第7章

CHAPTERXIX

FORESTendlessandsplendid!Wewhitemenoftensawnopath,butthered-brownmensawit.Itranlevel,itclimbed,itdescended;thenbeganthethreeagain.Itwaslost,itwasfound.Theysaid,``Herepath!""

Butwehadtoserpentthroughthickets,ormakewayonedgeofdizzycrag,orfindfootingthroughmorass.

Wecametogreatstretchesofreedsandyieldinggrass,givingwitheverystepintowater.Itwastotoilthroughthisunderhotsun,withstingingcloudsofinsects.Butwhentheywereleftbehindwemightstepintoagroveofthegods,suchfirmness,suchpleasantness,suchshadygoingorhappyrestingundertreesthatdroppedfruit.

Wemetnogreatforestbeasts.ThereseemedtobenoneinthispartofAsia.AndyetLuisandIhadreadofgreatbeasts.Dogsofnoconsiderablesizewerethelargestfour-

footedthingswehadcomeuponfromSanSalvadortoCuba.Therewerewhattheycalled_utias_,likearabbit,muchusedforfood,andtwicewehadseenananimalthesizeofafoxhangingfromaboughbyitstail.

Ifthebeastswerefewthebirdsweremany.Toseetheparrotsgreatandsmallandgorgeouslycolored,toseethosesmall,smallbirdsliketossedjewelsthatneversangbuthummedlikeabee,tohearagraybirdsingclearandloudandsweeteverystrainthatsangotherbirds,wastoseeandhearmostjoyousthings.Lizardswereinnumerable;

atedgeofamarshwemetwithtortoises;oncewepassedcoiledaroundatreeagreatserpent.Itlookedatuswithbeadyeyes,buttheIndianssaiditwouldnotharmaman.

Athousand,thousandbutterfliesspreadtheirpaintedfans.

Thetrees!sohugeofgirthandheightandwhereverwasroomsospreading,sorichofgrain,sofull,Iknew,ofstrangevirtues!WefoundonethatIthoughtwascinnamon,andbroketwigsandbarkandputinourgreatpouchfortheAdmiral.Onlytimemighttellthewealthofthisgreenmultitude.Ithought,``Hereisgold,ifwewouldwaitforit!""Fruittreessprangbyourpath.Wehadwithussomeprovisionofbiscuitanddriedmeat,andweneverlackedgoldenorpurpledelectableorbs.Wefoundthepalmthatbearsthegreatnut,givingalikemeatandmilk.

BynowLuisTorresandIhadnolittleofDiegoColon"stongueandhehadSpanishenoughtounderstandthesimpleststatementsandorders.FerdandinatonguewasnotquiteCubatongue,butitwaslikeenoughtofurnishsearoom.Weaskedthis,weaskedthat.No!Noonehadevercometotheendoftheircountry.Whenonetownwasleftbehind,atlastyoucametoanothertown.Onebyone,weretheybigger,bettertowns?Theyseemedtosaythattheywere,butherewasalways,Ithought,doubtfulunderstanding.Butnoonehadeverwalkedaroundtheircountry——theyseemedtolaughatthenotion——landthatway,alwaysland!Ontheotherhand,therewasseayonder——likeseahere.Theypointedsouth.Notsofarthere!

``Itmustbe,""saidLuis,``thatCubaisnarrow,thoughwithoutendwestwardly.AgreatpointortongueofAsia?""

TheCubanswerestrongyoungmenandnotunintelligent.

``Chiefs?""Yes,theyhadchiefs,theycalledthem_caciques_.Someofthemwerefighters,theyandtheirpeople.

NotfighterslikeCaribs!Whereuponthespeakerrose——wewererestingunderatree——andfacingsouth,usedforgestureastrongshudderandamovementasiftoflee.

South——south——alwaystheypointedsouth!Weweregoingsouth——inland.WouldwecometoCaribs?Butno.CaribsseemednottobeinCuba,butbeyondsea,inislands.

LuisandImadeprogressinlanguageandknowledge.

RoderigoJerez,asimpleman,sleptortriedthemanykindsoffruit,orteasedtheslender,green-flamelizards.

Wesleptthisnighthighonthemountainside,onsoftgrassnearafallofwater.TheIndiansshowednofearofattackfrommanorbeast.Theycouldmakefireinamostingeniousfashion,settingstickagainstlargerstickandturningthefirstwithsuchskill,vigorandpersistencethatpresentlyaroseheat,aspark,fire.Buttheyseemedtoneedorwishnowatchfire.Theylay,nakedandcareless,innocent——

fearless,asthoughthewholelandweretheircastle.

Luistriedtofindouthowtheyfeltaboutdangers.Wepiecedtogether.``Nonehere!AndtheGreatLizardtakescare!""ThatwastheCuban.DiegoColonsaid,``TheGreatTurtletakescare!""

LuisTorreslaughed.``FrayIgnatioshouldhearthat!""

