The discoveries of Columbus and of the English in America

Front matter

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I

BLACKWOOP'S

Preface

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The connection between this country and America is so intimate, and so rapidly increasing, that tlie Editor of the following pages cannot but hope he may be conferring a benefit on the great mass of our reading population, by giving them this opportunity of becoming acquainted with the early discoveries of Columbus and of our own countrymen in that important continent:

Tales of adventure are always more or less exciting, and the incidents to be met with in the lives of the first discoverers of America, will be found by no means deficient in interest. Indeed they form part of the real romance of History, and constitute narratives quite as pleasurable to the imagination, and ot course far more profitable and instructive, than the romance of fiction.

To the Spaniards chiefly belongs the credit of having revealed to the Old World the knowledge of the existence of the New. In early times navigation made but slow progress. Before the wonderful properties of the magnetic needle were discovered, few sailors were willing to venture themselves on the broad ocean far out of sight of land ; and indeed, for two centuries after that invention, they continued to creep along the coasts, considering every headland as impassable which ran any distance into the sea, or against which the waves broke with more than ordinary force.

Don Henry, Prince of Portugal, fourth son of John I., king of that country, first broke through these restraints of timidity and ignorance ; and, by

IV TREFACE.

his energy and influence, the coast of Africa was investigated from the Mediterranean sea to the Cape of Good Hoi)e5 and many important islands in the Atlantic were brought to light. Don Henry died A.D. 1463, in the third year of the reign of his elder brother, John II. His death, however, did not interrupt the progress of navigation ; for John's ambition led him not merely to assist in discovering new lands, but to take steps to annex to the crown of Portugal the countries that were found. The practice of the first navigators had been merely to raise a wooden cross upon any newly-discovered coast, to carve upon some trees the device of Don Henry, the name they thought proper to give to the new country, and any other information that might be useful to those who should afterwards visit the same parts. But now the king's instructions were, that they should erect piles of stones witli a cross upon the top, engrave upon the stones the arms of Portugal, the kings name and that of the ship's commander, also the day and year of the discovery. This mark, which was more permanent than wood, was accounted sufficient to establish a claim to the new land ; and as the rights of the original inhabitants were never for one moment thought of, such a claim mighty perhaps, justly enough be pleaded against any other European power.

Such was the state of Portuguese navigation^ when in 1492 Christopher Columbus undertook his daring voyage across the great Atlantic ocean^ under the protection of Spain. He had declared his expectation of discovering a vast continent in that direction, and offered his proposals to King John of Portugal; but, meeting with little encouragement at his court, he betook himself to other princes, and eventually, after much wearisome r

PREFACE. V

delay, Isabella, Queen of CastiJle and Arragon, furnished him with the assistance • he required. The Portuguese and Spaniards from this time became rivals in adventure, and jealous of each other's claims to countries which neither of them as yet had seen. In this state of affairs, the Pope, whose power in those days was paramount, was appealed to; and Alexander VI., who then occupied the papal throne, with arrogance equalled only by the ignorance it displayed, divided the world between these two great powers, giving to Spain ail the countries that might lie westward, and to Portugal all that might lie eastward of an ima ginary line, drawn from north to south one hun^ dred leagues west of Cape Verd and the Azores. This grant, though no way satisfactory, for east and west must meet at last, served for a time the purposes of discovery ; and the Portuguese accordingly turned their attention to the east., while the Spaniards urged their discoveries to the west.

Of the success which attended these adventures there can be no doubt. The good, however, which at the time resulted from them, and the spirit in which they were carried out, are more questionable. In the history of the world, indeed, it is hard to find instances where discoveries have not been too strongly characterised with the avarice of trade, and the insolence of power. It is a humiliating truth, that until later ages Europeans have scarcely ever visited any coast but for purposes of gain, to arrogate dominion without right, and too often to practise cruelty without any provocation.

The history of early American adventure is not free from this charge. Throughout the whole of that vast continent, the discoverers became oppreseors, and the discovered were oppressed. It is, however, but just to the character of Columbus to

VI PREFACE.

remark, that as his intelligence was superior to that of his associates, so was his philanthropy in advance of the spirit of the age in w^hich he lived. In his first voyage, especially, we find him doing all in his power to restrain the cruelty of his followers in their dealings with the poor Indians, who were too frequently fired upon in sport by the Spaniards, to show the effect of the thunder and lightning which the white men were supposed to have under their control, and hunted down with dogs, to make an exhibition of their death-cries, or to prove the swiftness with which they could run away.

