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and the expedition； as it proved； was not what Columbus had hoped for； for his purposes。
On the thirtieth of May； however； in 1498； he was able to sail。 As this was the period when the Catholic church celebrates the mystery of the Trinity； he determined and promised that the first land which he discovered should receive that sacred name。 He was well convinced of the existence of a continent farther south than the islands among which he had cruised； and intended to strike that continent； as in fact he did； in the outset of his voyage。
CHAPTER X。 THE THIRD VOYAGE。 LETTER TO THE KING AND QUEENDISCOVERY OF TRINIDAD AND PARIACURIOUS SPECULATION AS TO THE EARTHLY PARADISEARRIVAL AT SAN DOMINGOREBELLIONS AND MUTINIES IN THAT ISLANDROLDAN AND HIS FOLLOWERSOJEDA AND HIS EXPEDITIONARRIVAL OF BOBADILLACOLUMBUS A PRISONER。
For the narrative of the third voyage； we are fortunate in having once more a contemporary account by Columbus himself。 The more important part of his expedition was partly over when he was able to write a careful letter to the king and queen； which is still preserved。 It is lighted up by bursts of the religious enthusiasm which governed him from the beginning。 All the more does it show the character of the man； and it impresses upon us； what is never to be forgotten； the mixture in his motive of the enthusiasm of a discoverer； the eager religious feeling which might have quickened a crusader； and the prospects of what we should call business adventure； by which he tries to conciliate persons whose views are less exalted than his own。
In addressing the king and queen； who are called 〃very high and very powerful princes；〃 he reminds them that his undertaking to discover the West Indies began in the inspiration of the Holy Spirit； which appointed him as a messenger for this enterprise。 He asks them to remember that he has always addressed them as with that intention。
He reminds them of the seven or eight years in which he was urging his cause and that it was not enough that he should have showed the religious side of it； that he was obliged to argue for the temporal view as well。 But their decision； for which he praises them indirectly； was made； he says； in the face of the ridicule of all； excepting the two priests； Marcheza and the Archbishop of Segovia。 〃And everything will pass away excepting the word of God； who spoke so clearly of these lands by the voice of Isaiah in so many places； affirming that His name should be divulged to the nations from Spain。〃 He goes on in a review of the earlier voyages； and after this preface gives his account of the voyage of 1498。
They sailed from Santa Lucca the thirtieth of May； and went down to Madeira to avoid the hostile squadron of the French who were awaiting him at Cape St。 Vincent。 In the history by Herrara； of another generation； this squadron is said to be Portuguese。 From Maderia； they passed to the Canary Islands； from which； with one ship and two caravels； he makes his voyage； sending the other three vessels to Hispaniola。 After making the Cape de Verde Islands； he sailed southwest。 He had very hot weather for eight days； and in the hope of finding cooler weather changed his course to the westward。
On the thirty…first of July； they made land； which proved to be the cape now known as Galeota； the southeastern cape of the island of Trinidad。 The country was as green at this season as the orchards of Valencia in March。 Passing five leagues farther on； he lands to refit his vessels and take on board wood and water。 The next day a large canoe from the east； with twenty…four men； well armed； appeared。
The Admiral wished to communicate with them； but they refused； although he showed them basins and other things which he thought would attract them。 Failing in this effort； he directed some of the boys of the crew to dance and play a tambourine on the poop of the ship。 But this conciliatory measure had as little success as the other。 The natives strung their bows； took up their shields and began to shoot the dancers。 Columbus stopped the entertainment； therefore； and ordered some balls shot at them； upon which they left him。 With the other vessel they opened more friendly communication； but when the pilot went to Columbus and asked leave to land with them； they went off； nor were any of them or theirs seen again。
On his arrival at Punta de Icacocos； at the southern point of Trinidad； he observes the very strong currents which are always noticed by voyagers； running with as much fury as the Guadalquiver in time of flood。 In the night a terrible wave came from the south； 〃a hill as high as a ship；〃 so that even in writing of it he feels fear。 But no misfortune came from it。
Sailing the next day； he found the water comparatively fresh。 He is； in fact； in the current produced by the great river Orinoco； which affects； in a remarkable way； all the tide…flow of those seas。 Sailing north； he passes different points of the Island of Trinidad； and makes out the Punta de la Pena and the mainland。 He still observes the freshness of the water and the severity of the currents。
As he sails farther westward； he observes fleets； and he sends his people ashore。 They find no inhabitants at first； but eventually meet people who tell him the enemy of this country is Paria。 Of these he took on board four。 The king sent him an invitation to land； and numbers of the people came in canoes； many of whom wore gold and pearls。 These pearls came to them from the north。 Columbus did not venture to land here because the provisions of his vessels were already failing him。
He describes the people； as of much the same color as those who have been observed before； and were ready for intercourse； and of good appearance。 Two prominent persons came to meet them； whom he thought to be father and son。 The house to which the Spaniards were led was large； with many seats。 An entertainment was brought forward； in which there were many sorts of fruits； and wine of many kinds。 It was not made from grapes； however； and he supposed it must be made of different sorts of fruits。
A part of the entertainment was of maize； 〃which is a sort of corn which grows here； with a spike like a spindle。〃 The Indians and their guests parted with regret that they could not understand each other's conversation。 All this passed in the house of the elder Indian。 The younger then took them to his house； where a similar collation was served； and they then returned to the ship； Columbus being in haste to press on； both on account of his want of supplies and the failure of his own health。 He says he was still suffering from diseases which he had contracted on the last voyage； and with blindness。 〃That then his eyes did not give him as much pain； nor were they bloodshot as much as they are now。〃
He describes the people whom they at first visited as of fine stature； easy bearing； with long straight hair； and wearing worked handkerchiefs on their heads。 At a little distance it seemed as if these were made of silk； like the gauze veil with which the Spaniards were familiar； from Moorish usage。
〃Others；〃 he says； 〃wore larger handkerchiefs round their waists； like the panete of the Spaniards。〃 By this phrase h