g-birds,
which flitted on rainbow wings from flower to flower, and which no
European had ever before seen. Even the insects were beautiful, in their
shining coats of mail. Though most of the birds were silent, the charms of
song were not wanting, and the excited fancy of Columbus detected among
them notes like those of the nightingale. Ever open to the charms of
nature, Cuba seemed to him an elysium, "the most beautiful island that
eyes ever beheld."

He was sure there must here be mines of gold, groves of spices, rivers and
seas that bore pearls. The houses, though simple in structure, were well
built and clean, roofed with palm-leaves and shaded by spreading trees.
Led on still by his excited fancy, he hoped soon to find great cities and
rich settlements, but none such greeted his gaze. Assured that the capital
of the Grand Khan could not be far away, he sent two ambassadors, with
presents, to the interior, in a direction pointed out by the people. But
after going many miles they found only a village of fifty houses, like
those seen on the coast. There was no gold or silver, no spices, none of
the things they so ardently sought. The only thing new to their eyes was a
fashion seen among the people, who rolled up certain dried and aromatic
leaves, and, lighting one end, put the other in their mouths, and exhaled
the smoke. This was the first ever seen by white men of that remarkable
American plant, called by the natives by a name like tobacco, which has
since grown to be a favorite throughout the world, in palace and hovel
alike.

Sailing onward along the Cuban coast, the imagination of Columbus was
continually aroused by the magnificence, freshness, and verdant charm of
the scenery, which he could not praise too highly. A warm love of nature
is frequently displayed in the description of the country which he wrote
out for Ferdinand and Isabella, of Spain. Of one place, named by him
Puerto Santo, he said: "The amenity of this river, and the clearness of
the water, through which the sand at the bottom may be seen; the multitude
of palm-trees of various forms, the highest and most beautiful that I have
met with, and an infinity of other great and green trees; the birds in
rich plumage, and the verdure of the fields, render this country, most
Serene Princess, of such marvellous beauty, that it surpasses all others
in graces and charm, as the day doth the night in lustre. For which reason
I often say to my people, that, muc