Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1891-10-29
CHAPTER XVI.
MEETING WITH PINZON.

CHAPTER XVI
MEETING WITH PlNzON.
II WAS on the 4th Of January that Co
lumhus set sail from La Navidad on his
return to Spain. The wind being light,
it was necessary to tow the caravel out
of the harbor and clear of the reefs.
They then stood eastward ard lofty
promontory destitute Of trees, but COW
cred with grass and shaped like a tent,
having at a distance the appearance Of a
towering island, being connected with
HispaniOla by low neck of land. TO
this promomtory Columbus gave the
name of Monte Christi, by which it is
still known. The country in the imme-
diate neighborhood was level but far
ther inland rose high range of noun
tains. well wooded, with broad, fruitful
valleys between them, watered by abun-
dant streams. The wind being contrary,
they We're detained for two days in a
large bay to the west Of the pronontUrv
On the 9th they again made sail with
la.d breeze, and weathering the cape
advanced ten leagues, when the wind
again turned to blow freshly from the
east. At this time a sailor stationed at
the masthead to look out for rocks cried
ont that he Deheld the Pinta at dis
lance. The certainty Of the fact glad
Gened the heart of the admiral and had
an animating effect throughout the ship,
for it was Il joyful event to the mariners
ols'e more to meet with their comrades,
and to have companion bark in their
voyage through these lonely seas.
The Pinta came sweeping toward them
directly before the wind. The admiral
was DESTROYS of having a conversation
with Martin Alonzo PinZon, and seeing
that all attempt was fruitless from the
obstinacy of the adverse wind and that
there was no safe anchorage in the neigh
borhood, he put back to the bay little
west of Monte Christi, whittier be was
followed by the Pinta On their first
interview, PinZon endeavored to excuse
his desertion, alleging that he had been
compelled to part company by stress of
weather, and had ever since been seek
ing to rejoin the admiral. Columbus lis
tened passively but obviously to his
apologies, and the suspicious he had con-
ceived appeared to be warranted by sub
seQuent information. He was told that
Pinzon had been excited by accounts
given him by one Of the Indians on board
Of his vessel of region to the eastward
Astounding in gold. Taking advantage,
therefore, of the superior sailing of his
vessel, he had worked to wiudward
when the other ships had been Obliged
to put back and had sought to be the
first to discover and enjoy this golden
region.
After separating from his companions
he had been entangled for several days
among a cluster of small islands sup
posed to have been the Caicos, but had
at length been guided by the Indians to
Hispaniola. Here he remained three
weeks trading with the natives in the
river already mentioned, and collected a
considerable quantity Of gold, one-half
Of which he retained rs captain, the rest
he divided amor; MS men to secure their
fdoHty and secrecy.
Sucn were TIE particulars privately
related o. Columbus, VINO, however. re-
pressed Lis Indignation at this fragrant
breach Of duty. briug unwilling 10 dis
turb the rrmainde~ 81 his voyage with
any alterations with Pln2pn, who hid
powerful party of relatives and towns
men in tne umunent. To such de-
gree, however, was his confidence in hi
Couf-d rates impaired than he dcr-i-
mlucl to return forthwith to Suiu
tlou.,n under otner circumstances he
wou have bee ..:upted to explore the
IL,