190
LIFE
AND VOYAGES
OF
[BOOK
IV.
a veteran navigator, accustomed to hold a high rank among his nautical associates.
The squadron had in a great measure been
manned and fitted out through his influence and exertions; he could ill brook subordination therefore to Columbus, whom he perhaps did not consider his superior in skill and knowledge, and who had been benefited by his purse.
Several misunderstand
ings and disputes had accordingly occurred between them in the course of the voyage, and when Columbus saw Pinzon thus part ing company, without any appointed rendezvous, he suspected either that he intended to take upon himself a separate command and prosecute the enterprise in his own name; or hasten back to Spain and bear off the glory of the discovery.
To attempt to
seek him, however, was fruitless: he was far out of sight; his vessel was a superior sailer, and it was impossible to say what course he had steered.
Columbus stood back, therefore, for
Cuba, to finish the exploring of its coast; but he no longer pos sessed his usual serenity of mind and unity of purpose, and was embarrassed in the prosecution of his discoveries by doubts of the designs of Pinzon. On the 24th of November he regained point Cuba, and anchored in a fine harbor formed by the mouth of a river, to which he gave the name of St. Catherine.
It was bordered by
rich meadows; the neighboring mountains were well wooded, having pines tall enough to make masts for the finest ships, and noble oaks.
In the bed of the river were found stones veined
with gold. Columbus continued for several days coasting the residue of Cuba, extolling the magnificence, freshness, and verdure of the scenery, the purity of the rivers, and the number and commodiousness of the harbors.
Speaking in his letters to the sovereigns