第3章
Palosshorespreadaboutme,androseLaRabida,whiteamongvineyardsandpines.Dovesflewovercloister.ButIdidnotsayallIknew.
``ThereareotherthingsthatIwoulddo.Idonotspeakofthemtomany!TheywouldsaythatIwasmad.Butgreatthingsthatinthisagenoneelseseemsinclinedtodo!""
``Aswhat?""Iasked.``Ihavebeencalledmadmyself.
Iamnotapttothinkyouso.""
HebegantospeakofamightycrusadetorecovertheHolySepulchre.
TheroadtoCordovastretchedsunnyanddusty.AbovethemountainsofElviratheskystoodkeenblue.JuanLepesaidslowly,``AdmiraloftheOcean-SeaandViceroyandGovernorofcontinentsandislandsinperpetuity,sonsandsons"sonsafteryou,andgildeddeepwithatenthofallthewealththatflowsforeverfromAsiaoverOcean-SeatoSpain,andyouandallafteryoumadenobles,grandeesandwealthyfromgenerationtogeneration!Kingsalmostofthewest,anddonorstothecast,arousersofcrusadesandfreersoftheSepulchre!Youbuildahightower!""
Cartersandcartsgoingbypushedustotheedgeofroadandcoveredallwithdust.Hewaiteduntilthecloudsank,thenhesaid,``Doyouknow——butyoucannotknowwhatitistobesentfrompillartopostandwaitinantechamberswheretheairstifles,anddoffcap——whohavebeencaptainofships!——tochamberlain,pageandlackey?
Tobecalleddreamer,adventurer,dicer!Tohearthelaughandcatchthesneer!Tobethepersuader,thebeggarofgoodandbad,highandlow——tobegyearinandyearout,coldandwarmth,summerandwinter,sunrise,noonandsunset,calmandstorm,begofgalleonandbegofcarrack,yea,begofcockboat!Toseeyourfamilygoneedy,tobedoubtedbywifeandchildandbrethrenandfriendsandacquaintance!Tohavethemsay,`Whileyoudreamwegohungry!"and`WhatgoodwillitdousifthereisIndia,whilewefamishinSpain?"and`Youloveusnot,oryouwouldbecomeaprosperousseacaptain!"——Notoneyearbuteighteen,eighteen,sinceIsawinvisionthesunsetnotbehindwaterbutbehindvaleandhillandmountainandcitiesrichbeyondcounting,andsmelledthespicedraughtfromtheland!""
Isawthathemustcountuponhugeindemnity.Wealldreamindemnity.ButstillIthoughtandthinkthattherewashereaweaknessinhim.Farinwardhemayhaveknownithimself,theouterselfwassobusyfindinggrounds!
Afteramomenthespokeagain,``Littlethingsbringlittlereward.Buttokeepproportionandharmony,greatthingmustbringgreatthings!Youdonotknowwhatitistocrosswherenomanhathcrossedandtofindwhatnomanhathfound!""
``Yes,itisagreatthing!""
``Then,""saidhe,``whatisit,thatwhichIask,tothegrandeuroftime!""
Hespokewithaliftedface,eyesuponthemountaincrestsandthebluetheytouched.Theywerenearerusthantheyhadbeen;thePassofElvirawasathand.YetonIwalked,andbeforemestillhungthefaroceanwestofPalos.I
said,``Iknowsomethingoftheguesses,thechancesandthedangers,butIhavenotspentthereyearsofstudy——""
Hekindled,havinganauditorwhomhechosetothinkintelligent.Hecheckedhishorse,thatfelltograzingthebitofgreenbytheway.``Asthough,""hesaid,``IstoodinCipangobeneathagoldenroof,Iknowthatitcanbedone!Twelvehundredleaguesatthemost.Look!""hesaid.``YouarenotanignoramuslikesomeIhavemet;
norifIreadyourightareyoulikeotherswhonotknowingthatTrueReligionisTrueWonderupwithhandsandcry,`Blasphemy,SacrilegeandContradiction!"Earthandwatermakeanorb.Placeantonappleandseethatorbsmaybegonearound!Travelfarenoughandeastandwestchangenames!Straightthrough,beneathus,areothermen.""
``Feetagainstfeet.Antipodes,""Isaid.``AllthelifeofmanistakingWonderinandmakingHerathome!""
``So!""heanswered.``Nowlook!Thelargenessofourglobeisattheequator.ThegreatPtolemyworkedoutourreckoning.Twenty-fourhours,fifteendegreestoeach,inallthreehundredandsixtydegrees.ItisheldthattheGreeksandtheRomansknewfifteenofthesehours.TheystretchedtheirhandfromGibraltarandTangier,callingthemPillarsofHercules,tomid-India.NowinourtimewehavetheCanariesandtheKingofPortugal"snewislands——anotherhour,markyou!Sixteenfromtwenty-fourleaveseighthoursempty.Howmuchofthatiswaterandhowmuchisearth?WhereendsOcean-SeaandwherebeginsIndiaandCathay,ofwhichtheancientsknewonlyapart?TheArabianAlfraganusthinksthatPtolemy"sdegreesshouldbelessinsize.Ifthatberight,thentheearthissmallerthanisthought,andIndianearer!ImyselfinclinetoholdwithAlfraganus.Itmaybethatlessthantwomonths"sailing,calmandwind,wouldbringustoCipango.GivemetheshipsandIwilldoit!""
