The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1891-10-02
No. 3.


able impressions, was delighted with the
purity and suavity of the atmosphere,
the crystal transparency Of the sea and
the extraordinary beauty of the vegeta-
ton. He beheld, also, fruits of an un-
known kind upon the trees which over
hung the shores. On landing he threw
himself on his knees, kissed the earth,
and returned thanks to God with tears
of joy. His example was followed by
the rest, whose hearts indeed overfowed
with the same feelings of gratitude.
Columbus then rising drew his sword,
displayed the royal standard, and as.
sembling around him the two captains,
with Rodrigo de Escobedo, notary of the
armament, Rodrigo Sanchez and the
rest who had landed, he took solemn
possession in the name of the Castilian
sovereigns, giving the island the name
of San Salvador. Having complied with
the requisite forms and ceremonies he
called upon all present to take the oath
Of obedience to him, as admiral and
viceroy, representing the persons of the
sovereigns.
The feelings Of the crew now burst
forth in the most extravagant trans
ports They had recently considered
themselves devoted men, hurrNng for
ward to destruction; they now looked
upon themselves as favorites of fortune,
and gave themselves up to the most un-
bounded joy. They thronged around
the admiral with overfowing zeal, some
embracing him, others kissing l,is hands.
Those who had been most mutinous and
turbulent during the voyage were now
most devoted and enthusiastic. Some
begged favors of him, as if he had al
ready wealth and honors in his gift.
Many abject spirits, who had outraged
him by their insolence, now crouched at
his feet, begging pardon for all the trou-
BILE they had caused him, and promising
the blindest obedience for the future.
The natives of the island, when at the
dawn of day they had beheld the ships
lowering on their coast, had supposed
them monsters which had issued from
the deep during the night. They had
crowded to the beach and watched their
movements with awful anxiety. Their
veering about. apparently without eff
fort, aud the shifting and fIrling OF
their sails, resembling huge wings, filed
them with astonishment. When thev
beheld their boats approach the shore.
and number of strange beings clad in
ghttering steel or rainent of various
eolors landing upon the beach, they fed
in alright to the woods. Finding, how
ever, that there was no attempt to pur-
sue or molest them, they gradually re-
covered from their terror and ap-
preached the Spaniards with great awe,
frequently prostrating themselves on
the earth and making signs of alteration.
During the ceremonies of taking posses
sion they remained gazing in timid ad-
miration at the complexion, the boards,
the shining arinor and splendid dress of
the Spaniards.
The admiral particularly attracted
their attention from his commanding
height, his air of authority, his dress Of
scarlet and the Difference which was
paid him by his companions, all which
pointed him out to be the commander.
When they had still further recovered
from their fears they approached the
apaniards, touched their boards and ex-
amined their hands and faces, admiring
their whiteness. Columbus was pleased
with their gentleness and con6ding SIM
plicity, and suffered their scrutiny with
perfect acquiescence, winning them by
his benignity. They now supposed that
the ships had sailed out of the crystal
armament which bounded their horizon,
or had descended from above on their
ample wings, and that these marvellous
beings were inhabitants of the skies.
The natives of the island were no less
objects of curiosity TO the Spaniards, diff
fering, as they did. from any race of men
they had ever seen. Their appearance
gave no promise of either wealth or civ
ilization, for they were entirely naked,
and painted with variety of colors.
With some it was confined merely to o
part OF the face, the nose or around the
eyes; with others it extended to the
whole body, and gave them wild and
fantastic appearance. Their complexion
was OF Q tawny or copper hue, and they
were entirely destitute of boards. Their
hair was not crisped, like the recently
discovered tribes of the African coast,
under the same latitude, but straight
and coarse, partly cut short above the
ears, hutsome locks were left long behind
and falling upon their shoulders. Their
features, though obscured and disfgured
by paint, were agreeable; they had lofty
foreheads and remarkably fine eyes.
They were of moderate stature and well
formedi most of them appeared to be
under thirty years of age; there was but
one female with them. quite young,
naked like her companions. and beauti-
fully formed.
[To BE coNTINEuD.l