San Salvador anchor bananas messenger
Cuba scarlet palms brilliant
Yes, there was a low, dark mass far in front of them, which might be land.
In the dim starlight, it was hard to make out what it was. But one thing
was certain, it was not a mere expanse of water, such as lay in every
other direction. And so the sailors brought out a little old-fashioned
cannon and fired it off as a signal to the crews of the other vessels.
Then the sails of the three ships were furled, and they waited for the
light of day.
When morning dawned, Columbus and his companions saw that they were quite
near to a green and sunny island. It was a beautiful spot. There were
pleasant groves where the songs of birds were heard. Thousands of flowers
were seen on every hand, and the trees were laden with fruit. The island
was inhabited, too; for strange men could be seen running toward the shore
and looking with wonder at the ships.
The sailors, who had lately been ready to give up all hope, were now
filled with joy. They crowded around Columbus, and kissed his hands, and
begged him to forgive them for thinking of disobeying him. The ships cast
anchor, the boats were lowered, and Columbus, with most of the men, went
on shore. Columbus was dressed in a grand robe of scarlet, and the banner
of Spain was borne above him.
[Illustration: THE LANDING OF COLUMBUS.]
As soon as the boats reached the shore, Columbus stepped out and knelt
down upon the beach and gave thanks to God; then he took possession of
the island in the name of the king and queen of Spain, and called it San
Salvador. It was thus that the first land in America was discovered on the
12th of October, 1492.
The natives were filled with wonder at what they saw. At first they were
awed and frightened at sight of the ships and the strange men; but they
soon overcame their fears and seemed delighted and very friendly. They
brought to Columbus gifts of all they had,--bananas, yams, oranges, and
beautiful birds.
“Surely,” they said, “these wonderful beings who have come to us from the
sea are not mere men like ourselves. They must be messengers from heaven.”
Columbus believed that this island was near the coast of Asia, and that
it was one of the islands of India; and so he called the people Indians.
He did not remain here long, but sailed away to discover other lands. In
a short time the ships came to a large island where there were rivers of
fresh water flowing into the sea. The air was sweet with the breath of
blossoms; the sky was blue and clear; the sea was calm; the world seemed
full of joy and peace. This island was Cuba.
“Let us live here always!” cried the sailors; “for surely this is
paradise.”
And so, for three months and more, Columbus and his companions sailed
among scenes of delight, such as they had never before imagined. They
visited island after island, and everywhere saw new beauties and new
pleasures. The natives were simple-hearted and kind. “They love their
neighbors as themselves,” said Columbus. They looked with wonder upon the
bright swords of the white men and upon their brilliant armor; and when
the little cannon was fired, they were so filled with alarm that they fell
to the ground.
It was on the 15th of the next March that Columbus, after a stormy
homeward voyage, sailed again into the little harbor of Palos, from which
he had started. And now there was a greater stir in the little town than
there had been before. “Christopher Columbus has come back from the
unknown seas!” was the cry that went from house to house.
“Did he reach the East by sailing west? Has he really been to far-off
India?” asked the doubting ones.
“He has, indeed!” was the answer. “He has discovered a new world.”
Then the bells were rung, guns were fired, and bonfires blazed on the
hilltops. Everybody rejoiced. Everybody was willing now to say that the
Italian sailor was right when he declared the earth to be round.