Legendary Explorers: The Life and Legacy of Christopher Columbus

"At two o'clock in the morning the land was discovered.... As I saw that they were very friendly to us, and perceived that they could be much more easily converted to our holy faith by gentle means than by force, I presented them with some red caps and strings of beads to wear upon the neck and many other trifles of small value, wherewith they were much delighted and became wonderfully attached to us." (Christopher Columbus' diary, October 11-12, 1492)