And now pigeons flew in abundance about the ships, and green canes and reeds floated languidly by. A bush, its branches red with berries, was recovered from the water by the Nina. A tuft of grass and a piece of wood, which appeared to have been cut by some iron instrument, were picked up by the Pinta. Such indications were sufficient to sustain the most dejected. Still the sun sank to rest in a horizon whose pure line was unbroken by land and unsullied by terrestrial vapor. The caravels were called together, and, after the usual prayer to the Virgin, Columbus announced to them that their trials were at an end, and that the morrow's light would bring with it the realization of all their hopes. The pilots were instructed to take in sail after midnight, and a velvet pourpoint was promised to him who should first see land. The crews which, two days before, considered Columbus as a trickster and a cheat, now received his word as they would a gospel from on high. The expectation and impatience which pervaded the three ships were indescribable. No eye was closed that night. The Pinta, being the most rapid sailer, was a long way in advance of the others. The Nina and the Santa Maria followed slowly, for sail had now been shortened, in her track. Suddenly a flash and a heavy report from the Pinta announced the joyful tidings. A Spaniard of Palos, named Juan Rodriguez Bermejo, had seen the land and won the velvet pourpoint. Columbus fell upon his knees, and, raising his hands to heaven, sang the Te Deum Laudamus. The sails were then furled and the fleet lay to. Arms and holiday dresses were prepared, for they knew not what the day would bring forth, whether the land would offer hospitality or challenge to combat. The great mystery of the ocean was to be revealed on the morrow: in the meantime, the night and the darkness had in their keeping the mighty secret--whether the land was a savage desert or a spicy and blooming garden. [Illustration: THE NINA HOMEWARD BOUND.] [Illustration: COLUMBUS TAKING POSSESSION OF GUANAHANI.] CHAPTER XVI. DISCOVERY OF GUANAHANI--CEREMONIES OF TAKING POSSESSION--EXPLORATION OF THE NEIGHBORING ISLANDS--SEARCH FOR GOLD--CUBA SUPPOSED BY COLUMBUS TO BE JAPAN--THE CANNIBALS--HAITI--RETURN HOMEWARDS--A STORM--AN APPEAL TO THE VIRGIN--ARRIVAL AT THE AZORES--CONDUCT OF THE PORTUGUESE--COLUMBUS AT LISBON--AT PALOS--AT BARCELONA--COLUMBUS' SECOND VOYAGE--DISCOVERY OF GUADELOUPE, ANTIGOA, SANTA CRUZ, JAMAICA--ILLNESS OF COLUMBUS--TERRIBLE BATTLE BETWEEN THE SPANIARDS AND THE SAVAGES--COLUMBUS RETURNS TO SPAIN--HIS RECEPTION BY THE QUEEN--HIS THIRD VOYAGE--THE REGION OF CALMS--DISCOVERY OF TRINIDAD AND OF THE MAIN LAND--ASSUMPCION AND MARGARITA--COLUMBUS IN CHAINS.