The Life of Columbus.CHAPTERV.
Columbus sails on his second voyage.
Thediscovery, which Columbus had made, was everywhere deemed of great importance. But its vast results were not yet foreseen. Curiosity was alive. Ferdinand and Isabella themselves were anxious to follow up the discovery which had been made, and they authorized Columbus to fit out, at their expense, a large expedition for the new world.
By September, three ships, and fourteen smaller vessels, were equipped and manned, ready for the voyage. On the 25th of that month, this fleet sailed from the bay of Cadiz. We shall not stop to relate the incidents of this voyage, excepting some interesting events which took place at one of the Caribbee islands. These islands were discovered by Columbus during this voyage. One of these islands goes by the name of Guadaloupe, which was given to it by Columbus himself.
On the 4th of November the fleet reached this island, and here several of the Spaniards landed. What was their surprise to find human sculls and bones in the houses of the natives, and many other evidences that the people were cannibals, or eaters of human flesh!
From this point, Columbus proceeded, with his fleet, to some distance, where he found a more commodious harbor. Here they discovered several persons who had been recently killed, and whose limbs the natives had put upon the fire to roast. These were captives, taken in a war which was then waging between the people of this island and the people of islands not far distant.
While Columbus remained here, a number of female captives made their escape, and fled to the Spaniards for safety. These Columbus took with him on his voyage. He was now in great trouble. He wished to hasten his departure; but a party of nine men, who had gone ashore, had not returned. The next day no tidings were heard of them. Great fears were entertained that they might have fallen into the hands of the savages, and been eaten at one of their feasts.
Columbus was unwilling to leave the place without knowing something more certain as to the fate of these unfortunate men. In this state of anxiety, a bold young man, belonging to the fleet, offered to go, with a party of forty men, in search of them.
This offer was accepted, and the party now went forth on their hazardous expedition. They marched all day, making search in every place—in the open country and in forests—but all in vain. They, themselves, met with no accident, but they could hear no tidings of their lost companions.
Some days had now elapsed since their departure. Columbus was reluctant to leave the island, since it was possible that they might have become lost in some extensive forest. But the greater probability was, that they had fallen a sacrifice to the cannibals.
Orders were at length given to make sail. Just at this critical moment, the long-lost party were discovered on the shore, making signs to their departing companions. It was a fortunate and joyful discovery. A little longer, and the poor fellows must have been left to have fallen into the hands of the savages, who would have feasted upon their bodies. Boats were despatched, which quickly brought them on board, worn out with fatigue and anxiety, reduced by famine, and their bodies wounded by briars and thorns. They had lost their way; they had wandered about, through forests and through thickets, and had arrived at the shore just in time to escapebeing left to perish in an inhospitable land.
Columbus now continued his voyage, and, on the 27th, cast anchor about a league from the spot on which he had built the fort of La Navidad, and where he had left a party of Spaniards, as we have related, to await his return.
What took place in the new world.
Columbus, as I said, arrived off the fort of La Navidad on the 27th of November, 1493. It was in the evening when the fleet cast anchor. The fort could not be distinguished, but many an eye was turned that way, hoping to discover some light. But nothing was seen. Columbus now directed some cannon to be fired, to give the people in the fort notice of their arrival.
No sooner were the guns fired, than all on board listened for an answer, and looked for a signal in return; but they looked and listened in vain. All was dark and solitary. What could this mean? No one was prepared to answer; but all secretly, and some even aloud, prophesied that some dreadful disaster had befallen the people of the fort. Nothing, however, could be certainly known until the morning. This was, therefore, waited for with no little anxiety and impatience.
About midnight, however, several Indians, from the island, came on board. They were persons whom Columbus had seen before. One was a relation of Guacanagari, the chief of the Indians in that part of the island.
