第10章

Thehighgrassyspaceranupononesidetosheerprecipice,droppingcleartwohundredfeet.Buttherewascampinggroundenough——andthesunalmosttouchedthefar,violetearth.

TheIndiansthrewthemselvesdown.Whentheyhadsuppertheywouldeatit,whentheyhaditnottheywouldwaitforbreakfast.ButCaonabowithtwentyyoungmencametous.Hesaidsomething,andmyarmswerecaughtfrombehindandheld.HefacedBeltranseatedagainstapine.``Aiya!""hesaid.Hisvoicewasdeepandharsh,andbemadeagestureofrepugnance.TherewasapowerfullymadeIndianbesidehim,andIsawthelastgleamofthesunstrikethelong,sharp,stoneknife.``Kill!""saidthecacique.

AdozenflungthemselvesuponBeltran,buttherewasnoneed,forhesatquitestillwithasteadyface.HehadtimetocrytoJuanLepe,whocriedtohim,``That"swhatIsay!

Goodcheerandcourageandmeetagain!""

Hehadnolongsuffering.Theknifewasdrivenquicklytohisheart.Theydrewtheshelltotheedgeoftheprecipiceanddroppeditover.

Itwasearlynight,itwasmiddlenight,itwaslatenight.

Theyhadsetnowatch,forwhereandwhatwasthedangerhereonthismountaintop?

Onesidewentdowninaprecipice,oneslopinglesssteeplywehadclimbedfromthepinetreesandthewell,oneofalikedescentwewouldtaketo-morrowdowntotheplain,butthefourthwasmountainheadhangingaboveusandthickwood,——dark,entangled,pathless.AnditchancedoritwasthatJuanLepelayuponthesidetowardthepeak,closetoforest.TheIndianshadnothoughttoguardme.

Welaydownunderthemoon,andthatbronzehostslept,nakedbeautifulstatues,ineveryattitudeofrest.

Themoonshoneuntiltherewassilverday.JuanLepewasnotsleeping.

Therewasnowind,buthewatchedabranchmove.Itlookedlikeaman"sarm,thenitmovedfartherandwasafullman,——anIndian,noiseless,outclearinthemoon,fromthewood.Iknewhim.ItwasthepriestGuarin,priestandphysician,fortheyarethesamehere.Palmagainstearth,Ihalfrose.Henodded,madeasigntorisewhollyandcome.Ididso.Istoodandsawunderthemoonnowakingfacenorupspringingform.IsteppedacrossanIndian,another,athird.Thenwasclearspace,thewood,Guarin.Therewasnosoundsaveonlytheconstantsoundofthisforestbynightwhenamillionmillioninsectswaken.

Hetookmyhandanddrewmeintothebrakeandwilderness.

Therewasnopath.IfollowedhimoverIknownotwhatoftwinedrootandthickancientsoil,apowderandflakethatgaveunderfoot,toahidden,rockyshelfthatbrokeandcameagainandbrokeandcameagain.Nowwewereahundredfeetabovethatcampandgoingovermountainbrow,goingtothenorthagain.GonewereCaonaboandhisIndians;gonetheviewoftheplainandthemountainsofCibao.Againwemetlowcliff,longstonyledgessunkintheforest,invisiblefrombelow.Ibegantoseethattheywouldnotknowhowtofollow.CaonabomightknowwellthemountainsofCibao,butthissierrathatwasstraightbehindGuarico,Guaricoknew.Itisablessedhabitoftheirprieststogowanderingintheforest,makingtheirmedicine,learningthecountry,discovering,usingcertainhauntsformeditation.Sometimestheyaregonefromtheirvillagesfordaysandweeks.Noneindeedofthesewildpeoplesfearreasonablesolitude.OutofallwhichcomesthefactthatGuarinknewthismountain.Wewerenotfar,asfliesthebird,fromtheburnedtownofGuarico,fromtheseawithoutsail,fromtheruinedLaNavidad.Whenthedawnbrokewesawocean.

Hetookmestraighttoacavern,suchanotherasthatinwhichJerezandLuisTorresandIhadharboredinCuba.

Butthishadfinesandforfloor,andarowofcalabashes,andwoodlaidforfire.

HereJuanLepedropped,forallhisheadwasswimmingwithweariness.

Thesunwasup,theplaceglistered.Guarinshowedhowitwashidden.``IfounditwhenIwasaboy,andnonebutGuarinhathevercomehereuntilyoucome,JuanLepe!

Hehadnofear,itwasevident,ofCaonabo"scoming.``Theywillthinkyouridolhelpedyouaway.Iftheylookforyou,itwillbeinthecloud.Theywillsay,`Seethatdarkmarkmovingroundedgeofcloudmountain!Thatishe!"""

Iaskedhim,``WhereareGuacanagariandtherest?""

