He knew that these islands lay to the south-east of Espanola, and on his second voyage he therefore took a course rather more southerly in order, to make them instead of Guanahani or Espanola.

From the day they left Spain his ships had pleasant light airs from the east and north-east which wafted them steadily but slowly on their course.

In a week they had reached the Grand Canary, where they paused to make some repairs to one of the ships which, was leaking.

Two days later they anchored at Gomera, and loaded up with such supplies as could be procured there better than in Spain.

Pigs, goats, sheep and cows were taken on board; domestic fowls also, and a variety of orchard plants and fruit seeds, as well as a provision of oranges, lemons, and melons.