The morning call., 1891-02-09
COLUMBUS AND
DIEGO MENDEZ,
The Favorite Friend of the Great
Navigator.
One Who Was Close to Him When He Was de-
serted by Princes-The Great Sacrifices
That He Made for His Master.

During his varied career, checkered wit
inc ups and downs of fortune, with Fri
uhphs, struggles and defeats, Columbu:
hau one friend who was truer to him thai
all the rest. His name is nearly forgotten
how' we see 1t in print SO seldom that his
very existence seems myth, yet to thi;
friend the great navigator owed his life. and
when Princes deserted him Cavalier Diego
Mendez drew closer and his heart heat
warmer than ever for the neglected dis.
coyerer of a new world.
We find no mention of Mendez until Co.
lumD set out on his fourth voyage. 1t is
probable, however, that he had mpanied
his friend before this, but If so he seems
not to have performed any services which
entitle him to especial mention. During
the voyage referred to Columbus decided tC
establish colony on the east coast of We
ragua, and the natives soon formed a plot
for its destruction. MendeZ was the first tC
scent danger, and, taking his life in his
hands, he entered the Indian camp as spy,
unrayeled the cunning plot, and took such
measures which led to the capture of the
cacique Quinlan and the defeat of the con-
spiracy.
But the great sacrifice which Diego Men
deg made for his beloved master was vet to
come. and 1t stands to-day prominent
among thousands of stories of bravery and
devotion which are connected with the lives
OF the old discoveries.
In the month of April, 1903, Columbus
left Neragua IN caravels hardly fit to put to
sea in. He Intended to steer for tile coast
of Hispaniola, whence he hoped 10 sal
Tor SPAN; but contrary winds drove him
out OF his course, aud after q terrible
voyage he reached Jamaica. Here he found
little cove, where he anchored his worm
eaten barkss and built matched houses on
tile decks for his half-starved men. Men
DEE went ashore among the treacherous
saVages ana secured some provisions, but
THE SKIES DID NOT BRIGHTEN
The nearest point from which succor could
come was Hispaniola, which was eighty
leagues across a rough sea, whose dangers
Columbus dared not face in his rotten hulks.
In his dilemma he looked to Mendez, the
friend who had never deserted him for a
moment, and at his call the old cavalier
came to his side. Columbus had formed a
plan Of escape. L.. cost him many a sleep
less night and much anguish of body but tC
him it seemed the only chance.
Columbus and Mendez went to seclud ed
part of one OF the ships together, and there
the old navigator told his lieutenant that he
believed that boat could cross The water to
HispaniOla. Mendez sOlemnly shook hi.
head. Thrn lie said that the feat was i'm
possible. The route was an unknown one,
the sea rough and dangerous between the
Islands, and no boats crew could accomplish
| the Journey. Columbus was silent, but
DiCHueZ CAME To lHG rescue.
"SenOr." said he, Il have many times
put my life in peril to save you and my com.
radeS, and God has hitherto preserved me in
miraculous manner. l beg, therefore,
that you would assemble our people and
propose this enterprise to see if any one will
undertake il, which | very much doubt. II
all decline will then come forward and
risk my life in your service, as have many
times done already"
The next day Columbus assembled his
crews and the desperate proposition was
made, but the men, though brave, refused
to volunteer Then it was that the spirit OF
Diego Mendez asserted its answering love
and loyalty. He stepped forth and fear
lessly offered 10 carry The AdmlraPs mes
sage to Oyanda, the Governor of Hispani-
ola. Columbus embraced him before all
and MendeZ began 10 prepare for the voyage.
lie drew his Canoe on shore, gave it false
keel, paved it with a heavy coat of tar and
lifted 1t out with mast and sail. Then he
selected a white comrade and six native:
ana set out on his dangerous mission. Bu
he was destined 10 get no further than the
end of the island, for there
THE INDIANS FELL
| Upon the expedition and captured the whole
| OF IL. Ali were dragged into the interio
! to be put to death, but Diego escaped, am
after some days of almost incredible ad
! joined Columbus
One would think that this would havt
dampened the hero's ardor, but not so. ii,
had promised to save the life of Columbus
and he would not stop short of it, II,
offered to try again, aud soon afterward sci
ont with two canoes, one of which w as
commanded by Bartholomew Fiesco, W no
had accompanied Columbus on his third
expedition.
For elght long months, replete with sick.
ness. rebellion and mutlny, Columbus hearC
nothing OF brave MeDdez and his compan.
ions. hat had become of them? Da,
after day Columbus looked across the CLASSY
surface OF the sea, but not sail appeared
IN sight. Ii the little expedition had reached
It's destination why did not help arrive?
The voyage OF Mendez was one Of hardship
and priyatiun, and enough to test the cour
age Uf the b;aYe5t. lie bad put to sea onl,
to hnd the surface of the water like mir
TOR. The milan canoeists were compelled t
spring into the sea to cool themselves, and
the Spaniards had 10 watch them at all
times through fear of treachery. 1t soon
became terrible journey The Indians
gave up one after another, and, falling
down Ill the bottoms of the bUats, beSeeched
Diego and Bartholomew TO dispatch them.
At last the rocky island of Navassa was
sighted. and here the yoyagers found water
and few shell fish.
They rested day at Navassa and put to
sea again. They could see the mountain:
OF Hispanioia, but they were far away, and
dangers untold had to be met before they
could be reached. On the fourth day aftel
| leaving Jamaica they gained Cape TiburoI
and here Mendez parted with his com
| panlons ana with SIX new Indians set of
for San Domingo. After proceeding many
leagues lie found that Ogandu had gone tt
| Yregua and then he abandoned the cano,
and plunged into
THE UNKNOWN FOREST.
Through this terrible region. encompassed
by bloodtnirsty tribes, POISONOUS serpents
and wild beasts. and hunted as we'll by all
4 siglrFa NJ III
band. Tie hardships they encountered can
not be told. Ii was one of the most heroic
journeys ever undertaken by man or the
safety of a co mpanlon, but at length the en-
durance OF Mendez triumphed over every
thing. He found Ovando, who proved a
secret enemy of Columbus, and by whom he
was put OFF from time to time. Mendez at
last offered TO ylctual a vessel at his own ex-
pense and this brought Governor Oyanjo IL
terms. He sent caravel TO Jamaica and
rescued the old Admiral from what would
soon have been death by starvation in one
Of the wretched hulks.
Such was the spirit manifested by the
favorite friend of Columbus, and such the
devotion of Diego Meudez 1t is pleasing
to note that when King Ferdinand learned
OF his bravery he bestowed rewards upon
| him, and permitted him to have a coat Of
arms painted on his ea-.oe.
Mendez remained faithful to his old com
mander to tie close of his life When the
dark Jays came, and Columbus found him.
self deserted by those whom he had served,
Mendez eloquently plead his cause al
court, and IT. was his hand that snIoothed the
brow OF the dying navigator az Valladoiid.
Diego became the hero of other eXpedi-
tious, but died poor after all. He Is known
as The best friend Columbus ever had,'
and this is honor enough. In his will he re-
euested that canoe with his armorial bear
lngs should be engraved on his '1l,5iir. e
and under IL = sfsS4a7