第11章

Sundipped,nightcuppedhandsovertheworld.Thelongdayofexcitementwasover.Marinersslept,adventurersgentleandsimple,thetwelvefriarsandFatherBuil.Seventeenships,nighfifteenhundredmenofEurope,swingingwiththetidebeforethelandweweretomakeSpanish.

Thewatchraisedacry.SpringingfromhisbedJuanLepecameondecktofindthereconfusion,andunderthemoonintheclearwater,swimmingforms,swimmingfromusinakindofdesperatehasteandstrength.Therewasshoutingtomantheboat.OnejostlingagainstmecriedthattheywerethecaptiveIndians.Theyhadbrokenbonds,liftedhatch,knockeddownthewatch,leapedoverside.

Anothershouted.No,theCaribsweresafe.Thesewerethewomen——

Thewomen——sevenformsmightbemadeout——werenotfarfromland.Ifelttinglingacrosstometheirhopeandfear.Outofshipshadowshotafterthemourboat.

Stronglyrowed,itseemedtogain,buttheymadespeedstrongly,strongly.Theboatgotintotroublewiththeshallows.Theswimmersnowstoodandran,nowwereracers;inamomenttheywouldtouchthedry,theshiningbeach.Outofboatsprangmenrunningafterthem,runningacrosslowwhitelinesoffoam.Thewomen,thatstrongwomancaciqueahead,leftwater,racedacrosssandtowardforest.Twomenweregaining,theycaughtattheleastswiftwoman.Thedark,nakedformbrokefromthem,leapedlikeahurtdeerandrunningatspeedpassedwithallintotheebonybandthatwasforest.

AlonsodeOjedaburstintoagreatlaugh.``Welldone,Catalina!""

TheAdmiral"splacecouldeverbetoldbyhisheadoverall.Moreoverhiswarm,lifted,powerfullypulsingnaturewascapableofmakingaroundhimaspherethattingledanddrew.Onenotsomuchsawhimasfelthim,here,there.NowIstoodbesidehimwhereheleanedoverrail.

``Gone,""hesaid.``Theyaregone!""Hedrewadeepbreath.Icanswearthathe,too,feltaninnerjoythattheyhadescapedclutching.

Butinthemorninghesentashorealargepartyunderhisbrother,DonDiego.Wereceivedanothersurprise.NoIndiansonthebeach,noneintheforest,andwhentheycametothevillage,onlyhouses,afewparrotsandthegardens,dewyfreshunderthesun"sfirststreaming.NoIndiansthere,normannorwomannorchild,notGuacanagari,notGuarin,notCatalinaandhercrew——none!Theyweregone,andweknewnotwhere,Quisquayabeingahugecountry,andthepathsyethiddenfromusorofdoubtfultreading.Buttheheapedmountainsrosebeforeus,andJuanLepeatleastcouldfeelassuredthattheyweregonethere.Theyvanishedandforlongweheardnothingofthem,notofGuacanagari,norofGuarinwhohadsavedJuanLepe,notofCatalina,norany.

Thisneighborhood,LaNavidadandtheshipwreckofthe_SantaMaria_,burnedGuaricoandnowthisemptyvillage,perpetualreminderthatinsomepartourIndiansubjectslikedusnotsowellasformerlyandcouldnotbemadeChristianwithabreath,grewnolongertoourchoice.

SomethingofmelancholyoverhungfortheAdmiralthispartofHispaniola.Hewasseekingasiteforacity,butnowhelikeditnothere.Theseventeenshipsputonsailand,astatelyflightofbirdsgreaterthanherons,pursuedtheirway,easterlynow,alongthecoastofHispaniola.

BetweenthirtyandfortyleaguesfromtheruinofLaNavidadopenedtousafair,largeharborwheretworiversenteredthesea.Therewasagreatforestandbrightprotrudingrock,andacrossthesouththemountains.WhenwelandedandexploredwefoundasmallIndianvillagethathadonlyvaguelyheardthatgodshaddescended.Fortyleaguesacrosstheseforestsisalongway.TheyhadheardarumorthatthecaciqueofGuaricolikedthemightystrangersandCaonabolikedthemnot,butasyetknewlittlemore.Theharbor,theland,thetworiverspleasedus.

``Herewewillbuild,""quoththeViceroy,``acitynamedIsabella.""

