According to the journal, how did columbus gain the confidence of the island's natives?

At first, Columbus and his men befriended the natives and even started to trade with them. Columbus gave them all sorts of advanced trinkets and gadgets unlike they had ever seen before. Their fascination of Christopher and his people distracted them from his conquest for gold until it was too late.

Early in the story when tom finds an indian skull in the woods which he kicks in temper. the devil then makes his appearance and, as tom surveys him, he notices that the devil is neither "negro" nor "indian." in fact, he has a "swarthy" complexion and is "begrimed with soot."