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They embarked in ten canoes； and thus the Admiral was abandoned by forty…eight of his men。 They followed； to the eastward； the route which Mendez had taken。 In their lawless way they robbed the Indians of their provisions and of anything else that they needed。 As Mendez had done； they waited at the eastern extremity of Jamaica for calm weather。 They knew they could not manage the canoes； and they had several Indians to help them。
When the sea was smooth they started； but they had hardly gone four leagues from the land； when the waves began to rise under a contrary wind。 Immediately they turned for shore； the canoes were overfreighted； and as the sea rose； frequently shipped water。
The frightened Spaniards threw overboard everything they could spare； retaining their arms only； and a part of their provisions。 They even compelled the Indians to leap into the sea to lighten the boats； but； though they were skillful swimmers； they could not pretend to make land by swimming。 They kept to the canoes； therefore； and would occasionally seize them to recover breath。 The cruel Spaniards cut off their hands and stabbed them with their swords。 Thus eighteen of their Indian comrades died； and they had none left； but such as were of most help in managing the canoes。 Once on land； they doubted whether to make another effort or to return to Columbus。
Eventually they waited a month； for another opportunity to go to Hispaniola； but this failed as before； and losing all patience； they returned westward； to the commander whom they had insulted； living on the island 〃by fair means or foul；〃 according as they found the natives friendly or unfriendly。
Columbus； meanwhile； with his half the crew； was waiting。 He had established as good order as he could between his men and the natives； but he was obliged to keep a strict watch over such European food as he still had； knowing how necessary it was for the sick men in his number。 On the other hand； the Indians； wholly unused to regular work； found it difficult to supply the food which so many men demanded。
The supplies fell off from day to day； the natives no longer pressed down to the harbor； the trinkets； with which food had been bought； had lost their charm； the Spaniards began to fear that they should starve on the shore of an island which； when Columbus discovered it； appeared to be the abode of plenty。 It was at this juncture； when the natives were becoming more and more unfriendly； that Columbus justified himself by the tyrant's plea of necessity； and made use of his astronomical science； to obtain a supernatural power over his unfriendly allies。
He sent his interpreter to summon the principal caciques to a conference。 For this conference he appointed a day when he knew that a total eclipse of the moon would take place。 The chiefs met as they were requested。 He told them that he and his followers worshipped a God who lived in the heavens； that that God favored such as did well； but punished all who displeased him。
He asked them to remember how this God had protected Mendez and his companions in their voyage； because they went obedient to the orders which had been given them by their chief。 He asked them to remember that the same God had punished Porras and his companions with all sorts of affliction； because they were rebels。 He said that now this great God was angry with the Indians； because they refused to furnish food to his faithful worshippers； that he proposed to chastise them with famine and pestilence。
He said that； lest they should disbelieve the warning which he gave； a sign would be given； in the heavens that night； of the anger of the great God。 They would see that the moon would change its color and would lose its light。 They might take this as a token of the punishment which awaited them。
The Indians had not that confidence in Columbus which they once had。 Some derided what he said； some were alarmed； all waited with anxiety and curiosity。 When the night came they saw a dark shadow begin to steal over the moon。 As the eclipse went forward； their fears increased。 At last the mysterious darkness covered the face of the sky and of the world； when they knew that they had a right to expect the glory of the full moon。
There were then no bounds to their terror。 They； seized on all the provisions that they had； they rushed to the ships； they threw themselves at the feet of Columbus and begged him to intercede with his God； to withhold the calamity which he had threatened。 Columbus would not receive them； he shut himself up in his cabin and remained there while the eclipse increased； hearing from within； as the narrator says； the howls and prayers of the savages。
It was not until he knew the eclipse was about to diminish； that he condescended to come forth； and told them that he had interceded with God； who would pardon them if they would fulfil their promises。 In token of pardon； the darkness would be withdrawn from the moon。
The Indians saw the fulfilment of the promise； as they had seen the fulfilment of the threat。 The moon reappeared in its brilliancy。 They thanked the Admiral eagerly for his intercession； and repaired to their homes。 From this time forward； having proved that he knew on earth what was passing in the heavens； they propitiated him with their gifts。 The supplies came in regularly； and from this time there was no longer any want of provisions。
But no tales of eclipses would keep the Spaniards quiet。 Another conspiracy was formed； as the eight remaining months of exile passed by； among the survivors。 They meant to seize the remaining canoes； and with them make their way to Hispaniola。 But； at the very point of the outbreak of the new mutiny； a sail was seen standing toward the harbor。
The Spaniards could see that the vessel was small。 She kept the offing； but sent a boat on shore。 As the boat drew near； those who waited so eagerly recognized Escobar； who had been condemned to death； in Isabella； when Columbus was in administration； and was pardoned by his successor Bobadilla。 To see this man approaching for their relief was not hopeful； though he were called a Christian； and was a countryman of their own。
Escobar drew up to the ships； on which the Spaniards still lived； and gave them a letter from Ovando； the new governor of Hispaniola； with some bacon and a barrel of wine； which were sent as presents to the Admiral。 He told Columbus； in a private interview； that the governor had sent him to express his concern at his misfortune； and his regret that he had not a vessel of sufficient size to bring off all the people； but that he would send one as soon as possible。 He assured him that his concerns in Hispaniola were attended to faithfully in his absence； he asked him to write to the governor in reply； as he wished to return at once。
This was but scant comfort for men who had been eight months waiting to be relieved。 But Escobar was master of the position。 Columbus wrote a reply at once to Ovando； pointed out that the difficulties of his situation had been increased by the rebellion of the brothers Porras。 He； however； expressed his reliance on his promise； and said he would remain patiently on his ships until relief came。 Escobar t