``Itisontheroad,""Isaidandwenttosleep.

Thesecondday"sgoingprovedlessdifficultthanthefirst.

Lessdifficultmeansdifficultenough!Andasyetwehadmetnoonenoranythingthatremotelyfavoredgolden-roofedCipango,orfamous,richQuinsai,orZaitonofthemarblebridges.Jerezclimbedatalltreeandcomingdownreportedforestandmountain,andnaughtelse.Ourcompanionswatchedwithinteresthisclimbing.``Doyougouptreesinheaven?""

Thismorningwehadbathedinapoolbelowthelittlewaterfall.DiegoColonbynowwasusedtousso,buttheCubamendisplayedexcitement.Theyhadnotyetinmindseparatedusfromourclothes.Nowwewereseparatedandwerefoundinallourmemberslikethem,onlythecolordiffering.

ColorandtheshortbeardsofLuisTorresandJuanLepe.Theywishedtotouchandexamineourclotheslyinguponthebank,buthereDiegoColoninterfered.

Theywerefullofmagic.Somethingterriblemighthappen!

WhenLuisandIcameforthfromwateranddriedourselveswithhandfulsofthewarmgrass,theyasked:

``Dotheydosoinheaven?""Thestronger,moreintelligentofthetwo,added,``Itisnotsodifferent!""

IsaidtoLuisaswetookpathafterbreakfast,``Itisborneinuponmethatonlyfromourselves,Admiraltoshipboy,canwekeepupthisheavenballad!Clothes,beadsandhawkbells,cannon,harquebus,trumpetandbanner,shipandsails,royallettersandblessingofthePope——nothingwilldoitlongunlesswedoitourselves!""

``Agreed!""quothLuis.``Butgodsandangelsarebeginningtoslipandslide,backtherebytheships!Wehavethelesstemptationhere.""

Hebegantospeakofasailorandabrowngirluponwhomhehadstumbledinaclosewoodalittlewayfromshore.ShethoughtTomasoPasamontewasagodwooingherandwashalf-frightened,half-fain.``AndtwohourslaterIsawDonPedroGutierrez——""

``Ay,""saidJuanLepe.``Thesamestory!Theoldestthatis!""Andasatthewordoursavages,whohadbeentalkingtogether,nowatthenextrestingplaceputforwardtheirboldest,whowithgreatreverenceaskediftherewerewomeninheaven.

Throughmostofthisdaywestruggledwithadifficultiffantasticallybeautifulcountry.Whererockoutcroppedandinthesandsofbrightrapidstreamswelookedforsignsofthatgold,sostressedasthoughitweretheonlysalvation!Buttherocksweresilent,andthoughinthebedofashrunkenstreamletwefoundsomeglisteningparticlesandscrapingthemcarefullytogethergotasmallspoonfultowrapinclothandbestowinourpouchoftreasures,stillwerewenotsurethatitwaswhollygold.Itmightbe.Weworkedforanhourforjustthispinch.

Sinceyesterdaymorningourpathhadbeenperfectlysolitary.Thensuddenly,whenwewere,wethought,sixleaguesatleastfromtheships,thewayturningandenteringasmallgreendell,wecameuponthreeIndiansseatedresting,theirbackstopalmtrees.Wehalted,theyraisedtheireyes.Theystared,theyroseinamazementatthesightofthosegods,RoderigoJerez,LuisTorresandJuanLepe.

Theystoodlikestatueswithgreateyesandpartedlips.Forus,comingsilentlyuponthem,wehadtooourmomentofastonishment.

Theywerethreecoppermen,naked,fairlytallandwelltolookat.Buteachhadbetweenhislipswhatseemedabrownstick,burningatthefarend,droppingalightashandsendingupathincloudofodoroussmoke.Theseburningstickstheydroppedastheyrose.Theyhadseemedsosilent,socontented,sohappy,sittingtherewithbackstotrees,afirebrandineachmouth,Ifeltaloveforthem!

Luisthoughtthelightedstickssomeriteoftheirreligion,butafterawhilewhenwecametoexaminethem,wefoundthemnottruestick,butsomelarge,thickishbrownleaftightlytwistedandpressedtogetherandhavingapungent,notunpleasingodor.Wecrumbledoneinourhandsandtastedit.Thetastewasalsopungent,strange,butonemightgrowtolikeit.Theycalledthesticktobacco,andsaidtheyalwaysuseditthuswithfire,drinkinginthesmokeandpuffingitoutagainastheyshowedusthroughthenostrils.Wethoughtitagreatcuriosity,andsoitwas!

Buttothemwewereunearthlybeings.Themenfromtheseatoldofus,thenasitwereintroducedDiegoColon,whospokeproudlywithappropriategesture,lovingalwayshispartofheraldMercury——orratherofheraldMercury"sherald——notassumingtobegodhimself,butcherishingthedivineeffluxandtheimportanceitrayeduponhim!

