Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1829-07-15
From Irpiag's abridgea LIFE of Columbus.


= The most formidable enemy of the Span
iards was Caonabo, the Carib cacique of the
mountains. He had natural talents for war
great sagaciV, proud and daring spirit to
urge him on, three valiant brothers to assist
him, and numerous tribe at his command.
He had been enraged at seeing the fortress of
st. Thomas erected in the very centre of his
dominions; and finding by his spies that the
garrison was reduced to but fifty men, and the
army of Magarita dismembered, he thought
the time had arrived to strike signal blow.
and TO repeat the horrors which he had
wreaked upon La Navidad
The willy cacique, however had a different
kind of enemy to deal with in the commander
of ST. Thomas. Alonzo de Ojeda deserves
particular noticeas specimen of the singular
characters which arose among the Spanish
discoveries He had been schooled in Moor
lsh wafare, and Of course versed in all kinds
OF military stratagems. Naturally of rash
and fiery spirit, his courage was heightened
by superstition. Having never received a
wound in his numerous quarrels and encoun-
tiers, he considered himself under the special
protection OF the holy Virgin, and that no
weapon had power to harm him. He had
small Flemish painting of the Virgin, which
he carried constantly with him; in his marches
he bore 1t In his knapsack, and would often
his prayers TO his military patroness. In
word, he swore by the Virgin; he invoked
the Virgin either in brawl or battle; and un-
der favor ofthe Virgin he was ready for any
enterprlze or adventure. Such was Alonzo
de OJeda, bigotedin devotion, reckless in life,
fearless In spirit, like many of the rowing
spanish cavaliers of those DAYS.
Having reconnoitered the fortress Of ST.
Thomas, Caonabo assembled ten thousand
warriors, armed with war clubs, bows and
arrows and lances, hardened in the fire, and
led them secretly through the forests, think
ing to surprize Oleda, but found him warily
drawn up within his fortress, which was built
upon hill, and nearly surrounded by river.
Caonabo then held the fortress in siege for
thirty days, and reduced il to great distress.
tie lost many of his bravest warriors, how
ever, by the impetuous sallies of Oeda, others
grew weary Of the siege and returned home
He at length relinquished the attempt, and
retired filed with admiration of the proves
of Oieda
The restless chieftain now endeavored &c
form aleague ofthe principal caciques Of the
island to unite their forces, surprise the set
Element Of Isabella, and massacre the Span
iards wherever they could be found.
While perplexed on this subject, Columbu,
was relieved by proposition Of Alonzo de
OIeda, who undertook to bring the Garth
chieftain either friend or captive to the set
Element
Choosingten bold and hardy followers, wei
armed and well mounted, and invoking the
protection OF his patroness the Virgin, Oeda
plunged into the forest, and making his wa,
above sixty leagues into the wild territorie,
OF Caonabo, appeared fearlessly before the
cacique in one Of his most populous towns
protesting to come on an amicable embass,
from the admiral. He was well received bS
Caonabo, who had tried him in battle, and
had conceived a warriors admiration of him
The free danntless department, gEeat person.
cl strength 0nd AGILITY, and surprising adroit
ness ofOJeda, in all manly and warlike exer
clses, were calculated TO charm a savage, anc
soon made bin favorite with Ca6nabo.-
lie used all BIS influence 20 prevail upon the
cacique to repair 10 Isabella, and enter into
a treaty with Columbus, offering him, il i
said, as an inducement, the bell ofthe churcI
a. the.barbour, which was an object of grea
wopesraDd admiration to the Indians.
tTacique atlepgth consented; but when
The . Came TO skPsIts DieJa bcIcld with