loodhounds they were wont to let loose in chase of their
victims.

How different might have been the fate of the islands had such men as
the pilgrim fathers or the enlightened Penn been the first to settle
among them! The bright light of true Christianity might have beamed on
their hearts, with all the advantages of civilisation, and far greater
happiness than they had hitherto enjoyed might have been their lot. No
blame can be attached to Columbus, no slur can be cast on his fair fame.
He had achieved a glorious undertaking in discovering a new world, but
on its inhabitants he had been thus the instrument of bringing the
direst of curses, and, instead of promulgating the faith he professed,
the blackest disgrace on the Christian name.

CHAPTER THREE.

FIRST VOYAGE OF COLUMBUS CONTINUED--A.D. 1492.

The Tortugas--Returns to Hispaniola--Picks up an Indian in a canoe on
the way--The Indian's report induces a cacique to visit the ships--
Friendly intercourse with other caciques--Farther along the coast, an
envoy from the great cacique Guacanagari visits the ships--The notary
sent to the cacique--His large, clean village--The Spaniards treated as
superior beings--Cibao, mistaken for Cipango, heard of--The ship of
Columbus wrecked--Guacanagari's generous behaviour--Terror of the
Indians at hearing a cannon discharged--Delighted with hawks' bells--
Stores from the wreck saved--A fort built with the assistance of the
natives, and called La Natividad--The cacique's friendship for
Columbus--Abundance of gold obtained--A garrison of thirty men left in
the fort, with strict rules for their government--Guacanagari sheds
tears at parting with the Admiral--The _Nina_ sails eastward--The
_Pinta_ rejoins him--Pinzon excuses himself--His treachery discovered--
In consequence of it Columbus resolves to return to Spain--Pinzon's ill
treatment of the natives--Fierce natives met with--First native blood
shed--The Indians notwithstanding visit the ship--Columbus steers for
Spain--Contrary winds--A fearful storm--The device of Columbus for
preserving the knowledge of his discoveries--The Azores reached--
Castaneda, Governor of Saint Mary's--Crew perform a pilgrimage to the
Virgin's shrine--Seized by the Governor--Caravel driven out to sea--
Matters settled with Castaneda--Sails--Another tempest--Nearly lost--
Enters the Tagus--Courteously received by the King of Portugal--Reaches
Palos 15th of March, 1493--Enthusiastic reception at