breast stirs the vague longing and unrest that is the + life-force of the world. + </p> + <p> + What is there beyond? It is the eternal question asked by the finite of + the infinite, by the mortal of the immortal; answer to it there is none + save in the unending preoccupation of life and labour. And if this old + question was in truth first asked upon the sea-shore, it was asked most + often and with the most painful wonder upon western shores, whence the + journeying sun was seen to go down and quench himself in the sea. The + generations that followed our primitive man grew fast in knowledge, and + perhaps for a time wondered the less as they knew the more; but we may be + sure they never ceased to wonder at what might lie beyond the sea. How + much more must they have wondered if they looked west upon the waters, and + saw the sun of each succeeding day sink upon a couch of glory where they + could not follow? All pain aspires to oblivion, all toil to rest, all + troubled discontent with what is present to what is unfamiliar and far + away; and no power of knowledge and scientific fact will ever prevent + human unhappiness from reaching out towards some land of dreams of which + the burning brightness of a sea sunset is an image. Is it very hard to + believe, then, that in that yearning towards the miracle of a sun quenched + in sea distance, felt and felt again in human hearts through countless + generations, the westward stream of human activity on this planet had its + rise? Is it unreasonable to picture, on an earth spinning eastward, a + treadmill rush of feet to follow the sinking light? The history of man’s + life in this world does not, at any rate, contradict us. Wisdom, + discovery, art, commerce, science, civilisation have all moved west across + our world; have all in their cycles followed the sun; have all, in their + day of power, risen in the East and set in the West. + </p> + <p> + This stream of life has grown in force and volume with the passage of + ages. It has always set from shore to sea in countless currents of + adventure and speculation; but it has set most strongly from East to West. + On its broad bosom the seeds of life and knowledge have been carried + throughout the world. It brought the people of Tyre and Carthage to the + coasts and oceans of distant worlds; it carried the English from Jutland + across cold and stormy waters to the islands of their conquest; it carried + the Romans across half the world; it bore the civilisation of the far East + to new life and virgin western soils; it carried the new West to the old + East, and is in our day bringing back again the new East to the old West. + Religions, arts, tradings, philosophies, vices and laws have been borne, a + strange flotsam, upon its unchanging flood. It has had its springs and + neaps, its trembling high-water marks, its hour of affluence, when the + world has been flooded with golden humanity; its ebb and effluence also, + when it has seemed to shrink and desert the kingdoms set upon its shores. + The fifteenth century in Western Europe found it at a pause in its + movements: it had brought the trade and the learning of the East to the + verge of the Old World, filling the harbours of the Mediterranean with + ships and the monasteries of Italy and Spain with wisdom; and in the + subsequent and punctual decadence that followed this flood, there gathered + in the returning tide a greater energy and volume which was to carry the + Old World bodily across the ocean. And yet, for all their wisdom and + power, the Spanish and Portuguese were still in the attitude of our + primitive man, standing on the sea-shore and looking out in wonder across + the sea. + </p> + <p> + The flood of the life-stream began to set again, and little by little to + rise and inundate Western Europe, floating off the galleys and caravels of + King Alphonso of Portugal, and sending them to feel their way along the + coasts of Africa; a little later drawing the mind of Prince Henry the + Navigator to devote his life to the conquest and possession of the + unknown. In his great castle on the promontory of Sagres, with the voice + of the Atlantic thundering in his ears, and its mists and sprays bounding + his vision, he felt the full force of the stream, and stretched his arms + to the mysterious West. But the inner light was not yet so brightly + kindled that he dared to follow his heart; his ships went south and south + again, to brave on each voyage the dangers and terrors that lay along the + unknown African coast, until at length his captains saw the Cape of Good + Hope. South and West and East were in those days confusing terms; for it + was the East that men were thinking of when they set their faces to the + setting sun, and it was a new road to the East that they sought when they + felt their way southward along the edge of the world. But the rising tide + of discovery was working in that moment, engaging the brains of + innumerable sages, stirring the wonder of innumerable mariners; reaching + also, little by little, to quarters less immediately concerned with the + business of discovery. Ships carried the strange tidings of new coasts and + new islands from port to port throughout the Mediterranean; Venetians on + the lagoons, Ligurians on the busy trading wharves of Genoa, were + discussing the great subject; and as the tide rose and spread, it floated + one ship of life after another that was destined for the great business of + adventure. Some it inspired to dream and speculate, and to do no more than + that; many a heart also to brave efforts and determinations that were + doomed to come to nothing and to end only in failure. And among others who + felt the force and was swayed and lifted by the prevailing influence, + there lived, some four and a half centuries ago, a little boy playing + about the wharves of Genoa, well known to his companions as Christoforo, + son of Domenico the wool-weaver, who lived in the Vico Dritto di + Ponticello. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + <a name="ch2" id="ch2"></a>CHAPTER II. + </h2> + <h3> + THE HOME IN GENOA + </h3> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p> + It is often hard to know how far back we should go in the ancestry of a + man whose life and character we are trying to reconstruct. The life that + is in him is not his own, but is mysteriously transmitted through the life + of his parents; to the common stock of his family, flesh of their flesh, + bone of their bone, character of their character, he has but added his own + personality. However far back we go in his ancestry, there is something of + him to be traced, could we but trace it; and although it soon becomes so + widely scattered that no separate fraction of it seems to be recognisable, + we know that, generations back, we may come upon some sympathetic fact, + some reservoir of the essence that was him, in which we can find the + source of many of his actions, and the clue, perhaps, to his character. + </p> + <p> + In the case of Columbus we are spared this dilemma. The past is reticent + enough about the man himself; and about his ancestors it is almost silent. + We know that he had a father and grandfather, as all grandsons of Adam + have had; but we can be certain of very little more than that. He came of + a race of Italian yeomen inhabiting the Apennine valleys; and in the vale + of Fontanabuona, that runs up into the hills behind Genoa, the two streams + of family from which he sprang were united. His father from one hamlet, + his mother from another; the towering hills behind, the Mediterranean + shining in front; love and marriage in the valley; and a little boy to + come of it whose doings were to shake the world. + </p> + <p> + His family tree begins for us with his grandfather, Giovanni Colombo of + Terra-Rossa, one of the hamlets in the valley—concerning whom many + human facts may be inferred, but only three are certainly known; that he + lived, begot children, and died. Lived, first at Terra Rossa, and + afterwards upon the sea-shore at Quinto; begot children in number three—Antonio, + Battestina, and Domenico, the father of our Christopher; and died, because + one of the two facts in his history is that in the year 1444 he was not + alive, being referred to in a legal document as quondam, or, as we should + say, “the late.” Of his wife, Christopher’s grandmother, + since she never bought or sold or witnessed anything requiring the record + of legal document, history speaks no word; although doubtless some + pleasant and picturesque old lady, or lady other than pleasant and + picturesque, had place in the experience or imagination of young + Christopher. Of the pair, old Quondam Giovanni alone survives the + obliterating drift of generations, which the shores and brown slopes of + Quinto al Mare, where he sat in the sun and looked about him, have also + survived. Doubtless old Quondam could have told us many things about + Domenico, and his over-sanguine buyings and sellings; have perhaps told us + something about Christopher’s environment, and cleared up our doubts + concerning his first home; but he does not. He will sit in the sun there + at Quinto, and sip his wine, and say his Hail Marys, and watch the sails + of the feluccas leaning over the blue floor of the Mediterranean as long + as you please; but of information about son or family, not a word. He is + content to have survived, and triumphantly twinkles his two dates at us + across the night of time. 1440, alive; 1444, not alive any longer: and so + hail and farewell, Grandfather John. + </p> + <p> + Of Antonio and Battestina, the uncle and aunt of Columbus, we know next to + nothing. Uncle Antonio inherited the estate of Terra-Rossa, Aunt + Battestina was married in the valley; and so no more of either of them; + except that Antonio, who also married, had sons, cousins of Columbus, who + in after years, when he became famous, made themselves unpleasant, as poor + relations will, by recalling themselves to his remembrance and suggesting + that something might be done for them. I have a belief, supported by no + historical fact or document, that between the families of Domenico and + Antonio there was a mild cousinly feud. I believe they did not like each + other. Domenico, as we shall see presently, was sanguine and venturesome, + a great buyer and seller, a maker of bargains in which he generally came + off second best. Antonio, who settled in Terra-Rossa, the paternal + property, doubtless looked askance at these enterprises from his + vantage-ground of a settled income; doubtless also, on the occasion of + visits exchanged between the two families, he would comment upon the + unfortunate enterprises of his brother; and as the children of both + brothers grew up, they would inherit and exaggerate, as children will, + this settled difference between their respective parents. This, of course, + may be entirely untrue, but I think it possible, and even likely; for + Columbus in after life displayed a very tender regard for members of his + family, but never to our knowledge makes any reference to these cousins of + his, till they send emissaries to him in his hour of triumph. At any rate, + among the influences that surrounded him at Genoa we may reckon this uncle + and aunt and their children—dim ghosts to us, but to him real + people, who walked and spoke, and blinked their eyes and moved their + limbs, like the men and women of our own time. Less of a ghost to us, + though still a very shadowy and doubtful figure, is Domenico himself, + Christopher’s father. He at least is a man in whom we can feel a + warm interest, as the one who actually begat and reared the man of our + story. We shall see him later, and chiefly in difficulties; executing + deeds and leases, and striking a great variety of legal attitudes, to the + witnessing of which various members of his family were called in. Little + enough good did they to him at the time, poor Domenico; but he was a + benefactor to posterity without knowing it, and in these grave notarial + documents preserved almost the only evidence that we have as to the early + days of his illustrious son. A kind, sanguine man, this Domenico, who, if + he failed to make a good deal of money in his various enterprises, at + least had some enjoyment of them, as the man who buys and sells and + strikes legal attitudes in every age desires and has. He was a wool-carder + by trade, but that was not enough for him; he must buy little bits of + estates here and there; must even keep a tavern, where he and his wife + could entertain the foreign sailors and hear the news of the world; where + also, although perhaps they did not guess it, a sharp pair of ears were + also listening, and a pair of round eyes gazing, and an inquisitive face + set in astonishment at the strange tales that went about. + </p> + <p> + There is one fragment of fact about this Domenico that greatly enlarges + our knowledge of him. He was a wool-weaver, as we know; he also kept a + tavern, and no doubt justified the adventure on the plea that it would + bring him customers for his woollen cloth; for your buyer and seller never + lacks a reason either for his selling or buying. Presently he is buying + again; this time, still with striking of legal attitudes, calling together + of relations, and accompaniments of crabbed Latin notarial documents, a + piece of ground in the suburbs of Genoa, consisting of scrub and + undergrowth, which cannot have been of any earthly use to him. But also, + according to the documents, there went some old wine-vats with the land. + Domenico, taking a walk after Mass on some feast-day, sees the land and + the wine-vats; thinks dimly but hopefully how old wine-vats, if of no use + to any other human creature, should at least be of use to a tavern-keeper; + hurries back, overpowers the perfunctory objections of his complaisant + wife, and on the morrow of the feast is off to the notary’s office. + We may be sure the wine-vats lay and rotted there, and furnished no + monetary profit to the wool-weaving tavern-keeper; but doubtless they + furnished him a rich profit of another kind when he walked about his + newly-acquired property, and explained what he was going to do with the + wine-vats. + </p> + <p> + And besides the weaving of wool and pouring of wine and buying and selling + of land, there were more human occupations, which Domenico was not the man + to neglect. He had married, about the year 1450, one Susanna, a daughter + of Giacomo of Fontana-Rossa, a silk weaver who lived in the hamlet near to + Terra-Rossa. Domenico’s father was of the more consequence of the + two, for he had, as well as his home in the valley, a house at Quinto, + where he probably kept a felucca for purposes of trade with Alexandria and + the Islands. Perhaps the young people were married at Quinto, but if so + they did not live there long, moving soon into Genoa, where Domenico could + more conveniently work at his trade. The wool-weavers at that time lived + in a quarter outside the old city walls, between them and the outer + borders of the city, which is now occupied by the park and public gardens. + Here they had their dwellings and workshops, their schools and + institutions, receiving every protection and encouragement from the + Signoria, who recognised the importance of the wool trade and its allied + industries to Genoa. Cloth-weavers, blanket-makers, silk-weavers, and + velvet-makers all lived in this quarter, and held their houses under the + neighbouring abbey of San Stefano. There are two houses mentioned in + documents which seem to have been in the possession of Domenico at + different times. One was in the suburbs outside the Olive Gate; the other + was farther in, by St. Andrew’s Gate, and quite near to the sea. The + house outside the Olive Gate has disappeared; and it was probably here + that our Christopher first saw the light, and pleased Domenico’s + heart with his little cries and struggles. Neither the day nor even the + year is certainly known, but there is most reason to believe that it was + in the year 1451. They must have moved soon afterwards to the house in the + Vico Dritto di Ponticello, No. 37, in which most of Christopher’s + childhood was certainly passed. This is a house close to St. Andrew’s + Gate, which gate still stands in a beautiful and ruinous condition. + </p> + <p> + From the new part of Genoa, and from the Via XX Settembre, you turn into + the little Piazza di Ponticello just opposite the church of San Stefano. + In a moment you are in old Genoa, which is to-day in appearance virtually + the same as the place in which Christopher and his little brothers and + sisters made the first steps of their pilgrimage through this world. If + the Italian, sun has been shining fiercely upon you, in the great modern + thoroughfare, you will turn into this quarter of narrow streets and high + houses with grateful relief. The past seems to meet you there; and from + the Piazza, gay with its little provision-shops and fruit stalls, you walk + up the slope of the Vico Dritto di Ponticello, leaving the sunlight behind + you, and entering the narrow street like a traveller entering a mountain + gorge. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> <a name="genoastreet" id="genoastreet"></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img alt="genoastreet.jpg (54K)" src="images/genoastreet.jpg" + style="width:100%;" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <p> + It is a very curious street this; I suppose there is no street in the + world that has more character. Genoa invented sky-scrapers long before + Columbus had discovered America, or America had invented steel frames for + high building; but although many of the houses in the Vico Dritto di + Ponticello are seven and eight storeys high, the width of the street from + house-wall to house-wall does not average more than nine feet. The street + is not straight, moreover; it winds a little in its ascent to the old city + wall and St. Andrew’s Gate, so that you do not even see the sky much + as you look forward and upwards. The jutting cornices of the roofs, often + beautifully decorated, come together in a medley of angles and corners + that practically roof the street over; and only here and there do you see + a triangle or a parallelogram of the vivid brilliant blue that is the sky. + Besides being seven or eight storeys high, the houses are the narrowest in + the world; I should think that their average width on the street front is + ten feet. So as you walk up this street where young Christopher lived you + must think of it in these three dimensions towering slices of houses, ten + or twelve feet in width: a street often not more than eight and seldom + more than fifteen feet in width; and the walls of the houses themselves, + painted in every colour, green and pink and grey and white, and trellised + with the inevitable green window-shutters of the South, standing like + cliffs on each side of you seven or eight rooms high. There being so + little horizontal space for the people to live there, what little there is + is most economically used; and all across the tops of the houses, high + above your head, the cliffs are joined by wires and clothes-lines from + which thousands of brightly-dyed garments are always hanging and + fluttering; higher still, where the top storeys of the houses become + merged in roof, there are little patches of garden and greenery, where + geraniums and delicious tangling creepers uphold thus high above the + ground the fertile tradition of earth. You walk slowly up the paved + street. One of its characteristics, which it shares with the old streets + of most Italian towns, is that it is only used by foot-passengers, being + of course too narrow for wheels; and it is paved across with flagstones + from door to door, so that the feet and the voices echo pleasantly in it, + and make a music of their own. Without exception the ground floor of every + house is a shop—the gayest, busiest most industrious little shops in + the world. There are shops for provisions, where the delightful macaroni + lies in its various bins, and all kinds of frugal and nourishing foods are + offered for sale. There are shops for clothes and dyed finery; there are + shops for boots, where boots hang in festoons like onions outside the + window—I have never seen so many boot-shops at once in my life as I + saw in the streets surrounding the house of Columbus. And every shop that + is not a provision-shop or a clothes-shop or a boot-shop, is a wine-shop—or + at least you would think so, until you remember, after you have walked + through the street, what a lot of other kinds of shops you have seen on + your way. There are shops for newspapers and tobacco, for cheap jewellery, + for brushes, for chairs and tables and articles of wood; there are shops + with great stacks and piles of crockery; there are shops for cheese and + butter and milk—indeed from this one little street in Genoa you + could supply every necessary and every luxury of a humble life. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> <a name="genoastreet2" id="genoastreet2"></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img alt="genoastreet2.jpg (71K)" src="images/genoastreet2.jpg" + style="width:100%;" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <p> + As you still go up, the street takes a slight bend; and immediately before + you, you see it spanned by the lofty crumbled arch of St. Andrew’s + Gate, with its two mighty towers one on each side. Just as you see it you + are at Columbus’s house. The number is thirty-seven; it is like any + of the other houses, tall and narrow; and there is a slab built into the + wall above the first storey, on which is written this inscription:— + </p> + <h3> + NVLLA DOMVS TITVLO DIGNIOR<br /> HEIC<br /> PATERNIS IN AEDIBV<br /> + CHRISTOPHORVS COLVMBVS<br /> PVERITIAM<br /> PRIMAMQVE IVVENTAM TRANSEGIT + </h3> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p> + You stop and look at it; and presently you become conscious of a + difference between it and all the other houses. They are all alert, busy, + noisy, crowded with life in every storey, oozing vitality from every + window; but of all the narrow vertical strips that make up the houses of + the street, this strip numbered thirty-seven is empty, silent, and dead. + The shutters veil its windows; within it is dark, empty of furniture, and + inhabited only by a memory and a spirit. It is a strange place in which to + stand and to think of all that has happened since the man of our thoughts + looked forth from these windows, a common little boy. The world is very + much alive in the Vico Dritto di Ponticello; the little freshet of life + that flows there flows loud and incessant; and yet into what oceans of + death and silence has it not poured since it carried forth Christopher on + its stream! One thinks of the continent of that New World that he + discovered, and all the teeming millions of human lives that have sprung + up and died down, and sprung up again, and spread and increased there; all + the ploughs that have driven into its soil, the harvests that have + ripened, the waving acres and miles of grain that have answered the call + of Spring and Autumn since first the bow of his boat grated on the shore + of Guanahani. And yet of the two scenes this narrow shuttered house in a + bye-street of Genoa is at once the more wonderful and more credible; for + it contains the elements of the other. Walls and floors and a roof, a + place to eat and sleep in, a place to work and found a family, and give + tangible environment to a human soul—there is all human enterprise + and discovery, effort, adventure, and life in that. + </p> + <p> + If Christopher wanted to go down to the sea he would have to pass under + the Gate of St. Andrew, with the old prison, now pulled down to make room + for the modern buildings, on his right, and go down the Salita del Prione, + which is a continuation of the Vico Dritto di Ponticello. It slopes + downwards from the Gate as the first street sloped upwards to it; and it + contains the same assortment of shops and of houses, the same mixture of + handicrafts and industries, as were seen in the Vico Dritto di Ponticello. + Presently he would come to the Piazza dell’ Erbe, where there is no + grass, but only a pleasant circle of little houses and shops, with already + a smack of the sea in them, chiefly suggested by the shops of + instrument-makers, where to-day there are compasses and sextants and + chronometers. Out of the Piazza you come down the Via di San Donato and + into the Piazza of that name, where for over nine centuries the church of + San Donato has faced the sun and the weather. From there Christopher’s + young feet would follow the winding Via di San Bernato, a street also + inhabited by craftsmen and workers in wood and metal; and at the last turn + of it, a gash of blue between the two cliffwalls of houses, you see the + Mediterranean. + </p> + <p> + Here, then, between the narrow little house by the Gate and the clamour + and business of the sea-front, our Christopher’s feet carried him + daily during some part of his childish life. What else he did, what he + thought and felt, what little reflections he had, are but matters of + conjecture. Genoa will tell you nothing more. You may walk over the very + spot where he was born; you may unconsciously tread in the track of his + vanished feet; you may wander about the wharves of the city, and see the + ships loading and unloading—different ships, but still trafficking + in commodities not greatly different from those of his day; you may climb + the heights behind Genoa, and look out upon the great curving Gulf from + Porto Fino to where the Cape of the western Riviera dips into the sea; you + may walk along the coast to Savona, where Domenico had one of his many + habitations, where he kept the tavern, and whither Christopher’s + young feet must also have walked; and you may come back and search again + in the harbour, from the old Mole and the Bank of St. George to where the + port and quays stretch away to the medley of sailing-ships and steamers; + but you will not find any sign or trace of Christopher. No echo of the + little voice that shrilled in the narrow street sounds in the Vico Dritto; + the houses stand gaunt and straight, with a brilliant strip of blue sky + between their roofs and the cool street beneath; but they give you nothing + of what you seek. If you see a little figure running towards you in a blue + smock, the head fair-haired, the face blue-eyed and a little freckled with + the strong sunshine, it is not a real figure; it is a child of your dreams + and a ghost of the past. You may chase him while he runs about the wharves + and stumbles over the ropes, but you will never catch him. He runs before + you, zigzagging over the cobbles, up the sunny street, into the narrow + house; out again, running now towards the Duomo, hiding in the porch of + San Stefano, where the weavers held their meetings; back again along the + wharves; surely he is hiding behind that mooring-post! But you look, and + he is not there—nothing but the old harbour dust that the wind stirs + into a little eddy while you look. For he belongs not to you or me, this + child; he is not yet enslaved to the great purpose, not yet caught up into + the machinery of life. His eye has not yet caught the fire of the sun + setting on a western sea; he is still free and happy, and belongs only to + those who love him. Father and mother, brothers Bartolomeo and Giacomo, + sister Biancinetta, aunts, uncles, and cousins possibly, and possibly for + a little while an old grandmother at Quinto—these were the people to + whom that child belonged. The little life of his first decade, unviolated + by documents or history, lives happily in our dreams, as blank as + sunshine. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + <a name="ch3" id="ch3"></a>CHAPTER III. + </h2> + <h3> + YOUNG CHRISTOPHER + </h3> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p> + Christopher was fourteen years old when he first went to sea. That is his + own statement, and it is one of the few of his autobiographical utterances + that we need not doubt. From it, and from a knowledge of certain other + dates, we are able to construct some vague picture of his doings before he + left Italy and settled in Portugal. Already in his young heart he was + feeling the influence that was to direct and shape his destiny; already, + towards his home in Genoa, long ripples from the commotion of maritime + adventure in the West were beginning to spread. At the age of ten he was + apprenticed to his father, who undertook, according to the indentures, to + provide him with board and lodging, a blue gabardine and a pair of good + shoes, and various other matters in return for his service. But there is + no reason to suppose that he ever occupied himself very much with + wool-weaving. He had a vocation quite other than that, and if he ever did + make any cloth there must have been some strange thoughts and imaginings + woven into it, as he plied the shuttle. Most of his biographers, relying + upon a doubtful statement in the life of him written by his son Ferdinand, + would have us send him at the age of twelve to the distant University of + Pavia, there, poor mite, to sit at the feet of learned professors studying + Latin, mathematics, and cosmography; but fortunately it is not necessary + to believe so improbable a statement. What is much more likely about his + education—for education he had, although not of the superior kind + with which he has been credited—is that in the blank, sunny time of + his childhood he was sent to one of the excellent schools established by + the weavers in their own quarter, and that there or afterwards he came + under some influence, both religious and learned, which stamped him the + practical visionary that he remained throughout his life. Thereafter, + between his sea voyagings and expeditions about the Mediterranean coasts, + he no doubt acquired knowledge in the only really practical way that it + can be acquired; that is to say, he received it as and when he needed it. + What we know is that he had in later life some knowledge of the works of + Aristotle, Julius Caesar, Seneca, Pliny, and Ptolemy; of Ahmet-Ben-Kothair + the Arabic astronomer, Rochid the Arabian, and the Rabbi Samuel the Jew; + of Isadore the Spaniard, and Bede and Scotus the Britons; of Strabo the + German, Gerson the Frenchman, and Nicolaus de Lira the Italian. These + names cover a wide range, but they do not imply university education. Some + of them merely suggest acquaintance with the ‘Imago Mundi’; + others imply that selective faculty, the power of choosing what can help a + man’s purpose and of rejecting what is useless to it, that is one of + the marks of genius, and an outward sign of the inner light. + </p> + <p> + We must think of him, then, at school in Genoa, grinding out the tasks + that are the common heritage of all small boys; working a little at the + weaving, interestedly enough at first, no doubt, while the importance of + having a loom appealed to him, but also no doubt rapidly cooling off in + his enthusiasm as the pastime became a task, and the restriction of indoor + life began to be felt. For if ever there was a little boy who loved to + idle about the wharves and docks, here was that little boy. It was here, + while he wandered about the crowded quays and listened to the medley of + talk among the foreign sailors, and looked beyond the masts of the ships + into the blue distance of the sea, that the desire to wander and go abroad + upon the face of the waters must first have stirred in his heart. The + wharves of Genoa in those days combined in themselves all the richness of + romance and adventure, buccaneering, trading, and treasure-snatching, that + has ever crowded the pages of romance. There were galleys and caravels, + barques and feluccas, pinnaces and caraccas. There were slaves in the + galleys, and bowmen to keep the slaves in subjection. There were + dark-bearded Spaniards, fair-haired Englishmen; there were Greeks, and + Indians, and Portuguese. The bales of goods on the harbour-side were + eloquent of distant lands, and furnished object lessons in the only + geography that young Christopher was likely to be learning. There was + cotton from Egypt, and tin and lead from Southampton. There were butts of + Malmsey from Candia; aloes and cassia and spices from Socotra; rhubarb + from Persia; silk from India; wool from Damascus, raw wool also from + Calais and Norwich. No wonder if the little house in the Vico Dritto di + Ponticello became too narrow for the boy; and no wonder that at the age of + fourteen he was able to have his way, and go to sea. One can imagine him + gradually acquiring an influence over his father, Domenico, as his will + grew stronger and firmer—he with one grand object in life, Domenico + with none; he with a single clear purpose, and Domenico with innumerable + cloudy ones. And so, on some day in the distant past, there were farewells + and anxious hearts in the weaver’s house, and Christopher, member of + the crew of some trading caravel or felucca, a diminishing object to the + wet eyes of his mother, sailed away, and faded into the blue distance. + </p> + <p> + They had lost him, although perhaps they did not realise it; from the + moment of his first voyage the sea claimed him as her own. Widening + horizons, slatting of cords and sails in the wind, storms and stars and + strange landfalls and long idle calms, thunder of surges, tingle of spray, + and eternal labouring and threshing and cleaving of infinite waters—these + were to be his portion and true home hereafter. Attendances at Court, + conferences with learned monks and bishops, sojourns on lonely islands, + love under stars in the gay, sun-smitten Spanish towns, governings and + parleyings in distant, undreamed-of lands—these were to be but + incidents in his true life, which was to be fulfilled in the solitude of + sea watches. + </p> + <p> + When he left his home on this first voyage, he took with him one other + thing besides the restless longing to escape beyond the line of sea and + sky. Let us mark well this possession of his, for it was his companion and + guiding-star throughout a long and difficult life, his chart and compass, + astrolabe and anchor, in one. Religion has in our days fallen into decay + among men of intellect and achievement. The world has thrown it, like a + worn garment or an old skin, from off its body, the thing itself being no + longer real and alive, and in harmony with the life of an age that + struggles towards a different kind of truth. It is hard, therefore, for us + to understand exactly how the religion of Columbus entered so deeply into + his life and brooded so widely over his thoughts. + </p> + <p> + Hardest of all is it for people whose only experience of religion is of + Puritan inheritance to comprehend how, in the fifteenth century, the + strong intellect was strengthened, and the stout heart fortified, by the + thought of hosts of saints and angels hovering above a man’s + incomings and outgoings to guide and protect him. Yet in an age that + really had the gift of faith, in which religion was real and vital, and + part of the business of every man’s daily life; in which it stood + honoured in the world, loaded with riches, crowned with learning, wielding + government both temporal and spiritual, it was a very brave panoply for + the soul of man. The little boy in Genoa, with the fair hair and blue eyes + and grave freckled face that made him remarkable among his dark + companions, had no doubt early received and accepted the vast mysteries of + the Christian faith; and as that other mystery began to grow in his mind, + and that idea of worlds that might lie beyond the sea-line began to take + shape in his thoughts, he found in the holy wisdom of the prophets, and + the inspired writings of the fathers, a continual confirmation of his + faith. The full conviction of these things belongs to a later period of + his life; but probably, during his first voyagings in the Mediterranean, + there hung in his mind echoes of psalms and prophecies that had to do with + things beyond the world of his vision and experience. The sun, whose going + forth is to the end of heaven, his circuit back to the end of it, and from + whose heat there is nothing hid; the truth, holy and prevailing, that + knows no speech nor language where its voice is not heard; the great and + wide sea, with its creeping things innumerable, and beasts small and great—no + wonder if these things impressed him, and if gradually, as his way fell + clearer before him, and the inner light began to shine more steadily, he + came to believe that he had a special mission to carry the torch of the + faith across the Sea of Darkness, and be himself the bearer of a truth + that was to go through all the earth, and of words that were to travel to + the world’s end. + </p> + <p> + In this faith, then, and with this equipment, and about the year 1465, + Christopher Columbus began his sea travels. His voyages would be doubtless + at first much along the coasts, and across to Alexandria and the Islands. + There would be returnings to Genoa, and glad welcomings by the little + household in the narrow street; in 1472 and 1473 he was with his father at + Savona, helping with the wool-weaving and tavern-keeping; possibly also + there were interviews with Benincasa, who was at that time living in + Genoa, and making his famous sea-charts. Perhaps it was in his studio that + Christopher first saw a chart, and first fell in love with the magic that + can transfer the shapes of oceans and continents to a piece of paper. Then + he would be off again in another ship, to the Golden Horn perhaps, or the + Black Sea, for the Genoese had a great Crimean trade. This is all + conjecture, but very reasonable conjecture; what we know for a fact is + that he saw the white gum drawn from the lentiscus shrubs in Chio at the + time of their flowering; that fragrant memory is preserved long afterwards + in his own writings, evoked by some incident in the newly-discovered + islands of the West. There are vague rumours and stories of his having + been engaged in various expeditions—among them one fitted out in + Genoa by John of Anjou to recover the kingdom of Naples for King Rene of + Provence; but there is no reason to believe these rumours: good reason to + disbelieve them, rather. + </p> + <p> + The lives that the sea absorbs are passed in a great variety of adventure + and experience, but so far as the world is concerned they are passed in a + profound obscurity; and we need not wonder that of all the mariners who + used those seas, and passed up and down, and held their course by the + stars, and reefed their sails before the sudden squalls that came down + from the mountains, and shook them out again in the calm sunshine that + followed, there is no record of the one among their number who was + afterwards to reef and steer and hold his course to such mighty purpose. + For this period, then, we must leave him to the sea, and to the vast + anonymity of sea life. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + <a name="ch4" id="ch4"></a>CHAPTER IV. + </h2> + <h3> + DOMENICO + </h3> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p> + Christopher is gone, vanished over that blue horizon; and the tale of life + in Genoa goes on without him very much as before, except that Domenico has + one apprentice less, and, a matter becoming of some importance in the + narrow condition of his finances, one boy less to feed and clothe. For + good Domenico, alas! is no economist. Those hardy adventures of his in the + buying and selling line do not prosper him; the tavern does not pay; + perhaps the tavern-keeper is too hospitable; at any rate, things are not + going well. And yet Domenico had a good start; as his brother Antonio has + doubtless often told him, he had the best of old Giovanni’s + inheritance; he had the property at Quinto, and other property at + Ginestreto, and some ground rents at Pradella; a tavern at Savona, a shop + there and at Genoa—really, Domenico has no excuse for his + difficulties. In 1445 he was selling land at Quinto, presumably with the + consent of old Giovanni, if he was still alive; and if he was not living, + then immediately after his death, in the first pride of possession. + </p> + <p> + In 1450 he bought a pleasant house at Quarto, a village on the sea-shore + about a mile to the west of Quinto and about five miles to the east of + Genoa. It was probably a pure speculation, as he immediately leased the + house for two years, and never lived in it himself, although it was a + pleasant place, with an orchard of olives and figs and various other trees—‘arboratum + olivis ficubus et aliis diversis arboribus’. His next recorded + transaction is in 1466, when he went security for a friend, doubtless with + disastrous results. In 1473 he sold the house at the Olive Gate, that + suburban dwelling where probably Christopher was born, and in 1474 he + invested the proceeds of that sale in a piece of land which I have + referred to before, situated in the suburbs of Savona, with which were + sold those agreeable and useless wine-vats. Domenico was living at Savona + then, and the property which he so fatuously acquired consisted of two + large pieces of land on the Via Valcalda, containing a few vines, a + plantation of fruit-trees, and a large area of shrub and underwood. The + price, however, was never paid in full, and was the cause of a lawsuit + which dragged on for forty years, and was finally settled by Don Diego + Columbus, Christopher’s son, who sent a special authority from + Hispaniola. + </p> + <p> + Owing, no doubt, to the difficulties that this un fortunate purchase + plunged him into, Domenico was obliged to mortgage his house at St. Andrew’s + Gate in the year 1477; and in 1489 he finally gave it up to Jacob + Baverelus, the cheese-monger, his son-in-law. Susanna, who had been the + witness of his melancholy transactions for so many years, and possibly the + mainstay of that declining household, died in 1494; but not, we may hope, + before she had heard of the fame of her son Christopher. Domenico, in + receipt of a pension from the famous Admiral of the Ocean, and no doubt + talking with a deal of pride and inaccuracy about the discovery of the New + World, lived on until 1498; when he died also, and vanished out of this + world. He had fulfilled a noble destiny in being the father of Christopher + Columbus. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + <a name="ch5" id="ch5"></a>CHAPTER V. + </h2> + <h3> + SEA THOUGHTS + </h3> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p> + The long years that Christopher Columbus spent at sea in making voyages to + and from his home in Genoa, years so blank to us, but to him who lived + them so full of life and active growth, were most certainly fruitful in + training and equipping him for that future career of which as yet, + perhaps, he did not dream. The long undulating waves of the Mediterranean, + with land appearing and dissolving away in the morning and evening mists, + the business of ship life, harsh and rough in detail, but not too + absorbing to the mind of a common mariner to prevent any thoughts he might + have finding room to grow and take shape; sea breezes, sea storms, sea + calms; these were the setting of his knowledge and experience as he fared + from port to port and from sea to sea. He is a very elusive figure in that + environment of misty blue, very hard to hold and identify, very shy of our + scrutiny, and inaccessible even to our speculation. If we would come up + with him, and place ourselves in some kind of sympathy with the thoughts + that were forming in his brain, it is necessary that we should, for the + moment, forget much of what we know of the world, and assume the imperfect + knowledge of the globe that man possessed in those years when Columbus was + sailing the Mediterranean. + </p> + <p> + That the earth was a round globe of land and water was a fact that, after + many contradictions and uncertainties, intelligent men had by this time + accepted. A conscious knowledge of the world as a whole had been a part of + human thought for many hundreds of years; and the sphericity of the earth + had been a theory in the sixth century before Christ. In the fourth + century Aristotle had watched the stars and eclipses; in the third century + Eratosthenes had measured a degree of latitude, and measured it wrong;—[Not + so very wrong. D.W.]—in the second century the philosopher Crates + had constructed a rude sort of globe, on which were marked the known + kingdoms of the earth, and some also unknown. With the coming of the + Christian era the theory of the roundness of the earth began to be denied; + and as knowledge and learning became gathered into the hands of the Church + they lost something of their clarity and singleness, and began to be used + arbitrarily as evidence for or against other and less material theories. + St. Chrysostom opposed the theory of the earth’s roundness; St. + Isidore taught it; and so also did St. Augustine, as we might expect from + a man of his wisdom who lived so long in a monastery that looked out to + sea from a high point, and who wrote the words ‘Ubi magnitudo, ibi + veritas’. In the sixth century of the Christian era Bishop Cosmas + gave much thought to this matter of a round world, and found a new + argument which to his mind (poor Cosmas!) disposed of it very clearly; for + he argued that, if the world were round, the people dwelling at the + antipodes could not see Christ at His coming, and that therefore the earth + was not round. But Bede, in the eighth century, established it finally as + a part of human knowledge that the earth and all the heavenly bodies were + spheres, and after that the fact was not again seriously disputed. + </p> + <p> + What lay beyond the frontier of the known was a speculation inseparable + from the spirit of exploration. Children, and people who do not travel, + are generally content, when their thoughts stray beyond the paths trodden + by their feet, to believe that the greater world is but a continuation on + every side of their own environment; indeed, without the help of sight or + suggestion, it is almost impossible to believe anything else. If you stand + on an eminence in a great plain and think of the unseen country that lies + beyond the horizon, trying to visualise it and imagine that you see it, + the eye of imagination can only see the continuance or projection of what + is seen by the bodily sight. If you think, you can occupy the invisible + space with a landscape made up from your own memory and knowledge: you may + think of mountain chains and rivers, although there are none visible to + your sight, or you may imagine vast seas and islands, oceans and + continents. This, however, is thought, not pure imagination; and even so, + with every advantage of thought and knowledge, you will not be able to + imagine beyond your horizon a space of sea so wide that the farther shore + is invisible, and yet imagine the farther shore also. You will see America + across the Atlantic and Japan across the Pacific; but you cannot see, in + one single effort of the imagination, an Atlantic of empty blue water + stretching to an empty horizon, another beyond that equally vast and + empty, another beyond that, and so on until you have spanned the thousand + horizons that lie between England and America. The mind, that is to say, + works in steps and spans corresponding to the spans of physical sight; it + cannot clear itself enough from the body, or rise high enough beyond + experience, to comprehend spaces so much vaster than anything ever seen by + the eye of man. So also with the stretching of the horizon which bounded + human knowledge of the earth. It moved step by step; if one of Prince + Henry’s captains, creeping down the west coast of Africa, discovered + a cape a hundred miles south of the known world, the most he could + probably do was to imagine that there might lie, still another hundred + miles farther south, another cape; to sail for it in faith and hope, to + find it, and to imagine another possibility yet another hundred miles + away. So far as experience went back, faith could look forward. It is thus + with the common run of mankind; yesterday’s march is the measure of + to-morrow’s; as much as they have done once, they may do again; they + fear it will be not much more; they hope it may be not much less. + </p> + <p> + The history of the exploration of the world up to the day when Columbus + set sail from Palos is just such a history of steps. The Phoenicians + coasting from harbour to harbour through the Mediterranean; the Romans + marching from camp to camp, from country to country; the Jutes venturing + in their frail craft into the stormy northern seas, making voyages a + little longer and more daring every time, until they reached England; the + captains of Prince Henry of Portugal feeling their way from voyage to + voyage down the coast of Africa—there are no bold flights into the + incredible here, but patient and business-like progress from one + stepping-stone to another. Dangers and hardships there were, and brave + followings of the faint will-o’-the-wisp of faith in what lay + beyond; but there were no great launchings into space. They but followed a + line that was the continuance or projection of the line they had hitherto + followed; what they did was brave and glorious, but it was reasonable. + What Columbus did, on the contrary, was, as we shall see later, against + all reason and knowledge. It was a leap in the dark towards some star + invisible to all but him; for he who sets forth across the desert sand or + sea must have a brighter sun to guide him than that which sets and rises + on the day of the small man. + </p> + <p> + Our familiarity with maps and atlases makes it difficult for us to think + of the world in other terms than those of map and diagram; knowledge and + science have focussed things for us, and our imagination has in + consequence shrunk. It is almost impossible, when thinking of the earth as + a whole, to think about it except as a picture drawn, or as a small globe + with maps traced upon it. I am sure that our imagination has a far + narrower angle—to borrow a term from the science of lenses—than + the imagination of men who lived in the fifteenth century. They thought of + the world in its actual terms—seas, islands, continents, gulfs, + rivers, oceans. Columbus had seen maps and charts—among them the + famous ‘portolani’ of Benincasa at Genoa; but I think it + unlikely that he was so familiar with them as to have adopted their terms + in his thoughts about the earth. He had seen the Mediterranean and sailed + upon it before he had seen a chart of it; he knew a good deal of the world + itself before he had seen a map of it. He had more knowledge of the actual + earth and sea than he had of pictures or drawings of them; and therefore, + if we are to keep in sympathetic touch with him, we must not think too + closely of maps, but of land and sea themselves. + </p> + <p> + The world that Columbus had heard about as being within the knowledge of + men extended on the north to Iceland and Scandinavia, on the south to a + cape one hundred miles south of the Equator, and to the east as far as + China and Japan. North and South were not important to the spirit of that + time; it was East and West that men thought of when they thought of the + expansion and the discovery of the world. And although they admitted that + the earth was a sphere, I think it likely that they imagined (although the + imagination was contrary to their knowledge) that the line of West and + East was far longer, and full of vaster possibilities, than that of North + and South. North was familiar ground to them—one voyage to England, + another to Iceland, another to Scandinavia; there was nothing impossible + about that. Southward was another matter; but even here there was no + ambition to discover the limit of the world. It is an error continually + made by the biographers of Columbus that the purpose of Prince Henry’s + explorations down the coast of Africa was to find a sea road to the West + Indies by way of the East. It was nothing of the kind. There was no idea + in the minds of the Portuguese of the land which Columbus discovered, and + which we now know as the West Indies. Mr. Vignaud contends that the + confusion arose from the very loose way in which the term India was + applied in the Middle Ages. Several Indias were recognised. There was an + India beyond the Ganges; a Middle India between the Ganges and the Indus; + and a Lesser India, in which were included Arabia, Abyssinia, and the + countries about the Red Sea. These divisions were, however, quite vague, + and varied in different periods. In the time of Columbus the word India + meant the kingdom of Prester John, that fabulous monarch who had been the + subject of persistent legends since the twelfth century; and it was this + India to which the Portuguese sought a sea road. They had no idea of a + barrier cape far to the south, the doubling of which would open a road for + them to the west; nor were they, as Mr. Vignaud believes, trying to open a + route for the spice trade with the Orient. They had no great spice trade, + and did not seek more; what they did seek was an extension of their + ordinary trade with Guinea and the African coast. To the maritime world of + the fifteenth century, then, the South as a geographical region and as a + possible point of discovery had no attractions. + </p> + <p> + To the west stretched what was known as the Sea of Darkness, about which + even the cool knowledge of the geographers and astronomers could not think + steadily. Nothing was known about it, it did not lead anywhere, there were + no people there, there was no trade in that direction. The tides of + history and of life avoided it; only now and then some terrified mariner, + blown far out of his course, came back with tales of sea monsters and + enchanted disappearing islands, and shores that receded, and coasts upon + which no one could make a landfall. The farthest land known to the west + was the Azores; beyond that stretched a vague and impossible ocean of + terror and darkness, of which the Arabian writer Xerif al Edrisi, whose + countrymen were the sea-kings of the Middle Ages, wrote as follows: + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + “The ocean encircles the ultimate bounds of the inhabited earth, + and all beyond it is unknown. No one has been able to verify anything + concerning it, on account of its difficult and perilous navigation, its + great obscurity, its profound depth, and frequent tempests; through fear + of its mighty fishes and its haughty winds; yet there are many islands + in it, some peopled, others uninhabited. There is no mariner who dares + to enter into its deep waters; or if any have done so, they have merely + kept along its coasts, fearful of departing from them. The waves of this + ocean, although they roll as high as mountains, yet maintain themselves + without breaking; for if they broke it would be impossible for a ship to + plough them.” + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + It is another illustration of the way in which discovery and imagination + had hitherto gone by steps and not by flights, that geographical knowledge + reached the islands of the Atlantic (none of which were at a very great + distance from the coast of Europe or from each other) at a comparatively + early date, and stopped there until in Columbus there was found a man with + faith strong enough to make the long flight beyond them to the unknown + West. And yet the philosophers, and later the cartographers, true to their + instinct for this pedestrian kind of imagination, put mythical lands and + islands to the westward of the known islands as though they were really + trying to make a way, to sink stepping stones into the deep sea that would + lead their thoughts across the unknown space. In the Catalan map of the + world, which was the standard example of cosmography in the early days of + Columbus, most of these mythical islands are marked. There was the island + of Antilia, which was placed in 25 deg. 35’ W., and was said to have + been discovered by Don Roderick, the last of the Gothic kings of Spain, + who fled there after his defeat by the Moors. There was the island of the + Seven Cities, which is sometimes identified with this Antilia, and was the + object of a persistent belief or superstition on the part of the + inhabitants of the Canary Islands. They saw, or thought they saw, about + ninety leagues to the westward, an island with high peaks and deep + valleys. The vision was intermittent; it was only seen in very clear + weather, on some of those pure, serene days of the tropics when in the + clear atmosphere distant objects appear to be close at hand. In cloudy, + and often in clear weather also, it was not to be seen at all; but the + inhabitants of the Canaries, who always saw it in the same place, were so + convinced of its reality that they petitioned the King of Portugal to + allow them to go and take possession of it; and several expeditions were + in fact despatched, but none ever came up with that fairy land. It was + called the island of the Seven Cities from a legend of seven bishops who + had fled from Spain at the time of the Moorish conquest, and, landing upon + this island, had founded there seven splendid cities. There was the island + of St. Brandan, called after the Saint who set out from Ireland in the + sixth century in search of an island which always receded before his + ships; this island was placed several hundred miles to the west of the + Canaries on maps and charts through out the fifteenth and sixteenth + centuries. There was the island of Brazil, to the west of Cape St. + Vincent; the islands of Royllo, San Giorgio, and Isola di Mam; but they + were all islands of dreams, seen by the eyes of many mariners in that + imaginative time, but never trodden by any foot of man. To Columbus, + however, and the mariners of his day, they were all real places, which a + man might reach by special good fortune or heroism, but which, all things + considered, it was not quite worth the while of any man to attempt to + reach. They have all disappeared from our charts, like the Atlantis of + Plato, that was once charted to the westward of the Straits of Gibraltar, + and of which the Canaries were believed to be the last peaks unsubmerged. + </p> + <p> + Sea myths and legends are strange things, and do not as a rule persist in + the minds of men unless they have had some ghostly foundation; so it is + possible that these fabled islands of the West were lands that had + actually been seen by living eyes, although their position could never be + properly laid down nor their identity assured. Of all the wandering seamen + who talked in the wayside taverns of Atlantic seaports, some must have had + strange tales to tell; tales which sometimes may have been true, but were + never believed. Vague rumours hung about those shores, like spray and mist + about a headland, of lands seen and lost again in the unknown and + uncharted ocean. Doubtless the lamp of faith, the inner light, burned in + some of these storm-tossed men; but all they had was a glimpse here and + there, seen for a moment and lost again; not the clear sight of faith by + which Columbus steered his westward course. + </p> + <p> + The actual outposts of western occupation, then, were the Azores, which + were discovered by Genoese sailors in the pay of Portugal early in the + fourteenth century; the Canaries, which had been continuously discovered + and rediscovered since the Phoenicians occupied them and Pliny chose them + for his Hesperides; and Madeira, which is believed to have been discovered + by an Englishman under the following very romantic and moving + circumstances. + </p> + <p> + In the reign of Edward the Third a young man named Robert Machin fell in + love with a beautiful girl, his superior in rank, Anne Dorset or d’Urfey + by name. She loved him also, but her relations did not love him; and + therefore they had Machin imprisoned upon some pretext or other, and + forcibly married the young lady to a nobleman who had a castle on the + shores of the Bristol Channel. + </p> + <p> + The marriage being accomplished, and the girl carried away by her + bridegroom to his seat in the West, it was thought safe to release Machin. + Whereupon he collected several friends, and they followed the + newly-married couple to Bristol and laid their plans for an abduction. One + of the friends got himself engaged as a groom in the service of the + unhappy bride, and found her love unchanged, and if possible increased by + the present misery she was in. An escape was planned; and one day, when + the girl and her groom were riding in the park, they set spurs to their + horses, and galloped off to a place on the shores of the Bristol Channel + where young Robert had a boat on the beach and a ship in the offing. They + set sail immediately, intending to make for France, where the reunited + lovers hoped to live happily; but it came on to blow when they were off + the Lizard, and a southerly gale, which lasted for thirteen days, drove + them far out of their course. + </p> + <p> + The bride, from her joy and relief, fell into a state of the gloomiest + despondency, believing that the hand of God was turned against her, and + that their love would never be enjoyed. The tempest fell on the fourteenth + day, and at the break of morning the sea-worn company saw trees and land + ahead of them. In the sunrise they landed upon an island full of noble + trees, about which flights of singing birds were hovering, and in which + the sweetest fruits, the most lovely flowers, and the purest and most + limpid waters abounded. Machin and his bride and their friends made an + encampment on a flowery meadow in a sheltered valley, where for three days + they enjoyed the sweetness and rest of the shore and the companionship of + all kinds of birds and beasts, which showed no signs of fear at their + presence. On the third day a storm arose, and raged for a night over the + island; and in the morning the adventurers found that their ship was + nowhere to be seen. The despair of the little company was extreme, and was + increased by the condition of poor Anne, upon whom terror and remorse + again fell, and so preyed upon her mind that in three days she was dead. + Her lover, who had braved so much and won her so gallantly, was turned to + stone by this misfortune. Remorse and aching desolation oppressed him; + from the moment of her death he scarcely ate nor spoke; and in five days + he also was dead, surely of a broken heart. They buried him beside his + mistress under a spreading tree, and put up a wooden cross there, with a + prayer that any Christians who might come to the island would build a + chapel to Jesus the Saviour. The rest of the party then repaired their + little boat and put to sea; were cast upon the coast of Morocco, captured + by the Moors, and thrown into prison. With them in prison was a Spanish + pilot named Juan de Morales, who listened attentively to all they could + tell him about the situation and condition of the island, and who after + his release communicated what he knew to Prince Henry of Portugal. The + island of Madeira was thus rediscovered in 1418, and in 1425 was colonised + by Prince Henry, who appointed as Governor Bartolomeo de Perestrello, + whose daughter was afterwards to become the wife of Columbus. + </p> + <p> + So much for the outposts of the Old World. Of the New World, about the + possibility of which Columbus is beginning to dream as he sails the + Mediterranean, there was no knowledge and hardly any thought. Though new + in the thoughts of Columbus, it was very old in itself; generations of men + had lived and walked and spoken and toiled there, ever since men came upon + the earth; sun and shower, the thrill of the seasons, birth and life and + death, had been visiting it for centuries and centuries. And it is quite + possible that, long before even the civilisation that produced Columbus + was in its dawn, men from the Old World had journeyed there. There are two + very old fragments of knowledge which indicate at least the possibility of + a Western World of which the ancients had knowledge. There is a fragment, + preserved from the fourth century before Christ, of a conversation between + Silenus and Midas, King of Phrygia, in which Silenus correctly describes + the Old World—Europe, Asia, and Africa—as being surrounded by + the sea, but also describes, far to the west of it, a huge island, which + had its own civilisation and its own laws, where the animals and the men + were of twice our stature, and lived for twice our years. There is also + the story told by Plato of the island of Atlantis, which was larger than + Africa and Asia together, and which in an earthquake disappeared beneath + the waves, producing such a slime upon the surface that no ship was able + to navigate the sea in that place. This is the story which the priests of + Sais told to Solon, and which was embodied in the sacred inscriptions in + their temples. It is strange that any one should think of this theory of + the slime who had not seen or heard of the Sargasso Sea—that great + bank of floating seaweed that the ocean currents collect and retain in the + middle of the basin of the North Atlantic. + </p> + <p> + The Egyptians, the Tartars, the Canaanites, the Chinese, the Arabians, the + Welsh, and the Scandinavians have all been credited with the colonisation + of America; but the only race from the Old World which had almost + certainly been there were the Scandinavians. In the year 983 the coast of + Greenland was visited by Eric the Red, the son of a Norwegian noble, who + was banished for the crime of murder. Some fifteen years later Eric’s + son Lief made an expedition with thirty-five men and a ship in the + direction of the new land. They came to a coast where there were nothing + but ice mountains having the appearance of slate; this country they named + Helluland—that is, Land of Slate. This country is our Newfoundland. + Standing out to sea again, they reached a level wooded country with white + sandy cliffs, which they called Markland, or Land of Wood, which is our + Nova Scotia. Next they reached an island east of Markland, where they + passed the winter, and as one of their number who had wandered some + distance inland had found vines and grapes, Lief named the country Vinland + or Vine Land, which is the country we call New England. The Scandinavians + continued to make voyages to the West and South; and finally Thorfinn + Karlsefne, an Icelander, made a great expedition in the spring of 1007 + with ships and material for colonisation. He made much progress to the + southwards, and the Icelandic accounts of the climate and soil and + characteristics of the country leave no doubt that Greenland and Nova + Scotia were discovered and colonised at this time. + </p> + <p> + It must be remembered, however, that then and in the lifetime of Columbus + Greenland was supposed to—be a promontory of the coast of Europe, + and was not connected in men’s minds with a western continent. Its + early discovery has no bearing on the significance of Columbus’s + achievement, the greatness of which depends not on his having been the + first man from the Old World to set foot upon the shores of the New, but + on the fact that by pure faith and belief in his own purpose he did set + out for and arrive in a world where no man of his era or civilisation had + ever before set foot, or from which no wanderer who may have been blown + there ever returned. It is enough to claim for him the merit of discovery + in the true sense of the word. The New World was covered from the Old by a + veil of distance, of time and space, of absence, invisibility, virtual + non-existence; and he discovered it. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + <a name="ch6" id="ch6"></a>CHAPTER VI. + </h2> + <h3> + IN PORTUGAL + </h3> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p> + There is no reason to believe that before his twenty-fifth year Columbus + was anything more than a merchant or mariner, sailing before the mast, and + joining one ship after another as opportunities for good voyages offered + themselves. A change took place later, probably after his marriage, when + he began to adapt himself rapidly to a new set of surroundings, and to + show his intrinsic qualities; but all the attempts that have been made to + glorify him socially—attempts, it must be remembered, in which he + himself and his sons were in after years the leaders—are entirely + mistaken. That strange instinct for consistency which makes people desire + to see the outward man correspond, in terms of momentary and arbitrary + credit, with the inner and hidden man of the heart, has in truth led to + more biographical injustice than is fully realised. If Columbus had been + the man some of his biographers would like to make him out—the + nephew or descendant of a famous French Admiral, educated at the + University of Pavia, belonging to a family of noble birth and high social + esteem in Genoa, chosen by King Rene to be the commander of naval + expeditions, learned in scientific lore, in the classics, in astronomy and + in cosmography, the friend and correspondent of Toscanelli and other + learned scientists—we should find it hard indeed to forgive him the + shifts and deceits that he practised. It is far more interesting to think + of him as a common craftsman, of a lowly condition and poor circumstances, + who had to earn his living during the formative period of his life by the + simplest and hardest labour of the hand. The qualities that made him what + he was were of a very simple kind, and his character owed its strength, + not to any complexity or subtlety of training and education, but rather to + that very bareness and simplicity of circumstance that made him a man of + single rather than manifold ideas. He was not capable of seeing both sides + of a question; he saw only one side. But he came of a great race; and it + was the qualities of his race, combined with this simplicity and even + perhaps vacancy of mind, that gave to his idea, when once the seed of it + had lodged in his mind, so much vigour in growth and room for expansion. + Think of him, then, at the age of twenty-five as a typical plebeian + Genoese, bearing all the characteristic traits of his century and people—the + spirit of adventure, the love of gold and of power, a spirit of mysticism, + and more than a touch of crafty and elaborate dissimulation, when that + should be necessary. + </p> + <p> + He had been at sea for ten or eleven years, making voyages to and from + Genoa, with an occasional spell ashore and plunge into the paternal + affairs, when in the year 1476 he found himself on board a Genoese vessel + which formed one of a convoy going, to Lisbon. This convoy was attacked + off Cape St. Vincent by Colombo, or Colomb, the famous French corsair, of + whom Christopher himself has quite falsely been called a relative. Only + two of the Genoese vessels escaped, and one of these two was the ship + which carried Columbus. It arrived at Lisbon, where Columbus went ashore + and took up his abode. + </p> + <p> + This, so far as can be ascertained, is the truth about the arrival of + Columbus in Portugal. The early years of an obscure man who leaps into + fame late in life are nearly always difficult to gather knowledge about, + because not only are the annals of the poor short and simple and in most + cases altogether unrecorded, but there is always that instinct, to which I + have already referred, to make out that the circumstances of a man who + late in life becomes great and remarkable were always, at every point in + his career, remarkable also. We love to trace the hand of destiny guiding + her chosen people, protecting them from dangers, and preserving them for + their great moment. It is a pleasant study, and one to which the facts + often lend themselves, but it leads to a vicious method of biography which + obscures the truth with legends and pretences that have afterwards + laboriously to be cleared away. It was so in the case of Columbus. Before + his departure on his first voyage of discovery there is absolutely no + temporary record of him except a few dates in notarial registers. The + circumstances of his life and his previous conditions were supplied + afterwards by himself and his contemporaries; and both he and they saw the + past in the light of the present, and did their best to make it fit a + present so wonderful and miraculous. The whole trend of recent research on + the subject of Columbus has been unfortunately in the direction of proving + the complete insincerity of his own speech and writings about his early + life, and the inaccuracy of Las Casas writings his contemporary + biographer, and the first historian of the West Indies. Those of my + readers, then, who are inclined to be impatient with the meagreness of the + facts with which I am presenting them, and the disproportionate amount of + theory to fact with regard to these early years of Columbus, must remember + three things. First, that the only record of the early years of Columbus + was written long after those years had passed away, and in circumstances + which did not harmonise with them; second, that there is evidence, both + substantive and presumptive, that much of those records, even though it + came from the hands of Columbus and his friends, is false and must be + discarded; and third, that the only way in which anything like the truth + can be arrived at is by circumstantial and presumptive evidence with + regard to dates, names, places, and events upon which the obscure life of + Columbus impinged. Columbus is known to have written much about himself, + but very little of it exists or remains in his own handwriting. It remains + in the form of quotation by others, all of whom had their reasons for not + representing quite accurately what was, it must be feared, not even itself + a candid and accurate record. The evidence for these very serious + statements is the subject of numberless volumes and monographs, which + cannot be quoted here; for it is my privilege to reap the results, and not + to reproduce the material, of the immense research and investigation to + which in the last fifty years the life of Columbus has been subjected. + </p> + <p> + We shall come to facts enough presently; in the meantime we have but the + vaguest knowledge of what Columbus did in Lisbon. The one technical + possession which he obviously had was knowledge of the sea; he had also a + head on his shoulders, and plenty of judgment and common sense; he had + likely picked up some knowledge of cartography in his years at Genoa, + since (having abandoned wool-weaving) he probably wished to make progress + in the profession of the sea; and it is, therefore, believed that he + picked up a living in Lisbon by drawing charts and maps. Such a living + would only be intermittent; a fact that is indicated by his periodic + excursions to sea again, presumably when funds were exhausted. There were + other Genoese in Lisbon, and his own brother Bartholomew was with him + there for a time. He may actually have been there when Columbus arrived, + but it was more probable that Columbus, the pioneer of the family, seeing + a better field for his brother’s talent in Lisbon than in Genoa, + sent for him when he himself was established there. This Bartholomew, of + whom we shall see a good deal in the future, is merely an outline at this + stage of the story; an outline that will later be filled up with human + features and fitted with a human character; at present he is but a brother + of Christopher, with a rather bookish taste, a better knowledge of + cartography than Christopher possessed, and some little experience of the + book-selling trade. He too made charts in Lisbon, and sold books also, and + no doubt between them the efforts of the brothers, supplemented by the + occasional voyages of Christopher, obtained them a sufficient livelihood. + The social change, in the one case from the society of Genoese + wool-weavers, and in the other from the company of merchant sailors, must + have been very great; for there is evidence that they began to make + friends and acquaintances among a rather different class than had been + formerly accessible to them. The change to a new country also and to a new + language makes a deep impression at the age of twenty-five; and although + Columbus in his sea-farings had been in many ports, and had probably + picked up a knowledge both of Portuguese and of Spanish, his establishment + in the Portuguese capital could not fail to enlarge his outlook upon life. + </p> + <p> + There is absolutely no record of his circumstances in the first year of + his life at Lisbon, so we may look once more into the glass of imagination + and try to find a picture there. It is very dim, very minute, very, very + far away. There is the little shop in a steep Lisbon street, somewhere + near the harbour we may be sure, with the shadows of the houses lying + sharp on the white sunlight of the street; the cool darkness of the shop, + with its odour of vellum and parchment, its rolls of maps and charts; and + somewhere near by the sounds and commotion of the wharves and the + shipping. Often, when there was a purchaser in the shop, there would be + talk of the sea, of the best course from this place to that, of the + entrance to this harbour and the other; talk of the western islands too, + of the western ocean, of the new astrolabe which the German Muller of + Konigsberg, or Regiomontanus, as they called him in Portugal, had modified + and improved. And if there was sometimes an evening walk, it would surely + be towards the coast or on a hill above the harbour, with a view of the + sun being quenched in the sea and travelling down into the unknown, + uncharted West. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + <a name="ch7" id="ch7"></a>CHAPTER VII. + </h2> + <h3> + ADVENTURES BODILY AND SPIRITUAL + </h3> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p> + Columbus had not been long in Portugal before he was off again to sea, + this time on a longer voyage than any he had yet undertaken. Our knowledge + of it depends on his own words as reported by Las Casas, and, like so much + other knowledge similarly recorded, is not to be received with absolute + certainty; but on the whole the balance of probability is in favour of its + truth. The words in which this voyage is recorded are given as a quotation + from a letter of Columbus, and, stripped of certain obvious interpolations + of the historian, are as follows:— + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + “In the month of February, and in the year 1477, I navigated as + far as the island of Tile [Thule], a hundred leagues; and to this + island, which is as large as England, the English, especially those of + Bristol, go with merchandise; and when I was there the sea was not + frozen over, although there were very high tides, so much so that in + some parts the sea rose twenty-five ‘brazas’, and went down + as much, twice during the day.” + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The reasons for doubting that this voyage took place are due simply to + Columbus’s habit of being untruthful in regard to his own past + doings, and his propensity for drawing the long bow; and the reason that + has been accepted by most of his biographers who have denied the truth of + this statement is that, in the year 1492, when Columbus was addressing the + King and Queen of Spain on his qualifications as a navigator, and when he + wished to set forth his experience in a formidable light, he said nothing + about this voyage, but merely described his explorations as having + extended from Guinea on the south to England on the north. A shrewd + estimate of Columbus’s character makes it indeed seem incredible + that, if he had really been in Iceland, he should not have mentioned the + fact on this occasion; and yet there is just one reason, also quite + characteristic of Columbus, that would account for the suppression. It is + just possible that when he was at Thule, by which he meant Iceland, he may + have heard of the explorations in the direction of Greenland and + Newfoundland; and that, although by other navigators these lands were + regarded as a part of the continent of Europe, he may have had some + glimmerings of an idea that they were part of land and islands in the + West; and he was much too jealous of his own reputation as the great and + only originator of the project for voyaging to the West, to give away any + hints that he was not the only person to whom such ideas had occurred. + There is deception and untruth somewhere; and one must make one’s + choice between regarding the story in the first place as a lie, or + accepting it as truth, and putting down Columbus’s silence about it + on a later occasion to a rare instinct of judicious suppression. There are + other facts in his life, to which, we shall come later, that are in + accordance with this theory. There is no doubt, moreover, that Columbus + had a very great experience of the sea, and was one of the greatest + practical seamen, if not the greatest, that has ever lived; and it would + be foolish to deny, except for the greatest reasons, that he made a voyage + to the far North, which was neither unusual at the time nor a very great + achievement for a seaman of his experience. + </p> + <p> + Christopher returned from these voyages, of which we know nothing except + the facts that he has given us, towards the end of 1477; and it was + probably in the next year that an event very important in his life and + career took place. Hitherto there has been no whisper of love in that + arduous career of wool-weaving, sailoring, and map-making; and it is not + unlikely that his marriage represents the first inspiration of love in his + life, for he was, in spite of his southern birth, a cool-blooded man, for + whom affairs of the heart had never a very serious interest. But at + Lisbon, where he began to find himself with some footing and place in the + world, and where the prospect of at least a livelihood began to open out + before him, his thoughts took that turn towards domesticity and family + life which marks a moment in the development of almost every man. And now, + since he has at last to emerge from the misty environment of sea-spray + that has veiled him so long from our intimate sight, we may take a close + look at him as he was in this year 1478. + </p> + <p> + Unlike the southern Italians, he was fair in colouring; a man rather above + the middle height, large limbed, of a shapely breadth and proportion, and + of a grave and dignified demeanour. His face was ruddy, and inclined to be + freckled under the exposure to the sun, his hair at this age still fair + and reddish, although in a few years later it turned grey, and became + white while he was still a young man. His nose was slightly aquiline, his + face long and rather full; his eyes of a clear blue, with sharply defined + eyebrows—seamen’s eyes, which get an unmistakable light in + them from long staring into the sea distances. Altogether a handsome and + distinguished-looking young man, noticeable anywhere, and especially among + a crowd of swarthy Portuguese. He was not a lively young man; on the + contrary, his manner was rather heavy, and even at times inclined to be + pompous; he had a very good opinion of himself, had the clear calculating + head and tidy intellectual methods of the able mariner; was shrewd and + cautious—in a word, took himself and the world very seriously. A + strictly conventional man, as the conventions of his time and race went; + probably some of his gayer and lighter-hearted contemporaries thought him + a dull enough dog, who would not join in a carouse or a gallant adventure, + but would probably get the better of you if he could in any commercial + deal. He was a great stickler for the observances of religion; and never a + Sunday or feast-day passed, when he was ashore, without finding him, like + the dutiful son of the Church that he was, hearing Mass and attending at + Benediction. Not, indeed, a very attractive or inspiring figure of a man; + not the man whose company one would likely have sought very much, or whose + conversation one would have found very interesting. A man rather whose + character was cast in a large and plain mould, without those many facets + which add so much to the brightness of human intercourse, and which + attract and reflect the light from other minds; a man who must be tried in + large circumstances, and placed in a big setting, if his qualities are to + be seen to advantage . . . . I seem to see him walking up from the shop + near the harbour at Lisbon towards the convent of Saints; walking gravely + and firmly, with a dignified demeanour, with his best clothes on, and + glad, for the moment, to be free of his sea acquaintances, and to be + walking in the direction of that upper-class world after which he has a + secret hankering in his heart. There are a great many churches in Lisbon + nearer his house where he might hear Mass on Sundays; but he prefers to + walk up to the rich and fashionable convent of Saints, where everybody is + well dressed, and where those kindling eyes of his may indulge a cool + taste for feminine beauty. + </p> + <p> + While the chapel bell is ringing other people are hurrying through the + sunny Lisbon streets to Mass at the convent. Among the fashionable throng + are two ladies, one young, one middle-aged; they separate at the church + door, and the younger one leaves her mother and takes her place in the + convent choir. This is Philippa Moniz, who lives alone with her mother in + Lisbon, and amuses herself with her privileges as a cavaliera, or dame, in + one of the knightly orders attached to the rich convent of Saints. Perhaps + she has noticed the tall figure of the young Genoese in the strangers’ + part of the convent, perhaps not; but his roving blue eye has noticed her, + and much is to come of it. The young Genoese continues his regular and + exemplary attendance at the divine Office, the young lady is zealous in + observing her duties in the choir; some kind friend introduces them; the + audacious young man makes his proposals, and, in spite of the melancholy + protests of the young lady’s exceedingly respectable and + highly-connected relatives, the young people are betrothed and actually + married before the elders have time to recover breath from their first + shock at the absurdity of the suggestion. + </p> + <p> + There is a very curious fact in connection with his marriage that is + worthy of our consideration. In all his voluminous writings, letters, + memoirs, and journals, Columbus never once mentions his wife. His sole + reference to her is in his will, made at Valladolid many years later, long + after her death; and is contained in the two words “my wife.” + He ordains that a chapel shall be erected and masses said for the repose + of the souls of his father, his mother, and his wife. He who wrote so + much, did not write of her; he who boasted so much, never boasted of her; + he who bemoaned so much, never bemoaned her. There is a blank silence on + his part about everything connected with his marriage and his wife. I like + to think that it was because this marriage, which incidentally furnished + him with one of the great impulses of his career, was in itself placid and + uneventful, and belongs to that mass of happy days that do not make + history. Columbus was not a passionate man. I think that love had a very + small place in his life, and that the fever of passion was with him brief + and soon finished with; but I am sure he was affectionate, and grateful + for any affection and tenderness that were bestowed upon him. He was much + away too, at first on his voyages to Guinea and afterwards on the business + of his petitions to the Portuguese and Spanish Courts; and one need not be + a cynic to believe that these absences did nothing to lessen the affection + between him and his wife. Finally, their married life was a short one; she + died within ten years, and I am sure did not outlive his affections; so + that there may be something solemn, some secret memories of the aching joy + and sorrow that her coming into his life and passing out of it brought + him, in this silence of Columbus concerning his wife. + </p> + <p> + This marriage was, in the vulgar idiom of to-day, a great thing for + Columbus. It not only brought him a wife; it brought him a home, society, + recognition, and a connection with maritime knowledge and adventure that + was of the greatest importance to him. Philippa Moniz Perestrello was the + daughter of Bartolomeo Perestrello, who had been appointed hereditary + governor of the island of Porto Santo on its colonisation by Prince Henry + in 1425 and who had died there in 1457. Her grandfather was Gil Ayres + Moniz, who was secretary to the famous Constable Pereira in the reign of + John I, and is chiefly interesting to us because he founded the chapel of + the “Piedad” in the Carmelite Monastery at Lisbon, in which + the Moniz family had the right of interment for ever, and in which the + body of Philippa, after her brief pilgrimage in this world was over, duly + rested; and whence her son ordered its disinterment and re-burial in the + church of Santa Clara in San Domingo. Philippa’s mother, Isabel + Moniz, was the second or third wife of Perestrello; and after her husband’s + death she had come to live in Lisbon. She had another daughter, Violante + by name, who had married one Mulier, or Muliartes, in Huelva; and a son + named Bartolomeo, who was the heir to the governorship of Porto Santo; but + as he was only a little boy at the time of his father’s death his + mother ceded the governorship to Pedro Correa da Cunha, who had married + Iseult, the daughter of old Bartolomeo by his first wife. The governorship + was thus kept in the family during the minority of Bartolomeo, who resumed + it later when he came of age. + </p> + <p> + This Isabel, mother of Philippa, was a very important acquaintance indeed + for Columbus. It must be noted that he left the shop and poor Bartholomew + to take care of themselves or each other, and went to live in the house of + his mother-in-law. This was a great social step for the wool-weaver of + Genoa; and it was probably the result of a kind of compromise with his + wife’s horrified relatives at the time of her marriage. It was + doubtless thought impossible for her to go and live over the chart-maker’s + shop; and as you can make charts in one house as well as another, it was + decided that Columbus should live with his mother-in-law, and follow his + trade under her roof. Columbus, in fact, seems to have been fortunate in + securing the favour of his female relatives-in-law, and it was probably + owing to the championship of Philippa’s mother that a marriage so + much to his advantage ever took place at all. His wife had many + distinguished relatives in the neighbourhood of Lisbon; her cousin was + archbishop at this very time; but I can neither find that their marriage + was celebrated with the archiepiscopal blessing or that he ever got much + help or countenance from the male members of the Moniz family. Archbishops + even today do not much like their pretty cousins marrying a man of + Columbus’s position, whether you call him a woolweaver, a sailor, a + map-maker, or a bookseller. “Adventurer” is perhaps the truest + description of him; and the word was as much distrusted in the best + circles in Lisbon in the fifteenth century as it is to-day. + </p> + <p> + Those of his new relatives, however, who did get to know him soon began to + see that Philippa had not made such a bad bargain after all. With the + confidence and added belief in himself that the recognition and + encouragement of those kind women brought him, Columbus’s mind and + imagination expanded; and I think it was probably now that he began to + wonder if all his knowledge and seamanship, his quite useful smattering of + cartography and cosmography, his real love of adventure, and all his + dreams and speculations concerning the unknown and uncharted seas, could + not be turned to some practical account. His wife’s step-sister + Iseult and her husband had, moreover, only lately returned to Lisbon from + their long residence in Porto Santo; young Bartolomeo Perestrello, her + brother, was reigning there in their stead, and no doubt sending home + interesting accounts of ships and navigators that put in at Madeira; and + all the circumstances would tend to fan the spark of Columbus’s + desire to have some adventure and glory of his own on the high seas. He + would wish to show all these grandees, with whom his marriage had brought + him acquainted, that you did not need to be born a Perestrello—or + Pallastrelli, as the name was in its original Italian form—to make a + name in the world. Donna Isabel, moreover, was never tired of talking + about Porto Santo and her dead husband, and of all the voyages and sea + adventures that had filled his life. She was obviously a good teller of + tales, and had all the old history and traditions of Madeira at her + fingers’ ends; the story of Robert Machin and Anne Dorset; the story + of the isle of Seven Cities; and the black cloud on the horizon that + turned out in the end to be Madeira. She told Christopher how her husband, + when he had first gone to Porto Santo, had taken there a litter of + rabbits, and how the rabbits had so increased that in two seasons they had + eaten up everything on the island, and rendered it uninhabitable for some + time. + </p> + <p> + She brought out her husband’s sea-charts, memoranda, and log-books, + the sight of which still farther inflamed Christopher’s curiosity + and ambition. The great thing in those days was to discover something, if + it was only a cape down the African coast or a rock in the Atlantic. The + key to fame, which later took the form of mechanical invention, and later + still of discovery in the region of science, took the form then of actual + discovery of parts of the earth’s surface. The thing was in the air; + news was coming in every day of something new seen, something new charted. + If others had done so much, and the field was still half unexplored, could + not he do something also? It was not an unlikely thought to occur to the + mind of a student of sea charts and horizons. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + <a name="ch8" id="ch8"></a>CHAPTER VIII. + </h2> + <h3> + THE FIRE KINDLES + </h3> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p> + The next step in Columbus’s career was a move to Porto Santo, which + probably took place very soon after his marriage—that is to say, in + the year 1479. It is likely that he had the chance of making a voyage + there; perhaps even of commanding a ship, for his experience of the sea + and skill as a navigator must by this time have raised him above the rank + of an ordinary seaman; and in that case nothing would be more natural than + that he should take his young wife with him to visit her brother + Bartolomeo, and to see the family property. It is one of the charms of the + seaman’s profession that he travels free all over the world; and if + he has no house or other fixed possessions that need to be looked after he + has the freedom of the world, and can go where he likes free of cost. + Porto Santo and Madeira, lying in the track of the busiest trade on the + Atlantic coast, would provide Columbus with an excellent base from which + to make other voyages; so it was probably with a heart full of eager + anticipation for the future, and sense of quiet happiness in the present, + that in the year 1479 Signor Cristoforo Colombo (for he did not yet call + himself Senor Cristoval Colon) set out for Porto Santo—a lonely rock + some miles north of Madeira. Its southern shore is a long sweeping bay of + white sand, with a huddle of sand-hills beyond, and cliffs and peaks of + basalt streaked with lava fringing the other shores. When Columbus and his + bride arrived there the place was almost as bare as it is to-day. There + were the governor’s house; the settlement of Portuguese who worked + in the mills and sugar-fields; the mills themselves, with the cultivated + sugar-fields behind them; and the vineyards, with the dwarf Malmsey vines + pegged down to the ground, which Prince Henry had imported from Candia + fifty years before. The forest of dragon-trees that had once covered the + island was nearly all gone. The wood had all been used either for + building, making boats, or for fuel; and on the fruit of the few trees + that were left a herd of pigs was fattened. There was frequent + communication by boat with Madeira, which was the chief of all the + Atlantic islands, and the headquarters of the sugar trade; and Porto Santo + itself was a favourite place of call for passing ships. So that it was by + no means lonely for Christopher Columbus and his wife, even if they had + not had the society of the governor and his settlement. + </p> + <p> + We can allow him about three years in Porto Santo, although for a part of + this time at least he must have been at sea. I think it not unlikely that + it was the happiest time of his life. He was removed from the + uncomfortable environment of people who looked down upon him because of + his obscure birth; he was in an exquisite climate; and living by the + sea-shore, as a sailor loves to do; he got on well with Bartolomeo, who + was no doubt glad enough of the company of this grave sailor who had seen + so much and had visited so many countries; above all he had his wife + there, his beautiful, dear, proud Philippa, all to himself, and out of + reach of those abominable Portuguese noblemen who paid so much attention + to her and so little to him, and made him so jealous; and there was a + whispered promise of some one who was coming to make him happier still. It + is a splendid setting, this, for the sea adventurer; a charming picture + that one has of him there so long ago, walking on the white shores of the + great sweeping bay, with the glorious purple Atlantic sparkling and + thundering on the sands, as it sparkles and thunders to-day. A place empty + and vivid, swept by the mellow winds; silent, but for the continuous roar + of the sea; still, but for the scuttling of the rabbits among the + sand-hills and the occasional passage of a figure from the mills up to the + sugar-fields; but brilliant with sunshine and colour and the bright + environment of the sea. It was upon such scenes that he looked during this + happy pause in his life; they were the setting of Philippa’s dreams + and anxieties as the time of motherhood drew near; and it was upon them + that their little son first opened his eyes, and with the boom of the + Atlantic breakers that he first mingled his small voice. + </p> + <p> + It is but a moment of rest and happiness; for Christopher the scene is + soon changed, and he must set forth upon a voyage again, while Philippa is + left, with a new light in her eyes, to watch over the atom that wakes and + weeps and twists and struggles and mews, and sleeps again, in her charge. + Sleep well, little son! Yet a little while, and you too shall make voyages + and conquests; new worlds lie waiting for you, who are so greatly + astonished at this Old World; far journeys by land and sea, and the + company of courtiers and kings; and much honour from the name and deeds of + him who looked into your eyes with a laugh and, a sob, and was so very + large and overshadowing! But with her who quietly sings to you, whose + hands soothe and caress you, in whose eyes shines that wonderful light of + mother’s love—only a little while longer. + </p> + <p> + While Diego, as this son was christened, was yet only a baby in his + cradle, Columbus made an important voyage to the, coast of Guinea as all + the western part of the African continent was then called. His solid and + practical qualities were by this time beginning to be recognised even by + Philippa’s haughty family, and it was possibly through the interest + of her uncle, Pedro Noronhas, a distinguished minister of the King of + Portugal, that he got the command of a caravel in the expedition which set + out for Guinea in December 1481. A few miles from Cape Coast Castle, and + on the borders of the Dutch colony, there are to-day the ruined remains of + a fort; and it is this fort, the fortress of St. George, that the + expedition was sent out to erect. On the 11th of December the little fleet + set sail for [from? D.W.] Lisbon—ten caravels, and two barges or + lighters laden with the necessary masonry and timber-work for the fort. + Columbus was in command of one of the caravels, and the whole fleet was + commanded by the Portuguese Admiral Azumbaga. They would certainly see + Porto Santo and Madeira on their way south, although they did not call + there; and Philippa was no doubt looking out for them, and watching from + the sand-hills the fleet of twelve ships going by in the offing. They + called at Cape Verde, where the Admiral was commissioned to present one of + the negro kings with some horses and hawks, and incidentally to obtain his + assent to a treaty. On the 19th of January 1482, having made a very good + voyage, they, landed just beyond the Cape of the Three Points, and + immediately set about the business of the expedition. + </p> + <p> + There was a state reception, with Admiral Azumbaga walking in front in + scarlet and brocade, followed by his captains, Columbus among them, + dressed in gorgeous tunics and cloaks with golden collars and, well hidden + beneath their finery, good serviceable cuirasses. The banner of Portugal + was ceremoniously unfurled and dis played from the top of a tall tree. An + altar was erected and consecrated by the chaplain to the expedition, and a + mass was sung for the repose of the soul of Prince Henry. The Portugal + contingent were then met by Caramansa, the king of the country, who came, + surrounded by a great guard of blacks armed with assegais, their bodies + scantily decorated with monkey fur and palm leaves. The black monarch must + have presented a handsome appearance, for his arms and legs were decked + with gold bracelets and rings, he had a kind of dog-collar fitted with + bells round his neck, and some pieces of gold were daintily twisted into + his beard. With these aids to diplomacy, and doubtless also with the help + of a dram or two of spirits or of the wine of Oporto, the treaty was soon + concluded, and a very shrewd stroke of business accomplished for the King + of Portugal; for it gave him the sole right of exchanging gaudy rubbish + from Portugal for the precious gold of Ethiopia. When the contents of the + two freight-ships had been unloaded they were beached and broken up by the + orders of King John, who wished it to be thought that they had been + destroyed in the whirlpools of that dangerous sea, and that the navigation + of those rough waters was only safe for the caravels of the Navy. The fort + was built in twenty days, and the expedition returned, laden with gold and + ivory; Admiral Azumbaga remained behind in command of the garrison. + </p> + <p> + This voyage, which was a bold and adventurous one for the time, may be + regarded as the first recognition of Columbus as a man of importance, for + the expedition was manned and commanded by picked men; so it was for all + reasons a very fortunate one for him, although the possession of the + dangerous secret as to the whereabouts of this valuable territory might + have proved to be not very convenient to him in the future. + </p> + <p> + Columbus went back to Porto Santo with his ambitions thoroughly kindled. + He had been given a definite command in the Portuguese Navy; he had been + sailing with a fleet; he had been down to the mysterious coast of Africa; + he had been trafficking with strange tribes; he had been engaged in a + difficult piece of navigation such as he loved; and on the long dreamy + days of the voyage home, the caravels furrowing the blue Atlantic before + the steady trade-wind, he determined that he would find some way of + putting his knowledge to use, and of earning distinction for himself. + Living, as he had been lately, in Atlantic seaports overlooking the + western ocean it is certain that the idea of discovering something in that + direction occupied him more and more. What it was that he was to discover + was probably very vague in his mind, and was likely not designated by any + name more exact than “lands.” In after years he tried to show + that it was a logical and scientific deduction which led him to go and + seek the eastern shore of the Indian continent by sailing west; but we may + be almost certain that at this time he thought of no such thing. He had no + exact scientific knowledge at this date. His map making had taught him + something, and naturally he had kept his ears open, and knew all the + gossip and hearsay about the islands of the West; and there gradually grew + in his mind the intuition or conviction—I refuse to call it an + opinion—that, over that blue verge of the West, there was land to be + found. How this seed of conviction first lodged in his mind it would be + impossible to say; in any one of the steps through which we have followed + him, it might have taken its root; but there it was, beginning to occupy + his mind very seriously indeed; and he began to look out, as all men do + who wish to act upon faith or conviction which they cannot demonstrate to + another person, for some proofs that his conviction was a sound one. + </p> + <p> + And now, just at the moment when he needs it most, comes an incident that, + to a man of his religious and superstitious habit, seems like the pointing + finger of Providence. The story of the shipwrecked pilot has been + discredited by nearly all the modern biographers of Columbus, chiefly + because it does not fit in with their theory of his scientific studies and + the alleged bearing of these on his great discovery; but it is given by + Las Casas, who says that it was commonly believed by Columbus’s + entourage at Hispaniola. Moreover, amid all the tangles of theory and + argument in which the achievement of Columbus has been involved, this + original story of shipwrecked mariners stands out with a strength and + simplicity that cannot be entirely disregarded by the historian who + permits himself some light of imagination by which to work. It is more + true to life and to nature that Columbus should have received his last + impulse, the little push that was to set his accumulated energy and + determination in motion, from a thing of pure chance, than that he should + have built his achievement up in a logical superstructure resting on a + basis of profound and elaborate theory. + </p> + <p> + In the year following Columbus’s return from Guinea, then, he, and + probably his family, had gone over to Madeira from Porto Santo, and were + staying there. While they were there a small ship put in to Madeira, much + battered by storms and bad weather, and manned by a crew of five sick + mariners. Columbus, who was probably never far from the shore at Funchal + when a ship came into the harbour, happened to see them. Struck by their + appearance, and finding them in a quite destitute and grievously invalid + condition, he entertained them in his house until some other provision + could be made for them. But they were quite worn out. One by one they + succumbed to weakness and illness, until one only, a pilot from Huelva, + was left. He also was sinking, and when it was obvious that his end was + near at hand, he beckoned his good host to his bedside, and, in gratitude + for all his kindness, imparted to him some singular knowledge which he had + acquired, and with which, if he had lived, he had hoped to win distinction + for himself. + </p> + <p> + The pilot’s story, in so far as it has been preserved, and taking + the mean of four contemporary accounts of it, was as follows. This man, + whose name is doubtful, but is given as Alonso Sanchez, was sailing on a + voyage from one of the Spanish ports to England or Flanders. He had a crew + of seventeen men. When they had got well out to sea a severe easterly gale + sprung up, which drove the vessel before it to the westward. Day after day + and week after week, for twenty-eight days, this gale continued. The + islands were all left far behind, and the ship was carried into a region + far beyond the limits of the ocean marked on the charts. At last they + sighted some islands, upon one of which they landed and took in wood and + water. The pilot took the bearings of the island, in so far as he was + able, and made some observations, the only one of which that has remained + being that the natives went naked; and, the wind having changed, set forth + on his homeward voyage. This voyage was long and painful. The wind did not + hold steady from the west; the pilot and his crew had a very hazy notion + of where they were; their dead reckoning was confused; their provisions + fell short; and one by one the crew sickened and died until they were + reduced to five or six—the ones who, worn out by sickness and + famine, and the labours of working the ship short-handed and in their + enfeebled condition, at last made the island of Madeira, and cast anchor + in the beautiful bay of Funchal, only to die there. All these things we + may imagine the dying man relating in snatches to his absorbed listener; + who felt himself to be receiving a pearl of knowledge to be guarded and + used, now that its finder must depart upon the last and longest voyage of + human discovery. Such observations as he had made—probably a few + figures giving the bearings of stars, an account of dead reckoning, and a + quite useless and inaccurate chart or map—the pilot gave to his + host; then, having delivered his soul of its secret, he died. This is the + story; not an impossible or improbable one in its main outlines. Whether + the pilot really landed on one of the Antilles is extremely doubtful, + although it is possible. Superstitious and storm-tossed sailors in those + days were only too ready to believe that they saw some of the fabled + islands of the Atlantic; and it is quite possible that the pilot simply + announced that he had seen land, and that the details as to his having + actually set foot upon it were added later. That does not seem to me + important in so far as it concerns Columbus. Whether it were true or not, + the man obviously believed it; and to the mind of Columbus, possessed with + an idea and a blind faith in something which could not be seen, the whole + incident would appear in the light of a supernatural sign. The bit of + paper or parchment with the rude drawing on it, even although it were the + drawing of a thing imagined and not of a thing seen, would still have for + him a kind of authority that he would find it hard to ignore. It seems + unnecessary to disbelieve this story. It is obviously absurd to regard it + as the sole origin of Columbus’s great idea; it probably belongs to + that order of accidents, small and unimportant in themselves, which are so + often associated with the beginnings of mighty events. Walking on the + shore at Madeira or Porto Santo, his mind brooding on the great and + growing idea, Columbus would remember one or two other instances which, in + the light of his growing conviction and know ledge, began to take on a + significant hue. He remembered that his wife’s relative, Pedro + Correa, who had come back from Porto Santo while Columbus was living in + Lisbon, had told him about some strange flotsam that came in upon the + shores of the island. He had seen a piece of wood of a very dark colour + curiously carved, but not with any tool of metal; and some great canes had + also come ashore, so big that, every joint would hold a gallon of wine. + These canes, which were utterly unlike any thing known in Europe or the + islands of the Atlantic, had been looked upon as such curiosities that + they had been sent to the King at Lisbon, where they remained, and where + Columbus himself afterwards saw them. Two other stories, which he heard + also at this time, went to strengthen his convictions. One was the tale of + Martin Vincenti, a pilot in the Portuguese Navy, who had found in the sea, + four hundred and twenty leagues to the west of Cape St. Vincent, another + piece of wood, curiously carved, that had evidently not been laboured with + an iron instrument. Columbus also remembered that the inhabitants of the + Azores had more than once found upon their coasts the trunks of huge + pine-trees, and strangely shaped canoes carved out of single logs; and, + most significant of all, the people of Flares had taken from the water the + bodies of two dead men, whose faces were of a strange broad shape, and + whose features differed from those of any known race of mankind. All these + objects, it was supposed, were brought by westerly winds to the shores of + Europe; it was not till long afterwards, when the currents of the Atlantic + came to be studied, that the presence of such flotsam came to be + attributed to the ocean currents, deflected by the Cape of Good Hope and + gathered in the Gulf of Mexico, which are sprayed out across the Atlantic. + </p> + <p> + The idea once fixed in his mind that there was land at a not impossible + distance to the west, and perhaps a sea-road to the shores of Asia itself, + the next thing to be done, was to go and discover it. Rather a formidable + task for a man without money, a foreigner in a strange land, among people + who looked down upon him because of his obscure birth, and with no + equipment except a knowledge of the sea, a great mastery of the art and + craft of seamanship, a fearless spirit of adventure, and an inner light! + Some one else would have to be convinced before anything could be done; + somebody who would provide ships and men and money and provisions. + Altogether rather a large order; for it was not an unusual thing in those + days for master mariners, tired of the shore, to suggest to some grandee + or other the desirability of fitting out a ship or two to go in search of + the isle of St. Brandon, or to look up Antilia, or the island of the Seven + Cities. It was very hard to get an audience even for such a reasonable + scheme as that; but to suggest taking a flotilla straight out to the west + and into the Sea of Darkness, down that curving hill of the sea which it + might be easy enough to slide down, but up which it was known that no ship + could ever climb again, was a thing that hardly any serious or + well-informed person would listen to. A young man from Genoa, without a + knowledge either of the classics or of the Fathers, and with no other + argument except his own fixed belief and some vague talk about bits of + wood and shipwrecked mariners, was not the person to inspire the + capitalists of Portugal. Yet the thing had to be done. Obviously it could + not be done at Porto Santo, where there were no ships and no money. + Influence must be used; and Columbus knew that his proposals, if they were + to have even a chance of being listened to, must be presented in some + high-flown and elaborate form, giving reasons and offering inducements and + quoting authorities. He would have to get some one to help him in that; he + would have to get up some scientific facts; his brother Bartholomew could + help him, and some of those disagreeable relatives-in-law must also be + pressed into the service of the Idea. Obviously the first thing was to go + back to Lisbon; which accordingly Columbus did, about the year 1483. