Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1891-10-16

of One of the Masters OF lhtera-
ture.
CONTINUED FROM LAST SUPPLEMENT-
CHAPTER TX.
SEARCH AFTER THE SUPPOSED ISLAND OF
BABEQUE.
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 a 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 thither
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 suf1i-
Gent glory for Columbus however, to
have discovered a new world. Its more
golden regions were reserved to give
splendOr to succeeding enterprises.
He now ran along the coast for two or
three days without stopping to explore it,
as no populous towns or cities We're to be
seen. Passing by a great cape. TO which
he gave the name Of Cape Cuba, he
struck eastward in search of Babeque,
but on the 14th a head wind and bolster
GUS sea obliged him to put back and an
Choir in a deep and secure harbor to
which he gave the name of Puerto del
Principe. Here he erected a cross on
neighboring height in token of posses
sion. A few days We're passed in explor-
ing with his boats an archipelago of
small but beautiful islands in the vicin-
ity, since known as Ell Jardin del Rey,
or the kings garden. The gulf studded
with these islands he named the sea of
Nuestra Sonora: in modern days it has
been II lurking place for pirates, who
have found secure shelter and conceal
ment among the channels and solitary
islands We're covered with noble trees,
among which the Spaniards thought they
discovered mastic and aloes.
On the 10Th Columbus again put to
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 We're unat-
tended to by the Pinta, which was CON
siderably to the eastward. Columbus
repeated the signals, but they We're 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.
cumstance. PinzOn was veteran navi-
gator, accustomed to hold II high rank
among his nautical associates. The
squadron had in great measure been
manned and fitted ont through his in.
huence and eXertions: he could i'll brook
snbordination therefore to Columbus
whom he perhaps did not consider his
superior in skill and knowledge, and
who had been benefited by his purse.
Several Misunderstanding and disputes
hal accordingly occurred between them
al IA nd -l.,
Columbus saw Pinzon thus parting com
panyowithout any appointed rendezvous
lie suspected either that he intended tC
take upon himself a separate command
and prosecute the enterprise in his owl
name, or hasten back to Spain and beai
off the glory of the discovery. To at
tempt to seek him, however, was fruit
less; ne was far out of sight; his vesse
was a superior sailer, and it was impos
slDle 10 say what course he had steered
Columbus stood back, therefore, fol
Cuba, to finish the exploring of il.
coast; but he no longer possessed hi.
usual serenity of mind and unity of pur
pose, and was embarrassed in the prose
cutiOn Of his discoveries by doubts O
the designs Of Pinzon.
On the cath Of November he regaineC
Point Cuba and anchored in fine harbo
formed by the mouth Of a river, TO which
he gave the name of st. Catherine.
was bordered by rich meadows; tin
neighboring mountains were well wood
td, having pines tall enough to MAX
masts for the finest ships, and noble oaks
n the bed Of theriver were found stone
veined with gold.
Columbus continued for several day
coasting the residue of Cuba, extolline
the magnficence, freshness and verdurf
OF the scenery, the purity Of the rivers
aud the number and consciousness o
the harbors. Speaking in his letters Il
The sovereigns Of one place to which hi
gave the name of Puerto Santo, he says
In his artless but enthusiastic language
"The amenity of this river, and the
clearness of the water through which
the sand at the bottom may be- seen; tn,
multitude of palm trees OF various forms
the highest and most beautiful that