Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1891-10-01


for the remainder of his life to this is
land. which was doomed to be to him q
source Of cares and troubles, to involve
him in a thousand perplexities, and to
becloud his declining years with humil-
iation and disappointment
CHAPTER XIV.
DEPARTURE OF COLUMBUS FOR SPAIN.
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 10
was sufficiently complete for service. A
large vault had been made, over which
was erected strong wooden tower. and
the whole was surrounded by wide
ditch. tt was stored with all the am.
munition 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 repulse this 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 garrison more requisite to keep the
Spaniards themselves in order, and pre-
vent their wandering about and commit
ting acts Of licentiousness among tho
natives.
The fortress being finished, he gave it,
as well as the adjacent village and the
harbor, the name of La Navidad, or the
Nativity, in memorial of their having
escaped from the shipwreck 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 physician, ship
carpenter, calker, cooper, tailor and gun
ner, all expert at their several callings.
The command was given to Diego de
Arana, a native of Cordova, and notary
and alguazil to the armament, who was
to retain all the powers vested in him by
the catholic sovereigns. In case Of bis
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, variety Of
seeds to SOW, and large quantity OF ar
ticles for traffic, that they might procure
as much gold rs possible against the adj
miral's return
As the time drew nigh for his depart
ure. Columbus assembled those who
were to remain in the island and made
them an earnest address, charging them,
in the name of the sovereigns, to be obe-
dent to the officer left in command; TO
maintain the utmost respect and rever-
ence for the cacique Guacanagari and
his chieftains, recollecting how deeply
they were indebted to his goodness, and
how important 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 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 aud shoals which beset its en-
trance.
On the I'd Of January, l493, Columbus
landed to take farewell of the gener-
Gus cacique and his chieftains, intending
the next day to set sail lie gave them
a parting feast at the house devoted to
bis nse, and commended to their kind
ness the men who were to remain, espe-
pecially Diego de Arana, Pedro Cutter
rez and Rodrigo de Escobedo. his lieu
tenants, assuring the cacique that when
he returned from CASTLE he would
bring abundance of jewels more pre-
cious than any he or his people had yet
seen. The worthy Guacanagari showed
great concern Mt the idea of his depart
nre, and assured him that, as to those
who remained, he should furnish them
with provisions and render them every
service in his power.
Once more to impress the Indians with
an idea of the warlika prowess Of the
white men, Columbus caused the crews
to perform skirmishes and mock fights
with swords, bucklers, lances, cross
bows, arquebuses and cannon. The In
dians were astonished at the keenness of
the swords and at the deadly power Of
the crossbows and arquebuses, but they
were struck with awe when the heavy
Lombards were discharged from the
fortress, wrapping it in wreaths Of
smoke, shaking the forests with their
report and shivering the trees with the
balls of stone used in artillery in those
times AS these tremendous powers,
however, were all to be employed for
their protection, they yejoiced while they
trembied, since no Carib wonld now dare
to invade their island.
The festivities of the day being over,
Columbus embraced the cacique and his
principal chieftains, and took q final
leave Of them. Guacanagari shed tears:
for while he had been awed by the dig
nified demeanor Of the admiral and the
idea Of his superhuman nature, he had
been completely won by the benignity
OF his manners Indeed, the parting
scene was sorrowful on all sides. The
arrival of the ships had been an event Of
wonder and excitement to the islanders,
who had as yet known nothing but the
good qualities of their guests and had
been enriched by their celestial gifts,
while the rude seamen had been fat
iered BY the blind Difference paid them
and captivated by the kindness and un-
limited indulgence with which they had
been treated