These Indians informed Columbus of the sad fate of the Spaniards. They were almost all dead. Some had fallen sick and perished; some had quarrelled among themselves; some had separated from the rest; and the few, who he believed to survive, were in another part of the island. They also told Columbus how Coanabo, a mighty chief, had, during his absence, come from the mountains of Cibao, and had nearly ruined Guacanagari and his people; that their chief had been wounded in battle, and was still confined.
The following day, a party from the fleet went on shore, and visited the fort. It was a heap of ruins. Suspicions were now entertained that all was not right on the part of Guacanagari and his people. Several circumstances seemed to indicate that they had been concerned in the murder of the Spaniards. One fact, that excited the suspicions of Columbus more than all others, was that none of the Indians came near him. A few were seen lurking about, but they were shy. The country looked desolate and deserted.
After a time, however, the truth came out. The Spaniards had wrought their own ruin. They had quarrelled; they had abused Guacanagari and his people; they had separated from one another. Some had died through their own indulgences; and a party, who had wandered into the dominions of Coanabo, had been seized by him and put to death. After their death, Coanabo had raised an army, had invaded the territories of Guacanagari, had routed his people, wounded him, and burnt his village.
This was sad intelligence for Columbus, and cast a gloom not only over his mind, but over the minds of all on board the fleet. Columbus, however, lost no time in searching for a suitable spot on which to commence a settlement. One was, at length, found, about thirty miles from La Navidad; and here was commenced the building of a city, which Columbus named Isabella, after the queen of Spain.
At length, when matters were somewhat settled, Columbus despatched twelveof the vessels to return to Spain. He remained in the new world to superintend the affairs of the colony.
Not long after the sailing of the fleet, Columbus experienced a severe trial. He was himself worn out with fatigue, and became seriously ill. To add to his trouble, several of the colonists became uneasy and were mutinous. For a time, affairs assumed a serious aspect. But, fortunately, through the firmness and good management of Columbus, the difficulties were settled.
Columbus now made preparations to explore the island. This he did himself, in company with a select band of men. With this expedition, Columbus was highly gratified. After his return to Isabella, he sailed on a visit to Cuba, and, during his voyage, discovered the important island of Jamaica.
What happened during the absence of Columbus on an exploring voyage, and other matters.
Some time before Columbus departed on his voyage, he had erected a fortress in the mountains of Cibao, within the territory of Caonabo. When completed, he gave the command of it to Pedro Margarite, who had with him fifty-six men. To these he afterwards added a reinforcement of twenty men, having learned that the fort was in danger of an attack from Caonabo.
Pedro was ordered to explore that part of the country still farther, and, during his absence, to leave the fortress to the care of Alonzo de Ojeda. With this he complied. But, instead of exploring that part of the country which he was required to do, he went into a different region, where he and his men conducted themselves towards the Indians most improperly.
This conduct, Don Diego Columbus, the brother of the admiral, who had accompanied the latter in his voyage to the new world, and who now had command of the colony during the absence of Columbus, heard of, and sent a letter to Pedro, ordering him to conduct differently. This, Pedro greatly resented, and, suddenly leaving the command of the men, came to Isabella, and, seizing a ship, went on board of it, with other enemies of Columbus, and sailed for Spain, with a design to do him there all the injury in his power.
I said Ojeda now had the command of Fort Thomas. He was a bold, brave man. He was small in stature, but he had nearly the strength of a giant. When Caonabo found that Pedro had abandoned that part of the country, and had taken off a large part of the garrison with him, he assembled ten thousand men, well armed, and, secretly passing through the forests, suddenly came upon Fort Thomas, with the hope of cutting off Ojeda and his men at a single blow. Ojeda, however, was not to be taken by surprise. He was ready for his enemy at all times. Caonabo now besieged the place, and, for thirty days, watched it as a tiger would watch for his prey. By this time, the men in the fort were reduced to great want, but they were determined never to yield. They often made sallies from the fort, and slew many of Caonabo’s bravest warriors. At length, finding it impossible to take the fortress, Caonabo and his men retired.
