The Life of Columbus.CHAPTERIV.
Columbus sails for Spain—Manner in which Columbus was welcomed on his arrival in Spain.
Havingthus determined to return to Spain, Columbus selected thirty-nine of the crew, who were to remain. He established rules for their government, and, having made all the provision for their comfort in his power, he gave them a parting address. He recommended to them to treat the natives and one another kindly; to live amicably; to settle disputes which might arise; and he promised them, should his life be spared, to return to them at a future day.
On the 4th of January, 1493, all things being settled, a signal gun announced their readiness to depart. A mutual farewell was pronounced, and the sails of the Nina were soon spread to the wind. Two days after their departure, while a head wind was blowing strongly against them, and they made but little progress, the long-lost Pinta was seen bearing down upon them.
This was a joyful sight. Nothing certain had been heard of her since her separation from the other vessels. Fears were entertained that she was lost. But Columbus had all along suspected that her captain had separated from him with a design to search for islands where he might find gold. And so it proved to be.
The captain, however, pretended otherwise. He endeavored to convince Columbus that he had no bad design, and had been detained by unpropitious weather and ignorance of the route to Cuba. But all this was untrue. He had visited several islands, and procured gold, half of which he kept himself, and the rest he divided among his crew, telling them to keep it a secret. Columbus would have arrested him; but as he had now only one small vessel beside the Pinta, he wisely concluded to say but little, and hasten back to Spain.
The wind becoming favorable soon after, both vessels directed their course eastward, stopping, however, at several islands in their way. At one island, where they anchored, an unhappy circumstance occurred. Some of the Spaniards landed here. They found the island inhabited by a ferocious-looking people. They had long bows, swords, and war-clubs. These last were made of a kind of wood so hard and so heavy as to level the stoutest man at a single blow.
At first, these savages conducted peaceably towards the Spaniards; nevertheless, their looks bespoke treachery and war. One of them returned with the Spaniards on board the Nina. He was treated very kindly, and several presents were given him. This was done to secure the friendship of his brethren on the island.
At length, this Indian was put on shore. As the boat approached the land, a party of warriors were seen lurking in the edge of some woods not far distant. As the boat reached the shore, they laid aside their arms, and approached in apparent friendship. They began to trade with the Spaniards, and sold them two bows.
But, on a sudden, they fell back, seized their weapons, and rushed forward to secure the Spaniards. The latter, finding themselves in danger, attacked the Indians, and wounded several. They would have made greater execution, but they were ordered by the commander of the party to return.
Columbus regretted this occurrence. It was the first unpleasant interview which he and his men had had with the inhabitants of the new world. But, happily, before Columbus left the neighborhood, the affray was peaceably settled. The chief of the Indians was a noble-spirited man, and seemed much to regret the conduct of his subjects. He madea present to Columbus, and even visited him on board his vessel.
Columbus now prepared to take leave of these islands, and set sail once more upon the broad ocean. Every day’s delay was felt to be hazardous. A slight accident might prevent their ever reaching Spain; and thus their important discovery, their toils, and their dangers, would all be lost. Their voyage, also, with all the skill and diligence they might exercise, was likely to be a long one. The trade winds were against them, and the Pinta had become so weak, that no great press of sail could be put upon her.
Nothing important occurred till the 13th of February. The day previous, a gale had begun to blow, and the sea was greatly disturbed. On the evening of the 13th, the indications of an approaching tempest were still stronger; and, not long after, it burst upon them in awful fury.
All that night their sails were lashed down tight; and yet, such was the violence of the gale, that they were driven forward with the speed of a race-horse. In the morning, they were still on the top of the waves, though every moment likely to be swallowed up. Through all that day the vessels kept in sight of each other; but each, as it rose on the mountain wave, expected to take its last look of its companion.
The night again set in. The spirit of the tempest was still unbroken; nay, it seemed as if the very elements were all engaged in war. The ocean, lashed by the storm, raged and roared, and every succeeding billow was still more mountainous than the one which had gone before. Each vessel continued to display a light, at intervals, as a signal to the other. For a time, that displayed by the Pinta was seen on board the Nina; but it grew more and more dim and distant, and, at length, was looked for in vain.
It was a tremendous night, and it seemed that only by a miracle the vessel could survive the fury of the gale. But, on the dawn of the following morning, she was still riding aloft, though she seemed, every moment, on the brink of ruin.
