第2章

IrestedJuanLepeinthehouseholdofDonEnriquedeCerda,onefigureamongmany,involvedintheswarmoffightingandservingmen.Therewasasquirewhohadservedhimlong.Tothisman,DiegoLopez,Iwascommitted,withenoughtoldtoenlisthisintelligence.HemanagedformeintheintricatelifeoftheplacewithaskilltomakegodMercuryapplaud.DonEnriqueandIwererarelytogether,rarelywereseenbymentospeakonetotheother.

Butintheinnerworldweweretogether.

Dayspassed.WefoundnothingyettodowhilealllisteninganddoingatSantaFewereboundupinthecrum-

blingofGranadaintoSpanishhands.Itseemedbesttowait,watchingchances.

Meantimetheshowglittered,andman"sstrongstomachcried``Life!Morelife!""ItglitteredatSantaFebeforeGranada,anditwasadyingemberinGranadabeforeSantaFe.Theoneglitteredandtriumphedbecausetheotherglitteredandtriumphednot.AndwhoaboveheldthebalancesevenandneithersorrowednorwasfeverishlyelatedbutwenthisownwaycouldonlybeseenfromtheVegalikeadreamoralinefromapoet.

ForthemostpartthenoblesandcavaliersinSantaFespentasthoughhardgoldwerespiritualgoldtobegatheredendlessly.Onemightsay,``Theygointoagardenandshaketreeeachmorning,whichtreeputsforthagaininthenight.""NoneseemedtoseeasonamaplaiddownSpainandthebrokenpeasantandthediggerofthegold.Noneseemedtofeelthattoilwhichorsoonorlatetheymustrecognizefortheirowntoil.ToilinSpain,toilinotherandfarlandswhencecametheirrichthings,toilinEurope,ArabiaandIndia!ApparelatSantaFewasathingtomarvelat.Thesteednolessthanhisriderwentgorgeous.

TheKingandQueen,itwassaid,didnotlikethispeacocking,butmightnothelpit.

TheythemselveswerepouringgoldintothelapoftheChurch.Itwasacapaciouslap.

Warsweregeneralenough,Godknew!Butnoteveryyearcouldonefindacampwherethefriarwasascommonasthearcherorthepikeman,andtheprelateastheplumedchieftain.

SantaFewascourtnolessthancamp,courtalmostasthoughitwereCordova.ThisQueenandKingatleastdidnotliveateaseinpalaceswhileothersfoughttheirwars.

North,south,eastandwest,throughthetenyears,theyhadbeenthemovingsprings.ItwasanableKingandQueen,apoliticKingandasincereandgodlyQueen,evenalovingQueen.Ifonly——ifonly——

IhadbeenaweekandmoreinSantaFewhenKingBoab-

dilsurrenderedGranada.HeleftforevertheAlhambra.

Granadagatesopened;herodeoutwithafewofhisemirsandservantstomeetKingFerdinandandQueenIsabella.

Thedayshonebright.Spaintowered,afiguredressedingoldandred.

SantaFepouredouttoviewthespectacle,andwiththerestwentDiegoLopezandJuanLepe.Sogreatfestival,sovividthecolor,soechoingthesound,sostatelyandvariousthemovement!LookingatthegreatstrengthmassingthereontheplainIsaidaloud,asIthought,toDiegoLopez,``Nowtheymightdosomeworthygreatthing!""

Thesquirenotanswering,Ibecameawarethataswirlinthethronghadpushedhimfromme.Stilltherecameananswerinadeepandpeculiarlythrillingvoice.``Thatisatruesayingandagoodaugury!""

IlearnmuchbyvoicesandbeforeIturnedIknewthatthiswasanenthusiast"svoice,butnotanenthusiastwithoutknowledge.Whoeverspokewasstrongenough,realenough.

Ilikedthevoiceandfeltacertaininnermovementoffriendship.

Someshiftamongthegreatactors,somepartingofbanners,keptussuspendedandstaringforamoment,thentheviewclosedagainstuswhocouldonlybeholdbysnatches.

Freed,Iturnedtoseewhohadspokenandfoundatall,stronglymade,white-hairedman.Thesilverhairwastoosoon;hecouldhardlyhavebeentenyearsmyelder.Hehadalong,fairfacethatmightoncehavebeentannedandhardenedbygreatexposure.Hisskinhadthatlook,butnowthebronzewasfaded,andyoucouldseethathehadbeenbornveryfairintint.Acrossthehighnoseandcheekboneswentapowderingoffreckles.Hiseyeswerebluish-grayandIsawatoncethathehabituallylookedatthingsafaroff.

HewasratherpoorlydressedandpushedaboutasIwas.

