第6章

Theywererunningoutofthewood,downuponthewhitebeach.Theremightbeahundred.

``Nakedmen!Theyaredark——Theyarenegroes!""——

``Ormagicians!""

TheAdmiralliftedhisgreatvoice.``Marinersall!IndiaandCathayarefringedwithislands,asaremanypartsofEurope.AdozenofyouhavesailedamongtheGreekislands.Theremaybeasmanyhereasthose.Thisisasmallislandanditsfolksimple.TheyarenotNegroes,buttheskinoftheIndianisdarkerthanours,andthatofCipangoandCathayisyellow.Asforclothing,inallwarmlandsthesimplerfolkwearlittle.Butasforma-

gicians,theremaybemagiciansamongthemasthereareamongallpeoples,butitisfalsenessandabsurditytospeakofallasmagicians!Nonsenseandcowardice!Themanwhocriedthatgoesnotashoreto-day!""

NotGreatIndiabeforeusnorGoldenCipango!Butitwasland——land——itwassolid,therewerefolk!Howlonghadflowedtheseaaroundus,forthiswasthetwelfthofOctober,fiveweekssinceGomeraandabovetwomonthssincePaloshadsunkawayandwehadheardthelastfaintbellofLaRabida!Andtherehadbeenstrongdoubtifeverweshouldseeagainawhitebeach,oratree,orakindlyfireashore,oranymenbutthoseofourthreeships,oreveranotherwomanorachild.Butland——land!Herewaslandandgreenwoodsandcrowdsofstrangefolk.

Themarinerslaughed,andthetearsstoodintheireyesandfriendsembraced.AndtheygrewmightilyrespectfultotheAdmiral.

Somanyweretogoashoreinthefirstboat,andsomanyinthesecond.The_Pinta_andtheNinawereloweringtheirboats.Ourhidalgosaboard,DiegodeArana,RoderigoSanchezandtherest,hadalsofineapparelwiththem——

seeingthattheGrandKhanwouldhaveacourtandourSovereignsmustberightlyrepresented——andthismorningtheysuitedthemselvesonlylesssplendidlythandidtheAdmiral.ThegreatbannerofCastileandLeonwasreadyforcarrying.Trumpet,drumandfifeshouldland.FrayIgnatiowasready——oh,ready!Hisliquiddarkeyeshadanunearthlylook.Giftswerebeingsortedout.Therewereaboardrichthings,valuedinanylandofours,forgiftstotheGrandKhanandhisministers,ortheEmperorofCipangoandhis.ForQueensandEmpressesandLadiesalso.AndtherewasawondrousmissalforPresterJohndidwefindhim!Butthiswasevidentlyalittleislandafar,andthesewerenaked,savagemen.Theexpeditionwasprovident.Ithadforall.ThePortuguese,ourgreatnavigators,hadtaughtwhatthenakedAfricanliked.Abasketstoodathandfilledwithpiecesofcoloredcloth,beads,caps,hawkbells,fishhooks,toysofsorts.Forthatwemighthavetrouble,fourharquebusmenandfourcrossbowsweregoing.The_SantaMaria_carriedtwocannon.NowattheAdmiral"ssignal,oneofthesewasdischarged.Itwasavoicenotheardbeforeinthisworld.Ifhewishedtoproduceawethatshouldaccompanyhimliketheancientpillarsofcloudandfire,hehadsuccess.Whenthesmokeclearedwesawthewildmenprostrateupontheivorybeachasthoughascythehadcutthemdown.Theylaylikefallengrain,thenroseandmadehasteforthewood.Wecouldthinlyheartheirshouting.

ChristopherusColumbusdescendedintotheboatofthe_SantaMaria_.,FrayIgnatioafterhim.DiegodeArana,RoderigoSanchez,Escobedo,GutierrezandJuanLepethephysicianfollowed.JuandelaCosastayedwiththeship,itnotbeingwisetotakeawayallauthority.Ourarmedmencameafterandtherowers.Wedrewoffandthesmallboatfilled.BoatsofthePintaandtheNinajoinedus.Thegreatbanneroverus,theAdmiral"shanduponitsstandard,werowedforAsia.

Nearerandnearer.Thewaterhungaboutus,plainmarvel,notdarkblue,butturquoiseandclearasair.Wecouldseethestrange,bright-huedfishandthewhitebottom.TheairbreathedMaytime,andnowwethoughtwecouldtellthespices.Andsoivory-whiteitwas,thelongcurvedbeach,andsogaylybrighttheemeraldofthewood!Thereweremanypalmswithothertreesweknewnot.Itwaslow,theisland,anditshonebeforeussilverandgreen,andthetreesmovedgentlyinawindmoresweet,wethought,thananyAndalusianzephyr.PedroGutierrezstared.

Paradise——Paradise!""

Itwasnotwhatwehadlookedfor,butitwasgoodenough.Itseemeddivine,thatmorning!

Nearerwedrew,nearer.Thebeachwasnowbare.Wemadeoutthedark,nakedfolkatedgeofthewood,intreeshadows,watchingus.Weretheystrangetous,besurewewerestrangertothem!