ThethreeIndiansquiveredwithasenseofthegreatadventure!Theirtownwasyonder.Theythemselveshadbeenonthepathtosuchandsuchaplace,butnowwouldtheyturnandgowithus,andwhenwewentagaintotheseathey,ifitwerepermitted,wouldaccompanyusandviewforthemselvesouramazingcanoes!Allthistoourcompanion.Theybackedwithgreatdeferencefromus.

WewentwiththeseIndianstotheirtown,evidentlythetownwhichwesought.Andindeeditwaslarger,fitter,amoreorderedcommunitythananywehadmetthissideOcean-Sea,thoughfar,farfromtravelers"talesofOrientcities!Itwassetundertrees,palmtreesandothers,bythesideofaclearriver.Thehutswerelargerthanthosebythesea,andsetnotatrandombutinrowswithagreattroddensquareinthemiddle.Fromtowntoriverwheretheyfishedandwhere,underoverhangingpalms,wefoundmanyCanoes,ranawaywiderthanapath,muchlikeanarrowroad.Buttherewerenowheeledvehiclesnordraughtanimals.Weweretofindthatinalltheselandstheyonoccasioncarriedtheircaciquesorthesickorhurtinlittersorpalanquinsborneonmen"sshoulders.Butforcarrying,grinding,drawing,theyknewnaughtofthewheel.

ItseemedstrangethatanypartofAsiashouldnotknow!

Inthistownwefoundthecacique,andwithhima_butio_

orpriest.Once,too,Ithought,ourkingandchurchwereundevelopedlikethese.Wewerelookingintheselandsuponthebudwhichelsewhereweknewintheflower.ThattoJuanLepeseemedthedifferencebetweenthemandus.

Thepeopleswarmedoutuponus.Whenthefirstadmirationwassomewhatover,whenDiegoColonandthetwoseasidemenandtheCubansoftheburningstickshadmadeexplanation,weweresweptwiththemintotheirpublicsquareandtoahutmuchlargerthancommonwherewefoundastatelyIndian,thecacique,andanancientwrinkledman,the_butio_.Thesemetuswiththeirownassumptionofsomethinglikegodship.Theyhadnolackofmanner,andLuisandIhadtheCastiliantodrawupon.ThencamepresentsandDiegoColoninterpreting.ButasfortheAdmiral"sletter,thoughIshowedit,itwasnotunderstood.

Itwasgazeduponandtouched,consideredaheavenlyraritylikethehawkbellswegavethem,butnotreadnortriedtoberead.Thewritinguponitwasthenaturalveiningofsomemoststrangeleafthatgrewinheaven,oritwasthepatternmiraculouslywovenbyamiraculousworkmanwiththreadmiraculouslyfinerthantheircotton!

Itwasstrangethattheyshouldhavenonotionatall——noteventheirchieftainsandpriests——ofwriting!AnypartofAsia,howeverwithdrawn,surelyshouldhavetraditionthere,ifnotpractice!

Inthishutorlodge,dooredbutnotwindowed,wefoundakindoftableandseatsfashionedfromblocksofsomedarkwoodrudelycarvedandpolished.Thecaciquewouldhaveusseated,sathimselfbesideus,the_butio_athishand.

Thereseemednoespecialwarriorclass.Wenotedthat,itbeingoneofthethingsitwaseverinordertonote.Noparticularbandoffightingmenstoodaboutthatblockofpolishedwood,thatwasessentiallythroneorchairofstate.Thevillageownedslender,boneorflint-headedlances,buttheserestedidlyincorners.Uponoccasionalloranymightusethem,buttherewasnoevidencethatthoseoccasionscameoften.Therewasnobodyoftroops,norarmor,noshields,nocrossbows,noswords.Theyhadknives,rudelymadeofsomehardstone,butitseemedthattheyweremadeforhuntingandfellinganddividing.Noclothinghidfromusanyframe.Thecaciquehadabouthismiddleagirdleofwroughtcottonwithworkedendsandsomeofthewomenworeasslightadress,butthatwasall.Theywereformedwell,allofthem,litheandslender,notlackingeitherinsinewandmuscle,butitwassinewandmuscleofthefree,graceful,wildworld,notbrawnofbowmanandpikemanandswordmanandknightwithhisheavylance.

InsomethingtheymightbeliketheMoorwhenonesawhimnaked,buttheMoor,too,wasperfectedinarms,andsotheywerenotlike.

Wedidnotknowasyetifevertherewerewinterinthisland.Itseemedperpetual,sereneandperfectsummer.Behindthesehutsransmallgardenswhereinweresetmelonsandalargepepperofwhichwegrewfond,andanourishingroot,andotherplants.Butthesoilwasrich,rich,andtheyloosenedandfurroweditwithasharpenedstick.Therewerenogreatforestbeaststosetthemsternlyhunting.

