Columbus sails on his second voyage.
The discovery, which Columbus had made, was everywhere deemed of great importance. But its vast results were not yet foreseen. Curiosity was alive. Ferdinand and Isabella themselves were anxious to follow up the discovery which had been made, and they authorized Columbus to fit out, at their expense, a large expedition for the new world.
By September, three ships, and fourteen smaller vessels, were equipped and manned, ready for the voyage. On the 25th of that month, this fleet sailed from the bay of Cadiz. We shall not stop to relate the incidents of this voyage, excepting some interesting events which took place at one of the Caribbee islands. These islands were discovered by Columbus during this voyage. One of these islands goes by the name of Guadaloupe, which was given to it by Columbus himself.
On the 4th of November the fleet reached this island, and here several of the Spaniards landed. What was their surprise to find human sculls and bones in the houses of the natives, and many other evidences that the people were cannibals, or eaters of human flesh!
From this point, Columbus proceeded, with his fleet, to some distance, where he found a more commodious harbor. Here they discovered several persons who had been recently killed, and whose limbs the natives had put upon the fire to roast. These were captives, taken in a war which was then waging between the people of this island and the people of islands not far distant.
While Columbus remained here, a number of female captives made their escape, and fled to the Spaniards for safety. These Columbus took with him on his voyage. He was now in great trouble. He wished to hasten his departure; but a party of nine men, who had gone ashore, had not returned. The next day no tidings were heard of them. Great fears were entertained that they might have fallen into the hands of the savages, and been eaten at one of their feasts.
Columbus was unwilling to leave the place without knowing something more certain as to the fate of these unfortunate men. In this state of anxiety, a bold young man, belonging to the fleet, offered to go, with a party of forty men, in search of them.
This offer was accepted, and the party now went forth on their hazardous expedition. They marched all day, making search in every place—in the open country and in forests—but all in vain. They, themselves, met with no accident, but they could hear no tidings of their lost companions.
Some days had now elapsed since their departure. Columbus was reluctant to leave the island, since it was possible that they might have become lost in some extensive forest. But the greater probability was, that they had fallen a sacrifice to the cannibals.
Orders were at length given to make sail. Just at this critical moment, the long-lost party were discovered on the shore, making signs to their departing companions. It was a fortunate and joyful discovery. A little longer, and the poor fellows must have been left to have fallen into the hands of the savages, who would have feasted upon their bodies. Boats were despatched, which quickly brought them on board, worn out with fatigue and anxiety, reduced by famine, and their bodies wounded by briars and thorns. They had lost their way; they had wandered about, through forests and through thickets, and had arrived at the shore just in time to escape being left to perish in an inhospitable land.