Elmo was seen over the rigging of the _Mari-ga-
lan'te_, the Admiral's ship, and all that horde of superstitious men
were reassured and considered it a sign that the expedition was divine
protection.
Yet a little later, when the water supply ran low, and when there were
so many leaks in the vessels that the pumps were working constantly,
they began to grumble. But Columbus, who was a magician at reckoning sea
distance, laughed at their alarm and said to them, "Drink all the water
you like; we shall reach land in forty-eight hours." Next day no land
appeared, but still he spoke confidently and ordered them to take in
sail and slow down. That was at sunset, on Saturday, November 2; Sunday
morning, November 3, the sun rose on a beautiful verdant island only a
few leagues ahead of them. The magician had fairly scented land from
afar!
This little island, Dominica he called it, had no harbor; but what did
that matter since another island lay alongside it, to the north. Here
they landed and took possession in the name of Spain--not only of the
one island but of five or six more which were visible from a little
hill. On this spot, which they christened Marigalante, there were no
inhabitants; so, after waiting only long enough to feast on new,
luscious fruits, they sailed to the next island, which they called
Guadaloupe.
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