``Youmighthavehadthemyesterday.""
Toamarkedextenthecouldbringoutandmakevisiblehisinnerexaltation.Now,tall,strong,white-haired,helookedafigureofanolderworld.``Thespheresandallaresettoharmony!""hesaid.``Iwouldhavefitness.
Greatthingsthroughout!Diamondsandrubieswithoutflawinthecrown——Wewilltalknomoreaboutabatingjustdemand!""
Iagreedwithanod,andindeedtherewasneveranyshakinghimhere.BeneathhiswideandloftyvisionofaworldfilledouttotheeternalbenefitofallrestedalwaysthispicturewhichIknewhesavoredlikewineandwarmth.
Hisfamily,hissons,hisbrothersandkindred,theagedfatherinGenoa,allfriendsandbackers——andheawarmsuninthemidstofthem,alltheirdoubtsofhimdispelled,shiningoutuponthem,makingeveryfieldrich,repayingathousand,thousandfoldeverytrustshownhim.
Thedaysangcoolandhighandbright,themountainsofElvirahadlightsnowatop.MasterChristopherusbeganagaintospeak.
``TherecameashoreatPortoSantosomeyearsagoapieceofwoodlongasasparbutthicker.PedroCorreo,whoismybrother-in-law,sawit.Itwasgravedallover,cutbysomethingdullerthanourkniveswithbeastsandleavesandafigurethatPedrothoughtwasmeantforanidol.Heandanothersawitandagreeintheirdescription.
Theyleftitonthebeachattwilight,welloutofwaterreach.Butinthenightcameupagreatstormthatsweptitaway.Itcamefromthewest,thewindhavingblownfordaysfromthatquarter.Iaskyouwillemptybillowsfellatreeandtrimitandcarveit?ItissaidthataPortu-
guesepilotpickeduponelikeitoffCapeBojadorwhenthewindwassouthwest.IhaveheardamanoftheAzorestellofgiantreedspitcheduponhisshore_fromthewest_.
ThereisastoryofthefindingonthebeachofFloresthebodiesoftwomennotlikeanythatweknoweitherincolororinfeature.Fordaysawestwindhaddrivenintheseas.AndIknowofotherfindings.Whencedothesethingscome?
``MaytherenotbeunknownislandswestofAzores?
Theymightcomefromthere,andstilltothewestofthemstreamallOcean-Sea,violentandunknown!Thelearnedthinktheearthofsuchasize.YourArabianholdsitsmaller.Whatifitislargerthanthelargestcalculation?""
Hesaidwithdisdain,``AllthewisemenatSalamancabeforewhomtheKingsetmesixyearsagothoughtithadnoend!Largeorsmall,theycalleditblasphemyforme,apoor,plainseaman,sonofawool-comberandnotevenaSpanishwool-comber,totrytostretchmindoverit!
Ocean-Seahadneverbeenoverpassed,andbythattokencouldnotbeoverpassed!Nonehadmetitsdangers,sodangerstheremustbeofamoststrangeandfearfulnature!
Butifyouwereputtoseaatfourteenandhavelivedtherelong,waterbecomeswater!Aspeckonthehorizonwillturnoutshiporland.Wavecarriesyouontowave,daytonightandnighttoday.Atlastthereisport!""
Allthistimehishorsehadbeencroppingthescantyherbage.Nowheraisedhishead.InamomentwetooheardthehorsemenandlookingbacktowardSantaFesawfourapproaching.Astheycamenearerwemadeouttwocavalierstalkingtogether,followedbyservingmen.Whentheywerealmostathandoneoftheleaderssaidsomething,whereathisfellowlaughed.ItfloatedupCordovaroad,awide,deep,richlaugh.MasterChristopherusstarted.
ThatisthelaughofDonLuisdeSt.Angel!""
DonLuisdeSt.Angelwas,Iknew,ReceiveroftheEcclesiasticalRevenuesforAragon,amanwhostoodwellwiththeKing.Thehorsemenwerecloseuponus.Suddenlythelaughercried,``SaintJago!Hereheis!""
Wewerenowfivemountedmenandatrudgerafoot.Thecavalierwhohadlaughed,aportly,genialpersonwithaboldandmerryeye,laughedagain.``Wellmet,DonCristoval.
Wellmet,Admiral!Ilookedtofindyoupresently!YousailedoutofportatsunriseandItwohourslaterwithaswiftershipandmorecanvas——""
```Don"and`Admiral"!""answeredMasterChristopherus,andhespokewithanger.``YoujestinSpain!
