_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
twelve of 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.