What a discouraging state of affairs to greet the returning "Governor-
General and Viceroy of all the Lands Discovered in the Western Seas!"
What comfort were all these titles that Columbus stood out for so
obstinately, when half his colonists had joined a rebel leader and the
other half were sick and hungry!

By this time Roldan's army was so large that Christopher and his brother
had to admit to each other that there was no chance of subduing the
insurrection by force. In truth, there was no "force"; for those who
were not ill, even the newcomers, were all grumbling against the
government. So there was nothing to do but make a treaty with the rebel
leader, as if he had been the lawful ruler of a state; and in this
treaty he had everything his own way. Columbus had humbly to agree to
give two vessels to carry the discontented ones back to Spain; to fill
these vessels with ample provisions, and to agree to write a letter to
the monarchs stating that Roldan and his men were in no way to blame for
the trouble. Here was humiliation indeed! Fancy a high official of the
Crown being forced to such an undignified treaty with one who had
rebelled against his authority!

But even this did not end the trouble. Columbus could not get the
vessels ready in time, and so the malefactors became more vexatious than
ever. Later another treaty was made, still more humiliating to the
Admiral, for he had to promise, first, that those of Roldan's men who
were most anxious to return should be sent to Spain immediately; second,
that those who chose to remain should receive gifts of land and houses;
third, that he, Columbus, would issue a public proclamation stating that
all that had happened had been caused by the false reports of bad men;
and fourth, that Roldan the leader should remain chief-justice for the
rest of his life! Roldan now condescended to return to San Domingo and