``Guacanagarihadanarrowthroughhisthighandadeepcutuponthehead.Hewasbleedingandinaswoon.

HisbrotherandtheGuaricomenandIwiththemtookhim,andthewomentookthechildren,andwewentaway,saveafewthatwerekilled,uponthepaththatweusedwheninmyfather"stime,theCaribscameincanoes.

AfterawhilewewillgodowntoGuacanagari.Butnowrest!""

Helookedatme,andthenfromalittletricklingspringhetookwaterinacalabashnolargerthananorangeandfromanothervesselawhitedustwhichhestirredintoit,andmademedrink.Ididnotknowwhatitwas,butI

wenttosleep.

Butthatsleepdidnotrefresh.Itwasfilledwithheavyanddreadfuldreams,andIwokewithanachingheadandaburningskin.JuanLepewhohadnursedthesickdownthereinLaNavidadknewfeeblywhatitwas.Hesawinamistthenakedpriest,hisfriendandrescuer,seateduponthesandyfloorregardinghimwithawrinkledbrowandcompressedlips,andthenhesankintofevervisionsuncouthanddreadful,ormirage-pleasingwithamirage-

ecstasy.

JuanLepedidnotdie,buthelayillandliketodiefortwomonths.ItwasdeepinOctober,thatdayatdawnwhenIcamequietly,evenly,tomyselfagain,andlaymostweak,butwithseeingeyes.AtfirstIthoughtIwasaloneinthecavern,butthenIsawGuarinwherehelayasleep.

ThatdayIstrengthened,andthenextdayandthenext.

ButIhadlainlongattheveryfeetofdeath,andfullstrengthwasatortoiseinreturning.SogoodtoJuanLepewasGuarin!

Nowhewaswithme,andnowhewentawaytothatvillagewherewasGuacanagari.Hehaddonethisfromthefirstcominghere,nursingme,thengoingdownthroughtheforesttoseethatallwaswellwithhiswoundedcaciqueandthefolkwhosebutiohewas.Theyknewhiswaysanddidnottrytokeephimwhenhewouldreturntothemountain,to,``makemedicine.""SononeknewofthecavernorthattherewasoneSpaniardleftaliveinallHayti.

Istrengthened.AtlastIcoulddrawmyselfoutofcaveandlie,inthenowsopleasantweather,upontheledgebeforeit.Allthevastheatandmoisturewasgoneby;

nowagainwasweatheroflastyearwhenwefoundSanSalvador.

Icouldseeocean.Nosail,andwerehereturning,surelyitshouldhavebeenbeforethis!Hemightneverreturn.

WhenGuarinwasawayIsatorlayormovedaboutasmalldemesneandstillprospered.Therewerecleanrock,thewater,themarvelousforest.Hebroughtcassavacake,fruit,fishfromthesea.Hebroughtmeforentertainmentatalkingparrot,andtherelivedinaseamoftherockabeautifullizardwithwhomImadefriends.Theairwasbalm,balm!Asteadysoftwindmadecataractsoundintheforest.Sunrise,noon,sunset,midnight,weregreatglories.

ItwasNovember;itwasmid-Novemberandafter.

NowIwasstrongandwanderedintheforest,thoughneverfarfromthatcliffandcavern.ItwassettledbetweenusthatinfivedaysIshouldgodownwithGuarintoGuacanagari.HeproposedthatIshouldbetakenformallyintothetribe.Theyhadaceremonyofadoption,andafterthatJuanLepewouldbeGuarico.HewouldlivewithandteachtheGuaricos,becomingbutio——heandGuarinbutiostogether.Iponderedit.IftheAdmiralcamenotagainitwastheonethingtodo.

Iremembertheveryodorandexquisitetouchofthemorning.Guarinwasaway.IhadtomyselfcaveandledgeandlittlewaterfallandgreattreesthatnowIwastellingonefromanother.Ihadparrotandlizardandspokenowtotheoneandnowtotheother.Irememberthebutterfliesandthehummingbirds.

Ilookedouttoseaandsawasail!

Itwasafar,awhitepoint.IleanedagainsttherockforIwassuddenlyweakwhothemomentbeforehadfeltstrong.

Thewhitepointswelled.Itwouldbeagoodlylargeship.

Overbluerimslippedanotherflake.AlittleoffIsawathird,thenafourth.JuanLeperubbedhiseyes.Beforetherecamenomorehehadcountedseventeensail.Theygrew;theyweresobeauteous.Towardtheharborsailedafleet.NowImadeouttheflagship.

OLife,thouwondrousgoddessofhappenings!

AnhourIsatoncliffedgeandwatched.Theyweremakingin,thelovelywhiteswans.Whentheywerefairlynear,wheninlittletimetheforemostwouldbringto,downsailanddropanchor,JuanLepe,gatheringhisbelongingstogether,biddingthelizardfarewellandtakingtheparrotwithhimonshoulder,leftcavernandcliffandtookGuarin"spathdownthroughtheforest.