Theazurewater,somarvelous,metthatsandwhitelikecrushedbone,strewnwithdelicateshells.Neverwaswindsosweetasthatwhichblewthismorning!Greenplumes,thepalmsbrushedthesky;thereseemedtousfruittreesalso,withsatinstemsandwide-ladenboughs.Whenwelookedovershoulderthe_SantaMaria_,thePintaandtheNinaeachrodedouble,mastandhullinsky,mastandhullinmirrorsea.Somethingstrangeanddivinewasaboutus,overus.Wewishedtolaugh,wewishedtoweep.

Boatheadtouchedcleansand.Theoarsrested.ChristopherusColumbustheAdmiralsteppedfromboatfirstandalone,allwaitingaswasright.HetookwithhimthebannerofSpain.Hewalkedafewyards,thenstruckthestandardintothesand.Therewasairenoughtoopenthefolds,tomakethemfloatandfly.Kneeling,hebowedhimselfandkissedtheearth.Weheardhisstrongvoicepraying.

``_DomineDeus,aeterneetomnipotens,sacrotuoverbocoelum,etterra,etmare,creasti_——""

Wealsobowedourheads.HeroseandcriedtoFrayIgnatio.TheFranciscanwasthenexttoenterthisnewworld.AfterhimsprangoutDiegodeAranaandtheothers.

ThePinzons,too,werenowleavingtheirboats.AllwereatlastgatheredabouttheAdmiral,betweenbluewaterandgreenwood.FiftySpaniards,wegatheredthere,andweheardourfellowsleftupontheshipscheeringus.WekneeledandFrayIgnatiothankedGodforus.

Werose,drewlongbreathandlookedaboutus,thenturnedtotheAdmiralwithloudpraiseandgratulation.Hewasgirdedwithasword,cross-hilted.Drawingit,hesetitspointinthesand.Thenwithonehanduponthecross,andoneliftedandwrappedinthebannerfolds,he,withagreatvoice,proclaimedSpain"sownership.TotheKingandQueenoftheSpainsalllandsunchristianandidolatrousthatwemightfindanduseandhold,allthatwereclearlyawayfromthelineoftheKingofPortugal,drawnforhimbytheHolyFather!InthenameofGod,inthenameofHolyChurch,inthenameofIsabella,QueenofCastile,andFerdinand,KingofAragonandtheirunitedPower,amenandamen!Hemotionedtothetrumpeterwhoputtrumpettohislipsandblewablasttothenorthandthesouthandtheeastandthewest.Atthesoundthereseemedtocomeacryfromthefringingwood,acryofterror.

Theislandwasours,——ifallthiscouldmakeitours.

Apieceofscarletclothspreaduponthesandhadheapeduponitnecklacesofglassandthreeorfourhawkbellswithothertoys.Weplaceditthere,thenstoodback.AttheAdmiral"scommandtheharquebusandcrossbowmenlaidtheirweaponsdown,thoughwatchfuleyewaskept.

Butnoarrowflightshadcomefromthewood,andasfarascouldbeseensomekindoflance,notformidablelooking,wastheironlyweapon.NexttheAdmiralmadeourfifertoplayamerryandpeacefulair.

Wehadnotedaclumpoftreesadvancedintothesandandwethoughtthattheboldermenwereoccupyingthis.

Nowamanstartedoutalone,ayoungmanbythelooksofhim,drawnashewasagainstthewhitesand,andapaladin,forhemarchedtomeetaloneheknewnotwhatorwhom.

``Blackamoor!""exclaimedDeAranabesideme,butashecamenearerwesawthatthedeadblacknesswaspaint,laidinafantasticpatternuponhisfaceandbody.Nativehueofskin,aswecamepresentlytofindintheunpainted,wasapleasingred-brown.Headvancedwalkingdaintilyandproudly,knowingthathispeoplewerewatchinghim.SingleCastilian,singleMoor,hadadvancedso,manyatime,betweencamps,orbetweencampandfortress.

Haltingbesidetheredclothhestoopedandturnedoverthetrinkets.Whenhestraightenedhimselfhehadinhandastringofgreatbeads,roseandblueandgreen.Hefingeredthese,seemedabouttoputtheneckleton,thenrefrainedastoodaring.Layingitgentlybackuponthescarlethenexttookupahawkbell.Thesebells,asisknown,ringveryclearandsweet.IwasafterwardstoldthatthePortuguesehadnotedtheirwelcomeamongtheAfricanpeople.

Therewasnonail"sbreadthofinformationthatthismanColumbuscouldnotuse!Hehadusedthis,andinalistforjustpossiblyfoundsavageIndianshadputdown,``goodnumberofhawkbells.""

Theredmanpaintedblack,tookupthehawkbell.Itchimedashemovedit.Hedroppeditonthesandandgavebackastep,thenpickeditupandsetittinkling.Hisface,thewayinwhichhemoved,said``Musicfromheaven!""

