river where ships might ride. Sounding, we found deep
water, entered river mouth and dropped anchor, then went ashore in the
boats. Palms and their water doubles, and in the grove a small abandoned
village. We had seen the people flee before us, and they were no more
nor other kind of people than had showed in Concepcion or Fernandina.
Yet were they a little wealthier. We found parrots on their perches,
and two dogs, small and wolf-like that never barked. In one hut lay a
harpoon tipped with bone, and a net for fishing. In another we found a
wrought block of wood which Fray Ignatio pronounced their idol.

We went back to our ships, and leaving river, sailed on in a bright blue
sea. The next day we doubled a cape and found a great haven, but silent
and sailless, with no maritime city thronging the shore. What was this
world, so huge, so sparely, rudely peopled?

We came to anchor close under shore in this haven. Again the marvelous
water, but now it laved a bold and great country! We landed. Canoes
fastened in a row, another village, most of the folk decamped, but a few
brave men and women tarrying to find out something about heaven and its
inmates. With toys again and pacific gestures we wiled them to us.

There was upon the _Santa Maria_ a young Indian who had chosen to come
with us from Fernandina. He had courage and intelligence, was willing
to receive instruction and baptism from Fray Ignatio, and first and last
followed the Admiral with devotion. The latter had him christened Diego
Colon. We taught him Spanish as fast and soundly as we might, and used
him as interpreter. The tongue of his island was not just the tongue of
Cuba, but near enough to serve. All these Indians have a gift of oratory
and dote to speak at length, with firm voice and great gestures. Now
we set Diego Colon to his narration. We of Castile had so much of the
tongue by now that we could in some wise follow.

Forth it poured! We were gods come from heaven. Yonder stood the chief
god that the others obeyed. He was very great, strong, good, wise, kind,
giving beautiful gifts! We were all kind--no one was going to be hurt.
We made magic with harac--which we called "gold." In heaven was not
enough harac. So important is it to the best magic that a chief god
has come to earth to seek it. We also liked cotton and things to eat,
especially cassava cakes, and we liked a very few parrots. But it was
gold that in chief we wanted. The man who brought the