merely a miserable maker of jokes, and that the "gold in bars" was only
represented by the Indians who composed his cargo, whose present captivity
was secured by "bars," and whose future sale was to furnish gold. This
absurdity naturally caused Columbus and his friends no slight
mortification, and added a fresh weapon to the shafts of ridicule which
his enemies wore for ever launching at his extravagant theories and his
expensive projects.



CHAPTER VIII.

During the two years that elapsed from the Admiral's leaving Hispaniola in
1496 to his return there in 1498, many things happened on both sides the
Atlantic, which need recording. In 1496 we find, that Don Bartholomew
Columbus sent to Spain three hundred slaves from Hispaniola. He had
previously informed the Sovereigns that certain caciques were killing the
Castilians, and their Highnesses had given orders in reply, that all those
who should be found guilty should be sent to Spain. If this meant the
common Indians as well as the caciques, then it seems probable that the
question about selling them with a safe conscience was already decided.


CRIMINALS SENT TO THE INDIES.

In 1497, two very injudicious edicts were published by the Catholic
Sovereigns, upon the advice, as we are told, of Columbus; one, authorizing
the judges to transport criminals to the Indies; the other, giving an
indulgence to all those who had committed any crime (with certain
exceptions, among which heresy, lese majeste, and treason, find a place)