ves, and procure by traffic a large amount of gold. He resolved
also to build a fortress for their defence, to be armed with the guns
saved from the wreck. With his usual promptness he had the work
commenced.

When Guacanagari heard that some of the Spaniards were to be left on the
island for its defence from the Caribs, he was overjoyed, as were his
subjects, who eagerly lent their assistance in building the fortress,
little dreaming that they were assisting to place on their necks the
galling yoke of slavery.

While the work of the fortress was rapidly going on, Guacanagari treated
the Admiral with princely generosity. As Columbus, on one occasion, was
landing, the cacique met him, accompanied by five tributary chiefs, each
carrying a coronet of gold. On arriving at his house, Guacanagari took
off his own crown and placed it on the head of the Admiral. Columbus
presented, in return, a collar of fine coloured beads, his mantle of
cloth, a pair of coloured boots, and placed on his finger a large ring
of silver, which the Indians valued far more than gold. The cacique
also exerted himself to procure a great quantity of gold.

Columbus, by misunderstanding names and descriptions, formed the most
magnificent idea of the wealth of the interior of the island, and even
in the red pepper which abounded he fancied that he traced Oriental
spices. He was thus led to believe that the shipwreck was providential,
as, had he sailed away, he should not have heard of its vast wealth.
What in some spirits would have awakened a grasping and sordid cupidity
to accumulate, immediately filled his vivid imagination with plans of
magnificent expenditure.

To the fortress, which was of some size, and sufficiently strong to
repulse a naked and unwarlike people, Columbus gave the name of La
Navidad, in memory of having escaped shipwreck on Christmas Day. He
considered it very likely to prove most useful in keeping the garrison
themselves in order, and to prevent them wandering about and committing
acts of licentiousness among the natives.

Of the numbers who volunteered he selected thirty-nine in all, among
whom was a physician, a ship's carpenter, a cooper, a tailor, and a
gunner; the command being given to Diego de Arana, notary and alguazil
of the armament, with Pedro Gutierrez and Rodrigo de Escobedo as his
lieutenants, directing them to obtain all the information in their
power. He charged the garrison to be especially circums