The situation of columbus was daily becoming more and more critical. In proportion as he approached the Regions where he expected to find land , the impatience of the crew argumented. The favourable signs which increased his confidence were derided by them as delusive ; and there was danger of their rebelling and obligging him to turn back, when on the point of realsiing the ibject of all his labours They beheld themselves with appeared ti them a mere watery desert surrounding the habitabke world. What was to become of them should their provisions fail? Their ships were tooo weak and f=defective even for the great voyage they had already made, but if they still were to behind them. how should they ever be able to return, having no intervening port where they might victual and refit? Were they to dail on until they perished, or until all return becane impossible? In such case they would be the authors of their own destruction