have seen, and as green and full of leaves as those of Castile in the
months of April and May, and much water.

"I looked at all that harbor and then I returned to the ship and set
sail, and I saw so many islands that I could not decide to which I
should go first. And those men whom I had taken said to me by signs that
there were so very many that they were without number, and they repeated
by name more than a hundred. At last I set sail for the largest one, and
there I determined to go. And so I am doing, and it will be five leagues
from the island of San Salvador, and farther from some of the rest,
nearer to others. They all are very flat, without mountains and very
fertile, and all inhabited. And they make war upon each other although
they are very simple, and (they are) very beautifully formed."

Monday, October 15, Columbus, on arriving at the island for which he had
set sail, went on to a cape, near which he anchored at about sunset. He
gave the island the name of Santa Maria de la Concepcion.(*)

(*) This is supposed to be Caico del Norte.

"At about sunset I anchored near the said cape to know if there were
gold there, for the men whom I had taken at the Island of San Salvador
told me that there they wore very large rings of gold on their legs and
arms. I think that all they said was for a trick, in order to make their
escape. However, I did not wish to pass by any island without taking
possession of it.

"And I anchored, and was there till today, Tuesday, when at the break of
day I went ashore with the armed boats, and landed.