The ships attempted to sail to Baneque for the third time. After nightfall, Columbus again determined that the wind and seas were too contrary to reach it. But Martín Alonso Pinzón believed otherwise and, while the Santa María and Niña returned to Cuba, the Pinta continued to Baneque. Martín was convinced he would find plentiful gold.
The crews of the Santa María and the Niña watched the Pinta vanish from the horizon on November 22 and realized Martín had deserted. Columbus was mortified. His command had been openly disobeyed by his first-ranking officer and the man singularly responsible for recruiting most of the crews.
The Guanahanían captives realized the pale beings had friends and enemies among themselves.