ABSTRACT
The Santa Maria hit a reef on December 25 and the crew hurried to retrieve as many supplies and equipment as possible, bringing them to the nearby shore. The local cacique, known as Guacanagarí, offered to help resettle the crew in his village. During the ensuing days, Columbus and Guacanagarí interacted cordially, with the cacique asking to be taken to Spain. Next, Columbus decided to leave behind 39 men as the beginning of a fort (trading post); he also left behind any of the Indio guides and interpreters who did not want to go to Spain. The crew had built a small stockade from the timber off the Santa Maria and transferred supplies from the Niña that could be spared. Firmly, Columbus explained to the men that would remain behind to treat the natives well, to respect the authority and hospitality of Guacanagarí, to search for gold, and not to trade unfairly when exchanging items. Columbus then sailed east along the northern coast of Hispaniola, encountering Martín Pinzón’s Pinta. By January 15, 1493, Columbus reached the eastern region of Hispaniola and decided it was time to set a course into the Ocean Sea and head for Spain.