CHAPTERXXIX

CHRISTMASTIDE,ayearfromthesinkingofthe_SantaMaria_,cametonightwothousandChristianmendwellinginsomemannerofhousesbyariverinalandthat,soshorttimebefore,hadneverheardtheword``Christmas.""Now,inSpainandelsewhere,menandwomen,hearingChristmasbells,mightwonder,``Whataretheydoing——aretheyalsogoingtomass——thoseadventurersacrosstheSeaofDarkness?HavetheyconvertedtheIndies?Aretheymovinghappilyinthegolden,spicylands?Greatmarvel!Christnowisbornthereashere!""

JuanLepechancedtobewalkinginthecooloftheeveningwithDonFranciscodeLasCasas,asensible,strongman,notunreadinthephilosophers.Hespoketomeofhisson,ayoungmanwhomheloved,whowouldsoonerorlatercomeouttohimtoHispaniola,ifhe,theelder,stayedhere.

Sosoonasthiswehadbeguntospeakthus,``ComeouttoHispaniola.""``ComeouttoIsabellainHispaniola.""Whatastrongwindislife,leapingfromcontinenttocontinentandcrying,``HomewhereverIcanbreatheandmove!""ThisyoungmanwasBartolome,thenatSalamanca,attheUniversity.

BartolomedeLasCasas,whomJuanLepeshouldlivetoknowandworkwith.ButthiseveningIheardthefathertalk,asanyfatherofanypromisingson.

Withus,too,wasDonJuanPoncedeLeon,whohadastoryoutofMandevilleofawellbythecityofPolombeinPresterJohn"scountry.Ifyoudrankofthewell,thoughyouweredyingyouwouldnevermorehavesickness,andthoughyouwerewhite-beardedyouwouldcomeyoungagain!

ThepalmswavedaboveIsabellathatwasbuildingbehindthecampbytheriver.Itwasbeginning,itwasplannedout;thestonechurch,thestonehouseoftheViceroywerealreadybreast-high.ASpanishcitybuilding,andthebellsofEuroperinging.

Outsprangthenoiseofabrawl——TherewasthatintheAdmiralthatwouldhavewhenitcouldoutwardnolessthaninwardinagnificence.HecouldgolikeaSpartanorDiogenestheCynic,butwhenthechancecame——magnificence!

WithhimfromSpaintraveledaViceroy"shousehold.

Hehadnolessthanthirtypersonalservantsandretainers.HidalgoshereatIsabellahadalsoservants,butnoonemorethantwoorthree.Itwasamongthesefolkthatfirstaroseouramazingjealousiesandenvies.Nowandagainthemastersmusttakepart.NottheViceroywhoinsuchmatterswentverystately,butcertainofourgentlemen.Loudandangryvoicesroseunderthepalms,underaskyofpalegold.

Sentfor,IfoundtheAdmirallyingonhisbed,notyetinhisstonehousebutinarichandlargepavilionbroughtoutespeciallyfortheViceroyandnowpitchedupontheriverbank,underpalms.Icametohimpastnumbersoutofthatthirty.Idlehere;theycertainlywereidlehere!

WithhimIfoundasecretary,butwhenhecouldhepreferredalwaystowritehisownletters,inhissmall,clear,stronghand,andnowhewasdoingthis,proppedinbed,inhisbrowaknotofpain.Hewrotemanyletters.LongafterwardsIheardthatithadbecomeasayinginSpain,``WriteofyourmattersasoftenasChristopherusColumbus!""

Isatwaitingforhimtofinishandhesawmyeyesuponyetunfoldedpagesstrewingthetabletakenfromthe_Marigalante_

andsetherebesidehim.``Readifyoulike,""hesaid.

``Theshipssetsaildayafterto-morrow.""

Itookandreadinparthislettertoalearnedmanwithwhom,onceortwice,JaymedeMarchenahadtalked.ItwasalongletterinwhichtheAdmiral,thinkertothinker,setforthhissecondvoyageandnowhiscitybuilding,andatlastcertainthingsforthemindnotonlyofSpainbutofFranceandItalyandEnglandandGermany.``Alllandsandallmenwhomsofarwehavecometo,""wrotetheAdmiral,``areheathenandidolaters.IntheprovidenceofGodallsucharegivenuntoChristendom.ChristendommusttakepossessionthroughtheactsofChristianprinces,underthesanctionofHolyChurch,allowedbythePopewhoisChristourKing"sViceroy.Seeminghardshipbringethgreatgain!Millionsofsoulsconverted,arebaptized.Everyinfantfeeleththesavingwater.Soulsthatwerelostnowarefound.Christbeamethonthem!Tothat,whatisitthattheearthlyKingofacountrybechanged?""

