第8章

Therewasthewatch,butallelseslept.Thewatch,lookingatCubaandthemoononthewater,didnotobserveFelipewhenhecreptfromforecastlewithalong,sharptwo-edgedknifesuchastheysellinToledo.

JuanLepewokefromfirstsleepandcouldnotrecoverit.HefoundBernardoNunez"ssmall,smallcabinstifling,andatlasthegotup,putongarments,andslippedforthandthroughgreatcabintoouterair.HemighthavefoundtheAdmiraltherebeforehim,forhesleptlittleandwasabouttheshipatallhours,butto-nighthedidsleep.

Ispoketothewatch,thensetmyselfdownatbreakofpooptobreathethesplendorofthenight.ThemoonbathedAlphaandOmega,andthetwoships,the_Nina_andtheSantaMaria.ItwashedthePintabutwesawitnot,notknowingwhererodethePintaandMartinAlonzoPinzon.Sobright,sopleasureable,wasthenight!

Anhourpassed.Mybodywascooledandrefreshed,myspiritquiet.Rising,Ienteredgreatcabinonmywaytobedandsleep.Ifeltthatthecabinwasnotempty,andthen,therebeingmoonlightenough,IsawthefigurebytheAdmiral"sdoor.``Whoisit?""Idemanded,buttheunbolteddoorgavetotheman"spush,andhedisappeared.I

knewitwasnottheAdmiralandIfollowedatabound.Thecabinhadawindowandthemoonbeamscamein.TheyshowedFelipeandhisknifeandthegreatGenoeseasleep.

Themadmanlaughedandcrooned,thenliftedthatToledodaggerandlungeddownwardwithasinewyarm.ButI

wasuponhim.Theblowfell,butafootwideofmark.

Therewasastruggle,ashout.TheAdmiral,openingeyes,sprangfrombed.

Hewasapowerfulman,andI,too,hadstrength,butFelipefoughtandstruggledlikeadesertlion.Hekeptcrying,``IamtheKing!IwillsendhimtodiscoverHeaven!

Iwillsendhimtojointheprophets!""Atlastwehadhimdownandboundhim.Bynowthenoisehadbroughtthewatchandothers.Adozenmencamecrowdingin,inthemoonlight.Wetookthemadmanawayandkepthimfast,andJuanLepetriedtocurehimbutcouldnot.Inthreedayshediedandweburiedhimatsea.AndFernando,creepingtome,asked,``senor,don"tyoufeelattimesthatthereismadnessoverallthisshipandthisvoyageand_him_——

theAdmiral,Imean?""

Iansweredhimthatitwasapitythereweresofewmadmen,andthatFelipemusthavebeenquitesane.

``ThenwhatdoyouthinkwasthematterwithFelipe,Senor?""

Isaid,``Diditeveroccurtoyou,Fernando,thatyouhadtoomuchcourageandsawtoofar?""Atwhichhelookedfrightened,andsaidthatattimeshehadfeltthosesymptoms.

CHAPTERXXI

MARTINPINZONdidnotreturntous.Thattall,blondseacaptainwasgoneweknewnotwhere.The_SantaMaria_andtheNinasailedsouthalongthefootofCuba.Butnowroseoutofoceanonoursoutheastquarteragreatislandwithfairmountainshapes.WeaskedourIndians——wehadfiveaboardbesideDiegoColon——

whatitwas.Bohio!Bohio!""Butwhenwecamethere,itsowninhabitantscalleditHaytiandQuisquaya.

TheAdmiralpacedourdeck,smallasaturretchamber,hishandsbehindhim,hisminduponsomegreatchartdrawnwithin,notwithout.Atlast,havingdecided,hecalledJuandelaCosa.``WewillgotoBohio.""

Soitwasdonewherebymuchwasdone,theWomanwiththedistaffspinningfast,fast!

Asthisislandliftedoutofocean,wewhohadsaidofCuba,``Itisthefairest!""nowsaid,``No,thisisthefairest!""

Itwasmostbeautiful,withmountainsandforestsandvalesandplainsandrivers.

ThetwelfthdayofDecemberwecametoanchorinaharborwhichtheAdmiralnamedConcepcion.

OnthisshoretheIndiansfledfromus.Wefoundavillage,butquitedeserted.Notawoman,notaman,notachild!Onlythreeorfourofthosesilentdogs,andagreatredandgreenparrotthatscreamedbutsaidnothing.

Therewassomethinginthisday,Iknownotwhat,butitmadeitselffelt.TheAdmiral,kneeling,kissedthesoil,andhenamedtheislandHispaniola,andweplantedacross.

