WONDERS OF THE DEEP 33 



Isabella, the patrons of his expedition, he wrote : 

 "This country excels all others as far as the day 

 surpasses the night in splendour; the natives love 

 their neighbours as themselves ; their conversation 

 is the sweetest imaginable ; their faces are always 

 smiling ; and so gentle are they and affectionate 

 that I swear to Your Highness there is not a 

 better people in the world." 



For a long time there was a dispute regarding the 

 exact landing-place of Columbus and his gallant crew, 

 on the occasion of his remarkable discovery of the 

 New World. Various spots were declared to have 

 been the actual landing-place of the intrepid navigator. 

 Careful historical research and close examination of 

 the different spots eventually showed that Watling 

 Island, called by the natives" Guanahani," but named 

 by the explorer " San Salvador," was the place where 

 Columbus first set foot, after his momentous and 

 daring voyage across the Atlantic Ocean, on October 

 12th, 1492, and planted there the banner of His Most 

 Catholic Majesty of Spain. On this spot has been 

 erected a crude monument in commemoration of that 

 memorable event. As one gazes at the lonely wooded 

 beach, one can almost mentally picture the inquisitive 

 and startled Indians emerging from behind the trees, 

 and, with hesitating steps, gradually make their way 

 down to the beach to welcome the white strangers as 

 they waded ashore from their small boats, as soon 

 as they intuitively felt sure that they were not hostile 

 visitors. 



