THE WAKA MAORI. WELLINGTON, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1875. DISCOVERY OF AMERICA. (Concluded from Waka, No. 3.) Chapter IV.

Waka Maori, Volume 11, Issue 4, 23 February 1875, Page 39

THE WAKA MAORI. WELLINGTON, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1875. DISCOVERY OF AMERICA. (Concluded from Waka, No. 3.) Chapter IV.

THE FINDER PURSUES HIS DISCOVERIES —HE RETURNS HOME TO TELL OF HIS SUCCESS-HE RECEIVES HONOURS AND REWARDS —THE END OF THE FINDER OF A NEW WORLD. On finding themselves once more on land, the crews of the vessels burst into the most extravagant transports of joy. They thronged round Columbus, embracing him and kissing his hands ; and. those who had behaved the worst during the voyage threw themselves at his feet, and entreated his pardon. The natives, who at the dawn of day had seen the strange ships near their island, and had fancied them some strange winged monsters which had arisen from the deep in the night, now crowded to the beach, full of awe and curiosity. Timidly approaching the Spaniards, they prostrated themselves o.u the ground, and made signs of adoration. During the eereiuonv of taking possession, they stood gazing with reverence and admiration at the complexions, shining armour, and splendid dresses of the strangers. They evidently fancied that some superior beings had descended from the skies to their island, and were ready to worship them. The appearance of these natives was both wild and fantastic. Their bodies were painted ; and instead of the short, crisp hair of the newly-dis-covered African tribes, long locks of straight bhu.de hair fc!i over their shoulders. They were >*a v ,-iges. but they looked gentle, and had tine eyes and. agroeable features. Great- was their deiight- when Columbus distributed amongst them some coloured caps, glass beads, and small bells, which they had purposely brought with them, in ease they should meet with savages. They received these gifts as if they were inestimable treasures —hanging the beads round their necks, and being wonderfully delighted with the finery and the sound of the bells. It was hard to say which wore most delighted, the mariners or the natives; and the former remained on shore all day, refreshing themselves after their long voyage, in wandering about the beautiful woods of the island. The next morning, at break of day, the natives, having grown bolder, came crowding round the Spanish vessels in their canoes formed of hollow trees, and guided by paddles. They came eager for more toys and trinkets from the white men, and brought"in exchange parrots, balls of cotton wool, and a kind of bread prepared from the root of a plant. After having sailed round the island, and found it quite small, Columbus determined on setting sail in search of the continent of India, which he thought must be near. He soon found, however, that he was in the midst of a cluster of the most beautiful and fertile islands. On all of them the same kind of natives were found as on the first, and Columbus was most anxious not to frighten them or forfeit their good will. On one occasion that his sailors took a

poor Indian captive, and forced him on board against his will, Columbus ordered him to be brought before him. lie came, trembling with fear, and humbly offering a ball ol cotton as a gift; when the admiral, to his surprise, put a coloured cap on his head, strings of beads on his arms, bells in his ears, and, ordering him to be put back in his canoe, dismissed him, overjoyed with delight. _ His kind treatment of the natives had the desired effect; and wherever they went they crowded fearlessly around him, bringing to the ship fruits and' roots, and the pure water of their springs, in return for their presents. At whatever island they touched, the Spaniards were taken to be superior beings come down from heaven, and the natives did all in their power to please them. As they passed among the beautiful islands, the most delicious odours were wafted from them, which made them fancy that spices such as were brought from the East were growing on them; while they were at a loss to find names for all the luscious fruit and beautiful plants that they found. Seeing the natives of many of the islands adorned with ornaments of gold, Columbus began to think that he had arrived at a kingdom famous for that metal, which a Venetian traveller had described, in the far-distant East. He made signs to some of the Indians to inquire where this gold came from, and they pointed to the south. To the south, therefore, Columbus sailed, in search of the gold-bearing country, and discovered the large island of Cuba, which stretched such an immense distance from east to west that for a long time he believed it to be a continent. In Cuba, he found lofty mountains and vast plains, watered by noble rivers. Here grew an endless variety of plants and trees, lofty palms as well as flowering shrubs, while the most brilliantly plumed birds swarmed about the woods and groves. Cuba seemed to Columbus a perfect paradise, and in his journal, after describing its many beauties, he said, one could live here for ever." In this island he found the habitations of the natives better built than in the islands first visited, and the natives seemed more civilized. He felt sure that he had at last reached India or Japan ; and he sent a party into the interior of the island to seek the Court of the King, and to ascertain whether gold was to be found there, and whether it produced spices and gums like those which came from the East. They found none of these things, but thousands of new and valuable productions instead, among which we may mention, that in Cuba was first found the potato —a humble root it might seem to them at that time, when they were seeking for gold and spices, but wc now know how great has been the gain to the world by even.this discovery. After spending some time at Cuba, Columbus

