Columbus could not get the
vessels ready in time, and so the malefactors became more vexatious than
ever. Later another treaty was made, still more humiliating to the
Admiral, for he had to promise, first, that those of Roldan's men who
were most anxious to return should be sent to Spain immediately; second,
that those who chose to remain should receive gifts of land and houses;
third, that he, Columbus, would issue a public proclamation stating that
all that had happened had been caused by the false reports of bad men;
and fourth, that Roldan the leader should remain chief-justice for the
rest of his life! Roldan now condescended to return to San Domingo and
sit in the judge's seat.
No sooner was this turbulent leader appeased than another rebel arose.
This time, sad to say, it was the brave Alonzo de Ojeda. Because he had
succeeded in taking the chief Caonabo prisoner, Columbus had rewarded
and honored him by making him captain of a voyage of discovery among the
islands. All this time, no doubt, Ojeda was loyal to his Admiral; but he
had recently made a trip home to Spain, where, from his friend Bishop
Fonseca, he had learned many things, false as well as true, that
poisoned his mind against his great leader. So he in turn gathered the
discontented into a threatening band.
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