The courageous spirit of Columbus was the last to quail. He did not yet despair; but he, himself, was appalled. It was probable that the Pinta had gone down. It was more than probable that his own vessel would that day sink to some unexplored cavern in the abyss. His life and that of his crew were valuable. But it was of still greater moment to the world that the knowledge of his discovery should not be lost.
In this distressed and troubled state—in this season of awful suspense, Columbus was not unmindful of prayers and vows. But, alas! he prayed not to the God of the ocean; his vows were not made to him. In those days, it was the custom of many, in times of peril, to pray to the Virgin Mary, and to make a vow, if preserved, to go on a pilgrimage. This Columbus and his men now did; as if the Virgin Mary could save them; as if to go bareheaded, on their hands and feet, for miles and leagues, would be pleasing to God!
How much more proper it would have been to have sought the protection ofHimwho rideth upon the wings of the wind, and maketh the clouds his chariots; who alone could say to the noisy waters, “Peace, be still.” The prayers and vows of Columbus seemed of little avail. Why should they have been heard, when the true God of the waters was lost sight of, and creatures were worshipped instead of himself?
The storm still went on in its fury: billow was followed by billow, surge was piled upon surge. Columbus began to consider in what manner he could communicate to the eastern world a knowledgeof his discovery. There was one expedient which might succeed, if he should be lost, and he now proceeded to adopt it.
He wrote a brief account of his voyage and discoveries on a piece of parchment, which he hastily enclosed in a cake of wax, and, putting this latter into a barrel, he threw it into the sea, with the hope that it might, at length, be picked up by some one who would inform the king and queen of Spain of the important news it contained.
Fortunately, however, the storm soon after somewhat abated, and, to their inexpressible joy, land appeared in view, which proved to be the island ofSt.Mary’s, the most southern of the Azores.
For two days, after they discovered land, the Nina was tossed about, it being impossible to reach a harbor. At length they cast anchor; but, before morning, they parted their cable, and were again exposed to the most imminent danger of being shipwrecked.
We must pass over many interesting events and trying scenes which occurred before Columbus had the good fortune to arrive at Palos. We must briefly mention here that, at length, when Columbus reachedSt.Mary’s, the government of that island seized a part of the crew of the Nina, who had landed, and attempted to take Columbus himself. The island ofSt.Mary’s belonged to the king of Portugal, who had given his subjects orders to seize Columbus, should it be in their power. The reason for this was a jealousy, on the part of that king, that Columbus might interfere with voyages of discovery which were undertaken under his own direction.
The difficulties atSt.Mary’s were, however, settled, and Columbus at length proceeded towards Spain. Another storm now came on, and drove him into a port of Portugal. He would have avoided touching at any port of Portugal, could he have done so with safety. But, having been struck by a squall of wind, he was obliged to make the first harbor he was able.
From this place he wrote to the king of Portugal, informing him of his situation, and requested permission to go with his vessel to Lisbon. This request was granted. On his arrival at this place, the inhabitants crowded on board to listen to the stories of the crew, and to see various articles of curiosity, which they had brought from the new world.
The king of Portugal was at this time at Valparaiso, about twenty-seven miles from Lisbon. From the former place, he despatched a messenger to Columbus, inviting him to the royal residence. Columbus wished not to go, justly fearing that some evil was designed him. But, at length, he deemed it wise to accept the invitation.
On reaching Valparaiso, he related his adventures to the king, and his discoveries, and the perils of his return. The king listened with deep attention, and, though he treated Columbus kindly, it was evident that he felt deeply mortified that he had lost the honor of this important discovery, when he might have employed Columbus himself.
Some of the king’s counsellors endeavored to prejudice him against Columbus, and, it is said, advised the king to have him murdered. But Columbus was at length dismissed in safety, and again set sail for Palos. A few days brought him in sight of this long wished-for port, and, on the 15th of March, at noon, the anchor of the Nina was cast in the spot from which it had been raised about seven months and a half before.
The joy of Columbus and his crew, on reaching Palos, may, perhaps, be imagined, but cannot be described. The joy of the inhabitants was not less intense. The vessel was descried coming up the river, and was recognised as one of thosewhich had been abroad on a voyage of discovery.