Columbus himself was an advocate for pac^'fic measures. He had the wisdom to discover the truth of the sentiment so beautifully expressed by the Christian poet —

" Skins mav differ, but affections Dwell in black and white the same."

In the following pages will be found many names among our own countrymen distinguished for kindness and consideration, forbearance and justice, in their dealings with the original inhabitants of the lands which they were appointed to settle. Ealeigh and Robinson — and Penn and Oglethorpe — have left enviable traditions of themselves in these respects both at home and abroad. Indeed, experience proves not only the wickedness, but the folly, of attempting to adopt a different line of conduct. Civilization is more readily effected by kindness than severity ; for the aboriginal coloured tribes, every where, are inclined to look upon white men as beings of a superior order to themselves, and accordingly to treat them with respect. There may be narratives on record which appear to contradict this assertion ; such as

PREFACE. Vli

the case of the Harriet schooner, and others, where boats' crews have been seized and murdered without any apparent provocation ; but if these cases are strictly examined, they will mostly be found to be acts, not of original cruelty, but acts of retaliation fur injuries, it may be, long before received.

The cruise of the Southern Cross among the Melanesian Islands, with a view to the civilization of the natives, and their conversion to Christianitv, furnishes a most important testimony in favour of this statement of the case. In a recent letter, the Bishop of New Zealand remarks that he had just finished one of his voyages ; that he had stopped and landed upon a very large number of islands, and in every instance had gone in an unarmed boat ; and that in no one single instance had he ever met with any thing but the heartiest welcome, and the most affectionate kindness. He then goes on to state, that so far from having met on his voyages with what philosophers call savages, his own experience has led him utterly to disbelieve in their existence.

But if the enterprises undertaken by the Spanish and Portuguese, exhibited too little consideration for the aboriginal inhabitants of the places they discovered, and too great severity in their dealings with them, it must be remembered that the temper of the times had much to do vrith it. Refinement was not the characteristic of that age, as it is of the present. The danger now is, not so much that we should exhibit cruelty, as that we should be deficient in that spirit of daring w^hich led to those great discoveries. When Columbus stood out to sea on his hazardous and doubtful enterprise — keeping the perils of his undertaking a profound secret in his own breast, not even venturing to tell via PREFACE.

any of his crew bow far diistant they were from their native land, and against all their entreaties, and amidst every discouragement, still pressing on — we have an instance of human perseverance and brave endurance, which must serve as a bright example to all ages of what man's nature is capable : —

If such could be said of him who first ventured his weight upon the waters, what may not be said of one who, through daylight and darkness, steered his course into the " arrowy distance/' seeking over unknown waves for an unknown land !

The same spirit of daring and perseverance, though under different forms of development, is to be seen in other instances recorded in this volume. The contemplation of such adventures cannot bat prove especially useful in what must be called a liighly cultivated age, wherein the natural tendency of men is towards luxury. To repress refinement is impossible, and perhaps un-needed; but to prevent it from degenerating into effeminacy is not only desirable, but absolutely essential to the preservation of the national character ; and one means by which this end may be promoted, is by placing in the hands of our youthful readers such deeds of daring as the present volume will disclose, and so leading them on to great achievements by the narrative of what man has already done.

H. P. D.

Chapter I

Colnmbus's first Toya.ire— Sails from Palos with three small vessels— Bifflcnlties and dtsappointments — Unsettled state of the crews— First land seen St. Salvador— Interriews with the Indians— Cuba and Hispaniola discovered — Unceremonious vi>«>it — The si dp wreck — Columbus resolves to return to Castile — Frightful storm at sea — Portuguese treachery— Landing at Lisbon — Eeception by the King of Portugal— Return to Spain — Congratulations and honour Page 1

Chapter II

Columbus*3 second voyage— He sails with a more numerous fleet, arrives a$ the Caribbee islands, and discovers Domini ca, Marigalante, and Guadalupe —Endeavours in vain to trade with the natives — Proceeds to several other islands, Montserrat and St. John's— Returns to Hispaniola, finds the colony ruined, and the Spaniards destroyed by their o-^vn foHy; restores things to a good situation ; quells a mutiny— Sets sail upon other dl'^ coveries; land^ at Jamaica; meets ■with a multitude of island?, to which he gives the name of the Queen's Garden— Steers along the coast of.Cuba=— Many diflaculties— Returns to Hispaniola, where he again finds everj thin;? in great confusion — New regulations for the secui-ity of the settlement- Sails for Spain..... 39

