236
LIFE
AND
VOYAGES
OF
[BOOK
XII.
confined the original mover of this second rebellion, Hernando de Guevara, the lover of the young Indian princess. These unex pected acts of rigor, proceeding from a quarter which had been long so lenient, had the desired effect. The conspirators fled for the most part to Xaragua, their old and favorite retreat. They were not suffered to congregate their again, and concert new sedi tions. The Adelantado, seconded by Roldan, pursued them with his characteristic rapidity of movement and vigor of arm. It has been said that he carried a priest with him, in order that, as he arrested delinquents, they might be confessed and hanged upon the spot ; but the more probable account is that he transmitted them prisoners to San Domingo. He had seventeen of them at one time confined in one common dungeon, awaiting their trial, while he continued in indefatigable pursuit of the remainder.* These were prompt and severe measures ; but when we con sider how long Columbus had borne with these men ; how much he had ceded and sacrificed to them ; how he had been interrupted in all his great undertakings, and the welfare of the colony de stroyed by their contemptible and seditious brawls ; how they had abused his lenity, defied his authority, and at length attempted his life,—we cannot wonder that he should at last let fall the sword of justice, which he had hitherto held suspended. The power of faction was now completely subdued ; and the good effects of the various measures taken by Columbus, since his last arrival, for the benefit of the island, began to appear. The Indians, seeing the inefficacy of resistance, submitted to the yoke. Many gave signs of civilization, having, in some instances, adopted clothing and embraced Christianity. Assisted by their * Las Casas, Hist. Ind., lib. i. cap. 170, M S . Herrera, decad. i. lib. iv. cap. 7.