"Sailed this day nineteen leagues, and determined to count less than the true number, that the crew might not be dismayed if the voyage should prove long"

In this quote, Christopher Columbus is describing his journey at sea. He states that they have sailed nineteen leagues, which is a system of measurement used for distance at sea. However, he has actually chosen to count less than the true number of leagues they have traveled. This is because he does not wish to prevent or frighten his crew if the trip ends up being longer than anticipated. Columbus is revealing his leadership abilities by attempting to keep the morale of his team high, even in the face of uncertainty. He is also demonstrating his decision to complete the voyage, no matter the length of time it might take.