The Exploration Era-Part 2 Columbus's Adventures on his Second Voyage.

In this post I will go in depth on Columbus's Second Voyage.

On December 7th, Columbus was headed for the port of La Plata, but was blown off course and was forced to land at a natural port. He was though much pleased with the place. Their were two streams one big one small the soil their was good, and the streams were full of fish. Columbus decided that he would make a town their. Soon all were put to work and all the guns, tools, and livestock. Were on shore, and soon the new town, which Columbus named Isabella after the Queen of Spain. Unfortunately many of the men were sick in their minds. They had come for gold. And since sea travel was not very comfortable they were all tired and need of rest. But unfortunately for them, their was no rest for them. Columbus himself fell ill from over exerting himself. Many others in the town also fell ill.

Soon Columbus sent the ships back to Spain. He himself was disappointed that he could not send them back laden with rich stores that would have been gained by the fort. He did though send back a little gold that had been found and some of the fruits and plants. He asked though for the King and Queen to send him food, medicines, and guns for the fledgling town. He also asked for some workmen, and men who knew how to work in mines and could smelt and cleanse ore.

He had a little earlier captured some Carib men and women. He sent them with the 12 ships he sent back from his original 17. In Spain great hopes were raised by Columbus's letter.

Back at the Isabella the men were want to return home. So some men laid a scheme to take some if not all of the five ships that were docked. Fortunately they were found out. The chief man was held in irons in one of the ships.

When Columbus recovered from his illness he and a party of men went out in search of a gold mine. On March 12th they set out. After a two or three day hike they came to a place were their was gold in the streams. The natives their were k9ind and they brought them food and grains of gold that they found in the streams. Columbus built a fort their and left in the charge of one of the Dons with 56 men. He returned to the town on March 29th well pleased with his excursion.

Soon though word came that the local natives near the fort, were about to go on the war path. Their chief's name was The Lord of the House of Gold. The fact was that after Columbus left they started to do the red men all sorts of wrongs to get their gold.

But Columbus had no fear of the fort. For the Natives had a fear and awe of the white men. Columbus did send the Don a score of men, food and ammunition. So that they could work on the road between the town and the fort.

Columbus's chief concern though was for the people in the town. Many were sick and the bread ran out and the flour ran low. Columbus then said that those who did not work did not eat. This hurt many of the young men of high rank who were to dignified to get their hands dirty. They had come to get richer but not by toil. Columbus was forced to make them work.

Columbus decided that he would go out in search of new lands. So he took the there small ships and set sail on April 24th.

I will finish this story in my next post.