The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1886-02-05
THE FIRST LAND.
Landing of Columbus One October Day
Near 400 Years Ago.

Near 400 Years Ago.
By Washington Irving.
1t was or Friday morning, the 18th
ofOctober, 1892, that Columbus first
beheld the New World. As the day
dawned he saw before him a level is
land, several leagues in extent, and
covered with trees like q continual or
chard. Though apparently unculti-
waited, it was populous, forthe inhabl-
tants were seen issuing from all parts
OF the woods and running to the shore.
TREY were erfectly and rs they
stood gazing at the ships, appeared by
their attitudes and gestures to be lost
in astonishment.
Columbus made signals for theships
to cast anchor, and the boats to be
manned and armed. He entered his
own boat, richly attiredin scarlet. and
holding the royal standard; while Mar
tin Alfonso Pinzon and Vincent Yanez
his brother, put otfincompany in their
boats, each with a banner Of the en-
terprise emblaZoned with green cross,
having on either side the letter T.. and
Y, the initials of the Castilian mon
archs Fernando and Ysabel, surmount-
ed by crowns
AS he approached the shore, Column
bus, who was disposed for all kinds OF
agreeable impressions, was delighted
with the purity and suavity OF the at
mosphere, the crystal transparency of
the sea, and theeXtraordinary beauty
ofthe vegetation. He, beheld, also
fruits OF an unknown kind upon the
trees which o%verhung the shores. On
landing. hethrew himself on his knees,
kissed the earth, andreturned thanks
to God with tears ofioy, Hisexample
was followed by the rest, whose hearts
indeed overflowed with the same feel
ings OF gratitude.
Columbus then rising drew his
sword displayed the royal standard,
and assembling round him the two
captains, with de Ercobedo, notary
OF the armament Rodrigo Sanchez, and
the rest who had landed, he took sol
emn possession in the name OF the
Castilian sovereigns, giving the name
OF San Salvador. Having complied
with the requisite forms and ceremo-
Mes e called upon all present to take
the oath OF obedience to HIM, as ad.
mlral and Vlceroy, representing the
persons OF the sovereigns.
The feelings of the crew now burst
forth in the most extravaganza trans
ports. They had recently considered
themselves devoted men, hurryingfor
ward to destruction; they now looked
upon themselves as favorites OF Tor,
tune, and gave themselves up to the
most unbounded Joy. They thronged
around the admiral with Overlooking
zeal, some embracing hsln, Others kiss.
ing his hands. Those who had beer
most mutlnous and turbulent during
the voyage, were now most devoted
and enthusiastic. Some begged fav.
ors of him, us if he had already wealth
and honors in his gift. Many abiect
spirits, who had outragedhim by then
violence, 20 crouched at his feet,
begged pardon for all the trouble they
had caused him, and promising the
blindest obedience for the future.
The natives OF the island, when, nj
the dawn ofday, they had beheld the
ships lowering on theircoast, had sup
posed them monsters which had is
sued from the deep during the night
They had crowded to the beach, anC
watched their movements with awfu
anxiety. Their veering about, APP
parently without effect; and the iurl
ing of their sails, resemblinghuge wings
filled them with astonishment. Whel
they beheld their boats approach tn,
cbnra a,,5 n p,,r,hnr nj c+r.,pr, lo;,ns
clad in gliutering steel, or railnent O
various c%olors, landinguponthebe beach
they fled in alright to the woods.
Finding, however, that there wasne
attempt to pursue nor modest them
they gradually recovered from theil
terror, and approached the Spaniards
with great awe, frequently prostratinp
themselves on the earth, and making
signs OF alteration. During thu
ceremonies OF taking possession
they remained gazing in timit
admiration at the complexion, The
boards, the shining armor and splen
did dress OF the Spaniards. The ad
miral particularly attracted their at
tention, from his height
his air OF authority, his dress OF scar
let, and the Difference which was pait
him by his companions; all which
pointed him out as the commander.
When they had still further recov
cred from theirfears, they approached
the Spaniards. touched their boards
and examined their hands and faces
admlrlng their w%hiteness. Columbu:
was pleased with their ~gentleness ant
confidins simplicity, and suffered theil
scrutiny with perfect acquiescence
winning them by his benignity. They
now supposed that the ships hac
sailed out of the crystal frmament
which bounded their horizon, or hat
descended from above on their ampl,
wings, and that these marvellous be
ings were inhabitants of the skies.
The natives of the island were nc
less objects OF curiosity to the Span
iards, differing, as they did, from an,
race of men they had ever seen. Thei,
appearance gave no promise OF cithe
wealth or civilization, for they wer'
entirely naked, and painted witha va
riety OF colors. With some it wa.
confined merely to q part OF the face
the nose, or around theeyes; with 9th
ers it extended to the whole body, ant
gave them a wild and fantastic ap
pearnnce.
Their complexion was OF a tewn,
or copper hue, and they were entirel,
destitute of boards. Their hair wa,
not crisped, kethe recently discovered
tribes of the African coast, under tn
samelatitudc, but straight and coarse
partly cut short above the ears, bu
some locks were left long behint
and falling or their shoulders
Their features, though obscuret
and discolored by paint, wcr
agreeable; they had lofty forcheads
and remarkably fine eyes. They wcr