Chapter VII.

CONSPIRACY OF GUEVARA AND MOXICA.

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[1500.]

HEN men have been accustomed to act falsely, they take great merit to themselves for an exertion of

common honesty. The followers of Roldan were loud in trumpeting forth their unwonted loyalty, and the great services they had rendered to government in driving Ojeda from the island. Like all reformed knaves they expected that their good conduct would be amply rewarded. Looking upon their leader as having everything in his gift, and being well pleased with the delightful province of Cahay, they requested him to share the land among them that they might settle there. Roldan would have had no hesitation in granting their request had it been made during his freebooting career, but he was now anxious to establish a character for adherence to the laws.

He declined, therefore, acceding to their wishes until sanctioned by the Admiral. Knowing however that he had fostered a spirit among these men which it was dangerous to contradict, and that their rapacity, by long indulgence, did not admit of delay, he shared among them certain lands of his own, in the territory of his ancient host Behechio, Cacique of Xa agua. He then wrote to the Admiral for permission to return to San Domingo, and received a letter in reply, giving him many thanks and commendations for the diligence and address which he had manifested, but requesting him to remain for a time in Xaragua, lest Ojeda should be yet hovering about the coast and disposed to make another descent into that province.

The troubles of the island were not yet at an end, but were destined again to break forth, and from somewhat of a romantic cause. There arrived about this time at Xaragua a young cavalier of noble birth, named Don Hernando de Guevara. He possessed an agreeable person and winning manners, but was headstrong in his passions and dissolute in his principles. He was cousin to Adrian de Moxica, one of the most active ringleaders in the late rebellion of Roldan, and had conducted himself with such licentiousness at San Domingo, that Co

lumbus had banished him from the island. There being no other opportunity of embarking he had been sent to Xaragua, to return to Spain in one of the ships of Ojeda, but arrived after their departure. Roldan received him favorably on account of his old comrade, Adrian de Moxica, and permitted him to choose some place of residence until further orders concerning him should arrive from the Admiral. He chose the province of Cahay at the place where Roldan had captured the boat of Ojeda. It was a delightful part of that beautiful coast, but the reason why Guevara chose it was its vicinity to Xaragua. While at the latter place, in consequence of the indulgence of Roldan, he was favorably received at the house of Anacaona, widow of Caonabo and sister of the Cacique Behechio. That remarkable woman still retained her partiality to the Spaniards, notwithstanding the disgraceful scenes which had passed before her eyes; and the native dignity of her character had commanded the respect even of the dissolute rabble which infested her province. By her late husband, the Cacique Caonabo, she had a daughter named Higuenamota, just grown up, and greatly admired for her beauty. Guevara being often in company with her, a mutual attachment ensued. It was to be near

her that he chose Cahay as a residence, at a place where his cousin Adrian de Moxica kept a number of dogs and hawks to be employed in the chase. Guevara delayed his departure. Roldan discovered the reason and warned him to desist from his pretensions and leave the province. Las Casas intimates that Roldan was himself attached to the young Indian beauty and jealous of her preference of his rival. Anacaona, the mother, pleased with the gallant appearance and ingratiating manners of the youthful cavalier, favored his attachment, especially as he sought her daughter in marriage. Notwithstanding the orders of Roldan, Guevara still lingered in Xaragua in the house of Anacaona, and sending for a priest, desired him to baptize his intended bride.

Hearing of this Roldan sent for Guevara and rebuked him sharply for remaining at Xaragua, and attempting to deceive a person of the importance of Anacaona by ensnaring the affections of her daughter. Guevara avowed the strength of his passion and his correct intentions, and entreated permission to remain. Roldan was inflexible. He alleged that some evil construction might be put on his conduct by the Admiral; but it is probable that his true motive was a desire to send away a rival

who interfered with his own amorous designs. Guevara obeyed, but had scarce been three days at Cahay, when unable to remain longer absent from the object of his passion he returned to Xaragua accompanied by four or five friends, and concealed himself in the dwelling of Anacaona. Roldan, who was at this time confined by a malady in his eyes, being apprised of his return, sent orders for him to depart instantly to Cahay. The young cavalier assumed a tone of defiance. He warned Roldan not to make foes when he had such great need of friends, for to his certain knowledge the Admiral intended to behead him. Upon this Roldan commanded him to quit that part of the island and repair to San Domingo, to present himself before the Admiral. The thoughts of being banished entirely from the vicinity of his Indian beauty checked the vehemence of the youth. changed his tone of haughty defiance into one of humble supplication, and Roldan, appeased by this submission, permitted him to remain for the present in the neighborhood.

He

Roldan had instilled wilfulness and violence into the hearts of his late followers, and now was doomed to experience the effects. Guevara, incensed at his opposition to his passion, meditated revenge.

He soon made a party