"A fort, senor, a fort!"
Council was held by the Yanique. A fort,--a luckier than
La Navidad! Men left here to collect gold, establish a road,
keep communication with Isabella which in turn should forward
supplies and men. The returning fleet might bring
two thousand--nay, five thousand men! It would certainly
bring asses and mules as well as horses. We should have
burden-bearers. Moreover, a company of Indians might be
trained to come and go as carriers. Train them, set some
sort of penalty for malfeasance.
"They should be taught to mine for us," said Pedro
Margarite. "Pay them? Of course--of course! But do
not pay them too much. Do not we protect them from
Caribs and save their souls to boot? Take it as tribute!"
It was the first time the word was said, in Spanish, here.
We built a fort much after the model of La Navidad
and named it St. Thomas. When after days it was done,
and commandant must be chosen, the Viceroy's choice fell
upon Pedro Margarite. And that was great pity. But he
could not know Margarite then as afterwards he came to
know him. Fifty-six men he left with Margarite, and the
rest of us marched home across the Vega and the northern
mountains to Isabella.
Sickness. Quarrels. Idleness, vanity, dissensions and
accusations. Heat, more sickness, wild quarrels.
Tidings from Margarite at St.
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