Whenthesurgeagaingavehimfooting,hespokebesideme.

```Nowthatthisisover,theymightdosomegreat,worthything!"Verytrue,friend,theymight!Itakeyourwordsforgoodomen.""Thethrongshotoutanarmandwewereparted.ThesameactionbroughtbacktomeDiegoLopez.

Speakingtohimlaterofthetallman,hesaidthathehadnoticedhim,andthatitwastheItalianwhowouldgotoIndiabywayofOcean-Sea.

KingBoabdilgaveuphiscitytoKingFerdinandandQueenIsabella.OverGranada,highagainstthebrightsky,roseandfloatedthebanners.Cannon,thebiglombards,roared.Mars"musiccrashedout,thenthetrumpetsceasedtheircryingandinsteadspreadamightychanting._TeDeumLaudamus!_

Atlastthemassedbrightnessoutintheplainquiveredandparted.Thepageantrybroke,widecurvingandreturningwithsomefreedombutwithordertoo,intoSantaFe.

IsawtheQueenandtheKingwiththeirchildren,andtheGrandCardinal,andprelatesandprelates,andtheMarquisofCadiz,andmanyagrandeeandfamousknight.DonEnriquedeCerdaandhistroopcameby.

DiegoLopezandIreturnedtothetown.IsawagainthemanwhowouldfindIndiabyawayunpassed,asfarasoneknew,sincetheworldbegan!Hewasenteringahousewithafriarbesidehim.SomethingcameintomymindoftheconventofLaRabida.

CHAPTERV

SOMEdayswentby.TheKingandtheQueenwiththecourtandagreattrainofprelatesandgrandeesandknightsrodeinstatethroughGranada.DonEnrique,returning,toldmeofitinhisroomatnight,oftheChristianserviceinthemosqueandthethroningintheAlhambra.

``Now,""hesaid,``aftergreataffairs,ouraffairs!IhavehadspeechwiththeMarchionessofMoya.""

``ThatistheQueen"sfriend?""

``Yes.DonaBeatrixdeBoabdilla.Westoodtogetherbyafountain,andwhenshesaid,`WhatcanIdoforyou?"

Ianswered,`Thereissomething."Thenwhileallwentinpageantrybeforeus,Itoldherofthehermitageintheoakwoodandoftheunhappysmalltower,andofyouandmeandthoseothers,andwhatwasdonethatday.DonJayme,Itolditlikeaminstrelwhobelieveswhathesings!AndthenIspokeofto-day.Sheisnopunysoul,norissheinpriest"sgrip.Sheactsfromherownvision,notfromthatofanother.TheQueenisnoweaksouleither!Shealsohasvision,buttoooftensheletsthechurchmentakehervisionfromher.ButDonaBeatrixisstrongerthere.

Well,shepromiseshelpifwecanshowherhowtohelp.""

Isaid,``Ihavebeenthinking.Itseemstomethatitwaswrongtocomehereandputmyweightuponyou.""

``No!""heanswered.``Didwenotswearthen,whenwewereyoungmen?Andweneedednooathsneither.

Letsuchthoughtsbe——Iamgoingtothepalaceto-morrow,andyouwithme.TheKingandtheQueenridewithagreattrainintoGranada.ButDonaBeatrixwillexcuseherselffromgoing.Thepalacewillbealmostempty,andweshallfindherinthelittlegalleryabovetheQueen"sgarden.""

Thenextmorningwewentthere,DonEnriquedeCerdaandhissquire,JuanLepe.Thepalacerosegreatandgoodlyenough,withthechurchathand.Allhadbeenbuiltasbymagic,silkenpavilionsflyingawayandstouthousessettlingthemselvesdown.SunkamongthewallshadbeenmanagedasmallgardenfortheQueenandherladies.A

narrow,latticedandroofedgallerybuiltwithouttheQueen"sroomslookeddownuponorangeandmyrtletreesandafountain.HerewefoundtheMarchionessdeMoya,withhertwowaitingdamselswhomshesetbythegallerydoor.

DonEnriquekissedherhandandthenmotionedtome.

DonJaymedeMarchenamadehisreverence.

Shewasastrongwomanwhowouldgodirectlytotheheartofthings.Alwaysshewouldlearnfromthemanhimself.SheaskedmethisandIanswered;thatandtheotherandIanswered.``DonPedro——?""Itoldtheenmitythereandthereasonforit.``TheJewishrabbi,mygreat-grandfather?""Iavowedit,butbythreeCastilianandChristiangreat-grandfatherscouldnotbecountedasJew!PractiseJudaism?No.MygrandmotherJudithhadbeenChristian.

Shedrovetotheheartofit.``YouyourselfareChristian.

Whatdoyoumeanbythat?WhattheQueenmeans?

WhattheGrandCardinalandtheArchbishopofGranadameans?WhattheHolyOfficemeans?""

Ikeptsilenceforamoment,thenItoldheraswellasI

might,withoutfeverandwithoutmelancholy,whatIhadwrittenandoftheDominican.

``Youhavebeen,""shesaid,``animprudentcavalier.""

Thefountainflashedbelowus,agraydoveflewovergarden.Isaid,``Thereisatext,`Withallthygetting,getunderstanding."Thereisanother,`ForGodsolovedtheworld"——thatHewishedtoimpartunderstanding.""

