The Life and Voyages of Christopher Columbus, vol 2 | Page 7

things combined, which at length
induced him to enter into the conspiracy. A secret consultation was
held among the caciques, wherein it was concerted, that on the day of
payment of their quarterly tribute, when a great number could assemble
without causing suspicion, they should suddenly rise upon the
Spaniards and massacre them. [13]
By some means the garrison at Fort Conception received intimation of
this conspiracy. Being but a handful of men, and surrounded by hostile
tribes, they wrote a letter to the Adelantado, at San Domingo, imploring
immediate aid. As this letter might be taken from their Indian
messenger, the natives having discovered that these letters had a
wonderful power of communicating intelligence, and fancying they
could talk, it was inclosed in a reed, to be used as a staff. The
messenger was, in fact, intercepted; but, affecting to be dumb and lame,
and intimating by signs that he was returning home, was permitted to
limp forward on his journey. When out of sight he resumed his speed,
and bore the letter safely and expeditiously to San Domingo. [14]
The Adelantado, with his characteristic promptness and activity, set out
immediately with a body of troops for the fortress; and though his men
were much enfeebled by scanty fare, hard service, and long marches,
hurried them rapidly forward. Never did aid arrive more opportunely.
The Indians were assembled on the plain, to the amount of many
thousands, armed after their manner, and waiting for the appointed time
to strike the blow. After consulting with the commander of the fortress
and his officers, the Adelantado concerted a mode of proceeding.
Ascertaining the places in which the various caciques had distributed
their forces, he appointed an officer with a body of men to each cacique,
with orders, at an appointed hour of the night, to rush into the villages,
surprise them asleep and unarmed, bind the caciques, and bring them

off prisoners. As Guarionex was the most important personage, and his
capture would probably be attended with most difficulty and danger,
the Adelantado took the charge of it upon himself, at the head of one
hundred men.
This stratagem, founded upon a knowledge of the attachment of the
Indians to their chieftains, and calculated to spare a great effusion of
blood, was completely successful. The villages, having no walls nor
other defences, were quietly entered at midnight; and the Spaniards,
rushing suddenly into the houses where the caciques were quartered,
seized and bound them, to the number of fourteen, and hurried them off
to the fortress, before any effort could be made for their defence or
rescue. The Indians, struck with terror, made no resistance, nor any
show of hostility; surrounding the fortress in great multitudes, but
without weapons, they filled the air with doleful howlings and
lamentations, imploring the release of their chieftains. The Adelantado
completed his enterprise with the spirit, sagacity, and moderation with
which he had hitherto conducted it. He obtained information of the
causes of this conspiracy, and the individuals most culpable. Two
caciques, the principal movers of the insurrection, and who had most
wrought upon the easy nature of Guarionex, were put to death. As to
that unfortunate cacique, the Adelantado, considering the deep wrongs
he had suffered, and the slowness with which he had been provoked to
revenge, magnanimously pardoned him; nay, according to Las Casas,
he proceeded with stern justice against the Spaniard whose outrage on
his wife had sunk so deeply in his heart. He extended his lenity also to
the remaining chieftains of the conspiracy; promising great favors and
rewards, if they should continue firm in their loyalty; but terrible
punishments should they again be found in rebellion. The heart of
Guarionex was subdued by this unexpected clemency. He made a
speech to his people, setting forth the irresistible might and valor of the
Spaniards; their great lenity to offenders, and their generosity to such as
were faithful; and he earnestly exhorted them henceforth to cultivate
their friendship. The Indians listened to him with attention; his praises
of the white men were confirmed by their treatment of himself; when
he had concluded, they took him up on their shoulders, bore him to his
habitation with songs and shouts of joy, and for some time the

tranquillity of the Vega was restored. [15]
Chapter III.
The Adelantado Repairs to Xaragua to Receive Tribute.
[1497.]

With all his energy and discretion, the Adelantado found it difficult to
manage the proud and turbulent spirit of the colonists. They could ill
brook the sway of a foreigner, who, when they were restive, curbed
them with an iron hand. Don Bartholomew had not the same legitimate
authority in their eyes as his brother. The admiral was the discoverer of
the country, and the authorized representative of the sovereigns;