LIFE OP COLUMBUS. 363 



friends, and demanded of him whether he saw a light 

 in that direction ; the latter replied in the affirmative ; but 

 Columbus, determined to be well satisfied, called another, 

 and made the same inquiry. Before this third person could 

 ascend the round-house, however, the light had disap- 

 peared, though it was seen once or twice afterwards in 

 sudden and transient gleams, borne to and fro upon trie 

 shore. They continued their course until two in the 

 morning, when a gun from the Pinta, the best sailer of the 

 squadron, gave the joyful signal of land, which could 

 now be clearly seen about six miles distant. It was discov- 

 ed by a common mariner, but the reward was afterwards 

 adjudged to the admiral for having previously perceived the 

 light. The vessels now lay to, and waited for day-break. 

 That hour soon came, though slowly to those who 

 awaited it, and a new and beautiful scene unveiled it- 

 self before the eyes of the voyagers. A long island 

 was before them, covered with splendid verdure, spotted 

 with magnificent trees like a continual orchard, sending 

 out fresh sweet odors upon the gale, and surrounded by 

 a calm sea of transparent clearness. Columbus entered 

 his own boat, richly attired in scarlet, with the stan- 

 dard of Spain in his hand ; while Pinzon and his brother, 

 the commanders of the two caravels, put offin company 

 in their boats, each bearing the banner of the enter- 

 prise emblazoned with a green cross, and having on each 

 side the initials of the two Castilian monarchs. No 

 sooner did they land than Columbus threw himself upon 

 his knees, kissed the earth, and with tears of gratitude 

 returned thanks to Heaven. The whole company fol- 

 lowed his example. He then took solemn possession of 

 the soil in the name of the king and queen, named the 

 island San Salvador, and called upon all present to ac- 

 knowledge his own authority as admiral. The feelings 

 of the crew on landing, burst forth in the most extrava- 

 gant transports. They pressed about the admiral, em- 

 braced him, kissed his hands, and implored his forgive- 

 ness for all the trouble they had caused him. The na- 

 tives of the island, meanwhile, recovering from the terror 

 which the first appearance of the Spaniards and their 

 vessels had occasioned, gradually and silently drew nearer 