Shesatquiet,seemingtolistentothefountain.Thenshesaid,``AreyoureadytoavowwhentheyaskyouthatineveryparticulartowhichtheGrandInquisitormaypointyouarewrong,andthatallthatHolyChurchthroughmouthofHolyOfficesaysisright?""

Isaid,``No,Madam!PresentChurchisnotaslargeasTruth,norasfairasBeauty.""

``Youmaythinkthat,butwillyousaytheother?""

``SaythatchurchorkingdomexactlymatchesTruthandBeauty?""

``ThatiswhatIamsureyouwillhavetosay.""

``Then,no!""

``Idonotsee,""shesaid,``thatIcandoanythingforyou.""

Therewasachairbesideher.Shesatdown,herchinonherhandandhereyeslowered.Silenceheldsaveforthefountainplashing.DonEnriquestoodbytherailing,andJaymedeMarchenafelthisconcern.Buthehimselfwalkedjustthen——DonJaymeorJuanLepe——intolongpatience,intogreatersteadfastness.Intotheinnerfieldscametranslucence,goldlight;cameandfaded,butleftstrength.

DonaBeatrixraisedhereyesandletthemdwelluponme.``Spainbreedsboldknights,""shesaid,``butnotsomanyafterallwhoareboldwithin!Notsomany,Ithink,asarefoundinItalyorinFrance.""Shepausedamoment,lookingattheskyabovetheroofs,thencamebacktome.

``Itishopeless,andyoumustseeit,totalkinthosetermstotheonlypowersthatcanleadtheHolyOfficetoforgetthatyoulive!ItishopelesstotalktotheQueen,tellingherthat.Shewouldholdthatshehadentertainedheresy,andherimaginationwouldnotletheralone.Iseenaughtinthisworldforyoutodobuttogooutofitintoanother!

Thereareotherlands——""

Adamselhurriedtoherfromthedoor.``There"sastirbelow,Madam!SomethinghasbroughttheQueenhomeearlierthanwethought——""

TheMarchionessdeMoyarose.DonEnriquekissedherhand,andJaymedeMarchenakisseditandthankedher.``I

wouldhelpifIcould!""shesaid.``ButinSpainto-dayitisdeadlydangeroustotalkorwriteasthoughtherewerefreedom!""

Shepassedfromthegallery,DonEnriqueandIfollowing.

Wecameuponalandingwithagreatstairbeforeus.

Quickashadbeenhermaidens,theywerenotquickenough.

Manyfolkwerecomingupthebroadsteps.DonaBeatrixglanced,thenopenedadoorgivingintoagreatroom,apparentlyempty.Shepointedtoanoppositedoor.``Thelittlestair!Gothatway!""DonEnriquenoddedcomprehension.

Wewereintheroom;thedoorclosed.

Atfirstitseemedanemptygreatchamber.Thenfrombehindasquareofstretchedclothcameaman"shead,followedbythefigurepertainingtoit.Thefullmanwascladafterarichfancyandheheldinhishandabrushandlookedatusatfirstdreamilyandthenwithkeenness.

Heknewme,differentlyarrayedthoughIwas,andlookedfrommetoDonEnrique.``MasterManuelRodriguez,""

saidthelatter,``IwouldstopforgoodtalkandtoadmiretheQueen"slikeness,butdutycallsmeoutofpalace!

Adios!""Hemadetowardthedooracrossfromthatbywhichwehadentered.Thepainterspokeafterus.``Thatdoorisbolted,DonEnrique,ontheotherside.Idonotknowwhy!Itisnotusuallyso.""

DonEnrique,turning,hurriedtothefirstdoorandveryslightlyopenedit.Ahummingenteredthelarge,quietroom.

Heclosedthedoor.``TheQueeniscomingupthegreatstair.TheArchbishopofGranadaiswithherandawholetrainbeside!""Hespoketothepainter.``Ihavenoaudience,andforreasonswouldnotchoosethismomentasoneinwhichtoencountertheleastdisfavor!Iwillstayherebeforeyourpictureandadmireuntillandingandstairwaysarebare.""

``Iftobeinvisibleisyourdesire,""answeredManuelRodriguez,``youhavewalkedintotrouble!TheQueeniscominghere.""

DonEnriqueexclaimed.JuanLepeturnedeyestothepainter.Theblueeyesmetmine——thererosetherushypool,theredozedthebrokenboat.ManuelRodriguezspokeinhisvoicethatwasatoncecoolandfineanddryandwarm.``Itisbesttodarethoroughly!PerhapsImayhelpyou——asthus!WishingtospeakwithDonEnriqueofanaltarpaintingfortheChurchofSaintDominic,I

askedhimhereandhecame.Wetalked,andhewillgivethepicture.Then,hearingtheQueen"sapproach,hewouldinstantlyhavebeengone,butalack,thesmalldoorisbarred!——

Asforfishermanyonder,fewlookatsquirewhenknightisinpresence!""

