Chap. I.J

REBELS AT XARAGUA.

5

man had taken possession of Xaragua, where hehad been kindly received by the natives. Hehad permitted his followers to lead an idleand licentious life among its beautiful scenes,making the surrounding country and its inhabi-tants subservient to their pleasures and theirpassions. An event happened previous to theirknowledge of the arrival of Columbus, which threwsupplies into their hands, and strengthened theirpower. As they were one day loitering on thesea-shore, they beheld three caravels at a distance,the sight of which, in this unfrequented part of theocean, filled them with wonder and alarm. Theships approached the land, and came to anchor.The rebels apprehended at first that they werevessels despatched in pursuit of them. Roldan,however, who was as sagacious as he w T as bold,surmised that they were ships which had wanderedfrom their course, and been borne to the westwardby the currents, and that they must be ignorantof the recent occurrences of the island. Enjoin-ing the utmost secrecy on his men, he went onboard, pretending to be stationed in that neigh-bourhood for the purpose of keeping the natives