CHAP. I I . ]
CHRISTOPHER
COLUMBUS.
151
were buried, was planted, he says, with certain roots shaped like a turnip, or radish, several of which coming up in the neighbor hood of the images, were found to have grown most miraculously in the form of a cross.* The cruel punishment inflicted on these Indians, instead of daunting their countrymen, filled them with horror and indigna tion. Unaccustomed to such stern rule and vindictive justice, and having no clear ideas nor powerful sentiments with respect to religion of any kind, they could not comprehend the nature nor extent of the crime committed. Even Guarionex, a man natu rally moderate and pacific, was highly incensed with the assump tion of power within his territories, and the inhuman death inflicted on his subjects. The other caciques perceived his irrita tion, and endeavored to induce him to unite in a sudden insurrec tion, that by one vigorous and general effort, they might break the yoke of their oppressors. Guarionex wavered for some time. He knew the martial skill and prowess of the Spaniards ; he stood in awe of their cavalry, and he had before him the disastrous fate of Caonabo ; but he was rendered bold by despair, and he beheld in the domination of these strangers the assured ruin of his race. The early writers speak of a tradition current among the inhab itants of the island, respecting this Guarionex. He was of an ancient line of hereditary caciques. His father, in times long preceding the discovery, having fasted for five days, according to their superstitious observances, applied to his zemi, or household deity, for information of things to come. He received for answer, that within a few years there should come to the island a nation covered with clothing, which should destroy all their customs and ceremonies, and slay their children or reduce them to painful ser* Escritura de Fr. Roman, Hist, del Almirante.