It was on Friday morning, the 12th of October, that Columbus first
beheld the new world. As the day dawned he saw before him a level
island, several leagues in extent, and covered with trees like a
continuous orchard. Though apparently uncultivated, it was populous; for
the inhabitants were seen issuing from all parts of the woods and
running to the shore. As they stood gazing at the ships, they seemed by
their attitudes and gestures to be lost in astonishment. Columbus made
signal for the ships to cast anchor, and the boats to be manned and
armed. He entered his own boat, richly attired in scarlet, and holding
the royal standard; two other boats followed with the captains and other
officers, each with a banner of the enterprise emblazoned with a green
cross, having on either side the letters F. and Y., the initials of the
Castilian monarchs Ferdinand and Ysabel, surmounted by crowns.
As he approached the shore, Columbus, who was disposed for all kinds of
agreeable impressions, was delighted with the purity and suavity of the
atmosphere, the crystal transparency of the sea, and the extraordinary
beauty of the vegetation. He beheld, also, fruits of an unknown kind
upon the trees which overhung the shores. On landing, he threw himself
on his knees, kissed the earth, and returned thanks to God with tears of
joy. His example was followed by the rest, whose hearts, indeed,
over-flowed with the same feelings of gratitude. Columbus then rising,
drew his sword, displayed the royal standard, and assembling around him
the two captains, with the rest who had landed, he took solemn
possession in the name of the Castilian sovereigns, giving the island
the name of San Salvador.—_Washington Irving._