ButinFranceitshallbesaidsoberly——""
``No,no!DonandAdmiralhere!ViceroyandGovernorhere——assoonasyoufindthelands!Wealthyhere——
assoonasyouputhandonthegold!""DonLuisdeSt.
Angel"slaughterceased.Hebecamewithportentousswiftnessadownright,plainmanofbusiness.Hetalked,allofusclusteredtogetherontheCordovaroad.
``TheArchbishopkeptmefromthataudienceyesterday,leavingDonAlonsodeQuintanellayouronlyfriendthere!
TheQueenwastired,theKingfretted.Theythoughttheyhadcomealongway,andthereyoustood,MasterChristopherus,shakingyourhead!DonAlonsotoldmeaboutit,andhowhopelessitseemed!ButIsaid,`Ifyouconqueralanddon"tyouputinaviceroy?Idon"tseethatDonCristovalisn"tasgoodasDonThisOne,orDonThatOne!
I"veanotionthatthefirstmightnotoppressandflaythenewsubjectsasmightthelasttwo!ThatisapointtobemadetotheQueen!Asforperpetuityofofficeandprivilegesdowntheages,mostthingsgettobehereditary.Ifitgrowstobeaswollenserpentsomethinginthefuturewillfallacrossandcutitintwo.Lettimetakecareofit!Asforwealth,inanylandamanwhowillbearaneighthofthecostmayfairlyexpectaneighthofthegain.Thissettingoutistocostlittle,afterall.Hesayshecandoitwiththreesmallshipsandlessthanahundredandfiftymen.Iftheshipsbringbacknotreasure,hewillnotbewealthy.Ifthereisalittlegain,theSpainsneednotgrudgehimhishandfulofdoubloons.Ifthereishugegain,theKingandQueenbutforhimwouldnothavetheirseveneighths.Thesamereasoningappliestohistenthofallfuturegainfromcontinentsandislands.Youwillsaythatsomeoneelsewillarisetodoitforusoneasierterms.Perhaps——andperhapsnotforacentury,andanotherCrownmaythrustinto-morrow!France,probably.ItisnotimpossiblethatEnglandmightdoit.Asforwhatisnamedoverweeningprideandpresumption,atleastitshowsatonceandforaltogether.Wearenotleftpainfullytofinditout.Itgoeswithhischaracter.Takeitorleaveittogetherwithhispatience,courageandlonghead.Leaveit,andpresentlywemayseeFranceorEnglandswallowhimwhole.HewillfindIndiaandCathayandCipango,andFranceorEnglandwillbebuildingships,ships,ships!BlessedVirginaboveus!"saidI,`IfIcouldtalkalonetotheSovereigns,IthinkIcouldclenchit!"""
```Thenletusgonowtothepalace,"saysDonAlonso,`andbegaudience!"
``Thatdidwe,DonCristoval,andsoIhailyou`Don"
and`Admiral",andbegyoutoturnthatmuleandreenterSantaFe!InafewdaysyouandtheKingandQueenmaysigncapitulations.""
``WasittheQueen?""
``Just.TheKingsaidthetreasurywasdrained.Sheanswered,`Iwillpawnmyjewelsbutheshallsail!"LuisdeSt.Angelsays,`Itdoesnotneed.ThereissomegoldleftinthecoffersofAragon.Afterall,themanasksbutthreelittleshipsandafewscoreseamenandoffershimselftofurnishoneoftheships."""
``WithMartinAlonsoPinzon"shelp,Iwill!""
```Never,"saidItotheirmajesties,`wassohugeapossiblegainmatchedagainstsosmallasendingforth!AndasforthisGenoesewhotrulyhathgivenandgivesandwillgivehislifeforhisvision,saithnotScripturethatalaborerisworthyofhishire?"AtwhichtheQueensaidwithdecision,`Wewilldoit,DonLuis!AndnowgoandfindMasterChristopherusandcomforthim,whoseheartmustbeheavy,andindeedmine,"shesaith,`washeavywhenhewentforthto-day,andavoiceseemedtosaywithinme,``Whathaveyoudone,Isabella?Howmayyouhavehindered!"""""
TheGathererofEcclesiasticalRevenueslaughedagainwiththatcompellinglaughter.``Soforthwego,andDonAlonsosendsforyoutohishouse.Butyoucouldnotbefound.Earlythismorningcameoneandinformedusthattheshiphadputoutofharbor,whereuponmynephewandIsetsailafter!""
TheAdmiraloftheOcean-Seaturnedhisfacetothewest.Notknowing,Ithink,whathedid,heraisedhisarm,outstretchedit,andthehandseemedtocloseingreeting.
HisfacewasthefaceofamanwhoseestheBelovedafterlongandsorrowfulabsence.Sodidthoughtandpassionandvisionchargehisframeandhiscountenance,thatforamomenttrulytherewaseffulgence.Itstartled.DonLuisheldhisspeechsuspended,inhiseyeswonder.MasterChristopherusletfallhisarm.Hesighed.Theout-pushinglightfaltered,vanished.Onemightsay,ifonechose,``AGenoeseseacaptain,willingtodoanadventurousthingandmakeapursethereby!""
