CHAPTER VII.

_What happened during the absence of Columbus on an exploring voyage, and other matters._

Some time before Columbus departed on his voyage, he had erected a fortress in the mountains of Cibao, within the territory of Caonabo. When completed, he gave the command of it to Pedro Margarite, who had with him fifty-six men. To these he afterwards added a reinforcement of twenty men, having learned that the fort was in danger of an attack from Caonabo.

Pedro was ordered to explore that part of the country still farther, and, during his absence, to leave the fortress to the care of Alonzo de Ojeda. With this he complied. But, instead of exploring that part of the country which he was required to do, he went into a different region, where he and his men conducted themselves towards the Indians most improperly.

This conduct, Don Diego Columbus, the brother of the admiral, who had accompanied the latter in his voyage to the new world, and who now had command of the colony during the absence of Columbus, heard of, and sent a letter to Pedro, ordering him to conduct differently. This, Pedro greatly resented, and, suddenly leaving the command of the men, came to Isabella, and, seizing a ship, went on board of it, with other enemies of Columbus, and sailed for Spain, with a design to do him there all the injury in his power.

I said Ojeda now had the command of Fort Thomas. He was a bold, brave man. He was small in stature, but he had nearly the strength of a giant. When Caonabo found that Pedro had abandoned that part of the country, and had taken off a large part of the garrison with him, he assembled ten thousand men, well armed, and, secretly passing through the forests, suddenly came upon Fort Thomas, with the hope of cutting off Ojeda and his men at a single blow. Ojeda, however, was not to be taken by surprise. He was ready for his enemy at all times. Caonabo now besieged the place, and, for thirty days, watched it as a tiger would watch for his prey. By this time, the men in the fort were reduced to great want, but they were determined never to yield. They often made sallies from the fort, and slew many of Caonabo’s bravest warriors. At length, finding it impossible to take the fortress, Caonabo and his men retired.

Not long after the return of Columbus, Ojeda proposed to him a plan by which to seize Caonabo. To get possession of him was eminently important for the peace and safety of the Spaniards. He was a mighty chieftain, and their implacable foe,――bold, cruel and desperate. Columbus listened to the plan of Ojeda, and, although he thought it wild and dangerous, he at length consented to it.

At the head of a party of brave men, Ojeda took up his march through the forests into the dominions of Caonabo. Having found him, he proposed to him to accompany him to Isabella, there to enter into a treaty of peace and friendship with Columbus.

Ojeda told him that, if he would go and enter into such a treaty, he should have the bell upon the church of Isabella. This was a powerful temptation; for nothing had struck the Indians with more wonder and admiration than the sound of this bell. Caonabo himself had heard the sound of it, in some of his secret prowlings around Isabella. He had listened to it with rapture, and now the offer of it determined him to accompany Ojeda. But, when the time came, Caonabo appeared at the head of a large body of warriors.

“Why is this?” asked Ojeda. “Are you not going as a friend?”

“O yes,” replied Caonabo; “but, as I am a king, I must appear like one.”

Finding Caonabo unwilling to go without his warriors, Ojeda consented that they should accompany him. One day, while on their return, they came to a river, on the banks of which they halted. Here Ojeda proposed that Caonabo should bathe; after which, he should mount his horse, and ride in state. To this, Caonabo consented, highly pleased with the idea of riding so fine an animal. Ojeda, accompanied by Caonabo and the Spaniards, now went a short distance, into a retired spot, and bathed. On coming out of the water, Caonabo was assisted to mount the horse behind Ojeda. When mounted, a set of beautifully polished steel shackles were fastened round the feet of Caonabo. To these he had no objection, not knowing for what they were intended, but supposed they were designed to add honor to him as a prince.

Ojeda and the Spaniards now mounted, and, with Caonabo following, now rode in among the warriors, making their horses prance and appear as fine as they were able. With this manoeuvre, the Indians appeared to be well pleased. Ojeda had made known his plan to his followers. So, riding round and round, they at length went to a considerable distance from the warriors. All at once, Ojeda gave the word of command, and the whole party of horsemen fled with their prisoner.

It was a bold project; yet it succeeded. The Indians were unable to equal the speed of the horses. Ojeda and his companions were soon out of sight, and far off at a distance from the warriors of Caonabo. It was in vain for him to attempt to escape. The shackles held him fast. But, at length halting, they bound him tight, and thus he was conducted in safety to Isabella.

Columbus was rejoiced to have him in his power. He was deemed to have forfeited his life by killing the Spaniards belonging to Fort La Navidad, and destroying that fortress. He was therefore detained as a prisoner by Columbus, who intended, at a proper time, to have him conveyed to Spain.

Caonabo was a proud chief. Even in confinement he carried himself loftily. Towards Columbus, he appeared to bear the bitterest hostility, while, to Ojeda, he gave much credit for his sagacity. We shall here add, respecting the fate of Caonabo, that, some time after, Columbus, on returning to Spain, took this haughty chief with him. But he died during the voyage.