calmly and
composedly to the tower when he had finished the exhibition.

He was a magnificent horseman, an accomplished knight and an able
soldier. There was no limit to his daring. He went with Columbus on
his second voyage, and, single-handed, effected the capture of a
powerful Indian cacique named Caonabo, by a mixture of adroitness,
audacity and courage.

Professing amity, he got access to the Indian, and, exhibiting some
polished manacles, which he declared were badges of royalty, he offered
to put them on the fierce but unsophisticated savage and then mount the
chief on his own horse to show him off like a Spanish monarch to his
subjects. The daring programme was carried out just exactly as it had
been planned. When Ojeda had got the forest king safely fettered and
mounted on his horse, he sprang up behind him, held him there firmly in
spite of his efforts, and galloped off to Columbus with his astonished
and disgusted captive.

[Illustration: "Ojeda Galloped Off with His Astonished Captive"]

{7}

Neither of the voyages was successful. With all of his personal
prowess, he was an unsuccessful administrator. He was poor, not to say
penniless. He had two powerful friends, however. One was Bishop
Fonseca, who was charged with the administration of affairs in the
Indies, and the other was stout old Juan de la Cosa. These two men
made a very efficient combination at the Spanish court, especially as
La Cosa had some money and was quite willing to put it up, a prime
requisite for the mercenary and niggardly Ferdinand's favor.

[Illustration: "The Indians Poured a Rain of Poisoned Arrows"]

The other claimant for the honor of leading the colony happened to be
another man small in stature, but also of great bodily strength,
although he scarcely equalled his rival in that particular. Nicuesa
had made a successful voyage to the Indies with Ovando, and had ample
command of means. He was a gentleman by birth and station--Ojeda was
that also--and was grand carver-in-chief to the King's uncle! Among
his other qualities for successful colonization were a beautiful voice,
a masterly touch on the guitar and an exquisite skill in equitation.
He had even taught his horse to keep time to music. Whether or not he
played that music himself on the back of the performing steed is not
recorded.

Ferdinand was unable to decide between the rival claimants. Finally he
determined to send out two expeditions. The Gulf