CHAPTERVIII
JUANLEPE,quittingtheVegaofGranada,recrossedthemountains.Iwasatwander.IdidnotgotoMalaga.IdidnotthengotoPalos.IwenttoSanLucar.Ihadadventures,butIwillnotdrawthemhere.
TheoceanbyPaloscontinuedwithmeinsightandsoundandmovement.ButIdidnotgotoPalos.IwenttothestrandofSanLucar,andthereIfoundasmallbarktradingnottoGenoabuttoMarseilles.Seamenlacked,andthemastertookmegladly.Ifreshenedknowledgeuponthisvoyage.
Themasterwasadour,quietCatalan;histhreesonsfavoredhimandtheirsixsailorsmoreorlesstookthenote.
Thesearanquietandblueunderaquietblueheaven.Atnightallthestarsshone,oronlylightcloudswentoverhead.
ItwasarestfulboatandJaymedeMarchenarested.Evenwhilehisbodylaboredherested.ThesenseofDangerineveryroom,walkingoneveryroad,tookleave.YetwastherethroughoutthatinsistentsightofPalosbeachandthegrayandwildAtlantic.Allthebirdscriedfromthewest;
thesalt,stingingwindflungitselfuponmefromthewest.
Onceavoice,faintandsilvery,madeitselfheard.``Wereitnotwelltoknowthoseother,thosemightierwaters,andfindthestrangelands,thenewlands?""Iansweredmyself,``Theyaretheoldlandstakenanewway.""Butstillthevoicesaid,``Thenewlands!""
WemadeMarseillesandunladed,andwereheldthereafortnight.ImighthaveleftthebarkandfoundworkandmaybesafetyinFrance,orImighthavetakenanothershipforItaly.Ididneither.IclungtothisbarkandmyCata-
lans.WetookourladingandquittedMarseilles,andcameafteratranquilvoyagetoSanLucar.Againweunladedandladed,andagainvoyagedtoMarseilles.Springbecamesummer;youngsummer,summerinprime.WeleftMarseillesandvoyagedoncemoreSanLucar-ward.ThererushedupafearfulstormandwewerewreckedoffAlmeria.
Oneladdrowned.Therestofussomehowmadeshore.AboattookustoAlgeciras,andthencewetrudgedittoSanLucar.
MyCatalanswerenotwhollydepressed.Behindtheirwreckedshipstoodmerchantswhowouldfurnishanotherbark.ThemasterwouldhavehadmewaitatSanLucaruntilhewentforthagain.ButIwasboundforthestrandbyPalosandthegray,pilingAtlantic.
Augustwasthemonthandthedaywarm.ThefirstofAugustintheyear1492.TwoleagueseastofPalosI
overtookthreementrudgingthatway,andtalkingnowloudlyandangrilyandnowinasullen,draggingfashion.
IhadseenbetweenthisroadandoceanafishinghamletandImadeoutthattheywerefromthisplace.Theyweremenofsmallboats,menwhofished,butwhonowandagainweregatheredinbysomeshipmaster,whentheybecamesailors.
Inmetheysawonlyapoorlyclad,sea-goingperson.
WhenIgavegreetingtheygreetedmeinreturn.``ForPalos?""Iasked,andtheonewhotalkedthemostandtheloudestgavegroaningassent.``Aye,forPalos.Youtoo,brother,arefloppinginthenet?""
Ididnotunderstandandsaidasmuch.Hegaveanangrylaughandexplainedhisfigure.``Why,theQueenandtheKingandthelawandMartinPinzon,towhomwe,areboundforayear,arepressingus!Whichistosaythey"vecastanetandhereweare,goodfish,beatingagainstthemeshesandfindingnonebigenoughtoslipthrough!
Haven"tyoubeenpressedtoo,scoopedinwithouta`Byyourleave,Palosfish!"Ahundredfishandmoreinthisnetandonebyonethegiantwilltakeusoutandbroilus!""
Thesecondmanspokewithawhine.``IhadratheraBarbarypiratewerecomingaboard!Ihadratherbetookslaveandrowagalley!""
Thethird,ayoungman,hadawhimsical,dark,fearlessface.``ButwebegoingtoseestrangethingsandservetheQueen!That"ssomething!""
``TheQueenisjustalady.Shedon"tknowanythingaboutdeepandfearfulseas!""
``Whereareyougoing,""Iasked,``andwithwhom?""
Theangrymananswered,``Thelastofthatistheeasiest,mate!WithanItaliansorcererwhohasbewitchedthegreat!Heoughttobeburned,sayI,withtheJewsandheretics!Wearegoingwithhim,andwearegoingwithCaptainMartinPinzon,whomhehathbewitchedwiththerest!Andwearegoingwiththreeships,the_SantaMaria_,thePintaandtheNina.""
