Америка в прошлом и настоящем. Часть I. Горчакова Е.П - 23 стр.

8.     At first, the sailors were as confident as their commander. But day after
day, as the sun rose and the evening stars appeared, only the endless sea
surrounded them. September became October. The three ships, crashing against the
great waves, sailed on.
9.     Columbus checked his books. He read and reread Marco Polo's descriptions.
He had promised his crew a short voyage. Now the sailors were becoming angry.
"Where is this land of beauty and treasures?" they demanded. "Just a few more
days," Columbus replied firmly. "Just a few more days."
10. But secretly, the Commander was worried. He had had no doubts. He knew
the world was round. He knew you would reach the Orient if you traveled west.
With this knowledge, he had dared to leave the safety of Europe's shores and to
lead men across a terrifying sea. While the others had slept, he had studied the stars.
In this way, he had kept the little fleet on course.1 No winds had been too strong for
him. No waves had been too high. But where was Japan?
11. During the first week of October, the dream of Columbus became a
nightmare.2 His sailors were hungry and exhausted. They demanded to return
home. Columbus could see that he would soon have trouble on board.3 But in spite of
his fears, he could not turn back. The dream of discovery was too strong to forget.
12. Like the answer to a prayer, birds appeared in the sky. They were land
birds. With wild excitement, Columbus gave orders to follow them.
13. Four more days passed. But Columbus was sure now. He had seen
branches with flowers on them floating in the water. Japan was perhaps just
over the horizon.
14. Finally, in the early morning hours of October 12, 1492, land appeared in
the distance. But it was not Japan. In the silver light of a Caribbean moon, America
was discovered for the third time.
15. During the next few months, Columbus explored the islands he had found.
From San Salvador, where he had first landed, he sailed to Cuba and then to Haiti.
In Haiti, he established4 a small colony. Leaving some of his crew among the
friendly Native Americans, Columbus returned to Spain in January, 1493.
16. Only a few months before, he had been a forgotten dreamer. Now,
Columbus was the hero of the Spanish court.5 Spain's king and queen, celebrating
his return, gave him money and ships for a second voyage. In the fall of 1493, he
again reached the Americas. This time he sailed to the present day Bahamas. A third
voyage in 1498 took him to Trinidad and the coast of Venezuela. On the fourth trip,
in 1502, he sailed along the eastern coast of Central America.


1
  on course: following the correct route
2
  nightmare: bad dream
3
  on board: on the ship
4
  establish: build
5
  court: advisors and friends of a king or queen

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