The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1891-12-04
IpIl.yG'S COLUMBUS.
The Great DISCOVERIES First
Voyage 70 America.
4 Far Morn Wonderful story Than
the Most brilliant imagination Has
Vol ConJured. Told "a the Words
u One ~ he Masters Or ii,erar
snre.
Washington living,


While Columbus was steering AZ larrs
beyond the eastern extremity Of Cuba,
undetermined what course to take, he
deserted land to the southeast gradually
increasing upon the view. its high noun.
tains towering above the clear horizon
and giving evidence OF an island OF great
extent. The Indians. on beholding il,
exclaimed Bohio, the name by which
Columbus understood them to designate
some country which abounded in gold.
When they saw him standing In that d.
rection they showed great signs Of ter
ror. imploring him not to visit IL, assur-
ing him by signs that the inhabitants
were fierce and cruel, that they had but
one eye and were cannibals The wind
being unfavorable and the nights long,
during which they did not dare to make
sail in these unknown seas. they were .
great part Of two days working up to the
island.
In the transparent atmosphere Of the
tropics objects are deserted At q great
distance, and the purity Of the air and
serenity Of the deep blue sky give :
magical effect to the scenery. Under
these advantages the beautiful island OF
Hayti revealed itself to the eye a. they
approached. Its mountains were higher
and more rocky than those Of the other
islands. but the rocks rose from among
rich forests The mountains swept down
into luxuriant plains and green savannas,
while the appearance Of cultivated fields,
81 numerous fires 1t night and columns
Of smoke by day. showed it to be popu-
lous. It rose before them in all the
splendor Of tropical vegetation. one OF
the most beautiful islands In the world,
and doomed TO b. one Of the most I'M
fortunate.
In the evening Of the 9Th of December
Columbus entered q harbor ut the west
ern end Of the island, to which he gave
the name Of st. Nicholas. by which it 10
called 1t the present day. The harbor
was spacious and deep. surrounded with
large trees. many Of them loaded with
fruit, while q beautiful plain extended
In front OF the port, traversed by q 6ne
stream Of water. From the number Of
canoes seen In various parts there were
evidently large villages in the neighbor-
hood, but the natives had ded with terror
at sight Of the ships.
Leaving the harbor Of st. Nicholas on
the 7th, they coasted along the northern
side Of the island. It was lofty and
mountainous. but with green avanna
and long sweeping plains. At one place
they caught . view up . rich and
smiling valley that ran far into the in
terror, between two mountains, and sp-
peared to be in . high state Of cultiva-
tion.
For several days they were detained
In q harbor which they called Port Con-
ception; q small river emptied into it
after winding through . delightful coun-
try. The coast abounded with fsh. some
Of which even leaped into their boats.
They cast their nets, therefore, and
caught great quantities. and among
them several kinds similar to those Of
first fish they had met with
those Of their own country.
The notes Of the bird which they mis-
look for the nightingale. and Of several
others to which they were accustomed.
reminded them strongly Of the roves or
their distant Andalusia. They fancied
the features Of the surrounding country
resembled those OF the more beautiful
provinces Of Spain, and in consequence
admiral named the island Hispan-
ola
DESTROYS Of establishing some inter-
with the natives. who had aban-
Toned the coast on his arrival, he dis
SIX men, well armed, into the
Interior. They found several cultivated
ields and traces Of roads and places
where fires had been made. but the in.
,abitants had 6ed with terror to the
Though the whole country Wa soil.
AIRY and deserted. Columbus consoled
himself with the idea that there must be
towns In the interior. where
he people had taken refuge, and that
he fires he had beheld had been signal
Tres IKE those lighted up on the noun
aims OF Spain in the times Of Moorish
var. TO give the alarm when there We
nv invasion OF the seaboard.
On the 18th Of December Columbus.
With great solemnity, erected q cross on
commanding eminence at the entrance
4 the harborin sign Of having taken pos
ession. As three sailors were rambling
bout the vicinity they beheld = large
lumber OF the natives, vino Immediately
ook flight. but the sailors pursued them
nd captured a young female, whom
hey brought to the ships. She was per-
ectly naked-a bad omen a. to the civ
lization of the island but an ornament
4 gold IN the nose gave hope Of the pre-
ious metal. The admiral soon soothed
Ter terror by his kindness. and by pres
u beads, brass rings. hawks bells
nd other trinkets. and having had her
'lothed. sent her on shore, accompanied
~ several Of the crew and three OF the Z
indian interpreters. 80 well pleased !
q she with her fnery and with the
tind treatment she had experienced that Z
'he would gladly have remained with I.
ne Indian whom she found on !,
board The party sent with her returned
~ board late IN the night without ven
'nring TO her village, which was Tar ip- y