MALEFEASANCE OF CASTAÑEDA—DIEGO ÁLVAREZ OSORIO THE FIRST BISHOP OF NICARAGUA—A CONVENT FOUNDED AT LEON—LAS CASAS ARRIVES—CASTAÑEDA'S FLIGHT—ARRIVAL OF CONTRERAS—PROPOSED EXPEDITION TO EL DESAGUADERO—OPPOSITION OF LAS CASAS—DEPARTURE WITH ALL THE DOMINICANS—THE VOLCANO OF EL INFIERNO DE MASAYA—FRAY BLAS BELIEVES THE LAVA TO BE MOLTEN TREASURE—HIS DESCENT INTO THE BURNING PIT—EXPLORATION OF THE DESAGUADERO—DOCTOR ROBLES ATTEMPTS TO SEIZE THE NEW TERRITORY—CONTRERAS LEAVES FOR SPAIN—HIS ARREST, TRIAL, AND RETURN—HIS SON-IN-LAW MEANWHILE USURPS THE GOVERNMENT—ANTONIO DE VALDIVIESO APPOINTED BISHOP—FEUD BETWEEN THE ECCLESIASTICS AND THE GOVERNOR—ALONSO LOPEZ DE CERRATO TAKES THE RESIDENCIA OF CONTRERAS—MISSIONARY LABORS IN NICARAGUA. [Sidenote: CASTAÑEDA GOVERNOR.] The sense of relief which was felt by all the colonists of Nicaragua, when death at last put an end to the administration of Pedrarias Dávila, was of brief duration. A new taskmaster soon held them in bondage almost as grievous as that of the great despot who now lay buried in the church-vaults at Leon. Francisco de Castañeda, who then held office as contador, and some months previous had been alcalde mayor,[X‑1] claimed that he was legally entitled to the vacant governorship.[X‑2] The cabildo knew of no valid objection, and upon Castañeda's promise to rule with moderation and fairness he was appointed and duly recognized.[X‑3] Before a month had elapsed the colonists found themselves still doomed to oppression and misrule. Without regard to the rights of the settlers, and with an effrontery equalled only by that of his predecessor, the new tyrant refused to convene the cabildo except at long intervals, and then only to discuss matters agreeable to his own wishes. The decision of pending lawsuits was neglected; loans were demanded, and those who refused to contribute were harassed so unmercifully that they abandoned their property and fled the country, leaving their encomiendas to be confiscated.[X‑4] Slave-hunting, with its attendant horrors, was common throughout the province. None were forbidden to kidnap, nor was any limit placed on their capture; the only restriction was that the governor should receive a share. The king's tithes were fraudulently rented.[X‑5] Castañeda was even suspected of making fraudulent entries in the books of the treasurer Tobilla, whose death had recently occurred; nor had he even given himself the trouble of taking an inventory of the contents of the treasure-chest.