The Life and Voyages of Christopher Columbus (Volume II)

When Columbus finally reached Hispaniola after his long trip to Spain, the island was already roiling with unrest. His brother, the Adelantado, pressed ahead with the new gold mines, erecting a stone fortress the workers christened the “Golden Tower.” The construction drew both hope and tension, as the promise of wealth clashed with the island’s fragile peace and the simmering dissent of the native communities.

Soon the fragile order shattered. A royal commissioner arrived, seized control, and ordered Columbus and his brothers into chains, sending them back to Spain in disgrace. Undeterred, Columbus plotted a fourth voyage, pushing his ships along the coasts of Honduras, the Mosquito Shore, and Costa Rica, where he encountered hostile terrain, fierce storms, and uneasy negotiations with indigenous leaders. The narrative follows his relentless drive to secure supplies, defend his settlements, and wrestle with the ever‑shifting politics of empire.