Notimetodebatehisoffer,whichindeedwasbothwiseandkind!Chamberlainsflungopenthedoor.IncametheQueen,withherthePrincessJuanaandseveralofherladies.BesideherwalkedFernandodeTalavera,HerHighness"sconfessor,yesterdayBishopofAvilabutnowArchbishopofGranada.Behindhimmovedtwolesserecclesiastics,andwiththeseDonAlonzodeQuintanella,Comptroller-

GeneralofCastile.Othersfollowed,noblesandcavaliers,twosoberlycladmenwholookedlikesecretaries,aFranciscanfriar,threeorfourpages.Theroomwaslargeandhadatablecoveredwitharichcloth,twogreatchairsandafewlesserones.

ThepainterandDonEnriquebentlowtotheMajestyofCastile.InthebackgroundJuanLepemadesquire"sobeisance.IwasbeardedandmyfacestainedwithaMoorishstain,andIwasinshadow;itwasidletofearrecognitionthatmightnevercome.TheQueenseatedherself,andherdaughterbesideher,andwithhergoodsmilemotionedtheArchbishoptoachair.Thetwoecclesiastics,bothvenerablemen,weregivenseats.Therestofthecompanystood.TheQueen"sblueeyesrestedonDonEnrique.

Shespokeinaclear,mildvoice,threadedwithdignity.

Wereyousummonedthither,DonEnriquedeCerda?""

Heanswered,``No,Highness!IcametothepalacetoseekMasterManuelRodriguezwhoistopaintformeanaltarpiecefortheChurchofSaintDominic.YouandtheKing,Madam,IthoughtwereinGranada.Notfindinghiminhisownlodging,Imadeboldtocomehere.Thenatonce!beforeIcouldhastenaway,youreturned!""

ThetruenatureofthisQueenwastothinknoevil.Hercountenanceremainedmild.Hehaddonevaliantservice,andshewassisterly-mindedtowardthegreaterpartoftheworld.Nowshesaidwithserenity,``Thereisnofault,DonEnrique.Staywithusnowthatyouarehere.""

Bowingdeeply,hejoinedabrother-in-arms,DonMigueldeSilva.Hissquirestoodintheshadowbehindhim,butfoundachance-leftlaneofvisiondownwhichmuchmightbeseen.

TheQueencomposedherself,inherchair.``Thisistheposition,MasterManuel?""Thefairman,sofineandquickthatIlovedtolookathim,bowedandsteppedbacktohiscanvas,wherehetookuphisbrushandfelltowork.TheQueenandtheArchbishopbegantospeakearnestlytogether.

WordsandsentencesfloatedtoJuanLepestandingbythearras.TheQueenmadethoughtfulpauses,lookingbeforeherwithsteadyblueeyesandasomewhatliftedface.I

notedthatwhenshedidthisManuelRodriguezpaintedfast.

Therefellapauseintheirtalk.Somethingdifferingfromthesubjectofdiscourse,whateverinitsfullnessthatmightbe,seemedtocomeintohermind.Shesentherglanceacrosstheroom.

``DonEnriquedeCerda——""

Thetonesummoned.Whenhewasbeforeher,``Itwasinmymind,""saidtheQueen,``tosendforyouwithinadayortwo.Butnowyouarehere,andthismomentwhileweawaittheKingisasgoodasanother.WehavehadlettersfromtheBishopofSevillewhomwereverence,andfromDonPedroEnriqueztowhomweowemuch.TheyhavetodowithJaymedeMarchenawhohaslongbeensuspectbytheHolyOffice.HehasfledSeville,gonenoneknowwhere!DonPedroinformsus,DonEnrique,thatyearsagothismanstoodamongyourfriends.Hedoesnotthinkitprobablethatthisisyetso——nordoI,DonEnrique,knowingthatyoumustholdinabhorrencetheheretic!""

Shelookedmildlyuponhim.``InyouthwemakechancefriendshipsthickasMay,butmanhoodweedsthegarden!

Andyetwethinkitpossiblethatthismanmayinhishearttradeonoldthingsandmakehiswaytoyouorsendyouappeal.""Shepaused,thensaidinaquietvoice,``Shouldthathappen,DonEnrique,onyourallegiance,andasagoodChristian,youwilldoallthatyoucantoputhiminthehandsoftheHolyOffice.""

Shewaitedwithherblueeyesuponhim.Hesaid,andsaidquietly,``Itwaslongago,Madam,whenIwasayoungmanandcareless.Iwilldoallthatliesinmetodo.ButSpainiswideandthereareshipstoAfricaandothershores.""

Shesaid,``Yes,IdonotseesuchanonedaringtocometoSantaFe!Buttheysaythattendemonspossessaheretic,andthathecrossesstreamsuponahairorwalksedgesofhighwalls.""

Withherringedhandshemadegestureofdismissal.Hebowedlowandsteppedbacktohisformerplace.

Thesunfloodedinatwindow.ManuelRodriguezpaintedsteadily.TheQueensatstill,withliftedfaceandeyesstrainedintodistance.ShesighedandcamebackfromwasteswhereshewouldbeChristian,oh,whereshewouldbeChristian!andbeganwithatender,maternallooktotalkwithherdaughter.

CHAPTERVI

THEdoorgivinguponthegreatcorridoropened.Onesaid,``TheKing,Madam!""KingFerdinandenteredquietly,inthesoberfashionofasoberandableman.

