Page:History of Columbus (2).pdf/14

14 than wheaten bread, was highly acceptable to the Spaniards.

On the 24th of October, Columbus set out in quest of gold, which he thought was the only object of commerce worth his attention. After discovering Conception, Exuma, and Isla Larga, Cuba broke on him like an elysium. He next took Hayti, or Santo Domingo, for the ancient Ophir, the source of the riches of Solomon, but he gave it the name of Hispaniola, from its resembling the fairest tracts of Spain. Leaving here the germ of a future colony, he set sail homeward on January 4, 1493. A dreadful storm overtook him on the 12th of February. Columbus, fearing the loss of his discovery more than the loss of life, retired into his cabin, and wrote two copies on parchment of a short account of it. He wrapped then in wax, enclosed them in two separate casks, one of which he threw into the sea, and the other he placed on the poop of his vessel, that it might float in case she should sink. Happily the storm subsided, but another drove him off the mouth of the Tagus on tho: 4th of Mareh; and although distrustful of the Portuguese, he was constrained to take shelter there. At last, he landed triumphantly at Palos, March 15, 1493. As soon as the ship was discovered approaching, all the inhabitants ran eagerly to the shore, where they received the admiral with royal honours. The court was then at Barcelona, and Columbus immediately acquainted their Majesties of his arrival. They were no less delighted than astonished with this unexpected event  They gave orders for conducting him into the city with all imaginable pomp. In his journey through