Forlongwehadbeenbeatenabout,andallaboardtheshipswerewellwillingtoleavethemforalittle.Wehadadozensickandtheycravedtheshoreandthefruittrees.

ourIndians,too,longed.Soweanchored,andmarinersandalladventurersrestedfromthesea.Afewatatime,thevillagersreturned,andfearfullyenoughatfirst.Butwehadharmednothing,andwhatgreatnessandgentlenesswasinusweshowedithere.Presentlyallthoughttheywereathomewithus,andthatheavenbredthefinestfolk!

OurpeopleofHispaniola,subjectsnow,sincetheplantingoftheflag,weretaller,handsomer,wethought,thantheCubans,andmoreadvancedinthearts.Theirhouseswereneatandgood,andtheirgardensweededandwell-stocked.

Themenworeloincloths,thewomenawidecottongirdleorlittleskirt.Wefoundthreeorfourcopperknives,butagaintheysaidthattheycamefromthesouth.AsinSpain``west——west""hadbeenhisword,sonowtheAdmiralbroodeduponsouth.""

Thesefolkhadaverylittlegold,buttheyseemedtosaythattheirswasasimpleandpoorvillage,andthatweshouldfindmoreofallthingsfartheron.SoweleftConcepcion,thecrossupontherockshowingalongwaythroughthepureair.

Fortwodayswecoasted,andattheendofthistimewecametoaharborofgreatbeautyandbackfromitranavalelikeParadise,sorichlysweetitwas!ChristopherusColumbuswasquicktofindbeautyandloveditwhenfound.

OftenandoftenhaveIseenhisfaceturnthatofachildorayouth,filledwithwonder.Ihaveseenhimkissaflower,layacaressuponstemoftree,yearntowardpalmtopsagainsttheblue.Hewaswellreadintheoldpoets,andhehimselfwasapoetthoughhewrotenolineofverse.

Weenteredhereandcametoanchorandthesailsrattleddown.``Hispaniola——Hispaniola,andwewillcallthisharborSt.Thomas!HewastheApostletoIndia.Andnowwearehisyoungerbrotherscomeafterlongfoldingaway.Werewemore——didwehaveafleet——wemightsetacityhereand,itbeingChristmas,callitLaNavidad!""

Outcamethecanoestous,outtheswimmers,darkandgracefulfigurescleavingtheutterblue.Someonepassingthatwayoverland,hurryingwithnews,hadtoldthesevillageshowpeaceful,noble,benevolent,beneficentwewere.

Thecanoeswereheapedwithfruitandcassavabread,andtheyhadcotton,notinballs,butwoveninpieces.AndtheseIndianshadaboutneckorinearsomebitsofgold.

Thesetheychangedcheerfully,takingandvaluingwhattriflewasgiven.``Gold.Wheredoyougetyourgold?

DoyouknowofCipangoorCathayorIndia?HaveeveryouheardofZaiton,orofQuinsaiandCublaiKhan?""

Theygaveusanswerswhichwecouldnotfullyunderstand,andgesturedinlandandalittletotheeast.``Cibao!Cibao!""

Theyseemedtosaythattherewasallthegoldtherethatareasonablemortalmightdesire.``Cibao?——

Cipango?""saidtheAdmiral.``Theymightbethesame.""

``LikeCubaandCublaiKhan,""thoughtJuanLepe.

Aroundapointofshoredartedalongcanoewithmanyrowers.Othercanoesgavewayforit,andtheIndiansalreadyuponthe_SantaMaria_exclaimedthatitwastheboatofthecacique,thoughnotthecaciquebuthisbrothersatinit.Guacanagariwasthecacique.Histownwasyonder!TheypointedtoamistyheadlandbeyondSt.

Thomas"sbay.

TheIndianfromthegreatcanoecameaboard,ahandsomefellow,andhebroughtpresentsnotlikeanywehadseen.Therewasawidthofcottonembroideredthickwithbitsofgleamingshellandbone,butwhatwasmostwelcomewasahugewoodenmaskwitheyesandtongueofgold.

FrayIgnatiocrossedhimself.``Thedeviltheyworship,——

poorlostsheep!""Thethirdgiftwasaconsiderablepieceofthatmixedandimperfectgoldwhichafterwardswecalledguanin.Andwouldwegotovisitthecaciquewhosetownwasnotsofaryonder?

ItwasChristmasEve.Wesailedwithasmall,smallwindforthecacique"svillage,outfromharborofSt.

