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he always calls the chief of these tribes； was a most important monarch in that region。 His houses were larger than others； built handsomely of wood； covered with palm leaves。
The product of all the gold collected thus far is stated precisely in the official register。 There were two hundred and twenty pieces of gold； large and small。 Altogether they weighed seventy…two ounces； seven…eighths of an ounce and one grain。 Besides these were twelve pieces； great and small； of an inferior grade of gold； which weighed fourteen ounces； three…eighths of an ounce； and six tomienes； a tomiene weighing one…third part of our drachm。 In round numbers then； we will say that the result in gold of this cruising would be now worth 1；500。
Columbus collected gold in this way； to make his expedition popular at home； and he had； indeed； mortgaged the voyage； so to speak； by pledging the pecuniary results； as a fund to bear the expense of a new crusade。 But； for himself； the prime desire was always discovery。
Eventually the Spaniards spent two months in that region； pressing their explorations in search of gold。 And so promising did the tokens seem to him； that he determined to leave his brother； to secure the country and work the mines； while he should return to Spain； with the gold he had collected； and obtain reinforcements and supplies。 But all these fond hopes。 were disappointed。
The natives； under a leader named Quibian； rallied in large numbers； probably intending to drive the colonists away。 It was only by the boldest measures that their plans were met。 When Columbus supposed that he had suppressed their enterprise； he took leave of his brother； as he had intended； leaving him but one of the four vessels。
Fortunately； as it proved； the wind did not serve。 He sent back a boat to communicate with the settlement； but it fell into the hands of the savages。 Doubtful as to the issue； a seaman； named Ledesma； volunteered to swim through the surf； and communicate with the settlement。 The brave fellow succeeded。 By passing through the surf again； he brought back the news that the little colony was closely besieged by the savages。
It seemed clear that the settlement must be abandoned； that Columbus's brother and his people must be taken back to Spain。 This course was adopted。 With infinite difficulty； the guns and stores which had been left with the colony were embarked on the vessels of the Admiral。 The caravel which had been left for the colony could not be taken from the river。 She was completely dismantled； and was left as the only memorial of this unfortunate colony。
At Puerto Bello he was obliged to leave another vessel； for she had been riddled by the teredo。 The two which he had were in wretched condition。 〃They were as full of holes as a honey…comb。〃 On the southern coast of Cuba； Columbus was obliged to supply them with cassava bread。 The leaks increased。 The ships' pumps were insufficient； and the men bailed out the water with buckets and kettles。 On the twentieth of June； they were thankful to put into a harbor； called Puerto Bueno； on the coast of Jamaica； where； as it proved； they eventually left their worthless vessels； and where they were in exile from the world of civilization for twelve months。
Nothing in history is more pathetic than the memory that such a waste of a year； in the closing life of such a man as Columbus； should have been permitted by the jealousy； the cruelty； or the selfish ambition of inferior men。
He was not far from the colony at San Domingo。 As the reader will see； he was able to send a message to his countrymen there。 But those countrymen left him to take his chances against a strong tribe of savages。 Indeed； they would not have been sorry to know that he was dead。
At first； however； he and his men welcomed the refuge of the harbor。 It was the port which he had called Santa Gloria； on his first visit there。 He was at once surrounded by Indians； ready to barter with them and bring them provisions。 The poor Spaniards were hungry enough to be glad of this relief。
Mendez； a spirited sailor； had the oversight of this trade； and in one negotiation； at some distance from the vessels； he bought a good canoe of a friendly chief。 For this he gave a brass basin； one of his two shirts； and a short jacket。 On this canoe turned their after fortunes。 Columbus refitted her； put on a false keel； furnished her with a mast and sail。
With six Indians； whom the chief had lent him； Diego Mendez； accompanied by only one Spanish companion； set sail in this little craft for San Domingo。 Columbus sent by them a letter to the sovereigns； which gives the account of the voyage which the reader has been following。
When Mendez was a hundred miles advanced on his journey； he met a band of hostile savages。 They had affected friendship until they had the adventurers in their power； when they seized them all。 But while the savages were quarreling about the spoils； Mendez succeeded in escaping to his canoe； and returned alone to his master after fifteen days。
It was determined that the voyage should be renewed。 But this time； another canoe was sent with that under the command of Mendez。 He sailed again； storing his boats with cassava bread and calabashes of water。 Bartholomew Columbus； with his armed band； marched along the coast； as the two canoes sailed along the shore。
Waiting then for a clear day； Mendez struck northward； on the passage； which was long for such frail craft； to San Domingo。 It was eight months before Columbus heard of them。 Of those eight months； the history is of dismal waiting； mutiny and civil war。 It is pathetic； indeed； that a little body of men； who had been； once and again； saved from death in the most remarkable way； could not live on a fertile island； in a beautiful climate； without quarrelling with each other。
Two officers of Columbus； Porras and his brother； led the sedition。 They told the rest of the crew that the Admiral's hope of relief from Mendez was a mere delusion。 They said that he was an exile from Spain； and that he did not dare return to Hispaniola。 In such ways they sought to rouse his people against him and his brother。 As for Columbus； he was sick on board his vessel； while the two brothers Porras were working against him among his men。
On the second of January； 1504； Francesco de Porras broke into the cabin。 He complained bitterly that they were kept to die in that desolate place； and accused the Admiral as if it were his fault。 He told Columbus； that they had determined to go back to Spain； and then； lifting his voice； he shouted； 〃I am for Castile； who will follow me？〃 The mutinous crew instantly replied that they would do so。 Voices were heard which threatened Columbus's life。
His brother； the Adelantado； persuaded Columbus to retire from the crowd and himself assumed the whole weight of the assault。 The loyal part of the crew； however； persuaded him to put down his weapon； and on the other hand； entreated Porras and his companions to depart。 It was clear enough that they had the power； and they tried to carry out their plans。
They embarked in ten canoes； and thus the Admiral was abandoned by forty…eight of his men。 They followed； to the eastward；