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + <a name="ch9" id="ch9"></a>CHAPTER IX. + </h2> + <h3> + WANDERINGS WITH AN IDEA + </h3> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p> + The man to whom Columbus proposed to address his request for means with + which to make a voyage of discovery was no less a person than the new King + of Portugal. Columbus was never a man of petty or small ideas; if he were + going to do a thing at all, he went about it in a large and comprehensive + way; and all his life he had a way of going to the fountainhead, and of + making flights and leaps where other men would only climb or walk, that + had much to do with his ultimate success. King John, moreover, had shown + himself thoroughly sympathetic to the spirit of discovery; Columbus, as we + have seen, had already been employed in a trusted capacity in one of the + royal expeditions; and he rightly thought that, since he had to ask the + help of some one in his enterprise, he might as well try to enlist the + Crown itself in the service of his great Idea. He was not prepared, + however, to go directly to the King and ask for ships; his proposal would + have to be put in a way that would appeal to the royal ambition, and would + also satisfy the King that there was really a destination in view for the + expedition. In other words Columbus had to propose to go somewhere; it + would not do to say that he was going west into the Atlantic Ocean to look + about him. He therefore devoted all his energies to putting his proposal + on what is called a business footing, and expressing his vague, sublime + Idea in common and practical terms. + </p> + <p> + The people who probably helped him most in this were his brother + Bartholomew and Martin Behaim, the great authority on scientific + navigation, who had been living in Lisbon for some time and with whom + Columbus was acquainted. Behaim, who was at this time about forty eight + years of age, was born at Nuremberg, and was a pupil of Regiomontanus, the + great German astronomer. A very interesting man, this, if we could + decipher his features and character; no mere star-gazing visionary, but a + man of the world, whose scientific lore was combined with a wide and + liberal experience of life. He was not only learned in cosmography and + astronomy, but he had a genius for mechanics and made beautiful + instruments; he was a merchant also, and combined a little business with + his scientific travels. He had been employed at Lisbon in adapting the + astrolabe of Regiomontanus for the use of sailors at sea; and in these + labours he was assisted by two people who were destined to have a weighty + influence on the career of Columbus—Doctors Rodrigo and Joseph, + physicians or advisers to the King, and men of great academic reputation. + There was nothing known about cosmography or astronomy that Behaim did not + know; and he had just come back from an expedition on which he had been + despatched, with Rodrigo and Joseph, to take the altitude of the sun in + Guinea. + </p> + <p> + Columbus was not the man to neglect his opportunities, and there can be no + doubt that as soon as his purpose had established itself in his mind he + made use of every opportunity that presented itself for improving his + meagre scientific knowledge, in order that his proposal might be set forth + in a plausible form. In other words, he got up the subject. The whole of + his geographical reading with regard to the Indies up to this time had + been in the travels of Marco Polo; the others—whose works he quoted + from so freely in later years were then known to him only by name, if at + all. Behaim, however, could tell him a good deal about the supposed + circumference of the earth, the extent of the Asiatic continent, and so + on. Every new fact that Columbus heard he seized and pressed into the + service of his Idea; where there was a choice of facts, or a difference of + opinion between scientists, he chose the facts that were most convenient, + and the opinions that fitted best with his own beliefs. The very word + “Indies” was synonymous with unbounded wealth; there certainly + would be riches to tempt the King with; and Columbus, being a religious + man, hit also on the happy idea of setting forth the spiritual glory of + carrying the light of faith across the Sea of Darkness, and making of the + heathen a heritage for the Christian Church. So that, what with one thing + and another, he soon had his proposals formally arranged. + </p> + <p> + Imagine him, then, actually at Court, and having an audience of the King, + who could scarcely believe his ears. Here was a man, of whom he knew + nothing but that his conduct of a caravel had been well spoken of in the + recent expedition to Guinea, actually proposing to sail out west into the + Atlantic and to cross the unknown part of the world. Certainly his + proposals seemed plausible, but still—. The earth was round, said + Columbus, and therefore there was a way from East to West and from West to + East. The prophet Esdras, a scientific authority that even His Majesty + would hardly venture to doubt, had laid it down that only one-seventh of + the earth was covered by waters. From this fact Columbus deduced that the + maritime space extending westward between the shores of Europe and eastern + coast of Asia could not be large; and by sailing westward he proposed to + reach certain lands of which he claimed to have knowledge. The sailors’ + tales, the logs of driftwood, the dead bodies, were all brought into the + proposals; in short, if His Majesty would grant some ships, and consent to + making Columbus Admiral over all the islands that he might discover, with + full viceregal state, authority, and profit, he would go and discover + them. + </p> + <p> + There are two different accounts of what the King said when this proposal + was made to him. According to some authorities, John was impressed by + Columbus’s proposals, and inclined to provide him with the necessary + ships, but he could not assent to all the titles and rewards which + Columbus demanded as a price for his services. Barros, the Portuguese + historian, on the other hand, represents that the whole idea was too + fantastic to be seriously entertained by the King for a moment, and that + although he at once made up his mind to refuse the request he preferred to + delegate his refusal to a commission. Whatever may be the truth as to King + John’s opinions, the commission was certainly appointed, and + consisted of three persons, to wit: Master Rodrigo, Master Joseph the Jew, + and the Right Reverend Cazadilla, Bishop of Ceuta. + </p> + <p> + Before these three learned men must Columbus now appear, a little less + happy in his mind, and wishing that he knew more Latin. Master Rodrigo, + Master Joseph the Jew, the Right Reverend Cazadilla: three pairs of cold + eyes turned rather haughtily on the Genoese adventurer; three brains much + steeped in learning, directed in judgment on the Idea of a man with no + learning at all. The Right Reverend Cazadilla, being the King’s + confessor, and a bishop into the bargain, could speak on that matter of + converting the heathen; and he was of opinion that it could not be done. + Joseph the Jew, having made voyages, and worked with Behaim at the + astrolabe, was surely an authority on navigation; and he was of opinion + that it could not be done. Rodrigo, being also a very learned man, had + read many books which Columbus had not read; and he was of opinion that it + could not be done. Three learned opinions against one Idea; the Idea is + bound to go. They would no doubt question Columbus on the scientific + aspect of the matter, and would soon discover his grievous lack of + academic knowledge. They would quote fluently passages from writers that + he had not heard of; if he had not heard of them, they seemed to imply, no + wonder he made such foolish proposals. Poor Columbus stands there puzzled, + dissatisfied, tongue-tied. He cannot answer these wiseacres in their own + learned lingo; what they say, or what they quote, may be true or it may + not; but it has nothing to do with his Idea. If he opens his mouth to + justify himself, they refute him with arguments that he does not + understand; there is a wall between them. More than a wall; there is a + world between them! It is his ‘credo’ against their ‘ignoro’; + it is, his ‘expecto’ against their ‘non video’. + Yet in his ‘credo’ there lies a power of which they do not + dream; and it rings out in a trumpet note across the centuries, saluting + the life force that opposes its irresistible “I will” to the + feeble “Thou canst not” of the worldly-wise. Thus, in about + the year 1483, did three learned men sit in judgment upon our ignorant + Christopher. Three learned men: Doctors Rodrigo, Joseph the Jew, and the + Right Reverend Cazadilla, Bishop of Ceuta; three risen, stuffed to the + eyes and ears with learning; stuffed so full indeed that eyes and ears are + closed with it. And three men, it would appear, wholly destitute of + mother-wit. + </p> + <p> + After all his preparations this rebuff must have been a serious blow to + Columbus. It was not his only trouble, moreover. During the last year he + had been earning nothing; he was already in imagination the Admiral of the + Ocean Seas; and in the anticipation of the much higher duties to which he + hoped to be devoted it is not likely that he would continue at his humble + task of making maps and charts. The result was that he got into debt, and + it was absolutely necessary that something should be done. But a darker + trouble had also almost certainly come to him about this time. Neither the + day nor the year of Philippa’s death is known; but it is likely that + it occurred soon after Columbus’s failure at the Portuguese Court, + and immediately before his departure into Spain. That anonymous life, + fulfilling itself so obscurely in companionship and motherhood, as softly + as it floated upon the page of history, as softly fades from it again. + Those kind eyes, that encouraging voice, that helping hand and friendly + human soul are with him no longer; and after the interval of peace and + restful growth that they afforded Christopher must strike his tent and go + forth upon another stage of his pilgrimage with a heavier and sterner + heart. + </p> + <p> + Two things are left to him: his son Diego, now an articulate little + creature with character and personality of his own, and with strange, + heart-breaking reminiscences of his mother in voice and countenance and + manner—that is one possession; the other is his Idea. Two things + alive and satisfactory, amid the ruin and loss of other possessions; two + reasons for living and prevailing. And these two possessions Columbus took + with him when he set out for Spain in the year 1485. + </p> + <p> + His first care was to take little Diego to the town of Huelva, where there + lived a sister of Philippa’s who had married a Spaniard named + Muliartes. This done, he was able to devote himself solely to the + furtherance of his Idea. For this purpose he went to Seville, where he + attached himself for a little while to a group of his countrymen who were + settled there, among them Antonio and Alessandro Geraldini, and made such + momentary living as was possible to him by his old trade. But the Idea + would not sleep. He talked of nothing else; and as men do who talk of an + idea that possesses them wholly, and springs from the inner light of + faith, he interested and impressed many of his hearers. Some of them + suggested one thing, some another; but every one was agreed that it would + be a good thing if he could enlist the services of the great Count + (afterwards Duke) of Medini Celi, who had a palace at Rota, near Cadiz. + </p> + <p> + This nobleman was one of the most famous of the grandees of Spain, and + lived in mighty state upon his territory along the sea-shore, serving the + Crown in its wars and expeditions with the power and dignity of an ally + rather than of a subject. His domestic establishment was on a princely + scale, filled with chamberlains, gentlemen-at-arms, knights, retainers, + and all the panoply of social dignity; and there was also place in his + household for persons of merit and in need of protection. To this great + man came Columbus with his Idea. It attracted the Count, who was a judge + of men and perhaps of ideas also; and Columbus, finding some hope at last + in his attitude, accepted the hospitality offered to him, and remained at + Rota through the winter of 1485-86. He had not been very hopeful when he + arrived there, and had told the Count that he had thought of going to the + King of France and asking for help from him; but the Count, who found + something respectable and worthy of consideration in the Idea of a man who + thought nothing of a journey in its service from one country to another + and one sovereign to another, detained him, and played with the Idea + himself. Three or four caravels were nothing to the Count of Medina Eeli; + but on the other hand the man was a grandee and a diplomat, with a nice + sense of etiquette and of what was due to a reigning house. Either there + was nothing in this Idea, in which case his caravels would be employed to + no purpose, or there was so much in it that it was an undertaking, not + merely for the Count of Medina Celi, but for the Crown of Castile. Lands + across the ocean, and untold gold and riches of the Indies, suggested + complications with foreign Powers, and transactions with the Pope himself, + that would probably be a little too much even for the good Count; + therefore with a curious mixture of far-sighted generosity and shrewd + security he wrote to Queen Isabella, recommending Columbus to her, and + asking her to consider his Idea; asking her also, in case anything should + come of it, to remember him (the Count), and to let him have a finger in + the pie. Thus, with much literary circumstance and elaboration of + politeness, the Count of Medina Celi to Queen Isabella. + </p> + <p> + Follows an interval of suspense, the beginning of a long discipline of + suspense to which Columbus was to be subjected; and presently comes a + favourable reply from the Queen, commanding that Columbus should be sent + to her. Early in 1486 he set out for Cordova, where the Court was then + established, bearing another letter from the Count in which his own + private requests were repeated, and perhaps a little emphasised. Columbus + was lodged in the house of Alonso de Quintanilla, Treasurer to the Crown + of Castile, there to await an audience with Queen Isabella. + </p> + <p> + While he is waiting, and getting accustomed to his new surroundings, let + us consider these two monarchs in whose presence he is soon to appear, and + upon whose decision hangs some part of the world’s destiny. Isabella + first; for in that strange duet of government it is her womanly soprano + that rings most clearly down the corridors of Time. We discern in her a + very busy woman, living a difficult life with much tact and judgment, and + exercising to some purpose that amiable taste for “doing good” + that marks the virtuous lady of station in every age. This, however, was a + woman who took risks with her eyes open, and steered herself cleverly in + perilous situations, and guided others with a firm hand also, and in other + ways made good her claim to be a ruler. The consent and the will of her + people were her great strength; by them she dethroned her niece and + ascended the throne of Castile. She had the misfortune to be at variance + with her husband in almost every matter of policy dear to his heart; she + opposed the expulsion of the Jews and the establishment of the + Inquisition; but when she failed to get her way, she was still able to + preserve her affectionate relations with her husband without disagreement + and with happiness. If she had a fault it was the common one of being too + much under the influence of her confessors; but it was a fault that was + rarely allowed to disturb the balance of her judgment. She liked clever + people also; surrounded herself with men of letters and of science, + fostered all learned institutions, and delighted in the details of civil + administration. A very dignified and graceful figure, that could equally + adorn a Court drawing-room or a field of battle; for she actually went + into the field, and wore armour as becomingly as silk and ermine. Firm, + constant, clever, alert, a little given to fussiness perhaps, but + sympathetic and charming, with some claims to genius and some approach to + grandeur of soul: so much we may say truly of her inner self. Outwardly + she was a woman well formed, of medium height, a very dignified and + graceful carriage, eyes of a clear summer blue, and the red and gold of + autumn in her hair—these last inherited from her English + grandmother. + </p> + <p> + Ferdinand of Aragon appears not quite so favourably in our pages, for he + never thought well of Columbus or of his proposals; and when he finally + consented to the expedition he did so with only half a heart, and against + his judgment. He was an extremely enterprising, extremely subtle, + extremely courageous, and according to our modern notions, an extremely + dishonest man; that is to say, his standards of honour were not those + which we can accept nowadays. He thought nothing of going back on a + promise, provided he got a priestly dispensation to do so; he juggled with + his cabinets, and stopped at nothing in order to get his way; he had a + craving ambition, and was lacking in magnanimity; he loved dominion, and + cared very little for glory. A very capable man; so capable that in spite + of his defects he was regarded by his subjects as wise and prudent; so + capable that he used his weaknesses of character to strengthen and further + the purposes of his reign. A very cold man also, quick and sure in his + judgments, of wide understanding and grasp of affairs; simple and austere + in dress and diet, as austerity was counted in that period of splendour; + extremely industrious, and close in his observations and judgments of men. + To the bodily eye he appeared as a man of middle size, sturdy and + athletic, face burned a brick red with exposure to the sun and open air; + hair and eyebrows of a bright chestnut; a well-formed and not unkindly + mouth; a voice sharp and unmelodious, issuing in quick fluent speech. This + was the man that earned from the Pope, for himself and his successors, the + title of “Most Catholic Majesty.” + </p> + <p> + The Queen was very busy indeed with military preparations; but in the + midst of her interviews with nobles and officers, contractors and state + officials, she snatched a moment to receive the person Christopher + Columbus. With that extreme mental agility which is characteristic of busy + sovereigns all the force of this clever woman’s mind was turned for + a moment on Christopher, whose Idea had by this time invested him with a + dignity which no amount of regal state could abash. There was very little + time. The Queen heard what Columbus had to say, cutting him short, it is + likely, with kindly tact, and suppressing his tendency to launch out into + long-winded speeches. What she saw she liked; and, being too busy to give + to this proposal the attention that it obviously merited, she told + Columbus that the matter would be fully gone into and that in the meantime + he must regard himself as the guest of the Court. And so, in the + countenance of a smile and a promise, Columbus bows himself out. For the + present he must wait a little and his hot heart must contain itself while + other affairs, looming infinitely larger than his Idea on the royal + horizon, receive the attention of the Court. + </p> + <p> + It was not the happiest moment, indeed, in which to talk of ships and + charts, and lonely sea-roads, and faraway undiscovered shores. Things at + home were very real and lively in those spring days at Cordova. The war + against the Moors had reached a critical stage; King Ferdinand was away + laying siege to the city of Loxa, and though the Queen was at Cordova she + was entirely occupied with the business of collecting and forwarding + troops and supplies to his aid. The streets were full of soldiers; nobles + and grandees from all over the country were arriving daily with their + retinues; glitter and splendour, and the pomp of warlike preparation, + filled the city. Early in June the Queen herself went to the front and + joined her husband in the siege of Moclin; and when this was victoriously + ended, and they had returned in triumph to Cordova, they had to set out + again for Gallicia to suppress a rebellion there. When that was over they + did not come back to Cordova at all, but repaired at once to Salamanca to + spend the winter there. + </p> + <p> + At the house of Alonso de Quintanilla, however, Columbus was not + altogether wasting his time. He met there some of the great persons of the + Court, among them the celebrated Pedro Gonzalez de Mendoza, Archbishop of + Toledo and Grand Cardinal of Spain. This was far too great a man to be at + this time anything like a friend of Columbus; but Columbus had been + presented to him; the Cardinal would know his name, and what his business + was; and that is always a step towards consideration. Cabrero, the royal + Chamberlain, was also often a fellow-guest at the Treasurer’s table; + and with him Columbus contracted something like a friendship. Every one + who met him liked him; his dignity, his simplicity of thought and manner, + his experience of the sea, and his calm certainty and conviction about the + stupendous thing which he proposed to do, could not fail to attract the + liking and admiration of those with whom he came in contact. In the + meantime a committee appointed by the Queen sat upon his proposals. The + committee met under the presidentship of Hernando de Talavera, the prior + of the monastery of Santa Maria del Prado, near Valladolid, a pious + ecclesiastic, who had the rare quality of honesty, and who was therefore a + favourite with Queen Isabella; she afterwards created him Archbishop of + Granada. He was not, however, poor honest soul! quite the man to grasp and + grapple with this wild scheme for a voyage across the ocean. Once more + Columbus, as in Portugal, set forth his views with eloquence and + conviction; and once more, at the tribunal of learning, his unlearned + proposals were examined and condemned. Not only was Columbus’s Idea + regarded as scientifically impossible, but it was also held to come + perilously near to heresy, in its assumption of a state of affairs that + was clearly at variance with the writings of the Fathers and the sacred + Scriptures themselves. + </p> + <p> + This new disappointment, bitter though it was, did not find Columbus in + such friendless and unhappy circumstances as those in which he left + Portugal. He had important friends now, who were willing and anxious to + help him, and among them was one to whom he turned, in his profound + depression, for religious and friendly consolation. This was Diego de DEA, + prior of the Dominican convent of San Estevan at Salamanca, who was also + professor of theology in the university there and tutor to the young + Prince Juan. Of all those who came in contact with Columbus at this time + this man seems to have understood him best, and to have realised where his + difficulty lay. Like many others who are consumed with a burning idea + Columbus was very probably at this time in danger of becoming possessed + with it like a monomaniac; and his new friends saw that if he were to make + any impression upon the conservative learning of the time to which a + decision in such matters was always referred he must have some opportunity + for friendly discussion with learned men who were not inimical to him, and + who were not in the position of judges examining a man arraigned before + them and pleading for benefits. + </p> + <p> + When the Court went to Salamanca at the end of 1486, DEA arranged that + Columbus should go there too, and he lodged him in a country farm called + Valcuebo, which belonged to his convent and was equi-distant from it and + the city. Here the good Dominican fathers came and visited him, bringing + with them professors from the university, who discussed patiently with + Columbus his theories and ambitions, and, himself all conscious, + communicated new knowledge to him, and quietly put him right on many a + scientific point. There were professors of cosmography and astronomy in + the university, familiar with the works of Alfraganus and Regiomontanus. + It is likely that it was at this time that Columbus became possessed of d’Ailly’s + ‘Imago Mundi’, which little volume contained a popular resume + of the scientific views of Strabo, Pliny, Ptolemy, and others, and was + from this time forth Columbus’s constant companion. + </p> + <p> + Here at Valcuebo and later, when winter came, in the great hall of the + Dominican convent at Salamanca, known as the “De Profundis” + hall, where the monks received guests and held discussions, the Idea of + Columbus was ventilated and examined. He heard what friendly sceptics had + to say about it; he saw the kind of argument that he would have to oppose + to the existing scientific and philosophical knowledge on cosmography. + There is no doubt that he learnt a good deal at this time; and more + important even than this, he got his project known and talked about; and + he made powerful friends, who were afterwards to be of great use to him. + The Marquesa de Moya, wife of his friend Cabrera, took a great liking to + him; and as she was one of the oldest and closest friends of the Queen, it + is likely that she spoke many a good word for Columbus in Isabella’s + ear. + </p> + <p> + By the time the Court moved to Cordova early in 1487, Columbus was once + more hopeful of getting a favourable hearing. He followed the Court to + Cordova, where he received a gracious message from the Queen to the effect + that she had not forgotten him, and that as soon as her military + preoccupations permitted it, she would go once more, and more fully, into + his proposals. In the meantime he was attached to the Court, and received + a quarterly payment of 3000 maravedis. It seemed as though the + unfavourable decision of Talavera’s committee had been forgotten. + </p> + <p> + In the meantime he was to have a change of scene. Isabella followed + Ferdinand to the siege of Malaga, where the Court was established; and as + there were intervals in which other than military business might be + transacted, Columbus was ordered to follow them in case his affairs should + come up for consideration. They did not; but the man himself had an + experience that may have helped to keep his thoughts from brooding too + much on his unfulfilled ambition. Years afterwards, when far away on + lonely seas, amid the squalor of a little ship and the staggering buffets + of a gale, there would surely sometimes leap into his memory a brightly + coloured picture of this scene in the fertile valley of Malaga: the silken + pavilions of the Court, the great encampment of nobility with its arms and + banners extending in a semicircle to the seashore, all glistening and + moving in the bright sunshine. There was added excitement at this time at + an attempt to assassinate Ferdinand and Isabella, a fanatic Moor having + crept up to one of the pavilions and aimed a blow at two people whom he + mistook for the King and Queen. They turned out to be Don Alvaro de + Portugal, who was dangerously wounded, and Columbus’s friend, the + Marquesa de Moya, who was unhurt; but it was felt that the King and Queen + had had a narrow escape. The siege was raised on the 18th of August, and + the sovereigns went to spend the winter at Zaragoza; and Columbus, once + more condemned to wait, went back to Cordova. + </p> + <p> + It was here that he contracted his second and, so far as we know, his last + romantic attachment. The long idle days of summer and autumn at Cordova, + empty of all serious occupation, gave nature an opportunity for indulging + her passion for life and continuity. Among Christopher’s friends at + Cordova was the family of Arana, friendly hospitable souls, by some + accounts noble and by others not noble, and certainly in somewhat poor + circumstances, who had welcomed him to their house, listened to his plans + with enthusiasm, and formed a life-long friendship with him. Three members + of this family are known to us—two brothers, Diego and Pedro, both + of whom commanded ships in Columbus’s expeditions, and a sister + Beatriz. Columbus was now a man of six-and-thirty, while she was little + more than a girl; he was handsome and winning, distinguished by the daring + and importance of his scheme, full of thrilling and romantic talk of + distant lands; a very interesting companion, we may be sure. No wonder she + fell in love with Christopher; no wonder that he, feeling lonely and + depressed by the many postponements of his suit at Court, and in need of + sympathy and encouragement, fell in these blank summer days into an + intimacy that flamed into a brief but happy passion. Why Columbus never + married Beatriz de Arana we cannot be sure, for it is almost certain that + his first wife had died some time before. Perhaps he feared to involve + himself in any new or embarrassing ties; perhaps he loved unwillingly, and + against his reason; perhaps—although the suggestion is not a happy + one—he by this time did not think poor Beatriz good enough for the + Admiral-elect of the Ocean Seas; perhaps (and more probably) Beatriz was + already married and deserted, for she bore the surname of Enriquez; and in + that case, there being no such thing as a divorce in the Catholic Church, + she must either sin or be celibate. But however that may be, there was an + uncanonical alliance between them which evidently did not in the least + scandalise her brothers and which resulted in the birth of Ferdinand + Columbus in the following year. Christopher, so communicative and + discursive upon some of his affairs, is as reticent about Beatriz as he + was about Philippa. Beatriz shares with his legitimate wife the curious + distinction of being spoken of by Columbus to posterity only in his will, + which was executed at Valladolid the day before he died. In the dry ink + and vellum of that ancient legal document is his only record of these two + passions. The reference to Beatriz is as follows: + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + “And I direct him [Diego] to make provision for Beatriz Enriquez, + mother of D. Fernando, my son, that she may be able to live honestly, + being a person to whom I am under very great obligation. And this shall + be done for the satisfaction of my conscience, because this matter + weighs heavily upon my soul. The reason for which it is not fitting to + write here.” + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + About the condition of Beatriz, temporal and spiritual, there has been + much controversy; but where the facts are all so buried and inaccessible + it is unseemly to agitate a veil which we cannot lift, and behind which + Columbus himself sheltered this incident of his life. “Acquainted + with poverty” is one fragment of fact concerning her that has come + down to us; acquainted also with love and with happiness, it would seem, + as many poor persons undoubtedly are. Enough for us to know that in the + city of Cordova there lived a woman, rich or poor, gentle or humble, + married or not married, who brought for a time love and friendly + companionship into the life of Columbus; that she gave what she had for + giving, without stint or reserve, and that she became the mother of a son + who inherited much of what was best in his father, and but for whom the + world would be in even greater darkness than it is on the subject of + Christopher himself. And so no more of Beatriz Enriquez de Arana, whom + “God has in his keeping”—and has had now these many + centuries of Time. + </p> + <p> + Thus passed the summer and autumn of 1487; precious months, precious years + slipping by, and the great purpose as yet unfulfilled and seemingly no + nearer to fulfilment. It is likely that Columbus kept up his applications + to the Court, and received polite and delaying replies. The next year + came, and the Court migrated from Zaragoza to Murcia, from Murcia to + Valladolid, from Valladolid to Medina del Campo. Columbus attended it in + one or other of these places, but without result. In August Beatriz gave + birth to a son, who was christened Ferdinand, and who lived to be a great + comfort to his father, if not to her also. But the miracle of paternity + was not now so new and wonderful as it had been; the battle of life, with + its crosses and difficulties, was thick about him; and perhaps he looked + into this new-comer’s small face with conflicting thoughts, and + memories of the long white beach and the crashing surf at Porto Santo, and + regret for things lost—so strangely mingled and inconsistent are the + threads of human thought. At last he decided to turn his face elsewhere. + In September 1488 he went to Lisbon, for what purpose it is not certain; + possibly in connection with the affairs of his dead wife; and probably + also in the expectation of seeing his brother Bartholomew, to whom we may + now turn our attention for a moment. + </p> + <p> + After the failure of Columbus’s proposals to the King of Portugal in + 1486, and the break-up of his home there, Bartholomew had also left + Lisbon. Bartholomew Diaz, a famous Portuguese navigator, was leaving for + the African coast in August, and Bartholomew Columbus is said to have + joined his small expedition of three caravels. As they neared the latitude + of the Cape which he was trying to make, he ran into a gale which drove + him a long way out of his course, west and south. + </p> + <p> + The wind veered round from north-east to north-west, and he did not strike + the land again until May 1487. When he did so his crew insisted upon his + returning, as they declined to go any further south. He therefore turned + to the west, and then made the startling discovery that in the course of + the tempest he had been blown round the Cape, and that the land he had + made was to the eastward of it; and he therefore rounded it on his way + home. He arrived back in Lisbon in December 1488, when Columbus met his + brother again, and was present at the reception of Diaz by the King of + Portugal. They had a great deal to tell each other, these two brothers; in + the two years and a half that had gone since they had parted a great deal + had happened to them; and they both knew a good deal more about the great + question in which they, were interested than they had known when last they + talked. + </p> + <p> + It is to this period that I attribute the inception, if not the execution, + of the forgery of the Toscanelli correspondence, if, as I believe, it was + a forgery. Christopher’s unpleasant experiences before learned + committees and commissions had convinced him that unless he were armed + with some authoritative and documentary support for his theories they had + little chance of acceptance by the learned. The, Idea was right; he knew + that; but before he could convince the academic mind, he felt that it must + have the imprimatur of a mind whose learning could not be impugned. + Therefore it is not an unfair guess—and it can be nothing more than + a guess—that Christopher and Bartholomew at this point laid their + heads together, and decided that the next time Christopher had to appear + before a commission he would, so to speak, have something “up his + sleeve.” It was a risky thing to do, and must in any case be used + only as a very last resource; which would account for the fact that the + Toscanelli correspondence was never used at all, and is not mentioned in + any document known to men written until long after Columbus’s death. + </p> + <p> + But these summers and winters of suspense are at last drawing to a close, + and we must follow Christopher rapidly through them until the hour of his + triumph. He was back in Spain in the spring of 1489, his travelling + expenses being defrayed out of the royal purse; and a little later he was + once more amid scenes of war at the siege of Baza, and, if report is true, + taking a hand himself, not without distinction. It was there that he saw + the two friars from the convent of the Holy Sepulchre at Jerusalem, who + brought a message from the Grand Soldan of Egypt, threatening the + destruction of the Sepulchre if the Spanish sovereigns did not desist from + the war against Granada; and it was there that in his simple and pious + mind he formed the resolve that if ever his efforts should be crowned with + success, and he himself become rich and powerful, he would send a crusade + for the rescue of the Holy Sepulchre. And it was there that, on the 22nd + of December, he saw Boabdil, the elder of the two rival Kings of Granada, + surrender all his rights and claims to Spain. Surely now there will be a + chance for him? No; there is another interruption, this time occasioned by + the royal preparations for the marriage of the Princess Isabella to the + heir of Portugal. Poor Columbus, sickened and disappointed by these + continual delays, irritated by a sense of the waste of his precious time, + follows the Court about from one place to another, raising a smile here + and a scoff there, and pointed at by children in the street. There, is + nothing so ludicrous as an Idea to those who do not share it. + </p> + <p> + Another summer, another winter, lost out of a life made up of a limited + number of summers and winters; a few more winters and summers, thinks + Christopher, and I shall be in a world where Ideas are not needed, and + where there is nothing left to discover! Something had to be done. In the + beginning of 1491 there was only one thing spoken of at Court—the + preparations for the siege of Granada, which did not interest Columbus at + all. The camp of King Ferdinand was situated at Santa Fe, a few miles to + the westward of Granada, and Columbus came here late in the year, + determined to get a final answer one way or the other to his question. He + made his application, and the busy monarchs once more adopted their usual + polite tactics. They appointed a junta, which was presided over by no less + a person than the Cardinal of Spain, Gonzales de Mendoza: Once more the + weary business was gone through, but Columbus must have had some hopes of + success, since he did not produce his forged Toscanelli correspondence. It + was no scruple of conscience that held him back, we may be sure; the + crafty Genoese knew nothing about such scruples in the attainment of a + great object; he would not have hesitated to adopt any means to secure an + end which he felt to be so desirable. So it is probable that either he was + not quite sure of his ground and his courage failed him, or that he had + hopes, owing to his friendship with so many of the members of the junta, + that a favourable decision would at last be arrived at. In this he was + mistaken. The Spanish prelates again quoted the Fathers of the Church, and + disposed of his proposals simply on the ground that they were heretical. + Much talk, and much wagging of learned heads; and still no mother-wit or + gleam of light on this obscurity of learning. The junta decided against + the proposals, and reported its decision to the King and Queen. The + monarchs, true to their somewhat hedging methods when there was anything + to be gained by hedging, informed Columbus that at present they were too + much occupied with the war to grant his requests; but that, when the + preoccupations and expenses of the campaign were a thing of the past, they + might again turn their attention to his very interesting suggestion. + </p> + <p> + It was at this point that the patience of Columbus broke down. Too many + promises had been made to him, and hope had been held out to him too often + for him to believe any more in it. Spain, he decided, was useless; he + would try France; at least he would be no worse off there. But he had + first of all to settle his affairs as well as possible. Diego, now a + growing boy nearly eleven years old, had been staying with Beatriz at + Cordova, and going to school there; Christopher would take him back to his + aunt’s at Huelva before he went away. He set out with a heavy heart, + but with purpose and determination unimpaired. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + <a name="ch10" id="ch10"></a>CHAPTER X. + </h2> + <h3> + OUR LADY OF LA RABIDA + </h3> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p> + It is a long road from Santa Fe to Huelva, a long journey to make on foot, + and the company of a sad heart and a little talking boy, prone to sudden + weariness and the asking of innumerable difficult questions, would not + make it very much shorter. Every step that Christopher took carried him + farther away from the glittering scene where his hopes had once been so + bright, and were now fallen to the dust; and every step brought him nearer + that unknown destiny as to which he was in great darkness of mind, and + certain only that there was some small next thing constantly to be done: + the putting down of one foot after another, the request for food and + lodging at the end of each short day’s march, the setting out again + in the morning. That walk from Santa Fe, so real and painful and wearisome + and long a thing to Christopher and Diego, is utterly blank and + obliterated for us. What he thought and felt and suffered are things quite + dead; what he did-namely, to go and do the immediate thing that it seemed + possible and right for him to do—is a living fact to-day, for it + brought him, as all brave and honest doing will, a little nearer to his + destiny, a little nearer to the truthful realisation of what was in him. + </p> + <p> + At about a day’s journey from Huelva, where the general slope of the + land begins to fall towards the sea, two small rivers, the Odiel and the + Tinto, which have hitherto been making music each for itself through the + pleasant valleys and vineyards of Andalusia, join forces, and run with a + deeper stream towards the sea at Palos. The town of Palos lay on the banks + of the river; a little to the south of it, and on the brow of a rocky + promontory dark with pine trees, there stood the convent of Our Lady of La + Rabida. Stood, on this November evening in the year 1491; had stood in + some form or other, and used for varying purposes, for many years and + centuries before that, even to the time of the Romans; and still stands, a + silent and neglected place, yet to be visited and seen by such as are + curious. To the door of this place comes Christopher as darkness falls, + urged thereto by the plight of Diego, who is tired and hungry. Christopher + rings the bell, and asks the porter for a little bread and water for the + child, and a lodging for them both. There is some talk at the door; the + Franciscan lay brother being given, at all times in the history of his + order, to the pleasant indulgence of gossiping conversation, when that is + lawful; and the presence of a stranger, who speaks with a foreign accent, + being at all times a incident of interest and even of excitement in the + quiet life of a monastery. The moment is one big with import to the human + race; it marks a period in the history of our man; the scene is worth + calling up. Dark night, with sea breezes moaning in the pine trees, + outside; raying light from within falling on the lay brother leaning in + the doorway and on the two figures standing without: on Christopher, + grave, subdued, weary, yet now as always of pleasant and impressive + address, and on the small boy who stands beside him round-eyed and + expectant, his fatigue for the moment forgotten in curiosity and + anticipation. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> <a name="p113" id="p113"></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img alt="p113.jpg (49K)" src="images/p113.jpg" style="width:100%;" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/p113.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a> + </h5> +<p> +<br /><br /><br /><br /> +</p> + + <p> + While they are talking comes no less a person than the Prior of the + monastery, Friar Juan Perez, bustling round, good-natured busybody that he + is, to see what is all this talk at the door. The Prior, as is the habit + of monks, begins by asking questions. What is the stranger’s name? + Where does he come from? Where is he going to? What is his business? Is + the little boy his son? He has actually come from Santa Fe? The Prior, + loving talk after the manner of his kind, sees in this grave and + smooth-spoken stranger rich possibilities of talk; possibilities that + cannot possibly be exhausted to-night, it being now hard on the hour of + Compline; the stranger must come in and rest for tonight at least, and + possibly for several nights. There is much bustle and preparation; the + travellers are welcomed with monkish hospitality; Christopher, we may be + sure, goes and hears the convent singing Compline, and offers up devout + prayers for a quiet night and for safe conduct through this vale of tears; + and goes thankfully to bed with the plainsong echoing in his ears, and + some stoic sense that all days, however hard, have an evening, and all + journeys an end. + </p> + <p> + Next morning the talk begins in earnest, and Christopher, never a very + reserved man, finds in the friendly curiosity of the monks abundant + encouragement to talk; and before very long he is in full swing with his + oft-told story. The Prior is delighted with it; he has not heard anything + so interesting for a long time. Moreover, he has not always been in a + convent; he was not so long ago confessor to Queen Isabella herself, and + has much to communicate and ask concerning that lady. Columbus’s + proposal does not strike him as being unreasonable at all; but he has a + friend in Palos, a very learned man indeed, Doctor Garcia Hernandez, who + often comes and has a talk with him; he knows all about astronomy and + cosmography; the Prior will send for him. And meanwhile there must be no + word of Columbus’s departure for a few days at any rate. + </p> + <p> + Presently Doctor Garcia Hernandez arrives, and the whole story is gone + over again. They go at it hammer and tongs, arguments and + counter-arguments, reasons for and against, encouragements, and + objections. The result is that Doctor Garcia Hernandez, whose learning + seems not yet quite to have blinded or deafened him, thinks well of the + scheme; thinks so well of it that he protests it will be a thousand pities + if the chance of carrying it out is lost to Spain. The worthy Prior, who + has been somewhat out of it while the talk about degrees and latitudes has + been going on, here strikes in again; he will use his influence. Perhaps + the good man, living up here among the pine trees and the sea winds, and + involved in the monotonous round of Prime, Lauds, Nones, Vespers, has a + regretful thought or two of the time when he moved in the splendid + intricacy of Court life; at any rate he is not sorry to have an + opportunity of recalling himself to the attention of Her Majesty, for the + spiritual safety of whose soul he was once responsible; perhaps, being (in + spite of his Nones and Vespers) a human soul, he is glad of an opportunity + of opposing the counsels of his successor, Talavera. In a word, he will + use his Influence. Then follow much drafting of letters, and laying of + heads together, and clatter of monkish tongues; the upshot of which is + that a letter is written in which Perez urges his daughter in the Lord in + the strongest possible terms not to let slip so glorious an opportunity, + not only of fame and increment to her kingdom, but of service to the + Church and the kingdom of Heaven itself. He assures her that Columbus is + indeed about to depart from the country, but that he (Perez) will detain + him at La Rabida until he has an answer from the Queen. + </p> + <p> + A messenger to carry the letter was found in the person of Sebastian + Rodriguez, a pilot of the port, who immediately set off to Santa Fe. It is + not likely that Columbus, after so many rebuffs, was very hopeful; but in + the meantime, here he was amid the pious surroundings in which the + religious part of him delighted, and in a haven of rest after all his + turmoils and trials. He could look out to sea over the flecked waters of + that Atlantic whose secrets he longed to discover; or he could look down + into the busy little port of Palos, and watch the ships sailing in and out + across the bar of Saltes. He could let his soul, much battered and torn of + late by trials and disappointments, rest for a time on the rock of + religion; he could snuff the incense in the chapel to his heart’s + content, and mingle his rough top-gallant voice with the harsh croak of + the monks in the daily cycle of prayer and praise. He could walk with + Diego through the sandy roads beneath the pine trees, or through the + fields and vineyards below; and above all he could talk to the company + that good Perez invited to meet him—among them merchants and sailors + from Palos, of whom the chief was Martin Alonso Pinzon, a wealthy + landowner and navigator, whose family lived then at Palos, owning the + vineyards round about, and whose descendants live there to this day. + Pinzon was a listener after Columbus’s own heart; he not only + believed in his project, but offered to assist it with money, and even to + accompany the expedition himself. Altogether a happy and peaceful time, in + which hopes revived, and the inner light that, although it had now and + then flickered, had never gone out, burned up again in a bright and steady + flame. + </p> + <p> + At the end of a fortnight, and much sooner than had been expected, the + worthy pilot returned with a letter from the Queen. Eager hands seized it + and opened it; delight beamed from the eyes of the good Prior. The Queen + was most cordial to him, thanked him for his intervention, was ready to + listen to him and even to be convinced by him; and in the meantime + commanded his immediate appearance at the Court, asking that Columbus + would be so good as to wait at La Rabida until he should hear further from + her. Then followed such a fussing and fuming, such a running hither and + thither, and giving and taking of instructions and clatter of tongues as + even the convent of La Rabida had probably never known. Nothing will serve + the good old busybody, although it is now near midnight, but that he must + depart at once. He will not wait for daylight; he will not, the good + honest soul! wait at all. He must be off at once; he must have this, he + must have that; he will take this, he will leave that behind; or no, he + will take that, and leave this behind. He must have a mule, for his old + feet will not bear him fast enough; ex-confessors of Her Majesty, + moreover, do not travel on foot; and after more fussing and running hither + and thither a mule is borrowed from one Juan Rodriguez Cabezudo of Moguer; + and with a God-speed from the group standing round the lighted doorway, + the old monk sets forth into the night. + </p> + <p> + It is a strange thing to consider what unimportant flotsam sometimes + floats visibly upon the stream of history, while the gravest events are + sunk deep beneath its flood. We would give a king’s ransom to know + events that must have taken place in any one of twenty years in the life + of Columbus, but there is no sign of them on the surface of the stream, + nor will any fishing bring them to light. Yet here, bobbing up like a + cork, comes the name of Juan Rodriguez Cabezudo of Moguer, doubtless a + good worthy soul, but, since he has been dead these four centuries and + more, of no interest or importance to any human being; yet of whose life + one trivial act, surviving the flood of time which has engulfed all else + that he thought important, falls here to be recorded: that he did, towards + midnight of a day late in December 1491 lend a mule to Friar Juan Perez. + </p> + <p> + Of that heroic mule journey we have no record; but it brought results + enough to compensate the good Prior for all his aching bones and rheumatic + joints. He was welcomed by the Queen, who had never quite lost her belief + in Columbus, but who had hitherto deferred to the apathy of Ferdinand and + the disapproval—of her learned advisers. Now, however, the matter + was reopened. She, who sometimes listened to priests with results other + than good, heard this worthy priest to good purpose. The feminine friends + of Columbus who remembered him at Court also spoke up for him, among them + the Marquesa de Moya, with whom he had always been a favourite; and it was + decided that his request should be granted and three vessels equipped for + the expedition, “that he might go and make discoveries and prove + true the words he had spoken.”—Moreover, the machinery that + had been so hard to move before, turned swiftly now. Diego Prieto, one of + the magistrates of Palos, was sent to Columbus at La Rabida, bearing + 20,000 maravedis with which he was to buy a mule and decent clothing for + himself, and repair immediately to the Court at Santa Fe. Old Perez was in + high feather, and busy with his pen. He wrote to Doctor Garcia Hernandez, + and also to Columbus, in whose letter the following pleasant passage + occurs: + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + “Our Lord has listened to the prayers of His servant. The wise and + virtuous Isabella, touched by the grace of Heaven, gave a favourable + hearing to the words of this poor monk. All has turned out well. Far + from despising your project, she has adopted it from this time, and she + has summoned you to Court to propose the means which seem best to you + for the execution of the designs of Providence. My heart swims in a sea + of comfort, and my spirit leaps with joy in the Lord. Start at once, for + the Queen waits for you, and I much more than she. Commend me to the + prayers of my brethren, and of your little Diego. The grace of God be + with you, and may Our Lady of La Rabida accompany you.” + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The news of that day must have come upon Columbus like a burst of sunshine + after rain. I like to think how bright must have seemed to him the broad + view of land and sea, how deeply the solemn words of the last office which + he attended must have sunk into his soul, how great and glad a thing life + must have been to him, and how lightly the miles must have passed beneath + the feet of his mule as he jogged out on the long road to Santa Fe. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + <a name="ch11" id="ch11"></a>CHAPTER XI. + </h2> + <h3> + THE CONSENT OF SPAIN + </h3> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p> + Once more; in the last days of the year 1491, Columbus rode into the + brilliant camp which he had quitted a few weeks before with so heavy a + heart. Things were changed now. Instead of being a suitor, making a + nuisance of himself, and forcing his affairs on the attention of unwilling + officials, he was now an invited and honoured guest; much more than that, + he was in the position of one who believed that he had a great service to + render to the Crown, and who was at last to be permitted to render it. + </p> + <p> + Even now, at the eleventh hour, there was one more brief interruption. On + the 1st of January 1492 the last of the Moorish kings sent in his + surrender to King Ferdinand, whom he invited to come and take possession + of the city of Granada; and on the next day the Spanish army marched into + that city, where, in front of the Alhambra, King Ferdinand received the + keys of the castle and the homage of the Moorish king. The wars of eight + centuries were at an end, and the Christian banner of Spain floated at + last over the whole land. Victory and success were in the air, and the + humble Genoese adventurer was to have his share in them. Negotiations of a + practical nature were now begun; old friends—Talavera, Luis de + Santangel, and the Grand Cardinal himself—were all brought into + consultation with the result that matters soon got to the documentary + stage. Here, however, there was a slight hitch. It was not simply a matter + of granting two, or three ships. The Genoese was making a bargain, and + asking an impossible price. Even the great grandees and Court officials, + accustomed to the glitter and dignity of titles, rubbed their eyes with + astonishment, when they saw what Columbus was demanding. He who had been + suing for privileges was now making conditions. And what conditions! He + must be created Admiral of all the Ocean Seas and of the new lands, with + equal privileges and prerogatives as those appertaining to the High + Admiral of Castile, the supreme naval officer of Spain. Not content with + sea dignities, he was also to be Viceroy and Governor-General in all + islands or mainlands that he might acquire; he wanted a tenth part of the + profits resulting from his discoveries, in perpetuity; and he must have + the permanent right of contributing an eighth part of the cost of the + equipment and have an additional eighth part of the profits; and all his + heirs and descendants for ever were to have the same privileges. These + conditions were on such a scale as no sovereign could readily approve. + Columbus’s lack of pedigree, and the fact also that he was a + foreigner, made them seem the more preposterous; for although he might + receive kindness and even friendship from some of the grand Spaniards with + whom he associated, that friendship and kindness were given + condescendingly and with a smile. He was delightful when he was merely + proposing as a mariner to confer additional grandeur and glory on the + Crown; but when it came to demanding titles and privileges which would + make him rank with the highest grandees in, the land, the matter took on + quite a different colour. It was nonsense; it could not be allowed; and + many were the friendly hints that Columbus doubtless received at this time + to relinquish his wild demands and not to overreach himself. + </p> + <p> + But to the surprise and dismay of his friends, who really wished him to + have a chance of distinguishing himself, and were shocked at the + impediments he was now putting in his own way, the man from Genoa stood + firm. What he proposed to do, he said, was worthy of the rewards that he + asked; they were due to the importance and grandeur of his scheme, and so + on. Nor did he fail to point out that the bestowal of them was a matter + altogether contingent on results; if there were no results, there would be + no rewards; if there were results, they would be worthy of the rewards. + This action of Columbus’s deserves close study. He had come to a + turning-point in his life. He had been asking, asking, asking, for six + years; he had been put off and refused over and over again; people were + beginning to laugh at him for a madman; and now, when a combination of + lucky chances had brought him to the very door of success, he stood + outside the threshold bargaining for a preposterous price before he would + come in. It seemed like the densest stupidity. What is the explanation of + it? + </p> + <p> + The only explanation of it is to be found in the character of Columbus. We + must try to see him as he is in this forty-second year of his life, + bargaining with notaries, bishops, and treasurers; we must try to see + where these forty years have brought him, and what they have made of him. + Remember the little boy that played in the Vico Dritto di Ponticello, + acquainted with poverty, but with a soul in him that could rise beyond it + and acquire something of the dignity of that Genoa, arrogant, splendid and + devout, which surrounded him during his early years. Remember his long + life of obscurity at sea, and the slow kindling of the light of faith in + something beyond the familiar horizons; remember the social inequality of + his marriage, his long struggle with poverty, his long familiarity with + the position of one who asked and did not receive; the many rebuffs and + indignities which his Ligurian pride must have received at the hands of + all those Spanish dignitaries and grandees—remember all this, and + then you will perhaps not wonder so much that Columbus, who was beginning + to believe himself appointed by Heaven to this task of discovery, felt + that he had much to pay himself back for. One must recognise him frankly + for what he was, and for no conventional hero of romance; a man who would + reconcile his conscience with anything, and would stop at nothing in the + furtherance of what he deemed a good object; and a man at the same time + who had a conscience to reconcile, and would, whenever it was necessary, + laboriously and elaborately perform the act of reconciliation. When he + made these huge demands in Granada he was gambling with his chances; but + he was a calculating gambler, just about as cunning and crafty in the + weighing of one chance against another as a gambler with a conscience can + be; and he evidently realised that his own valuation of the services he + proposed to render would not be without its influence on his sovereign’s + estimate of them. At any rate he was justified by the results, for on the + 17th of April 1492, after a deal of talk and bargaining, but apparently + without any yielding on Columbus’s part, articles of capitulation + were drawn up in which the following provisions were made:— + </p> + <p> + First, that Columbus and his heirs for ever should have the title and + office of Admiral in all the islands and continents of the ocean that he + or they might discover, with similar honours and prerogatives to those + enjoyed by the High Admiral of Castile. + </p> + <p> + Second, that he and his heirs should be Viceroys and Governors-General + over all the said lands and continents, with the right of nominating three + candidates for the governing of each island or province, one of whom + should be appointed by the Crown. + </p> + <p> + Third, that he end his heirs should be entitled to one-tenth of all + precious stones, metals, spices, and other merchandises, however acquired, + within his Admiralty, the cost of acquisition being first deducted. + </p> + <p> + Fourth, that he or his lieutenants in their districts, and the High + Admiral of Castile in his district, should be the sole judge in all + disputes arising out of traffic between Spain and the new countries. + </p> + <p> + Fifth, that he now, and he and his heirs at all times, should have the + right to contribute the eighth part of the expense of fitting out + expeditions, and receive the eighth part of the profits. + </p> + <p> + In addition to these articles there was another document drawn up on the + 30th of April, which after an infinite preamble about the nature of the + Holy Trinity, of the Apostle Saint James, and of the Saints of God + generally in their relations to Princes, and with a splendid trailing of + gorgeous Spanish names and titles across the page, confers upon our + hitherto humble Christopher the right to call himself “Don,” + and finally raises him, in his own estimation at any rate, to a social + level with his proud Spanish friends. It is probably from this time that + he adopted the Spanish form of his name, Christoval Colon; but in this + narrative I shall retain the more universal form in which it has become + familiar to the English-speaking world. + </p> + <p> + He was now upon a Pisgah height, from which in imagination he could look + forth and see his Land of Promise. We also may climb up with him, and + stand beside him as he looks westward. We shall not see so clearly as he + sees, for we have not his inner light; and it is probable that even he + does not see the road at all, but only the goal, a single point of light + shining across a gulf of darkness. But from Pisgah there is a view + backward as well as forward, and, we may look back for a moment on this + last period of Christopher’s life in Spain, inwardly to him so full + of trouble and difficulty and disappointment, outwardly so brave and + glittering, musical with high-sounding names and the clash of arms; gay + with sun and shine and colour. The brilliant Court moving from camp to + camp with its gorgeous retinues and silken pavilions and uniforms and + dresses and armours; the excitement of war, the intrigues of the + antechamber—these are the bright fabric of the latter years; and + against it, as against a background, stand out the beautiful names of the + Spanish associates of Columbus at this time—Medina Celi, Alonso de + Quintanilla, Cabrero, Arana, DEA, Hernando de Talavera, Gonzales de + Mendoza, Alonso de Cardenas, Perez, Hernandez, Luis de Santangel, and + Rodriguez de Maldonado—names that now, in his hour of triumph, are + like banners streaming in the wind against a summer sky. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + <a name="ch12" id="ch12"></a>CHAPTER XII. + </h2> + <h3> + THE PREPARATIONS AT PALOS + </h3> + <p> + <br /> <a name="p127" id="p127"></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img alt="p127.jpg (55K)" src="images/p127.jpg" style="width:100%;" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + The Palos that witnessed the fitting out of the ships of Columbus exists + no longer. The soul is gone from it; the trade that in those days made it + great and busy has floated away from it into other channels; and it has + dwindled and shrunk, until to-day it consists of nothing but a double + street of poor white houses, such almost as you may see in any sea-coast + village in Ireland. The slow salt tides of the Atlantic come flooding in + over the Manto bank, across the bar of Saltes, and, dividing at the tongue + of land that separates the two rivers, creep up the mud banks of the Tinto + and the Odiel until they lie deep beside the wharves of Huelva and Palos; + but although Huelva still has a trade the tides bring nothing to Palos, + and take nothing away with them again. From La Rabida now you can no + longer see, as Columbus saw, fleets of caravels lying-to and standing off + and on outside the bar waiting for the flood tide; only a few poor boats + fishing for tunny in the empty sunny waters, or the smoke of a steamer + standing on her course for the Guadalquiver or Cadiz. + </p> + <p> + But in those spring days of 1492 there was a great stir and bustle of + preparation in Palos. As soon as the legal documents had been signed + Columbus returned there and, taking up his quarters at La Rabida, set + about fitting out his expedition. The reason Palos was chosen was an + economical one. The port, for some misdemeanour, had lately been condemned + to provide two caravels for the service of the Crown for a period of + twelve months; and in the impoverished state of the royal exchequer this + free service came in very usefully in fitting out the expedition of + discovery. Columbus was quite satisfied, since he had such good friends at + Palos; and he immediately set about choosing the ships. + </p> + <p> + This, however, did not prove to be quite such a straightforward business + as might have been expected. The truth is that, whatever a few monks and + physicians may have thought of it, the proposed expedition terrified the + ordinary seafaring population of Palos. It was thought to be the wildest + and maddest scheme that any one had ever heard of. All that was known + about the Atlantic west of the Azores was that it was a sea of darkness, + inhabited by monsters and furrowed by enormous waves, and that it fell + down the slope of the world so steeply that no ship having once gone down + could ever climb up it again. And not only was there reluctance on the + part of mariners to engage themselves for the expedition, but also a great + shyness on the part of ship-owners to provide ships. This reluctance + proved so formidable an impediment that Columbus had to communicate with + the King and Queen; with the result that on the 23rd of May the population + was summoned to the church of Saint George, where the Notary Public read + aloud to them the letter from the sovereigns commanding the port to + furnish ships and men, and an additional order summoning the town to obey + it immediately. An inducement was provided in the offer of a free pardon + to all criminals and persons under sentence who chose to enlist. + </p> + <p> + Still the thing hung fire; and on June 20 a new and peremptory order was + issued by the Crown authorising Columbus to impress the vessels and crew + if necessary. Time was slipping away; and in his difficulty Columbus + turned to Martin Alonso Pinzon, upon whose influence and power in the town + he could count. There were three brothers then in this family—Martin + Alonso, Vincenti Yanez, and Francisco Martin, all pilots themselves and + owners of ships. These three brothers saw some hope of profit out of the + enterprise, and they exerted themselves on Christopher’s behalf so + thoroughly that, not only did they afford him help in the obtaining of + ships, men, and supplies, but they all three decided to go with him. + </p> + <p> + There was one more financial question to be settled—a question that + remains for us in considerable obscurity, but was in all probability + partly settled by the aid of these brothers. The total cost of the + expedition, consisting of three ships, wages of the crew, stores and + provisions, was 1,167,542 maravedis, about L950(in 1900). After all these + years of pleading at Court, all the disappointments and deferred hopes and + sacrifices made by Columbus, the smallness of this sum cannot but strike + us with amazement. Many a nobleman that Columbus must have rubbed + shoulders with in his years at Court could have furnished the whole sum + out of his pocket and never missed it; yet Columbus had to wait years and + years before he could get it from the Crown. Still more amazing, this sum + was not all provided by the Crown; 167,000 maravedis were found by + Columbus, and the Crown only contributed one million maravedis. One can + only assume that Columbus’s pertinacity in petitioning the King and + Queen to undertake the expedition, when he could with comparative ease + have got the money from some of his noble acquaintance, was due to three + things—his faith and belief in his Idea, his personal ambition, and + his personal greed. He believed in his Idea so thoroughly that he knew he + was going to find something across the Atlantic. Continents and islands + cannot for long remain in the possession of private persons; they are the + currency of crowns; and he did not want to be left in the lurch if the + land he hoped to discover should be seized or captured by Spain or + Portugal. The result of his discoveries, he was convinced, was going to be + far too large a thing to be retained and controlled by any machinery less + powerful than that of a kingdom; therefore he was unwilling to accept + either preliminary assistance or subsequent rewards from any but the same + powerful hand. Admiralties, moreover, and Governor-Generalships and + Viceroyships cannot be conferred by counts and dukes, however powerful; + the very title Don could only be conferred by one power in Spain; and all + the other titles and dignities that Columbus craved with all his Genoese + soul were to be had from the hands of kings, and not from plutocrats. It + was characteristic of him all his life never to deal with subordinates, + but always to go direct to the head man; and when the whole purpose and + ambition of his life was to be put to the test it was only consistent in + him, since he could not be independent, to go forth under the protection + of the united Crown of Aragon and Castile. Where or how he raised his + share of the cost is not known; it is possible that his old friend the + Duke of Medina Celi came to his help, or that the Pinzon family, who + believed enough in the expedition to risk their lives in it, lent some of + the necessary money. + </p> + <p> + Ever since ships were in danger of going to sea short-handed methods of + recruiting and manning them have been very much the same; and there must + have been some hot work about the harbour of Palos in the summer of 1492. + The place was in a panic. It is highly probable that many of the + volunteers were a ruffianly riff-raff from the prisons, to whom personal + freedom meant nothing but a chance of plunder; and the recruiting office + in Palos must have seen many a picturesque scoundrel coming and taking the + oath and making his mark. The presence of these adventurers, many of them + entirely ignorant of the sea, would not be exactly an encouragement to the + ordinary seaman. It is here very likely that the influence of the Pinzon + family was usefully applied. I call it influence, since that is a polite + term which covers the application of force in varying degrees; and it was + an awkward thing for a Palos sailor to offend the Pinzons, who owned and + controlled so much of the shipping in the port. Little by little the + preparations went on. In the purchasing of provisions and stores the + Pinzons were most helpful to Columbus and, it is not improbable, to + themselves also. They also procured the ships; altogether, in the whole + history of the fitting out of expeditions, I know nothing since the voyage + of the Ark which was so well kept within one family. Moreover it is + interesting to notice, since we know the names and places of residence of + all the members of the expedition, that the Pinzons, who personally + commanded two of the caravels, had them almost exclusively manned by + sailors from Palos, while the Admiral’s ship was manned by a + miscellaneous crew from other places. To be sure they gave the Admiral the + biggest ship, but (in his own words) it proved “a dull sailer and + unfit for discovery”; while they commanded the two caravels, small + and open, but much faster and handier. Clearly these Pinzons will take no + harm from a little watching. They may be honest souls enough, but their + conduct is just a little suspicious, and we cannot be too careful. + </p> + <p> + Three vessels were at last secured. The first, named the Santa Maria, was + the largest, and was chosen to be the flagship of Columbus. She was of + about one hundred tons burden, and would be about ninety feet in length by + twenty feet beam. She was decked over, and had a high poop astern and a + high forecastle in the bows. She had three masts, two of them + square-rigged, with a latine sail on the mizzen mast; and she carried a + crew of fifty-two persons. Where and how they all stowed themselves away + is a matter upon which we can only make wondering guesses; for this ship + was about the size of an ordinary small coasting schooner, such as is + worked about the coasts of these islands with a crew of six or eight men. + The next largest ship was the Pinta, which was commanded by Martin Alonso + Pinzon, who took his brother Francisco with him as sailing-master. The + Pinta was of fifty tons burden, decked only at the bow and stern, and the + fastest of the three ships; she also had three masts. The third ship was a + caravel of forty tons and called the Nina; she belonged to Juan Nino of + Palos. She was commanded by Vincenti Pinzon, and had a complement of + eighteen men. Among the crew of the flagship, whose names and places of + residence are to be found in the Appendix, were an Englishman and an + Irishman. The Englishman is entered as Tallarte de Lajes (Ingles), who has + been ingeniously identified with a possible Allard or AEthelwald of + Winchelsea, there having been several generations of Allards who were + sailors of Winchelsea in the fifteenth century. Sir Clements Markham + thinks that this Allard may have been trading to Coruna and have married + and settled down at Lajes. There is also Guillermo Ires, an Irishman from + Galway. + </p> + <p> + Allard and William, shuffling into the recruiting office in Palos, + doubtless think that this is a strange place for them to meet, and rather + a wild business that they are embarked upon, among all these bloody + Spaniards. Some how I feel more confidence in Allard than in William, + knowing, as I do so well, this William of Galway, whether on his native + heath or in the strange and distant parts of the world to which his + sanguine temperament leads him. Alas, William, you are but the first of a + mighty stream that will leave the Old Country for the New World; the world + destined to be good for the fortunes of many from the Old Country, but for + the Old Country itself not good. Little does he know, drunken William, + willing to be on hand where there is adventure brewing, and to be after + going with the boys and getting his health on the salt water, what a path + of hope for those who go, and of heaviness for those who stay behind, he + is opening up . . . . Farewell, William; I hope you were not one of those + whom they let out of gaol. + </p> + <p> + June slid into July, and still the preparations were not complete. Down on + the mud banks of the Tinto, where at low water the vessels were left high + and dry, and where the caulking and refitting were in hand, there was + trouble with the workmen. Gomaz Rascon and Christoval Quintero, the owners + of the Pinta, who had resented her being pressed into the service, were at + the bottom of a good deal of it. Things could not be found; gear + mysteriously gave way after it had been set up; the caulking was found to + have been carelessly and imperfectly done; and when the caulkers were + commanded to do it over again they decamped. Even the few volunteers, the + picked hands upon whom Columbus was relying, gave trouble. In those days + of waiting there was too much opportunity for talk in the shore-side + wine-shops; some of the volunteers repented and tried to cry off their + bargains; others were dissuaded by their relatives, and deserted and hid + themselves. No mild measures were of any use; a reign of terror had to be + established; and nothing short of the influence of the Pinzons was severe + enough to hold the company together. To these vigorous measures, however, + all opposition gradually yielded. By the end of July the provisions and + stores were on board, the whole complement of eighty-seven persons + collected and enlisted, and only the finishing touches left for Columbus. + It is a sign of the distrust and fear evinced with regard to this + expedition, that no priest accompanied it—something of a sorrow to + pious Christopher, who would have liked his chaplain. There were two + surgeons, or barbers, and a physician; there were an overseer, a + secretary, a master-at-arms; there was an interpreter to speak to the + natives of the new lands in Hebrew, Greek, German, Chaldean or Arabic; and + there was an assayer and silversmith to test the quality of the precious + metals that they were sure to find. Up at La Rabida, with the busy and + affectionate assistance of the old Prior, Columbus made his final + preparations. Ferdinand was to stay at Cordova with Beatriz, and to go to + school there; while Diego was already embarked upon his life’s + voyage, having been appointed a page to the Queen’s son, Prince + Juan, and handed over to the care of some of the Court ladies. The course + to be sailed was talked over and over again; the bearings and notes of the + pilot at Porto Santo consulted and discussed; and a chart was made by + Columbus himself, and copied with his own hands for use on the three + ships. + </p> + <p> + On the 2nd of August everything was ready; the ships moored out in the + stream, the last stragglers of the crew on board, the last sack of flour + and barrel of beef stowed away. Columbus confessed himself to the Prior of + La Rabida—a solemn moment for him in the little chapel up on the + pine-clad hill. His last evening ashore would certainly be spent at the + monastery, and his last counsels taken with Perez and Doctor Hernandez. We + can hardly realise the feelings of Christopher on the eve of his departure + from the land where all his roots were, to a land of mere faith and + conjecture. Even today, when the ocean is furrowed by crowded highways, + and the earth is girdled with speaking wires, and distances are so divided + and reduced that the traveller need never be very long out of touch with + his home, few people can set out on a long voyage without some emotional + disturbance, however slight it may be; and to Columbus on this night the + little town upon which he looked down from the monastery, which had been + the scene of so many delays and difficulties and vexations, must have + seemed suddenly dear and familiar to him as he realised that after + to-morrow its busy and well-known scenes might be for ever a thing of the + past to him. Behind him, living or dead, lay all he humanly loved and + cared for; before him lay a voyage full of certain difficulties and + dangers; dangers from the ships, dangers from the crews, dangers from the + weather, dangers from the unknown path itself; and beyond them, a + twinkling star on the horizon of his hopes, lay the land of his belief. + That he meant to arrive there and to get back again was beyond all doubt + his firm intention; and in the simple grandeur of that determination the + weaknesses of character that were grouped about it seem unimportant. In + this starlit hour among the pine woods his life came to its meridian; + everything that was him was at its best and greatest there. Beneath him, + on the talking tide of the river, lay the ships and equipment that + represented years of steady effort and persistence; before him lay the + pathless ocean which he meant to cross by the inner light of his faith. + What he had suffered, he had suffered by himself; what he had won, he had + won by himself; what he was to finish, he would finish by himself. + </p> + <p> + But the time for meditations grows short. Lights are moving about in the + town beneath; there is an unwonted midnight stir and bustle; the whole + population is up and about, running hither and thither with lamps and + torches through the starlit night. The tide is flowing; it will be high + water before dawn; and with the first of the ebb the little fleet is to + set sail. The stream of hurrying sailors and townspeople sets towards the + church of Saint George, where mass is to be said and the Sacrament + administered to the voyagers. The calls and shouts die away; the bell + stops ringing; and the low muttering voice of the priest is heard + beginning the Office. The light of the candles shines upon the gaudy roof, + and over the altar upon the wooden image of Saint George vanquishing the + dragon, upon which the eyes of Christopher rested during some part of the + service, and where to-day your eyes may rest also if you make that + pilgrimage. The moment approaches; the bread and the wine are consecrated; + there is a shuffling of knees and feet; and then a pause. The clear notes + of the bell ring out upon the warm dusky silence—once, twice, + thrice; the living God and the cold presence of dawn enter the church + together. Every head is bowed; and for once at least every heart of that + company beats in unison with the rest. And then the Office goes on, and + the dark-skinned congregation streams up to the sanctuary and receives the + Communion, while the blue light of dawn increases and the candles pale + before the coming day. And then out again to the boats with shoutings and + farewells, for the tide has now turned; hoisting of sails and tripping of + anchors and breaking out of gorgeous ensigns; and the ships are moving! + The Maria leads, with the sign of the Redemption painted on her mainsail + and the standard of Castile flying at her mizzen; and there is cheering + from ships and from shore, and a faint sound of bells from the town of + Huelva. + </p> + <p> + Thus, the sea being—calm, and a fresh breeze blowing off the land, + did Christopher Columbus set sail from Palos at sunrise on Friday the 3rd + of August 1492. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + <a name="ch13" id="ch13"></a>CHAPTER XIII. + </h2> + <h3> + EVENTS OF THE FIRST VOYAGE + </h3> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + “In nomine D.N. Jesu Christi—Friday, August 3, 1492, at + eight o’clock we started from the bar of Saltes. We went with a + strong sea breeze sixty miles,—[Columbus reckoned in Italian + miles, of which four = one league.]—which are fifteen leagues, + towards the south, until sunset: afterwards to the south-west and to the + south, quarter south-west, which was the way to the Canaries.” + </p> + </blockquote> + <blockquote> + <p> + <br /> [The account of Columbus’s first voyage is taken from a + Journal written by himself, but which in its original form does not + exist. Las Casas had it in his possession, but as he regarded it (no + doubt with justice) as too voluminous and discursive to be interesting, + he made an abridged edition, in which the exact words of Columbus were + sometimes quoted, but which for the most part is condensed into a + narrative in the third person. This abridged Journal, consisting of + seventy-six closely written folios, was first published by Navarrette in + 1825. When Las Casas wrote his ‘Historie,’ however, he + appears here and there to have restored sections of the original Journal + into the abridged one; and many of these restorations are of importance. + If the whole account of his voyage written by Columbus himself were + available in its exact form I would print it here; but as it is not, I + think it better to continue my narrative, simply using the Journal of + Las Casas as a document.] + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + With these rousing words the Journal of Columbus’s voyage begins; + and they sound a salt and mighty chord which contains the true diapason of + the symphony of his voyages. There could not have been a more fortunate + beginning, with clear weather and a calm sea, and the wind in exactly the + right quarter. On Saturday and Sunday the same conditions held, so there + was time and opportunity for the three very miscellaneous ships’ + companies to shake down into something like order, and for all the + elaborate discipline of sea life to be arranged and established; and we + may employ the interval by noting what aids to navigation Columbus had at + his disposal. + </p> + <p> + The chief instrument was the astrolabe, which was an improvement on the + primitive quadrant then in use for taking the altitude of the sun. The + astrolabe, it will be remembered, had been greatly improved, by Martin + Behaim and the Portuguese Commission in 1840—[1440 D.W.]; and it was + this instrument, a simplification of the astrolabe used in astronomy + ashore, that Columbus chiefly used in getting his solar altitudes. As will + be seen from the illustration, its broad principle was that of a metal + circle with a graduated circumference and two arms pivoted in the centre. + It was made as heavy as possible; and in using it the observer sat on deck + with his back against the mainmast and with his left hand held up the + instrument by the ring at the top. The long arm was moved round until the + two sights fixed upon it were on with the sun. The point where the other + arm then cut the circle gave the altitude. In conjunction with this + instrument were used the tables of solar declination compiled by + Regiomontanus, and covering the sun’s declination between the years + 1475 and 1566. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> <a name="p141" id="p141"></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img alt="p141.jpg (34K)" src="images/p141.jpg" style="width:100%;" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <p> + The compass in Columbus’s day existed, so far as all essentials are + concerned, as it exists to-day. Although it lacked the refinements + introduced by Lord Kelvin it was swung in double-cradles, and had the + thirty-two points painted upon a card. The discovery of the compass, and + even of the lodestone, are things wrapt in obscurity; but the lodestone + had been known since at least the eleventh century, and the compass + certainly since the thirteenth. With the compass were used the sea charts, + which were simply maps on a rather larger and more exact scale than the + land maps of the period. There were no soundings or currents marked on the + old charts, which were drawn on a plane projection; and they can have been + of little—practical use to navigators except in the case of coasts + which were elaborately charted on a large scale. The chart of Columbus, in + so far as it was concerned with the ocean westward of the Azores, can of + course have contained nothing except the conjectured islands or lands + which he hoped to find; possibly the land seen by the shipwrecked pilot + may have been marked on it, and his failure to find that land may have + been the reason why, as we shall see, he changed his course to the + southward on the 7th of October. It must be remembered that Columbus’s + conception of the world was that of the Portuguese Mappemonde of 1490, a + sketch of which is here reproduced. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> <a name="p143" id="p143"></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img alt="p143.jpg (45K)" src="images/p143.jpg" style="width:100%;" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/p143.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a> + </h5> +<p> +<br /><br /><br /><br /> +</p> + <p> + This conception of the world excluded the Pacific Ocean and the continent + of North and South America, and made it reasonable to suppose that any one + who sailed westward long enough from Spain would ultimately reach Cathay + and the Indies. Behaim’s globe, which was completed in the year + 1492, represented the farthest point that geographical knowledge had + reached previous to the discoveries of Columbus, and on it is shown the + island of Cipango or Japan. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> <a name="behaimglobe" id="behaimglobe"></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img alt="behaimglobe.jpg (104K)" src="images/behaimglobe.jpg" + style="width:100%;" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/behaimglobe.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a> + </h5> +<p> +<br /><br /><br /><br /> +</p> + <p> + By far the most important element in the navigation of Columbus, in so far + as estimating his position was concerned, was what is known as “dead-reckoning” + that is to say, the computation of the distance travelled by the ship + through the water. At present this distance is measured by a patent log, + which in its commonest form is a propeller-shaped instrument trailed + through the water at the end of a long wire or cord the inboard end of + which is attached to a registering clock. On being dragged through the + water the propeller spins round and the twisting action is communicated by + the cord to the clock-work machinery which counts the miles. In the case + of powerful steamers and in ordinary weather dead-reckoning is very + accurately calculated by the number of revolutions of the propellers + recorded in the engine-room; and a device not unlike this was known to the + Romans in the time of the Republic. They attached small wheels about four + feet in diameter to the sides of their ships; the passage of the water + turned the wheels, and a very simple gearing was arranged which threw a + pebble into a tallypot at each revolution. This device, however, seems to + have been abandoned or forgotten in Columbus’s day, when there was + no more exact method of estimating dead-reckoning than the primitive one + of spitting over the side in calm weather, or at other times throwing some + object into the water and estimating the rate of progress by its speed in + passing the ship’s side. The hour-glass, which was used to get the + multiple for long distances, was of course the only portable time measurer + available for Columbus. These, with a rough knowledge of astronomy, and + the taking of the altitude of the polar star, were the only known means + for ascertaining the position of his ship at sea. + </p> + <p> + The first mishap occurred on Monday, August 6th, when the Pinta carried + away her rudder. The Pinta, it will be remembered, was commanded by Martin + Alonso Pinzon, and was owned by Gomaz Rascon and Christoval Quintero, who + had been at the bottom of some of the troubles ashore; and it was thought + highly probable that these two rascals had something to do with the + mishap, which they had engineered in the hope that their vessel would be + left behind at the Canaries. Martin Alonso, however, proved a man of + resource, and rigged up a sort of steering gear with ropes. There was a + choppy sea, and Columbus could not bring his own vessel near enough to + render any assistance, though he doubtless bawled his directions to + Pinzon, and looked with a troubled eye on the commotion going on on board + the Pinta. On the next day the jury-rigged rudder carried away again, and + was again repaired, but it was decided to try and make the island of + Lanzarote in the Canaries, and to get another caravel to replace the + Pinta. All through the next day the Santa Maria and the Nina had to + shorten sail in order not to leave the damaged Pinta behind; the three + captains had a discussion and difference of opinion as to where they were; + but Columbus, who was a genius at dead-reckoning, proved to be right in + his surmise, and they came in sight of the Canaries on Thursday morning, + August 9th. + </p> + <p> + Columbus left Pinzon on the Grand Canary with orders to try to obtain a + caravel there, while he sailed on to Gomera, which he reached on Sunday + night, with a similar purpose. As he was unsuccessful he sent a message by + a boat that was going back to tell Pinzon to beach the Pinta and repair + her rudder; and having spent more days in fruitless search for a vessel, + he started back to join Pinzon on August 23rd. During the night he passed + the Peak of Teneriffe, which was then in eruption. The repairs to the + Pinta, doubtless in no way expedited by Messrs. Rascon and Quintera, took + longer than had been expected; it was found necessary to make an entirely + new rudder for her; and advantage was taken of the delay to make some + alterations in the rig of the Nina, which was changed from a latine rig to + a square rig, so that she might be better able to keep up with the others. + September had come before these two jobs were completed; and on the 2nd of + September the three ships sailed for Gomera, the most westerly of the + islands, where they anchored in the north-east bay. The Admiral was in a + great hurry to get away from the islands and from the track of merchant + ships, for he had none too much confidence in the integrity of his crews, + which were already murmuring and finding every mishap a warning sign from + God. He therefore only stayed long enough at Gomera to take in wood and + water and provisions, and set sail from that island on the 6th of + September. + </p> + <p> + The wind fell lighter and lighter, and on Friday the little fleet lay + becalmed within sight of Ferro. But on Saturday evening north-east airs + sprang up again, and they were able to make nine leagues of westing. On + Sunday they had lost sight of land; and at thus finding their ships three + lonely specks in the waste of ocean the crew lost heart and began to + lament. There was something like a panic, many of the sailors bursting + into tears and imploring Columbus to take them home again. To us it may + seem a rather childish exhibition; but it must be remembered that these + sailors were unwillingly embarked upon a voyage which they believed would + only lead to death and disaster. The bravest of us to-day, if he found + himself press-ganged on board a balloon and embarked upon a journey, the + object of which was to land upon Mars or the moon, might find it difficult + to preserve his composure on losing sight of the earth; and the parallel + is not too extreme to indicate the light in which their present enterprise + must have appeared to many of the Admiral’s crew. + </p> + <p> + Columbus gave orders to the captains of the other two ships that, in case + of separation, they were to sail westward for 700 leagues-that being the + distance at which he evidently expected to find land—and there to + lie-to from midnight until morning. On this day also, seeing the temper of + the sailors, he began one of the crafty stratagems upon which he prided + himself, and which were often undoubtedly of great use to him; he kept two + reckonings, one a true one, which he entered in his log, and one a false + one, by means of which the distance run was made out to be less than what + it actually was, so that in case he could not make land as soon as he + hoped the crew would not be unduly discouraged. In other words, he wished + to have a margin at the other end, for he did not want a mutiny when he + was perhaps within a few leagues of his destination. On this day he notes + that the raw and inexperienced seamen were giving trouble in other ways, + and steering very badly, continually letting the ship’s head-fall + off to the north; and many must have been the angry remonstrances from the + captain to the man at the wheel. Altogether rather a trying day for + Christopher, who surely has about as much on his hands as ever mortal had; + but he knows how to handle ships and how to handle sailors, and so long as + this ten-knot breeze lasts, he can walk the high poop of the Santa Maria + with serenity, and snap his fingers at the dirty rabble below. + </p> + <p> + On Monday they made sixty leagues, the Admiral duly announcing + forty-eight; on Tuesday twenty leagues, published as sixteen; and on this + day they saw a large piece of a mast which had evidently belonged to a + ship of at least 120 tons burden. This was not an altogether cheerful + sight for the eighteen souls on board the little Nina, who wondered + ruefully what was going to happen to them of forty tons when ships three + times their size had evidently been unable to live in this abominable sea! + </p> + <p> + On Thursday, September 13th, when Columbus took his observations, he made + a great scientific discovery, although he did not know it at the time. He + noticed that the needle of the compass was declining to the west of north + instead of having a slight declination to the east of north, as all + mariners knew it to have. In other words, he had passed the line of true + north and of no variation, and must therefore have been in latitude 28 + deg. N. and longitude 29 deg. 37’ W. of Greenwich. With his usual + secrecy he said nothing about it; perhaps he was waiting to see if the + pilots on the other ships had noticed it, but apparently they were not so + exact in their observations as he was. On the next day, Friday, the wind + falling a little lighter, they, made only twenty leagues. “Here the + persons on the caravel Nina said they had seen a jay and a ringtail, and + these birds never come more than twenty-five leagues from land at most.” + —Unhappy “persons on the Nina”! Nineteen souls, + including the captain, afloat in a very small boat, and arguing God knows + what from the fact that a jay and a ringtail never went more than + twenty-five leagues from land!—The next day also was not without its + incident; for on Saturday evening they saw a meteor, or “marvellous + branch of fire” falling from the serene violet of the sky into the + sea. + </p> + <p> + They were now well within the influence of the trade-wind, which in these + months blows steadily from the east, and maintains an exquisite and balmy + climate. Even the Admiral, never very communicative about his sensations, + deigns to mention them here, and is reported to have said that “it + was a great pleasure to enjoy the morning; that nothing was lacking except + to hear the nightingales, and that the weather was like April in + Andalusia.” On this day they saw some green grasses, which the + Admiral considered must have floated off from some island; “not the + continent,” says the Admiral, whose theories are not to be disturbed + by a piece of grass, “because I make the continental land farther + onward.” The crew, ready to take the most depressing and pessimistic + view of everything, considered that the lumps of grass belonged to rocks + or submerged lands, and murmured disparaging things about the Admiral. As + a matter of fact these grasses were masses of seaweed detached from the + Sargasso Sea, which they were soon to enter. + </p> + <p> + On Monday, September 17th, four days after Columbus had noted it, the + other pilots noted the declination of the needle, which they had found on + taking the position of the North star. They did not like it; and Columbus, + whose knowledge of astronomy came to his aid, ordered them to take the + position of the North star at dawn again, which they did, and found that + the needles were true. He evidently thought it useless to communicate to + them his scientific speculations, so he explained to them that it was the + North star which was moving in its circle, and not the compass. One is + compelled to admit that in these little matters of deceit the Admiral + always shone. To-day, among the seaweed on the ship’s side, he + picked up a little crayfish, which he kept for several days, presumably in + a bottle in his cabin; and perhaps afterwards ate. + </p> + <p> + So for several days this calm and serene progress westward was maintained. + The trade-wind blew steady and true, balmy and warm also; the sky was + cloudless, except at morning and evening dusk; and there were for scenery + those dazzling expanses of sea and sky, and those gorgeous hues of dawn + and sunset, which are only to be found in the happy latitudes. The things + that happened to them, the bits of seaweed and fishes that they saw in the + water, the birds that flew around them, were observed with a wondering + attention and wistful yearning after their meaning such as is known only + to children and to sailors adventuring on uncharted seas. The breezes were + milder even than those of the Canaries, and the waters always less salt; + and the men, forgetting their fears of the monsters of the Sea of + Darkness, would bathe alongside in the limpid blue. The little crayfish + was a “sure indication of land”; a tunny fish, killed by the + company on the Nina, was taken to be an indication from the west, “where + I hope in that exalted God, in whose hands are all victories, that land + will very soon appear”; they saw another ringtail, “which is + not accustomed to sleep on the sea”; two pelicans came to the ship, + “which was an indication that land was near”; a large dark + cloud appeared to the north, “which is a sign that land is near”; + they saw one day a great deal of grass, “although the previous day + they had not seen any”; they took a bird with their hands which was + like a jay; “it was a river bird and not a sea bird”; they saw + a whale, “which is an indication that they are near land, because + they always remain near it”; afterwards a pelican came from the + west-north-west and went to the south-east, “which was an indication + that it left land to the west-north-west, because these birds sleep on + land and in the morning they come to the sea in search of food, and do not + go twenty leagues from land.” And “at dawn two or three small + land birds came singing to the ships; and afterwards disappeared before + sunrise.” + </p> + <p> + Such beautiful signs, interpreted by the light of their wishes, were the + events of this part of the voyage. In the meantime, they have their little + differences. Martin Alonso Pinzon, on Tuesday, September 18th, speaks from + the Pinta to the Santa Maria, and says that he will not wait for the + others, but will go and make the land, since it is so near; but apparently + he does not get very far out of the way, the wind which wafts him wafting + also the Santa Maria and the Nina. + </p> + <p> + On September the 19th there was a comparison of dead-reckonings. The Nina’s + pilot made it 440 leagues from the Canaries, the Pinta’s 420 + leagues, and the Admiral’s pilot, doubtless instructed by the + Admiral, made it 400. On Sunday the 23rd they were getting into the + seaweed and finding crayfish again; and there being no reasonable cause + for complaint a scare was got up among the crew on an exceedingly + ingenious point. The wind having blown steadily from the east for a matter + of three weeks, they said that it would never blow in any other direction, + and that they would never be able to get back to Spain; but later in the + afternoon the sea got up from the westward, as though in answer to their + fears, and as if to prove that somewhere or other ahead of them there was + a west wind blowing; and the Admiral remarks that “the high sea was + very necessary to me, as it came to pass once before in the time when the + Jews went out of Egypt with Moses, who took them from captivity.” + And indeed there was something of Moses in this man, who thus led his + little rabble from a Spanish seaport out across the salt wilderness of the + ocean, and interpreted the signs for them, and stood between them and the + powers of vengeance and terror that were set about their uncharted path. + </p> + <p> + But it appears that the good Admiral had gone just a little too far in + interpreting everything they saw as a sign that they were approaching + land; for his miserable crew, instead of being comforted by this fact, now + took the opportunity to be angry because the signs were not fulfilled. The + more the signs pointed to their nearness to land, the more they began to + murmur and complain because they did not see it. They began to form + together in little groups—always an ominous sign at sea—and + even at night those who were not on deck got together in murmuring + companies. Some, of the things that they said, indeed, were not very far + from the truth; among others, that it was “a great madness on their + part to venture their lives in following out the madness of a foreigner + who to make himself a great lord had risked his life, and now saw himself + and all of them in great exigency and was deceiving so many people.” + They remembered that his proposition, or “dream” as they not + inaptly call it, had been contradicted by many great and lettered men; and + then followed some very ominous words indeed. They held + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + <br /> [The substance of these murmurings is not in the abridged Journal, + but is given by Las Casas under the date of September 24.] + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + that “it was enough to excuse them from whatever might be done in + the matter that they had arrived where man had never dared to navigate, + and that they were not obliged to go to the end of the world, especially + as, if they delayed more, they would not be able to have provisions to + return.” In short, the best thing would be to throw him into the sea + some night, and make a story that he had fallen, into the water while + taking the position of a star with his astrolabe; and no one would ask any + questions, as he was a foreigner. They carried this talk to the Pinzons, + who listened to them; after all, we have not had to wait long for trouble + with the Pinzons! “Of these Pinzons Christopher Columbus complains + greatly, and of the trouble they had given him.” + </p> + <p> + There is only one method of keeping down mutiny at sea, and of preserving + discipline. It is hard enough where the mutineers are all on one ship and + the commander’s officers are loyal to him; but when they are + distributed over three ships, the captains of two of which are willing to + listen to them, the problem becomes grave indeed. We have no details of + how Columbus quieted them; but it is probable that his strong personality + awed them, while his clever and plausible words persuaded them. He was the + best sailor of them all and they knew it; and in a matter of this kind the + best and strongest man always wins, and can only in a pass of this kind + maintain his authority by proving his absolute right to it. So he talked + and persuaded and bullied and encouraged and cheered them; “laughing + with them,” as Las Casas says, “while he was weeping at heart.” + </p> + <p> + Probably as a result of this unpleasantness there was on the following + day, Tuesday, September 25th, a consultation between: Martin Alonso Pinzon + and the Admiral. The Santa Maria closed up with the Pinta, and a chart was + passed over on a cord. There were islands marked on the chart in this + region, possibly the islands reported by the shipwrecked pilot, possibly + the island of Antilla; and Pinzon said he thought that they were somewhere + in the region of them, and the Admiral said that he thought so too. There + was a deal of talk and pricking of positions on charts; and then, just as + the sun was setting, Martin Alonso, standing on the stern of the Pinta, + raised a shout and said that he saw land; asking (business-like Martin) at + the same time for the reward which had been promised to the first one who + should see land: They all saw it, a low cloud to the southwest, apparently + about twenty-five leagues distant; and honest Christopher, in the emotion + of the moment, fell on his knees in gratitude to God. The crimson sunset + of that evening saw the rigging of the three ships black with eager + figures, and on the quiet air were borne the sounds of the Gloria in + Excelsis, which was repeated by each ship’s company. + </p> + <p> + The course was altered to the south-west, and they sailed in that + direction seventeen leagues during the night; but in the morning there was + no land to be seen. The sunset clouds that had so often deceived the + dwellers in the Canaries and the Azores, and that in some form or other + hover at times upon all eagerly scanned horizons, had also deceived + Columbus and every one of his people; but they created a diversion which + was of help to the Admiral in getting things quiet again, for which in his + devout soul he thanked the merciful providence of God. + </p> + <p> + And so they sailed on again on a westward course. They were still in the + Sargasso Sea, and could watch the beautiful golden floating mass of the + gulf-weed, covered with berries and showing, a little way under the clear + water, bright green leaves. The sea was as smooth as the river in Seville; + there were frigate pelicans flying about, and John Dorys in the water; + several gulls were seen; and a youth on board the Nina killed a pelican + with a stone. On Monday, October 1st, there was a heavy shower of rain; + and Juan de la Cosa, Columbus’s pilot, came up to him with the + doleful information that they had run 578 leagues from the island of + Ferro. According to Christopher’s doctored reckoning the distance + published was 584 leagues; but his true reckoning, about which he said + nothing to a soul, showed that they had gone 707 leagues. The breeze still + kept steady and the sea calm; and day after day, with the temper of the + crews getting uglier and uglier, the three little vessels forged westward + through the blue, weed-strewn waters, their tracks lying undisturbed far + behind them. On Saturday, October 6th, the Admiral was signalled by Alonso + Pinzon, who wanted to change the course to the south-west. It appears + that, having failed to find the, islands of the shipwrecked pilot, they + were now making for the island of Cipango, and that this request of Pinzon + had something to do with some theory of his that they had better turn to + the south to reach that island; while Columbus’s idea now evidently + was—to push straight on to the mainland of Cathay. Columbus had his + way; but the grumbling and murmuring in creased among the crew. + </p> + <p> + On the next day, Sunday, and perhaps just in time to avert another + outbreak, there was heard the sound of a gun, and the watchers on the + Santa Maria and the Pinta saw a puff of smoke coming from the Nina, which + was sailing ahead, and hoisting a flag on her masthead. This was the + signal agreed upon for the discovery of land, and it seemed as though + their search was at last at an end. But it was a mistake. In the afternoon + the land that the people of the Nina thought they had seen had + disappeared, and the horizon was empty except for a great flight of birds + that was seen passing from the north to the south-west. The Admiral, + remembering how often birds had guided the Portuguese in the islands in + their possessions, argued that the birds were either going to sleep on + land or were perhaps flying from winter, which he assumed to be + approaching in the land from whence they came. He therefore altered. his + course from west to west-south-west. This course was entered upon an hour + before sunset and continued throughout the night and the next day. “The + sea was like the river of Seville,” says the Admiral; “the + breezes as soft as at Seville in April, and very fragrant.” More + birds were to be seen, and there were many signs of land; but the crew, so + often disappointed in their hopeful interpretations of the phenomena + surrounding them, kept on murmuring and complaining. On Tuesday, October + 9th, the wind chopped round a little and the course was altered, first to + south-west and then at evening to a point north of west; and the journal + records that “all night they heard birds passing.” The next + day Columbus resumed the west-southwesterly course and made a run of + fifty-nine leagues; but the mariners broke out afresh in their discontent, + and declined to go any farther. They complained of the long voyage, and + expressed their views strongly to the commander. But they had to deal with + a man who was determined to begin with, and who saw in the many signs of + land that they had met with only an additional inducement to go on. He + told them firmly that with or without their consent he intended to go on + until he had found the land he had come to seek. + </p> + <p> + The next day, Thursday, October 11th, was destined to be for ever + memorable in the history of the world. It began ordinarily enough, with a + west-south-west wind blowing fresh, and on a sea rather rougher than they + had had lately. The people on the Santa Maria saw some petrels and a green + branch in the water; the Pinta saw a reed and two small sticks carved with + iron, and one or two other pieces of reeds and grasses that had been grown + on shore, as well as a small board. Most wonderful of all, the people of + the Nina saw “a little branch full of dog roses”; and it would + be hard to estimate the sweet significance of this fragment of a wild + plant from land to the senses of men who had been so long upon a sea from + which they had thought never to land alive. The day drew to its close; and + after nightfall, according to their custom, the crew of the ships repeated + the Salve Regina. Afterwards the Admiral addressed the people and sailors + of his ship, “very merry and pleasant,” reminding them of the + favours God had shown them with regard to the weather, and begging them, + as they hoped to see land very soon, within an hour or so, to keep an + extra good look-out that night from the forward forecastle; and adding to + the reward of an annuity of 10,000 maravedis, offered by the Queen to + whoever should sight land first, a gift on his own account of a silk + doublet. + </p> + <p> + The moon was in its third quarter, and did not rise until eleven o’clock. + The first part of the night was dark, and there was only a faint starlight + into which the anxious eyes of the look-out men peered from the + forecastles of the three ships. At ten o’clock Columbus was walking + on the poop of his vessel, when he suddenly saw a light right ahead. The + light seemed to rise and fall as though it were a candle or a lantern held + in some one’s hand and waved up and down. The Admiral called Pedro + Gutierrez to him and asked him whether he saw anything; and he also saw + the light. Then he sent for Rodrigo Sanchez and asked him if he saw the + light; but he did not, perhaps because from where he was standing it was + occulted. But the others were left in no doubt, for the light was seen + once or twice more, and to the eyes of the anxious little group standing + on the high stern deck of the Santa Maria it appeared unmistakably. The + Nina was not close at hand, and the Pinta had gone on in front hoping to + make good her mistake; but there was no doubt on board the Santa Maria + that the light which they had seen was a light like a candle or a torch + waved slowly up and down. They lost the light again; and as the hours in + that night stole away and the moon rose slowly in the sky the seamen on + the Santa Maria must have almost held their breath. + </p> + <p> + At about two o’clock in the morning the sound of a gun was heard + from the Pinta, who could be seen hoisting her flags; Rodrigo de Triana, + the look-out on board of her, having reported land in sight; and there + sure enough in the dim light lay the low shores of an island a few miles + ahead of them. + </p> + <p> + Immediately all sails were lowered, except a small trysail which enabled + the ships to lie-to and stand slowly off and on, waiting for the daylight. + I suppose there was never a longer night than that; but dawn came at last, + flooding the sky with lemon and saffron and scarlet and orange, until at + last the pure gold of the sun glittered on the water. And when it rose it + showed the sea-weary mariners an island lying in the blue sea ahead of + them: the island of Guanahani; San Salvador, as it was christened by + Columbus; or, to give it its modern name, Watling’s Island. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + <a name="ch14" id="ch14"></a>CHAPTER XIV. + </h2> + <h3> + LANDFALL + </h3> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p> + During the night the ships had drifted a little with the current, and + before the north-east wind. When the look-out man on the Pinta first + reported land in sight it was probably the north-east corner of the + island, where the land rises to a height of 120 feet, that he saw. The + actual anchorage of Columbus was most likely to the westward of the + island; for there was a strong north-easterly breeze, and as the whole of + the eastern coast is fringed by a barrier reef, he would not risk his + ships on a lee shore. Finding himself off the north end of the island at + sunrise, the most natural thing for him to do, on making sail again, would + be to stand southward along the west side of the island looking for an + anchorage. The first few miles of the shore have rocky exposed points, and + the bank where there is shoal water only extends half a mile from the + shore. Immediately beyond that the bottom shelves rapidly down to a depth + of 2000 fathoms, so that if Columbus was sounding as he came south he + would find no bottom there. Below what are called the Ridings Rocks, + however, the land sweeps to the south and east in a long sheltered bay, + and to the south of these rocks there is good anchorage and firm + holding-ground in about eight fathoms of water. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> <a name="p163" id="p163"></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img alt="p163.jpg (57K)" src="images/p163.jpg" style="width:100%;" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/p163.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a> + </h5> +<p> +<br /><br /><br /><br /> +</p> + <p> + We may picture them, therefore, approaching this land in the bright + sunshine of the early morning, their ears, that had so long heard nothing + but the slat of canvas and the rush and bubble of water under the prows, + filled at last with the great resounding roar of the breakers on the coral + reef; their eyes, that had so long looked upon blue emptiness and the + star-spangled violet arch of night, feasting upon the living green of the + foliage ashore; and the easterly breeze carrying to their eager nostrils + the perfumes of land. Amid an excitement and joyful anticipation that it + is exhilarating even to think about the cables were got up and served and + coiled on deck, and the anchors, which some of them had thought would + never grip the bottom again, unstopped and cleared. The leadsman of the + Santa Maria, who has been finding no bottom with his forty-fathom line, + suddenly gets a sounding; the water shoals rapidly until the nine-fathom + mark is unwetted, and the lead comes up with its bottom covered with brown + ooze. Sail is shortened; one after another the great ungainly sheets of + canvas are clewed up or lowered down on deck; one after another the three + helms are starboarded, and the three ships brought up to the wind. Then + with three mighty splashes that send the sea birds whirling and screaming + above the rocks the anchors go down; and the Admiral stands on his high + poop-deck, and looks long and searchingly at the fragment of earth, + rock-rimmed, surf-fringed, and tree-crowned, of which he is Viceroy and + Governor-General. + </p> + <p> + Watling’s Island, as it is now called, or San Salvador, as Columbus + named it, or Guanahani, as it was known to the aborigines, is situated in + latitude 24 deg. 6’ N., and longitude 74 deg 26’ W., and is an + irregularly shaped white sandstone islet in about the middle of the great + Bahama Bank. The space occupied by the whole group is shaped like an + irregular triangle extending from the Navidad Bank in the Caribbean Sea at + the south-east corner, to Bahama Island in Florida Strait on the north, + about 200 miles. The south side trends west by north for 600 miles, and + the north side north-west by north 720 miles. Most of the islands and + small rocks in this group, called Keys or Cays, are very low, and rise + only a few feet above the sea; the highest is about 400 feet high. They + are generally situated on the edge of coral and sand banks, some of which + are of a very dangerous character. They are thinly wooded, except in the + case of one or two of the larger islands which contain timber of moderate + dimensions. The climate of the Bahamas is mild and temperate, with + refreshing sea breezes in the hottest months; and there is a mean + temperature of 75 deg. from November to April. Watling’s Island is + about twelve miles in length by six in breadth, with rocky shores slightly + indented. The greater part of its area is occupied by salt-water lagoons, + separated from one another by small wooded hills from too to 140 feet + high. There is plenty of grass; indeed the island is now considered to be + the most fertile in the Bahamas, and raises an excellent breed of cattle + and sheep. In common with the other islands of the group it was originally + settled by the Spaniards, and afterwards by the British, who were driven + from the Bahamas again by the Spanish in the year 1641. After a great deal + of changing hands they were ceded to Great Britain in 1783, and have + remained in her possession ever since. In 1897 the population of the whole + group was estimated at 52,000 the whites being in the proportion of one to + six of the coloured population. Watling’s Island contains about 600 + inhabitants scattered over the surface, with a small settlement called + Cockburn Town on the west side, nearly opposite the landfall of Columbus. + The seat of the local government is in the island of New Providence, and + the inhabitants of Watling’s Island and of Rum Cay unite in sending + one representative to the House of Assembly. It is high water, full and + change, at Watling’s Island at 7 h. 40 m., as it was in the days of + Columbus; and these facts form about the sum of the world’s + knowledge of and interest in Watling’s Island to-day. + </p> + <p> + But it was a different matter on Friday morning, October 12, 1492, when, + all having been made snug on board the Santa Maria, the Admiral of the + Ocean Seas put on his armour and his scarlet cloak over it and prepared to + go ashore. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + <br /> [This date is reckoned in the old style. The true astronomical + date would be October 21st, which is the modern anniversary of the + discovery] + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The boat was lowered and manned by a crew well armed, and Columbus took + with him Rodrigo de Escovedo, the secretary to the expedition, and Rodrigo + Sanchez his overseer; they also took on board Martin Alonso Pinzon and + Vincenti Yanez Pinzon, the captains of the other two ships. As they rowed + towards the shore they saw a few naked inhabitants, who hid themselves at + their approach. Columbus carried with him the royal standard, and the two + captains each had a banner of the expedition, which was a square flag with + an “F” and a “Y” upon either side, each letter + being surmounted by the crown of the sovereigns and a green cross covering + the whole. Columbus assembled his little band around him and called upon + them to bear witness that in the presence of them all he was taking + possession of the island for the King and Queen of Spain; duly making + depositions in writing on the spot, and having them signed and witnessed. + Then he gave the name of San Salvador to the island and said a prayer; and + while this solemn little ceremony was in progress, the astonished natives + crept out of their hiding and surrounded the strange white men. They + gesticulated and grovelled and pointed upwards, as though this gang of + armed and bearded Spaniards, with the tall white-bearded Italian in the + midst of them, had fallen from the skies. + </p> + <p> + The first interest of the voyagers was in the inhabitants of this + delightful land. They found them well built, athletic-looking men, most of + them young, with handsome bodies and intelligent faces. Columbus, eager to + begin his missionary work, gave them some red caps and some glass beads, + with which he found them so delighted that he had good hopes of making + converts, and from which he argued that “they were a people who + would better be freed and converted to our Holy Faith by love than by + force,” which sentence of his contains within itself the whole + missionary spirit of the time. These natives, who were the freest people + in the world, were to be “freed”; freed or saved from the + darkness of their happy innocence and brought to the light of a religion + that had just evolved the Inquisition; freed by love if possible, and by + red caps and glass beads; if not possible, then freed by force and with + guns; but freed they were to be at all costs. It is a tragic thought that, + at the very first impact of the Old World upon this Eden of the West, this + dismal error was set on foot and the first links in the chain of slavery + forged. But for the moment nothing of it was perceptible; nothing but red + caps and glass beads, and trinkets and toys, and freeing by love. The + sword that Columbus held out to them, in order to find out if they knew + the use of weapons, they innocently grasped by the blade and so cut their + fingers; and that sword, extended with knowledge and grasped with fearless + ignorance, is surely an emblem of the spread of civilisation and of its + doubtful blessings in the early stages. Let us hear Columbus himself, as + he recorded his first impression of Guanahani: + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + “Further, it appeared to me that they were a very poor people, in + everything. They all go naked as their mothers gave them birth, and the + women also, although I only saw one of the latter who was very young, + and all those whom I saw were young men, none more than thirty years of + age. They were very well built with very handsome bodies, and very good + faces. Their hair was almost as coarse as horses’ tails, and + short, and they wear it over the eyebrows, except a small quantity + behind, which they wear long and never cut. Some paint themselves + blackish, and they are of the colour of the inhabitants of the Canaries, + neither black nor white, and some paint themselves white, some red, some + whatever colour they find: and some paint their faces, some all the + body, some only the eyes, and some only the nose. They do not carry arms + nor know what they are, because I showed them swords and they took them + by the edge and ignorantly cut themselves. They have no iron: their + spears are sticks without iron, and some of them have a fish’s + tooth at the end and others have other things. They are all generally of + good height, of pleasing appearance and well built: I saw some who had + indications of wounds on their bodies, and I asked them by signs if it + was that, and they showed me that other people came there from other + islands near by and wished to capture them and they defended themselves: + and I believed and believe, that they come here from the continental + land to take them captive. They must be good servants and intelligent, + as I see that they very quickly say all that is said to them, and I + believe that they would easily become Christians, as it appeared to me + that they had no sect. If it please our Lord, at the time of my + departure, I will take six of them from here to your Highnesses that + they may learn to speak. I saw no beast of any kind except parrots on + this island.” + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + They very quickly say all that is said to them, and they will very easily + become good slaves; good Christians also it appears, since the Admiral’s + research does not reveal the trace of any religious sect. And finally + “I will take six of them”; ostensibly that they may learn to + speak the language, but really that they may form the vanguard of cargo + after cargo of slaves ravished from their happy islands of dreams and + sunshine and plenty to learn the blessings of Christianity under the whip + and the sword. It is all, alas, inevitable; was inevitable from the moment + that the keel of Columbus’s boat grated upon the shingle of + Guanahani. The greater must prey upon the less, the stronger must absorb + and dominate the weaker; and the happy gardens of the Golden Cyclades must + be spoiled and wasted for the pleasure and enrichment of a corrupting + civilisation. But while we recognise the inevitable, and enter into the + joy and pride of Columbus and his followers on this first happy morning of + their landing, we may give a moment’s remembrance to the other side + of the picture, and admit that for this generation of innocents the + discovery that was to be all gain for the Old World was to be all loss to + them. In the meantime, decrees the Admiral, they are to be freed and + converted; and “I will take six of them that they may learn to + speak.” + </p> + <p> + There are no paths or footprints left in the sea, and the water furrowed + on that morning more than four hundred years ago by the keels of Columbus’s + little fleet is as smooth and trackless as it was before they clove it. + Yet if you approach Guanahani from the east during the hours of darkness + you also will see a light that waxes and wanes on the horizon. What the + light was that Columbus saw is not certain; it was probably the light from + a torch held by some native woman from the door of her hut; but the light + that you will see is from the lighthouse on Dixon Hill, where a tower of + coral holds a lamp one hundred and sixty feet above the sea at the + north-east point of the island. It was erected in no sentimental spirit, + but for very practical purposes, and at a date when Watling’s Island + had not been identified with the Guanahani of Columbus’s landfall; + and yet of all the monuments that have been raised to him I can think of + nothing more appropriate than this lonely tower that stands by day amid + the bright sunshine in the track of the trade wind, and by night throws + its powerful double flash every half-minute across the dark lonely sea. + For it was by a light, although not of man’s kindling, that Columbus + was guided upon his lonely voyage and through his many difficulties; amid + all his trials and disappointments, dimly as it must have burned + sometimes, it never quite went out. Darkness was the name of the sea + across which he took his way; darkness, from his religious point of view, + was the state of the lands to which he journeyed; and, whatever its + subsequent worth may have been, it was a burning fragment from the living + torch of the Christian religion that he carried across the world with him, + and by which he sought to kindle the fire of faith in the lands of his + discovery. So that there is a profound symbolism in those raying beams + that now, night after night, month by month, and year after year, shine + out across the sea from Watling’s Island in the direction of the Old + World. + </p> + <p> + In the preparations for this voyage, and in the conduct and accomplishment + of it, the personality of the man Columbus stands clearly revealed. He was + seen at his best, as all men are who have a chance of doing the thing for + which they are best fitted. The singleness of aim that can accomplish so + much is made manifest in his dogged search for means with which to make + his voyage; and his Italian quality of unscrupulousness in the means + employed to attain a good end was exercised to the full. The, practical + seaman in him carried him through the easiest part of his task, which was + the actual sailing of his ships from Palos to Guanahani; Martin Alonso + Pinzon could have done as much as that. But no Martin Alonso Pinzon or any + other man of that time known to history had the necessary combination of + defective and effective qualities that made Columbus, once he had + conceived his glorious hazy idea, spend the best years of his life, first + in acquiring the position that would make him listened to by people + powerful enough to help him, and then in besieging them in the face of + every rebuff and discouragement. Another man, proposing to venture across + the unknown ocean to unknown lands, would have required a fleet for his + conveyance, and an army for his protection; but Columbus asked for what he + thought he had some chance of getting, and for the barest equipment that + would carry him across the water. Another man would at least have had a + bodyguard; but Columbus relied upon himself, and alone held his motley + crew in the bonds of discipline. A Pinzon could have navigated the fleet + from Palos to Guanahani; but only a Columbus, only a man burning with + belief is himself and in his quest, could have kept that superstitious + crowd of loafers and malefactors and gaol-birds to their duties, and bent + them to his will. He was destined in after years for situations which were + beyond his power to deal with, and for problems that were beyond his + grasp; but here at least he was supreme, master of himself and of his + material, and a ruler over circumstances. The supreme thing that he had + professed to be able to do and which he had guaranteed to do was, in the + sublime simplicity of his own phrase, “to discover new lands,” + and luck or no luck, help or hindrance, he did it at the very first + attempt and in the space of thirty-five days. And although it was from the + Pinta that the gun was fired, and the first loom of the actual land seen + in the early morning, I am glad to think that, of all the number of eager + watching men, it was Columbus who first saw the dim tossing light that + told him his journey was at an end. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + <a name="bk2" id="bk2"></a>BOOK II. + </h2> + <h3> + THE NEW WORLD + </h3> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + <a name="ch1b" id="ch1b"></a>CHAPTER I. + </h2> + <h3> + THE ENCHANTED ISLANDS + </h3> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p> + Columbus did not intend to remain long at San Salvador. His landfall + there, although it signified the realisation of one part of his dream, was + only the starting-point of his explorations in the New World. Now that he + had made good his undertaking to “discover new lands,” he had + to make good his assurance that they were full of wealth and would swell + the revenues of the King and Queen of Spain. A brief survey of this first + island was all he could afford time for; and after the first exquisite + impression of the white beach, and the blue curve of the bay sparkling in + the sunshine, and the soft prismatic colours of the acanthus beneath the + green wall of the woods had been savoured and enjoyed, he was anxious to + push on to the rich lands of the Orient of which he believed this island + to be only an outpost. + </p> + <p> + On the morning after his arrival the natives came crowding down to the + beach and got down their canoes, which were dug out of the trunk of a + single tree, and some of which were large enough to contain forty or + forty-five men: They came paddling out to the ship, sometimes, in the case + of the smaller canoes which only held one man, being upset by the surf, + and swimming gaily round and righting their canoes again and bailing them + out with gourds. They brought balls of spun cotton, and parrots and + spears. All their possessions, indeed, were represented in the offerings + they made to the strangers. Columbus, whose eye was now very steadily + fixed on the main chance, tried to find out if they had any gold, for he + noticed that some of them wore in their noses a ring that looked as though + it were made of that metal; and by making signs he asked them if there was + any more of it to be had. He understood them to say that to the south of + the island there dwelt a king who had large vessels of gold, and a great + many of them; he tried to suggest that some of the natives should come and + show him the way, but he “saw that they were not interested in + going.” + </p> + <p> + The story of the Rheingold was to be enacted over again, and the whole of + the evils that followed in its glittering train to be exemplified in this + voyage of discovery. To the natives of these islands, who guarded the + yellow metal and loved it merely for its shining beauty, it was harmless + and powerless; they could not buy anything with it, nor did they seek by + its aid to secure any other enjoyments but the happiness of looking at it + and admiring it. As soon as the gold was ravished from their keeping, + however, began the reign of lust and cruelty that always has attended and + always will attend the knowledge that things can be bought with it. In all + its history, since first it was brought up from the dark bowels of the + earth to glitter in the light of day, there is no more significant scene + than this that took place on the bright sands of San Salvador so long ago—Columbus + attentively examining the ring in the nose of a happy savage, and trying + to persuade him to show him the place that it was brought from; and the + savage “not interested in going.” + </p> + <p> + From his sign-conversation with the natives Columbus understood that there + was land to the south or the south-west, and also to the north-west, and + that the people from the north-west went to the south-west in search of + gold and precious stones. In the meantime he determined to spend the + Sunday in making a survey of the island, while the rest of Saturday was + passed in barterings with the natives, who were very happy and curious to + see all the strange things belonging to the voyagers; and so innocent were + their ideas of value that “they give all they have for whatever + thing may be given them.” Columbus, however, who was busy making + calculations, would not allow the members of the crew to take anything + more on their own account, ordering that where any article of commerce + existed in quantity it was to be acquired for the sovereigns and taken + home to Spain. + </p> + <p> + Early on Sunday morning a boat was prepared from each ship, and a little + expedition began to row north about the island. As they coasted the white + rocky shores people came running to the beach and calling to them; “giving + thanks to God,” says Columbus, although this is probably a flight of + fancy. When they saw that the boats were not coming to land they threw + themselves into the water and came swimming out to them, bringing food and + drink. Columbus noticed a tongue of land lying between the north-west arm + of the internal lagoon and the sea, and saw that by cutting a canal + through it entrance could be secured to a harbour that would float “as + many ships as there are in Christendom.” He did not, apparently, + make a complete circuit of the island, but returned in the afternoon to + the ships, having first collected seven natives to take with him, and got + under way again; and before night had fallen San Salvador had disappeared + below the north-west horizon. + </p> + <p> + About midday he reached another island to the southeast. He sailed along + the coast until evening, when he saw yet another island in the distance to + the south-west; and he therefore lay-to for the night. At dawn the next + morning he landed on the island and took formal possession of it, naming + it Santa Maria de la Concepcion, which is the Rum Cay of the modern + charts. As the wind chopped round and he found himself on a lee-shore he + did not stay there, but sailed again before night. Two of the unhappy + prisoners from Guanahani at this point made good their escape by swimming + to a large canoe which one of the natives of the new island had rowed out—a + circumstance which worried Columbus not a little; since he feared it would + give him a bad name with the natives. He tried to counteract it by loading + with presents another native who came to barter balls of cotton, and + sending him away again. + </p> + <p> + The effect of all that he was seeing, of the bridge of islands that seemed + to be stretching towards the south-west and leading him to the region of + untold wealth, was evidently very stimulating and exciting to Columbus. + His Journal is almost incoherent where he attempts to set down all he has + got to say. Let us listen to him for a moment: + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + “These islands are very green and fertile, and the breezes are + very soft, and there may be many things which I do not know, because I + did not wish to stop, in order to discover and search many islands to + find gold. And since these people make signs thus, that they wear gold + on their arms and legs,—and it is gold, because I showed them some + pieces which I have,—I cannot fail, with the aid of our Lord, in + finding it where it is native. And being in the middle of the gulf + between these two islands, that is to say, the island of Santa Maria and + this large one, which I named Fernandina, I found a man alone in a canoe + who was going from the island of Santa Maria to Fernandina, and was + carrying a little of his bread which might have been about as large as + the fist, and a gourd of water, and a piece of reddish earth reduced to + dust and afterwards kneaded, and some dry leaves—[Tobacco]—which + must be a thing very much appreciated among them, because they had + already brought me some of them as a present at San Salvador: and he was + carrying a small basket of their kind, in which he had a string of small + glass beads and two blancas, by which I knew that he came from the + island of San Salvador, and had gone from there to Santa Maria and was + going to Fernandina. He came to the ship: I caused him to enter it, as + he asked to do so, and I had his canoe placed on the ship and had + everything which he was carrying guarded and I ordered that bread and + honey be given him to eat and something to drink. And I will go to + Fernandina thus and will give him everything, which belongs to him, that + he may give good reports of us. So that, when your Highnesses send here, + our Lord pleasing, those who come may receive honour and the Indians + will give them of everything which they have.” + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + This hurried gabbling about gold and the aid of our Lord, interlarded with + fragments of natural and geographical observation, sounds strangely across + the gulf of time and impresses one with a disagreeable sense of bewildered + greed—like that of a dog gulping at the delicacies in his platter + and unwilling to do justice to one for fear the others should escape him; + and yet it is a natural bewilderment, and one with which we must do our + best to sympathise. + </p> + <p> + Fernandina was the name which Columbus had already given to Long Island + when he sighted it from Santa Maria; and he reached it in the evening of + Tuesday, October 16th. The man in the canoe had arrived before him; and + the astute Admiral had the satisfaction of finding that once more his + cleverness had been rewarded, and that the man in the canoe had given such + glowing accounts of his generosity that there was no difficulty about his + getting water and supplies. While the barrels of water were being filled + he landed and strolled about in the pleasant groves, observing the + islanders and their customs, and finding them on the whole a little more + sophisticated than those of San Salvador. The women wore mantillas on + their heads and “little pieces of cotton” round their loins—a + sufficiently odd costume; and they appeared to Columbus to be a little + more astute than the other islanders, for though they brought cotton in + quantities to the ships they exacted payment of beads for it. In the charm + and wonder of his walk in this enchanted land he was able for a moment to + forget his hunger for gold and to admire the great branching palm-trees, + and the fish that + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + “are here so different from ours that it is wonderful. There are + some formed like cocks of the finest colours in the world, blue, yellow, + red and of all colours, and others tinted in a thousand manners: and the + colours are so fine, that there is not a man who does not wonder at + them, and who does not take great pleasure in seeing them. Also, there + are whales. I saw no beasts on land of any kind except parrots and + lizards. A boy told me that he saw a large snake. I did not see sheep + nor goats, nor any other beast; although I have been here a very short + time, as it is midday, still if there had been any, I could not have + missed seeing some.” + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Columbus was not a very good descriptive writer, and he has but two + methods of comparison; either a thing is like Spain, or it is not like + Spain. The verdure was “in such condition as it is in the month of + May in Andalusia; and the trees were all as different from ours as day + from night, and also the fruits and grasses and the stones and all the + things.” The essay written by a cockney child after a day at the + seaside or in the country, is not greatly different from some of the + verbatim passages of this journal; and there is a charm in that fact too, + for it gives us a picture of Columbus, in spite of his hunt for gold and + precious stones, wandering, still a child at heart, in the wonders of the + enchanted world to which he had come. + </p> + <p> + There was trouble on this day, because some of the crew had found an + Indian with a piece of gold in his nose, and they got a scolding from + Columbus for not detaining him and bartering with him for it. There was + bad weather also, with heavy rain and a threatening of tempest; there was + a difference of opinion with Martin Alonso Pinzon about which way they + should go round the island: but the next day the weather cleared, and the + wind settled the direction of their course for them. Columbus, whose eye + never missed anything of interest to the sailor and navigator, notes thus + early a fact which appears in every book of sailing directions for the + Bahama Islands—that the water is so clear and limpid that the bottom + can be seen at a great depth; and that navigation is thus possible and + even safe among the rockstrewn coasts of the islands, when thus performed + by sight and with the sun behind the ship. He was also keenly alive to + natural charm and beauty in the new lands that he was visiting, and there + are unmistakable fragments of himself in the journal that speak eloquently + of his first impressions. “The singing of the little birds is such + that it appears a man would wish never to leave here, and the flocks of + parrots obscure the sun.” + </p> + <p> + But life, even to the discoverer of a New World, does not consist of + wandering in the groves, and listening to the singing birds, and smelling + the flowers, and remembering the May nights of Andalusia. There was gold + to be found and the mainland of Cathay to be discovered, and a letter, + written by the sovereigns at his earnest request, to be delivered to the + Great Khan. The natives had told him of an island called Samoete to the + southward, which was said to contain a quantity of gold. He sailed thither + on the 19th, and called it Isabella; its modern name is Crooked Island. He + anchored here and found it to be but another step in the ascending scale + of his delight; it was greener and more beautiful than any of the islands + he had yet seen. He spent some time looking for the gold, but could not + find any; although he heard of the island of Cuba, which he took to be the + veritable Cipango. He weighed anchor on October 24th and sailed + south-west, encountering some bad weather on the way; but on Sunday the + 28th he came up with the north coast of Cuba and entered the mouth of a + river which is the modern Nuevitas. To the island of Cuba he gave the name + of Juana in honour of the young prince to whom his son Diego had been + appointed a page. + </p> + <p> + If the other islands had seemed beautiful to him, Cuba seemed like heaven + itself. The mountains grandly rising in the interior, the noble rivers and + long sweeping plains, the headlands melting into the clear water, and the + gorgeous colours and flowers and birds and insects on land acted like a + charm on Columbus and his sailors. As they entered the river they lowered + a boat in order to go ahead and sound for an anchorage; and two native + canoes put off from the shore, but, when they saw the boat approaching, + fled again. The Admiral landed and found two empty houses containing nets + and hooks and fishing-lines, and one of the strange silent dogs, such as + they had encountered on the other island—dogs that pricked their + ears and wagged their tails, but that never barked. The Admiral, in spite + of his greed for gold and his anxiety to “free” the people of + the island, was now acting much more discreetly, and with the genuine good + sense which he always possessed and which was only sometimes obscured. He + would not allow anything in the empty houses to be disturbed or taken + away, and whenever he saw the natives he tried to show them that he + intended to do them no harm, and to win their good will by making them + presents of beads and toys for which he would take no return. As he went + on up the river the scenery became more and more enchanting, so that he + felt quite unhappy at not being able to express all the wonders and + beauties that he saw. In the pure air and under the serene blue of the sky + those matchless hues of blossom and foliage threw a rainbow-coloured + garment on either bank of the river; the flamingoes, the parrots and + woodpeckers and humming-birds calling to one another and flying among the + tree-tops, made the upper air also seem alive and shot with all the + colours of the rainbow. Humble Christopher, walking amid these gorgeous + scenes, awed and solemnised by the strangeness and magnificence of nature + around him, tries to identify something that he knows; and thinks, that + amid all these strange chorusings of unknown birds, he hears the familiar + note of a nightingale. Amid all his raptures, however, the main chance is + not forgotten; everything that he sees he translates into some terms of + practical utility. Just as on the voyage out every seaweed or fish or + flying bird that he saw was hailed by him as a sign that land was near, so + amid the beauty of this virgin world everything that he sees is taken to + indicate either that he is close upon the track of the gold, or that he + must be in Cipango, or that the natives will be easy to convert to + Christianity. In the fragrance of the woods of Cuba, Columbus thought that + he smelled Oriental spices, which Marco Polo had described as abounding in + Cipango; when he walked by the shore and saw the shells of pearl oysters, + he believed the island to be loaded with pearls and precious stones; when + he saw a scrap of tinsel or bright metal adorning a native, he argued that + there was a gold mine close at hand. And so he went on in an increasing + whirl of bewildering enchantment from anchorage to anchorage and from + island to island, always being led on by that yellow will o’-the-wisp, + gold, and always believing that the wealth of the Orient would be his on + the morrow. As he coasted along towards the west he entered the river + which he called Rio de Mares. He found a large village here full of + palm-branch houses furnished with chairs and hammocks and adorned with + wooden masks and statues; but in spite of his gentleness and offer of + gifts the inhabitants all fled to the mountains, while he and his men + walked curiously through the deserted houses. + </p> + <p> + On Tuesday, October 30th, Martin Alonso Pinzon, whose communications the + Admiral was by this time beginning to dread, came with some exciting news. + It seemed that the Indians from San Salvador who were on board the Pinta + had told him that beyond the promontory, named by Columbus the Cape of + Palms, there was a river, four days’ journey upon which would bring + one to the city of Cuba, which was very rich and large and abounded with + gold; and that the king of that country was at war with a monarch whom + they called Cami, and whom Pinzon identified with the Great Khan. More + than this, these natives assured him that the land they were on at present + was the mainland itself, and that they could not be very far from Cathay. + Columbus for once found himself in agreement with Martin Alonso. The + well-thumbed copy of Marco Polo was doubtless brought out, and abundant + evidence found in it; and it was decided to despatch a little embassy to + this city in order to gain information about its position and wealth. When + they continued their course, however, and rounded the cape, no river + appeared; they sailed on, and yet promontory after promontory was opened + ahead of them; and as the wind turned against them and the weather was + very threatening they decided to turn back and anchor again in the Rio de + Mares. + </p> + <p> + Columbus was now, as he thought, hot upon the track of the Great Khan + himself; and on the first of November he sent boats ashore and told the + sailors to get information from the houses; but the inhabitants fled shyly + into the woods. Having once postulated the existence of the Great Khan in + this immediate territory Columbus, as his habit was, found that everything + fitted with the theory; and he actually took the flight of the natives, + although it had occurred on a dozen other occasions, as a proof that they + mistook his bands of men for marauding expeditions despatched by the great + monarch himself. He therefore recalled them, and sent a boat ashore with + an Indian interpreter who, standing in the boat at the edge of the water, + called upon the natives to draw near, and harangued them. He assured them + of the peaceable intentions of the great Admiral, and that he had nothing + whatever to do with the Great Khan; which cannot very greatly have + thrilled the Cubans, who knew no more about the Great Khan than they did + about Columbus. The interpreter then swam ashore and was well received; so + well, that in the evening some sixteen canoes came off to the ships + bringing cotton yarn and spears for traffic. Columbus, with great + astuteness, forbade any trading in cotton or indeed in anything at all + except gold, hoping by this means to make the natives produce their + treasures; and he would no doubt have been successful if the natives had + possessed any gold, but as the poor wretches had nothing but the naked + skins they stood up in, and the few spears and pots and rolls of cotton + that they were offering, the Admiral’s astuteness was for once + thrown away. There was one man, however, with a silver ring in his nose, + who was understood to say that the king lived four days’ journey in + the interior, and that messengers had been sent to him to tell him of the + arrival of the strange ships; which messengers would doubtless soon return + bringing merchants with them to trade with the ships. If this native was + lying he showed great ingenuity in inventing the kind of story that his + questioners wanted; but it is more likely that his utterances were + interpreted by Columbus in the light of his own ardent beliefs. At any + rate it was decided to send at once a couple of envoys to this great city, + and not to wait for the arrival of the merchants. Two Spaniards, Rodrigo + de Jerez and Luis de Torres, the interpreter to the expedition—who + had so far found little use for his Hebrew and Chaldean—were chosen; + and with them were sent two Indians, one from San Salvador and the other a + local native who went as guide. Red caps and beads and hawks’ bells + were duly provided, and a message for the king was given to them telling + him that Columbus was waiting with letters and presents from Spanish + sovereigns, which he was to deliver personally. After the envoys had + departed, Columbus, whose ships were anchored in a large basin of deep + water with a clean and steep beach, decided to take the opportunity of + having the vessels careened. Their hulls were covered with shell and weed; + the caulking, which had been dishonestly done at Palos, had also to be + attended to; so the ships were beached and hove down one at a time—an + unnecessary precaution, as it turned out, for there was no sign of + treachery on the part of the natives. While the men were making fires to + heat their tar they noticed that the burning wood sent forth a heavy odour + which was like mastic; and the Admiral, now always busy with optimistic + calculations, reckoned that there was enough in that vicinity to furnish a + thousand quintals every year. While the work on the ships was going + forward he employed himself in his usual way, going ashore, examining the + trees and vegetables and fruits, and holding such communication as he was + able with the natives. He was up every morning at dawn, at one time + directing the work of his men, at another going ashore after some birds + that he had seen; and as dawn comes early in those islands his day was + probably a long one, and it is likely that he was in bed soon after dark. + On the day that he went shooting, Martin Alonso Pinzon was waiting for him + on his return; this time not to make any difficulties or independent + proposals, but to show him two pieces of cinnamon that one of his men had + got from an Indian who was carrying a quantity of it. “Why did the + man not get it all from him?” says greedy Columbus. “Because + of the prohibition of the Admiral’s that no one should do any + trading,” says Martin Alonso, and conceives himself to have scored; + for truly these two men do not love one another. The boatswain of the + Pinta, adds Martin Alonso, has found whole trees of it. “The Admiral + then went there and found that it was not cinnamon.” The Admiral was + omnipotent; if he had said that it was manna they would have had to make + it so, and as he chose to say that it was not cinnamon, we must take his + word for it, as Martin Alonso certainly had to do; so that it was the + Admiral who scored this time. Columbus, however, now on the track of + spices, showed some cinnamon and pepper to the natives; and the obliging + creatures “said by signs that there was a great deal of it towards + the south-east.” Columbus then showed them some gold and pearls; and + “certain old men” replied that in a place they called Bo-No + there was any amount of gold; the people wore it in their ears and on + their arms and legs, and there were pearls also, and large ships and + merchandise—all to the south-east. Finding this information, which + was probably entirely untrue and merely a polite effort to do what was + expected of them, well received, the natives added that “a long + distance from there, there were men with one eye, and other men with dogs’ + snouts who ate men, and that when they caught a man they beheaded him and + drank his blood.” . . . Soon after this the Admiral went on board + again and began to write up his Journal, solemnly entering all these facts + in it. It is the most childish nonsense; but after all, how interesting + and credible it must have been! To live thus smelling the most heavenly + perfumes, breathing the most balmy air, viewing the most lovely scenes, + and to be always hot upon the track of gold and pearls and spices and + wealth and dog-nosed, blood-drinking monstrosities—what an + adventure, what a vivid piece of living! + </p> + <p> + After a few days—on Tuesday, November 6th—the two men who had + been sent inland to the great and rich city came back again with their + report. Alas for visions of the Great Khan! The city turned out to be a + village of fifty houses with twenty people in each house. The envoys had + been received with great solemnity; and all the men “as well as the + women” came to see them, and lodged them in a fine house. The chief + people in the village came and kissed their hands and feet, hailing them + as visitors from the skies, and seating them in two chairs, while they sat + round on the floor. The native interpreter, doubtless according to + instructions, then told them “how the Christians lived and how they + were good people”; and I would give a great deal to have heard that + brief address. Afterwards the men went out and the women came in, also + kissing the hands and feet of the visitors, and “trying them to see + if they were of flesh and of bone like themselves.” The results were + evidently so satisfactory that the strangers were implored to remain at + least five days. The real business of the expedition was then broached. + Had they any gold or pearls? Had they any cinnamon or spices? Answer, as + usual: “No, but they thought there was a great deal of it to the + south-east.” The interest of the visitors then evaporated, and they + set out for the coast again; but they found that at least five hundred men + and women wanted to come with them, since they believed that they were + returning to heaven. On their journey back the two Spaniards noticed many + people smoking, as the Admiral himself had done a few days before; and + this is the first known discovery of tobacco by Europeans. + </p> + <p> + They saw a great many geese, and the strange dogs that did not bark, and + they saw potatoes also, although they did not know what they were. + Columbus, having heard this report, and contemplating these gentle amiable + creatures, so willing to give all they had in return for a scrap of + rubbish, feels his heart lifted in a pious aspiration that they might know + the benefits of the Christian religion. “I have to say, Most Serene + Princes,” he writes, + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + “that by means of devout religious persons knowing their language + well, all would soon become Christians: and thus I hope in our Lord that + Your Highnesses will appoint such persons with great diligence in order + to turn to the Church such great peoples, and that they will convert + them, even as they have destroyed those who would not confess the Father + and the Son and the Holy Spirit: and after their days, as we are all + mortal, they will leave their realms—in a very tranquil condition + and freed from heresy and wickedness, and will be well received before + the Eternal Creator, Whom may it please to give them a long life and a + great increase of larger realms and dominions, and the will and + disposition to spread the holy Christian religion, as they have done up + to the present time, Amen. To-day I will launch the ship and make haste + to start on Thursday, in the name of God, to go to the southeast and + seek gold and spices, and discover land.” Thus Christopher + Columbus, in the Name of God, + </p> + <p> + November 11, 1492. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + <a name="ch2b" id="ch2b"></a>CHAPTER II. + </h2> + <h3> + THE EARTHLY PARADISE + </h3> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p> + When Columbus weighed anchor on the 12th of November he took with him six + captive Indians. It was his intention to go in search of the island of + Babeque, which the Indians alleged lay about thirty leagues to the + east-south-east, and where, they said, the people gathered gold out of the + sand with candles at night, and afterwards made bars of it with a hammer. + They told him this by signs; and we have only one more instance of the + Admiral’s facility in interpreting signs in favour of his own + beliefs. It is only a few days later that in the same Journal he says, + “The people of these lands do not understand me, nor do I nor any + other person I have with me understand them; and these Indians I am taking + with me, many times understand things contrary to what they are.” It + was a fault at any rate not exclusively possessed by the Indians, who were + doubtless made the subject of many philological experiments on the part of + the interpreter; all that they seemed to have learned at this time were + certain religious gestures, such as making the Sign of the Cross, which + they did continually, greatly to the edification of the crew. + </p> + <p> + In order to keep these six natives in a good temper Columbus kidnapped + “seven women, large and small, and three children,” in order, + he alleged, that the men might conduct themselves better in Spain because + of having their “wives” with them; although whether these + assorted women were indeed the wives of the kidnapped natives must at the + best be a doubtful matter. The three children, fortunately, had their + father and mother with them; but that was only because the father, having + seen his wife and children kidnapped, came and offered to go with them of + his own accord. This taking of the women raises a question which must be + in the mind of any one who studies this extraordinary voyage—the + question of the treatment of native women by the Spaniards. Columbus is + entirely silent on the subject; but taking into account the nature of the + Spanish rabble that formed his company, and his own views as to the right + which he had to possess the persons and goods of the native inhabitants, I + am afraid that there can be very little doubt that in this matter there is + a good reason, for his silence. So far as Columbus himself was concerned, + it is probable that he was innocent enough; he was not a sensualist by + nature, and he was far too much interested and absorbed in the principal + objects of his expedition, and had too great a sense of his own personal + dignity, to have indulged in excesses that would, thus sanctioned by him, + have produced a very disastrous effect on the somewhat rickety discipline + of his crew. He was too wise a master, however, to forbid anything that it + was not in his power to prevent; and it is probable that he shut his eyes + to much that, if he did not tolerate it, he at any rate regarded as a + matter of no very great importance. His crew had by this time learned to + know their commander well enough not to commit under his eyes offences for + which he would have been sure to punish them. + </p> + <p> + For two days they ran along the coast with a fair wind; but on the 14th a + head wind and heavy sea drove them into the shelter of a deep harbour + called by Columbus Puerto del Principe, which is the modern Tanamo. The + number of islands off this part of the coast of Cuba confirmed Columbus in + his profound geographical error; he took them to be “those + innumerable islands which in the maps of the world are placed at the end + of the east.” He erected a great wooden cross on an eminence here, + as he always did when he took possession of a new place, and made some + boat excursions among the islands in the harbour. On the 17th of November + two of the six youths whom he had taken on board the week before swam + ashore and escaped. When he started again on his voyage he was greatly + inconvenienced by the wind, which veered about between the north and south + of east, and was generally a foul wind for him. There is some difference + of opinion as to what point of the wind the ships of Columbus’s time + would sail on; but there is no doubt that they were extremely unhandy in + anything approaching a head wind, and that they were practically no good + at all at beating to windward. The shape of their hulls, the ungainly + erections ahead and astern, and their comparatively light hold on the + water, would cause them to drift to leeward faster than they could work to + windward. In this head wind, therefore, Columbus found that he was making + very little headway, although he stood out for long distances to the + northward. On Wednesday, November 21st, occurred a most disagreeable + incident, which might easily have resulted in the Admiral’s never + reaching Spain alive. Some time in the afternoon he noticed the Pinta + standing away ahead of him in a direction which was not the course which + he was steering; and he signalled her to close up with him. No answer, + however, was made to his signal, which he repeated, but to which he failed + to attract any response. He was standing south at the time, the wind being + well in the north-east; and Martin Alonso Pinzon, whose caravel pointed + into the wind much better than the unhandy Santa Maria, was standing to + the east. When evening fell he was still in sight, at a distance of + sixteen miles. Columbus was really concerned, and fired lombards and flew + more signals of invitation; but there was no reply. In the evening he + shortened sail and burned a torch all night, “because it appeared + that Martin Alonso was returning to me; and the night was very clear, and + there was a nice little breeze by which to come to me if he wished.” + But he did not wish, and he did not come. + </p> + <p> + Martin Alonso has in fact shown himself at last in his true colours. He + has got the fastest ship, he has got a picked company of his own men from + Palos; he has got an Indian on board, moreover, who has guaranteed to take + him straight to where the gold is; and he has a very agreeable plan of + going and getting it, and returning to Spain with the first news and the + first wealth. It is open mutiny, and as such cannot but be a matter of + serious regret and trouble to the Admiral, who sits writing up his Journal + by the swinging lamp in his little cabin. To that friend and confidant he + pours out his troubles and his long list of grievances against Martin + Alonso; adding, “He has done and said many other things to me.” + Up on deck the torch is burning to light the wanderer back again, if only + he will come; and there is “a nice little breeze” by which to + come if he wishes; but Martin Alonso has wishes quite other than that. + </p> + <p> + The Pinta was out of sight the next morning, and the little Nina was all + that the Admiral had to rely upon for convoy. They were now near the east + end of the north coast of Cuba, and they stood in to a harbour which the + Admiral called Santa Catalina, and which is now called Cayo de Moa. As the + importance of the Nina to the expedition had been greatly increased by the + defection of the Pinta, Columbus went on board and examined her. He found + that some of her spars were in danger of giving way; and as there was a + forest of pine trees rising from the shore he was able to procure a new + mizzen mast and latine yard in case it should be necessary to replace + those of the Nina. The next morning he weighed anchor at sunrise and + continued east along the coast. He had now arrived at the extreme end of + Cuba, and was puzzled as to what course he should take. Believing Cuba, as + he did, to be the mainland of Cathay, he would have liked to follow the + coast in its trend to the south-west, in the hope of coming upon the rich + city of Quinsay; but on the other hand there was looming to the south-west + some land which the natives with him assured him was Bohio, the place + where all the gold was. He therefore held on his course; but when the + Indians found that he was really going to these islands they became very + much alarmed, and made signs that the people would eat them if they went + there; and, in order further to dissuade the Admiral, they added that the + people there had only one eye, and the faces, of dogs. As it did not suit + Columbus to believe them he said that they were lying, and that he “felt” + that the island must belong to the domain of the Great Khan. He therefore + continued his course, seeing many beautiful and enchanting bays opening + before him, and longing to go into them, but heroically stifling his + curiosity, “because he was detained more than he desired by the + pleasure and delight he felt in seeing and gazing on the beauty and + freshness of those countries wherever he entered, and because he did not + wish to be delayed in prosecuting what he was engaged upon; and for these + reasons he remained that night beating about and standing off and on until + day.” He could not trust himself, that is to say, to anchor in these + beautiful harbours, for he knew he would be tempted to go ashore and waste + valuable time exploring the woods; and so he remained instead, beating + about in the open sea. + </p> + <p> + As it was, what with contrary winds and his own indecision as to which + course he should pursue, it was December the 6th before he came up with + the beautiful island of Hayti, and having sent the Nina in front to + explore for a harbour, entered the Mole Saint Nicholas, which he called + Puerto Maria. Towards the east he saw an island shaped like a turtle, and + this island he named Tortuga; and the harbour, which he entered that + evening on the hour of Vespers, he called Saint Nicholas, as it was the + feast of that saint. Once more his description flounders among + superlatives: he thought Cuba was perfect; but he finds the new island + more perfect still. The climate is like May in Cordova; the tracts of + arable land and fertile valleys and high mountains are like those in + Castile; he finds mullet like those of Castile; soles and other fish like + those in Castile; nightingales and other small birds like those in + Castile; myrtle and other trees and grasses like those in Castile! In + short, this new land is so like Spain, only more wonderful and beautiful, + that he christens it Espanola. + </p> + <p> + They stayed two days in the harbour of Saint Nicholas, and then began to + coast eastwards along the shores of Espaniola. Their best progress was + made at dawn and sunset, when the land breeze blew off the island; and + during the day they encountered a good deal of colder weather and easterly + winds, which made their progress slow. Every day they put in at one or + other of the natural harbours in which that beautiful coast abounds; every + day they saw natives on the shores who generally fled at their approach, + but were often prevailed upon to return and to converse with the natives + on board the Admiral’s ship, and to receive presents and bring + parrots and bits of gold in exchange. On one day a party of men foraging + ashore saw a beautiful young girl, who fled at their approach; and they + chased her a long way through the woods, finally capturing her and + bringing her on board. Columbus “caused her to be clothed”—doubtless + a diverting occupation for Rodrigo, Juan, Garcia, Pedro, William, and the + rest of them, although for the poor, shy, trembling captive not diverting + at all—and sent her ashore again loaded with beads and brass rings—to + act as a decoy. Having sown this good seed the Admiral waited for a night, + and then sent a party of men ashore, “well prepared with arms and + adapted for such an affair,” to have some conversation with the + people. The innocent harvest was duly reaped; the natives met the + Spaniards with gifts of food and drink, and understanding that the Admiral + would like to have a parrot, they sent as many parrots as were wanted. The + husband of the girl who had been captured and clothed came back with her + to the shore with a large body of natives, in order to thank the Admiral + for his kindness and clemency; and their confidence was not misplaced, as + the Admiral did not at that moment wish to do any more kidnapping. The + Spaniards were more and more amazed and impressed with the beauty and + fertility of these islands. The lands were more lovely than the finest + land in Castile; the rivers were large and wide, the trees green and full + of fruit, the grasses knee-deep and starred with flowers; the birds sang + sweetly all night; there were mastic trees and aloes and plantations of + cotton. There was fishing in plenty; and if there were not any gold mines + immediately at hand, they here sure to be round the next headland or, at + the farthest, in the next island. The people, too, charmed and delighted + the Admiral, who saw in them a future glorious army of souls converted to + the Christian religion. They were taller and handsomer than the + inhabitants of the other islands, and the women much fairer; indeed, if + they had not been so much exposed to the sun, and if they could only be + clothed in the decent garments of civilisation, the Admiral thought that + their skins would be as white as those of the women of Spain—which + was only another argument for bringing them within the fold of the Holy + Catholic Church. The men were powerful and apparently harmless; they + showed no truculent or suspicious spirit; they had no knowledge of arms; a + thousand of them would not face three Christians; and + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + “so they are suitable to be governed and made to work and sow and + do everything else that shall be necessary, and to build villages and be + taught to wear clothing and observe our customs.” + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + At present, you see, they are but poor happy heathens, living in a + paradise of their own, where the little birds sing all through the warm + nights, and the rivers murmur through flowery meadows, and no one has any + knowledge of arms or desire of such knowledge, and every one goes naked + and unashamed. High time, indeed, that they should be taught to wear + clothing and observe our customs. + </p> + <p> + The local chief came on a visit of state to the ship; and the Admiral paid + him due honour, telling him that he came as an envoy from the greatest + sovereigns in the world. But this charming king, or cacique as they called + him, would not believe this; he thought that Columbus was, for reasons of + modesty, speaking less than the truth—a new charge to bring against + our Christopher! He believed that the Spaniards came from heaven, and that + the realms of the sovereigns of Castile were in the heavens and not in + this world. He took some refreshment, as his councillors did also, little + dreaming, poor wretches, what in after years was to come to them through + all this palavering and exchanging of presents. The immediate result of + the interview, however, was to make intercourse with the natives much + freer and pleasanter even than it had been before; and some of the sailors + went fishing with the natives. It was then that they were shown some cane + arrows with hardened points, which the natives said belonged to the people + of ‘Caniba’, who, they alleged, came to the island to capture + and eat the natives. The Admiral did not believe it; his sublime habit of + rejecting everything that did not fit in with his theory of the moment, + and accepting everything that did, made him shake his head when this piece + of news was brought to him. He could not get the Great Khan out of his + head, and his present theory was that this island, being close to the + mainland of Cathay, was visited by the armies of the Great Khan, and that + it was his men who had used the arrows and made war upon the natives. It + was no good for the natives to show him some of their mutilated bodies, + and to tell him that the cannibals ate them piecemeal; he had no use for + such information. His mind was like a sieve of which the size of the + meshes could be adjusted at will; everything that was not germane to the + idea of the moment fell through it, and only confirmative evidence + remained; and at the moment he was not believing any stories which did not + prove that the Great Khan was, so to speak, just round the corner. If they + talked about gold he would listen to them; and so the cacique brought him + a piece of gold the size of his hand and, breaking it into pieces, gave it + to him a bit at a time. This the Admiral took to be sign of great + intelligence. They told him there was gold at Tortuga, but he preferred to + believe that it came from Babeque, which may have been Jamaica and may + have been nothing at all. + </p> + <p> + But his theory was that it existed on Espanola only in small pieces + because that country was so rich that the natives had no need for it; an + economic theory which one grows dizzy in pondering. At any rate “the + Admiral believed that he was very near the fountainhead, and that Our Lord + was about to show him where the gold originates.” + </p> + <p> + On Tuesday, December 18th, the ships were all dressed in honour of a + religious anniversary, and the cacique, hearing the firing of the lombards + with which the festival was greeted, came down to the shore to see what + was the matter. As Columbus was sitting at dinner on deck beneath the poop + the cacique arrived with all his people; and the account of his visit is + preserved in Columbus’s own words. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + “As he entered the ship he found that I was eating at the table + below the stern forecastle, and he came quickly to seat himself beside + me, and would not allow me to go to meet him or get up from the table, + but only that I should eat. I thought that he would like to eat some of + our viands and I then ordered that things should be brought him to eat. + And when he entered under the forecastle, he signed with his hand that + all his people should remain without, and they did so with the greatest + haste and respect in the world, and all seated themselves on the deck, + except two men of mature age whom I took to be his counsellors and + governors, and who came and seated themselves at his feet: and of the + viands which I placed before him he took of each one as much as may be + taken for a salutation, and then he sent the rest to his people and they + all ate some of it, and he did the same with the drink, which he only + touched to his mouth, and then gave it to the others in the same way, + and it was all done in wonderful state and with very few words, and + whatever he said, according to what I was able to understand, was very + formal and prudent, and those two looked in his face and spoke for him + and with him, and with great respect. + </p> + <p> + “After eating, a page brought a belt which is like those of + Castile in shape, but of a different make, which he took and gave me, + and also two wrought pieces of gold, which were very thin, as I believe + they obtain very little of it here, although I consider they are very + near the place where it has its home, and that there is a great deal of + it. I saw that a drapery that I had upon my bed pleased him. I gave it + to him, and some very good amber beads which I wore around my neck and + some red shoes and a flask of orange-flower water, with which he was so + pleased it was wonderful; and he and his governor and counsellors were + very sorry that they did not understand me, nor I them. Nevertheless I + understood that he told me that if anything from here would satisfy me + that all the island was at my command. I sent for some beads of mine, + where as a sign I have a ‘excelente’ of gold upon which the + images of your Highnesses are engraved, and showed it to him, and again + told him the same as yesterday, that your Highnesses command and rule + over all the best part of the world, and that there are no other such + great Princes: and I showed him the royal banners and the others with + the cross, which he held in great estimation: and he said to his + counsellors that your Highnesses must be great Lords, since you had sent + me here from so far without fear: and many other things happened which I + did not understand, except that I very well saw he considered everything + as very wonderful.” + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Later in the day Columbus got into talk with an old man who told him that + there was a great quantity of gold to be found on some island about a + hundred leagues away; that there was one island that was all gold; and + that in the others there was such a quantity that they natives gathered it + and sifted it with sieves and made it into bars. The old man pointed out + vaguely the direction in which this wonderful country lay; and if he had + not been one of the principal persons belonging to the King Columbus would + have detained him and taken him with him; but he decided that he had paid + the cacique too much respect to make it right that he should kidnap one of + his retinue. He determined, however, to go and look for the gold. Before + he left he had a great cross erected in the middle of the Indian village; + and as he made sail out of the harbour that evening he could see the + Indians kneeling round the cross and adoring it. He sailed eastward, + anchoring for a day in the Bay of Acul, which he called Cabo de Caribata, + receiving something like an ovation from the natives, and making them + presents and behaving very graciously and kindly to them. + </p> + <p> + It was at this time that Columbus made the acquaintance of a man whose + character shines like a jewel amid the dismal scenes that afterwards + accompanied the first bursting of the wave of civilisation on these happy + shores. This was the king of that part of the island, a young man named + Guacanagari. This king sent out a large canoe full of people to the + Admiral’s ship, with a request that Columbus would land in his + country, and a promise that the chief would give him whatever he had. + There must have been an Intelligence Department in the island, for the + chief seemed to know what would be most likely to attract the Admiral; and + with his messengers he sent out a belt with a large golden mask attached + to it. Unfortunately the natives on board the Admiral’s ship could + not understand Guacanagari’s messengers, and nearly the whole of the + day was passed in talking before the sense of their message was finally + made out by means of signs. In the evening some Spaniards were sent ashore + to see if they could not get some gold; but Columbus, who had evidently + had some recent experience of their avariciousness, and who was anxious to + keep on good terms with the chiefs of the island, sent his secretary with + them to see that they did nothing unjust or unreasonable. He was + scrupulous to see that the natives got their bits of glass and beads in + exchange for the gold; and it is due to him to remember that now, as + always, he was rigid in regulating his conduct with other men in + accordance with his ideas of justice and honour, however elastic those + ideas may seem to have been. The ruffianly crew had in their minds only + the immediate possession of what they could get from the Indians; the + Admiral had in his mind the whole possession of the islands and the bodies + and souls of its inhabitants. If you take a piece of gold without giving a + glass bead in exchange for it, it is called stealing; if you take a + country and its inhabitants, and steal their peace from them, and give + them blood and servitude in exchange for it, it is called colonisation and + Empire-building. Every one understands the distinction; but so few people + see the difference that Columbus of all men may be excused for his + unconsciousness of it. + </p> + <p> + Indeed Columbus was seeing yellow at this point in his career. The word + “gold” is scattered throughout every page of his journal; he + can understand nothing that the natives say to him except that there is a + great quantity of gold somewhere about. He is surrounded by natives + pressing presents upon him, protesting their homage, and assuring him (so + he thinks) that there are any amount of gold mines; and no wonder that the + yellow light blinds his eyes and confounds his senses, and that sometimes, + even when the sun has gone down and the natives have retired to their + villages and he sits alone in the seclusion of his cabin, the glittering + motes still dance before his eyes and he becomes mad, maudlin, ecstatic . + . . . The light flickers in the lamp as the ship swings a little on the + quiet tide and a night breeze steals through the cabin door; the sound of + voices ashore sounds dimly across the water; the brain of the Admiral, + overfilled with wonders and promises and hopes, sends its message to the + trembling hand that holds the pen, and the incoherent words stream out on + the ink. “May our Lord in His mercy direct me until I find this + gold, I say this Mine, because I have many people here who say that they + know it.” + </p> + <p> + On Christmas Eve a serious misfortune befell Columbus. What with looking + for gold, and trying to understand the people who talked about it, and + looking after his ships, and writing up his journal, he had had + practically no sleep for two days and a night; and at eleven o’clock + on the 24th of December, the night being fine and his ship sailing along + the coast with a light land breeze, he decided to lie down to get some + sleep. There were no difficulties in navigation to be feared, because the + ship’s boats had been rowed the day before a distance of about ten + miles ahead on the course which they were then steering and had seen that + there was open water all the way. The wind fell calm; and the man at the + helm, having nothing to do, and feeling sleepy, called a ship’s boy + to him, gave him the helm, and went off himself to lie down. This of + course was against all rules; but as the Admiral was in his cabin and + there was no one to tell them otherwise the watch on deck thought it a + very good opportunity to rest. Suddenly the boy felt the rudder catch upon + something, saw the ship swinging, and immediately afterwards heard the + sound of tide ripples. He cried out; and in a moment Columbus, who was + sleeping the light sleep of an anxious shipmaster, came tumbling up to see + what was the matter. The current, which flows in that place at a speed of + about two knots, had carried the ship on to a sand bank, but she touched + so quietly that it was hardly felt. Close on the heels of, Columbus came + the master of the ship and the delinquent watch; and the Admiral + immediately ordered them to launch the ship’s boat—and lay out + an anchor astern so that they could warp her off. The wretches lowered the + boat, but instead of getting the anchor on board rowed off in the + direction of the Nina, which was lying a mile and a half to windward. As + soon as Columbus saw what they were doing he ran to the side and, seeing + that the tide was failing and that the ship had swung round across the + bank, ordered the remainder of the crew to cut away the mainmast and throw + the deck hamper overboard, in order to lighten the ship. This took some + time; the tide was falling, and the ship beginning to heel over on her + beam; and by the time it was done the Admiral saw that it would be of no + use, for the ship’s seams had opened and she was filling. + </p> + <p> + At this point the miserable crew in the ship’s boat came back, the + loyal people on the Nina having refused to receive them and sent them back + to the assistance of the Admiral. But it was now too late to do anything + to save the ship; and as he did not know but that she might break up, + Columbus decided to tranship the people to the Nina, who had by this time + sent her own boat. The whole company boarded the Nina, on which the + Admiral beat about miserably till morning in the vicinity of his doomed + ship. Then he sent Diego de Arana, the brother of Beatriz and a trusty + friend, ashore in a boat to beg the help of the King; and Guacanagari + immediately sent his people with large canoes to unload the wrecked ship, + which was done with great efficiency and despatch, and the whole of her + cargo and fittings stored on shore under a guard. And so farewell to the + Santa Maria, whose bones were thenceforward to bleach upon the shores of + Hayti, or incongruously adorn the dwellings of the natives. She may have + been “a bad sailer and unfit for discovery”; but no seaman + looks without emotion upon the wreck of a ship whose stem has cut the + waters of home, which has carried him safely over thousands of uncharted + miles, and which has for so long been his shelter and sanctuary. + </p> + <p> + At sunrise the kind-hearted cacique came down to the Nina, where Columbus + had taken up his quarters, and with tears in his eyes begged the Admiral + not to grieve at his losses, for that he, the cacique, would give him + everything that he possessed; that he had already given two large houses + to the Spaniards from the Santa Maria who had been obliged to encamp on + shore, and that he would provide more accommodation and help if necessary. + In fact, the day which had been ushered in so disastrously turned into a + very happy one; and before it was over Columbus had decided that, as he + could not take the whole of his company home on the Nina, he would + establish a settlement on shore so that the men who were left behind could + collect gold and store it until more ships could be sent from Spain. The + natives came buzzing round anxious to barter whatever they had for hawks’ + bells, which apparently were the most popular of the toys that had been + brought for bartering; “they shouted and showed the pieces of gold, + saying chuq, chuq, for hawks’ bells, as they are in a likely state + to become crazy for them.” The cacique was delighted to see that the + Admiral was pleased with the gold that was brought to him, and he cheered + him up by telling him that there was any amount in Cibao, which Columbus + of course took for Cipango. The cacique entertained Columbus to a repast + on shore, at which the monarch wore a shirt and a pair of gloves that + Columbus had given him; “and he rejoiced more over the gloves than + anything that had been given him.” Columbus was pleased with his + clean and leisurely method of eating, and with his dainty rubbing of his + hands with herbs after he had eaten. After the repast Columbus gave a + little demonstration of bow-and-arrow shooting and the firing of lombards + and muskets, all of which astonished and impressed the natives. + </p> + <p> + The afternoon was spent in deciding on a site for the fortress which was + to be constructed; and Columbus had no difficulty in finding volunteers + among the crews to remain in the settlement. He promised to leave with + them provisions of bread and wine for a year, a ship’s boat, seeds + for sowing crops, and a carpenter, a caulker, a gunner, and a cooper. + Before the day was out he was already figuring up the profit that would + arise out of his misfortune of the day before; and he decided that it was + the act of God which had cast his ship away in order that this settlement + should be founded. He hoped that the settlers would have a ton of gold + ready for him when he came back from Castile, so that, as he had said in + the glittering camp of Santa Fe, where perhaps no one paid very much heed + to him, there might be such a profit as would provide for the conquest of + Jerusalem and the recovery of the Holy Sepulchre. After all, if he was + greedy for gold, he had a pious purpose for its employment. + </p> + <p> + The last days of the year were very busy ones for the members of the + expedition. Assisted by the natives they were building the fort which, in + memory of the day on which it was founded, Columbus called La Villa-de la + Navidad. The Admiral spent much time with King Guacanagari, who “loved + him so much that it was wonderful,” and wished to cover him all over + with gold before he went away, and begged him not to go before it was + done. On December 27th there was some good news; a caravel had been seen + entering a harbour a little further along the coast; and as this could + only mean that the Pinta had returned, Columbus borrowed a canoe from the + king, and despatched a sailor in it to carry news of his whereabouts to + the Pinta. While it was away Guacanagari collected all the other kings and + chiefs who were subject to him, and held a kind of durbar. They all wore + their crowns; and Guacanagari took off his crown and placed it on Columbus’s + head; and the Admiral, not to be outdone, took from his own neck “a + collar of good bloodstones and very beautiful beads of fine colours; which + appeared very good in all parts, and placed it upon the King; and he took + off a cloak of fine scarlet cloth which he had put on that day, and + clothed the King with it; and he sent for some coloured buskins which he + made him put on, and placed upon his finger a large silver ring”—all + of which gives us a picturesque glimpse into the contents of the Admiral’s + wardrobe, and a very agreeable picture of King Guacanagari, whom we must + now figure as clothed, in addition to his shirt and gloves, in a pair of + coloured buskins, a collar of bloodstones, a scarlet cloak and a silver + ring. + </p> + <p> + But the time was running short; the Admiral, hampered as he was by the + possession of only one small ship, had now but one idea, which was to get + back to Castile as quickly as possible, report the result of his + discoveries, and come back again with a larger and more efficient + equipment. Before he departed he had an affectionate leave-taking with + King Guacanagari; he gave him another shirt, and also provided a + demonstration of the effect of lombards by having one loaded, and firing + at the old Santa Maria where she lay hove down on the sandbank. The shot + went clean through her hull and fell into the sea beyond, and produced + what might be called a very strong moral effect, although an unnecessary + one, on the natives. He then set about the very delicate business of + organising the settlement. In all, forty-two men were to remain behind, + with Diego de Arana in the responsible position of chief lieutenant, + assisted by Pedro Gutierrez and Rodrigo de Escovedo, the nephew of Friar + Juan Perez of La Rabida. To these three he delegated all his powers and + authority as Admiral and Viceroy; and then, having collected the + colonists, gave them a solemn address. First, he reminded them of the + goodness of God to them, and advised them to remain worthy of it by + obeying the Divine command in all their actions. Second, he ordered them, + as a representative of the Sovereigns of Spain, to obey the captain whom + he had appointed for them as they would have obeyed himself. Third, he + urged them to show respect and reverence towards King Guacanagari and his + chiefs, and to the inferior chiefs, and to avoid annoying them or + tormenting them, since they were to remain in a land that was as yet under + native dominion; to “strive and watch by their soft and honest + speech to gain their good-will and keep their friendship and love, so that + he should find them as friendly and favourable and more so when he + returned.” Fourth, he commanded them “and begged them + earnestly” to do no injury and use no force against any natives; to + take nothing from them against their will; and especially to be on their + guard to avoid injury or violence to the women, “by which they would + cause scandal and set a bad example to the Indians and show the infamy of + the Christians.” Fifth, he charged them not to scatter themselves or + leave the place where they then were, but to remain together until he + returned. Sixth, he “animated” them to suffer their solitude + and exile cheerfully and bravely, since they had willingly chosen it. The + seventh order was, that they should get help from the King to send boat + expeditions in search of the gold mines; and lastly, he promised that he + would petition the Sovereigns to honour them with special favours and + rewards. To this very manly, wise and humane address the people listened + with some emotion, assuring Columbus that they placed their hopes in him, + “begging him earnestly to remember them always, and that as quickly + as he could he should give them the great joy which they anticipated from + his coming again.” + </p> + <p> + All of which things being done, the ships [ship—there was only the + Nina] loaded and provisioned, and the Admiral’s final directions + given, he makes his farewells and weighs anchor at sunrise on Friday, + January 4., 1493. Among the little crowd on the shore who watch the Nina + growing smaller in the distance are our old friends Allard and William, + tired of the crazy confinement of a ship and anxious for shore adventures. + They are to have their fill of them, as it happens; adventures that are to + bring to the settlers a sudden cloud of blood and darkness, and for the + islanders a brief return to their ancient peace. But death waits for + Allard and William in the sunshine and silence of Espanola. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + <a name="ch3b" id="ch3b"></a>CHAPTER III. + </h2> + <h3> + THE VOYAGE HOME + </h3> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p> + Columbus did not stand out to sea on his homeward course immediately, but + still coasted along the shores of the island as though he were loth to + leave it, and as though he might still at some bend of a bay or beyond + some verdant headland come upon the mines and jewels that he longed for. + The mountain that he passed soon after starting he called Monte Christi, + which name it bears to this day; and he saw many other mountains and capes + and bays, to all of which he gave names. And it was a fortunate chance + which led him thus to stand along the coast of the island; for on January + 6th the sailor who was at the masthead, looking into the clear water for + shoals and rocks, reported that he saw the caravel Pinta right ahead. When + she came up with him, as they were in very shallow water not suitable for + anchorage, Columbus returned to the bay of Monte Christi to anchor there. + Presently Martin Alonso Pinzon came on board to report himself—a + somewhat crestfallen Martin, we may be sure, for he had failed to find the + gold the hope of which had led him to break his honour as a seaman. But + the Martin Alonsos of this world, however sorry their position may be, + will always find some kind of justification for it. It must have been a + trying moment for Martin Alonso as his boat from the Pinta drew near the + Nina, and he saw the stalwart commanding figure of the white-haired + Admiral walking the poop. He knew very well that according to the law and + custom of the sea Columbus would have been well within his right in + shooting him or hanging him on the spot; but Martin puts on a bold face + as, with a cold dread at his heart and (as likely as not) an ingratiating + smile upon his face he comes up over the side. Perhaps, being in some ways + a cleverer man than Christopher, he knew the Admiral’s weak points; + knew that he was kind-hearted, and would remember those days of + preparation at Palos when Martin Alonso had been his principal stay and + help. Martin’s story was that he had been separated from the Admiral + against his will; that the crew insisted upon it, and that in any case + they had only meant to go and find some gold and bring it back to the + Admiral. Columbus did not believe him for a moment, but either his wisdom + or his weakness prevented him from saying so. He reproached Martin Alonso + for acting with pride and covetousness “that night when he went away + and left him”; and Columbus could not think “from whence had + come the haughty actions and dishonesty Martin had shown towards him on + that voyage.” Martin had done a good trade and had got a certain + amount of gold; and no doubt he knew well in what direction to turn the + conversation when it was becoming unpleasant to himself. He told Columbus + of an island to the south of Juana—[Cuba]—called Yamaye,—[Jamaica]—where + pieces of gold were taken from the mines as large as kernels of wheat, and + of another island towards the east which was inhabited only by women. + </p> + <p> + The unpleasantness was passed over as soon as possible, although the + Admiral felt that the sooner he got home the better, since he was + practically at the mercy of the Pinzon brothers and their following from + Palos. He therefore had the Pinta beached and recaulked and took in wood + and water, and continued his voyage on Tuesday, January 8th. He says that + “this night in the name of our Lord he will start on his journey + without delaying himself further for any matter, since he had found what + he had sought, and he did not wish to have more trouble with that Martin + Alonso until their Highnesses learned the news of the voyage and what he + has done.” After that it will be another matter, and his turn will + come; for then, he says, “I will not suffer the bad deeds of persons + without virtue, who, with little respect, presume to carry out their own + wills in opposition to those who did them honour.” Indeed, for + several days, the name of “that Martin Alonso” takes the place + of gold in Columbus’s Journal. There were all kinds of gossip about + the ill deeds of Martin Alonso, who had taken four Indian men and two + young girls by force; the Admiral releasing them immediately and sending + them back to their homes. Martin Alonso, moreover, had made a rule that + half the gold that was found was to be kept by himself; and he tried to + get all the people of his ship to swear that he had been trading for only + six days, but “his wickedness was so public that he could not hide + it.” It was a good thing that Columbus had his journal to talk to, + for he worked off a deal of bitterness in it. On Sunday, January 13th, + when he had sent a boat ashore to collect some “ajes” or + potatoes, a party of natives with their faces painted and with the plumes + of parrots in their hair came and attacked the party from the boat; but on + getting a slash or two with a cutlass they took to flight and escaped from + the anger of the Spaniards. Columbus thought that they were cannibals or + caribs, and would like to have taken some of them, but they did not come + back, although afterwards he collected four youths who came out to the + caravel with cotton and arrows. + </p> + <p> + Columbus was very curious about the island of Matinino,—[Martinique]—which + was the one said to be inhabited only by women, and he wished very much to + go there; but the caravels were leaking badly, the crews were complaining, + and he was reluctantly compelled to shape his course for Spain. He sailed + to the north-east, being anxious apparently to get into the region of + westerly winds which he correctly guessed would be found to the north of + the course he had sailed on his outward voyage. By the 17th of January he + was in the vicinity of the Sargasso Sea again, which this time had no + terrors for him. From his journal the word “gold” suddenly + disappears; the Viceroy and Governor-General steps off the stage; and in + his place appears the sea captain, watching the frigate birds and + pelicans, noting the golden gulf-weed in the sea, and smelling the breezes + that are once more as sweet as the breezes of Seville in May. He had a + good deal of trouble with his dead-reckoning at this time, owing to the + changing winds and currents; but he made always from fifty to seventy + miles a day in a direction between north-by-east and north-north-east. The + Pinta was not sailing well, and he often had to wait for her to come up + with him; and he reflected in his journal that if Martin Alonso Pinzon had + taken as much pains to provide himself with a good mast in the Indies as + he had to separate himself from the Admiral, the Pinta would have sailed + better. + </p> + <p> + And so he went on for several days, with the wind veering always south and + south-west, and pointing pretty steadily to the north-east. On February + 4th he changed his course, and went as near due east as he could. They now + began to find themselves in considerable doubt as to their position. The + Admiral said he was seventy-five leagues to the south of Flores; Vincenti + Pinzon and the pilots thought that they had passed the Azores and were in + the neighbourhood of Madeira. In other words, there was a difference of + 600 miles between their estimates, and the Admiral remarks that “the + grace of God permitting, as soon as land is seen, it will be known who has + calculated the surest.” + </p> + <p> + A great quantity of birds that began to fly about the ship made him think + that they were near land, but they turned out to be the harbingers of a + storm. On Tuesday, February 12th, the sea and wind began to rise, and it + continued to blow harder throughout that night and the next day. The wind + being aft he went under bare poles most of the night, and when day came + hoisted a little sail; but the sea was terrible, and if he had not been so + sure of the staunch little Nina he would have felt himself in danger of + being lost. The next day the sea, instead of going down, increased in + roughness; there was a heavy cross sea which kept breaking right over the + ship, and it became necessary to make a little sail in order to run before + the wind, and to prevent the vessel falling back into the trough of the + seas. All through Thursday he ran thus under the half hoisted staysail, + and he could see the Pinta running also before the wind, although since + she presented more surface, and was able to carry a little more sail than + the Nina, she was soon lost to sight. The Admiral showed lights through + the night, and this time there was no lack of response from Martin Alonso; + and for some part of that dark and stormy night these two humanly + freighted scraps of wood and cordage staggered through the gale showing + lights to each other; until at last the light from the Pinta disappeared. + When morning came she was no longer to be seen; and the wind and the sea + had if anything increased. The Nina was now in the greatest danger. Any + one wave of the heavy cross sea, if it had broken fairly across her, would + have sunk her; and she went swinging and staggering down into the great + valleys and up into the hills, the steersman’s heart in his mouth, + and the whole crew in an extremity of fear. Columbus, who generally relied + upon his seamanship, here invoked external aid, and began to offer + bargains to the Almighty. He ordered that lots should be cast, and that he + upon whom the lot fell should make a vow to go on pilgrimage to Santa + Maria de Guadaloupe carrying a white candle of five pounds weight. Same + dried peas were brought, one for every member of the crew, and on one of + them a cross was marked with a knife; the peas were well shaken and were + put into a cap. The first to draw was the Admiral; he drew the marked pea, + and he made the vow. Lots were again drawn, this time for a greater + pilgrimage to Santa Maria de Loretto in Ancona; and the lot fell on a + seaman named Pedro de Villa,—the expenses of whose pilgrimage + Columbus promised to pay. Again lots were drawn for a pilgrimage to the + shrine of Santa Clara of Moguer, the pilgrim to watch and pray for one + night there; and again the lot fell on Columbus. In addition to these, + every one, since they took themselves for lost, made some special and + private vow or bargain with God; and finally they all made a vow together + that at the first land they reached they would go in procession in their + shirts to pray at an altar of Our Lady. + </p> + <p> + The scene thus conjured up is one peculiar to the time and condition of + these people, and is eloquent and pathetic enough: the little ship + staggering and bounding along before the wind, and the frightened crew, + who had gone through so many other dangers, huddled together under the + forecastle, drawing peas out of a cap, crossing themselves, making vows + upon their knees, and seeking to hire the protection of the Virgin by + their offers of candles and pilgrimages. Poor Christopher, standing in his + drenched oilskins and clinging to a piece of rigging, had his own + searching of heart and examining of conscience. He was aware of the + feverish anxiety and impatience that he felt, now that he had been + successful in discovering a New World, to bring home the news and fruits + of it; his desire to prove true what he had promised was so great that, in + his own graphic phrase, “it seemed to him that every gnat could + disturb and impede it”; and he attributed this anxiety to his lack + of faith in God. He comforted himself, like Robinson Crusoe in a similar + extremity, by considering on the other hand what favours God had shown + him, and by remembering that it was to the glory of God that the fruits of + his discovery were to be dedicated. But in the meantime here he was in a + ship insufficiently ballasted (for she was now practically empty of + provisions, and they had found it necessary to fill the wine and water + casks with salt water in order to trim her) and flying before a tempest + such as he had never experienced in his life. As a last resource, and in + order to give his wonderful news a chance of reaching Spain in case the + ship were lost, he went into his cabin and somehow or other managed to + write on a piece of parchment a brief account of his discoveries, begging + any one who might find it to carry it to the Spanish Sovereigns. He tied + up the parchment in a waxed cloth, and put it into a large barrel without + any one seeing him, and then ordered the barrel to be thrown into the sea, + which the crew took to be some pious act of sacrifice or devotion. Then he + went back on deck and watched the last of the daylight going and the green + seas swelling and thundering about his little ship, and thought anxiously + of his two little boys at school in Cordova, and wondered what would + become of them if he were lost. The next morning the wind had changed a + little, though it was still very high; but he was able to hoist up the + bonnet or topsail, and presently the sea began to go down a little. When + the sun rose they saw land to the east-north-east. Some of them thought it + was Madeira, others the rock of Cintra in Portugal; the pilots said it was + the coast of Spain, the Admiral thought it was the Azores; but at any rate + it was land of some kind. The sun was shining upon it and upon the + tumbling sea; and although the waves were still raging mast-high and the + wind still blowing a hard gale, the miserable crew were able to hope that, + having lived through the night, they could live through the day also. They + had to beat about to make the land, which was now ahead of them, now on + the beam, and now astern; and although they had first sighted it at + sunrise on Friday morning it was early on Monday morning, February 18th, + before Columbus was able to cast anchor off the northern coast of an + island which he discovered to be the island of Santa Maria in the Azores. + On this day Columbus found time to write a letter to Luis de Santangel, + the royal Treasurer, giving a full account of his voyage and discoveries; + which letter he kept and despatched on the 4th of March, after he had + arrived in Lisbon. Since it contained a postscript written at the last + moment we shall read it at that stage of our narrative. The inhabitants of + Santa Maria received the voyagers with astonishment, for they believed + that nothing could have lived through the tempest that had been raging for + the last fortnight. They were greatly excited by the story of the + discoveries; and the Admiral, who had now quite recovered command of + himself, was able to pride himself on the truth of his dead-reckoning, + which had proved to be so much more accurate than that of the pilots. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> <a name="p227" id="p227"></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img alt="p227.jpg (38K)" src="images/p227.jpg" style="width:100%;" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/p227.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a> + </h5> +<p> +<br /><br /><br /><br /> +</p> + <p> + On the Tuesday evening three men hailed them from the shore, and when they + were brought off to the ship delivered a message from the Portuguese + Governor of the island, Juan de Castaneda, to the effect that he knew the + Admiral very well, and that he was delighted to hear of his wonderful + voyage. The next morning Columbus, remembering the vow that had been made + in the storm, sent half the crew ashore in their shirts to a little + hermitage, which was on the other side of a point a short distance away, + and asked the Portuguese messenger to send a priest to say Mass for them. + While the members of the crew were at their prayers, however, they + received a rude surprise. They were suddenly attacked by the islanders, + who had come up on horses under the command of the treacherous Governor, + and taken prisoners. Columbus waited unsuspectingly for the boat to come + back with them, in order that he and the other half of the crew could go + and perform their vow. + </p> + <p> + When the boat did not come back he began to fear that some accident must + have happened to it, and getting his anchor up he set sail for the point + beyond which the hermitage was situated. No sooner had he rounded the + point than he saw a band of horsemen, who dismounted, launched the boat + which was drawn up on the beach, and began to row out, evidently with the + intention of attacking the Admiral. When they came up to the Nina the man + in command of them rose and asked Columbus to assure him of personal + safety; which assurance was wonderingly given; and the Admiral inquired + how it was that none of his own people were in the boat? Columbus + suspected treachery and tried to meet it with treachery also, endeavouring + with smooth words to get the captain to come on board so that he could + seize him as a hostage. But as the Portuguese would not come on board + Columbus told them that they were acting very unwisely in affronting his + people; that in the land of the Sovereigns of Castile the Portuguese were + treated with great honour and security; that he held letters of + recommendation from the Sovereigns addressed to every ruler in the world, + and added that he was their Admiral of the Ocean Seas and Viceroy of the + Indies, and could show the Portuguese his commission to that effect; and + finally, that if his people were not returned to him, he would immediately + make sail for Spain with the crew that was left to him and report this + insult to the Spanish Sovereigns. To all of which the Portuguese captain + replied that he did not know any Sovereigns of Castile; that neither they + nor their letters were of any account in that island; that they were not + afraid of Columbus; and that they would have him know that he had Portugal + to deal with—edging away in the boat at the same time to a + convenient distance from the caravel. When he thought he was out of + gunshot he shouted to Columbus, ordering him to take his caravel back to + the harbour by command of the Governor of the island. Columbus answered by + calling his crew to witness that he pledged his word not to descend from + or leave his caravel until he had taken a hundred Portuguese to Castile, + and had depopulated all their islands. After which explosion of words he + returned to the harbour and anchored there, “as the weather and wind + were very unfavourable for anything else.” + </p> + <p> + He was, however, in a very bad anchorage, with a rocky bottom which + presently fouled his anchors; and on the Wednesday he had to make sail + towards the island of San Miguel if order to try and find a better + anchorage. + </p> + <p> + But the wind and sea getting up again very badly he was obliged to beat + about all night in a very unpleasant situation, with only three sailors + who could be relied upon, and a rabble of gaol-birds and longshoremen who + were of little use in a tempest but to draw lots and vow pilgrimages. + Finding himself unable to make the island of San Miguel he decided to go + back to Santa Maria and make an attempt to recover his boat and his crew + and the anchor and cables he had lost there. + </p> + <p> + In his Journal for this day, and amid all his anxieties, he found time to + note down one of his curious visionary cosmographical reflections. This + return to a region of storms and heavy seas reminded him of the long + months he had spent in the balmy weather and calm waters of his discovery; + in which facts he found a confirmation of the theological idea that the + Eden, or Paradise, of earth was “at the end of the Orient, because + it is a most temperate place. So that these lands which he had now + discovered are at the end of the Orient.” Reflections such as these, + which abound in his writings, ought in themselves to be a sufficient + condemnation of those who have endeavoured to prove that Columbus was a + man of profound cosmographical learning and of a scientific mind. A man + who would believe that he had discovered the Orient because in the place + where he had been he had found calm weather, and because the theologians + said that the Garden of Eden must be in the Orient since it is a temperate + place, would believe anything. + </p> + <p> + Late on Thursday night, when he anchored again in the harbour of San + Lorenzo at Santa Maria, a man hailed them from the rocks, and asked them + not to go away. Presently a boat containing five sailors, two priests, and + a notary put off from the beach; and they asked for a guarantee of + security in order that they might treat with the Admiral. They slept on + board that night, and in the morning asked him to show them his authority + from the Spanish Sovereigns, which the Admiral did, understanding that + they had asked for this formality in order to save their dignity. He + showed them his general letter from the King and Queen of Spain, addressed + to “Princes and Lords of High Degree”; and being satisfied + with this they went ashore and released the Admiral’s people, from + whom he learned that what had been done had been done by command of the + King of Portugal, and that he had issued an order to the Governors of all + the Portuguese islands that if Columbus landed there on his way home he + was to be taken prisoner. + </p> + <p> + He sailed again on Sunday, February 24th, encountering heavy winds and + seas, which troubled him greatly with fears lest some disaster should + happen at the eleventh hour to interfere with his, triumph. On Sunday, + March 3rd, the wind rose to the force of a hurricane, and, on a sudden + gust of violent wind splitting all the sails, the unhappy crew gathered + together again and drew more lots and made more vows. This time the + pilgrimage was to be to the shrine of Santa Maria at Huelva, the pilgrim + to go as before in his shirt; and the lot fell to the Admiral. The rest of + them made a vow to fast on the next Saturday on bread and water; but as + they all thought it extremely unlikely that by that time they would be in + need of any bodily sustenance the sacrifice could hardly have been a great + one. They scudded along under bare poles and in a heavy cross sea all that + night; but at dawn on Monday they saw land ahead of them, which Columbus + recognised as the rock of Cintra at Lisbon; and at Lisbon sure enough they + landed some time during the morning. As soon as they were inside the river + the people came flocking down with stories of the gale and of all the + wrecks that there had been on the coast. Columbus hurried away from the + excited crowds to write a letter to the King of Portugal, asking him for a + safe conduct to Spain, and assuring him that he had come from the Indies, + and not from any of the forbidden regions of Guinea. + </p> + <p> + The next day brought a visit from no less a person than Bartholomew Diaz. + Columbus had probably met him before in 1486, when Diaz had been a + distinguished man and Columbus a man not distinguished; but now things + were changed. Diaz ordered Columbus to come on board his small vessel in + order to go and report himself to the King’s officers; but Columbus + replied that he was the Admiral of the Sovereigns of Castile, “that + he did not render such account to such persons,” and that he + declined to leave his ship. Diaz then ordered him to send the captain of + the Nina; but Columbus refused to send either the captain or any other + person, and otherwise gave himself airs as the Admiral of the Ocean Seas. + Diaz then moderated his requests, and merely asked Columbus to show him + his letter of authority, which Columbus did; and then Diaz went away and + brought back with him the captain of the Portuguese royal yacht, who came + in great state on board the shabby little Nina, with kettle-drums and + trumpets and pipes, and placed himself at the disposal of Columbus. It is + a curious moment, this, in which the two great discoverers of their time, + Diaz and Columbus, meet for an hour on the deck of a forty-ton caravel; a + curious thing to consider that they who had performed such great feats of + skill and bravery, one to discover the southernmost point of the old world + and the other to voyage across an uncharted ocean to the discovery of an + entirely new world, could find nothing better to talk about than their + respective ranks and glories; and found no more interesting subject of + discussion than the exact amount of state and privilege which should be + accorded to each. + </p> + <p> + During the day or two in which Columbus waited in the port crowds of + people came down from Lisbon to see the little Nina, which was an object + of much admiration and astonishment; to see the Indians also, at whom they + greatly marvelled. It was probably at this time that the letter addressed + to Luis de Santangel, containing the first official account of the voyage, + was despatched. