Again off Cuba--The numerous keys--Inhabitants hide--Sees a canoe-- Curious mode of fishing--Intercourse with the friendly cacique of Ornofay--Believes that he is approaching Asia--The natives welcome the strangers--Sailing west, the Spaniards land near some mountains--The archer's report of white-robed natives--Columbus believes that he shall soon reach the Indian Ocean--Error as to the extent of Cuba--Returns eastward--Visited by a cacique and his venerable minister--Stands across to Jamaica--Coasts along it--A cacique with his family come off to the ships requesting to be taken to Spain--The squadron stands across to Hispaniola--Natives show signs of hostility, but become friendly-- Columbus struck down with illness--Carried to Isabella--His brother Bartholomew meets him--Efforts to improve the colony--Traitorous designs formed against Columbus--Accusations sent home--Aguado sent out to investigate his conduct--Columbus resolves to return to Spain--A rich gold-mine discovered--Sets sail--Detained by contrary winds--Puts into Guadaloupe--Attacked by Amazons--Huts plundered--Some of the Amazons captured--Again sails--Prolonged passage--Spaniards propose to kill the prisoners--Prevented by Columbus--The vessels reach Cadiz--Finds a squadron about to sail for Isabella--Honourably received by the sovereigns. Standing across to Cuba, Columbus reached Cabo de la Cruz, near which, landing, he was cordially received by the cacique and his subjects, who had long since heard of him. The Admiral endeavoured to ascertain from the cacique whether Cuba was an island or a continent. The reply was such as to induce him to believe that it was the latter. Meeting with a storm, fortunately of short duration, he soon found himself among a labyrinth of keys and small islands, so numerous that it was impossible to count them. To these he gave the name of The Queen's Gardens. At first he thought of leaving this archipelago to the right, and standing out to sea; but he recollected that Sir John Mandeville and Marco Polo had mentioned that the coast of Asia was fringed with islands to the number of several thousands, and persuading himself that he was among that cluster, he hoped soon to arrive at the dominion of the Grand Khan. The weather became unfavourable, adding greatly to the difficulties of navigation. These islands were generally uninhabited, but on the 22nd of May he came to one to which he gave the name of Santa Marta. Here was a large village abandoned by its inhabitants.