d, and a fortnight
later we came to San Domingo, that Christopherus Columbus had never
seen, though to us in Hispaniola it was an old town, having been builded
above two years.

The Viceroy and the Adelantado clasped hands, embraced; tears ran down
their bronzed cheeks.

Not later than a day after our anchoring, the ships being unladed, all
San Domingo coming and going, trumpets blew and gathered all to our open
place before the Viceroy's house. Proclamation--Viceregal Proclamation!
First, thanks to God for safe return, and second, hearty approval of the
Adelantado, all his Acts and Measures.

There were two parties in San Domingo, and one now echoed in a shout
approval of the Adelantado, and the other made here a dead silence, and
here a counter-murmur. I heard a man say, "Fool praises fool! Villain
brother upholding villain brother!"

Now I do not think the Adelantado's every act was wise, nor the
Viceroy's either, for that matter. But they were far, far, those
brothers, from fool and villain!

The Proclamation arrived at long thunders against Francisco Roldan his
sedition. Here again the place divided as before. Roldan, I had it from
Luis Torres, was in Xaragua, safe and arrogant, harking on Indian war,
undermining everywhere. Our line of forts held for the Adelantado, but
the two or three hundred Spaniards left in Isabella were openly Roldan's
men. The Viceroy, through the voice of Miguel the Herald, recited,
denounced and warned, then left Francisco Roldan and with suddenness
made statement that within a few days five ships would sail for Spain,
and that all Spaniards whomsoever, who for reasons whatsoever desired
Home, had his consent to go! Consent, Free Passage, and No Questioning!

Whereat the place buzzed loudly, and one saw that many would go.

Many did go upon the ships that sailed not in a few days but a few
weeks. Some went for good reasons, but many for ill. Juan Lepe heard
afar and ahead of time the great tide of talk when they should arrive in
Spain! And though many went who wished the Admiral ill, many stayed, and
forever Roldan made for him more enemies, open or secret.

He sent, it is true, upon those ships friends to plead his cause.
Don Francisco de Las Casas went to Spain and others went. And he sent
letters. Juan Lepe, much in his house, tending him who needed the
physician Long-Rest and Ease-of-Mind, heard these letters read. There
was one to the Sovereigns in which he related with simp