Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1891-10-16
CHAPTER x.
DISCOVERY OF HIsPANIoLA.

While Columbus was steering at large
beyond the eastern extremity of Cuba,
undetermined what course to take, he
deserted land to the southeast gradually
increasing upon the view, its high noun
tains towering above the clear horizon
and giving evidence Of an island of great
extent. The Indians, on beholding it,
exclaimed Bohio, the name by which
Columbus understood them to designate
some country which abounded in gold.
When they saw him standing in that di-
rection they showed great signs Of ter
ror, imploring him not to visit it, assur-
ing him by signs that the inhabitants
We're fierce and cruel, that they had but
one eye and We're caunibals. The wind
being unfavorable and the nights long,
during which they did not dare to make
sail in these unknown seas, they We're a
great part of two days working up to the
island.
In the transparent atmosphere Of the
tropics objects are deserted at great
distance, and the purity Of the mir and
serenity Of the deep blue sky give a
magical effect to the scenery. Under
these advantages the beautiful island of
Hayti revealed itself to the eye as they
approached. Its mountains We're higher
and more rocky than those of the other
islands, but the rocks rose from among
rich forests The mountains swept down
into luxuriant plains and green savannas,
while the appearance of cultivated fields,
of numerous fires at night and columns
of smoke by day, showed it to be popu-
lous. 1t rose before them in all the
spendor of tropical vegetation, one OF
the most beautiful islands in the world,
and doomed to be one of the most I'M
fortunate.
In the evening of the 9th of December
Colum bus entered a harbor at the west
ern end of the island, to which he gave
the name of st. Nicholas, by which it is
called at the present day The harbol
was spacious and deep, surrounded with
large trees, many Of them loaded with
fruit, while beautiful plain extended
IN front of the port, traversed by IA fine
stream of water. From the number OIL
canoes seen in various parts there were
evidently large villages in the neighbor
hood, but the natives had fled with terror
at sight of the ships,
Leaving. the harbor of st. Nicholas or
the 18th, they coasted along the northern
side of the island. 1t was lofty ant
mountainous, but with green savanna
and long sweeping plains AT one place
they caught view up rich auC
smiling valley that ran far into the in
terror, between two mountains, and ap
peared to be in high state Of cultiva
ton.
For several days they were detained
in harbor which they called Port Con
ception IL small river emptied into i
after winding through delightful com
try. The coast abourded with fish, som,
Of which even leaped into their boats
They cast their nets, therefore, anC
caught great quantities, and among
them several kinds similar to those o
Spain-the first fish they had met will
resembling those Of their own country
The notes of the bird which they mis-
took for the nightingale, and of severa
others to which they were accustomed
reminded them strongly of the groves o
their distant Andalusia. They fGnciet
the features of the Surrounding couptrl