The Indians on board the Pinta said that beyond this cape was a river and that at four days' journey from this was what they called "Cuba." Now they had been coasting along the Island of Cuba for two or three days.

But Martin Pinzon, the captain of the Pinta, understood this Cuba to be a city, and that this land was the mainland, running far to the north.

Columbus until he died believed that it was the mainland.
Martin Pinzon also understood that the king of that land was at war with the Grand Khan, whom they called Cami.

The Admiral determined to go to the river the Indians mentioned, and to send to the king the letter of the sovereigns.

He meant to send with it a sailor who had been to Guinea, and some of the Guanahani Indians.