174
LIFE
AND
VOYAGES
OF
[BOOK
XI.
When the Adelantado found himself secure in San Domingo with this augmentation of force, and the prospect of a still greater reinforcement at hand, his magnanimity prevailed over his indig nation, and he sought by gentle means to allay the popular sedi tions, that the island might be restored to tranquillity before his brother's arrival. He considered that the colonists had suffered greatly from the want of supplies ; that their discontents had been heightened by the severities he had been compelled to inflict ; and that many had been led to rebellion by doubts of the legitimacy of his authority. While, therefore, he proclaimed the royal act sanctioning his title and powers, he promised amnesty for all past offences, on condition of immediate return to allegiance. Hearing that Roldan was within five leagues of San Domingo with his band, he sent Pedro Fernandez Coronal, who had been appointed by the sovereigns alguazil mayor of the island, to exhort him to obe dience, promising him oblivion of the past. He trusted that the representations of a discreet and honorable man like Coronal, who had been witness of the favor in which his brother stood in Spain, would convince the rebels of the hopelessness of their course. Roldan, however, conscious of his guilt, and doubtful of the clemency of Don Bartholomew, feared to venture within his power ; he determined, also, to prevent his followers from com municating with Coronal, lest they should be seduced from him by the promise of pardon. When that emissary, therefore, ap proached the encampment of the rebels, he was opposed in a nar row pass by a body of archers, with their cross-bows leveled. “ Halt there ! traitor !" cried Roldan, “ had you arrived eight days later, we should all have been united as one man.”* In vain Coronal endeavored by fair reasoning and earnest en* Herrera, decad. i. lib. iii. cap. 8 .