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Updated: May 20, 2025
Never again could he undertake a voyage of discovery, for he was now a confirmed invalid. Cipango, Cathay, and "the strait" to the Indian Ocean were not for him; so it was with many a heartburn that his poor old eyes strained toward the fading islands. His ill luck held out to the end. The first day a sudden storm broke with a crash and carried away his masts.
Clearly, these little specks of land in the ocean were not the large and extravagantly rich island of Japan which Martin Alonzo Pinzon had hoped to find. When Columbus asked these friendly people for "Cipango," they looked blank and shook their heads; so did all the other islanders he met during his three months' cruise among the West Indies.
"There is a land between us and Cathay, a great islandland beyond the Seven Cities of Antillia." "Cipango," said Philip, who had read Marco Polo's book in the Latin version published a year or two before. "Nay, not Cipango. On this side Cipango. Of Cipango the Venetians have told us much, but the land I seek is not Cipango." He drew closer to Philip and spoke low.
Seven months only have passed, and here come the heroes back again back from Cipango and Cathay. Weep for joy, daughters and sweethearts and wives! Little children, gaze with fear upon those dark-skinned painted savages, and be consoled that they brought no dragons. Barcelona, ring your bells! The hero, Columbus, is coming in state!
In this it is supposed the coasts of Europe and Africa, from the south of Ireland to the end of Guinea, were delineated as immediately opposite to the extremity of Asia, while the great island of Cipango, described by Marco Polo, lay between them, 1,500 miles from the Asiatic coast. At this island Columbus expected first to arrive....
The original design of Columbus to sail westwards to India, which he erroneously supposed to be vastly nearer in that direction, led him accidentally almost to discover Hispaniola on the supposed route to Cipango or Japan. The dates of the voyage may be here recapitulated.
While he was on board a canoe arrived with pieces of gold, and, on observing his countenance light up, the cacique told him there was a place not far off, among the mountains, where it could be procured in the greatest abundance. He called the place Cibao, which Columbus still confounded with that of Cipango.
Some persons affirm, that this was the first voyage which was ever conducted by the observation of latitudes . They took the Canaries in their way, whence shaping their course for Cipango, or towards Japan, they were much amazed to find the sea all full of weeds, and with great fear arrived at the Antilles on the tenth day of October; the first island they descried, called Guanahany by the natives, they named San Salvador.
Columbus returns to Palos Assisted by the Prior of La Rabida The Pinzons agree to join him Difficulty of obtaining ships and men At length three vessels fitted out Sails in the Santa Maria, with the Pinta and Nina, on 3rd August, 1492 Terrors and mutinous disposition of the crews Reaches the Canary Islands Narrowly escapes from a Portuguese squadron seat to capture him Alarm of the crews increases The squadron sails smoothly on Columbus keeps two logs to deceive the seamen Signs of land Seaweed Flights of birds Birds pitch on the ship Frequent changes in the tempers of the crews Westerly course long held Course altered to south-west Pinzon fancies he sees land Disappointment Columbus sees lights at night Morning dawns San Salvador discovered Natives seen Columbus lands Wonder of the natives Proceeds in search of Cipango Other islands visited, and gold looked for in vain Friendly reception by the natives Supplies brought off Search for Saometo Cuba discovered 20th October, 1492 Calls it Juana Believes it to be the mainland of India Sends envoys into the interior Their favourable report of the fertility of the country A storm Deserted by Martin Pinzon in the Pinta First view of Hispaniola A native girl captured Set free Returns with large numbers of her countrymen Arcadian simplicity of the natives.
As soon as the gale ceased and the sea became smooth and calm, the people from the main island of Cipango came over with a large force, in numerous boats, in order to make prisoners of these shipwrecked Tartars, and, having landed, proceeded in search of them, but in a straggling, disorderly manner.
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