TheAdmiralmotionedtoFrayIgnatiotomovetowardhim.Thatgoodmanwentgentlyforward.Theyouthgaveback,butthenbracedhimself,undertheeyesofhisnation.Hestood.TheFranciscanputoutagownedarmandalong,leankindlyhand.Theyouth,nakedasthebronzeofagod,hesitated,raisedhisownarm,letitdropupontheother"s.FrayIgnatio,speakingmildwords,broughthimacrossandtotheAdmiral.Thelatter,tallestofusallandgreatlyframed,loftyofport,dressedwithmagnificence,silver-haired,standingforthfromhisofficersandmen,thebanneroverhim,wouldbetakenbyanyforGreatCaptain,chiefgodofthesegods,andcertes,atthefirsttheythoughtthatweweregods!TheIndianputhishandstohisface,shranklikeagirlandcameslowlytohiskneesandloweryetuntilhisforeheadrestedupontheearth.

TheAdmiralliftedhim,callinghim``son.""

Thoseofhiskindwatchingfromthewoodnowsentforthaconsiderabledeputation.Therecametousadozennakedmen,fairlytall,well-shaped,skinofredcopper,smearedoftenwithpaintinbarsanddisksandcrescents.TheirhairwasnotliketheNegro"s,theonlyothernakedmanourtimeknew,butwasstraight,black,somewhatcoarse,notbushybutabundant,cutshortwiththemenbelowtheear.

Theyareabeardlesspeople.Ourbeardsareanamazementtothem,asareourclothes.Afiercelyquarrelsomefolk,apeace-keeping,gentlefolkwillsoundtheirnoteverysoon.

Thesebelongedtothelatterkind.Theirlanceswerenotourhugeknightlyones,northelight,hardonesoftheMoors.

Theywerehardlymorethanstoutcanes,theheadnotiron——theyhadnoiron——butflintorboneshapedbyaflintknife.Wherethepaintwasnotsplashedorpatternedoverthem,theirfacescouldbelikedverywell.Lipswerenotoverfull,thenoseslightlybeaked,theforeheadfairlyhigh,theeyesgood.Theydidnotjabbernormoveidlybutkeptmeasureandapleasantdignity.Theyseemedgentleandhappy.Soweretheywhenwefoundthem.

Theirspeechsoundedofnotonguethatweknew.LuisTorresandIalikehadknowledgeofArabic.WehadnoPersianthatmightbeneareryet,butArabiabeingimmemoriallycaravan-knitwithIndia,itwasthoughtthatitmightbeunderstood.Butthesebarefolkhadnonotionofit,noroftheHebrewwhichLuistriednext.TheLatindidnotdo,theGreekofwhichIhadalittledidnotdo.

Butthereisanold,oldlanguagecalledGesture.If,whereverthereisacommonlanguagethereisonepeople,theninendandbeginningsurelyweareonefolkaroundtheearth!

Weweretobefriendswiththeseislanders.``Friendsfirstandlast!""believedtheAdmiral.Indeed,allfeltitso,thisbrightday.Iftheywerenotallwehadimaged,sailingtothem,yetweretheymen,andunthreatening,novel,veryinterestingtouswiththeirislandandtheirmarvelousbluewater.Allwasheightenedbysheerjoyoflanding,andoffinding——findingsomething!Andwhatwefoundwasnothorriblenordeathful,butbright,promising,scentedlikefirstfruits.

Tothemwefoundweweregods!Theymovedaboutuswithakindofceremonyofpropitiation.Twoyouthscamewithapieceofbarkcarriedlikeasalver,piledwithfruitsandwiththincakesofsomescrapedroot.Anotherbroughtaparrot,agreatgreenandrosebirdthatatoncetalked,thoughwecouldnotunderstandhiswords.Twooldermenhadballs,aslargeasmelons,ofsomewoundstuffthatwepresentlyfoundtobecottonlooselytwistedintoyarn.

TheAdmiral"seyesglowed.``Nowifanybringspicesorpepper——""Buttheydidnot,nordidtheybringgold.

Allthesethingstheyputdownbeforeus,insilenceorwithwordsthatwethoughtwerepetitions,movingnotconfusedlybutwithamannerofritual.TheAdmiraltookanecklaceandplaceditroundthethroatoftheyoungmanwhofirsthaddared,andinhishandputahawkbell.Thatwasenoughforhimselftodo,whowasViceroy.Threeofusfinishedthedistribution.Theywhohadbroughtpresentsweregivenpresents.Allwouldhaveusgowiththemtotheirvillage,justbehindthetrees.Ahandfulofmenweleftwiththeboatsandtherestofuscrossedsand.

Harquebusesandcrossbowswentwithus,butwehadnoneedofthem.Theislandapparentlyfollowedpeace,anditsfolkgreatlyfearedtogiveoffensetogodsfromthesky.

Abovetheshipsheldarangeofpearlyclouds,outofwhichindeedonemightmakestrangelandsandforms.TheIndians——ChristopherusColumbuscalledthem``Indians""——

pointedfromshipstocloud.Theyspokewithmovementsofreverence.``Youhavecomedown——youhavecomedown!""Weunderstoodthem,thoughtheirwordswerenotours.

Nowthegreenwoodrosecloseathand.Thetreesdiffered,thewoventhicknessofit,thecolorandblossom,fromanywoodathome.Aspaceopenedbeforeus,andherewasthevillageofthesefolk,——roundhutsthatchedwithpalmleaves,setonnostreets,butatchoiceundertrees.Eartharoundwastroddenhard,butthegreenwoodspressedclose.

