"Pronounce what sea, what shore is this?
The gulf, the rock of Salamis?"
Byron.
The adventurers had now been twenty-three days out of sight of land, all
of which time, with the exception of a few very immaterial changes in
the wind, and a day or two of calms, they had been steadily advancing
toward the west, with a southern variation that ranged between a fourth
of a point and a point and a quarter, though the latter fact was unknown
to them. Their hopes had been so often raised to be disappointed, that a
sort of settled gloom now began to prevail among the common men, which
was only relieved by irregular and uncertain cries of "land," as the
clouds produced their usual deceptions in the horizon. Still their
feelings were in that feverish state which admits of any sudden change;
and as the sea continued smooth as a river, the air balmy, and the skies
most genial, they were prevented from falling into despair. Sancho
reasoned, as usual, among his fellows, resisting ignorance and folly,
with impudence and dogmatism; while Luis unconsciously produced an
effect on the spirits of his associates by his cheerfulness and
confidence. Columbus, himself, remained calm, dignified, and reserved,
relying on the justice of his theories, and continuing resolute to
attain his object. The wind remained fair, as before, and in the course
of the night and day of the 2d of October, the vessels sailed more than
a hundred miles still further into that unknown and mysterious sea. The
weeds now drifted westerly, which was a material change, the currents
previously setting, in the main, in an opposite direction. The 3d proved
even a still more favorable day, the distance made reaching to
forty-seven leagues. The admiral now began to think seriously that he
had passed the islands laid down in his chart, and, with the high
resolution of one sustained by grand conceptions, he decided to stand on
west, with the intention of reaching the shores of the Indies, at once.
The 4th was a better day than either, the little fleet passing steadily
ahead, without deviating from its course, until it had fairly made one
hundred and eighty-nine miles, much the greatest day's work it had yet
achieved. This distance, so formidable to men who began to count each
hour and each league with uneasiness, was reckoned to all on board, but
Luis, as only one hundred and thirty-eight miles.
Friday, October 5th, commenced even more favorably, Columbus finding his
ship gliding though the water--there being no sea to cause her to reel
and stagger--at the rate of about eight miles the hour, which was almost
as fast as she had ever been known to go, and which would have caused
this day's work to exceed the last, had not the wind failed in the
night. As it was, however, fifty-seven more leagues were placed between
Ferro and the position of the vessel; a distance that was reduced to
forty-five, with the crew. The following day brought no material change,
Providence appearing to urge them on at a speed that must soon solve the
great problem which the admiral had been so long discussing with the
learned. It was already dark, when the Pinta came sheering down upon the
quarter of the Santa Maria, until she had got so near that her commander
hailed without the aid of a trumpet.
"Is Senor Don Christopher at his post, as usual?" hurriedly demanded
Pinzon, speaking like one who felt he had matter of weight upon his
mind: "I see persons on the poop; but know not if his Excellency be
among them."
"What wouldst thou, good Martin Alonzo?" answered the admiral: "I am
here, watching for the shores of Cipango, or Cathay, whichever God, in
his goodness, may be pleased first to give us."
"I see so many reasons, noble admiral, for changing our course more to
the south, that I could not resist the desire to come down and say as
much. Most of the late discoveries have been made in the southern
latitudes, and we might do well to get more southing."
"Have we gained aught by changing our course in this direction? Thy
heart seemeth bent on more southern climes, worthy friend; while to my
feelings we are now in the very paradise of sweets, land only excepted.
Islands _may_ lie south, or even north of us; but a continent _must_ lie
west. Why abandon a certainty for an uncertainty? the greater for the
less? Cipango, or Cathay, for some pleasant spot, fragrant with spices
no doubt, but without a name, and which can never equal the glories of
Asia, either as a discovery or as a conquest?"
"I would, Senor, I might prevail on you to steer more to the south!"
"Go to, Martin Alonzo, and forget thy cravings. My heart is in the west,
and thither reason teacheth me to follow it. First hear my orders, and
then go seek the Nina, that thy brother, the worthy Vicente Yanez, may
obey them also. Should aught separate us in the night, it shall be the
duty of all to stand manfully toward the west, striving to find our
company; for it would be a sad, as well as a useless thing, to be
wandering alone in this unknown ocean."
Pinzon, though evidently much displeased, was fain to obey, and after a
short but a sharp and loud altercation with the admiral, the commander
of the Pinta caused her to sheer toward the felucca to execute the
order.
"Martin Alonzo beginneth to waver," Columbus observed to Luis. "He is a
bold and exceeding skilful mariner, but steadiness of object is not his
greatest quality. He must be restrained from following the impulses of
his weakness, by the higher hand of authority. Cathay!--Cathay is my
aim!"
After midnight the wind increased, and for two hours the caravels
glanced through the smooth ocean at their greatest speed, which equalled
nine English miles the hour. Few now undressed, except to change their
clothes; and Columbus slumbered on the poop that night, using an old
sail for his couch. Luis was his companion, and both were up and on the
deck with the first appearance of dawn. A common feeling seemed to exist
among all, that land was near, and that a great discovery was about to
be made. An annuity of ten thousand maravedis had been promised by the
sovereigns to him who should first descry land, and every eye was on the
gaze, whenever opportunity permitted, to gain the prize.
