After this, returning to _Hispaniola_, much contrary to his expectation, he found all things which he had setled there turn’d topsie-turvy: for first the Governors at _Isabella_ jangled, and were at private contentions amongst themselves, and the _Benedictine_ Monk _Boilus_ and _Peter Margarites_ were return’d to _Spain_; there to make their complaints at Court: and besides, the _Spaniards_ had dealt very inhumanely with the Natives, by their frequent Rapes, Thefts, and Murders; wherefore the _Indians_, not unjustly incens’d, destroy’d all the _Spaniards_ they found stragling in any part without the Lines of their Fortification. _Caunaboa_ also lay about the Fort _St. Thomas_, and closely besieged _Hoieda_; but receiving intelligence of _Columbus_’s arrival, he broke up his Siege, and march’d from thence, but soon after was taken Prisoner by the _Spaniards_. Mean while upon Design (a Plot none of the wisest) the Natives of _Hispaniola_ had neither Till’d or Sow’d the Ground, or us’d Agriculture the year before, contriving by want of Provisions (not considering themselves) to starve out the _Spaniards_; but the mischief fell upon the Contrivers: for so great a Famine hapned, that spreading over the whole Countrey, in a few Moneths fifty thousand were starv’d to death; but the _Spaniards_ made a saving, though hard shift with their own store, then, though too late, the Islanders repented of their folly, for they saw the _Spaniards_ making an advantage of their misery, not onely built more Houses in their City _Isabella_, but prepar’d their Weather-beaten Vessels, with which Sailing to the Gold Mountains of _Cipangi_ on the Hill, whence sprung several Fountains, they rais’d the Castle of the _Conception_. Great benefit they reap’d by this Fort, to which they carry’d daily abundance of Amber, Brimstone, mix’d Ore of Silver and Gold, and _Brazile_-wood, besides great store of Gold: and they might have gotten ten times more, had they not been so much inclin’d to slothfulness, and minding other vain pleasures: yet notwithstanding all, the Fleet carry’d that year above one thousand two hundred pound weight of Gold to _Spain_. [Sidenote: _Spaniards_ tyrannise there.] In the mean while the Natives complain’d to _Columbus_ of the _Spanish_ Soldiers, which under pretence to seek for Gold, committed many insufferable Outrages; therefore they desir’d that they might be retain’d in their Forts, and not straggle so much abroad, and they would willingly bring them every three Moneths a certain weight of Cotton, Amber, _Brazile_-wood, and Gold, more than equivalent to what they snatch’d; but _Columbus_ (whose Soldiers, notwithstanding his severity, and using Martial Law upon some of them for their Crimes, and proud with their success) yet prevail’d at last, that they consented thereto; but the Inhabitants never perform’d their promise, who being almost famish’d, had much to do to preserve themselves alive, spending their time in picking Sallads.