The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1891-11-13
Washington living,
IcoSTIsrrD.l
CHAPTER VII.
DISCOVERY AND CoAsTlNG or cuBA

THE LANDING or COLUMBUS
For several days the departure Of Co
lumbus was delayed by contrary winds
and Gains. attended by heavy showers.
which hast had prevailed more or less
since his arrival among the islands. 1t
was the season Of the autumral rains,
which in those torrid climates succeed
the parching heats Of summer-commenc-
ing about the decrease Of the August
moon and lasting until the month VI No
vember
At length at midnight. Oct. "a, he set
sail from the island Of Isabella. but was
nearly becalined until midday: gentle
wind then sprang up. and, as he observes,
began to blow most amorously. Every
sail was spread. and he stood toward the
west southwest. the direction in which
he Was told the land Of Cuba lay from
Isabella. After three days navigation.
in the course OF which he touched at .
group Of seven or eight small islands,
which he called lslas de Arena--suTposed
10 be the present Mucaras islands-and
having crossed the Bahama bank aud
channel. he arrived on the morning of
the 2Sth Of October in sight Of Cuba. The
part which he first discovered is supposed
70 be thecoast ~ the west Of Nuevitas del
Principe.
As ne approached this noble island he
was struck with its magnitude and the
grandeur Of its features: its high and
airy mountains. which reminded him Of
those VI Sicily; it, fertile valleys and
long sweeping plains. watered by noble
rivers: its stately forests: its bold pro-
montories aud stretching headlands.
which melted away into the remotest
distance. He anchored in beautiful
river Of transparent clearness, free from
rocks and shoals. its banks overhung
with trees Here landing. and taking
possession Of the island. he gave il the
name Of .Iuana. In honor Of Prince
Juan. and to the river the name Of San
Salvador
On the arrival Of the ships two canoes
put of from the shore, bat fed on see
ing the boat approach to sound the river
for anchorage. The admiral visited two
cabins. abandoned by their inhabitants.
They contained but few nets made Of
the fibers OF the palm tree. hooks and
harpoons Of bone. and some other fish,
ing implements, and one Of the kind Of
dogs he had met with on the smaller
islands. which never bark. He ordered
that nothing should be taken away or
deranged
Returning TO his boat he proceeded for
some distance up the river, more and
more enchanted with the beauty Of the
country. The banks were covered with
high and widespreading trees; some
bearing fruits. others flowers. while in
some both fruit and flower were min
gled. bespeaking = perpetual round Of
fertility; among them were many palms,
but different from those Of Spain and
Africa With the great leaves Of these
the natives matched their cabins
The continual euiogies made by Co
mmbus on the beauty OF the country
were warranted by the kind Of scenery
be was beholding There il wonderful
splendor. variety and luxuriance in the
vegetation OF those quick and ardent
climates The verdure Of the groves.
and the colors Of the flowers and bios
SONS. derive vividness from the trans
parent purity Of the air and the deep se-
renity Of the azure heavens The for
ests. too are full Of life. swarming with
birds Of brilliant plumage. Painted va
rieties Of parrots and woodpeckers create
. glitter amid the verdnre Of the grove,
and huinming birds rove from flower to
flower, resembling. as has well been said,
animated PARTICLES Of rainbow. The
scarlet hamingoes. too, seen sometimes
through an opening OF forest in dis
tant savanna. have the nj y srgnce OF
soldiers drawn up in battalion. with an
advanced scout on the alert TO give no
tice Of approaching danger. Nor Is the
least beautiful part Of animated nature
the various tribes Of insects peopling
every plant and displaying brilliant
coats Of mail. which sparkle like pre-
cious gems
Such Is the splendor Of animal and
vegetable creation in these tropical eli
mates. where an ardent sun imparts its
own luster to every object and Quickens
nature into exuberant fecundity. Tho
birds in general are not remarkable for
their notes, for II has bcen observed that
in the feathered race sweetness Of song
rarely accompanies brilliancy Of plu-
mage. Columbus remarks, however,
that there were various kinds which
sang sweetly among the trees, and he
frequently deceived himself in fancying
that he heard the voice Of the nightin-
gale. bird unknown II these countries.