Hereandthereshowedgardenpatcheswithplantswhosenamesandusesweknewnot.Nowwecameuponwomenandchildren.Likethementhewomenwerenaked.Well-

shapedandcomely,withlong,black,braidedhair,theyseemedtousgentle,pleasingandfearless.Thechildrenwereacrewthatanymightlove.

Timelackstosayallthatwedidandheardandguessedthisdayuponthisisland!Itwasfirstloveafterlongweeksatsea,andourcrampedshipsandallourgreatuncertainty!

Ifitwasnotwhatwehadexpected,stillhereitwas,tangiblelandthatneverhadbeenknown,wonderfultous,givingusalreadyrichnarrativeforPalosandHuelvaandFisher-

town,forCordovaandtheQueenandKing.Weweresurenowthatotherlandwastobemet,sosoonaswesailedareasonabledistancetomeetit.Underthehorizonwouldbelandsurely,andsurelyofanimportthatthissmallislandlacked,likeParadisethoughitseemedtousthisday!AnywholookedattheAdmiralsawthathewouldmakenolongtarryinghere.HenamedthisislandSanSalvador,butwewouldnotwaitinSanSalvador.

Thisdayinshifts,allourmenwerebroughtashore,eachdivisionhavingthreehoursofblessedland.Sogoodwasearthunderfoot,sogoodweretrees,sodelectablethefruit,solovelytomoveandrunandwatcheverymoving,running,walkingthing!Andthesegood,red-brownfolk,nakeditwastrue,butmannerlyaftertheirownfashion,whothoughteveryseamanagod,andtheshipboyssonsofgods!Andwealsoweregoodandmannerly,the_SantaMaria_,thePintaandtheNina.IlookbackandIseeastrange,aboyishandahappyday.

Thesunwaswestering.Wefelttheexhaustionofalongholidaywithnoveltiessomanythatatlastthesensesdidnotanswer.PerhapstheIndiansfeltittoo.OftenandoftenhaveIseengreatwisdomguidetheAdmiral.Anhourbeforeapproachingnightmighthavesaid``Go!""hetookusoneandallbacktotheships.``_SalveRegina_""wasasoundthateveningtohear,andafterwardsitwastosleep,sleep,——tiredasfromtheFairatSeville!

CHAPTERXVI

ATfirst,thedaybefore,wehadnotmadeoutthattheIndianshadboats.Later,strayinghereandthere,wehadseenthemdrawnupontheshoreandcoveredwithboughsoftrees.Theycalledthem``canoes"",madethem,largeandsmall,outoftrunksoftrees,hollowedbyfire,andwiththeirstoneknives.Wehadseenonecopperknife.Askedaboutthat,theypointedtothesouthandseemedtosaythatyonderdwelledmenwhohadalltheywishedofmostthings.

Fromdarktheeastgrewpale,frompallorputonroses.

Thisdaynomarinergrumbledatthecalltoawake.HerestilllayourFortunateIsle,ourSanSalvador;hereourivorybeach,ourgreenwood.Upwentthelittlecurlsofsmoke.

Wehadbreakfast.Sogreatwasnowthedeferencetohimwhothreedaysagohadbeen``madman""and``blackmagician"",``dreamingfool""and``spinnerwithoutthread!""

Nowitwas``Admiral"",``Excellency"",and``Whatshallwedonext?""and``Whatisyouropinion,sir?""

Theimmediatethingtodoprovedtobetocomeforthfromcabinandmarkthebeachthrongingwiththricethenumberofyesterday,andthecanoesputtingofftous.Wecountedeight.Onlyonewasalongcraft,holdingtwentymen;theotherscameincockleboats,withoneortwoorthree.Notonlycanoes,buttheycameswimming,menandboys,alladarkgraceinthecerulean,lucidsea.Theyweresofearless——forwecamefromheavenandwouldnotharmthem.Weweregoingtomakethemrich;weweregoingto``save""them.

Ascoreperhapswerehelpedaboardthe_SantaMaria_.

ThePinta,theNina,hadothers.Theywerelikechildren,touching,staring,excitedlytalkingandgesturingamongthemselves,orgazinginakindoffixedawe,askingoftheleastsailorwithallreverence,bowingthemselvesbeforetheAdmiral,theover-god.TheAdmiralmovedrichlydressed,raptandbenignant,yetsparingapartofhimselftokeepallorder,measure,rightnessontheship,andanotherparttofindoutwithkeenpains,``Whatofotherlands?Whatoffolkwhomustbeyoursuperiors?""

Theyhadbroughtofferings.Halfadozenparrotsperchedaround,verygorgeouslycolored,loquaciousinaspeechwedidnotknow.Wehadstacksofthelargeroundthincakesbakedonstoneswhichafterwardswecalledcassava,andgreatgourds,``calabashes""filledwithfruit,andballsofcottoninarudethread.Wegavebeads,bitsofcloth,littlepurses,andthesmallbellsthatcausedextravagantdelight.ButevertheAdmirallookedforsignsofgold,forhemustfindforprincesandnoblesandmerchantsgoldorsilver,orpreciousstonesorspice,oralltogether.Ifhefoundthemnot,halfhisfortunesfell;ahalf-windonlywouldhenceforthfillhissails.

