herons could not always see
it.

This butio--Guarin his name--was a young man with eyes that could burn
and voice that fell naturally into a chant. He took me into the forest
with him to look for a very rare tree. When it was found I watched him
gather plants from beneath it and scrape bits off its bark into a small
calabash. I understood that it was good for fever, and later I borrowed
from him and found that he had grounds for what he said.

La Navidad and Guarico neighbored each other. The Indians came freely to
the fort, but Diego de Arana made a good _alcayde_ and he would not
have mere crowding within our wooden wall. Half of our thirty-eight,
permitted at a time to wander, could not crowd Guarico. But in himself
each Spaniard seemed a giant. At first a good giant, profoundly
interesting. But I was to see pleased interest become a painful
interest.

Women. The first complaint arose about the gods or the giants and women.
Guacanagari came to La Navidad with Guarin and several old men his
councilors. Diego de Arana received them and there was talk under the
great tree within our gate. Then all the garrison was drawn up, and in
the presence of the cacique Arana gave rebuke and command, and the two
that had done the outrage had prison for a week. It was our first plain
showing in this world that heaven-people or Europeans could differ among
themselves as to right and wrong, could quarrel, upbraid and punish. But
here was evidently good and bad. And what might be the proportion? As
days went by the question gathered in this people's bosom.

It was not that their women stood aloof from our men. Many did not so
in the least! But it was to be free will and actual fondness, and in
measure.--But there were those among us who, finding in lonely places,
took by force. These became hated.

Diego de Arana was to collect the gold that was a royal monopoly.
Trading for gold for one's self was forbidden. Assuredly taking it by
force--assuredly all robbery of that or anything else--was forbidden.
But there came a robbery, and since it was resisted, murder followed.
This was a league from Guarico and from La Navidad. The slain Indian's
companion escaping, told.

This time Diego de Arana went to Guarico and Guacanagari. He took with
him a rich present, and he showed how the guilty men were punished. "You
do not slay them?" asked Guacanagari. Arana shook his head. He thought
we were too few in this land to be ridding of life th