As the light diffused itself downward toward the margin of the ocean, in
the western horizon, all thought there was the appearance of land, and
sail was eagerly crowded on the different vessels, in order to press
forward as fast as possible, that their respective crews might enjoy the
earliest and the best chances of obtaining the first view. In this
respect, circumstances singularly balanced the advantages and
disadvantages between the competitors. The Nina was the fastest vessel
in light airs and smooth water, but she was also the smallest. The Pinta
came next in general speed, holding a middle place in size, and beating
her consorts with a fresh breeze; while the Santa Maria, the last in
point of sailing, had the highest masts, and consequently swept the
widest range of horizon.
"There is a good feeling uppermost to-day, Senor Don Christopher," said
Luis, as he stood at the admiral's side, watching the advance of the
light; "and if eyes can do it, we may hope for the discovery of land.
The late run hath awakened all our hopes, and land we must have, even if
we raise it from the bottom of the ocean."
"Yonder is Pepe, the dutiful husband of Monica, perched on our highest
yard, straining his eyes toward the west, in the hope of gaining the
reward!" said Columbus, smiling. "Ten thousand maravedis, yearly, would,
in sooth, be some atonement to carry back to the grieved mother and the
deserted boy!"
"Martin Alonzo is in earnest, also, Senor. See how he presseth forward
in the Pinta; but Vicente Yanez hath the heels of him, and is determined
to make his salutations first to the Great Khan, neglectful of the elder
brother's rights."
"Senor!--Senores!" shouted Sancho from the spar on which he was seated
as composedly as a modern lady would recline on her ottoman--"the
felucca is speaking in signals."
"This is true," cried Columbus--"Vicente Yanez showeth the colors of the
queen, and there goeth a lombarda to announce some great event!"
As these were the signals directed in the event that either vessel
should discover land before her consorts, little doubt was entertained
that the leading caravel had, at last, really announced the final
success of the expedition. Still the recent and grave disappointment was
remembered, and, though all devoutly poured out their gratitude in
mental offerings, their lips were sealed until the result should show
the truth. Every rag of canvas was set, however, and the vessels seemed
to hasten their speed toward the west, like birds tired with an unusual
flight, which make new efforts with their wearied wings as the prospect
of alighting suddenly breaks on their keen vision and active instincts.
Hour passed after hour, however, and brought no confirmation of the
blessed tidings. The western horizon looked heavy and clouded throughout
the morning, it is true, often deceiving even the most practised eyes;
but as the day advanced, and the vessels had passed more than fifty
miles further toward the west, it became impossible to ascribe the hopes
of the morning to another optical illusion. The depression of spirits
that succeeded this new disappointment was greater than any that had
before existed, and the murmurs that arose were neither equivocal nor
suppressed. It was urged that some malign influence was leading the
adventurers on, finally to abandon them to despair and destruction, in a
wilderness of waters. This is the moment when, it has been said,
Columbus was compelled to make conditions with his followers,
stipulating to abandon the enterprise altogether, should it fail of
success in a given number of days. But this weakness has been falsely
ascribed to the great navigator, who never lost the fullest exercise of
his authority, even in the darkest moments of doubt; maintaining his
purpose, and asserting his power, with the same steadiness and calmness,
in what some thought this distant verge of the earth, as he had done in
the rivers of Spain. Prudence and policy at last dictated a change of
course, however, which he was neither too obstinate nor too proud to
submit to, and he accordingly adopted it of his own accord.
"We are now quite a thousand leagues from Ferro, by my private
reckoning, friend Luis," said Columbus to his young companion, in one of
their private conferences, which took place after nightfall, "and it is
really time to expect the continent of Asia. Hitherto I have looked for
naught but islands, and not with much expectation of seeing even them,
though Martin Alonzo and the pilots have been so sanguine in their
hopes. The large flocks of birds, however, that have appeared to-day,
would seem to invite us to follow their flights--land, out of doubt,
being their aim. I shall accordingly change our course more to the
south, though not as far as Pinzon desireth, Cathay being still my
goal."
Columbus gave the necessary orders, and the two other caravels were
brought within hail of the Santa Maria, when their commanders were
directed to steer west-south-west. The reason for this change was the
fact that so many birds had been seen flying in that direction. The
intention of the admiral was to pursue this course for two days.