Chapter III

Third voyage — Columbus sheers a new course— Passes by the Cape de Verd islands — ^Anchors at one, where the Portuguese send their lepers to be cured by living upon turtle — Sails thence to the West, discovers the Isle of Trinidad, and afterwards the Continent, wisich he at first supposed to be an island," but finding his mistake called it Paria— Pearls— Civilities of the Indians— Return to Hispaniola— The troubles of that island, Eoldan's rebellion— Tranquillity restored— Gold in abundance— The Court of Spain, alarmed at the many complaints from the Indies, sends a deputy to hear and determine them— Intrigues of Bovadilla— The admiral with his two brothers sent home in irons 74

CONTENTS.

Chapter IV

An account of discoveries made by other Spaniards, while Columtus was engaged in his thiid voyage Page 9G

Chapter V

Fourth voyage— Columbus arrives at Eispaniola, and meets with the basest usage from Obando, the new governor— He leaves that island, and prosecutes his discoveries aloug the coast of the continent— Proceeds to the Ibthmus of Darien— Sails to the haven of Porto Bello— Stnds a detachment up the river Veragua to the Indian mines— Forms a settlement at the mouth of the river Belem— A cacique named Quibio attempts to set fire to the houses— Capture of the cacique— His singular escape, and attack upcn the settlement— The new settlers rejoin the admiral— More sufferinp:s and hardships— The admiral runs the ships on shore on the coast of Jamaica— Sendh two canoes to Hi spaniel a— The hardships in the voyage

Tr( ubles in Jamaica — The Spaniards sail thence to Hispaniola, [and

afterwards to Spain, where Columbus dies— His person and character... 103

CHAPTER Yl.

Further adventures of the Spaniards in the Western World after the death of Christopher Columbus— State of Hispaniola under the government of Nicholas de Obando— Stttlement of Porto Rico by Juan Ponce de Le^n— Diego Columbus made governor of Hispaniola— The pearl fishery of Cubagua • » H8

CHAPTER YII.

Alonzo de Hojeda and Diego de Nicuessa, obtain patents for making new discoveries, and sail for the West Indies— Hojeda lands at Carthagena, and, marching into the country, has many of his men cut off, and he himself narrowly escapes; but is assisted and revenged by Nicuessa— Hojeda forais the settlement of St. Sebastian— Retires to Hispaniola— Dies of want — The colony saved by the prudent advice of Nunez de Balboa— Diego de Nicuessa plants the colony of Nombre de Dies; his misfortunes and miserable death 152

CHAPTER VIIL

Diego Columbus sends Diego Velasquez to plant a colony in Cuba; a description of t'hat island ..- 164

CHAPTER IX.

Tlie discoveries made on the continent by Francis Hernandez de Cordova, lieutenant of Diego de Velasquez — Cordova's misfortunes and hardships— He returns to Cuba— His death 170

CONTENTS ri

CHAPTER X,

The discoveries made on the continent by the command of James Velasqnez, under John Grijalva-They land in the island of Cozamel, proceed to New Spain, and defeat the Indians of Potonchan— They then land on the hanks of the Rio de Grijalva, where they receive presents fi'om the Indians- Steering thence they are invited on shore by the Mexicans, with whom they trade for goM— They afterwards visit several islands^ discover temples with idols and hnman sacrifices ; purchase many bright copper axes which they mistake for gold, and return to the island of Cuba— Grijalva f als into trouble....^ » - ?age 176

CHAPTER XL

DISCOVERIES OF THE ENGLISH IN AMEEIOA.

The discoveries m,ade by the English in America during the I'efgns of King Henry VII. and VIII.— John Cabot visits Newfoundland— His son Sebastian discovers the continent of America— Mr. Hore attempts to establish a colony in Newfoundland— &ir J-ohn Hawkins' three voyages to Guinea— A Brazilian chiet presented to King Henry VIII.— Drake's voyage to the Isthmus ot Darien; his dangers and daring— View of the South Sea— Intelligence of treasure and disappointment— Drake plundei-s Santa Cruz— Seizes mules laden with gold and silver— Hazardous attempt to regain his p'nnaces— Drake's return to England— Sir Humphrey Gilben obtains a patent tor settling m America— Takes formal possession of Newfoun(fland— His ^sasters, and loss a^ sea on his way home «... 186

