The reoccupation of Santa Catalina, or even the strengthening of Zapala, was put out of question by the tightening of the hold of Carolina traders on the Guale Indians, and by savage attacks of English and French freebooters all along the coast. English trade in Indian slaves grew at an appalling rate. The Carolinians purchased captives and thus encouraged the tribes to make war on their southern neighbors. In this way the Yamassees were won over and turned against the Timucua mission Indians. The heathen Yamassees moved in a body to Santa Elena, and the disaffection spread to their Christianized relatives in the Guale missions.