CHAP. V.]
CHRISTOPHER
COLUMBUS.
171
fearing some sudden sally from the vigorous Adelantado, Roldan drew off to a distance, and sought by insidious means to strengthen his own power, and weaken that of the government. He asserted equal right to manage the affairs of the island with the Adelan tado, and pretended to have separated from him on account of his being passionate and vindictive in the exercise of his authority. He represented him as the tyrant of the Spaniards, the oppressor of the Indians. For himself, he assumed the character of a redresser of grievances and champion of the injured. He pre tended to feel a patriotic indignation at the affronts heaped upon Spaniards by a family of obscure and arrogant foreigners ; and professed to free the natives from tributes wrung from them by these rapacious men for their own enrichment, and contrary to the beneficent intentions of the Spanish monarchs. He connected himself closely with the Carib cacique Manicaotex, brother of the late Caonabo, whose son and nephew were in his possession as hostages for payment of tributes. This warlike chieftain he con ciliated by presents and caresses, bestowing on him the appella tion of brother.* The unhappy natives, deceived by his pro fessions, and overjoyed at the idea of having a protector in arms for their defence, submitted cheerfully to a thousand impositions, supplying his followers with provisions in abundance, and bring ing to Roldan all the gold they could collect ; voluntarily yielding him heavier tributes than those from which he pretended to free them. The affairs of the island were now in a lamentable situation. The Indians, perceiving the dissensions among the white men, and encouraged by the protection of Roldan, began to throw off all allegiance to the government. The caciques at a distance * Las Casas, Hist. Ind., lib. i. cap. 118.
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