 Mark Twain (qv) got his idea for Hank Martin to use the eclipse  for his benefit from Christopher Columbus. Columbus actually used an  eclipse knowingly to perhaps alter history. Stranded in Jamaica in  1503, on his fourth voyage, Columbus and his crew were wearing out  their welcome with the natives, who were feeding them. Columbus knew  a lunar eclipse was coming, so he "predicted" the Moons  disappearance. The natives begged him to bring it back and, of  course, he did, in due time.