Notwithstanding this alteration, no land was visible in the morning;
but, as the wind was light, and the vessels had only made five leagues
since the course was changed, the disappointment produced less
despondency than usual. In spite of their uncertainty, all in the
vessels now rioted in the balmy softness of the atmosphere, which was
found so fragrant that it was delicious to breathe it. The weeds, too,
became more plenty, and many of them were as fresh as if torn from their
native rocks only a day or two previously. Birds, that unequivocally
belonged to the land, were also seen in considerable numbers, one of
which was actually taken; while ducks abounded, and another pelican was
met. Thus passed the 8th of October, the adventurers filled with hope,
though the vessels only increased their distance from Europe some forty
miles in the course of the twenty-four hours. The succeeding day brought
no other material change than a shift of wind, which compelled the
admiral to alter his course to west-by-north, for a few hours. This
caused him some uneasiness, for it was his wish to proceed due west, or
west-southerly; though it afforded considerable relief to many among his
people, who had been terrified by the prevalence of the winds in one
direction. Had the variation still existed, this would have been, in
fact, steering the very course the admiral desired to go; but by this
time, the vessels were in a latitude and longitude where the needle
resumed its powers and became faithful to its direction. In the course
of the night, the trades also resumed their influence; and early on the
morning of the 10th, the vessels again headed toward the
west-south-west, by compass, which was, in truth, the real course, or as
near to it as might be.
Such was the state of things when the sun rose on the morning of the
10th October, 1492. The wind had freshened, and all three of the vessels
were running free the whole day, at a rate varying from five knots to
nine. The signs of the proximity of land had been so very numerous of
late, that, at every league of ocean they passed over, the adventurers
had the strongest expectations of discovering it, and nearly every eye
in all three of the ships was kept constantly bent on the western
horizon, in the hope of its owner's being the first to make the joyful
announcement of its appearance. The cry of "land" had been so frequent
of late, however, that Columbus caused it to be made known that he who
again uttered it causelessly, should lose the reward promised by the
sovereigns, even should he happen to be successful in the end. This
information induced more caution, and not a tongue betrayed its master's
eagerness on this all-engrossing subject, throughout the anxious and
exciting days of the 8th, 9th, and 10th October. But, their progress in
the course of the 10th exceeding that made in the course of both the
other days, the evening sky was watched with a vigilance even surpassing
that which had attended any previous sunset. This was the moment most
favorable for examining the western horizon, the receding light
illuminating the whole watery expanse in that direction, in a way to
give up all its secrets to the eye.
"Is that a hummock of land?" asked Pepe of Sancho, in a low voice, as
they lay together on a yard, watching the upper limb of the sun, as it
settled, like a glimmering star, beneath the margin of the ocean; "or is
it some of this misguiding vapor that hath so often misled us of late?"
"'Tis neither, Pepe," returned the more cool and experienced Sancho;
"but a rise of the sea, which is ever thus tossing itself upward on the
margin of the ocean. Didst ever see a calm so profound, that the water
left a straight circle on the horizon? No--no--there is no land to be
seen in the west to-night; the ocean, in that quarter, looking as blank
as if we stood on the western shore of Ferro, and gazed outward into the
broad fields of the Atlantic. Our noble admiral may have the truth of
his side, Pepe; but, as yet, he hath no other evidence of it than is to
be found in his reasons."
"And dost thou, too, take sides against him, Sancho, and say that he is
a madman who is willing to lead others to destruction, as well as
himself, so that he die an admiral in fact, and a viceroy in fancy?"
"I take sides against no man whose doblas take sides with me, Pepe; for
that would be quarrelling with the best friend that both the rich and
poor can make, which is gold. Don Christopher is doubtless very learned,
and one thing hath he settled to my satisfaction, even though neither he
nor any of us ever see a single jewel of Cathay, or pluck a hair from
the beard of the Great Khan, and that is, that this world is round; had
it been a plain, all this water would not be placed at the outer side,
since it would clearly run off, unless dammed up by land. Thou canst
conceive that, Pepe?"
"That do I; it is reasonable and according to every man's experience.
Monica thinketh the Genoese a saint!"
"Harkee, Pepe; thy Monica is no doubt an uncommonly sensible woman, else
would she never have taken thee for a husband, when she might have
chosen among a dozen of thy fellows. I once thought of the girl myself,
and might have told her so, had she seen fit to call me a saint, too,
which she did not, seeing that she used a very different epithet. But,
admitting the Senor Colon to be a saint, he would be none the better
admired for it, inasmuch as I never yet met with a saint, or even with a
virgin, that could understand the bearings and distances of a run as
short as that from Cadiz to Barcelona."
"Thou speakest irreverently, Sancho, of virgins and saints, seeing that
they know every thing"--
"Ay, every thing but that. Our Lady of Rabida does not
know south-east-and-by-southe-half-southe, from
north-west-and-by-noathe-half-noathe. I have tried her, in this matter,
and I tell thee she is as ignorant of it as thy Monica is ignorant of
the manner in which the Duchess of Medina Sidonia saluteth the noble
duke, her husband, when he returneth from hawking."
"I dare say the duchess would not know, either, what to say, were she in
Monica's place, and were she called on to receive me, as Monica will be,
when we return from this great expedition. If I have never hawked,
neither hath the duke ever sailed for two-and-thirty days, in a west
course from Ferro, and this, too, without once seeing land!"