Thomas,aroundaheadlandandalongalow,brightgreenshore.Solowandfitfulwasthewindthatwemovedliketwogreatsnails.Bettertohavelefttheshipsandgone,somanyofus,inourboatswithoars,canoesconvoyingus!

Thedistancewasnotgreat,butdistanceisasthepowerofgoing.``Iremember,""quoththeAdmiral,``acalm,goingfromtheLevanttoCrete,andourwatercaskbrokenandnotamouthfulforasoulaboard!Thatwasalong,longtwodayswhiletheoneshorewentnofurtherandtheothercamenonearer.AndgoingoncetoPortoSantowithmywifeshefellillandmoanedfortheland,andwewereheldasbytheseabottom,andIthoughtshewoulddiewhomightbesavedifshecouldhavetheland.AndIremembergoingdowntheAfricancoastwithSantanem——""

DiegodeAranasaid,``Youhavehadafulllife,senor!""

Hewascousin,Ihadbeentold,tothatDonaBeatrixwhomtheAdmiralcherished,motherofhisyoungestson,Fernando.TheAdmiralhadaffectionforhim,andDiegodeAranalivedanddied,agood,loyalman.``Afulloutwardlife,""hewenton,``andIdareswear,afullinwardone!""

``ThatisGod"struth!""saidtheAdmiral.``Youmaywellsaythat,senor!InsideIhavelivedwithallwhohavelived,anddiscoveredwithallwhohavediscovered!""

Irememberasadreamthislastdayuponthe_SantaMaria_.

Beltranthecookhadscaldedhisarm.Idressediteachday,anddressingitnow,halfadozenidlingby,watchingtheoperation,IheardagainakindoftalkthatIhadheardbefore.PartlybecauseIhadshippedasJuanLepeanAndalusiansailorandhadhadmyforecastledays,andpartlybecausemenrarelyfeartospeaktoaphysician,andpartlybecauseinthegreatwholethereexistedlikingbetweenthemandme,theytalkedanddiscussedfreelyenoughwhatanyotherfromtheotherendofshipcouldhavecomeatonlybyformalquestioning.NowmanyoftheseamenwantedtoknowwhenwewerereturningtoPalos,andanothernumbersaidthattheywouldjustassoonneverreturn,oratleastnotforagoodwhile!Buttheydidnotwishtospendthatgoodwhileupontheship.Itwasagoodland,andtheheathenalsogood.Theheathenmightallbegoingtoburninhell,unlessFrayIgnatiocouldgetthembaptizedintime,andsonumerousweretheythatseemedhardlypossible!Almostallmighthavetogotohell.

Butinthemeantime,hereonearth,theyhadtheiruses,andonecouldevengrowfondofthem——certainlyfondofthewomen.Theheathenwereeagertoworkforus,catchusconeys,bringusgold,puthammocksforusbetweentreesandsay``Sleep,senor,sleep!""HereevenTomasoPassamontewas``senor""and``Don.""Andasforthewomen——onlytheskinisdark——theywerewarm-hearted!

Goldandwomenandneveranycoldnorhungernortoil!

Theheathentotoilforyou——andtheycouldbetaughttomakewine,withallthesegrapesdanglingeverywhere?

Heathencoulddothegatheringandpressing,andalsothegoldhuntinginrocksandstreams.Spainwouldfurnishthemindandthehabitofcommand.ItwerewelltostayandcultivateHispaniola!TheAdmiralandthosewhowantedtomighttakehometheships.OfcoursetheAdmiralwouldcomeagain,andwithhimshipsandmanymen.Noonewanted,ofcourse,nevertoseeagainCastileandPalosandhisfamily!ButtostayinHispaniolaawhileandrestandgrowrich,——thatwaswhattheywanted.Andnoonecouldjustlycallthemidle!Iftheyfoundoutallaboutthelandandwherewerethegoldandthespices,wastherenotuseinthat,justasmuchuseaswanderingforeveronthe_SantaMaria_?

Motherearthwaskind,kind,here,andshedidn"thavearodlikemothercountryandMotherChurch!Theydidnotsaythislast,butitwaswhattheymeant.

``Youdon"tseetherod,thatisall,""saidJuanLepe.

