68                D)ISCOVERY OP

ing been so often deceived by fallacious appearances,
every man was now become slow of belief, and waited-
in all the anguish of uncertainty and impatience, for
the return of day.  As soon as morning dawned, Fria
day, October 12, all doubts and fears were dispelled.
From every ship an island was seen about two leagues
to the north, whose flat and verdant fields, well stored
with wooad, and watered with many rivulets, presented
the aspect of a delightful country. The crew of the
Pinta instantly betari the Te Deum, as a hymn of thanks-
giving to God, and were joined by those of other ships,
with tears of joy and transports of congratulation.
This office of gratitude to heaven, was followed by an
act of justice to their commander, They threw them-
selves at the feet of Columbus, with feelings of self-con-
demnation, mingled with reverence. They implored
him to pardon their ignorance, incredulity, and insolence,
which had created him so much unnecessary disquiet,
and had so often obstructed the prosecution of his well-
concerted plan; and passing in the warmth of their ad-
miration, from one extreme to another, they now pro-
nounced the man, whom they had so lately reviled and
threatened, to be a person sent by heaven with sagacity
and fortitude more than human, in order to accomplish
a design, so far beyond the ideas and conceptions of all
former ages.
  As soon as the sun arose, all their boats were mann-
ed and armed. They rowed towards the island with
their colours displayed, with warlike music, and other
martial pomp. As they approached the coast, they saw
it covered with a multitude of people, whom the novel-
ty of the spectacle had drawn together, whose attitudes
and gestures expressed wonder and astonishment at the
stranzre objects which presented themselves to their
view. Columbus was the first European who set foot
in the new world which he had discovered. He landed
in a rich dress, and with. a naked sword in his hand.
His men followed, and kneeling down, they all kissed