"Thou say'st true, Pepe; nor hast thou ever yet done this and returned
to Palos. But what meaneth all this movement on deck? Our people seem to
be much moved by some feeling, while I can swear it is not from having
discovered Cathay, or from having seen the Great Khan, shining like a
carbuncle, on his throne of diamonds."
"It is rather that they do not see him thus, that the men are moved.
Dost not hear angry and threatening words from the mouths of the
troublesome ones?"
"By San Iago! were I Don Christopher, but I would deduct a dobla from
the wages of each of the rascals, and give the gold to such peaceable
men as you and me, Pepe, who are willing to starve to death, ere we will
go back without a sight of Asia."
"'Tis something of this sort, of a truth, Sancho. Let us descend, that
his Excellency may see that he hath some friends among the crew."
As Sancho assented to this proposition, he and Pepe stood on the deck in
the next minute. Here, indeed, the people were found in a more mutinous
state than they had been since the fleet left Spain. The long
continuation of fair winds, and pleasant weather, had given them so much
reason to expect a speedy termination of their voyage, that nearly the
whole crew were now of opinion it was due to themselves to insist on the
abandonment of an expedition that seemed destined to lead to nothing but
destruction. The discussion was loud and angry, even one or two of the
pilots inclining to think, with their inferiors, that further
perseverance would certainly be useless, and might be fatal. When Sancho
and Pepe joined the crowd, it had just been determined to go in a body
to Columbus, and to demand, in terms that could not be misconceived, the
immediate return of the ships to Spain. In order that this might be done
with method, Pedro Alonzo Nino, one of the pilots, and an aged seaman
called Juan Martin, were selected as spokesmen. At this critical moment,
too, the admiral and Luis were seen descending from the poop, with an
intent to retire to their cabin, when a rush was made aft, by all on
deck, and twenty voices were heard simultaneously crying--
"Senor--Don Christopher--Your Excellency--Senor Almirante!"
Columbus stopped, and faced the people with a calmness and dignity that
caused the heart of Nino to leap toward his mouth, and which materially
checked the ardor of most of his followers.
"What would ye?" demanded the admiral, sternly. "Speak! Ye address a
friend."
"We come to ask our precious lives, Senor," answered Juan Martin, who
thought his insignificance might prove a shield--"nay, what is more, the
means of putting bread into the mouths of our wives and children. All
here are weary of this profitless voyage, and most think if it last any
longer than shall be necessary to return, it will be the means of our
perishing of want."
"Know ye the distance that lieth between us and Ferro, that ye come to
me with this blind and foolish request? Speak, Nino; I see that thou art
also of their number, notwithstanding thy hesitation."
"Senor," returned the pilot, "we are all of a mind. To go further into
this blank and unknown ocean, is tempting God to destroy us, for our
wilfulness. It is vain to suppose that this broad belt of water hath
been placed by Providence around the habitable earth for any other
purpose than to rebuke those who audaciously seek to be admitted to
mysteries beyond their understanding. Do not all the churchmen,
Senor--the pious prior of Santa Maria de Rabida, your own particular
friend, included--tell us constantly of the necessity of submitting to a
knowledge we can never equal, and to believe without striving to lift a
veil that covers incomprehensible things?"
"I might retort on thee, honest Nino, with thine own words," answered
Columbus, "and bid thee confide in those whose knowledge thou canst
never equal, and to follow submissively where thou art totally unfitted
to lead. Go to; withdraw with thy fellows, and let me hear no more of
this."
"Nay, Senor," cried two or three in a breath, "we cannot perish without
making our complaints heard. We have followed too far already, and, even
now, may have gone beyond the means of a safe return. Let us, then, turn
the heads of the caravels toward Spain, this night, lest we never live
to see that blessed country again."
"This toucheth on revolt! Who among ye dare use language so bold, to
your admiral?"
"All of us, Senor," answered twenty voices together. "Men need be bold,
when their lives would be forfeited by silence."
"Sancho, art thou, too, of the party of these mutineers? Dost thou
confess thy heart to be Spain-sick, and thy unmanly fears to be stronger
than thy hopes of imperishable glory and thy longings for the riches and
pleasures of Cathay?"
"If I do, Senor Don Almirante, set me to greasing masts, and take me
from the helm, forever, as one unfit to watch the whirlings of the north
star. Sail with the caravels, into the hall of the Great Khan, and make
fast to his throne, and you will find Sancho at his post, whether it be
at the helm or at the lead. He was born in a ship-yard, and hath a
natural desire to know what a ship can do."
"And thou, Pepe? Hast thou so forgotten thy duty as to come with this
language to thy commander? to the admiral and viceroy of thy sovereign,
the Dona Isabella?"
"Viceroy over what?" exclaimed a voice from the crowd, without
permitting Pepe to answer. "A viceroy over sea-weed, and one that hath
tunny-fish, and whales, and pelicans, for subjects! We tell you, Senor
Colon, that this is no treatment for Castilians, who require more
substantial discoveries than fields of weeds, and islands of clouds!"
