ROBERTSON. 293 



quarter whence they expected to discern the land 

 which had been so long the object of their wishes." 

 It is a judicious thing, though it seems trivial, that he 

 here breaks of as it were, and begins a new paragraph ; 

 and mark well its structure : 



" About two hours before midnight Columbus, stand- 

 ing on the forecastle, observed a light at a distance, and 

 privately pointed it out to Pedro Guttierez, a page of the 

 queen's wardrobe. Guttierez perceived it, and calling 

 to Salcedo, comptroller of the fleet, all three saw it in 

 motion, as if it were carried from place to place. A 

 little after midnight the joyful sound of Land! Land! 

 was heard from the Pinta, which kept always ahead of 

 the other ships. But having been so often deceived by 

 fallacious appearances, every man now became slow of 

 belief, and waited in all the anguish of uncertainty 

 and impatience for the return of day. As soon as 

 the morning dawned, all doubts and fears were dis- 

 pelled. From every ship an island was seen about two 

 leagues to the north, whose flat and verdant fields, 

 well stored with wood, and watered with many rivulets, 

 presented the aspect of a delightful country. The 

 crew of the Pinta instantly began the Te Deum, as a 

 hymn of thanksgiving to God, and were joined by 

 those of the other ships, with tears of joy and trans- 

 ports of congratulation. This office of gratitude to 

 Heaven was followed by an act of justice to their com- 

 mander. They threw themselves at the feet of Co- 

 lumbus with feelings of self-condemnation mingled 

 with remorse. They implored him to pardon their 

 ignorance, incredulity, and injustice, which had created 

 him so much unnecessary disquiet, and had so often ob- 



