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chiefs. Policy and morality have ever been at variance, and Columbus studied the latter!

On the 24th of March, 1495, the admiral, in company with Guacanagari, set out from Isabella, to prosecute the war against his Indian foes, who had assembled an army of 100,000 men; while the Europeans did not exceed 200, with 20 horses, and as many dogs.

Never were such disproportionate armies opposed to each other. On the second day, Columbus being in sight of the enemy, divided his army into two bodies, giving the command of one to his brother Bartholomew, that, by a double attack, the attention of the Indians might be distracted, and their confusion increased. The first discharge of the Spanish cross bows and muskets threw them into some disorder, but when the Europeans advanced with horses and dogs, the timid and undisciplined multitude fled in consternation and dismay. Numbers were slain and taken prisoners; among the latter was Caunabo, with all his wives and children. This cazique confessed that he had killed 20 of the Spaniards who were first left at Nativity, and that his intention was to attack Isabella. Such a confession confirmed by actual rebellion, if it deserves the name, was judged so criminal, that the admiral determined to send him and all his family to the tribunals of Spain.

This signal victory and the captivity of Caunabo so intimidated the Indians, that in the space of a few months the admiral reduced the whole island; and imposed a quarterly tribute on the natives, Peace became so well confirmed, that a single Spaniard could travel over the whole island without molestation, and even experience hospitality and regard. The colony, however, by change of climate and of food, was nearly reduced to one-third of the number originally landed at Isabella,

During this interval of repose, the Spaniards made themselves acquainted with the manners and customs of the natives, and the productions of islands they had not hitherto visited. With regard to religion, every cazique had a detached house set apart for the lodging and service of certain wooden images, denominated Cemis, before which they prayed, and used pe

culiar rites. Caunabo being interrogated respecting his condition after death, replied, that in a future state he should be removed to a certain vale, where he should associate with his parents and predecessors, and enjoy every sensual pleasure, with the highest relish unrestrained.

Hispaniola being now in a state of submission, and the colony established and protected, the admiral resolved to revisit Spain, to give an account of his proceedings, and to refute the charges of some malicious accusers. He therefore embarked on the 10th of March, 1496, on board two ships, with 225 Spaniards and 30 Indians, and immediately steered for the eastward.

The winds proving unfavourable and provisions falling short, he was obliged to stand to the southward, and on the 9th of April anchored at Margalante. Next day he sailed to Gaudaloupe, and sending his boats ashore, the crews were opposed by a number of armed women who rushed out of a wood.The mariners resting on their oars, ordered two of their Indian females to swim to land, and inform the islanders, that provisions were their only objects, for which they would make a liberal return.

These Amazons having understood the demand, pointed to the northward, where their husbands would supply them, Accordingly, on the ships coasting round, a number of people came down to the beach, and let fly a shower of arrows at the boats. It was at last found necessary to discharge a broadside from the ships against these determined islanders. On this they instantly fled, abandoned their houses, and left them to the mercy of the Spaniards. Their effects, being now considered as lawful plunder, were seized without remorse, and their houses destroyed. A sufficient quantity of bread was found to supply the wants of the ships; and in some of the dwellings, which were all square, they discovered honey, wax, and some implements of iron. A man's arm, roasting on a spit, appeared to have been the intended meal of one family.

The admiral now dispatched 40 men to obtain intelligence of the country, who returned next day with 10 women and three boys, among whom was the spouse of a cazique. This lady,

notwithstanding her fleetness, was secured by a Canary man, whom she hoped and attempted to make her prey. These women were enormously corpulent and clumsy; they had long hair flowing down to the shoulders, and were swathed with cotton from the ankle to the knee. This was the only dress they wore. The captive princes said the island was inhabited by women only; and that among those who opposed the landing were only four men. At a certain season of the year, it appeared that the males visited them for a short space, and then retired. This was likewise the case in another island, possessed by the same sort of Amazons, who seemed to be endowed with a masculine understanding, and strength not common among the males of this climate.