Whatthencouldgivethemtoil?Notgatheringthealwaysfallingfruit;notcuttingfromthetreesanddryingthecalabashes,greatandsmall,thattheyusedforallmannerofreceptacle;notdrawingoutwithalineofsomestouterfiberthancottonandwithahookofboneorthornthepaintedfishfromtheircrystalwater!Tofelltreesforcanoes,tohollowthecanoe,waslabor,aswasthebuildingoftheirhuts,butdividedamongsomanyitbecamelightlabor.InthosedayswesawnoIndianfigurebowedwithtoil,andwhenitcameitwasnottheIndianwhoimposedit.

Buttheyswam,theyrowedtheircanoes,theyhuntedintheirnotarduousfashion,theyrovedafarintheircountryatpeace,andtheydanced.Thatlastwastheirfair,theirgames,theirtourney,theirpilgrimage,theirprocessionstochurch,theirattendanceatmass,theirexpressionofanythingelsethattheyfeltaltogetherandatonce!Itwaslikechildren"splay,renewedforever,andforeverwithzest.Buttheydidnottreatitasplay.WehadbeenshoweddancesinConcepcionandIsabella,buthereinCuba,inthisinlandtown,JerezandLuisandIweregiventoseeagreatandformaldance,arrangedallinhonorofus,godsdescendedforourownreasonstomixwithmen!Theydancedinthesquare,butfirsttheymadeusafeastwith_hutias_andcassavaandfishandfruitandadrinknotunlikemead,exhilaratingbutnotbestowingdrunkenness.Grapeswereallovertheselands,purpleclustershanginghighandlow,buttheyknewnotwine.

Menandwomendanced,nowinseparatebands,nowmingledtogether.Decorumwaskept.Weafterwardsknewthatithadbeenareligiousdance.Theyhadwardances,huntingdances,dancesattheplantingoftheircorn,ghostdancesandothers.Thisnowwasathingtowatch,likeabeautifulmasque.Theywereverygraceful,verysupple;

theyhadtheirowndignity.

Welearnedmuchinthethreedayswespentinthistown.

Menandwomenforinstance!Thatnakednessofthebody,thatfreeandpublicmingling,goingaboutworkandadventureandplaytogether,worked,thoughtJuanLepenoharm.Lateroninthisvastadventureofanewworld,someofourchurchmenweregiventoassertingthattheylivedlikeanimals,thoughtheanimalsalsoarethereslandered!

Thewomenwerefreeandcomplaisant;thereweremanychildrenabout.Butmatings,Ithought,occurredonlyoffreeandmutualdesire,andnotmorefrequentlythaninothercountries.Thewomenwerenotwithoutmodesty,northemenwithoutapalechivalry.AtfirstIthoughtconstraintorruledidnotenterin,butafteratalkwiththeirpriestthroughDiegoColon,Igatheredthatthereprevailedtribeandkinshiprestraints.Laterweweretofindthatagreatnetworkof``thoushalt""and``thoushaltnot""ranthroughtheirtotalsociety,whereverortowhatmembersitmightextend.Commongood,orwhatwassupposedtobecommongood,wasthemasterhereasitiseverywhere!

Thewomenworkedthegardens,themenhunted;bothmenandwomenfished.Womenmightbecaciques.Therewerewomencaciques,theysaid,fartheronintheirland.Anditseemedtousthatnameandfamilywerecountedfromthemother"sside.

TheAdmiralhadsolemnlylaidituponustodiscoverthepolityofthisnewworld.Iftheyheldfieffromfief,thenatlastwemustcomethroughhowevermanyoverlordstotheseigneurofthemall,GrandKhanorEmperor.Weappliedourselvestocaciqueandbutio,butwefoundnoGrandSeigneur.Therewereothercaciques.WhentheCaribsdescendedtheybandedtogether.Theyhaddimly,wethought,theideaofawar-lord.Butitendedthere,whenthewarended.Tribute:Hefoundtheyhadnoideaoftribute.Cottongreweverywhere!Cotton,cassava,calabashes,allthings!Whentheyvisitedacaciquetheytookhimgifts,andatpartinghegavethemgifts.Thatwasall.

Gold?Theyknewofit.Whentheyfoundabittheykeptitforornament.Thecaciquepossessedapiecethesizeofaducat,suspendedbyastringofcotton.Ithadbeengiventohimbyacaciquewholivedonthegreatwater.

PerhapshetookitfromtheCaribs.Butitwasinthemoun-

tains,too.Heindicatedtheheightsbeyond.Sometimestheyscrapeditfromsandunderthestream.Heseemedindifferenttoit.ButDiegoColon,comingin,saidthatitwasmuchprizedinheaven,beingusedforhighmagic,andthatwewouldgiveheavenlygiftsforit.Resultedfromthattheproductioninanhourofeveryshiningflakeandgrainandbuttonpiecethevillageowned.WecarriedfromthisplacetotheAdmiralasmallgourdfilledwithgold.Butitwasnotgreatlyplentiful;thatwasevidenttoanythinkingman!Butwehadsomanywhowerenotthinkingmen.