Not long after the return of Columbus, Ojeda proposed to him a plan by which to seize Caonabo. To get possession of him was eminently important for the peace and safety of the Spaniards. He was a mighty chieftain, and their implacable foe,—bold, cruel and desperate. Columbus listened to the plan of Ojeda, and, although he thought it wild and dangerous, he at length consented to it.
At the head of a party of brave men,Ojeda took up his march through the forests into the dominions of Caonabo. Having found him, he proposed to him to accompany him to Isabella, there to enter into a treaty of peace and friendship with Columbus.
Ojeda told him that, if he would go and enter into such a treaty, he should have the bell upon the church of Isabella. This was a powerful temptation; for nothing had struck the Indians with more wonder and admiration than the sound of this bell. Caonabo himself had heard the sound of it, in some of his secret prowlings around Isabella. He had listened to it with rapture, and now the offer of it determined him to accompany Ojeda. But, when the time came, Caonabo appeared at the head of a large body of warriors.
“Why is this?” asked Ojeda. “Are you not going as a friend?”
“O yes,” replied Caonabo; “but, as I am a king, I must appear like one.”
Finding Caonabo unwilling to go without his warriors, Ojeda consented that they should accompany him. One day, while on their return, they came to a river, on the banks of which they halted. Here Ojeda proposed that Caonabo should bathe; after which, he should mount his horse, and ride in state. To this, Caonabo consented, highly pleased with the idea of riding so fine an animal. Ojeda, accompanied by Caonabo and the Spaniards, now went a short distance, into a retired spot, and bathed. On coming out of the water, Caonabo was assisted to mount the horse behind Ojeda. When mounted, a set of beautifully polished steel shackles were fastened round the feet of Caonabo. To these he had no objection, not knowing for what they were intended, but supposed they were designed to add honor to him as a prince.
Ojeda and the Spaniards now mounted, and, with Caonabo following, now rode in among the warriors, making their horses prance and appear as fine as they were able. With this manoeuvre, the Indians appeared to be well pleased. Ojeda had made known his plan to his followers. So, riding round and round, they at length went to a considerable distance from the warriors. All at once, Ojeda gave the word of command, and the whole party of horsemen fled with their prisoner.
It was a bold project; yet it succeeded. The Indians were unable to equal the speed of the horses. Ojeda and his companions were soon out of sight, and far off at a distance from the warriors of Caonabo. It was in vain for him to attempt to escape. The shackles held him fast. But, at length halting, they bound him tight, and thus he was conducted in safety to Isabella.
Columbus was rejoiced to have him in his power. He was deemed to have forfeited his life by killing the Spaniards belonging to Fort La Navidad, and destroying that fortress. He was therefore detained as a prisoner by Columbus, who intended, at a proper time, to have him conveyed to Spain.
Caonabo was a proud chief. Even in confinement he carried himself loftily. Towards Columbus, he appeared to bear the bitterest hostility, while, to Ojeda, he gave much credit for his sagacity. We shall here add, respecting the fate of Caonabo, that, some time after, Columbus, on returning to Spain, took this haughty chief with him. But he died during the voyage.
Columbus returns to Spain.
I have related how Pedro Margarite seized a ship, and, with some others, fled to Spain. Here they found full exercise for their enmity to Columbus. Theyaccused him of many wicked acts, which, though unfounded, obtained some credit, and served to lessen his justly-acquired popularity.
The king and queen, thinking, perhaps, that all was not right, despatched a man, by the name of Aguado, to see how matters stood, and to assist in preserving the tranquillity of the colony.
No sooner had Aguado arrived at Isabella, than he began to assume a tone of authority, and to treat Columbus as an inferior. Among other things, he endeavored to hunt up accusations against him, which he might present to the court of Spain on his return.
Perceiving what was going forward, and what was intended against him, Columbus determined to return to Spain at the same time that Aguado did. On the 10th of March, 1496, both embarked in different vessels. After a fatiguing voyage of three months, they landed at Cadiz.