Buttherehadeventuallytobecolonies,andIknewthattheAdmiralwasrevolvinginhisheadtheleavinginthisnewworldcertainofourmen,seedcornasitwere,organsalsotogatherknowledgeagainsthisspeedyreturnwithpowerofshipsandmen.ForsurelySpainwouldbegrateful,——surely,surely!ButhewasnotreadyyettosetsailforSpain.Hemeanttodiscovermore,discoverfurther,comeifbyanymeanshecouldtotheactualwealthofgreat,mainIndia;comeperhapstoZaiton,wherearemoremerchantsthaninalltherestoftheworld,andahundredmastershipsladenwithpepperentereveryyear;ortoQuinsaiofthemarblebridges.No,hewasnotreadytoturnprowtoSpain,andhewasnotlikelytobleedhimselfofmen,noworformanydaystocome.Allthesewhowouldlieinhammocksashoremustwaitawhile,andevenwhentheymadetheircolony,thatisnotthewaythatcoloniesliveandgrow.

Beltransaid,``Someofyouwouldliketodoalittlegood,andsomeareforasow"slife!""

ItwasChristmasEve,andwehadourvespers,andwethoughtofthedayathomeinCastileandinItaly.Duskdrewdown.Behinduswasthedeep,securewaterofSt.Thomas,hisharbor.TheAdmiralhadussoundandtheleadshowednogreatdepth,whereuponwestoodalittleouttoavoidshoalorbar.

ForsomenightstheAdmiralhadbeenwakeful,suffering,asJuanLepeknew,withthatgoutwhichattimestroubledhimlikeaverydemon.Butthisnightheslept.JuandelaCosasetthewatch.ThehelmsmanwasSanchoRuizthanwhomnonewasbetter,saveonlythathewouldtakeariskwhenhepleased.Allothersslept.Thedayhadbeenlong,sowarm,stillandidle,withthewoodedshorestealingsoslowlyby.

EarlyinthenightSanchoRuizwastakenwithagreatcrampandaswimmingofthehead.Hecalledtooneofthewatchtocometakethehelmforalittle,butnoneanswered;

calledagainandashipboysleepingnear,uncurledhimself,stretched,andcametohand.``It"sallsafe,andtheAdmiralsleepingandthemastersleepingandthewatchalso!""saidtheboy.PedroAcevedoitwas,awell-enoughmeaningyoungwretch.

SanchoRuizputhelminhishand.``Keepherso,whileI

liedownhereforalittle.Myheadismovingfasterthanthe_SantaMaria_!""

Helaydown,andtheswimmingmadehimclosehiseyes,andclosedeyesandthedisappearanceofhispain,andpleasantrestingondeckcausedhimtosleep.PedroAcevedoheldthewheelandlookedatthemoon.Thenthewindchosetochange,blowingstillverylightlybutbearingusnowtowardshore,andPedronevernoticingthisgrowlarger.Hewaslookingatthemoon,heafterwardssaidwithtears,andthinkingofChristborninBethlehem.

Theshorecamenearerandnearer.SanchoRuizslept.

Pedronowheardasoundthatheknewwellenough.Comingbacktohereandnow,helookedandsawbreakersuponalongsandbar.Themakingtidewasathalf,andthatandthechangedwindcarriedustowardthelinesoffoam.Theboycried,``Steersman!Steersman!""Ruizsatup,holdinghisheadinhishands.``Sucharoaringinmyears!""

But``Breakers!Breakers!""criedtheboy.``Takethehelm!""

Ruizsprangtoit,butashetoucheditthe_SantaMaria_

grounded.Theshockwokemostonboard,theimmediateoutcryandrunningfeettherest.

Theharmwasdone,andnogoodnowinrecriminations!

Itwasnever,Ibearwitness,habitofChristopherusColumbus.

TheSantaMarialistedheavily,theseapoundingagainsther,drivinghermoreandmoreuponthesand.ButorderarrivedwiththeAdmiral.Themastergrewhislieutenant,themarinershisobedientones.Backhewasatthirty,withashipwreckwhohadseenmanyandknewhowtotoilwithhandsandwithhead.Moreover,thegreatgeniusofthemanshoneindarkness.Hecouldencourage;hecouldbringcoolness.

Wetriedtowarpheroff,butitwasnottobedone.Wecutawaymasttolightenher,butmoreandmoreshegrewfasttothebank,thewavesstrikingallherside,pushingherover.Seamshadopened,waterwascomingin.The_Nina_amileawaytookoursignalandcamenearer,layto,andsentherboat.

TheSantaMaria,itwasseen,wasdying.Nothingmorewastobedone.Hermarinerscouldonlyclingtoherlikebeestocomb.WegotthetwoboatsclearandtherewastheboatoftheNina.MissionedbytheAdmiral,JuanLepegotsomehowintocabin,togetherwithSanchoandLuisTorres,andwecollectedmapsandcharts,log,journal,boxwithroyallettersandthesmallbagsofgold,andtheAdmiral"spersonalbelongings,puttingallintoagreatsackandcaringforit,untiluponthe_Nina_wegaveitintohishand.Aboveusrangthecry,``Alloff!""

