THE STORY OF COLUMBUS AND THE WORLD’S FAIR. 83 
to the mainland of India, go to the city Quinsai, one of the finest 
capitals in the world. There he would lay the letters of the 
sovereigns before this august personage (the Grand Khan) and 
then return in triumph to Spain with his reply, thus having 
undoubted proofs that he had accomplished his purpose. A 
splendid scheme, and worthy of the bold and noble man i wile 
originated it. 
On his way he saw several islands which are presumed to » 
be the eastern and southern keys of the Grand Bank of Bahama. 
Anchoring for a day to the south of them, he again sailed for : 
Cuba, and on the morning of the 28th he arrived at the Puerto, 
de Nipe. As he went on, he was still more charmed by the 
beauty of the country. Palms were abundant, but of another 
sort, and the land he describes as ‘the most beautiful which 
eyes have seen, full of very good ports and deep rivers, "and 
his testimony was that the sea was never rough, but he learned 
his mistake later. : 
As he drew near to this grand island, its size, and the high © 
mountains, fertile valleys and sweeping plains astonished him. — 
He anchored in a clear river, free from rocks, while its banks 
were overhung with trees. Landing here, he claimed the island — 
in the name of the king and queen, he called it Juana, after 
Prince Juan, and the river he said should be known as San 
Salvador. : ; 
‘Two canoes put off from shore, but disappeared on seeing 
the boat Ht arya from the ship, which had been sent t0 sound