AndatlastcameinacanoewiththreeayoungIndianwhoworeinhisearaknobofgold.RoderigoSanchezsawthisfirstandbroughthimtotheAdmiral.Thelatter,takingupanarmletofgreenglassandahawkbell,touchedthegoldintheear.``Doyoutrade?""GladenoughwastheIndiantotrade.ItlayintheAdmiral"spalm,apieceofgoldasgreatasafilbert.

JuanLepewatchedhimmakeinquisition,DiegodeArana,SanchezandEscobedoathiselbow.Hedidittoadmiration,withlook,gestureandtoneablytranslatinghiswords.``Gold——gold?""TheIndiansaid,orweputdowninthiswisewhathesaid,``Harac.""

Wastheremoreharacontheisland?Wewouldgiveheavenlythingsforharac.TheIndianwasdoubtful;hethoughtproudlythatbehadtheonlyharac.``Wheredidhegetit?""Heindicatedthesouth.

``Littleislandlikethisone?""

``No.Greatland.Haracthereinmanyears.Muchharac.""

Soweunderstoodhim.``Cipango!""breathedtheAdmiral.

``OrneighbortoCipango,increasinglyrichandcivilizedaswego.""

Hetookacaseofsmallboxes,eachboxfilledwithmerchandiseofspicewhichhedesired.Cinnamon,nutmeg,pepper,saffron,clovesandothers.Hemadetheislandersmellandtaste.``Hadtheyaughtlikethese?""

TheIndianseemedtosaytheyhadnot,butwouldliketohave.Helookedaboutforsomethingwithwhichtotrade,aparrot,orheapofcakes,orballofcotton.I

thoughtthatitwastheboxofboxesthatheextremelywished,buttheAdmiralthoughtitwasthespicery,andthathemusthaveknownthemwhereverhegotthegold.

Weretheyfoundyonder?""

TheAdmiralstretchedarmoutoverblueseaandtheIndianfollowedhisgesture.Heshotouthisownarm,``South——southwest——west,""noddedtheAdmiral.``Manyislands,orthemainland.Gatesopenbeforeus!""

``HadtheIndianbeentotheselands?""No,itseemed,butonehadcomeinaboat,wearingthisknobofgold,andhehadtoldthem.Washeliving?No,hewasnotliving.Whatkindofapersonwashe?Suchasus?

Emphaticallyno.Notsuchasus!Much,wegathered,aswastheIndianhimself.``PearlshavecomefromQueen"snecktoQueen"sneck,""quoththeAdmiral,``byathousandrudehandsandtwistingways!""

Therewasonewomanamongthevisitorstothe_SantaMaria_,ayoungwoman,naked,freelymovingandsmiling.

Eyesdwelledonher,eyesfollowedher.ShewaswithanIndianwhomightbebrotherorhusband.TheAdmiralgaveheraworked,Moorishscarf.Shetieditaboutherhead,andthebrightendsfelldownbesideherlong,black,braidedhair.Nonetouchedher,buttheywerewoman-

starved,andtheylookedatherhungrily.Shehadbeautyinherway,andakindofinnocencebothfrankandshy.

Shewaslikeadoeinthegreenforest,comesilentlyuponatdawn.

Fedfullofmarvelatlast,theseIndiansleftus.Butnosoonerhadtheyreachedlandandtoldofgreatkindnessonthepartoftheinhabitantsofheaventhanothercanoesandotherswimmersputforth.Thismightgoonallday,sowecheckeditbyourselvesgoingashore.

Thisdaywefilledourwatercasksandtookaboardmuchfruitandallthecakesthattheybroughtus.Moreoverweexploredtheisland,findingtwovillagesofapiecewiththefirst,andinthemiddlelandafairpoolofwater.Thisdaylikeyesterdaywasblissfulwine.

AllblessedChristopherusColumbus.Nomannowbut,forawhile,didhisbiddingwithanopenheart.

Inthemorningwesailedaway,notwithoutplentifulpromisesofreturn.Whenweputupourwhitesailstheycriedoutandpointedtothecloudsierra.No!Wewouldnotgobacktoheaven——orifwedidsowewouldcomeagain,lovingsoourgentlefriendsuponearth!Wesailed,andinallourafterwanderingswenevercamebacktothisisland.Andneveragain,Ithink,whileColumbusvoyaged,didtherecometousjustthebright,exquisitethrillofthatfirstlandafterlongdoubtandnoland.SanSalvador——

HolySaviourIsland!

CHAPTERXVII

WEwereinathrongofislands.Wemightdropallforalittlewhile,thenfrommasthead``Landho!""

Noneweregreatislands,manyfarsmallerthanSanSalvador.Atnightwelayto,notknowingcurrentsandshoals;thenbrokethedayandweflungoutsail.