discovered next the beautiful island of Hayti, or St. Domingo, and here he made acquaintance with a cacique, or chief, "who governed a large part of the island, and dwelt in a well-built town of huts. This chief proved a most valuable friend to Columbus in time of need. Owing to the negligence of one of his sailors, who should have kept watch during the night, his vessel struck on a rock, and was wrecked. Luckily for Columbus, one of the caravels was at hand, which coming to his assistance, enabled him and his crew to escape in safety. This accident caused the benevolent and hospitable feelings of the natives to be shown. The cacique sent all the canoes that could be mustered to help to unload the wrecked vessel before it went to pieces, and the property they took from it was preserved with the most scrupulous honesty. " So loving, so tractable, so peaceful are these people," says Columbus in his journal, sc that I swear to your Majesties there is not in the world a better nation nor a better land. They love their neighbours as themselves, and their discourse is ever sweet and gentle, accompanied with a smile." The good cacique, seeing the sorrow of Columbus at the loss of his vessel, did all in his power to console him. He invited him to a feast, and he made his people perforin dances and games before him, to amuse him and the sailors. Then Columbus invited him in return, and to lead the chief to understand the power of the Spaniards, he caused a cannon to be fired off from the vessel, at which the poor natives fell prostrate with fear and horror ; and it was only by Columbus promising that these dreadful instruments should only be employed against the enemies of the cacique that they would be appeased. On another occasion the cacique invited Columbus to his dwelling, to introduce him to five other caciques, and in token of respect took off his crown of gold, and placed it upon his head; while Columbus, in return, gave him a bundle of cloth, and glass beads to hang round his neck. Nothing, however, delighted the natives so much as the little bells given them by the Spaniards, and for which they would give in exchange handfuls of gold dust and* ornaments of that metal. Columbus having procured a sufficient quantity of gold to satisfy him. as a proof ihat much more of it was to be had, and having made a large collection of the productions of the different islands he had visited, he determined to return to Spain in the small vessel called the " Pinta," after building a kind of fort with the remains of his own ship. He left behind him a party of Spaniards, and gave instructions for their continuing the search for gold during his absence, trusting they would live peaceably with the gentle natives. The voyage of Columbus back to Spain was full of difficulties and dangers, from contrary winds and violent storms ; and his little ship was scarcely large enough for all that were on board. On several occasions he despaired of ever reaching home to tell the wonderful tales which he had to relate, and, in order to provide against this misfortune, he wrote on two pieces of parchment the history of his discovery, and, wrapping them in waxed cloth, placed them in barrels,

and throwing one of them into the sea, kept the other on board his vessel, so that it might float off in case of their being wrecked. The little ship bore up, however, amid the storms, and after a sail of about three weeks, the cry of land 'was heard. The transports of the mariners at once more gaining sight of the Old "World almost equalled their delight when they first beheld the New; and it was indeed a joyful return. Instead, however, of first landing on the coast of Spain, the vessel of Columbus was driven towards the mouth of the river Tagus, and, sailing up the river, he landed at Lisbon to tell the tale of his discovery. The other ship, which had been separated from him in a storm, and which he thought was lost, arrived soon after all safe. The King of Portugal had the just punishment of seeing the man whom he had before treated with such contempt and unfairness now returned as a successful discoverer, while his country had lost the advantage of so great an increase of wealth and territory. After repairing his vessel, Columbus sailed again for the port of Palos, where, for many mouths,"rheinhabitants had given up all hope of seeing him and his companions again. When the news arrived taut, one of the adventurous ships was indeed entering the harbour, the whole community broke forth into transports of joy. Bells were rung, the shops shin-, and all was hurry and tumult. When Columbus landed, the multitude thronged to see and welcome him, and a grand procession was formed to the principal church to return thanks to God for ho signal a discovery made by the people of that place. Tiuntreated Columbus with the respect and honour usnnilV paid to sovereigns, and made that return iiulcrd r, strange contrast to his first arrival at Palos, craving bread and water for his child at the gate of a convent! But the honours paid him at Palos were nothing to be compared to his reception at Court by the King and Queen of Spain. They were then at Barcelona, and Columbus had to travel through a considerable part of Spain to reach them. As he went along, and passed through towns and villages, the people crowded to look upon him, and filled the air with their acclamations, while the native Indians whom he had brought with him were looked upon as if inhabitants' from another planet. At Barcelona, the whole populace came forth to meet him ; and as they passed through the streets, every window and balcony, and even the very roofs, were thronged with spectators. The triumphant discoverer walked along, followed by the native Indians, their bodies strangely painted and adorned with ornaments of gold, feathery, and shells,• and the parrots, rare plants and fruits, and all the coronets and bracelets of gold which hail been obtained from the different islands they had visited, were carried in procession and displayed before the wondering eyes of the Spaniards. Columbus was received by the King and Queen in great state, and nothing could exceed the graciousness and condescension that they showed him. They

