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

-.-sv.s-------
on the day after the skirlnish when a
multitude appearing on the beach the
admiral sent large party, well armed,
on shore in the boat. The natives ap-
preached az freely and confidently as if
nothing had happened; neither did they
betray, throughout their subsequent in
tercourse, any signs Of lurking fear or
enmity. The cacique who ruled over
the neighboring country was on the
shore. He sent to the boat a string Of
beads formed of small stones, or rather
Of the hard part of shells, which the
Spanards understood to be a token and
assurance Of amity; but they were not
yet aware of the full meaning of this
symbol, the wampum belt, the pledge Of
peace, held sacred among the Indians
The chieftain followed shortly after, and
entering the boat with only three attend
ants WAS conveyed on board Of the car
avel
This frank and confiding conduct, so
Indicative Of brave and generous ma
ture, was properly appreciated by Co
lumbns; he received the cacique cordial
ly, set before him Il collation. such as the
caravel afforded, particularly biscuits
and honey, which were great dainties
with the Indians, and after showing him
the wonders of the vessel and making
him and his attendants many presents,
sent them to land highly gratiiied. The
residence of the cacique was at such u
distance that he could not repeat his
-. I,,t Of nrl he,
sent to the admiral his coronet OF gold
In speaking of these incidents the his
torians Of Columbus have made no men
ton of the name of this mountain chief,
he was doubtless the same who, few
years afterward, appears in the history
of the island under the name of Mayo
nahex, cacique Of the Ciguayans, and
will be found acquitting himself with
valor, frankness and magnanimity under
the most trying circumstances.
Columbus remained day or two
longer in the bay, during which time
the most friendly intercourse prevailed
with the natives, who brought cotton
and various fruits and vegetables, but
still maintained their warrior character
being always armed with bows and ar
rows. Four young Indians gave such
interesting accounts Of the islands stu
ated to the east that Colum bus deter
mined to touch there on his way to
Spain, and prevailed on them to accom-
pany him as guides Taking advantage
of favorable wind, therefore, he sailed
before daylight on the 10th of January
from this bay, to which, in consequence
of the skirmish with the natives, he gave
the name of Colo de las tlechas. or the
Gulf of Arrows, but which is now known
by the name of the Gulf of SANTANA
On leaving the bay, Columbus at first
steered to the northeast, in which direc-
ton the young Indians assured him he
would find the island of the Carl s and
that of Manrinlno, the abode of the Am
azOns, it being his desire to take several
of the natives Of each 20 present to the
Spanish sovereigns After sailing about
sixteen leagues, however, his Indian
guides changed their opinion and point
ed to the southeast This would nave
brought him to Porto Rico which in
fact, was known among the Indians as
the island OF Callb The admiral i'm.
mediately shifted sail and stood in this
direction He mad not proceeded two
leagues, however. when Il mos; tavora-
bic breeze sprang up for the voyage to
Spain He observed il gloom gathering
pn the countenanr"s Of the sailors as
they diverged from the homeward route
Rehecting upon the little hold he had
upon the feelings and affections of these
men, the insuhordnate spirit they had
repeatedly evlnced the uncertainty of
the good faith OF Pin2On, and the leaky
condition Of his ships, ne WAS suddenly
brought to Il pause AS long as he pro-
tractcd his return the whole fate of his
discovery was 1T the mercy OF a thousand
contingencies, and an adverse accident
might bury himself, his crazy barlis and
all the records Of lis voyage forever III
the ocean REFRESHING, therefore, the
strong inclination to seek further discov-
cries, and determined to place what be
had already made beyond the reach OF
accident, he once more shifted sail TO
the great JOY of his crews, and resumed
his course for Spain.