A line was to be drawn from top to bottom of Ocean-Sea,
and Portugal might discover to the east of it, and Spain to
the west! The Holy Father would confirm, and so the
mighty spoil be justly divided. Every great geographer
should come into counsel. The greatest of them all, the
Discoverer, surely so! The Queen urged the Admiral's presence.
But he could not go. Sense of duty to his Viceroyship
held him as with chains. Then Bartholomew? But Bartholomew
was greatly needed for the war. He sent Don
Diego, a gentle, able man who longed for a cloister and a few
hundred monks, fatherly, admirably, to rule.
Antonio de Torres stayed few weeks in Hispaniola. The
Viceroy and Admiral would have his letter in the royal
hands. Torres took that and took gold and strange plants,
and also six hundred Indian captives to be sold for slaves.
War went on in Hispaniola, but not for long. We had
horses and bloodhounds and men in armor, trained in the
long Moorish strife. There was a battle in the Vega that
ended as it must end.
Behechio and Anacaona fled to the high mountains. Manicoatex
and Gwarionex sued for peace. It was granted, but
a great tribute was imposed. Now all Hayti must gather
gold for Spain.
Now began, a little to-day and a little to-morrow, long
woe for Hayti! It was the general way of our Age.
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