THE
for so large a body.
COMPANIONS
49
OF COLUMBUS.
Each band was provided with a coffer stored
with trinkets and other articles of Indian traffic, with which to buy provisions on the road. Francisco de Bobadilla, the wrong-headed oppressor and superseder of Columbus, was at that time Governor of San Do mingo.
The report reached him that a crew of adventurers had
landed on the island, and were marching through the country in three bands, each provided with a coffer of gold, and carrying on illicit trade with the natives.
The moment Bastides made his
appearance, therefore, he was seized and thrown into prison, and an investigation commenced.
In his defence he maintained that
his only traffic with the natives was for the purpose of procuring provisions for his followers, or guides for his journey.
It was
determined, however, to send him to Spain for trial, with the written testimony and the other documents of his examination. He was accordingly conveyed in the same fleet in which Bob adilla embarked for Spain, and which experienced such an awful shipwreck in the sight .of Columbus. The ship of Rodrigo Bas tides was one of the few which outlived the tempest : it arrived safe at Cadiz in September, 1502.
Bastides was ultimately ac
quitted of the charges advanced against him.
So lucrative had
been his voyage, that, notwithstanding the losses sustained by the foundering of his vessels, he was enabled to pay a large sum to the crown as a fourth of his profits, and to retain a great amount for himself.
In reward of his services and discoveries the sove
reigns granted him an annual revenue for life, to arise from the proceeds of the province of Uraba, which he had discovered. An equal pension was likewise assigned to the hardy Juan de la Cosa, to result from the same territory, of which he was appointed
Vol.. III.
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