Hewascoolandbalanced,truealwaystohisownconceptionofhisowndues.TheQueenroseandsteppedtomeethim.Theyspoke,standingtogether,afterwhichhehandedhertoherchairandtookbesidehertheothergreatchairwhichthepageshadswiftlyplaced.AftergreetinghisdaughterandtheArchbishophelookedacrosstothepainter.

``MasterManuelRodriguez,goodday!""

Therefellamomentofsun-drenchedquietinwhichtheyallsatfortheirpicture.ThensaidtheKing,``Madam,wearetogether,andherearethosewhohavebeenourchiefadvisersinthisaffairofdiscoveries.MasterChristopherusisbelow.Wenotedhiminthecourt.Letushavehimhereandseethistoo-long-draggingmatterfinished!Onceforallabatehisdemands,oronceforalllethimgo!""

Theysentapage.Againtherewassunnysilence,theninatthedoorcamethetall,muscular,gray-eyed,silver-

hairedmanwhomIhadmetthedayKingBoabdilsurrenderedGranada.

HemadereverencetotheQueenandtheKingandtotheArchbishop.ItwastheQueenwhospoketohimandthatgently.

``MasterChristopherus,wehavehadathousandbusinesses,andsoourmatterherehaswaitedandwaited.To-

daycomesunawarethisquiethourandwewillgiveittoyou.HerewithusaretheArchbishopandotherswhohavebeenourcounsellors,andhereisDonAlonzodeQuin-

tantellawhohathalwaysstoodyourfriend.Inallthehurly-

burlyweyettooktime,twodaysago,tositincouncilandcometoconclusion.Andnowwegiveyouourdetermination.

Inallreasonitshouldgiveyoujoy!""Shesmileduponhim.``Howmanyyearssincefirstyoulaidyourplanbeforeus?""

Heansweredherinadeepvoice,thrillingandcrowdedwithfeeling.``Sevenyears,MadamyourHighness!Likeaninfantlaidatyourfeet.Andwinterhasblownuponit,andsunshinecarryinghopehaswalkedaroundit,andthenagainthecoldwindrises——""

TheKingspoke.``MasterChristopherus,inwarmuchelsehastocease!Inmuchwehavehadtofindpatience,andyouhavetofindit.""

``MylordKing,yes!""repliedthetallman.``ItiseighteenyearssinceinLisbon,lookingupontheseaoneday,Isaidtomyself,`Isthereaquestionthatisnottobeanswered?Thisoceanistobecrossed.ThenwhydonotI

crossit?ThereisCipango,CathayandIndia!Goldandspicesarethere,andherelieships,andbetween,whenallissaid,isonlysea!Godmadetheseatobesailed!Yondertheyworshipidols,hereweworshipChrist.Thereareidols,hereisChrist.OnceaChristopheruscarriedChristacrosswater!"Eighteenyearsago.Isaid,`Icandoit!"

Isayitto-day,mylordandmylady.Icandoit!""

OftheseatedgreatonesonlytheQueen"sspiritappearedtoanswerhis.Heseemedtoenchanther,totakeherwithhim.ButtheKing"scoolfaceregardedhimwithsomethinglikedislike.Hespokeinanedgedvoice.``SaintChristopheraskednogreatwage.Thatisthepoint,MasterChristopherus,soletustoit!AtlasttheQueenandI

say`Weagree"tothisenterprise,whichmaybringforthfruitormaynot,ormaymeanmereemptylossofshipsandmenandofourmonies!Yetwesay`yea."Butwedonotsay`yea",MasterChristopherus,tothetoogreatferryfeewhichyouask!Isay`ask",butverilythetoneisofcommand!""

ThemanwhomtheycalledMasterChristopherusmadeaslow,widegestureofdeprecation.TheArchbishoptooktheword.``Toomuch!Youaskahundredtimestoomuch!Imustsaytoyouthatitisunchristianlyarrogance.

Youtalklikeasoldan!""Anassentingmurmurcamefromtheotherecclesiastics.

TheQueenspoke.``MasterChristopherus,ifitbeagreatthingtodo,isnotthedoingitandtherebyblessingyourselfnolessthanothers——isnotthatreward?NotthatCastileshalldenyyoureward,no!TrustmethatifyoubringusthekeyofIndiayoushallnotfindusniggardly!

Butweandtheywhoadviseusstumbleatyourprescribingwealth,honorsandgiftsthattheysaytrulyarebetterfittingagreatprince!Trustusforenrichmentandforhonordoyoucomebackwiththegreatthingdone!LeaveitallnowtoTimethatbringstopass.SoyouwillbeclearertogoforthtotheblessedcarryingofChrist!""

Shespokeearnestly,aQueen,butwithmuchaboutherofwomanly,motherlysweetness.Isawthatshegreatlylikedthemanandsomewheremethisspirit.ButtheKingwasgatheringhardness.Hespoketoasecretarystandingbehindhim.``Haveyouittherewrittendown,theItalian"sdemand?""

Themanproducedapaper.``Read!""Butbeforeitcouldbeunfolded,MasterChristopherusspoke.

