CHAPTER TV. 
Cotumpus Issues INSTRUCTIONS TO THE CAPTAINS—TERROR OF ° 
THE CREW—SIGNS OF LAND—LAND DisCOVERED— LANDING 
ON THE | WELFTH OF OcTOBER—IHE STRANGE NATIVES—SAN 
SALVADOR. 
: We. taking in a supply of. wood and water, Columbus 
Ww heard from the captain of a vessel, arriving from Ferro, 
that three Portuguese caravels were hovering near the island 
(Gomera) for the purpose of capturing his fleet. He feared 
some hostile move on part of the King of Portugal in revenge 
for his embarking under the auspices of Spain, and so he lost 
no time in getting to sea, far from the possibility of any further 
trouble in an expedition which had already met with so much 
to defeat it. On the 6th of September the great voyage of - 
discovery was actually begun, but for three days a calm kept — 
the vessels in sight of land, a most provoking delay. But on : 
the following Sunday, the 9th, land faded from view, and while 
it brought delight to his heart, to the crews it was a bitter, lonely — 
parting with all they held dear. Some wept silently, others 
broke out in loud lamentations. They felt they had bidden an 
eternal farewell to the homes and friends of their youth, and 
their despair was intense. Be a 
o]. .  Yhe admiral (and in Columbus’ own journal he always gives 
himself this title) sought to soothe their grief, and inspire them