HalfwaytolevellandhemetGuarincomingup;thetwometbeneathatreehugeandspreading,curtainedwithavine,starredwithflowers.``Hehascome!""criedtheIndian.``Theyhavecome!""Inhisvoicewasmarveling,awe,perturbation.

Thesunintheskyshone,andinthebayhungthatwonderofreturn,themanyshipsforthe_Nina_.JuanLepeandGuarinwentondownthroughwoodtoanarrowsilverbeach,outuponwhichbadcastitselfanIndianvillage.

Guacanagariwasnothere.HewaitedwithinhishousefortheAdmiral.Buthisbrother,andothersofGuarico,sawmeandthereroseaclamorandexcitementthatforthemomenttookthemfromtheships.GuarinexplainedandJuanLepeexplained,butstillthismiraculousdaydyedalsoforthemmypresencehere.Ihadbeenslain,andhadcometolifetogreettheGreatCacique!Itgrewtoalegend.I

metitso,longafterwardsinHispaniola.

CHAPTERXXVII

ONEbyonewereincoming,werefoldingwings,wereanchoring,Spanishships.Threewerelargereachthanthe_SantaMaria_andthe_Pinta_together;theotherscaravelsofvaryingsize.Seventeeninall,afleet,crowdedwithmen,havingcannonandbannersandmusic.

EuropewascomingwithstrengthintoAsia!TheIndiansonthebeachweremovedasbyanunrestingwind.Theyhadterror,theyhaddelight,andsomeamerestupidityofstaring.Thegreatestship,thefirsttoanchor,carriedthebannerofCastileandLeon,andtheAdmiral"sbanner.

Nowaboatputofffromher,boatsalsofromthetwoshipsnextingrandeur.

AstheycameoverthebluewaveJuanLepesteppeddownsandtowateredge.Nothere,butsomewhattothewest,beforeLaNavidadwouldonelookforthisanchoring.HethoughtrightlythattheAdmiralcameherefromLaNavidad,wherehefoundonlyruin,butalsosomestrayingIndianwhocouldgivenews.Soitwas,forpresentlyintheforemostboatImadeouttwoGuaricomen.TheyhadtoldofCaonaboandofGuacanagari"sfortunes,andofeverySpaniarddeadofthatillnessorslainbyCaonabo.TheywouldputJuanLepeamongtheselast,butherewasJuanLepe,oneonlyleftofthatthirty-eight.

Theboatapproached.Isawthebaredhead,higherthananyother,thewhitehair,theblue-grayeyes,thestrongnoseandlips,thewholemajesticairoftheman,asofagreatonechosen.MasterChristopherus——DonCristoval——_elAlmirante_!Oneoftherowers,andthatwasSanchowithwhomIhadwalkedontheFishertownroad,firstsawmeandgaveastartledcry.Allintheboatturnedhead.

IheardtheAdmiral"svoice,``Aye,itis!Itis!""

Boattouchedsand,therewaslanding.Allsprangout.

TheAdmiraltookmeinhisarms.``Youalone——oneonly?""

Ianswered,``Oneonly.Themostdiedintheirduty.""

Hereleasedme.``senors,thisissenorJuanLepe,thatgoodphysicianwhomweleft.Nowtell——tellall——beforewegoamongthisfolk!""

BywateredgeItold,thirtymenofSpainaroundme.

Awoefulstory,Imadeitshort.Thesemenlistened,andwhenitwasdonefellasilence.ChristopherusColumbusbrokeit.``Thewavesucksunderandthrowsoutagain,butwesailthesea,havesaileditandwillsailit!——NowweretheseIndiansfalseorfair?""

Icouldtellhowfairtheyhadbeen——couldpraiseGuaricoandGuacanagariandGuarin.Helistenedwithgreatsatisfaction.

``IwouldlaymyheadforthatIndian!""

Talkwithhimcouldnotbeprolonged,forwewereinasceneofthegreatestbusinessandcommotion.WhenI

soughtforGuarinhewasgone.NorwasGuacanagariyetathand.Ilookedattheswarmingshipsandshipboats,andthecomingandcominguponthebeachofmoreandmoreclothedmen,andatthetallgreenpalmsandthefeatheredmountains.Thishost,itseemedtome,wasnotsoartlesslyamazedashadbeenweofthe_SantaMaria_,the_Pinta_andthe_Nina_,whenfirstwecametolandssostrangetoEurope.PresentlyImadeoutthattheyhadseenothersoftheseislandsandshores.ComingfromSpaintheyhadsailedmoresoutherlythanwehaddonebeforethem.Theyhadmadeagreatdipandhadcomenorth-by-westtoHispaniola.

