464. THE STORY OF COLUMBUS AND THE WORLD’S FAIR. 
defending the unfortunate colonists. Columbus and his party 
were all richly dressed or in glittering armor, a precaution he 
had taken so as to impress the cacique with his present power 
and greatness. Several of the Indians bore scars of a recent 
battle. Guacanagari gave the admiral eight hundred beads of a 
stone called ciba; one hundred of gold, a gold coronet and three 
small calabashes of gold dust, and felt that the generosity of the 
white men was excessive, when they gave in return hawks’ bells 
small mirrors, glass beads, knives and small copper ornaments. 
SO true it is that what is strange or uncommon to us, ever 
, possesses most attractions. 
Some of Columbus’ party expressed doubts as to the reality 
of the cacique’s wound, one in particular, Father Boyle, insisting 
that he was deceiving the confiding nature of Columbus. The 
latter indignantly rejected the idea, but at length requested the 
wounded man to let a navy surgeon who was present examine 
his leg, as he was learned in the diseases of men, but could not 
prescribe for him unless he saw the injury. When the bandage 
was unrolled; no wound was seen, a small bruise like that made 
by a ciba (a stone) was all that manifested itself. 
Father Boyle was more indignant than ever, and desired an 
example made of the cacique, but Columbus still trusted him. 
Besides he did not wish to provoke hostilities at that early day, 
so he maintained a friendly demeanor, and continued on good 
~ terms. The true story of the massacre will never be fully | 
learned, but there is no doubt truth in the assertions of many