438
LIFE
AND
VOYAGES
OF
[BOOK X V I I .
CHAPTER III. WAR WITH THE NATIVES OP HIGUEY. [1504.]
THE subjugation of four of the Indian sovereignties of Hispaniola, and the disastrous fate of their caciques, have been already re足 lated. Under the administration of Ovando, was also accom足 plished the downfall of Higuey, the last of those independent dis足 tricts ; a fertile province which comprised the eastern extremity of the island. The people of Higuey were of a more warlike spirit than those of the other provinces, having learned the effectual use of their weapons, from frequent contests with their Carib invaders. They were governed by a cacique named Cotabanama. Las Casas describes this chieftain from actual observation, and draws the picture of a native hero. He was, he says, the strongest of his tribe, and more perfectly formed than one man in a thousand of any nation whatever. He was taller in stature than the tallest of his countrymen, a yard in breadth from shoulder to shoulder, and the rest of his body in admirable proportion. His aspect was not handsome, but grave and courageous. His bow was not easily bent by a common man ; his arrows were three pronged, tipped with the bones of fishes, and his weapons appeared to be intended