The Viceroy of the
Indies and Admiral of Ocean-Sea? Dead probably!--and
what were these Colombos? Italian wool-combers! But here
stood hidalgos of Spain!--"Old story," said Luis Torres.
"Many times, many places, man being one in imperfection."
A choppy sea had followed Margarite's return. Up and
down, to and fro, and one day it might seem Margarite was
in control, and the next, Don Diego, but with Margarite's
wave racing up behind. Then appeared three ships with men
and supplies and Don Bartholomew! Margarite saw Don
Diego strengthened. He was bold enough, Margarite! on
a dark night, at eve, there were so many ships before Isabella
but when morn broke they were fewer by two. Margarite
and the Apostolic Vicar and a hundred disaffected were
departed the Indies! "Have they gotten to Spain? And
what do they say? God, He knoweth!--There have been
great men and they have been stung to death."
"Ay, ay, the old story!" I said, and would learn about
the pacification of the Indians.
"Why, they are not pacified," answered Luis. "Worse
follows worse. Pedro Margarite left two bands in the
Vega, and from all I hear they turned devils. It looked like
peace itself, didn't it, this great, fair, new land, when first
we stepped upon it, and raised the banner and then the cross?
It's that no longer. They're up, the Indians, Caonabo and
three main caciques, and all the lesser ones under these.
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