The heathen might all be going to burn in hell, unless Fray Ignatio could get them baptized in time, and so numerous were they that seemed hardly possible! Almost all might have to go to hell.

But in the meantime, here on earth, they had their uses, and one could even grow fond of them--certainly fond of the women.

The heathen were eager to work for us, catch us coneys, bring us gold, put hammocks for us between trees and say "Sleep, senor, sleep!" Here even Tomaso Passamonte was "senor" and "Don." And as for the women--only the skin is dark--they were warm-hearted! Gold and women and never any cold nor hunger nor toil! The heathen to toil for you--and they could be taught to make wine, with all these grapes dangling everywhere?
Heathen could do the gathering and pressing, and also the gold hunting in rocks and streams.

Spain would furnish the mind and the habit of command.

It were well to stay and cultivate Hispaniola! The Admiral and those who wanted to might take home the ships.