CHAPTER XIL

Sir "Walter Raleigh fits out two ships to make discoveries in the South — Takes possession of Wokoken and Virginia— Interview with a native prince - Civilities ; and trade— Raleigh returns to England— Settlement in the island of Roenocke by Sir Richard Gr en ville— Drake's arrival and assistance- Sir Richard'^s second attempt — More misfortunes— Mr. White's settlement — Abandonment of the island— Captain Davis sets out in search o: the North-West Passage— His discoveries in North America- Craise of the Sunshine and Moonshine— Davis's second voyage— Games "vvith the natives— Their thieving propensities— Sickness and dissatisfaction among the English— More adventures— Return of Captain Davi«— Raleigh sails south- Lauds at Trinidad— Bums St. Joseph's— Sets five Indian kings at liberty— Meets with and overcomes great difficulties — Search up the Amana and Oronoko— Interview with the King of Aromaia— Cataracts— Advice of the old cacique— Sir Walter takes possession of many images and plates of gold— Visit to a gold mine — Revenge on the Spaniards — Expeditions to Guiana 213

CHAPTER XIII.

Ceptaln Charles Leigh forns a settlement at Guiana— Discontent an(J mutiny among his men— Ruin of the enterprise— Sir Oliver Leigh seeks to support his brother— Captain St» John and his party search for gold~Ar

Xil COJ.' TENTS.

ambuscade attack of the Indians — Adventurotis voyage — Fate of the cre^r— Robert Harcoiirt's attempts to form a settlement— Intercourse with the Indians— Search for the golden mountain— Disappointment— Mr. Harcourt's return- Sir Walter Raleigh's last voyage to Guiana— Spaniards attempt to oppose his landing at Gomera— Reaches Trinidad— Kindness of the Indiaria —Captain Keymis and young Raleigh set out in search of gold — Engagements with the Spaniards — Young Raleigh killed— Fate of Captain Keymis— Sir Walter's return to England — His arrest and execution — Voyages by the Virginia Company — Adventures and discoveries In Virginia by Captain Gosnold, Captain Fringe, Captain Gilbert, and Captain Weymouth Page 257

CHAPTER XIV.

North and South Virginia—King James I. grants patents for two Companies —-Captain Newport's settlements— James's River and James's towm— --►Misfortunes and confusion— Captain Smith— Lord Delawar appointed governor of Virginia— Ketuni of the runaways— Supplies from England — Intermarriages with the Indians— Some accoimt of Virginia— Its climate, soil, and produce — Proceedings of the second Virginia Company — Settlement of New England— Mr. John Robinson and the Pilgrim Fathers — Squanto, fiiendly intercourse with the Indians — Great prosperity ot the settlement — Situation and climate of New England— Settlement of the Bermudas or Summers Islands— Captain Tucker's government— Daring voygge of five fugitives to Ireland— Captain Butler appointed governor — Bescription of the islands....... „.. 284

CHAPTER XV.

fftidson's voyage for the discovery of a north-west passage— Winter on the coast of New Britain —Hardships — Exti'eme cold— Scarcity cf food— Breaking up of the ice— Shameful behaviour of some of the crew— Sad end o Oaptain Hudson— Fate of his murderers— Button's voyage; its success — The settlement of Barbadoes— Sir George Ascue— Navigation Act— Success cf the first sugar colony— Introduction of the slave trade — Account of Barbadces— Sir Thomas Warner and Monsieur Desnambue plant settlements at St. Christopher— Success of the English colony— Spanish jealousies — JDisasters— Departure of the Spaniard^- Cultivation- of tobacco— Settle- Uients formed at Nevis, Montserrat, Barbuda, AnguiUa, and Antigua... 323

CHAPTER XVI.

Klnsr Charles I. grants Maryland to Lord Baltimore— Two hundred Roman Catholics under Leonard Calvert proceed thither— Overtures of trade with the natives— Happiness of the colony disturbed— Mr. Calvert's dangers— His decision saves the colony— Description of Maryland — The conquest of Jamaica— Oliver Cromwell's policy— General Venables— Situation and climate of the island— The cocoa-nut — Pimento, or wild cinnamon- Carolina colonised— Spanish want of success— French equally unfortunate ..-Grant ot King Charles IL~Suc<:ess of the colony -Its situation and

CONTENTS. XUl

prodnce—Tarpentine and tar— Settlement of New York by the Englisli — Hudson's RiTer— The Dutch colonies— East and West Jersey— Swedes the first settlers— Description of the province— Its soil, and convenience for trade— The Bahama Isles discovered— Captain Wiliiam Sayle's visit- Providence island— Spanish cruelty— The frigates — the successful government of Mr. Woodes Sogers Page 344

CHAPTEPw XVII.

