248
LIFE
AND
VOYAGES
OF
[BOOK
XIII
CHAPTER II. ARRIVAL OF BOBADILLA AT SAN DOMINGO.—HIS VIOLENT ASSUMPTION OF THE COMMAND. [1500.]
COLUMBUS was still at Fort Conception, regulating the affairs of the Vega, after the catastrophe of the sedition of Moxica ; his brother, the Adelantado, accompanied by Roldan, was pursuing and arresting the fugitive rebels in Xaragua ; and Don Diego Columbus remained in temporary command at San Domingo. Faction had worn itself out ; the insurgents had brought down ruin upon themselves ; and the island appeared delivered from the domination of violent and lawless men. Such was the state of public affairs, when, on the morning of the 23d of August, two caravels were descried off the harbor of San Domingo, about a league at sea. They were standing off and on, waiting until the sea breeze, which generally prevails about ten o'clock, should carry them into port. Don Diego Co lumbus supposed them to be ships sent from Spain with supplies, and hoped to find on board his nephew Diego, whom the admiral had requested might be sent out to assist him in his various con cerns. A canoe was immediately dispatched to obtain informa tion ; which, approaching the caravels, inquired what news they brought, and whether Diego, the son of the admiral, was on board.