The
Admiral Was Much Inclined To Have Made A Circuit Of The Whole Island,
Whence He Was Convinced He Might Have Procured A Ton Of Gold:
But, besides
the risk of protracting his voyage with one ship only, he was apprehensive
lest the Pinta might
Get safe to Spain before him, and that Pinzon might
prejudice their Catholic majesties against him, in excuse for his own
desertion; for which reason he resolved to depart without farther delay.
SECTION X.
Account of the voyage home, from Hispaniola to Lisbon.
On Friday the 4th of January 1493, Columbus took his departure from the
harbour of the Nativity, steering to the eastwards, towards a very lofty
mountain like a pavilion or tent, bare of trees, which they named Monte
Christo, or Christ's Mount. This mountain is four leagues from the
Nativity, and eighteen leagues from Cabo Santo, or the Holy Cape. That
night he anchored six-leagues beyond Monte Christo. Next day he advanced
to a small island, near which there were good salt pits, which he examined.
He was much delighted with the beauty of the woods and plains in this part
of the island, insomuch that he was disposed to believe it must be
Cipango, or Japan; and had he known that he was then near the rich mines
of Cibao, he would have been still more confirmed in that opinion.
Leaving this place on Sunday the 6th of January, and continuing his voyage,
he soon descried the caravel Pinta coming towards him in full sail.
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