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Updated: July 6, 2025
The anchors being dropped, the boats manned, he, richly attired in scarlet and holding the royal standard, accompanied by the Pinzons in their own boats, approached the shore. On landing he threw himself on his knees, and kissing the earth, returned thanks to God, the rest following his example.
The Pinzons meanwhile were having less trouble; for when their sailors wished to turn back because nothing had been found seven hundred and fifty leagues west of the Canaries, Martin Alonzo told them all the absurd tales he had read about Cipango, and promised them, if only they went ahead, that its wealth would make their fortune.
Hitherto the Sovereigns had only heard one side of the matter; an occasional jealous voice may have been raised from the neighbourhood of the Pinzons or some one else not entirely satisfied with his own position in the affair; but such small cries of dissent had naturally had little chance against the dignified eloquence of the Admiral. Now, however, the matter was different.
These circumstances may have become mixed up in the vague recollections of the seamen who gave the foregoing extravagant testimony, and who were evidently disposed to exalt the merits of the Pinzons at the expense of Columbus.
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.
Enough, however, about this animal, and let us return to the discoverers. The Pinzons, uncle and nephew, have endured severe hardships during this voyage.
When I asked the sailors of the Pinzons if they had seen the polar star to the south, they said that they had seen no star resembling the polar star of our hemisphere, but they did see entirely different stars, and hanging on the higher horizon a thick sort of vapour which shut off the view.
In the purchasing of provisions and stores the Pinzons were most helpful to Columbus and, it is not improbable, to themselves also. They also procured the ships; altogether, in the whole history of the fitting out of expeditions, I know nothing since the voyage of the Ark which was so well kept within one family.
He would have said perhaps that had he not been so, been both ambitious and shrewd, the Pinzons would never have become principal ship-owning, trading and maritime family of Palos and three leagues around. He, too, had family fortunes and aggrandizement at heart, though hardly on the grand, imperial scale of the Admiral. He had much manly beauty, daring and strength.
All this coast is a part of Paria, that land so rich in pearls which Columbus himself discovered, as we have related; he being the real author of these discoveries. The coast reconnoitred by the Pinzons continues past the Boca de la Sierpe, already described, and the districts of Cumana, Manacapana, Curiana, Cauchieta, and Cauchibachoa, and it is thought that it extends to the continent of India.
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