Document 4
This is an excerpt from Christopher Columbus’s log entry for Saturday, October 13, 1492.
…I have been very attentive and have tried very hard to find out if there is any gold here [San
Salvador]. I have seen a few natives who wear a little piece of gold hanging from a hole made in
the nose. By signs, if I interpret them correctly, I have learned that by going to the south, or
rounding the island to the south, I can find a king who possesses a lot of gold and has great
containers of it. I have tried to find some natives who will take me to this great king, but none
seems inclined to make the journey.
Tomorrow afternoon I intend to go to the SW. The natives have indicated to me that not only
is there land to the south and SW, but also to the NW. I shall go to the SW and look for gold and
precious stones. Furthermore, if I understand correctly, it is from the NW that strangers come
to fight and capture the people here.…
Source: translated by Robert H. Fuson, The Log of Christopher Columbus,
International Marine Publishing Company
Based on this excerpt from Christopher Columbus’s log, what is he searching for in San Salvador and the
surrounding region?