IheardnamesofislandsgivenbytheAdmiral,Dominica,Marigalante,Guadaloupe,SantaMarialaAntigua,SanJuan.Theyhadanchoredbythese,setfootuponthem,evenfoughtwithpeoplewhowereCaribs,CaribalsorCannibals.TheyhadadozenCaribs,menandwomen,prisonersuponthe_Marigalante_thatwastheAdmiral"sship.

ThisgroupaboutJuanLepe,survivorofLaNavidad,talkedlikeseasonedfindersandtakers.Forthemostparttheywereyoungmenandhidalgos,fightersagainsttheMoors,releasedbythefinalconquestofthosepaynims,outnowforfurtherwildadventureandforgoldwithwhichtoreturn,wealthyandstillyoung,toSpanishcountry,Spanishcities,Spanishwomen!Theyhadthevirtueandtheviceoftheirsort,courage,miraculousgenerositiesandasmiraculousweaknesses.Gold,valor,comradeship——andeyesrestingappraisinglyuponyoungGuaricowomenthereuponthesilverbeachwithGuaricomen.

Iheardonecry``MasterJuanLepe!""andturningfoundLuisTorres.Weembraced,weweresogladeachtoseetheother.Myhidalgosweregone,butbeforeIcouldquestionLuisorheme,thereboredownuponus,comingtogetherlikebirds,halfadozenfriars.``Webringtwelve——numberoftheApostles!""saidLuis.``Monksandpriests.FatherBernardoBuilistheirhead.TheHolyFatherhathappointedhimVicarhere.Youwon"tfindhimaFrayIgnatio!""

Abull-necked,dark-browed,cholericlookingmanaddressedme.HisBenedictinedressbecamehimill.HeshouldhavebeenaCaptainofFreeLancesinwhateverbriskwarwaswaging.Hesaid,``Thesurvivor,JuanLepe?——WestoppedatyourLaNavidadandfoundruinandemptiness.Theremusthavebeenillmanagement——

gross!""

``Theyarealldead,""Ianswered.``Noneofusmanagethetowerssoverywell!""

Heregardedmemoreattentively.``Thephysician,JuanLepe.Wheredidyoustudy?""

``InPoitiersandinParis,Father.""

``Youhave,""hesaid,``theheightandsinewandsomethingoftheeyeandvoiceofanotabledisappearedheretic,JaymedeMarchena,whoslippedtheDominicans.Isawhimoncefromadoorway.ButthatthePriorofLaRabidahimselftoldmethathehadaccurateknowledgethatthemanwasgonewiththeJewstoFez,Icouldalmostthink——Butofcourseitisnotpossible,andnowIseethedifferences.""

Iansweredhimwithsomeindifferentword,andwecametotheHaytiens,andhowmanyhadFrayIgnatiomadeChristian?``Iknewhim,""saidtheBenedictine.``Agoodman,butweak,weak!""

JuanLepeaskedoftheIndianstheAdmiralhadtakentoSpain.``Butsixreachedusalive.Weinstructedthemandbaptizedthem.Agreatevent——theGrandCardinalandtheKingandtheQueenattending!Threediedduringthesummer,butblessedly,beingthefirstofalltheirpeopleinalltimetoenterheaven.Agreatsalvation!""

Helookedattheforestandmountains,thesands,theGuaricos,asatacityhewasbesieging.

``Ha!""saidFatherBuil,andwithhismissionariesmovedupthebeach.

LuisandIbegantotalk.``NoneedtotellmethatSpaingaveyouwelcome!"""

``Theroyalestever!FirstwecametoLisbon,driveninbystorm,andhadittherefromKingJohn,andthentoPaloswhich,sotospeak,wentmad!ThenthroughSpaintoBarcelona,wherewasthecourt,andallthebellsineverytownringingandeverydoorandwindowcrowded,andhereistheFaeryPrinceonawhitecharger,hisIndiansbehindhimandgoldandparrotsandhissailors!Processionsandprocessions——alcaldeandalcaydeanddonandfriarandpriest,andletusstopatthechurchandkneelbeforehighaltar,andvowagaininsevenyearstofreetheSepulchre!

Hehathwalkedandridden,wakedandslept,inagreat,highvision!Mostmenhavevisionsbuthecansustainvision.""

``Aye,hecan!""

``SoatlastintoBarcelona,wheregrandeesmeetus,andsoontothecourt,andmusicasthoughtheworldhadturnedmusic!AndtheKingandQueenandgreatwelcome,and,`Sitbesideus,DonCristovalColon!"and`Tellandtellagain",and`PraiseweMostHighGod!"""

``Itissomethingforwhichtopraise!Endsoftheearthbeginningtomeet.""