AndtheAdmiralhadtoappeasewithhisreportsgold-thirstygreatfolkinSpain.

WespentthreedaysinthisvillageandtheyweredaysforgodsandIndiansofhappywonderandlearning.Theywouldhaveusdescribeheaven.LuisandItoldthemofEurope.Wepointedtotheeast.Theysaidthattheyknewthatheavenrestedthereuponthegreatwater.Thetownofthesunwasoverthere.Hadweseenthesun"stown?Wasitbesideusinheaven,in``Europe""?Thesunwentdownunderthemountains,andtherehefoundariverandhiscanoe.Herowedallnightuntilhecametohistown.Thenheatecassavacakesandrested,whilethegreenandgoldandredLizard[Thesewere``Lizard""folk.TheyhadaLizardpaintedonagreatpostbythecacique"shouse.]wentaheadtosaythathewascoming.Thenherose,rightoutofthegreatwater,andtherewasdayagain!Butwemustknowaboutthesun"stown;we,thegods!

LuisandIcouldhavestayedlongwhileanddisentangledthisplaceandlovedthedoingit.

ButitwastoreturntotheAdmiralandthewaitingships.

Thethreetobaccomenwouldgowithustoseewonders,sowereturnednineinnumberalongthepath.Beforewesetoutwesawthatastormthreatened.AllsixIndianswerelothtodepartuntilitwasover,andthecaciquewouldhavekeptus.ButLuisandIdidnotknowhowlongthebadweathermightholdandwemustgettotheships.ItwasJerezwhotoldthemboastfullythatgodsdidnotfearstorms,——specimenofthatSpanishfollyofoursthatworkedharmandharmagain!

Wetraveleduntilafternoonagreeablyenough,thenwithgreatswiftnessthecloudsclimbedandthickened.Sunwentout,airgrewdark.TheIndiansbehindusonthepath,thatwassonarrowthatwemusttreadoneaftertheother,spokeamongthemselves,thenDiegoColonpushedthroughmarvelouslyhuge,richferntoLuisandme.``Theysay,`willnotthegodstellthecloudstogoaway?"""Butdoubtlikeagnomesatintheyouth"seye.WehadhadbadweatheroffIsabella,andthegodshadhadtowaitforthesunlikeothers.BynowDiegoColonhadseenmanyandstrangemiracles,buthehadlikewisefoundlimitations,quitenumerousanddecisivelimitations!Hethoughtthatherewasone,andIexplainedtohimthathethoughtcorrectly.Europeanscoulddomanythingsbutthiswasnotamongthem.

LuisandIwatchedhimtelltheCubansthathe,DiegoColon,hadneversaidthatwethreewereamongthehighestgods.Eventhegreat,white-headed,chiefgodyonderinthewingedcanoewassaidtobelessthansomeothergodsinheavenwhichwecalledEurope,andoverallwasaHighGodwhocoulddoeverything,scatterclouds,stopthunderorsendthunder,everything!Hadwebroughtourbutio,withushemightperhapshavemadegreatmagicandhelpedthings.Asitwas,wemusttakeluck.ThatseemingrationaltotheIndians,weproceeded,ourglorysomethingdiminished,butstillsufficient.

Thestormclimbedandthickenedandevidentlywastobecomeafury.Windbegantowhistle,treestobend,lightningstoplay,thundertosound.Itgrew.Westoodinblazinglight,thunderalmostburstourears,atreewasrivenabow-shotaway.Greatwarmrainbegantofall.Wecouldhardlystandagainstthewind.Weweregoingundermountainsidewithasplashingstreambelowus.DiegoColonshouted,ashemusttogetabovewindandthunder.

``Hurry!hurry!Theyknowplace.""Allbegantorun.

Afterabattletomakewayatall,wecametoaslopeofloose,smallstonesandvineandfern.Thisweclimbed,passedbehindajaggedmassofrock,andfoundacavern.A

flashlititforus,thenanotherandanother.Atmouthitmightbetwentyfeetacross,wasdeepandnarrowedlikeafunnel.Panting,wethrewourselvesonthecavefloor.

Thestormprevailedthroughtherestofthisdayandfarintothenight.``_Hurricane!_""saidtheCubans.``Notgreatone,littleone!""ButwefromSpainthoughtitagreatenoughhurricane.Therainfellasthoughitwouldmakeanotherfloodandinmuchlessthanfortydays.Wemustbesilent,forwindandthunderallowednootherchoice.

Streamsofraincameintothecavern,butwefoundledgescurtainedbyrock.Weatecassavacakeanddrankfromarunletofwater.Thestormmadealmostnight,thenactualnightarrived.Wecurledourselvesup,huggingourselvesforwarmth,andwenttosleep.