"Home!--Home!--Spain!--Spain!--Palos!--Palos!" cried nearly all
together, Sancho and Pepe having quitted the throng and ranged
themselves at the side of Columbus. "We will no further west, which is
tempting God; but demand to be carried back whence we came, if, indeed,
it be not already too late for so happy a deliverance."
"To whom speak ye in this shameless manner, graceless knaves?" exclaimed
Luis, unconsciously laying a hand where it had been his practice to
carry a rapier. "Get ye gone, or"--
"Be tranquil, friend Pedro, and leave this matter with me," interrupted
the admiral, whose composure had scarce been deranged by the violent
conduct of his subordinates. "Listen to what I have to say, ye rude and
rebellious men, and let it be received as my final answer to any and all
such demands as ye have just dared to make. This expedition hath been
sent forth by the two sovereigns, your royal master and mistress, with
the express design of crossing the entire breadth of the vast Atlantic,
until it might reach the shores of India. Now, let what will happen,
these high expectations shall not be disappointed; but westward we sail,
until stopped by the land. For this determination, my life shall answer.
Look to it, that none of yours be endangered by resistance to the royal
orders, or by disrespect and disobedience to their appointed substitute;
for, another murmur, and I mark the man that uttereth it, for signal
punishment. In this ye have my full determination, and beware of
encountering the anger of those whose displeasure may prove more fatal
than these fancied dangers of the ocean.
"Look at what ye have before you, in the way of fear, and then at what
ye have before ye, in the way of hope. In the first case, ye have every
thing to dread from the sovereigns' anger, should ye proceed to a
violent resistance of their authority; or, what is as bad, something
like a certainty of your being unable to reach Spain, for want of food
and water, should ye revolt against your lawful leaders and endeavor to
return. For this, it is now too late. The voyage east must, as regards
time, be double that we have just made, and the caravels are beginning
to be lightened in their casks. Land, and land in this region, hath
become necessary to us. Now look at the other side of the picture.
Before ye, lieth Cathay, with all its riches, its novelties, and its
glories! A region more wonderful than any that hath yet been inhabited
by man, and occupied by a race as gentle as they are hospitable and
just. To this must be added the approbation of the sovereigns, and the
credit that will belong to the meanest mariner that hath manfully stood
by his commander in achieving so great an end."
"If we will obey three days longer, Senor, will you then turn toward
Spain, should no land be seen?" cried a voice from the crowd.
"Never," returned Columbus, firmly. "To India am I bound, and for India
will I steer, though another month be needed to complete the journey.
Go, then, to your posts or your hammocks, and let me hear no more of
this."
There was so much natural dignity in the manner of Columbus, and when he
spoke in anger, his voice carried so much of rebuke with it, that it
exceeded the daring of ordinary men to presume to answer when he
commanded silence. The people sullenly dispersed, therefore, though the
disaffection was by no means appeased. Had there been only a single
vessel in the expedition, it is quite probable that they would have
proceeded to some act of violence; but, uncertain of the state of
feeling in the Pinta and the Nina, and holding Martin Alonzo Pinzon in
as much habitual respect as they stood in awe of Columbus, the boldest
among them were, for the present, fain to give vent to their
dissatisfaction in murmurs, though they secretly meditated decided
measures, as soon as an opportunity for consultation and concert with
the crews of the other vessels might offer.
"This looketh serious, Senor," said Luis, as soon as he and the admiral
were alone again in their little cabin, "and, by St. Luke! it might cool
the ardor of these knaves, did your Excellency suffer me to cast two or
three of the most insolent of the vagabonds into the sea."
"Which is a favor that some among them have actually contemplated
conferring upon thee and me," answered Columbus.
"Sancho keepeth me well informed of the feeling among the people, and it
is now many days since he hath let me know this fact. We will proceed
peaceably, if possible, Senor Gutierrez, or de Munos, whichever name
thou most affectest, as long as we can; but should there truly arise an
occasion to resort to force, thou wilt find that Christofero Colombo
knoweth how to wield a sword as well as he knoweth how to use his
instruments of science."
"How far do you really think us from land, Senor Almirante? I ask from
curiosity, and not from dread; for though the ship floated on the very
verge of the earth, ready to fall off into vacuum, you should hear no
murmur from me."
"I am well assured of this, young noble," returned Columbus,
affectionately squeezing the hand of Luis, "else wouldst thou not be
here. I make our distance from Ferro exceed a thousand marine leagues;
this is about the same as that at which I have supposed Cathay to lie
from Europe, and it is, out of question, sufficiently far to meet with
many of the islands that are known to abound in the seas of Asia. The
public reckoning maketh the distance a little more than eight hundred
leagues; but, in consequence of the favorable currents of which we have
lately had so much, I doubt if we are not fully eleven hundred from the
Canaries, at this moment, if not even further. We are doubtless a trifle
nearer to the Azores, which are situated further west, though in a
higher latitude."
"Then you think, Senor, that we may really expect land, ere many days?"
