Return to Veragua.—The Adelantado explores the Country.
VII. Commencement of a Settlement on the river Belen.—Conspiracy of the
Natives.—Expedition of the Adelantado to surprise Quibian.
VIII. Disasters of the Settlement.
IX. Distress of the Admiral on board of his Ship.—Ultimate Relief of
the Settlement.
X. Departure from the Coast of Veragua.—arrival at Jamaica.—Stranding
of the Ships.

Book XVI.

I. Arrangement of Diego Mendez with the Caciques for Supplies of
Provisions.—Sent to San Domingo by Columbus in quest of Relief.
II. Mutiny of Porras.
III. Scarcity of Provisions.—Stratagem of Columbus to obtain Supplies
from the Natives.
IV. Mission of Diego de Escobar to the Admiral.
V. Voyage of Diego Mendez and Bartholomew Fiesco in a Canoe to
Hispaniola.
VI. Overtures of Columbus to the Mutineers.—Battle of the Adelantado
with Porras and his Followers.

Book XVII.

I. Administration of Ovando in Hispaniola.—Oppression of the Natives.
II. Massacre at Xaragua.—Fate of Anacaona.
III. War with the Natives of Higuey.
IV. Close of the War with Higuey.—Fate of Cotabanama.

Book XVIII.

I. Departure of Columbus for San Domingo.—His Return to Spain.
II. Illness of Columbus at Seville.—Application to the Crown for a
Restitution of his Honors.—Death of Isabella.
III. Columbus arrives at Court.—Fruitless Application to the King for
Redress.
IV. Death of Columbus.
V. Observations on the Character of Columbus.

Appendix

Index

The Life and Voyages of Columbus

Book XI.

Chapter I.

Administration of the Adelantado.—Expedition to the Province of Xaragua.

[1498.]

Columbus had anticipated repose from his toils on arriving at Hispaniola, but a new scene of trouble and anxiety opened upon him, destined to impede the prosecution of his enterprises, and to affect all his future fortunes. To explain this, it is necessary to relate the occurrences of the island during his long detention in Spain.

When he sailed for Europe in March, 1496, his brother, Don Bartholomew, who remained as Adelantado, took the earliest measures to execute his directions with respect to the mines recently discovered by Miguel Diaz on the south side of the island. Leaving Don Diego Columbus in command at Isabella, he repaired with a large force to the neighborhood of the mines, and, choosing a favorable situation in a place most abounding in ore, built a fortress, to which he gave the name of San Christoval. The workmen, however, finding grains of gold among the earth and stone employed in its construction, gave it the name of the Golden Tower. [1]

The Adelantado remained here three months, superintending the building of the fortress, and making the necessary preparations for working the mines and purifying the ore. The progress of the work, however, was greatly impeded by scarcity of provisions, having frequently to detach a part of the men about the country in quest of supplies. The former hospitality of the island was at an end. The Indians no longer gave their provisions freely; they had learnt from the white men to profit by the necessities of the stranger, and to exact a price for bread. Their scanty stores, also, were soon exhausted, for their frugal habits, and their natural indolence and improvidence, seldom permitted them to have more provisions on hand than was requisite for present support. [2] The Adelantado found it difficult, therefore, to maintain so large a force in the neighborhood, until they should have time to cultivate the earth, and raise live-stock, or should receive supplies from Spain. Leaving ten men to guard the fortress, with a dog to assist them in catching utias, he marched with the rest of his men, about four hundred in number, to Fort Conception, in the abundant country of the Vega.