Thethirddayfromthetownwecametotheseaandtheships.Allseemedwell.Ourcompanionshadfeltthestorm,hadtalestotellofwrenchedanchorsandthe_Pinta"s_

boatbeatalmosttopieces,uprootedtrees,wind,lightning,thunderandrain.Buttheycutshorttheirrecital,wishingtoknowwhatwehadfound.

LuisandImadereporttotheAdmiral.HesatunderahugetreeandaroundgatheredthePinzons,FrayIgnatio,DiegodeArana,RoderigoSanchezandothers.Werelated;

theyquestioned,weanswered;therewasdiscussion;theAdmiralsummedup.

ButlaterIspoketohimalone.Wewerenowonship,makingreadyforsailing.Wewouldgoeastward,aroundthispointofAsia,sincefromwhatallsaiditmustbepoint,andseewhatwasupontheotherside.``Theyallgesturesouth!Theysay`Babeque——Babeque!Bohio!"""

Iaskedhim,``WhyisitthattheseIndianshereseemgladforustogo?""

Hesighedimpatiently,drawingonehandthroughtheother,withhimarecurringgesture.``Itisthewomen!

Certainofourmen——""IsawhimlookatGutierrezwhopassed.

``TomasoPassamonte,too,""Isaid.

``Yes.Andothers.Itistheoldwoe!Nowtheyhaveonlytokillaman!""

Hearraignedshort-sightedness.Isaid,``Butstillwearefromheaven?""

``Still.Butsomeofthegods——justfiveorsix,say——

havefearfulways!""Helaughed,sorrowfullyandangrily.

``Andyouthinkthereislittlegold,andthatweareveryfarfromclothedandletteredAsia?""

``Sofar,""Ianswered,``thatIseenotwhywecallthesebrown,nakedfolkIndians.""

``Whatelsewouldyoucallthem?""

``Idonotknowthat.""

``Why,then,letusstillcallthemIndians.""Hedrummedupontherailbeforehim,thenbrokeout,``Christ!Ithinkwedoesteemhard,present,hand-heldgoldtoomuch!""

``Isayyestothat!""

Hesaid,``WeshouldholdtothejoyofDiscoveryandgreatusehereafter——mountinguse!""

``Aye.""

``Hereisvirginland,vastandbeautiful,withaclimelikeheaven,androomforahundredcoloniessuchasGreeceandRomesentout!Hereisadocile,unwarlikepeoplereadytobeindustriousservitorsandpeasants,forwhichwedogivethemsalvationoftheirsouls!ItisallSpain"s,thebannerisplanted,thenamesgiven!Wearetooimpatient!Wecannothaveitbetweendawnandsunset!Butlookintothefuture——thereiswealthbeyondcounting!Nogreatamountofgold,butenoughtoshowthatthereisgold.""

Ifollowedtheworkingofhismind.Itwastosmilesomewhatsorrowfully,seeinghisgreatdifficulties.HewasthebornDiscoverermightilylovingDiscovery,andwatchingtheBelovedinherlifethroughtime.ButhehadtoservePrinceHave-it-now,inthecityGreed.Isaid,``Senor,donotputtoomuchsplendorinyourjournalfortheKingandQueenandtheSpanishmerchantsandtheChurchandallthechivalrythattheendedwarreleases!Or,ifyouprophesy,markitprophecy.Itisagreattroubleintheworldthatmendonotknowwhenonedayistalkedoforwhenismeantgreatrangesofdays!OtherwiseyouwillhaveallthirstySpainsailingforOphirandGoldenChersonesus,wealthimmediate,gildingMidaswherehestands!

Iftheyfinddisappointmenttheywillnotthinkofthefuture;

theywillsmiteyou!""

Iknewthathewaswritinginthatbooktooardently,andthathewasevennowcomposingletterstogreatpersonstobedispatchedfromwhatSpanishportheshouldfirstenter,comingbackeastfromwest,overOcean-Sea,fromAsia!

Buthehadlong,longfollowedhisownadvice,stoodbyhisowncourse.Thedoingsohadsoservedhimthatitwasnaturalheshouldhaveconfidence.Nowhesaidonly,``IdothebestIcan!Ihavelittlesearoom.OneScyllaandCharybdis?Nay,awholebroodofthem!""

Icouldagreetothat.Isawitcomingupthewaysthattheywouldgivehimlessandlesssearoom.Hewenton,``Merchandisehastobemadeattractive!Thecookdressesthedish,thegirlputsflowersinherhairYet,intheendthewaresaremightybeyonddescription!ThedishisforPopeandKing——thegirlisabrideforapaladin!""

Againhewasrightafarandoverthegreatspan.ButtheywouldnotseeinSpain,ornotmanywouldsee,thatthewholespanmustbetaken.ButIwasnotonetochidehim,seeingthatI,too,sawafar,andtheywouldnotseewithmeeitherinSpain.

