Prince Guakanahari—The Admiral’s Vessel Wrecked—Forty-three Men Remain
Behind—The Return Voyage Begins
While the ships were lying at anchor in an inlet of the same island of
Hispaniola the cacique who ruled that region heard of the arrival of
these wonderful white men and condescended to make the Admiral a visit.
His retinue was quite imposing. He himself was borne in a litter by four
men, his princely body almost as destitute of clothing as those of his
dependents.
The cacique went on board without the slightest hesitation and,
observing that the Admiral was seated at table, entered the cabin,
accompanied by two old men who appeared to be his councillors, and sat
down familiarly but respectfully by the side of Columbus, the old men
reclining at his feet. The Admiral offered him food and wine, which he
tasted, sending what was left to his people on deck. After the meal was
finished he presented the Admiral with some gold ornaments and a
skilfully made girdle, Columbus, in turn, presenting him a string of
amber beads and a pair of red slippers, besides a rug and a flask of
orange-flower water. The cacique was so delighted that he assured
Columbus everything in his country was at Columbus’ disposal.
The attitude of the cacique toward his own people was very stately but
with the Spaniards he was quite familiar. He paid close attention to
everything and expressed great admiration for all that he saw. Toward
evening he expressed the desire to go ashore again. His wish was
gratified and, the more deeply to impress him, the Admiral saluted his
departure with cannon. Thereupon he declared they must be of heavenly
origin for they could control the thunder and lightning. The awe with
which his servants regarded them was so great that they kissed the
footprints left by the Spaniards. As the cacique’s country, however, did
not contain the rich gold mines, which were now the only object of
Columbus’ quest, he weighed anchor again and sailed still farther
eastward.
All the information received by Columbus was to the effect that the gold
was in a mountainous country ruled by a powerful cacique. Thither he
hastened but, had he known of the serious disaster which was to happen
on his short voyage, he would have given up the gold itself rather than
pay such a heavy cost for the effort of finding it. On this voyage they
came to a cape, where the sea was so calm they might easily have
anchored a short distance from shore. He had not slept for two days and
nature at last claimed her rights. Entrusting the tiller to a helmsman,
he urged him to be careful, and went below to take a little rest. Hardly
had he fallen asleep before the careless sailors imitated his example,
deserted their posts, and went to sleep also. Even the helmsman, who
thought there was no danger in such quiet waters, disregarded his
superior’s orders, turned his duties over to an ignorant cabin-boy, and
went to sleep. This boy was the only one awake on the vessel. While all
were sleeping the ship was driven by a strong current toward the shore.
A sudden shock forced the tiller from the boy’s hands. Awakened by his
shouts, Columbus rushed upon deck, saw the rocks, and instantly knew
that the vessel had struck upon them. There was immediate confusion.
Columbus alone kept his presence of mind and made preparations to save
the vessel. He ordered a boat’s crew to drop anchor at some distance
away so that they might, if possible, warp it off the rocks. The boat’s
crew were so frightened, however, that his orders were not obeyed. They
thought only of their own safety and rowed to the _Nina_. Its commander,
however, refused to take on board the men who had been so forgetful of
duty as to leave their commander in the lurch. Columbus in the meantime
cut the masts and threw everything overboard that was useless, hoping to
lighten the vessel, but its keel was split and the water poured in so
fast and continuously that at length the Admiral and crew abandoned it
and rowed to the _Nina_.
On the next morning he sent a message to the cacique telling him of the
disaster which had occurred and asking the assistance of his people in
saving the valuables on board the wrecked vessel. The cacique, whose
name was Guakanahari, was greatly distressed by the news and, shedding
tears over it, hastened to the relief of the unfortunate Europeans,
accompanied by many of his people.
These kindly natives did not improve the opportunity to steal but
exerted themselves to the utmost to save everything. They collected a
number of canoes and, by their united exertions, everything of
importance was taken ashore. The noble Guakanahari took charge of the
valuables and from time to time sent one of his kinsmen, who implored
Columbus with tearful eyes not to grieve, for the cacique would give him
all he had if it were necessary. The latter took the valuables to his
own house and stationed a strong guard to watch them until they should
be needed by Columbus, although it seemed unnecessary, for the natives
deplored the disaster as keenly as if it had happened to themselves. In
the report which Columbus made to the Court of Spain he paid a glowing
tribute to these noble natives. “In reality, Your Majesty,” he said,
“these people are so gentle and peaceful, I can assure you there can be
no better people in the world. They love their neighbors as themselves.
