CHAP. I I ]
CHRISTOPHER
COLUMBUS.
403
an ardent desire to see the home of these wonderful strangers. Curiosity, and the youthful propensity to rove, prevailed; he tore himself from the embraces of his friends, and, that he might not behold the tears of his sisters, hid himself in a secret part of the ship.
Touched by this scene of natural affection, and pleased
with the enterprising and confiding spirit of the youth, Columbus gave orders that he should be treated with especial kindness.* It would have been interesting to have known something more of the fortunes of this curious savage, and of the impres sions made upon so lively a mind by a first sight of the wonders of civilization, — whether the land of the white men equaled his hopes; whether, as is usual with savages, he pined amidst the splendors of cities for his native forests, and whether he ever returned to the arms of his family. The early Spanish historians seem never to have interested themselves in the feelings or for tunes of these first visitors from the New to the Old "World. further mention is made of this youthful adventurer. * Hist. del Almirante, cap. 54.
No