400
LIFE
A N D
V O Y A G E S
OF
[BOOK V I I .
ship could be careened and calked, as it leaked considerably. After proceeding a few leagues, he found one apparently suitable for the purpose.
On sending a boat to sound the entrance, two
large canoes, filled with Indians, issued forth, hurling their lances, but from such distance as to fall short of the Spaniards.
Wishing
to avoid any act of hostility that might prevent future intercourse, Columbus ordered the boat to return on board, and finding there was sufficient depth of water for his ship, entered and anchored in the harbor.
Immediately the whole beach was
covered with Indians painted with a variety of colors, but chiefly black, some partly clothed with palm leaves, and all wearing tufts and coronets of feathers.
Unlike the hospitable islanders of Cuba
and Hayti, they appeared to partake of the warlike character of the Caribs, hurling their javelins at the ships, and making the shores resound with their yells and war-whoops. The admiral reflected that further forbearance might be mis taken for cowardice.
It was necessary to careen his ship, and to
send men on shore for a supply of water, but previously it was advisable to strike an awe into the savages, that might prevent any molestation from them.
As the caravels could not approach
sufficiently near to the beach where the Indians were collected, he dispatched the boats well manned and armed.
These, rowing
close to the shore, let fly a volley of arrows from their cross bows, by which several Indians were wounded, and the rest thrown into confusion.
The Spaniards then sprang on shore,
and put the whole multitude to flight; giving another discharge with their cross-bows, and letting loose upon them a dog, who pursued them with sanguinary fury.*
This is the first instance
of the use of dogs against the natives, which were afterwards * Cura de los Palacios, cap. 135.