[Footnote 12:  They were forty in number, and it would be strange to find, but for the well-known fact that nothing brings men of different races together more than maritime and commercial enterprise, that, in this small list there is an Irishman, “Guillermo Ires” (Qy.  William Herries, or Rice) “natural de Galney, en Irlanda;” and an Englishman, “Tallarte de Lajes” (Qy.  Arthur Lake) “ingles.”—­NAVAREETE, Col.  Dip., Num. 13.]

CHAPTER V. Homeward bound.

  Pinzon’s explanation.

For two days Columbus stood to the east-ward, but was met by a head-wind which prevented him from making much progress.  On doubling the promontory of Monte Christo, however, the look-out at the mast-head made an announcement which was worth more than a fair wind to the voyagers, since it assured them that the homeward voyage of the “Nina” was not to be made without a consort; that the chance of the tidings of success being safely conveyed to Europe was not to depend upon the fortunes of a single ship.  For, sailing down swiftly before the breeze which had detained Columbus, the “Pinta” hove in sight and the two vessels steered together into the bay of Monte Christo, which Columbus had recently quitted.  Pinzon, as soon as the weather permitted, went on board the admiral’s caravel to account for his desertion, which he stated to have been the accidental result of a storm which had driven him out of his course and out of sight of his leader.  The admiral accepted this explanation, as a quarrel with Pinzon, whose townsmen and relations formed a large proportion of the crews, might cause a mutiny which would be fatal to the undertaking; but he did not fail to note in his diary his conviction of Pinzon’s bad faith.  The fact was, that Pinzon had heard from the natives of a certain island, whence all the gold was said to come, and he had wished to anticipate Columbus in the discovery of this El Dorado, and to secure the profits for himself.  He had not found this home of the gold, but had met with some natives from whom he had obtained, by barter, a large quantity of the precious metal.  Half of this he had appropriated:  the other half he had distributed among his crew as a bribe to them to say nothing about the matter.

  Affray with aborigines.

After a few days spent in refitting the vessels, and preparing for the homeward voyage, the Nina. and her consort again set sail, coasting St. Domingo in an easterly direction as far as the Gulf of Samana.  It was in this neighbourhood that the first affray with the aborigines took place, in consequence of an attack made by them upon an exploring expedition which Columbus had sent out.  But so anxious was he to preserve a good understanding with the natives, that he did not leave the scene of the encounter until he had come to an amicable agreement with them.  Another instance of the wise and humane policy by which he was actuated, is to be found in the fact, that on discovering that Pinzon had carried on board six natives to be taken to Spain, and there sold as slaves, he insisted on their release, dismissing them, moreover, with presents of such glittering toys as their kinsmen would be likely to appreciate, and as might predispose them in favour of the Europeans.