That
night there were all around us fields of phosphorescence.
About midnight these vanished; it was very black for all
the stars, and we seemed to hear a sighing as from a giant
leagues away. This passed, and the morning broke, silent
and tranquil, azure sky and azure sea, and not so sharply
clear as yesterday. The great calm wind again pushed us.
Hispaniola! Hispaniola! Her mountains and her palms
before us.
We coasted to the river Hayna and the Spanish city of
San Domingo. Three hours from sunset down in harbor
plunged our anchors, down rattled our sails.
The _Consolacion's_ long boat danced by her side. The
Admiral would send to land but one boat, and in it for envoy
Pedro de Terreros, a well-speaking man and known to Don
Nicholas de Ovando. Terreros was envoy, but with him
the Admiral sent Juan Lepe, who through the years in
Hispaniola had tried to heal the sick, no matter what their
faction. The Admiral stayed upon the _Consolacion_, the
Adelantado upon the _Margarita_.
The harbor was filled with ships. We counted eighteen.
We guessed that they were preparing for sailing, the little
boats so came and went between. And our entry had caused
excitement. Ship and small boat hailed us, but to them we
did not answer. Then came toward us from the shore a
long boat with the flag of Spain and in it an official.
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