On the 4th of January, 1493, all things being settled, a signal gun announced their readiness to depart. A mutual farewell was pronounced, and the sails of the Nina were soon spread to the wind. Two days after their departure, while a head wind was blowing strongly against them, and they made but little progress, the long-lost Pinta was seen bearing down upon them.
This was a joyful sight. Nothing certain had been heard of her since her separation from the other vessels. Fears were entertained that she was lost. But Columbus had all along suspected that her captain had separated from him with a design to search for islands where he might find gold. And so it proved to be.
The captain, however, pretended otherwise. He endeavored to convince Columbus that he had no bad design, and had been detained by unpropitious weather and ignorance of the route to Cuba. But all this was untrue. He had visited several islands, and procured gold, half of which he kept himself, and the rest he divided among his crew, telling them to keep it a secret. Columbus would have arrested him; but as he had now only one small vessel beside the Pinta, he wisely concluded to say but little, and hasten back to Spain.
The wind becoming favorable soon after, both vessels directed their course eastward, stopping, however, at several islands in their way. At one island, where they anchored, an unhappy circumstance occurred. Some of the Spaniards landed here. They found the island inhabited by a ferocious-looking people. They had long bows, swords, and war-clubs. These last were made of a kind of wood so hard and so heavy as to level the stoutest man at a single blow.
At first, these savages conducted peaceably towards the Spaniards; nevertheless, their looks bespoke treachery and war. One of them returned with the Spaniards on board the Nina. He was treated very kindly, and several presents were given him. This was done to secure the friendship of his brethren on the island.
At length, this Indian was put on shore. As the boat approached the land, a party of warriors were seen lurking in the edge of some woods not far distant. As the boat reached the shore, they laid aside their arms, and approached in apparent friendship. They began to trade with the Spaniards, and sold them two bows.
But, on a sudden, they fell back, seized their weapons, and rushed forward to secure the Spaniards. The latter, finding themselves in danger, attacked the Indians, and wounded several. They would have made greater execution, but they were ordered by the commander of the party to return.
Columbus regretted this occurrence. It was the first unpleasant interview which he and his men had had with the inhabitants of the new world. But, happily, before Columbus left the neighborhood, the affray was peaceably settled. The chief of the Indians was a noble-spirited man, and seemed much to regret the conduct of his subjects. He made a present to Columbus, and even visited him on board his vessel.
Columbus now prepared to take leave of these islands, and set sail once more upon the broad ocean. Every day’s delay was felt to be hazardous. A slight accident might prevent their ever reaching Spain; and thus their important discovery, their toils, and their dangers, would all be lost. Their voyage, also, with all the skill and diligence they might exercise, was likely to be a long one. The trade winds were against them, and the Pinta had become so weak, that no great press of sail could be put upon her.
Nothing important occurred till the 13th of February. The day previous, a gale had begun to blow, and the sea was greatly disturbed. On the evening of the 13th, the indications of an approaching tempest were still stronger; and, not long after, it burst upon them in awful fury.