It was not until he knew the eclipse was about to diminish, that he condescended to come forth, and told them that he had interceded with God, who would pardon them if they would fulfil their promises.  In token of pardon, the darkness would be withdrawn from the moon.

The Indians saw the fulfilment of the promise, as they had seen the fulfilment of the threat.  The moon reappeared in its brilliancy.  They thanked the Admiral eagerly for his intercession, and repaired to their homes.  From this time forward, having proved that he knew on earth what was passing in the heavens, they propitiated him with their gifts.  The supplies came in regularly, and from this time there was no longer any want of provisions.

But no tales of eclipses would keep the Spaniards quiet.  Another conspiracy was formed, as the eight remaining months of exile passed by, among the survivors.  They meant to seize the remaining canoes, and with them make their way to Hispaniola.  But, at the very point of the outbreak of the new mutiny, a sail was seen standing toward the harbor.

The Spaniards could see that the vessel was small.  She kept the offing, but sent a boat on shore.  As the boat drew near, those who waited so eagerly recognized Escobar, who had been condemned to death, in Isabella, when Columbus was in administration, and was pardoned by his successor Bobadilla.  To see this man approaching for their relief was not hopeful, though he were called a Christian, and was a countryman of their own.

Escobar drew up to the ships, on which the Spaniards still lived, and gave them a letter from Ovando, the new governor of Hispaniola, with some bacon and a barrel of wine, which were sent as presents to the Admiral.  He told Columbus, in a private interview, that the governor had sent him to express his concern at his misfortune, and his regret that he had not a vessel of sufficient size to bring off all the people, but that he would send one as soon as possible.  He assured him that his concerns in Hispaniola were attended to faithfully in his absence; he asked him to write to the governor in reply, as he wished to return at once.

This was but scant comfort for men who had been eight months waiting to be relieved.  But Escobar was master of the position.  Columbus wrote a reply at once to Ovando, pointed out that the difficulties of his situation had been increased by the rebellion of the brothers Porras.  He, however, expressed his reliance on his promise, and said he would remain patiently on his ships until relief came.  Escobar took the letter, returned to his vessel, and she made sail at once, leaving the starving Spaniards in dismay, to the same fate which hung over them before.

Columbus tried to reassure them.  He professed himself satisfied with the communications from Ovando, and told them that vessels large enough for them would soon arrive.  He said that they could see that he believed this, because he had not himself taken passage with Escobar, preferring to share their lot with them.  He had sent back the little vessel at once, so that no time might be lost in sending the necessary ships.