The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1891-10-23
lRVINC'S COLUMBUS.
The Great Discoverer's First
Voyage to America.
CHAPTER TX
SEARCH AFTER THE SUPPOSED ISLAND OF
BABEQUE.

+ AAbHAEOns
On the 18th Of November Columbus
turned his course to the east-southeast
to follow back the direction of the coast.
This may be considered another critical
change in his voyage, which had great
effect upon his subsequent discoveries
he had proceeded far within what Is
called the old channel. between Cuba
and the Bahamas. In two or three days
more he would have discovered his mis-
take in supposing Cuba part OF terra
firma-an error in which he continued
to the day of his death. He might have
had intimation also of the vicinity Of the
continent, and have stood for the coast
Of Florida. or have been carried thitheI
by the Gulf stream, or. continuing along
Cuba where it bends to the southwest,
might have struck over to the opposite
coast of Yucatan and have realized his
most sanguine anticipations in becoming
the discoverer of Mexico. 1t was sufi
cient glory for Columbus, however, to
have discovered new world. It's more
golden regions were reserved to give
splendor to succeeding enterprises.
He now ran along the coast for two OF
three days without stopping to explore it,
as no populous towns or cities were to be
seen. Passing by great cape. to which
he gave the name Of Cape Cuba, he
struck eastward in search of Babeque
but on the 14th head wind and bolster
Gus sen obliged him to put back and an
chor in deep and secure harbor, te
which he gave the name of Puerto del
Principe. Here he erected cross on q
neighboring height in token of posses
sion. A few days were passed in explor.
ing with his boats an archipelago OF
small but beautiful islands in vicin.
ity, since known as El Jardin Il. j Rey,
or the kings garden. The gulf studded
with these islands he named the sea Of
Nuestra Sonora; in modern days it has
been lurking place for pirates, who
have found secure shelter and conceal
ment among the channels and solitary
harbors of this archipelago. These
islands were covered with noble trees,
among which the Spaniards thought they
discovered mastic and aloes.
On the 10th Columbus again put tc
sea, and for two days made Intellectual
attempts against head winds to reach an
island directly east, about sixty miles
distant, which he supposed to be Ba-
beque The wind continuing obstinately
adverse and the sea rough, he put his
ship about toward evening Of the Goth,
making signals for the other vessels
to follow him. His signals were unat-
tended to by the Pinta, which was con.
siderably to the eastward. Columbus
repeated the signals, but they were still
unattended to. Night coming on, he
shortened sail and hoisted signal lights
TO the mast head, thinking Pinzon would
yet join him, which he could easily do,
having the wind astern; but when the
morning dawned the Pinta was no lon.
ger to be seen.
Columbus was disquieted by this cir.
OHmstance. Pinzon was veteran nayi.
gator, accustomed to hold high rank
among his nautical associates. The
squadron had in great measure been
manned and fitted out through his in.
duence and exertions; he could i'll brook
subordination therefore to Columbus,
whom he perhaps did not consider his
superior in skill and knowledge, and
who had been benefited by his purse.
Several understandings and disputes
had accordingly occurred between them
IN the course of the voyage, and when
Columbus saw Pinzon thus parting com.
pany without any appointed rendezvous,
he suspected either that he intended to
take upon himself separate command
and prosecute the enterprise in his own
pane, Qr hasten back to Spain and bear
of the glory of the discovery. To at
tempt to seek him, however, was fruit
less; he was far out Of sight; his vessel
was superior sailer, and it was impos-
sible to say what course he had steered.
Columbus stood back, therefore, for
Cnha, to aniah the sxplering st its
coast; bHt he no longer possessed his
usual serenity Of mind and unity Of pur-
pose, and was embarrassed in the prose-
cution Of his discoveries by doubts Of
the designs Of Pinzon.
On the Gath Of November he regained
Point CHba and anchored in fine harbor
formed by the mouth Of . river, to which
be gave the name Of st. Catherine. If
was bordered by rich meadows; the
EelghbnFing mountains were well wood
I'd. having pines tall enough to make
masts for the finest ships, and noble oaks
In the bed Of the river were found stones
Veined with gold.
pplAmhas continued for several days
eoasf5pg the residue Of gpba. bAtoIfing
the nagniAcence, freshness and Yerdure
Of the scenery, the purity Of the rivers
and the number and commodiousness OF
the harbors- Speaking in his letters to
the sovereigns Of one place to which he
gave the name of Puerto Santo, he says,
n his artless but enthusiastic languages:
.Fhe amenity Of this Iiyer. and the
clearness Of the water. through which
the sand at the bottom may be seen; the
multitudeof palm >es of various forms,
the highest and most beautiful that
have met with. and an infinity Of other
great and green trees; the PiFds In rich
hlumage and the verdlre Of the fields
render this country, most serene princes,
Of such marvellous beauty. that it sur
passes all others in charms and graces,
ks the day doth the night in Ipster. For
which reason ! often say TO my people.
that much as endeayor to give a com
plets account Of it to your majesties, my.
tpAgAe cannot express the whole truth.
noF can my pen describe it. and ! have
been 81 Overwhelmed at tie sight Of 90
much beauty that | have not known
bow 10 relate it. ("
Tho transparency Of the water. which
CnInmhu aifrihrIfad A., the .,r.,-ifu rf fha-