COLUMBUS TAKING POSSESSION OF QUA N A HANI. 



CHAPTER XVI. 



DISCOVERY OF GUANAHANI CEREMONIES OF TAKING POSSESSION — EXPLORA- 

 TION OF THE NEIGHBORING ISLANDS — SEARCH FOR GOLD — CUBA SUPPOSED BY 



COLUMBUS TO BE JAPAN THE CANNIBALS HAITI — RETURN HOMEWARDS A 



STORM AN APPEAL TO THE VIRGIN ARRIVAL AT THE AZORES CONDUCT OF 



THE PORTUGUESE COLUMBUS AT LISBON — AT PALOS AT BARCELONA — CO- 



LUMBUS' SECOND VOYAGE — DISCOVERY OF GUADELOUPE, ANTIGOA, SANTA 



CRUZ, JAMAICA ILLNESS OF COLUMBUS TERRIBLE BATTLE BETWEEN THE 



SPANIARDS AND THE SAVAGES COLUMBUS RETURNS TO SPAIN HIS RECEP- 

 TION BY THE QUEEN HIS THIRD VOYAGE THE REGION OF CALMS — DIS- 

 COVERY OF TRINIDAD AND OF THE MAIN LAND ASSUMPTION AND MARGA- 

 RITA COLUMBUS IN CHAINS. 



On Friday, the 12th of October, 1492, the kindling dawn 

 revealed to the wondering eyes of our adventurers the bright 

 colors and early-morning beauties of an island clothed in ver- 

 dure, and teeming with the fruits and vegetation of mid-autumn 

 in the tropics. Its surface undulated gently, massive forests 

 skirted the spots cleared for cultivation, and the sparkling water 

 of a fresh lake glittered amid the luxuriant foliage which encir- 

 cled it. An anchorage was easily found, and Columbus, dressed 

 in official costume, and bearing the royal standard in his hand, 

 landed upon the silent and deserted shore. He planted the 



standard, and, prostrating himself before it, kissed the earth he 



165 



