Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1891-10-29

that this tempest tossed vessel brought
tidings Of strange country beyond the
ocean they were filed with wonder and
curiosity. To the inquiries about a
place where the caravel might anchor Sc
curely they replied by pointing out a
harbor in the vicinity, but prevailed on
three of the mariners to remain on shore
and crafty them with further particu-
lars of this unparalleled voyage.
In the evening three men of the island
hailed the caravel, and boat being sent
for them they brought on board fowls,
bread and various refreshments from
Juan de Castaneda, governor of the
island, who claimed an acquaintance
with Columbus, and sent him many
compliments and congratulations. He
apologized for not coming in person,
owing to the lateness Of the hour and
the distance Of his residence, but prom
ised to visit the caravel the next morn
ing, bringing further refreshments and
the three men, whom he still kept with
him to satisfy his extreme curiosity re-
speeding the voyage. AS there were no
houses on the neighboring shore the
messengers remained on board all night.
On the following morning Columbus
reminded his people of their VOW to per-
form pious procession at the first place
where they should land. On the neigh
boring shore, at no great distance from
the SEA-, was u small hermitage or chapel
dedicated to the Virgin, and he made i'm
mediate arrangements for the perform
ance of the rite. The three messengers
on returning to the village sent a priest
to perform mass, and one-half of the
crew landing, walked in procession, bare
footed and in their shirts, to the chapel
while the admiral awaited their return
to perform the same ceremony with the
remainder
An ungeneyous reception, however,
awaited the poor tempest tossed mari
ner3 on their first return to the abode Of
civilized men, far different from the
sympathy and hospitality they had ex-
lprienced among the savages Of the New
World Scarcely had they begun their
prayers and thHnksgivings, when the
rabble of the village, horse and foot,
headed by tine governor, surrounded the
hermitage and took them all prisoners
As an intervening point of land hid
the hermitage from the view of the car
avel, the admiral remained in ignorance
of this transaction. When / o'clock
arrived without the return of the pill
grims, lie began to fear that they were
detained by the Portuguese or that the
boat had been shattered upon the surf
beaten rocks which bordered the island
Weighing anchor. therefore. he stood in
Il direction to command view of the
chupe! and the adjacent shore, whence
he beheld a number Of armed horsemen,
who, dismounting entered the boat and
made for the caravel. The admiral
ancient suspicious Of Portuguese hostil-
ity toward himself and his enterprises
Were immediately revived, and he or
dered his men to arm themselves, but to
keep ont of sight. ready either to defend
the vessel or surprise the boat.
The latter. however, approached in a
pacific manner: the governor Of the
island was on board, and coming within
hail demanded assurance of personal
safety in case he should enter the caravel.
This the admiral readily gave, but tie
Portuguese still continued at wary dis
tancc. The Indignation Of Columbus now
broke forth; he reproduced the governor
with his perfidy and with the wrong he
did, not merely to the Spanish monarchs,
but to his own sovereign, by such dis
honorable outrage. He informed him of
his own rank and dignity, displayed his
letters patent, sealed with the royal seal
of CASTLE, and threatened him with the
vengeance Of his government Castaneda
replied in vein Of contempt and de-
fiance, declaring that all he had done
was in conformity to the commands of
the king, his sovereign.
After an Improbable alteration the
boat returned TO shore, leaving Column
bus much perplexed by this unexpected
hostility, and fearful that II war might
have broken ont between Spain and Por-
tuSal during his absence. The next day
the weather became so tempestuous that
they were driven from their anchorage
and obliged TO stand to sea toward the
islano of st. Michael. For two days the
ship continued beating about in great
peril, half of her crew being detained on
shore, and the greater part of those on
board being landsmen and Indians, al,
most equally useless il difficult navi.
CATION. Fortunately, although the wave;
ran high, there We're none Of those cross
seas which had recently prevailed, other
WISE being 50 fecbly manned, the cara
vel could scarcely have lived through
the storm.
On the evening Of the 22d, the weather
having moderated, Columbus returned
to his anchorage at St Mary's. Shortly
after his arrival boat came off, bring
ing two priests and a notary After
cautious parley and an assurance O
safety they came on board and requisite,
sight of the papers Of Columbus, Oh tn
part of Castaueda, assuring him that i
was the disposition of the governor t.
render him every service in his power
provided he really sailed in service Of tn
Spanish sovereiSns, Columbus suppose,
it a maneuyer of Castanela to cover
retreat from the hostile position lie ha,
assumed; restraining his indignation
however, and expressing his thanks TO