ing of rich plumes, weapons of various kinds,
and tropical birds and animals. In this way they returned in
triumphant procession to the ships, the woods and shores
resounding with their songs and shouts.

"Many of the Indians crowded into the boats that took the
detachment to the ships; others put off in canoes, or swam from
shore, so that in a little while the vessels were thronged with
upwards of a thousand wondering natives. While gazing and
marvelling at the strange objects around them, Ojeda ordered
the cannon to be discharged, at the sound of which, says
Vespucci, the Indians 'plunged into the water like so many
frogs from a bank.' Perceiving, however, that it was done in
harmless mirth, they returned on board, and passed the rest of
the day in great festivity. The Spaniards brought away with
them several of the beautiful and hospitable females from this
place, one of whom, named by them Isabel, was much prized by
Ojeda, and accompanied him in a subsequent voyage."

Leaving these friendly Indians, Ojeda pursued his way along the coast to
the westward, until he reached cape de la Vela. During his long voyage
he had been disappointed in finding the ready treasures of gold and
pearls which he had expected, and now, wearied with his fruitless
efforts, and embarrassed by the crazy state of his vessels, he resolved
reluctantly to return to Spain. On his way, he stopped, in spite of the
clause in his commission, at Hispaniola, to cut dye-wood, but was
prevented by the governor, and obliged to set sail. He then cruised
among the islands, and seizing the natives, carried them home to sell
for slaves. He reached Cadiz in June, 1500, but so unproductive was his
expedition, that it is said, after the expenses were paid, but five
hundred ducats remained to be divided among fifty-five adventurers.

The private enterprise of Ojeda did not fail to excite the same spirit
among other followers of Columbus, who remained in Spain. He had been
scarcely a month gone, before _Pedro Alonzo Nino_, who had been the
pilot of the admiral on his first voyage, set out from Palos with
_Christoval Guerra_, the brother of a Sevillian merchant who supplied
the outfit. The vessel of these bold adventurers was but a bark of fifty
tons, the crew but thirty-three men--yet with the daring spirit of the
Spanish sailors of those days, they embarked fearlessly and joyfully t