FromChristopherusColumbustoPedroAcevedoalllefttheSantaMariaandwerereceivedbytheNina.Crowded,crowdedwastheNina!Downvoyagedthemoon,upcamewithfreshnesstherose-chapleteddawn.AwrecklaytheSantaMaria,paintedagainsttheeast,aboutheralowthunderofbreakers.Wherewasthe_Pinta_nomanknew!PerhapshalfwaybacktoSpainorperhapswreckedanddrownedliketheflagship.TheNina,asmall,smallshipandnonetooseaworthy,carriedallofEuropeandDiscovery.

CHAPTERXXII

INthesmall,smallcabinofthe_Nina_ChristopherusColumbussatforatimewithhisheadbowedinhisarms,thenroseandmadeupamissiontogotothecaciqueGuacanagariand,relatingourmisfortune,requestaidandshelteruntilwehaddetermineduponourcourse.TherewentDiegodeAranaandPedroGutierrezwithLuisTorresandoneortwomore,andtheytookDiegoColonandthetwoSt.ThomasIndians.Itwasnowfulllight,theshoreandmountainsgreenasemerald,thewateritsoldunearthlyblue.

The_Nina_swungatanchorjustunderthelandandthenowrecedingtideuncoveredmoreandmorethosesandswheretheSantaMarialayhuddledanddying.TheAdmiralgazed,andthetearsrandownhisface.Hewassogreatthatheneverthoughttohidejustemotion.Hespokeasthoughtohimself.``ManysinshaveI,many,many!Butthouwiltnot,OGod,castmeutterlyawaybecauseofthem!

IwillnotdoubtThee,normycalling!""

Therewaslittlespaceabouthim.The_Nina_seemedtoquiver,packedanddarkwithmen.Hisdeepvoicewenton,andtheycouldhearhim,buthedidnotseemtoknowthattheywerethere.``Asthoughuponaraft,hereathousandleaguesinOcean-Sea!YetwiltThoucareforthyGoodNews.IwillcometoSpain,andIwilltellit.Chosen,andalmostbyverynamepointedoutinThyBook!ThefirstChristianshorethatItouchIwillwalkbarefootandinmyshirtattheheadoftwelvetothefirstshrine.And,OmyLord,nevermorewillIforgetthatthattombinwhichthoudidstrest,still,stillisheldbytheinfidel!""Hebeathisbreast.``_Meaculpa!meaculpa!_""

Hisvoicesank,helookedatthesky,thenwithaturnofthewristatthewheelheputthatbyandbecameagainthevigilantAdmiralofafleetofone.``Shewillholdtogetheryetawhile!Whenthetideisout,wecangettoherandemptyher.Takeallashorethatcanbecarriedorfloatedandmaybeofuse.Upanddown——downandup!""

TheinhabitantsofHispaniolawerenowaboutusincanoesorswimming.Theyseemedtocryoutindistressandsympathy,gazingatthe_SantaMaria_asthoughitwereagoddyingthere.Theirowncanoeswerelivingthingstothemasisanyshiptoamariner,andbyanalogyourgreatcanoewasaBeingdying,moreofaBeingthantheirs,becauseithadwingsandcouldopenandfoldthem.AndthenbackcameourboatwithDiegodeAranaandtheothers,andtheyhadwiththemthatsamebrotherofthecaciquewhohadcometousinSt.ThomasHarbor.AndhadwebeenwreckedoffPalos,notPaloscouldhaveshowedmoreconcernorbeenmorereadytohelpthanwerethesemen.

WehadthreeboatsandtheIndiancanoesandhandsenough,whiteandcopper-hued.Nowatlowtide,wecouldapproachandenterthe_SantaMaria_.Agreatbreachbadbeenmadeandwaterwasdeepinherhold,butwecouldgetatmuchofcasksandchests,andcouldtakeawaysailsandcordage,evenhertwocannon.Eventually,asshebrokeup,wemightfloatawaytoshoremuchofhertimber.WhenIlookedfromthewrecktothelittleNina,Icouldsee,limnedasitwereinair,theViceroy"sfirstcolony,setinHispaniola,besideGuacanagari"stown.AllChristmasdaywetoiledandtheIndiansatourside.Wefoundthemready,notwithoutskill,gayandbiddable.

