CHAP. II.]
CHRISTOPHER
COLUMBUS.
393
in number, hastily collected their effects, and entered likewise into the canoes. In this way forty-eight abandoned the admiral. Many of those who remained were only detained by sickness, for, had they been well, most of them would have accompanied the deserters.* The few who remained faithful to the admiral, and the sick, who crawled forth from their cabins, saw the departure of the mutineers with tears and lamentations, giving themselves up for lost. Notwithstanding his malady, Columbus left his bed, mingling among those who were loyal, and visiting those who were ill, endeavoring in every way to cheer and comfort them. He entreated them to put their trust in God, who would yet re lieve them ; and he promised, on his return to Spain, to throw himself at the feet of the queen, represent their loyalty and con stancy, and obtain for them rewards that should compensate for all their sufferings.† In the meantime, Francisco de Porras and his followers, in their squadron of canoes, coasted the island to the eastward, fol lowing the route taken by Mendez and Fiesco. Wherever they landed, they committed outrages upon the Indians, robbing them of their provisions, and of whatever they coveted of their effects. They endeavored to make their own crimes redound to the prejudice of Columbus, pretending to act under his author ity, and affirming that he would pay for every thing they took. If he refused, they told the natives to kill him. They represented him as an implacable foe to the Indians ; as one who had tyran nized over other islands, causing the misery and death of the natives, and who only sought to gain a sway here for the purpose of inflicting like calamities. * Hist. del Almirante, cap. 102.
VOL. II.
c c
†
Las Casas, lib. ii. cap. 32.