Gloucester County Democrat., 1891-09-24
CHAPTER x.
DISCOVERY OF HIsPANIoLA.


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 sontheast 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
were fieroe and cruel, that they had but
one eye and were cannibals The wind
being unfavorable and the nights long,
during which they did not dare to make
sail in these unknown seas, they were a
great part of two days working up to the
island.
In the transparent atmosphere of the
tropics objects are deserted at a great
distance, and the purity of the air 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 were 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 sayapnas,
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
splendor Of tropical vegetation, one Of
the most beautiful islands in the world,
and doomed to be one of the most un-
fortunate.
In the evening of the 9Th of December
Columbus entered 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 harbor
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 fine
stream Of water, From the number of
canoes seen In various parts there were
evidently large villages in the neighbor-
hood, but the natives had fed with terror
at sight of the ships.
Leaving the harbor of st. Nicholas on
the 7th, they coasted along the northern
side Of the island It was lofty and
mountainous, but with green savannas
and long sweeping plains. At one place
they caught q view up rich and
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 a harbor which they called Port Con-
ception; small river emptied into it
after winding through delightful coun-
try. The coast abounded with fish, some
of which even leaped into their boats.
They cast their nets, therefore, and
caught great quantities, and among
them several kinds similar to those of
Spain--the first fish they had met with
resembling those of their own country.
The notes of the bird which they mis-
took for the nightingale, and Of several
others to which they We're accustomed.
reminded them strongly OF the groves o
their distant Andalusia They fancief
the features of the surrounding country
resembled those of the more beautiful
provinces of Spain, and in conseqaenc,
the admiral named the island Hispan
lola
DESTROYS of establishing some inter
course with the natives, who had aban
doned the coast on his arrival, he dis
patched six men, well armed, into ths
interior. They found several cultivated
fields and traces OF roads and place.
where fires had been made, but the in
habitants had fed with terror to thf
mountains.
Though the whole country was soil
tary and deserted, Columbus consolec
himself with the idea that there must bs
populous towns in the interior, where
the people had taken refuge, and that
the fires he had beheld had been signal
fires, like those lighted up on the noun,
tains of Spain in the times Of Moorish
war, to give the alarm when there wa,
any invasion of the seaboard.
On the 18th Of December Columbus
with great solemnity, erected a. cross Oh
a commanding eminence at the entrance
of the harbor i'll sign Of having taken pos
session. As three sailors were rambling
about the vicinity they beheld a large
number of the natives, who Immediately
took flight, but the sailors pursued them
and captured young female, whom
they brought to the ships. She was per
feetly naked-a bad omen as to the civ
ilization of the island-but an ornament
of gold in the nose gave hope of the pre-
cious metal The admiral soon soothed
her terror by his kindness, and by pres
ents of beads, brass rings, hawks bells
and other trinkets, and having had her
clothed, sent her on shore, accompanied
by several of the crew and three of the
Indian interpreters. So well pleased
was she with her fnery and with the
kind treatment she had experienced that
she would gladly have remained with
the Indian women whom she found Oh
board. The party sent with returned
on board late in the night without ven
turing to her village, which was far in
land. Confident Of the favorable i'm
preston which the report given by the
woman must produce, the admiral on
the following day dispatched nine stout
hearted well armed men to seek the
village, accompanied by a native Of
Cuba as an interpreter. They found il
about four and half leagues to the
southeast, in fine valley, on the banks
of a beautiful river. 1t contained 1000
houses, but the inhabitants fled as they
approached.
The interpreter overlook them and as.
sured them of the goodness of these
strangers who had descended from the
skies and went about the world making
precious and beautiful presents. Thus
assured, the natives ventured back to
the number of 1000. They ap-
preached the Spaniards with slow and
trembling steps, often pausing and
putting their hands upon their heads,
/ in token of profound reverence and
submission. Thoy we're well formed
race, fairer and handsomer than the
natives OF the other islands. While
the Spaniardss were conversing with
them by means of their interpreter, an
other multitude approached, headed by
the husband Of the female captive.
They brought her in triumph on THEN