of the natives.

To prevent his men roving about the neighbourhood, he ordered that no
one should go on shore without a special licence, and every other
possible precaution was taken to prevent giving offence to the Indians.
Scarcely had these arrangements been made, than the natives appeared in
vast numbers, bringing provisions to barter. That no disputes might
arise, two persons were appointed to superintend all such trading
transactions. It was feared, however, that the food thus furnished
would soon fall short, in which case the Spaniards would be reduced to
famine. In this emergency, Diego Mendez, with his accustomed zeal,
offered to set off with three men on a foraging expedition. He was
everywhere treated with the utmost kindness by the natives, who supplied
him and his companions with meat and drink; and he made arrangements
with the cacique of a numerous tribe that his subjects should hunt and
fish, and bring cassava bread every day to the harbour. They were to
receive, in exchange, various articles which they most valued.

This arrangement being made, Mendez dispatched a message to apprise the
Admiral, and then proceeded upon his journey, during which he visited
three different caciques, who all agreed to his proposals.

Having now sent back his companions, Mendez made his way to the eastern
end of the island, where he found a powerful cacique, named Ameyro. He
won over this chief by his ingratiating manner, and, having purchased a
canoe, induced him to send six Indians to navigate it. He made a
successful trip, and when he rejoined the Admiral, he found that the
canoes of the friendly chief had already arrived with abundance of
provisions.

The great desire of Columbus was now to get from the island. But his
ships were like sieves, and he had but one small boat. The idea
occurred to him that he might send Diego Mendez, in the canoe lately
obtained, to Hispaniola. He broached the subject to his worthy
follower, who at once agreed to perform the hazardous voyage, provided
no better man was to be found to undertake it.

All were perfectly ready to let Mendez go. He accordingly embarked, the
Admiral's despatches being ready, with one Spaniard and six Indians.
The brave officer at first paddled to the east end of the island, where
he remained waiting for calm weather. When here, he and his men were
seized by a party of savages, who were about to kill them, when Mendez,
making his escape, reached h