CHAPTERXX

WEsailedfortwodayseastbysouth.ButtheweatherthathadbeenperfectionforlongandlongagainfromPalos,nowwaschanged.Deadwindsdelayedus,thesearidged,cloudsblottedouttheblue.Weheldon.TherewasagreatcapewhichwecalledCapeCuba.Offthisastormmetus.Weliveditoutandmadeintooneofthosebottleharborsofwhich,firstandlast,weweretofindGodknowshowmanyinCuba!

TheAdmiralnameditPuertodelPrincipe,andweraisedonshorehereaverygreatcross.WehaddonethisoneveryconsiderableislandsinceSanSalvadorandnowtwiceonthiscoast.Therewerebehindussevenoreightcrosses.

ThebannerplantedwasthesignoftheSovereigntyofSpain,thecrossthesignofHolyChurch,Sovereignoversovereigns,whogavetheselandstoSpain,asshegaveAfricaandtheislandstoPortugal.Wecametoagreatnumberofislets,riversofclearblueseabetween.Theshipslaytoandwetookboatandwentamongthese.TheKing"sGardens,theAdmiralcalledthem,andthecalmseabetweenthemandmainlandtheSeaofOurLady.Theywerethicklywooded,andwethoughtwefoundcinnamon,aloesandmastic.Twolovelydayswehadinthiswildernessofislesandchannelswherewasnomannorwomanatall,thenagainwewenteastandsouth,thelandtrendingthatway.Verydistant,outofeasternwaste,rosewhatseemedalargeisland.TheAdmiralsaidthatweshouldgodiscover,andwechangedcoursetowardit,butinthreehours"

timemetfuriousweather.Thesearose,cloudslikenightclosedusin.Nightcameonwithoutastarandacontrarywindblewalways.WhenthedawnbrokesullenlywewerebeatenbacktoCuba,andagreatpromontoryagainstwhichtrulywemighthavebeendashedstoodtoournorthandshutoutcoastofyesterday.Herewehungadayandnight,andthenthewindlullingandthesearunningnotsohigh,wemadeagainforthatislandwhichmightbeBabeque.WehadIndiansaboard,buttheseaandthewhippingandgroaningofourmastsandriggingandsailsandthepitchingoftheshipterrifiedthem,andterrormadethemdull.Theysatwithkneesdrawnupandheadburiedinarmsandshivered,andknewnotBabequefromanythingelse.

ChristopherusColumbuscouldbeveryobstinate.Wishingstronglytogainthatisland,throughallthisdayhehadusstrivetowardit.Butthewindwasdirectlyaheadandstrongastengiants.Themasterandothersmaderepresentations,andatlasthenoddedhisgrayheadandorderedthe_SantaMaria_putaboutandthePintaandtheNinasignaled.TheNinaharkenedandturned,butthePinta.

atsomedistanceseemeddeafandblind.Nightfellwhilestillwesignaled.WewerenowforCuba,andthewinddirectlybehindus,butyetaslongaswecouldsee,thePintachosenottoturn.Wesetlightsforsignals,butherlightfellfartherandfartherastern.Shewasaswiftersailerthanwe;therewasnoreasonforthatincreasingdistance.

Welayto,the_Nina_besideus.ErelongwewhollylostthePinta"slight.Nightpassed.WhenmorningbrokeCaptainMartinAlonsoPinzonandthePintaweregone.

Thesea,thoughrough,wasnottooperilous,andneverasignalofdistresshadbeenseennorheard.

``Lost?IsthePintalost?""

``Lost!No!——But,yes.Willfullylost!""

ItwasRoderigoSanchezwhoknewnotmuchoftheseawhoasked,andtheAdmiralanswered.Buthavingspokenitthatonce,heclosedhisstronglipsandcomingdownfromdecksaidhewouldhavebreakfast.Allthatdaywasguessingandtalkenoughuponthe_SantaMaria_;

silentorslurredtalkatlast,fortowardnoontheAdmiralgavesharporderthatthePintashouldbeleftoutofconversation.CaptainMartinPinzonwasanableseaman.

Perhaps.something(heremindedusoftherudderbeforetheCanaries)hadgonewrong.CaptainPinzonmayhavethoughttheislandwasthenearerland,orhemayhavereturnedtoCuba,butmoretothenorththanwerewe.Helookedforthe_Pinta_.againinareasonabletime.Inthemeantimeletitalone!

Sosoonastheseaallowed,VicentePinzoncameinhisboattotheSantaMaria,butheseemedasperplexedaswe.

Hedidnotknowhisbrother"smind.ButMartinPinzonforeverandalwayswasagoodseacaptainandaCastilianofhisword,knowingwhatwasproperobservancetohisAdmiral.Ifhedidthisorthat,itwouldbeforgoodreasons.

SoVicente,andtheAdmiralwascordialwithhim,andsawhimoverrailanddownsidewithcheerfulwords.Hewascheerfulallthatdayinhisspeech,cheerfulandsuaveandprophesyinggoodinmanydirections.ButIknewthetroublebehindthatfront.