``Aye!SowewritethatverynighttothePopetobeconfirmedthatthegloryandprofitunderGodaretoCastileandAragon.ButtheQueenthoughtmostoftheheathenbroughttoChrist.AndtheAdmiralthinksofhissonsandhisbrothersandhisoldfather,andoftheHolySepulchreandoftheProphecies,andhehasthejoyoftherunnerwhotouchesthegoal!——Iwouldyoucouldhaveseentheroyaltywithwhichhewastreated——notonedaynorweekbutawholesummerlong——theflocking,thebowingandcapping,the`Domethehonor——",the`Ihaveasmallpetition."Nothingconquerslikeconquering!""

``Hehadlongpatience.""

``Aye.Well,heisatheightnow.Buthehasgotwithhimtheolddisastrousseeds——Fifteenhundredmen,andamongthemquiteaplentylikeGutierrezandEscobedo!

Buttherearegoodmen,too,andagreatlotofromanticaldaredevils.Nopressingthistime!Wemighthavebroughtfivethousandcouldtheshipshaveheldthem.`CometotheIndiesandmakeyourfortune!"——`Aye,thatismydesire!"""

Isaid,``IamlookingnowataromanticaldaredevilwhomIhaveseenbefore,thoughIamsurethathenevernoticedme.""

``DonAlonsodeOjeda?Heisfeatherincap,andsometimescap,andevenatstressheadwithinthecap!Withoutmovingyou"vebeckonedhim.""

ThereapproachedayoungmanofwhomIknewsomething,havinghadhimpointedoutbyEnriquedeCerdainSantaFe.Ihadbeforethatheardhisnameandsomewhatofhisexploits.Inourday,overallSpain,onemightfindorhearofcavaliersofthisbrand.WarwiththeMoorhadlastedsomewhatlongerthantheoldfamedwarwithTroy.

Ithadmodeledyouth;youngmenwereoldsoldiers.Whentherecameupaspritelikethisonehedrankwarlikewine.

Aslightyoungman,tautasaropeinagale,withdarkeyesandredlipsandaswift,decisivestep,uphecame.

``Oh,youarethemanwholivedoutofallyourfort?

Howdidyoumanageit?""

``IhadafriendamongthesefriendlyIndianswhorescuedme.""

``Yes!Itisexcellentwarfaretohavefriends——Youhaveseennoknightnormen-at-arms,norheardofsuch?""

``Notunderthosenames.""

``Howfardo,youthinkwemaybefromtruehousesandcities,castles,fortresses?""

``Ihaven"ttheleastidea.Bythelooksofit,prettyfar.""

``Itseemstomethatyouspeaktruth,""heanswered.

``Well,itisn"twhatwelookedfor,butit"ssomething!Roomyettodare!""Offhewent,halfMercury,halfMars,andasprigofyouthtodrawtheeyes.

``Wastherenothingeverheard,""IaskedLuis,``ofthe_Pinta_andMartinPinzon?""

``Heisdead.""

``Yousawthewreck?""

``No,notthatway,thoughtrueitisthathewreckedhimself!Iforgetthatyouknownothing.Wemetthe_Pinta_lastJanuary,notadayfromhere,withMonteCristithereyetinsight.WhenhecameaboardandsatinthegreatcabinIdonotknowwhathesaid,exceptthatitwasofseparationbythatstorm,andthefeelingthattwopartiesdiscoveringwouldtherebydiscoverthemore,andthebetterservetheirMajesties.TheAdmiralmadenoquarrelwithhim.Hehadsomegoldandsomenewsofcoaststhatwehadnotseen.AndhedidnotseemtothinkitnecessarytoseempenitentoranythingbutjustnaturallyMartinPinzon.Soonwesailedtogether,heonthe_Pinta_andtheAdmiralonthe_Nina_.ButthatwasaroughvoyagehomeoverOcean-Sea!Hadwehadsuchweathercoming,mighthavebeenmutinyandthroat-cuttingandputtingback,CathayandIndiabeingofnoaidtodeadmen!Sixtimesatleastwethoughtweweredrowned,andmadevows,kneelingalltogetherandtheAdmiralprayingforus,FrayIgnationotbeingthere.Thencameclear,butbeyondCanariesathreedays",threenights"weatherthattrulydroveusapart,the_Pinta_andthe_Nina_.Welosteachotherinthedarknessandneverfoundagain.WewerebeatenintotheTagus,the_Pinta_ontoBayonne.Then,mid-March,wecametoPalos,landedandthewonderbegan.Andinthreedayswhoshouldcomelimpinginbutthe_Pinta_?Butshemissedthetriumph,andMartinPinzonwassick,andtherewassomecoldnessshown.Hewentashoretohisownhouse,andhisillnessgrowingworsehediedthere.Well,hehadqualities.""

``Aye,""Ianswered,withavisionofthebig,bluff,golden-

hairedman.

``VicentePinzonishere;hisshipthe_Cordera_yonder.

What"sthestirnow?TheAdmiralwillgotoseeGuacanagari?""

