Christopher Columbus and the New World of His Discovery — Volume 5

The early days of the Spanish settlement in Isla Isabella are marked by scarcity, sickness, and growing distrust. Bad provisions and a fever‑stricken Columbus give opportunists like comptroller Bernal Diaz a chance to stir rebellion, accusing the admiral of lying about the colony’s riches. When the mutiny erupts, Columbus acts decisively from the quarterdeck, imprisoning the conspirators and restoring order, though the colonists’ resentment lingers.

Undeterred, Columbus swiftly organizes a bold expedition of four hundred men, complete with armor, banners, and the first horses ever seen by the island’s indigenous peoples. The dazzling cavalcade cuts a new road into the interior, where the startled natives, both fearful and curious, offer food and hospitality. After days of rugged travel the party reaches a fertile valley glittering with gold‑bearing stones, prompting Columbus to establish a modest fort and name the site Saint Thomas.