Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1891-09-10

1t was on Friday morning, the 18th of
October, that Columbus first beheld the
New World. AS the day dawned he saw
before him level island, several leagues
in extent, and covered with trees like
continual orchard Though apparently
uncultivated, it was populous, for the
inhabitants were seen issuing from all
parts of the woods and running to the
shore. They were perfectly naked, and,
as they stood gazing at the ships, ap-
peared by their attitudes and gestures to
be lost in astonishment. Columbus made
signal for the ships to cast anchor and
the boats to be manned and armed. He
entered his own boat, richly attired in
scarlet, and holding the royal standard,
while Martin Alonzo Pinzon and Vim
cent Janez, his brother, put off in COM
Of the enterprise emblazoned with a
green cross, having on either side the
letters E. and ", the initials of the Cas-
tilian monarchs Fernando and Ysabel,
surmounted by crowns.
AS he approached the shore, Columbus,
who was disposed for all kinds of agree
able impressions, was delighted with the
purity and suayity of the atmosphere,
the crystal transparency of the sea and
the extraordinary beauty Of the vegeta-
ton He beheld. also, fruits of an un-
known kind upon the trees which over
hung the shores. On landing he threw
himself on his knees, kissed the earth,
and returned thanks to God with tears
Of joy. His example was followed by
the rest, whose hearts indeed overfowed
with the same feelings of gratitude.
Columbus then rising drew his sword,
displayed the royal standard, and as
sembling around him the two captains,
with Rodrigo de Escebedo, notary Of the
armament, Rodrigo Sanchez and the
rest who had landed, he took solemn
possession in the name Of the Castilian
sovereigns, giving the island the name
Of San Salvador. Having complied with
the requisite forms and ceremonies he
called upon all present to take the oath
Of obedience to him, as admiral and
viceroy, representing the persons Of the
sovereigns. .
The feelings OF tho crew now burst
forth in the most extravagapt trans
ports. They had recently considered
themselves devoted men, hurrying for
ward to destruction; they now looked
upon themselves as fayorites Of fortune;
and gave themselves up to the most UNI
bounded Joy. They thronged around
the admiral with overfowing zeal, some
embracing him, others kissing his hands.
Those who had been most mutinous and
turbulent during the voyage were now
most devoted and enthusiastic. Some
begged favors Of him, as if he had al
ready wealth aud honors in MS gift.
Many abject spirits, who had outraged
him by their insolence, now crouched at
his feet. begging pardon for all the trou-
BILE they had caused him, and promising
the blindest obedience for the future.
The natives Of the island, when at the
dawn of day they had beheld the ships
lowering on their coast, had supposed
them monsters which had issued from
the deep during the night They had
crowded to the beach and watched their
movements with awful anxiety. Their
yeering about, apparently without eff
fort. and the shifting and fGrling Of
their sails, resembling huge wings, filed
them with astonishlnent. When they
beheld their boats approach the shore,
and a number of strange beings clad in
glittering steel or raiment Of various
colors landing upon the beach, they fed
in alright to the woods. Finding, how
ever, that there was no attempt to pur-