"So certain do I feel of this, Luis, that I should have little
apprehension of complying with the terms of these audacious men, but for
the humiliation. Ptolemy divided the earth into twenty-four hours, of
fifteen degrees each, and I place but some five or six of these hours in
the Atlantic. Thirteen hundred leagues, I feel persuaded, will bring us
to the shores of Asia, and eleven of these thirteen hundred leagues do I
believe we have come."
"To-morrow may then prove an eventful day, Senor Almirante; and now to
our cots, where I shall dream of a fairer land than Christian eye ever
yet looked upon, with the fairest maiden of Spain--nay, by San Pedro! of
Europe--beckoning me on!"
Columbus and Luis now sought their rest. In the morning, it was evident
by the surly looks of the people, that feelings like a suppressed
volcano were burning in their bosoms, and that any untoward accident
might produce an eruption. Fortunately, however, signs, of a nature so
novel, soon appeared, as to draw off the attention of the most
disaffected from their melancholy broodings. The wind was fresh, as
usual fair, and, what was really a novelty since quitting Ferro, the sea
had got up, and the vessels were riding over waves which removed that
appearance of an unnatural calm that had hitherto alarmed the men with
its long continuance. Columbus had not been on deck five minutes, when a
joyful cry from Pepe drew all eyes toward the yard on which he was at
work. The seaman was pointing eagerly at some object in the water, and
rushing to the side of the vessel, all saw the welcome sign that had
caught his gaze. As the ship lifted on a sea, and shot ahead, a rush of
a bright fresh green was passed, and the men gave a loud shout, for all
well knew that this plant certainly came from some shore, and that it
could not have been long torn from the spot of its growth.
"This is truly a blessed omen!" said Columbus; "rushes cannot grow
without the light of heaven, whatever may be the case with weeds."
This little occurrence changed, or at least checked, the feelings of the
disaffected. Hope once more resumed its sway, and all who could,
ascended the rigging to watch the western horizon. The rapid motion of
the vessels, too, added to this buoyancy of feeling, the Pinta and Nina
passing and repassing the admiral, as it might be in pure wantonness. A
few hours later, fresh weeds were met, and about noon Sancho announced
confidently that he had seen a fish which is known to live in the
vicinity of rocks. An hour later, the Nina came sheering up toward the
admiral, with her commander in the rigging, evidently desirous of
communicating some tidings of moment.
"What now, good Vicente Yanez?" called out Columbus; "thou seemest the
messenger of welcome news!"
"I think myself such, Don Christopher," answered the other. "We have
just passed a bush bearing roseberries, quite newly torn from the tree!
This is a sign that cannot deceive us."
"Thou say'st true, my friend. To the west!--to the west! Happy will he
be whose eyes first behold the wonders of the Indies!"
It would not be easy to describe the degree of hope and exultation that
now began to show itself among the people. Good-natured jests flew about
the decks, and the laugh was easily raised where so lately all had been
despondency and gloom. The minutes flew swiftly by, and every man had
ceased to think of Spain, bending his thoughts again on the as yet
unseen west.
A little later, a cry of exultation was heard from the Pinta, which was
a short distance to windward and ahead of the admiral. As this vessel
shortened sail and hove-to, lowering a boat, and then immediately kept
away, the Santa Maria soon came foaming up under her quarter, and spoke
her.
"What now, Martin Alonzo?" asked Columbus, suppressing his anxiety in an
appearance of calmness and dignity. "Thou and thy people seem in an
ecstasy!"
"Well may we be so! About an hour since, we passed a piece of the
cane-plant, of the sort of which sugar is made in the East, as
travellers say, and such as we often see in our own ports. But this is a
trifling symptom of land compared to the trunk of a tree that we have
also passed. As if Providence had not yet dealt with us with sufficient
kindness, all these articles were met floating near each other; and we
have thought them of sufficient value to lower a boat, that we might
possess them."
"Lay thy sails to the mast, good Martin Alonzo, and send thy prizes
hither, that I may judge of their value."
Pinzon complied, and the Santa Maria being hove-to, at the same time,
the boat soon touched her side. Martin Alonzo made but one bound from
the thwart to the gunwale of the ship, and was soon on the deck of the
admiral. Here he eagerly displayed the different articles that his men
tossed after him, all of which had been taken out of the sea, not an
hour before.
"See, noble Senores," said Martin Alonzo, almost breathless with haste
to display his treasures--"this is a sort of board, though of unknown
wood, and fashioned with exceeding care: here is also another piece of
cane: this is a plant that surely cometh from the land; and most of all,
this is a walking-stick, fashioned by the hand of man, and that, too,
with exceeding care!"
"All this is true," said Columbus, examining the different articles, one
by one; "God, in his might and power, be praised for these comfortable
evidences of our near approach to a new world! None but a malignant
Infidel can now doubt of our final success."
"These things have questionless come from some boat that hath been
upset, which will account for their being so near each other in the
water," said Martin Alonzo, willing to sustain his physical proofs by a
plausible theory. "It would not be wonderful were drowned bodies near."