Thethirdsaid,``TheSantaMaria"sagoodboat.""
``Thereisn"tanyboat,goodorbad,""thefirstansweredhim,``thatcanholdtogetherwhenyoucometoheatthat"llmeltpitchandsetwoodafire!Thereisn"tanyboat,goodorbad,thatcanstanditwhenaloadstoneasbigasGibraltarbeginstodrawiron!""
Thesecond,whoseelementwasmelancholy,sighed,``I"vebeennorthofIreland,Pedro,andthatwasbadenough!
Thelookoutsawasirenandthe_InfantaIsabella_wasdashedontherocksandsomethinglaughedatusallnight!""
``Ireland"snothingatalltoit!""answeredtheangryman,whosenamewasPedro.``I"veheardmenthatknowtalk!
ThePortuguesegoingdownAfricacoastgottoCapeBojador,butthey"venevertrulygottenanyfurther,thoughI
hearthemsaytheyhave!Theysentalittlecarrackfurtherdown,andithadtocomebackbecausethewaterfelltoboiling!Therewasn"tanylandandtherewasn"tanytruesea,butitwasallmelteduptogetherinferventheat!Likehotmud,sotospeak.It"shell,that"swhatIsay;it"shelldownthere!Moreover,thereain"tanyheavenstretchedoverit.""
``Whatdoesitmeanbythat?""askedthesecond.
``Itmeans,Fernando,thattherewouldn"tbeanysky,bluenorgraynorblack,norclouds,norairtobreathe!
Therewouldn"tbeanythunderandlightningnorrainnorwind,andatnighttherewouldn"tbestars,nonorthstar,norany!Itwouldjustbe——Idon"tknowwhat!FrayIgnatiotoldme,andhesaidthenamewas`chaos".""
``Thatwassouth.Thatwasn"twest.""
``Westisjustasbad!""
Fernandoalsoaddressedtheyoungman,thethird,callinghimSancho.``IftherewereanythingwestforChristianmen,wouldn"ttheHolyFatheratRomehavesentlongago?Weareallgoingtodie!""
``Buttheydidn"tknowitwasround,""saidSancho.``Nowwedo,andthat"sthedifference!Ifyoustartedalittlemanikinjusthereonanorangeandtoldhimtogostraightahead,he"dcomearoundhome,wouldn"the?""
``Youwearyme,Sancho!""criedthefirst.``AndwhatifyoudidthatandittooksolongthatyoucomebacktoFishertownoldandbaldanddriveling,andyourwifeisdeadandalltheneighbors!Muchgoodyou"dhavefromknowingitwasround!""
``Whenyougotrightunderfootwouldn"tyoufall;that"swhatIwanttoknow?""
``Fall!Fallwhere?""
``Intothesky!MyGod,it"sdeep!Andtherewouldn"tbeanyboattopickyouupnoranyfloatingoartocatchby——""
Thevisionseemedtoappallthem.Fernandodrewbackofhandacrosseyes.
Icamein.``Youwouldn"tdothatanymorethantheantfallsofftheorange!Menhavecomebackwhohavebeenalmostunderfoot,sofartotheeasthadtheytraveled.Theyfoundtheremenandkingdomsandwaysnotsomightilyunlikeours.""
``Theywentthatway,""answeredPedro,jerkinghishandeastward,``overgoodland!Andmaybe,whatevertheysaid,theywerelyingtous!I"mthinkingmostofthelearneddothatallthetime!""
``Well,""saidSancho,``ifwedocomeback,we"llhavesomeraregoodtalestotell!""
Therefellapauseatthat,apauseofdissentandexasperation,butalsooneofcaughtfancy.Itwouldundoubtedlybeaglorytotellthosetalestoalistening,fascinatedFishertown!
JuanLepesaid,``FormonthsI"vebeenwithatraderrunningfromSanLucartoMarseilles.I"vehadnonewsthislongwhile!What"sdoingatPalos?""
Theywerereadyforanaudience,anyaudience,andforthwithIhadthestoryoftheAdmiralfairlystraight——
orIcouldmakeitstraight——fromthatdaywhenwepartedontheCordovaroad.ThesemendidnotknowwhathadhappenedinMarchorinApril,buttheyknewsomethingofMay.InMayhecametoPalosandsettleddownwithFrayJuanPerezinLaRabida,andtoseehimwentCaptainMartinPinzonwhoknewhimalready,andthephysicianGarciaFernandezandothers,andtheyalltalkedtogetherforadayandanight.AfterthatthealcaldeofPalosandothersinauthorityhadlettersandwarrantsfromtheQueenandtheKing,andtheyoverboreeverything,callinghimDonand_ElAlmirante_andsayingthathemustbefurnishedforth.ThencameadaywheneverybodywasgatheredinthesquarebeforethechurchofSaintGeorge,andthealcaldethathadagreatvoicereadtheletters.
``Iwasthere!""saidFernando.``Ibroughtinfishthatmorning.""