```Italian!"SevenyearsinSpainandteninPortugal,andagoodwhileinPortoSantothatbelongstoPortugal,alittleinEnglandandinUltimaThuleorIceland,andlong,longyearsuponshipsdeckedandundeckedinalltheseasthatareknown——fourteenyears,childhoodandboyhood,inGenoaandatPaviawhereIwenttoschool,andallmyyearsofhopeinChrist"sKingdom,andintheuplandsofgreatdoers-andyourHighnesssaystomeforaslightingword,`Italian!"IwasborninItaly,butto-day,forthisturn,KingFerdinand,youshouldcallme`Spaniard"!As,ifKingJohnsendsmeforthbewillcallmePortuguese!

OrKingHenrywillsay,`ChristophertheEnglishman"

orKingCharles,towhomverilyIseethatImaygo,shallsay,`Frenchman,towhomallowethemarriageofEastandWest,butFranceowesEmpire!"""

TheKingsaid,``Itmaybeso,oritmaynotbeso,MasterChristopherus——Read!""

Thesecretaryread:TheGenoese,CristoforoColombo,calledinSpainCristobalColon,andintheLatinChristopherusColumbus,statesanddemandsinsubstanceasfollows:

SailingwestwardhewilldiscoverfortheKingandQueenoftheSpainstheIndiesandCathayandCipango,tothegreatgloryandenrichmentoftheseSovereignsandthepassingtherebyofSpainaheadofPortugal,andlikewiseandabovealltothegreatgloryofChristandofHolyChurch.Hewilldothis,havingseenitclearformanyyearsthatitistobedone,andhetheinstrument.AndforthefindingbygoingwestwardofthesaidIndiaandallthegainoftheworldandtheKingdomofGodandofourSovereignstheKingDonFerdinandandtheQueenDonaIsabella,hebargaineththus:

``HeshallbenamedAdmiraloftheOcean-Sea,wherebyhemeansthewholewaterwestofthelinedrawnbytheHolyFatherfortheKingofPortugal.HeshallbemadeViceroyandGovernorofallcontinentsandislandsthathemaydiscover,claimandoccupyfortheSovereigns.AndthesaidChristopherusColumbus"seldestsonshallholdtheseofficesafterhim,andtheheirofhisson,andhisheir,downtime.Heshallbegrantedonetenthofallgold,pearls,preciousstones,spices,orothermerchandisefoundorboughtorexchangedwithinhisadmiraltyandviceroyship,andthistitheislikewisetobetakenbyhisheirsfromgenerationtogeneration.Heoronethatheshallnameshallbejudgeinalldisputesthatariseinthesecontinentsandislands,sobeitthatthehonoroftheSovereignsofSpainisnottouched.

HeshallhavethesalarythathaththeHighAdmiralofCastile.HeandhisfamilyshallbeennobledandhenceforthbecalledDonandDona.Andfortheimmediatesailingofshipshemay,ifhesodesire,beataneighthoftheexpenseofoutfitting,forwhichheshallbereturnedaneighthofalltheprofitofthisthefirstvoyage.""

Thesecretarydidnotmakethetermslesssoundingbyhisreading.Windinleaves,wentastirthroughtheroom.

Iheardapagenearmewhispering,``OSanctaMaria!

Thehanger-on,theneedyone!SincethebeginningoftimeI"veseenhimatdoors,sunnyandcloudydays,thebig,droningbee!""ManuelRodriguezpaintedon.Ifelthisthought.``Ishouldliketopaint_you_,AdmiraloftheOcean-Sea!""

Theroomrecomposeditself.OutofsilencecametheKing"svoice,chillanddry.``Weabatesovastaclaimforsovastreward!Butwewouldbenaughtelsebutjust,andinourabilitylavish.Readnowwhatwewilldo!""

Thesecretaryread.Ithadacertainlargenessandgoodliness,asgorewardsforadventure,evenforgreatadventure,whatthesovereignswoulddo.Theroomthoughtitshouldanswer.TheKingspoke,``Wecanpromisenomorenorotherthanthis.Itcontentsyou,MasterChristopherus?""

Thelong-faced,high-nosed,gray-eyedmananswered,``No,mylordKing.""

``Yourowntermsornone?""

``Mineornone,yourHighness.""

