There it
was determined to capture, if possible, Caonabo, withdrawing
him so from the confederacy. The confederacy might then
go to pieces. In the meantime use every effort to detach
from it Gwarionex who after Guacanagari was our nearest
great cacique. Send a well-guarded, placating embassy to
him and to Cotubanama. Try kindness, kindness everywhere,
kind words and good deeds!--And build another
fort called Fort Concepcion.
Take Caonabo! That was a task for Alonso de Ojeda!
He did it. Five days after the council, the Viceroy being
now recovered and bringing strength to work that needed
strength, the Adelantado vigorously helping, Isabella in a
good mood, the immediate forest all a gold and green peacefulness,
Don Alonso vanished, and with him fourteen picked
men, all mounted.
For six weeks it was as though he had dropped into the
sea, or risen into the blue sky above eyesight.
Then on a Sunday he and his fourteen rode into town.
We had a great church bell and it was ringing, loudly, sonorously.
He rode in and at once there arose a shout, "Don
Alonso de Ojeda!" All his horsemen rode with him, and
rode also one who was not Castilian. On a gray steed a
bare, bronze figure--Caonabo!
The church bell swung, the church bell rang. Riding
beneath the squat tower, all our people pouring forth from
our poor houses upon the returned and his captive, the
latter had eyes, it seemed to me, but for that bell.
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