Hisquilltraveledonoverpaper.Anothersheetcameintomyhand.Ireadit,thensatpondering.Hesighedwithpain,pushedallasideandpresentlybadethesecretaryforth.Whenthemanwasgonehetoldmeofanagonybehindhiseyesthatnowstabbedandnowlaidhiminadrowsiness.IdidwhatIcouldforhimthenwaiteduntiltheaccesswasover.Itpassed,andhetookagainhispen.

Isaid,``YouadvisethattherebemadeamarketforCaribslaves,balancingthusthenegroesthePortuguesearebringingin,andprovidingafundforourneeds——""

Hesaid,``Theyareeatersofmen"sflesh,intractableandabominable,notlikethegentlerpeoplewefindhereabouts!

Itiscertainthatbeforelong,fleetafterfleetcoming,ourtwothousandheregrowingintomanythousands,morecitiesthanIsabellaarising,commerceandlifeasinEuropebeginning——Well,thesefiercer,Caribalislandswillbeoverrun,takenforSpain!Whatbettertodowiththeirpeople?

Idonotwishtoslaythemandeatthem!""

``Slaves——""

``HowmanyMoorsinCastileandArragon,slavesandnonetheworseforit,beingbaptized,beingkindlyenoughentreated!AndnowthePortuguesebringNegroes,andaretheytheworseoff,beingtakenfromadeepdamnation?

Longago,Ihaveread,theEnglishweretakentoRomeandsoldinthemarketplace,andtheblessedGregory,seeingthem,cried,`Christshallbepreachedintheirnation!"

WhereuponhesentAugustineandallEnglandwassaved——

Lookyou,thisworldisrudeandworkethrudely!Butitclimbsintheteethofitsimperfections!""

``Idonotdoubtthat,""Isaid.``Whenitwillstoclimb.""

``IdobutlayitbeforetheSovereigns,""heanswered.

``Idonotknowwhattheywillthinkofitthere.ButtrulyIknownotwhatelsetodowiththeseAsiaticswhentheywithstandus!AndeveninslaverytheymustgainfromChristians!WhatmattersmasterswhentheyfindtheTrueMaster?""

JuanLepebroodedstillwhilethepenscratchedandscratchedacrossthepage.Thenoiseceased.Ilookeduptoseeifhewereinpainagain,andmetgray-blueeyesaslongingasachild"s.``WhatIwould,""hesaid,``isthattheLordwouldgivetomeforevertosailagreatship,andtofind,forevertofind!Theseaiswiderthantheland,anditsendsitswavesuponalllands.NotViceroy,buttheNavigator,theFinder——""

JuanLepealsothoughtthattherestreamedhisGenius.

Herehewasable,butthereplayedtheFire.Buthe,likemanyanother,hadboundhimself.DonCristovalColon——

Viceroy——andeighthsandtenths!

CHAPTERXXX

TWELVEofourshipswenthometoSpain.

Februarywheeledby.Marchwashere,andeverydaythesunsentusmoreheat.

TheIndiansaroundusstillwerefriendly——womenandall.FromthefirsttherewasstrayinginthewoodswithIndianwomen.Doubtlessnow,intheSanSalvadorislands,inCubaandinHispaniola,amongthoseGuaricosfledfromustothemountains,wouldbeinfantsbornofSpanishfathers.JuanLepecontemplatedthatfillingintheseabetweenAsiaandEuropewiththeveryblood.

Sicknessbrokeout.ItwasnotsuchasthatfirstsicknessatLaNavidad,buthereweremanymoretolieill.BesidesJuanLepe,wenowpossessedthreephysicians.Theywereskillful,theylaboredhard,wealllabored.Mendiedofthemalady,butnogreatnumber.Butnowamongtheidleofmindandsoulandthefactiousarosetheeternalmurmur.Notheavenbuthell,thesenewlands!Notwealthandhappyease,butpovertyandmiserabletoil!Notforevernewspectacleandgreedywonder,buttiresomeriver,forestandsea,tiresomeblueheaven,tiresomedelvingandbuilding,tiresomerules,restrictions,commandments,yeasandnays!Partiesarose,twomainparties,andwithineachlesserdifferings.

TheViceroystifflywithstoodthepartythatwasnothis,anduponsomeslurandinsolencetookfromamanhisoffice.