Erief sketch of the formation of the Hudson's bay company— Situation and extent of Hudson's bay— The company's first forts and factories— Their success— French jealousies and designs defeated— Pri ce Rupert's river — Mr. Dobbs' account of the first proceedings of the company— Religious ceremonies, manners and customs of the Indians — Himting excursions, anointing and cleansing — The beaver and its singular habits— Pennsylvania —Dutch and Finlanders the first planters— Disputes — Admiral Penn, hi.« friendly intercourse with the Irrdians— Distribution of land-Penn's wise aoministration— Love and esteem of the Indians for Admual Pena. 377

CHAPTER X^ail.

Plan for settling the province of Georgia— Mr, Oglethorpe's strict discipline, and its good results —The Creek Indians— Interesting in ttrview— Several Iqdian chiefs visit England— Presentation at the court of King George I. -—Terms of trade with the Indians settled — ^No spirits to be imported — No negro labour— Forts built— Tiade extended— Designs of the Spaniards— Mr. Oglethorpe's treaty— Grants—The conspiracy— French envy— ilr. Ogle^ thorpe's soimd judgment— His journey to the Indians without escort- Security of the colony— Nova Scotia - Sir Samuel Ar gall's cniiiie— Scotch colonists— Newfoundland— Proposal of the Earl of Hahfax — Grant of land to discharged soldiers and sailors— Large embarkation— Building of the town of Halifax— Small parties— Dangers -Admiral Boscawen— Descrip tion Qx Novu ScvUa „.,.,.... :^C;]

THE DISCOYEEIES

OF

CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS

IN AMEEICA.

Chapter I

Columbus's first voyage — Sails from Palos with three small vessels — DiflSculties and disappointments — Unsettled state of the crews — First land seen, St. Salvador — Interviews with the Indians — Cuba and Hispaniola discovered — Unceremonious visit — The shipwreck — Columbus resolves to return to Castile — ^Frightful storm at sea — Portuguese treachery — Landing al Lisbon — Reception by the King of Portugal — Eeturn to Spain — Congratulations and honours.

Christopher Columbus was born at Cogolato, in the territory of Genoa, and, having been early taught navigation, lived by drawing charts for the sea-service. The skill of the Portuguese in maritime affairs at length induced him to settle at Lisbon, where, by the regularity of his conduct, he acquired a considerable number of friends, married a woman of fortune, and for some time after traded to the coast of Guinea.

Columbus, reasoning upon the spherical figure of the earth, thought it highly probable that the continent on one side was balanced by an equal quantity of land on tlie other ; and in this he was

B fally confirmed, by observing, wlien at the Cape do Verd islands, that the winds at a certain season constantly blew from the west, which he thought must be owing to a large tract of land on that side. As the Portuguese had already discovered great part of the coast of Africa, and were filled with hopes of finding a passage to the Indies, he had no doubt that by sailing to the wesfc he should discover a shorter way thither, and by that means obtain the spices and other rich commodities of those countries, much cheaper than they were sold to the Venetians in Egypt, after being brought by land through Persia.

Having strengthened his opinion by many arguments, he laid them before the state of Genoa with a proposal for making new discoveries; but that republic rejected his scheme, from the fear of drawing upon it the resentment of several princes. Upon this he addressed himself to John II., King of Portugal, who listened to his project, and amused him with the hope of putting it in practice, till, having drawn from him the essential part of his scheme, he, uuder pretence of sending supplies to the Cape de Verd islands, fitted out a vessel in order to make these discoveries himself, without allowing Columbus either the profit or honour he might justly have hoped to receive from them. This ungenerous enterprise, however, miscarried through a want of courage and conduct in the' persons employed.

