Now, this man, Christopherus Columbus, always appeared most highly and
nobly Man, most everlasting and universal, in great personal trouble and
danger. It was, I hold, because nothing was to him smally personal, but
always pertained to great masses, to worlds and to ages. Now, looking at
him, I knew that trouble and danger had arrived. He said very little. If
I remember, it was, "My friends, the Sovereigns whom we trust and obey,
have sent a Commissioner, Don Francisco de Bobadilla, whom we must go
meet. We ride from Concepcion at once to Bonao."

We rode, his company and Carvajal's company.

Don Francisco de Bobadilla! Jayme de Marchena had some association here.
It disentangled itself, came at last clear. A Commander of the Order of
Calatrava--about the King in some capacity--able and honest, men said.
Able and honest, Jayme de Marchena had heard said, but also a passionate
man, and a vindictive, and with vanity enough for a legion of peacocks.

We came to Bonao and rested here. I had a word that night from the
Admiral. "Doctor, Doctor, a man must outlook storm! He grew man by
that."

I asked if I might know what was the matter.

He answered, "I do not know myself. Don Diego says that great powers
have been granted Don Francisco de Bobadilla. I have not seen those
powers. But he has demanded in the name of the Sovereigns our prisoners,
our ships and towns and forts, and has cited us to appear before him and
answer charges--of I know not what! I well think it is a voice without
true mind or power behind it--I go to San Domingo, but not just at his
citation!"

Later, in the moonlight, one of our men told me that which a man of
Carvajal had told him. All the Admiral's enemies, and none ever said
they were few, had this fire-new commissioner's ear! A friend could not
get within hail. Just or unjust, every complaint came and squatted in a
ring around him. Maybe some were just--such as soldiers not being
able to get their pay, for instance. There was never but one who lived
without spot or blemish. But of course we knew that the old Admiral
wasn't really a tyrant, cruel and a fool! Of course not. Carvajal's man
was prepared to fight any man of his own class who would say that to his
face! He'd fight, too, for the Adelantado. Don Francisco de Bobadilla
had no sooner landed than he began to talk and act as though they were
all villains. Don Diego--whom it was laughable to call a villain--and
all. He went to mass at o