We came to Bonao and rested here.  I had a word that night from the Admiral.  “Doctor, Doctor, a man must outlook storm!  He grew man by that.”

I asked if I might know what was the matter.

He answered, “I do not know myself.  Don Diego says that great powers have been granted Don Francisco de Bobadilla.  I have not seen those powers.  But he has demanded in the name of the Sovereigns our prisoners, our ships and towns and forts, and has cited us to appear before him and answer charges—­of I know not what!  I well think it is a voice without true mind or power behind it—­ I go to San Domingo, but not just at his citation!”

Later, in the moonlight, one of our men told me that which a man of Carvajal had told him.  All the Admiral’s enemies, and none ever said they were few, had this fire-new commissioner’s ear!  A friend could not get within hail.  Just or unjust, every complaint came and squatted in a ring around him.  Maybe some were just—­such as soldiers not being able to get their pay, for instance.  There was never but one who lived without spot or blemish.  But of course we knew that the old Admiral wasn’t really a tyrant, cruel and a fool!  Of course not.  Carvajal’s man was prepared to fight any man of his own class who would say that to his face!  He’d fight, too, for the Adelantado.  Don Francisco de Bobadilla had no sooner landed than he began to talk and act as though they were all villains.  Don Diego —­whom it was laughable to call a villain—­and all.  He went to mass at once—­Don Francisco de Bobadilla—­and when it was over and all were out and all San Domingo there in the square, he had his letters loudly read.  True enough!  He is Governor, and everybody else must obey him! Even the Admiral!

At dawn Juan Lepe walked and thought.  And then he saw coming the Franciscan, Juan de Trasiena and Francisco Velasquez the Treasurer.  That which Juan de Trasiena and Francisco Velasquez brought were attested copies of the royal letters.

I saw them.  “Wherefore we have named Don Francisco de Bobadilla Governor of these islands and of the main land, and we command you, cavaliers and all persons whatever, to give him that obedience which you do owe to us.”  And to him, the new Governor:  “Whomsoever you find guilty, arrest their persons and take over their goods.”  And, “If you find it to our service that any cavaliers or other persons who are at present in these islands should leave them, and that they should come and present themselves before us, you may command it in our names and oblige it.”  And, “Whomsoever you thus command, we hereby order that immediately they obey as though it were ourselves.”  “And if thus and thus is found to be the case, the said Admiral of the Ocean-Sea shall give into your hands, ships, fortresses, arms, houses and treasure, and he shall himself be obedient to your command.”

The Admiral said, “If it be found thus and thus!  But how shall he find it, seeing that it is not so?”