Now to add to his agonies a fever attacked
him. Along with these ills, and the murmurings of his hungry men, one of
the ships was wrecked; and after they had rescued its men and
provisions, and were about to find room for them on another ship, this
other ship was discovered to be too worm-eaten and disabled to continue
the voyage. Columbus, in all his pain, directed the removal of men and
goods to the best two caravels. This done, he started for San Domingo,
turning his back on his last chance to find the passage to India--the
broad Pacific Ocean--if only he had crossed the isthmus between!
CHAPTER XX
THE COURAGE OF DIEGO MENDEZ
At last they were clear of the most disastrous landing that Columbus had
ever made. What you have read is but the bare sketch of a chapter in his
life that was crowded thick with misfortunes and even horrors. And yet,
strange to say, on this detestable coast is the only settlement in the
New World that perpetuates the great discoverer's name, the town of
Colon, at the Atlantic terminus of the Panama Canal.
The Admiral's health was now ruined, for fevers, sleeplessness, gout,
and eyestrain kept him in constant pain, and at times made even that
strong mind of his a little queer and wobbly. But on one point at least
it remained alert and lucid,--he still could think out his course
clearly.
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