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Continuing his course due west, he discovered the continent at the distance of 25 leagues, on the 1st of August; but mistaking it for another island, gave it the appellation of Isla Santa.

Columbus, for better security, proceeded to a more westerly point of land, denominated Del Arenal. In his way he was followed by a canoe with 25 men, who stopped within musket shot, and shouted aloud. He endeavoured to allure them to the ship, by displaying some brass ornaments and looking glasses; but this expedient, proving, in this instance, ineffectual, he ordered one of his men to ascend the poop, and play on the tabor and pipe, while his companions danced round him. No sooner did the Indians hear the music, and observe the gesticulations of the Spaniards, than they took them for a signal of war, and prepared for a resolute defence. The savages however retired on a discharge of cross-bows from the ship; but they went alongside of another caraval, without apprehension; and some civilities passed between them and the captain. Their complexions were pretty fair; they had long hair tied with strings, and wore girdles of cotton cloth.

Having watered his ships at Arenal, from artificial trenches which he found on the shore, he proceeded north-west to another mouth or channel, which he called Boca del Drago, and which is formed by a point of Trinity island meeting another from the continent. In the midst of the Boca del Drago he anchored; and here the currents were so strong, and the roaring of the waves so terrible, that the mariners were filled with consternation and fear. They however escaped without damage; and the admiral again weighing anchor, sailed along the south coast of Paria, as he called it, which he then conjectured was an island; and hoped to find a passage northward to Hispaniola; but in this he was at last undeceived.

The boats being set on shore on the 5th of August, found plenty of fruits and wood; and observed traces of the natives who fled at their approach. A little farther down the coast, a canoe with three men came off, and met with the usual kind

reception and presents from the admiral, after which they were sent ashore, where a number of the Indians were assembled. These being satisfied of the pacific disposition of the Spaniards, commenced a traffic with them. The males covered their heads and waists with cotton cloth; but the females were in a state of perfect nudity. They seemed more civilized and tractable than the Hispaniolans; but like them, shewed the greatest predilection for brass toys and bells.

Nothing valuable appearing among the productions of this quarter, save a few inconsiderable plates of gold suspended from the necks of some of the natives, Columbus taking six of the Indians on board, and sailing westward, touched at two lofty and well-peopled islands, which seemed more rich than those he had left. The inhabitants wore strings of beads or pearl round their arms, and had heavier plates of gold. The admiral having purchased some of the pearls, which he was informed were found to the westward and northward of Paria, sent off some boats to enquire into the circumstances of this valuable fishery. The natives received the Spaniards with every mark of amity and hospitality, and expressed their desire to live with the Europeans in those sentiments.

Columbus, continuing to sail westward, found the water become more shallow; and having reconnoitered the coast by means of one of his smaller vessels, discovered that what appeared to be islands, was one continuous continent. He was therefore obliged to return to the eastward; and, with some difficulty, passed the straights lying between Paria and Trinity island. He now sailed along the coast of Paria; and after passing some islands, entered the harbour of Domingo on the 30th of August, where his brother had built a city of that

name.

Columbus, almost blind with incessant watchfulness, and quite exhausted with fatigue, now flattered himself with the hopes of reposing in the bosom of peace and tranquillity. Alas! his expectations were vain: the whole island was in a state of confusion; the greater number of the settlers were dead; a new and dreadful disease, which poisons the springs of life, had attacked about 160; a considerable party had VOL. I.--(3)

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rebelled under a person whom he had constituted chief justice; and, to complete his chagrin, the three ships dispatched from the Canaries were not arrived. After a tedious voyage, in which a great part of the provisions was spoiled, these vessels, however, at last arrived. The admiral's brother having informed him of the circumstances of the revolt, he was resolved to transmit an account of it to their catholic majesties; and as the rebels complained of being detained on the island, a free passage was offered to such as were desirous of returning to Spain.