Wehadwithusuponthe_SantaMaria_threeSanSalvadormen.Theyhadcomewillingly,twoyoung,fearlessmen,andoneoldmanwithawrinkled,wise,interestedface.Assiduoustogaintheirtongueandimpartourown,theAdmiral,besidehisowneffort,toldoffforespecialteachersandscholarsLuisTorresandJuanLepe.Wedidgainknowledge,butasyeteverythingwasimperfect,withoutfineshading,andsubjecttoallmiscomprehension.

Butliketherestofus,theAdmiralguessedinaccordancewithhiswishesandhispreviousbelief.

Alltheseislandslayflatoralmostflatuponthesea.Allshowedivorybeach,vividwood,surroundingwater,transparentandheavenlyblue,inhabitedbymagicallycoloredfish.Whenwedroppedanchor,tookboatandlanded,itwastofindthesameastonishedfolk,naked,harmless,holdingusforgods,bringingalltheyhad,eagerforourtoyswhichweretothemking"streasuresandholyrelics.EveryislandtheAdmiralnamed;hegavethemgoodlynames!

OverandovertheIndianspointedsouthandwest.Weunderstoodgreatlands,clothedmen,muchgold.Butwhenwenextcametoanchor,likesmallisland,likemen,womenandchildren.Wetradedforafewmoreknobsofgold,buttheywerefew.

Toscanelli"smapandtheAdmiral"smaplayoncabintable.``IslandsintheSeaofChin——PoloandMandevillealikesaythousands——allgradesthenofadvance.Beyondanymannerofdoubt,perseveringwestorwestbysouth,weshallcometomainAsia.""Solongasheruled,therewouldbeperseverance!

AtSantaMariadelaConcepcionasolitarylargecanoecrowdedwithIndianswasrowingtowardus.OneoftheSanSalvadoryoungmenaboardusfanciedsomeslight,experiencedsomefear,ormayeven,——whoknows?——haveweariedofthegods.Springingupontherailhethrewhimselfintoseaandmadeoffwithgreatstrokestowardthecanoe.Pedrobehindhimshouted``Escape!""Therewasarushtothesidetoobserve.Fernandobawled,``Comeback!orwe"llletflyanarrow.

Heswam,thedark,nakedfellow,likeafish.Reachingthecanoe,theIndianstheretookhimin;heseemedtohaveataletotell,theyallbrokeintotalk,thecanoewentround,theyrowedfastbacktoland.The_Nina_,lyingnearus,hadherboatfillingtogoashore.Hermenhadseentheleapoverboardandtheswimmer.Nowtheyputafter,rowinghardforthecanoe,thathavingthestartcamefirsttobeach.

TheIndianssprangout,theSanSalvadormanwiththem.

Leavingcanoe,theyranacrosssandintowood.The_Nina"s_

mentookthecanoeandbroughtittothe_SantaMaria_.Initwereballsofcottonandcalabashesfilledwithfruitandachatteringparrot.Itwasthefirstthingofthiskindthathadhappened,andtheAdmiral"sfacewaswrathful.Hehadasimple,kindlyheart,andthoughhecouldbevexedorirritated,herarelybrokeintofuriousanger.Butfirstandlasthedesiredpeacefulabsorption,ifbyanymeansthatwerepossible,ofthesecountries.Weabsorbingthem,theyabsorbingus;boththegainers!Andhehadwarmfeelingofromance-loveforallthisthathewasfinding.

Hesawallhisenterprisemilk-white,rose-bright.AndhispridewastouchedthattheIndianwhohadseemedcontentedhadnottrulybeenso,andthatthe_Nina_"smenhaddis-

obeyedstrictcommandsforfriendliness.Hewouldrestorethatcontentifpossible,andhewouldhavenomoreunorderedchasingofcanoes.TheNina"smengotangerandrebuke,CaptainCristoforoColombomountingupintheAdmiral.

Hewouldletnothinginthecanoebetouched.Insteadhehadplacedaboardapotofhoneyandaflaskofwineandthreepiecesofcloth,thenwithastrongshoveitwassentlandward,andthetidemakingin,itcametoshore.

Wesawtwoventurefromthewoodanddrawituponbeach.

InalittlewhilecamearoundapointofshoreacanoewithoneIndianwhomadetowardus,usinghisoarverydexterously,andwhenheenteredourshadowholdingupcottonandfruit.Itwastobeseenthathehadhadnocommunicationwiththemenofthelargecanoe.

TheAdmiralhimselfcalledoutencouraginglyandsnatchingthefirstsmallthingathandhelditup.TheIndianscrambledonboard.Hestood,asfineapieceofbronzeasanymightsee,beforetheGenoese,asgreatafigureasmightbefoundinallItaly——allSpain——allEurope.

Theeldertouchedtheyounger,thewhitemantheredman,asaking,afather,mighthavetouchedaprince,ason.Hehimselftooktheyouthoverourship,showinghimthis,showinghimthat,hadthemusicplayforhim,broughthimtoFrayIgnatiowhotalkedofChrist,pointingofttoheaven.(Tomythinkingthisaction,oftenrepeated,wasoneofthethingsthatforsolongmadethemcertainwehadcomefromtheskies.)InthecabinhegavetheIndianacupofwineandabiscuitdippedinhoney.

Hegavehimasilkencapwithatasselandhimselfputroundhisthroatoneofourbeststringsofbeads,andintohishandnotonebutthreeofthemuch-covetedhawkbells.

