Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1891-10-29
CHAPTER XIV.
CONFINED FROM LAST SUPPLEMENT-

So great was the activity of the Span
iardS in the construction of their for
tress, and SO ample the assistance rem
dered by the natives that IN ten days it
was sufficiently complete for service. a
large vault had been made. over which
was erected Il strong wooden tower and
the whole was surrounded by Il wide
ditch. 1t was stored with all the am
1nunition saved from the wreck or that
could be spared from the caravel. and
the guns being mounted the whole had
formidable aspect, sufficient to over
awe and repul9e tins naked and unWar-
like people Indeed. Columbus was of
opinion that but little force was neces-
sary to subJugate the whole island. He
considered fortress and the restrictions
Of IA garrison more requisite to keep the
s5panards themselves in order and pre-
vent their wandering about and commit
ting acts of RIGHTEOUSNESS among the
natives.
The fortress being finished, he gave 1t,
rs well az the adjacent village and the
harbor the name of La Navidad, or the
Nativity, III memorial of their having
escaped from the shlpwreck on Christ
mas day Many volunteered to remain
on the island, from whom he selected
thirty-nine of the most able and exem-
plary, and among them "A physician, ship
carpenter, calker, cooper, tailor and gun
rer all expert at their several callings.
The command was given to Diego de
Arana. Il native of Cordova. and notary
and alguazil to the armament, who was
to retain all the powers vested in him by
the catholic sovercigns. In case of his
death, Pedro Gutierrez was to command.
and he dying, Rodrigo de Escobedo
The boat of the wreck WAS left with
them to be used in fishing, Il variety of
seeds to SOW, and a large quantity of ar
tices for traffic, that they might procure
As much gold us possible against the ad-
miraIs retarn.
AS the time drew nigh for his depart
ure, Columbus assembled those who
We're to remain in the island and made
then an earnest address, charging them,
in the name Of the sOvereigns to be ODE
dent to the officer left IN command; to
maintain the utmost respect and rever-
ence for the caciqUe Guac0nagari and
his chieftuins. recollecting how deeply
they We're indebted to his goodness, and
how important Il continuance of it was
to their Welfare; to be circumspect in
their intercourse with the natives. avoid
ing disputes and treating them always
with gentleness and justice, and, above
all being discreet in their conduct to-
ward the Indian women, misconduct in
this respect being the frequent source of
troubles and disasters in the intercourse
with savage nations. He warned them,
moreover not to scatter themselves
asunder, but to keep together for mutual
safety, and not to stray beyond the
friendly territory of Guacanagari. He
enjoined it upon Arana and the others
in command to acquire a knowledge of
the productions and mines of the island
to procure gold and spices, and to seek
along the coast better situation for a
settlement, the present harbOr being in
convenient and dangerous from the
rocks and shoals which beset its en-
trance.
On the % Of January, 1903. Columbus
landed to take Il farewell of the gener-
Gus cacique and his chieftalns, intending
the next 0u5 to set sail He gave them
porting ,...at ii the house devoted to
ll' u-r and commended 70 their kind
ness the men who were to remain. espe-
lecialY DIEGO de ArauG. Pei ro Cutter
re- Hnd Rodrigo de E,coordo hls licu-
t"Ngnl assuring "a" c9ciune that when
Ire rc,idr,'J tr.m CASTLE he would
bring abundance o! jewels nor. pro-
cians than any he or his people had yet
(t-r.t,,.t,.tr.s.1 1
great concern ut the idea Of A.s depart
T!e. aad assured hiu that, rs to these
who remained, lac should furnish them
with provisions and render them every
service III his lower
once more 10 impress the Indians with
ar idea ui tie War..r proves Of tire
white men. Culunbus caused the crews
to perform sklnulahes and mock h4Ets,
with swords, huckitrs, laucos. cross
bows, arqUebuseS and cannon The In
dams were astonlshed at the Eeenue5s Of
the swords and at the deadly power OF
the crossuows and arquobuse, out they
were struck with awe WHOM the heavy
LonbHrds were discharged from Tic
fortress, wrapping it in wretths o.
smoke Shaking the forests with thcil
report ana SlllNrtINt inc trees Win lN'
balls Of stone used in artillery IN thoS
times AS these Tremendous powers
however, Were all to be employed TO
their protection, they reioiced while the,
trcmbed. since no Carib would now dar
TO invade their island,
The festivities of the day being over
Columbus embraced the Cacique and hi
principal chieftans, and took a fina
leave Of them Guacanagari shed tears
for while he had been awed by the dig
nified demearor OF the admiral and tn
idea Of his superhuman nature, he hat
been completely won by tho benignt
of his manners Indeed, the partin
scene was sorrowful on all sides. Til