Ovando repulsed with scorn the admiral's suggestion that, at any rate, the departure of the fleet for Spain should he delayed.

This fleet was the richest in cargo that had ever left the islands.

It contained all the gold which had been wrung out of the natives by Bobadilla's harsh measures.

Of one nugget, especially, the old chroniclers speak in the most glowing terms.

According to them, it was the largest piece of virgin gold ever discovered.