an Indian
who had become attached to the Spaniards they learned that Quibian
intended to surprise the Spaniards by night, to burn the vessels and
houses, and make a general massacre. To prevent him carrying out his
plan, the Adelantado offered to go up the river and capture him and his
principal chiefs and family during the night, and to bring them in
chains on board.

Taking Diego Mendez, with seventy men and an interpreter, he set off on
the 30th of March. Reaching the neighbourhood of the village, he left
the rest of his people, and, accompanied by Diego Mendez and four
others, went forward. The remainder, two and two, climbed the hill. It
was arranged that upon the discharge of an arquebus they were to
surround the dwelling and suffer no one to escape.

As the Adelantado approached, Quibian came out to meet him, and seated
himself in the porch; Don Bartholomew telling Mendez and his companions
to remain at a little distance, and that when they should see him take
the cacique by the arm, to rush immediately to his assistance.

He then advanced with his Indian interpreter, and after a short
conversation, pretending to examine the cacique's wound, he took him by
the arm.

At the concerted signal four of the Spaniards rushed forward, the fifth
discharged his arquebus. The cacique attempted to get loose, but was
held firm in the iron grasp of the Adelantado. A violent struggle
ensued, but Diego Mendez and the rest coming up, Quibian was bound hand
and foot; and at the report of the arquebus the main body of the
Spaniards surrounded the house and seized all who were within, the wives
and children of Quibian included. When the savages saw their chief a
captive, with loud cries they implored his liberty, offering a rich
treasure as his ransom.

The Adelantado, deaf to their entreaties, carried off Quibian and the
other prisoners to the boat, committing them to the charge of Juan
Sanchez, the principal pilot, while he remained on shore with part of
his men to secure the Indians who had escaped.

The night was dark, and as the boats proceeded down the river Quibian
pretended that the cord which bound him to a bench hurt his limbs, and
the pilot loosed it.

The wily Indian, watching his opportunity, plunged into the water, and
in the darkness and confusion it was not known whether he sank or
reached the bank. Sanchez, crestfallen, returned in the boats to the
ships.

The next morning the Adelantado, seeing f