Hewaskinderthanrainafterdrought.Firstandlast,hecouldwelllendhimselftothepolicyofkindness,foritwasnotlending.Kindnesswashisnature.

InanhourthisIndian,returnedtohiscanoe,wasrow-

ingtowardshorewithaswellingheartandadeterminedloyalty.Hetouchedtheisland,andwecouldtrusthimtobemissionary,preachingwithallfervorofheavenandthegods.

Ay,me!

Whatevertheother"sdefection,hemorethancoveredit,thereturnofthecanoeaiding.SantaMariadelaConcepcionbecameagainfriendly.ButtheAdmiralthateveninggaveemphaticinstructiontoMartinandVicentePinzonandallthegatheredSpaniards.Justhere,Ithink,begantheriftbetweenhimandmany.Manywouldhavebyprompttaking,astheytakeinwar.Werenotalltheseheathenandgiven?Buthewouldhaveanotherwayround,thoughoftenhecompromisedwithwar;neverwantingwarbutforcedbyhistimeandhiscompanions.Sometimes,inthefuture,forcedbythepeoplewecameamong,butfaroftenerforcedbygreedandlustandviolenceofourown.

Alas,again!Alas,againandagain!

AfterSantaMariadelaConcepcion,Fernandina,andafterFernandinathemostbeautifulofislands,Isabella,wherewelaythreedays.PeopleuponthisislandseemedtousmorecivilizedthantheSalvadorfolk.Thecottonwaswoven,loinclothswereworn,theyhadgreatervarietyofcalabashes,thehutswerelarger,thevillagesmoreregular.

Theysleptin``hamacs""whicharestoutandwidecottonnetsslungbetweenposts,twoorthreefeetaboveearth.Light,space-giving,easyofremoval,thesebedsgreatlytookourfancy.

Herewesoughtdeterminedlyforspice-givingtreesandmedicinalherbsandroots.ItwasnotaspicerysuchasEuropedependedupon,butstillcertainthingsseemedvaluable!

WegatheredhereandgatheredtherewhatmightbetakentoSpain.Theregrewanemulationtofind.TheAdmiralofferedprizesforsuchandsuchacommoditycomeupon.

WesailedfromIsabellaandafterthreedayscametoCuba.

CHAPTERXVIII

CUBA!AtfirsthecalleditJuana,butwecameafterwardsstilltousetheIndianname.Cuba!Wesawitafterthreedays,anditwaslittleenoughlikeIsabella,Fernandina,Concepcion,SanSalvadorandtheisletstheAdmiralcalledIslesdeArena.Itcoveredalloursouth,nolevel,shiningthingthatmastheadcouldseearound,butamightycoastline,mountainous,withheadlandsandbaysandrivermouths.Nowafterlongyears,IwhooutlivetheAdmiral,knowitforanisland,buthowcouldheorIoranyknowthatinNovemberfourteenhundredandninety-two?Heneverbelieveditanisland.

Hestoodondeckwatching.``Cuba——Cuba!HaveyounotreadofCublaiKhan?Thesoundschime!""

``CublaiKhan.HelivesinQuinsai.""

``Ay.Hissplendid,capitalcity.Buildingsallwonderful,andgardenslikeMahound"sparadise!""

``ButifitisCipango?""

``Ay.ItmaybeCipango.Wehavenoangelheretotelluswhich.Iwouldonewouldflydownandtakeusbythehand!Beingmen,wemustmakeguesses.""

Beautifultous,splendidtous,wasthiscoastofCuba!

Wesailedbyheadlandsanddeep,narrow-neckedbays,rivermouthsandhangingforestsandboldcliffs.Wesailedwestandstillheadlandfollowedheadland,andstillthelookoutcried,``Itstretchedforeverlikethemain!""

Wecametoariverwhereshipsmightride.Sounding,wefounddeepwater,enteredrivermouthanddroppedanchor,thenwentashoreintheboats.Palmsandtheirwaterdoubles,andinthegroveasmallabandonedvillage.

Wehadseenthepeoplefleebeforeus,andtheywerenomorenorotherkindofpeoplethanhadshowedinConcepcionorFernandina.Yetweretheyalittlewealthier.Wefoundparrotsontheirperches,andtwodogs,smallandwolf-likethatneverbarked.Inonehutlayaharpoontippedwithbone,andanetforfishing.InanotherwefoundawroughtblockofwoodwhichFrayIgnatiopronouncedtheiridol.

Wewentbacktoourships,andleavingriver,sailedoninabrightbluesea.Thenextdaywedoubledacapeandfoundagreathaven,butsilentandsailless,withnomaritimecitythrongingtheshore.Whatwasthisworld,sohuge,sosparely,rudelypeopled?

Wecametoanchorcloseundershoreinthishaven.

Againthemarvelouswater,butnowitlavedaboldandgreatcountry!Welanded.Canoesfastenedinarow,anothervillage,mostofthefolkdecamped,butafewbravemenandwomentarryingtofindoutsomethingaboutheavenanditsinmates.Withtoysagainandpacificgestureswewiledthemtous.