Conduct so unfair and clandestine was deeply resented by Columbus, who resolved to leave Portiigal ; and that very year, 1485, sent his brother Bartholomew with the same proposals to Henry VII., King of England, while he himself prepared to go to Spain on the like errand. But Bartholomew, having being taken and plundered by pirates in his passage, was, on his arrival at London, reduced to such extreme poverty as rendered him unable to gain an audience of his majesty, until, by drawing and selling charts, he had acquired some reputation, and equipped himself with things necessary for him to obtain access to the king. This honour he received in the year 1488, when he met with all the success that could be desired, and actually entered into an agreement with Henry VII. on behalf of his brother, several years before Christopher closed with their Catholic majesties.^^

Meanwhile Christopher Columbus met with many difficulties at the court of Ferdinand and Isabella ; where his scheme being treated as an idle project, and himself exposed to ridicule, he was with difficulty prevented, by some who espoused his cause, from coming to England, to see what success his brother Bartholomew had met with. However, Queen Isabella at length approving his scheme, articles of agreement were signed in 1492, by which Columbus was made viceroy of the countries and admiral of the seas he should discover ; it was agreed, also, that he should have the tenth of all that was bought, bartered, found, or acquired, within those limits, after the charge of conquest had been

* This title was conferred as a mark of distinction upon Ferdinand for his crusade against the Moors.

defrayed, together with an eighth part of all he should bring home with his fleet, in consideration of which he was to be at one-eighth part of the expense of fitting it out.

The necessary preliminaries being thus adjusted, he was allowed three small vessels, the Santa Maria, commanded by himself; the Pinta, under the command of Martin Alonzo Pinzon ; and the Nina, with square sails, commanded by Vincent Yanez Pinzon, brother of the former ; the latter furnishing one-half of Columbus's share of the expense.

This small fleet, which carried only about one hundred and twenty men,* set sail from Palos on the .3rd of August, 1492 ; but the next morning the rudder of the Pinta broke loose, which obliged the admiral to lie to. This damage, which was supposed to have been contrived by the master, who was averse to the voyage, was however soon repaired. Some of the superstitious seamen, however, would have interpreted this accident as an ill omen ; but Columbus wisely told them, that no omen could be evil where people were engaged in a good design. He endeavoured to divert their attention from su^ch trifles by teaching them the principles of navigation, and to keep up their spirits by giving them right sentiments of the undertaking in which they were embarked.

The fleet reached the Canaries on the 11th, and

* Herrera says that this fleet was manned by only ninety, but many other authors of good authority represent the number as aboTe, stayed at the islands of Grand Canaria and Isabella till the 6th of September, in order to purchase another ship ; but, being disappointed, they sailed to the westward with very little wind. Three days after losing sight of land, many on board wept bitterly from the apprehension that they should never see it more. To remove this childish despondency, which it was feared would infect the whole company, Columbus gave them the most confident assurances of prosperity and wealth, and at the same time thought proper to deceive them in his reckoning ; for, though they sailed eighteen leagues that day, he pretended that they had made no more than fifteen, resolving thus to disguise his reckoning during the whole voyage, that these spiritless fellows might not think themselves so far from Spain as they really were.

On the 12th of September he was one hundred and fifty leagues west of Ferro, and at this distance from land discovered the trunk of a large tree, which appeared to have been long floating in the water. He here found a strong current setting to the north-east, and having run fifty leagues farther westward, on the 13th he perceived the needle varying half a point towards the north-east, and at daybreak half a point more. This variation, which had never been observed before, filled him with great surprise ; and his amazement was much increased when, sailing about one hundred leagues farther, he found that the needle varied at night about a point to the north-east, and in the morning pointed upon the north star.

6 DISCOVEKIES IN THB

On the 14th, the people on board the Nina were surprised at the sight of a heron, and some tropical birds ; but the next day their astonishment was greatly increased at seeing the sea covered with green and yellow weeds, that seemed to have been lately washed away from some rock or island : hence they concluded that they were near land, especially as they found a live lobster floating amongst the weeds, and afterwards perceived the sea-water grow less salt as they advanced ; they were also attended *by great shoals of tunny fish.

On the 18th, Martin Alonzo Pinzon, captain of the Pinta, who was a-head, lay to for the admiral, and informed him that he had seen a great number of birds flying westward, and thought he discovered land to the northward at fifteen leagues' distance ; but the admiral, being convinced that he was mistaken, would not alter his course, though solicited by the people, who readily gave credit to such an agreeable illusion ; but the next day the admiral seeing a number of sea-gulls, which he supposed could not fly far, began himself to conceive hopes of soon reaching land ; yet, sounding with a line of two hundred fathoms, he could find no bottom. Three days after they took a bird like a heron, of a black colour, with a white tuft on the head, and web- footed ; they also saw abundance of weeds, and in the evening were visited by three small singing-birds, which flew away at daybreak, and confirmed Columbus in the opinion that they could not be far from land. The next day they also saw a tropical bird, and met with such a