large proportion of the latter, as we have seen, were simply the scourings
of Spanish prisons; and the brutality with which these men treated their
wretched helots was very terrible. Some estimate of the amount of pressure
employed may be formed from the fact that, although Bobadilla had reduced
the royalty payable to the Sovereigns from one-third to one-eleventh of
the gold found, this smaller proportion produced a larger revenue. In
other words, about four times as much gold was discovered under
Bobadilla's system as under that of Columbus.


OVANDO AS GOVERNOR

But when the Sovereigns heard of the cruelties which that system involved,
they urged forward the departure of Ovando, whom they had selected as
governor, and who, to judge from his previous career, was a man eminently
fitted to rule justly and mercifully. He was well known to Ferdinand and
Isabella, having been chosen by the Queen as one of the companions for her
eldest son, Prince John. With regard to his personal appearance, we are
told that he was of moderate stature, and had a "vermilion-coloured
beard," which fact hardly conveys much to our minds; but it is added, in
general terms, that his presence expressed authority. With respect to his
mental qualifications, we learn that he was a friend to justice, an
honourable person both in words and deeds, and that he held all avarice
and covetousness in much aversion. He was humble, too, they say, and when
he was appointed Commendador Mayor of the Order of Alcantara, he would
never allow himself to be addressed by the title of "Lordship," which
belonged to that office.


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