Followedaweekofglassysmoothness.Thensuddenly,bychance,wasdiscoveredtheplotofBernalDiazdePisa——thefirstofmanySpanishconspiracies.Itinvolvedseveralhun-

dredmenandwasnolessathingthantheseizureinthedarknightoftheshipsandthesettingsailforSpain,theretowreckthefameofChristopherusColumbusandifpossibleobtainthesendingoutofsomeprinceoverhim,whowouldbeamkindlyonallhidalgosandneverputthemtovulgarwork.AletterwasfoundinBernalDiaz"shand,andifthereinanyillwasleftunsaidoftheAdmiralandViceroy,Iknownotwhatitmightbe!The``Italian"",the``Lowborn"",the``madlyarrogantandambitious"",the``cruel""

and``violent"",the``tyrant""acted.BernalDiazwasmadeandkeptprisoneronVicentePinzon"sship.Ofhisfollowingoneoutoftenlayinprisonforamonth.Oftheseamenconcernedthreewerefloggedandallhadtheirpayestopped.

OnemightsaythatIsabellawasbuilded.Columbushimselfstoodandmovedinbetterhealth.Nowhewouldgodiscoveringondryland,toAlonsodeOjeda"sglee,gleeindeedofmany.ThemountainsofCibao,wheremightbethegold,——andgoldmustbehad!

AndwemightfindCaonabo,andwhatpeopleswerebehindourownmountains,andperhapscomeuponGuacanagari.

Wewent,fourhundredmenandmore,anarmywithbanners.Wewishedtoimpress,andwetookanyandallthingsthatmighthelpinthatwise.Drumandtrumpetbeatandsang.FatherBuilwasnotwithus.Butthreeofhismissionariesaccompaniedus,andtheycarriedagreatcrucifix.Thereweretwentyhorses,andterriblewerethesetothislandastheelephantsofthePersianstotheGreeks.

AndmuchwemarveledthatCubaandHaytihadnomemorynorideaofelephants.AthrongofIndianswouldgowithus,andinmuchtheycarriedoursupplies.Itwasfirstseenclearlyatthistime,Ithink,theusesthatmightbedrawnfromourheathensubjects.AlonsodeOjeda,JuanPoncedeLeonandPedroMargariterodewiththeAdmiral.

Othersfollowedonblackandbayandwhitehorses.JuanLepemarchedwiththefootmen.HewasgladtofindLuisTorres.

Beforesettingoutwewenttomassinthenewchurch.

Candlesburned,incenseroseinclouds,thefriarschanted,thebellrang,wetookthewafer,thepriestliftedthechalice.

Thesunrose,thetrumpetsrang,weweregone.South,beforeus,themountainlinewasbrokenbyadeepnotch.

Thatwouldbeourpass,afar,andsethigh,filledwithanintense,aburningsapphire.WehadIndianguides.

Day,evening,campandnight.Dawn,trumpets,breakfastandgoodunderstandingandjollity.Afterbreakfastthemarch,andwherewasanyroaduptheheights?Andbeingnonewewouldmakeoneanddid,ourhidalgostoilingwiththeleast.Byevewewereinthehighpass,levelgroundunderourfeet,aboveusmagnificenttrees.WecalleditthePassoftheHidalgos.Wethrewourselvesdownandslept.Atsunrisewepushedon,andpresentlysawwhatJuanLepeoncebeforehadseen,thevastsouthward-lyingplainandthegoldenmountainsofCibao.

Thereroseacry,itwassobeautiful!TheAdmiralnameditVegaReal,theRoyalPlain.

Sweating,panting,wecameatlastdownthatmostdifficultdescentintorollingforestandthentoasmallbrightstream,besideitgardenpatchesandfiftyhuts.Theinhabitantsfledmadly,weheardtheirfrightenedshoutsandthescreamingofchildren.ThereafterwetriedtokeepinadvanceasmallbodyofIndians,sothattheymighttellthatthegodswerecoming,butthattheywouldnotinjure.

Acclivityanddeclivityfellaway.Wewerefullyinanenormous,fertileandpopulousplain.

Thehorsesandthehorsemen!Atfirsttheythoughtthatthesewereone.Whensomecoweringgroupwassurroundedandkeptfrombreakingaway,whenAlonsodeOjedaoranotherleapedfromsteedtoearth,fromearthagaintosteed,theymoanedwithastonishmentandsomerelief.Butthehorses,thehorses——nevertohaveseenanygreatfour-

footedthings,andnowthesethatwereproudandpawedtheearthandneighedand——DeOjeda"sblackhorse——reared,curvetted,bounded,appearedtothreaten!Theeyes,themane,thegreatteeth!——Theregrewalegendthattheywerefeduponmen"sflesh,redmen"sflesh!

HowmanyredmenwereinQuisquayaIdonotknow.Insomeregionstheydwelledthickly,inotherswerefewfolk.

