LIFE A N D V O Y A G E S
188
OF
[BOOK
IV.
C H A P T E R V.
SEARCH AFTER THE SUPPOSED ISLAND OF BABEQUE.—DESER TION OF THE PINTA. [1492.]
ON the 12th of November, Columbus turned his course to the east-southeast, to follow back the direction of the coast.
This
may be considered another critical change in his voyage, which had a great effect upon his subsequent discoveries.
He had
proceeded far within what is called the old channel, between Cuba and the Bahamas.
In two or three days more, he would
have discovered his mistake in supposing Cuba a part of terra firma: an error in which he continued to the day of his death. He might have had intimation also of the vicinity of the conti nent, and have stood for the coast of Florida, or have been carried thither by the gulf stream, or, continuing along Cuba where it bends to the southwest, might have struck over to the opposite coast of Yucatan, and have realized his most sanguine anticipations in becoming the discoverer of Mexico.
It was
sufficient glory for Columbus, however, to have discovered a new world.
Its more golden regions were reserved to give
splendor to succeeding enterprises. He now ran along the coast for two or three days without stopping to explore it, as no populous towns or cities were to be