The Return Voyage—Storm on the Way—Arrival at the Azores, Lisbon, and
Palos
A fresh west wind, which fortunately had sprung up, carried the vessels
swiftly along and the joyful crews already fancied themselves in Spain
telling their astonished listeners the story of the wonders of the New
World. Then suddenly a storm cloud arose in the western sky. The storm
rapidly approached. It grew darker and darker and the frightened
sailors, in anxious expectancy of what might happen, stood around the
deck watching the Admiral who, with his customary composure, issued the
necessary orders.
Now the waves of the broad ocean began to rise, the vessels were tossed
about, the cordage rattled, and the wind howled fearfully through the
rigging. It lightened, then again was dark as night. It thundered and a
tempest of rain beat upon the tossing vessels. The storm burst upon them
in all its fury. The lightning flashed, the thunders crashed, the waves
rushed along, the winds howled, and the reeling vessels were now hurled
high in air by the mighty billows and now plunged into deep abysses. The
sailors were overcome with fear. Some of them fell upon their knees and
prayed with uplifted hands that their lives might be spared. Others
stood or lay prostrate, paralyzed with fright, and appeared more dead
than alive; still others sought shelter in superstitions and promised if
Heaven would save them they would make a barefooted pilgrimage to some
church dedicated to the Virgin in the first Christian country they
reached. They were really in a desperate plight. They swung as it were
between death and life and every mountainous wave which lifted them upon
its mighty crest and hurled them down again into the watery abyss seemed
to them the messenger of their doom. In vain Columbus sought to employ
every means of safety suggested by his skill and experience; in vain he
tried to encourage them and to rouse them to activity. They were
soulless bodies capable of no effort while the storm raged on with
irresistible fury. At last, when he was convinced that human help was
impossible, he betook himself with sorrowing heart to his cabin to
provide in some way that his great discoveries should not be lost to the
world. Nothing troubled him so much as the thought that the important
intelligence he was taking to Europe might be lost. It pierced his great
heart like a sharp two-edged sword and moved him to think not so much of
himself and his own safety as of some means to avert what in his
estimation was the greatest of calamities. With death staring him in the
face this unterrified man was still capable of thinking clearly and
quietly, of formulating concise decisions, and putting them into effect.
Columbus took a parchment, inscribed upon it an account of his
discoveries, wrapped it in oilcloth and sealed it with wax. This packet
he placed in a well protected cask and threw it into the ocean, hoping
it would be washed ashore where some one was living who would open it
and thus become acquainted with his discoveries. Some time after this he
fastened a second cask with a similar package to the stern of his vessel
so that it should go with him if the vessel went down with him and his
people.
In the meantime, to increase the terror of the frightful death which
menaced the crew every moment, the darkest and most cruel of all nights
came on. No mild stars, such as bring hope to the despairing, shone in
the heavens. Sky and sea were enveloped in dense darkness and the raging
hurricane continued without the least abatement of its fury. Thus they
alternated between life and death, only half alive. But the dreadful
night passed at last and in the first glimmer of dawn, to the
unspeakable delight of the wretched crew, land was seen in the distance.
The Azores lay before their eyes but, as the storm had not yet abated,
Columbus could not get near the shore. They had longed for a speedy
landing but, in view of the danger, they found it necessary to hold off
for four days. The _Pinta_ had disappeared and it was uncertain whether
it had gone down or whether Pinzon had taken advantage of the storm and
the darkness to forsake the Admiral and reach Spain with the first news
of the discoveries. At last the storm subsided and Columbus lost no time
in coming to anchor. Several Portuguese came to the vessel and offered
food for sale and inquired whence they had come and whither they
proposed to go.
Learning from them that there was an oratory of the Virgin not far from
the shore, Columbus permitted half of his men to land and fulfil the
promise they had made. He himself had grown lame in both hips owing to
his long watching and painful exertions and had to remain on board, but
he ordered them to return as soon as possible so that the others might
go ashore and perform their vows also. They promised to obey him,
disrobed themselves, and went barefooted to the oratory. Several hours
passed but none of them came back. He waited hour after hour but no one
appeared. At last it was night and still no one came. He grew suspicious
but, to learn the true state of affairs, had to wait until morning.
Morning came and then he was astonished to discover that the Portuguese
had overpowered the pilgrims and placed them under arrest. Columbus was
extremely indignant at this treacherous conduct and, as his protests
were useless, he at last threatened that he would not sail until he had
taken a hundred Portuguese prisoners and laid waste the island. His
threat made an impression upon them. They sent messengers to inquire in
the name of the governor whether he and his vessels were in the service
of the Spanish court. When Columbus had convinced them of this by his
letter of credentials they released the prisoners. The governor, it is
said, had instructions from his King to seize the person of Columbus, if
he could, and imprison him and his people and then quietly take
possession of the countries discovered by him. But as this could not be
done, because Columbus remained on board, he thought it wiser to give up
the prisoners and pretend that they had not known they were Spaniards.
Delighted with the fortunate settlement of this troublesome business,
Columbus again set sail, pleased with the prospect that all hardships
and dangers were ended. But Heaven had decreed that his steadfastness
must once more be tested.
The fearful storm broke out anew, the vessel was driven from its course,
the sails were torn, the masts wavered, and at every shock of the waves
the despairing crew expected to be lost. In this desperate condition,
which had now lasted two days, the crew suddenly perceived rocks, upon
which the old and shattered vessel was being driven. Had it continued in
that direction a moment longer it would have been destroyed, but
Columbus’ presence of mind did not forsake him in this appalling crisis.
A skilful turn which he made at just the right time saved the vessel and
all on board. He soon recognized that he was on the Portuguese coast and
certainly at the mouth of the Tagus, so he decided to come to anchor.
At daybreak he sent messengers, one to Madrid to notify the King of
Spain of his safe arrival, the other to the King of Portugal at Lisbon
to ask permission to come up the Tagus to the city and repair his
vessel. Permission being granted, he sailed without delay to Lisbon. The
news of the approach of the famous vessel rapidly spread through the
city, and all who could, ran to the harbor. The shore was crowded with
people and the river with boats, for every one was eager to see the
wonderful man who had achieved such an extraordinary undertaking. Some
thanked God for the favor He had shown the bold navigator, others
deplored the misfortune of their fatherland in rejecting his services.
The King of Portugal himself could not now refuse to pay his respects to
Columbus notwithstanding his deep regret that by this man’s discoveries
Spain would greatly increase its power and secure possessions which, but
for the folly of his advisers, he might have had. He ordered his
subjects to pay Columbus all possible honor, to provide his men with
subsistence, and also wrote a very complimentary letter, inviting him to
call upon him. Columbus hastened to accept the royal invitation. Upon
his arrival the entire Court, by command of the King, went out to meet
him. During the interview the King insisted that Columbus should speak
sitting, and with covered head, and displayed a lively interest in the
account of the discoveries and sought by flattering appeals to induce
him to engage in his service. It was in vain, however. He might have
offered him half of his kingdom without causing him to waver in his
devotion to the Court to which he had dedicated his services. After a
courteous withdrawal and the necessary repairs to his vessel he again
set sail for the same Spanish port (March 15) which he had left seven
months and eleven days before.