The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1891-12-11

away. The region OF promise lay still
further on. and one OF the old counselors
Of the cacique told Columbus that be
would soon arrive M islands rich in the
precious ore Before leaving this place.
the admiral caused a large cross 10 he
erected IN the center Of the village. aud
rom the readiness with which the In
dams assisted. and their implicit imita-
tions Of the Spaniards m their acts Of
devotion. he inferred that il would be an
easy matter 10 convert them all TO Chris
tianify.
On the 10Th Of December they made
sail before daylight. but with an un-
favorable wind. and on the evening OF
the 2)th they anchored IN a fine harbor,
10 which Columbus gave the name Of ST.
Thomas, supposed 10 be what at present
IL called the Bay Of Acul. II was sur
rounded by a beautiful and we'll peopled
country The inhabitants came OF, some
in canoes. some swimming. bringing
fruits OF various unknown kinds, OF great
fragrance and flavor. These they gave
freely with whatever else they possessed,
especially their golden ornaments. which
they saw were particularly coveted by
the strangers. There was a remarkable
frankness and generosity about these
people; they had no idea Of traffic, but
gave away every thing with spontaneous
liberality. Columbus would not permit
his people. however, to lake advantage
Of this free disposition. but ordered that
something should always be given in ex-
change. Several Of the neighboring ca
ciques visited the ships, bringing pres
ents and inviting the Spaniards to their
villages, where. on going TO land. they
were most Hospitality entertained
On the 22d Of December. . large canoe
filed with natives came on . mission
from a grand cscique named Guacana-
gari. who commanded All that part OF
the island A principal servant Of the
chieftain came in the anoe bringing
the admiral a present Of = broad belt.
wrought ingeniously with colored beads
and bones, and . wooden mask, ths eyes,
nose and tongue Of which were Of gold
He delivered also . message from the
cacique. begging that the ships might
come opposite TO his residence, which
was on a part Of the coast = little furtheS
TO the eastward. The wind preventing
an immediate compliance with this in.
utation the admiral sent the notary Of
the squadron. with several Of the crew,
to visit the cacique. He resided In .
town. situsted on . river. 1t what they
called Punta Santa, at present Grande
Riviere- 1t was the largest and best
built town they had yet SEEN The caciqus
received them in . kind Of public square,
which had been swept and prepared for
the occasion, and treated them with
great honor, giving TO each . dress OF
cotton. The inhabitants crowded around
them. bringing provisions and refresh
msnts Of various kinds. The seameu
were received into their houses - distin-
guished guests; they gave them gar
ments Of cotton and whatever else ap-
peared 70 have value in their eyes. ask
ing nothing in return, but II anything
were given appearing to treasure Il up
as q sacred relic.
The cacique would have detained them
all night, bat their orders Obliged them
70 return. On parting with them, he
~ PoAA0 0n4 RA0SC
Of gold for the admiral. and they were
attended to their boats BY . crowd Of
the natives. carrying the presents for
them, and vying with each other IN rem
dering them service.
During their absence. the admiral had
been visited by . great number Of canoes
and several inferior c~aciques; all a.
sured him that the island abounded with |
wealth; they talked especially OF Cibao.
. region in the interior, farther TO the
east, the cacique Of which. as far AZ they
could be understood. had banners OF
wrought gold. Columbus. deceiving
himself ~ usual. fancied that this name
Cbao must be q corruption Of Cipango,
that this chieftain with golden ban
ners must be identical with the magni6-
cent prince Of that island mentioned by
Marco Polo.
lTo BIZ CONTINUED