BOOK V. CHAPTER COASTING
T O W A R D S THE
MEETING W I T H THE GULF OF
EASTERN
I. END
OF
PINZON.—AFFAIR W I T H THE
HISPANIOLA.— NATIVES AT
SAMANA. [1493.]
IT was on the 4th of January that Columbus set sail from La Navidad on his return to Spain.
The wind being light, it was
necessary to tow the caravel out of the harbor, and clear of the reefs.
They then stood eastward, towards a lofty promontory
destitute of trees, but covered with grass, and shaped like a tent, having at a distance the appearance of a towering island, being connected with Hispaniola by a low neck of land.
To this pro
montory Columbus gave the name of Monte Christi, by which it is still known.
The country in the immediate neighborhood was
level, but further inland rose a high range of mountains, well wooded, with broad, fruitful valleys between them, watered by abundant streams.
The wind being contrary, they were detained
for two days in a large bay to the west of the promontory.
On
the 6th, they again made sail with a land breeze, and, weathering the cape, advanced ten leagues, when the wind again turned to