ning for a whole day along this beautiful coast, the squadron
anchored in a bay at the west end, abounding in fish.

On landing they found an Indian village constructed round a common
square like a market-place, with one large and well-built house in it.
A wide road led thence to the sea-shore, fenced on either side.

The whole place had an air of great neatness. Not a human being,
however, was to be seen, the natives having concealed themselves.

After remaining here two days Columbus stood for Hispaniola. This ended
his cruise among the Caribbean Islands, the inhabitants of which he
described as cannibals, and the most warlike people hitherto met with.

On the 22nd of November the squadron came off the eastern end of
Hispaniola, or Hayti, and the sailor who had died of his wound was here
sent on shore to be buried.

Several natives came off with a message from the cacique of the
neighbourhood inviting Columbus to land, and promising great quantities
of gold, but, anxious to reach La Navidad, he continued his course. The
next place he put into was Las Flechas, where he landed one of the young
Indians, who it was supposed had been converted to Christianity,
handsomely apparelled and loaded with trinkets. But the youth either
forgot his promises or was murdered on account of his finery, as nothing
more was heard of him.

Only one young Indian, who had been sent by Guacanagari, and who, having
been to Spain, had been baptised and named after the Admiral's brother,
Diego Colon, remained on board, and he continued always devoted to the
Spaniards.

On the 25th Columbus anchored in the harbour of Monte Cristo, wishing to
form a settlement in the neighbourhood of the stream to which he had
before given the name of the Golden River.

Near this, on the green banks of a rivulet, the bodies of a man and boy
were found, the former with a cord of Spanish grass about his neck, his
arms extended and tied by the wrists to a stake in the form of a cross.

It was impossible, from the state of decay in which they were found, to
ascertain whether they were European or Indians. Painful doubts,
however, were raised, and the following day two other bodies were
discovered, one of which was evidently the corpse of a white man.

Gloomy forebodings were now raised as to the fate which might have
befallen Arana and his garrison. The frank and fearless conduct,
however, of the natives who came off to the ships somewhat allayed the