Historical Tales, Vol. III | Page 3

cape," he said, "there came off a
fragrance so good and soft of the flowers or trees of the land that it was
the sweetest thing in the world."
Not only were the islands the homes of birds of brilliant plumage and
flowers of gorgeous hue, but the very seas seemed to their new visitors
like tropical gardens, for the fish with which they abounded rivalled the
birds and flowers in brilliancy of color. The scales of some of them
glittered like precious stones, and gleams of gold and silver seemed to
come from them as they swam around the ships, while the dolphins
taken from the water changed color like the chameleon.

The natives who had been taken on board the ships made signs which
seemed to indicate that more wonderful islands were yet to be seen,
with cities and kings and queens, and abundance of gold and gems; or,
at least, the Spaniards understood this from their signs, as they pointed
to the south when gold was shown them and they were asked where it
could be found. Far to the south was a great island which they named
Cuba, and another which they called Bohio. Cuba, as their signs
appeared to show, was of vast extent and abounded with gold, pearls,
and spices, and Columbus determined to sail for it, hoping there to find
the wealth which he and his companions so ardently craved. It cannot
be said that the natives wished to deceive them, but no doubt they
willingly agreed to all they were asked, with the innocent desire of
pleasing their wonderful new friends. Columbus, full of the idea that he
was near the shores of India, hoped to reach the city of Quinsai, which
Marco Polo had said was one of the most magnificent in the world, and
there deliver the letter of his sovereigns to the Grand Khan of the Indies
and bring back his reply to Spain. Inspired by this enticing hope, he left
the Bahamas and turned the prows of his small fleet towards the isle of
Cuba.
It was on the morning of October 28 that the shores of this noble island
first met the eyes of the eager mariners. As the small fleet swept along
its coast the admiral was struck with its size and grandeur; its high and
airy mountains, like those of Sicily; its long and sweeping plains, and
the fertile valleys of its broad rivers; its far-reaching forests and many
green headlands, which led them on and on into the remote distance.
They anchored at length in a beautiful river, whose waters were
transparent and deeply shaded with overhanging trees. Here Columbus
had himself rowed up the stream, which seemed to grow more
enchanting with every mile, forests of lofty and spreading trees
crowding down to its banks, some in fruit, some in flower, some
bearing fruits and flowers at once. These woods swarmed with birds of
brilliant plumage,--the scarlet flamingo, the rich-hued parrots and
woodpeckers, the tiny and sparkling humming-birds, which flitted on
rainbow wings from flower to flower, and which no European had ever
before seen. Even the insects were beautiful, in their shining coats of
mail. Though most of the birds were silent, the charms of song were

not wanting, and the excited fancy of Columbus detected among them
notes like those of the nightingale. Ever open to the charms of nature,
Cuba seemed to him an elysium, "the most beautiful island that eyes
ever beheld."
He was sure there must here be mines of gold, groves of spices, rivers
and seas that bore pearls. The houses, though simple in structure, were
well built and clean, roofed with palm-leaves and shaded by spreading
trees. Led on still by his excited fancy, he hoped soon to find great
cities and rich settlements, but none such greeted his gaze. Assured that
the capital of the Grand Khan could not be far away, he sent two
ambassadors, with presents, to the interior, in a direction pointed out by
the people. But after going many miles they found only a village of
fifty houses, like those seen on the coast. There was no gold or silver,
no spices, none of the things they so ardently sought. The only thing
new to their eyes was a fashion seen among the people, who rolled up
certain dried and aromatic leaves, and, lighting one end, put the other in
their mouths, and exhaled the smoke. This was the first ever seen by
white men of that remarkable American plant, called by the natives by
a name like tobacco, which has since grown to be a favorite throughout
the world, in palace and hovel alike.
Sailing onward along the Cuban coast, the imagination of Columbus
was continually aroused by the magnificence, freshness, and