s movements, seeking an opportunity to
explain his proposals.

As he approached Barcelona he was met by a large company of people,
including many persons of rank. A little procession was formed of the
party of the Admiral. Six Indians of the islands who had survived the
voyage, led the way. They were painted according to their custom in
various colors, and ornamented with the fatal gold of their countries,
which had given to the discovery such interest in the eyes of those who
looked on.

Columbus had brought ten Indians away with him, but one had died on the
voyage and he had left three sick at Palos. Those whom he brought to
Barcelona, were baptized in presence of the king and queen.

After the Indians, were brought many curious objects which had come
from the islands, such as stuffed birds and beasts and living paroquets,
which perhaps spoke in the language of their own country, and rare
plants, so different from those of Spain. Ornaments of gold were
displayed, which would give the people some idea of the wealth of the
islands. Last of all came Columbus, elegantly mounted and surrounded by
a brilliant cavalcade of young Spaniards. The crowd of wondering people
pressed around them. Balconies and windows were crowded with women
looking on. Even the roofs were crowded with spectators.

The king and queen awaited Columbus in a large hall, where they were
seated on a rich dais covered with gold brocade. It was in the palace
known as the "Casa de la Deputacion" which the kings of Aragon made
their residence when they were in Barcelona. A body of the most
distinguished lords and ladies of Spain were in attendance. As Columbus
entered the hall the king and queen arose. He fell on his knee that he
might kiss their hands but they bade him rise and then sit and give an
account of his voyage.

Columbus spoke with dignity and simplicity which commanded respect,
while all listened with sympathy. He showed some of the treasures he
had brought, and spoke with certainty of the discoveries which had been
made, as only precursors of those yet to come. When his short narrative
was ended, all the company knelt and united in chanting the "Te Deum,"
"We Praise Thee, O God." Las Casas, describing the joy and hope of
that occasion says, "it seems as if they had a foretaste of the joys of
paradise."

It would seem as if those whose duty it is to prepare fit celebrations
of the periods of the great discovery, could hardly do better tha