The ships were tossed as by a tempest, yet was the air serene, the sky blue.
We came hardly through and afterwards called that strait Mouth of the Serpent.

Now we were in a great bay or gulf, and still the sea shook us and drove us.

Calm above, around, but underneath an agitation of waters, strong currents and boilings.

Among our mariners many took fright.

"What is it?
Are there witches?
We are in a cauldron!" Christopherus Columbus himself took the helm of the _Esperanza_.