th and west. We understood great lands, clothed men, much gold. But
when we next came to anchor, like small island, like men, women and
children. We traded for a few more knobs of gold, but they were few.

Toscanelli's map and the Admiral's map lay on cabin table. "Islands in
the Sea of Chin--Polo and Mandeville alike say thousands--all grades
then of advance. Beyond any manner of doubt, persevering west or west by
south, we shall come to main Asia." So long as he ruled, there would be
perseverance!

At Santa Maria de la Concepcion a solitary large canoe crowded with
Indians was rowing toward us. One of the San Salvador young men aboard
us fancied some slight, experienced some fear, or may even,--who
knows?--have wearied of the gods. Springing upon the rail he threw
himself into sea and made off with great strokes toward the canoe. Pedro
behind him shouted "Escape!" There was a rush to the side to observe.
Fernando bawled, "Come back! or we'll let fly an arrow."

He swam, the dark, naked fellow, like a fish. Reaching the canoe, the
Indians there took him in; he seemed to have a tale to tell, they all
broke into talk, the canoe went round, they rowed fast back to land. The
_Nina_, lying near us, had her boat filling to go ashore. Her men had
seen the leap overboard and the swimmer. Now they put after, rowing hard
for the canoe, that having the start came first to beach. The Indians
sprang out, the San Salvador man with them. Leaving canoe, they ran
across sand into wood. The _Nina's_ men took the canoe and brought it to
the _Santa Maria_. In it were balls of cotton and calabashes filled with
fruit and a chattering parrot. It was the first thing of this kind that
had happened, and the Admiral's face was wrathful. He had a simple,
kindly heart, and though he could be vexed or irritated, he rarely broke
into furious anger. But first and last he desired peaceful absorption,
if by any means that were possible, of these countries. We absorbing
them, they absorbing us; both the gainers! And he had warm feeling of
romance-love for all this that he was finding. He saw all his enterprise
milk-white, rose-bright. And his pride was touched that the Indian who
had seemed contented had not truly been so, and that the _Nina_'s men
had disobeyed strict commands for friendliness. He would restore that
content if possible, and he would have no more unordered chasing of
canoes. The Nina's men got anger and rebuke, Captain Cristoforo Colom