The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1900-02-07

bus, at the end Of his patience, sternly
bade them Cease to murmur!' The
expedition, he declared, with that
authority they never dared defy, had
been sent by their sovereign and his
in search of unknown lands; and, let
come what might, the expedition
should 60 forward until, by the bless
ing of God, who had chosen him for
the purpose, he had accomplished the
enterprise.
"This decided and unfinching at
titude set Columbus at open variance
with his crew, aud, Notwithstanding
his undaunted spirit, there were mo
ments when his soul seemed clouded
in darkness. At such time it was
natural that his heart, by nature
gentle, confding and aAectionate,
should turn with positive gratitude
toward Pedro Mendoza. He forgave
and, indeed, forgot that this man had
pre- viously used his influence among
the sailors to foment their discon-
tented and rebellious feelings. If he
remembered this at all, he also re-
membered how much more cause for
doubt and fear there had been; and
he more than excused Mendoza be-
cause of the confidence he now dis
played. Nor was the conduct of
Pedro without its effect on. the rest OF
the crew. He was SO much nearer
their own level that they could COM
prehend him. Their great leader they
could insolently call, among them
selves, "A crazy visionary but Pedro
was no visionary. If'Pedro was salts
fed, there must be something In 1T;
and on the strength of Pedro's con-
fdence, there was sudden revulsion
of feeling among the sailors. Once
more hope took the place OF gloom,
and before this happy reaction could
pass away, the signs of land were
such as no longer to admit of doubt.
As on previous occasions, the joy of
expectation became so great that the
much-tried commander found their
excitement almost as unmanageable as
their previous detection. In proper
tion as his companions grew hopeful,
Pedro Mendoza grew moody. His
keen gaze looked far ahead with an
eagerness that saw possible shore in
every mistlike ortline; but he feared
to peril success by calling out too
soon; although more than once, in the
crystal-clear atmosphere before sun
set, he felt certain that he saw land,
and in his heart he cursed the admiral
for that precaution which now pre-
vented him from proclaiming his dis
covery. -..r. -.- o..
"As the evening drew on Columbus
himself took up a position on the spot
whence he could, to the best advan-
tage, range his eye along the .dusky
horizon. At ten o'clock he saw al light
glimmering far off. Pedro. also saw
this light or thought he did, but sparks
of fire seemed dancing before his eyes,
and he dared not believe it real. The
light disappeared, or perhaps it had
never existed; at any rate it was no
longer seen. The ships moved slowly
on till two o'clock in the morning. At
that hour there was loud, shrill cry
of land from the lips of Mendoza, on
board the Santa Maria, and from a
sailor named Rodrigo de Triana on
board the Pinta; and in the same in
slant both cries were drowned in the
report of gun, fred by order Of Mar
tin Alfonso Pinzon. For little while
the ships continued their course, till,
all in moment, land was plainly seen
but few miles ahead, when they took
in sail and lay to, impatientIy waiting
for the full dawn of day.
"No words can describe the excite
ment of the men as they now rested,
after all the doubts, the trials, the
terrors of their long voyage, waiting
to feast their eyes on the shores they
had reached. But in the midst of it
the admiral stood, absorbed in thought,
rapt in silent communion with his
soul; glad, triumphant, but, above all,
grateful that he had been permitted
to accomplish his object. The mys-
terry of the ocean was penetrated; O
new world was open to posterity; and
the name of the poor adventurer-a
man that had been the scof of sages
and the idle mock of the Ignorant
would now be lifted into glory as
bright and deathless rs the stars!
1.-The dawn came quickly-that
glorious morning of October -, 1892,
by the old-style calendar; October
H. oo1orIor
Before them the voyagers saw
beautiful island, many leagues in ex-
tent, its shores lined with trees almost
to the waters edge and beyond that,
fine groves of trees like orchards. It
was evidently populated, for the in
habitants could be seen in every direc-
tion, running to and fro, appealing to
each other with gestures of mingled
astonishment and fear, as they pointed
to the ships that had arrived in the
night. To the Spanish sailors these
natives of the New World we're as sim
gular and wonderful as the ships with
their crews were to the savages;' and
they were all impatince to make closer
acquaintance with them.
columbus ordered the boats to be
manned and armed He entered his
own boat, richly attired in brilliant
scarlet and carrying theroyal standard;
and, with hearts beating high with
triumph, they approached the new and
marvellous shore, charmed alike with
the purity of tho atmosphere, the
transparency Of the water end the
wonderful richness of the vegetation.
The admiral declared the New World
to be AN earthly Paradise