He said that they could see that he believed this, because he had not himself taken passage with Escobar, preferring to share their lot with them.

He had sent back the little vessel at once, so that no time might be lost in sending the necessary ships.
With these assurances he cheered their hearts.

In truth, however, he was very indignant at Ovando's cool behavior.

That he should have left them for months in danger and uncertainty, with a mere tantalizing message and a scanty present of food--all this naturally made the great leader indignant.

He believed that Ovando hoped that he might perish on the island.
He supposed that Ovando thought that this would be favorable for his own political prospects, and he believed that Escobar was sent merely as a spy.