``I,too!""quothSancho.``Ihadtobuysailcloth.""
ItwasPedrochieflywhotalked.``TheywerefromtheKingandQueen,andthemoralwasthatPalosmustfurnishDonCristovalColon,AdmiraloftheOcean-Sea——
andwethoughtthatwasacuriousthingtobeadmiralof!——
twoshipsandallseamenneededandallsupplies.Athirdshipcouldbeenterprised,andanyinandaroundPaloswastobeencouragedtoputinfortuneandhelp.ShipsandthosewhowentinthemweretoobeythesaidDonCristovalColonorColumbusasthoughheweretheQueenandtheKing,theBishopofSevilleandtheMarquisofCadiz!Itdidn"tsayitjustthatwaybutthatwaswhatitmeant.Weweretofollowhimanddoashetoldus,oritwouldbemuchtheworseforus!Weweren"ttoputinatSt.GeorgelaMinaonthecoastofAfrica,nortouchattheKingofPortugal"sislands,andthatwasthewholeofit!""
``Allseamenweretobegivengoodpay,""saidSancho.
``Andifanybodygoingwasindebt,orevenifhehaddoneacrime——sothatitwasn"ttreasonoranythingtheHolyOfficehandles——hecouldn"tbetroubledorheldback,seeingitwasroyalerrand.Thatisveryconvenientforsome.""
Pedrolostpatience.``You"dmakethebestofHellitself!""
``He"ddeny,""putinFernando,``HolyWritthatsaysthereshallbesorrows!""
TheyembarkeduponloudblameofSancho,instanceafterinstance.AtlastIcutthemacross.``WhatfurtherhappenedatPalos?""
Theyputbacktothatport.``Oh,itdidn"tseemsobadthatday!Oneandanotherthought,`PerhapsI"llgo!"
HimtheycallTheAdmiralisabigfigureofaman,andofcoursewethatusetheseagettoknowhowagoodcaptainlooks.Weknewthathehadsailedandsailed,andhadhadhisownship,maybetwoorthreeofthem!ThentoothePinzonsandthePriorofLaRabidaansweredforhim.A
lotofusalmostbelongtothePinzons,havingsignedtofishandvoyageforthem,andthePriorisawell-likedman.
Thealcaldefoldsuptheletterasthoughhewereinchurch,andtheyallcomedownthestepsandgoawaytothealcalde"shousewhichisaroundthecorner.Itwasn"tuntiltheyweregonethatPalosbegantoask,`Wherewerethreeshipsandmaybeahundredandfiftymen_going_?"""
``Wefoundoutnextday,""saidFernando.``Thetidewentout,butitcamebackbearingthesoundofwhereweweregoing!""
``ThenwhathappenedinPalos?""
``Whathappenedwasthattheycouldn"tgettheshipsandtheycouldn"tgetthemen!Paloswouldn"tlisten.Itwastoowild,whattheywantedtodo!Itwouldn"tlistentothePrioranditwouldn"tlistentoDoctorGarciaFernandez,anditwouldn"tevenlistentoCaptainMartinAlonsoPinzon.
Andwhenthathappens——!Soforalongtimetherewasakindofangrycalm.Andthen,loyou!wefindthattheyhavewrittentotheQueenandtheKing.TherecomeletterstoPalos,andtheyareharshones!""
``IneverheardharsherfromanyKingandQueen!""saidFernando.
``Thereweren"tonlytheletters,butthey"dsentalsoagreatman,SenorJuandePenelosa,toseethattheygotobedience.
Upshotiswe"vegottogo,shipsandmen,orelsebelaidbytheheels!AsforPalos,heroldseaprivilegeswouldbetakenfromher,andshecouldn"tfacethat.Getthoseshipsreadyandstockthemandpipesailorsaboard,orthere"dbeourkindQueenandKingtodealwith!""
``Whereveritis,we"regoing.Greatfolkaretootallandbroadforus!""
``Sotherecomesanothercrowdinthesquare,beforethechurch.OutstepsCaptainMartinPinzon,andhecries,`MenofPalos,forallyoudoubtit,"tisagloriousthingthat"sdoing!Hereisthe_Nina_thatmybrothersandIown.
She"sgoingwithDonCristovaltheAdmiral,andthemenwhoareboundtomeforfishingandvoyagingaregoing,andmorethanthat,thereisgoingMartinAlonsoPinzon,forI"llasknomantogowhereIwillnotgo!"
``ThenupbesidehimstartshisbrothersVicenteandFrancisco,andtheysaytheyaregoingtoo.FrayIgnatiostandsonthechurchstepsandcriesthatthereareidolatersthere,andhewillgototellthemaboutourLordJesusChrist!ThenthealcaldegetsupandsaysthattheSovereignsmustbeobeyed,andthatthe_SantaMaria_andthePintashallbemadeready.ThenthepilotsSanchoRuizandPedroNinoandBartolomeoRoldanpushouttogetherandsaythey"llgo,andothersfollow,seeingthey"llhavetoanyhow!Soitwentthatdayandthenextandthenext,untilnowthey"vepressedalltheyneed.SoIsay,wearehere,brother,floppinginthenet!""
