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THE STORY OF COLUMBUS AND THE WORLD'S FAIR. 195
for he deemed him a consummate warrior, who had succeeded
in capturing him, and he admired his courage. - His capture had
been a severe shock to his subjects, and his brother massed an
army of seven thousand Indians with the hope of obtaining
Caonabo, but again Ojeda conquered, by a fierce attack with a
mere handful of horsemen, and the Indians were thrown into
a panic, and fled. This brave brother was among the prisoners
taken. Caonabo was sent to Spain, but died there. ,
Sickness and privation were doing their work among the
Spaniards, but happily they were relieved by the arrival of four
ships under command of Antonio Torres, with ample provisions.
A physician and apothecary, with medicines, were among the
new comers, as also mechanics, fishermen, millers and farmers.
The letters received from the sovereigns were of a cheerful and
encouraging nature, and one of them addressed to the colonists,
threatened them with their displeasure, and imposed a fine for
each act of disobedience to any orders from Columbus.
The admiral was not ignorant of the complaints forwarded
by the colony, nor of the intentions of Margarita and Friar Boyle.
Anxious to reimburse the sovereigns in some degree for all they
had done, and to bring the treasury some tangible returns, he
-conceived a scheme which is the only blot upon his fair name.
He sent back five hundred Indian prisoners, whom he Suggested
could be sold as slaves at Seville. This measure was revolting
to the gentle heart of Isabella. Her sympathies had always gone
So in behalf of the natives. She was the patroness of the |
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