“There came many of them and many women, each one with something, giving thanks to God, casting themselves on the ground, and raising their heads toward heaven.  And afterwards they called us with shouts to come ashore.

“But I feared (to do so), for I saw a great reef of rocks which encircles all that island.  And in it there is bottom and harbor for as many ships as there are in all Christendom, and its entrance very narrow.  It is true that there are some shallows inside this ring, but the sea is no rougher than in a well.

“And I was moved to see all this, this morning, so that I might be able to give an account of it all to your Highnesses, and also (to find out) where I might make a fortress.  And I saw a piece of land formed like an island, although it is not one, in which there were six houses, which could be cut off in two days so as to become an island; although I do not see that it is necessary, as this people is very ignorant of arms, as your Highnesses will see from seven whom I had taken, to carry them off to learn our speech and to bring them back again.  But your Highnesses, when you direct, can take them all to Castile, or keep them captives in this same island, for with fifty men you can keep them all subjected, and make them do whatever you like.

“And close to the said islet are groves of trees, the most beautiful I have seen, and as green and full of leaves as those of Castile in the months of April and May, and much water.

“I looked at all that harbor and then I returned to the ship and set sail, and I saw so many islands that I could not decide to which I should go first.  And those men whom I had taken said to me by signs that there were so very many that they were without number, and they repeated by name more than a hundred.  At last I set sail for the largest one, and there I determined to go.  And so I am doing, and it will be five leagues from the island of San Salvador, and farther from some of the rest, nearer to others.  They all are very flat, without mountains and very fertile, and all inhabited.  And they make war upon each other although they are very simple, and (they are) very beautifully formed.”

Monday, October 15, Columbus, on arriving at the island for which he had set sail, went on to a cape, near which he anchored at about sunset.  He gave the island the name of Santa Maria de la Concepcion.(*)

     (*) This is supposed to be Caico del Norte.

“At about sunset I anchored near the said cape to know if there were gold there, for the men whom I had taken at the Island of San Salvador told me that there they wore very large rings of gold on their legs and arms.  I think that all they said was for a trick, in order to make their escape.  However, I did not wish to pass by any island without taking possession of it.

“And I anchored, and was there till today, Tuesday, when at the break of day I went ashore with the armed boats, and landed.