He was seated in his cell, and the monks were giving him some refreshment, when a fearful uproar was heard outside, and the convent was found to be surrounded by armed men. Some of them forced their way into the Bishop's presence. At first there was such a noise that it was impossible to hear what it was all about, but at last it appeared that it was because the Indian sentinels had been bound and treated as prisoners. Las Casas at once said that he alone was to blame for this, and explained that it was done for fear they should be suspected of favoring him. Then a storm of abuse broke out against the Bishop, no feeling of respect for his office nor of consideration for his age restraining them. Meanwhile, while this was going on within, a scene of violence was taking place in the courtyard. The mob attacked the negro who attended the Bishop in all his travels. This negro was of great stature and the Bishop in jest called him Juanillo (Little John). He had traveled three times across the continent with the Bishop, and always carried him in his arms when fording the swollen streams. Juanillo was wounded with a pike thrust and stretched on the ground. The monks rushed out to help him and two of them,--very strong young men,--succeeded in clearing the courtyard. All this took place before nine o'clock in the morning. By noon there was a revulsion of feeling,--the minds of the citizens had entirely changed. The members of the council came humbly to the convent, asked the Bishop's pardon on their knees, and kissed his hands. They then carried him in festive procession to the house of one of the principal citizens, and sent him costly presents. Finally, they arranged a grand tournament in his honor. It is doubtful if this sudden change in their treatment of him was especially gratifying to the Bishop, as it indicated fickleness and lack of depth in the people he had come to rule. Indeed neither he nor the monks had been in any way misled by this demonstration as to what was likely to happen in the future. While the peace lasted his adherents made haste to send plenty of provisions to the Bishop's house, lest he be starved out when it was over. Las Casas was now about to go to Mexico, to attend a meeting of all the bishops in the New World, who were to confer concerning all questions concerning the Indians. While he was making his preparations, Juan Rogel,--the auditor appointed by the council at Gracias a Dios to see to the enforcement of the new laws,--arrived. He listened respectfully to all the Bishop had to say, and then advised him to hasten his departure. "For," said he, "one of the reasons that has made these laws hateful in the Indies, is the fact that you have had a hand in them." And Rogel went on to explain that he would be able to act with much more freedom in his absence. Las Casas recognized the truth of this, and made all haste to get away. He left his diocese just a year after he had entered it.