ter leaving Gomera Columbus steered considerably more to the southward
than in his first voyage, hoping to fall in with the islands of the
Caribs.

Being in the region of the trade winds, the breeze continued fair and
steady, while the sea was perfectly smooth. As October drew on, they
were visited by showers and a storm, lasting, however, only four hours.
They were cheered during it by observing the lights of Saint Elmo, which
the ignorant mariners believed to be the body of the saint himself
holding lighted tapers as an assurance of safety.

How different was this voyage to the former! Then tears and wailing
accompanied the unwilling seamen on board, and often and often, their
hearts failing them, they desired to turn back. Now one and all pressed
on, eager to witness the wonders of the New World. On the evening of
Saturday, the 2nd of November, Columbus was convinced, by the colour of
the sea and other signs, that he was drawing near the land, and
accordingly ordered a vigilant watch to be kept during the night.

On Sunday, at dawn, a lofty island was seen to the west, and as the
ships glided on, others rose to sight covered with forests, while
flights of parrots and other tropical birds passed from one to the
other. To the first island seen, on account of the day on which it was
discovered, Columbus gave the name of Dominica, or Sunday Island. On
the whole group the appellation of The Antilles was bestowed, because a
group so-called was supposed to exist off the coast of Asia, and
Columbus now fully believed that he had arrived at it, and that the
mainland was to be found at no great distance farther west.

Six beautiful islands were seen during the day, to one of which he gave
the name of Marigalante, the name of his ship. It was overspread with
trees, some in full bloom, others laden with unknown fruits.

Sailing on to a larger island with a volcanic peak in the centre, they
saw a cataract, of prodigious height, descending from the mountain-side.
The Admiral called this island Guadaloupe, in fulfilment of a promise
to the monks of the convent of Guadaloupe in Estremadura to call some
newly-discovered place after it.

Landing here, the Spaniards visited a village, the inhabitants of which
fled, some leaving their children behind. These were soothed by binding
hawks' bells and trinkets round their arms. The huts were formed with
the trunks of trees, interwoven with twigs and branches, and thatched
wit