o minister to
their wants any longer; and famine was imminent.

ECLIPSE PREDICTED BY COLUMBUS.

But just at this last extremity, the admiral, ever fertile in devices,
bethought him of an expedient for re-establishing his influence over the
Indians. His astronomical knowledge told him that on a certain night an
eclipse of the moon would take place. One would think that people living
in the open air must be accustomed to see such eclipses sufficiently
often, not to be particularly astonished at them. But Columbus judged--and
as the event proved, judged rightly--that by predicting the eclipse he
would gain a reputation as a prophet, and command the respect and the
obedience due to a person invested with supernatural powers. He assembled
the caciques of the neighbouring tribes. Then, by means of an interpreter,
he reproached them with refusing to continue to supply provisions to the
Spaniards. "The God who protects me," he said, "will punish you. You know
what has happened to those of my followers who have rebelled against me;
and the dangers which they encountered in their attempt to cross to Haiti;
while those who went at my command,[24] made the passage without
difficulty. Soon, too, shall the divine vengeance fall on you; this very
night shall the moon change her colour and lose her light, in testimony of
the evils which shall be sent upon you from the skies."

[Footnote 24: This was a gratuitous assumption: as the admiral had as
yet no tidings of the success of Mendez.]

RESULT OF PREDICTION.

The night was fine: the moon shone down in full brilliancy. But, at the
appointed time, the predicted phenomenon took place, and the wild howls of
the savages proclaimed their abject terror. They came in a body to
Columbus, and implored his intercession. They promised to let him want for
nothing if only he would avert this judgment: as all earnest of their
sincerity they collected hastily a quantity of food, and offered it at his
feet. At first, diplomatically hesitating, Columbus presently affected to
be softened by their entreaties. He consented to intercede for them; and,
retiring to his cabin, performed, as they supposed, some mystic rite which
should deliver them from the threatened punishment. Soon the terrible
shadow passed away from the face of the moon; and the gratitude of the
savages was as deep as their previous terror. But, being blended with much
awe, it was not so evanescent as gratitude often is;