at the village of Cuebas some time
after the departure of Ojeda. He found the oratory preserved
with the most religious care, as a sacred place, and the
picture of the Virgin regarded with fond adoration. The poor
Indians crowded to attend mass, which he performed at the
altar; they listened attentively to his paternal instructions,
and at his request brought their children to be baptized. The
good Las Casas having heard much of this famous relique of
Ojeda, was desirous of obtaining possession of it, and offered
to give the cacique in exchange, an image of the Virgin which
he had brought with him. The chieftain made an evasive answer,
and seemed much troubled in mind. The next morning he did not
make his appearance.

"Las Casas went to the oratory to perform mass, but found the
altar stripped of its precious relique. On inquiring, he learnt
that in the night the cacique had fled to the woods, bearing
off with him his beloved picture of the Virgin. It was in vain
that Las Casas sent messengers after him, assuring him that he
should not be deprived of the relique, but, on the contrary,
that the image should likewise be presented to him. The cacique
refused to venture from the fastnesses of the forest, nor did
he return to his village and replace the picture in the
oratory, until after the departure of the Spaniards."

The fate of Ojeda was that of a ruined man. He lingered for some time at
San Domingo, but he no longer appeared there as the governor of a
province. He was a needy wanderer. His health was broken down by wounds
and hardships, and he died at last so poor that he did not leave money
enough to pay for his interment; and so broken in spirit, that he
entreated with his last breath, that his body might be buried at the
portal of the Monastery of St. Francisco, in humble expiation of his
past pride, "so that every one who entered might tread upon his grave."

When the gallant and generous minded Nicuesa left Ojeda, he sailed to
the west to encounter perils still greater than his rival endured. His
squadron arrived safely on the coast of Veragua. He there embarked
himself in a small caravel belonging to it, that he might the better
explore the inlets and places along the shore, committing the charge of
the other vessels to his lieutenant Lope de Olano. One night, shortly
after making this arrangement, a