CHAp. I I I ]
CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS.
325
proceeded to write ; but no sooner did the Indians behold this strange and mysterious process, than mistaking it for some necro mantic spell, intended to be wrought upon them, they fled with terror. After some time they returned, cautiously scattering a fragrant powder in the air, and burning some of it in such a di rection, that the smoke should be borne towards the Spaniards by the wind. This was apparently intended to counteract any bale ful spell, for they regarded the strangers as beings of a mysteri ous and supernatural order. The sailors looked upon these counter-charms of the Indians with equal distrust, and apprehended something of magic ; nay, Fernando Columbus, who was present, and records the scene, appears to doubt whether these Indians were not versed in sor cery, and thus led to suspect it in others.* Indeed, not to conceal a foible, which was more characteristic of the superstition of the age than of the man, Columbus him self entertained an idea of the kind, and assures the sovereigns, in his letter from Jamaica, that the people of Cariari and its vicinity are great enchanters, and he intimates, that the two In dian girls who had visited his ship had magic powder concealed about their persons. He adds, that the sailors attributed all the delays and hardships experienced on that coast to their being under the influence of some evil spell, worked by the witchcraft of the natives, and that they still remained in that belief.†
* Hist. del Almirante, cap. 91.
†
Letter from Jamaica.
NOTE.—We find instances of the same kind of superstition in the work of Marco Polo, and as Columbus considered himself in the vicinity of the coun tries described by that traveler, he may have been influenced in this respect by his narrations.
Speaking of the island of Soccotera (Socotra), Marco Polo