That,itseemed,waswhatitwas,andpresentlycamewordthatJuanLepeshouldgowithhim.Abodyofcavalierssumptuouslyclad,someevenwearingshiningcorselet,greavesandhelm,wasformingabouthimwhowashimselfinamagnificentdress.Besidesthesewerefiftyoftheplainersort,andtherelackednotcrossbow,lanceandarquebus.

Andtherewerebannersandmusic.WeweregoinglikeanarmytobebrotherlywithGuacanagari.FatherBuilwasgoingalso,andhistwelvegownedmen.``Who,""

IaskedLuis,``isthemanbesidetheAdmiral?Heseemshiskin.""

``Heis.Itishisbrother,DonDiego.Heisagoodman,able,too,thoughnotableliketheAdmiral.Theysaytheotherbrother,Bartholomew,whoisinEnglandorinFrance,isalmostasable.Howdizzilyturnsthewheelforsomeofus!YesterdayplainDiegoandBartholomew,awould-bechurchmanandashipmasterandchart-maker!

NowDonDiego——DonBartholomew!AndthetwosonswatchingusofffromCadiz!PagesbothofthemtothePrince,andpicturestolookat!`Father!"and`Noblefather!and`Forgetnotyourhealth,whoareourDependance!"""

Waitingforalltostart,Iyetregardedthathugedazzleuponthebeach,somanylanded,somanycomingfromtheships,theshipsthemselvessogreatadriftofseabirds!

Asforthosedarkfolk——whatshouldtheythinkofallthesebreakers——infromheaven?Itseemedtometo-daythatdespitetheirfriendlinessshownusherefromthefirst,despitethemiracleandthefedeyeandearandtheexcitement,theyknewafarapaleConsternation.

Atlast,todrumandtrumpet,wepassedfromshiningbeachintogreenforest.IfoundmyselfforamomentbesideDiegoColon——nottheAdmiral"sbrother,buttheyoungIndiansonamed.NowhewasChristianandclothed,andtrulytheHaitiensstaredathimhardlylessthanattheAdmiral.Igreetedhimandheme.HetriedtospeakinCastilianbutitwasveryhardforhim,andinamomentweslippedintoIndian.

Iaskedhim,``HowdidyoulikeSpain?""

Helookedatmewitharemoteandchildlikeeyeandbegantospeakofhousesandroadsandhorsesandoxen.

AmessagecamefromtheAdmiralatheadofcolumn.I

wenttohim.MenlookedatmeasIpassedthem.Iwasraggednow,grizzle-beardedandwan,andtheyseemedtosay,``Isitsothisstrangelanddoesthem?Butthosefirstoneswerefewandwearemany,anditdoesnotlieinourfortune!Goldliesinours,andreturninsplendorandhappiness.""Butsomehadmorethoughtfuleyesandtruersenseofwonder.

WefoundGuacanagariinanew,large,verycleanhouse,andfoundhimlyinginagreathammockwithhislegboundwithcottonweb,aroundhimwivesandchiefmen.HesatuptogreettheAdmiralandwithanobleandaffectingairpouredforthspeechandlaidhishanduponhishiddenhurt.

NowIknew,becauseGuarinhadtoldmeso,thatthatwoundwashealed.Ithadgiventrouble——theCaribspoisonedtheirdarts——butnowitwaswell.Buttheyaresimplermindedthanwe,thisfolk,andIreadGuacanagarithathemustimpressthereturninggodswithhisfidelity.

Hehadprovedit,andwhileJuanLepewasbyhedidnotneedthismummery,buthehadthoughtthathemightneed.

So,abigmanevidentlyhealthful,hesighedandwincedandhalfclosedhiseyesasthoughhalfdyingstillinthatoldcontestwhenhehadstoodbythepeoplefromthesky.I

interpretedhisspeech,theAdmiralalreadyunderstanding,butnotthesurroundingcavaliers.Itwasahighspeechorhighassurancethathehaddonehishighestbest.

``DoInotbelievethat,Guacanagari?""saidtheAdmiral,andthinkingofDiegodeAranaandFrayIgnatioandothersandofthegoodhopeofLaNavidad,tearscameintohiseyes.

HesatuponthemosthonorableblockofwoodwhichwasbroughthimandtalkedtoGuacanagari.Thenathisgestureonebroughthispresents,amirror,arichbelt,aknife,apairofcastanets.Guacanagari,itseemed,sincethesightingoftheships,hadmadecollectiononhispart.Hegaveenoughgoldtomakelustfulmanyaneyelookinguponthatscene.

ThewomenbroughtfoodandsetbeforetheSpaniardsinthehouse.IfoundGuarinandpresentlywecametobestandingwithouttheentrance——theyhadnodoors;

sometimestheyhadcurtainsofcotton——lookinguponthatstrangegatheringinthelittlemiddlesquareofthetown.

