[Footnote 12: They were forty in number, and it would be strange to
find, but for the well-known fact that nothing brings men of different
races together more than maritime and commercial enterprise, that, in
this small list there is an Irishman, "Guillermo Ires" (Qy. William
Herries, or Rice) "natural de Galney, en Irlanda;" and an Englishman,
"Tallarte de Lajes" (Qy. Arthur Lake) "ingles."--NAVAREETE, Col. Dip.,
Num. 13.]



CHAPTER V. Homeward bound.


PINZON'S EXPLANATION.

For two days Columbus stood to the east-ward, but was met by a head-wind
which prevented him from making much progress. On doubling the promontory
of Monte Christo, however, the look-out at the mast-head made an
announcement which was worth more than a fair wind to the voyagers, since
it assured them that the homeward voyage of the "Nina" was not to be made
without a consort; that the chance of the tidings of success being safely
conveyed to Europe was not to depend upon the fortunes of a single ship.
For, sailing down swiftly before the breeze which had detained Columbus,
the "Pinta" hove in sight and the two vessels steered together into the
bay of Monte Christo, which Columbus had recently quitted. Pinzon, as soon
as the weather permitted, went on board the admiral's caravel to account
for his desertion, which he stated to have been the accidental result of a
storm which had driven him out of his course and out of sight of his
leader. The admiral accepted this explanation, as a quarrel with Pinzon,