.

Several caciques came off, inviting the Spaniards to their villages.
Among them came an envoy from an important chief named Guacanagari,
ruling over all that part of the island. Having presented a broad belt
of wampum and a wooden mask, the eyes, nose, and tongue of which were of
gold, he requested that the ships would come off the town where the
cacique resided. As this was impossible, owing to a contrary wind,
Columbus sent the notary of the squadron, with several attendants. The
town was the largest and best built they had yet seen. The cacique
received them in a large, clean square, and presented to each a robe of
cotton, while the inhabitants brought fruits and provisions of various
sorts. The seamen were also received into their houses, and presented
with cotton garments and anything they seemed to admire; while the
articles given in return were treasured up as sacred relics.

Several caciques had in the meantime visited the ships. They mentioned
a region, evidently the interior, called Cibao, which Columbus thought
must be a corruption of Cipango, and whose chief he understood had
banners of wrought gold, and was probably the magnificent prince
mentioned by Marco Polo.

As soon as the wind was fair, Columbus visited the chief, Guacanagari,
the coast having been surveyed by boats the previous day. Feeling
perfectly secure, although so near the coast, he retired to his cabin.
The helmsman handed over his charge to one of the ship's boys, and
failed to notice that breakers were ahead. Suddenly the ship struck;
the master and crew rushed on deck. Columbus, calm as usual, ordered
the pilot to carry out an anchor astern. Instead of so doing, in his
fright, he rowed off to the other caravel, about half a league to
windward. Her commander instantly went to the assistance of his chief.
The ship had meantime been drifting more and more on the reef, the shock
having opened several of her seams. The weather continued fine, or she
must at once have gone to pieces.

The Admiral, having gone on board the caravel, sent envoys to
Guacanagari, informing him of his intended visit and his disastrous
shipwreck. When the cacique, who lived a league and a half off, heard
of the misfortune, he shed tears, and sent a fleet of canoes to render
assistance. With their help the vessel was unloaded, the chief taking
care that none of the effects should be pilfered. Not an article was
taken; indeed, the people exhibited t