“Land, Land!”
The hope which the floating sea-weed and the flight of birds had aroused
among the seamen soon vanished, for, although they had now sailed seven
hundred and seventy miles to the west, no land had yet been seen.
Fortunately no one except the Admiral knew how to calculate the
distance. Columbus continued to conceal a considerable part of it and
announced that they had sailed five hundred and fifty miles.
But even this distance from the fatherland seemed much too long to them.
They began anew to sigh and groan and murmur, lamented their credulity
in accepting Columbus’ idle assurances, and uttered bitter reproaches
against Queen Isabella for having allowed them to risk their lives in
such a foolhardy venture. They resolved that now was the time for them
to return, in case the incessant east wind did not render it impossible,
and that their leader must be compelled to abandon his scheme. The
boldest among them even advised throwing him overboard, thereby ridding
themselves of such a dangerous leader, and assured the others that upon
their return to Spain a thorough investigation would justify them for
the death of a man who had toyed with the lives of so many.
Columbus realized the danger hanging over him but was not alarmed.
Conscious of the overwhelming importance of his plans and confiding in
the protection of the Almighty, he appeared among his sailors like one
inspired with success. With gentle earnestness he rebuked them for their
conduct and sought in every way his knowledge of human nature suggested
to rouse their hopes and courage anew. At one time he reminded them of
their duty by cordial and flattering appeals; at another he displayed
the masterful authority of a leader and threatened them with the
displeasure of the Queen, as well as the severest penalties, if they
dared to hold back when so near the successful result of a glorious
achievement.
It is the prerogative of great spirits to bend the hearts of weaker and
ordinary men like wax. He succeeded in quieting his companions, and the
heavens themselves aided him. The wind, which hitherto had been
persistently east, changed to the southwest, so that return was
impossible even if they attempted to carry out their purpose. The
Admiral called their attention to this and, as many other signs of land
appeared, fresh hope was awakened and they sailed on once more in the
name of God.
On the twenty-fifth of September Martin Alonzo Pinzon, commander of the
_Pinta_, which was in the lead, came alongside of the Admiral’s vessel
and informed him he believed land was only about fifteen miles away to
the north. At the word “land” the greatest excitement prevailed. They
thanked God by singing a _Gloria in Excelsis_ and begged the Admiral to
change his course and sail to the northward. But Columbus was convinced
Pinzon was in error and would not change. He persisted in carrying out
his plan to keep steadily to the west and the result proved he was
correct.
On the following day a multitude of birds were seen, which convinced
Columbus that they had not flown far and that they were evidences of the
land he was rapidly approaching. The plummet, however, indicated a depth
of two hundred fathoms which conflicted with his conviction, for the
depth of the sea should diminish with approach to shore. On the
following evening singing birds lit on the masts, remaining there all
night, and flying toward the west at daybreak. Shortly after this they
saw a new and remarkable sight—a school of flying-fish skimming the
surface of the water. Some of them fell upon the decks and were picked
up by the seamen, who curiously noted the long fins which answer for
wings. On the same day the sea was covered with weeds, another hopeful
sign that land was near. But the goal seemed to recede day by day, and
the higher their expectations were raised the greater was their
disappointment in not realizing them. The spirit of unrest and even
mutiny broke out anew on all three vessels, and even the officers sided
with the crews against the Admiral.
Threatened upon every side and forsaken by all, Columbus stood amidst
the tumult of his excited companions like a lone oak in the tempest and
composedly faced the fury of the mutineers who desired his death, or,
what was tenfold worse than death, the abandonment of his project. Once
more he employed every resource to quiet them but it was useless. They
cursed him and threatened death if he did not at once return to the
fatherland. In these desperate circumstances he at last realized the
necessity of compromising with them. Accordingly he promised that he
would yield to their demands if they would obey his orders three days
longer. Should he not discover land by that time he would take them back
to Spain. Great as was their anger against their leader, they had to
acknowledge the fairness of the proposition and the agreement was made.
In the meantime Columbus was certain that he could not lose, for the
signs of land were so numerous he was confident he should reach it by
the end of the stipulated time. For several days the plummet had shown
decreasing depth and the kind of earth it brought up could only come
from the near land. Whole flocks of birds, which were not capable of
long flights, flew to the west. Floating branches covered with fresh red
berries were observed, the air grew milder, and the wind, especially at
night, was very changeable. So assured was the Admiral now of success
that on the following evening he reminded the crew of their duty of
gratitude to God for their protection on this dangerous voyage, and
ordered that they should lay to, as he was anxious not to make a landing
at night. He also reminded them of the Queen’s promise of a bounty of
ten thousand _maravedis_ to the one who first discovered land, and
promised to add a like sum to it. The crew remained on deck all night
watching with anxiously beating hearts for a sight of land.
It was two hours before midnight when Columbus, standing on the
quarter-deck, thought that he saw a light in the distance. He called one
of the royal pages and pointed it out to him as well as to another who
accompanied him. All three noticed that the light moved from one place
to another and they decided it must be carried by some traveller.
Columbus was so delighted with this certain proof that his great journey
was at an end that he did not close his eyes that night.
About two hours after midnight on Friday, October 12, the loud shout of
“Land, land!” was sent up on the _Pinta_, which was in the advance, and
all hearts were rejoiced. Between fear and hope they waited for the dawn
to convince them it was not a dream. Every minute seemed an hour, every
hour a day. At last the eastern sky began to glow. The sun rose in
splendor and all together the crew of the _Pinta_ with joyous voices
sang, “Lord, God, we praise Thee.” Those on the other vessels joined
with them in their thankful outburst as the long-looked-for land lay
before their eyes.
[Illustration: _IN SIGHT OF THE NEW WORLD_]
Hardly had the song of gratitude ended when they bethought themselves of
the duty they owed their commander. With overflowing hearts and tearful
eyes they prostrated themselves at his feet and implored his pardon.
Wonderful as his steadfastness had been when confronting their fury,
still more wonderful was his composure as he overlooked their behavior
and promised to forget it.