THE
COMPANIONS
OF C O L U M B U S .
renowned for courage, strength, and sagacity.
275
It is said that he
could distinguish those of the Indians who were allies, from those who were enemies of the Spaniards.
T o the former he was
docile and friendly, to the latter fierce and implacable.
He was
the terror of the natives, who were unaccustomed to powerful and ferocious animals, and did more service in this wild warfare, than could have been rendered by several soldiers.
His prowess was
so highly appreciated that his master received for him the pay, allowance, and share of booty, assigned to a cross-bow man, which was the highest stipend given.* At length the stout old cavalier Juan Ponce was reinforced in his strong-hold, by troops from Hispaniola, whereupon he sallied forth boldly to take revenge upon those who had thus held him in a kind of durance.
His foe Agueybanà was at that time en
camped in his own territories with more than five thousand war riors, but in a negligent unwatchful state, for he knew nothing of the reinforcements of the Spaniards, and supposed Juan Ponce shut up with his handful of men in Caparra.
The old soldier,
therefore, took him completely by surprise, and routed him with great slaughter.
Indeed it is said the Indians were struck with a
kind of panic when they saw the Spaniards as numerous as ever, notwithstanding the number they had massacred.
Their belief
in their immortality revived, they fancied that those whom they had slain had returned to life, and they despaired of victory over * This famous dog was killed some years afterwards by a poisoned arrow, as he was swimming in the sea in pursuit of a Carib Indian.
He left, how
ever, a numerous progeny and a great name behind him ; and his merits and exploits were long a favorite theme among the Spanish colonists.
He was
father to the renowned Leoncico, the faithful dog of Vasco Nunez, which re sembled him in looks and equaled him in prowess.
s 2