``Whendoeshesail?""
Dayafterto-morrow,"tissaid.Butwewhodon"tliveinPaloshaveourorderstobethereto-night.Aren"tyougoingtoo,mate?""
IansweredthatIhadn"tthoughtofit,andimmediately,outofthewhole,thereroseandfacedme,``Youhavethoughtofitallthetime!""
Sanchospoke.``Ifyou"llgowithustoCaptainMartinPinzon,he"llenteryou.He"dliketogetanotherstrongman.""
Isaid,``Idon"tknow.I"llhavetothinkofit.HereisPalos,andyondertheheadlandwithLaRabida.""
Weenteredthetown.Theywouldhavehadmegowiththemwherevertheymustreportthemselves.ButIsaidthatIcouldnotthen,andatthemouthoftheirstreetmanagedtoleavethem.IpassedthroughPalosandbeyonditswesternlimitcameagaintothathouseofthepoorestwhereIhadlodgedsixmonthsbeforeandwakingallnighthadheardtheTintoflowingbylikethelifeofaman.LongagoIhadhadsometraininginmedicine,andinmind"smedicine,andthreeyearspastIhadbroughtayoungworkingmanlivingtheninMarchenaoutofillnessandmelancholy.HisparentsdwelledhereinthishousebytheTintoandtheygavemeshelter.
CHAPTERIX
RISINGatdawn,IwalkedtotheseaandalongituntilIcameatlasttothosedunesbeneathwhichIhadstretchedmyselfthatdayofgrayness.Nowitwasdeepsummer,blueandgold,andtheairallbalmandcaressing.
TheeveningbeforeIhadseenthethreeshipswheretheyrodeinrivermouth.Theywerecaravels,andonlythe_SantaMaria_,thelargest,wasfullydecked.SmallcraftwithwhichtofindIndia,overaroadofathousandleagues——ornoroad,forroadmeansthatmenhavetoiledthereandtraveledthere——noroad,butawildernessplain,awaterdesert!TheArabianssaythatJinnandAfritsliveinthedesertawayfromthecaravans.Ifyougothatwayyoumeetfearfulthingsandnevercomeforthagain.TheSantaMaria,the_Pinta_andtheNina.TheSantaMariacouldbeMasterChristopherus"sship.Brightpointthatwashisbannercouldbemadeoutatthefore.
Paloswaterside,inared-filtereddusk,hadbeenanoisyplace,butthenoisedidnotringgenially.IgatheredthatthissmallportwasmorelargelyinthemoodofPedroandFernandothaninthatofSancho.Itlookedfrightenedanditlookedsullenanditlookedangry.
TheoldwomanbytheTintotalkedgarrulously.ThankfulwasshethathersonMigueldwelledtenleaguesaway!
Elsesurelytheywouldhavetakenhim,astheyweretakingthisone"ssonandthatone"sson!Tohearheryouwouldthinkofanogre——ofPolyphemusinthecave——reachingoutfatalhandforthisorthatfattenedbody.Nothingthen,shesaid,todobuttopinchandsavesothatonemightpaythepriestformasses!ShetoldmewithgreateyesthatahundredleagueswestofCanariesonecametoaseaforestwhereallthetreesweremadeofwatergrowinguphighandspreadingoutlikebranchesandleaves,andthatthisforestwasfilledwithseawolvesandserpentsandstrangebeastsallmadeofseawater,buttheycouldstingandrendamanveryghastly.Afterthatyoucametosirensthatyoucouldnothelpleapingtomeet,buttheyputlipstomen"sbreastsandsuckedoutthelife.Thenifthewinddroveyousouth,yousmelledsmokeandatnightsawflames,andifyoucouldnotgettheshipabout——
Inmid-afternoonIleftthesandsandtooktheroadtoLaRabida.BythewalledvineyardthatclimbsthehillIwasmetbythreemountedmencomingfromthemonastery.
ThefirstwasDonJuandePenelosa,thesecondwasthePriorofLaRabida,thethirdwastheAdmiraloftheOcean-
Sea.
FrayJuanPerezfirstsawmeclearly,drawnupbywall.
HehadbeenquotingLatinandhebrokeat_Dominusetmagister_.TheAdmiralturnedgrayeyesuponme.Isawhismindworking.Hesaid,``TheroadtoCordova——Welcome,JuanLepe!""
``Welcome,Excellency!""
Igavehimthename,seeinghimforamomentsomewhatwhimsicallyasViceroyofconqueredgreatIndiaoftheelephantsandthetemplesfilledwithbells.Hisfacelighted.
Helookedatme,andIknewagainthathelikedme.I
likedhim.
MykinsmanthePriorhadstartedtospeaktome,butthenhadshotalookatJuandePenelosaandrefrained.