rose up at his approach, and would scarcely permit him to kneel at their feet and kiss their hands. When, too, Columbus related to them all that he had done—described to them the beautiful islands he had found—showed them the specimens he had brought of unknown birds and animals, rare plants and drugs, lumps of gold and gold dust, or strangely formed golden ornaments —and, above all, when he presented to the King and Queen the natives of these new countries on the other side of the world, nothing could exceed their satisfaction and delight. As he finished his recital, the pious sovereigns sank on their knees, and, raising their clasped hands to heaven, poured forth thanks and praises to Grod for so great a providence, and then repairing to the royal chapel, a Te Deum, or hymn of praise, was sung by all the Court. And it was not in Spain alone that joy was felt at the great discovery made by Columbus. The news of it spread all over Europe, and the greatest interest was shown about it, though no one —not even Columbus himself—was aware of the greatness of the discovery. He thought that he had found out but a part of India, and a new and nearer way of getting to it. He little imagined then, nor did he ever know, that he had been the finder of a new half of the great globe on which we live. "We must relate in a few words the remaining history of the great discoverer Columbus. After receiving all the rewards and honours that had been promised him, and many other marks of favour and distinction, he set forth on another voyage to the west, in order to complete his discoveries. Instead now of being afraid of venturing with him, sailors and even many private gentlemen eagerly sought for permission to accompany him, and a noble fleet of ships was put under his command. On his second voyage he found many other important and valuable islands, among which was Jamaica and the large cluster of islands called the Caribbees. On a third voyage, he found Trinidad and the mouth of the great river Orinoco, which he felt sure must flow from a vast continent; and on several occasions he landed on parts of the great continent of America, without being aware of what a vast country it was a part. But the close of the life of Columbus was not all success and triumph. He lived to experience one of the strangest reverses that ever befel a human being. He was in the midst of new discoveries, when some false and malicious reports were sent home to Spain about him, by some of the colonists who had settled in the "West Indies, and who were jealous of his success and honour, and who did not like to submit to his authority. The King and Queen were deceived by these false accounts, and orders were given that Columbus should be sent home to take his trial. He was placed on board a vessel, loaded with chains; and when those who guarded him would have taken them off", Columbus refused to have them removed, and he persisted in appearing before the King and Queen to plead his defence—in chains ! It did not take long to convince both Ferdinand and Isabella that he was innocent, and wrongly

accused; but the noble spirit of Columbus never recovered from the pain and mortification he had felt of being even suspected of what was base and wrong. It is said 'that he ever after kept the chains which he had worn hung up in his room, and desired that they might be buried in his grave. The fame and honours which fell upon Columbus, in consequence of his great discovery, were thus but of short duration, and we are told that he even died in poverty and neglect, whilst others benefited by all the wealth that poured into Spain from the fertile islands he had found. The great continent of America, too, instead of being named after Columbus, acquired its present name from a Portuguese mariner, called Amerigo "Vespucci, who some time after landed upon its shores, and fancied he was the first to have discovered it. If, then, rewards in this life were all that make it worth while to persevere in great and noble endeavours, Columbus might well have gone on trading all his days in the Mediterranean Sea, for by this means he might have gathered up great riches, and lived and died perhaps in one of the grand palaces of his native city of Genoa ; but we feel sure that even when old, poor, and forsaken, he could never have looked back with regret on the manner in which he had spent his past life. In his youth, he had felt that he was "an appointed instrument of God" for making a great and important discovery; and in old age, not all the wealth and honours that the world could give wouldbe equal to the comfort and satisfaction of knowing that he had done well and faithfully his appointed task. He would rejoice, too, to think that not only through his means was much of God's fair and beautiful creation made known to Europeans, and many valuable productions added to the comfort of their lives, but that in return the Gospel of Christ would be carried to the "uttermost parts of the earth," and spread among countless tribes of savages, to whom the name of their great Father in Heaven was yet unknown. The King of Spain, at the death of Columbus, seems to have remembered all that was owing to his earnest will and perseverance, for he caused him to be buried with great pomp and magnificence, and had inscribed upon his tomb— Heke lies Columbus, ■WHO GATE TO SPAIN A ISTEW WORLD.