The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-12-25

Mother of the Earth" now called Santo
Domingo. Columbus named the port he
entered San Nicolas. in honor of the
saints day on which he discovered it. and
It's the same Mole San Nicolas over which
the governments of the United States and
Haiti had quarrel a year or two ago.
The little Nina went ahead, sounding.
and the admiral followed in the Santa
Maria. and dropped anchor in the spacious
harbor. They did not tarry long. but
sailed on again, just ahead of a big storm.
They took refuge under the lee of Tortuga.
the island since made famous by the
dreaded buccaneers. Noon and midnight
they sailed. visiting along at beautiful
harbors and villages until they came to
the splendid bay of Acul. There they
first he ard of the Indian king. Guacana-
gari, and also OF the heart of great gold
country. the Cibao. You know that
Columbus on this voyage was all the time
expecting 10 arrive at the regions of the
Great Khan, and he felt sure that this
Cihso must mean tho Cipango described
BY Marco Polo in his wonderful book.
Caclque Guacanagari sent Columbus an
invitation To visit him. also rich present
"a cotton glrdle attached to which was a
mask with ears, tongue and nose, all of
beaten gold. Columbus was sure now he
was near Marco Polo's gold regions. At
sunrise next day they spread their sails
for the visit. That was the day before
christmas. bright and beautiful. There
vas a light breeze. and the sea was as
smooth as glass. About midnight the
admiral went to his cabin to sleep. Fol
lowing his example, although he had
cautioned them to maintain q careful
watch, the seamen then on deck seized the
occasion to seep, leaving the helm in the
care OF boyl
The winds were light. the sea calm:
but there was an unseen force Juggling at
the vessels keel; strong, treacherous
current that forced the Santa Maria on a
sahdbank. The first intimation the boy
ai the helm had of anything amiss was
through the beating of the waves IN
against the side OF the ship. The rudder
became immovablc. The young sailor
| cried out 10 the men. the admiral rushed
on deck. They lighteued the vessel, cut
away the masts and carried an anchor out
70 w!ndWar'i, but nothing availed. The
ship was frmly fixed IA the SAND.
sha Was total wreck. Tee crew was
transferred 10 the Nina. which came as
Rear "a tie reef as she could and Law by
ha morning They were only tour or five
| inI'es away when the vessel struck the reef
Pom the tpdlau village tuarico. Column
ols sent the news "a tGe CacIque Guacana-
fsa snd the cSctqse hurried feet al
aaoes 10 The reels, 10 Whlth all the wreck
sEe Is taken :" The shore and stored in
hats assigned bv "nacauacarl Ter thatpu
fose near hg> own residence.
THIS Wns Monday. th, @G:G OF December
4 II i
about midnight
/ tHut dawn Christmas dav they worked
1 ea!lnE and unloading the wrecaace. At
asSn tAIS had been ACCOMPLISHED. Rv
ssa!llght the shipWreckcd mariners ver.
jthArInr the hospitality Of the noble Qua
lezAagsc.. \1t z Hiau Was injured nor sr
ieance oi provisions lost. not a spar nor a
hAa detachable that was not safely landed
s'lh 1heTn, Yet. IN the words oi Robinson
.Iusoe, ~ hat an awful deliyerancc" VAS
lthelrsl
/ ii Was gloomy Christmas morning for
.aese huEdrcd men, 2ool miles trotu
ZONE. Win but one trail caravel TO take
nem baca
n honest were the Indians that no
| s~SFd ~ As necessary around their effects.
Efeh though such tFifeS rs pins ana
.s"ssoelis we're worth more than their
Issss'g.I III geld. Al sunrise tle day af.er
l.HslstmA~. tl.v c4c.aue paid visit Estate
II the admire. on board the Nina It's
tsaian subjects sWarrnei in canoes
f'NAnd ihe caFIYet. holding out
-, 81 gold and crying out "C5ug.
-, intana'inE that they - shed
y hAfieF tne Nuggets for hawks
80 over which they went Wild with
IL, eettuS that suth tr.Ii+s brought IN
hSnge great pieces al gold. Columbus
"e'Ash1ed' and Guacansgari, quick 10