southward, and had thought of choosing a port in their vicinity, where he
might establish a colony. He had spoken about this in his letters to the
Government at home. As he entered the Bay of Cadiz on his return, he met
some vessels there, which were bound for Hispaniola, and which contained
letters from their Highnesses approving of his suggestion. By these ships,
therefore, he sent orders to his brother to make this southern settlement;
and the "Adelantado" accordingly proceeded southwards, and fixed upon a
port at the entrance or the river Ozama. He sent for artizans from
Isabella, and commenced building a fortress, which he called St. Domingo,
and which afterwards became the chief port of the island.


XARAGUA PENETRATED; TRIBUTE IMPOSED UPON THE INDIANS.

There was one part of Hispaniola into which the Spaniards had not yet
penetrated: it was called Xaragua, and was reigned over by a Cacique named
Bohechio, whose sister, Anacaona, the wife of Caonabo, and a noted beauty,
seems also to have had much authority in those parts. The Adelantado,
after seeing the works at St. Domingo commenced, resolved to enter the
kingdom of Xaragua, whither he proceeded at the head of one hundred men.
Arriving at the river Neyba, he found an immense army of Indians drawn up
there to oppose his progress. Don Bartholomew made signs to them that his
errand was peaceful; and the good-natured Indians accepting his proffers
of amity, he was conducted some thirty leagues further to the city of
Xaragua, where he was received with processions of dancing and singing
women, and feasted magnificently. After having been well entertained by
these Indians, the "Adelantado" proceeded to business, and, in plain
terms, demanded tribute of them. Bohechio pleaded that there was no gold
in his dominions, to which the Adelantado replied that he did not wish to
impose tribute upon any people, except of the natural production to be