Insomewaysthe_Pinta_wasthebestofourships.MartinPinzonwasaboldandreadyman,andthoseaboardwithhimdevotedtohisfortunes.Hedidnotlackopinionsofhisown,andoftentheycounteredtheAdmiral"s.

Hewasambitious,andtheAdmiral"srightsweresovastandinclusivethatthereseemednotmuchroomtomakenameandfame.Muchthesamewithriches!WhatMartinPinzonhadloanedwouldcomebacktohimbeyonddoubt,backwithhighinterestandagooddealmore.

Butstillitwouldseemtohimthatroomwasneeded.InhismindhehadsaidperhapsmanytimestotheAdmiral,``Donotclaimtoomuchsoil!Donotforgetthatothertreeswanttogrow!""

MartinPinzonmighthaveputbacktoSpain,butwhoknewthemanwouldnotthinkthatlikely.Farmoreprobablethathemightbedoingdiscoveryofhisown.Perhapshewouldrejoinuslaterwithsomesplendidthingtohiscredit,claimthatSpaincouldnotdeny!

Cubacoastrosehighandnear.Itisashoreofthefairestharbors!Wemadeoneoftheseintowhichemptiedalittleriver.HenamedhavenandriverSaintCatherine.Inthebedofthisstream,whenwewentashore,wefoundnolittlegold.Hetookinhishandgrainsandflakesandoneortwopieceslargeasbeans.Itwasroyalmonopoly,gold,andeverymanunderstrictcommand——tobringtotheAdmiralallthatwasfound.Seamenandcompanionsgatheredaroundhim,Admiral,ViceroyandGovernor,KingCroesustobe,atenthofallgoldandspoilfillinghispurse!Andthey,too,surelysomewaytheywouldbelargelypaid!Thedreamhovered,thendescendeduponus,asmanyatimeitdescended.Greatrichesandhappinessandallclothedinsilk,andeverymanashewouldbeandnotashewas,adimmagnificenceandasenseoftrumpetsintheair,acclaimingus!Irememberthatdaythatweallfeltthismysticpowerandwealth,theAdmiralandallofus.Forashorttime,therebySaintCatherine"sRiver,wewerebroughtintoharmony.Thenitbrokeandeachlittleselfwentitswayagain.Butforthatwhileeightymenhadfeltasthoughwewereacountryandmorethanacountry.ThegoldintheAdmiral"shandmighthavebeengoldofconsciousness.

AfterthisdayfordayswesailedalongCubastrand,seeingmanyafairhavenandenteringtwoorthree.Therewerevillages,andthosedusk,nakedfolkto,whombynowwewerewellused,runningtobeachorcliffbrow,makingsigns,seemingtocry,``Heavencomedown,heaven,heavenandthegods!""Thenotionofasailhadnevercometothem,thoughwiththeircottontheymighthavemadethem.

Theywereslowtolearnthatthewindpushedus,actinglikeathousandtirelessrowers.Wewerethrillinglynewtothemandaltogethermagical.Toanyseeingeyeashipunderfullsailisabeautiful,stately,thrillingthing!Totheseredmentherewasaperilousjoyinthevision.Iftousintheshipstherehunginthisvoyagesomethingmystic,hidden,fullofpossibility,inchbyinchtounroll,throbbingallwiththefuturewhichisthesupernatural,besurethese,too,whowerefoundanddiscovered,movedinacloudofmysterytornbystrangelightnings!

Sometimeswecameintohaven,droppedanchorandloweredsails,whereuponthoseontheshoreagaincriedout.

Whenwetookourboatsandwenttolandwemetalwaysthesamereception,foundmuchthesamevillage,carriedonmuchthesameconversations.Littlebylittlewecollectedgold.Bynow,withintheAdmiral"schest,incanvasbags,restednotalittletreasureforQueenIsabellaandKingFerdinand.Andthoughitwasforbidden,Iknewthatmanyofourseamenhidgold.Alltoldwefoundenoughtowhetappetite.ButstilltheIndianssaidsouth,andBabequeandBohio!

AtlastwehadsailedtotheveryeasternendofCubaandturneditaswemightturntheheelofItaly.AgreatspurthatranintotheoceantheAdmiraldubbedAlphaandOmega,andweplantedacross.

ItfelltomeheretosavetheAdmiral"slife.

Wehaduponthe_SantaMaria_amannamedFelipewhoseemedasimple,God-fearingsoul,veryattentivetoFrayIgnatioandalltheofficesofreligion.Hewasratherasilentfellowandaslow,poorworker,oftenintroublewithboatswainandmaster.Hesaidoddthingsandsometimesweptforhissoul,andtheforecastlelaughedathim.Thismanbecameinanightmad.

Itwasmiddlenight.The_SantaMaria_swungatanchorandthewholeworldseemedajust-breathingstillness.