"Let us hope not, Martin Alonzo," answered the admiral; "let us fancy
naught so melancholy. A thousand accidents may have thrown these
articles together, into the sea; and once there, they would float in
company for a twelvemonth, unless violently separated. But come they
whence they may, to us, they are infallible proofs that not only land is
near, but land which is the abiding-place of men."
It is not easy to describe the enthusiasm that now prevailed in all the
vessels. Hitherto they had met with only birds, and fishes, and weeds,
signs that are often precarious; but here was such proof of their being
in the neighborhood of their fellow-creatures, as it was not easy to
withstand. It was true, articles of this nature might drift, in time,
even across the vast distance they had come; but it was not probable
that they would drift so far in company. Then, the berries were fresh,
the board was of an unknown wood, and the walking-stick, in particular,
if such indeed was its use, was carved in a manner that was never
practised in Europe. The different articles passed from hand to hand,
until all in the ship had examined them; and every thing like doubt
vanished before this unlooked-for confirmation of the admiral's
predictions. Pinzon returned to his vessel, sail was again made, and the
fleet continued to steer to the west-south-west, until the hour of
sunset.
Something like a chill of disappointment again came over the more
faint-hearted of the people, however, as they once more, or for the
thirty-fourth time since quitting Gomera, saw the sun sink behind a
watery horizon. More than a hundred vigilant eyes watched the glowing
margin of the ocean, at this interesting moment, and though the heavens
were cloudless, naught was visible but the gloriously tinted vault, and
the outline of water, broken into the usual ragged forms of the unquiet
element.
The wind freshened as evening closed, and Columbus having called his
vessels together, as was usual with him at that hour, he issued new
orders concerning the course. For the last two or three days they had
been steering materially to the southward of west, and Columbus, who
felt persuaded that his most certain and his nearest direction from land
to land, was to traverse the ocean, if possible, on a single parallel of
latitude, was anxious to resume his favorite course, which was what he
fancied to be due west. Just as night drew around the mariners,
accordingly, the ships edged away to the required course, and ran off at
the rate of nine miles the hour, following the orb of day as if resolute
to penetrate into the mysteries of his nightly retreat, until some great
discovery should reward the effort.
Immediately after this change in the course, the people sang the vesper
hymn, as usual, which, in that mild sea, they often deferred until the
hour when the watch below sought their hammocks. That night, however,
none felt disposed to sleep; and it was late when the chant of the
seamen commenced, with the words of "_Salve fac Regina_." It was a
solemn thing to hear the songs of religious praise mingling with the
sighings of the breeze and the wash of the waters, in that ocean
solitude; and the solemnity was increased by the expectations of the
adventurers and the mysteries that lay behind the curtain they believed
themselves about to raise. Never before had this hymn sounded so sweetly
in the ears of Columbus, and Luis found his eyes suffusing with tears,
as he recalled the soft thrilling notes of Mercedes' voice, in her holy
breathings of praise at this hour. When the office ended, the admiral
called the crew to the quarter-deck, and addressed them earnestly from
his station on the poop.
"I rejoice, my friends," he said, "that you have had the grace to chant
the vesper hymn in so devout a spirit, at a moment when there is so much
reason to be grateful to God for his goodness to us throughout this
voyage. Look back at the past and see if one of you, the oldest sailor
of your number, can recall any passage at sea, I will not say of equal
length, for that no one here hath ever before made, but any equal number
of days at sea, in which the winds have been as fair, the weather as
propitious, or the ocean as calm, as on this occasion. Then what
cheering signs have encouraged us to persevere! God is in the midst of
the ocean, my friends, as well as in his sanctuaries of the land. Step
by step, as it were, hath he led us on, now filling the air with birds,
now causing the sea to abound with unusual fishes, and then spreading
before us fields of plants, such as are seldom met far from the rocks
where they grew. The last and best of his signs hath he given us this
day. My own calculations are in unison with these proofs, and I deem it
probable that we reach the land this very night. In a few hours, or when
we shall have run the distance commanded by the eye, as the light left
us, I shall deem it prudent to shorten sail; and I call on all of you to
be watchful, lest we unwittingly throw ourselves on the strange shores.
Ye know that the sovereigns have graciously promised ten thousand
maravedis, yearly, and for life, to him who shall first discover land:
to this rich reward I will add a doublet of velvet, such as it would
befit a grandee to wear. Sleep not, then; but, at the turn of the night,
be all vigilance and watchfulness. I am now most serious with ye, and
look for land this very blessed night."
These encouraging words produced their full effect, the men scattering
themselves in the ship, each taking the best position he could, to earn
the coveted prizes. Deep expectation is always a quiet feeling, the
jealous senses seeming to require silence and intensity of
concentration, in order to give them their full exercise. Columbus
remained on the poop, while Luis, less interested, threw himself on a
sail, and passed the time in musing on Mercedes, and in picturing to
himself the joyful moment when he might meet her again, a triumphant and
successful adventurer.
