Discovery of Cuba on Sunday, October 28, 1492--The First Landing Place on the Island--Named for the Heir of the Spanish Throne--Appreciation of the Beauty and Charm of the Island--First Contact with its Inhabitants--Exploration of the Northern Coast--Cuba Supposed to be the Country of the Great Khan--Further Explorations of the Coast--Departure for Hispaniola--Second Visit to Cuba--Exploration of the Southern Coast--Discovery of Jamaica--Navigating the Caribbean Sea--Some Inland Excursions--Experiences with the Natives--Reaching the Western End of the Island--Exhortation of a Native Sage--Columbus's Final Departure from Cuba. CHAPTER III 28 First Impressions of Cuba--Columbus's Observations of the People and Resources of the Island--Native Villages and Boats--Negotiations with the Natives--First Use of Tobacco by Europeans--Columbus's Meagre Knowledge of the Island--His Death and Burial in Hispaniola--Removal of His Remains to Havana--Disputes Concerning His Tomb--Final Return of His Remains to Spain. CHAPTER IV 37 Archeology of Cuba--The Oldest Rock Formation--Theory of Cuban Continuity with Florida--The Eocene Age--Submersion in the Oligocene Period--Miocene Uplift--Changes During the Pleistocene Period--Topography of the Island--The Mountain Ranges--The Mountains of Oriente--The Organ Mountains and Magotes--The Valley of the Vinales--Plains and Valleys--Composition of the Soil--The Climate of Cuba--Fortunate Situation of the Island--The Rainfall of a Land of Sunshine. CHAPTER V 53 Neglect of Cuba by Spanish Explorers and Conquerors--Rule of Ovando--Ocampo Discovers Cuba to be an Island--First Attempts at Colonization--Enciso's Story of Ojeda's Adventure--A Test Between Christianity and Paganism--The Lust of Gold--Diego and Bartholomew Columbus--Diego Velasquez Appointed Governor--His First Settlement at Baracoa--The War with Hatuey--Narvaez and His Horsemen--Las Casas the "Apostle to the Indies"--More Trouble with the Natives--Exploration of the Island Throughout its Length. CHAPTER VI 68 Marriage and Bereavement of Velasquez--Other Settlements Founded in Cuba--Santiago Made the First Capital--System of Government--Apportionment of the Natives to the Settlers--Appropriation of the Land--Evils of the Repartimiento System--The Statesmanship of Velasquez--Enslavement of the Natives--Famous Men in Cuba's Early History--Gold Mines and Fertile Plantations--Beginning of the Mission of Las Casas--Death of King Ferdinand and Accession of Charles I--Cardinal Ximenes--The Order of St. Jerome--The Fate of the Natives. CHAPTER VII 81