The admiral now crowded all sail to reach Espanola, intending to make a landfall at the mouth of the river Azuma, where he knew that his brother, the Adelantado (Governor), had founded the new city, and named it Santo Domingo, in memory of their old father, Domenico Colombo.  But the current carried him far to the westward, and on August 19th he sighted the coast fifty leagues to leeward of the new capital.  On hearing of his arrival on the coast, Bartolome got on board a caravel and joined him; but it was not until the 31st that the two brothers entered San Domingo together, the admiral for the first time.  Young Diego, the third and youngest brother, welcomed them on their arrival.  The admiral had been absent for two years and a half, during which time the Adelantado had conducted the government of the colony with remarkable vigor and ability.  Yet, owing to the mutinous conduct of the worst of the settlers, there was a very disastrous report to make.

When the Adelantado assumed the command on the departure of the admiral for Spain in March, 1496, his first step, in compliance with the instructions he had received, was to proceed to the valley on the south side of the island, in which the gold mine of Hayna was situated, and to build a fort, which he named “San Cristoval.”  He next, having received supplies and reenforcements, together with letters from the admiral, by the caravels under Nino, took steps for the foundation of the new capital.  Still following his brother’s instructions, he selected a site at the mouth of the river Azuma, where there were good anchorage in the bay and a fertile valley along the banks of the river.  On a bank commanding the harbor a fortress was erected, and named “Santo Domingo,” while the city was subsequently built on the east bank of the river.  It became the capital of the colony.  Before long Isabella, on the north coast, was entirely abandoned.  Trees soon grew upon the streets and through the roofs of the houses.  It presented a scene of wild desolation, and ghosts were believed to wander in crowds through the abandoned city.  Ruins of the house of Columbus, of the church, and the fort can still be traced out by those who penetrate into the dense jungle which now covers that part of the coast.

The next proceeding of the indefatigable Adelantado was the settlement of the beautiful province of Xaragua, forming the southwestern portion of the island.  It was ruled over by a chief named Behechio, with whom dwelt the famous Anacaona, his sister, widow of Caonabo, but, unlike that fierce Carib, a constant friend of the Spaniards.  Behechio met the Adelantado in battle array on the banks of the river Neyva, the eastern boundary of his dominions.  But as soon as they were informed that the errand of the Spanish Governor was a peaceful one, both Behechio and Anacaona, who was a princess of great ability and of a most amiable disposition, received him with cordial hospitality.  When, after a time, he opened the subject of tribute