Inthiswide,long,laughingplaindwelledmany,incleantownssunkamongtreesgoodtolookatanddroppingfruit;

byriverorsmallerstream,withplantingsofmaize,batata,cassava,jucca,maguey,andIknownotwhatbeside.Ifthestreamwasaconsiderableone,canoes.Theyhadparrots;

theyhadthesmallsilentdogs.Insomeplaceswesawclaypotsandbowls.Theywovetheircotton,thoughnotveryskillfully.Theycrushedtheirmaizeinhandmills.Wefoundcaciquesandbutios,andheardoftheirmaincacique,Gwarionex.Buthedidnotcometomeetus;theysaidhebadgoneonavisittoCaonaboinCibao.Theybroughtusfoodandtookourgiftsinexchange;theyharanguedusinanswertoourharangues;theymadedancesforus.Thechildrenthrongedaround,fearlessnowandcurious.Thewomenwerekind.Oldmenandwomentogether,andsometimesmorewomenthanmen,satinacouncilringaboutsomevenerabletree.

Therewasnoquarrelandnooppressionuponthisadventure.

IlookbackandIseethatsinglejourneyinHispaniolaaflowerandpatternofwhatmightbe.

Theygaveuswhatgoldtheyhad——freely——andwegaveinreturnthingsthattheyprized.ButalwaystheysaidCibaoforgold.

Werodeandmarchedafoot,withmanyhaltsandturnsaside,fiveleaguesacrossplain.Alargeriverbarredourway,——theYaquitheycalledit.Herewespenttwodaysinavillageabowshotfromthewater.Wesearchedforgold,wesentfromIndiantoIndianrumorthatitwasthehighestmagic,god-magicthatofallthingsintheworldwemostdesiredandtookitfromtheirhands,yetstillwepaidforitingoodsforwhichtheylusted,andweneitherforcednorthreatenedforce.Andthoughwewerefourhundred,yettheremightbeintheRoyalPlainfortythousand,andtheirhueandtheireconomywasyetprinceintheland,andtheSpaniardavisitor.Andtherecommandedthefourhundredahumaneman,withsomethingoftheguilelessnessofthechild.

WecrossedtheYaquiincanoesanduponrafts.White,brownandblack,thehorsesswamthestream.Againnighimpenetrableforest,againvillages,againclearsingingandrunningwaters.Buteverthemountainscamecloser.Atlastweenteredhillycountryandthestreamspushedwithrapidity,flowingtotheYaqui,flowingtothesea.Nowwebegantofindgold.Itglistenedintheriversands.Sometimeswefoundnutsofit,washedfromtherocksfarabove.

Therecameuponusthegoldfever.Mines——wemustopenmines!FerminCedo,ouressayer,wouldhaveitthatitwasnotOphir,butatthattimehewashardlybelieved.

TheAdmiralwrotealetteraboutthesegoldenmines.

AnIndianbroughthimapieceofamber;another,alumpofbluestone.Wefoundjasper,weweresureofcopper.

Wecametoanaturalrampart,wideattop,steeplydescendingonthreesides,setinaloopofalittleclearrivernamedYanique.``Ho!""criedAlonsodeOjeda.``Hereisthecradleforthebabe!Roundtower,walls,barbicanyonder,andMotherNaturehasdugthemoat!""HesenthisvoiceacrosstotheViceroy.``Afort,senor,afort!""

CouncilwasheldbytheYanique.Afort,——aluckierthanLaNavidad!Menleftheretocollectgold,establisharoad,keepcommunicationwithIsabellawhichinturnshouldforwardsuppliesandmen.Thereturningfleetmightbringtwothousand——nay,fivethousandmen!Itwouldcertainlybringassesandmulesaswellashorses.Weshouldhaveburden-bearers.Moreover,acompanyofIndiansmightbetrainedtocomeandgoascarriers.Trainthem,setsomesortofpenaltyformalfeasance.

``Theyshouldbetaughttomineforus,""saidPedroMargarite.``Paythem?Ofcourse——ofcourse!Butdonotpaythemtoomuch.DonotweprotectthemfromCaribsandsavetheirsoulstoboot?Takeitastribute!""

Itwasthefirsttimethewordwassaid,inSpanish,here.

WebuiltafortmuchafterthemodelofLaNavidadandnameditSt.Thomas.Whenafterdaysitwasdone,andcommandantmustbechosen,theViceroy"schoicefelluponPedroMargarite.Andthatwasgreatpity.ButhecouldnotknowMargaritethenasafterwardshecametoknowhim.Fifty-sixmenheleftwithMargarite,andtherestofusmarchedhomeacrosstheVegaandthenorthernmountainstoIsabella.

Sickness.Quarrels.Idleness,vanity,dissensionsandaccusations.Heat,moresickness,wildquarrels.