SomanySpaniardsinthepalmshadows,andthewomenfeedingthem,andAlonsodeOjeda"shanduponthearmofaslenderbrowngirlwithawreathofflowersaroundherhead.FatherBuilwaswithinwiththeAdmiral,truculentlyandsuspiciouslyregardingtheidolaterwhonowhadleftthehammockandseemedaswellofawoundasanythere!

Butherewithoutwereeightortenfriars,gatheredtogetherunderapalmtree,makingrefectionandtalkingamongthemselves.Onedevoutbrother,sittingapartandfasting,toldhisbeads.

SaidGuarin,``Ihavebeenwatchinghim.Heistalkingtohis_zeme_——Theyareallbutios?""

``Yes.Mostofthemaregoodmen.""

``Whatisgoingtohappenheretoallmypeople?Somethingisoveragainstmeandmypeople,Ifeelit!Eventhecaciquehasfear.""

``ItisthedarkIgnoranceandthelightIgnorance,theclothedIgnoranceandthenakedIgnorance.Ifeelittoo,whatyoufeel.ButIfeel,OGuarin,thattheinnerandtrueManwillnotandcannottakehurt!

Hesaid,``Dotheycomeforgood?""

Ianswered,``Thereismuchgoodintheircoming.Seenfromthemountainbrow,enormousgood,Ithink.InthelongrunIamfaintothinkthatallhavetheirmarkethere,younolessthanI,GuacanagarinolessthantheAdmiral.""

``Idonotknowthat,""hesaid.``Itseemstomethesunnydayisdark.""

Isaid,``Inthemainallthingsworktogether,andintheendishoney.""

Outtheycamefrompalm-roofedhouse,theAdmiraloftheOcean-SeaandViceroyofwhatIndieshecouldfindforSpainandSpaincouldtake,andtheIndiankingorgrandeeorprinceling.Perceivingthatwhathedidwasappreciatedforwhatitwas,Guacanagarihadrecoveredhislameness.Thecottonwasnolongerabouthisthigh;hemovedstraightandlightly,——abig,easyIndian.

Itwasnowwellonintheafternoon,buthewouldgowiththeMightyStranger,theGreatCaciquehisfriend,toseetheshipsandallthewonders.Hiswasachildlikecravingforpurenoveltyandmarvel.

Sowewent,allofus,backthroughvastwoodlandtoceruleanwater.Waterwasdeep,the_Marigalante_rodeclosein,andaboutandbeyondherthe_SantaClara_,the_Cordera_,the_SanJuan_,the_Juana_,another_Nina_,the_Beatrix_andmanyanotherfairname.Theywerebeautiful,theshipsonthegaywaterandaboutthemtheboatsandtheredmen"scanoes.

Wewenttothe_Marigalante_,IwiththeAdmiral.DancingacrossintheboattherespoketomeDonDiegoColon,bornGiacomoColombo,andIfoundhimasober,ableman,withachurchlyinclination.HererosetheMarigalante,andnowwewereuponit,anditwasagreatershipthanthe_SantaMaria_,agoodlyship,withgoodlygearaboardandgoodlySpaniards.JaymedeMarchenafeltthetugofblood,ofhome-comingintohiscountry.

CHAPTERXXVIII

FINDINGyoungSanchouponthe_Marigalante_,Ikepthimbesidemeforinformation"ssake.He,too,hadhisstories.AndheaskedmehowPedroandFernandodied.

Inthisshipweretwosetsofcaptives,animalsbroughtfromSpainandIndiansfromthosefiercerislandstothesouth.The_Monsalvat_thatwasafreightshiphadmanyanimals,saidSancho,cattleandswineandsheepandgoatsandcocksandhens,andthirtyhorses.Butuponthe_Marigalante_,well-penned,theAdmiralhadastallionandtwomares,ayoungbullandacoupleofheifers,andtwodogs——bloodhounds.TheCaribswereyonder,fivemeninall.

Hetookmetoseethem.Theyweretall,strong,sullenanddesperateinaspect,hardier,fiercerthanIndiansofthesenorthwardlands.ButtheywereIndians,andtheirgutturalspeechcouldbemadeout,atleastinsubstance.

Theyaskedwithahigh,contemptuouslookwhenwemeanttoslayandeatthem.

``Theyeatmen"sflesh,everyCaribalofthem!WesawhorridthingsinGuadaloupe!""

Awayfromthesemensatorstoodsevenwomen.``Theywerecaptives,""saidSancho.``CaribsbadravishedthemfromotherislandsandtheyfledinGuadaloupetous.""

Thesewomen,too,seemedmorestronglyfibred,courageous,highofheadthantheHaytiwomen.Therewasamongthemonetowhomtheothersgavedeference,achieftainess,strongandwarlikeinmien,notsmoothlyyoungnoraftertheirnotionsbeautiful,butwithanairofsagacityandpride.

