CHAP. I I I ]
CHRISTOPHER
COLUMBUS.
399
because they went in obedience to the orders of their commander ; but had visited Porras and his companions with all kinds of afflic tions, in consequence of their rebellion. This great Deity, he added, was incensed against the Indians who refused to furnish his faithful worshipers with provisions, and intended to chastise them with famine and pestilence. Lest they should disbelieve this warning, a signal would be given that night. They would behold the moon change its color, and gradually lose its light ; a token of the fearful punishment which awaited them. Many of the Indians were alarmed at the prediction, others treated it with derision,—all, however, awaited with solicitude the coming of the night. "When they beheld a dark shadow stealing over the moon, they began to tremble ; with the progress of the eclipse their fears increased, and when they saw a mysterious darkness covering the whole face of nature, there were no bounds to their terror. Seizing upon whatever provisions were at hand, they hurried to the ships, threw themselves at the feet of Colum bus, and implored him to intercede with his God to withhold the threatened calamities, assuring him they would thenceforth bring him whatever he required. Columbus shut himself up in his cabin, as if to commune with the Deity, and remained there dur ing the increase of the eclipse, the forests and shores all the while resounding with the howlings and supplications of the savages. When the eclipse was about to diminish, he came forth and in formed the natives that his God had deigned to pardon them, on condition of their fulfilling their promises ; in sign of which he would withdraw the darkness from the moon. "When the Indians saw that planet restored to its brightness, and rolling in all its beauty through the firmament, they over whelmed the admiral with thanks for his intercession, and repaired