Their demeanor is always pleasant and agreeable. They are invariably
cheerful and kind and they speak to you with a smile. Though it is true
that they go naked, Your Majesty may be assured that they are modest and
exemplary in their habits. Their King is treated with the highest
respect and he himself is so noble and generous that it is a great
pleasure to have known him. He and his people will always live in my
pleasant memory.”
When Guakanahari discovered how fond of gold the Europeans were, he made
them many golden presents to console them for their misfortune and
promised to get more for them from a place he called Cibao.[16] Many of
his people also brought gold and were delighted to exchange it for
European knick-knacks. One of them, holding a large piece in one hand,
extended the other to a Spaniard, who placed a bell in it. The native
dropped the gold and fled, thinking he had cheated the white man and
would be looked upon as a thief.
The Spaniards now began to enjoy their stay there but in the meantime
Columbus was harassed by anxiety night and day. His best vessel was
lost. The faithless Pinzon had deserted him. The only one of his vessels
left was so small and poorly built that it would not accommodate his men
nor was it sufficiently seaworthy for the long return voyage. At last he
decided that he would take a few men and try to go back, notwithstanding
all dangers, so that the news of his discovery should reach the Court,
and leave the others as colonists in Hispaniola. His decision was
universally approved and a sufficient number expressed their willingness
to remain. The cacique was greatly pleased when he learned that the
celestial visitants were going to remain and protect him and his people
against their enemies. According to his statement a savage, warlike
race, called Caribs, lived on certain islands to the southeast. From
time to time, he asserted, his country was invaded by them and, as his
people were too weak to resist them and dared not remain in their
vicinity, they had to flee to the mountains.[17]
Columbus promised to protect them and, to impress them with his power,
ordered his people to perform some military manœuvres in their presence.
They were greatly astonished, but when the cannon which had been taken
off the wrecked vessel were fired, they were so frightened that they
threw themselves upon the ground and covered their faces. Guakanahari
himself was greatly alarmed and his fear was not allayed until Columbus
assured him that the thunder should harm only his enemies. That he might
fully realize its destructive effect he aimed a cannon at the wrecked
vessel and fired. The ball went through it and struck the water on the
other side. This sight so amazed the cacique that he went home, being
firmly convinced his guests were from the skies and that they controlled
the thunder and lightning.
Several days were now spent in the erection of a small fort and the
kindly natives lent all possible assistance, little dreaming, however,
that they were forging the fetters which one day would bind them.
Whenever the Admiral was on shore the cacique lavished favors upon him
which he generously requited. Once he received Columbus with a golden
crown on his head and conducted him to a richly decorated house. Then he
took off the crown and with great reverence placed it upon Columbus. The
latter took a necklace of small pearls which he was wearing and placed
it around the cacique’s neck. Then he took off his handsome cloak and
put it on the Prince, and placed a silver ring upon his finger. Not
content with this, he drew off a pair of red buskins and gave them to
him. With this interchange of tokens of good-will a bond of friendship
was established between them.
The fort was finished in ten days and Columbus selected forty-three men
who were to garrison it under command of the nobleman, Diego de Cerana.
He ordered them to render him absolute obedience to preserve the
good-will of Guakanahari and his people in every way and to acquaint
themselves with their language. The place where he left them he named La
Navidad.
After this, Columbus went on board the little vessel and on January 4,
1493, weighed anchor. A bold venture! In a small, unseaworthy vessel he
determined to recross the vast and still little known ocean. To remove
every vestige of doubt at the suspicious Court and convince the King of
the truth of his discoveries, he took with him as evidence not only gold
but several of the natives, besides unknown birds of various species. On
his voyage eastward he kept his course for some time along the coast of
Hispaniola to get a view of the adjacent region. On the second day he
saw a vessel in the distance. He at once sailed in its direction and
found it to be the vessel of the faithless Pinzon, of which he had had
no trace for six weeks. Pinzon came on board and tried to convince
Columbus it was all the fault of stormy weather which had driven him out
to sea. Columbus knew this was false but, naturally magnanimous, he
affected to believe it and took him into his favor, highly pleased that
the results of his great discoveries no longer depended upon the safety
of one small vessel. Pinzon also had been cruising along the coast of
Hispaniola but in a different direction, bartering for gold.