The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1891-10-30

in the Chinese sea. and he construed
everything 70 accord with the account
given ~ those opulrnt regions Tins the
enemies which the natives spoke 81 n
coming from the northwest hr concluded
70 be the people ~ the mainland ~ Asia,
the subjects " the great khan Of Tar
tary. who were represented by the vene-
tian traveller ss accustomed 10 make war
upon tue islands and 20 enalave their.in-
habifaats. The country 70 the south
abonnling in gold. could be none other
than tie famous island of Cipango: and
the king who was served out Of vessels
Of gold must be the monarch whose mag.
nificent city and Gorgeous palace. COW
cred with plates Of gold. had been ex-
tolled in such splendid terms BY Marco
Polo
The island where Columbus had thus
for the first time set his foot upon the
New World was called by the natives
Guanahane. II still retains the name Of
SAN Salvador. which he gave to it.
though called by the English Cat island
The light which he had seen the evening
previous TO his making land may have
been on Watling's island which lies
few leagues 70 the east San Salvador
Is one Of the great cluster OF the Lucayos
or Bahama islands. which stretch south
east and northwest from the coast Of
Florida TO Hispaniola covering the
northern cost Of Cuba
On the morning Of the 18th OF October
the admiral set of at daybreak with the
boats Of the ships TO reconnoiter the
island. directing his course to the north
east The coast was surrounded by q
reef Of rocks. within which there was
depth Of water and sufficient harbor to
receive all the ships in Christendom.
The entrance was very narrow. Within
there Were many sand banks. but the
water was as still as in pool.
The island appeared throughout to be
well wooded, with streams of water and
a large lake in the center. As the boats
proceeded they passed two or three vii
lagos, the inhabitants OF which. men as
well As women. ran to the shores. throw
Ing themselves on the ground, lifting up
their hands and eyes. either giving
thanks TO heaven, or worshiping the
Spaniards as supernatural beings They
ran along parallel to the boats. calling
after the Spaniards and inviting them
BY signs to land, Offering them various
fruits and vessels Of water. Finding.
however, that the boats continued on
heir course. many threw themselves
nto the sea and swan after them, and
'thers followed in canoea The admiral
eceived them all with kindness, giving
hem glass beads and other triflea
which were received with transport a
elestial presents. for the invariable idea
( the savages was that the white men
ad come from the skies.
In this way they pursued their course
ntil they came to q small peninsula
Inch with two OF three days labor
light be separated from the mainland
nd surrounded with water. and was
,erefore specified by Columbus as an
xcellent situation for fortress On
lis were six Indian cabins, surrounded !
groves and gardens Is beautiful a.
lose Of Castillo The sailors being
carried with rowing and the island not
'pearing to the admiral Of sufficient
nportance to induce colonization. he re-
Irned to the ships. taking seven Of the
lfives with him. that they might &C. IA
'lre the Spanish language and serve a.
terpreters
Having taken in supply or wood and
afer. they left the island Of San Saliva I.
7 the same evening. the admiral being
lpatient 70 arrive at the wealthy coun-
i to the 1nrsI x-btrh - Q.s<<--1 a..