TheKing"svoicegrewacuttingwind.``TothattheQueenandIanswer,`Oursornone!"""Pushingbackhischair,heglancedatsunoutofwindow.``Itisover.I

inclinetothinkthatitwasatbestbutanemptyvision.Youaredismissed,MasterChristopherus!""

TheGenoese,bowing,steppedbackwardfromthetable.

Inhisfaceandcarriagewasnothingbroken.Hekeptcolor.TheQueen"sglancewentafterhim,``Whatwillyoudonow,MasterChristopherus?""

Heanswered,``Mylady,yourHighness,Ishalltakehorseto-morrowforFrance.""

TheKingsaid,``France?——KingCharlesbuyseverlow,nothigh!""

TheSovereignsandthegreatchurchmenandthelessgreatwentawaytogether.Afterthemflowedthehighattendance.

Allwent,DonEnriqueamongthelast.Followinghim,Iturnedhead,forIwishedtoobserveagaintwopersons,thepainterManuelRodriguezandtheAdmiraloftheOcean-Sea.Theformerpaintedon.Thelatterwalkedforthquitealone,comingbehindthegrinningpages.

InthecourtbelowIsawhimagain.Thearchwaytostreetsenttowardusadeepwedgeofshadow.Hehadacloakwhichhewrappedaroundhimandalargeroundbatwhichhedrewlowoverhisgray-blueeyes.Withafirmstephecrossedtothearchwaywherethepurpleshadowtookhim.

JuanLepemustturntohisownpartwhichnowmustbedecided.IwalkedbehindDonEnriquedeCerdathroughSantaFe.WithhimkeptDonMigueldeSilva,wholovedDonEnrique"ssisterandwouldstilltalkof_devoir_andofplans,nowthatthewarwasended.WhenthehousewasreachedhewouldenterwithusandstilladheretoDonEnrique.Butatthestairfootthelatterspoketothesquire.

``Findmeinanhour,JuanLepe.Ihavesomethingtosaytothee!""Histonecarried,``Doyouthinktheplacetheremakesanydifference?No,bythegodoffriends!""

IlethimgothinkingthatIwouldcometohimpresently.

ButI,too,hadtoactunderthegodoffriends.InDiegoLopez"sroomIfoundquillandinkandpaper,andthereI

wrotealettertoDonEnrique,andfindingDiegogaveittohimtobegivenintwohoursintoDonEnrique"shand.

ThenJuanLepethesquirechangedinhisownroom,narrowandbareasacell,totheclothingofJuanLepethesailor.

CHAPTERVII

DUSKwasdrawingdownasIstolewithlittletroubleoutofthehouseintothestreetandthenceintothemazeofSantaFe.ThatnightIsleptwithminstrelsandjugglers,andatsunriseslippedoutofCordovagatewithmuleteers.TheywereforCordovaandImeanttogotoMalaga.Imeanttofindthereaship,maybeforAfrica,maybeforItaly,thoughinItaly,too,sitstheInquisition.

Butwhoknowswhatitisthatturnsaman,unlesswecallithisGenius,unlesswecallitGod?IletthemuleteerspassmeontheroadtoCordova,letthemdwindleinthedistance.AndstillIwalkedanddidnotturnbackandfindtheMalagaroad.ItwasasthoughIwereonthesea,andmybark,washanginginacalm,waitingforawindtoblow.AmanmountedonahorsewascomingtowardmefromSantaFe.Watchingthesmallfiguregrowlarger,I

said,``Whenheisevenwithmeandhaspassedandisalittlefigureagaininthedistance,Iwillturnsouth.""

Hecamenearer.SuddenlyIknewhimtobethatMasterChristopheruswhohadenteredthewedgeofshadowyesterdayinthepalacecourt.Hewasoutofitnow,inthebroadlight,onthewhiteroad——onthewaytoFrance.Heapproached.

TheoceanbeforePaloscameandstoodagainbeforeme,saltandpowerful.Thekeen,far,skylineofitawokeanddrew!

ChristopherusColumbuscameupwithme.Isaid,``A

Palossailorgivesyougoodmorning!""

Checkingthehorse,hesatlookingatmeoutofblue-grayeyes.Isawhimrecollecting.``Dressisdifferentandpoorer,butyouarethesquireinthecrowd!`SailorPalossailor"——There"ssomemeaningtheretoo!""

Heseemedtoponderit,thenaskedifIwasforCordova.

``No.IamgoingtoMalagawhereItakeship.""

``ThisisnottheMalagaroad.""

``No.ButIaminnohurry!Ishouldliketowalkamilewithyou.""

``Thendoit,""heanswered.``Somethingtellsmethatweshallnotbeilltravelerstogether.""

Ifeltthatalsoandnomorethanhecouldexplainit.

Butthereason,Iknow,standsintheforestbehindtheseedling.

Hewalkedhishorse,andIstrodebeside.HeaskedmynameandIgaveit.JuanLepe.WetraveledCordovaroadtogether.Presentlyhesaid,``IleaveSpainforFrance,anddoyouknowwhy?""