TidingsfromMargariteatSt.Thomas.TheIndianswouldnolongerbringfood.Caonabowasthreateningfromthehighermountains.TheViceroywrotetoMargarite.

CompeltheIndianstobringfood,butasitweretocompelthemgently!

Quarrels——quarrelsatIsabella.Twomainpartiesandallthelesserones.Diseaseandscarcity.FrayGeronimoarrivedfromSt.Thomas.Hehadstories.TheViceroygrewdarkred,hiseyeslightened.YethebelievedthatwhatwastoldpertainedtomenofMargarite,nottothatcavalierhimself.HewrotetoMargarite——Idonotknowwhat.

Butpresentlyaplanaroseinhismindandwasannounced.

DonAlonsodeOjedawastocommandSt.Thomas.DonPedroMargariteshouldhaveamovingforceofseveralhundredCastilians,mainlyforexploration,butatneedforotherthings.Goinghereandthereaboutthecountry,itmightimpressuponCaonabothattheSpaniardthoughgentlebynature,wasdangerouswhenaroused.

AlonsodeOjeda,threehundredmenbehindhim,wentforthonhisblackhorse,totrumpetanddrum,verygayandreadytogo.InaweekhesentintoIsabellasixIndiansinchains.ThesehadsetuponthreeofMargarite"smencomingwithalettertotheViceroyandhadrobbedthem,thoughwithoutdoingthembodilyinjury.AlonsodeOjedahadcutofftheirearsandsentthemallinheavilychained.TheViceroycondemnedthemtobebeheaded,butwhentheywereontheirkneesbeforetheblockreprievedthem,onebyone.HekeptthemchainedforatimeforallvisitingIndianstosee,thenformallypardonedthemandletthemgo.

Mattersquieted.Sicknessagainsank,afloodretiring,leavingpools.AlonsodeOjedaandPedroMargaritereportedpeaceinHispaniola.TheAdmiralcameforthfromhishouseonedayandsaidquietlytothisoneandthatonethatnowhemeantagaintotakeupDiscovery.

HegaveauthorityinIsabellatoDonDiego,andmadehimacouncilwheresatFatherBuil,Caravajal,CoronelandJuandeLuxan.Thenoutoffiveshipswetookthe_Cordera_,the_SantaClara_andthe_SanJuan_,andwesetsailonAprilthetwenty-fourth.

CHAPTERXXXI

THEisland,welearned,wasnamedJamaica.TheAdmiralcalleditSantiago,butitalsorestsJamaica.

Ofalltheselands,outsideofthelow,smallislandstowhichwecamefirst,Cubaseemedtousthepeaceableland.JamaicagaveusalmostCaribwelcome.Itsfolkhadthelargestcanoes,thesharpest,toughestlances.Perhapstheyhadheardfromsomeboldsearoverthatwehadcome,butthatwewerenotwhollygods!

Ourcrossbowmenshotamongstthem.Thearrowsfailedtohaltthem,butwhenwesentabloodhoundthedogdidourwork.Itwastothemwhatgriffonorfire-breathingdragonmightbetoaSevillethrong.Whenthecreaturesprangamongthemtheyutteredagreatcryandfled.

Jamaicaismostbeautiful.

Fornotafewdayswevisited,sailingandanchoring,liftingagainandstoppingagain.Oncethepeoplewerepacified,theygaveuskindlyenoughwelcome,tradingandwondering.Weslippedbyboldcoastsandheadlandswhichwemustdouble,mountainsaboveus.Theyranbyinlandpaths,savingdistance,tellingvillageaftervillage.Whenwemadeharbor,herewasthethrongedbeach.Someofthesepeopleworeaslightdressofwovengrassandpalmleaves,andtheyusedcrownsofbrightfeathers.Wegotfromtheminsomequantitygoldenornaments.Butsouthforgold,south——south,theyalwayspointedsouth!

The_Cordera_,the_SantaClara_andthe_SanJuan_setsailoutoftheHarborofGoodWeather,inSantiagoorJamaica.

Adayandanightofpleasantsailing,thenwesawthegreatCubacoastriseblueinthedistance.Theweatherwheeled.

Therewasfirstamarvelousgreenhush,whilecloudsformedoutofnothing.Weheardamoaningsoundandwedidnotknowitsquarter.Theseaturneddeadman"scolor.Thenburstthewind.Itwasmorethanwind;itseemedthemovementofaworlduponus.Bareofallsails,welabored.Weweredriven,onefromtheother.

Themarinersfelltopraying.