Ashipboystoodwithus.``ThatisCatalina,""hesaid.

``Ho,Catalina!""

Thewomanlookedathimwithdisdainandwhatshesaidwas,``Youngfoolwithfool-gods!""

``Theycametousforrefuge,""saidSancho.``WethinktheyareAmazons.Therewasanislandwheretheyfoughtuslikemen——greatbow-women!DonAlonsodeOjedafirstcalledthisoneCatalina,sonowweallcallherCatalina.

Atfirsttheylikedus,butnowthattheyaresafeawayfromCaribs——allbutthesefiveandtheycan"thurtthem——

theysitandpine!Icallitungrateful,Catalina!""

Wemovedaway.TherecamefromthegreatcabinwheretheyhadwineandfinesweetcakestheAdmiralandGuacanagari,withthemDonDiegoandthreeorfourcavaliers.

Guarinwasnotwiththecacique,uponthe_Marigalante_.

Hewouldnotcome.Ihadavisionofhim,intheforest,seatedmotionless,communingwiththedeepestselftowhichhecouldreach,seekinglightwiththeotherlight-

seekers.

ChristopherusColumbusbeckonedmeandIwenttheroundoftheshipwithhimandothersandhisguest,thisfar-awaysonofGreatIndia.So,presently,hewastakentoviewthehorsesandthecattle.Whoeverhathseenlionsbroughttoacourtforshowhathseensomeshrinkingfromtoo-closeandheardtimorousaskingifthebarsbereallystrong.Andtheold,wildbeastsatRomeforthegames.

Ifonecamebychanceupontheminanarrowquartertheremightbeterror.AndthebullthatwegoadtomadnessforagameinSpain——werebarriersdownwouldcomea-scrambling!Thiscaciquehadneverseenananimallargerthanafoxoradog,Yethestoodwithsteadiness,thoughhisglanceshothereandthere.Thestallionwasrestlessandfiery-eyed;thebullsentforthabellow.``Whydotheycome?Whatwilltheydohere?Willyouputthemintheforest?Thepeoplewillbeafraidtowander!""

Helookedawaytoskyandseaandshore.``Itgrowstowardnight,""hesaid.``Iwillgobacktomytown.""

TheAdmiralsaid,``IwouldfirstshowyoutheCaribs,""

andtookhimtherewheretheywerebound.TheHaytienregardedthem,buttheCaribswereascontemptuouslysilentasmighthavebeenAlonsodeOjedainlikecircumstances.

OnlyasGuacanagariturnedaway,onespokeinafierce,monotonousvoice.``Youalso,Haytien,onemoon!""

``Youlie!OnlyCaribs!""Guacanagarisaidback.

ThecaciquestoodbeforethewomanwhomtheycalledCatalina.Shebrokeintospeech.Itwascaciquetocacique.ShewasfromBoriquen——shewouldreturninacanoeifshewerefree!Betterdrownthanlivewiththeutterlyun-understandable——onlythattheyateanddrankandlaidholdofwomenwhetherthesewouldorwouldnot,andwereunderstandablethatfar!Gods!Atfirstshethoughtthemgods;nowshedoubted.Theyweremagicians.

Ifshewerefree——ifshewerefree——ifshewerefree!

Home——Boriquen!Ifnotthat,atleastherowncolorandtheunderstandable!""

Guacanagaristoodandlistened.Shespokesofast——theAdmiralneverbecamequiteperfectinIndiantongues,andfewuponthe_Marigalante_weresoatthistime.JuanLepeunderstood.ButjustashewasthinkingthatindutyboundbemustsaytotheAdmiral,``Sheisunderminingreputation.

Bestmoveaway!""Guacanagarimadeaviolentgestureasthoughhewouldbreakaspell.``Wherecouldtheycomefromwithallthattheyhaveexceptfromheaven?

Whocanplanagainstgods?Itissintothinkofit!_ElAlmirante_willmakeyouhappy,Boriquenwoman!""

Weleftthewomen.ButGuacanagarihimselfwasnothappy,ashehadbeenthatChristmas-tidewhenfirstthegodscame,whenthe_SantaMaria_waswreckedandhegaveushospitality.

TheAdmiraldidnotseethathewasunhappy.TheAdmiralsawalwaysavastmaingood,andhethoughtitpearlandgoldineveryfiber.Asyet,hesawnorottedstring,nosnarltobeuntangled.Itwashisweakness,andmaybe,too,hisstrength.

Thesunsethungoverthisroadsteadandtheshore.Themountainsglowedinit,thenearerwoodfelldark,thebeachshowedmilkywhite,aknotofpalmsuponahornoflandcaughtfullgoldandshoneasthoughtheywereinheaven.

Overuponthe_Cordera_theyweresinging.Thelongcacique-

canoeshotoutfromtheshadowofthe_Marigalante_.