TheQueen"sofficerspoke,``Why,here"sanotherstrongfellow,notsotallassomebutpowerfullyknit!Areyouusedtothesea?""
IansweredthatIhadbeenuponaMarseillesbarkthatwaswreckedoffAlmeria,andthatIhadwalkedfromSanLucar.HeaskedmynameandIgaveit.``JuanLepe.""
Iattachyouthen,JuanLepe,fortheserviceoftheQueen!Beholdyouradmiral,DonCristovalColon!Hisshipsarethe_SantaMaria_,thePintaandtheNina,hisdestinationthegloriousfindingoftheIndiesandCipangowherethepoorestmandrinksfromagoldencup!Princes,Ifancy,drinkfromhollowedemeralds!Youwillsailto-morrowatdawn.Inwhichshipshallweputhim,Senor?""
``IntheSantaMaria,""answeredtheAdmiral.
Soshortasthatwasitdone!Andyet——andyet——ithadbeendoingforalongtime,forhowlongatimeIhavenowayofmeasuring!
JuandePenelosacontinuedtospeak:``FollowusintoPaloswhereSebastianJaurezwillgiveyouwineandapieceofmoney.Thenceyouwillgotochurchwhereindeedwearebound,allwhosailbeinggatheredthereforgeneralconfessionandabsolution.ThisvoyagebeginsChristianly!""
SaidFrayJuanPerez,``Nottodothat,JuanLepe,weretocryaloudforanothershipwreck!""
Heusedthetoneofpriest,thrustinginspeechaspriestsoftendo,wherethereisnoespecialneedofspeech.ButI
understoodthatthatwasamask,andcouldreadkinsmanlyanxietyinagoodman"sheart.Isaid,``IwillfindSebastianJaurez,andIwillgotochurch,Senors.Ashipisaship,andavoyageavoyage!""
``This,JuanLepe,""saidtheAdmiralinthatpeculiarlywarmandthrillingvoiceofhis,``issuchavoyageasyouhaveneverbeen!""
Imadereply,``Sobeit!Iwouldhaveeveryvoyagegreaterthanthelast.""Andastheyputtheirsteedsintomotion,walkedbehindthemdownhillandoversandywaysintoPalos.ThereIfoundSebastianJaurezwhosignedmein.Iputintomypocketthecoinhegavemeanddrankwithhimastoupofwine,andthenIwenttochurch.
ItwasagreatshadowychurchandIfounditfull.Jaurezpilotedmetowherejustunderpulpitwererangedmyfellowmariners,ahundredplainsailormen,nogreatnumberwithwhichtowidentheworld!Ascoreorsoofbetterstationweregroupedattheheadofthese,andinfrontofallstoodChristopherusColumbus.IsawagainMartinAlonsoPinzonwhohadenteredthePrior"sroomatLaRabida,andwithhimhistwobrothersFranciscoandVicente.MartinPinzonwouldbecaptainofthe_Pinta_andVicenteoftheNina.AndtherewereRoderigoSanchezofSegovia,Inspector-GeneralofArmament,andDiegodeArana,chiefalguaziloftheexpedition,andRoderigodeEscobedo,royalnotary,andwiththesethreeorfouryoungmenofbirth,adventuringforIndianowthatthewarwiththeMoorwasdone.Andthereweretwophysicians,GarciaFernandezandBerardinoNunez.AndtherewastheFranciscan,FrayIgnatio,whowouldconverttheheathenandpreachbeforetheGreatKhan.
TheAdmiralofOcean-Seastoodatallermanthananythere,tall,muscular,agreatfigure.Hewasrichlydressed,forassoonashecouldbedressedrichly.Ashaftoflightstruckhisbrowandmadehishairallglowingsilver.Hisfacewaslifted.Theairabouthimtomyeyesswamandquiveredandwasfaintlycolored.
FrayJuanPerezpreachedthesermonandheusedgreatearnestnessandnowandagainhisvoicebroke.HetalkedofGod"sgainthatwewentforthupon,reapinginafieldsetus.OnethingcameforthherethatIhadnotbeforeheard.
``Andtheunthinkablewealththatsurelyshallbefoundandgained,forthesecountriestowhichyousailhaveeight-
tenthsoftheworld"sriches,shallputCastileandLeonwhereofoldstoodPaganRome,andshallmake,Godwilling,ofthisveryPalosanewGenoaorVenice!Andthisman,yourAdmiral,howhathheproposedtotheSovereignstousefirstfruits?Why,friends,bytakingfinallyandforeverfromMahound,andforHolyChurchandherservanttheSpains,theHolySepulchre!""
Intheend,wethegoingforth,kneeling,madegeneralconfessionandthepriest"shandsintheduskaboveabsolvedus.Therewassolemnityandtherewastenderness.A
hundredandtwenty,wecameforthfromchurch,andaroundusflowedthehundredsofPalos,menandwomenandchildren.Allwasredunderaredsunset,theboatswaitingtotakeusouttothe_SantaMaria_,thePintaandtheNina.