dvanced many other sights and sounds showed that
land was very near. Toward day delicious and unknown perfumes borne on
a soft land breeze reached the vessels, and there was heard the roar of
the waves upon the reefs.

The dawn, as it spread over the sky, gradually raised the shores of an
island from the waves. Its distant extremities were lost in the morning
mist. As the sun rose it shone on the land ascending from a low yellow
beach to the summit of hills whose dark-green covering contrasted
strongly with the clear blue of the heavens. The foam of the waves broke
on the yellow sand, and forests of tall and unknown trees stretched
away, one above another, over successive terraces of the island. Green
valleys, and bright clefts in the hollows afforded a half glimpse into
these mysterious wilds. And thus the land of golden promises, the land
of future greatness, first appeared to Christopher Columbus, the Admiral
of the Ocean, and thus he gave a New World to the nations to come.

THE FIRST LANDING OF COLUMBUS IN THE NEW WORLD

BY WASHINGTON IRVING (ADAPTED)

It was on Friday morning, the 12th of October, that Columbus first
beheld the New World. As the day dawned he saw before him an island,
several leagues in extent, and covered with trees like a continual
orchard. Though apparently uncultivated it was populous, for the
inhabitants were seen issuing from all parts of the woods and running to
the shore. They were perfectly naked, and, as they stood gazing at
the ships, appeared by their attitudes and gestures to be lost in
astonishment.

Columbus made signals for the ships to cast anchor and the boats to be
manned and armed. He entered his own boat, richly attired in scarlet,
and holding the royal standard; while Martin Alonzo Pinzon and his
brother put off in company in their boats, each with a banner of the
enterprise emblazoned with a green cross, having on either side the
letters "F." and "Y.," the initials of the Castilian monarchs Fernando
and Ysabel, surmounted by crowns.

As he approached the shore, Columbus was delighted with the purity and
suavity of the atmosphere, the crystal transparency of the sea, and
the extraordinary beauty of the vegetation. He beheld also fruits of an
unknown kind upon the trees which overhung the shores.

On landing he threw himself on his knees, kissed the earth, and returned
thanks to God with tears of joy. His example was followed by the
rest. [9] "Almighty and Eterna