Such a dramatic episode didn't escape the attention of novelists, who later used eclipse occurrences in a similar way to further their own plots. You'll find the device in H. Rider Haggard's King Solomon's Mines, Mark Twain's A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court, and even in Hergé's Tintin adventure Prisoners of the Sun.

In some cases, the event is a solar rather than a lunar eclipse. And the details of the eclipse aren't always astronomically correct, especially in the movie versions of the books.

But it worked for Columbus.

incredible story

amazing. anyone else ever hear of this?

All very interesting, but, can someone explain where Columbus managed to scrounge up an interpreter?