n his estates adjoining the Atrato, which were
worked extensively for him by the natives whom he and his companions
had forced into subjection, had yielded him enormous wealth. He
settled in Cartagena, determined to make it his future home, and at
once set about buying great blocks of houses and erecting a palace for
himself. He began to acquire lands and mines in all directions. He
erected a sumptuous summer residence in what is now the suburb of
Turbaco. He built an _arena_, and bred bulls for it from famous stock
which he imported from the mother-country. He gave _fetes_ and public
entertainments on the most lavish scale imaginable. In short, he
quickly became Cartagena's most influential and distinguished citizen,
as he was easily her richest.

But far more important to mention than all these dry details was the
undoubted change of character which had come over the man himself.
Perhaps it was the awful heat of the steaming Atrato valley that drew
the fire from his livid soul. Perhaps it was a dawning appreciation of
the opportunities made possible by his rapid acquisition of wealth
that had softened his character. Some said he had seen a vision of the
Virgin Mary. Others laid it to a terrible fever, in which for days he
had lain delirious in the shadow of death. Be that as it may, the
bloodthirsty _Conquistador_, who a few years before angrily shook the
dust of Cartagena from his feet, had now returned a changed man.

At once Juan began to manifest in an ever increasing degree an
interest in matters religious. In this respect his former character
suffered a complete reversal. He assiduously cultivated the clergy,
and gave large sums for the support of the Cathedral and the religious
orders of the city. The Bishop became a frequent guest at his
sumptuous table; and as often he in turn sought the Bishop for
consultation anent his benefactions and, in particular, for
consolation when haunted by sad memories of his devilish exploits in
early life. When the great-hearted Padre Bartolome de las Casas,
infirm but still indefatigable in his work for the protection and
uplift of the Indians, arrived one memorable day in his little canoe
which his devoted native servants had paddled through the _dique_ from
the great river beyond, Juan was the first to greet him and insist
that he make his home with him while in the city. And on the night of
the Padre's arrival it is said that Juan, with tears streaming down
his scarred and