Therewasuponthe_SantaMaria_ayoungIndianwhohadchosentocomewithusfromFernandina.Hehadcourageandintelligence,waswillingtoreceiveinstructionandbaptismfromFrayIgnatio,andfirstandlastfollowedtheAdmiralwithdevotion.ThelatterhadhimchristenedDiegoColon.WetaughthimSpanishasfastandsoundlyaswemight,andusedhimasinterpreter.ThetongueofhisislandwasnotjustthetongueofCuba,butnearenoughtoserve.AlltheseIndianshaveagiftoforatoryanddotetospeakatlength,withfirmvoiceandgreatgestures.NowwesetDiegoColontohisnarration.WeofCastilehadsomuchofthetonguebynowthatwecouldinsomewisefollow.

Forthitpoured!Weweregodscomefromheaven.

Yonderstoodthechiefgodthattheothersobeyed.Hewasverygreat,strong,good,wise,kind,givingbeautifulgifts!Wewereallkind——noonewasgoingtobehurt.

Wemademagicwithharac——whichwecalled``gold.""

Inheavenwasnotenoughharac.Soimportantisittothebestmagicthatachiefgodhascometoearthtoseekit.

Wealsolikedcottonandthingstoeat,especiallycassavacakes,andwelikedaveryfewparrots.Butitwasgoldthatinchiefwewanted.Themanwhobroughtthegodsgoldmightgohomewithgiftssobeautifulthattherewasneveranythingseenlikethem!Especiallyistheresomethingthatthegodscall``bells""thatringandsoundinyourhandwhenyoudance!Gold——doyouknowwheretofindit?Anotherthing!Theydesiretofindagodwhodroppedoutoftheskyalongtimeago,andhasnowapeopleandagreat,marvelousvillage.Thinkinghemightbehere,theyhavediveddowntoourland,fortheydiveintheskyaswediveinwater!ThenameofthegodtheyhuntisGrandKhanorCublaiKhan,andhisvillageisQuinsai.Haveyouheardofhim?Theyareveryanxioustofindhim.Thechiefgodwithwhitehairandwonderfulclothes——Itiswhattheycallclothes;underittheyareasyouandme,onlythecolorisdifferent——thechiefgodwillgivemanybellstoanyfolkwhocanshowhimthewaytoQuinsai.GoldandQuinsaiwherelivesthegodGrandKhan.""

Asmighthavebeenexpected,thisbroughttidings.``Cubanacan!

Cubanacan!""Whateverthatmightmean,theysaiditwithassurance,pointinginland.DiegoColoninterruptedtheirfurtherspeech.``Thereisariver.Goupitthreedaysandcometogreatvillage.Caciquetherewearingclothes.Allmentherehavegold!""

PedroGutierrezspoke.``They"llpromiseanythingforahawkbell!""

``Whatdotheyunderstandandwhatdotheynotunderstand?

Whatdotheysayandwhatdotheynotsay?""

ThatwasMartinPinzon.``Betweenthemallwearefooled!""

TheAdmiral,whowasgazinginlandafterthedarkpointingfinger,turnedandspoke.``AttherootofallthingssitPatienceandMakeTrial!

``Well,Iknow,""answeredPinzon,``thatiftheseshipsbenotcareenedandmendedweshallhavetrouble!Weatherchanges.Therewillbestorm!""

Hewasrightastoshipsandweather,andtheAdmiralknewitandsaidasmuch.IneversawhimgrudgerecognitiontoMartinPinzon.Ithasbeensaidthathedid,butIneversawit.

Thatnight,onboardthe_SantaMaria_therewasheldagreatcouncil.Atlastitwassettledthatweshouldresthereaweekandoverhaultheships,andthatwhilethatwasdoing,thereshouldbesenttwoorthreewithIndianguidestofind,ifmightbe,thisriverandthistown.

Andtherewerechosen,andgivenaweektogoandcome,JuanLepe,LuisTorresandaseamanRoderigoJerez,withDiegoColon,theFernandinayouth.LikewisetherewouldgotwoIndiansofthisvillage,blitheenoughtoshowtheircountrytothegodsandthegodstotheircountry.

ThenextdaybeingSunday,FrayIgnatiopreachedasermontotheIndians.Heassumed,andatthistimeIthinktheAdmiralassumed,thatthesefolkhadnoreligion.Thatwasamistake.Idoubtifonearthcanbefoundapeoplewithoutreligion.

Menandwomentheywatchedandlistened,still,attentive,knowingthatithadsomehowtodowithheaven.Aftersermonandafterwehadprayedandsung,wefashionedandsetupagreatcrossuponcliffbrow.AgaintheIndianswatchedandseemedtohavesomenotionofwhatwedid.

Theremainderofthedaywerested,andonMondayearlyRoderigoJerez,LuisTorresandJuanLepewithDiegoColonandtwoCubamenmadedeparture,WehadapackofpresentsandaletterfromtheAdmiral.Forwemightmeetsomeadministratororcommandantorother,fromQuinsaiorZaitonorweknewnotwhere.Thiswasthefirstofmany——ah,somany——expeditions,separationsfrommainbodyandreturn,ornotreturn,asthecasemightbe!