admiral wrote a civil reply to Ovando, describing piteously the hardships
of his condition, and disclaiming any ulterior design with regard to the
government of Hispaniola. Carrying this missive, D'Escobar set sail at
once, and was out of sight, on his return voyage, before the morning of
the day after his arrival.


OVERTURES TO MUTINEERS.

This mysterious visit was by no means satisfactory to the admiral's
companions. As he alone had held communication with D'Escobar, he was free
to give them whatever account he chose of his interview; and this liberty,
it may be parenthetically observed, he did not scruple to exercise
somewhat at the expense of strict truth. He represented himself as having
refused to depart with D'Escobar, because the caravel was too small to
carry them all away, and he was determined to share their lot, confident
in Ovando's assurance of speedy succour. He made overtures for a
reconciliation to Porras, and endeavoured to persuade the mutineers to
return on board the ships. But these overtures were scornfully repulsed
and the admiral's messengers were sent back with threats of force. As for
the caravel, Porras had little difficulty in persuading his credulous
followers that it was merely an apparition which Columbus had conjured up
by magic arts; and such was the reputation for sorcery which the admiral
had acquired by his astronomical observations, that even the sight and
taste of some tangible bacon (half of that present from Ovando of which we
have heard) which he sent as a peace offering to the mutineers, failed to
convince them of the material character of the supposed phantom ship.


RESORT TO ARMS.