On his arrival in Spain, Columbus found that his enemies had been at work in good earnest. They had spread various injurious reports about his management. Although these reports had doubtless reached the king and queen, they received him with great kindness, and treated him with attention.
In the autumn of that year, a large sum of money was ordered to be advanced to Columbus, in order to fit out another expedition under his command. Various circumstances occurred, however, to delay the sailing of the vessels, and it was not until the 30th of May, 1498, that Columbus was enabled to leave Spain on his third voyage for the new world.
Third voyage of Columbus—Fresh troubles.
Columbus left Spain, on his third voyage, in May, 1498. During this voyage, he and his men suffered greatly in being becalmed, in the middle of summer, within the tropics. For eight days, they could make no progress, but lay motionless upon the water, under the heat of a scorching sun. So intense was the heat that they could scarcely breathe. Their meat spoiled, and they lost nearly all their wine and water.
At length, they were enabled to proceed, and, on the 31st of July, to their inexpressible joy, they discovered the island of Trinidad. At this time, they had but one cask of water remaining in the ship. On the 30th of August, Columbus arrived at Hispaniola. During this voyage, he had suffered greatly from watching and fatigue, from fever and gout. Yet he indulged the hope that his constitution, which had been uncommonly good, would recover itself after his arrival. But Columbus was destined to new toils and new trials. He found the colony in a sad state. The Spaniards had experienced troubles during his absence. They had had wars with the natives, difficulties with one another, indolence had prevailed, and a famine had almost ensued.
We must pass over many interesting particulars, and content ourselves with letting our readers know, in general, that, after the return of Columbus, affairs proceeded still very badly. Many of the Spaniards in the new world were hostile to Columbus, resisted his authority, formed conspiracies against his government, and continued to send home complaints against him to Spain.
It was unfortunate for Columbus that the expectations of the people in Spain had been raised so high, respecting the wealth of the new world. They expected, from the accounts which had been received about the gold found there, that Spain would become rich in consequence of this discovery.
Even Ferdinand and Isabella had theirhopes greatly raised. But, at length, they found that they were obliged to be at continual expense for the support of the Spaniards in the new world. This tended to lessen their gratification at the discovery, and prepared them to listen, with less reluctance, to complaints against Columbus.
For a time, they continued to regard him with kindness, and were unwilling to admit the truth of complaints which were made against him. But they were so numerous, so often repeated, so confidently asserted, that, at length, they began to doubt whether all was right on the part of Columbus.
His enemies were now about triumphant. The king and queen appointed a man, by the name of Bobadilla, to repair to Hispaniola; as governor, to assume the administration; and, at the same time, they required Columbus to surrender everything into his hands. Having made an examination, if Columbus and his brothers were found to have abused their authority, their power was to be taken from them altogether.
Columbus arrested, and sent home in chains—His fourth voyage—His sufferings and death.
Bobadilla arrived at Isabella in July, 1500. Columbus, at this time, was in another part of the island. No sooner was the former landed, than it was apparent to the friends of Columbus, especially to his brothers, what he intended. He began to issue his commands as chief of the island, and took possession of the house of Columbus and everything in it.
Soon after, this arrogant man summoned Columbus to appear before him. This was truly humbling to the exalted mind of Columbus, conscious, as he was, of no wrong. Yet he judged it wise to suppress his feelings and comply with the command.
But little did Columbus expect such a reception as he met with. Little did he imagine that it was in the power, even of enemies, to treat him with so much injustice and indignity as he now experienced. No sooner did he appear at Isabella, than he was seized, loaded with irons, and confined to the fortress. His brothers, Diego and Bartholomew, shared a similar fate. They were separated from each other, and Bobadilla, himself, did not condescend even to see them.
Soon after, orders were issued for the departure of a vessel for Spain; and in that vessel went the noble Columbus and his brothers as prisoners and in irons. What a reverse of fortune! How often have the benefactors of mankind met with unkindness from those from whom they had a right to expect gratitude! How often have they met with injustice, where they ought to have experienced honor and reward!