TowardsunsetcameGuacanagari.Allthelittleshorewasstrewnandheapedwithourmatters.AndhereIwillsaythatnoIndianstolethatdaythoughhemighthavestolen,andthoughourpossessionsseemedtohimgreatwondersandtreasurebeyondestimation.Whatwasbroughtfromthe_SantaMaria_layinheapsandourmencameandwent.

Themostofourforcewasashoreorintheboats;onlysomanyontheNina.TheAdmiral,justreturnedtotheship,stretchedhimselfuponthebenchinhersmallcabin.Powerfulwashisframeandconstitution,andpowerfullytriedallhislifewithathousandstrainsandbuffetings!Itseemedstilltohold;helookedamuscular,sinewy,strongandruddyman.Butthereweresignsthatacarefuleyemightfind.

HelayuponthebenchinthecabinandI,whowashisphysician,broughthimwineandbiscuitandmadehimeatanddrinkwho,Iknew,hadnottouchedfoodsincetheeveningbefore;afterwhichItoldhimtocloseeyesandgoawaytoGenoaandboyhood.Heshutthem,andIsittingnearbroughtmywillasbestIcouldtothequietingofallheavyandsorrowfulwaves.

Butthenthecaciquecame.Sosmallwasthe_Nina_thatwecouldhearwellenoughthewordofhisarrival.TheAdmiralopenedhiseyesandsatstifflyup.Hegroanedandtookhisheadintohishands,thendroppedtheseandwithashakeofhisshouldersresumedcommand.Somanyandgrievousaseahaddashedoverhimandretreatedandhehadstood!Whathesaidnowwas,``Thetideofthespiritgoesout;thetidecomesbackin.Letitcomebackaspringtide!""

Guacanagarientered.Thiscacique,whosefortunesnowbegantobeintertwinedwithours,hadhislikeness,sofaraswentstateandcustom,tothatCubanchieftainwhomLuisTorresandIhadvisited.Butthiswasaneasier,lessstronglyfibredperson,abig,amiable,indolentmanwithsomequalityofagreatdogwho,acceptingyouandbecomingyourfriend,mayneverbeestranged.Hewasbraveafterhisfashion,giftedenoughinsimplethings.InEuropehewouldhavebeenan.easy,well-likedprinceordukeofnogreatterritory.Hekeptasimplestate,woresomeslightapparelofcottonandagoldennecklet.Hebroughtgiftsandanunfeignedsympathyforthatdeathuponthesandbar.

HeandtheAdmiralsatandtalkedtogether.``Godsfromheaven?""——``ChristianmenandfromEurope,""andwecouldnotmakehim,atthistime,understandthatthatwasnotthesamething.Webegantocomprehendthat``heaven""wasawordofmanylevels,andthattheyascribedtoiteverythingthattheychosetoconsidergoodandthatwasmanifestlyoutoftherangeoftheirexperience.

InhisturntheAdmiralwasreadyforallthatGuacanagaricouldtellhim.``Gold?""HiseyeswereupontheIndian"snecklet.Removingit,thecaciquelaiditinthegod"shand.AllIndiansnow.understoodthatwemadehighmagicwithgold,gettingoutofitvirtuesbeyondtheircomprehension.InreturntheAdmiralgavehimasmallbrazengongandhammer.``Wheredidtheygetthegold?""

AgainliketheCubanchiefthiscaciquewavedhishandtothemountains.``Cibao!""andthenturninghetoopointedtothesouth.``Muchgoldthere,""saidDiegoColon.``Inland,inthemountains,""quoththeAdmiral,``andevidently,inverygreatquantity,insomelandtothesouth!ThisisnotCipango,butIthinkthatCipangoliestothesouth.""

HeaskedwhoruledHaytithatwecalledHispaniola.Weunderstoodthattherewereanumberofcaciques,butthatforaday"sjourneyeverywayitwasGuacanagari"scountry.

``Acaciquewhoruledthemall?""No,therewasnosuchthing.

``Hadshipslikeoursandclothedmeneverbeforecometothem?""

No,never!Butthenheseemedtosaythattherewasundoubtedlyatradition.Godshadcome,andwouldcomeagain,andwhentheydidsogreatthingswouldfollow!

Butnocaciquenorpriestnoranyknewwhenthegodshadcome.