Astrangelightwasaroundus,asthoughthetempestitselfmadealight.ByitImarkedtheAdmiral,uprightwherehecouldbestcommandthewhole.Hehadlashedhimselfthere,fortheshiptossedexcessively.Hisgreatfigurestood;hiswhite,blowinghair,inthatstrangelight,madeforhimanimbus.Itwasstrange,howthelightseemedtoseizethatandhisbrowandhisgray-blueeyes.Belowtheeyes.hislipsmoved.Hewasshoutingencouragement,butonlytheintentioncouldbeheard.Theintentionwasheard.Helookedwhathewas,somethingmorethanaboldmanandabraveseacaptain,andtherestreamedfromhimcomfort.Ittouchedhismariners;itcameamongthemliketonguesofflame.

Darknessincreased.Wewerenowamonglightningslikejavelinsandloudthunder.Thenfelltherain,intorrents,indropslargeasplums.Itwasasthoughanotheroceanwasdescendinguponus.

Itlastedandweendured.Afterlongwhilecamelesseninginthatweightofrain,andthencessation.Suddenlythetempestwasover.Thereshoneastar-threestarsandontopmastandbowspritSaintElmo"slights.

Ourmarinersshouted,``Safe——safe!SaintElmo!""

Suddenly,overallthesky,werestarsshining.TheAdmiralraisedhisgreatvoice.``Sing,allofus!

`StellaMaris——

SanctaMaria!"""

Withthemorningthe_SantaClara_andthe_SanJuan_,beatenabout,someinjurydone,butalive!AndthecoastofCuba,nearer,nearer,tallandblue——andatlastverytallandgreenandgold.

OffCubaandstilloffCuba,thesoutherncoastnow,asagainstthenorthernthatoncewetriedforawhile.Sailandcometoland,stayabit,andshakeoutsailsoncemore!

