ading, some of the
natives complained that he had violently carried off four men and two
girls to be sold as slaves in Spain.

Discovering that such was the case, Columbus ordered that they should be
restored immediately to their homes, and, giving them numerous presents
and clothing, he sent them on shore.

Proceeding on, they anchored in a deep gulf a little way beyond Cape
Cabron. The natives were found to be of a ferocious aspect, hideously
painted. Their hair was long, tied behind, and decorated with coloured
feathers; some were armed with war-clubs; others had bows as long as
those used by English archers, with slender reed arrows pointed with
bone or the teeth of a fish. Their swords were of palm wood, as hard
and heavy as iron, not sharp, but broad, and capable, with one blow, of
cleaving through a helmet.

Columbus fancied that they must be Caribs, but an Indian on board
assured him that the Caribbean Islands were much farther off. They made
no attempt, however, at first, to molest the Spaniards. One of them
came on board the Admiral's ship. Various presents having been given
him, he was sent again on shore in one of the boats.

As she approached, upwards of fifty savages, armed with bows, arrows,
war-clubs, and javelins, were seen lurking among the trees. The Indian,
however, speaking to them, they laid by their arms, and parted with two
of their bows to the Spaniards. Suddenly, however, mistrusting their
visitors, they rushed back to where they had left their weapons, and
returned with cords as if to bind the Spaniards. The latter on this
immediately attacked them, wounded two, and put the rest to flight, and
would have pursued them had they not been restrained by the commander of
the boat.

This was the first time native blood, soon to flow so freely, was shed
by the white man in the New World. It greatly grieved Columbus thus to
see his efforts to maintain a friendly intercourse frustrated.

Next day, notwithstanding the above occurrence, when a large party went
on shore, the cacique who ruled over the neighbourhood came down to meet
them, and sent a wampum belt as a token of amity. The cacique, with
only three attendants, without fear entered the boat, and was conveyed
on board the caravel. Columbus highly appreciated this frank, confiding
conduct, and, having placed biscuits and honey and other food before his
guests, shown them round the ship, and made them several presents, he
sent th