BOOK XL
CHAPTER ADMINISTRATION
OP THE
I.
ADELANTADO.
PROVINCE
OP
E X P E D I T I O N TO T H E
XARAGUA.
[1498.] C O L U M B U S had anticipated repose from his toils on arriving at Hispaniola, but a new scene of trouble and anxiety opened upon him, destined to impede the prosecution of his enterprises, and to affect all his future fortunes. To explain this, it is necessary to relate the occurrences of the island during his long detention in Spain.
"When he sailed for Europe in March, 1496, his brother, Don Bartholomew, who remained as Adelantado, took the earliest measures to execute his directions with respect to the mines re足 cently discovered by Miguel Diaz on the south side of the island. Leaving Don Diego Columbus in command at Isabella, he re足 paired with a large force to the neighborhood of the mines, and, choosing a favorable situation in a place most abounding in ore, built a fortress, to which he gave the name of San Christoval. The workmen, however, finding grains of gold among the earth and stone employed in its construction, gave it the name of the Golden Tower.* * Peter Martyr, decad. i. lib. iv.
VOL. II.
K