TheAdmiralmadesomequestionofCaribs.Againtherewasgesturesouthward,thoughitseemedtousthatsomethingwassaidoffolkwithinthisgreatislandwhowereatleastlikeCaribs.Andwherewasthemostgoldandthegreatestotherwealththattheyknewof?Againsouth,thoughthistimewethoughtitrathersouthbywest.TheAdmiralsighed,andspokeofCuba.Yes,GuacanagariknewofCuba.Haditendfaryondertothewestward,ornoend?Hadanyoneevercometoitsend?Thecaciquethoughtnot,orknewnotandassumeddeliberation.LuisandIagreedthatwehadnotmetamongtheseIndiansanytruenotionofacontinent.TothemHaytiwasvast,Cubawasvast,thelandsoftheCaribs,wherevertheywere,werevast,andvastwhateverotherislandstheremightbe.

Tothemthiswasthe_OEcumene_,theinhabitedandinhabitableworld,Europe——Asia——Africa?Theirfacesstayedblank.Werethesedivisionsofheaven?

Guacanagariwouldentertainandsuccorus.Thiscanoe——oh,thehugemarvel!——wastoocrowded!Yonderlayhistown.Allthehousesthatwemightwantwereours,allthehammocks,allthefood.Andhewouldfeastthegods.

Thathadbeenpreparingsinceyesterday,Afeastwithdancing.HehopedthegreatcaciqueandhispeoplefromfarnearerheaventhanwasGuacanagariwouldliveaslongasmightbeinhistown.Guaricowashistown.Abig,easy,amiable,likeableman,hesatinnakednessonlynotutter,saveforthatmuchlikeabighidalgoofferingsympathyandsheltertosomefire-oustedorfoe-oustedprince!

AsforthepartofprinceitwasnothardfortheAdmiraltoplayit.Hewasonenaturally.

Hethankedthecaciquetowhom,Icouldsee,behadtakenliking.Sevenhouseswouldbeenough.To-nightsomeofuswouldsleepuponthebeachbesidetheheapedgoods.

To-morrowwewouldvisitGuacanapri.Thebig,lazy,peaceablemanexpressedhispleasure,thenwithawideanddignifiedgesturedismissingallthat,askedtobeshownmarvels.

CHAPTERXXIII

GUACANAGARI"StownwasmuchperhapsaswasGothtown,Franktown,Saxontown,Latintown,sufficienttimeago.Asforclothedandunclothed,thatmaybetosomedegreeamatterofcoldorwarmweather.Wehadnotseenthateveritwascoldinthisland.

Guacanagarifeasteduswithgreatdignityandearnestness,forheandhispeoplehelditamomentousthingourcominghere,ourbeinghere.Utiaswehadandiguana,fish,cassavabread,potato,manyadeliciousfruit,andthatmilddrinkthattheymade.Andwehadcalabashes,trenchersandfingers,stonekniveswithwhichcertainofficersofthefeastdecorouslydividedthemeat,smallgourdsforcups,waterforcleansing,napkinsofbroadleaves.Itwasagreatandcomelyfeast.Butbeforethefeast,asinCuba,thedance.

Ishouldsaythatthreehundredyoungmenandmaidensdanced.Theyadvanced,theyretreated,theycowered,theypressedforward.Theymadesupplication,armstoheavenorforeheadtoground,theyreceived,theyweregrateful,theycircledfastineaseofmind,theyhungeredagainandwerefilledagain,theyflowedtogether,theymadeagreatsquare,chantingproudly!

FrayIgnatiobesidemeglowered,sofarassogoodamancouldglower.ButJuanLepesaid,``Itisdoubtanddifficulty,approach,reconciliationholytriumph!Theyareactingoutlongpilgrimagesandarrivalsatsacredcitiesandhopesforgreatercities.ItismuchthesameasinSevilleorRome!""Whereuponhelookedatmeinastonishment,andJaymedeMarchenasaidtoJuanLepe,``Holdthytongue!""

Danceandthefeastover,itbecametheAdmiral"sturn.

Hewassetnottoseemdejected,nottogiveanySpaniardnoranyIndianreasontosay,``ThisGenoese——orthisgod——doesnotsustainmisfortune!""Buthesatcalm,pleasedwithall;brotherly,fatherly,bythatbig,easy,contentedcacique.Nowhewouldfurnishtheentertainment!

AmonguswehadoneDiegoMinas,ahugemanandasmightyabowmanasanyinFlandersorEngland.HimtheAdmiralnowputforwardwithhisgreatcrossbowandlongarrows.Astirranaround.``Carib!Carib!""WemadeoutthatthosemysteriousCaribshadbowsandarrows,thoughnotgreatoneslikethis.GuacanagariemployedgesturesandwordsthatLuisTorresandIstrovetounderstand.WegatheredthatseveraltimesinthememoryofmantheCaribshadcomeinmanycanoes,warreddreadfully,killedandtakenaway.Morethanthat,somewhereinHaytiorQuisquayaorHispaniolawerecertainpeoplewhoknewtheweapon.``Caonabo!""Herepeatedthenamewithrespectanddisliking.``Caonabo,Caonabo!

