Gloucester County Democrat., 1891-09-24


and beautiful streams; they appeared to
be cultivated in many places, and to be
fitted for grain, for orchards and pas
turage.
While detained at this harbor by con.
trary winds Columbus was visited by a
young cacique, who came borne by four
men on a sort of litter and attended by
200 of his subjects. The admiral being
at dinner when he arrived, the young
chieftain ordered his followers to remain
without, and entering the cabin took his
seat beside Columbus, not permitting
him to rise or use any ceremony. Only
two old men entered with him, who ap-
peared to be his counselors, and who
seated themselves at his feet. Ii any
thing were given him to eat or drink he
merely tasted it and sent it to his fol-
lowers, maintaining an air of great grav-
lty and dignity. He spoke but little,
his two counselors watching his lips and
catching and communicating his ideas.
After dinner he presented the admiral
with belt curiously wrought and two
pieces Of gold.
Columbus gave him piece Of cloth,
several amber beads, coIored shoes and
a flask Of orange flower water, he showed
him Spanish coin on which were the
Hkenesses of the king and queen, and
endeavored to explain to him the power
and grandeur of those sovereigns; he
displayed. also, the royal banners and
the standard Of the cross. but it was all
IN vain to attempt to eanFey any clear
idea BY these symbols. The cacique
could not be made to believe that there
was region on the earth which pro-
duced these wonderful people and won
derful things. He joined in the com
mon idea that the Spaniards were moro
than mortal, and that the country and
sovereigns they talked Of must exist
somewhere in the skies
In the evening tie cacique was sent on
shore in the boat with great ceremony,
and salute fired in honor Of him. He
departed in the state in which he had
come, carried on a litter, accompanied
by great concourse of his subjects; not
far behind him was his son. borne and
escorted in ike manner, and his brother
on foot, supported By two attendants
The presents which he had received from
the admiral were carried triuinphantly
before him
They procured but little gold in this
place, though whatever ornaments the
natives possessed they readily gave
away. The region of promise lay still
further on, and one of the old counselors
Of the cacique told Columbus that he
would soon arrive at islands rich in the
precious ore. Before leaving this place,
the admiral caused large cross to be
erected in the center of the village, and
from the readiness with which the In
dians assisted, and their implicit inita-
tions of the Spaniards in their acts of
devotion, he inferred that it would be an
easy matter to convert them all to Chris
tianity.
On the 10Th OF December they made
sail before daylight, but with an un-
favorable wind, and on the evening of
the Goth they anchored in fine harbor,
to which Columbus gave the name of st.
Thomas, supposed to be what at present
is called the Bay Of Acul It was sur
rounded by a beautiful and well peopIed
country. The inhabitants came of, some
in canoes, some swimming, bringing
fruits of various unknown kinds, of great
fraganee and favor. These they gave
freely with whatever else they possessed,
especially their golden ornaments, which
they saw were particularly coveted by
the strangers. There was remarkable
franl1ness 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 take 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, a large canoe
filed with natives came on mission
from grand cacique named Guacana-
gari, who commanded all that part OF
the island. A principal servant Of the
chieftain came in the canoe, bringing
the admiral present of broad belt,
wrought ingeniously with colored beads
and bones, and wooden mask, the eyes,
nose and tongue of which We're Of gold.
He delivered also a message from the
cacique, begging that the ships might
come opposite to his residence, which
x.yac ~, - ,,,,4 1f fI,o c<,oe+ q 1;++Io
to the eastward. The wind preventing
an immediate compliance with this in
vitation the admiral sent the notary OF
the squadron, with several of the crew,
to visit the cacique. He resided in q
town. situated on a river. at what they
called Punta Santa, at present Grande
Riviere. 1t was the largest and best
built town they had yet seen. The cacique
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,
ments of various kinds. The sealnen
were received into their houses as distin-
guished guests; they gave them gar
ments of cotton and whatever else APP
peared to have value in their eyes, ask
ing nothing in return, but if anything
We're given appearing to treasure it up
as sacred relic.
The cacique would have detained them
all night, but their orders obliged them
to return. On parting with them, he
gave them presents Of parrots and pieces
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 caciques; all as
sured him that the island abounded with
wealth; they talked especially of Cibao,
a region i'll the interior, farther to the
east, the cacique Of which, as far rs they
could be understood, had banners of
wrought gold Columbus, deceiving
himself as usual, f;tncicd that this name
Cibao must he corruption Of CipaDgo,
and that this cllieftain with golden ban
ners must be identical with the inagnii-
cent prince Of that island mentioned by
Marco Polo
CHAPTER XII.
sII1PwREcR.
On the morning Of the 24th Of De-