islands. Their cargo consisted of cotton fabrics, iron-wood swords, flint
knives, copper axe-heads, and a fruit called by the natives cacao, to
which the Spaniards were now introduced for the first time, but the merits
of which, as a beverage, they were not slow to appreciate. The admiral
treated these people with much kindness, and won their confidence at once
by presenting them with some of the glittering toys which never failed to
dazzle a barbarian eye.


AN INDIAN PILOT.

One old Indian, whom Columbus selected as apparently the most intelligent
of the band, consented to accompany him as pilot, and indicated, by signs,
his knowledge of a land, not far distant, where there were ships, and
arms, and merchandize, and, in fact, all the marks of civilization which
were displayed to him by the Spaniards themselves, and with which he
professed to be perfectly familiar. Whether he intended to mislead
Columbus, or whether, like most of his race, he was merely proud of being
impassive, and of being able to repress all indication of astonishment at
startling novelties, it is certain that his demeanour and his signs were
interpreted by the admiral to indicate an acquaintance with a country,
rich and civilized, lying towards the east; which country could, of
course, be no other than the long sought-for kingdom of the Grand Khan.
Had Columbus, in pursuance of his first intention, steered to the west, a
few hours would have brought him to the coast of Yucatan; and the riches
of Mexico would have rewarded his discovery. But this savage, like his
evil destiny, crossed his path at the critical moment, and turned him from
the road to fortune.