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> * + ***** + * + *</pre> + <blockquote> + <p> + “Sir: As I am sure you will be pleased at the great victory which + the Lord has given me in my voyage, I write this to inform you that in + twenty’ days I arrived in the Indies with the squadron which their + Majesties had placed under my command. There I discovered many islands, + inhabited by a numerous population, and took possession of them for + their Highnesses, with public ceremony and the royal flag displayed, + without molestation. + </p> + <p> + “The first that I discovered I named San Salvador, in remembrance + of that Almighty Power which had so miraculously bestowed them. The + Indians call it Guanahani. To the second I assigned the name of Santa + Marie de Conception; to the third that of Fernandina; to the fourth that + of Isabella; to the fifth Juana; and so on, to every one a new name. + </p> + <p> + “When I arrived at Juana, I followed the coast to the westward, + and found it so extensive that I considered it must be a continent and a + province of Cathay. And as I found no towns or villages by the seaside, + excepting some small settlements, with the people of which I could not + communicate because they all ran away, I continued my course to the + westward, thinking I should not fail to find some large town and cities. + After having coasted many leagues without finding any signs of them, and + seeing that the coast took me to the northward, where I did not wish to + go, as the winter was already set in, I considered it best to follow the + coast to the south and the wind being also scant, I determined to lose + no more time, and therefore returned to a certain port, from whence I + sent two messengers into the country to ascertain whether there was any + king there or any large city. + </p> + <p> + “They travelled for three days, finding an infinite number of + small settlements and an innumerable population, but nothing like a + city: on which account—they returned. I had tolerably well + ascertained from some Indians whom I had taken that this land was only + an island, so I followed the coast of it to the east 107 leagues, to its + termination. And about eighteen leagues from this cape, to the east, + there was another island, to which I shortly gave the name of Espanola. + I went to it, and followed the north coast of it, as I had done that of + Juana, for 178—[should be 188]—long leagues due east. + </p> + <p> + “This island is very fertile, as well, indeed, as all the rest. It + possesses numerous harbours, far superior to any I know in Europe, and + what is remarkable, plenty of large inlets. The land is high, and + contains many lofty ridges and some very high mountains, without + comparison of the island of Centrefrey;—[Tenerife]—all of + them very handsome and of different forms; all of them accessible and + abounding in trees of a thousand kinds, high, and appearing as if they + would reach the skies. And I am assured that the latter never lose their + fresh foliage, as far as I can understand, for I saw them as fresh and + flourishing as those of Spain in the month of May. Some were in blossom, + some bearing fruit, and others in other states, according to their + nature. + </p> + <p> + “The nightingale and a thousand kinds of birds enliven the woods + with their song, in the month of November, wherever I went. There are + seven or eight kinds of palms, of various elegant forms, besides various + other trees, fruits, and herbs. The pines of this island are + magnificent. It has also extensive plains, honey, and a great variety of + birds and fruits. It has many metal mines, and a population innumerable. + </p> + <p> + “Espanola is a wonderful island, with mountains, groves, plains, + and the country generally beautiful and rich for planting and sowing, + for rearing sheep and cattle of all kinds, and ready for towns and + cities. The harbours must be seen to be appreciated; rivers are + plentiful and large and of excellent water; the greater part of them + contain gold. There is a great difference between the trees, fruits, and + herbs of this island and those of Juana. In this island there are many + spices, and large mines of gold and other metals. + </p> + <p> + “The people of this island and of all the others which I have + discovered or heard of, both men and women, go naked as they were born, + although some of the women wear leaves of herbs or a cotton covering + made on purpose. They have no iron or steel, nor any weapons; not that + they are not a well-disposed people and of fine stature, but they are + timid to a degree. They have no other arms excepting spears made of + cane, to which they fix at the end a sharp piece of wood, and then dare + not use even these. Frequently I had occasion to send two or three of my + men onshore to some settlement for information, where there would be + multitudes of them; and as soon as they saw our people they would run + away every soul, the father leaving his child; and this was not because + any one had done them harm, for rather at every cape where I had landed + and been able to communicate with them I have made them presents of + cloth and many other things without receiving anything in return; but + because they are so timid. Certainly, where they have confidence and + forget their fears, they are so open-hearted and liberal with all they + possess that it is scarcely to be believed without seeing it. If + anything that they have is asked of them they never deny it; on the + contrary, they will offer it. Their generosity is so great that they + would give anything, whether it is costly or not, for anything of every + kind that is offered them and be contented with it. I was obliged to + prevent such worth less things being given them as pieces of broken + basins, broken glass, and bits of shoe-latchets, although when they + obtained them they esteemed them as if they had been the greatest of + treasures. One of the seamen for a latchet received a piece of gold + weighing two dollars and a half, and others, for other things of much + less value, obtained more. Again, for new silver coin they would give + everything they possessed, whether it was worth two or three doubloons + or one or two balls of cotton. Even for pieces of broken pipe-tubes they + would take them and give anything for them, until, when I thought it + wrong, I prevented it. And I made them presents of thousands of things + which I had, that I might win their esteem, and also that they might be + made good Christians and be disposed to the service of Your Majesties + and the whole Spanish nation, and help us to obtain the things which we + require and of which there is abundance in their country. + </p> + <p> + “And these people appear to have neither religion nor idolatry, + except that they believe that good and evil come from the skies; and + they firmly believed that our ships and their crews, with myself, came + from the skies, and with this persuasion,—after having lost their + fears, they always received us. And yet this does not proceed from + ignorance, for they are very ingenious, and some of them navigate their + seas in a wonderful manner and give good account of things, but because + they never saw people dressed or ships like ours. + </p> + <p> + “And as soon as I arrived in the Indies, at the first island at + which I touched, I captured some of them, that we might learn from them + and obtain intelligence of what there was in those parts. And as soon as + we understood each other they were of great service to us; but yet, from + frequent conversation which I had with them, they still believe we came + from the skies. These were the first to express that idea, and others + ran from house to house, and to the neighbouring villages, crying out, + “Come and see the people from the skies.” And thus all of + them, men and women, after satisfying themselves of their safety, came + to us without reserve, great and small, bringing us something to eat and + drink, and which they gave to us most affectionately. + </p> + <p> + “They have many canoes in those islands propelled by oars, some of + them large and others small, and many of them with eight or ten paddles + of a side, not very wide, but all of one trunk, and a boat cannot keep + way with them by oars, for they are incredibly fast; and with these they + navigate all the islands, which are innumerable, and obtain their + articles of traffic. I have seen some of these canoes with sixty or + eighty men in them, and each with a paddle. + </p> + <p> + “Among the islands I did not find much diversity of formation in + the people, nor in their customs, nor their language. They all + understand each other, which is remarkable; and I trust Your Highnesses + will determine on their being converted to our faith, for which they are + very well disposed. + </p> + <p> + “I have already said that I went 107 leagues along the coast of + Juana, from east to west. Thus, according to my track, it is larger than + England and Scotland together, for, besides these 107 leagues, there + were further west two provinces to which I did not go, one of which is + called Cibau, the people of which are born with tails; which provinces + must be about fifty or sixty leagues long, according to what I can make + out from the Indians I have with me, who know all the islands. The other + island (Espanola) is larger in circuit than the whole of Spain, from the + Straits of Gibralter (the Columns) to Fuentarabia in Biscay, as I sailed + 138 long leagues in a direct line from west to east. Once known it must + be desired, and once seen one desires never to leave it; and which, + being taken possession of for their Highnesses, and the people being at + present in a condition lower than I can possibly describe, the + Sovereigns of Castile may dispose of it in any manner they please in the + most convenient places. In this Espanola, and in the best district, + where are gold mines, and, on the other side, from thence to terra + firma, as well as from thence to the Great Khan, where everything is on + a splendid scale—I have taken possession of a large town, to which + I gave the name of La Navidad, and have built a fort in it, in every + respect complete. And I have left sufficient people in it to take care + of it, with artillery and provisions for more than a year; also a boat + and coxswain with the equipments, in complete friendship with the King + of the islands, to that degree that he delighted to call me and look on + me as his brother. And should they fall out with these people, neither + he nor his subjects know anything of weapons, and go naked, as I have + said, and they are the most timorous people in the world. The few people + left there are sufficient to conquer the country, and the island would + thus remain without danger to them, they keeping order among themselves. + </p> + <p> + “In all these islands it appeared to me the men are contented with + one wife, but to their governor or king they allow twenty. The women + seem to work more than the men. I have not been able to discover whether + they respect personal property, for it appeared to me things were common + to all, especially in the particular of provisions. Hitherto I have not + seen in any of these islands any monsters, as there were supposed to be; + the people, on the contrary, are generally well formed, nor are they + black like those of the Guinea, saving their hair, and they do not + reside in places exposed to the sun’s rays. It is true that the + sun is most powerful there, and it is only twenty-six degrees from the + equator. In this last winter those islands which were mountainous were + cold, but they were accustomed to it, with good food and plenty of + spices and hot nutriment. Thus I have found no monsters nor heard of + any, except at an island which is the second in going to the Indies, and + which is inhabited by a people who are considered in all the islands as + ferocious, and who devour human flesh. These people have many canoes, + which scour all the islands of India, and plunder all they can. They are + not worse formed than the others, but they wear the hair long like + women, and use bows and arrows of the same kind of cane, pointed with a + piece of hard wood instead of iron, of which they have none. They are + fierce compared with the other people, who are in general but sad + cowards; but I do not consider them in any other way superior to them. + These are they who trade in women, who inhabit the first island met with + in going from Spain to the Indies, in which there are no men whatever. + They have no effeminate exercise, but bows and arrows, as before said, + of cane, with which they arm themselves, and use shields of copper, of + which they have plenty. + </p> + <p> + “There is another island, I am told, larger than Espanola, the + natives of which have no hair. In this there is gold without limit, and + of this and the others I have Indians with me to witness. + </p> + <p> + “In conclusion, referring only to what has been effected by this + voyage, which was made with so much haste, Your Highnesses may see that + I shall find as much gold as desired with the very little assistance + afforded to me; there is as much spice and cotton as can be wished for, + and also gum, which hitherto has only been found in Greece, in the + island of Chios, and they may sell it as they please, and the mastich, + as much as may be desired, and slaves, also, who will be idolators. And + I believe that I have rhubarb, and cinnamon, and a thousand other things + I shall find, which will be discovered by those whom I have left behind, + for I did not stop at any cape when the wind enabled me to navigate, + except at the town of Navidad, where I was very safe and well taken care + of. And in truth much more I should have done if the ships had served me + as might have been expected. This is certain, that the Eternal God our + Lord gives all things to those who obey Him, and the victory when it + seems impossible, and this, evidently, is an instance of it, for + although people have talked of these lands, all was conjecture unless + proved by seeing them, for the greater part listened and judged more by + hearsay than by anything else. + </p> + <p> + “Since, then, our Redeemer has given this victory to our + illustrious King and Queen and celebrated their reigns by such a great + thing, all Christendom should rejoice and make great festivals, and give + solemn thanks to the Blessed Trinity, with solemn praises for the + exaltation of so much people to our holy faith; and next for the + temporal blessings which not only Spain but they will enjoy in becoming + Christians, and which last may shortly be accomplished. + </p> + <p> + “Written in the caravel off Santa Maria; on the eighteenth of + February, ninety-three.” + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The following postscript was added to the letter before it was despatched: + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + “After writing the above, being in the Castilian Sea (off the + coast of Castile), I experienced so severe a wind from south and + south-east that I have been obliged to run to-day into this port of + Lisbon, and only by a miracle got safely in, from whence I intended to + write to Your Highnesses. In all parts of the Indies I have found the + weather like that of May, where I went in ninety-three days, and + returned in seventy-eight, saving these thirteen days of bad weather + that I have been detained beating about in this sea. Every seaman here + says that never was so severe a winter, nor such loss of ships.” + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + On the Friday a messenger came from the King in the person of Don Martin + de Noronha, a relative of Columbus by marriage, and one who had perhaps + looked down upon him in the days when he attended the convent chapel at + Lisbon, but who was now the bearer of a royal invitation and in the + position of a mere envoy. Columbus repaired to Paraiso where the King was, + and where he was received with great honour. + </p> + <p> + King John might well have been excused if he had felt some mortification + at this glorious and successful termination of a project which had been + offered to him and which he had rejected; but he evidently behaved with + dignity and a good grace, and did everything that he could to help + Columbus. It was extremely unlikely that he had anything to do with the + insult offered to Columbus at the Azores, for though he was bitterly + disappointed that the glory of this discovery belonged to Spain and not to + Portugal, he was too much of a man to show it in this petty and revengeful + manner. He offered to convey Columbus by land into Spain; but the Admiral, + with a fine dramatic sense, preferred to arrive by sea on board of all + that was left of the fleet with which he had sailed. He sailed for Seville + on Wednesday, March 13th, but during the next day, when he was off Cape + Saint Vincent, he evidently changed his mind and decided to make for + Palos. Sunrise on Friday saw him off the bar of Saltes, with the white + walls of La Rabida shining on the promontory among the dark fir-trees. + During the hours in which he stood off and on waiting for the tide he was + able to recognise again all the old landmarks and the scenes which had + been so familiar to him in those busy days of preparation nine months + before; and at midday he sailed in with the flood tide and dropped his + anchor again in the mud of the river by Palos. + </p> + <p> + The caravel had been sighted some time before, probably when she was + standing off, the bar waiting for the tide; she was flying the Admiral’s + flag and there was no mistaking her identity; and we can imagine the news + spreading throughout the town of Palos, and reaching Huelva, and one by + one the bells beginning to ring, and the places of business to be closed, + and the people to come pouring out into the streets to be ready to greet + their friends. Some more impatient than the others would sail out in + fishing-boats to get the first news; and I should be surprised to know + that a boat did not put off from the little pier beneath La Rabida, to row + round the point and out to where the Nina was lying—to beyond the + Manto Bank. When the flood began to make over the bar and to cover the + long sandbank that stretches from the island of Saltes, the Nina came + gliding in, greeted by every joyful sound and signal that the inhabitants + of the two seaports could make. Every one hurried down to Palos as the + caravel rounded the Convent Point. Hernando, Marchena, and good old Juan + Perez were all there, we may be sure. Such excitements, such triumphs as + the bronzed, white-bearded Admiral steps ashore at last, and is seized by + dozens of eager hands! Such excitements as all the wives and inamoratas of + the Rodrigos and Juans and Franciscos rush to meet the swarthy voyagers + and cover them with embraces; such disappointments also, when it is + realised that some two score of the company are still on a sunbaked island + infinitely far over the western horizon. + </p> + <p> + Tears of joy and grief, shouts and feastings, firing of guns and flying of + flags, processions and receptions with these the deathless day is filled; + and the little Nina, her purpose staunchly fulfilled, swings deserted on + the turning tide, the ripples of her native Tinto making a familiar music + under her bowsprit. + </p> + <p> + And in the evening, with the last of the flood, another ship comes gliding + round the point and up the estuary. The inhabitants of Palos have all left + the shore and are absorbed in the business of welcoming the great man; and + there is no one left to notice or welcome the Pinta. For it is she that, + by a strange coincidence, and after many dangers and distresses endured + since she had parted company from the Nina in the storm, now has made her + native port on the very same day as the Nina. Our old friend Martin Alonso + Pinzon is on board, all the fight and treachery gone out of him, and + anxious only to get home unobserved. For (according to the story) he had + made the port of Bayona on the north-west coast of Spain, and had written + a letter from there to the Sovereigns announcing his arrival and the + discoveries that he had made; and it is said that he had received an + unpleasant letter in return, reproaching him for not waiting for his + commander and forbidding him to come to Court. This story is possible if + his letter reached the Sovereigns after the letter from the Admiral; for + it is probable that Columbus may have reported some of Martin’s + doings to them. + </p> + <p> + Be that as it may, there are no flags and guns for him as he comes + creeping in up the river; his one anxiety is to avoid the Admiral and to + get home as quickly and quietly as he can. For he is ill, poor Martin + Alonso; whether from a broken heart, as the early historians say, or from + pure chagrin and disappointment, or, as is more likely, from some illness + contracted on the voyage, it is impossible to say. He has endured his + troubles and hardships like all the rest of them; no less skilfully than + Columbus has he won through that terrible tempest of February; and his + foolish and dishonest conduct has deprived him not only of the rewards + that he tried to steal, but of those which would otherwise have been his + by right. He creeps quietly ashore and to his home, where at any rate we + may hope that there is some welcome for him; takes to his bed, turns his + face to the wall; and dies in a few days. So farewell to Martin Alonso, + who has borne us company thus far. He did not fail in the great matters of + pluck and endurance and nautical judgment, but only in the small matters + of honesty and decent manly conduct. We will not weep for Martin Alonso; + we will make our farewells in silence, and leave his deathbed undisturbed + by any more accusations or reproaches. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + <a name="ch4b" id="ch4b"></a>CHAPTER IV. + </h2> + <h3> + THE HOUR OF TRIUMPH + </h3> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p> + From the moment when Columbus set foot on Spanish soil in the spring of + 1493 he was surrounded by a fame and glory which, although they were + transient, were of a splendour such as few other men can have ever + experienced. He had not merely discovered a country, he had discovered a + world. He had not merely made a profitable expedition; he had brought the + promise of untold wealth to the kingdom of Spain. He had not merely made + himself the master of savage tribes; he had conquered the supernatural, + and overcome for ever those powers of darkness that had been thought to + brood over the vast Atlantic. He had sailed away in obscurity, he had + returned in fame; he had departed under a cloud of scepticism and + ridicule, he had come again in power and glory. He had sailed from Palos + as a seeker after hidden wealth, hidden knowledge; he returned as teacher, + discoverer, benefactor. The whole of Spain rang with his fame, and the + echoes of it spread to Portugal, France, England, Germany, and Italy; and + it reached the ears of his own family, who had now left the Vico Dritto di + Ponticello in Genoa and were living at Savona. + </p> + <p> + His life ashore in the first weeks following his return was a succession + of triumphs and ceremonials. His first care on landing had been to go with + the whole of his crew to the church of Saint George, where a Te Deum was + sung in honour of his return; and afterwards to perform those vows that he + had made at sea in the hour of danger. There was a certain amount of + business to transact at Palos in connection with the paying of the ships’ + crews, writing of reports to the Sovereigns, and so forth; and it is + likely that he stayed with his friends at the monastery of La Rabida while + this was being done. The Court was at Barcelona; and it was probably only + a sense of his own great dignity and importance that prevented Christopher + from setting off on the long journey immediately. But he who had made so + many pilgrimages to Court as a suitor could revel in a position that made + it possible for him to hang back, and to be pressed and invited; and so + when his business at Palos was finished he sent a messenger with his + letters and reports to Barcelona, and himself, with his crew and his + Indians and all his trophies, departed for Seville, where he arrived on + Palm Sunday. + </p> + <p> + His entrance into that city was only a foretaste of the glory in which he + was to move across the whole of Spain. He was met at the gates of the city + by a squadron of cavalry commanded by an envoy sent by Queen Isabella; and + a procession was formed of members of the crew carrying parrots, alive and + stuffed, fruits, vegetables, and various other products of the New World. + </p> + <p> + In a prominent place came the Indians, or rather four of them, for one had + died on the day they entered Palos and three were too ill to leave that + town; but the ones that took part in the procession got all the more + attention and admiration. The streets of Seville were crowded; crowded + also were the windows, balconies, and roofs. The Admiral was entertained + at the house of the Count of Cifuentes, where his little museum of dead + and live curiosities was also accommodated, and where certain favoured + visitors were admitted to view it. His two sons, Diego and Ferdinand, were + sent from Cordova to join him; and perhaps he found time to visit Beatriz, + although there is no record of his having been to Cordova or of her having + come to Seville. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile his letters and messengers to the King and Queen had produced + their due effect. The almost incredible had come to pass, and they saw + themselves the monarchs not merely of Spain, but of a new Empire that + might be as vast as Europe and Africa together. On the 30th of March they + despatched a special messenger with a letter to Columbus, whose eyes must + have sparkled and heart expanded when he read the superscription: “From + the King and Queen to Don Christoval Colon, their Admiral of the Ocean + Seas and Viceroy and Governor of the Islands discovered in the Indies.” + No lack of titles and dignities now! Their Majesties express a profound + sense of his ability and distinction, of the greatness of his services to + them, to the Church, and to God Himself. They hope that he will lose no + time, but repair to Barcelona immediately, so that they can have the + pleasure of hearing from his own lips an account of his wonderful + expedition, and of discussing with him the preparations that must + immediately be set on foot to fit out a new one. On receiving this letter + Christopher immediately drew up a list of what he thought necessary for + the new expedition and, collecting all his retinue and his museum of + specimens, started by road for Barcelona. + </p> + <p> + Every one in Spain had by this time heard more or less exaggerated + accounts of the discoveries, and the excitement in the towns and villages + through which he passed was extreme. Wherever he went he was greeted and + feasted like a king returning from victorious wars; the people lined the + streets of the towns and villages, and hung out banners, and gazed their + fill at the Indians and at the strange sun-burned faces of the crew. At + Barcelona, where they arrived towards the end of April, the climax of + these glittering dignities was reached. When the King and Queen heard that + Columbus was approaching the town they had their throne prepared under a + magnificent pavilion, and in the hot sunshine of that April day they sat + and waited the—coming of the great man. A glittering troop of + cavalry had been sent out to meet him, and at the gates of the town a + procession was formed similar to that at Seville. He had now six natives + with him, who occupied an important place in the procession; sailors also, + who carried baskets of fruit and vegetables from Espanola, with stuffed + birds and animals, and a monstrous lizard held aloft on a stick. The + Indians were duly decked out in all their paint and feathers; but if they + were a wonder and marvel to the people of Spain, what must Spain have been + to them with its great buildings and cities, its carriages and horses, its + glittering dresses and armours, its splendour and luxury! We have no + record of what the Indians thought, only of what the crowd thought who + gaped upon them and upon the gaudy parrots that screeched and fluttered + also in the procession. Columbus came riding on horseback, as befitted a + great Admiral and Viceroy, surrounded by his pilots and principal + officers; and followed by men bearing golden belts, golden masks, nuggets + of gold and dust of gold, and preceded by heralds, pursuivants, and + mace-bearers. + </p> + <p> + What a return for the man who three years before had been pointed at and + laughed to scorn in this same brilliant society! The crowds pressed so + closely that the procession could hardly get through the streets; the + whole population was there to witness it; and the windows and balconies + and roofs of the houses, as well as the streets themselves, were thronged + with a gaily dressed and wildly excited crowd. At length the procession + reaches the presence of the King and Queen and, crowning and unprecedented + honour! as the Admiral comes before them Ferdinand and Isabella rise to + greet him. Under their own royal canopy a seat is waiting for him; and + when he has made his ceremonial greeting he is invited to sit in their + presence and give an account of his voyage. + </p> + <p> + He is fully equal to the situation; settles down to do himself and his + subject justice; begins, we may be sure, with a preamble about the + providence of God and its wisdom and consistency in preserving the + narrator and preparing his life for this great deed; putting in a deal of + scientific talk which had in truth nothing to do with the event, but was + always applied to it in Columbus’s writings from this date onwards; + and going on to describe the voyage, the sea of weeds, the landfall, his + intercourse with the natives, their aptitude for labour and Christianity, + and the hopes he has of their early conversion to the Catholic Church. And + then follows a long description of the wonderful climate, “like May + in Andalusia,” the noble rivers, and gorgeous scenery, the trees and + fruits and flowers and singing birds; the spices and the cotton; and chief + of all, the vast stores of gold and pearls of which the Admiral had + brought home specimens. At various stages in his narrative he produces + illustrations; now a root of rhubarb or allspice; now a raw nugget of + gold; now a piece of gold laboured into a mask or belt; now a native + decorated with the barbaric ornaments that were the fashion in Espanola. + These things, says Columbus, are mere first-fruits of the harvest that is + to come; the things which he, like the dove that had flown across the sea + from the Ark and brought back an olive leaf in its mouth, has brought back + across the stormy seas to that Ark of civilisation from which he had flown + forth. + </p> + <p> + It was to Columbus an opportunity of stretching his visionary wings and + creating with pompous words and images a great halo round himself of + dignity and wonder and divine distinction,—an opportunity such as he + loved, and such as he never failed to make use of. + </p> + <p> + The Sovereigns were delighted and profoundly impressed. Columbus wound up + his address with an eloquent peroration concerning the glory to + Christendom of these new discoveries; and there followed an impressive + silence, during which the Sovereigns sank on their knees and raised hands + and tearful eyes to heaven, an example in which they were followed by the + whole of the assembly; and an appropriate gesture enough, seeing what was + to come of it all. The choir of the Chapel Royal sang a solemn Te Deum on + the spot; and the Sovereigns and nobles, bishops, archbishops, grandees, + hidalgos, chamberlains, treasurers, chancellors and other courtiers, being + exhausted by these emotions, retired to dinner. + </p> + <p> + During his stay at Barcelona Columbus was the guest of the + Cardinal-Archbishop of Toledo, and moved thus in an atmosphere of combined + temporal and spiritual dignity such as his soul loved. Very agreeable + indeed to him was the honour shown to him at this time. Deep down in his + heart there was a secret nerve of pride and vanity which throughout his + life hitherto had been continually mortified and wounded; but he was able + now to indulge his appetite for outward pomp and honour as much as he + pleased. When King Ferdinand went out to ride Columbus would be seen + riding on one side of him, the young Prince John riding on the other side; + and everywhere, when he moved among the respectful and admiring throng, + his grave face was seen to be wreathed in complacent smiles. His hair, + which had turned white soon after he was thirty, gave him a dignified and + almost venerable appearance, although he was only in his forty-third year; + and combined with his handsome and commanding presence to excite immense + enthusiasm among the Spaniards. They forgot for the moment what they had + formerly remembered and were to remember again—that he was a + foreigner, an Italian, a man of no family and of poor origin. They saw in + him the figure-head of a new empire and a new glory, an emblem of power + and riches, of the dominion which their proud souls loved; and so there + beamed upon him the brief fickle sunshine of their smiles and favour, + which he in his delusion regarded as an earnest of their permanent honour + and esteem. + </p> + <p> + It is almost always thus with a man not born to such dignities, and who + comes by them through his own efforts and labours. No one would grudge him + the short-lived happiness of these summer weeks; but although he believed + himself to be as happy as a man can be, he appears to quietly + contemplating eyes less happy and fortunate than when he stood alone on + the deck of his ship, surrounded by an untrustworthy crew, prevailing by + his own unaided efforts over the difficulties and dangers with which he + was surrounded. Court functions and processions, and the companionship of + kings and cardinals, are indeed no suitable reward for the kind of work + that he did. Courtly dignities are suited to courtly services; but they + are no suitable crown for rough labour and hardship at sea, or for the + fulfilment of a man’s self by lights within him; no suitable crown + for any solitary labour whatsoever, which must always be its own and only + reward. + </p> + <p> + It is to this period of splendour that the story of the egg, which is to + some people the only familiar incident in Columbian biography, is + attributed. The story is that at a banquet given by the Cardinal-Arch + bishop the conversation ran, as it always did in those days when he was + present, on the subject of the Admiral’s discoveries; and that one + of the guests remarked that it was all very well for Columbus to have done + what he did, but that in a country like Spain, where there were so many + men learned in science and cosmography, and many able mariners besides, + some one else would certainly have been found who would have done the same + thing. Whereupon Columbus, calling for an egg, laid a wager that none of + the company but him self could make it stand on its end without support. + The egg was brought and passed round, and every one tried to make it stand + on end, but without success. When it came to Columbus he cracked the shell + at one end, making a flat surface on which the egg stood upright; thus + demonstrating that a thing might be wonderful, not because it was + difficult or impossible, but merely because no one had ever thought of + doing it before. A sufficiently inane story, and by no means certainly + true; but there is enough character in this little feat, ponderous, + deliberate, pompous, ostentatious, and at bottom a trick and deceitful + quibble, to make it accord with the grandiloquent public manner of + Columbus, and to make it easily believable of one who chose to show + himself in his speech and writings so much more meanly and pretentiously + than he showed himself in the true acts and business of his life. + </p> + <p> + But pomp and parade were not the only occupation of these Barcelona days. + There were long consultations with Ferdinand and Isabella about the + colonisation of the new lands; there were intrigues, and parrying of + intrigues, between the Spanish and Portuguese Courts on the subject of the + discoveries and of the representative rights of the two nations to be the + religious saviours of the New World. The Pope, to whose hands the heathen + were entrusted by God to be handed for an inheritance to the highest and + most religious bidder, had at that time innocently divided them into two + portions, to wit: heathen to the south of Spain and Portugal, and heathen + to the west of those places. By the Bull of 1438, granted by Pope Martin + V., the heathen to the west had been given to the Spanish, and the heathen + to the south to the Portuguese, and the two crowns had in 1479 come to a + working agreement. Now, however, the existence of more heathen to the west + of the Azores introduced a new complication, and Ferdinand sent a message + to Pope Alexander VI. praying for a confirmation of the Spanish title to + the new discoveries. + </p> + <p> + This Pope, who was a native of Aragon and had been a subject of Ferdinand, + was a stolid, perverse, and stubborn being; so much is advertised in his + low forehead, impudent prominent nose, thick sensual lips, and stout bull + neck. This Pope considers the matter; considers, by such lights as he has, + to whom he shall entrust the souls of these new heathen; considers which + country, Spain or Portugal, is most likely to hold and use the same for + the increase of the Christian faith in general, the furtherance of the + Holy Catholic Church in special, and the aggrandisement of Popes in + particular; and shrewdly decides that the country in which the. + Inquisition can flourish is the country to whom the heathen souls should + be entrusted. He therefore issues a Bull, dated May 3, 1493, granting to + the Spanish the possession of all lands, not occupied by Christian powers, + that lie west of a meridian drawn one hundred leagues to the westward of + the Azores, and to the Portuguese possession of all similar lands lying to + the eastward of that line. He sleeps upon this Bull, and has inspiration; + and on the morrow, May 4th, issues another Bull, drawing a line from the + arctic to the antarctic pole, and granting to Spain all heathen + inheritance to the westward of the same. The Pope, having signed this + Bull, considers it further-assisted, no doubt, by the Portuguese + Ambassador at the Vatican, to whom it has been shown; realises that in the + wording of the Bull an injustice has been done to Portugal, since Spain is + allowed to fix very much at her own convenience the point at which the + line drawn from pole to pole shall cut the equator; and also because, + although Spain is given all the lands in existence within her territory, + Portugal is only given the lands which she may actually have occupied. + Even the legal mind of the Pope, although much drowsed and blunted by + brutish excesses, discerns faultiness in this document; and consequently + on the same day issues a third Bull, in which the injustice to Portugal is + redressed. Nothing so easy, thinks the Pope, as to issue Bulls; if you + make a mistake in one Bull, issue another; and, having issued three Bulls + in twenty-four hours, he desists for the present, having divided the + earthly globe. + </p> + <p> + Thus easy it is for a Pope to draw lines from pole to pole, and across the + deep of the sea. Yet the poles sleep still in their icy virginal sanctity, + and the blue waves through which that papal line passes shift and shimmer + and roll in their free salt loneliness, unaffected by his demarcation; the + heathen also, it appears, since that distant day, have had something to + say to their disposition. If he had slept upon it another night, poor + Pope, it might have occurred to him that west and east might meet on a + meridian situated elsewhere on the globe than one hundred miles west of + the Azores; and that the Portuguese, who for the moment had nothing + heathen except Africa left to them, might according to his demarcation + strike a still richer vein of heathendom than that granted to Spain. But + the holy Pontiff, bull neck, low forehead, impudent prominent nose, and + sensual lips notwithstanding, is exhausted by his cosmographical efforts, + and he lets it rest at that. Later, when Spain discovers that her + privileges have been abated, he will have to issue another Bull; but not + to-day. Sufficient unto the day are the Bulls thereof. For the moment King + proposes and Pope disposes; but the matter lies ultimately in the hands of + the two eternal protagonists, man and God. + </p> + <p> + In the meantime here are six heathen alive and well, or at any rate well + enough to support, willy-nilly, the rite of holy baptism. They must have + been sufficiently dazed and bewildered by all that had happened to them + since they were taken on board the Admiral’s ship, and God alone + knows what they thought of it all, or whether they thought anything more + than the parrots that screamed and fluttered and winked circular eyes in + the procession with them. Doubtless they were willing enough; and indeed, + after all they had come through, a little cold water could not do them any + harm. So baptized they were in Barcelona; pompously baptized with infinite + state and ceremony, the King and Queen and Prince Juan officiating as + sponsors. Queen Isabella, after the manner of queens, took a kindly + feminine interest in these heathen, and in their brethren across the sea. + She had seen a good deal of conquest, and knew her Spaniard pretty + intimately; and doubtless her maternal heart had some misgivings about the + ultimate happiness of the gentle, handsome creatures who lived in the + sunshine in that distant place. She made their souls her especial care, + and honestly believed that by providing for their spiritual conversion she + was doing them the greatest service in her power. She provided from her + own private chapel vestments and altar furniture for the mission church in + Espanola; she had the six exiles in Barcelona instructed under her eye; + and she gave Columbus special orders to inflict severe punishments on any + one who should offer the natives violence or injustice of any kind. It + must be remembered to her credit that in after days, when slavery and an + intolerable bloody and brutish oppression had turned the paradise of + Espanola into a shambles, she fought almost singlehanded, and with an + ethical sense far in advance of her day, against the system of slavery + practised by Spain upon the inhabitants of the New World. + </p> + <p> + The dignities that had been provisionally granted to Columbus before his + departure on the first voyage were now elaborately confirmed; and in + addition he was given another title—that of Captain-General of the + large fleet which was to be fitted out to sail to the new colonies. He was + entrusted with the royal seal, which gave him the right to grant letters + patent, to issue commissions, and to Appoint deputies in the royal name. A + coat-of-arms was also granted to him in which, in its original form, the + lion and castle of Leon and Castile were quartered with islands of the sea + or on a field azure, and five anchors or on a field azure. This was + changed from time to time, chiefly by Columbus himself, who afterwards + added a continent to the islands, and modified the blazonry of the lion + and castle to agree with those on the royal arms—a piece of + ignorance and childish arrogance which was quite characteristic of him. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + [A motto has since been associated with the coat-of-arms, although it is + not certain that Columbus adopted it in his lifetime. In one form it + reads: + </p> + </blockquote> + <blockquote> + <p> + “Por Castilla e por Leon Nueva Mundo hallo Colon.”] + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + (For Castile and Leon Columbus found a New World.) + </p> + <p> + And in the other: + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + “A Castilla y a Leon Nuevo Mundo dio Colon.” + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + (To Castile and Leon Columbus gave a New World.) + </p> + <p> + Equally characteristic and less excusable was his acceptance of the + pension of ten thousand maravedis which had been offered to the member of + the expedition who should first sight land. Columbus was granted a very + large gratuity on his arrival in Barcelona, and even taking the product of + the islands at a tenth part of their value as estimated by him, he still + had every right to suppose himself one of the richest men in Spain. Yet he + accepted this paltry pension of L8. 6s. 8d. in our modern money (of 1900), + which, taking the increase in the purchasing power of money at an extreme + estimate, would not be more than the equivalent of $4000 now. Now Columbus + had not been the first person to see land; he saw the light, but it was + Rodrigo de Triana, the look-out man on the Pinta, who first saw the actual + land. Columbus in his narrative to the King and Queen would be sure to + make much of the seeing of the light, and not so much of the actual + sighting of land; and he was on the spot, and the reward was granted to + him. Even if we assume that in strict equity Columbus was entitled to it, + it was at least a matter capable of argument, if only Rodrigo de Triana + had been there to argue it; and what are we to think of the Admiral of the + Ocean Seas and Viceroy of the Indies who thus takes what can only be + called a mean advantage of a poor seaman in his employ? It would have been + a competence and a snug little fortune to Rodrigo de Triana; it was a mere + flea-bite to a man who was thinking in eighth parts of continents. It may + be true, as Oviedo alleges, that Columbus transferred it to Beatriz + Enriquez; but he had no right to provide for her out of money that in all + equity and decency ought to have gone to another and a poorer man. His + biographers, some of whom have vied with his canonisers in insisting upon + seeing virtue in his every action, have gone to all kinds of ridiculous + extremes in accounting for this piece of meanness. Irving says that it was + “a subject in which his whole ambition was involved”; but a + plain person will regard it as an instance of greed and love of money. We + must not shirk facts like this if we wish to know the man as he really + was. That he was capable of kindness and generosity, and that he was in + the main kind-hearted, we have fortunately no reason to doubt; and if I + dwell on some of his less amiable characteristics it is with no desire to + magnify them out of their due proportion. They are part of that side of + him that lay in shadow, as some side of each one of us lies; for not all + by light nor all by shade, but by light and shade combined, is the image + of a man made visible to us. + </p> + <p> + It is quite of a piece with the character of Columbus that while he was + writing a receipt for the look-out man’s money and thinking what a + pretty gift it would make for Beatriz Enriquez he was planning a splendid + and spectacular thank-offering for all the dignities to which he had been + raised; and, brooding upon the vast wealth that was now to be his, that he + should register a vow to furnish within seven years an expedition of four + thousand horse and fifty thousand foot for the rescue of the Holy + Sepulchre, and a similar force within five years after the first if it + should be necessary. It was probable that the vow was a provisional one, + and that its performance was to be contingent on his actual receipt and + possession of the expected money; for as we know, there was no money and + no expedition. The vow was in effect a kind of religious flourish much + beloved by Columbus, undertaken seriously and piously enough, but + belonging rather to his public than to his private side. A much more + simple and truly pious act of his was, not the promising of visionary but + the sending of actual money to his old father in Savona, which he did + immediately after his arrival in Spain. The letter which he wrote with + that kindly remittance, not being couched in the pompous terms which he + thought suitable for princes, and doubtless giving a brief homely account + of what he had done, would, if we could come by it, be a document beyond + all price; but like every other record of his family life it has utterly + perished. + </p> + <p> + He wrote also from Barcelona to his two brothers, Bartholomew and Giacomo, + or James, since we may as well give him the English equivalent of his + name. Bartholomew was in France, whither he had gone some time after his + return from his memorable voyage with Bartholomew Diaz; he was employed as + a map-maker at the court of Anne de Beaujeu, who was reigning in the + temporary absence of her brother Charles VIII. Columbus’s letter + reached him, but much too late for him to be able to join in the second + expedition; in fact he did not reach Seville until five months after it + had sailed. James, however, who was now twenty-five years old, was still + at Savona; he, like Columbus, had been apprenticed to his father, but had + apparently remained at home earning his living either as a wool-weaver or + merchant. He was a quiet, discreet young fellow, who never pushed himself + forward very much, wore very plain clothes, and was apparently much + overawed by the grandeur and dignity of his elder brother. He was, + however, given a responsible post in the new expedition, and soon had his + fill of adventure. + </p> + <p> + The business of preparing for the new expedition was now put in hand, and + Columbus, having taken leave of Ferdinand and Isabella, went to Seville to + superintend the preparations. All the ports in Andalusia were ordered to + supply such vessels as might be required at a reasonable cost, and the old + order empowering the Admiral to press mariners into the service was + renewed. But this time it was unnecessary; the difficulty now was rather + to keep down the number of applicants for berths in the expedition, and to + select from among the crowd of adventurers who offered themselves those + most suitable for the purposes of the new colony. In this work Columbus + was assisted by a commissioner whom the Sovereigns had appointed to + superintend the fitting out of the expedition. This man was a cleric, Juan + Rodriguez de Fonseca, Archdeacon of Seville, a person of excellent family + and doubtless of high piety, and of a surpassing shrewdness for this work. + He was of a type very commonly produced in Spain at this period; a very + able organiser, crafty and competent, but not altogether trustworthy on a + point of honour. Like so many ecclesiastics of this stamp, he lived for as + much power and influence as he could achieve; and though he was afterwards + bishop of three sees successively, and became Patriarch of the Indies, he + never let go his hold on temporal affairs. He began by being jealous of + Columbus, and by objecting to the personal retinue demanded by the + Admiral; and in this, if I know anything of the Admiral, he was probably + justified. The matter was referred to the Sovereigns, who ordered Fonseca + to carry out the Admiral’s wishes; and the two were immediately at + loggerheads. When the Council for the Indies was afterwards formed Fonseca + became head, of it, and had much power to make things pleasant or + otherwise for Columbus. + </p> + <p> + It became necessary now to raise a considerable sum of money for the new + expedition. Two-thirds of the ecclesiastical tithes were appropriated, and + a large proportion of the confiscated property of the Jews who had been + banished from Spain the year before; but this was not enough; and five + million maravedis were borrowed from the Duke of Medina Sidonia in order + to complete the financial supplies necessary for this very costly + expedition. There was a treasurer, Francisco Pinelo, and an accountant, + Juan de Soria, who had charge of all the financial arrangements; but the + whole of the preparations were conducted on a ruinously expensive scale, + owing to the haste which the diplomatic relations with Portugal made + necessary. The provisioning was done by a Florentine merchant named + Juonato Beradi, who had an assistant named Amerigo Vespucci—who, by + a strange accident, was afterwards to give his name to the continent of + the New World. + </p> + <p> + While these preparations were going on the game of diplomacy was being + played between the Courts of Spain and Portugal. King John of Portugal had + the misfortune to be badly advised; and he was persuaded that, although he + had lost the right to the New World through his rejection of Columbus’s + services when they were first offered to him, he might still discover it + for himself, relying for protection on the vague wording of the papal + Bulls. He immediately began to prepare a fleet, nominally to go to the + coast of Africa, but really to visit the newly discovered lands in the + west. Hearing of these preparations, King Ferdinand sent an Ambassador to + the Portuguese Court; and King John agreed also to appoint an Ambassador + to discuss the whole matter of the line of demarcation, and in the + meantime not to allow any of his ships to sail to the west for a period of + sixty days after his Ambassador had reached Barcelona. There followed a + good deal of diplomatic sharp practice; the Portuguese bribing the Spanish + officials to give them information as to what was going on, and the + Spaniards furnishing their envoys with double sets of letters and + documents so that they could be prepared to counter any movement on the + part of King John. The idea of the Portuguese was that the line of + demarcation should be a parallel rather than a meridian; and that + everything north of the Canaries should belong to Spain and everything + south to Portugal; but this would never do from the Spanish point of view. + The fact that a proposal had come from Portugal, however, gave Ferdinand + an opportunity of delaying the diplomatic proceedings until his own + expedition was actually ready to set sail; and he wrote to Columbus + repeatedly, urging him to make all possible haste with his preparations. + In the meantime he despatched a solemn embassy to Portugal, the purport of + which, much beclouded and delayed by preliminary and impossible proposals, + was to submit the whole question to the Pope for arbitration. And all the + time he was busy petitioning the Pope to restore to Spain those + concessions granted in the second Bull, but taken away again in the third. + </p> + <p> + This, being much egged on to it, the Pope ultimately did; waking up on + September 26th, the day after Columbus’s departure, and issuing + another Bull in which the Spanish Sovereigns were given all lands and + islands, discovered or not discovered, which might be found by sailing + west and south. Four Bulls; and after puzzling over them for a year, the + Kings of Spain and Portugal decided to make their own Bull, and abide by + it, which, having appointed commissioners, they did on June 7, 1494., when + by the Treaty of Tordecillas the line of demarcation was finally fixed to + pass from north to south through a point 370 leagues west of the Cape + Verde Islands. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + <a name="ch5b" id="ch5b"></a>CHAPTER V. + </h2> + <h3> + GREAT EXPECTATIONS + </h3> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p> + July, August, and September in the year 1493 were busy months for + Columbus, who had to superintend the buying or building and fitting of + ships, the choice and collection of stores, and the selection of his + company. There were fourteen caravels, some of them of low tonnage and + light draught, and suitable for the navigation of rivers; and three large + carracks, or ships of three to four hundred tons. The number of volunteers + asked for was a thousand, but at least two thousand applied for permission + to go with the expedition, and ultimately some fourteen or fifteen hundred + did actually go, one hundred stowaways being included in the number. + Unfortunately these adventurers were of a class compared with whom even + the cut-throats and gaol-birds of the humble little expedition that had + sailed the year before from Palos were useful and efficient. The universal + impression about the new lands in the West was that they were places where + fortunes could be picked up like dirt, and where the very shores were + strewn with gold and precious stones; and every idle scamp in Spain who + had a taste for adventure and a desire to get a great deal of money + without working for it was anxious to visit the new territory. The result + was that instead of artisans, farmers, craftsmen, and colonists, Columbus + took with him a company at least half of which consisted of exceedingly + well-bred young gentlemen who had no intention of doing any work, but who + looked forward to a free and lawless holiday and an early return crowned + with wealth and fortune. Although the expedition was primarily for the + establishment of a colony, no Spanish women accompanied it; and this was + but one of a succession of mistakes and stupidities. + </p> + <p> + The Admiral, however, was not to be so lonely a person as he had been on + his first voyage; friends of his own choice and of a rank that made + intimacy possible even with the Captain-General were to accompany him. + There was James his brother; there was Friar Bernardo Buil, a Benedictine + monk chosen by the Pope to be his apostolic vicar in the New World; there + was Alonso de Ojeda, a handsome young aristocrat, cousin to the Inquisitor + of Spain, who was distinguished for his dash and strength and pluck; an + ideal adventurer, the idol of his fellows, and one of whose daring any + number of credible and incredible tales were told. There was Pedro + Margarite, a well-born Aragonese, who was destined afterwards to cause + much trouble; there was Juan Ponce de Leon, the discoverer of Florida; + there was Juan de La Cosa, Columbus’s faithful pilot on the Santa + Maria on his first voyage; there was Pedro de Las Casas, whose son, at + this time a student in Seville, was afterwards to become the historian of + the New World and the champion of decency and humanity there. There was + also Doctor Chanca, a Court physician who accompanied the expedition not + only in his professional capacity but also because his knowledge of botany + would enable him to make, a valuable report on the vegetables and fruits + of the New World; there was Antonio de Marchena, one of Columbus’s + oldest friends, who went as astronomer to the expedition. And there was + one Coma, who would have remained unknown to this day but that he wrote an + exceedingly elegant letter to his friend Nicolo Syllacio in Italy, + describing in flowery language the events of the second voyage; which + letter, and one written by Doctor Chanca, are the only records of the + outward voyage that exist. The journal kept by Columbus on this voyage has + been lost, and no copy of it remains. + </p> + <p> + Columbus settled at Cadiz during the time in which he was engaged upon the + fitting out of the expedition. It was no light matter to superintend the + appointment of the crews and passengers, every one of whom was probably + interviewed by Columbus himself, and at the same time to keep level with + Archdeacon Fonseca. This official, it will be remembered, had a + disagreement with Columbus as to the number of personal attendants he was + to be allowed; and on the matter being referred to the King and Queen they + granted Columbus the ridiculous establishment of ten footmen and twenty + other servants. + </p> + <p> + Naturally Fonseca held up his hands and wondered where it would all end. + It was no easy matter, moreover, on receipt of letters from the Queen + about small matters which occurred to her from time to time, to answer + them fully and satisfactorily, and at the same time to make out all the + lists of things that would likely be required both for provisioning the + voyage and establishing a colony. The provisions carried in those days + were not very different from the provisions carried on deep-sea vessels at + the present time—except that canned meat, for which, with its + horrors and conveniences, the world may hold Columbus responsible, had not + then been invented. Unmilled wheat, salted flour, and hard biscuit formed + the bulk of the provisions; salted pork was the staple—of the meat + supply, with an alternative of salted fish; while cheese, peas, lentils + and beans, oil and vinegar, were also carried, and honey and almonds and + raisins for the cabin table. Besides water a large provision of rough wine + in casks was taken, and the dietary scale would probably compare + favourably with that of the British and American mercantile service sixty + years ago. In addition a great quantity of seeds of all kinds were taken + for planting in Espanola; sugar cane, rice, and vines also, and an + equipment of agricultural implements, as well as a selection of horses and + other domestic animals for breeding purposes. Twenty mounted soldiers were + also carried, and the thousand and one impedimenta of naval, military, and + domestic existence. + </p> + <p> + In the middle of all these preparations news came that a Portuguese + caravel had set sail from Madeira in the direction of the new lands. + Columbus immediately reported this to the King and Queen, and suggested + detaching part of his fleet to pursue her; but instead King John was + communicated with, and he declared that if the vessel had sailed as + alleged it was without his knowledge and permission, and that he would + send three ships after her to recall her—an answer which had to be + accepted, although it opened up rather alarming possibilities of four + Portuguese vessels reaching the new islands instead of one. Whether these + ships ever really sailed or not, or whether the rumour was merely a rumour + and an alarm, is not certain; but Columbus was ordered to push on his + preparations with the greatest possible speed, to avoid Portuguese waters, + but to capture any vessels which he might find in the part of the ocean + allotted to Spain, and to inflict summary punishment on the crews. As it + turned out he never saw any Portuguese vessels, and before he had returned + to Spain again the two nations had come to an amicable agreement quite + independently of the Pope and his Bulls. Spain undertook to make no + discoveries to the east of the line of demarcation, and Portugal none to + the west of it; and so the matter remained until the inhabitants of the + discovered lands began to have a voice in their own affairs. + </p> + <p> + With all his occupations Columbus found time for some amenities, and he + had his two sons, Diego and Ferdinand, staying with him at Cadiz. Great + days they must have been for these two boys; days filled with excitement + and commotion, with the smell of tar and the loading of the innumerable + and fascinating materials of life; and many a journey they must have made + on the calm waters of Cadiz harbour from ship to ship, dreaming of the + distant seas that these high, quaintly carven prows would soon be + treading, and the wonderful bays and harbours far away across the world + into the waters of which their anchors were to plunge. + </p> + <p> + September 24th, the day before the fleet sailed, was observed as a + festival; and in full ceremonial the blessing of God upon the enterprise + was invoked. The ships were hung with flags and with dyed silks and + tapestries; every vessel flew the royal standard; and the waters of the + harbour resounded with the music of trumpets and harps and pipes and the + thunder of artillery. Some Venetian galleys happened to enter the harbour + as the fleet was preparing to weigh, and they joined in the salutes and + demonstrations which signalled the departure. The Admiral hoisted his flag + on the ‘Marigalante’, one of the largest of the ships; and + somewhere among the smaller caravels the little Nina, re-caulked and + re-fitted, was also preparing to brave again the dangers over which she + had so staunchly prevailed. At sunrise on the 25th the fleet weighed + anchor, with all the circumstance and bustle and apparent confusion that + accompanies the business of sailing-ships getting under weigh. Up to the + last minute Columbus had his two sons on board with him, and it was not + until the ripples were beginning to talk under the bow of the Marigalante + that he said good-bye to them and saw them rowed ashore. In bright + weather, with a favourable breeze, in glory and dignity, and with high + hopes in his heart, the Admiral set out once more on the long sea-road. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + <a name="ch6b" id="ch6b"></a>CHAPTER VI. + </h2> + <h3> + THE SECOND VOYAGE + </h3> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p> + The second voyage of Columbus, profoundly interesting as it must have been + to him and to the numerous company to whom these waters were a strange and + new region, has not the romantic interest for us that his first voyage + had. To the faith that guided him on his first venture knowledge and + certainty had now been added; he was going by a familiar road; for to the + mariner a road that he has once followed is a road that he knows. As a + matter of fact, however, this second voyage was a far greater test of + Columbus’s skill as a navigator than the first voyage had been. If + his navigation had been more haphazard he might never have found again the + islands of his first discovery; and the fact that he made a landfall + exactly where he wished to make it shows a high degree of exactness in his + method of ascertaining latitude, and is another instance of his skill in + estimating his dead-reckoning. If he had been equipped with a modern + quadrant and Greenwich chronometers he could not have made a quicker + voyage nor a more exact landfall. + </p> + <p> + It will be remembered that he had been obliged to hurry away from Espanola + without visiting the islands of the Caribs as he had wished to do. He knew + that these islands lay to the south-east of Espanola, and on his second + voyage he therefore took a course rather more southerly in order, to make + them instead of Guanahani or Espanola. From the day they left Spain his + ships had pleasant light airs from the east and north-east which wafted + them steadily but slowly on their course. In a week they had reached the + Grand Canary, where they paused to make some repairs to one of the ships + which, was leaking. Two days later they anchored at Gomera, and loaded up + with such supplies as could be procured there better than in Spain. Pigs, + goats, sheep and cows were taken on board; domestic fowls also, and a + variety of orchard plants and fruit seeds, as well as a provision of + oranges, lemons, and melons. They sailed from Gomera on the 7th of + October, but the winds were so light that it was a week later before they + had passed Ferro and were once more in the open Atlantic. + </p> + <p> + On setting his course from Ferro Columbus issued sealed instructions to + the captain of each ship which, in the event of the fleet becoming + scattered, would guide them to the harbour of La Navidad in Espanola; but + the captains had strict orders not to open these instructions unless their + ships became separated from the fleet, as Columbus still wished to hold + for himself the secret of this mysterious road to the west. There were no + disasters, however, and no separations. The trade wind blew soft and + steady, wafting them south and west; and because of the more southerly + course steered on this voyage they did not even encounter the weed of the + Sargasso Sea, which they left many leagues on their starboard hand. The + only incident of the voyage was a sudden severe hurricane, a brief summer + tempest which raged throughout one night and terrified a good many of the + voyagers, whose superstitious fears were only allayed when they saw the + lambent flames of the light of Saint Elmo playing about the rigging of the + Admiral’s ship. It was just the Admiral’s luck that this + phenomenon should be observed over his ship and over none of the others; + it added to his prestige as a person peculiarly favoured by the divine + protection, and confirmed his own belief that he held a heavenly as well + as a royal commission. + </p> + <p> + The water supply had been calculated a little too closely, and began to + run low. The hurried preparation of the ships had resulted as usual in bad + work; most of them were leaking, and the crew were constantly at work at + the pumps; and there was the usual discontent. Columbus, however, knew by + the signs as well as by his dead-reckoning that he was somewhere close to + land; and with a fine demonstration of confidence he increased the ration + of water, instead of lowering it, assuring the crews that they would be + ashore in a day or two. On Saturday evening, November 2nd, although no + land was in sight, Columbus was so sure of his position that he ordered + the fleet to take in sail and go on slowly until morning. As the Sunday + dawned and the sky to the west was cleared of the morning bank of clouds + the look-out on the Marigalante reported land ahead; and sure enough the + first sunlight of that day showed them a green and verdant island a few + leagues away. + </p> + <p> + As they approached it Columbus christened it Dominica in honour of the day + on which it was discovered. He sailed round it; but as there was no + harbour, and as another island was in sight to the north, he sailed on in + that direction. This little island he christened Marigalante; and going + ashore with his retinue he hoisted the royal banner, and formally took + possession of the whole group of six islands which were visible from the + high ground. There were no inhabitants on the island, but the voyagers + spent some hours wandering about its tangled woods and smelling the rich + odours of spice, and tasting new and unfamiliar fruits. They next sailed + on to an island to the north which Columbus christened Guadaloupe as a + memorial of the shrine in Estremadura to which he had made a pious + pilgrimage. They landed on this island and remained a week there, in the + course of which they made some very remarkable discoveries. + </p> + <p> + The villagers were not altogether unfriendly, although they were shy at + first; but red caps and hawks’ bells had their usual effect. There + were signs of warfare, in the shape of bone-tipped arrows; there were tame + parrots much larger than those of the northern islands; they found pottery + and rough wood carving, and the unmistakable stern timber of a European + vessel. But they discovered stranger things than that. They found human + skulls used as household utensils, and gruesome fragments of human bodies, + unmistakable remains of a feast; and they realised that at last they were + in the presence of a man-eating tribe. Later they came to know, something + of the habits of the islanders; how they made raiding expeditions to the + neighbouring islands, and carried off large numbers of prisoners, + retaining the women as concubines and eating the men. The boys were + mutilated and fattened like capons, being employed as labourers until they + had arrived at years of discretion, at which point they were killed and + eaten, as these cannibal epicures did not care for the flesh of women and + boys. There were a great number of women on the island, and many of them + were taken off to the ships—with their own consent, according to + Doctor Chanca. The men, however, eluded the Spaniards and would not come + on board, having doubtless very clear views about the ultimate destination + of men who were taken prisoners. Some women from a neighbouring island, + who had been captured by the cannibals, came to Columbus and begged to be + taken on board his ship for protection; but instead of receiving them he + decked them with ornaments and sent them ashore again. The cannibals + artfully stripped off their ornaments and sent them back to get some more. + </p> + <p> + The peculiar habits of the islanders added an unusual excitement to shore + leave, and there was as a rule no trouble in collecting the crews and + bringing them off to the ships at nightfall. But on one evening it was + discovered that one of the captains and eight men had not returned. An + exploring party was sent of to search for them, but they came back without + having found anything, except a village in the middle of the forest from + which the inhabitants had fled at their approach, leaving behind them in + the cooking pots a half-cooked meal of human remains—an incident + which gave the explorers a distaste for further search. Young Alonso de + Ojeda, however, had no fear of the cannibals; this was just the kind of + occasion in which he revelled; and he offered to take a party of forty men + into the interior to search for the missing men. He went right across the + island, but was able to discover nothing except birds and fruits and + unknown trees; and Columbus, in great distress of mind, had to give up his + men for lost. He took in wood and water, and was on the point of weighing + anchor when the missing men appeared on the shore and signalled for a + boat. It appeared that they had got lost in a tangled forest in the + interior, that they had tried to climb the trees in order to get their + bearings by the stars, but without success; and that they had finally + struck the sea-shore and followed it until they had arrived opposite the + anchorage. + </p> + <p> + They brought some women and boys with them, and the fleet must now have + had a large number of these willing or unwilling captives. This was the + first organised transaction of slavery on the part of Columbus, whose + design was to send slaves regularly back to Spain in exchange for the + cattle and supplies necessary for the colonies. There was not very much + said now about religious conversion, but only about exchanging the natives + for cattle. The fine point of Christopher’s philosophy on this + subject had been rubbed off; he had taken the first step a year ago on the + beach at Guanahani, and after that the road opened out broad before him. + Slaves for cattle, and cattle for the islands; and wealth from cattle and + islands for Spain, and payment from Spain for Columbus, and money from + Columbus for the redemption of the Holy Sepulchre—these were the + links in the chain of hope that bound him to his pious idea. He had seen + the same thing done by the Portuguese on the Guinea coast, and it never + occurred to him that there was anything the matter with it. On the + contrary, at this time his idea was only to take slaves from among the + Caribs and man-eating islanders as a punishment for their misdeeds; but + this, like his other fine ideas, soon had to give way before the tide of + greed and conquest. + </p> + <p> + The Admiral was now anxious to get back to La Navidad, and discover the + condition of the colony which he had left behind him there. He therefore + sailed from Guadaloupe on November 20th and steered to the north-west. His + captive islanders told him that the mainland lay to the south; and if he + had listened to them and sailed south he would have probably landed on the + coast of South America in a fortnight. He shaped his course instead to the + north-west, passing many islands, but not pausing until the 14th, when he + reached the island named by him Santa Cruz. He found more Caribs here, and + his men had a brush with them, one of the crew being wounded by a poisoned + arrow of which he died in a few days. The Carib Chiefs were captured and + put in irons. They sailed again and passed a group of islets which + Columbus named after Saint Ursula and the Eleven Thousand Virgins; + discovered Porto Rico also, in one of the beautiful harbours of which they + anchored and stayed for two days. Sailing now to the west they made land + again on the 22nd of November; and coasting along it they soon sighted the + mountain of Monte Christi, and Columbus recognised that he was on the + north coast of Espanola. + </p> + <p> + < <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + <a name="ch7b" id="ch7b"></a>CHAPTER VII. + </h2> + <h3> + THE EARTHLY PARADISE REVISITED + </h3> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p> + On the 25th November 1493, Columbus once more dropped his anchor in the + harbour of Monte Christi, and a party was sent ashore to prospect for a + site suitable for the new town which he intended to build, for he was not + satisfied with the situation of La Navidad. There was a large river close + by; and while the party was surveying the land they came suddenly upon two + dead bodies lying by the river-side, one with a rope round its neck and + the other with a rope round its feet. The bodies were too much decomposed + to be recognisable; nevertheless to the party rambling about in the + sunshine and stillness of that green place the discovery was a very + gruesome one. They may have thought much, but they said little. They + returned to the ship, and resumed their search on the next day, when they + found two more corpses, one of which was seen to have a large quantity of + beard. As all the natives were beardless this was a very significant and + unpleasant discovery, and the explorers returned at once and reported what + they had seen to Columbus. He thereupon set sail for La Navidad, but the + navigation off that part of the coast was necessarily slow because of the + number of the shoals and banks, on one of which the Admiral’s ship + had been lost the year before; and the short voyage occupied three days. + </p> + <p> + They arrived at La Navidad late on the evening of the 27th—too late + to make it advisable to land. Some natives came out in a canoe, rowed + round the Admiral’s ship, stopped and looked at it, and then rowed + away again. When the fleet had anchored Columbus ordered two guns to be + fired; but there was no response except from the echoes that went rattling + among the islands, and from the frightened birds that rose screaming and + circling from the shore. No guns and no signal fires; no sign of human + habitation whatever; and no sound out of the weird darkness except the lap + of the water and the call of the birds . . . . The night passed in anxiety + and depression, and in a certain degree of nervous tension, which was + relieved at two or three o’clock in the morning by the sound of + paddles and the looming of a canoe through the dusky starlight. Native + voices were heard from the canoe asking in a loud voice for the Admiral; + and when the visitors had been directed to the Marigalante they refused to + go on board until Columbus himself had spoken to them, and they had seen + by the light of a lantern that it was the Admiral himself. The chief of + them was a cousin of Guacanagari, who said that the King was ill of a + wound in his leg, or that he would certainly have come himself to welcome + the Admiral. The Spaniards? Yes, they were well, said the young chief; or + rather, he added ominously, those that remained were well, but some had + died of illness, and some had been killed in quarrels that had arisen + among them. He added that the province had been invaded by two + neighbouring kings who had burned many of the native houses. This news, + although grave, was a relief from the dreadful uncertainty that had + prevailed in the early part of the night, and the Admiral’s company, + somewhat consoled, took a little sleep. + </p> + <p> + In the morning a party was sent ashore to La Navidad. Not a boat was in + sight, nor any native canoes; the harbour was silent and deserted. When + the party had landed and gone up to the place where the fort had been + built they found no fort there; only the blackened and charred remains of + a fort. The whole thing had been burned level with the ground, and amid + the blackened ruins they found pieces of rag and clothing. The natives, + instead of coming to greet them, lurked guiltily behind trees, and when + they were seen fled away into the woods. All this was very disquieting + indeed, and in significant contrast to their behaviour of the year before. + The party from the ship threw buttons and beads and bells to the retiring + natives in order to try and induce them to come forward, but only four + approached, one of whom was a relation of Guacanagari. These four + consented to go into the boat and to be rowed out to the ship. Columbus + then spoke to them through his interpreter; and they admitted what had + been only too obvious to the party that went ashore—that the + Spaniards were all dead, and that not one of the garrison remained. It + seemed that two neighbouring kings, Caonabo and Mayreni, had made an + attack upon the fort, burned the buildings, and killed and wounded most of + the defenders; and that Guacanagari, who had been fighting on their + behalf, had also been wounded and been obliged to retire. The natives + offered to go and fetch Guacanagari himself, and departed with that + object. + </p> + <p> + In the greatest anxiety the Admiral and his company passed that day and + night waiting for the King to come. Early the next morning Columbus + himself went ashore and visited the spot where the settlement had been. + There he found destruction whole and complete, with nothing but a few rags + of clothing as an evidence that the place had ever been inhabited by human + beings. As Guacanagari did not appear some of the Spaniards began to + suspect that he had had a hand in the matter, and proposed immediate + reprisal; but Columbus, believing still in the man who had “loved + him so much that it was wonderful” did not take this view, and his + belief in Guacanagari’s loyalty was confirmed by the discovery that + his own dwelling had also been burned down. + </p> + <p> + Columbus set some of his party searching in the ditch of the fort in case + any treasure should have been buried there, as he had ordered it should be + in event of danger, and while this was going on he walked along the coast + for a few miles to visit a spot which he thought might be suitable for the + new settlement. At a distance of a mile or two he found a village of seven + or eight huts from which the inhabitants fled at his approach, carrying + such of their goods as were portable, and leaving the rest hidden in the + grass. Here were found several things that had belonged to the Spaniards + and which were not likely to have been bartered; new Moorish mantles, + stockings, bolts of cloth, and one of the Admiral’s lost anchors; + other articles also, among them a dead man’s head wrapped up with + great care in a small basket. Shaking their own living heads, Columbus and + his party returned. Suddenly they came on some suspicious-looking mounds + of earth over which new grass was growing. An examination of these showed + them to be the graves of eleven of the Spaniards, the remains of the + clothing being quite sufficient to identify them. Doctor Chanca, who + examined them, thought that they had not been dead two months. Speculation + came to an end in the face of this eloquent certainty; there were the dead + bodies of some of the colonists; and the voyagers knelt round with bare + heads while the bodies were replaced in the grave and the ceremony of + Christian burial performed over them. + </p> + <p> + Little by little the dismal story was elicited from the natives, who + became less timid when they saw that the Spaniards meant them no harm. It + seemed that Columbus had no sooner gone away than the colonists began to + abandon themselves to every kind of excess. While the echo of the Admiral’s + wise counsels was yet in their ears they began to disobey his orders. + Honest work they had no intention of doing, and although Diego Arana, + their commander, did his best to keep order, and although one or two of + the others were faithful to him and to Columbus, their authority was + utterly insufficient to check the lawless folly of the rest. Instead of + searching for gold mines, they possessed themselves by force of every + ounce of gold they could steal or seize from the natives, treating them + with both cruelty and contempt. More brutal excesses followed as a matter + of course. Guacanagari, in his kindly indulgence and generosity, had + allowed them to take three native wives apiece, although he himself and + his people were content with one. But of course the Spaniards had thrown + off all restraint, however mild, and ran amok among the native + inhabitants, seizing their wives and seducing their daughters. Upon this + naturally followed dissensions among themselves, jealousy coming hot upon + the heels of unlawful possession; and, in the words of Irving, “the + natives beheld with astonishment the beings whom they had worshipped as + descended from the skies abandoned to the grossest of earthly passions and + raging against each other with worse than brutal ferocity.” + </p> + <p> + Upon their strifes and dissensions followed another breach of the Admiral’s + wise regulations; they no longer cared to remain together in the fort, but + split up into groups and went off with their women into the woods, + reverting to a savagery beside which the gentle existence of the natives + was high civilisation. There were squabbles and fights in which one or two + of the Spaniards were killed; and Pedro Gutierrez and Rodrigo de Escovedo, + whom Columbus had appointed as lieutenants to Arana, headed a faction of + revolt against his authority, and took themselves off with nine other + Spaniards and a great number of women. They had heard a great deal about + the mines of Cibao, and they decided to go in search of them and secure + their treasures for themselves. They went inland into a territory which + was under the rule of King Caonabo, a very fierce Carib who was not a + native of Espanola, but had come there as an adventurer and remained as a + conqueror. Although he resented the intrusion of the Spaniards into the + island he would not have dared to come and attack them there if they had + obeyed the Admiral’s orders and remained in the territory of + Guacanagari; but when they came into his own country he had them in a + trap, and it was easy for him to fall upon those foolish swaggering + Spaniards and put them to death. He then decided to go and take the fort. + </p> + <p> + He formed an alliance with the neighbouring king, Mayreni, whose province + was in the west of the island. Getting together a force of warriors these + two kings marched rapidly and stealthily through the, forest for several + days until they arrived at its northern border. They came in the dead of + night to the neighbourhood of La Navidad, where the inhabitants of the + fortress, some ten in number, were fast asleep. Fast asleep were the + remaining dozen or so of the Spaniards who were living in houses or huts + in the neighbourhood; fast asleep also the gentle natives, not dreaming of + troubles from any quarter but that close at hand. The sweet silence of the + tropical night was suddenly broken by frightful yells as Caonabo and his + warriors rushed the fortress and butchered the inhabitants, setting fire + to it and to the houses round about. As their flimsy huts burst into + flames the surprised Spaniards rushed out, only to be fallen upon by the + infuriated blacks. Eight of the Spaniards rushed naked into the sea and + were drowned; the rest were butchered. Guacanagari manfully came to their + assistance and with his own followers fought throughout the night; but his + were a gentle and unwarlike people, and they were easily routed. The King + himself was badly wounded in the thigh, but Caonabo’s principal + object seems to have been the destruction of the Spaniards, and when that + was completed he and his warriors, laden with the spoils, retired. + </p> + <p> + Thus Columbus, walking on the shore with his native interpreter, or + sitting in his cabin listening with knitted brow to the accounts of the + islanders, learns of the complete and utter failure of his first hopes. It + has come to this. These are the real first-fruits of his glorious conquest + and discovery. The New World has served but as a virgin field for the Old + Adam. He who had sought to bring light and life to these happy islanders + had brought darkness and death; they had innocently clasped the sword he + had extended to them and cut themselves. The Christian occupation of the + New World had opened with vice, cruelty, and destruction; the veil of + innocence had been rent in twain, and could never be mended or joined + again. And the Earthly Paradise in which life had gone so happily, of + which sun and shower had been the true rulers, and the green sprouting + harvests the only riches, had been turned into a shambles by the + introduction of human rule and civilised standards of wealth. Gold first + and then women, things beautiful and innocent in the happy native + condition of the islands, had been the means of the disintegration and + death of this first colony. These are serious considerations for any + coloniser; solemn considerations for a discoverer who is only on the verge + and beginning of his empire-making; mournful considerations for + Christopher as he surveys the blackened ruins of the fort, or stands + bare-headed by the grass-covered graves. + </p> + <p> + There seemed to be a certain hesitancy on the part of Guacanagari to + present himself; for though he kept announcing his intention of coming to + visit the Admiral he did not come. A couple of days after the discovery of + the remains, however, he sent a message to Columbus begging him to come + and see him, which the Admiral accordingly did, accompanied by a formal + retinue and carrying with him the usual presents. Guacanagari was in bed + sure enough complaining of a wounded leg, and he told the story of the + settlement very much as Columbus had already heard it from the other + natives. He pointed to his own wounded leg as a sign that he had been + loyal and faithful to his friendly promises; but when the leg was examined + by the surgeon in order that it might be dressed no wound could be + discovered, and it was obvious to Doctor Chanca that the skin had not been + broken. This seemed odd; Friar Buil was so convinced that the whole story + was a deception that he wished the Admiral to execute Guacanagari on the + spot. Columbus, although he was puzzled, was by no means convinced that + Guacanagari had been unfaithful to him, and decided to do nothing for the + present. He invited the cacique to come on board the flagship; which he + did, being greatly interested by some of the Carib prisoners, notably a + handsome woman, named by the Spaniards Dofia Catalina, with whom he held a + long conversation. + </p> + <p> + Relations between the Admiral and the cacique, although outwardly cordial, + were altogether different from what they had been in, the happy days after + their first meeting; the man seemed to shrink from all the evidence of + Spanish power, and when they proposed to hang a cross round his neck the + native king, much as he loved trinkets and toys, expressed a horror and + fear of this jewel when he learned that it was an emblem of the Christian + faith. He had seen a little too much of the Christian religion; and Heaven + only knows with what terror and depression the emblem of the cross + inspired him. He went ashore; and when a messenger was sent to search for + him a few days afterwards, it was found that he had moved his whole + establishment into the interior of the island. The beautiful native woman + Catalina escaped to shore and disappeared at the same time; and the two + events were connected in the minds of some of the Spaniards, and held, + wrongly as it turned out, to be significant of a deep plot of native + treachery. + </p> + <p> + The most urgent need was to build the new settlement and lay out a town. + Several small parties were sent out to reconnoitre the coast in both + directions, but none of them found a suitable place; and on December 7th + the whole fleet sailed to the east in the hope of finding a better + position. They were driven by adverse winds into a harbour some thirty + miles to the east of Monte Christi, and when they went ashore they decided + that this was as good a site as any for the new town. There was about a + quarter of a mile of level sandy beach enclosed by headlands on either + side; there was any amount of rock and stones for building, and there was + a natural barrier of hills and mountains a mile or so inland that would + protect a camp from that side.—The soil was very fertile, the + vegetation luxuriant; and the mango swamps a little way inland drained + into a basin or lake which provided an unlimited water supply. Columbus + therefore set about establishing a little town, to which he gave the name + of Isabella. Streets and squares were laid out, and rows of temporary + buildings made of wood and thatched with grass were hastily run up for the + accommodation of the members of the expedition, while the foundations of + three stone buildings were also marked out and the excavations put in + hand. These buildings were the church, the storehouse, and a residence for + Columbus as Governor-General. The stores were landed, the horses and + cattle accommodated ashore, the provisions, ammunition, and agricultural + implements also. Labourers were set to digging out the foundations of the + stone buildings, carpenters to cutting down trees and running up the light + wooden houses that were to serve as barracks for the present; masons were + employed in hewing stones and building landing-piers; and all the crowd of + well-born adventurers were set to work with their hands, much to their + disgust. This was by no means the life they had imagined, and at the first + sign of hard work they turned sulky and discontented. There was, to be + sure, some reason for their discontent. Things had not quite turned out as + Columbus had promised they should; there was no store of gold, nor any + sign of great desire on the part of the natives to bring any; and to add + to their other troubles, illness began to break out in the camp. The + freshly-turned rank soil had a bad effect on the health of the garrison; + the lake, which had promised to be so pleasant a feature in the new town, + gave off dangerous malarial vapours at night; and among the sufferers from + this trouble was Columbus himself, who endured for some weeks all the + pains and lassitude of the disagreeable fever. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> <a name="espanola" id="espanola"></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img alt="espanola.jpg (108K)" src="images/espanola.jpg" + style="width:100%;" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/espanola.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a> + </h5> +<p> +<br /><br /><br /><br /> +</p> + <p> + The ships were now empty and ready for the return voyage, and as soon as + Columbus was better he set to work to face the situation. After all his + promises it would never do to send them home empty or in ballast; a cargo + of stones from the new-found Indies would not be well received in Spain. + The natives had told him that somewhere in the island existed the gold + mines of Cibao, and he determined to make an attempt to find these, so + that he could send his ships home laden with a cargo that would be some + indemnity for the heavy cost of the expedition and some compensation for + the bad news he must write with regard to his first settlement. Young + Ojeda was chosen to lead an expedition of fifteen picked men into the + interior; and as the gold mines were said to be in a part of the island + not under the command of Guacanagari, but in the territory of the dreaded + Caonabo, there was no little anxiety felt about the expedition. + </p> + <p> + Ojeda started in the beginning of January 1494, and marched southwards + through dense forests until, having crossed a mountain range, he came down + into a beautiful and fertile valley, where they were hospitably received + by the natives. They saw plenty of gold in the sand of the river that + watered the valley, which sand the natives had a way of washing so that + the gold was separated from it; and there seemed to be so much wealth + there that Ojeda hurried back to the new city of Isabella to make his + report to Columbus. The effect upon the discontented colonists was + remarkable. Once more everything was right; wealth beyond the dreams of + avarice was at their hand; and all they had to do was to stretch out their + arms and take it. Columbus felt that he need no longer delay the despatch + of twelve of his ships on the homeward voyage. If he had not got golden + cargoes for them, at any rate he had got the next best thing, which was + the certainty of gold; and it did not matter whether it was in the ships + or in his storehouse. He had news to send home at any rate, and a great + variety of things to ask for in return, and he therefore set about writing + his report to the Sovereigns. Other people, as we know, were writing + letters too; the reiterated promise of gold, and the marvellous anecdotes + which these credulous settlers readily believed from the natives, such as + that there was a rock close by out of which gold would burst if you struck + it with a club, raised greed and expectation in Spain to a fever pitch, + and prepared the reaction which followed. + </p> + <p> + We may now read the account of the New World as Columbus sent it home to + the King and Queen of Spain in the end of January 1494, and as they read + it some weeks later. Their comments, written in the margin of the + original, are printed in smaller print at the end of each paragraph. It + was drawn up in the form of a memorandum, and entrusted to Antonio de + Torres, who was commanding the return expedition. + </p> + <p> + “What you, Antonio de Torres, captain of the ship Marigalante and + Alcalde of the City of Isabella, are to say and supplicate on my part to + the King and Queen, our Lords, is as follows:— + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + “First. Having delivered the letters of credence which you carry + from me for their Highnesses, you will kiss for me their Royal feet and + hands and will recommend me to their Highnesses as to a King and Queen, + my natural Lords, in whose service I desire to end my days: as you will + be able to say this more fully to their Highnesses, according to what + you have seen and known of me. + </p> + <p> + <br /> [“Their Highnesses hold him in their favour.] + </p> + <p> + “Item. Although by the letters I write to their Highnesses, and + also the father Friar Buil and the Treasurer, they will be able to + understand all that has been done here since our arrival, and this very + minutely and extensively: nevertheless, you will say to their Highnesses + on my part, that it has pleased God to give me such favour in their + service, that up to the present time. I do not find less, nor has less + been found in anything than what I wrote and said and affirmed to their + Highnesses in the past: but rather, by the Grace of God, I hope that it + will appear, by works much more clearly and very soon, because such + signs and indications of spices have been found on the shores of the sea + alone, without having gone inland, that there is reason that very much + better results may be hoped for: and this also may be hoped for in the + mines of gold, because by two persons only who went to investigate, each + one on his own part, without remaining there because there was not many + people, so many rivers have been discovered so filled with gold, that + all who saw it and gathered specimens of it with the hands alone, came + away so pleased and say such things in regard to its abundance, that I + am timid about telling it and writing it to their Highnesses: but + because Gorbalan, who was one of the discoverers, is going yonder, he + will tell what he saw, although another named Hojeda remains here, a + servant of the Duke of Medinaceli, a very discreet youth and very + prudent, who without doubt and without comparison even, discovered much + more according to the memorandum which he brought of the rivers, saying + that there is an incredible quantity in each one of them for this their + Highnesses may give thanks to God, since He has been so favourable to + them in all their affairs. + </p> + <p> + <br /> [“Their Highnesses give many thanks to God for this, and + consider as a very signal service all that the Admiral has done in this + matter and is doing: because they know that after God they are indebted + to him for all they have had, and will have in this affair: and as they + are writing him more fully about this, they refer him to their letter.] + </p> + <p> + “Item. You will say to their Highnesses, although I already have + written it to them, that I desired greatly to be able to send them a + larger quantity of gold in this fleet, from that which it is hoped may + be gathered here, but the greater part of our people who are here, have + fallen suddenly ill: besides, this fleet cannot remain here longer, both + on account of the great expense it occasions and because this time is + suitable for those persons who are to bring the things which are greatly + needed here, to go and be able to return: as, if they delay going away + from here, those who are to return will not be able to do so by May: and + besides this, if I wished to undertake to go to the mines or rivers now, + with the well people who are here, both on the sea and in the settlement + on land, I would have many difficulties and even dangers, because in + order to go twenty-three or twenty-four leagues from here where there + are harbours and rivers to cross, and in order to cover such a long + route and reach there at the time which would be necessary to gather the + gold, a large quantity of provisions would have to be carried, which + cannot be carried on the shoulders, nor are there beasts of burden here + which could be used for this purpose: nor are the roads and passes + sufficiently prepared, although I have commenced to get them in + readiness so as to be passable: and also it was very inconvenient to + leave the sick here in an open place, in huts, with the provisions and + supplies which are on land: for although these Indians may have shown + themselves to the discoverers and show themselves every day, to be very + simple and not malicious nevertheless, as they come here among us each + day, it did not appear that it would be a good idea to risk losing these + people and the supplies. This loss an Indian with a piece of burning + wood would be able to cause by setting fire to the huts, because they + are always going and coming by night and by day: on their account, we + have guards in the camp, while the settlement is open and defenceless. + </p> + <p> + <br /> [“That he did well.] + </p> + <p> + “Moreover, as we have seen among those who went by land to make + discoveries that the greater part fell sick after returning, and some of + them even were obliged to turn back on the road, it was also reasonable + to fear that the same thing would happen to those who are well, who + would now go, and as a consequence they would run the risk of two + dangers: the one, that of falling sick yonder, in the same work, where + there is no house nor any defence against that cacique who is called + Caonabb, who is a very bad man according to all accounts, and much more + audacious and who, seeing us there, sick and in such disorder, would be + able to undertake what he would not dare if we were well: and with this + difficulty there is another—that of bringing here what gold we + might obtain, because we must either bring a small quantity and go and + come each day and undergo the risk of sickness, or it must be sent with + some part of the people, incurring the same danger of losing it. + </p> + <p> + <br /> [“He did well.] + </p> + <p> + “So that, you will say to their Highnesses, that these are the + causes why the fleet has not been at present detained, and why more gold + than the specimens has not been sent them: but confiding in the mercy of + God, who in everything and for everything has guided us as far as here, + these people will quickly become convalescent, as they are already + doing, because only certain places in the country suit them and they + then recover; and it is certain that if they had some fresh meat in + order to convalesce, all with the aid of God would very quickly be on + foot, and even the greater part would already be convalescent at this + time: nevertheless they will be re-established. With the few healthy + ones who remain here, each day work is done toward enclosing the + settlement and placing it in a state of some defence and the supplies in + safety, which will be accomplished in a short time, because it is to be + only a small dry wall. For the Indians are not a people to undertake + anything unless they should find us sleeping, even though they might + have thought of it in the manner in which they served the others who + remained here. Only on account of their (the Spaniards’) lack of + caution—they being so few—and the great opportunities they + gave the Indians to have and do what they did, they would never have + dared to undertake to injure them if they had seen that they were + cautious. And this work being finished, I will then undertake to go to + the said rivers, either starting upon the road from here and seeking the + best possible expedients, or going around the island by sea as far as + that place from which it is said it cannot be more than six or seven + leagues to the said rivers. In such a manner that the gold can be + gathered and placed in security in some fortress or tower which can then + be constructed there, in order to keep it securely until the time when + the two caravels return here, and in order that then, with the first + suitable weather for sailing this course, it may be sent to a place of + safety. + </p> + <p> + <br /> [“That this is well and must be done in this manner.] + </p> + <p> + “Item. You will say to their Highnesses, as has been said, that + the cause of the general sicknesses common to all is the change of water + and air, because we see that it extends to all conditions and few are in + danger: consequently, for the preservation of health, after God, it is + necessary that these people be provided with the provisions to which + they are accustomed in Spain, because neither they, nor others who may + come anew, will be able to serve their Highnesses if they are not well: + and this provision must continue until a supply is accumulated here from + what shall be sowed and planted here. I say wheat and barley, and vines, + of which little has been done this year because a site for the town + could not be selected before, and then when it was selected the few + labourers who were here became sick, and they, even though they had been + well, had so few and such lean and meagre beasts of burden, that they + were able to do but little: nevertheless, they have sown something, more + in order to try the soil which appears very wonderful, so that from it + some relief may be hoped in our necessities. We are very sure, as the + result makes it apparent to us, that in this country wheat as well as + the vine will grow very well: but the fruit must be waited for, which, + if it corresponds to the quickness with which the wheat grows and of + some few vine-shoots which were planted, certainly will not cause regret + here for the productions of Andalusia or Sicily: neither is it different + with the sugar-canes according to the manner in which some few that were + planted have grown. For it is certain that the sight of the land of + these islands, as well of the mountains and sierras and waters as of the + plains where there are rich rivers, is so beautiful, that no other land + on which the sun shines can appear better or as beautiful. + </p> + <p> + <br /> [“Since the land is such, it must be managed that the + greatest possible quantity of all things shall be sown, and Don Juan de + Fonseca is to be written to send continually all that is necessary for + this purpose.] + </p> + <p> + “Item. You will say that, inasmuch as much of the wine which the + fleet brought was wasted on this journey, and this, according to what + the greater number say, was because of the bad workmanship which the + coopers did in Seville, the greatest necessity we feel here at the + present time is for wines, and it is what we desire most to have and + although we may have biscuit as well as wheat sufficient for a longer + time, nevertheless it is necessary that a reasonable quantity should + also be sent, because the journey is long and provision cannot be made + each day and in the same manner some salted meat, I say bacon, and other + salt meat better than that we brought on this journey. It is necessary + that each time a caravel comes here, fresh meat shall be sent, and even + more than that, lambs and little ewe lambs, more females than males, and + some little yearling calves, male and female, and some he-asses and + she-asses and some mares for labour and breeding, as there are none of + these animals here of any value or which can be made use of by man. And + because I apprehend that their Highnesses may not be, in Seville, and + that the officials or ministers will not provide these things without + their express order, and as it is necessary they should come at the + first opportunity, and as in consultation and reply the time for the + departure of the vessels-which must be here during all of Maywill be + past: you will say to their Highnesses that I charged and commanded you + to pledge the gold you are carrying yonder and place it in possession of + some merchant in Seville, who will furnish therefor the necessary + maravedis to load two caravels with wine and wheat and the other things + of which you are taking a memorandum; which merchant will carry or send + the said gold to their Highnesses that they may see it and receive it, + and cause what shall have been expended for fitting out and loading of + the said two caravels to be paid: and in order to comfort and strengthen + these people remaining here, the utmost efforts must be made for the + return of these caravels for all the month of May, that the people + before commencing the summer may see and have some refreshment from + these things, especially the invalids: the things of which we are + already in great need here are such as raisins, sugar, almonds, honey + and rice, which should have been sent in large quantities and very + little was sent, and that which came is already used and consumed, and + even the greater part of the medicines which were brought from there, on + account of the multitude of sick people. You are carrying memoranda + signed by my hand, as has been said, of things for the people in good + health as well as for the sick. You will provide these things fully if + the money is sufficient, or at least the things which it is most + necessary to send at once, in order that the said two vessels can bring + them, and you can arrange with their Highnesses, to have the remaining + things sent by other vessels as quickly as possible. + </p> + <p> + <br /> [“Their Highnesses sent an order to Don Juan de Fonseca to + obtain at once information about the persons who committed the fraud of + the casks, and to cause all the damage to the wine to be recovered from + them, with the costs: and he must see that the canes which are sent are + of good quality, and that the other things mentioned here are provided + at once.] + </p> + <p> + “Item. You will say to their Highnesses that as there is no + language here by means of which these people can be made to understand + our Holy Faith, as your Highnesses and also we who are here desire, + although we will do all we can towards it—I am sending some of the + cannibals in the vessels, men and women and male and female children, + whom their Highnesses can order placed with persons from whom they can + better learn the language, making use of them in service, and ordering + that little by little more pains be taken with them than with other + slaves, that they may learn one from the other: if they do not see or + speak with each other until some time has passed, they will learn more + quickly there than here, and will be better interpreters—although + we will not cease to do as much as possible here. It is true that as + there is little intercourse between these people from one island to + another, there is some difference in their language, according to how + far distant they are from each other. And as, of the other islands, + those of the cannibals are very large and very well populated, it would + appear best to take some of their men and women and send them yonder to + Castile, because by taking them away, it may cause them to abandon at + once that inhuman custom which they have of eating men: and by learning + the language there in Castile, they will receive baptism much more + quickly, and provide for the safety of their souls. Even among the + peoples who are not cannibals we shall gain great credit, by their + seeing that we can seize and take captive those from whom they are + accustomed to receive injuries, and of whom they are in such terror that + they are frightened by one man alone. You will certify to their + Highnesses that the arrival here and sight of such a fine fleet all + together has inspired very great authority here and assured very great + security for future things: because all the people on this great island + and in the other islands, seeing the good treatment which those who well + behave receive, and the bad treatment given to those who behave ill, + will very quickly render obedience, so that they can be considered as + vassals of their Highnesses. And as now they not only do willingly + whatever is required of them by our people, but further, they + voluntarily undertake everything which they understand may please us, + their Highnesses may also be certain that in many respects, as much for + the present as for the future, the coming of this fleet has given them a + great reputation, and not less yonder among the Christian princes: which + their Highnesses will be better able to consider and understand than I + can tell them. + </p> + <p> + <br /> [“That he is to be told what has befallen the cannibals who + came here. That it is very well and must be done in this manner, but + that he must try there as much as possible to bring them to our Holy + Catholic faith and do the same with the inhabitants of the islands where + he is.] + </p> + <p> + “Item. You will say to their Highnesses that the safety of the + souls of the said cannibals, and further of those here, has inspired the + thought that the more there are taken yonder, the better it will be, and + their Highnesses can be served by it in this manner: having seen how + necessary the flocks and beasts of burden are here, for the sustenance + of the people who must be here, and even of all these islands, their + Highnesses can give licence and permission to a sufficient number of + caravels to come here each year, and bring the said flocks and other + supplies and things to settle the country and make use of the land: and + this at reasonable prices at the expense of those who bring them: and + these things can be paid for in slaves from among these cannibals, a + very proud and comely people, well proportioned and of good + intelligence, who having been freed from that inhumanity, we believe + will be better than any other slaves. They will be freed from this + cruelty as soon as they are outside their country, and many of them can + be taken with the row-boats which it is known how to build here: it + being understood, however, that a trustworthy person shall be placed on + each one of the caravels coming here, who shall forbid the said caravels + to stop at any other place or island than this place, where the loading + and unloading of all the merchandise must be done. And further, their + Highnesses will be able to establish their rights over these slaves + which are taken from here yonder to Spain. And you will bring or send a + reply to this, in order that the necessary preparations may be made here + with more confidence if it appears well to their Highnesses. + </p> + <p> + <br /> [“This project must be held in abeyance for the present + until another method is suggested from there, and the Admiral may write + what he thinks in regard to it.] + </p> + <p> + “Item. Also you will say to their Highnesses that it is more + profitable and costs less to hire the vessels as the merchants hire them + for Flanders, by tons, rather than in any other manner: therefore I + charged you to hire the two caravels which you are to send here, in this + manner: and all the others which their Highnesses send here can be hired + thus, if they consider it for their service but I do not intend to say + this of those vessels which are to come here with their licence, for the + slave trade. + </p> + <p> + <br /> [“Their Highnesses order Don Juan de Fonseca to hire the + caravels in this manner if it can be done.] + </p> + <p> + “Item. You will say to their Highnesses, that to avoid any further + cost, I bought these caravels of which you are taking a memorandum in + order to retain them here with these two ships: that is to say the + Gallega and that other, the Capitana, of which I likewise