LIFE OF COLUMBUS. 365 



Off the island of Hispaniola, soon afterwards discover- 

 ed and coasted by Columbus, he had the misfortune to be 

 wrecked ; and having before this parted company with 

 one of the two caravels he was obliged to establish 

 himself and his crew for some lime upon the shore, where 

 the natives treated them with all possible kindness. The 

 sailors became so fond indeed, of the romantic and 

 easy life which they passed in this beautiful island, with 

 these happy people, that a large number of them volun- 

 teered to settle there while Columbus should return to Eu- 

 rope. This proposal was finally agreed upon ; a fort was 

 built of the wrecked vessel ; stocked with its guns, stores 

 and ammunition ; and manned by thirtyfive volunteers, 

 among whom were aphysician, a carpenter, caulker, cooper, 

 tailor and gunner. Articles were also left for trade. 

 Having made all these arrangements, and given very full 

 instructions and advice, Columbus sailed from the island 

 Jan. 6, 1493, on his voyage for Spain. Pinzon joined 

 him soon afterwards. The most remarkable incident 

 of the passage was a storm of more than two days' duration, 

 and of such extreme violence, that the fate of the two 

 vessels seemed for a time inevitable. In this extremity 

 many were the vows made on board, of pilgrimages, 

 watchings, processions and penitence. But the tempest 

 grew more terrific ; and the danger of the ship was aug- 

 mented by the want of ballast causing her to roll and 

 toss about at the swelling of the waves. The admiral 

 partially remedied this evil by having all the empty casks 

 on board filled with sea-water, this measure gave some 

 relief; but Columbus had other and peculiar causes of 

 anxiety, and above all the gloomy apprehension that 

 with him and his comrades, the memory and the immortal 

 glory which belonged to him would be lost forever. 

 With this feeling, he hastily wrote a brief account of his 

 voyage on parchment; sealed and directed it to the king 

 and queen, with a promise superscribed of 1000 ducats 

 to him who should bear it safely to their hands; then 

 wrapped it in a waxed cloth, which he placed in the centre 

 of a cake of wax; and inclosing the whole in a barrel, 

 threw it into the sea. To insure his object, a copy 

 inclosed in the same manner, was placed upon the 



VOL. I. NO. XV. 33 



