11. A Masterful Bluff
Columbus told the locals that he would have to check with his God and see if He was in a forgiving mood. He retired to his cabin, and timed things with an hourglass. At the eclipse’s peak, he emerged to announce that he had interceded with God, who had agreed – just this once – to forgive the indigenous people. The moon began to reappear just as Columbus finished talking. From then on, the Natives leant over backwards to be helpful, and kept Columbus and his crew supplied and well fed. The castaways spent a leisurely time for the remainder of their stay in Jamaica, until rescue ships took them off the island months later.