purchased the + three-eighths from the master of it, for the price given in the said + memorandum which you are taking, signed by my hand. These ships not only + will give authority and great security to the people who are obliged to + remain inland and make arrangements with the Indians to gather the gold, + but they will also be of service in any other dangerous matter which may + arise with a strange people; besides the caravels are necessary for the + discovery of the mainland and the other islands which lie between here + and there: and you will entreat their Highnesses to order the maravedis + which these ships cost, paid at the times which they have been promised, + because without doubt they will soon receive what they cost, according + to what I believe and hope in the mercy of God. + </p> + <p> + <br /> [“The Admiral has done well, and to tell him that the sum + has been paid here to the one who sold the ship, and Don Juan de Fonseca + has been ordered to pay for the two caravels which the Admiral bought.] + </p> + <p> + “Item. You will say to their Highnesses, and will supplicate on my + part as humbly as possible, that it may please them to reflect on what + they will learn most fully from the letters and other writings in regard + to the peace and tranquillity and concord of those who are here: and + that for the service of their Highnesses such persons may be selected as + shall not be suspected, and who will give more attention to the matters + for which they are sent than to their own interests: and since you saw + and knew everything in regard to this matter, you will speak and will + tell their Highnesses the truth about all the things as you understood + them, and you will endeavour that the provision which their Highnesses + make in regard to it shall come with the first ships if possible, in + order that there may be no scandals here in a matter of so much + importance in the service of their Highnesses. + </p> + <p> + <br /> [“Their Highnesses are well informed in regard to this + matter, and suitable provision will be made for everything.] + </p> + <p> + “Item. You will tell their Highnesses of the situation of this + city, and the beauty of the surrounding province as you saw and + understood it, and how I made you its Alcade, by the powers which I have + for same from their Highnesses: whom I humbly entreat to hold the said + provision in part satisfaction of your services, as I hope from their + Highnesses. + </p> + <p> + <br /> [“It pleases their Highnesses that you shall be Alcade.] + </p> + <p> + “Item. Because Mosen Pedro Margarite, servant of their Highnesses, + has done good service, and I hope he will do the same henceforward in + matters which are entrusted to him, I have been pleased to have him + remain here, and also Gaspar and Beltran, because they are recognised + servants of their Highnesses, in order to intrust them with matters of + confidence. You will specialty entreat their Highnesses in regard to the + said Mosen Pedro, who is married and has children, to provide him with + some charge in the order of Santiago, whose habit he wears, that his + wife and children may have the wherewith to live. In the same manner you + will relate how well and diligently Juan Aguado, servant of their + Highnesses, has rendered service in everything which he has been ordered + to do, and that I supplicate their Highnesses to have him and the + aforesaid persons in their charge and to reward them. + </p> + <p> + <br /> [“Their Highnesses order 30,000 maravedis to be assigned to + Mosen Pedro each year, and to Gaspar and Beltran, to each one, 15,000 + maravedis each year, from the present, August 15, 1494, henceforward: + and thus the Admiral shall cause to be paid to them whatever must be + paid yonder in the Indies, and Don Juan de Fonseca whatever must be paid + here: and in regard to Juan Iguado, their Highnesses will hold him in + remembrance.] + </p> + <p> + “Item. You will tell their Highnesses of the labour performed by + Dr. Chanca, confronted with so many invalids, and still more because of + the lack of provisions and nevertheless, he acts with great diligence + and charity in everything pertaining to his office. And as their + Highnesses referred to me the salary which he was to receive here, + because, being here, it is certain that he cannot take or receive + anything from any one, nor earn money by his office as he earned it in + Castile, or would be able to earn it being at his ease and living in a + different manner from the way he lives here; therefore, notwithstanding + he swears that he earned more there, besides the salary which their + Highnesses gave him, I did not wish to allow more than 50,000 maravedis + each year for the work he performs here while he remains here. This I + entreat their Highnesses to order allowed to him with the salary from + here, and that, because he says and affirms that all the physicians of + their Highnesses who are employed in Royal affairs or things similar to + this, are accustomed to have by right one day’s wages in all the + year from all the people. Nevertheless, I have been informed and they + tell me, that however this may be, the custom is to give them a certain + sum, fixed according to the will and command of their Highnesses in + compensation for that day’s wages. You will entreat their + Highnesses to order provision made as well in the matter of the salary + as of this custom, in such manner that the said Dr. Chanca may have + reason to be satisfied. + </p> + <p> + <br /> [“Their Highnesses are pleased in regard to this matter of + Dr. Chanca, and that he shall be paid what the Admiral has assigned him, + together with his salary. “In regard to the day’s wages of + the physicians, they are not accustomed to receive it, save where the + King, our Lord, may be in persona.] + </p> + <p> + “Item. You will say to their Highnesses that Coronel is a man for + the service of their Highnesses in many things, and how much service he + has rendered up to the present in all the most necessary matters, and + the need we feel of him now that he is sick; and that rendering service + in such a manner, it is reasonable that he should receive the fruit of + his service, not only in future favours, but in his present salary, so + that he and those who are here may feel that their service profits them; + because, so great is the labour which must be performed here in + gathering the gold that the persons who are so diligent are not to be + held in small consideration; and as, for his skill, he was provided here + by me with the office of Alguacil Mayor of these Indies; and since in + the provision the salary is left blank, you will say that I supplicate + their Highnesses to order it filled in with as large an amount as they + may think right, considering his services, confirming to him the + provision I have given him here, and assuring it to him annually. + </p> + <p> + <br /> [“Their Highnesses order that 15,000 maravedis more than his + salary shall be assigned him each year, and that it shall be paid to him + with his salary.] + </p> + <p> + “In the same manner you will tell their Highnesses how the lawyer + Gil Garcia came here for Alcalde Mayor and no salary has been named or + assigned to him; and he is a capable person, well educated and diligent, + and is very necessary here; that I entreat their Highnesses to order his + salary named and assigned, so that he can sustain himself, and that it + may be paid from the money allowed for salaries here. + </p> + <p> + <br /> “[Their Highnesses order 20,000 maravedis besides his salary + assigned to him each year, as long as he remains yonder, and that it + shall be paid him when his salary is paid.] + </p> + <p> + “Item. You will say to their Highnesses, although it is already + written in the letters, that I do not think it will be possible to go to + make discoveries this year, until these rivers in which gold is found + are placed in the most suitable condition for the service of their + Highnesses, as afterwards it can be done much better. Because it is a + thing which no one can do without my presence, according to my will or + for the service of their Highnesses, however well it may be done, as it + is doubtful what will be satisfactory to a man unless he is present. + </p> + <p> + <br /> [“Let him endeavour that the amount of this gold may be + known as precisely as possible.] + </p> + <p> + “Item. You will say to their Highnesses that the Squires who came + from Granada showed good horses in the review which took place at + Seville, and afterward at the embarkation I did not see them because I + was slightly unwell, and they replaced them with such horses that the + best of them do not appear to be worth 2000 maravedis, as they sold the + others and bought these; and this was done in the same way to many + people as I very well saw yonder, in the reviews at Seville. It appears + that Juan de Soria, after he had been given the money for the wages, for + some interest of his own substituted others in place of those I expected + to find here, and I found people whom I had never seen. In this matter + he was guilty of great wickedness, so that I do not know if I should + complain of him alone. On this account, having seen that the expenses of + these Squires have been defrayed until now, besides their wages and also + wages for their horses, and it is now being done: and they are persons + who, when they are sick or when they do not desire to do so, will not + allow any use to be made of their horses save by themselves: and their, + Highnesses do not desire that these horses should be purchased of them, + but that they should be used in the service of their Highnesses: and it + does not appear to them that they should do anything or render any + service except on horseback, which at the present time is not much to + the purpose: on this account, it seems that it would be better to buy + the horses from them, since they are of so little value, and not have + these disagreements with them every day. Therefore their Highnesses may + determine this as will best serve them. + </p> + <p> + <br /> [“Their Highnesses order Don Juan de Fonseca to inform + himself in regard to this matter of the horses, and if it shall be found + true that this fraud was committed, those persons shall be sent to their + Highnesses to be punished: and also he is to inform himself in regard to + what is said of the other people, and send the result in the examination + to their Highnesses; and in regard to these Squires, their Highnesses + command that they remain there and render service, since they belong to + the guards and servants of their Highnesses: and their Highnesses order + the Squires to give up the horses each time it is necessary and the + Admiral orders it, and if the horses receive any injury through others + using them, their Highnesses order that the damage shall be paid to them + by means of the Admiral.] + </p> + <p> + “Item. You will say to their Highnesses that more than 200 persons + have come here without wages, and there are some of them who render good + service. And as it is ordered that the others rendering similar service + should be paid: and as for these first three years it would be of great + benefit to have 1000 men here to settle, and place this island and the + rivers of gold in very great security, and even though there were 100 + horsemen nothing would be lost, but rather it seems necessary, although + their Highnesses will be able to do without these horsemen until gold is + sent: nevertheless, their Highnesses must send to say whether wages + shall be paid to these 200 persons, the same as to the others rendering + good service, because they are certainly necessary, as I have said in + the beginning of this memorandum. + </p> + <p> + <br /> [“In regard to these 200 persons, who are here said to have + gone without wages, their Highnesses order that they shall take the + places of those who went for wages, who have failed or shall fail to + fulfil their engagements, if they are skilful and satisfactory to the + Admiral. And their Highnesses order the Purser (Contador) to enrol them + in place of those who fail to fulfil their engagements, as the Admiral + shall instruct him.] + </p> + <p> + “Item. As the cost of these people can be in some degree lightened + and the better part of the expense could be avoided by the same means + employed by other Princes in other places: it appears, that it would be + well to order brought in the ships, besides the other things which are + for the common maintenance and the medicines, shoes and the skins from + which to order the shoes made, common shirts and others, jackets, linen, + sack-coats, trowsers and cloths suitable for wearing apparel, at + reasonable prices: and other things like conserves which are not + included in rations and are for the preservation of health, which things + all the people here would willingly receive to apply on their wages and + if these were purchased yonder in Spain by faithful Ministers who would + act for the advantage of their Highnesses, something would be saved. + Therefore you will learn the will of their Highnesses about this matter, + and if it appears to them to be of benefit to them, then it must be + placed in operation. + </p> + <p> + <br /> [“This arrangement is to be in abeyance until the Admiral + writes more fully, and at another time they will send to order Don Juan + de Fonseca with Jimeno de Bribiesca to make provision for the same.] + </p> + <p> + “Item. You will say to their Highnesses that inasmuch as yesterday + in the review people were found who were without arms, which I think + happened in part by that exchange which took place yonder in Seville, or + in the harbour when those who presented themselves armed were left, and + others were taken who gave something to those who made the exchange, it + seems that it would be well to order 200 cuirasses sent, and 100 muskets + and 100 crossbows, and a large quantity of arsenal supplies, which is + what we need most, and all these arms can be given to those who are + unarmed. + </p> + <p> + <br /> [“Already Don Juan de Fonseca has been written to make + provision for this.] + </p> + <p> + “Item. Inasmuch as some artisans who came here, such as masons and + other workmen, are married and have wives yonder in Spain, and would + like to have what is owing them from their wages given to their wives or + to the persons to whom they will send their requirements in order that + they may buy for them the things which they need here I supplicate their + Highnesses to order it paid to them, because it is for their benefit to + have these persons provided for here. + </p> + <p> + <br /> [“Their Highnesses have already sent orders to Don Juan de + Fonseca to make provision for this matter.] + </p> + <p> + “Item. Because, besides the other things which are asked for there + according to the memoranda which you are carrying signed by my hand, for + the maintenance of the persons in good health as well as for the sick + ones, it would be very well to have fifty casks of molasses (miel de + azucar) from the island of Madeira, as it is the best sustenance in the + world and the most healthful, and it does not usually cost more than two + ducats per cask, without the cask: and if their Highnesses order some + caravel to stop there in returning, it can be purchased and also ten + cases of sugar, which is very necessary; as this is the best season of + the year to obtain it, I say between the present time and the month of + April, and to obtain it at a reasonable price. If their Highnesses + command it, the order could be given, and it would not be known there + for what place it is wanted. + </p> + <p> + <br /> [“Let Don Juan de Fonseca make provision for this matter.] + </p> + <p> + “Item. You will say to their Highnesses that although the rivers + contain gold in the quantity related by those who have seen it, yet it + is certain that the gold is not engendered in the rivers but rather on + the land, the waters of the rivers which flow by the mines bringing it + enveloped in the sands: and as among these rivers which have been + discovered there are some very large ones, there are others so small + that they are fountains rather than rivers, which are not more than two + fingers of water in depth, and then the source from which they spring + may be found: for this reason not only labourers to gather it in the + sand will be profitable, but others to dig for it in the earth, which + will be the most particular operation and produce a great quantity. And + for this, it will be well for their Highnesses to send labourers, and + from among those who work yonder in Spain in the mines of Almaden, that + the work may be done in both ways. Although we will not await them here, + as with the labourers we have here we hope, with the aid of God, once + the people are in good health, to amass a good quantity of gold to be + sent on the first caravels which return. + </p> + <p> + <br /> [“This will be fully provided for in another manner. In the + meantime their Highnesses order Don Yuan de Fonseca to send the best + miners he can obtain; and to write to Almaden to have the greatest + possible number taken from there and sent.] + </p> + <p> + “Item. You will entreat their Highnesses very humbly on my part, + to consider Villacorta as speedily recommended to them, who, as their + Highnesses know, has rendered great service in this business, and with a + very good will, and as I know him, he is a diligent person and very + devoted to their service: it will be a favour to me if he is given some + confidential charge for which he is fitted, and where he can show his + desire to serve them and his diligence: and this you will obtain in such + a way that Villacorta may know by the result, that what he has done for + me when I needed him profits him in this manner. + </p> + <p> + <br /> [“It will be done thus.] + </p> + <p> + “Item. That the said Mosen Pedro and Gaspar and Beltran and others + who have remained here gave up the captainship of caravels, which have + now returned, and are not receiving wages: but because they are persons + who must be employed in important matters and of confidence, their + compensation, which must be different from the others, has not been + determined. You will entreat their Highnesses on my part to determine + what is to be given them each year, or by the month, according to their + service. + </p> + <p> + “Done in the city of Isabella, January 30, 1494. + </p> + <p> + <br /> [“This has already been replied to above, but as it is + stated in the said item that they enjoy their salary, from the present + time their Highnesses order that their wages shall be paid to all of + them from the time they left their captainships.”] + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + This document is worth studying, written as it was in circumstances that + at one moment looked desperate and at another were all hope. Columbus was + struggling manfully with difficulties that were already beginning to be + too much for him. The Man from Genoa, with his guiding star of faith in + some shore beyond the mist and radiance of the West—see into what + strange places and to what strange occupations this star has led him! The + blue visionary eyes, given to seeing things immediately beyond the present + horizon, must fix themselves on accounts and requisitions, on the needs of + idle, aristocratic, grumbling Spaniards; must fix themselves also on that + blank void in the bellies of his returning ships, where the gold ought to + have been. The letter has its practical side; the requisitions are made + with good sense and a grasp of the economic situation; but they have a + deeper significance than that. All this talk about little ewe lambs, wine + and bacon (better than the last lot, if it please your Highnesses), little + yearling calves, and fifty casks of molasses that can be bought a ducat or + two cheaper in Madeira in the months of April and May than at any other + time or place, is only half real. Columbus fills his Sovereigns’ + ears with this clamour so that he shall not hear those embarrassing + questions that will inevitably be asked about the gold and the spices. He + boldly begins his letter with the old story about “indications of + spices” and gold “in incredible quantities,” with a + great deal of “moreover” and “besides,” and a + bold, pompous, pathetic “I will undertake”; and then he gets + away from that subject by wordy deviations, so that to one reading his + letter it really might seem as though the true business of the expedition + was to provide Coronel, Mosen Pedro, Gaspar, Beltran, Gil Garcia, and the + rest of them with work and wages. Everything that occurs to him, great or + little, that makes it seem as though things were humming in the new + settlement, he stuffs into this document, shovelling words into the empty + hulls of the ships, and trying to fill those bottomless pits with a stream + of talk. A system of slavery is boldly and bluntly sketched; the writer, + in the hurry and stress of the moment, giving to its economic advantages + rather greater prominence than to its religious glories. The memorandum, + for all its courageous attempt to be very cool and orderly and practical, + gives us, if ever a human document did, a picture of a man struggling with + an impossible situation which he will not squarely face, like one who + should try to dig up the sea-shore and keep his eyes shut the while. + </p> + <p> + In the royal comments written against the document one seems to trace the + hand of Isabella rather than of Ferdinand. Their tone is matter-of-fact, + cool, and comforting, like the coolness of a woman’s hand placed on + a feverish brow. Isabella believed in him; perhaps she read between the + lines of this document, and saw, as we can see, how much anxiety and + distress were written there; and her comments are steadying and + encouraging. He has done well; what he asks is being attended to; their + Highnesses are well informed in regard to this and that matter; suitable + provision will be made for everything; but let him endeavour that the + amount of this gold may be known as precisely as possible. There is no + escaping from that. The Admiral (no one knows it better than himself) must + make good his dazzling promises, and coin every boastful word into a + golden excelente of Spain. Alas! he must no longer write about the lush + grasses, the shining rivers, the brightly coloured parrots, the gaudy + flies and insects, the little singing birds, and the nights that are like + May in Cordova. He must find out about the gold; for it has come to grim + business in the Earthly Paradise. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> <a name="fourvoyages" id="fourvoyages"></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img alt="fourvoyages.jpg (176K)" src="images/fourvoyages.jpg" + style="width:100%;" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/fourvoyages.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a> + </h5> +<p> +<br /><br /><br /><br /> +</p> + <h1> + CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS + </h1> + <h1> + AND THE NEW WORLD OF HIS DISCOVERY + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + A NARRATIVE BY FILSON YOUNG + </h2> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h3> + VOLUME II. + </h3> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> <a name="portrait" id="portrait"></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img alt="portrait.jpg (27K)" src="images/portrait.jpg" style="width:100%;" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + <a name="bk3" id="bk3"></a>BOOK III. + </h2> + <h3> + DESPERATE REMEDIES + </h3> + <p> + <br /> <br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + <a name="ch1c" id="ch1c"></a>CHAPTER I. + </h2> + <h3> + THE VOYAGE TO CUBA + </h3> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p> + The sight of the greater part of their fleet disappearing in the direction + of home threw back the unstable Spanish colony into doubt and despondency. + The brief encouragement afforded by Ojeda’s report soon died away, + and the actual discomforts of life in Isabella were more important than + visionary luxuries that seemed to recede into the distance with the + vanishing ships. The food supply was the cause of much discomfort; the + jobbery and dishonesty which seem inseparable from the fitting out of a + large expedition had stored the ships with bad wine and imperfectly cured + provisions; and these combined with the unhealthy climate to produce a + good deal of sickness. The feeling against Columbus, never far below the + Spanish surface, began to express itself definitely in treacherous + consultations and plots; and these were fomented by Bernal Diaz, the + comptroller of the colony, who had access to Columbus’s papers and + had seen the letter sent by him to Spain. Columbus was at this time + prostrated by an attack of fever, and Diaz took the opportunity to work + the growing discontent up to the point of action. He told the colonists + that Columbus had painted their condition in far too favourable terms; + that he was deceiving them as well as the Sovereigns; and a plot was + hatched to seize the ships that remained and sail for home, leaving + Columbus behind to enjoy the riches that he had falsely boasted about. + They were ready to take alarm at anything, and to believe anything one way + or the other; and as they had believed Ojeda when he came back with his + report of riches, now they believed Cado, the assayer, who said that even + such gold as had been found was of a very poor and worthless quality. The + mutiny developed fast; and a table of charges against Columbus, which was + to be produced in Spain as a justification for it, had actually been drawn + up when the Admiral, recovering from his illness, discovered what was on + foot. He dealt promptly and firmly with it in his quarterdeck manner, + which was always far more effective than his viceregal manner. Diaz was + imprisoned and lodged in chains on board one of the ships, to be sent to + Spain for trial; and the other ringleaders were punished also according to + their deserts. The guns and ammunition were all stored together on one + ship under a safe guard, and the mutiny was stamped out. But the Spaniards + did not love Columbus any the better for it; did not any the more easily + forgive him for being in command of them and for being a foreigner. + </p> + <p> + But it would never do for the colony to stagnate in Isabella, and Columbus + decided to make a serious attempt, not merely to discover the gold of + Cibao, but to get it. He therefore organised a military expedition of + about 400 men, including artificers, miners, and carriers, with the little + cavalry force that had been brought out from Spain. Every one who had + armour wore it, flags and banners were carried, drums and trumpets were + sounded; the horses were decked out in rich caparisons, and as glittering + and formidable a show was made as possible. Leaving his brother James in + command of the settlement, Columbus set out on the 12th of March to the + interior of the island. Through the forest and up the mountainside a road + was cut by pioneers from among the aristocratic adventurers who had come + with the party; which road, the first made in the New World, was called El + Puerto de los Hidalgos. The formidable, glittering cavalcade inspired the + natives with terror and amazement; they had never seen horses before, and + when one of the soldiers dismounted it seemed to them as though some + terrifying two-headed, six-limbed beast had come asunder. What with their + fright of the horses and their desire to possess the trinkets that were + carried they were very friendly and hospitable, and supplied the + expedition with plenty of food. At last, after passing mountain ranges + that made their hearts faint, and rich valleys that made them hopeful + again, the explorers came to the mountains of Cibao, and passing over the + first range found themselves in a little valley at the foot of the hills + where a river wound round a fertile plain and there was ample + accommodation for an encampment. There were the usual signs of gold, and + Columbus saw in the brightly coloured stones of the river-bed evidence of + unbounded wealth in precious stones. At last he had come to the place! He + who had doubted so much, and whose faith had wavered, had now been led to + a place where he could touch and handle the gold and jewels of his desire; + and he therefore called the place Saint Thomas. He built a fort here, + leaving a garrison of fifty-six men under the command of Pedro Margarite + to collect gold from the natives, and himself returned to Isabella, which + he reached at the end of March. + </p> + <p> + Enforced absence from the thing he has organised is a great test of + efficiency in any man. The world is full of men who can do things + themselves; but those who can organise from the industry of their men a + machine which will steadily perform the work whether the organiser is + absent or present are rare indeed. Columbus was one of the first class. + His own power and personality generally gave him some kind of mastery over + any circumstances in which he was immediately concerned; but let him be + absent for a little time, and his organisation went to pieces. No one was + better than he at conducting a one-man concern; and his conduct of the + first voyage, so long as he had his company under his immediate command, + was a model of efficiency. But when the material under his command began + to grow and to be divided into groups his life became a succession of ups + and downs. While he was settling and disciplining one group mutiny and + disorder would attack the other; and when he went to attend to them, the + first one immediately fell into confusion again. He dealt with the + discontent in Isabella, organising the better disposed part of it in + productive labour, and himself marching the malcontents into something + like discipline and order, leaving them at Saint Thomas, as we have seen, + usefully collecting gold. But while he was away the people at Isabella had + got themselves into trouble again, and when he arrived there on the + morning of March 29th he found the town in a deplorable condition. The + lake beside which the city had been built, and which seemed so attractive + and healthy a spot, turned out to be nothing better than a fever trap. + Drained from the malarial marshes, its sickly exhalations soon produced an + epidemic that incapacitated more than half the colony and interrupted the + building operations. The time of those who were well was entirely occupied + with the care of those who were sick, and all productive work was at a + standstill. The reeking virgin soil had produced crops in an incredibly + short time, and the sowings of January were ready for reaping in the + beginning of April. But there was no one to reap them, and the further + cultivation of the ground had necessarily been neglected. + </p> + <p> + The faint-hearted Spaniards, who never could meet any trouble without + grumbling, were now in the depths of despair and angry discontent; and it + had not pleased them to be put on a short allowance of even the + unwholesome provisions that remained from the original store. A couple of + rude hand-mills had been erected for the making of flour, and as food was + the first necessity Columbus immediately put all the able-bodied men in + the colony, whatever their rank, to the elementary manual work of + grinding. Friar Buil and the twelve Benedictine brothers who were with him + thought this a wise order, assuming of course that as clerics they would + not be asked to work. But great was their astonishment, and loud and angry + their criticism of the Admiral, when they found that they also were + obliged to labour with their hands. But Columbus was firm; there were + absolutely no exceptions made; hidalgo and priest had to work alongside of + sailor and labourer; and the curses of the living mingled with those of + the dying on the man whose boastful words had brought them to such a place + and such a condition. + </p> + <p> + It was only in the nature of things that news should now arrive of trouble + at Saint Thomas. Gold and women again; instead of bartering or digging, + the Spaniards had been stealing; and discipline had been relaxed, with the + usual disastrous results with regard to the women of the adjacent native + tribes. Pedro Margarite sent a nervous message to Columbus expressing his + fear that Caonabo, the native king, should be exasperated to the point of + attacking them again. Columbus therefore despatched Ojeda in command of a + force of 350 armed men to Saint Thomas with instructions that he was to + take over the command of that post, while Margarite was to take out an + expedition in search of Caonabo whom, with his brothers, Margarite was + instructed to capture at all costs. + </p> + <p> + Having thus set things going in the interior, and once more restored + Isabella to something like order, he decided to take three ships and + attempt to discover the coast of Cathay. The old Nina, the San Juan, and + the Cordera, three small caravels, were provisioned for six months and + manned by a company of fifty-two men. Francisco Nino went once more with + the Admiral as pilot, and the faithful Juan de la Cosa was taken to draw + charts; one of the monks also, to act as chaplain. The Admiral had a + steward, a secretary, ten seamen and six boys to complete the company on + the Nina. The San Juan was commanded by Alonso Perez Roldan and the + Cordera by Christoval Nino. Diego was again left in command of the colony, + with four counsellors, Friar Buil, Fernandez Coronel, Alonso Sanchez + Carvajal, and Juan de Luxan, to assist his authority. + </p> + <p> + The Admiral sailed on April 24th, steering to the westward and touching at + La Navidad before he bore away to the island of Cuba, the southern shore + of which it was now his intention to explore. At one of his first + anchorages he discovered a native feast going on, and when the boats from + his ships pulled ashore the feasters fled in terror—the hungry + Spaniards finishing their meal for them. Presently, however, the feasters + were induced to come back, and Columbus with soft speeches made them a + compensation for the food that had been taken, and produced a favourable + impression, as his habit was; with the result that all along the coast he + was kindly received by the natives, who supplied him with food and fresh + fruit in return for trinkets. At the harbour now known as Santiago de + Cuba, where he anchored on May 2nd, he had what seemed like authentic + information of a great island to the southward which was alleged to be the + source of all the gold. The very compasses of Columbus’s ships seem + by this time to have become demagnetised, and to have pointed only to + gold; for no sooner had he heard this report than he bore away to the + south in pursuit of that faint yellow glitter that had now quite taken the + place of the original inner light of faith. + </p> + <p> + The low coast of Jamaica, hazy and blue at first, but afterwards warming + into a golden belt crowned by the paler and deeper greens of the foliage, + was sighted first by Columbus on Sunday, May 4th; and he anchored the next + day in the beautiful harbour of Saint Anne, to which he gave the name of + Santa Gloria. To the island itself he gave the name of Santiago, which + however has never displaced its native name of Jamaica. The dim blue + mountains and clumps of lofty trees about the bay were wonderful even to + Columbus, whose eyes must by this time have been growing accustomed to the + beauty of the West Indies, and he lost his heart to Jamaica from the first + moment that his eyes rested on its green and golden shores. Perhaps he was + by this time a little out of conceit with Hayti; but be that as it may he + retracted all the superlatives he had ever used for the other lands of his + discovery, and bestowed them in his heart upon Jamaica. + </p> + <p> + He was not humanly so well received as he had been on the other islands, + for when he cast anchor the natives came out in canoes threatening + hostilities and had to be appeased with red caps and hawks’ bells. + Next day, however, Columbus wished to careen his ships, and sailed a + little to the west until he found a suitable beach at Puerto Bueno; and as + he approached the shore some large canoes filled with painted and + feathered warriors came out and attacked his ships, showering arrows and + javelins, and whooping and screaming at the Spaniards. The guns were + discharged, and an armed party sent ashore in a boat, and the natives were + soon put to flight. There was no renewal of hostilities; the next day the + local cacique came down offering provisions and help; presents were + exchanged, and cordial relations established. Columbus noticed that the + Jamaicans seemed to be a much more virile community than either the Cubans + or the people of Espanola. They had enormous canoes hollowed out of single + mahogany trees, some of them 96 feet long and 8 feet broad, which they + handled with the greatest ease and dexterity; they had a merry way with + them too, were quick of apprehension and clever at expressing their + meaning, and in their domestic utensils and implements they showed an + advance in civilisation on the other islanders of the group. Columbus did + some trade with the islanders as he sailed along the coast, but he does + not seem to have believed much in the gold story, for after sailing to the + western point of the island he bore away to the north again and sighted + the coast of Cuba on the 18th of May. + </p> + <p> + The reason why Columbus kept returning to the coast of Cuba was that he + believed it to be the mainland of Asia. The unlettered natives, who had + never read Marco Polo, told him that it was an island, although no man had + ever seen the end of it; but Columbus did not believe them, and sailed + westward in the belief that he would presently come upon the country and + city of Cathay. Soon he found himself in the wonderful labyrinth of islets + and sandbanks off the south coast; and because of the wonderful colours of + their flowers and climbing plants he called them Jardin de la Reina or + Queen’s Garden. Dangerous as the navigation through these islands + was, he preferred to risk the shoals and sandbanks rather than round them + out at sea to the southward, for he believed them to be the islands which, + according to Marco Polo, lay in masses along the coast of Cathay. In this + adventure he had a very hard time of it; the lead had to be used all the + time, the ships often had to be towed, the wind veered round from every + quarter of the compass, and there were squalls and tempests, and currents + that threatened to set them ashore. By great good fortune, however, they + managed to get through the Archipelago without mishap. By June 3rd they + were sailing along the coast again, and Columbus had some conversation + with an old cacique who told him of a province called Mangon (or so + Columbus understood him) that lay to the west. Sir John Mandeville had + described the province of Mangi as being the richest in Cathay; and of + course, thought the Admiral, this must be the place. He went westward past + the Gulf of Xagua and got into the shallow sandy waters, now known as the + Jardinillos Bank, where the sea was whitened with particles of sand. When + he had got clear of this shoal water he stood across a broad bay towards a + native settlement where he was able to take in yams, fruit, fish, and + fresh water. + </p> + <p> + But this excitement and hard work were telling on the Admiral, and when a + native told him that there was a tribe close by with long tails, he + believed him; and later, when one of his men, coming back from a shore + expedition, reported that he had seen some figures in a forest wearing + white robes, Columbus believed that they were the people with the tails, + who wore a long garment to conceal them. + </p> + <p> + He was moving in a world of enchantment; the weather was like no weather + in any known part of the world; there were fogs, black and thick, which + blew down suddenly from the low marshy land, and blew away again as + suddenly; the sea was sometimes white as milk, sometimes black as pitch, + sometimes purple, sometimes green; scarlet cranes stood looking at them as + they slid past the low sandbanks; the warm foggy air smelt of roses; + shoals of turtles covered the waters, black butterflies circled in the + mist; and the fever that was beginning to work in the Admiral’s + blood mounted to his brain, so that in this land of bad dreams his fixed + ideas began to dominate all his other faculties, and he decided that he + must certainly be on the coast of Cathay, in the magic land described by + Marco Polo. + </p> + <p> + There is nothing which illustrates the arbitrary and despotic government + of sea life so well as the nautical phrase “make it so.” The + very hours of the day, slipping westward under the keel of an east-going + ship, are “made” by rigid decree; the captain takes his + observation of sun or stars, and announces the position of the ship to be + at a certain spot on the surface of the globe; any errors of judgment or + deficiencies of method are covered by the words “make it so.” + And in all the elusive phenomena surrounding him the fevered brain of the + Admiral discerned evidence that he was really upon the coast of Asia, + although there was no method by which he could place the matter beyond a + doubt. The word Asia was not printed upon the sands of Cuba, as it might + be upon a map; the lines of longitude did not lie visibly across the + surface of the sea; there was nothing but sea and land, the Admiral’s + charts, and his own conviction. Therefore Columbus decided to “make + it so.” If there was no other way of being sure that this was the + coast of Cathay, he would decree it to be the coast of Cathay by a legal + document and by oaths and affidavits. He would force upon the members of + his expedition a conviction at least equal to his own; and instead of + pursuing any further the coast that stretched interminably west and + south-west, he decided to say, in effect, and once and for all, “Let + this be the mainland of Asia.” + </p> + <p> + He called his secretary to him and made him draw up a form of oath or + testament, to which every member of the expedition was required to + subscribe, affirming that the land off which they were then lying (12th + June 1494), was the mainland of the Indies and that it was possible to + return to Spain by land from that place; and every officer who should ever + deny it in the future was laid under a penalty of ten thousand maravedis, + and every ship’s boy or seaman under a penalty of one hundred + lashes; and in addition, any member of the expedition denying it in the + future was to have his tongue cut out. + </p> + <p> + No one will pretend that this was the action of a sane man; neither will + any one wonder that Columbus was something less than sane after all he had + gone through, and with the beginnings of a serious illness already in his + blood. His achievement was slipping from his grasp; the gold had not been + found, the wonders of the East had not been discovered; and it was his + instinct to secure something from the general wreck that seemed to be + falling about him, and to force his own dreams to come true, that caused + him to cut this grim and fantastic legal caper off the coast of Cuba. He + thought it at the time unlikely, seeing the difficulties of navigation + that he had gone through, which he might be pardoned for regarding as + insuperable to a less skilful mariner, that any one should ever come that + way again; even he himself said that he would never risk his life again in + such a place. He wished his journey, therefore, not to have been made in + vain; and as he himself believed that he had stood on the mainland of Asia + he took care to take back with him the only kind of evidence that was + possible namely, the sworn affidavits of the ships’ crews. + </p> + <p> + Perhaps in his madness he would really have gone on and tried to reach the + Golden Chersonesus of Ptolemy, which according to Marco Polo lay just + beyond, and so to steer homeward round Ceylon and the Cape of Good Hope; + in which case he would either have been lost or would have discovered + Mexico. The crews, however, would not hear of the voyage being continued + westward. The ships were leaking and the salt water was spoiling the + already doubtful provisions and he was forced to turn back. He stood to + the south-east, and reached the Isle of Pines, to which he gave the name + of Evangelista, where the water-casks were filled, and from there he tried + to sail back to the east. But he found himself surrounded by islands and + banks in every direction, which made any straight course impossible. He + sailed south and east and west and north, and found himself always back + again in the middle of this charmed group of islands. He spent almost a + month trying to escape from them, and once his ship went ashore on a + sandbank and was only warped off with the greatest difficulty. On July 7th + he was back again in the region of the “Queen’s Gardens,” + from which he stood across to the coast of Cuba. + </p> + <p> + He anchored and landed there, and being in great distress and difficulty + he had a large cross erected on the mainland, and had mass said. When the + Spaniards rose from their knees they saw an old native man observing them; + and the old man came and sat down beside Columbus and talked to him + through the interpreter. He told him that he had been in Jamaica and + Espanola as well as in Cuba, and that the coming of the Spaniards had + caused great distress to the people of the islands. + </p> + <p> + He then spoke to Columbus about religion, and the gist of what he said was + something like this: “The performance of your worship seems good to + me. You believe that this life is not everything; so do we; and I know + that when this life is over there are two places reserved for me, to one + of which I shall certainly go; one happy and beautiful, one dreadful and + miserable. Joy and kindness reign in the one place, which is good enough + for the best of men; and they will go there who while they have lived on + the earth have loved peace and goodness, and who have never robbed or + killed or been unkind. The other place is evil and full of shadows, and is + reserved for those who disturb and hurt the sons of men; how important it + is, therefore, that one should do no evil or injury in this world!” + </p> + <p> + Columbus replied with a brief statement of his own theological views, and + added that he had been sent to find out if there were any persons in those + islands who did evil to others, such as the Caribs or cannibals, and that + if so he had come to punish them. The effect of this ingenuous speech was + heightened by a gift of hawks’ bells and pieces of broken glass; + upon receiving which the good old man fell down on his knees, and said + that the Spaniards must surely have come from heaven. + </p> + <p> + A few days later the voyage to the, south-east was resumed, and some + progress was made along the coast. But contrary winds arose which made it + impossible for the ships to round Cape Cruz, and Columbus decided to + employ the time of waiting in completing his explorations in Jamaica. He + therefore sailed due south until he once more sighted the beautiful + northern coast of that island, following it to the west and landing, as + his custom was, whenever he saw a good harbour or anchorage. The wind was + still from the east, and he spent a month beating to the eastward along + the south coast of the island, fascinated by its beauty, and willing to + stay and explore it, but prevented by the discontent of his crews, who + were only anxious to get back to Espanola. He had friendly interviews with + many of the natives of Jamaica, and at almost the last harbour at which he + touched a cacique with his wife and family and complete retinue came off + in canoes to the ship, begging Columbus to take him and his household back + to Spain. + </p> + <p> + Columbus considers this family, and thinks wistfully how well they would + look in Barcelona. Father dressed in a cap of gold and green jewels, + necklace and earrings of the same; mother decked out in similar regalia, + with the addition of a small cotton apron; two sons and five brothers + dressed principally in a feather or two; two daughters mother-naked, + except that the elder, a handsome girl of eighteen, wears a jewelled + girdle from which depends a tablet as big as an ivy leaf, made of various + coloured stones embroidered on cotton. What an exhibit for one of the + triumphal processions: “Native royal family, complete”! But + Columbus thinks also of the scarcity of provisions on board his ships, and + wonders how all these royalties would like to live on a pint of sour wine + and a rotten biscuit each per day. Alas! there is not sour wine and rotten + biscuit enough for his own people; it is still a long way to Espanola; and + he is obliged to make polite excuses, and to say that he will come back + for his majesty another time. + </p> + <p> + It was on the 20th of August that Columbus, having the day before seen the + last of the dim blue hills of Jamaica, sighted again the long peninsula of + Hayti, called by him Cape San Miguel, but known to us as Cape Tiburon; + although it was not until he was hailed by a cacique who called out to him + “Almirante, Almirante,” that the seaworn mariners realised + with joy that the island must be Espanola. But they were a long way from + Isabella yet. They sailed along the south coast, meeting contrary winds, + and at one point landing nine men who were to cross the island, and try to + reach Isabella by land. Week followed week, and they made very poor + progress. In the beginning of September they were caught in a severe + tempest, which separated the ships for a time, and held the Admiral + weather-bound for eight days. There was an eclipse of the moon during this + period, and he took advantage of it to make an observation for longitude, + by which he found himself to be 5 hrs. 23 min., or 80 deg. 40’, west + of Cadiz. In this observation there is an error of eighteen degrees, the + true longitude of the island of Saona, where the observation was taken, + being 62 deg. 20’ west of Cadiz; and the error is accounted for + partly by the inaccuracy of the tables of Regiomontanus and partly by the + crudity and inexactness of the Admiral’s methods. On the 24th of + September they at last reached the easternmost point of Espanola, named by + Columbus San Rafael. They stood to the east a little longer, and + discovered the little island of Mona, which lies between Espanola and + Puerto Rico; and from thence shaped their course west-by-north for + Isabella. And no sooner had the course been set for home than the Admiral + suddenly and completely collapsed; was carried unconscious to his cabin; + and lay there in such extremity that his companions gave him up for lost. + </p> + <p> + It is no ordinary strain to which poor Christopher has succumbed. He has + been five months at sea, sharing with the common sailors their bad food + and weary vigils, but bearing alone on his own shoulders a weight of + anxiety of which they knew nothing. Watch has relieved watch on his ships, + but there has been no one to relieve him, or to lift the burden from his + mind. The eyes of a nation are upon him, watchful and jealous eyes that + will not forgive him any failure; and to earn their approval he has taken + this voyage of five months, during which he has only been able to forget + his troubles in the brief hours of slumber. Strange uncharted seas, + treacherous winds and currents, drenching surges have all done their part + in bringing him to this pass; and his body, now starved on rotten + biscuits, now glutted with unfamiliar fruits, has been preyed upon by the + tortured mind as the mind itself has been shaken and loosened by the + weakness of the body. He lies there in his cabin in a deep stupor; memory, + sight, and all sensation completely gone from him; dead but for the heart + that beats on faintly, and the breath that comes and goes through the + parted lips. Nino, de la Cosa, and the others come and look at him, shake + their heads, and go away again. There is nothing to be done; perhaps they + will get him back to Isabella in time to bury him there; perhaps not. + </p> + <p> + And meanwhile they are back again in calm and safe waters, and coasting a + familiar shore; and the faithful little Nina, shaking out her wings in the + sunny breezes, trips under the guidance of unfamiliar hands towards her + moorings in the Bay of Isabella. It is a sad company that she carries; for + in the cabin, deaf and blind and unconscious, there lies the heart and + guiding spirit of the New World. He does not hear the talking of the + waters past the Nina’s timbers, does not hear the stamping on the + deck and shortening of sail and unstopping of cables and getting out of + gear; does not hear the splash of the anchor, nor the screams of birds + that rise circling from the shore. Does not hear the greetings and the + news; does not see bending over him a kind, helpful, and well-beloved + face. He sees and hears and knows nothing; and in that state of rest and + absence from the body they carry him, still living and breathing, ashore. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + <a name="ch2c" id="ch2c"></a>CHAPTER II. + </h2> + <h3> + THE CONQUEST OF ESPANOLA + </h3> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p> + We must now go back to the time when Columbus, having made what + arrangements he could for the safety of Espanola, left it under the charge + of his brother James. Ojeda had duly marched into the interior and taken + over the command of Fort St. Thomas, thus setting free Margarite, + according to his instructions, to lead an expedition for purposes of + reconnoitre and demonstration through the island. These, at any rate, were + Margarite’s orders, duly communicated to him by Ojeda; but Margarite + will have none of them. Well born, well educated, well bred, he ought at + least to have the spirit to carry out orders so agreeable to a gentleman + of adventure; but unfortunately, although Margarite is a gentleman by + birth, he is a low and dishonest dog by nature. He cannot take the decent + course, cannot even play the man, and take his share in the military work + of the colony. Instead of cutting paths through the forest, and exhibiting + his military strength in an orderly and proper way as the Admiral intended + he should, he marches forth from St. Thomas, on hearing that Columbus has + sailed away, and encamps no further off than the Vega Real, that pleasant + place of green valleys and groves and murmuring rivers. He encamps there, + takes up his quarters there, will not budge from there for any Admiral; + and as for James Columbus and his counsellors, they may go to the devil + for all Margarite cares. One of them at least, he knows—Friar Buil—is + not such a fool as to sit down under the command of that solemn-faced, + uncouth young snip from Genoa; and doubtless when he is tired of the Vega + Real he and Buil can arrange something between them. In the meantime, here + is a very beautiful sunshiny place, abounding in all kinds of provisions; + food for more than one kind of appetite, as he has noticed when he has + thrust his rude way into the native houses and seen the shapely daughters + of the islanders. He has a little army of soldiers to forage for him; they + can get him food and gold, and they are useful also in those other + marauding expeditions designed to replenish the seraglio that he has + established in his camp; and if they like to do a little marauding and + woman-stealing on their own account, it is no affair of his, and may keep + the devils in a good temper. Thus Don Pedro Margarite to himself. + </p> + <p> + The peaceable and gentle natives soon began to resent these gross doings. + To robbery succeeded outrage, and to outrage murder—all three + committed in the very houses of the natives; and they began to murmur, to + withhold that goodwill which the Spaniards had so sorely tried, and to + develop a threatening attitude that was soon communicated to the natives + in the vicinity of Isabella, and came under the notice of James Columbus + and his council. Grave, bookish, wool-weaving young James, not used to + military affairs, and not at all comfortable in his command, can think of + no other expedient than—to write a letter to Margarite remonstrating + with him for his licentious excesses and reminding him of the Admiral’s + instructions, which were being neglected. + </p> + <p> + Margarite receives the letter and reads it with a contemptuous laugh. He + is not going to be ordered about by a family of Italian wool-weavers, and + the only change in his conduct is that he becomes more and more careless + and impudent, extending the area of his lawless operations, and making + frequent visits to Isabella itself, swaggering under the very nose of + solemn James, and soon deep in consultation with Friar Buil. + </p> + <p> + At this moment, that is to say very soon after the departure of + Christopher on his voyage to Cuba and Jamaica, three ships dropped anchor + in the Bay of Isabella. They were laden with the much-needed supplies from + Spain, and had been sent out under the command of Bartholomew Columbus. It + will be remembered that when Christopher reached Spain after his first + voyage one of his first cares had been to write to Bartholomew, asking him + to join him. The letter, doubtless after many wanderings, had found + Bartholomew in France at the court of Charles VIII., by whom he was held + in some esteem; in fact it was Charles who provided him with the necessary + money for his journey to Spain, for Bartholomew had not greatly prospered, + in spite of his voyage with Diaz to the Cape of Good Hope and of his + having been in England making exploration proposals at the court of Henry + VII. He had arrived in Spain after Columbus had sailed again, and had + presented himself at court with his two nephews, Ferdinand and Diego, both + of whom were now in the service of Prince Juan as pages. Ferdinand and + Isabella seem to have received Bartholomew kindly. They liked this capable + navigator, who had much of Christopher’s charm of manner, and was + more a man of the world than he. Much more practical also; Ferdinand would + be sure to like him better than he liked Christopher, whose pompous manner + and long-winded speeches bored him. Bartholomew was quick, alert, decisive + and practical; he was an accomplished navigator—almost as + accomplished as Columbus, as it appeared. He was offered the command of + the three ships which were being prepared to go to Espanola with supplies; + and he duly arrived there after a prosperous voyage. It will be remembered + that Christopher had, so far as we know, kept the secret of the road to + the new islands; and Bartholomew can have had nothing more to guide him + than a rough chart showing the islands in a certain latitude, and the + distance to be run towards them by dead-reckoning. That he should have + made an exact landfall and sailed into the Bay of Isabella, never having + been there before, was a certificate of the highest skill in navigation. + </p> + <p> + Unfortunately it was James who was in charge of the colony; Bartholomew + had no authority, for once his ships had arrived in port his mission was + accomplished until Christopher should return and find him employment. He + was therefore forced to sit still and watch his young brother struggling + with the unruly Spaniards. His presence, however, was no doubt a further + exasperation to the malcontents. There existed in Isabella a little + faction of some of the aristocrats who had never, forgiven Columbus for + employing them in degrading manual labour; who had never forgiven him in + fact for being there at all, and in command over them. And now here was + another woolweaver, or son of a wool-weaver, come to put his finger in the + pie that Christopher has apparently provided so carefully for himself and + his family. + </p> + <p> + Margarite and Buil and some others, treacherous scoundrels all of them, + but clannish to their own race and class, decide that they will put up + with it no longer; they are tired of Espanola in any case, and Margarite, + from too free indulgence among the native women, has contracted an + unpleasant disease, and thinks that a sea voyage and the attentions of a + Spanish doctor will be good for him. It is easy for them to put their plot + into execution. There are the ships; there is nothing, for them to do but + take a couple of them, provision them, and set sail for Spain, where they + trust to their own influence, and the story they will be able to tell of + the falseness of the Admiral’s promises, to excuse their breach of + discipline. And sail they do, snapping their fingers at the wool-weavers. + </p> + <p> + James and Bartholomew were perhaps glad to be rid of them, but their + relief was tempered with anxiety as to the result on Christopher’s + reputation and favour when the malcontents should have made their false + representations at Court. The brothers were powerless to do anything in + that matter, however, and the state of affairs in Espanola demanded their + close attention. Margarite’s little army, finding itself without + even the uncertain restraint of its commander, now openly mutinied and + abandoned itself to the wildest excesses. It became scattered and + disbanded, and little groups of soldiers went wandering about the country, + robbing and outraging and carrying cruelty and oppression among the + natives. Long-suffering as these were, and patiently as they bore with the + unspeakable barbarities of the Spanish soldiers, there came a point beyond + which their forbearance would not go. An aching spirit of unforgiveness + and revenge took the place of their former gentleness and compliance; and + here and there, when the Spaniards were more brutal and less cautious than + was their brutal and incautious habit, the natives fell upon them and took + swift and bloody revenge. Small parties found themselves besieged and put + to death whole villages, whose hospitality had been abused, cut off + wandering groups of the marauders and burned the houses where they lodged. + The disaffection spread; and Caonabo, who had never abated his resentment + at the Spanish intrusion into the island, thought the time had come to + make another demonstration of native power. + </p> + <p> + Fortunately for the Spaniards his object was the fort of St. Thomas, + commanded by the alert Ojeda; and this young man, who was not easily to be + caught napping, had timely intelligence of his intention. When Caonabo, + mustering ten thousand men, suddenly surrounded the fort and prepared to + attack it, he found the fifty Spaniards of the garrison more than ready + for him, and his naked savages dared not advance within the range of the + crossbows and arquebuses. Caonabo tried to besiege the station, watching + every gorge and road through which supplies could reach it, but Ojeda made + sallies and raids upon the native force, under which it became thinned and + discouraged; and Caonabo had finally to withdraw to his own territory. + </p> + <p> + But he was not yet beaten. He decided upon another and much larger + enterprise, which was to induce the other caciques of the island to + co-operate with him in an attack upon Isabella, the population of which he + knew would have been much thinned and weakened by disease. The island was + divided into five native provinces. The northeastern part, named Marien, + was under the rule of Guacanagari, whose headquarters were near the + abandoned La Navidad. The remaining eastern part of the island, called + Higuay, was under a chief named Cotabanama. The western province was + Xaragua, governed by one Behechio, whose sister, Anacaona, was the wife of + Caonabo. The middle of the island was divided into two provinces-that + which extended from the northern coast to the Cibao mountains and included + the Vega Real being governed by Guarionex, and that which extended from + the Cibao mountains to the south being governed by Caonabo. All these + rulers were more or less embittered by the outrages and cruelties of the + Spaniards, and all agreed to join with Caonabo except Guacanagari. That + loyal soul, so faithful to what he knew of good, shocked and distressed as + he was by outrages from which his own people had suffered no less than the + others, could not bring himself to commit what he regarded as a breach of + the laws of hospitality. It was upon his shores that Columbus had first + landed; and although it was his own country and his own people whose + wrongs were to be avenged, he could not bring himself to turn traitor to + the grave Admiral with whom, in those happy days of the past, he had + enjoyed so much pleasant intercourse. His refusal to co-operate delayed + the plan of Caonabo, who directed the island coalition against Guacanagari + himself in order to bring him to reason. He was attacked by the + neighbouring chiefs; one of his wives was killed and another captured; but + still he would not swerve from his ideal of conduct. + </p> + <p> + The first thing that Columbus recognised when he opened his eyes after his + long period of lethargy and insensibility was the face of his brother + Bartholomew bend-over him where he lay in bed in his own house at + Espanola. Nothing could have been more welcome to him, sick, lonely and + discouraged as he was, than the presence of that strong, helpful brother; + and from the time when Bartholomew’s friendly face first greeted him + he began to get better. His first act, as soon as he was strong enough to + sign a paper, was to appoint Bartholomew to the office of Adelantado, or + Lieutenant-Governor—an indiscreet and rather tactless proceeding + which, although it was not outside his power as a bearer of the royal + seal, was afterwards resented by King Ferdinand as a piece of impudent + encroachment upon the royal prerogative. But Columbus was unable to + transact business himself, and James was manifestly of little use; the + action was natural enough. + </p> + <p> + In the early days of his convalescence he had another pleasant experience, + in the shape of a visit from Guacanagari, who came to express his concern + at the Admiral’s illness, and to tell him the story of what had been + going on in his absence. The gentle creature referred again with tears to + the massacre at La Navidad, and again asserted that innocence of any hand + in it which Columbus had happily never doubted; and he told him also of + the secret league against Isabella, of his own refusal to join it, and of + the attacks to which he had consequently been subjected. It must have been + an affecting meeting for these two, who represented the first friendship + formed between the Old World and the New, who were both of them destined + to suffer in the impact of civilisation and savagery, and whose names and + characters were happily destined to survive that impact, and to triumph + over the oblivion of centuries. + </p> + <p> + So long as the native population remained hostile and unconquered by + kindness or force, it was impossible to work securely at the development + of the colony; and Columbus, however regretfully, had come to feel that + circumstances more or less obliged him to use force. At first he did not + quite realise the gravity of the position, and attempted to conquer or + reconcile the natives in little groups. Guarionex, the cacique of the Vega + Real, was by gifts and smooth words soothed back into a friendship which + was consolidated by the marriage of his daughter with Columbus’s + native interpreter. It was useless, how ever, to try and make friends with + Caonabo, that fierce irreconcilable; and it was felt that only by + stratagem could he be secured. No sooner was this suggested than Ojeda + volunteered for the service. Amid the somewhat slow-moving figures of our + story this man appears as lively as a flea; and he dances across our pages + in a sensation of intrepid feats of arms that make his great popularity + among the Spaniards easily credible to us. He did not know what fear was; + he was always ready for a fight of any kind; a quarrel in the streets of + Madrid, a duel, a fight with a man or a wild beast, a brawl in a tavern or + a military expedition, were all the same to him, if only they gave him an + opportunity for fighting. He had a little picture of the Virgin hung round + his neck, by which he swore, and to which he prayed; he had never been so + much as scratched in all his affrays, and he believed that he led a + charmed life. Who would go out against Caonabo, the Goliath of the island? + He, little David Ojeda, he would go out and undertake to fetch the giant + back with him; and all he wanted was ten men, a pair of handcuffs, a + handful of trinkets, horses for the whole of his company, and his little + image or picture of the Virgin. + </p> + <p> + Columbus may have smiled at this proposal, but he knew his man; and Ojeda + duly departed with his horses and his ten men. Plunging into the forest, + he made his way through sixty leagues of dense undergrowth until he + arrived in the very heart of Caonabo’s territory and presented + himself at the chiefs house. The chief was at home, and, not unimpressed + by the valour of Ojeda, who represented himself as coming on a friendly + mission, received him under conditions of truce. He had an eye for + military prowess, this Caonabo, and something of the lion’s heart in + him; he recognised in Ojeda the little man who kept him so long at bay + outside Fort St. Thomas; and, after the manner of lion-hearted people, + liked him none the worse for that. + </p> + <p> + Ojeda proposes that the King should accompany him to Isabella to make + peace. No, says Caonabo. Then Ojeda tries another way. There is a poetical + side to this big fighting savage, and often in more friendly days, when + the bell in the little chapel of Isabella has been ringing for Vespers, + the cacique has been observed sitting alone on some hill listening, + enchanted by the strange silver voice that floated to him across the + sunset. The bell has indeed become something of a personality in the + island: all the neighbouring savages listen to its voice with awe and + fascination, pausing with inclined heads whenever it begins to speak from + its turret. + </p> + <p> + Ojeda talks to Caonabo about the bell, and tells him what a wonderful + thing it is; tells him also that if he will come with him to Isabella he + shall have the bell for a present. Poetry and public policy struggle + together in Caonabo’s heart, but poetry wins; the great powerful + savage, urged thereto by his childish lion-heart, will come to Isabella if + they will give him the bell. He sets forth, accompanied by a native + retinue, and by Ojeda and his ten horsemen. Presently they come to a river + and Ojeda produces his bright manacles; tells the King that they are royal + ornaments and that he has been instructed to bestow them upon Caonabo as a + sign of honour. But first he must come alone to the river and bathe, which + he does. Then he must sit with Ojeda upon his horse; which he does. Then + he must have fitted on to him the shining silver trinkets; which he does, + the great grinning giant, pleased with his toys. Then, to show him what it + is like to be on a horse, Ojeda canters gently round in widening and ever + widening circles; a turn of his spurred heels, and the canter becomes a + gallop, the circle becomes a straight line, and Caonabo is on the road to + Isabella. When they are well beyond reach of the natives they pause and + tie Caonabo securely into his place; and by this treachery bring him into + Isabella, where he is imprisoned in the Admiral’s house. + </p> + <p> + The sulky giant, brought thus into captivity, refuses to bend his proud, + stubborn heart into even a form of submission. He takes no notice of + Columbus, and pays him no honour, although honour is paid to himself as a + captive king. He sits there behind his bars gnawing his fingers, listening + to the voice of the bell that has lured him into captivity, and thinking + of the free open life which he is to know no more. Though he will pay no + deference to the Admiral, will not even rise when he enters his presence, + there is one person he holds in honour, and that is Ojeda. He will not + rise when the Admiral comes; but when Ojeda comes, small as he is, and + without external state, the chief makes his obeisance to him. The Admiral + he sets at defiance, and boasts of his destruction of La Navidad, and of + his plan to destroy Isabella; Ojeda he respects and holds in honour, as + being the only man in the island brave enough to come into his house and + carry him off a captive. There is a good deal of the sportsman in Caonabo. + </p> + <p> + The immediate result of the capture of Caonabo was to rouse the islanders + to further hostilities, and one of the brothers of the captive king led a + force of seven thousand men to the vicinity of St. Thomas, to which Ojeda, + however, had in the meantime returned. His small force was augmented by + some men despatched by Bartholomew Columbus on receipt of an urgent + message; and in command of this force Ojeda sallied forth against the + natives and attacked them furiously on horse and on foot, killing a great + part of them, taking others prisoner, and putting the rest to flight. This + was the beginning of the end of the island resistance. A month or two + later, when Columbus was better, he and Bartholomew together mustered the + whole of their available army and marched out in search of the native + force, which he knew had been rallied and greatly augmented. + </p> + <p> + The two forces met near the present town of Santiago, in the plain known + as the Savanna of Matanza. The Spanish force was divided into three main + divisions, under the command of Christopher and Bartholomew Columbus and + Ojeda respectively. These three divisions attacked the Indians + simultaneously from different points, Ojeda throwing his cavalry upon + them, riding them down, and cutting them to pieces. Drums were beaten and + trumpets blown; the guns were fired from the cover of the trees; and a + pack of bloodhounds, which had been sent out from Spain with Bartholomew, + were let loose upon the natives and tore their bodies to pieces. It was an + easy and horrible victory. The native force was estimated by Columbus at + one hundred thousand men, although we shall probably be nearer the mark if + we reduce that estimate by one half. + </p> + <p> + The powers of hell were let loose that day into the Earthly Paradise. The + guns mowed red lines of blood through the solid ranks of the natives; the + great Spanish horses trod upon and crushed their writhing bodies, in which + arrows and lances continually stuck and quivered; and the ferocious dogs, + barking and growling, seized the naked Indians by the throat, dragged them + to the ground, and tore out their very entrails . . . . Well for us that + the horrible noises of that day are silent now; well for the world that + that place of bloodshed and horror has grown green again; better for us + and for the world if those cries had never been heard, and that quiet + place had never received a stain that centuries of green succeeding + springtides can never wash away. + </p> + <p> + It was some time before this final battle that the convalescence of the + Admiral was further assisted by the arrival of four ships commanded by + Antonio Torres, who must have passed, out of sight and somewhere on the + high seas, the ships bearing Buil and Margarite back to Spain. He brought + with him a large supply of fresh provisions for the colony, and a number + of genuine colonists, such as fishermen, carpenters, farmers, mechanics, + and millers. And better still he brought a letter from the Sovereigns, + dated the 16th of August 1494, which did much to cheer the shaken spirits + of Columbus. The words with which he had freighted his empty ships had not + been in vain; and in this reply to them he was warmly commended for his + diligence, and reminded that he enjoyed the unshaken confidence of the + Sovereigns. They proposed that a caravel should sail every month from + Spain and from Isabella, bearing intelligence of the colony and also, it + was hoped, some of its products. In a general letter addressed to the + colony the settlers were reminded of the obedience they owed to the + Admiral, and were instructed to obey him in all things under the penalty + of heavy fines. They invited Columbus to come back if he could in order to + be present at the convention which was to establish the line of + demarcation between Spanish and Portuguese possessions; or if he could not + come himself to send his brother Bartholomew. There were reasons, however, + which made this difficult. Columbus wished to despatch the ships back + again as speedily as possible, in order that news of him might help to + counteract the evil rumours that he knew Buil and Margarite would be + spreading. He himself was as yet (February 1494) too ill to travel; and + during his illness Bartholomew could not easily be spared. It was + therefore decided to send home James, who could most easily be spared, and + whose testimony as a member of the governing body during the absence of + the Admiral on his voyage to Cuba might be relied upon to counteract the + jealous accusations of Margarite and Buil. + </p> + <p> + Unfortunately there was no golden cargo to send back with him. As much + gold as possible was scraped together, but it was very little. The usual + assortment of samples of various island products was also sent; but still + the vessels were practically empty. Columbus must have been painfully + conscious that the time for sending samples had more than expired, and + that the people in Spain might reasonably expect some of the actual riches + of which there had been so many specimens and promises. In something + approaching desperation, he decided to fill the empty holds of the ships + with something which, if it was not actual money, could at least be made + to realise money. From their sunny dreaming life on the island five + hundred natives were taken and lodged in the dark holds of the caravels, + to be sent to Spain and sold there for what they would fetch. Of course + they were to be “freed” and converted to Christianity in the + process; that was always part of the programme, but it did not interfere + with business. They were not man-eating Caribs or fierce marauding savages + from neighbouring islands, but were of the mild and peaceable race that + peopled Espanola. The wheels of civilisation were beginning to turn in the + New World. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> <a name="crudemap" id="crudemap"></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img alt="crudemap.jpg (40K)" src="images/crudemap.jpg" style="width:100%;" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/crudemap.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a> + </h5> +<p> +<br /><br /><br /><br /> +</p> + <p> + After the capture of Caonabo and the massacre of April 25th Columbus + marched through the island, receiving the surrender and submission of the + terrified natives. At the approach of his force the caciques came out and + sued for peace; and if here and there there was a momentary resistance, a + charge of cavalry soon put an end to it. One by one the kings surrendered + and laid down their arms, until all the island rulers had capitulated with + the exception of Behechio, into whose territory Columbus did not march, + and who sullenly retired to the south-western corner of the island. The + terms of peace were harsh enough, and were suggested by the dilemma of + Columbus in his frantic desire to get together some gold at any cost. A + tribute of gold-dust was laid upon every adult native in the island. Every + three months a hawk’s bell full of gold was to be brought to the + treasury at Isabella, and in the case 39 of caciques the measure was a + calabash. A receipt in the form of a brass medal was fastened to the neck + of every Indian when he paid his tribute, and those who could not show the + medal with the necessary number of marks were to be further fined and + punished. In the districts where there was no gold, 25 lbs. of cotton was + accepted instead. + </p> + <p> + This levy was made in ignorance of the real conditions under which the + natives possessed themselves of the gold. What they had in many cases + represented the store of years, and in all but one or two favoured + districts it was quite impossible for them to keep up the amount of the + tribute. Yet the hawks’ bells, which once had been so eagerly + coveted and were now becoming hated symbols of oppression, had to be + filled somehow; and as the day of payment drew near the wretched natives, + who had formerly only sought for gold when a little of it was wanted for a + pretty ornament, had now to work with frantic energy in the river sands; + or in other cases, to toil through the heat of the day in the cotton + fields which they had formerly only cultivated enough to furnish their + very scant requirements of use and adornment. One or two caciques, knowing + that their people could not possibly furnish the required amount of gold, + begged that its value in grain might be accepted instead; but that was not + the kind of wealth that Columbus was seeking. It must be gold or nothing; + and rather than receive any other article from the gold-bearing districts, + he consented to take half the amount. + </p> + <p> + Thus step by step, and under the banner of the Holy Catholic religion, did + dark and cruel misery march through the groves and glades of the island + and banish for ever its ancient peace. This long-vanished race that was + native to the island of Espanola seems to have had some of the happiest + and most lovable qualities known to dwellers on this planet. They had none + of the brutalities of the African, the paralysing wisdom of the Asian, nor + the tragic potentialities of the European peoples. Their life was from day + to day, and from season to season, like the life of flowers and birds. + They lived in such order and peaceable community as the common sense of + their own simple needs suggested; they craved no pleasures except those + that came free from nature, and sought no wealth but what the sun gave + them. In their verdant island, near to the heart and source of light, + surrounded by the murmur of the sea, and so enriched by nature that the + idea, of any other kind of riches never occurred to them, their existence + went to a happy dancing measure like that of the fauns and nymphs in whose + charmed existence they believed. The sun and moon were to them creatures + of their island who had escaped from a cavern by the shore and now + wandered free in the upper air, peopling it with happy stars; and man + himself they believed to have sprung from crevices in the rocks, like the + plants that grew tall and beautiful wherever there was a handful of soil + for their roots. Poor happy children! You are all dead a long while ago + now, and have long been hushed in the great humming sleep and silence of + Time; the modern world has no time nor room for people like you, with so + much kindness and so little ambition . . . . Yet their free pagan souls + were given a chance to be penned within the Christian fold; the priest + accompanied the gunner and the bloodhound, the missionary walked beside + the slave-driver; and upon the bewildered sun-bright surface of their + minds the shadow of the cross was for a moment thrown. Verily to them the + professors of Christ brought not peace, but a sword. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + <a name="ch3c" id="ch3c"></a>CHAPTER III. + </h2> + <h3> + UPS AND DOWNS + </h3> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p> + While Columbus was toiling under the tropical sun to make good his + promises to the Crown, Margarite and Buil, having safely come home to + Spain from across the seas, were busy setting forth their view of the + value of his discoveries. It was a view entirely different from any that + Ferdinand and Isabella had heard before, and coming as it did from two men + of position and importance who had actually been in Espanola, and were + loyal and religious subjects of the Crown, it could not fail to receive, + if not immediate and complete credence, at any rate grave attention. + Hitherto the Sovereigns had only heard one side of the matter; an + occasional jealous voice may have been raised from the neighbourhood of + the Pinzons or some one else not entirely satisfied with his own position + in the affair; but such small cries of dissent had naturally had little + chance against the dignified eloquence of the Admiral. + </p> + <p> + Now, however, the matter was different. People who were at least the + equals of Columbus in intelligence, and his superiors by birth and + education, had seen with their own eyes the things of which he had spoken, + and their account differed widely from his. They represented things in + Espanola as being in a very bad way indeed, which was true enough; drew a + dismal picture of an overcrowded colony ravaged with disease and suffering + from lack of provisions; and held forth at length upon the very doubtful + quality of the gold with which the New World was supposed to abound. More + than this, they brought grave charges against Columbus himself, + representing him as unfit to govern a colony, given to favouritism, and, + worst of all, guilty of having deliberately misrepresented for his own + ends the resources of the colony. This as we know was not true. It was not + for his own ends, or for any ends at all within the comprehension of men + like Margarite and Buil, that poor Christopher had spoken so glowingly out + of a heart full of faith in what he had seen and done. Purposes, dim + perhaps, but far greater and loftier than any of which these two mean + souls had understanding, animated him alike in his discoveries and in his + account of them; although that does not alter the unpleasant fact that at + the stage matters had now reached it seemed as though there might have + been serious misrepresentation. + </p> + <p> + Ferdinand and Isabella, thus confronted with a rather difficult situation, + acted with great wisdom and good sense. How much or how little they + believed we do not know, but it was obviously their duty, having heard + such an account from responsible officers, to investigate matters for + themselves without assuming either that the report was true or untrue. + They immediately had four caravels furnished with supplies, and decided to + appoint an agent to accompany the expedition, investigate the affairs of + the colony, and make a report to them. If the Admiral was still absent + when their agent reached the colony he was to be entrusted with the + distribution of the supplies which were being sent out; for Columbus’s + long absence from Espanola had given rise to some fears for his safety. + </p> + <p> + The Sovereigns had just come to this decision (April 1495) when a letter + arrived from the Admiral himself, announcing his return to Espanola after + discovering the veritable mainland of Asia, as the notarial document + enclosed with the letter attested. Torres and James Columbus had arrived + in Spain, bearing the memorandum which some time ago we saw the Admiral + writing; and they were able to do something towards allaying the fears of + the Sovereigns as to the condition of the colony. The King and Queen, + nevertheless, wisely decided to carry out their original intention, and in + appointing an agent they very handsomely chose one of the men whom + Columbus had recommended to them in his letter—Juan Aguado. This + action shows a friendliness to Columbus and confidence in him that lead + one to suspect that the tales of Margarite and Buil had been taken with a + grain of salt. + </p> + <p> + At the same time the Sovereigns made one or two orders which could not but + be unwelcome to Columbus. A decree was issued making it lawful for all + native-born Spaniards to make voyages of discovery, and to settle in + Espanola itself if they liked. This was an infringement of the original + privileges granted to the Admiral—privileges which were really + absurd, and which can only have been granted in complete disbelief that + anything much would come of his discovery. It took Columbus two years to + get this order modified, and in the meantime a great many Spanish + adventurers, our old friends the Pinzons among them, did actually make + voyages and added to the area explored by the Spaniards in Columbus’s + lifetime. Columbus was bitterly jealous that any one should be admitted to + the western ocean, which he regarded as his special preserve, except under + his supreme authority; and he is reported to have said that once the way + to the West had been pointed out “even the very tailors turned + explorers.” There, surely, spoke the long dormant woolweaver in him. + </p> + <p> + The commission given to Aguado was very brief, and so vaguely worded that + it might mean much or little, according to the discretion of the + commissioner and the necessities of the case as viewed by him. “We + send to you Juan Aguada, our Groom of the Chambers, who will speak to you + on our part. We command you to give him faith and credit.” A letter + was also sent to Columbus in which he was instructed to reduce the number + of people dependent on the colony to five hundred instead of a thousand; + and the control of the mines was entrusted to one Pablo Belvis, who was + sent out as chief metallurgist. As for the slaves that Columbus had sent + home, Isabella forbade their sale until inquiry could be made into the + condition of their capture, and the fine moral point involved was + entrusted to the ecclesiastical authorities for examination and solution. + Poor Christopher, knowing as he did that five hundred heretics were being + burned every year by the Grand Inquisitor, had not expected this + hair-splitting over the fate of heathens who had rebelled against Spanish + authority; and it caused him some distress when he heard of it. The + theologians, however, proved equal to the occasion, and the slaves were + duly sold in Seville market. + </p> + <p> + Aguado sailed from Cadiz at the end of August 1495, and reached Espanola + in October. James Columbus (who does not as yet seem to be in very great + demand anywhere, and who doubtless conceals behind his grave visage much + honest amazement at the amount of life that he is seeing) returned with + him. Aguado, on arriving at Isabella, found that Columbus was absent + establishing forts in the interior of the island, Bartholomew being left + in charge at Isabella. + </p> + <p> + Aguado, who had apparently been found faithful in small matters, was found + wanting in his use of the authority that had been entrusted to him. It + seems to have turned his head; for instead of beginning quietly to + investigate the affairs of the colony as he had been commanded to do he + took over from Bartholomew the actual government, and interpreted his + commission as giving him the right to supersede the Admiral himself. The + unhappy colony, which had no doubt been enjoying some brief period of + peace under the wise direction of Bartholomew, was again thrown into + confusion by the doings of Aguado. He arrested this person, imprisoned + that; ordered that things should be done this way, which had formerly been + done that way; and if they had formerly been done that way, then he + ordered that they should be done this way—in short he committed + every mistake possible for a man in his situation armed with a little + brief authority. He did not hesitate to let it be known that he was there + to examine the conduct of the Admiral himself; and we may be quite sure + that every one in the colony who had a grievance or an ill tale to carry, + carried it to Aguado. His whole attitude was one of enmity and disloyalty + to the Admiral who had so handsomely recommended him to the notice of the + Sovereigns; and so undisguised was his attitude that even the Indians + began to lodge their complaints and to see a chance by which they might + escape from the intolerable burden of the gold tribute. + </p> + <p> + It was at this point that Columbus returned and found Aguado ruling in the + place of Bartholomew, who had wisely made no protest against his own + deposition, but was quietly waiting for the Admiral to return. Columbus + might surely have been forgiven if he had betrayed extreme anger and + annoyance at the doings of Aguado; and it is entirely to his credit that + he concealed such natural wrath as he may have felt, and greeted Aguado + with extreme courtesy and ceremony as a representative of the Sovereigns. + He made no protest, but decided to return himself to Spain and confront + the jealousy and ill-fame that were accumulating against him. + </p> + <p> + Just as the ships were all ready to sail, one of the hurricanes which + occur periodically in the West Indies burst upon the island, lashing the + sea into a wall of advancing foam that destroyed everything before it. + Among other things it destroyed three out of the four ships, dashing them + on the beach and reducing them to complete wreckage. The only one that + held to her anchor and, although much battered and damaged, rode out the + gale, was the Nina, that staunch little friend that had remained faithful + to the Admiral through so many dangers and trials. There was nothing for + it but to build a new ship out of the fragments of the wrecks, and to make + the journey home with two ships instead of with four. + </p> + <p> + At this moment, while he was waiting for the ship to be completed, + Columbus heard a piece of news of a kind that never failed to rouse his + interest. There was a young Spaniard named Miguel Diaz who had got into + disgrace in Isabella some time before on account of a duel, and had + wandered into the island until he had come out on the south coast at the + mouth of the river Ozama, near the site of the present town of Santo + Domingo. There he had fallen in love with a female cacique and had made + his home with her. She, knowing the Spanish taste, and anxious to please + her lover and to retain him in her territory, told him of some rich + gold-mines that there were in the neighbourhood, and suggested that he + should inform the Admiral, who would perhaps remove the settlement from + Isabella to the south coast. She provided him with guides and sent him off + to Isabella, where, hearing that his antagonist had recovered, and that he + himself was therefore in no danger of punishment, he presented himself + with his story. + </p> + <p> + Columbus immediately despatched Bartholomew with a party to examine the + mines; and sure enough they found in the river Hayna undoubted evidence of + a wealth far in excess of that contained in the Cibao gold-mines. + Moreover, they had noticed two ancient excavations about which the natives + could tell them nothing, but which made them think that the mines had once + been worked. + </p> + <p> + Columbus was never backward in fitting a story and a theory to whatever + phenomena surrounded him; and in this case he was certain that the + excavations were the work of Solomon, and that he had discovered the gold + of Ophir. “Sure enough,” thinks the Admiral, “I have hit + it this time; and the ships came eastward from the Persian Gulf round the + Golden Chersonesus, which I discovered this very last winter.” + Immediately, as his habit was, Columbus began to build castles in Spain. + Here was a fine answer to Buil and Margarite! Without waiting a week or + two to get any of the gold this extraordinary man decided to hurry off at + once to Spain with the news, not dreaming that Spain might, by this time, + have had a surfeit of news, and might be in serious need of some simple, + honest facts. But he thought his two caravels sufficiently freighted with + this new belief—the belief that he had discovered the Ophir of + Solomon. + </p> + <p> + The Admiral sailed on March 10th, 1496, carrying with him in chains the + vanquished Caonabo and other natives. He touched at Marigalante and at + Guadaloupe, where his people had an engagement with the natives, taking + several prisoners, but releasing them all again with the exception of one + woman, a handsome creature who had fallen in love with Caonabo and refused + to go. But for Caonabo the joys of life and love were at an end; his heart + and spirit were broken. He was not destined to be paraded as a captive + through the streets of Spain, and it was somewhere in the deep Atlantic + that he paid the last tribute to the power that had captured and broken + him. He died on the voyage, which was longer and much more full of + hardships than usual. For some reason or other Columbus did not take the + northerly route going home, but sailed east from Gaudaloupe, encountering + the easterly trade winds, which delayed him so much that the voyage + occupied three months instead of six weeks. + </p> + <p> + Once more he exhibited his easy mastery of the art of navigation and his + extraordinary gift for estimating dead-reckoning. After having been out of + sight of land for eight weeks, and while some of the sailors thought they + might be in the Bay of Biscay, and others that they were in the English + Channel, the Admiral suddenly announced that they were close to Cape Saint + Vincent. + </p> + <p> + No land was in sight, but he ordered that sail should be shortened that + evening; and sure enough the next morning they sighted the land close by + Cape Saint Vincent. Columbus managed his landfalls with a fine dramatic + sense as though they were conjuring tricks; and indeed they must have + seemed like conjuring tricks, except that they were almost always + successful. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + <a name="ch4c" id="ch4c"></a>CHAPTER VI. + </h2> + <h3> + IN SPAIN AGAIN + </h3> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p> + The loiterers about the harbour of Cadiz saw a curious sight on June 11th, + 1496, when the two battered ships, bearing back the voyagers from the + Eldorado of the West, disembarked their passengers. There were some 220 + souls on board, including thirty Indians: and instead of leaping ashore, + flushed with health, and bringing the fortunes which they had gone out to + seek, they crawled miserably from the boats or were carried ashore, + emaciated by starvation, yellow with disease, ragged and unkempt from + poverty, and with practically no possessions other than the clothes they + stood up in. Even the Admiral, now in his forty-sixth year, hardly had the + appearance that one would expect in a Viceroy of the Indies. His white + hair and beard were rough and matted, his handsome face furrowed by care + and sunken by illness and exhaustion, and instead of the glittering armour + and uniform of his office he wore the plain robe and girdle of the + Franciscan order—this last probably in consequence of some vow or + other he had made in an hour of peril on the voyage. + </p> + <p> + One lucky coincidence marked his arrival. In the harbour, preparing to + weigh anchor, was a fleet of three little caravels, commanded by Pedro + Nino, about to set out for Espanola with supplies and despatches. Columbus + hurried on board Nino’s ship, and there read the letters from the + Sovereigns which it had been designed he should receive in Espanola. The + letters are not preserved, but one can make a fair guess at their + contents. Some searching questions would certainly be asked, kind + assurances of continued confidence would doubtless be given, with many + suggestions for the betterment of affairs in the distant colony. Only + their result upon the Admiral is known to us. He sat down there and then + and wrote to Bartholomew, urging him to secure peace in the island by + every means in his power, to send home any caciques or natives who were + likely to give trouble, and most of all to push on with the building of a + settlement on the south coast where the new mines were, and to have a + cargo of gold ready to send back with the next expedition. Having written + this letter, the Admiral saw the little fleet sail away on June 17th, and + himself prepared with mingled feelings to present himself before his + Sovereigns. + </p> + <p> + While he was waiting for their summons at Los Palacios, a small town near + Seville, he was the guest of the curate of that place, Andrez Bernaldez, + who had been chaplain to Christopher’s old friend DEA, the + Archbishop of Seville. This good priest evidently proved a staunch friend + to Columbus at this anxious period of his life, for the Admiral left many + important papers in his charge when he again left Spain, and no small part + of the scant contemporary information about Columbus that has come down to + us is contained in the ‘Historia de los Reyes Catolicos’, + which Bernaldez wrote after the death of Columbus. + </p> + <p> + Fickle Spain had already forgotten its first sentimental enthusiasm over + the Admiral’s discoveries, and now was only interested in their + financial results. People cannot be continually excited about a thing + which they have not seen, and there were events much nearer home that + absorbed the public interest. There was the trouble with France, the + contemplated alliance of the Crown Prince with Margaret of Austria, and of + the Spanish Princess Juana with Philip of Austria; and there were the + designs of Ferdinand upon the kingdom of Naples, which was in his eyes a + much more desirable and valuable prize than any group of unknown islands + beyond the ocean. + </p> + <p> + Columbus did his very best to work up enthusiasm again. He repeated the + performance that had been such a success after his first voyage—the + kind of circus procession in which the natives were marched in column + surrounded by specimens of the wealth of the Indies. But somehow it did + not work so well this time. Where there had formerly been acclamations and + crowds pressing forward to view the savages and their ornaments, there + were now apathy and a dearth of spectators. And although Columbus did his + very best, and was careful to exhibit every scrap of gold that he had + brought, and to hang golden collars and ornaments about the necks of the + marching Indians, his exhibition was received either in ominous silence + or, in some quarters, with something like derision. As I have said before, + there comes a time when the best-disposed debtors do not regard themselves + as being repaid by promises, and when the most enthusiastic optimist + desires to see something more than samples. It was only old Colon going + round with his show again—flamingoes, macaws, seashells, dye-woods, + gums and spices; some people laughed, and some were angry; but all were + united in thinking that the New World was not a very profitable + speculation. + </p> + <p> + Things were a little better, however, at Court. Isabella certainly + believed still in Columbus; Ferdinand, although he had never been + enthusiastic, knew the Admiral too well to make the vulgar mistake of + believing him an impostor; and both were too polite and considerate to add + to his obvious mortification and distress by any discouraging comments. + Moreover, the man himself had lost neither his belief in the value of his + discoveries nor his eloquence in talking of them; and when he told his + story to the Sovereigns they could not help being impressed, not only with + his sincerity but with his ability and single-heartedness also. It was + almost the same old story, of illimitable wealth that was just about to be + acquired, and perhaps no one but Columbus could have made it go down once + more with success; but talking about his exploits was never any trouble to + him, and his astonishing conviction, the lofty and dignified manner in + which he described both good and bad fortune, and the impressive way in + which he spoke of the wealth of the gold of Ophir and of the far-reaching + importance of his supposed discovery of the Golden Chersonesus and the + mainland of Asia, had their due effect on his hearers. + </p> + <p> + It was always his way, plausible Christopher, to pass lightly over the + premises and to dwell with elaborate detail on the deductions. It was by + no means proved that he had discovered the mines of King Solomon; he had + never even seen the place which he identified with them; it was in fact + nothing more than an idea in his own head; but we may be sure that he took + it as an established fact that he had actually discovered the mines of + Ophir, and confined his discussion to estimates of the wealth which they + were likely to yield, and of what was to be done with the wealth when the + mere details of conveying it from the mines to the ships had been disposed + of. So also with the Golden Chersonesus. The very name was enough to stop + the mouths of doubters; and here was the man himself who had actually been + there, and here was a sworn affidavit from every member of his crew to say + that they had been there too. This kind of logic is irresistible if you + only grant the first little step; and Columbus had the art of making it + seem an act of imbecility in any of his hearers to doubt the strength of + the little link by which his great golden chains of argument were fastened + to fact and truth. + </p> + <p> + For Columbus everything depended upon his reception by the Sovereigns at + this time. Unless he could re-establish his hold upon them and move to a + still more secure position in their confidence he was a ruined man and his + career was finished; and one cannot but sympathise with him as he sits + there searching his mind for tempting and convincing arguments, and + speaking so calmly and gravely and confidently in spite of all the doubts + and flutterings in his heart. Like a tradesman setting out his wares, he + brought forth every inducement he could think of to convince the + Sovereigns that the only way to make a success of what they had already + done was to do more; that the only way to make profitable the money that + had already been spent was to spend more; that the only way to prove the + wisdom of their trust in him was to trust him more. One of his + transcendent merits in a situation of this kind was that he always had + something new and interesting to propose. He did not spread out his hands + and say, “This is what I have done: it is the best I can do; how are + you going to treat me?” He said in effect, “This is what I + have done; you will see that it will all come right in time; do not worry + about it; but meanwhile I have something else to propose which I think + your Majesties will consider a good plan.” + </p> + <p> + His new demand was for a fleet of six ships, two of which were to convey + supplies to Espanola, and the other four to be entrusted to him for the + purpose of a voyage of discovery towards the mainland to the south of + Espanola, of which he had heard consistent rumours; which was said to be + rich in gold, and (a clever touch) to which the King of Portugal was + thinking of sending a fleet, as he thought that it might lie within the + limits of his domain of heathendom. And so well did he manage, and so + deeply did he impress the Sovereigns with his assurance that this time the + thing amounted to what is vulgarly called “a dead certainty,” + that they promised him he should have his ships. + </p> + <p> + But promise and performance, as no one knew better than Columbus, are + different things; and it was a long while before he got his ships. There + was the usual scarcity of money, and the extensive military and diplomatic + operations in which the Crown was then engaged absorbed every maravedi + that Ferdinand could lay his hands on. There was an army to be maintained + under the Pyrenees to keep watch over France; fleets had to be kept + patrolling both the Mediterranean and Atlantic seaboards; and there was a + whole armada required to convey the princesses of Spain and Austria to + their respective husbands in connection with the double matrimonial + alliance arranged between the two countries. And when at last, in October + 1496, six million maravedis were provided wherewith Columbus might equip + his fleet, they were withdrawn again under very mortifying circumstances. + The appropriation had just been made when a letter arrived from Pedro + Nino, who had been to Espanola and come back again, and now wrote from + Cadiz to the Sovereigns, saying that his ships were full of gold. He did + not present himself at Court, but went to visit his family at Huelva; but + the good news of his letter was accepted as an excuse for this oversight. + </p> + <p> + No one was better pleased than the Admiral. “What did I tell you?” + he says; “you see the mines of Hayna are paying already.” King + Ferdinand, equally pleased, and having an urgent need of money in + connection with his operations against France, took the opportunity to + cancel the appropriation of the six million maravedis, giving Columbus + instead an order for the amount to be paid out of the treasure brought + home by Nino. Alas, the mariner’s boast of gold had been a figure of + speech. There was no gold; there was only a cargo of slaves, which Nino + deemed the equivalent of gold; and when Bartholomew’s despatches + came to be read he described the affairs of Espanola as being in very much + the same condition as before. This incident produced a most unfortunate + impression. Even Columbus was obliged to keep quiet for a little while; + and it is likely that the mention of six million maravedis was not + welcomed by him for some time afterwards. + </p> + <p> + After the wedding of Prince Juan in March 1497, when Queen Isabella had + more time to give to external affairs, the promise to Columbus was again + remembered, and his position was considered in detail. An order was made + (April 23rd, 1497), restoring to the Admiral the original privileges + bestowed upon him at Santa Fe. He was offered a large tract of land in + Espanola, with the title of Duke; but much as he hankered after titular + honours, he was for once prudent enough to refuse this gift. His reason + was that it would only further damage his influence, and give apparent + justification to those enemies who said that the whole enterprise had been + undertaken merely in his own interests; and it is possible also that his + many painful associations with Espanola, and the bloodshed and horrors + that he had witnessed there, had aroused in his superstitious mind a + distaste for possessions and titles in that devastated Paradise. Instead, + he accepted a measure of relief from the obligations incurred by his + eighth share in the many unprofitable expeditions that had been sent out + during the last three years, agreeing for the next three years to receive + an eighth share of the gross income, and a tenth of the net profits, + without contributing anything to the cost. His appointment of Bartholomew + to the office of Adelantado, which had annoyed Ferdinand, was now + confirmed; the universal license which had been granted to Spanish + subjects to settle in the new lands was revoked in so far as it infringed + the Admiral’s privileges; and he was granted a force of 330 + officers, soldiers, and artificers to be at his personal disposal in the + prosecution of his next voyage. + </p> + <p> + The death of Prince Juan in October 1497 once more distracted the + attention of the Court from all but personal matters; and Columbus + employed the time of waiting in drafting a testamentary document in which + he was permitted to create an entail on his title and estates in favour of + his two sons and their heirs for ever. This did not represent his complete + or final testament, for he added codicils at various times, the latest + being executed the day before his death. The document is worth studying; + it reveals something of the laborious, painstaking mind reaching out down + the rivers and streams of the future that were to flow from the fountain + of his own greatness; it reveals also his triple conception of the + obligations of human life in this world—the cultivation and + retention of temporal dignity, the performance of pious and charitable + acts, and the recognition of duty to one’s family. It was in this + document that Columbus formulated the curious cipher which he always now + used in signing his name, and of which various readings are given in the + Appendix. He also enjoined upon his heir the duty of using the simple + title which he himself loved and used most—“The Admiral.” + </p> + <p> + After the death of Prince Juan, Queen Isabella honoured Columbus by + attaching his two sons to her own person as pages; and her friendship must + at this time have gone far to compensate him for the coolness shown + towards him by the public at large. He might talk as much as he pleased, + but he had nothing to show for all his talk except a few trinkets, a + collection of interesting but valueless botanical specimens, and a handful + of miserable slaves. Lives and fortunes had been wrecked on the + enterprise, which had so far brought nothing to Spain but the promise of + luxurious adventure that was not fulfilled and of a wealth and glory that + had not been realised. It must have been a very humiliating circumstance + to Columbus that in the preparations which he was now (February 1498) + making for the equipment of his new expedition a great difficulty was + found in procuring ships and men. Not even before the first voyage had so + much reluctance been shown to risk life and property in the enterprise. + Merchants and sailors had then been frightened of dangers which they did + not know; now, it seemed, the evils of which they did know proved a still + greater deterrent. The Admiral was at this time the guest of his friend + Bernaldez, who has told us something of his difficulties; and the + humiliating expedient of seizing ships under a royal order had finally to + be adopted. But it would never have done to impress the colonists also; + that would have been too open a confession of failure for the proud + Admiral to tolerate. + </p> + <p> + Instead he had recourse to the miserable plan of which he had made use in + Palos; the prisons were opened, and criminals under sentence invited to + come forth and enjoy the blessings of colonial life. Even then there was + not that rush from the prison doors that might have been expected, and + some desperate characters apparently preferred the mercies of a Spanish + prison to what they had heard of the joys of the Earthly Paradise. Still a + number of criminals did doubtfully crawl forth and furnish a retinue for + the great Admiral and Viceroy. Trembling, suspicious, and with more than + half a mind to go back to their bonds, some part of the human vermin of + Spain was eventually cajoled and chivied on board the ships. + </p> + <p> + The needs of the colony being urgent, and recruiting being slow, two + caravels laden with provisions were sent off in advance; but even for this + purpose there was a difficulty about money, and good Isabella furnished + the expense, at much inconvenience, from her private purse. + </p> + <p> + Columbus had to supervise everything himself; and no wonder that by the + end of May, when he was ready to sail, his patience and temper were + exhausted and his much-tried endurance broke down under the petty gnatlike + irritations of Fonseca and his myrmidons. It was on the deck of his own + ship, in the harbour of San Lucar, that he knocked down and soundly kicked + Ximeno de Breviesca, Fonseca’s accountant, whose nagging + requisitions had driven the Admiral to fury. + </p> + <p> + After all these years of gravity and restraint and endurance, this + momentary outbreak of the old Adam in our hero is like a breath of wind + through an open window. + </p> + <p> + To the portraits of Columbus hanging in the gallery of one’s + imagination this must surely be added; in which Christopher, on the deck + of his ship, with the royal standard and the Admiral’s flag flying + from his masthead, is observed to be soundly kicking a prostrate + accountant. The incident is worthy of a date, which is accordingly here + given, as near as may be—May 29, 1498. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + <a name="ch5c" id="ch5c"></a>CHAPTER V. + </h2> + <h3> + THE THIRD VOYAGE + </h3> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p> + Columbus was at sea again; firm ground to him, although so treacherous and + unstable to most of us; and as he saw the Spanish coast sinking down on + the horizon he could shake himself free from his troubles, and feel that + once more he was in a situation of which he was master. He first touched + at Porto Santo, where, if the story of his residence there be true, there + must have been potent memories for him in the sight of the long white + beach and the plantations, with the Governor’s house beyond. He + stayed there only a few hours and then crossed over to Madeira, anchoring + in the Bay of Funchal, where he took in wood and water. As it was really + unnecessary for him to make a port so soon after leaving, there was + probably some other reason for his visit to these islands; perhaps a + family reason; perhaps nothing more historically important than the desire + to look once more on scenes of bygone happiness, for even on the page of + history every event is not necessarily big with significance. From Madeira + he took a southerly course to the Canary Islands, and on June 16th + anchored at Gomera, where he found a French warship with two Spanish + prizes, all of which put to sea as the Admiral’s fleet approached. + On June 21st, when he sailed from Gomera, he divided his fleet of six + vessels into two squadrons. Three ships were despatched direct to + Espanola, for the supplies which they carried were urgently needed there. + These three ships were commanded by trustworthy men: Pedro de Arana, a + brother of Beatriz, Alonso Sanchez de Carvajal, and Juan Antonio Colombo—this + last no other than a cousin of Christopher’s from Genoa. The sons of + Domenico’s provident younger brother had not prospered, while the + sons of improvident Domenico were now all in high places; and these three + poor cousins, hearing of Christopher’s greatness, and deciding that + use should be made of him, scraped together enough money to send one of + their number to Spain. The Admiral always had a sound family feeling, and + finding that cousin Antonio had sea experience and knew how to handle a + ship he gave him command of one of the caravels on this voyage—a + command of which he proved capable and worthy. From these three captains, + after giving them full sailing directions for reaching Espanola, Columbus + parted company off the island of Ferro. He himself stood on a southerly + course towards the Cape Verde Islands. + </p> + <p> + His plan on this voyage was to find the mainland to the southward, of + which he had heard rumours in Espanola. Before leaving Spain he had + received a letter from an eminent lapidary named Ferrer who had travelled + much in the east, and who assured him that if he sought gold and precious + stones he must go to hot lands, and that the hotter the lands were, and + the blacker the inhabitants, the more likely he was to find riches there. + This was just the kind of theory to suit Columbus, and as he sailed + towards the Cape Verde Islands he was already in imagination gathering + gold and pearls on the shores of the equatorial continent. + </p> + <p> + He stayed for about a week at the Cape Verde Islands, getting in + provisions and cattle, and curiously observing the life of the Portuguese + lepers who came in numbers to the island of Buenavista to be cured there + by eating the flesh and bathing in the blood of turtles. It was not an + inspiriting week which he spent in that dreary place and enervating + climate, with nothing to see but the goats feeding among the scrub, the + turtles crawling about the sand, and the lepers following the turtles. It + began to tell on the health of the crew, so he weighed anchor on July 5th + and stood on a southwesterly course. + </p> + <p> + This third voyage, which was destined to be the most important of all, and + the material for which had cost him so much time and labour, was + undertaken in a very solemn and determined spirit. His health, which he + had hoped to recover in Spain, had been if anything damaged by his + worryings with officialdom there; and although he was only forty-seven + years of age he was in some respects already an old man. He had entered, + although happily he did not know it, on the last decade of his life; and + was already beginning to suffer from the two diseases, gout and + ophthalmia, which were soon to undermine his strength and endurance. + Religion of a mystical fifteenth-century sort was deepening in him; he had + undertaken this voyage in the name of the Holy Trinity; and to that + theological entity he had resolved to dedicate the first new land that he + should sight. + </p> + <p> + For ten days light baffling winds impeded his progress; but at the end of + that time the winds fell away altogether, and the voyagers found + themselves in that flat equatorial calm known to mariners as the Doldrums. + The vertical rays of the sun shone blisteringly down upon them, making the + seams of the ships gape and causing the unhappy crews mental as well as + bodily distress, for they began to fear that they had reached that zone of + fire which had always been said to exist in the southern ocean. + </p> + <p> + Day after day the three ships lay motionless on the glassy water, with + wood-work so hot as to burn the hands that touched it, with the meat + putrefying in the casks below, and the water running from the loosened + casks, and no one with courage and endurance enough to venture into the + stifling hold even to save the provisions. And through all this the + Admiral, racked with gout, had to keep a cheerful face and assure his + prostrate crew that they would soon be out of it. + </p> + <p> + There were showers of rain sometimes, but the moisture in that baking + atmosphere only added to its stifling and enervating effects. All the + while, however, the great slow current of the Atlantic was moving + westward, and there came a day when a heavenly breeze, stirred in the + torrid air and the musical talk of ripples began to rise again from the + weedy stems of the ships. They sailed due west, always into a cooler and + fresher atmosphere; but still no land was sighted, although pelicans and + smaller birds were continually seen passing from south-west to north-east. + As provisions were beginning to run low, Columbus decided on the 31st July + to alter his course to north-by-east, in the hope of reaching the island + of Dominica. But at mid-day his servant Alonso Perez, happening to go to + the masthead, cried out that there was land in sight; and sure enough to + the westward there rose three peaks of land united at the base. Here was + the kind of coincidence which staggers even the unbeliever. Columbus had + promised to dedicate the first land he saw to the Trinity; and here was + the land, miraculously provided when he needed it most, three peaks in one + peak, in due conformity with the requirements of the blessed Saint + Athanasius. The Admiral was deeply affected; the God of his belief was + indeed a good friend to him; and he wrote down his pious conviction that + the event was a miracle, and summoned all hands to sing the Salve Regina, + with other hymns in praise of God and the Virgin Mary. The island was duly + christened La Trinidad. By the hour of Compline (9 o’clock in the + evening) they had come up with the south coast of the island, but it was + the next day before the Admiral found a harbour where he could take in + water. No natives were to be seen, although there were footprints on the + shore and other signs of human habitation. + </p> + <p> + He continued all day to sail slowly along the shore of the island, the + green luxuriance of which astonished him; and sometimes he stood out from + the coast to the southward as he made a long board to round this or that + point. It must have been while reaching out in this way to the southward + that he saw a low shore on his port hand some sixty miles to the south of + Trinidad, and that his sight, although he did not know it, rested for the + first time on the mainland of South America. The land seen was the low + coast to the west of the Orinoco, and thinking that it was an island he + gave it the name of Isla Sancta. + </p> + <p> + On the 2nd of August they were off the south-west of Trinidad, and saw the + first inhabitants in the shape of a canoe full of armed natives, who + approached the ships with threatening gestures. Columbus had brought out + some musicians with him, possibly for the purpose of impressing the + natives, and perhaps with the idea of making things a little more cheerful + in Espanola; and the musicians were now duly called upon to give a + performance, a tambourine-player standing on the forecastle and beating + the rhythm for the ships’ boys to dance to. The effect was other + than was anticipated, for the natives immediately discharged a thick + flight of arrows at the musicians, and the music and dancing abruptly + ceased. Eventually the Indians were prevailed upon to come on board the + two smaller ships and to receive gifts, after which they departed and were + seen no more. Columbus landed and made some observations of the vegetation + and climate of Trinidad, noticing that the fruits and-trees were similar + to those of Espanola, and that oysters abounded, as well as “very + large, infinite fish, and parrots as large as hens.” + </p> + <p> + He saw another peak of the mainland to the northwest, which was the + peninsula of Paria, and to which Columbus, taking it to be another island, + gave the name of Isla de Gracia. Between him and this land lay a narrow + channel through which a mighty current was flowing—that press of + waters which, sweeping across the Atlantic from Africa, enters the + Caribbean Sea, sprays round the Gulf of Mexico, and turns north again in + the current known as the Gulf Stream. While his ships were anchored at the + entrance to this channel and Columbus was wondering how he should cross + it, a mighty flood of water suddenly came down with a roar, sending a + great surging wave in front of it. The vessels were lifted up as though by + magic; two of them dragged their anchors from the bottom, and the other + one broke her cable. This flood was probably caused by a sudden flush of + fresh water from one of the many mouths of the Orinoco; but to Columbus, + who had no thought of rivers in his mind, it was very alarming. + Apparently, however, there was nothing for it but to get through the + channel, and having sent boats on in front to take soundings and see that + there was clear water he eventually piloted his little squadron through, + with his heart in his mouth and his eyes fixed on the swinging eddies and + surging circles of the channel. Once beyond it he was in the smooth water + of the Gulf of Paria. He followed the westerly coast of Trinidad to the + north until he came to a second channel narrower than the first, through + which the current boiled with still greater violence, and to which he gave + the name of Dragon’s Mouth. This is the channel between the + northwesterly point of Trinidad and the eastern promontory of Paria. + Columbus now began to be bewildered, for he discovered that the water over + the ship’s side was fresh water, and he could not make out where it + came from. Thinking that the peninsula of Paria was an island, and not + wishing to attempt the dangerous passage of the Dragon’s Mouth, he + decided to coast along the southern shore of the land opposite, hoping to + be able to turn north round its western extremity. + </p> + <p> + Sweeter blew the breezes, fresher grew the water, milder and more balmy + the air, greener and deeper the vegetation of this beautiful region. The + Admiral was ill with the gout, and suffering such pain from his eyes that + he was sometimes blinded by it; but the excitement of the strange + phenomena surrounding him kept him up, and his powers of observation, + always acute, suffered no diminution. There were no inhabitants to be seen + as they sailed along the coast, but monkeys climbed and chattered in the + trees by the shore, and oysters were found clinging to the branches that + dipped into the water. At last, in a bay where they anchored to take in + water, a native canoe containing three, men was seen cautiously + approaching; and the men, who were shy, were captured by the device of a + sailor jumping on to the gunwale of the canoe and overturning it, the + natives being easily caught in the water, and afterwards soothed and + captivated by the unfailing attraction of hawks’ bells. They were + tall men with long hair, and they told Columbus that the name of their + country was Paria; and when they were asked about other inhabitants they + pointed to the west and signified that there was a great population in + that direction. + </p> + <p> + On the 10th of August 1498 a party landed on this coast and formally took + possession of it in the name of the Sovereigns of Spain. By an unlucky + chance Columbus himself did not land. His eyes were troubling him so much + that he was obliged to lie down in his cabin, and the formal act of + possession was performed by a deputy. If he had only known! If he could + but have guessed that this was indeed the mainland of a New World that did + not exist even in his dreams, what agonies he would have suffered rather + than permit any one else to pronounce the words of annexation! But he lay + there in pain and suffering, his curious mystical mind occupied with a + conception very remote indeed from the truth. + </p> + <p> + For in that fertile hotbed of imagination, the Admiral’s brain, a + new and staggering theory had gradually been taking shape. As his ships + had been wafted into this delicious region, as the airs had become + sweeter, the vegetation more luxuriant, and the water of the sea fresher,—he + had solemnly arrived at the conclusion that he was approaching the region + of the true terrestrial Paradise: the Garden of Eden that some of the + Fathers had declared to be situated in the extreme east of the Old World, + and in a region so high that the flood had not overwhelmed it. Columbus, + thinking hard in his cabin, blood and brain a little fevered, comes to the + conclusion that the world is not round but pear-shaped. He knows that all + this fresh water in the sea must come from a great distance and from no + ordinary river; and he decides that its volume and direction have been + acquired in its fall from the apex of the pear, from the very top of the + world, from the Garden of Eden itself. It was a most beautiful conception; + a theory worthy to be fitted to all the sweet sights and sounds in the + world about him; but it led him farther and farther away from the truth, + and blinded him to knowledge and understanding of what he had actually + accomplished. + </p> + <p> + He had thought the coast of Cuba the mainland, and he now began to + consider it at least possible that the peninsula of Paria was mainland + also—another part of the same continent. That was the truth—Paria + was the mainland—and if he had not been so bemused by his dreams and + theories he might have had some inkling of the real wonder and + significance of his discovery. But no; in his profoundly unscientific mind + there was little of that patience which holds men back from theorising and + keeps them ready to receive the truth. He was patient enough in doing, but + in thinking he was not patient at all. No sooner had he observed a fact + than he must find a theory which would bring it into relation with the + whole of his knowledge; and if the facts would not harmonise of themselves + he invented a scheme of things by which they were forced into harmony. He + was indeed a Darwinian before his time, an adept in the art of inventing + causes to fit facts, and then proving that the facts sprang from the + causes; but his origins were tangible, immovable things of rock and soil + that could be seen and visited by other men, and their true relation to + the terrestrial phenomena accurately established; so that his very proofs + were monumental, and became themselves the advertisements of his profound + misjudgment. But meanwhile he is the Admiral of the Ocean Seas, and can + “make it so”; and accordingly, in a state of mental + instability, he makes the Gulf of Paria to be a slope of earth immediately + below the Garden of Eden, although fortunately he does not this time + provide a sworn affidavit of trembling ships’ boys to confirm his + discovery. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile also here were pearls; the native women wore ropes of them all + over their bodies, and a fair store of them were bartered for pieces of + broken crockery. Asked as usual about the pearls the natives, also as + usual, pointed vaguely to the west and south-west, and explained that + there were more pearls in that direction. But the Admiral would not tarry. + Although he believed that he was within reach of Eden and pearls, he was + more anxious to get back to Espanola and send the thrilling news to Spain + than he was to push on a little farther and really assure himself of the + truth. How like Christopher that was! Ideas to him were of more value than + facts, as indeed they are to the world at large; but one is sometimes led + to wonder whether he did not sometimes hesitate to turn his ideas into + facts for very fear that they should turn out to be only ideas. Was he, in + his relations with Spain and the world, a trader in the names rather than + the substance of things? We have seen him going home to Spain and + announcing the discovery of the Golden Chersonesus, although he had only + discovered what he erroneously supposed to be an indication of it; + proclaiming the discovery of the Ophir of Solomon without taking the + trouble to test for himself so tremendous an assumption; and we now see + him hurrying away to dazzle Spain with the story that he has discovered + the Garden of Eden, without even trying to push on for a few days more to + secure so much as a cutting from the Tree of Life. + </p> + <p> + These are grave considerations; for although happily the Tree of Life is + now of no importance to any human being, the doings of Admiral Christopher + were of great importance to himself and to his fellow-men at that time, + and are still to-day, through the infinite channels in which human thought + and action run and continue thoughout the world, of grave importance to + us. Perhaps this is not quite the moment, now that the poor Admiral is + lying in pain and weakness and not quite master of his own mind, to + consider fully how he stands in this matter of honesty; we will leave it + for the present until he is well again, or better still, until his tale of + life and action is complete, and comes as a whole before the bar of human + judgment. + </p> + <p> + On August 11th Columbus turned east again after having given up the + attempt to find a passage to the north round Paria. There were practical + considerations that brought him to this action. As the water was growing + shoaler and shoaler he had sent a caravel of light draft some way further + to the westward, and she reported that there lay ahead of her a great + inner bay or gulf consisting of almost entirely fresh water. Provisions, + moreover, were running short, and were, as usual, turning bad; the Admiral’s + health made vigorous action of any kind impossible for him; he was anxious + about the condition of Espanola—anxious also, as we have seen, to + send this great news home; and he therefore turned back and decided to + risk the passage of the Dragon’s Mouth. He anchored in the + neighbouring harbour until the wind was in the right quarter, and with + some trepidation put his ships into the boiling tideway. When they were in + the middle of the passage the wind fell to a dead calm, and the ships, + with their sails hanging loose, were borne on the dizzy surface of eddies, + overfalls, and whirls of the tide. Fortunately there was deep water in the + passage, and the strength of the current carried them safely through. Once + outside they bore away to the northward, sighting the islands of Tobago + and Grenada and, turning westward again, came to the islands of Cubagua + and Margarita, where three pounds of pearls were bartered from the + natives. A week after the passage of the Dragon’s Mouth Columbus + sighted the south coast of Espanola, which coast he made at a point a long + way to the east of the new settlement that he had instructed Bartholomew + to found; and as the winds were contrary, and he feared it might take him + a long time to beat up against them, he sent a boat ashore with a letter + which was to be delivered by a native messenger to the Adelantado. The + letter was delivered; a few days later a caravel was sighted which + contained Bartholomew himself; and once more, after a long separation, + these two friends and brothers were united. + </p> + <p> + The see-saw motion of all affairs with which Columbus had to do was in + full swing. We have seen him patching up matters in Espanola; hurrying to + Spain just in time to rescue his damaged reputation and do something to + restore it; and now when he had come back it was but a sorry tale that + Bartholomew had to tell him. A fortress had been built at the Hayna + gold-mines, but provisions had been so scarce that there had been + something like a famine among the workmen there; no digging had been done, + no planting, no making of the place fit for human occupation and industry. + Bartholomew had been kept busy in collecting the native tribute, and in + planning out the beginnings of the settlement at the mouth of the river + Ozema, which was at first called the New Isabella, but was afterwards + named San Domingo in honour of old Domenico at Savona. The cacique + Behechio had been giving trouble; had indeed marched out with an army + against Bartholomew, but had been more or less reconciled by the + intervention of his sister Anacaona, widow of the late Caonabo, who had + apparently transferred her affections to Governor Bartholomew. The battle + was turned into a friendly pagan festival—one of the last ever held + on that once happy island—in which native girls danced in a green + grove, with the beautiful Anacaona, dressed only in garlands, carried on a + litter in their midst. + </p> + <p> + But in the Vega Real, where a chapel had been built by the priests of the + neighbouring settlement who were beginning to make converts, trouble had + arisen in consequence of an outrage on the wife of the cacique Guarionex. + The chapel was raided, the shrine destroyed, and the sacred vessels + carried off. The Spaniards seized a number of Indians whom they suspected + of having had a hand in the desecration, and burned them at the stake in + the most approved manner of the Inquisition—a hideous punishment + that fanned the remaining embers of the native spirit into flame, and + produced a hostile combination of Guarionex and several other caciques, + whose rebellion it took the Adelantado some trouble and display of arms to + quench. + </p> + <p> + But the worst news of all was the treacherous revolt of Francisco Roldan, + a Spaniard who had once been a servant of the Admiral’s, and who had + been raised by him to the office of judge in the island—an able + creature, but, like too many recipients of Christopher’s favour, a + treacherous rascal at bottom. As soon as the Admiral’s back was + turned Roldan had begun to make mischief, stirring up the discontent that + was never far below the surface of life in the colony, and getting + together a large band of rebellious ruffians. He had a plan to murder + Bartholomew Columbus and place himself at the head of the colony, but this + fell through. Then, in Bartholomew’s absence, he had a passage with + James Columbus, who had now returned to the island and had resumed his. + official duties at Isabella. Bartholomew, who was at another part of the + coast collecting tribute, had sent a caravel laden with cotton to + Isabella, and well-meaning James had her drawn up on the beach. Roldan + took the opportunity to represent this innocent action as a sign of the + intolerable autocracy of the Columbus family, who did not even wish a + vessel to be in a condition to sail for Spain with news of their misdeeds. + Insolent Roldan formally asks James to send the caravel to Spain with + supplies; poor James refuses and, perhaps being at bottom afraid of Roldan + and his insolences, despatches him to the Vega Real with a force to bring + to order some caciques who had been giving trouble. Possibly to his + surprise, although not to ours, Roldan departs with alacrity at the head + of seventy armed men. Honest, zealous James, no doubt; but also, we begin + to fear, stupid James. + </p> + <p> + The Vega Real was the most attractive part of the colony, and the scene of + infinite idleness and debauchery in the early days of the Spanish + settlement. As Margarite and other mutineers had acted, so did Roldan and + his soldiers now act, making sallies against several of the chain of forts + that stretched across the island, and even upon Isabella itself; and + returning to the Vega to the enjoyment of primitive wild pleasures. Roldan + and Bartholomew Columbus stalked each other about the island with armed + forces for several months, Roldan besieging Bartholomew in the fortress at + the Vega, which he had occupied in Roldan’s absence, and trying to + starve him out there. The arrival in February 1498 of the two ships which + had been sent out from Spain in advance, and which brought also the news + of the Admiral’s undamaged favour at Court, and of the royal + confirmation of Bartholomew’s title, produced for the moment a good + moral effect; Roldan went and sulked in the mountains, refusing to have + any parley or communication with the Adelantado, declining indeed to treat + with any one until the Admiral himself should return. In the meantime his + influence with the natives was strong enough to produce a native revolt, + which Bartholomew had only just succeeded in suppressing when Christopher + arrived on August 30th. + </p> + <p> + The Admiral was not a little distressed to find that the three ships from + which he had parted company at Ferro had not yet arrived. His own voyage + ought to have taken far longer than theirs; they had now been nine weeks + at sea, and there was nothing to account for their long delay. When at + last they did appear, however they brought with them only a new + complication. They had lost their way among the islands and had been + searching about for Espanola, finally making a landfall there on the coast + of Xaragua, the south-western province of the island, where Roldan and his + followers were established. Roldan had received them and, concealing the + fact of his treachery, procured a large store of provisions from them, his + followers being meanwhile busy among the crews of the ships inciting them + to mutiny and telling them of the oppression of the Admiral’s rule + and the joys of a lawless life. The gaol-birds were nothing loth; after + eight weeks at sea a spell ashore in this pleasant land, with all kinds of + indulgences which did not come within the ordinary regimen of convicts and + sailors, greatly appealing to them. The result was that more than half of + the crews mutinied and joined Roldan, and the captains were obliged to put + to sea with their small loyal remnant. Carvajal remained behind in order + to try to persuade Roldan to give himself up; but Roldan had no such idea, + and Carvajal had to make his way by land to San Domingo, where he made his + report to the Admiral. Roldan has in fact delivered a kind of ultimatum. + He will surrender to no one but the Admiral, and that only on condition + that he gets a free pardon. If negotiations are opened, Roldan will treat + with no one but Carvajal. The Admiral, whose grip of the situation is + getting weaker and weaker, finds himself in a difficulty. His loyal army + is only some seventy strong, while Roldan has, of disloyal settlers, + gaol-birds, and sailors, much more than that. The Admiral, since he cannot + reduce his enemy’s force by capturing them, seeks to do it by + bribing them; and the greatest bribe that he can think of to offer to + these malcontents is that any who like may have a free passage home in the + five caravels which are now waiting to return to Spain. To such a pass + have things come in the paradise of Espanola! But the rabble finds life + pleasant enough in Xaragua, where they are busy with indescribable + pleasures; and for the moment there is no great response to this + invitation to be gone. Columbus therefore despatches his ships, with such + rabble of colonists, gaol-birds, and mariners as have already had their + fill both of pain and pleasure, and writes his usual letter to the + Sovereigns—half full of the glories of the new discoveries he has + made, the other half setting forth the evil doings of Roldan, and begging + that he may be summoned to Spain for trial there. Incidentally, also, he + requests a further licence for two years for the capture and despatch of + slaves to Spain. So the vessels sail back on October 18, 1498, and the + Admiral turns wearily to the task of disentangling the web of difficulty + that has woven itself about him. + </p> + <p> + Carvajal and Ballester—another loyal captain—were sent with a + letter to Roldan urging him to come to terms, and Carvajal and Ballester + added their own honest persuasions. But Roldan was firm; he wished to be + quit of the Admiral and his rule, and to live independently in the island; + and of his followers, although some here and there showed signs of + submission, the greater number were so much in love with anarchy that they + could not be counted upon. For two months negotiations of a sort were + continued, Roldan even presenting himself under a guarantee of safety at + San Domingo, where he had a fruitless conference with the Admiral; where + also he had an opportunity of observing what a sorry state affairs in the + capital were in, and what a mess Columbus was making of it all. Roldan, + being a simple man, though a rascal, had only to remain firm in order to + get his way against a mind like the Admiral’s, and get his way he + ultimately did. The Admiral made terms of a kind most humiliating to him, + and utterly subversive of his influence and authority. The mutineers were + not only to receive a pardon but a certificate (good Heavens!) of good + conduct. Caravels were to be sent to convey them to Spain; and they were + to be permitted to carry with them all the slaves that they had collected + and all the native young women whom they had ravished from their homes. + </p> + <p> + Columbus signs this document on the 21st of November, and promises that + the ships shall be ready in fifty days; and then, at his wits’ end, + and hearing of irregularities in the interior of the island, sets off with + Bartholomew to inspect the posts and restore them to order. In his absence + the see-saw, in due obedience to the laws that govern all see-saws, gives + a lurch to the other side, and things go all wrong again in San Domingo. + The preparations for the despatch of the caravels are neglected as soon as + his back is turned; not fifty days, but nearly one hundred days elapse + before they are ready to sail from San Domingo to Xaragua. Even then they + are delayed by storms and head-winds; and when they do arrive Roldan and + his company will not embark in them. The agreement has been broken; a new + one must be made. Columbus, returning to San Domingo after long and + harassing struggles on the other end of the see-saw, gets news of this + deadlock, and at the same time has news from Fonseca in Spain of a far + from agreeable character. His complaints against the people under him have + been received by the Sovereigns and will be duly considered, but their + Majesties have not time at the moment to go into them. That is the gist of + it, and very cold cheer it is for the Admiral, balancing himself on this + turbulent see-saw with anxious eyes turned to Spain for encouragement and + approval. + </p> + <p> + In the depression that followed the receipt of this letter he was no match + for Roldan. He even himself took a caravel and sailed towards Xaragua, + where he was met by Roldan, who boarded his ship and made his new + proposals. Their impudence is astounding; and when we consider that the + Admiral had in theory absolute powers in the island, the fact that such + proposals could be made, not to say accepted, shows how far out of + relation were his actual with his nominal powers. Roldan proposed that he + should be allowed to give a number of his friends a free passage to Spain; + that to all who should remain free grants of land should be given; and (a + free pardon and certificate of good conduct contenting him no longer) that + a proclamation should be made throughout the island admitting that all the + charges of disloyalty and mutiny which had been brought against him and + his followers were without foundation; and, finally, that he should be + restored to his office of Alcalde Mayor or chief magistrate. + </p> + <p> + Here was a bolus for Christopher to swallow; a bolus compounded of his own + words, his own acts, his hope, dignity, supremacy. In dismal humiliation + he accepted the terms, with the addition of a clause more scandalous still—to + the effect that the mutineers reserved the right, in case the Admiral + should fail in the exact performance of any of his promises, to enforce + them by compulsion of arms or any other method they might think fit. This + precious document was signed on September 28, 1499 just twelve months + after the agreement which it was intended to replace; and the Admiral, + sailing dismally back to San Domingo, ruefully pondered on the fruits of a + year’s delay. Even then he was trying to make excuses for himself, + such as he made afterwards to the Sovereigns when he tried to explain that + this shameful capitulation was invalid. That he signed under compulsion; + that he was on board a ship, and so was not on his viceregal territory; + that the rebels had already been tried, and that he had not the power to + revoke a sentence which bore the authority of the Crown; that he had not + the power to dispose of the Crown property—desperate, agonised + shuffling of pride and self-esteem in the coils of trial and difficulty. + Enough of it. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + <a name="ch6c" id="ch6c"></a>CHAPTER VI. + </h2> + <h3> + AN INTERLUDE + </h3> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p> + A breath of salt air again will do us no harm as a relief from these + perilous balancings of Columbus on the see-saw at Espanola. His true work + in this world had indeed already been accomplished. When he smote the rock + of western discovery many springs flowed from it, and some were destined + to run in mightier channels than that which he himself followed. Among + other men stirred by the news of Columbus’s first voyage there was + one walking the streets of Bristol in 1496 who was fired to a similar + enterprise—a man of Venice, in boyhood named Zuan Caboto, but now + known in England, where he has some time been settled, as Captain John + Cabot. A sailor and trader who has travelled much through the known + sea-roads of this world, and has a desire to travel upon others not so + well known. He has been in the East, has seen the caravans of Mecca and + the goods they carried, and, like Columbus, has conceived in his mind the + roundness of the world as a practical fact rather than a mere mathematical + theory. Hearing of Columbus’s success Cabot sets what machinery in + England he has access to in motion to secure for him patents from King + Henry VII.; which patents he receives on March 5, 1496. After spending a + long time in preparation, and being perhaps a little delayed by diplomatic + protests from the Spanish Ambassador in London, he sails from Bristol in + May 1497. + </p> + <p> + After sailing west two thousand leagues Cabot found land in the + neighbourhood of Cape Breton, and was thus in all probability the first + discoverer, since the Icelanders, of the mainland of the New World. He + turned northward, sailed through the strait of Belle Isle, and came home + again, having accomplished his task in three months. Cabot, like Columbus, + believed he had seen the territory of the Great Khan, of whom he told the + interested population of Bristol some strange things. He further told them + of the probable riches of this new land if it were followed in a southerly + direction; told them some lies also, it appears, since he said that the + waters there were so dense with fish that his vessels could hardly move in + them. He received a gratuity of L10 and a pension, and made a great + sensation in Bristol by walking about the city dressed in fine silk + garments. He took other voyages also with his son Sebastian, who followed + with him the rapid widening stream of discovery and became Pilot Major of + Spain, and President of the Congress appointed in 1524 to settle the + conflicting pretensions of various discoverers; but so far as our + narrative is concerned, having sailed across from Bristol and discovered + the mainland of the New World some years before Columbus discovered it, + John Cabot sails into oblivion. + </p> + <p> + Another great conquest of the salt unknown taken place a few days before + Columbus sailed on his third voyage. The accidental discovery of the Cape + by Bartholomew Diaz in 1486 had not been neglected by Portugal; and the + achievements of Columbus, while they cut off Portuguese enterprise from + the western ocean, had only stimulated it to greater activity within its + own spheres. Vasco da Gama sailed from Lisbon in July 1497; by the end of + November he had rounded the Cape of Good Hope; and in May 1498, after a + long voyage full of interest, peril, and hardship he had landed at Calicut + on the shores of the true India. He came back in 1499 with a battered + remnant, his crew disabled by sickness and exhaustion, and half his ships + lost; but he had in fact discovered a road for trade and adventure to the + East that was not paved with promises, dreams, or mad affidavits, but was + a real and tangible achievement, bringing its reward in commerce and + wealth for Portugal. At that very moment Columbus was groping round the + mainland of South America, thinking it to be the coast of Cathay, and the + Garden of Eden, and God knows what other cosmographical—theological + abstractions; and Portugal, busy with her arrangements for making money, + could afford for the moment to look on undismayed at the development of + the mine of promises discovered by the Spanish Admiral. + </p> + <p> + The anxiety of Columbus to communicate the names of things before he had + made sure of their substance received another rude chastisement in the + events that followed the receipt in Spain of his letter announcing the + discovery of the Garden of Eden and the land of pearls. People in Spain + were not greatly interested in his theories of the terrestrial Paradise; + but more than one adventurer pricked up his ears at the name of pearls, + and among the first was our old friend Alonso de Ojeda, who had returned + some time before from Espanola and was living in Spain. His position as a + member of Columbus’s force on the second voyage and the distinction + he had gained there gave him special opportunities of access to the + letters and papers sent home by Columbus; and he found no difficulty in + getting Fonseca to show him the maps and charts of the coast of Paria sent + back by the Admiral, the veritable pearls which had been gathered, and the + enthusiastic descriptions of the wealth of this new coast. Knowing + something of Espanola, and of the Admiral also, and reading in the + despatches of the turbulent condition of the colony, he had a shrewd idea + that Columbus’s hands would be kept pretty full in Espanola itself, + and that he would have no opportunity for some time to make any more + voyages of discovery. He therefore represented to Fonseca what a pity it + would be if all this revenue should remain untapped just because one man + had not time to attend to it, and he proposed that he should take out an + expedition at his own cost and share the profits with the Crown. + </p> + <p> + This proposal was too tempting to be refused; unlike the expeditions of + Columbus, which were all expenditure and no revenue, it promised a chance + of revenue without any expenditure at all. The Paria coast, having been + discovered subsequent to the agreement made with Columbus, was considered + by Fonseca to be open to private enterprise; and he therefore granted + Ojeda a licence to go and explore it. Among those who went with him were + Amerigo Vespucci and Columbus’s old pilot, Juan de la Cosa, as well + as some of the sailors who had been with the Admiral on the coast of Paria + and had returned in the caravels which had brought his account of it back + to Spain. Ojeda sailed on May 20, 1499; made a landfall some hundreds of + miles to the eastward of the Orinoco, coasted thence as far as the island + of Trinidad, and sailed along the northern coast of the peninsula of Paria + until he came to a country where the natives built their hots on piles in + the water, and to which he gave the name of Venezuela. It was by his + accidental presence on this voyage that Vespucci, the meat-contractor, + came to give his name to America—a curious story of international + jealousies, intrigues, lawsuits, and lies which we have not the space to + deal with here. After collecting a considerable quantity of pearls Ojeda, + who was beginning to run short of provisions, turned eastward again and + sought the coast of Espanola, where we shall presently meet with him + again. + </p> + <p> + And Ojeda was not the only person in Spain who was enticed by Columbus’s + glowing descriptions to go and look for the pearls of Paria. There was in + fact quite a reunion of old friends of his and ours in the western ocean, + though they went thither in a spirit far different from that of ancient + friendship. Pedro Alonso Nino, who had also been on the Paria coast with + Columbus, who had come home with the returning ships, and whose patience + (for he was an exceedingly practical man) had perhaps been tried by the + strange doings of the Admiral in the Gulf of Paria, decided that he as + well as any one else might go and find some pearls. Nino is a poor man, + having worked hard in all his voyagings backwards and forwards across the + Atlantic; but he has a friend with money, one Luis Guerra, who provides + him with the funds necessary for fitting out a small caravel about the + size of his old ship the Nifta. Guerra, who has the money, also has a + brother Christoval; and his conditions are that Christoval shall be given + the command of the caravel. Practical Niflo does not care so long as he + reaches the place where the pearls are. He also applies to Fonseca for + licence to make discoveries; and, duly receiving it, sails from Palos in + the beginning of June 1499, hot upon the track of Ojeda. + </p> + <p> + They did a little quiet discovery, principally in the domain of human + nature, caroused with the friendly natives, but attended to business all + the time; with the result that in the following April they were back in + Spain with a treasure of pearls out of which, after Nifio had been made + independent for life and Guerra, Christoval, and the rest of them had + their shares, there remained a handsome sum for the Crown. An extremely + practical, businesslike voyage this; full of lessons for our poor + Christopher, could he but have known and learned them. + </p> + <p> + Yet another of our old friends profited by the Admiral’s discovery. + What Vincenti Yafiez Pinzon has been doing all these years we have no + record; living at Palos, perhaps, doing a little of his ordinary coasting + business, administering the estates of his brother Martin Alonso, and, + almost for a certainty, talking pretty big about who it was that really + did all the work in the discovery of the New World. Out of the obscurity + of conjecture he emerges into fact in December 1499, when he is found at + Palos fitting out four caravels for the purpose of exploring farther along + the coast of the southern mainland. That he also was after pearls is + pretty certain; but on the other hand he was more of a sailor than an + adventurer, was a discoverer at heart, and had no small share of the + family taste for sea travel. He took a more southerly course than any of + the others and struck the coast of America south of the equator on January + 20, 1500. He sailed north past the mouths of the Amazon and Orinoco + through the Gulf of Paria, and reached Espanola in June 1500. He only + paused there to take in provisions, and sailed to the west in search of + further discoveries; but he lost two of his caravels in a gale and had to + put back to Espanola. + </p> + <p> + He sailed thence for Palos, and reached home in September 1500, having + added no inconsiderable share to the mass of new geographical knowledge + that was being accumulated. In later years he took a high place in the + maritime world of Spain. + </p> + <p> + And finally, to complete the account of the chief minor discoveries of + these two busy years, we must mention Pedro Alvarez Cabral of Portugal, + who was despatched in March 1, 1500 from Lisbon to verify the discoveries + of Da Gama. He reached Calicut six months later, losing on the voyage four + of his caravels and most of his company. Among the lost was Bartholomew + Diaz, the first discoverer of the Cape of Good Hope, who was on this + voyage in a subordinate capacity, and whose bones were left to dissolve in + the stormy waters that beat round the Cape whose barrier he was the first + to pass. The chief event of this voyage, however, was not the reaching of + Calicut nor the drowning of Diaz (which was chiefly of importance to + himself, poor soul!) but the discovery of Brazil, which Cabral made in + following the southerly course too far to the west. He landed there, in + the Bay of Porto Seguro, on May 1, 1500, and took formal possession of the + land for the Crown of Portugal, naming it Vera Cruz, or the Land of the + True Cross. + </p> + <p> + In the assumption of Columbus and his contemporaries all these doings were + held to detract from the glory of his own achievements, and were the + subject of endless affidavits, depositions, quarrels, arguments, proofs + and claims in the great lawsuit that was in after years carried on between + the Crown of Spain and the heirs of Columbus concerning his titles and + revenues. We, however, may take a different view. With the exception of + the discoveries of the Cape of Good Hope and the coast of Brazil all these + enterprises were directly traceable to Columbus’s own achievements + and were inspired by his example. The things that a man can do in his own + person are limited by the laws of time and space; it is only example and + influence that are infinite and illimitable, and in which the spirit of + any achievement can find true immortality. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + <a name="ch7c" id="ch7c"></a>CHAPTER VII. + </h2> + <h3> + THE THIRD VOYAGE-(continued) + </h3> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p> + It may perhaps be wearisome to the reader to return to the tangled and + depressing situation in Espanola, but it cannot be half so wearisome as it + was for Columbus, whom we left enveloped in that dark cloud of error and + surrender in which he sacrificed his dignity and good faith to the + impudent demands of a mutinous servant. To his other troubles in San + Domingo the presence of this Roldan was now added; and the reinstated + Alcalde was not long in making use of the victory he had gained. He bore + himself with intolerable arrogance and insolence, discharging one of + Columbus’s personal bodyguard on the ground that no one should hold + any office on the island except with his consent. He demanded grants of + land for himself and his followers, which Columbus held himself obliged to + concede; and the Admiral, further to pacify him, invented a very + disastrous system of repartimientos, under which certain chiefs were + relieved from paying tribute on condition of furnishing feudal service to + the settlers—a system which rapidly developed into the most cruel + and oppressive kind of slavery. The Admiral at this time also, in despair + of keeping things quiet by his old methods of peace and conciliation, + created a kind of police force which roamed about the island, exacting + tribute and meting out summary punishment to all defaulters. Among other + concessions weakly made to Roldan at this time was the gift of the Crown + estate of Esperanza, situated in the Vega Real, whither he betook himself + and embarked on what was nothing more nor less than a despotic reign, + entirely ignoring the regulations and prerogatives of the Admiral, and + taking prisoners and administering punishment just as he pleased. The + Admiral was helpless, and thought of going back to Spain, but the + condition of the island was such that he did not dare to leave it. + Instead, he wrote a long letter to the Sovereigns, full of complaints + against other people and justifications of himself, in the course of which + he set forth those quibbling excuses for his capitulation to Roldan which + we have already heard. And there was a pathetic request at the end of the + letter that his son Diego might be sent out to him. As I have said, + Columbus was by this time a prematurely old man, and feeling the clouds + gathering about him, and the loneliness and friendlessness of his position + at Espanola, he instinctively looked to the next generation for help, and + to the presence of his own son for sympathy and comfort. + </p> + <p> + It was at this moment (September 5, 1499) that a diversion arose in the + rumour that four caravels had been seen off the western end of Espanola + and duly reported to the Admiral; and this announcement was soon followed + by the news that they were commanded by Ojeda, who was collecting dye-wood + in the island forests. Columbus, although he had so far as we know had no + previous difficulties with Ojeda, had little cause now to credit any + adventurer with kindness towards himself; and Ojeda’s secrecy in not + reporting himself at San Domingo, and, in fact, his presence on the island + at all without the knowledge of the Admiral, were sufficient evidence that + he was there to serve his own ends. Some gleam of Christopher’s old + cleverness in handling men was—now shown by his instructing Roldan + to sally forth and bring Ojeda to order. It was a case of setting a thief + to catch a thief and, as it turned out, was not a bad stroke. Roldan, + nothing loth, sailed round to that part of the coast where Ojeda’s + ships were anchored, and asked to see his licence; which was duly shown to + him and rather took the wind out of his sails. He heard a little gossip + from Ojeda, moreover, which had its own significance for him. The Queen + was ill; Columbus was in disgrace; there was talk of superseding him. + Ojeda promised to sail round to San Domingo and report himself; but + instead, he sailed to the east along the coast of Xaragua, where he got + into communication with some discontented Spanish settlers and concocted a + scheme for leading them to San Domingo to demand redress for their + imagined grievances. Roldan, however, who had come to look for Ojeda, + discovered him at this point; and there ensued some very pretty play + between the two rascals, chiefly in trickery and treachery, such as + capturing each other’s boats and emissaries, laying traps for one + another, and taking prisoner one another’s crews. The end of it was + that Ojeda left the island without having reported himself to Columbus, + but not before he had completed his business—which was that of + provisioning his ships and collecting dye-wood and slaves. + </p> + <p> + And so exit Ojeda from the Columbian drama. Of his own drama only one more + act remained to be played; which, for the sake of our past interest in + him, we will mention here. Chiefly on account of his intimacy with Fonseca + he was some years later given a governorship in the neighbourhood of the + Gulf of Darien; Juan de la Cosa accompanying him as unofficial partner. + Ojeda has no sooner landed there than he is fighting the natives; natives + too many for him this time; Ojeda forced to hide in the forest, where he + finds the body of de la Cosa, who has come by a shocking death. Ojeda + afterwards tries to govern his colony, but is no good at that; cannot + govern his own temper, poor fellow. Quarrels with his crew, is put in + irons, carried to Espanola, and dies there (1515) in great poverty and + eclipse. One of the many, evidently, who need a strong guiding hand, and + perish without it. + </p> + <p> + It really began to seem as though Roldan, having had his fling and secured + the excessive privileges that he coveted, had decided that loyalty to + Christopher was for the present the most profitable policy; but the + mutinous spirit that he had cultivated in his followers for his own ends + could not be so readily converted into this cheap loyalty. More trouble + was yet to come of this rebellion. There was in the island a young Spanish + aristocrat, Fernando de Guevara by name, one of the many who had come out + in the hope of enjoying himself and making a fortune quickly, whose more + than outrageously dissolute life in San Domingo had caused Columbus to + banish him thence; and he was now living near Xaragua with a cousin of + his, Adrian de Moxeca, who had been one of the ringleaders in Roldan’s + conspiracy. Within this pleasant province of Xaragua lived, as we have + seen, Anacaona, the sister of Caonabo, the Lord of the House of Gold. She + herself was a beautiful woman, called by her subjects Bloom of the Gold; + and she had a still more beautiful daughter, Higuamota, who appears in + history, like so many other women, on account of her charms and what came + of them. + </p> + <p> + Of pretty Higuamota, who once lived like a dryad among the groves of + Espanola and has been dead now for so long, we know nothing except that + she was beautiful, which, although she doubtless did not think so while + she lived, turns out to have been the most important thing about her. + Young Guevara, coming to stay with his cousin Adrian, becomes a visitor at + the house of Anacaona; sees the pretty daughter and falls in love with + her. Other people also, it appears, have been in a similar state, but + Higuamota is not very accessible; a fact which of course adds to the + interest of the chase, and turns dissolute Fernando’s idle + preference into something like a passion. Roldan, who has also had an eye + upon her, and apparently no more than an eye, discovers that Fernando, in + order to gratify his passion, is proposing to go the absurd length of + marrying the young woman, and has sent for a priest for that purpose. + Roldan, instigated thereto by primitive forces, thinks it would be + impolitic for a Spanish grandee to marry with a heathen; very well, then, + Fernando will have her baptized—nothing simpler when water and a + priest are handy. Roldan, seeing that the young man is serious, becomes + peremptory, and orders him to leave Xaragua. Fernando ostentatiously + departs, but is discovered a little later actually living in the house of + Anacaona, who apparently is sympathetic to Love’s young dream. Once + more ordered away, this time with anger and threats, Guevara changes his + tune and implores Roldan to let him stay, promising that he will give up + the marriage project and also, no doubt, the no-marriage project. But + Guevara has sympathisers. The mutineers have not forgiven Roldan for + deserting them and becoming a lawful instead of an unlawful ruler. They + are all on the side of Guevara, who accordingly moves to the next stage of + island procedure, and sets on foot some kind of plot to kill Roldan and + the Admiral. Fortunately where there is treachery it generally works both + ways; this plot came to the ears of the authorities; the conspirators were + arrested and sent to San Domingo. + </p> + <p> + This action came near to bringing the whole island about Columbus’s + ears. Adrian de Moxeca was furious at what he conceived to be the + treachery of Roldan, for Roldan was in such a pass that the barest act of + duty was necessarily one of treachery to his friends. Moxeca took the + place of chief rebel that Roldan had vacated; rallied the mutineers round + him, and was on the point of starting for Concepcion, one of the chain of + forts across the island where Columbus was at present staying, when the + Admiral discovered his plan. All that was strongest and bravest in him + rose up at this menace. His weakness and cowardice were forgotten; and + with the spirit of an old sea-lion he sallied forth against the mutineers. + He had only a dozen men on whom he could rely, but he armed them well and + marched secretly and swiftly under cloud of night to the place where + Moxeca and his followers were encamped in fond security, and there + suddenly fell upon them, capturing Moxeca and the chief ringleaders. The + rest scattered in terror and escaped. Moxeca was hurried off to the + battlements of San Domingo and there, in the very midst of a longdrawn + trembling confession to the priest in attendance, was swung off the + ramparts and hanged. The others, although also condemned to death, were + kept in irons in the fortress, while Christopher and Bartholomew, roused + at last to vigorous action, scoured the island hunting down the remainder, + killing some who resisted, hanging others on the spot, and imprisoning the + remainder at San Domingo. + </p> + <p> + After these prompt measures peace reigned for a time in the island, and + Columbus was perhaps surprised to see what wholesome effects could be + produced by a little exemplary severity. The natives, who under the + weakness of his former rule had been discontented and troublesome, now + settled down submissively to their yoke; the Spaniards began to work in + earnest on their farms; and there descended upon island affairs a brief + St. Martin’s Summer of peace before the final winter of blight and + death set in. The Admiral, however, was obviously in precarious health; + his ophthalmia became worse, and the stability of his mind suffered. He + had dreams and visions of divine help and comfort, much needed by him, + poor soul, in all his tribulations and adversities. Even yet the cup was + not full. + </p> + <p> + We must now turn back to Spain and try to form some idea of the way in + which the doings of Columbus were being regarded there if we are to + understand the extraordinary calamity that was soon to befall him. It must + be remembered first of all that his enterprise had never really been + popular from the first. It was carried out entirely by the energy and + confidence of Queen Isabella, who almost alone of those in power believed + in it as a thing which was certain to bring ultimate glory, as well as + riches and dominion, to Spain and the Catholic faith. As we have seen, + there had been a brief ebullition of popular favour when Columbus returned + from his first voyage, but it was a popularity excited solely by the + promises of great wealth that Columbus was continually holding forth. When + those promises were not immediately fulfilled popular favour subsided; and + when the adventurers who had gone out to the new islands on the strength + of those promises had returned with shattered health and empty pockets + there was less chance than ever of the matter being regarded in its proper + light by the people of Spain. Columbus had either found a gold mine or he + had found nothing—that was the way in which the matter was popularly + regarded. Those who really understood the significance of his discoveries + and appreciated their scientific importance did not merely stay at home in + Spain and raise a clamour; they went out in the Admiral’s footsteps + and continued the work that he had begun. Even King Ferdinand, for all his + cleverness, had never understood the real lines on which the colony should + have been developed. His eyes were fixed upon Europe; he saw in the + discoveries of Columbus a means rather than an end; and looked to them + simply as a source of revenue with the help of which he could carry on his + ambitious schemes. And when, as other captains made voyages confirming and + extending the work of Columbus, he did begin to understand the + significance of what had been done, he realised too late that the Admiral + had been given powers far in excess of what was prudent or sensible. + </p> + <p> + During all the time that Columbus and his brothers were struggling with + the impossible situation at Espanola there was but one influence at work + in Spain, and that was entirely destructive to the Admiral. Every caravel + that came from the New World brought two things. It brought a crowd of + discontented colonists, many of whom had grave reasons for their + discontent; and it brought letters from the Admiral in which more and more + promises were held out, but in which also querulous complaints against + this and that person, and against the Spanish settlers generally, were set + forth at wearisome length. It is not remarkable that the people of Spain, + even those who were well disposed towards Columbus, began to wonder if + these two things were not cause and effect. The settlers may have been a + poor lot, but they were the material with which Columbus had to deal; he + had powers enough, Heaven knew, powers of life and death; and the problem + began to resolve itself in the minds of those at the head of affairs in + Spain in the following terms. Given an island, rich and luxuriant beyond + the dreams of man; given a native population easily subdued; given + settlers of one kind or another; and given a Viceroy with unlimited powers—could + he or could he not govern the island? It was a by no means unfair way of + putting the case, and there is little justice in the wild abuse that has + been hurled at Ferdinand and Isabella on this ground. Columbus may have + been the greatest genius in the world; very possibly they admitted it; but + in the meanwhile Spain was resounding with the cries of the impoverished + colonists who had returned from his ocean Paradise. No doubt the + Sovereigns ignored them as much as they possibly could; but when it came + to ragged emaciated beggars coming in batches of fifty at a time and + sitting in the very courts of the Alhambra, exhibiting bunches of grapes + and saying that that was all they could afford to live upon since they had + come back from the New World, some notice had to be taken of it. Even + young Diego and Ferdinand, the Admiral’s sons, came in for the + obloquy with which his name was associated; the colonial vagabonds hung + round the portals of the palace and cried out upon them as they passed so + that they began to dislike going out. Columbus, as we know, had plenty of + enemies who had access to the King and Queen; and never had enemies an + easier case to urge. Money was continually being spent on ships and + supplies; where was the return for it? What about the Ophir of Solomon? + What about the Land of Spices? What about the pearls? And if you want to + add a touch of absurdity, what about the Garden of Eden and the Great + Khan? + </p> + <p> + To the most impartial eyes it began to appear as though Columbus were + either an impostor or a fool. There is no evidence that Ferdinand and + Isabella thought that he was an impostor or that he had wilfully deceived + them; but there is some evidence that they began to have an inkling as to + what kind of a man he really was, and as to his unfitness for governing a + colony. Once more something had to be done. The sending out of a + commissioner had not been a great success before, but in the difficulties + of the situation it seemed the only thing. Still there was a good deal of + hesitation, and it is probable that Isabella was not yet fully convinced + of the necessity for this grave step. This hesitation was brought to an + end by the arrival from Espanola of the ships bearing the followers of + Roldan, who had been sent back under the terms of Columbus’s feeble + capitulation. The same ships brought a great quantity of slaves, which the + colonists were able to show had been brought by the permission of the + Admiral; they carried native girls also, many of them pregnant, many with + new-born babies; and these also came with the permission of the Admiral. + The ships further carried the Admiral’s letter complaining of the + conspiracy of Roldan and containing the unfortunate request for a further + licence to extend the slave trade. These circumstances were probably + enough to turn the scale of Isabella’s opinion against the Admiral’s + administration. The presence of the slaves particularly angered her kind + womanly heart. “What right has he to give away my vassals?” + she exclaimed, and ordered that they should all be sent back, and that in + addition all the other slaves who had come home should be traced and sent + back; although of course it was impossible to carry out this last order. + </p> + <p> + At any rate there was no longer any hesitation about sending out a + commissioner, and the Sovereigns chose one Francisco de Bobadilla, an + official of the royal household, for the performance of this difficult + mission. As far as we can decipher him he was a very ordinary official + personage; prejudiced, it is possible, against an administration that had + produced such disastrous results and which offended his orderly official + susceptibilities; otherwise to be regarded as a man exactly honest in the + performance of what he conceived to be his duties, and entirely indisposed + to allow sentiment or any other extraneous matter to interfere with such + due performance. We shall have need to remember, when we see him at work + in Espanola, that he was not sent out to judge between Columbus and his + Sovereigns or between Columbus and the world, but to investigate the + condition of the colony and to take what action he thought necessary. The + commission which he bore to the Admiral was in the following terms: + </p> + <p> + “The King and the Queen: Don Christopher Columbus, our Admiral of + the Ocean-sea. We have directed Francisco de Bobadilla, the bearer of + this, to speak to you for us of certain things which he will mention: we + request you to give him faith and credence and to obey him. From Madrid, + May 26, ‘99. I THE KING. I THE QUEEN. By their command. Miguel Perez + de Almazan.” + </p> + <p> + In addition Bobadilla bore with him papers and authorities giving him + complete control and possession of all the forts, arms, and royal property + in the island, in case it should be necessary for him to use them; and he + also had a number of blank warrants which were signed, but the substance + of which was not filled in. This may seem very dreadful to us, with our + friendship for the poor Admiral; but considering the grave state of + affairs as represented to the King and Queen, who had their duties to + their colonial subjects as well as to Columbus, there was nothing + excessive in it. If they were to send out a commissioner at all, and if + they were satisfied, as presumably they were, that the man they had chosen + was trustworthy, it was only right to make his authority absolute. Thus + equipped Francisco de Bobadilla sailed from Spain in July 1500. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + <a name="bk4" id="bk4"></a>BOOK IV. + </h2> + <h3> + TOWARDS THE SUNSET + </h3> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + <a name="ch1d" id="ch1d"></a>CHAPTER I. + </h2> + <h3> + DEGRADATION + </h3> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p> + The first things seen by Francisco de Bobadilla when he entered the + harbour of San Domingo on the morning of the 23rd of August 1500 were the + bodies of several Spaniards, hanging from a gibbet near the water-side—a + grim confirmation of what he had heard about the troubled state of the + island. While he was waiting for the tide so that he might enter the + harbour a boat put off from shore to ascertain who was on board the + caravels; and it was thus informally that Bobadilla first announced that + he had come to examine into the state of the island. Columbus was not at + San Domingo, but was occupied in settling the affairs of the Vega Real; + Bartholomew also was absent, stamping out the last smouldering embers of + rebellion in Xaragua; and only James was in command to deal with this + awkward situation. + </p> + <p> + Bobadilla did not go ashore the first day, but remained on board his ship + receiving the visits of various discontented colonists who, getting early + wind of the purpose of his visit, lost no time in currying favour with + him, Probably he heard enough that first day to have damned the + administration of a dozen islands; but also we must allow him some + interest in the wonderful and strange sights that he was seeing; for + Espanola, which has perhaps grown wearisome to us, was new to him. He had + brought with him an armed body-guard of twenty-five men, and in the other + caravel were the returned slaves, babies and all, under the charge of six + friars. On the day following his arrival Bobadilla landed and heard mass + in state, afterwards reading out his commission to the assembled people. + Evidently he had received a shocking impression of the state of affairs in + the island; that is the only explanation of the action suddenly taken by + him, for his first public act was to demand from James the release of all + the prisoners in the fortress, in order that they and their accusers + should appear before him. + </p> + <p> + James is in a difficulty; and, mule-like, since he does not know which way + to turn, stands stock still. He can do nothing, he says, without the + Admiral’s consent. The next day Bobadilla, again hearing mass in + state, causes further documents to be read showing that a still greater + degree of power had been entrusted to his hands. Mule-like, James still + stands stock still; the greatest power on earth known to him is his eldest + brother, and he will not, positively dare not, be moved by anything less + than that. He refuses to give up the prisoners on any grounds whatsoever, + and Bobadilla has to take the fortress by assault—an easy enough + matter since the resistance is but formal. + </p> + <p> + The next act of Bobadilla’s is not quite so easy to understand. He + quartered himself in Columbus’s house; that perhaps was reasonable + enough since there may not have been another house in the settlement fit + to receive him; but he also, we are told, took possession of all his + papers, public and private, and also seized the Admiral’s store of + money and began to pay his debts with it for him, greatly to the + satisfaction of San Domingo. There is an element of the comic in this + interpretation of a commissioner’s powers; and it seemed as though + he meant to wind up the whole Columbus business, lock, stock, and barrel. + It would not be in accordance with our modern ideas of honour that a man’s + private papers should be seized unless he were suspected of treachery or + some criminal act; but apparently Bobadilla regarded it as necessary. We + must remember that although he had only heard one side of the case it was + evidently so positive, and the fruits of misgovernment were there so + visibly before his eyes, that no amount of evidence in favour of Columbus + would make him change his mind as to his fitness to govern. Poor James, + witnessing these things and unable to do anything to prevent them, finds + himself suddenly relieved from the tension of the situation. Since + inaction is his note, he shall be indulged in it; and he is clapped in + irons and cast into prison. James can hardly believe the evidence of his + senses. He has been studying theology lately, it appears, with a view to + entering the Church and perhaps being some day made Bishop of Espanola, + but this new turn of affairs looks as though there were to be an end of + all careers for him, military and ecclesiastical alike. + </p> + <p> + Christopher at Fort Concepcion had early news of the arrival of Bobadilla, + but in the hazy state of his mind he did not regard it as an event of + sufficient importance to make his immediate presence at San Domingo + advisable. The name of Bobadilla conveyed nothing to him; and when he + heard that he had come to investigate, he thought that he came to set + right some disputed questions between the Admiral and other navigators as + to the right of visiting Espanola and the Paria coast. As the days went + on, however, he heard more disquieting rumours; grew at last uneasy, and + moved to a fort nearer San Domingo in case it should be necessary for him + to go there. An officer met him on the road bearing the proclamations + issued by Bobadilla, but not the message from the Sovereigns requiring the + Admiral’s obedience to the commissioner. Columbus wrote to the + commissioner a curious letter, which is not preserved, in which he sought + to gain time; excusing himself from responsibility for the condition of + the island, and assuring Bobadilla that, as he intended to return to Spain + almost immediately, he (Bobadilla) would have ample opportunity for + exercising his command in his absence. He also wrote to the Franciscan + friars who had accompanied Bobadilla asking them to use their influence—the + Admiral having some vague connection with the Franciscan order since his + days at La Rabida. + </p> + <p> + No reply came to any of these letters, and Columbus sent word that he + still regarded his authority as paramount in the island. For reply to this + he received the Sovereigns’ message to him which we have seen, + commanding him to put himself under the direction of Bobadilla. There was + no mistaking this; there was the order in plain words; and with I know not + what sinkings of heart Columbus at last set out for San Domingo. Bobadilla + had expected resistance, but the Admiral, whatever his faults, knew how to + behave with, dignity in a humiliating position; and he came into the city + unattended on August 23, 1500. On the outskirts of the town he was met by + Bobadilla’s guards, arrested, put in chains, and lodged in the + fortress, the tower of which exists to this day. He seemed to himself to + be the victim of a particularly petty and galling kind of treachery, for + it was his own cook, a man called Espinoza, who riveted his gyves upon + him. + </p> + <p> + There remained Bartholomew to be dealt with, and he, being at large and in + command of the army, might not have proved such an easy conquest, but that + Christopher, at Bobadilla’s request, wrote and advised him to submit + to arrest without any resistance. Whether Bartholomew acquiesced or not is + uncertain; what is certain is that he also was captured and placed in + irons, and imprisoned on one of the caravels. James in one caravel, + Bartholomew in another, and Christopher in the fortress, and all in chains—this + is what it has come to with the three sons of old Domenico. + </p> + <p> + The trial was now begun, if trial that can be called which takes place in + the absence of the culprit or his representative. It was rather the + hearing of charges against Christopher and his brothers; and we may be + sure that every discontented feeling in the island found voice and was + formulated into some incriminating charge. Columbus was accused of + oppressing the Spanish settlers by making them work at harsh and + unnecessary labour; of cutting down their allowance of food, and + restricting their liberty; of punishing them cruelly and unduly; of waging + wars unjustly with the natives; of interfering with the conversion of the + natives by hastily collecting them and sending them home as slaves; of + having secreted treasures which should have been delivered to the + Sovereigns—this last charge, like some of the others, true. He had + an accumulation of pearls of which he had given no account to Fonseca, and + the possession of which he excused by the queer statement that he was + waiting to announce it until he could match it with an equal amount of + gold! He was accused of hating the Spaniards, who were represented as + having risen in the late rebellion in order to protect the natives and + avenge their own wrongs—, and generally of having abused his office + in order to enrich his own family and gratify his own feelings. Bobadilla + appeared to believe all these charges; or perhaps he recognised their + nature, and yet saw that there was a sufficient degree of truth in them to + disqualify the Admiral in his position as Viceroy. In all these affairs + his right-hand man was Roldan, whose loyalty to Columbus, as we foresaw, + had been short-lived. Roldan collects evidence; Roldan knows where he can + lay his hands on this witness; Roldan produces this and that proof; Roldan + is here, there, and everywhere—never had Bobadilla found such a + useful, obliging man as Roldan. With his help Bobadilla soon collected a + sufficient weight of evidence to justify in his own mind his sending + Columbus home to Spain, and remaining himself in command of the island. + </p> + <p> + The caravels having been made ready, and all the evidence drawn up and + documented, it only remained to embark the prisoners and despatch them to + Spain. Columbus, sitting in his dungeon, suffering from gout and + ophthalmic as well as from misery and humiliation, had heard no news; but + he had heard the shouting of the people in the streets, the beating of + drums and blowing of horns, and his own name and that of his brothers + uttered in derision; and he made sure that he was going to be executed. + Alonso de Villegio, a nephew of Bishop Fonseca’s, had been appointed + to take charge of the ships returning to Spain; and when he came into the + prison the Admiral thought his last hour had come. + </p> + <p> + “Villegio,” he asked sadly, “where are you taking me?” + </p> + <p> + “I am taking you to the ship, your Excellency, to embark,” + replied the other. + </p> + <p> + “To embark?” repeated the Admiral incredulously. “Villegio! + are you speaking the truth?” + </p> + <p> + “By the life of your Excellency what I say is true,” was the + reply, and the news came with a wave of relief to the panic-stricken heart + of the Admiral. + </p> + <p> + In the middle of October the caravels sailed from San Domingo, and the + last sounds heard by Columbus from the land of his discovery were the + hoots and jeers and curses hurled after him by the treacherous, triumphant + rabble on the shore. Villegio treated him and his brothers with as much + kindness as possible, and offered, when they had got well clear of + Espanola, to take off the Admiral’s chains. But Columbus, with a + fine counterstroke of picturesque dignity, refused to have them removed. + Already, perhaps, he had realised that his subjection to this cruel and + quite unnecessary indignity would be one of the strongest things in his + favour when he got to Spain, and he decided to suffer as much of it as he + could. “My Sovereigns commanded me to submit to what Bobadilla + should order. By his authority I wear these chains, and I shall continue + to wear them until they are removed by order of the Sovereigns; and I will + keep them afterwards as reminders of the reward I have received for my + services.” Thus the Admiral, beginning to pick up his spirits again, + and to feel the better for the sea air. + </p> + <p> + The voyage home was a favourable one and in the course of it Columbus + wrote the following letter to a friend of his at Court, Dona Juana de la + Torre, who had been nurse to Prince Juan and was known by him to be a + favourite of the Queen: + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + “MOST VIRTUOUS LADY,—Though my complaint of the world is + new, its habit of ill-using is very ancient. I have had a thousand + struggles with it, and have thus far withstood them all, but now neither + arms nor counsels avail me, and it cruelly keeps me under water. Hope in + the Creator of all men sustains me: His help was always very ready; on + another occasion, and not long ago, when I was still more overwhelmed, + He raised me with His right arm, saying, ‘O man of little faith, + arise: it is I; be not afraid.’ + </p> + <p> + “I came with so much cordial affection to serve these Princes, and + have served them with such service, as has never been heard of or seen. + </p> + <p> + “Of the new heaven and earth which our Lord made, when Saint John + was writing the Apocalypse, after what was spoken by the mouth of + Isaiah, He made me the messenger, and showed me where it lay. In all men + there was disbelief, but to the Queen, my Lady, He gave the spirit of + understanding, and great courage, and made her heiress of all, as a dear + and much loved daughter. I went to take possession of all this in her + royal name. They sought to make amends to her for the ignorance they had + all shown by passing over their little knowledge and talking of + obstacles and expenses. Her Highness, on the other hand, approved of it, + and supported it as far as she was able. + </p> + <p> + “Seven years passed in discussion and nine in execution. During + this time very remarkable and noteworthy things occurred whereof no idea + at all had been formed. I have arrived at, and am in, such a condition + that there is no person so vile but thinks he may insult me: he shall be + reckoned in the world as valour itself who is courageous enough not to + consent to it. + </p> + <p> + “If I were to steal the Indies or the land which lies towards + them, of which I am now speaking, from the altar of Saint Peter, and + give them to the Moors, they could not show greater enmity towards me in + Spain. Who would believe such a thing where there was always so much + magnanimity? + </p> + <p> + “I should have much desired to free myself from this affair had it + been honourable towards my Queen to do so. The support of our Lord and + of her Highness made me persevere: and to alleviate in some measure the + sorrows which death had caused her, I undertook a fresh voyage to the + new heaven and earth which up to that time had remained hidden; and if + it is not held there in esteem like the other voyages to the Indies, + that is no wonder, because it came to be looked upon as my work. + </p> + <p> + “The Holy Spirit inflamed Saint Peter and twelve others with him, + and they all contended here below, and their toils and hardships were + many, but last of all they gained the victory. + </p> + <p> + “This voyage to Paria I thought would somewhat appease them on + account of the pearls, and of the discovery of gold in Espanola. I + ordered the pearls to be collected and fished for by people with whom an + arrangement was made that I should return for them, and, as I + understood, they were to be measured by the bushel. If I did not write + about this to their Highnesses, it was because I wished to have first of + all done the same thing with the gold. + </p> + <p> + “The result to me in this has been the same as in many other + things; I should not have lost them nor my honour, if I had sought my + own advantage, and had allowed Espanola to be ruined, or if my + privileges and contracts had been observed. And I say just the same + about the gold which I had then collected, and [for] which with such + great afflictions and toils I have, by divine power, almost perfected + [the arrangements]. + </p> + <p> + “When I went from Paria I found almost half the people from + Espanola in revolt, and they have waged war against me until now, as + against a Moor; and the Indians on the other side grievously [harassed + me]. At this time Hojeda arrived and tried to put the finishing stroke: + he said that their Highnesses had sent him with promises of gifts, + franchises and pay: he gathered together a great band, for in the whole + of Espanola there are very few save vagabonds, and not one with wife and + children. This Hojeda gave me great trouble; he was obliged to depart, + and left word that he would soon return with more ships and people, and + that he had left the Royal person of the Queen, our Lady, at the point + of death. Then Vincente Yanez arrived with four caravels; there was + disturbance and mistrust but no mischief: the Indians talked of many + others at the Cannibals [Caribbee Islands] and in Paria; and afterwards + spread the news of six other caravels, which were brought by a brother + of the Alcalde, but it was with malicious intent. This occurred at the + very last, when the hope that their Highnesses would ever send any ships + to the Indies was almost abandoned, nor did we expect them; and it was + commonly reported that her Highness was dead. + </p> + <p> + “A certain Adrian about this time endeavoured to rise in rebellion + again, as he had done previously, but our Lord did not permit his evil + purpose to succeed. I had purposed in myself never to touch a hair of + anybody’s head, but I lament to say that with this man, owing to + his ingratitude, it was not possible to keep that resolve as I had + intended: I should not have done less to my brother, if he had sought to + kill me, and steal the dominion which my King and Queen had given me in + trust. + </p> + <p> + “This Adrian, as it appears, had sent Don Ferdinand to Xaragua to + collect some of his followers, and there a dispute arose with the + Alcalde from which a deadly contest ensued, and he [Adrian] did not + effect his purpose. The Alcalde seized him and a part of his band, and + the fact was that he would have executed them if I had not prevented it; + they were kept prisoners awaiting a caravel in which they might depart. + The news of Hojeda which I told them made them lose the hope that he + would now come again. + </p> + <p> + “For six months I had been prepared to return to their Highnesses + with the good news of the gold, and to escape from governing a dissolute + people Who fear neither God nor their King and Queen, being full of + vices and wickedness. + </p> + <p> + “I could have paid the people in full with six hundred thousand, + and for this purpose I had four millions of tenths and somewhat more, + besides the third of the gold. + </p> + <p> + “Before my departure I many times begged their Highnesses to send + there, at my expense, some one to take charge of the administration of + justice; and after finding the Alcalde in arms I renewed my + supplications to have either some troops or at least some servant of + theirs with letters patent; for my reputation is such that even if I + build churches and hospitals, they will always be called dens of + thieves. + </p> + <p> + “They did indeed make provision at last, but it was the very + contrary of what the matter demanded: it may be successful, since it was + according to their good pleasure. + </p> + <p> + “I was there for two years without being able to gain a decree of + favour for myself or for those who went there, yet this man brought a + coffer full: whether they will all redound to their [Highnesses] + service, God knows. Indeed, to begin with, there are exemptions for + twenty years, which is a man’s lifetime; and gold is collected to + such an extent that there was one person who became worth five marks in + four hours; whereof I will speak more fully later on. + </p> + <p> + “If it would please their Highnesses to remove the grounds of a + common saying of those who know my labours, that the calumny of the + people has done me more harm than much service and the maintenance of + their [Highnesses] property and dominion has done me good, it would be a + charity, and I should be re-established in my honour, and it would be + talked about all over the world: for the undertaking is of such a nature + that it must daily become more famous and in higher esteem. + </p> + <p> + “When the Commander Bobadilla came to Santo Domingo, I was at La + Vega, and the Adelantado at Xaragua, where that Adrian had made a stand, + but then all was quiet, and the land rich and all men at peace. On the + second day after his arrival, he created himself Governor, and appointed + officers and made executions, and proclaimed immunities of gold and + tenths and in general of everything else for twenty years, which is a + man’s lifetime, and that he came to pay everybody in full up to + that day, even though they had not rendered service; and he publicly + gave notice that, as for me, he had charge to send me in irons, and my + brothers likewise, as he has done, and that I should nevermore return + thither, nor any other of my family: alleging a thousand disgraceful and + discourteous things about me. All this took place on the second day + after his arrival, as I have said, and while I was absent at a distance, + without my knowing either of him or of his arrival. + </p> + <p> + “Some letters of their Highnesses signed in blank, of which he + brought a number, he filled up and sent to the Alcalde and to his + company with favours and commendations: to me he never sent either + letter or messenger, nor has he done so to this day. Imagine what any + one holding my office would think when one who endeavoured to rob their + Highnesses, and who has done so much evil and mischief, is honoured and + favoured, while he who maintained it at such risks is degraded. + </p> + <p> + “When I heard this I thought that this affair would be like that + of Hojeda or one of the others, but I restrained myself when I learnt + for certain from the friars that their Highnesses had sent him. I wrote + to him that his arrival was welcome, and that I was prepared to go to + the Court and had sold all I possessed by auction; and that with respect + to the immunities he should not be hasty, for both that matter and the + government I would hand over to him immediately as smooth as my palm. + And I wrote to the same effect to the friars, but neither he nor they + gave me any answer. On the contrary, he put himself in a warlike + attitude, and compelled all who went there to take an oath to him as + Governor; and they told me that it was for twenty years. + </p> + <p> + “Directly I knew of those immunities, I thought that I would + repair such a great error and that he would be pleased, for he gave them + without the need or occasion necessary in so vast a matter: and he gave + to vagabond people what would have been excessive for a man who had + brought wife and children. So I announced by word and letters that he + could not use his patents because mine were those in force; and I showed + them the immunities which John Aguado brought. + </p> + <p> + “All this was done by me in order to gain time, so that their + Highnesses might be informed of the condition of the country, and that + they might have an opportunity of issuing fresh commands as to what + would best promote their service in that respect. + </p> + <p> + “It is useless to publish such immunities in the Indies: to the + settlers who have taken up residence it is a pure gain, for the best + lands are given to them, and at a low valuation they will be worth + two-hundred thousand at the end of the four years when the period of + residence is ended, without their digging a spadeful in them. I would + not speak thus if the settlers were married, but there are not six among + them all who are not on the look-out to gather what they can and depart + speedily. It would be a good thing if they should go from Castile, and + also if it were known who and what they are, and if the country could be + settled with honest people. + </p> + <p> + “I had agreed with those settlers that they should pay the third + of the gold, and the tenths, and this at their own request; and they + received it as a great favour from their Highnesses. I reproved them + when I heard that they ceased to do this, and hoped that the Commander + would do likewise, and he did the contrary. + </p> + <p> + “He incensed them against me by saying that I wanted to deprive + them of what their Highnesses had given them; and he endeavoured to set + them at variance with me, and did so; and he induced them to write to + their Highnesses that they should never again send me back to the + government, and I likewise make the same supplication to them for myself + and for my whole family, as long as there are not different inhabitants. + And he together with them ordered inquisitions concerning me for + wickednesses the like whereof were never known in hell. Our Lord, who + rescued Daniel and the three children, is present with the same wisdom + and power as He had then, and with the same means, if it should please + Him and be in accordance with His will. + </p> + <p> + “I should know how to remedy all this, and the rest of what has + been said and has taken place since I have been in the Indies, if my + disposition would allow me to seek my own advantage, and if it seemed + honourable to me to do so, but the maintenance of justice and the + extension of the dominion of her Highness has hitherto kept me down. Now + that so much gold is found, a dispute arises as to which brings more + profit, whether to go about robbing or to go to the mines. A hundred + castellanos are as easily obtained for a woman as for a farm, and it is + very general, and there are plenty of dealers who go about looking for + girls: those from nine to ten are now in demand, and for all ages a good + price must be paid. + </p> + <p> + “I assert that the violence of the calumny of turbulent persons + has injured me more than my services have profited me; which is a bad + example for the present and for the future. I take my oath that a number + of men have gone to the Indies who did not deserve water in the sight of + God and of the world; and now they are returning thither, and leave is + granted them. + </p> + <p> + “I assert that when I declared that the Commander could not grant + immunities, I did what he desired, although I told him that it was to + cause delay until their Highnesses should, receive information from the + country, and should command anew what might be for their service. + </p> + <p> + “He excited their enmity against me, and he seems, from what took + place and from his behaviour, to have come as my enemy and as a very + vehement one; or else the report is true that he has spent much to + obtain this employment. I do not know more about it than what I hear. I + never heard of an inquisitor gathering rebels together and accepting + them, and others devoid of credit and unworthy of it, as witnesses + against their Governor. + </p> + <p> + “If their Highnesses were to make a general inquisition there, I + assure you that they would look upon it as a great wonder that the + island does not founder. + </p> + <p> + “I think your Ladyship will remember that when, after losing my + sails, I was driven into Lisbon by a tempest, I was falsely accused of + having gone there to the King in order to give him the Indies. Their + Highnesses afterwards learned the contrary, and that it was entirely + malicious. + </p> + <p> + “Although I may know but little, I do not think any one considers + me so stupid as not to know that even if the Indies were mine I could + not uphold myself without the help of some Prince. + </p> + <p> + “If this be so, where could I find better support and security + than in the King and Queen, our Lords, who have raised me from nothing + to such great honour, and are the most exalted Princes of the world on + sea and on land, and who consider that I have rendered them service, and + who preserve to me my privileges and rewards: and if any one infringes + them, their Highnesses increase them still more, as was seen in the case + of John Aguado; and they order great honour to be conferred upon me, + and, as I have already said, their Highnesses have received service from + me, and keep my sons in their household; all which could by no means + happen with another prince, for where there is no affection, everything + else fails. + </p> + <p> + “I have now spoken thus in reply to a malicious slander, but + against my will, as it is a thing which should not recur to memory even + in dreams; for the Commander Bobadilla maliciously seeks in this way to + set his own conduct and actions in a brighter light; but I shall easily + show him that his small knowledge and great cowardice, together with his + inordinate cupidity, have caused him to fail therein. + </p> + <p> + “I have already said that I wrote to him and to the friars, and + immediately set out, as I told him, almost alone, because all the people + were with the Adelantado, and likewise in order to prevent suspicion on + his part. When he heard this, he seized Don Diego and sent him on board + a caravel loaded with irons, and did the same to me upon my arrival, and + afterwards to the Adelantado when he came; nor did I speak to him any + more, nor to this day has he allowed any one to speak to me; and I take + my oath that I cannot understand why I am made a prisoner. + </p> + <p> + “He made it his first business to seize the gold, which he did + without measuring or weighing it and in my absence; he said that he + wanted it to pay the people, and according to what I hear he assigned + the chief part to himself and sent fresh exchangers for the exchanges. + Of this gold I had put aside certain specimens, very big lumps, like the + eggs of geese, hens, and pullets, and of many other shapes, which some + persons had collected in a short space of time, in order that their + Highnesses might be gladdened, and might comprehend the business upon + seeing a quantity of large stones full of gold. This collection was the + first to be given away, with malicious intent, so that their Highnesses + should not hold the matter in any account until he has feathered his + nest, which he is in great haste to do. Gold which is for melting + diminishes at the fire: some chains which would weigh about twenty marks + have never been seen again. + </p> + <p> + “I have been more distressed about this matter of the gold than + even about the pearls, because I have not brought it to her Highness. + </p> + <p> + “The Commander at once set to work upon anything which he thought + would injure me. I have already said that with six hundred thousand I + could pay every one without defrauding anybody, and that I had more than + four millions of tenths and constabulary [dues] without touching the + gold. He made some free gifts which are ridiculous, though I believe + that he began by assigning the chief part to himself. Their Highnesses + will find it out when they order an account to be obtained from him, + especially if I should be present thereat. He does nothing but reiterate + that a large sum is owing, and it is what I have said, and even less. I + have been much distressed that there should be sent concerning me an + inquisitor who is aware that if the inquisition which he returns is very + grave he will remain in possession of the government. + </p> + <p> + “Would that it had pleased our Lord that their Highnesses had sent + him or some one else two years ago, for I know that I should now be free + from scandal and infamy, and that my honour would not be taken from me, + nor should I lose it. God is just, and will make known the why and the + wherefore. + </p> + <p> + “They judge me over there as they would a governor who had gone to + Sicily, or to a city or town placed under regular government, and where + the laws can be observed in their entirety without fear of ruining + everything; and I am greatly injured thereby. + </p> + <p> + “I ought to be judged as a captain who went from Spain to the + Indies to conquer a numerous and warlike people, whose customs and + religion are very contrary to ours; who live in rocks and mountains, + without fixed settlements, and not like ourselves: and where, by the + Divine Will, I have placed under the dominion of the King and Queen, our + Sovereigns, a second world, through which Spain, which was reckoned a + poor country, has become the richest. + </p> + <p> + “I ought to be judged as a captain who for such a long time up to + this day has borne arms without laying them aside for an hour, and by + gentlemen adventurers and by custom, and not by letters, unless they + were from Greeks or Romans or others of modern times of whom there are + so many and such noble examples in Spain; or otherwise I receive great + injury, because in the Indies there is neither town nor settlement. + </p> + <p> + “The gate to the gold and pearls is now open, and plenty of + everything—precious stones, spices and a thousand other things—may + be surely expected, and never could a worse misfortune befall me: for by + the name of our Lord the first voyage would yield them just as much as + would the traffic of Arabia Felix as far as Mecca, as I wrote to their + Highnesses by Antonio de Tomes in my reply respecting the repartition of + the sea and land with the Portuguese; and afterwards it would equal that + of Calicut, as I told them and put in writing at the monastery of the + Mejorada. + </p> + <p> + “The news of the gold that I said I would give is, that on the day + of the Nativity, while I was much tormented, being harassed by wicked + Christians and by Indians, and when I was on the point of giving up + everything, and if possible escaping from life, our Lord miraculously + comforted me and said, ‘Fear not violence, I will provide for all + things: the seven years of the term of the gold have not elapsed, and in + that and in everything else I will afford thee a remedy.’ + </p> + <p> + “On that day I learned that there were eighty leagues of land with + mines at every point thereof. The opinion now is that it is all one. + Some have collected a hundred and twenty castellanos in one day, and + others ninety, and even the number of two hundred and fifty has been + reached. From fifty to seventy, and in many more cases from fifteen to + fifty, is considered a good day’s work, and many carry it on. The + usual quantity is from six to twelve, and any one obtaining less than + this is not satisfied. It seems to me that these mines are like others, + and do not yield equally every day. The mines are new, and so are the + workers: it is the opinion of everybody that even if all Castile were to + go there, every individual, however inexpert he might be, would not + obtain less than one or two castellanos daily, and now it is only + commencing. It is true that they keep Indians, but the business is in + the hands of the Christians. Behold what discernment Bobadilla had, when + he gave up everything for nothing, and four millions of tenths, without + any reason or even being requested, and without first notifying it to + their Highnesses. And this is not the only loss. + </p> + <p> + “I know that my errors have not been committed with the intention + of doing evil, and I believe that their Highnesses regard the matter + just as I state it: and I know and see that they deal mercifully even + with those who maliciously act to their disservice. I believe and + consider it very certain that their clemency will be both greater and + more abundant towards me, for I fell therein through ignorance and the + force of circumstances, as they will know fully hereafter; and I indeed + am their creature, and they will look upon my services, and will + acknowledge day by day that they are much profited. They will place + everything in the balance, even as Holy Scripture tells us good and evil + will be at the day of judgment. + </p> + <p> + “If, however, they command that another person do judge me, which + I cannot believe, and that it be by inquisition in the Indies, I very + humbly beseech them to send thither two conscientious and honourable + persons at my expense, who I believe will easily, now that gold is + discovered, find five marks in four hours. In either case it is needful + for them to provide for this matter. + </p> + <p> + “The Commander on his arrival at San Domingo took up his abode in + my house, and just as he found it so he appropriated everything to + himself. Well and good; perhaps he was in want of it. A pirate never + acted thus towards a merchant. About my papers I have a greater + grievance, for he has so completely deprived me of them that I have + never been able to obtain a single one from him; and those that would + have been most useful in my exculpation are precisely those which he has + kept most concealed. Behold the just and honest inquisitor! Whatever he + may have done, they tell me that there has been an end to justice, + except in an arbitrary form. God, our Lord, is present with His strength + and wisdom, as of old, and always punishes in the end, especially + ingratitude and injuries.” + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + We must keep in mind the circumstances in which this letter was written if + we are to judge it and the writer wisely. It is a sad example of querulous + complaint, in which everything but the writer’s personal point of + view is ignored. No one indeed is more terrible in this world than the Man + with a Grievance. How rarely will human nature in such circumstances + retire into the stronghold of silence! Columbus is asking for pity; but as + we read his letter we incline to pity him on grounds quite different from + those which he represented. He complains that the people he was sent to + govern have waged war against him as against a Moor; he complains of Ojeda + and of Vincenti Yanez Pinzon; of Adrian de Moxeca, and of every other + person whom it was his business to govern and hold in restraint. He + complains of the colonists—the very people, some of them, whom he + himself took and impressed from the gaols and purlieus of Cadiz; and then + he mingles pious talk about Saint Peter and Daniel in the den of lions + with notes on the current price of little girls and big lumps of gold like + the eggs of geese, hens, and pullets. He complains that he is judged as a + man would be judged who had been sent out to govern a ready-made colony, + and represents instead that he went out to conquer a numerous and warlike + people “whose custom and religion are very contrary to ours, and who + lived in rocks and mountains”; forgetting that when it suited him + for different purposes he described the natives as so peaceable and + unwarlike that a thousand of them would not stand against one Christian, + and that in any case he was sent out to create a constitution and not + merely to administer one. Very sore indeed is Christopher as he reveals + himself in this letter, appealing now to his correspondent, now to the + King and Queen, now to that God who is always on the side of the + complainant. “God our Lord is present with His strength and wisdom, + as of old, and always punishes in the end, especially ingratitude and + injuries.” Not boastfulness and weakness, let us hope, or our poor + Admiral will come off badly. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + <a name="ch2d" id="ch2d"></a>CHAPTER II. + </h2> + <h3> + CRISIS IN THE ADMIRAL’S LIFE + </h3> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p> + Columbus was not far wrong in his estimate of the effect likely to be + produced by his manacles, and when the ships of Villegio arrived at Cadiz + in October, the spectacle of an Admiral in chains produced a degree of + commiseration which must have exceeded his highest hopes. He was now in + his fiftieth year and of an extremely venerable appearance, his kindling + eye looking forth from under brows of white, his hair and beard + snow-white, his face lined and spiritualised with suffering and sorrow. It + must be remembered that before the Spanish people he had always appeared + in more or less state. They had not that intimacy with him, an intimacy + which perhaps brought contempt, which the people in Espanola enjoyed; and + in Spain, therefore, the contrast between his former grandeur and this + condition of shame and degradation was the more striking. It was a fact + that the people of Spain could not neglect. It touched their sense of the + dramatic and picturesque, touched their hearts also perhaps—hearts + quick to burn, quick to forget. They had forgotten him before, now they + burned with indignation at the picture of this venerable and + much-suffering man arriving in disgrace. + </p> + <p> + His letter to Dofia Juana, hastily despatched by him, probably through the + office of some friendly soul on board, immediately on his arrival at + Cadiz, was the first news from the ship received by the King and Queen, + and naturally it caused them a shock of surprise. It was followed by the + despatches from Bobadilla and by a letter from the Alcalde of Cadiz + announcing that Columbus and his brothers were in his custody awaiting the + royal orders. Perhaps Ferdinand and Isabella had already repented their + drastic action and had entertained some misgivings as to its results; but + it is more probable that they had put it out of their heads altogether, + and that their hasty action now was prompted as much by the shock of being + recalled to a consciousness of the troubled state of affairs in the New + World as by any real regret for what they had done. Moreover they had sent + out Bobadilla to quiet things down; and the first result of it was that + Spain was ringing with the scandal of the Admiral’s treatment. In + that Spanish world, unsteadfast and unstable, when one end of the see-saw + was up the other must be down; and it was Columbus who now found himself + high up in the heavens of favour, and Bobadilla who was seated in the + dust. Equipoise any kind was apparently a thing impossible; if one man was + right the other man must be wrong; no excuses for Bobadilla; every excuse + for the Admiral. + </p> + <p> + The first official act, therefore, was an order for the immediate release + of the Admiral and his brothers, followed by an invitation for him to + proceed without delay to the Court at Granada, and an order for the + immediate payment to him of the sum of 2000 ducats [perhaps $250,000 in + the year 2000 D.W.] this last no ungenerous gift to a Viceroy whose pearl + accounts were in something less than order. Perhaps Columbus had cherished + the idea of appearing dramatically before the very Court in his rags and + chains; but the cordiality of their letter as well as the gift of money + made this impossible. Instead, not being a man to do things by halves, he + equipped himself in his richest and most splendid garments, got together + the requisite number of squires and pages, and duly presented himself at + Granada in his full dignity. The meeting was an affecting one, touched + with a humanity which has survived the intervening centuries, as a touch + of true humanity will when details of mere parade and etiquette have long + perished. Perhaps the Admiral, inspired with a deep sense of his wrongs, + meant to preserve a very stiff and cold demeanour at the beginning of this + interview; but when he looked into the kind eyes of Isabella and saw them + suffused with tears at the thought of his sorrows all his dignity broke + down; the tears came to his own eyes, and he wept there naturally like a + child. Ferdinand looking on kind but uncomfortable; Isabella unaffectedly + touched and weeping; the Admiral, in spite of his scarlet cloak and golden + collar and jewelled sword, in spite of equerries, squires, pages and + attendants, sobbing on his knees like a child or an old man-these were the + scenes and kindly emotions of this historic moment. + </p> + <p> + The tears were staunched by kindly royal words and handkerchiefs supplied + by attendant pages; sobbings breaking out again, but on the whole soon + quieted; King and Queen raising the gouty Christopher from his knees, + filling the air with kind words of sympathy, praise, and encouragement; + the lonely worn heart, somewhat arid of late, and parched from want of + human sympathy, much refreshed by this dew of kindness. The Admiral was + soon himself again, and he would not have been himself if upon recovering + he had not launched out into what some historians call a “lofty and + dignified vindication of his loyalty and zeal.” No one, indeed, is + better than the Admiral at such lofty and dignified vindications. He goes + into the whole matter and sets forth an account of affairs at Espanola + from his own point of view; and can even (so high is the thermometer of + favour) safely indulge in a little judicious self-depreciation, saying + that if he has erred it has not been from want of zeal but from want of + experience in dealing with the kind of material he has been set to govern. + All this is very human, natural, and understandable; product of that warm + emotional atmosphere, bedewed with tears, in which the Admiral finds + himself; and it is not long before the King and Queen, also moved to it by + the emotional temperature, are expressing their unbroken and unbounded + confidence in him and repudiating the acts of Bobadilla, which they + declare to have been contrary to their instructions; undertaking also that + he shall be immediately dismissed from his post. Poor Bobadilla is not + here in the warm emotional atmosphere; he had his turn of it six months + ago, when no powers were too high or too delicate to be entrusted to him; + he is out in the cold at the other end of the see-saw, which has let him + down to the ground with a somewhat sudden thump. + </p> + <p> + Columbus, relying on the influence of these emotions, made bold to ask + that his property in the island should be restored to him, which was + immediately granted; and also to request that he should be reinstated in + his office of Viceroy and allowed to return at once in triumph to + Espanola. But emotions are unstable things; they present a yielding + surface which will give to any extent, but which, when it has hardened + again after the tears have evaporated, is often found to be in much the + same condition as before. At first promises were made that the whole + matter should be fully gone into; but when it came to cold fact, Ferdinand + was obliged to recognise that this whole business of discovery and + colonisation had become a very different thing to what it had been when + Columbus was the only discoverer; and he was obviously of opinion that, as + Columbus’s office had once been conveniently withdrawn from him, it + would only be disastrous to reinstate him in it. Of course he did not say + so at once; but reasons were given for judicious delay in the Admiral’s + reappointment. It was represented to him that the colony, being in an + extremely unsettled state, should be given a short period of rest, and + also that it would be as well for him to wait until the people who had + given him so much trouble in the island could be quietly and gradually + removed. Two years was the time mentioned as suitable for an interregnum, + and it is probable that it was the intention of Isabella, although not of + Ferdinand, to restore Columbus to his office at the end of that time. + </p> + <p> + In the meantime it became necessary to appoint some one to supersede + Bobadilla; for the news that arrived periodically from Espanola during the + year showed that he had entirely failed in his task of reducing the island + to order. For the wholesome if unequal rigours of Columbus Bobadilla had + substituted laxness and indulgence, with the result that the whole colony + was rapidly reduced to a state of the wildest disorder. Vice and cruelty + were rampant; in fact the barbarities practised upon the natives were so + scandalous that even Spanish opinion, which was never very sympathetic to + heathen suffering, was thoroughly shocked and alarmed. The Sovereigns + therefore appointed Nicholas de Ovando to go out and take over the + command, with instructions to use very drastic means for bringing the + colony to order. How he did it we shall presently see; in the meantime all + that was known of him (the man not having been tried yet) was that he was + a poor knight of Calatrava, a man respected in royal circles for the + performance of minor official duties, but no very popular favourite; + honest according to his lights—lights turned rather low and dim, as + was often the case in those days. A narrow-minded man also, without + sympathy or imagination, capable of cruelty; a tough, stiff-necked stock + of a man, fit to deal with Bobadilla perhaps, but hardly fit to deal with + the colony. Spain in those days was not a nursery of administration. Of + all the people who were sent out successively to govern Espanola and + supersede one another, the only one who really seems to have had the + necessary natural ability, had he but been given the power, was + Bartholomew Columbus; but unfortunately things were in such a state that + the very name of Columbus was enough to bar a man from acceptance as a + governor of Espanola. + </p> + <p> + It was not for any lack of powers and equipment that this procession of + governors failed in their duties. We have seen with what authority + Bobadilia had been entrusted; and Ovando had even greater advantages. The + instructions he received showed that the needs of the new colonies were + understood by Ferdinand and Isabella, if by no one else. Ovando was not + merely appointed Governor of Espanola but of the whole of the new + territory discovered in the west, his seat of government being San + Domingo. He was given the necessary free hand in the matters of + punishment, confiscation, and allotment of lands. He was to revoke the + orders which had been made by Bobadilla reducing the proportion of gold + payable to the Crown, and was empowered to take over one-third of the. + gold that was stored on the island, and one-half of what might be found in + the future. The Crown was to have a monopoly of all trade, and ordinary + supplies were only to be procured through the Crown agent. On the other + hand, the natives were to be released from slavery, and although forced to + work in the mines, were to be paid for their labour—a distinction + which in the working out did not produce much difference. A body of + Franciscan monks accompanied Ovando for the purpose of tackling the + religious question with the necessary energy; and every regulation that + the kind heart of Isabella could think of was made for the happiness and + contentment of the Indians. + </p> + <p> + Unhappily the real mischief had already been done. The natives, who had + never been accustomed to hard and regular work under the conditions of + commerce and greed, but had only toiled for the satisfaction of their own + simple wants, were suffering cruelly under the hard labour in the mines, + and the severe driving of their Spanish masters. Under these unnatural + conditions the native population was rapidly dying off, and there was some + likelihood that there would soon be a scarcity of native labour. These + were the circumstances in which the idea of importing black African labour + to the New World was first conceived—a plan which was destined to + have results so tremendous that we have probably not yet seen their full + and ghastly development. There were a great number of African negro slaves + at that time in Spain; a whole generation of them had been born in slavery + in Spain itself; and this generation was bodily imported to Espanola to + relieve and assist the native labour. + </p> + <p> + These preparations were not made all at once; and it was more than a year + after the return of Columbus before Ovando was ready to sail. In the + meantime Columbus was living in Granada, and looking on with no very + satisfied eye at the plans which were being made to supersede him, and + about which he was probably not very much consulted; feeling very sore + indeed, and dividing his attention between the nursing of his grievances + and other even less wholesome occupations. There was any amount of smiling + kindness for him at Court, but very little of the satisfaction that his + vanity and ambition craved; and in the absence of practical employment he + fell back on visionary speculations. He made great friends at this time + with a monk named Gaspar Gorricio, with whose assistance he began to make + some kind of a study of such utterances of the Prophets and the Fathers as + he conceived to have a bearing on his own career. + </p> + <p> + Columbus was in fact in a very queer way at this time; and what with his + readings and his meditatings and his grievances, and his visits to his + monkish friend in the convent of Las Cuevas, he fell into a kind of + intellectual stupor, of which the work called ‘Libro de las + Profecias,’ or Book of the Prophecies, in which he wrote down such + considerations as occurred to him in his stupor, was the result. The + manuscript of this work is in existence, although no human being has ever + ventured to reprint the whole of it; and we would willingly abstain from + mentioning it here if it were not an undeniable act of Columbus’s + life. The Admiral, fallen into theological stupor, puts down certain + figures upon paper; discovers that St. Augustine said that the world would + only last for 7000 years; finds that some other genius had calculated that + before the birth of Christ it had existed for 5343 years and 318 days; + adds 1501 years from the birth of Christ to his own time; adds up, and + finds that the total is 6844 years; subtracts, and discovers that this + earthly globe can only last 155 years longer. He remembers also that, + still according to the Prophets, certain things must happen before the end + of the world; Holy Sepulchre restored to Christianity, heathen converted, + second coming of Christ; and decides that he himself is the man appointed + by God and promised by the Prophets to perform these works. Good Heavens! + in what an entirely dark and sordid stupor is our Christopher now sunk—a + veritable slough and quag of stupor out of which, if he does not manage to + flounder himself, no human hand can pull him. + </p> + <p> + But amid his wallowings in this slough of stupor, when all else, in him + had been well-nigh submerged by it, two dim lights were preserved towards + which, although foundered up to the chin, he began to struggle; and by + superhuman efforts did at last extricate himself from the theological + stupor and get himself blown clean again by the salt winds before he died. + One light was his religion; not to be confounded with theological stupor, + but quite separate from it in my belief; a certain steadfast and consuming + faith in a Power that could see and understand and guide him to the + accomplishment of his purpose. This faith had been too often a good friend + and help to Christopher for him to forget it very long, even while he was + staggering in the quag with Isaiah, Jeremiah, and the Fathers; and + gradually, as I say, he worked himself out into the region of activity + again. First, thinking it a pity that his flounderings in the slough + should be entirely wasted, he had a copy of his precious theological work + made and presented it to the Sovereigns, with a letter urging them (since + he himself was unable to do it) to undertake a crusade for the recovery of + the Holy Sepulchre—not an altogether wild proposal in those days. + But Ferdinand had other uses for his men and his money, and contented + himself with despatching Peter Martyr on a pacific mission to the Grand + Soldan of Egypt. + </p> + <p> + The other light left unquenched in Columbus led him back to the firm + ground of maritime enterprise; he began to long for the sea again, and for + a chance of doing something to restore his reputation. An infinitely + better and more wholesome frame of mind this; by all means let him mend + his reputation by achievement, instead of by writing books in a + theological trance or stupor, and attempting to prove that he was chosen + by the Almighty. He now addressed himself to the better task of getting + himself chosen by men to do something which should raise him again in + their esteem. + </p> + <p> + His maritime ambition was no doubt stimulated at this time by witnessing + the departure of Ovando, in February 1502, with a fleet of thirty-five + ships and a company of 2500 people. It was not in the Admiral’s + nature to look on without envy at an equipment the like of which he + himself had never been provided with, and he did not restrain his sarcasms + at its pomp and grandeur, nor at the ease with which men could follow a + road which had once been pointed out to them. Ovando had a great + body-guard such as Columbus had never had; and he also carried with him a + great number of picked married men with their families, all with knowledge + of some trade or craft, whose presence in the colony would be a guarantee + of permanence and steadiness. He perhaps remembered his own crowd of + ruffians and gaol-birds, and realised the bitterness of his own mistakes. + It was a very painful moment for him, and he was only partially reconciled + to it by the issue of a royal order to Ovando under which he was required + to see to the restoration of the Admiral’s property. If it had been + devoted to public purposes it was to be repaid him from the royal funds; + but if it had been merely distributed among the colonists Bobadilla was to + be made responsible for it. The Admiral was also allowed to send out an + agent to represent him and look after his interests; and he appointed + Alonso de Carvajal to this office. + </p> + <p> + Ovando once gone, the Admiral could turn again to his own affairs. It is + true there were rumours that the whole fleet had perished, for it + encountered a gale very soon after leaving Cadiz, and a great quantity of + the deck hamper was thrown overboard and was washed on the shores of + Spain; and the Sovereigns were so bitterly distressed that, as it is said, + they shut them selves up for eight days. News eventually came, however, + that only one ship had been lost and that the rest had proceeded safely to + San Domingo. Columbus, much recovered in body and mind, now began to apply + for a fleet for himself. He had heard of the discovery by the Portuguese + of the southern route to India; no doubt he had heard also much gossip of + the results of the many private voyages of discovery that were sailing + from Spain at this time; and he began to think seriously about his own + discoveries and the way in which they might best be extended. He thought + much of his voyage to the west of Trinidad and of the strange pent-up seas + and currents that he had discovered there. He remembered the continual + westward trend of the current, and how all the islands in that sea had + their greatest length east and west, as though their shores had been worn + into that shape by the constant flowing of the current; and it was not an + unnatural conclusion for him to suppose that there was a channel far to + the west through which these seas poured and which would lead him to the + Golden Chersonesus. He put away from him that nightmare madness that he + transacted on the coast of Cuba. He knew very well that he had not yet + found the Golden Chersonesus and the road to India; but he became + convinced that the western current would lead him there if only he + followed it long enough. There was nothing insane about this theory; it + was in fact a very well-observed and well-reasoned argument; and the fact + that it happened to be entirely wrong is no reflection on the Admiral’s + judgment. The great Atlantic currents at that time had not been studied; + and how could he know that the western stream of water was the northern + half of a great ocean current which sweeps through the Caribbean Sea, into + and round the Gulf of Mexico, and flows out northward past Florida in the + Gulf Stream? + </p> + <p> + His applications for a fleet were favourably received by the King and + Queen, but much frowned upon by certain high officials of the Court. They + were beginning to regard Columbus as a dangerous adventurer who, although + he happened to have discovered the western islands, had brought the + Spanish colony there to a dreadful state of disorder; and had also, they + alleged, proved himself rather less than trustworthy in matters of + treasure. Still in the summer days of 1501 he was making himself very + troublesome at Court with constant petitions and letters about his rights + and privileges; and Ferdinand was far from unwilling to adopt a plan by + which they would at least get rid of him and keep him safely occupied at + the other side of the world at the cost of a few caravels. There was, + besides, always an element of uncertainty. His voyage might come to + nothing, but on the other hand the Admiral was no novice at this game of + discovery, and one could not tell but that something big might come of it. + After some consideration permission was given to him to fit out a fleet of + four ships, and he proceeded to Seville in the autumn of 1501 to get his + little fleet ready. Bartholomew was to come with him, and his son + Ferdinand also, who seems to have much endeared himself to the Admiral in + these dark days, and who would surely be a great comfort to him on the + voyage. Beatriz Enriquez seems to have passed out of his life; certainly + he was not living with her either now or on his last visit to Spain; one + way or another, that business is at an end for him. Perhaps poor Beatriz, + seeing her son in such a high place at Court, has effaced herself for his + sake; perhaps the appointment was given on condition of such effacement; + we do not know. + </p> + <p> + Columbus was in no hurry over his preparations. In the midst of them he + found time to collect a whole series of documents relating to his titles + and dignities, which he had copied and made into a great book which he + called his “Book of Privileges,” and the copies of which were + duly attested before a notary at Seville on January 5, 1502. He wrote many + letters to various friends of his, chiefly in relation to these + privileges; not interesting or illuminating letters to us, although very + important to busy Christopher when he wrote them. Here is one written to + Nicolo Oderigo, a Genoese Ambassador who came to Spain on a brief mission + in the spring of 1502, and who, with certain other residents in Spain, is + said to have helped Columbus in his preparations for his fourth voyage: + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + “Sir,—The loneliness in which you have left us cannot be + described. I gave the book containing my writings to Francisco de + Rivarol that he may send it to you with another copy of letters + containing instructions. I beg you to be so kind as to write Don Diego + in regard to the place of security in which you put them. Duplicates of + everything will be completed and sent to you in the same manner and by + the same Francisco. Among them you will find a new document. Their + Highnesses promised to give all that belongs to me and to place Don + Diego in possession of everything, as you will see. I wrote to Senor + Juan Luis and to Sefora Catalina. The letter accompanies this one. I am + ready to start in the name of the Holy Trinity as soon as the weather is + good. I am well provided with everything. If Jeronimo de Santi Esteban + is coming, he must await me and not embarrass himself with anything, for + they will take away from him all they can and silently leave him. Let + him come here and the King and the Queen will receive him until I come. + May our Lord have you in His holy keeping. + </p> + <p> + “Done at Seville, March 21, 1502.<br /> “At your command. + </p> + <p> + .S.<br /> .S.A.S.<br /> Xpo FERENS.” + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + His delays were not pleasing to Ferdinand, who wanted to get rid of him, + and he was invited to hurry his departure; but he still continued to go + deliberately about his affairs, which he tried to put in order as far as + he was able, since he thought it not unlikely that he might never see + Spain again. Thinking thus of his worldly duties, and his thoughts turning + to his native Genoa, it occurred to him to make some benefaction out of + the riches that were coming to him by which his name might be remembered + and held in honour there. This was a piece of practical kindness the + record of which is most precious to us; for it shows the Admiral in a + truer and more human light than he often allowed to shine upon him. The + tone of the letter is nothing; he could not forbear letting the people of + Genoa see how great he was. The devotion of his legacy to the reduction of + the tax on simple provisions was a genuine charity, much to be appreciated + by the dwellers in the Vico Dritto di Ponticello, where wine and provision + shops were so very necessary to life. The letter was written to the + Directors of the famous Bank of Saint George at Genoa. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + “VERY NOBLE LORDS,—Although my body is here, my heart is + continually yonder. Our Lord has granted me the greatest favour he has + granted any one since the time of David. The results of my undertaking + already shine, and they would make a great light if the obscurity of the + Government did not conceal them. I shall go again to the Indies in the + name of the Holy Trinity, to return immediately. And as I am mortal, I + desire my son Don Diego to give to you each year, for ever, the tenth + part of all the income received, in payment of the tax on wheat, wine, + and other provisions. If this tenth amounts to anything, receive it, and + if not, receive my will for the deed. I beg you as a favour to have this + son of mine in your charge. Nicolo de Oderigo knows more about my + affairs than I myself. I have sent him the copy of my privileges and + letters, that he may place them in safe keeping. I would be glad if you + could see them. The King and the Queen, my Lords, now wish to honour me + more than ever. May the Holy Trinity guard your noble persons, and + increase the importance of your very magnificent office. “Done in + Seville, April a, 1502. + </p> + <p> + “The High-Admiral of the Ocean-Sea and Viceroy and + Governor-General of the islands and mainland of Asia and the Indies, + belonging to the King and Queen, my Lords, and the Captain-General of + the Sea, and a Member of their Council. + </p> + <p> + .S.<br /> .S.A.S.<br /> X M Y<br /> Xpo FERENS.” + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Columbus was anxious to touch at Espanola on his voyage to the West; but + he was expressly forbidden to do so, as it was known that his presence + there could not make for anything but confusion; he was to be permitted, + however, to touch there on his return journey. The Great Khan was not out + of his mind yet; much in it apparently, for he took an Arabian interpreter + with him so that he could converse with that monarch. In fact he did not + hesitate to announce that very big results indeed were to come of this + voyage of his; among other things he expected to circumnavigate the globe, + and made no secret of his expectation. In the meantime he was expected to + find some pearls in order to pay for the equipment of his fleet; and in + consideration of what had happened to the last lot of pearls collected by + him, an agent named Diego de Porras was sent along with him to keep an + account of the gold and precious stones which might be discovered. Special + instructions were issued to Columbus about the disposal of these + commodities. He does not seem to have minded these somewhat humiliating + precautions; he had a way of rising above petty indignities and refusing + to recognise them which must have been of great assistance to his + self-respect in certain troubled moments in his life. + </p> + <p> + His delays, however, were so many that in March 1502 the Sovereigns were + obliged to order him to depart without any more waiting. Poor Christopher, + who once had to sue for the means with which to go, whose departures were + once the occasion of so much state and ceremony, has now to be hustled + forth and asked to go away. Still he does not seem to mind; once more, as + of old, his gaze is fixed beyond the horizon and his mind is filled with + one idea. They may not think much of him in Spain now, but they will when + he comes back; and he can afford to wait. Completing his preparations + without undignified haste he despatched Bartholomew with his four little + vessels from Seville to Cadiz, where the Admiral was to join them. He took + farewell of his son Diego and of his brother James; good friendly James, + who had done his best in a difficult position, but had seen quite enough + of the wild life of the seas and was now settled in Seville studying hard + for the Church. It had always been his ambition, poor James; and, studying + hard in Seville, he did in time duly enter the sacred pale and become a + priest—by which we may see that if our ambitions are only modest + enough we may in time encompass them. Sometimes I think that James, + enveloped in priestly vestments, nodding in the sanctuary, lulled by the + muttering murmur of the psalms or dozing through a long credo, may have + thought himself back amid the brilliant sunshine and strange perfumes of + Espanola; and from a dream of some nymph hiding in the sweet groves of the + Vega may have awakened with a sigh to the strident Alleluias of his + brother priests. At any rate, farewell to James, safely seated beneath the + Gospel light, and continuing to sit there until, in the year 1515, death + interrupts him. We are not any more concerned with James in his priestly + shelter, but with those elder brothers of his who are making ready again + to face the sun and the surges. + </p> + <p> + Columbus’s ships were on the point of sailing when word came that + the Moors were besieging a Portuguese post on the coast of Morocco, and, + as civility was now the order of the day between Spain and Portugal, the + Admiral was instructed to call on his way there and afford some relief. + This he did, sailing from Cadiz on the 9th or 10th of May to Ercilla on + the Morocco coast, where he anchored on the 13th. But the Moors had all + departed and the siege was over; so Columbus, having sent Bartholomew and + some of his officers ashore on a civil visit, which was duly returned, set + out the same day on his last voyage. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + <a name="ch3d" id="ch3d"></a>CHAPTER III. + </h2> + <h3> + THE LAST VOYAGE + </h3> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p> + The four ships that made up the Admiral’s fleet on his fourth and + last voyage were all small caravels, the largest only of seventy tons and + the smallest only of fifty. Columbus chose for his flagship the Capitana, + seventy tons, appointing Diego Tristan to be his captain. The next best + ship was the Santiago de Palos under the command of Francisco Porras; + Porras and his brother Diego having been more or less foisted on to + Columbus by Morales, the Royal Treasurer, who wished to find berths for + these two brothers-in-law of his. We shall hear more of the Porras + brothers. The third ship was the Gallega, sixty tons, a very bad sailer + indeed, and on that account entrusted to Bartholomew Columbus, whose skill + in navigation, it was hoped, might make up for her bad sailing qualities. + Bartholomew had, to tell the truth, had quite enough of the New World, but + he was too loyal to Christopher to let him go alone, knowing as he did his + precarious state of health and his tendency to despondency. The captain of + the Gallega was Pedro de Terreros, who had sailed with the Admiral as + steward on all his other voyages and was now promoted to a command. The + fourth ship was called the Vizcaina, fifty tons, and was commanded by + Bartolome Fieschi, a friend of Columbus’s from Genoa, and a very + sound, honourable man. There were altogether 143 souls on board the four + caravels. + </p> + <p> + The fleet as usual made the Canary Islands, where they arrived on the 20th + of May, and stopped for five days taking in wood and water and fresh + provisions. Columbus was himself again—always more himself at sea + than anywhere else; he was following a now familiar road that had no + difficulties or dangers for him; and there is no record of the voyage out + except that it was quick and prosperous, with the trade wind blowing so + steadily that from the time they left the Canaries until they made land + twenty days later they had hardly to touch a sheet or a halliard. The + first land they made was the island of Martinique, where wood and water + were taken in and the men sent ashore to wash their linen. To young + Ferdinand, but fourteen years old, this voyage was like a fairy tale come + true, and his delight in everything that he saw must have added greatly to + Christopher’s pleasure and interest in the voyage. They only stayed + a few days at Martinique and then sailed westward along the chain of + islands until they came to Porto Rico, where they put in to the sunny + harbour which they had discovered on a former voyage. + </p> + <p> + It was at this point that Columbus determined, contrary to his precise + orders, to stand across to Espanola. The place attracted him like a + magnet; he could not keep away from it; and although he had a good enough + excuse for touching there, it is probable that his real reason was a very + natural curiosity to see how things were faring with his old enemy + Bobadilla. The excuse was that the Gallega, Bartholomew’s ship, was + so unseaworthy as to be a drag on the progress of the rest of the fleet + and a danger to her own crew. In the slightest sea-way she rolled almost + gunwale under, and would not carry her sail; and Columbus’s plan was + to exchange her for a vessel out of the great fleet which he knew had by + this time reached Espanola and discharged its passengers. + </p> + <p> + He arrived off the harbour of San Domingo on the 29th of June in very + threatening weather, and immediately sent Pedro de Terreros ashore with a + message to Ovando, asking to be allowed to purchase or exchange one of the + vessels that were riding in the harbour, and also leave to shelter his own + vessels there during the hurricane which he believed to be approaching. A + message came back that he was neither permitted to buy a ship nor to enter + the harbour; warning him off from San Domingo, in fact. + </p> + <p> + With this unfavourable message Terreros also brought back the news of the + island. Ovando had been in San Domingo since the 15th of April, and had + found the island in a shocking state, the Spanish population having to a + man devoted itself to idleness, profligacy, and slave-driving. The only + thing that had prospered was the gold-mining; for owing to the licence + that Bobadilla had given to the Spaniards to employ native labour to an + unlimited extent there had been an immense amount of gold taken from the + mines. But in no other respect had island affairs prospered, and Ovando + immediately began the usual investigation. The fickle Spaniards, always + unfaithful to whoever was in authority over them, were by this time tired + of Bobadilla, in spite of his leniency, and they hailed the coming of + Ovando and his numerous equipment with enthusiasm. Bobadilla had also by + this time, we may suppose, had enough of the joys of office; at any rate + he showed no resentment at the coming of the new Governor, and handed over + the island with due ceremony. The result of the investigation of Ovando, + however, was to discover a state of things requiring exemplary treatment; + friend Roldan was arrested, with several of his allies, and put on board + one of the ships to be sent back to Spain for trial. The cacique + Guarionex, who had been languishing in San Domingo in chains for a long + time, was also embarked on one of the returning ships; and about eighteen + hundred-weights of gold which had been collected were also stowed into + cases and embarked. Among this gold there was a nugget weighing 35 lbs. + which had been found by a native woman in a river, and which Ovando was + sending home as a personal offering to his Sovereigns; and some further 40 + lbs. of gold belonging to Columbus, which Carvajal had recovered and + placed in a caravel to be taken to Spain for the Admiral. The ships were + all ready to sail, and were anchored off the mouth of the river when + Columbus arrived in San Domingo. + </p> + <p> + When he found that he was not to be allowed to enter the harbour himself + Columbus sent a message to Ovando warning him that a hurricane was coming + on, and begging him to take measures for the safety of his large fleet. + This, however, was not done, and the fleet put to sea that evening. It had + only got so far as the eastern end of Espanola when the hurricane, as + predicted by Columbus, duly came down in the manner of West Indian + hurricanes, a solid wall of wind and an advancing wave of the sea which + submerged everything in its path. Columbus’s little fleet, finding + shelter denied them, had moved a little way along the coast, the Admiral + standing close in shore, the others working to the south for sea-room; and + although they survived the hurricane they were scattered, and only met + several days later, in an extremely battered condition, at the westerly + end of the island. But the large home-going fleet had not survived. The + hurricane, which was probably from the north-east, struck them just as + they lost the lee of the island, and many of them, including the ships + with the treasure of gold and the caravels bearing Roldan, Bobadilla, and + Guarionex, all went down at once and were never seen or heard of again. + Other ships survived for a little while only to founder in the end; a few, + much shattered, crept back to the shelter of San Domingo; but only one, it + is said, survived the hurricane so well as to be able to proceed to Spain; + and that was the one which carried Carvajal and Columbus’s little + property of gold. The Admiral’s luck again; or the intervention of + the Holy Trinity—whichever you like. + </p> + <p> + After the shattering experience of the storm, Columbus, although he did + not return to San Domingo, remained for some time on the coast of Espanola + repairing his ships and resting his exhausted crews. There were + threatenings of another storm which delayed them still further, and it was + not until the middle of July that the Admiral was able to depart on the + real purpose of his voyage. His object was to strike the mainland far to + the westward of the Gulf of Paria, and so by following it back eastward to + find the passage which he believed to exist. But the winds and currents + were very baffling; he was four days out of sight of land after touching + at an island north of Jamaica; and finally, in some bewilderment, he + altered his course more and more northerly until he found his whereabouts + by coming in sight of the archipelago off the south-western end of Cuba + which he had called the Gardens. From here he took a departure south-west, + and on the 30th of July came in sight of a small island off the northern + coast of Honduras which he called Isla de Pinos, and from which he could + see the hills of the mainland. At this island he found a canoe of immense + size with a sort of house or caboose built amidships, in which was + established a cacique with his family and dependents; and the people in + the canoe showed signs of more advanced civilisation than any seen by + Columbus before in these waters. They wore clothing, they had copper + hatchets, and bells, and palm-wood swords in the edges of which were set + sharp blades of flint. They had a fermented liquor, a kind of maize beer + which looked like English ale; they had some kind of money or medium of + exchange also, and they told the Admiral that there was land to the west + where all these things existed and many more. It is strange and almost + inexplicable that he did not follow this trail to the westward; if he had + done so he would have discovered Mexico. But one thing at a time always + occupied him to the exclusion of everything else; his thoughts were now + turned to the eastward, where he supposed the Straits were; and the + significance of this canoe full of natives was lost upon him. + </p> + <p> + They crossed over to the mainland of Honduras on August 15th, Bartholomew + landing and attending mass on the beach as the Admiral himself was too ill + to go ashore. Three days later the cross and banner of Castile were duly + erected on the shores of the Rio Tinto and the country was formally + annexed. The natives were friendly, and supplied the ships with + provisions; but they were very black and ugly, and Columbus readily + believed the assertion of his native guide that they were cannibals. They + continued their course to the eastward, but as the gulf narrowed the force + of the west-going current was felt more severely. Columbus, believing that + the strait which he sought lay to the eastward, laboured against the + current, and his difficulties were increased by the bad weather which he + now encountered. There were squalls and hurricanes, tempests and + cross-currents that knocked his frail ships about and almost swamped them. + Anchors and gear were lost, the sails were torn out of the bolt-ropes, + timbers were strained; and for six weeks this state of affairs went on to + an accompaniment of thunder and lightning which added to the terror and + discomfort of the mariners. + </p> + <p> + This was in August and the first half of September—six weeks of the + worst weather that Columbus had ever experienced. It was the more + unfortunate that his illness made it impossible for him to get actively + about the ship; and he had to have a small cabin or tent rigged up on + deck, in which he could lie and direct the navigation. It is bad enough to + be as ill as he was in a comfortable bed ashore; it is a thousand times + worse amid the discomforts of a small boat at sea; but what must it have + been thus to have one’s sick-bed on the deck of a cockle-shell which + was being buffeted and smashed in unknown seas, and to have to think and + act not for oneself alone but for the whole of a suffering little fleet! + No wonder the Admiral’s distress of mind was great; but oddly enough + his anxieties, as he recorded them in a letter, were not so much on his + own account as on behalf of others. The terrified seamen making vows to + the Virgin and promises of pilgrimages between their mad rushes to the + sheets and furious clinging and hauling; his son Ferdinand, who was only + fourteen, but who had to endure the same pain and fatigue as the rest of + them, and who was enduring it with such pluck that “it was as if he + had been at sea eighty years”; the dangers of Bartholomew, who had + not wanted to come on this voyage at all, but was now in the thick of it + in the worst ship of the squadron, and fighting for his life amid tempests + and treacherous seas; Diego at home, likely to be left an orphan and at + the mercy of fickle and doubtful friends—these were the chief causes + of the Admiral’s anxiety. All he said about himself was that “by + my misfortune the twenty years of service which I gave with so much + fatigue and danger have profited me so little that to-day I have in + Castile no roof, and if I wished to dine or sup or sleep I have only the + tavern for my last refuge, and for that, most of the time, I would be + unable to pay the score.” Not cheerful reflections, these, to add to + the pangs of acute gout and the consuming anxieties of seamanship under + such circumstances. Dreadful to him, these things, but not dreadful to us; + for they show us an Admiral restored to his true temper and vocation, + something of the old sea hero breaking out in him at last through all + these misfortunes, like the sun through the hurrying clouds of a stormy + afternoon. + </p> + <p> + Forty days of passage through this wilderness of water were endured before + the sea-worn mariners, rounding a cape on September 12th, saw stretching + before them to the southward a long coast of plain and mountain which they + were able to follow with a fair wind. Gradually the sea went down; the + current which had opposed them here aided them, and they were able to + recover a little from the terrible strain of the last six weeks. The cape + was called by Columbus ‘Gracios de Dios’; and on the 16th of + September they landed at the entrance to a river to take in water. The + boat which was sent ashore, however, capsized on the sandy bar of the + entrance, two men being drowned, and the river was given the name of Rio + de Desastre. They found a better anchorage, where they rested for ten + days, overhauled their stores, and had some intercourse with the natives + and exploration on shore. Some incidents occurred which can best be + described in the Admiral’s own language as he recorded them in his + letter to the Sovereigns. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + “ . . . When I reached there, they immediately sent me two young + girls dressed in rich garments. The older one might not have been more + than eleven years of age and the other seven; both with so much + experience, so much manner, and so much appearance as would have been + sufficient if they had been public women for twenty years. They bore + with them magic powder and other things belonging to their art. When + they arrived I gave orders that they should be adorned with our things + and sent them immediately ashore. There I saw a tomb within the mountain + as large as a house and finely worked with great artifice, and a corpse + stood thereon uncovered, and, looking within it, it seemed as if he + stood upright. Of the other arts they told me that there was excellence. + Great and little animals are there in quantities, and very different + from ours; among which I saw boars of frightful form so that a dog of + the Irish breed dared not face them. With a cross-bow I had wounded an + animal which exactly resembles a baboon only that it was much larger and + has a face like a human being. I had pierced it with an arrow from one + side to the other, entering in the breast and going out near the tail, + and because it was very ferocious I cut off one of the fore feet which + rather seemed to be a hand, and one of the hind feet. The boars seeing + this commenced to set up their bristles and fled with great fear, seeing + the blood of the other animal. When I saw this I caused to be thrown + them the ‘uegare,’—[Peccary]—certain animals + they call so, where it stood, and approaching him, near as he was to + death, and the arrow still sticking in his body, he wound his tail + around his snout and held it fast, and with the other hand which + remained free, seized him by the neck as an enemy. This act, so + magnificent and novel, together with the fine country and hunting of + wild beasts, made me write this to your Majesties.” + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The natives at this anchorage of Cariari were rather suspicious, but + Columbus seized two of them to act as guides in his journey further down + the coast. Weighing anchor on October 5th he worked along the Costa Rica + shore, which here turns to the eastward again, and soon found a tribe of + natives who wore large ornaments of gold. They were reluctant to part with + the gold, but as usual pointed down the coast and said that there was much + more gold there; they even gave a name to the place where the gold could + be found—Veragua; and for once this country was found to have a real + existence. The fleet anchored there on October 17th, being greeted by + defiant blasts of conch shells and splashing of water from the indignant + natives. Business was done, however: seventeen gold discs in exchange for + three hawks’ bells. + </p> + <p> + Still Columbus went on in pursuit of his geographical chimera; even gold + had no power to detain him from the earnest search for this imaginary + strait. Here and there along the coast he saw increasing signs of + civilisation—once a wall built of mud and stone, which made him + think of Cathay again. He now got it into his head that the region he was + in was ten days’ journey from the Ganges, and that it was surrounded + by water; which if it means anything means that he thought he was on a + large island ten days’ sail to the eastward of the coast of India. + Altogether at sea as to the facts, poor Admiral, but with heart and + purpose steadfast and right enough. + </p> + <p> + They sailed a little farther along the coast, now between narrow islands + that were like the streets of Genoa, where the boughs of trees on either + hand brushed the shrouds of the ships; now past harbours where there were + native fairs and markets, and where natives were to be seen mounted on + horses and armed with swords; now by long, lonely stretches of the coast + where there was nothing to be seen but the low green shore with the + mountains behind and the alligators basking at the river mouths. At last + (November 2nd) they arrived at the cape known as Nombre de Dios, which + Ojeda had reached some time before in his voyage to the West. + </p> + <p> + The coast of the mainland had thus been explored from the Bay of Honduras + to Brazil, and Columbus was obliged to admit that there was no strait. + Having satisfied himself of that he decided to turn back to Veragua, where + he had seen the natives smelting gold, in order to make some arrangement + for establishing a colony there. The wind, however, which had headed him + almost all the way on his easterly voyage, headed him again now and began + to blow steadily from the west. He started on his return journey on the + 5th of December, and immediately fell into almost worse troubles than he + had been in before. The wood of the ships had been bored through and + through by seaworms, so that they leaked very badly; the crews were sick, + provisions were spoilt, biscuits rotten. Young Ferdinand Columbus, if he + did not actually make notes of this voyage at the time, preserved a very + lively recollection of it, and it is to his Historie, which in its earlier + passages is of doubtful authenticity, that we owe some of the most human + touches of description relating to this voyage. Any passage in his work + relating to food or animals at this time has the true ring of boyish + interest and observation, and is in sharp contrast to the second-hand and + artificial tone of the earlier chapters of his book. About the incident of + the howling monkey, which the Admiral’s Irish hound would not face, + Ferdinand remarks that it “frighted a good dog that we had, but + frighted one of our wild boars a great deal more”; and as to the + condition of the biscuits when they turned westward again, he says that + they were “so full of weevils that, as God shall help me, I saw many + that stayed till night to eat their sop for fear of seeing them.” + </p> + <p> + After experiencing some terrible weather, in the course of which they had + been obliged to catch sharks for food and had once been nearly overwhelmed + by a waterspout, they entered a harbour where, in the words of young + Ferdinand, “we saw the people living like birds in the tops of the + trees, laying sticks across from bough to bough and building their huts + upon them; and though we knew not the reason of the custom we guessed that + it was done for fear of their enemies, or of the griffins that are in this + island.” After further experiences of bad weather they made what + looked like a suitable harbour on the coast of Veragua, which harbour, as + they entered it on the day of the Epiphany (January 9, 1503), they named + Belem or Bethlehem. The river in the mouth of which they were anchored, + however, was subject to sudden spouts and gushes of water from the hills, + one of which occurred on January 24th and nearly swamped the caravels. + This spout of water was caused by the rainy season, which had begun in the + mountains and presently came down to the coast, where it rained + continuously until the 14th of February. They had made friends with the + Quibian or chief of the country, and he had offered to conduct them to the + place where the gold mines were; so Bartholomew was sent off in the rain + with a boat party to find this territory. It turned out afterwards that + the cunning Quibian had taken them out of his own country and showed them + the gold mined of a neighbouring chief, which were not so rich as his own. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> <a name="veragua" id="veragua"></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img alt="veragua.jpg (121K)" src="images/veragua.jpg" style="width:100%;" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/veragua.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a> + </h5> +<p> +<br /><br /><br /><br /> +</p> + <p> + Columbus, left idle in the absence of Bartholomew, listening to the + continuous drip and patter of the rain on the leaves and the water, begins + to dream again—to dream of gold and geography. Remembers that David + left three thousand quintals of gold from the Indies to Solomon for the + decoration of the Temple; remembers that Josephus said it came from the + Golden Chersonesus; decides that enough gold could never have been got + from the mines of Hayna in Espanola; and concludes that the Ophir of + Solomon must be here in Veragua and not there in Espanola. It was always + here and now with Columbus; and as he moved on his weary sea pilgrimages + these mythical lands with their glittering promise moved about with him, + like a pillar of fire leading him through the dark night of his quest. + </p> + <p> + The rain came to an end, however, the sun shone out again, and activity + took the place of dreams with Columbus and with his crew. He decided to + found a settlement in this place, and to make preparations for seizing and + working the gold mines. It was decided to leave a garrison of eighty men, + and the business of unloading the necessary arms and provisions and + building houses ashore was immediately begun. Hawks’ bells and other + trifles were widely distributed among the natives, with special toys and + delicacies for the Quibian, in order that friendly relations might be + established from the beginning; and special regulations were framed to + prevent the possibility of any recurrence of the disasters that overtook + the settlers of Isabella. + </p> + <p> + Such are the orderly plans of Columbus; but the Quibian has his plans too, + which are found to be of quite a different nature. The Quibian does not + like intruders, though he likes their hawks’ bells well enough; he + is not quite so innocent as poor Guacanagari and the rest of them were; he + knows that gold is a thing coveted by people to whom it does not belong, + and that trouble follows in its train. Quibian therefore decides that + Columbus and his followers shall be exterminated—news of which + intention fortunately came to the ears of Columbus in time, Diego Mendez + and Rodrigo de Escobar having boldly advanced into the Quibian’s + village and seen the warlike preparations. Bartholomew, returning from his + visit to the gold mines, was informed of this state of affairs. Always + quick to strike, Bartholomew immediately started with an armed force, and + advanced upon the village so rapidly that the savages were taken by + surprise, their headquarters surrounded, and the Quibian and fifty of his + warriors captured. Bartholomew triumphantly marched the prisoners back, + the Quibian being entrusted to the charge of Juan Sanchez, who was rowing + him in a little boat. The Quibian complained that his bonds were hurting + him, and foolish Sanchez eased them a little; Quibian, with a quick + movement, wriggled overboard and dived to the bottom; came up again + somewhere and reached home alive. No one saw him come up, however, and + they thought had had been drowned. + </p> + <p> + Columbus now made ready to depart, and the caravels having been got over + the shallow bar, their loading was completed and they were ready to sail. + On April 6th Diego Tristan was sent in charge of a boat with a message to + Bartholomew, who was to be left in command of the settlement; but when + Tristan had rounded the point at the entrance to the river and come in + sight of the shore he had an unpleasant surprise; the settlement was being + savagely attacked by the resurrected Quibian and his followers. The fight + had lasted for three hours, and had been going badly against the + Spaniards, when Bartholomew and Diego Mendes rallied a little force round + them and, calling to Columbus’s Irish dog which had been left with + them, made a rush upon the savages and so terrified them that they + scattered. Bartholomew with eight of the other Spaniards was wounded, and + one was killed; and it was at this point that Tristan’s boat arrived + at the settlement. Having seen the fight safely over, he went on up the + river to get water, although he was warned that it was not safe; and sure + enough, at a point a little farther up the river, beyond some low green + arm of the shore, he met with a sudden and bloody death. A cloud of + yelling savages surrounded his boat hurling javelins and arrows, and only + one seaman, who managed to dive into the water and crawl ashore, escaped + to bring the evil tidings. + </p> + <p> + The Spaniards under Bartholomew’s command broke into a panic, and + taking advantage of his wounded condition they tried to make sail on their + caravel and join the ships of Columbus outside; but since the time of the + rains the river had so much gone down that she was stuck fast in the sand. + They could not even get a boat over the bar, for there was a heavy cross + sea breaking on it; and in the meantime here they were, trapped inside + this river, the air resounding with dismal blasts of the natives’ + conch-shells, and the natives themselves dancing round and threatening to + rush their position; while the bodies of Tristan and his little crew were + to be seen floating down the stream, feasted upon by a screaming cloud of + birds. The position of the shore party was desperate, and it was only by + the greatest efforts that the wounded Adelantado managed to rally his crew + and get them to remove their little camp to an open place on the shore, + where a kind of stockade was made of chests, casks, spars, and the caravel’s + boat. With this for cover, the Spanish fire-arms, so long as there was + ammunition for them, were enough to keep the natives at bay. + </p> + <p> + Outside the bar, in his anchorage beyond the green wooded point, the + Admiral meanwhile was having an anxious time. One supposes the entrance to + the river to have been complicated by shoals and patches of broken water + extending some considerable distance, so that the Admiral’s + anchorage would be ten or twelve miles away from the camp ashore, and of + course entirely hidden from it. As day after day passed and Diego Tristan + did not return, the Admiral’s anxiety increased. Among the three + caravels that now formed his little squadron there was only one boat + remaining, the others, not counting one taken by Tristan and one left with + Bartholomew, having all been smashed in the late hurricanes. In the heavy + sea that was running on the bar the Admiral dared not risk his last + remaining boat; but in the mean time he was cut off from all news of the + shore party and deprived of any means of finding out what had happened to + Tristan. And presently to these anxieties was added a further disaster. It + will be remembered that when the Quibian had been captured fifty natives + had been taken with him; and these were confined in the forecastle of the + Capitana and covered by a large hatch, on which most of the crew slept at + night. But one night the natives collected a heap of big stones from the + ballast of the ship, and piled them up to a kind of platform beneath the + hatch; some of the strongest of them got upon the platform and set their + backs horizontally against the hatch, gave a great heave and, lifted it + off. In the confusion that followed, a great many of the prisoners escaped + into the sea, and swam ashore; the rest were captured and thrust back + under the hatch, which was chained down; but when on the following morning + the Spaniards went to attend to this remnant it was found that they had + all hanged themselves. + </p> + <p> + This was a great disaster, since it increased the danger of the garrison + ashore, and destroyed all hope of friendship with the natives. There was + something terrible and powerful, too, in the spirit of people who could + thus to a man make up their minds either to escape or die; and the Admiral + must have felt that he was in the presence of strange, powerful elements + that were far beyond his control. At any moment, moreover, the wind might + change and put him on a lee shore, or force him to seek safety in + sea-room; in which case the position of Bartholomew would be a very + critical one. It was while things were at this apparent deadlock that a + brave fellow, Pedro Ledesma, offered to attempt to swim through the surf + if the boat would take him to the edge of it. Brave Pedro, his offer + accepted, makes the attempt; plunges into the boiling surf, and with + mighty efforts succeeds in reaching the shore; and after an interval is + seen by his comrades, who are waiting with their boat swinging on the edge + of the surf, to be returning to them; plunges into the sea, comes safely + through the surf again, and is safely hauled on board, having accomplished + a very real and satisfactory bit of service. + </p> + <p> + The story he had to tell the Admiral was as we know not a pleasant one—Tristan + and his men dead, several of Bartholomew’s force, including the + Adelantado himself, wounded, and all in a state of panic and fear at the + hostile natives. The Spaniards would do nothing to make the little + fortress safer, and were bent only on escaping from the place of horror. + Some of them were preparing canoes in which to come out to the ships when + the sea should go down, as their one small boat was insufficient; and they + swore that if the Admiral would not take them they would seize their own + caravel and sail out themselves into the unknown sea as soon as they could + get her floated over the bar, rather than remain in such a dreadful + situation. Columbus was in a very bad way. He could not desert + Bartholomew, as that would expose him to the treachery of his own men and + the hostility of the savages. He could not reinforce him, except by + remaining himself with the whole of his company; and in that case there + would be no means of sending the news of his rich discovery to Spain. + There was nothing for it, therefore, but to break up the settlement and + return some other time with a stronger force sufficient to occupy the + country. And even this course had its difficulties; for the weather + continued bad, the wind was blowing on to the shore, the sea was—so + rough as to make the passage of the bar impossible, and any change for the + worse in the weather would probably drive his own crazy ships ashore and + cut off all hope of escape. + </p> + <p> + The Admiral, whose health was now permanently broken, and who only had + respite from his sufferings in fine weather and when he was relieved from + a burden of anxieties such as had been continually pressing on him now for + three months, fell into his old state of sleeplessness, feverishness, and + consequent depression; and it, these circumstances it is not wonderful + that the firm ground of fact began to give a little beneath him and that + his feet began to sink again into the mire or quag of stupor. Of these + further flounderings in the quag he himself wrote an account to the King + and Queen, so we may as well have it in his own words. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + “I mounted to the top of the ship crying out with a weak voice, + weeping bitterly, to the commanders of your Majesties’ army, and + calling again to the four winds to help; but they did not answer me. + Tired out, I fell asleep and sighing I heard a voice very full of pity + which spoke these words: O fool! and slow to believe and to serve Him, + thy God and the God of all. What did He more for Moses? and for David + His servant? Since thou wast born He had always so great care for thee. + When He saw thee in an age with which He was content He made thy name + sound marvellously through the world. The Indies, which are so rich + apart of the world, He has given to thee as thine. Thou hast distributed + them wherever it has pleased thee; He gave thee power so to do. Of the + bonds of the ocean which were locked with so strong chains He gave thee + the keys, and thou wast obeyed in all the land, and among the Christians + thou hast acquired a good and honourable reputation. What did He more + for the people of Israel when He brought them out of Egypt? or yet for + David, whom from being a shepherd He made King of Judea? Turn to Him and + recognise thine error, for His mercy is infinite. Thine old age will be + no hindrance to all great things. Many very great inheritances are in + His power. Abraham was more than one hundred years old when he begat + Isaac and also Sarah was not young. Thou art calling for uncertain aid. + Answer me, who has afflicted thee so much and so many times—God or + the world? The privileges and promises which God makes He never breaks + to any one; nor does He say after having received the service that His + intention was not so and it is to be understood in another manner: nor + imposes martyrdom to give proof of His power. He abides by the letter of + His word. All that He promises He abundantly accomplishes. This is His + way. I have told thee what the Creator hath done for thee and does for + all. Now He shows me the reward and payment of thy suffering and which + thou hast passed in the service of others. And thus half dead, I heard + everything; but I could never find an answer to make to words so + certain, and only I wept for my errors. He, who ever he might be, + finished speaking, saying: Trust and fear not, for thy tribulations are + written in marble and not without reason.” + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Mere darkness of stupor; not much to be deciphered from it, nor any + profitable comment to be made on it, except that it was our poor + Christopher’s way of crying out his great suffering and misery. We + must not notice it, much as we should like to hold out a hand of sympathy + and comfort to him; must not pay much attention to this dark eloquent + nonsense—merely words, in which the Admiral never does himself + justice. Acts are his true conversation; and when he speaks in that + language all men must listen. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + <a name="ch4d" id="ch4d"></a>CHAPTER IV. + </h2> + <h3> + HEROIC ADVENTURES BY LAND AND SEA + </h3> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p> + No man ever had a better excuse for his superstitions than the Admiral; no + sooner had he got done with his Vision than the wind dropped, the sun came + out, the sea fell, and communication with the land was restored. While he + had been sick and dreaming one of his crew, Diego Mendez, had been busy + with practical efforts in preparation for this day of fine weather; he had + made a great raft out of Indian canoes lashed together, with mighty sacks + of sail cloth into which the provisions might be bundled; and as soon as + the sea had become calm enough he took this raft in over the bar to the + settlement ashore, and began the business of embarking the whole of the + stores and ammunition of Bartholomew’s garrison. By this practical + method the whole establishment was transferred from the shore to the ships + in the space of two days, and nothing was left but the caravel, which it + was found impossible to float again. It was heavy work towing the raft + constantly backwards and forwards from the ships to the shore, but Diego + Mendez had the satisfaction of being the last man to embark from the + deserted settlement, and to see that not an ounce of stores or ammunition + had been lost. + </p> + <p> + Columbus, always quick to reward the services of a good man, kissed Diego + Mendez publicly—on both cheeks, and (what doubtless pleased him much + better) gave him command of the caravel of which poor Tristan had been the + captain. + </p> + <p> + With a favourable wind they sailed from this accursed shore at the end of + April 1503. It is strange, as Winsor points out, that in the name of this + coast should be preserved the only territorial remembrance of Columbus, + and that his descendant the Duke of Veragua should in his title + commemorate one of the most unfortunate of the Admiral’s adventures. + And if any one should desire a proof of the utterly misleading nature of + most of Columbus’s writings about himself, let him know that a few + months later he solemnly wrote to the Sovereigns concerning this very + place that “there is not in the world a country whose inhabitants + are more timid; and the whole place is capable of being easily put into a + state of defence. Your people that may come here, if they should wish to + become masters of the products of other lands, will have to take them by + force or retire empty-handed. In this country they will simply have to + trust their persons in the hands of the savages.” The facts being + that the inhabitants were extremely fierce and warlike and irreconcilably + hostile; that the river was a trap out of which in the dry season there + was no escape, and the harbour outside a mere shelterless lee shore; that + it would require an army and an armada to hold the place against the + natives, and that any one who trusted himself in their hands would share + the fate of the unhappy Diego Tristan. One may choose between believing + that the Admiral’s memory had entirely failed him (although he had + not been backward in making a minute record, of all his sufferings) or + that he was craftily attempting to deceive the Sovereigns. My own belief + is that he was neither trying to deceive anybody nor that he had forgotten + anything, but that he was simply incapable of uttering the bare truth when + he had a pen in his hand. + </p> + <p> + From their position on the coast of Veragua Espanola bore almost due + north; but Columbus was too good a seaman to attempt to make the island by + sailing straight for it. He knew that the steady west-going current would + set him far down on his course, and he therefore decided to work up the + coast a long way to the eastward before standing across for Espanola. The + crew grumbled very much at this proceeding, which they did not understand; + in fact they argued from it that the Admiral was making straight for + Spain, and this, in the crazy condition of the vessels, naturally alarmed + them. But in his old high-handed, secret way the Admiral told them + nothing; he even took away from the other captains all the charts that + they had made of this coast, so that no one but himself would be able to + find the way back to it; and he took a kind of pleasure in the complete + mystification thus produced on his fellow-voyagers. “None of them + could explain whither I went nor whence I came; they did not know the way + to return thither,” he writes, somewhat childishly. + </p> + <p> + But he was not back in Espanola yet, and his means for getting there were + crumbling away beneath his feet. One of the three remaining caravels was + entirely riddled by seaworms and had to be abandoned at the harbour called + Puerto Bello; and the company was crowded on to two ships. The men now + became more than ever discontented at the easterly course, and on May 1st, + when he had come as far east as the Gulf of Darien, Columbus felt obliged + to bear away to the north, although as it turned out he had not nearly + made enough easting. He stood on this course, for nine days, the + west-going current setting him down all the time; and the first land that + he made, on May 10th, was the group of islands off the western end of Cuba + which he had called the Queen’s Gardens. + </p> + <p> + He anchored for six days here, as the crews were completely exhausted; the + ships’ stores were reduced to biscuits, oil, and vinegar; the + vessels leaked like sieves, and the pumps had to be kept going + continually. And no sooner had they anchored than a hurricane came on, and + brought up a sea so heavy that the Admiral was convinced that his ships + could not live within it. We have got so accustomed to reading of storms + and tempests that it seems useless to try and drive home the horror and + terror of them; but here were these two rotten ships alone at the end of + the world, far beyond the help of man, the great seas roaring up under + them in the black night, parting their worn cables, snatching away their + anchors from them, and finally driving them one upon the other to grind + and strain and prey upon each other, as though the external conspiracy of + the elements against them both were not sufficient! One writes or reads + the words, but what does it mean to us? and can we by any conceivable + effort of imagination realise what it meant to this group of human beings + who lived through that night so many hundred years ago—men like + ourselves with hearts to sink and faint, capable of fear and hunger, + capable of misery, pain, and endurance? Bruised and battered, wet by the + terrifying surges, and entirely uncomforted by food or drink, they did + somehow endure these miseries; and were to endure worse too before they + were done with it. + </p> + <p> + Their six days’ sojourn amid the Queen’s Gardens, then, was + not a great success; and as soon as they were able they set sail again, + standing eastward when the wind permitted them. But wind and current were + against them and all through the month of May and the early part of June + they struggled along the south coast of Cuba, their ships as full of holes + as a honeycomb, pumps going incessantly, and in addition the worn-out + seamen doing heroic labour at baling with buckets and kettles. Lee helm! + Down go the buckets and kettles and out run the wretched scarecrows of + seamen to the weary business of tacking ship, letting go, brailing up, + hauling in, and making fast for the thousandth time; and then back to the + pumps and kettles again. No human being could endure this for an + indefinite time; and though their diet of worms represented by the rotten + biscuit was varied with cassava bread supplied by friendly natives, the + Admiral could not make his way eastward further than Cape Cruz. Round that + cape his leaking, strained vessels could not be made to look against the + wind and the tide. Could hardly indeed be made to float or swim upon the + water at all; and the Admiral had now to consider, not whether he could + sail on a particular point of the compass, but whether he could by any + means avoid another course which the fates now proposed to him—namely, + a perpendicular course to the bottom of the sea. It was a race between the + water and the ships, and the only thing the Admiral could think of was to + turn southward across to Jamaica, which he did on June 23rd, putting into + Puerto Bueno, now called Dry Harbour. But there was no food there, and as + his ships were settling deeper and deeper in the water he had to make sail + again and drive eastwards as far as Puerto Santa Gloria, now called Don + Christopher’s Cove. He was just in time. The ships were run ashore + side by side on a sandy beach, the pumps were abandoned, and in one tide + the ships were full of water. The remaining anchor cables were used to + lash the two ships together so that they would not move; although there + was little fear of that, seeing the weight of water that was in them. + Everything that could be saved was brought up on deck, and a kind of cabin + or platform which could be fortified was rigged on the highest part of the + ships. And so no doubt for some days, although their food was almost + finished, the wretched and exhausted voyagers could stretch their cramped + limbs, and rest in the warm sun, and listen, from their safe haven on the + firm sands, to the hated voice of the sea. + </p> + <p> + Thanks to careful regulations made by the Admiral, governing the + intercourse between the Spaniards and the natives ashore, friendly + relations were soon established, and the crews were supplied with cassava + bread and fruit in abundance. Two officials superintended every purchase + of provisions to avoid the possibility of any dispute, for in the event of + even a momentary hostility the thatched-roof structures on the ships could + easily have been set on fire, and the position of the Spaniards, without + shelter amid a hostile population, would have been a desperate one. This + disaster, however, was avoided; but the Admiral soon began to be anxious + about the supply of provisions from the immediate neighbourhood, which + after the first few days began to be irregular. There were a large number + of Spaniards to be fed, the natives never kept any great store of + provisions for themselves, and the Spaniards were entirely at their mercy + for, provisions from day to day. Diego Mendez, always ready for active and + practical service, now offered to take three men and make a journey + through the island to arrange for the purchase of provisions from + different villages, so that the men on the ships would not be dependent + upon any one source. This offer was gratefully accepted; and Mendez, with + his lieutenants well supplied with toys and trinkets, started eastward + along the north coast of Jamaica. He made no mistakes; he was quick and + clever at ingratiating himself with the caciques, and he succeeded in + arranging with three separate potentates to send regular supplies of + provisions to the men on the ships. At each place where he made this + arrangement he detached one of his assistants and sent him back with the + first load of provisions, so that the regular line of carriage might be + the more quickly established; and when they had all gone he borrowed a + couple of natives and pushed on by himself until he reached the eastern + end of the island. He made friends here with a powerful cacique named + Amerro, from whom he bought a large canoe, and paid for it with some of + the clothing off his back. With the canoe were furnished six Indians to + row it, and Mendez made a triumphant journey back by sea, touching at the + places where his depots had been established and seeing that his + commissariat arrangements were working properly. He was warmly received on + his return to the ships, and the result of his efforts was soon visible in + the daily supplies of food that now regularly arrived. + </p> + <p> + Thus was one difficulty overcome; but it was not likely that either + Columbus himself or any of his people would be content to remain for ever + on the beach of Jamaica. It was necessary to establish communication with + Espanola, and thence with Spain; but how to do it in the absence of ships + or even boats? Columbus, pondering much upon this matter, one day calls + Diego Mendez aside; walks him off, most likely, under the great rustling + trees beyond the beach, and there tells him his difficulty. “My son,” + says he, “you and I understand the difficulties and dangers of our + position here better than any one else. We are few; the Indians are many; + we know how fickle and easily irritated they are, and how a fire-brand + thrown into our thatched cabins would set the whole thing ablaze. It is + quite true that you have very cleverly established a provision supply, but + it is dependent entirely upon the good nature of the natives and it might + cease to-morrow. Here is my plan: you have a good canoe; why should some + one not go over to Espanola in it and send back a ship for us?” + </p> + <p> + Diego Mendez, knowing very well what is meant, looks down upon the ground. + His spoken opinion is that such a journey is not merely difficult but + impossible journey in a frail native canoe across one hundred and fifty + miles of open and rough sea; although his private opinion is other than + that. No, he cannot imagine such a thing being done; cannot think who + would be able to do it. + </p> + <p> + Long silence from the Admiral; eloquent silence, accompanied by looks no + less eloquent. + </p> + <p> + “Admiral,” says Mendez again, “you know very well that I + have risked my life for you and the people before and would do it again. + But there are others who have at least as good a right to this great + honour and peril as I have; let me beg of you, therefore, to summon all + the company together, make this proposal to them, and see if any one will + undertake it. If not, I will once more risk my life.” + </p> + <p> + The proposal being duly made to the assembled crews, every one, as cunning + Mendez had thought, declares it impossible; every one hangs back. Upon + which Diego Mendez with a fine gesture comes forward and volunteers; makes + his little dramatic effect and has his little ovation. Thoroughly Spanish + this, significant of that mixture of vanity and bravery, of swagger and + fearlessness, which is characteristic of the best in Spain. It was a + desperately brave thing to venture upon, this voyage from Jamaica to + Espanola in a native canoe and across a sea visited by dreadful + hurricanes; and the volunteer was entitled to his little piece of heroic + drama. + </p> + <p> + While Mendez was making his preparations, putting a false keel on the + canoe and fixing weather boards along its gunwales to prevent its shipping + seas, fitting a mast and sail and giving it a coat of tar, the Admiral + retired into his cabin and busied himself with his pen. He wrote one + letter to Ovando briefly describing his circumstances and requesting that + a ship should be sent for his relief; and another to the Sovereigns, in + which a long rambling account was given of the events of the voyage, and + much other matter besides, dismally eloquent of his floundering in the + quag. Much in it—about Solomon and Josephus, of the Abbot Joachim, + of Saint Jerome and the Great Khan; more about the Holy Sepulchre and the + intentions of the Almighty in that matter; with some serious practical + concern for the rich land of Veragua which he had discovered, lest it + should share the fate of his other discoveries and be eaten up by idle + adventurers. “Veragua,” he says, “is not a little son + which may be given to a stepmother to nurse. Of Espanola and Paria and all + the other lands I never think without the tears falling from my eyes; I + believe that the example of these ought to serve for the others.” + And then this passage: + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + “The good and sound purpose which I always had to serve your + Majesties, and the dishonour and unmerited ingratitude, will not suffer + the soul to be silent although I wished it, therefore I ask pardon of + your Majesties. I have been so lost and undone; until now I have wept + for others that your Majesties might have compassion on them; and now + may the heavens weep for me and the earth weep for me in temporal + affairs; I have not a farthing to make as an offering in spiritual + affairs. I have remained here on the Indian islands in the manner I have + before said in great pain and infirmity, expecting every day death, + surrounded by innumerable savages full of cruelty and by our enemies, + and so far from the sacraments of the Holy Mother Church that I believe + the soul will be forgotten when it leaves the body. Let them weep for me + who have charity, truth and justice. I did not undertake this voyage of + navigation to gain honour or material things, that is certain, because + the hope already was entirely lost; but I did come to serve your + Majesties with honest intention and with good charitable zeal, and I do + not lie.” + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Poor old heart, older than its years, thus wailing out its sorrows to ears + none too sympathetic; sad old voice, uplifted from the bright shores of + that lonely island in the midst of strange seas! It will not come clear to + the head alone; the echoes of this cry must reverberate in the heart if + they are to reach and animate the understanding. + </p> + <p> + At this time also the Admiral wrote to his friend Gaspar Gorricio and the + reader may look upon a facsimile of the faded leaf upon which the trivial + document still exists. For the benefit of those who may be interested I + give the letter in Spanish and English. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + REVEREND AND VERY DEVOUT FATHER: + </p> + <p> + “If my voyage should be as conducive to my personal health and the + repose of my house as it seems likely to be conducive to the + aggrandisement of the royal Crown of the King and Queen, my Lords, I + might hope to live more than a hundred years. I have not time to write + more at length. I hope that the bearer of this letter may be a person of + my house who will tell you verbally more than can be told in a thousand + papers, and also Don Diego will supply information. I beg as a favour of + the Father Prior and all the members of your religious house, that they + remember me in all their prayers. + </p> + <p> + “Done on the island of Jamaica, July 7, 1503. “I am at the + command of your Reverence. + </p> + <p> + .S.<br /> .S.A.S. XMY<br /> Xpo FERENS.” + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> <a name="facsimile" id="facsimile"></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img alt="facsimile.jpg (55K)" src="images/facsimile.jpg" + style="width:100%;" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/facsimile.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a> + </h5> +<p> +<br /><br /><br /><br /> +</p> + <p> + Diego Mendez found some one among the Spaniards to accompany him, but his + name is not recorded. The six Indians were taken to row the canoe. They + had to make their way at first against the strong currents along the + northern coast of Jamaica, so as to reach its eastern extremity before + striking across to Espanola. At one point they met a flotilla of Indian + canoes, which chased them and captured them, but they escaped. When they + arrived at the end of the easterly point of Jamaica, now known as Morant + Point, they had to wait two or three days for calm weather and a + favourable wind to waft them across to Espanola, and while thus waiting + they were suddenly surrounded and captured by a tribe of hostile natives, + who carried them off some nine or ten miles into the island, and signified + their intention of killing them. + </p> + <p> + But they began to quarrel among themselves as to how they should divide + the spoils which they had captured with the canoe, and decided that the + only way of settling the dispute was by some elaborate trial of hazard + which they used. While they were busy with their trial Diego Mendez + managed to escape, got back to the canoe, and worked his way back in it + alone to the harbour where the Spaniards were encamped. The other Spaniard + who was with him probably perished, for there is no record of what became + of him—an obscure life lost in a brave enterprise. + </p> + <p> + One would have thought that Mendez now had enough of canoe voyages, but he + had no sooner got back than he offered to set out again, only stipulating + that an armed force should march along the coast by land to secure his + safety until he could stand across to Espanola. Bartholomew Columbus + immediately put himself at the head of a large and well-armed party for + this purpose, and Bartolomeo Fieschi, the Genoese captain of one of the + lost caravels, volunteered to accompany Mendez in a second canoe. Each + canoe was now manned by six Spanish volunteers and ten Indians to row; + Fieschi, as soon as they had reached the coast of Espanola, was to bring + the good news to the Admiral; while Mendez must go on to San Domingo, + procure a ship, and himself proceed to Spain with the Admiral’s + letters. The canoes were provisioned with water, cassava bread, and fish; + and they departed on this enterprise some time in August 1503. + </p> + <p> + Their passage along the coast was protected by Bartholomew Columbus, who + marched along with them on the shore. They waited a few days at the end of + the island for favourable weather, and finally said farewell to the good + Adelantado, who we may be sure stood watching them until they were well + out of sight. + </p> + <p> + There was not a cloud in the sky when the canoes stood out to sea; the + water was calm, and reflected the blistering heat of the sun. It was not a + pleasant situation for people in an open boat; and Mendez and Fieschi were + kept busy, as Irving says, “animating the Indians who navigated + their canoes, and who frequently paused at their labour.” The poor + Indians, evidently much in need of such animation, would often jump into + the water to escape the intolerable heat, and after a short immersion + there would return to their task. Things were better when the sun went + down, and the cool night came on; half the Indians then slept and half + rowed, while half of the Spaniards also slept and the other half, I + suppose, “animated.” Irving also says that the animating half + “kept guard with their weapons in hand, ready to defend themselves + in the case of any perfidy on the part of their savage companions”; + such perfidy being far enough from the thoughts of the savage companions, + we may imagine, whose energies were entirely occupied with the oars. + </p> + <p> + The next day was the same: savage companions rowing, Spaniards animating; + Spaniards and savage companions alike drinking water copiously without + regard for the smallness of their store. The second night was very hot, + and the savage companions finished the water, with the result that on the + third day the thirst became a torment, and at mid-day the poor companions + struck work. Artful Mendez, however, had concealed two small kegs of water + in his canoe, the contents of which he now administered in small doses, so + that the poor Indians were enabled to take to their oars again, though + with vigour much abated. Presumably the Spaniards had put up their weapons + by this time, for the only perfidy shown on the part of the savage + companions was that one of them died in the following night and had to be + thrown overboard, while others lay panting on the bottom of the canoes; + and the Spaniards had to take their turn at the oars, although they were + if anything in a worse case than the Indians. + </p> + <p> + Late in the night, however, the moon rose, and Mendez had the joy of + seeing its lower disc cut by a jagged line which proved to be the little + islet or rock of Navassa, which lies off the westerly end of Espanola. New + hope now animated the sufferers, and they pushed on until they were able + to land on this rock, which proved to be without any vegetation + whatsoever, but on the surface of which there were found some precious + pools of rain-water. Mendez was able to restrain the frantic appetites of + his fellow-countrymen, but the savage companions were less wise, and drank + their fill; so that some of them died in torment on the spot, and others + became seriously ill. The Spaniards were able to make a fire of driftwood, + and boil some shell-fish, which they found on shore, and they wisely spent + the heat of the day crouching in the shade of the rocks, and put off their + departure until the evening. It was then a comparatively easy journey for + them to cross the dozen miles that separated them from Espanola, and they + landed the next day in a pleasant harbour near Cape Tiburon. Fieschi, true + to his promise, was then ready to start back for Jamaica with news of the + safe accomplishment of the voyage; but the remnant of the crews, Spaniards + and savage companions alike, had had enough of it, and no threats or + persuasions would induce them to embark again. Mendez, therefore, left his + friends to enjoy some little repose before continuing their journey to San + Domingo, and, taking six natives of Espanola to row his canoe; set off + along the coast towards the capital. He had not gone half-way when he + learned that Ovando was not there, but was in Xaragua, so he left his + canoe and struck northward through the forest until he arrived at the + Governor’s camp. + </p> + <p> + Ovando welcomed Mendez cordially, praised him for his plucky voyage, and + expressed the greatest concern at the plight of the Admiral; but he was + very busy at the moment, and was on the point of transacting a piece of + business that furnished a dismal proof of the deterioration which had + taken place in him. Anacaona—the lady with the daughter whom we + remember—was now ruling over the province of Xaragua, her brother + having died; and as perhaps her native subjects had been giving a little + trouble to the Governor, he had come to exert his authority. The narrow + official mind, brought into contact with native life, never develops in + the direction of humanity; and Ovando had now for some time made the great + discovery that it was less trouble to kill people than to try to rule over + them wisely. There had evidently always been a streak of Spanish cruelty + in him, which had been much developed by his residence in Espanola; and to + cruelty and narrow officialdom he now added treachery of a very monstrous + and horrible kind. + </p> + <p> + He announced his intention of paying a state visit to Anacaona, who + thereupon summoned all her tributary chiefs to a kind of levee held in his + honour. In the midst of the levee, at a given signal, Ovando’s + soldiers rushed in, seized the caciques, fastened them to the wooden + pillars of the house, and set the whole thing on fire; the caciques being + thus miserably roasted alive. While this was going on the atrocious work + was completed by the soldiers massacring every native they could see—children, + women, and old men included—and Anacaona herself was taken and + hanged. + </p> + <p> + All these things Diego Mendez had to witness; and when they were over, + Ovando still had excuses for not hurrying to the relief of the Admiral. He + had embarked on a campaign of extermination against the natives, and he + followed up his atrocities at Xaragua by an expedition to the eastern end + of Espanola, where very much the same kind of business was transacted. + Weeks and months passed in this bloody cruelty, and there was always an + excuse for putting off Mendez. Now it was because of the operations which + he dignified by the name of wars, and now because he had no ship suitable + for sending to Jamaica; but the truth was that Ovando, the springs of + whose humanity had been entirely dried up during his disastrous reign in + Espanola, did not want Columbus to see with his own eyes the terrible + state of the island, and was callous enough to leave him either to perish + or to find his own way back to the world. It was only when news came that + a fleet of caravels was expected from Spain that Ovando could no longer + prevent Mendez from going to San Domingo and, purchasing one of them. + </p> + <p> + Ovando had indeed lost all but the outer semblance of a man; the soul or + animating part of him had entirely gone to corruption. He had no interest + in rescuing the Admiral; he had, on the contrary, great interest in + leaving him unrescued; but curiosity as to his fate, and fear as to his + actions in case he should return to Espanola, induced the Governor to make + some effort towards spying cut his condition. He had a number of trained + rascals under his command—among them Diego de Escobar, one of Roldan’s + bright brigade; and Ovando had no sooner seen Mendez depart on his journey + to San Domingo than he sent this Escobar to embark in a small caravel on a + visit to Jamaica in order to see if the Admiral was still alive. The + caravel had to be small, so that there could be no chance of bringing off + the 130 men who had been left to perish there; and various astute + instructions were given to Escobar in order to prevent his arrival being + of any comfort or assistance to the shipwrecked ones. And so Escobar + sailed; and so, in the month of March 1504, eight months after the + vanishing of Mendez below the eastern horizon, the miserable company + encamped on the two decaying ships on the sands at Puerto Santa Gloria + descried with joyful excitement the sails of a Spanish caravel standing in + to the shore. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + <a name="ch5d" id="ch5d"></a>CHAPTER V. + </h2> + <h3> + THE ECLIPSE OF THE MOON + </h3> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p> + We must now return to the little settlement on the coast of Jamaica—those + two wornout caravels, lashed together with ropes and bridged by an + erection of wood and thatch, in which the forlorn little company was + established. In all communities of men so situated there are alternate + periods of action and reaction, and after the excitement incidental to the + departure of Mendez, and the return of Bartholomew with the news that he + had got safely away, there followed a time of reaction, in which the + Spaniards looked dismally out across the empty sea and wondered when, if + ever, their salvation would come. Columbus himself was now a confirmed + invalid, and could hardly ever leave his bed under the thatch; and in his + own condition of pain and depression his influence on the rest of the crew + must inevitably have been less inspiriting than it had formerly been. The + men themselves, moreover, began to grow sickly, chiefly on account of the + soft vegetable food, to which they were not accustomed, and partly because + of their cramped quarters and the moist, unhealthy climate, which was the + very opposite of what they needed after their long period of suffering and + hardship at sea. + </p> + <p> + As the days and weeks passed, with no occupation save the daily business + of collecting food that gradually became more and more nauseous to them, + and of straining their eyes across the empty blue of the sea in an anxious + search for the returning canoes of Fieschi, the spirits of the castaways + sank lower and lower. Inevitably their discontent became articulate and + broke out into murmurings. The usual remedy for this state of affairs is + to keep the men employed at some hard work; but there was no work for them + to do, and the spirit of dissatisfaction had ample opportunity to spread. + As usual it soon took the form of hostility to the Admiral. They seem to + have borne him no love or gratitude for his masterly guiding of them + through so many dangers; and now when he lay ill and in suffering his + treacherous followers must needs fasten upon him the responsibility for + their condition. After a month or two had passed, and it became certain + that Fieschi was not coming back, the castaways could only suppose that he + and Mendez had either been captured by natives or had perished at sea, and + that their fellow-countrymen must still be without news of the Admiral’s + predicament. They began to say also that the Admiral was banished from + Spain; that there was no desire or intention on the part of the Sovereigns + to send an expedition to his relief; even if they had known of his + condition; and that in any case they must long ago have given him up for + lost. + </p> + <p> + When the pot boils the scum rises to the surface, and the first result of + these disloyal murmurings and agitations was to bring into prominence the + two brothers, Francisco and Diego de Porras, who, it will be remembered, + owed their presence with the expedition entirely to the Admiral’s + good nature in complying with the request of their brother-in-law Morales, + who had apparently wished to find some distant occupation for them. They + had been given honourable posts as officers, in which they had not proved + competent; but the Admiral had always treated them with kindness and + courtesy, regarding them more as guests than as servants. Who or what + these Porras brothers were, where they came from, who were their father + and mother, or what was their training, I do not know; it is enough for us + to know that the result of it all had been the production of a couple of + very mean scoundrels, who now found an opportunity to exercise their + scoundrelism. + </p> + <p> + When they discovered the nature of the murmuring and discontent among the + crew they immediately set them to work it up into open mutiny. They + represented that, as Mendez had undoubtedly perished, there was no hope of + relief from Espanola; that the Admiral did not even expect such relief, + knowing that the island was forbidden ground to him. They insinuated that + he was as well content to remain in Jamaica as anywhere else, since he had + to undergo a period of banishment until his friends at Court could procure + his forgiveness. They were all, said the Porras brothers, being made tools + for the Admiral’s convenience; as he did not wish to leave Jamaica + himself, he was keeping them all there, to perish as likely as not, and in + the meantime to form a bodyguard, and establish a service for himself. The + Porras brothers suggested that, under these circumstances, it would be as + well to take a fleet of native canoes from the Indians and make their own + way to Espanola; the Admiral would never undertake the voyage himself, + being too helpless from the gout; but it would be absurd if the whole + company were to be allowed to perish because of the infirmities of one + man. They reminded the murmurers that they would not be the first people + who had rebelled with success against the despotic rule of Columbus, and + that the conduct of the Sovereigns on a former occasion afforded them some + promise that those who rebelled again would receive something quite + different from punishment. + </p> + <p> + Christmas passed, the old year went out in this strange, unhomelike place, + and the new year came in. The Admiral, as we have seen, was now almost + entirely crippled and confined to his bed; and he was lying alone in his + cabin on the second day of the year when Francisco de Porras abruptly + entered. Something very odd and flurried about Porras; he jerks and + stammers, and suddenly breaks out into a flood of agitated speech, in + which the Admiral distinguishes a stream of bitter reproach and + impertinence. The thing forms itself into nothing more or less than a + hurried, gabbling complaint; the people are dissatisfied at being kept + here week after week with no hope of relief; they accuse the Admiral of + neglecting their interests; and so on. Columbus, raising himself in his + bed, tries to pacify Porras; gives him reasons why it is impossible for + them to depart in canoes; makes every endeavour, in short, to bring this + miserable fellow back to his duties. He is watching Porras’s eye all + the time; sees that he is too excited to be pacified by reason, and + suspects that he has considerable support behind him; and suggests that + the crew had better all be assembled and a consultation held as to the + best course to pursue. + </p> + <p> + It is no good to reason with mutineers; and the Admiral has no sooner made + this suggestion than he sees that it was a mistake. Porras scoffs at it; + action, not consultation, is what he demands; in short he presents an + ultimatum to the Admiral—either to embark with the whole company at + once, or stay behind in Jamaica at his own pleasure. And then, turning his + back on Columbus and raising his voice, he calls out, “I am for + Castile; those who choose may follow me!” + </p> + <p> + The shout was a signal, and immediately from every part of the vessel + resounded the voices of the Spaniards, crying out that they would follow + Porras. In the midst of the confusion Columbus hobbled out of his bed and + staggered on to the deck; Bartholomew seized his weapons and prepared for + action; but the whole of the crew was not mutinous, and there was a large + enough loyal remnant to make it unwise for the chicken-hearted mutineers + to do more for the moment than shout: Some of them, it is true, were heard + threatening the life of the Admiral, but he was hurried back to his bed by + a few of the faithful ones, and others of them rushed up to the fierce + Bartholomew, and with great difficulty persuaded him to drop his lance and + retire to Christopher’s cabin with him while they dealt with the + offenders. They begged Columbus to let the scoundrels go if they wished + to, as the condition of those who remained would be improved rather than + hurt by their absence, and they would be a good riddance. They then went + back to the deck and told Porras and his followers that the sooner they + went the better, and that nobody would interfere with their going as long + as they offered no one any violence. + </p> + <p> + The Admiral had some time before purchased some good canoes from the + natives, and the mutineers seized ten of these and loaded them with native + provisions. Every effort was made to add to the number of the disloyal + ones; and when they saw their friends making ready to depart several of + these did actually join. There were forty-eight who finally embarked with + the brothers Porras; and there would have been more, but that so many of + them were sick and unable to face the exposure of the voyage. As it was, + those who remained witnessed with no very cheerful emotions the departure + of their companions, and even in some cases fell to tears and + lamentations. The poor old Admiral struggled out of his bed again, went + round among the sick and the loyal, cheering them and comforting them, and + promising to use every effort of the power left to him to secure an + adequate reward for their loyalty when he should return to Spain. + </p> + <p> + We need only follow the career of Porras and his deserters for the present + far enough to see them safely off the premises and out of the way of the + Admiral and our narrative. They coasted along the shore of Jamaica to the + eastward as Mendez had done, landing whenever they had a mind to, and + robbing and outraging the natives; and they took a particularly mean and + dirty revenge on the Admiral by committing all their robbings and + outragings as though under his authority, assuring the offended Indians + that what they did they did by his command and that what they took he + would pay for; so that as they went along they sowed seeds of grievance + and hostility against the Admiral. They told the natives, moreover, that + Columbus was an enemy of all Indians, and that they would be very well + advised to kill him and get him out of the way. + </p> + <p> + They had not managed very well with the navigation of the canoes; and + while they were waiting for fine weather at the eastern end of the island + they collected a number of natives to act as oarsmen. When they thought + the weather suitable they put to sea in the direction of Espanola. They + were only about fifteen miles from the shore, however, when the wind began + to head them and to send up something of a sea; not rough, but enough to + make the crank and overloaded canoes roll heavily, for they had not been + prepared, as those of Mendez were, with false keels and weather-boards. + The Spaniards got frightened and turned back to Jamaica; but the sea + became rougher, the canoes rolled more and more, they often shipped a + quantity of water, and the situation began to look serious. All their + belongings except arms and provisions were thrown overboard; but still, as + the wind rose and the sea with it, it became obvious that unless the + canoes were further lightened they would not reach the shore in safety. + Under these circumstances the Spaniards forced the natives to leap into + the water, where they swam about like rats as well as they could, and then + came back to the canoes in order to hold on and rest themselves. When they + did this the Spaniards slashed at them with their swords or cut off their + hands, so that one by one they fell back and, still swimming about feebly + as well as they could with their bleeding hands or stumps of arms, the + miserable wretches perished and sank at last. + </p> + <p> + By this dreadful expedient the Spaniards managed to reach Jamaica again, + and when they landed they immediately fell to quarrelling as to what they + should do next. Some were for trying to make the island of Cuba, the wind + being favourable for that direction; others were for returning and making + their submission to the Admiral; others for going back and seizing the + remainder of his arms and stores; others for staying where they were for + the present, and making another attempt to reach Espanola when the weather + should be more favourable. This last plan, being the counsel of present + inaction, was adopted by the majority of the rabble; so they settled + themselves at a neighbouring Indian village, behaving in: the manner with + which we are familiar. A little later, when the weather was calm, they + made another attempt at the voyage, but were driven back in the same way; + and being by this time sick of canoe voyages, they abandoned the attempt, + and began to wander back westward through the island, maltreating the + natives as before, and sowing seeds of bitter rancour and hostility + against the Admiral; in whose neighbourhood we shall unfortunately hear of + them again. + </p> + <p> + In the meantime their departure had somewhat relieved the condition of + affairs on board the hulks. There were more provisions and there was more + peace; the Admiral, rising above his own infirmities to the necessities of + the occasion, moved unweariedly among the sick, cheering them and nursing + them back into health and good humour, so that gradually the condition of + the little colony was brought into better order and health than it had + enjoyed since its establishment. + </p> + <p> + But now unfortunately the evil harvest sown by the Porras gang in their + journey to the east of the island began to ripen. The supplies of + provisions, which had hitherto been regularly brought by the natives, + began to appear with less punctuality, and to fall off both in quantity + and quality. The trinkets with which they were purchased had now been + distributed in such quantities that they began to lose their novelty and + value; sometimes the natives demanded a much higher price for the + provisions they brought, and (having by this time acquired the art of + bargaining) would take their stores away again if they did not get the + price they asked. + </p> + <p> + But even of this device they soon grew weary; from being irregular, the + supplies of provisions from some quarters ceased altogether, and the + possibilities of famine began to stare the unhappy castaways in the face. + It must be remembered that they were in a very weak physical condition, + and that among the so-called loyal remnant there were very few who were + not invalids; and they were unable to get out into the island and forage + for themselves. If the able-bodied handful were to sally forth in search + of provisions, the hulks would be left defenceless and at the mercy of the + natives, of whose growing hostility the Admiral had by this time + discovered abundant evidence. Thus little by little the food supply + diminished until there was practically nothing left, and the miserable + company of invalids were confronted with the alternative of either dying + of starvation or desperately attempting a canoe voyage. + </p> + <p> + It was from this critical situation that the spirit and resource of + Columbus once more furnished a way of escape, and in these circumstances + that he invented and worked a device that has since become famous—the + great Eclipse Trick. Among his small library in the cabin of the ship was + the book containing the astronomical tables of Regiomontanus; and from his + study of this work he was aware that an eclipse of the moon was due on a + certain date near at hand. He sent his Indian interpreter to visit the + neighbouring caciques, summoning them to a great conference to be held on + the evening of the eclipse, as the Admiral had matters of great importance + to reveal to them. They duly arrived on the evening appointed; not the + caciques alone, but large numbers of the native population, well prepared + for whatever might take place. Columbus then addressed them through his + interpreter, informing him that he was under the protection of a God who + dwelt in the skies and who rewarded all who assisted him and punished all + his enemies. He made an effective use of the adventures of Mendez and + Porras, pointing out that Mendez, who took his voyage by the Admiral’s + orders, had got away in safety, but that Porras and his followers, who had + departed in disobedience and mutiny, had been prevented by the heavenly + power from achieving their object. He told them that his God was angry + with them for their hostility and for their neglect to supply him with + provisions; and that in token of his anger he was going to send them a + dreadful punishment, as a sign of which they would presently see the moon + change colour and lose its light, and the earth become dark. + </p> + <p> + This address was spun out as long as possible; but even so it was followed + by an interval in which, we may be sure, Columbus anxiously eyed the + serene orb of night, and doubtless prayed that Regiomontanus might not + have made a mistake in his calculations. Some of the Indians were alarmed, + some of them contemptuous; but it was pretty clearly realised on both + sides that matters between them had come to a head; and probably if + Regiomontanus, who had worked out these tables of figures and calculations + so many years ago in his German home, had done his work carelessly or made + a mistake, Columbus and his followers would have been massacred on the + spot. But Regiomontanus, God bless him! had made no mistake. Sure enough, + and punctually to the appointed time, the dark shadow began to steal over + the moon’s disc; its light gradually faded, and a ghostly darkness + crept over the face of the world. Columbus, having seen that all was right + with the celestial machinery, had retired to his cabin; and presently he + found himself besieged there in the dark night by crowds of natives + frantically bringing what provisions they had and protesting their + intention of continuing to bring them for the rest of their lives. If only + the Admiral would ask his God to forgive them, there was no limit to the + amount of provisions that he might have! The Admiral, piously thankful, + and perhaps beginning to enjoy the situation a little, kept himself shut + up in his cabin as though communing with the implacable deity, while the + darkness deepened over the land and the shore resounded with the howling + and sobbing of the terrified natives. He kept a look-out on the sky; and + when he saw that the eclipse was about to pass away, he came out and + informed the natives that God had decided to pardon them on condition of + their remaining faithful in the matter of provisions, and that as a sign + of His mercy He would restore the light. The beautiful miracle went on + through its changing phases; and, watching in the darkness, the terrified + natives saw the silver edge of the moon appearing again, the curtain that + had obscured it gradually rolling away, and land and sea lying visible to + them and once more steeped in the serene light which they worshipped. It + is likely that Christopher slept more soundly that night than he had slept + for many nights before. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + <a name="ch6d" id="ch6d"></a>CHAPTER VI. + </h2> + <h3> + RELIEF OF THE ADMIRAL + </h3> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p> + There was no further difficulty about provisions, which were punctually + brought by the natives on the old terms; but the familiar, spirit of + sedition began to work again among the unhappy Spaniards, and once more a + mutiny, led this time by the apothecary Bernardo, took form—the + intention being to seize the remaining canoes and attempt to reach + Espanola. This was the point at which matters had arrived, in March 1504, + when as the twilight was falling one evening a cry was raised that there + was a ship in sight; and presently a small caravel was seen standing in + towards the shore. All ideas of mutiny were forgotten, and the crew + assembled in joyful anticipation to await, as they thought, the coming of + their deliverers. The caravel came on with the evening breeze; but while + it was yet a long way off the shore it was seen to be lying to; a boat was + lowered and rowed towards the harbour. + </p> + <p> + As the boat drew near Columbus could recognise in it Diego de Escobar, + whom he remembered having condemned to death for his share in the + rebellion of Roldan. He was not the man whom Columbus would have most + wished to see at that moment. The boat came alongside the hulks, and a + barrel of wine and a side of bacon, the sea-compliment customary on such + occasions, was handed up. Greatly to the Admiral’s surprise, + however, Escobar did not come on board, but pushed his boat off and began + to speak to Columbus from a little distance. He told him that Ovando was + greatly distressed at the Admiral’s misfortunes; that he had been + much occupied by wars in Espanola, and had not been able to send a message + to him before; that he greatly regretted he had no ship at present large + enough to bring off the Admiral and his people, but that he would send one + as soon as he had it. In the meantime the Admiral was to be assured that + all his affairs in Espanola were being attended to faithfully, and that + Escobar was instructed to bring back at once any letters which the Admiral + might wish to write. + </p> + <p> + The coolness and unexpectedness of this message completely took away the + breath of the unhappy Spaniards, who doubtless stood looking in + bewilderment from Escobar to Columbus, unable to believe that the caravel + had not been sent for their relief. Columbus, however, with a + self-restraint which cannot be too highly praised, realised that Escobar + meant what he said, and that by protesting against his action or trying to + interfere with it he would only be putting himself in the wrong. He + therefore retired immediately to his cabin and wrote a letter to Ovando, + in which he drew a vivid picture of the distress of his people, reported + the rebellion of the Porras brothers, and reminded Ovando that he relied + upon the fulfilment of his promise to send relief. The letter was handed + over to Escobar, who rowed back with it to his caravel and immediately + sailed away with it into the night. + </p> + <p> + Before he could retire to commune with his own thoughts or to talk with + his faithful brother, Columbus had the painful duty of speaking to his + people, whose puzzled and disappointed faces must have cost him some extra + pangs. He told them that he was quite satisfied with the message from + Ovando, that it was a sign of kindness on his part thus to send them news + in advance that relief was coming, that their situation was now known in + San Domingo, and that vessels would soon be here to take them away. He + added that he himself was so sure of these things that he had refused to + go back with Escobar, but had preferred to remain with them and share + their lot until relief should come. This had the desired effect of + cheering the Spaniards; but it was far from representing the real + sentiments of Columbus on the subject. The fact that Escobar had been + chosen to convey this strange empty message of sympathy seemed to him + suspicious, and with his profound distrust of Ovando Columbus began to + wonder whether some further scheme might not be on foot to damage him in + the eyes of the Sovereigns. He was convinced that Ovando had meant to let + him starve on the island, and that the real purpose of Escobar’s + visit had been to find out what condition the Admiral was in, so that + Ovando might know how to act. It is very hard to get at the truth of what + these two men thought of each other. They were both suspicious, each was + playing for his own hand, and Ovando was only a little more unscrupulous + than Columbus; but there can be no doubt that whatever his motives may + have been Ovando acted with abominable treachery and cruelty in leaving + the Admiral unrelieved for nearly nine months. + </p> + <p> + Columbus now tried to make use of the visit of Escobar to restore to + allegiance the band of rebels that were wandering about in the + neighbourhood under the leadership of the Porras brothers. Why he should + have wished to bring them back to the ships is not clear, for by all + accounts he was very well rid of them; but probably his pride as a + commander was hurt by the thought that half of his company had defied his + authority and were in a state of mutiny. At any rate he sent out an + ambassador to Porras, offering to receive the mutineers back without any + punishment, and to give them a free passage to Espanola in the vessels + which were shortly expected, if they would return to their allegiance with + him. + </p> + <p> + The folly of this overture was made manifest by the treatment which it + received. It was bad enough to make advances to the Porras brothers, but + it was still worse to have those advances repulsed, and that is what + happened. The Porras brothers, being themselves incapable of any + single-mindedness, affected not to believe in the sincerity of the Admiral’s + offer; they feared that he was laying some kind of trap for them; + moreover, they were doing very well in their lawless way, and living very + comfortably on the natives; so they told Columbus’s ambassadors that + his offer was declined. At the same time they undertook to conduct + themselves in an amicable and orderly manner on condition that, when the + vessels arrived, one of them should be apportioned to the exclusive use of + the mutineers; and that in the meantime the Admiral should share with them + his store of provisions and trinkets, as theirs were exhausted. + </p> + <p> + This was the impertinent decision of the Porras brothers; but it did not + quite commend itself to their followers, who were fearful of the possible + results if they should persist in their mutinous conduct. They were very + much afraid of being left behind in the island, and in any case, having + attempted and failed in the main object of their mutiny, they saw no + reason why they should refuse a free pardon. But the Porras brothers lied + busily. They said that the Admiral was merely laying a trap in order to + get them into his power, and that he would send them home to Spain in + chains; and they even went so far as to assure their fellow-rebels that + the story of a caravel having arrived was not really true; but that + Columbus, who was an adept in the arts of necromancy, had really made his + people believe that they had seen a caravel in the dusk; and that if one + had really arrived it would not have gone away so suddenly, nor would the + Admiral and his brother and son have failed to take their passage in it. + </p> + <p> + To consolidate the effect of these remarkable statements on the still + wavering mutineers, the Porras brothers decided to commit them to an open + act of violence which would successfully alienate them from the Admiral. + They formed them, therefore, into an armed expedition, with the idea of + seizing the stores remaining on the wreck and taking the Admiral + personally. Columbus fortunately got news of this, as he nearly always did + when there was treachery in the wind; and he sent Bartholomew to try to + persuade them once more to return to their duty—a vain and foolish + mission, the vanity and folly of which were fully apparent to Bartholomew. + He duly set out upon it; but instead of mild words he took with him fifty + armed men—the whole available able-bodied force, in fact-and drew + near to the position occupied by the rebels. + </p> + <p> + The exhortation of the Porras brothers had meanwhile produced its effect, + and it was decided that six of the strongest men among the mutineers + should make for Bartholomew himself and try to capture or kill him. The + fierce Adelantado, finding himself surrounded by six assailants, who + seemed to be directing their whole effort against his life, swung his + sword in a berserk rage and slashed about him, to such good purpose that + four or five of his assailants soon lay round him killed or wounded. At + this point Francisco de Porras rushed in and cleft the shield held by + Bartholomew, severely wounding the hand that held it; but the sword. stuck + in the shield, and while Porras was endeavouring to draw it out + Bartholomew and some others closed upon him, and after a sharp struggle + took him prisoner. The battle, which was a short one, had been meanwhile + raging fiercely among the rest of the forces; but when the mutineers saw + their leader taken prisoner, and many of their number lying dead or + wounded, they scattered and fled, but not before Bartholomew’s force + had taken several prisoners. It was then found that, although the rebels + had suffered heavily, none of Bartholomew’s men were killed, and + only one other besides himself was wounded. The next day the mutineers all + came in to surrender, submitting an abject oath of allegiance; and + Columbus, always strangely magnanimous to rebels and insurgents, pardoned + them all with the exception of Francisco de Porras, who, one is glad to + know, was confined in irons to be sent to Spain for trial. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> <a name="westindies" id="westindies"></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img alt="westindies.jpg (214K)" src="images/westindies.jpg" + style="width:100%;" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/westindies.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a> + </h5> +<p> +<br /><br /><br /><br /> +</p> + <p> + This submission, which was due to the prompt action of Bartholomew rather + than to the somewhat feeble diplomacy of the Admiral, took place on March + 20th, and proved somewhat embarrassing to Columbus. He could put no faith + in the oaths and protestations of the mutineers; and he was very doubtful + about the wisdom of establishing them once more on the wrecks with the + hitherto orderly remnant. He therefore divided them up into several bands, + and placing each under the command of an officer whom he could trust, he + supplied them with trinkets and despatched them to different parts of the + island, for the purpose of collecting provisions and carrying on barter + with the natives. By this means the last month or two of this most trying + and exciting sojourn on the island of Jamaica were passed in some measure + of peace; and towards the end of June it was brought to an end by the + arrival of two caravels. One of them was the ship purchased by Diego + Mendez out of the three which had arrived from Spain; and the other had + been despatched by Ovando in deference, it is said, to public feeling in + San Domingo, which had been so influenced by Mendez’s account of the + Admiral’s heroic adventures that Ovando dared not neglect him any + longer. Moreover, if it had ever been his hope that the Admiral would + perish on the island of Jamaica, that hope was now doomed to frustration, + and, as he was to be rescued in spite of all, Ovando no doubt thought that + he might as well, for the sake of appearances, have a hand in the rescue. + </p> + <p> + The two caravels, laden with what was worth saving from the two abandoned + hulks, and carrying what was left of the Admiral’s company, sailed + from Jamaica on June 28, 1504. Columbus’s joy, as we may imagine, + was deep and heartfelt. He said afterwards to Mendez that it was the + happiest day of his life, for that he had never hoped to leave the place + alive. + </p> + <p> + The mission of Mendez, then, had been successful, although he had had to + wait for eight months to fulfil it. He himself, in accordance with + Columbus’s instructions, had gone to Spain in another caravel of the + fleet out of which he had purchased the relieving ship; and as he passes + out of our narrative we may now take our farewell of him. Among the many + men employed in the Admiral’s service no figure stands out so + brightly as that of Diego Mendez; and his record, almost alone of those + whose service of the Admiral earned them office and distinction, is + unblotted by any stain of crime or treachery. He was as brave as a lion + and as faithful as a dog, and throughout his life remained true to his + ideal of service to the Admiral and his descendants. He was rewarded by + King Ferdinand for his distinguished services, and allowed to bear a canoe + on his coat-of-arms; he was with the Admiral at his death-bed at + Valladolid, and when he himself came to die thirty years afterwards in the + same place he made a will in which he incorporated a brief record of the + events of the adventurous voyage in which he had borne the principal part, + and also enshrined his devotion to the name and family of Columbus. His + demands for himself were very modest, although there is reason to fear + that they were never properly fulfilled. He was curiously anxious to be + remembered chiefly by his plucky canoe voyage; and in giving directions + for his tomb, and ordering that a stone should be placed over his remains, + he wrote: “In the centre of the said stone let a canoe be carved, + which is a piece of wood hollowed out in which the Indians navigate, + because in such a boat I navigated three hundred leagues, and let some + letters be placed above it saying: Canoa.” The epitaph that he chose + for himself was in the following sense: + </p> + <p> + Here lies the Honourable Gentleman + </p> + <p> + DIEGO MENDEZ + </p> + <p> + He greatly served the royal crown of Spain in<br /> the discovery and + conquest of the Indies with<br /> the Admiral Don Christopher Columbus of<br /> + glorious memory who discovered them, and<br /> afterwards by himself, with + his own ships,<br /> at his own expense.<br /> He died, etc.<br /> He begs + from charity a PATERNOSTER<br /> and an AVE MARIA. + </p> + <p> + Surely he deserves them, if ever an honourable gentleman did. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + <a name="ch7d" id="ch7d"></a>CHAPTER VII. + </h2> + <h3> + THE HERITAGE OF HATRED + </h3> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p> + Although the journey from Jamaica to Espanola had been accomplished in + four days by Mendez in his canoe, the caravels conveying the party rescued + from Puerto Santa Gloria were seven weary weeks on this short voyage; a + strong north-west wind combining with the west-going current to make their + progress to the north-west impossible for weeks at a time. It was not + until the 13th of August 1503 that they anchored in the harbour of San + Domingo, and Columbus once more set foot, after an absence of more than + two years, on the territory from the governorship of which he had been + deposed. + </p> + <p> + He was well enough received by Ovando, who came down in state to meet him, + lodged him in his own house, and saw that he was treated with the + distinction suitable to his high station. The Spanish colony, moreover, + seemed to have made something of a hero of Columbus during his long + absence, and they received him with enthusiasm. But his satisfaction in + being in San Domingo ended with that. He was constantly made to feel that + it was Ovando and not he who was the ruler there;—and Ovando + emphasised the difference between them by numerous acts of highhanded + authority, some of them of a kind calculated to be extremely mortifying to + the Admiral. Among these things he insisted upon releasing Porras, whom + Columbus had confined in chains; and he talked of punishing those faithful + followers of Columbus who had taken part in the battle between Bartholomew + and the rebels, because in this fight some of the followers of Porras had + been killed. Acts like these produced weary bickerings and arguments + between Ovando and Columbus, unprofitable to them, unprofitable to us. The + Admiral seems now to have relapsed into a condition in which he cared only + for two things, his honours and his emoluments. Over every authoritative + act of Ovando’s there was a weary squabble between him and the + Admiral, Ovando claiming his right of jurisdiction over the whole + territory of the New World, including Jamaica, and Columbus insisting that + by his commission and letters of authority he had been placed in sole + charge of the members of his own expedition. + </p> + <p> + And then, as regards his emoluments, the Admiral considered himself (and + not without justice) to have been treated most unfairly. By the + extravagant terms of his original agreement he was, as we know, entitled + to a share of all rents and dues, as well as of the gold collected; but it + had been no one’s business to collect these for him, and every one’s + business to neglect them. No one had cared; no one had kept any accounts + of what was due to the Admiral; he could not find out what had been paid + and what had not been paid. He accused Ovando of having impeded his agent + Carvajal in his duty of collecting the Admiral’s revenues, and of + disobeying the express orders of Queen Isabella in that matter; and so + on-a state of affairs the most wearisome, sordid, and unprofitable in + which any man could be involved. + </p> + <p> + And if Columbus turned his eyes from the office in San Domingo inland to + that Paradise which he had entered twelve years before, what change and + ruin, dreary, horrible and complete, did he not discover! The birds still + sang, and the nights were still like May in Cordova; but upon that happy + harmony the sound of piteous cries and shrieks had long since broken, and + along and black December night of misery had spread its pall over the + island. Wherever he went, Columbus found the same evidence of ruin and + desolation. Where once innumerable handsome natives had thronged the + forests and the villages, there were now silence and smoking ruin, and the + few natives that he met were emaciated, terrified, dying. Did he reflect, + I wonder, that some part of the responsibility of all this horror rested + on him? That many a system of island government, the machinery of which + was now fed by a steady stream of human lives, had been set going by him + in ignorance, or greed of quick commercial returns? It is probable that he + did not; for he now permanently regarded himself as a much-injured man, + and was far too much occupied with his own wrongs to realise that they + were as nothing compared with the monstrous stream of wrong and suffering + that he had unwittingly sent flowing into the world. + </p> + <p> + In the island under Ovando’s rule Columbus saw the logical results + of his own original principles of government, which had recognised the + right of the Christians to possess the persons and labours of the heathen + natives. Las Casas, who was living in Espanola as a young priest at this + time, and was destined by long residence there and in the West Indies to + qualify himself as their first historian, saw what Columbus saw, and saw + also the even worse things that happened in after years in Cuba and + Jamaica; and it is to him that we owe our knowledge of the condition of + island affairs at this time. The colonists whom Ovando had brought out had + come very much in the spirit that in our own day characterised the rush to + the north-western goldfields of America. They brought only the slightest + equipment, and were no sooner landed at San Domingo than they set out into + the island like so many picnic parties, being more careful to carry + vessels in which to bring back the gold they were to find than proper + provisions and equipment to support them in the labour of finding it. The + roads, says Las Casas, swarmed like ant-hills with these adventurers + rushing forth to the mines, which were about twenty-five miles distant + from San Domingo; they were in the highest spirits, and they made it a + kind of race as to who should get there first. They thought they had + nothing to do but to pick up shining lumps of gold; and when they found + that they had to dig and delve in the hard earth, and to dig + systematically and continuously, with a great deal of digging for very + little gold, their spirits fell. They were not used to dig; and it + happened that most of them began in an unprofitable spot, where they + digged for eight days without finding any gold. Their provisions were soon + exhausted; and in a week they were back again in San Domingo, tired, + famished, and bitterly disappointed. They had no genius for steady labour; + most of them were virtually without means; and although they lived in San + Domingo, on what they had as long as possible, they were soon starving + there, and selling the clothes off their backs to procure food. Some of + them took situations with the other settlers, more fell victims to the + climate of the island and their own imprudences and distresses; and a + thousand of them had died within two years. + </p> + <p> + Ovando had revived the enthusiasm for mining by two enactments. He reduced + the share of discovered gold payable to the Crown, and he developed + Columbus’s system of forced labour to such an extent that the mines + were entirely worked by it. To each Spaniard, whether mining or farming, + so many natives were allotted. It was not called slavery; the natives were + supposed to be paid a minute sum, and their employers were also expected + to teach them the Christian religion. That was the plan. The way in which + it worked was that, a body of native men being allotted to a Spanish + settler for a period, say, of six or eight months—for the enactment + was precise in putting a period to the term of slavery—the natives + would be marched off, probably many days’ journey from their homes + and families, and set to work under a Spanish foreman. The work, as we + have already seen, was infinitely harder than that to which they were + accustomed; and most serious of all, it was done under conditions that + took all the heart out of the labour. A man will toil in his own garden or + in tilling his own land with interest and happiness, not counting the + hours which he spends there; knowing in fact that his work is worth doing, + because he is doing it for a good reason. But put the same man to work in + a gang merely for the aggrandisement of some other over-man; and the heart + and cheerfulness will soon die out of him. + </p> + <p> + It was so with these children of the sun. They were put to work ten times + harder than any they had ever done before, and they were put to it under + the lash. The light diet of their habit had been sufficient to support + them in their former existence of happy idleness and dalliance, and they + had not wanted anything more than their cassava bread and a little fish + and fruit; now, however, they were put to work at a pressure which made a + very different kind of feeding necessary to them, and this they did not + get. Now and then a handful of pork would be divided among a dozen of + them, but they were literally starved, and were accustomed to scramble + like dogs for the bones that were thrown from the tables of the Spaniards, + which bones they ground up and mixed with their, bread so that no portion + of them might be lost. They died in numbers under these hard conditions, + and, compared with their lives, their deaths must often have been happy. + When the time came for them to go home they were generally utterly worn + out and crippled, and had to face a long journey of many days with no food + to support them but what they could get on the journey; and the roads were + strewn with the dead bodies of those who fell by the way. + </p> + <p> + And far worse things happened to them than labour and exhaustion. It + became the custom among the Spaniards to regard the lives of the natives + as of far less value than those of the dogs that were sometimes set upon + them in sport. A Spaniard riding along would make a wager with his fellow + that he would cut the head off a native with one stroke of his sword; and + many attempts would be laughingly made, and many living bodies hideously + mutilated and destroyed, before the feat would be accomplished. Another + sport was one similar to pigsticking as it is practised in India, except + that instead of pigs native women and children were stuck with the lances. + There was no kind of mutilation and monstrous cruelty that was not + practised. If there be any powers of hell, they stalked at large through + the forests and valleys of Espanola. Lust and bloody cruelty, of a kind + not merely indescribable but unrealisable by sane men and women, drenched + the once happy island with anguish and terror. And in payment for it the + Spaniards undertook to teach the heathen the Christian religion. + </p> + <p> + The five chiefs who had ruled with justice and wisdom over the island of + Espanola in the early days of Columbus were all dead, wiped out by the + wave of wild death and cruelty that had swept over the island. The gentle + Guacanagari, when he saw the desolation that was beginning to overwhelm + human existence, had fled into the mountains, hiding his face in shame + from the sons of men, and had miserably died there. Caonabo, Lord of the + House of Gold, fiercest and bravest of them all, who first realised that + the Spaniards were enemies to the native peace, after languishing in + prison in the house of Columbus at Isabella for some time, had died in + captivity during the voyage to Spain. Anacaona his wife, the Bloom of the + Gold, that brave and beautiful woman, whose admiration of the Spaniards + had by their bloody cruelties been turned into detestation, had been + shamefully betrayed and ignominiously hanged. Behechio, her brother, the + only cacique who did not sue for peace after the first conquest of the + island by Christopher and Bartholomew Columbus, was dead long ago of + wounds and sorrow. Guarionex, the Lord of the Vega Real, who had once been + friendly enough, who had danced to the Spanish pipe and learned the + Paternoster and Ave Maria, and whose progress in conversion to + Christianity the seduction of his wives by those who were converting him + had interrupted, after wandering in the mountains of Ciguay had been + imprisoned in chains, and drowned in the hurricane of June 30, 1502. + </p> + <p> + The fifth chief, Cotabanama, Lord of the province of Higua, made the last + stand against Ovando in defence of the native right to existence, and was + only defeated after severe battles and dreadful slaughters. His territory + was among the mountains, and his last insurrection was caused, as so many + others had been, by the intolerable conduct of the Spaniards towards the + wives and daughters of the Indians. Collecting all his warriors, + Cotabanama attacked the Spanish posts in his neighbourhood. At every + engagement his troops were defeated and dispersed, but only to collect + again, fight again with even greater fury, be defeated and dispersed + again, and rally again against the Spaniards. They literally fought to the + death. After every battle the Spaniards made a massacre of all the natives + they could find, old men, children, and pregnant women being alike put to + the sword or burned in their houses. When their companions fell beside + them, instead of being frightened they became more furious; and when they + were wounded they would pluck the arrows out of their bodies and hurl them + back at the Spaniards, falling dead in the very act. After one such severe + defeat and massacre the natives scattered for many months, hiding among + the mountains and trying to collect and succour their decimated families; + but the Spaniards, who with their dogs grew skilful at tracking the + Indians and found it pleasant sport, came upon them in the places of + refuge where little groups of them were sheltering their women and + children, and there slowly and cruelly slaughtered them, often with the + addition of tortures and torments in order to induce them to reveal the + whereabouts of other bands. When it was possible the Spaniards sometimes + hanged thirteen of them in a row in commemoration of their Blessed Saviour + and the Twelve Apostles; and while they were hanging, and before they had + quite died, they would hack at them with their swords in order to test the + edge of the steel. At the last stand, when the fierceness and bitterness + of the contest rose to a height on both sides, Cotabanama was captured and + a plan made to broil him slowly to death; but for some reason this plan + was not carried out, and the brave chief was taken to San Domingo and + publicly hanged like a thief. + </p> + <p> + After that there was never any more resistance; it was simply a case of + extermination, which the Spaniards easily accomplished by cutting of the + heads of women as they passed by, and impaling infants and little children + on their lances as they rode through the villages. Thus, in the twelve + years since the discovery of Columbus, between half a million and a + million natives, perished; and as the Spanish colonisation spread + afterwards from island to island, and the banner of civilisation and + Christianity was borne farther abroad throughout the Indies, the same + hideous process was continued. In Cuba, in Jamaica, throughout the + Antilles, the cross and the sword, the whip-lash and the Gospel advanced + together; wherever the Host was consecrated, hideous cries of agony and + suffering broke forth; until happily, in the fulness of time, the dire + business was complete, and the whole of the people who had inhabited this + garden of the world were exterminated and their blood and race wiped from + the face of the earth . . . . Unless, indeed, blood and race and hatred be + imperishable things; unless the faithful Earth that bred and reared the + race still keeps in her soil, and in the waving branches of the trees and + the green grasses, the sacred essences of its blood and hatred; unless in + the full cycle of Time, when that suffering flesh and blood shall have + gone through all the changes of substance and condition, from corruption + and dust through flowers and grasses and trees and animals back into the + living body of mankind again, it shall one day rise up terribly to avenge + that horror of the past. Unless Earth and Time remember, O Children of the + Sun! for men have forgotten, and on the soil of your Paradise the African + negro, learned in the vices of Europe, erects his monstrous effigy of + civilisation and his grotesque mockery of freedom; unless it be through + his brutish body, into which the blood and hatred with which the soil of + Espanola was soaked have now passed, that they shall dreadfully strike at + the world again. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + <a name="ch8d" id="ch8d"></a>CHAPTER VIII. + </h2> + <h3> + THE ADMIRAL COMES HOME + </h3> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p> + On September 12, 1504., Christopher Columbus did many things for the last + time. He who had so often occupied himself in ports and harbours with the + fitting out of ships and preparations for a voyage now completed at San + Domingo the simple preparations for the last voyage he was to take. The + ship he had come in from Jamaica had been refitted and placed under the + command of Bartholomew, and he had bought another small caravel in which + he and his son were to sail. For the last time he superintended those + details of fitting out and provisioning which were now so familiar to him; + for the last time he walked in the streets of San Domingo and mingled with + the direful activities of his colony; he looked his last upon the place + where the vital scenes of his life had been set, for the last time weighed + anchor, and took his last farewell of the seas and islands of his + discovery. A little steadfast looking, a little straining of the eyes, a + little heart-aching no doubt, and Espanola has sunk down into the sea + behind the white wake of the ships; and with its fading away the span of + active life allotted to this man shuts down, and his powerful + opportunities for good or evil are withdrawn. + </p> + <p> + There was something great and heroic about the Admiral’s last + voyage. Wind and sea rose up as though to make a last bitter attack upon + the man who had disclosed their mysteries and betrayed their secrets. He + had hardly cleared the island before the first gale came down upon him and + dismasted his ship, so that he was obliged to transfer himself and his son + to Bartholomew’s caravel and send the disabled vessel back to + Espanola. The shouting sea, as though encouraged by this triumph, hurled + tempest after tempest upon the one lonely small ship that was staggering + on its way to Spain; and the duel between this great seaman and the vast + elemental power that he had so often outwitted began in earnest. One + little ship, one enfeebled man to be destroyed by the power of the sea: + that was the problem, and there were thousands of miles of sea-room, and + two months of time to solve it in! Tempest after tempest rose and drove + unceasingly against the ship. A mast was sprung and had to be cut away; + another, and the woodwork from the forecastles and high stern works had to + be stripped and lashed round the crazy mainmast to preserve it from + wholesale destruction. Another gale, and the mast had to be shortened, for + even reinforced as it was it would not bear the strain; and so crippled, + so buffeted, this very small ship leapt and staggered on her way across + the Atlantic, keeping her bowsprit pointed to that region of the foamy + emptiness where Spain was. + </p> + <p> + The Admiral lay crippled in his cabin listening to the rush and bubble of + the water, feeling the blows and recoils of the unending battle, + hearkening anxiously to the straining of the timbers and the vessel’s + agonised complainings under the pounding of the seas. We do not know what + his thoughts were; but we may guess that they looked backward rather than + forward, and that often they must have been prayers that the present + misery would come somehow or other to an end. Up on deck brother + Bartholomew, who has developed some grievous complaint of the jaws and + teeth—complaint not known to us more particularly, but dreadful + enough from that description—does his duty also, with that heroic + manfulness that has marked his whole career; and somewhere in the ship + young Ferdinand is sheltering from the sprays and breaking seas, finding + his world of adventure grown somewhat gloomy and sordid of late, and + feeling that he has now had his fill of the sea . . . . Shut your eyes and + let the illusions of time and place fade from you; be with them for a + moment on this last voyage; hear that eternal foaming and crashing of + great waves, the shrieking of wind in cordage, the cracking and slatting + of the sails, the mad lashing of loose ropes; the painful swinging, and + climbing up and diving down, and sinking and staggering and helpless + strivings of the small ship in the waste of water. The sea is as empty as + chaos, nothing for days and weeks but that infinite tumbling surface and + heaven of grey storm-clouds; a world of salt surges encircled by horizons + of dim foam. Time and place are nothing; the agony and pain of such + moments are eternal. + </p> + <p> + But the two brothers, grim and gigantic in their sea power, subtle as the + wind itself in their sea wit, win the battle. Over the thousands of miles + of angry surges they urge that small ship towards calm and safety; until + one day the sea begins to abate a little, and through the spray and tumult + of waters the dim loom of land is seen. The sea falls back disappointed + and finally conquered by Christopher Columbus, whose ship, battered, + crippled, and strained, comes back out of the wilderness of waters and + glides quietly into the smooth harbour of San Lucar, November 7, 1504. + There were no guns or bells to greet the Admiral; his only salute was in + the thunder of the conquered seas; and he was carried ashore to San Lucar, + and thence to Seville, a sick and broken man. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + <a name="ch9d" id="ch9d"></a>CHAPTER IX. + </h2> + <h3> + THE LAST DAYS + </h3> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p> + Columbus, for whom rest and quiet were the first essentials, remained in + Seville from November 1504 to May 1505, when he joined the Court at + Segovia and afterwards at Salamanca and Valladolid, where he remained till + his death in May 1506. During this last period, when all other activities + were practically impossible to him, he fell into a state of letter-writing—for + the most part long, wearisome complainings and explainings in which he + poured out a copious flood of tears and self-pity for the loss of his + gold. + </p> + <p> + It has generally been claimed that Columbus was in bitter penury and want + of money, but a close examination of the letters and other documents + relating to this time show that in his last days he was not poor in any + true sense of the word. He was probably a hundred times richer than any of + his ancestors had ever been; he had, money to give and money to spend; the + banks honoured his drafts; his credit was apparently indisputable. But + compared with the fabulous wealth to which he would by this time have been + entitled if his original agreement with the Crown of Spain had been + faithfully carried out he was no doubt poor. There is no evidence that he + lacked any comfort or alleviation that money could buy; indeed he never + had any great craving for the things that money can buy—only for + money itself. There must have been many rich people in Spain who would + gladly have entertained him in luxury and dignity; but he was not the kind + of man to set much store by such things except in so far as they were a + decoration and advertisement of his position as a great man. He had set + himself to the single task of securing what he called his rights; and in + these days of sunset he seems to have been illumined by some glimmer of + the early glory of his first inspiration. He wanted the payment of his + dues now, not so much for his own enrichment, but as a sign to the world + that his great position as Admiral and Viceroy was recognised, so that his + dignities and estates might be established and consolidated in a form + which he would be able to transmit to his remote posterity. + </p> + <p> + Since he wrote so copiously and so constantly in these last days, the best + picture of his mood and condition is afforded in his letters to his son + Diego; letters which, in spite of their infinitely wearisome + recapitulation and querulous complaint, should be carefully read by those + who wish to keep in touch with the Admiral to the end. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + Letter written by CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS to DON DIEGO, his Son, November + 21, 1504. + </p> + <p> + “VERY DEAR SON,—I received your letter by the courier. You + did well in remaining yonder to remedy our affairs somewhat and to + employ yourself now in our business. Ever since I came to Castile, the + Lord Bishop of Palencia has shown me favour and has desired that I + should be honoured. Now he must be entreated that it may please him to + occupy himself in remedying my many grievances and in ordering that the + agreement and letters of concession which their Highnesses gave me be + fulfilled, and that I be indemnified for so many damages. And he may be + certain that if their Highnesses do this, their estate and greatness + will be multiplied to them in an incredible degree. And it must not + appear to him that forty thousand pesos in gold is more than a + representation of it; because they might have had a much greater + quantity if Satan had not hindered it by impeding my design; for, when I + was taken away from the Indies, I was prepared to give them a sum of + gold incomparable to forty thousand pesos. I make oath, and this may be + for thee alone, that the damage to me in the matter of the concessions + their Highnesses have made to me, amounts to ten millions each year, and + never can be made good. You see what will be, or is, the injury to their + Highnesses in what belongs to them, and they do not perceive it. I write + at their disposal and will strive to start yonder. My arrival and the + rest is in the hands of our Lord. His mercy is infinite. What is done + and is to be done, St. Augustine says is already done before the + creation of the world. I write also to these other Lords named in the + letter of Diego Mendez. Commend me to their mercy and tell them of my + going as I have said above. For certainly I feel great fear, as the cold + is so inimical to this, my infirmity, that I may have to remain on the + road. + </p> + <p> + “I was very much pleased to hear the contents of your letter and + what the King our Lord said, for which you kissed his royal hands. It is + certain that I have served their Highnesses with as much diligence and + love as though it had been to gain Paradise, and more, and if I have + been at fault in anything it has been because it was impossible or + because my knowledge and strength were not sufficient. God, our Lord, in + such a case, does not require more from persons than the will. + </p> + <p> + “At the request of the Treasurer Morales, I left two brothers in + the Indies, who are called Porras. The one was captain and the other + auditor. Both were without capacity for these positions: and I was + confident that they could fill them, because of love for the person who + sent them to me. They both became more vain than they had been. I + forgave them many incivilities, more than I would do with a relation, + and their offences were such that they merited another punishment than a + verbal reprimand. Finally they reached such a point that even had I + desired, I could not have avoided doing what I did. The records of the + case will prove whether I lie or not. They rebelled on the island of + Jamaica, at which I was as much astonished as I would be if the sun’s + rays should cast darkness. I was at the point of death, and they + martyrised me with extreme cruelty during five months and without cause. + Finally I took them all prisoners, and immediately set them free, except + the captain, whom I was bringing as a prisoner to their Highnesses. A + petition which they made to me under oath, and which I send you with + this letter, will inform you at length in regard to this matter, + although the records of the case explain it fully. These records and the + Notary are coming on another vessel, which I am expecting from day to + day. The Governor in Santo Domingo took this prisoner.—His + courtesy constrained him to do this. I had a chapter in my instructions + in which their Highnesses ordered all to obey me, and that I should + exercise civil and criminal justice over all those who were with me: but + this was of no avail with the Governor, who said that it was not + understood as applying in his territory. He sent the prisoner to these + Lords who have charge of the Indies without inquiry or record or + writing. They did not receive him, and both brothers go free. It is not + wonderful to me that our Lord punishes. They went there with shameless + faces. Such wickedness or such cruel treason were never heard of. I + wrote to their Highnesses about this matter in the other letter, and + said that it was not right for them to consent to this offence. I also + wrote to the Lord Treasurer that I begged him as a favour not to pass + sentence on the testimony given by these men until he heard me. Now it + will be well for you to remind him of it anew. I do, not know how they + dare to go before him with such an undertaking. I have written to him + about it again and have sent him the copy of the oath, the same as I + send to you and likewise to Doctor Angulo and the Licentiate Zapata. I + commend myself to the mercy of all, with the information that my + departure yonder will take place in a short time. + </p> + <p> + “I would be glad to receive a letter from their Highnesses and to + know what they order. You must procure such a letter if you see the + means of so doing. I also commend myself to the Lord Bishop and to Juan + Lopez, with the reminder of illness and of the reward for my services. + </p> + <p> + “You must read the letters which go with this one in order to act + in conformity with what they say. Acknowledge the receipt of his letter + to Diego Mendez. I do not write him as he will learn everything from + you, and also because my illness prevents it. + </p> + <p> + “It would be well for Carbajal and Jeronimo—[Jeronimo de + Aguero, a landowner in Espanola and a friend of Columbus]—to be at + the Court at this time, and talk of our affairs with these Lords and + with the Secretary. + </p> + <p> + “Done in Seville, November 21. + </p> + <p> + “Your father who loves you more than himself. + </p> + <p> + .S.<br /> .S.A.S.<br /> XMY<br /> Xpo FERENS.” + </p> + <p> + “I wrote again to their Highnesses entreating them to order that + these people who went with me should be paid, because they are poor and + it is three years since they left their homes. The news which they bring + is more than extraordinary. They have endured infinite dangers and + hardships. I did not wish to rob the country, so as not to cause + scandal, because reason advises its being populated, and then gold will + be obtained freely without scandal. Speak of this to the Secretary and + to the Lord Bishop and to Juan Lopez and to whomever you think it + advisable to do so.” + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The Bishop of Palencia referred to in this letter is probably Bishop + Fonseca—probably, because it is known that he did become Bishop of + Palencia, although there is a difference of opinion among historians as to + whether the date of his translation to that see was before or after this + letter. No matter, except that one is glad to think that an old enemy—for + Fonseca and Columbus had bitter disagreements over the fitting out of + various expeditions—had shown himself friendly at last. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + Letter written by CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS to DON DIEGO, November 28, 1504. + </p> + <p> + “VERY DEAR SON,—I received your letters of the 15th of this + month. It is eight days since I wrote you and sent the letter by a + courier. I enclosed unsealed letters to many other persons, in order + that you might see them, and having read them, seal and deliver them. + Although this illness of mine troubles me greatly, I am preparing for my + departure in every way. I would very much like to receive the reply from + their Highnesses and wish you might procure it: and also I wish that + their Highnesses would provide for the payment of these poor people, who + have passed through incredible hardships and have brought them such + great news that infinite thanks should be given to God, our Lord, and + they should rejoice greatly over it. If I [lie ?] the ‘Paralipomenon’—[ + The Book of Chronicles]—and the Book of Kings and the Antiquities + of Josephus, with very many others, will tell what they know of this. I + hope in our Lord to depart this coming week, but you must not write less + often on that account. I have not heard from Carbajal and Jeronimo. If + they are there, commend me to them. The time is such that both Carbajals + ought to be at Court, if illness does not prevent them. My regards to + Diego Mendez. + </p> + <p> + “I believe that his truth and efforts will be worth as much as the + lies of the Porras brothers. The bearer of this letter is Martin de + Gamboa. I am sending by him a letter to Juan Lopez and a letter of credit. + Read the letter to Lopez and then give it to him. If you write me, send + the letters to Luis de Soria that he may send them wherever I am, + because if I go in a litter, I believe it will be by La Plata.—[The + old Roman road from Merida to Salamanca.]—May our Lord have you in + His holy keeping. Your uncle has been very sick and is now, from trouble + with his jaws and his teeth. + </p> + <p> + “Done in Seville, November 28. + </p> + <p> + “Your father who loves you more than himself. + </p> + <p> + .S.<br /> .S.A.S.<br /> XMY<br /> Xpo FERENS.” + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Bartholomew Columbus and Ferdinand were remaining with Christopher at + Seville; Bartholomew probably very nearly as ill as the Admiral, although + we do not hear so many complaints about it. At any rate Diego, being ay + Court, was the great mainstay of his father; and you can see the sick man + sitting there alone with his grievances, and looking to the next + generation for help in getting them redressed. Diego, it is to be feared, + did not receive these letters with so much patience and attention as he + might have shown, nor did he write back to his invalid father with the + fulness and regularity which the old man craved. It is a fault common to + sons. Those who are sons will know that it does not necessarily imply lack + of affection on Diego’s part; those who are fathers will realise how + much Christopher longed for verbal assurance of interest and affection, + even though he did not doubt their reality. News of the serious illness of + Queen Isabella had evidently reached Columbus, and was the chief topic of + public interest. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + Letter written by CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS to DON DIEGO, his Son, December + 1, 1504. + </p> + <p> + “VERY DEAR SON,—Since I received your letter of November 15 + I have heard nothing from you. I wish that you would write me more + frequently. I would like to receive a letter from you each hour. Reason + must tell you that now I have no other repose. Many couriers come each + day, and the news is of such a nature and so abundant that on hearing it + all my hair stands on end; it is so contrary to what my soul desires. + May it please the Holy Trinity to give health to the Queen, our Lady, + that she may settle what has already been placed under discussion. I + wrote you by another courier Thursday, eight days ago. The courier must + already be on his way back here. I told you in that letter that my + departure was certain, but that the hope of my arrival there, according + to experience, was very uncertain, because my sickness is so bad, and + the cold is so well suited to aggravate it, that I could not well avoid + remaining in some inn on the road. The litter and everything were ready. + The weather became so violent that it appeared impossible to every one + to start when it was getting so bad, and that it was better for so + well-known a person as myself to take care of myself and try to regain + my health rather than place myself in danger. I told you in those + letters what I now say, that you decided well in remaining there (at + such a time), and that it was right to commence occupying yourself with + our affairs; and reason strongly urges this. It appears to me that a + good copy should be made of the chapter of that letter which their + Highnesses wrote me where they say they will fulfil their promises to me + and will place you in possession of everything: and that this copy + should be given to them with another writing telling of my sickness, and + that it is now impossible for me to go and kiss their Royal feet and + hands, and that the Indies are being lost, and are on fire in a thousand + places, and that I have received nothing, and am receiving nothing, from + the revenues derived from them, and that no one dares to accept or + demand anything there for me, and I am living upon borrowed funds. I + spent the money which I got there in bringing those people who went with + me back to their homes, for it would be a great burden upon my + conscience to have left them there and to have abandoned them. This must + be made known to the Lord Bishop of Palencia, in whose favour I have so + much confidence, and also to the Lord Chamberlain. I believed that + Carbajal and Jeronimo would be there at such a time. Our Lord is there, + and He will order everything as He knows it to be best for us. + </p> + <p> + “Carbajal reached here yesterday. I wished to send him immediately + with this same order, but he excused himself profusely, saying that his + wife was at the point of death. I shall see that he goes, because he + knows a great deal about these affairs. I will also endeavour to have + your brother and your uncle go to kiss the hands of Their Highnesses, + and give them an account of the voyage if my letters are not sufficient. + Take good care of your brother. He has a good disposition, and is no + longer a boy. Ten brothers would not be too many for you. I never found + better friends to right or to left than my brothers. We must strive to + obtain the government of the Indies and then the adjustment of the + revenues. I gave you a memorandum which told you what part of them + belongs to me. What they gave to Carbajal was nothing and has turned to + nothing. Whoever desires to do so takes merchandise there, and so the + eighth is nothing, because, without contributing the eighth, I could + send to trade there without rendering account or going in company with + any one. I said a great many times in the past that the contribution of + the eighth would come to nothing. The eighth and the rest belongs to me + by reason of the concession which their Highnesses made to me, as set + forth in the book of my Privileges, and also the third and the tenth. Of + the tenth I received nothing, except the tenth of what their Highnesses + receive; and it must be the tenth of all the gold and other things which + are found and obtained, in whatever manner it may be, within this + Admiralship, and the tenth of all the merchandise which goes and comes + from there, after the expenses are deducted. I have already said that in + the Book of Privileges the reason for this and for the rest which is + before the Tribunal of the Indies here in Seville, is clearly set forth. + </p> + <p> + “We must strive to obtain a reply to my letter from their + Highnesses, and to have them order that these people be paid. I wrote in + regard to this subject four days ago, and sent the letter by Martin de + Gamboa, and you must have seen the letter of Juan Lopez with your own. + </p> + <p> + “It is said here that it has been ordered that three or four + Bishops of the Indies shall be sent or created, and that this matter is + referred to the Lord Bishop of Palencia. After having commended me to + his Worship, tell him that I believe it will best serve their Highnesses + for me to talk with him before this matter is settled. + </p> + <p> + “Commend me to Diego Mendez, and show him this letter. My illness + permits me to write only at night, because in the daytime my hands are + deprived of strength. I believe that a son of Francisco Pinelo will + carry this letter. Entertain him well, because he does everything for me + that he can, with much love and a cheerful goodwill. The caravel which + broke her mast in starting from Santo Domingo has arrived in the + Algarves. She brings the records of the case of the Porras brothers. + Such ugly things and such grievous cruelty as appear in this matter + never were seen. If their Highnesses do not punish it, I do not know who + will dare to go out in their service with people. + </p> + <p> + “To-day is Monday. I will endeavour to have your uncle and brother + start to-morrow. Remember to write me very often, and tell Diego Mendez + to write at length. Each day messengers go from here yonder. May our + Lord have you in His Holy keeping. + </p> + <p> + “Done in Seville, December 1. + </p> + <p> + “Your father who loves you as himself. + </p> + <p> + .S.<br /> .S.A.S.<br /> XMY<br /> Xpo FERENS.” + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The gout from which the Admiral suffered made riding impossible to him, + and he had arranged to have himself carried to Court on a litter when he + was able to move. There is a grim and dismal significance in the + particular litter that had been chosen: it was no other than the funeral + bier which belonged to the Cathedral of Seville and had been built for + Cardinal Mendoza. A minute of the Cathedral Chapter records the granting + to Columbus of the use of this strange conveyance; but one is glad to + think that he ultimately made his journey in a less grim though more + humble method. But what are we to think of the taste of a man who would + rather travel in a bier, so long as it had been associated with the + splendid obsequies of a cardinal, than in the ordinary litter of every-day + use? It is but the old passion for state and splendour thus dismally + breaking out again. + </p> + <p> + He speaks of living on borrowed funds and of having devoted all his + resources to the payment of his crew; but that may be taken as an + exaggeration. He may have borrowed, but the man who can borrow easily from + banks cannot be regarded as a poor man. One is nevertheless grateful for + these references, since they commemorate the Admiral’s unfailing + loyalty to those who shared his hardships, and his unwearied efforts to + see that they received what was due to them. Pleasant also are the + evidences of warm family affection in those simple words of brotherly + love, and the affecting advice to Diego that he should love his brother + Ferdinand as Christopher loved Bartholomew. It is a pleasant oasis in this + dreary, sordid wailing after thirds and tenths and eighths. Good Diego + Mendez, that honourable gentleman, was evidently also at Court at this + time, honestly striving, we may be sure, to say a good word for the + Admiral. + </p> + <p> + Some time after this letter was written, and before the writing of the + next, news reached Seville of the death of Queen Isabella. For ten years + her kind heart had been wrung by many sorrows. Her mother had died in + 1496; the next year her only son and heir to the crown had followed; and + within yet another year had died her favourite daughter, the Queen of + Portugal. Her other children were all scattered with the exception of + Juana, whose semi-imbecile condition caused her parents an anxiety greater + even than that caused by death. As Isabella’s life thus closed + sombrely in, she applied herself more closely and more narrowly to such + pious consolations as were available. News from Flanders of the scandalous + scenes between Philip and Juana in the summer of 1504 brought on an + illness from which she really never recovered, a kind of feverish distress + of mind and body in which her only alleviation was the transaction of such + business as was possible for her in the direction of humanity and + enlightenment. She still received men of intellect and renown, especially + travellers. But she knew that her end was near, and as early as October + she had made her will, in which her wishes as to the succession and + government of Castile were clearly laid down. There was no mention of + Columbus in this will, which afterwards greatly mortified him; but it is + possible that the poor Queen had by this time, even against her wish, come + to share the opinions of her advisers that the rule of Columbus in the + West Indies had not brought the most humane and happy results possible to + the people there. + </p> + <p> + During October and November her life thus beat itself away in a succession + of duties faithfully performed, tasks duly finished, preparations for the + great change duly made. She died, as she would have wished to die, + surrounded by friends who loved and admired her, and fortified by the last + rites of the Church for her journey into the unknown. Date, November 26, + 1504, in the fifty-fourth year of her age. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> <a name="isabella" id="isabella"></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img alt="isabella.jpg (43K)" src="images/isabella.jpg" style="width:100%;" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <p> + Columbus had evidently received the news from a public source, and felt + mortified that Diego should not have written him a special letter. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + Letter written by CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS to DON DIEGO, his Son, December + 3, 1504. + </p> + <p> + “VERY DEAR SON,—I wrote you at length day before yesterday + and sent it by Francisco Pinelo, and with this letter I send you a very + full memorandum. I am very much astonished not to receive a letter from + you or from any one else, and this astonishment is shared by all who + know me. Every one here has letters, and I, who have more reason to + expect them, have none. Great care should be taken about this matter. + The memorandum of which I have spoken above says enough, and on this + account I do not speak more at length here. Your brother and your uncle + and Carbajal are going yonder. You will learn from them what is not said + here. May our Lord have you in His Holy keeping. + </p> + <p> + “Done in Seville, December 3. + </p> + <p> + “Your father who loves you more than himself. + </p> + <p> + .S.<br /> .S.A.S.<br /> XMY<br /> Xpo FERENS.” + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Document of COLUMBUS addressed to his Son, DIEGO, and intended to + accompany the preceding letter. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + “A memorandum for you, my very dear son, Don Diego, of what occurs + to me at the present time which must be done:—The principal thing + is, affectionately and with great devotion to commend the soul of the + Queen, our Lady, to God. Her life was always Catholic and Holy and ready + for all the things of His holy service, and for this reason it must be + believed that she is in His holy glory and beyond the desires of this + rough and wearisome world. Then the next thing is to be watchful and + exert one’s self in the service of the King, our Lord, and to + strive to keep him from being troubled. His Highness is the head of + Christendom. See the proverb which says that when the head aches, all + the members ache. So that all good Christians should entreat that he may + have long life and health: and those of us who are obliged to serve him + more than others must join in this supplication with great earnestness + and diligence. This reason prompts me now with my severe illness to + write you what I am writing here, that his Highness may dispose matters + for his service: and for the better fulfilment I am sending your brother + there, who, although he is a child in days, is not a child in + understanding; and I am sending your uncle and Carbajal, so that if + this, my writing, is not sufficient, they, together with yourself, can + furnish verbal evidence. In my opinion there is nothing so necessary for + the service of his Highness as the disposition and remedying of the + affair of the Indies. + </p> + <p> + “His Highness must now have there more than 40,000 or 50,000 gold + pieces. I learned when I was there that the Governor had no desire to + send it to him. It is believed among the other people as well that there + will be 150,000 pesos more, and the mines are very rich and productive. + Most of the people there are common and ignorant, and care very little + for the circumstances. The Governor is very much hated by all of them, + and it is to be feared that they may at some time rebel. If this should + occur, which God forbid, the remedy for the matter would then be + difficult: and so it would be if injustice were used toward them, either + here or in other places, with the great fame of the gold. My opinion is + that his Highness should investigate this affair quickly and by means of + a person who is interested and who can go there with 150 or 200 people + well equipped, and remain there until it is well settled and without + suspicion, which cannot be done in less than three months: and that an + endeavour be made to raise two or three forces there. The gold there is + exposed to great risk, as there are very few people to protect it. I say + that there is a proverb here which says that the presence of the owner + makes the horse fat. Here and wherever I may be, I shall serve their + Highnesses with joy, until my soul leaves this body. + </p> + <p> + “Above I said that his Highness is the head of the Christians, and + that it is necessary for him to occupy himself in preserving them and + their lands. For this reason people say that he cannot thus provide a + good government for all these Indies, and that they are being lost and + do not yield a profit, neither are they being handled in a reasonable + manner. In my opinion it would serve him to intrust this matter to some + one who is distressed over the bad treatment of his subjects. + </p> + <p> + “I wrote a very long letter to his Highness as soon as I arrived + here, fully stating the evils which require a prompt and efficient + remedy at once. I have received no reply, nor have I seen any provision + made in the matter. Some vessels are detained in San Lucar by the + weather. I have told these gentlemen of the Board of Trade that they + must order them held until the King, our Lord, makes provision in the + matter, either by some person with other people, or by writing. This is + very necessary and I know what I say. It is necessary that the + authorities should order all the ports searched diligently, to see that + no one goes yonder to the Indies without licence. I have already said + that there is a great deal of gold collected in straw houses without any + means of defence, and there are many disorderly people in the country, + and that the Governor is hated, and that little punishment is inflicted + and has been inflicted upon those who have committed crimes and have + come out with their treasonable conduct approved. + </p> + <p> + “If his Highness decides to make some provision, it must be done + at once, so that these vessels may not be injured. + </p> + <p> + “I have heard that three Bishops are to be elected and sent to + Espanola. If it pleases his Highness to hear me before concluding this + matter, I will tell in what manner God our Lord may be well served and + his Highness served and satisfied. + </p> + <p> + “I have given lengthy consideration to the provision for Espanola:” + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Yes, the Queen is in His Holy Glory, and beyond the desires of this rough + and wearisome world; but we are not; we are still in a world where fifty + thousand gold pieces can be of use to us, and where a word spoken in + season, even in such a season of darkness, may have its effect with the + King. A strange time to talk to the King about gold; and perhaps Diego was + wiser and kinder than his father thought in not immediately taking this + strange document to King Ferdinand. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + Letter written by CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS to DON DIEGO, his Son, December + 13, 1504 + </p> + <p> + “VERY DEAR SON,—It is now eight days since your uncle and + your brother and Carbajal left here together, to kiss the royal hands of + his Highness, and to give an account of the voyage, and also to aid you + in the negotiation of whatever may prove to be necessary there. + </p> + <p> + “Don Ferdinand took from here 150 ducats to be expended at his + discretion. He will have to spend some of it, but he will give you what + he has remaining. He also carries a letter of credit for these + merchants. You will see that it is very necessary to be careful in + dealing with them, because I had trouble there with the Governor, as + every one told me that I had there 11,000 or 12,000 castellanos, and I + had only 4000. He wished to charge me with things for which I am not + indebted, and I, confiding in the promise of their Highnesses, who + ordered everything restored to me, decided to leave these charges in the + hope of calling him to account for them. If any one has money there, + they do not dare ask for it, on account of his haughtiness. I very well + know that after my departure he must have received more than 5000 + castellanos. If it were possible for you to obtain from his Highness an + authoritative letter to the Governor, ordering him to send the money + without delay and a full account of what belongs to me, by the person I + might send there with my power of attorney, it would be well; because he + will not give it in any other manner, neither to my friend Diaz or + Velasquez, and they dare not even speak of it to him. Carbajal will very + well know how this must be done. Let him see this letter. The 150 ducats + which Luis de Soria sent you when I came are paid according to his + desire. + </p> + <p> + “I wrote you at length and sent the letter by Don Ferdinand, also + a memorandum. Now that I have thought over the matter further, I say + that, since at the time of my departure their Highnesses said over their + signature and verbally, that they would give me all that belongs to me, + according to my privileges—that the claim for the third or the + tenth and eighth mentioned in the memorandum must be relinquished, and + instead the chapter of their letter must be shown where they write what + I have said, and all that belongs to me must be required, as you have it + in writing in the Book of Privileges, in which is also set forth the + reason for my receiving the third, eighth, and tenth; as there is always + an opportunity to reduce the sum desired by a person, although his + Highness says in his letter that he wishes to give me all that belongs + to me. Carbajal will understand me very well if he sees this letter, and + every one else as well, as it is very clear. I also wrote to his + Highness and finally reminded him that he must provide at once for this + affair of the Indies, that the people there may not be disturbed, and + also reminding him of the promise stated above. You ought to see the + letter. + </p> + <p> + “With this letter I send you another letter of credit for the said + merchants. I have already explained to you the reasons why expenses + should be moderated. Show your uncle due respect, and treat your brother + as an elder brother should treat a younger. You have no other brother, + and praised be our Lord, he is such a one as you need very much. He has + proved and proves to be very intelligent. Honour Carbajal and Jeronimo + and Diego Mendez. Commend me to them all. I do not write them as there + is nothing to write and this messenger is in haste. It is frequently + rumoured here that the Queen, whom God has, has left an order that I be + restored to the possession of the Indies. On arrival, the notary of the + fleet will send you the records and the original of the case of the + Porras brothers. I have received no news from your uncle and brother + since they left. The water has been so high here that the river entered + the city. + </p> + <p> + “If Agostin Italian and Francisco de Grimaldo do not wish to give + you the money you need, look for others there who are willing to give it + to you. On the arrival here of your signature I will at once pay them + all that you have received: for at present there is not a person here by + whom I can send you money. + </p> + <p> + “Done to-day, Friday, December 13, 1504 + </p> + <p> + “Your father who loves you more than himself. + </p> + <p> + .S.<br /> .S.A.S.<br /> XMY<br /> Xpo FERENS.” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <p> + Letter written by CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS to his Son, DON DIEGO, December + 21, 1504. + </p> + <p> + “VERY DEAR SON, The Lord Adelantado and your brother and Carbajal + left here sixteen days ago to go to the Court. They have not written me + since. Don Ferdinand carried 150 ducats. He must spend what is + necessary, and he carries a letter, that the merchants may furnish you + with money. I have sent you another letter since, with the endorsement + of Francisco de Ribarol, by Zamora, the courier, and told you that if + you had made provision for yourself by means of my letter, not to use + that of Francisco de Ribarol. I say the same now in regard to another + letter which I send you with this one, for Francisco Doria, which letter + I send you for greater security that you may not fail to be provided + with money. I have already told you how necessary it is to be careful in + the expenditure of the money, until their Highnesses give us law and + justice. I also told you that I had spent 1200 castellanos in bringing + these people to Castile, of which his Highness owes me the greater part, + and I wrote him in regard to it asking him to order the account settled. + </p> + <p> + “If possible I should like to receive letters here each day. I + complain of Diego Mendez and of Jeronimo, as they do not write me: and + then of the others who do not write when they arrive there. We must + strive to learn whether the Queen, whom God has in His keeping, said + anything about me in her will, and we must hurry the Lord Bishop of + Palencia, who caused the possession of the Indies by their Highnesses + and my remaining in Castile, for I was already on my way to leave it. + And the Lord Chamberlain of his Highness must also be hurried. If by + chance the affair comes to discussion, you must strive to have them see + the writing which is in the Book of Privileges, which shows the reason + why the third, eighth, and tenth are owing me, as I told you in another + letter. + </p> + <p> + “I have written to the Holy Father in regard to my voyage, as he + complained of me because I did not write him. I send you a copy of the + letter. I would like to have the King, our Lord, or the Lord Bishop of + Palencia see it before I send the letter, in order to avoid false + representations. + </p> + <p> + “Camacho has told a thousand falsehoods about me. To my regret I + ordered him arrested. He is in the church. He says that after the + Holidays are past, he will go there if he is able. If I owe him, he must + show by what reason; for I make oath that I do not know it, nor is it + true. + </p> + <p> + “If without importunity a licence can be procured for me to go on + mule-back, I will try to leave for the Court after January, and I will + even go without this licence. But haste must be made that the loss of + the Indies, which is now imminent, may not take place. May our Lord have + you in His keeping. + </p> + <p> + “Done to-day, December 21. + </p> + <p> + “Your father who loves you more than himself. + </p> + <p> + .S.<br /> .S.A.S.<br /> XMY<br /> Xpo FERENS.” + </p> + <p> + “This tenth which they give me is not the tenth which was promised + me. The Privileges tell what it is, and there is also due me the tenth + of the profit derived from merchandise and from all other things, of + which I have received nothing. Carbajal understands me well. Also remind + Carbajal to obtain a letter from his Highness for the Governor, + directing him to send his accounts and the money I have there, at once. + And it would be well that a Repostero of his Highness should go there to + receive this money, as there must be a large amount due me. I will + strive to have these gentlemen of the Board of Trade send also to say to + the Governor that he must send my share together with the gold belonging + to their Highnesses. But the remedy for the other matter must not be + neglected there on this account. I say that 7000 or 8000 pesos must have + passed to my credit there, which sum has been received since I left, + besides the other money which was not given to me. + </p> + <p> + “To my very dear son Don Diego at the Court.” + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + All this struggling for the due payment of eighths and tenths makes + wearisome reading, and we need not follow the Admiral into his + distinctions between one kind of tenth and another. There is something to + be said on his side, it must be remembered; the man had not received what + was due to him; and although he was not in actual poverty, his only + property in this world consisted of these very thirds and eighths and + tenths. But if we are inclined to think poorly of the Admiral for his + dismal pertinacity, what are we to think of the people who took advantage + of their high position to ignore consistently the just claims made upon + them? + </p> + <p> + There is no end to the Admiral’s letter-writing at this time. + Fortunately for us his letter to the Pope has been lost, or else we should + have to insert it here; and we have had quite enough of his theological + stupors. As for the Queen’s will, there was no mention of the + Admiral in it; and her only reference to the Indies showed that she had + begun to realise some of the disasters following his rule there, for the + provisions that are concerned with the New World refer exclusively to the + treatment of the natives, to whose succour, long after they were past + succour, the hand of Isabella was stretched out from the grave. The + licence to travel on mule-back which the Admiral asked for was made + necessary by a law which had been passed forbidding the use of mules for + this purpose throughout Spain. There had been a scarcity of horses for + mounting the royal cavalry, and it was thought that the breeding of horses + had been neglected on account of the greater cheapness and utility of + mules. It was to encourage the use and breeding of horses that an + interdict was laid on the use of mules, and only the very highest persons + in the land were allowed to employ them. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + Letter written by CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS to his Son, DON DIEGO, December + 29, 1504. + </p> + <p> + “VERY DEAR SON,—I wrote you at length and sent it by Don + Ferdinand, who left to go yonder twenty-three days ago to-day, with the + Lord Adelantado and Carbajal, from whom I have since heard nothing. + Sixteen days ago to-day I wrote you and sent it by Zamora, the courier, + and I sent you a letter of credit for these merchants endorsed by + Francisco de Ribarol, telling them to give you the money you might ask + for. And then, about eight days ago, I sent you by another courier a + letter endorsed by Francisco Soria, and these letters are directed to + Pantaleon and Agostin Italian, that they may give it to you. And with + these letters goes a copy of a letter which I wrote to the Holy Father + in regard to the affairs of the Indies, that he might not complain of me + any more. I sent this copy for his Highness to see, or the Lord Bishop + of Palencia, so as to avoid false representations. The payment of the + people who went with me has been delayed. I have provided for them here + what I have been able. They are poor and obliged to go in order to earn + a living. They decided to go yonder. They have been told here that they + will be dealt with as favourably as possible, and this is right, + although among them there are some who merit punishment more than + favours. This is said of the rebels. I gave these people a letter for + the Lord Bishop of Palencia. Read it, and if it is necessary for them to + go and petition his Highness, urge your uncle and brother and Carbajal + to read it also, so that you can all help them as much as possible. It + is right and a work of mercy, for no one ever earned money with so many + dangers and hardships and no one has ever rendered such great service as + these people. It is said that Camacho and Master Bernal wish to go there—two + creatures for whom God works few miracles: but if they go, it will be to + do harm rather than good. They can do little because the truth always + prevails, as it did in Espanola, from which wicked people by means of + falsehoods have prevented any profit being received up to the present + time. It is said that this Master Bernal was the beginning of the + treason. He was taken and accused of many misdemeanours, for each one of + which he deserved to be quartered. At the request of your uncle and of + others he was pardoned, on condition that if he ever said the least word + against me and my state the pardon should be revoked and he should be + under condemnation. I send you a copy of the case in this letter. I send + you a legal document about Camacho. For more than eight days he has not + left the church on account of his rash statements and falsehoods. He has + a will made by Terreros, and other relatives of the latter have another + will of more recent date, which renders the first will null, as far as + the inheritance is concerned: and I am entreated to enforce the latter + will, so that Camacho will be obliged to restore what he has received. I + shall order a legal document drawn up and served upon him, because I + believe it is a work of mercy to punish him, as he is so unbridled in + his speech that some one must punish him without the rod: and it will + not be so much against the conscience of the chastiser, and will injure + him more. Diego Mendez knows Master Bernal and his works very well. The + Governor wished to imprison him at Espanola and left him to my + consideration. It is said that he killed two men there with medicines in + revenge for something of less account than three beans. I would be glad + of the licence to travel on muleback and of a good mule, if they can be + obtained without difficulty. Consult all about our affairs, and tell + them that I do not write them in particular on account of the great pain + I feel when writing. I do not say that they must do the same, but that + each one must write me and very often, for I feel great sorrow that all + the world should have letters from there each day, and I have nothing, + when I have so many people there. Commend me to the Lord Adelantado in + his favour, and give my regards to your brother and to all the others. + </p> + <p> + “Done at Seville, December 29. + </p> + <p> + “Your father who loves you more than himself. + </p> + <p> + .S.<br /> .S.A.S.<br /> XMY<br /> Xpo FERENS.” + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + “I say further that if our affairs are to be settled according to + conscience, that the chapter of the letter which their Highnesses wrote me + when I departed, in which they say they will order you placed in + possession, must be shown; and the writing must also be shown which is in + the Book of Privileges, which shows how in reason and in justice the third + and eighth and the tenth are mine. There will always be opportunity to + make reductions from this amount.” + </p> + <p> + Columbus’s requests were not all for himself; nothing could be more + sincere or generous than the spirit in which he always strove to secure + the just payment of his mariners. + </p> + <p> + Otherwise he is still concerned with the favour shown to those who were + treasonable to him. Camacho was still hiding in a church, probably from + the wrath of Bartholomew Columbus; but Christopher has more subtle ways of + punishment. A legal document, he considers, will be better than a rod; + “it will not be so much against the conscience of the chastiser, and + will injure him (the chastised) more.” + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + Letter written by CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS to DON DIEGO, his Son, January + 18, 1505. + </p> + <p> + “VERY DEAR SON,—I wrote you at length by the courier who + will arrive there to-day, and sent you a letter for the Lord + Chamberlain. I intended to inclose in it a copy of that chapter of the + letter from their Highnesses in which they say they will order you + placed in possession; but I forgot to do it here. Zamora, the courier, + came. I read your letter and also those of your uncle and brother and + Carbajal, and felt great pleasure in learning that they had arrived + well, as I had been very anxious about them. Diego Mendez will leave + here in three or four days with the order of payment prepared. He will + take a long statement of everything and I will write to Juan Velasquez. + I desire his friendship and service. I believe that he is a very + honourable gentleman. If the Lord Bishop of Palencia has come, or comes, + tell him how much pleased I have been with his prosperity, and that if I + go there I must stop with his Worship even if he does not wish it, and + that we must return to our first fraternal love. And that he could not + refuse it because my service will force him to have it thus. I said that + the letter for the Holy Father was sent that his Worship might see it if + he was there, and also the Lord Archbishop of Seville, as the King might + not have opportunity to read it. I have already told you that the + petition to their Highnesses must be for the fulfilment of what they + wrote me about the possession and of the rest which was promised me. I + said that this chapter of the letter must be shown them and said that it + must not be delayed, and that this is advisable for an infinite number + of reasons. His Highness may believe that, however much he gives me, the + increase of his exalted dominions and revenue will be in the proportion + of 100 to 1, and that there is no comparison between what has been done + and what is to be done. The sending of a Bishop to Espanola must be + delayed until I speak to his Highness. It must not be as in the other + cases when it was thought to mend matters and they were spoiled. There + have been some cold days here and they have caused me great fatigue and + fatigue me now. Commend me to the favour of the Lord Adelantado. May our + Lord guard and bless you and your brother. Give my regards to Carbajal + and Jeronimo. Diego Mendez will carry a full pouch there. I believe that + the affair of which you wrote can be very easily managed. The vessels + from the Indies have not arrived from Lisbon. They brought a great deal + of gold, and none for me. So great a mockery was never seen, for I left + there 60,000 pesos smelted. His Highness should not allow so great an + affair to be ruined, as is now taking place. He now sends to the + Governor a new provision. I do not know what it is about. I expect + letters each day. Be very careful about expenditures, for it is + necessary. + </p> + <p> + “Done January 18. “Your father who loves you more than + himself. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + There is playful reference here to Fonseca, with whom Columbus was + evidently now reconciled; and he was to be buttonholed and made to read + the Admiral’s letter to the Pope. Diego Mendez is about to start, + and is to make a “long statement”; and in the meantime the + Admiral will write as many long letters as he has time for. Was there no + friend at hand, I wonder, with wit enough to tell the Admiral that every + word he wrote about his grievances was sealing his doom, so far as the + King was concerned? No human being could have endured with patience this + continuous heavy firing at long range to which the Admiral subjected his + friends at Court; every post that arrived was loaded with a shrapnel of + grievances, the dull echo of which must have made the ears of those who + heard it echo with weariness. Things were evidently humming in Espanola; + large cargoes of negroes had been sent out to take the place of the dead + natives, and under the harsh driving of Ovando the mines were producing + heavily. The vessels that arrived from the Indies brought a great deal of + gold; “but none for me.” + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + Letter written by CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS to his Son, DON DIEGO, February + 5, 1505. + </p> + <p> + “VERY DEAR SON,—Diego Mendez left here Monday, the 3rd of + this month. After his departure I talked with Amerigo Vespucci, the + bearer of this letter, who is going yonder, where he is called in regard + to matters of navigation. He was always desirous of pleasing me. He is a + very honourable man. Fortune has been adverse to him as it has been to + many others. His labours have not profited him as much as reason + demands. He goes for me, and is very desirous of doing something to + benefit me if it is in his power. I do not know of anything in which I + can instruct him to my benefit, because I do not know what is wanted of + him there. He is going with the determination to do everything for me in + his power. See what he can do to profit me there, and strive to have him + do it; for he will do everything, and will speak and will place it in + operation: and it must all be done secretly so that there may be no + suspicion. + </p> + <p> + “I have told him all that could be told regarding this matter, and + have informed him of the payment which has been made to me and is being + made. This letter is for the Lord Adelantado also, that he may see how + Amerigo Vespucci can be useful, and advise him about it. His Highness + may believe that his ships went to the best and richest of the Indies, + and if anything remains to be learned more than has been told, I will + give the information yonder verbally, because it is impossible to give + it in writing. May our Lord have you in his Holy keeping. + </p> + <p> + “Done in Seville, February 5. + </p> + <p> + “Your father who loves you more than himself. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + This letter has a significance which raises it out of the ruck of this + complaining correspondence. Amerigo Vespucci had just returned from his + long voyage in the West, when he had navigated along an immense stretch of + the coast of America, both north and south, and had laid the foundations + of a fame which was, for a time at least, to eclipse that of Columbus. + Probably neither of the two men realised it at this interview, or Columbus + would hardly have felt so cordially towards the man who was destined to + rob him of so much glory. As a matter of fact the practical Spaniards were + now judging entirely by results; and a year or two later, when the fame of + Columbus had sunk to insignificance, he was merely referred to as the + discoverer of certain islands, while Vespucci, who after all had only + followed in his lead, was hailed as the discoverer of a great continent. + Vespucci has been unjustly blamed for this state of affairs, although he + could no more control the public estimate of his services than Columbus + could. He was a more practical man than Columbus, and he made a much + better impression on really wise and intelligent men; and his discoveries + were immediately associated with trade and colonial development, while + Columbus had little to show for his discoveries during his lifetime but a + handful of gold dust and a few cargoes of slaves. At any rate it was a + graceful act on the part of Vespucci, whose star was in the ascendant, to + go and seek out the Admiral, whose day was fast verging to night; it was + one of those disinterested actions that live and have a value of their + own, and that shine out happily amid the surrounding murk and confusion. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + Letter signed by CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS to DON DIEGO, his Son, February + 25, 1505. + </p> + <p> + “VERY DEAR SON,—The Licientiate de Zea is a person whom I + desire to honour. He has in his charge two men who are under prosecution + at the hands of justice, as shown by the information which is inclosed + in this letter. See that Diego Mendez places the said petition with the + others, that they may be given to his Highness during Holy Week for + pardon. If the pardon is granted, it is well, and if not, look for some + other manner of obtaining it. May our Lord have you in His Holy keeping. + Done in Seville, February 25, 1505. I wrote you and sent it by Amerigo + Vespucci. See that he sends you the letter unless you have already + received it. + </p> + <p> + “Your father. + </p> + <p> + .S.<br /> .S.A.S.<br /> XMY<br /> Xpo FERENS.” + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + This is the last letter of Columbus known to us otherwise an entirely + unimportant document, dealing with the most transient affairs. With it we + gladly bring to an end this exposure of a greedy and querulous period, + which speaks so eloquently for itself that the less we say and comment on + it the better. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> <a name="ferdinand" id="ferdinand"></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img alt="ferdinand.jpg (58K)" src="images/ferdinand.jpg" + style="width:100%;" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <p> + In the month of May the Admiral was well enough at last to undertake the + journey to Segovia. He travelled on a mule, and was accompanied by his + brother Bartholomew and his son Ferdinand. When he reached the Court he + found the King civil and outwardly attentive to his recitals, but + apparently content with a show of civility and outward attention. Columbus + was becoming really a nuisance; that is the melancholy truth. The King had + his own affairs to attend to; he was already meditating a second marriage, + and thinking of the young bride he was to bring home to the vacant place + of Isabella; and the very iteration of Columbus’s complaints and + demands had made them lose all significance for the King. He waved them + aside with polite and empty promises, as people do the demands of + importunate children; and finally, to appease the Admiral and to get rid + of the intolerable nuisance of his applications, he referred the whole + question, first to Archbishop DEA, and then to the body of councillors + which had been appointed to interpret Queen Isabella’s will. The + whole question at issue was whether or not the original agreement with + Columbus, which had been made before his discoveries, should be carried + out. The King, who had foolishly subscribed to it simply as a matter of + form, never believing that anything much could come of it, was determined + that it should not be carried out, as it would give Columbus a wealth and + power to which no mere subject of a crown was entitled. The Admiral held + fast to his privileges; the only thing that he would consent to submit to + arbitration was the question of his revenues; but his titles and + territorial authorities he absolutely stuck to. Of course the council did + exactly what the King had done. They talked about the thing a great deal, + but they did nothing. Columbus was an invalid and broken man, who might + die any day, and it was obviously to their interest to gain time by + discussion and delay—a cruel game for our Christopher, who knew his + days on earth to be numbered, and who struggled in that web of time in + which mortals try to hurry the events of the present and delay the events + of the future. Meanwhile Philip of Austria and his wife Juana, Isabella’s + daughter, had arrived from Flanders to assume the crown of Castile, which + Isabella had bequeathed to them. Columbus saw a chance for himself in this + coming change, and he sent Bartholomew as an envoy to greet the new + Sovereigns, and to enlist their services on the Admiral’s behalf. + Bartholomew was very well received, but he was too late to be of use to + the Admiral, whom he never saw again; and this is our farewell to + Bartholomew, who passes out of our narrative here. He went to Rome after + Christopher’s death on a mission to the Pope concerning some fresh + voyages of discovery; and in 1508 he made, so far as we know, his one + excursion into romance, when he assisted at the production of an + illegitimate little girl—his only descendant. He returned to + Espanola under the governorship of his nephew Diego, and died there in + 1514—stern, valiant, brotherly soul, whose devotion to Christopher + must be for ever remembered and honoured with the name of the Admiral. + </p> + <p> + From Segovia Columbus followed the Court to Salamanca and thence to + Valladolid, where his increasing illness kept him a prisoner after the + Court had left to greet Philip and Juana. He had been in attendance upon + it for nearly a year, and without any results: and now, as his infirmity + increased, he turned to the settling of his own affairs, and drawing up of + wills and codicils—all very elaborate and precise. In these + occupations his worldly affairs were duly rounded off; and on May 19, + 1506, having finally ratified a will which he had made in Segovia a year + before, in which the descent of his honours was entailed upon Diego and + his heirs, or failing him Ferdinand and his heirs, or failing him + Bartholomew and his heirs, he turned to the settlement of his soul. + </p> + <p> + His illness had increased gradually but surely, and he must have known + that he was dying. He was not without friends, among them the faithful + Diego Mendez, his son Ferdinand, and a few others. His lodging was in a + small house in an unimportant street of Valladolid, now called the “Calle + de Colon”; the house, .No. 7, still standing, and to be seen by + curious eyes. As the end approached, the Admiral, who was being attended + by Franciscan monks, had himself clothed in a Franciscan habit; and so, on + the 20th May 1506, he lay upon his bed, breathing out his life. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + . . . And as strange thoughts<br /> Grow with a certain humming in my + ears,<br /> About the life before I lived this life,<br /> And this life + too, Popes, Cardinals, and priests,<br /> Your tall pale mother with her + talking eyes<br /> And new-found agate urns fresh as day . . . + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + . . . we do not know what his thoughts were, as the shadows grew deeper + about him, as the sounds of the world, the noises from the sunny street, + grew fainter, and the images and sounds of memory clearer and louder. + Perhaps as he lay there with closed eyes he remembered things long + forgotten, as dying people do; sounds and smells of the Vico Dritto di + Ponticelli, and the feel of the hot paving-stones down which his childish + feet used to run to the sea; noises of the sea also, the drowning swish of + waters and sudden roar of breakers sounding to anxiously strained ears in + the still night; bright sunlit pictures of faraway tropical shores, with + handsome olive figures glistening in the sun; the sight of strange faces, + the sound of strange speech, the smell of a strange land; the glitter of + gold; the sudden death-shriek breaking the stillness of some sylvan glade; + the sight of blood on the grass . . . . The Admiral’s face undergoes + a change; there is a stir in the room; some one signs to the priest + Gaspar, who brings forth his sacred wafer and holy oils and administers + the last sacraments. The wrinkled eyelids flutter open, the sea-worn voice + feebly frames the responses; the dying eyes are fixed on the crucifix; and—“In + manus tuas Domine commendo spiritum meum.” The Admiral is dead. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> <a name="deathplace" id="deathplace"></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img alt="deathplace.jpg (47K)" src="images/deathplace.jpg" + style="width:100%;" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/deathplace.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a> + </h5> +<p> +<br /><br /><br /><br /> +</p> + <p> + He was in his fifty-sixth year, already an old man in body and mind; and + his death went entirely unmarked except by his immediate circle of + friends. Even Peter Martyr, who was in Valladolid just before and just + after it, and who was writing a series of letters to various + correspondents giving all the news of his day, never thought it worth + while to mention that Christopher Columbus was dead. His life flickered + out in the completest obscurity. It is not even known where he was first + buried; but probably it was in the Franciscan convent at Valladolid. This, + however, was only a temporary resting-place; and a few years later his + body was formally interred in the choir of the monastery of Las Cuevas at + Seville, there to lie for thirty years surrounded by continual chauntings. + After that it was translated to the cathedral in San Domingo; rested there + for 250 years, and then, on the cession of that part of the island to + France, the body was removed to Cuba. But the Admiral was by this time + nothing but a box of bones and dust, as also were brother Bartholomew and + son Diego, and Diego’s son, all collected together in that place. + There were various examinations of the bone-boxes; one, supposed to be the + Admiral’s, was taken to Cuba and solemnly buried there; and lately, + after the conquest of the island in the Spanish-American War, this box of + bones was elaborately conveyed to Seville, where it now rests. + </p> + <p> + But in the meanwhile the Chapter of the cathedral in San Domingo had made + new discoveries and examinations; had found another box of bones, which + bore to them authentic signs that the dust it contained was the Admiral’s + and not his grandson’s; and in spite of the Academy of History at + Madrid, it is indeed far from unlikely that the Admiral’s dust does + not lie in Spain or Cuba, but in San Domingo still. Whole books have been + written about these boxes of bones; learned societies have argued about + them, experts have examined the bones and the boxes with microscopes; and + meantime the dust of Columbus, if we take the view that an error was + committed in the transference to Cuba, is not even collected all in one + box. A sacrilegious official acquired some of it when the boxes were + opened, and distributed it among various curiosity-hunters, who have + preserved it in caskets of crystal and silver. Thus a bit of him is worn + by an American lady in a crystal locket; a pinch of him lies in a glass + vial in a New York mansion; other pinches in the Lennox Library, New York, + in the Vatican, and in the University of Pavia. In such places, if the + Admiral should fail to appear at the first note of their trumpets, must + the Angels of the Resurrection make search. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + <a name="ch10d" id="ch10d"></a>CHAPTER X. + </h2> + <h3> + THE MAN COLUMBUS + </h3> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p> + It is not in any leaden box or crystal vase that we must search for the + true remains of Christopher Columbus. Through these pages we have traced, + so far as has been possible, the course of his life, and followed him in + what he did; all of which is but preparation for our search for the true + man, and just estimate of what he was. We have seen, dimly, what his youth + was; that he came of poor people who were of no importance to the world at + large; that he earned his living as a working man; that he became + possessed of an Idea; that he fought manfully and diligently until he had + realised it; and that then he found himself in a position beyond his + powers to deal with, not being a strong enough swimmer to hold his own in + the rapid tide of events which he himself had set flowing; and we have + seen him sinking at last in that tide, weighed down by the very things for + which he had bargained and stipulated. If these pages had been devoted to + a critical examination of the historical documents on which his life-story + is based we should also have found that he continually told lies about + himself, and misrepresented facts when the truth proved inconvenient to + him; that he was vain and boastful to a degree that can only excite our + compassion. He was naturally and sincerely pious, and drew from his + religion much strength and spiritual nourishment; but he was also capable + of hypocrisy, and of using the self-same religion as a cloak for his greed + and cruelty. What is the final image that remains in our minds of such a + man? To answer this question we must examine his life in three dimensions. + There was its great outline of rise, zenith, and decline; there was its + outward history in minute detail, and its conduct in varying + circumstances; and there was the inner life of the man’s soul, which + was perhaps simpler than some of us think. And first, as to his life as a + single thing. It rose in poverty, it reached a brief and dazzling zenith + of glory, it set in clouds and darkness; the fame of it suffered a long + night of eclipse, from which it was rescued and raised again to a height + of glory which unfortunately was in sufficiently founded on fact; and as a + reaction from this, it has been in danger of becoming entirely + discredited, and the man himself denounced as a fraud. The reason for + these surprising changes is that in those fifty-five years granted to + Columbus for the making of his life he did not consistently listen to that + inner voice which alone can hold a man on any constructive path. He + listened to it at intervals, and he drew his inspiration from it; but he + shut his ears when it had served him, when it had brought him what he + wanted. In his moments of success he guided himself by outward things; and + thus he was at one moment a seer and ready to be a martyr, and at the next + moment he was an opportunist, watching to see which way the wind would + blow, and ready to trim his sails in the necessary direction. Such conduct + of a man’s life does not make for single light or for true + greatness; rather for dim, confused lights, and lofty heights obscured in + cloud. + </p> + <p> + If we examine his life in detail we find this alternating principle of + conduct revealed throughout it. He was by nature clever, kind-hearted, + rather large-souled, affectionate, and not very honest; all the acts + prompted by his nature bear the stamp of these qualities. To them his + early years had probably added little except piety, sharp practice, and + that uncomfortable sense, often bred amid narrow and poor surroundings, + that one must keep a sharp look-out for oneself if one is to get a share + of the world’s good things. Something in his blood, moreover, craved + for dignity and the splendour of high-sounding titles; craved for power + also, and the fulfilment of an arrogant pride. All these things were in + his Ligurian blood, and he breathed them in with the very air of Genoa. + His mind was of the receptive rather than of the constructive kind, and it + was probably through those long years spent between sea voyages and brief + sojourns with his family in Genoa or Savona that he conceived that vague + Idea which, as I have tried to show, formed the impulse of his life during + its brief initiative period. Having once received this Idea of discovery + and like all other great ideas, it was in the air at the time and was + bound to take shape in some human brain—he had all his native and + personal qualities to bring to its support. The patience to await its + course he had learned from his humble and subordinate life. The ambition + to work for great rewards was in his blood and race; and to belief in + himself, his curious vein of mystical piety was able to add the support of + a ready belief in divine selection. This very time of waiting and + endurance of disappointments also helped to cultivate in his character two + separate qualities—an endurance or ability to withstand infinite + hardship and disappointment; and also a greedy pride that promised itself + great rewards for whatever should be endured. + </p> + <p> + In all active matters Columbus was what we call a lucky man. It was luck + that brought him to Guanahani; and throughout his life this element of + good luck continually helped him. He was lucky, that is to say, in his + relation with inanimate things; but in his relations with men he was + almost as consistently unlucky. First of all he was probably a bad judge + of men. His humble origin and his lack of education naturally made him + distrustful. He trusted people whom he should have regarded with + suspicion, and he was suspicious of those whom he ought to have known he + could trust. If people pleased him, he elevated them with absurd rapidity + to stations far beyond their power to fill, and then wondered that they + sometimes turned upon him; if they committed crimes against him, he either + sought to regain their favour by forgiving them, or else dogged them with + a nagging, sulky resentment, and expected every one else to punish them + also. He could manage men if he were in the midst of them; there was + something winning as well as commanding about his actual presence, and + those who were devoted to him would have served him to the death. But when + he was not on the spot all his machineries and affairs went to pieces; he + had no true organising ability; no sooner did he take his hand off any + affair for which he was responsible than it immediately came to confusion. + All these defects are to be attributed to his lack of education and + knowledge of the world. Mental discipline is absolutely necessary for a + man who would discipline others; and knowledge of the world is essential + for one who would successfully deal with men, and distinguish those whom + he can from those whom he cannot trust. Defects of this nature, which + sometimes seem like flaws in the man’s character, may be set down to + this one disability—that he was not educated and was not by habit a + man of the world. + </p> + <p> + All his sins of misgovernment, then, may be condoned on the ground that + governing is a science, and that Columbus had never learned it. What we do + find, however, is that the inner light that had led him across the seas + never burned clearly for him again, and was never his guide in the later + part of his life. Its radiance was quenched by the gleam of gold; for + there is no doubt that Columbus was a victim of that baleful influence + which has caused so much misery in this world. He was greedy of gold for + himself undoubtedly; but he was still more greedy of it for Spain. It was + his ambition to be the means of filling the coffers of the Spanish + Sovereigns and so acquiring immense dignity and glory for himself. He + believed that gold was in itself a very precious and estimable thing; he + knew that masses and candles could be bought for it, and very real + spiritual privileges; and as he made blunder after blunder, and saw evil + after evil heaping itself on his record in the New World, he became the + more eager and frantic to acquire such a treasure of gold that it would + wipe out the other evils of his administration. And once involved in that + circle, there was no help for him. + </p> + <p> + The man himself was a simple man; capable, when the whole of his various + qualities were directed upon one single thing, of that greatness which is + the crown of simplicity. Ambition was the keynote of his life; not an + unworthy keynote, by any means, if only the ambition be sound; but one + serious defect of Columbus’s ambition was that it was retrospective + rather than perspective. He may have had, before he sailed from Palos, an + ambition to be the discoverer of a New World; but I do not think he had. + He believed there were islands or land to be discovered in the West if + only he pushed on far enough; and he was ambitious to find them and + vindicate his belief. Afterwards, when he had read a little more, and when + he conceived the plan of pretending that he had all along meant to + discover the Indies and a new road to the East, he acted in accordance + with that pretence; he tried to make his acts appear retrospectively as + though they had been prompted by a design quite different from that by + which they had really been prompted. When he found that his discovery was + regarded as a great scientific feat, he made haste to pretend that it had + all along been meant as such, and was in fact the outcome of an elaborate + scientific theory. In all this there is nothing for praise or admiration. + It indicates the presence of moral disease; but fortunately it is + functional rather than organic disease. He was right and sound at heart; + but he spread his sails too readily to the great winds of popular favour, + and the result was instability to himself, and often danger of shipwreck + to his soul. + </p> + <p> + The ultimate test of a man’s character is how he behaves in certain + circumstances when there is no great audience to watch him, and when there + is no sovereign close at hand with bounties and rewards to offer. In a + word, what matters most is a man’s behaviour, not as an admiral, or + a discoverer, or a viceroy, or a courtier, but as a man. In this respect + Columbus’s character rings true. If he was little on little + occasions, he was also great on great occasions. The inner history of his + fourth voyage, if we could but know it and could take all the + circumstances into account, would probably reveal a degree of heroic + endurance that has never been surpassed in the history of mankind. Put him + as a man face to face with a difficulty, with nothing but his wits to + devise with and his two hands to act with, and he is never found wanting. + And that is the kind of man of whom discoverers are made. The mere + mathematician may work out the facts with the greatest accuracy and prove + the existence of land at a certain point; but there is great danger that + he may be knocked down by a club on his first landing on the beach, and + never bring home any news of his discovery. The great courtier may do well + for himself and keep smooth and politic relations with kings; the great + administrator may found a wonderful colony; but it is the man with the + wits and the hands, and some bigness of heart to tide him over daunting + passages, that wins through the first elementary risks of any great + discovery. Properly considered, Columbus’s fame should rest simply + on the answer to the single question, “Did he discover new lands as + he said he would?” That was the greatest thing he could do, and the + fact that he failed to do a great many other things afterwards, failed the + more conspicuously because his attempts were so conspicuous, should have + no effect on our estimate of his achievement. The fame of it could no more + be destroyed by himself than it can be destroyed by us. + </p> + <p> + True understanding of a man and estimate of his character can only be + arrived at by methods at once more comprehensive and more subtle than + those commonly employed among men. Everything that he sees, does, and + suffers has its influence on the moulding of his character; and he must be + considered in relation to his physical environment, no less than to his + race and ancestry. Christopher Columbus spent a great part of his active + life on the sea; it was sea-life which inspired him with his great Idea, + it was by the conquest of the sea that he realised it; it was on the sea + that all his real triumphs over circumstance and his own weaker self were + won. The influences at work upon a man whose life is spent on the sea are + as different from those at work upon one who lives on the fields as the + environment of a gannet is different from the environment of a skylark: + and yet how often do we really attempt to make due allowance for this + great factor and try to estimate the extent of its moulding influence? + </p> + <p> + To live within sound or sight of the sea is to be conscious of a voice or + countenance that holds you in unyielding bonds. The voice, being + continuous, creeps into the very pulses and becomes part of the pervading + sound or silence of a man’s environment; and the face, although it + never regards him, holds him with its changes and occupies his mind with + its everlasting riddle. Its profound inattention to man is part of its + power over his imagination; for although it is so absorbed and busy, and + has regard for sun and stars and a melancholy frowning concentration upon + the foot of cliffs, it is never face to face with man: he can never come + within the focus of its great glancing vision. It is somewhere beyond time + and space that the mighty perspective of those focal rays comes to its + point; and they are so wide and eternal in their sweep that we should find + their end, could we but trace them, in a condition far different from that + in which our finite views and ethics have place. In the man who lives much + on the sea we always find, if he be articulate, something of the dreamer + and the mystic; that very condition of mind, indeed, which we have traced + in Columbus, which sometimes led him to such heights, and sometimes + brought him to such variance with the human code. + </p> + <p> + A face that will not look upon you can never give up its secret to you; + and the face of the sea is like the face of a picture or a statue round + which you may circle, looking at it from this point and from that, but + whose regard is fixed on something beyond and invisible to you; or it is + like the face of a person well known to you in life, a face which you + often see in various surroundings, from different angles, now unconscious, + now in animated and smiling intercourse with some one else, but which + never turns upon you the light of friendly knowledge and recognition; in a + word, it is unconscious of you, like all elemental things. In the legend + of the Creation it is written that when God saw the gathering together of + the waters which he called the Seas, he saw that it was good; and he + perhaps had the right to say so. But the man who uses the sea and whose + life’s pathway is laid on its unstable surface can hardly sum up his + impressions of it so simply as to say that it is good. It is indeed to him + neither good nor bad; it is utterly beyond and outside all he knows or + invents of good and bad, and can never have any concern with his good or + his bad. It remains the pathway and territory of powers and mysteries, + thoughts and energies on a gigantic and elemental scale; and that is why + the mind of man can never grapple with the unconsciousness of the sea or + his eye meet its eye. Yet it is the mariner’s chief associate, + whether as adversary or as ally; his attitude to things outside himself is + beyond all doubt influenced by his attitude towards it; and a true + comprehension of the man Columbus must include a recognition of this + constant influence on him, and of whatever effect lifelong association + with so profound and mysterious an element may have had on his conduct in + the world of men. Better than many documents as an aid to our + understanding of him would be intimate association with the sea, and + prolonged contemplation of that face with which he was so familiar. We can + never know the heart of it, but we can at least look upon the face, turned + from us though it is, upon which he looked. Cloud shadows following a + shimmer of sunlit ripples; lines and runes traced on the surface of a + blank calm; salt laughter of purple furrows with the foam whipping off + them; tides and eddies, whirls, overfalls, ripples, breakers, seas + mountains high-they are but movements and changing expressions on an + eternal countenance that once held his gaze and wonder, as it will always + hold the gaze and wonder of those who follow the sea. + </p> + <p> + So much of the man Christopher Columbus, who once was and no longer is; + perished, to the last bone and fibre of him, off the face of the earth, + and living now only by virtue of such truth as there was in him; who once + manfully, according to the light that he had, bore Christ on his shoulders + across stormy seas, and found him often, in that dim light, a heavy and + troublesome burden; who dropped light and burden together on the shores of + his discovery, and set going in that place of peace such a conflagration + as mankind is not likely to see again for many a generation, if indeed + ever again, in this much-tortured world, such ancient peace find place. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg’s Christopher Columbus, Complete, by Filson Young + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS, COMPLETE *** + +***** This file should be named 4116-h.htm or 4116-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/4/1/1/4116/ + +Produced by David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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