338 



HISTORY OF THE SEA. 



thus turn their faces from the first danger which offered, there 

 would be no hope of eventual success. He threw himself into 

 the sea, and, after a fierce struggle with the receding waves, 

 clambered up a rock to a spot where one hundred Indians were 

 awaiting him. They seemed pleased with his resolution, and 

 frequently kissed his forehead. Peace was made, and a safe 

 anchorage was pointed out. The island thus discovered subse- 

 quently became, for many reasons, the most famous in the whole 

 Pacific Ocean. Quiros called it Sagittaria ; but it is now known 

 as Tahiti or Otaheite. We shall have occasion hereafter to 

 describe at length this lovely oasis in the desert of the waters. 



SCENE IN TAHITI. 



The fleet stayed here but two days, and then continued on its 

 way. Quiros discovered several islands which have not been 

 seen again from that time to this. To one of them he gave the 

 name of Isla de la Gente Hermosa, — Island of Handsome People. 

 Convinced that the mainland must be near, he kept on in search 



