ran Ciguarre that was
fabulously rich, that was indeed India sloping to Ganges. The Indians
were friendly enough for all their drum-beating and shell-blowing.
Quibian's first frowning aspect had been but aspect. A scarlet cloak
and a sack full of toys had made all right. There was rest on land, with
fruit and maize as we saw. Build a fort--leave a ship--divide our force.
A half would rest here, first settlers of a golden country with all
first settlers' advantage. Half sail with Christopherus Columbus back
to Spain--straight to Spain--for supplies and men. He would return, he
swore it, with all speed. A ship should be left, and beyond the ship,
the Adelantado.--It was for volunteers for the fortress and city of
Veragua!

In the end eighty men said "We will stay." We began to build. How long
since we had built La Navidad!

The River Bethlehem, that had been full when we entered, now was half
empty of its waters. The _Consolacion_, the _Juana_, and the _San
Sebastian_ that were to depart for Spain could not pass. The Admiral
hung, fitted to go, but waiting perforce for rains that should lift the
ships so they might pass the bar.

Again Juan Lepe was to stay--so surely would the staying need a
physician.

"It is March," said the Admiral. "God aiding, I and Fernando shall be
back in October at latest."

These Indians seemed to us to have Carib markings. Yet they all
professed amity and continuously brought in gold. We began to build by
the fort a storehouse for much gold.

Suddenly we found--Diego Mendez, bold enough and a great wanderer, doing
the finding--that Quibian's village up the river of Veragua contained
many too, many young men and men in their prime, and that by day and
night these continued to pour in. It had--Diego Mendez thought--much the
aspect of a camp whose general steadily received reenforcement.

Next day came to the Admiral an Indian who betrayed his people. Quibian
never meant to have in Veragua a swarm of white caciques! When he had
about him every young man, he was coming, coming, coming through the
woods!

The Admiral sent the Adelantado. That strong man chose fourscore
Spaniards, armed them and departed. By boat and through thick forest he
reached Quibian's village, descended upon it like a hurricane and seized
Quibian, much as long ago--long, long ago it seemed to us--Alonso de
Ojeda had seized Caonabo.

Juan Sanchez the pilot held Quibian in the long boat while the
Adelantado still w