After ten days the vessels were in regions of calms, and the people began to suffer from the intense heat.  The sun melted the tar of the rigging, and the seams of the decks began to open.  For days and days the scorching heat continued, but at length there were some refreshing showers, and light breezes sprang up from the west.  But their progress was very slow, and their stock of water nearly exhausted.  So the admiral ordered the course to be altered to northwest, in hopes of reaching Dominica.  It was July 31st, the people were parched with thirst, and yet no land had been seen.  In the afternoon of that day the admiral’s servant, Alonzo Perez of Huelva, went to the masthead, and reported land in the shape of three separate peaks.  Columbus had declared his intention of naming the first land sighted after the Holy Trinity, and the coincidence of its appearing in the form of three peaks made a deep impression on his mind.  The island of Trinidad retains its name to this day.  The admiral gave heartfelt thanks to God, and all the crews chanted the Salve Regina and other hymns of prayer and praise.  Meanwhile the little squadron glided through the water, approaching the newly discovered land, and Columbus named the most eastern point “Cabo de la Galera,” by reason of a great rock off it, which at a distance looked like a galley under sail.  All along the coast the trees were seen to come down to the sea, the most lovely sight that eyes could rest on; and at last, on August 1st, an anchorage was found, and they were able to fill up with water from delicious streams and fountains.  The main continent of South America was seen to the south, appearing like a long island, and it received the name of “Isla Santa.”  The point near the watering-place was called “Punta de la Playa.”

The western end of the island was named “Punta del Arenal,” and here an extraordinary phenomenon presented itself.  A violent current was rushing out through a channel or strait not more than two leagues wide, causing great perturbation of the sea, with such an uproar of rushing water that the crews were filled with alarm for the safety of the vessels.  The admiral named the channel “La Boca de la Sierpe.”  He piloted his little squadron safely through it and reached the Gulf of Paria, named by him “Golfo de la Ballena.”  The land to the westward, forming the mainland of Paria, received the name of “Isla de Gracia.”  Standing across to the western side of the Gulf, the admiral was delighted with the beauty of the country and with the view of distant mountains.  Near a point named “Aguja” the country was so fruitful and charming that he called it “Jardines,” and here he saw many Indians, among them women wearing bracelets of pearls, and when they were asked whence the pearls were obtained they pointed to the westward.  As many pearls as could be bartered from the natives were collected for transmission to the sovereigns, for here was a new source of wealth, another precious commodity from the New World.