Accordingly, on the 7th July, 1503, the Adelantado, with an armed escort, proceeded along the shore; while Mendez, with six Spaniards and ten Indians, in one canoe, and Fieschi (a Genoese, who had commanded one of the caravels), with a like number in the other, made their way by sea to Point Morant.
After waiting a short time for fine weather, the two canoes started for Hispaniola, and reached a little island called Navazza on the third day, both Spaniards and Indians having suffered terribly from the want of water, with which they were insufficiently supplied.

Another day's labour at the oar brought them to Cape Tiburon, where Mendez left his companions and proceeded alone to St.Domingo.Here he was informed that the governor had left for Xaragua; and thither he made his way alone, through fifty leagues of wild forest country, to represent to Ovando the necessity of sending relief to the admiral, and that speedily.

Ovando seems to have temporized.

He dreaded the return of Columbus, as likely to excite the seditious to a revolt against his own government.

And so far from taking active steps in the matter himself, it was only with reluctance that he authorized Mendez to proceed to St.Domingo to purchase a caravel on behalf of Columbus, in which Fieschi might return to Santa Gloria, and bring him off.
SUSPENSE OF THE ADMIRAL; MUTINY OF PORRAS.
Meanwhile, month after month passed by, and the unfortunate castaways at Santa Gloria had no tidings from Hispaniola, and were even ignorant whether their messengers had succeeded in reaching that island.