WhereverwetarriedwefoundpeaceableifvastlyexcitedIndians.Butstillnaked,butstillunwiseastogoldandspices,tradersandmarkets.Cambalu,QuinsaiandZaitonofthemarblebridges!

```Somewhere,"saithMesserMarco,`inpartthecountryissalvage,filledwithmountains,andherecomefewstrangers,forthekingwillnothavethem,inorderthathistreasuresandcertainmattersofhiskingdomcomenotintotheworld"sknowledge."Andagainhesaith,`Thefolkherearenaked."——Whatwonderthen,""saidtheAdmiral,``thatwefindthesethings!Yea,Ifeelsurprisedattheincessancy,butIcheckmyselfandthink,howvastisAsia,andwhatvariousnessmustneedsbe!""

Butwemovedinacloudofdifferences,andwhileontheonehandthisworldwasgrowingfamiliar,ontheotherthesenseincreased.``HowvastindeedmustbeAsia,ifallthisandyetwecomenot——andnowitisgoingontwoyears——toanyclearhintofotherthanthis!""

Hehimself,theAdmiral,begantofeelthisstrangeness.

Orrather,hehadlongfeltitandfoughtthefeeling,butnowstronglyitcamecreepingover.

Wewereamongthehugestnumberofsmallislands.Starboardloomed,untilitwaslostinthefarness,thatcoastthatwewerefollowing,butthethreeshipswereinahalf-

land,half-waterworld.Wewanderedinthislabyrinth,keepingwithdifficultyourway,socrookedandnarrowthechannels,somanythesandbars.Fromdeckitmindedmeofthatseaofweedwemetinthefirstpassage.

Wavesoffragrancestruckus.``Ha!""criedtheAdmiral.

``Canyounotsmellcinnamon,spikenard,nutmeg,clovesandgalingal?""Hisfaithwassostrongthatwedidsmell.Fromoneoftheseislands,the_Cordera_lyingatanchorandaboatgoingashore,wetookanumberofpigeons.

Sounafraidwerethesebirdsthatourmenapproachedthemeasilyandbeatthemdownwithapike.Wehadthemforsupper,andwhentheircropswereopened,thecookfoundandbroughttotheAdmiralanumberofbrownseeds.TheAdmiraldroppedthemintoclearwater,thensmelledandtasted.``Cloves?Aretheynotcloves?""HegavetoJuandelaCosaandtomewhoalsotastedandthoughttheymightbecloves.Butwedidnotfindtheirtree,andwesawnosignsofeveramerchantofCathayorMangiorInd.

ChristopherusColumbusleanedupontherailofthe_Cordera_.

Inthisisletworldwelayatanchorforthenight.

``Doyouknowwhatitis,""heasked,``tohaveawordcolorthewholedaylong?""Heglancedaround,butnonewasverynear.``MyWordto-dayis_magic_.I"dnotgiveittoanybutyou,andIdropmyvoiceinsayingit.I"llsailonthroughmagicandagainstmagic,forIhaveHelpfromAbove!ButI"llnotlayafearsomewordamongthosewhoarenotsoaccorded!AllsayIndiahathhighmagic,andtheGrandKhantakesfromthatcountryhisastrologersandsorcerers.IhavereadthatatShandu,iftherebelongraining,theywillmountatowerbythepalaceandwaveitback,sothatthefallingrainmakesbutapleasantwallaroundtheking"sfairgardenthatitselfrestsinsunshine.

Alsothatwithouttouchingthemtheycausethegoldenflagonstofillwithredwineandtomovethroughair,withnohanduponthem,totheking"stable.Thatwaslongago.

Wehavehadnonewsofthemoflate.Theymaydonowmoremarvelous,vasterthings.""

``Andthemoral?""

``Isaid,`Theydothemthere."Perhapsthisisthere.""

``Itakeyou!""Isaidandhalf-laughed.``WemaybeinCathayallthiswhile,underthegoldenroofs,withthebellsstrungfromtheeaves.Yonderlineofcranesstandingintheshallowwater,watchingus,may,Godwot,betallmagiciansinwhitelinenandscarletsilk!

Hecrossedhimself.Thecraneshadliftedthemselvesandflownaway.``Iftheyheard——""

``Areyouinearnest?""

Heputhishandsoverhiseyes.``SometimesIthinkitmaybefact,sometimesnot!Sorceryisafact,andwhoknowshowfaritmaygo?Attimesmybrainisliketocrack,Ihavesocudgeledit!""

Thathecudgeleditwastrue,andthoughhisbrainnevercrackedandtotheendwasthebestbraininahundred,yetfromthistimeforthIbegantomarkinhimanunearthliness.

TheseislandswenamedtheQueen"sGardens,andescapingfromthemcameagaintocleancoast.Onwewentfortwo,days,andthispartofCubahadmanyvillages,atseaedgeoralittlefromthewater,andallmenandwomenwerefriendlyandbroughtusgifts.

Irememberamoonlightnight.Allwereaboardthe_Cordera_,the_SantaClara_andthe_SanJuan_,forwemeanttosailatdawn.Wehadleftavillageyetdancingandfeasting.

Thenightwasamiracleofsilver.AgainIstoodbesideChristopherusColumbus;fromlandstreamedtheirsingingandtheirthin,drummingandclashingmusic.Athanditisratherharshthansweet,butdistancesweetenedit.

``Whatwillbehereinthefuture——iftherearenotalreadyhere,afteryournotion,greatcitiesandbridgesandshipping,andonlyoureyesholdenandourhandsandstepsmadeharmless?Ornearlyharmless,forwehaveslainsomeIndians!""

Hehadmadeagestureofdeprecation.``Ah,that,I

hardlydoubt,wasmyfancy!ButinthefutureIseethem,yourcities!""

Doyouseethem,fromSanSalvadoronwardandeverywhere,——Spanishcities?

``Necessarily——seeingthattheHolyFatherhathgiventhewholeofthelandtoSpain.""Helookedatthemoonthatwassohugeandbright,andlistenedtothesavagemusic.``Ifwegofarenough——walkingafar——whoknowethwhatweshallfind?""Hestoodmotionless.``_I_

donotknow.ItisinGod"shands!""

``Doyousee,""Iasked,``agreatstatueofyourself?""

``Yes,Iseethat.""

Themoonshonesobrightlyitwasmarvel.Landbreezebroughtperfumefromtheenormousforest.``Itistoofairtosleep!""saidtheAdmiral.``Iwillsithereandthink.""

Hesleptlittleatanytime.Hisdayswerefilledwithaction.

Neverwasanywhohadmorebusinesstoattendto!

Yethewasofthosetowhomsolitudeisasair,——imperiouslyanecessity.Intoitheplungedthrougheverycrackandcrannyamongevents.Heknewhowtousethespaceinwhichswimevents.Butbesidethishemustmakeforhimselfwideholdings,andwhenhecouldnotgetthembydayhetookfromnight.

WecameagaintoamultitudeofisletsliketotheQueen"sGardens.Andtheseweresetinastrangechurnedandcurdledsea,aswhiteasmilk.Makingthroughitasbestwemight,wepassedfromthatsilvernessandbrokenlandintoagreatbayorgulf,sodeepthatwemighthardlyfindbottom,andhereweanchoredclosetoalongpointofCubacoveredthickwithpalms.