The news rapidly spread along the streets; business was suspended, and the people were seen rushing to the wharves; all was hurry, curiosity, and bustle. Yes, there was much anxiety on the part of many. They had friends there; or, it might be, they were lost. But one vessel had arrived. Where were the others? One person had a husband: was he alive? a father, a brother: were they on board this vessel? or——. The anxiety was deep, and no wonder.
The ship was anchored, the sails were furled, and Columbus and his almost bewildered men now landed, amidst the greetings of the assembled multitude. Inquiries, one after another, went round in quick succession. Explanations were made as well as the hurry and confusion would allow. A long procession was formed, and Columbus and his men were marched to a church, where public thanks were returned for their success and safe return.
To heighten the joy of the people of Palos, it was so ordered that, on the evening of this very day, the Pinta was also seen standing up the river. She had been separated from Columbus, we have told, and was supposed to be lost. But it was not so. She had, however, only escaped as if by a miracle. She had been tossed up and down, and driven before the tempest, for days, and had, at length, succeeded in getting into a port, from whence, after the gale had subsided, she proceeded on her return; and now she came in, to add to the joy of the justly delighted people of Palos.
One circumstance is related, which all who read this story would wish to have otherwise. I have spoken of the improper conduct of Pinzon, the commander of the Pinta, while in Hispaniola, in leaving Columbus. From the violence of the gale, which separated him from the Nina, he had some reason to conclude that she was lost, just as Columbus supposed the Pinta was lost. But, instead of waiting to ascertain whether this was a fact, Pinzon, on putting into port, sent a letter to the king and queen of Spain, informing them of the discovery whichhehad made, and claiming all the honor of it.
This was ungenerous, as well as wicked. But what was his surprise to find that Columbus had arrived before him! What was his mortification to learn the honors which the real discoverer of the new world was receiving, at the very time he came in with the expectation of taking all the honor to himself!
Pinzon was afraid and ashamed to meet Columbus. He, therefore, avoided being seen, and, not long after, died at his own house, the victim of his own pride and folly. Still higher honors awaited Columbus than those which he had received from the inhabitants of Palos. The letter, which he had written to the king and queen of Spain, had prepared the way for his gracious reception. Indeed, the news of his discovery spread everywhere, and filled the whole country with admiration and delight.
In a short time, Columbus proceeded to Barcelona, to inform the king and queen more particularly concerning his voyage, and about the new world which he had discovered. On his journey, multitudes flocked, from the surrounding country, to see this wonderful man and the natives of the new world, several of whom had accompanied him to Spain.
On his arrival at Barcelona, his reception at court was truly flattering. The king and queen did not attempt to conceal their pleasure at the success of his voyage, and took every means to load him with honor. He was received in great state, and, in the presence of the whole court, the king and queen even rose to welcome him: nay, he had the privilege ofseating himself in their presence,—an honor seldom granted to any one.
Columbus now gave an account of his voyage; told them of the new world; exhibited the curiosities which he had brought back; and, more than all—the indisputable evidence of the truth of what he had told them—the natives, whom he now presented to the king and queen.
It may be proper to dwell a moment upon the change in the circumstances of Columbus. For many years he had been endeavoring to effect a darling project. He had struggled with misfortune; he had fought his way without money, without patrons—nay, in opposition to powerful enemies. Less than a year before, he was a humble individual, and accounted by many a visionary and a fortune-hunter. But now he stood in the presence of the sovereigns of Spain, welcomed and honored by them, and an acknowledged benefactor to the world.
The news of his discovery soon spread through Europe, and it was justly considered by far the greatest achievement of the age. Its results have been even greater than were anticipated; for, in the space of three centuries and a half, we see the new world occupied by several great and independent nations, with systems of government which are likely to revolutionize Europe itself.
We shall mention, in this place, one circumstance, which we cannot think of but with regret. Our readers will remember that the person who first discovered land was to have a reward of thirty crowns a year for life. Columbus, we have said in a preceding page, first saw a light, which had been kindled by the natives, but a seaman first actually discovered the land. It was a question to whom the reward belonged—to Columbus or to the seaman. It was given to Columbus. One would think that it should have been given to the seaman, and that Columbus himself would have wished it. The honor, no doubt, was thought more of, by Columbus, than the money.