soon entered
into a friendly intercourse with their visitors. Columbus was struck
with the appearance of their canoes, which were carved and painted, many
of them being of large size, formed of the trunk of a single tree. He
measured one, which was ninety-six feet long and eight broad, hollowed
out of a species of mahogany-tree.

He now coasted along the northern shore of Jamaica, the natives
everywhere coming off and trading without fear. At the last place where
he touched in Jamaica a young Indian came off and begged the Spaniards
to take him to their country. Notwithstanding the tears and
supplications of his friends, he persisted in his request, and Columbus
ordered that he should be received on board and treated with kindness.

As the wind at the western end of Jamaica was found to be contrary,
Columbus resolved to return to Cuba, and not to leave it until he had
explored its coast sufficiently to determine whether it was _terra
firma_ or an island.

CHAPTER FIVE.

SECOND VOYAGE OF COLUMBUS CONTINUED--A.D. 1494.

Again off Cuba--The numerous keys--Inhabitants hide--Sees a canoe--
Curious mode of fishing--Intercourse with the friendly cacique of
Ornofay--Believes that he is approaching Asia--The natives welcome the
strangers--Sailing west, the Spaniards land near some mountains--The
archer's report of white-robed natives--Columbus believes that he shall
soon reach the Indian Ocean--Error as to the extent of Cuba--Returns
eastward--Visited by a cacique and his venerable minister--Stands across
to Jamaica--Coasts along it--A cacique with his family come off to the
ships requesting to be taken to Spain--The squadron stands across to
Hispaniola--Natives show signs of hostility, but become friendly--
Columbus struck down with illness--Carried to Isabella--His brother
Bartholomew meets him--Efforts to improve the colony--Traitorous designs
formed against Columbus--Accusations sent home--Aguado sent out to
investigate his conduct--Columbus resolves to return to Spain--A rich
gold-mine discovered--Sets sail--Detained by contrary winds--Puts into
Guadaloupe--Attacked by Amazons--Huts plundered--Some of the Amazons
captured--Again sails--Prolonged passage--Spaniards propose to kill the
prisoners--Prevented by Columbus--The vessels reach Cadiz--Finds a
squadron about to sail for Isabella--Honourably received by the
sovereigns.

Standing across to Cuba, Columbus reached Cabo de la Cruz, near which,
landing, he