** NEWS FLASH **
Columbus and his crews have finally reached their destination. Though it is not India, it is a land full of fruits, vegetables, and a foreign race of human life.
Upon arriving in the New World, Columbus sent out half of his men to survey the land. After three days with no word from them, he sent out half of the remaining crew to search for the missing men. Three days later, Columbus came to the conclusion that the New World was a dangerous place to be. With caution, he and the remainder of the crew, snuck onto the land in the middle of the night. They crept along the beach, over a hill, and crouched in the weeds at the top. What they saw was appalling! Hundreds of Indians were circled around a huge fire. Wearing nothing but animal skin skirts and face paint, they danced around, chanting and singing in a foreign language. Five of Columbus’ men were tied to a post near the fire. Brutish-looking Indians, assumed to be warriors, were guarding the rest of the captives in a tee-pee. Fearing for their own lives, the men returned to the ship to plan a rescue mission for those taken captive. Columbus sent us [Spain] a letter requesting backup and the decided the best thing to do while awaiting help would be, first, to learn the language of the Indians. With language specialist, John Smith, aboard, this was a simple task. Within a week of observation and research, Smith was able to write the Indians a letter informing them that they came from Spain in peace.
The next morning half of the captives were set free and returned to the ships. One crewmember brought along a note from the Indians, stating the rules that would have to be agreed upon before any others were set free. The rules, as deciphered by Smith, were as follows:
1. The New World belongs to the Indians and shall not be claimed by any other country.
2. Foreign visitors can explore the land as long as they don’t interfere with Indian affairs, steal Indian goods, or disturb the peaceful environment currently maintained by the Indians.
3. Foreign visitors must leave the land if ordered to by the Indians.
In the best interest of the remaining captives, Columbus signed in agreement and returned the treaty to the Indians. Within minutes, the captives were set free. They returned to the ships, followed by a band of Indian women, each carrying a basket of food. They set the baskets in the sand along the beach and hurried off.
The crewmembers brought the food onto the ships and held a meeting. They decided that it would be safe to explore the New World with caution as long as they followed the rules set forth by the Indians. Their current plan is to explore, document their findings, and learn more about the Indians. They anticipate to journey back home to Spain in early August.