At the head of a party of brave men, Ojeda took up his march through the forests into the dominions of Caonabo. Having found him, he proposed to him to accompany him to Isabella, there to enter into a treaty of peace and friendship with Columbus.
Ojeda told him that, if he would go and enter into such a treaty, he should have the bell upon the church of Isabella. This was a powerful temptation; for nothing had struck the Indians with more wonder and admiration than the sound of this bell. Caonabo himself had heard the sound of it, in some of his secret prowlings around Isabella. He had listened to it with rapture, and now the offer of it determined him to accompany Ojeda. But, when the time came, Caonabo appeared at the head of a large body of warriors.
“Why is this?” asked Ojeda. “Are you not going as a friend?”
“O yes,” replied Caonabo; “but, as I am a king, I must appear like one.”
Finding Caonabo unwilling to go without his warriors, Ojeda consented that they should accompany him. One day, while on their return, they came to a river, on the banks of which they halted. Here Ojeda proposed that Caonabo should bathe; after which, he should mount his horse, and ride in state. To this, Caonabo consented, highly pleased with the idea of riding so fine an animal. Ojeda, accompanied by Caonabo and the Spaniards, now went a short distance, into a retired spot, and bathed. On coming out of the water, Caonabo was assisted to mount the horse behind Ojeda. When mounted, a set of beautifully polished steel shackles were fastened round the feet of Caonabo. To these he had no objection, not knowing for what they were intended, but supposed they were designed to add honor to him as a prince.
Ojeda and the Spaniards now mounted, and, with Caonabo following, now rode in among the warriors, making their horses prance and appear as fine as they were able. With this manoeuvre, the Indians appeared to be well pleased. Ojeda had made known his plan to his followers. So, riding round and round, they at length went to a considerable distance from the warriors. All at once, Ojeda gave the word of command, and the whole party of horsemen fled with their prisoner.
It was a bold project; yet it succeeded. The Indians were unable to equal the speed of the horses. Ojeda and his companions were soon out of sight, and far off at a distance from the warriors of Caonabo. It was in vain for him to attempt to escape. The shackles held him fast. But, at length halting, they bound him tight, and thus he was conducted in safety to Isabella.
Columbus was rejoiced to have him in his power. He was deemed to have forfeited his life by killing the Spaniards belonging to Fort La Navidad, and destroying that fortress. He was therefore detained as a prisoner by Columbus, who intended, at a proper time, to have him conveyed to Spain.
Caonabo was a proud chief. Even in confinement he carried himself loftily. Towards Columbus, he appeared to bear the bitterest hostility, while, to Ojeda, he gave much credit for his sagacity. We shall here add, respecting the fate of Caonabo, that, some time after, Columbus, on returning to Spain, took this haughty chief with him. But he died during the voyage.