This beautiful land was the island of Cuba. After its discovery by Columbus the Spaniards came and took possession of it. They found the people of a simple nature, with strange notions about God and the creation of the universe. As they knew nothing about Christ, they were not Christians, and consequently the Spaniards soon began to look upon them as little better than wild animals. Then we must remember that the Spaniards who came flocking to the islands discovered by Columbus were not only adventurers seeking their fortunes, but were often the criminals from overcrowded jails, and others who could not make an honest living at home. As these people had no idea of working themselves, they made the simple inhabitants work for them. And as there were many of these inhabitants, the Spaniards counted their lives of no value, and not only overworked them, treating them with great cruelty, but killed them out of pure wantonness, just as some boys delight in stoning dogs and killing birds. There was one good Spaniard, however, who became convinced that it was wrong to make slaves of these poor people and to treat them so cruelly. Becoming a priest, he began by giving his own slaves their freedom, and then he went into the pulpit and preached against the wrong-doings of his countrymen. This man was the good Father Las Casas, who has been called the protector of the Indians. But the good work of this one good man could go but a little way against so many wicked ones. The native inhabitants rapidly disappeared under the cruel treatment of their harsh task-masters, and then negro slaves, a hardier race than the red men, were brought from Africa to take the place of the Indian, in spite of Father Las Casas and his sermons. So it happens that in the island of Cuba to-day there are none of the Indians left. They have long since disappeared. In their place remain the negroes, who are the descendants of the slaves from Africa, and the white Cubans, who are descended from the Spanish settlers. But owing to the climate, the fertility of the soil and other conditions which surround them, they have grown up to be different men from their Spanish grandfathers.