ill-tempered man, answered loudly so that all
around could hear, "For ill-service to our lord the King and Queen, and
to their subjects here in the Indies, and to God!"

"God knows, you hurt the truth!" said the Admiral. "Where is my brother,
Don Diego?"

"Laid by the heels in the Santa Catarina," answered the graceless man;
then to one of the soldiers, "Take the banner from behind him and rest
it against the wall."

The Admiral said, "I would see Don Francisco de Bobadilla."

"That is as he desires and when he desires," the other replied. "Close
around him, men!"

The fortress of San Domingo is a gloomy place. They prisoned him
here, and they put irons upon him. I saw that done. One or two of his
immediate following, and I his physician might enter with him.

He stood in the dismal place where one ray of light came down from
a high, small, grated window, and he looked at the chains which they
brought. He asked, "Who will put them on?"

He looked at the chains and at the soldier who brought them. "Put them
on, man!" he said. "What! Once thou didst nail God's foot to a cross! As
for me, I will remember that One who saved all, and be patient."

They chained him and left him there in the dark.

I saw him the next day, entering with his gaoler. Had he slept? "Yes."

"How did he find himself?"

"How does my body find itself? Why, no worse than usual, nowadays that I
am getting old! My body has been unhappier a thousand times in storm and
fight, and thirst and famine."

"Then mind and soul?" I asked.

"They are well. There is nothing left for them but to feel well. I am in
the hand of God."

I did what service for him I could. He thanked me. "You've been ever
as tender as a woman. A brave man besides! I hope you'll be by me, Juan
Lepe, when I die."

"When you die, senor, there will die a great servant of the world."

I spoke so because I knew the cordial that he wanted.

His eyes brightened, strength came into his voice. "Do you know aught of
my brother the Adelantado?"

"No. He may be on his way from Xaragua. What would you wish him to do,
sir?"

"Come quietly to San Domingo as I came. This Governor is but a violent,
petty shape! But I have sworn to obey the Queen and the King of the
Spains. I and mine to obey."

I asked him if he believed that the Sovereigns knew this outrage. I
could believe it hardly of King Ferdinand, not at all of the Queen.

Again I felt that this was cordial to him. I had s