a series of outrages on the natives which completely neutralized the
effect of the admiral's conciliatory policy. They seized forcibly on
whatever provisions could be found, and mockingly referred the owners to
Columbus for payment. Three attempts to cross over to Hispaniola failed in
consequence of rough weather. On one occasion the canoes were in so much
danger of being swamped that the Spaniards cast everything on board into
the sea; and, as this did not lighten the canoes sufficiently, they then
proceeded to force overboard their unfortunate companions, the Indians,
who swam after them for a long time, but sank one by one, being prevented
by the swords of the Spaniards from approaching. Abandoning, as hopeless,
their design of reaching Hispaniola, the mutineers then proceeded to roam
over the island, quartering themselves on the Indians, and committing
every possible excess.

Of course the influence of this conduct on the relations between Columbus
and the natives, was soon apparent. The trinkets and beads, which had once
been so precious in their eyes, had first lost the charm of novelty, then
the value of rarity. The circulating medium became so depreciated that
provisions were scarcely procurable. And, similarly, the personal
veneration which the natives had first evinced for the white men, had
given way to contempt and to hatred, when familiarity had shown how
worthless were these "superior beings." The Indians refused to minister to
their wants any longer; and famine was imminent.


ECLIPSE PREDICTED BY COLUMBUS.

But just at this last extremity, the admiral, ever fertile in devices,
bethought him of an expedient for re-establishing his influence over the
Indians. His astronomical knowledge told him that on a certain night an