1

therefore, to the main land, he stood northward on the 1st of May, in quest of Hispaniola. The wind was easterly, with a strong current setting to the west. Columbus therefore kept as near the wind as possible. So little did his pilots know of their situation, that they supposed themselves already to the east of the Caribbee islands, whereas the admiral feared that, with all his exertions, he should fall to the westward of Hispaniola*. His apprehensions proved to be well founded; for on the 10th of the month he came in sight of two small low islands to the northwest of Hispaniola, to which, from the great quantity of tortoises seen about them, he gave the name of the Tortugas; they are now known as the Caymans. Passing wide of these, and continuing directly north, he found himself, on the 30th of May, among the cluster of islands on the south side of Cuba, to which he had formerly given the name of the Queen's Garden, having been carried between eight and nine degrees west of his destined port. Here he cast anchor near one of the keys, about ten leagues from the main island. His crews were suffering excessively through hunger and fatigue: nothing was left of the sea stores, but a little biscuit, oil, and vinegar; and they were obliged to labour incessantly at the pumps, to keep the vessels afloat. They had scarcely anchored at these islands, when there came on at midnight a sudden tempest, of such violence, that, according to the strong expression of Columbus, “it seemed as if the world would dissolve"*. They lost three of their anchors almost immediately, and the caravel Bermuda was driven with such violence upon the ship of the admiral, that the bow of the one, and the stern of the other, were greatly shattered. The sea running high, and

* Letter from Jamaica.

the wind being boisterous, the vessels chafed, and tore each other dreadfully, and it was with great difficulty that they were separated. One anchor only remained to the admiral's ship, and this saved him from being driven upon the rocks; but at day-light the cable was found nearly worn asunder. Had the darkness continued an hour lọnger, he would scarcely have escaped shipwreck*.

At the end of six days, the weather having moderated, he resumed his course, standing eastward for Hispaniola ; "his people," as he says, "dismayed and down-hearted, almost all his anchors lost, and his vessels bored by the worms as full of holes as a honeycomb." After strugling against contrary winds, and the usual currents from the east, he reached Cape Cruz, and anchored at a village in the province of Macacat, where he had touched in his voyage in 1494, along the southern coast of Cuba. Here he obtained a supply of cassava bread from the natives, and remained several days, detained by head winds. Making sail again, he endeavoured to beat up to Hispaniola, but every effort was in vain. The winds and currents continued adverse; the leaks continually gained upon his vessels, though the pumps were kept incessantly going, and the seamen even baled the water out with buckets and kettles. The admiral now stood, in despair, for the is land of Jamaica, to seek some secure port; for there was imminent danger of foundering at sea. On the eve of St. John, the 23d of June, they put into Puerto Bueno, now called Dry Harbour, but met with none of the natives from

* Hist. del Almirante, Cap. 100. Letter of Columbus from Jamaica.

† Hist. del Almirante. Journal of Porras.

ger

whom they could obtain provisions, nor was there any fresh water to be had in the neighbourhood. Suffering from hunand thirst, they sailed eastward on the following day, to another harbour, to which the admiral gave the name of Port San Gloria, but which at present is known as Don Christopher's Cove. Here at last Columbus had to give up his long and arduous struggle against the unremitting persecution of the elements. His ships, reduced to mere wrecks, could no longer keep the sea, and were ready to sink even in port. He ordered them, therefore, to be run aground, within a bow shot of the shore, and fastened together, side by side. They soon filled with water to the decks. Thatched cabins were then erected at the prow and stern, for the accommodation of the crews, and the wreck was placed in the best possible state of defence. Thus castled on the sea, Columbus trusted to be able to repel any sudden attack of the natives, and at the same time to keep his men from roving about the neighbourhood, and indulging in their usual excesses. No one was allowed to go on shore without especial leave; and the utmost precaution was taken to prevent any offence being given to the Indians. Any exasperation of them might be fatal to the Spaniards in their present forlorn situation. A firebrand thrown into their wooden fortress might wrap it in flames, and leave them defenceless amidst hostile thousands.

LIFE AND VOYAGES

OF

CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS.

BOOK XVI.

CHAPTER I.

ARRANGEMENT OF DIEGO MENDEZ WITH THE CACIQUES FOR SUPPLIES OF PROVISIONS-SENT TO ST. DOMINGO BY COLUMBUS IN QUEST OF RELIEF.

1503.

THE island of Jamaica was extremely populous and fertile, and the harbour soon swarmed with Indians, who brought provisions to barter with the Spaniards. To prevent any disputes in purchasing or sharing these supplies, two persons were appointed to superintend all bargains; and the provisions thus obtained were shared every evening among the people. This arrangement had a happy effect in promoting a peaceful intercourse. The supplies thus furnished, however, coming from a limited neighbourhood of improvident beings, were not sufficient for the necessities of the Spaniards, and were so irregular as often

to leave them in pinching want. They feared, too, that the neighbourhood might soon be exhausted, in which case they should be reduced to famine. In this emergency, Diego Mendez stepped forward with his accustomed zeal, and volunteered to set off, with three men, on a foraging expedition about the island. His offer being gladly accepted by the admiral, he departed with his comrades well armed. He was every where treated with the utmost kindness by the natives. They took him to their houses, set meat and drink before him and his companions, and performed all the rites of savage hospitality. Mendez made an arrangement with a cacique of a numerous tribe, that his subjects should hunt and fish, and make cassava bread, and bring a quantity of these and other provisions every day to the harbour. They were to receive in exchange, knives, combs, beads, fish hooks, hawks' bells, and other articles, from a Spaniard, who was to reside among them for that purpose. The agreement being made, Mendez despatched one of his comrades to apprize the admiral. He then pursued his journey three leagues farther, where he made a similar arrangement, and despatched another of his companions to the admiral. Proceeding onward, about thirteen leagues from the ships, he arrived at the residence of another cacique, called Huarco, where he was generously entertained. The cacique ordered his subjects to bring a large quantity of provisions, for which Mendez paid him on the spot, and made arrangements for a like supply at stated intervals. He despatched his third companion with this supply to the Admiral, requesting, as usual, that an agent might be sent to receive and pay for the regular deliveries of provisions.

Mendez was now left alone; but he was fond of any enterprise that gave individual distinction. He requested of