The death-like silence that prevailed in the ship, added to the
absorbing interest of that important night. At the distance of a mile
was the little Nina, gliding on her course with a full sail; while half
a league still further in advance, was to be seen the shadowy outline of
the Pinta, which preceded her consorts, as the swiftest sailer with a
fresh breeze. Sancho had been round to every sheet and brace, in person,
and never before had the admiral's ship held as good way with her
consorts as on that night, all three of the vessels appearing to have
caught the eager spirit of those they contained, and to be anxious to
outdo themselves. At moments the men started, while the wind murmured
through the cordage, as if they heard unknown and strange voices from a
mysterious world; and fifty times, when the waves combed upon the sides
of the ship, did they turn their heads, expecting to see a crowd of
unknown beings, fresh from the eastern world, pouring in upon their
decks.
As for Columbus, he sighed often; for minutes at a time would he stand
looking intently toward the west, like one who strove to penetrate the
gloom of night, with organs exceeding human powers. At length he bent
his body forward, gazed intently over the weather railing of the ship,
and then, lifting his cap, he seemed to be offering up his spirit in
thanksgiving or prayer. All this Luis witnessed where he lay: at the
next instant he heard himself called.
"Pero Gutierrez--Pedro de Munos--Luis--whatever thou art termed," said
Columbus, his fine masculine voice trembling with eagerness--"come
hither, son; tell me if thine eyes accord with mine. Look in this
direction--here, more on the vessel's beam; seest thou aught uncommon?"
"I saw a light, Senor; one that resembled a candle, being neither larger
nor more brilliant; and to me it appeared to move, as if carried in the
hand, or tossed by waves."
"Thy eyes did not deceive thee; thou seest it doth not come of either of
our consorts, both of which are here on the bow."
"What do you, then, take this light to signify, Don Christopher?"
"Land! It is either on the land itself, rendered small by distance, or
it cometh of some vessel that is a stranger to us, and which belongeth
to the Indies. There is Rodrigo Sanchez of Segovia, the comptroller of
the fleet, beneath us; descend, and bid him come hither."
Luis did as required, and presently the comptroller was also at the
admiral's side. Half an hour passed, and the light was not seen again;
then it gleamed upward once or twice, like a torch, and finally
disappeared. This circumstance was soon known to all in the ship, though
few attached the same importance to it as Columbus himself.
"This is land," quietly observed the admiral, to those near his person:
"ere many hours we may expect to behold it. Now ye may pour out your
souls in gratitude and confidence, for in such a sign there can be no
deception. No phenomenon of the ocean resembleth that light; and my
reckoning placeth us in a quarter of the world where land _must_ exist,
else is the earth no sphere."
Notwithstanding this great confidence on the part of the admiral, most
of those in the ship did not yet feel the same certainty in the result,
although all felt the strongest hopes of falling in with land next day.
Columbus saying no more on the subject, the former silence was soon
resumed, and, in a few minutes, every eye was again turned toward the
west, in anxious watchfulness. In this manner the time passed away, the
ships driving ahead with a speed much exceeding that of their ordinary
rate of sailing, until the night had turned, when its darkness was
suddenly illuminated by a blaze of light, and the report of a gun from
the Pinta came struggling up against the fresh breeze of the trades.
"There speaketh Martin Alonzo!" exclaimed the admiral; "and we may be
certain that he hath not given the signal idly. Who sitteth on the
top-gallant yard, there, on watch for wonders ahead?"
"Senor Don Almirante, it is I," answered Sancho. "I have been here since
we sang the vesper hymn."
"Seest thou aught unusual, westward? Look vigilantly, for we touch on
mighty things!"
"Naught, Senor, unless it be that the Pinta is lessening her canvas, and
the Nina is already closing with our fleet consort--nay, I now see the
latter shortening sail also!"
"For these great tidings, all honor and praise be to God! These are
proofs that no false cry hath this time misled their judgments. We will
join our consorts, good Bartolemeo, ere we take in a single inch of
canvas."
Every thing was now in motion on board the Santa Maria, which went
dashing ahead for another half hour, when she came up with the two other
caravels, both of which had hauled by the wind, under short canvas, and
were forging slowly through the water, on different tacks, like coursers
cooling themselves after having terminated a severe struggle by reaching
the goal.
"Come hither, Luis," said Columbus, "and feast thine eyes with a sight
that doth not often meet the gaze of the best of Christians."
The night was far from dark, a tropical sky glittering with a thousand
stars, and even the ocean itself appearing to emit a sombre, melancholy
light. By the aid of such assistants it was possible to see several
miles, and more especially to note objects on the margin of the ocean.
When the young man cast his eyes to leeward, as directed by Columbus, he
very plainly perceived a point where the blue of the sky ceased, and a
dark mound rose from the water, stretching for a few leagues southward,
and then terminated, as it had commenced, by a union between the watery
margin of the ocean and the void of heaven. The intermediate space had
the defined outline, the density, and the hue of land, as seen at
midnight.
"Behold the Indies!" said Columbus; "the mighty problem is solved! This
is doubtless an island, but a continent is near. Laud be to God!"