of the Azores. Vainly endeavouring, however, to make head against the wind
and the sea, they lost sight of this island, but came in sight of another,
lying more to the south, round which they sailed on the night of the 17th,
but lost an anchor in endeavouring to bring up near the land. On the
following day they cast anchor, and succeeded in communicating with the
inhabitants, from whom they learned that they had reached the island of
St. Mary, belonging to the Portuguese. The governor sent amicable messages
to Columbus, and announced his intention of visiting him. But when, in
fulfilment of their vow, half the crew went, barefoot and in their shirts,
on a pilgrimage to the chapel of St. Mary, which was not far from the
harbour, the governor and his satellites lay in ambush on the road, and
captured the whole band of pilgrims. The crowns of Portugal and Castile
were still at peace, but it appears that this "man, dressed in a little
brief authority," thought that the capture would gratify his sovereign.
The remonstrances of the admiral were of no avail; and as the weather
would not allow of his remaining in his present anchorage, he was forced
to stand out to sea, and to run nearly to St. Michael's, with a crew which
comprised only three able seamen. On the 21st of February he returned to
St. Mary's, and eventually, as the governor was unable to seize Columbus
himself, he decided on recognizing the royal commission which he produced,
and restoring his crew. On the 24th the "Nina" again steered for Spain,
but another tempest supervened, and continued with more or less fury for
more than a week.


ARRIVAL IN THE TAGUS.

In this last storm, which raged with destructive violence along the west
coast of the whole Continent of Europe, and which drove the "Pinta" almost
helplessly towards a lee-shore, the dangers of the voyage reached their