After all, if he was greedy for gold, he had a pious purpose for its employment.
The last days of the year were very busy ones for the members of the expedition.

Assisted by the natives they were building the fort which, in memory of the day on which it was founded, Columbus called La Villa-de la Navidad.

The Admiral spent much time with King Guacanagari, who "loved him so much that it was wonderful," and wished to cover him all over with gold before he went away, and begged him not to go before it was done.

On December 27th there was some good news; a caravel had been seen entering a harbour a little further along the coast; and as this could only mean that the Pinta had returned, Columbus borrowed a canoe from the king, and despatched a sailor in it to carry news of his whereabouts to the Pinta.

While it was away Guacanagari collected all the other kings and chiefs who were subject to him, and held a kind of durbar.