The ships being furnished with a supply of necessaries, set sail for Gaudaloupe on the 20th of April, after the admiral had dismissed the captive females, except the princess and her daughter, who preferred accompanying Caunabo to Spain.This man it appeared was one of their countrymen, though he had risen to be a cazique of Hispaniola.

When the ships were about 100 leagues west from the Azores, provisions began to run short, and the crews were obliged to be put to a short allowance. On the 8th of June, several days after all the reckonings of the pilots had been out, but exactly as the admiral calculated, they made the land of Odenicra, between Lisbon and cape St. Vincent. By this time the famine was so severe, that some proposed to eat the Indians, while others recommended their being thrown overboard to lessen the consumption. The admiral rejected both these proposals with disdain, and exerted his utmost address to protect the wretched captives. Next morning his humanity received its recompence in a sight of land, which so well accorded with his prediction, that his men began to think him inspired.

The admiral being landed, set out for Burgos, where their catholic majesties were then celebrating the nuptials of their son prince John with Margaret of Austria. He met with a favourable reception; laid before the king and queen specimens of the various productions he had accumulated in his voyage;

and presented them with a considerable quantity of gold-dust, pieces of that metal, and articles of manufacture, enriched with its plates.

His next business was to vindicate his conduct from some aspersions, with which envy had tarnished his character. In this he apparently succeeded to his wishes; but when he requested to be sent back with supplies to the colony, which he justly represented as being in want of men and necessaries, so dilatory was the court, that many months elapsed before he could obtain the object of his wishes. At last an incompetent relief was sent off in two ships, under the command of Peter Fernandez Coronell. The admiral was once more reduced to the necessity of unheeded solicitation. The Spanish ministry thwarted his designs; their majesties perhaps were jealous of his superior character; and the bishop of Burgos, a man of considerable influence, exerted all the arts of low cunning to bring him into disgrace. This person was the inveterate enemy of Columbus; and in the sequel it will appear, was the chief author of his calamities.

THE

THIRD VOYAGE

OF

COLUMBUS.

THAT patient fortitude and perseverance, which were characteristic of Columbus, enabled him at last to carry his point. He forwarded and superintended this new expedition with all possible diligence; and at last, on the 30th of May, 1498, set sail from the bay of St. Lucar de Barrameda with

six ships filled with necessaries for the settlers; resolving to prosecute his discoveries with fresh alacrity.

On the 9th of June, he took in refreshments at Madeira; and on the 19th reached Gomera. Here a French ship having captured three Spanish vessels, put to sea with them, on the appearance of the squadron. The admiral being informed of this capture, ordered his ships to chase, but the French escaped by dint of sailing.

Columbus now proceeded to Ferro, from which he dispatched three of his ships to Hispaniola, under approved officers, while he with the rest should sail towards the cape Verd islands, and from thence direct his views to the discovery of the continent.

On the 25th of June, the admiral came to an anchor in Bona Vistra, where he found a few houses for the accommodation of lepers, who are landed here for a cure. The Portuguese who had the charge of the island supplied Columbus with such articles as they could spare; and upon his enquiring how the leprosy was healed, was informed, that the patients trust chiefly to the temperature of the air, and the flesh of tortoises, with the blood of which they were externally anointed. Turtles and goats were extremely numerous in this island, of the latter of which many are salted and sent to Portugal.

At St. Jago, the admiral wished to take on board some cows and bulls for his plantation in Hispaniola; but finding some difficulty and delay in obtaining this object, he sailed without accomplishing it; resolving to steer south-west till he should reach the line, and then to alter his course to west. He proceeded accordingly: but provisions and water falling short, he determined to change his direction and make for Hispaniola. He therefore stood to the northward, when one day, about noon, a sailor from the round-top saw land to the westward, about 15 leagues distant, stretching towards the north-east as far as the eye could reach. The mariners sung the Salve Regina; and the admiral gave the new discovered land the name of Trinity, from the circumstances of three mountains presenting themselves to his view at once.

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