This was what we call Haiti, or
San Domingo. The ships sailed over to Haiti, and the Admiral was so
pleased with its aspect that he christened it Hispaniola, or little
Hispania, which is Latin for Spain; but as Spain is called by its own
people Espana, Hispaniola soon became Espanola.
CHAPTER XI
THE RETURN IN THE NINA
Espanola, or Haiti, the name we know it by, evidently corresponded to
all of the Admiral's preconceived notions of what he was to find in the
western waters. He describes it in his diary as the loveliest island
they had yet seen; its thousands of trees "seemed to reach to Heaven."
Any one who had lived long in Spain, where trees are few and small, must
have taken great delight in the sight of a real forest, and so Columbus
wrote much on the beauties of Haiti. Scratch away with your pen, good
Admiral, and tell us about the trees, and the lovely nights that are
like May in Cordova, and the gold mine which the natives say is on the
island. Enjoy the spot while you may, for bitter days are coming when
its very name will sadden you. Could you but see into the unknown future
as clearly as you saw into the unknown west, you would hurry away from
lovely "little Spain" as fast as your rickety caravel would take you!
Troubles in plenty are awaiting you!
But the skillfulest mariner cannot know what to-morrow may bring forth.
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