The officers of his ship, supposing he was dying, put about the vessels and the little squadron arrived, none too soon as it proved, at Isabella.
He was as resolute as ever in his determination to crush the Caribs, and prevent their incursions upon those innocent islanders to whom he had made so many promises of protection.

But he fell ill, and for a short time at least was wholly unconscious.

The officers in command took occasion of his illness, and of their right to manage the vessels, to turn back to the city of Isabella.

He arrived there "as one half dead," and his explorations and discoveries for this voyage were thus brought to an end.

To his great delight he found there his brother Bartholomew, whom he had not seen for eight years.