It was, doubtless, trying to Columbus to be thus seized, imprisoned, and loaded with chains, and sent home apparently disgraced; but it must have been most trying of all to him to have met with insults and hoots from the multitude who had assembled to witness his departure. The voyage was short. The master of the vessel treated Columbus with kindness and respect, which served to soften the troubles which now preyed upon his wounded spirit.
When Columbus arrived in Spain, and in chains, there was a general burst of indignation, throughout the country, that he should have been thus treated. The king, therefore, pretended that he had no share in this treatment of the discoverer of the new world, and ordered him to be set at liberty. It seems, however, that the heart of the monarch was turned from him; for, during nine long months, Columbus remained in neglect,and, finally, the king appointed Nicholas Ovando governor of Hispaniola.
It was at last decided that Columbus should proceed on a fourth voyage, which was commenced May 9th, 1502. His powers were indeed restricted, and his constitution shattered; but still he panted for new adventures and discoveries. He had this time four small ships and one hundred and fifty men.
His particular object now was to discover a passage to India through the Gulf of Mexico. After coasting along the shores of this gulf, and making various discoveries, he was forced, by the crazy state of his ships, to return to Hispaniola. He stopped at Jamaica, and finally arrived at Santo Domingo. After experiencing a great variety of sufferings, he departed for Spain, where he arrived in November. On reaching Seville, he heard of the death of his friend and patron, queen Isabella.
The sun of prosperity had now set upon Columbus. He was suffered to linger in neglect and poverty. He was also attacked with sickness, and detained till 1505, at which time, weary and exhausted, he arrived at Segovia, the seat of the Spanish court. Here he applied to the king for redress, but this was denied him. He lingered a year longer in obscurity and poverty, till death gave him relief. He died at Valladolid, on the 20th of May, 1506.
Thus ended a noble and glorious career, and one which teaches us a sad lesson of the wrongs, injustice and cruelty of kings. As if to make some amends for the sufferings of Columbus, his remains received a pompous funeral,—a circumstance, however, which shows that his merit was known, and that those who had injured him were conscious of the wrongs they had done him.
The Cat and the Mouse.—A mouse, ranging about a brewery, happening to fall into one of the vats, was in imminent danger of drowning, and called to a cat to take him out. “It is a foolish request,” replied the cat; “for, as soon as I get you, I shall eat you.” The mouse piteously replied that that fate would be better than to be drowned in beer. The cat lifted him out; but the fumes of the beer caused pussy to sneeze, and the mouse took refuge in his hole. The cat called upon mousey to come out: “You rascal, did you not promise I should eat you?” “Ah!” replied mousey, “but you know I wasin liquorat the time.”
Fable of the Humming-bird and Butterfly.—A humming-bird once met a butterfly, and, being pleased with the beauty of its person and the glory of its wings, made an offer of perpetual friendship.
“I cannot think of it,” was the reply, “as you once spurned at me, and called me a crawling dolt!”
“Impossible!” exclaimed the humming-bird. “I always entertained the highest respect for such beautiful creatures as you.”
“Perhaps you do now,” said the other; “but, when you insulted me, I was a caterpillar. So let me give you this piece of advice: Never insult the humble, as they may one day become your superiors.”
Sometime since, some men took twenty-one geese from a farm-yard in Kent, England, belonging to a Mr. White. A gander, which belonged to the flock, was left behind, with a bag tied round its neck, containing twenty-one pence, and the following poetic excuse written on a slip of paper:
“Dear Mister White,We wish you good night,We are sorry we cannot stay longer;We have taken twenty-one geese,At a penny a piece,And left the amount with the gander.”
“Dear Mister White,We wish you good night,We are sorry we cannot stay longer;We have taken twenty-one geese,At a penny a piece,And left the amount with the gander.”
“Dear Mister White,
We wish you good night,
We are sorry we cannot stay longer;
We have taken twenty-one geese,
At a penny a piece,
And left the amount with the gander.”