CHAPTER IX.

Of the discovery of the continent of South America by Columbus in August 1498; and the treatment which he experienced afterwards.

There is no foundation for the statement so often made that the voyage of Columbus in which he first saw the continent of America, was a year after Cabot's discovery. Notwithstanding the great delays in preparing the vessels for the third voyage of Columbus, he sailed from the port of St. Lucar de Barrameda, on the 30th of May 1498; being the same month that Cabot sailed from Bristol. He arrived at Gomera on the 19th, and left there the 21st of June. Off the island of Ferro, he divided his squadron, dispatching three of the ships direct for Hispaniola, to carry supplies, and prosecuting his voyage with the three remaining vessels towards the Cape de Verd islands. As he advanced within the tropics, the change of climate and the close and sultry weather which prevailed, brought on a severe attack of the gout which was followed by a violent fever. Yet he continued to keep his reckoning and make his observations. On the 27th he arrived among the Cape de Verd islands. Leaving Buena Vista on the 5th of July, and proceeding southwest, he found himself on the 13th, according to his observations, in the fifth degree of north latitude. Finding the heat intolerable, he altered his course and steered westward. Day after

day passed without reaching land; and the necessities of the ships became urgent. Wherefore, supposing himself in the longitude of the Caribbee islands, he sailed northward in search of them. On the 31st of July, three mountains were seen, which as the ships drew nearer, appeared united at the base. Columbus gave to this island the name of La Trinidad (the Trinity) which it continues to bear.*

While coasting the island on the 1st of August, Columbus beheld land to the south. It was that low tract of coast intersected by the numerous branches of the Oronoco. Columbus supposing it to be an island, gave it the name of La Isla Santa; having no idea that he was then beholding the main continent. On the 2d of August he continued on to the southwest point of Trinidad, which he called Point Arenal. It stretched towards a corresponding point of Terra Firma, making a narrow pass, with a high rock in the centre, to which he gave the name of El Gallo. Near this pass the ships cast anchor. He afterwards proceeded through the strait to the inner side of Trinidad. To his left spread that broad gulf since known by the name of Paria. He continued northward towards a mountain at the northwest point of the island, about fourteen leagues from Point Arenal. Here he beheld two lofty capes opposite each other; one on the island of Trinidad, the other to the west, on the long promontory of Paria, which stretches from the main land, and forms the northern side of the gulf, but to which Columbus, mistaking it for an island, gave the name of Isla de Gracia. After sail

* Irving's Columbus, vol. 1, p. 355 to 360.

ing several leagues along the coast, he anchored on Monday the 6th of August, but seeing no person, continued further westward, and anchored in a river where he had friendly intercourse with the natives. Taking some of them as guides, he proceeded eight leagues farther westward to a point which he called Aguja, or the Needle. On the neighbouring coast, called by Columbus the Gardens, the attention of the Spaniards was aroused by the strings of pearls which they saw around the arms of the natives. Columbus left the Gardens on the 10th of August, and continued to coast westward somewhat farther, but finding it difficult to get along in this direction, changed his course, and on the 11th set sail eastward until he got through that formidable pass called the Boca del Dragon. On leaving this On leaving this pass, he saw to the northeast, many leagues distant, two islands, which he called Assumption and Conception, probably those now known as Tobago and Grenada. On the 15th he discovered the islands of Margarita and Cabagua, afterwards famous for their pearl fishery. There was great temptation to linger near these shores, and to visit other spots which the Indians mentioned as abounding in pearls. The coast of Paria also continued extending westward as far as the eye could reach, rising into a range of mountains, and provoking examination to ascertain whether, as he conjectured, it was a part of the Asiatic continent. Columbus was compelled, by a disease of his eyes, to forego this investigation, and bear away for Hispaniola. After sailing for five days to the northwest, he reached that island on the 19th of August,

fifty leagues to the westward of the river Ozema, and anchored on the following morning twenty leagues nearer that river, under the little island of Beata. Here he procured an Indian messenger to take a letter to his brother Bartholomew, who was supposed to be at the river Ozema, where he had erected a fortress which was the origin of the City of St. Domingo. Columbus arrived off the mouth of the river the 30th of August, but was met on the way by a caravel, on board of which was his brother, who, having received his letter, had hastened to welcome him. The meeting of the brothers was a joyful one. Yet attached as they were to each other, Bartholomew could not but be deeply concerned to see his brother so much worsted. Columbus arrived almost the wreck of himself; haggard, emaciated and nearly blind.*

It is not proposed here to give any relation of the occurrences on the island during the long absence of Columbus. An interesting account of them is given by Mr. Irving, who speaks of the ability shewn by Bartholomew Columbus, in the course of his transient government, yet remarks that his good intentions and judicious arrangements (as in the case of his brother,) were constantly thwarted by the bad passions and improper conduct of others.

Neither is it designed here to give any history of the government of Columbus, after his arrival at Hispaniola, or of the mission on which Bobadilla was sent from Spain in July 1500, or of the proceedings of this commissioner. These are narrated by Mr.

* Irving's Columbus, vol. 1, p. 361 to 373. † Id. p. 379 to 411.

Irving in a manner to interest every reader.* It must suffice here to state that Bobadilla put Columbus and his brothers in chains, confined the former in a fortress and the latter on board the caravels, without permitting any communication between them, and sent all three in the vessels which sailed for Spain in October. Alonzo de Villeja, who was appointed to conduct the prisoners to Spain, was deeply moved at the treatment of Columbus. The master of the caravel, Andreas Martin, was equally grieved: they both treated the admiral with profound respect and assiduous attention. They would have taken off his irons, but to this he would not consent. "No!" said he proudly, "their majesties commanded me by letter to submit to whatever Bobadilla should order in their name; by their authority he has put upon me these chains: I will wear them until they shall order them to be taken off, and I will preserve them afterwards as relics and memorials of the reward of my services."-" He did so," adds his son Fernando, "I saw them always hanging in his cabinet, and he requested that when he died they might be buried with him."

The arrival of Columbus at Cadiz, a prisoner and in chains, produced almost as great a sensation as his triumphant return from his first voyage. A great reaction in the public mind was immediately manifested the heart of Isabella was filled with mingled sympathy and indignation: and both sovereigns hastened to give evidence that his imprisonment had been without their authority and contrary to their

* Irving's Columbus, vol. 2, p. 2 to 56.