After many altercations, it was settled that the admiral should deliver up to Roldan, the ringleader of the revolt, two good ships well provided, to transport him and his adherents to Spain: that he should issue an order for the payment of their salaries and wages to the day of their departure; and that within 50 days from the ratification of this convention, the malecontents should quit the island. Matters being thus compromised, the admiral gave orders for equipping the ships; but from the scarcity of stores and the turbulence of the weather, some time having elapsed before they could be brought round to Xaragua, the port from which the embarkation was to be made, Roldan changed his intentions; and taking advantage of the unavoidable delay that had intervened, he renounced the stipulations, and refused to depart. The officer, who conducted the ships to their destined port having in vain exhorted the rebels to acquiescence in their original engagements, entered a protest against their proceedings; and returned to the admiral, to whom he reported Roldan's objections. Columbus, well knowing the disaffection of his own people, was eager to heal this new breach; and consenting to a conference with the rebel chief, it was stipulated; that the admiral should send home 15 of Roldan's followers in the first ship bound for Spain; that those who remained on the island should have lands and houses in lieu of pay; that an act of amnesty should be published; and Roldan himself reinstated in his office of perpetual judge. Having at last adjusted this irksome affair, Columbus sent out a captain with a body of men, who were to traverse the island and reduce the rebellious

Indians; while he himself proposed to return to Spain, and to take his brother the lieutenant with him.

In the meanwhile Alonzo de Ojeda arrived with four ships from a cruize, and putting into Yaquimo, not only committed unprovoked outrages on the Indians, but began to tamper with the Spaniards. To these he insinuated that queen Isabella was in a declining state of health, and that after her decease, Columbus would find no protection at court; but, on the contrary, would fall a victim to the enmity of Ojeda's kinsman, the intriguing bishop of Burgos.

These proceedings having reached the ears of the admiral, he dispatched Roldan with 21 men against him; who, coming upon him suddenly, rendered escape or resistance impracticable. On this, Ojeda altered his tone, excused his landing on a pretence of wanting provisions, and declared he had no intention to disturb the quiet of the island. He then recounted some discoveries and adventures on the coast of Paria; and concluded with a promise, that he would soon sail round to Domingo, and have a personal interview with the admiral.

Notwithstanding these professions, he sailed to the province of Xaragua, where he seduced a number of persons that had lately been in rebellion; and arrogated to himself and Caravajal a superintending power over the admiral, by the appointment of their catholic majesties. He even instigated some to attempt force to carry their wishes; but being opposed by the sound part of the Spaniards, a tumult ensued, in which some lives were lost; and Roldan being again sent to attack him, forced the intruder to take refuge on board his ships. By a stratagem, the justice got possession of his boat. This obliged him to consent to a treaty, and to leave the coast.

Soon after his departure, another commotion was raised by one of the former partizans of Roldan, who wished to marry the daughter of Canua, queen of Xaragua; but being opposed in this design, he concerted measures for taking off the chief justice. Roldan having obtained intelligence of his intentions, concerted his plans so well, that he seized the chief conspirators; and being directed by the admiral to punish them according

to law, one of the ringleaders was hanged, others banished, and some left to the disposal of Columbus.

This example of severe punishment, which was become absolutely necessary for the maintenance of subordination, had such a salutary effect, that tranquillity was restored throughout the whole island, both among the settlers and natives. About this time, gold mines of the most superior richness were discovered; and every person began to labour in them on his own account, paying, however, one-third of his produce to the king. So prosperous was this trade, that one man has been known to collect 40 ounces in a day; and one lump of pure gold was discovered, weighing no less than 196 ducats.

While the zeal and activity of Columbus was displaying themselves, in appeasing the troubles and promoting the pros perity of Hispaniola, for the honour and interest of their catholic majesties, he had little reason to apprehend, that a storm was collecting against him at home, and just ready to burst on his head. During the late commotions, a number of complaints had been preferred against him by those whose criminal views he thwarted. He had been represented in the worst colours, that ingenious malice could devise; and the friends of the complainers being reinforced by his private enemies about court, such a clamour was raised in Castile, that the people crowded round their majesties, demanding justice against the proud and imperious foreigner, who had oppressed and drawn from their native country, to death and ruin, so many of the Spanish gentry. That mob, which a few years before, almost idolized him for his discoveries, now inveighed against him on this very account, as being destructive to their countrymen; and the court who wished, no doubt, to reap the benefit of his labours without the tax that gratitude and original conditions imposed, at last yielded to the importunity. Their catholic majesties gave a commission to one Francis de Bovadilla, a person in low circumstances, to proceed for Hispaniola, under the title of inspector-general. By virtue of his authority, he was to take cognizance of the admiral's conduct; and if he found him guilty, he was to send him to

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