SaidJuanLepe,``Ihavebeentoldsomething,andIhavegatheredsomethingwithmyowneyesandears.YouwouldreachAsiabygoingwest.""

Hespokeinthemeasuredtoneofarecitaloftenmadealiketohimselfandtoothers.``IholdthatthevoyagefromPalos,say,firstsouthtotheCanariesandthenduewestwouldnotexceedthreemonths.YetIbegantogowesttoIndiafulleighteenyearsago!Ihavevoyagedeighteenyears,withdeadcalmsandheadwinds,withstormsandback-puttings,withpiratesandmutinies,withfoodandwaterlacking,withonlyGodandmypurposeforfriend!I

havetouchedatthecourtofPortugalandatthecourtofSpain,and,roundaboutway,atthecourtofEngland,andatthehousesoftheDogesofVeniceandofGenoa.Theyallkeptmeswinginglongatanchor,buttheyhavenevergivenmeafurtheringwind.EighteenyearsgoingtoIndia!ButwhydoIsayeighteen?TheLordputmeforthfromlandsidethedayIwasborn.BeforeIwasfourteen,attheschoolinPavia,Hesaid,`Gotosea.SailunderthycousinColomboandlearnthroughlongyearsalltheinchesofsaltwater."LaterHesaid,onedaywhenwewereswingingoffAlexandria,`Study!Teachthyself!Buybooks,notwinenorfineclothesnorfavorofwomen.Studyonlandandstudyatsea.Lookateverymapthatcomesbeforeyou.

Learntomakemaps.Whenaworldmapcomesbeforeyou,lookatthewesternsideofitandthinkhowtofillitoutknowingly.Listentoseamen"stales.Learntoviewtheinvisibleandtofeelunderfoottheroundnessofmyearth!"

``AndHesaidthatsameyearoffAleppo,`Learntocommandships.LearninKingReinier"swarandinwhatotherwarGenoamakes.Learntodirectmenandpatientlytohearthem,windinginandoutoftheircounsels,keepingthyselfalwayswiserthanthey."Well,Istudied,andlearned,andcancommandashiporships,andknownavigation,andcanmakemapsandchartswiththebest,andcanruleseamen,lovingthemthewhile.Longago,IwenttothatschoolwhichHeset,andcameforth_magister!_LongafterHisfirstspeaking,IwasatPortoSanto,wellnamed,andthereHesaid,`SeekIndia,goingwestward."""Heturnedhisfacetothesun.``IhavebeengoingtoIndiafifty-sixyears.""

JuanLepeasked,``Why,onyesterday,wereyounotcontentwiththeKingandQueen"sterms?Theygrantedhonorandcompetence.Itwastheestateofaprincethatyouasked.""

Somemomentspassedbeforeheanswered.Thesunwasshining,theroadwhiteanddusty,themountainsofElvirapurpletothetopsandtheresplashedwithsilver.Whenhespoke,hisvoicewaschanged.Neithernownorhereafterdidhediscourseofmoney-goldandnobilityflowingfromearthlykingswiththatimpersonalexaltationwithwhichhetalkedofhiserrandfromGodtolinktogethereastandwest.

Buthedrewthemsomehowintrainfromthelast,hidinghereIthought,anearthlyweaknessfromhimself,andtheweaknesssointertwinedwithstrengththatitwashardtodivideparasitefromoak.

``Didyousee,""heasked,``aboywithme?ThatwasmysonDiegowhomIhaveleftwithafriendinSantaFe.

Fernando,hishalf-brother,isbutachild.IshallseehiminCordova.Ihavetwobrothers,deartomebothofthem,DiegoandBartholomew.Myoldfather,DominicoColombo,stilllivesinGenoa.Helivesinpoverty,asIhavelivedinpovertythesemanyyears.AndthereisPedroCorreo,towhomIowemuch,husbandofmywife"ssister.

Mywifeisdead.ThemotherofFernandoisnotmywife,butIloveher,andsheispoorthoughbeautifulandgood.

Iwouldhaveherlesspoor;Iwouldgiveherbeautifulthings.Ihaveloveformykindred,——loveandyearningandcareanddesiretodothemgood,alikethosewhotrustmeandthosewhothinkthatIhadfailedthem.Idonotfailthem!""

Wepaddedonuponthedustyroad.Ifelthisinnerwarmth,divinedhislife.ButatlastIsaid,``WhattheQueenandKingpromisewouldgiverichcare——""

``Ihavefriendstoo,forallthatIrideoutofSpainandseemsopooranddesolate!Iwouldrepay——ay,tentimesover——theirfaithandtheirhelp.""

``Still——""

``Therearemoreoverthepoor,andthosewhostudyandneedbooksandmapsthattheycannotpurchase.Thereareconvents——oneconventespecially——thatbefriendedmewhenIwasaloneandnighhopelessandfurtheredmycause.Iwouldgivethatconventgreatgifts.""Turninginthesaddlehelookedsouthwest.``FrayJuanPerez——""