To us, who have more experience of colonies and colonists than he had had, it does not seem to promise well that Rodrigo was "the king's chamberlain and an officer of the first lord of the household." Of these three, Diego da Arana was to be the governor, and the other two his lieutenants.

The rest were all sailors, but among them there were Columbus's secretary, an alguazil, or person commissioned in the civil service at home, an "arquebusier," who was also a good engineer, a tailor, a ship carpenter, a cooper and a physician.

So the little colony had its share of artificers and men of practical skill.

They all staid willingly, delighted with the prospects of their new home.
On the third of January Columbus sailed for Europe in the little Nina.
With her own crew and the addition she received from the Santa Maria, she must have been badly crowded.

Fortunately for all parties, on Sunday, the third day of the voyage, while they were still in sight of land, the Pinta came in sight.