learned that it was possible to return from Cuba to Spain by land. This
statement being duly sworn to and sealed, the crew were informed that if
any one of them should ever deny this, his tongue would be torn out to
prevent his repeating the lie.

This time they did not keep so close to the shore. By going farther out
they discovered the Isle of Pines, also the pretty little group known as
"The Queen's Gardens," and Jamaica, later to be the scene of much woe.
Always islands, islands, islands! Among some of them navigation was very
dangerous, and the Admiral, still ill, never left the deck for several
days and nights. At last he broke down and could not move from his bed.
The minute this happened the crew, who had not the slightest interest in
discovering beautiful islands, hurried direct to their countrymen in
Isabella.

Poor Admiral! Poor men! If only they could have forgotten all about the
riches of Cathay, and could have realized the wonder and the honor of
being the first white men to gaze on all these lovely spots, these bits
of earth straight from the hand of God, how their hearts might have
welled with joy and thanksgiving! But no, it was a dissatisfied, heavy-
hearted body of men who came back empty-handed to Isabella on September
29, and reported that in all their five months' absence they had seen
nothing but savage islands.

Now let us see what mischief had been brewing in the colony during their
absence. Columbus, before leaving, had commanded the military governor
to place himself at the head of four hundred men and scour the island
for provisions. Instead of following these orders, the military
governor, without Diego Columbus's leave, went aboard the first ship
sailing for Spain. In other words, he deserted. The remainder, on