Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-09-18

island delighted him more than anything
he had yet seen and seemed TO hold out
promise that his pursuit of the elusive
Cipango and Cathay was nearing an end.
In fact, he concluded that this was really
the island Cipango, and he coasted west
ward in search of the magnificent city OF
the King. Here and there he went ashore
and found indications of art and eiyiliza-
tion. After few DAYS the information
that he got from the Indians persuaded him
that this was not after all Cipango, but the
mainland of Asia OF India as he thought
it, and that Mangi and Cathay and
the Great Khan would be found
only a short distance inland He was still
bound by the famous but imaginative map
of Toscaneli and the fanciful stories OF
Maeco Polo and everything he heard from
the Indians he judged by these authorities.
So now he sent two ambassadors into the
interior with Indian guides to make their
way with presents and letters to the city of
the powerful prince whom he supposed
ruled here and whose favor they desired. In
a few davs the ambassadors returned. or
course they found no great monarch and no
magnificent city, but only large village Of
1000 Indians and a ehieftian who ruled
the community. A generous reception was
given to the visitors, but there were no signs
of the gold, pearls and spices that were be-
ing sought.
Meantime Columbus had heard of Bohio
or Babeque and when he found that Cuba
was not the promised land of his dreams he
turned his ships prov southeast. He car
ried with him several of the natives, men
and women to take back to Spain that they
might learn the language, and he also hoped
by making them Christians to begin the
conversion OF all these saYages to the re-
ligion of the Cross. For several days he
sailed along the coast of Cuba, and on the
10Th of November was headed for Babeque.
Here the Pinta suddenly deserted the fleet,
but for over three weeks Columbus contln-
ued his explorations on the northwest coast
of Cuba On the 9Th of December he saw
far away to the southeast the mountains OF
an island that the Indians told him was
Bohio. Thither he directed his course, and
in the evening of the 9Th of Decem Der he
cast anchor in the harbor at the west end OF
the Island of Hayti. He named the harbor
st. Nicholas, and so it is called to this day.
The experience of the explorers with the
people of Hayti, or HispaniOla, as Columbus
named it, was most agreeable.
On Christmas evening, 1892, the fleet
met with a great misfortune. Through the
neglect OF the steersman in leaving cabin
boy in charge of the ship the Santa Maria
was wrecked. The natives came to the as
sistance of the mariners, entertained them
chieitan and helped them to save what they
could from tie wreck. All things now de-
termined Columbus to abandon further ex-
plorations aud return home. Only the
Nina, small and unseaB orthy, was left to
carry back to Spain the news of the great
discovery. l. was necessary to leave some
of the sailors behind and they, delighted
with the country and the hospitality OF the
natives, were quite willing to remain. Ac-
cordingly the fortress of La Navidad was
built near the present Haut du Cap on
Hayti. The fortress was supplied with
arms and ammunition, a boat from the
wreck, seeds to SOW and goods for traffic in
order that gold might be secured during the
Admiral's absence. On the 4th OF January
those who were to go back bade fearful
adieu to their comrades The same day the
Pinta reappeared and Pinzon explained that
he had been separated from the fleet by
stress OF weather The two vessels Joined
company again, and finally sailed direct for
Spain on the 10Th of January.
ITO be continued nez rees