PerhapstheCaribshadmadeasettlement.

Diegofastenedaleafuponthebarkofatreeandfromagreatdistancetransfixeditwithanarrow,theninsuccessionsentfourothersagainstthetrunk,makingpreciselytheformofacross.TheIndianscried,``Hai!Hai!""

Butwhenthefourharquebusmensetuptheirironrests,fixedtheharquebuses,andfiringcutleavesandtwigsfromthesametree,therewasaloudercrying.Andwhentherewasdraggedforth,chargedwithpowderandfired,oneofthelombardstakenfromthe_SantaMaria_,wideryetsprangthecommotion.PedroGutierrezandayoungcavalierfromthe_Nina_deignedtoshowlanceplay,andVicentePinzonwhohadservedagainsttheMoorstookagreatswordandwithitcarvedcalabashesandseveredgreenboughs.Theswordwasverymarveloustothem.WemighthavedancedforthemforSpainknowshowtodance,orwemighthavesungforthem,forourmarinerssingatsea.Butthesewerenotthesuperiorthingswewishedtoshowthem.

Guacanagari,bigandeasyandgentle,said,``Livehere,youwhoaresogreatandgood!Wewilltakeyouintothepeople.Weshallbebrothers.""Weunderstoodthemthatthegreatwhiteheronwastheirguardianspiritandwouldbeours.Isaid,``Theydonotthinkofitasjustthosestalking,stillystandingbirds!Itisanameforsomethinghovering,brooding,caringforthem.""

TheViceroyspokewithenergy.``TellthemofFather,SonandHolyGhost!""

FrayIgnatiostoodandspoke,gentleandplain.DiegoColonmadewhatheadwayhecould.Guacanagarilistened,attentive.TheFranciscanhadacertaintythatpresentlyhemightbegintobaptize.Hisfaceglowed.IheardhimsaytotheAdmiral,``Ifitbepossible,senor,leavemeherewhenyoureturntoSpain!Iwillconvertthischiefandallhispeople——bythetimeyoucomeagainthereshallbeachurch!""

``Letmeponderityetawhile,""answeredtheother.

Hewasthoughtfulwhenhewentbacktothe_Nina_.

VicentePinzon,too,wasanxiousforlight.``Thisshipiscrowdedtosinking!Ifwemeetwretchedweather,orifsicknessbreakout,returning,weshallbeinbadcase!""

RoderigoSanchezalsohadhisword.``Isitnotveryimportant,senor,thatweshouldgetthetidingstotheSovereigns?

Andwehavenowjustthisonesmallship,andsofartogo,andallmannerofdangers!""

``Aye,itisimportant!""saidtheAdmiral.``Letmethinkitout,senor.""

Hehadnotsleptatall,thoughtJuanLepe,whennextmorninghecameamongus.Butbelookedresolved,hardytoaccomplish.Hehadhisplan,andhegaveittousinhisdeepvoicethatalwaysthrilledwithmuchbesidethemomentaryutterance.Wewouldbuildaforthereonshore,hardbythisvillage,fellingwoodforitandusingalsothetimbersofthe_SantaMaria_.Wewouldmounttherehertwogunsandprovideanarsenalwithpowder,shot,harquebusesandbows.BuildafortandcallitLaNavidad,becauseofChristmasdaywhenwasthewreck.Itshouldhaveagarrisonofcertainlythirtymen,amanforeachyearofOurLord"slifewhenHebeganhismission.SomanyplacedinHispaniolawouldmuchlightenthe_Nina_,whichindeedmustbelightenedinorderwithsafetytore-

crossOcean-Sea.Foryes,wewouldgobacktoPalos!

Go,andcomeagainwithmanyandbetterships,withhidalgosandmissionarypriests,andverymanymen!InthemeantimesomanyshouldstayatLaNavidad.

``Inlessthanayear——muchless,Ipromiseit——ItheAdmiralwillbehereagainatLaNavidad,whenwillcomehappygreetingbetweenbrothersinthegreatestserviceofourownormanyages!Seaandland,GodwillkeepussolongasweareHis!""

AlllovedChristopherusColumbusthatday.NonewastobeforcedtostayatLaNavidad.Itwaseasytogainthirty;intheendtheretarriedthirty-eight.