第12章

Wewentashoreforwaterandfruit.Solitary——neithermannorwoman!Wefoundtracksuponthesandthatsomeamonguswouldhaveitweremadebygriffons.OneofourmenhadthethoughtthathemightprocuresomelargebirdfortheAdmiral"stable.Takingacrossbowhepassedalonethroughthepalmsintothedeeperwood.Hewasgoneanhour,andwhenhereturneditwasinhaste,withachalkfaceandgreateyes.Iwasseatedintheboatwiththemasterofthe_Cordera_andheardhistale.Hehadfoundwhathethoughtanaturalaisleoftheforestandhadstolendownit,lookingkeenlyforpigeonorlargerbird.Atreewithdroopingbranchesstoodacrosstheaisle,hesaid.Hewentaroundthetrunk,whichwasagreatone,anditwasasthoughhehadturnedintothenaveofthecathedral.Therewasspace,buttreeslikepillarsoneitherside,andattheendthreegreattreescoveredtothetopswithvineandpurplegrapes.Andherehesawbeforehim,underthegreatesttree,amaninalongwhitegownlikeaWhiteFriar.

Thesighthaltedhim,turnedhim,heaverred,tostone.

Twomoremeninwhitedressesbutshorterthanthatofthefirst,camefromamongthetreesandhesawbehindtheseanumberinlikeclothing.Hecouldnottell,nowhethoughtofit,iftheywerecarryinglancesorpalms.

Wehadlookedsolongforclothedfolkthatitwasthewhiteclotheshethoughtof.Thesamewiththeirfaces——

hecouldnottellaboutthem——hethoughttheywerefair.

Suddenly,itseemed,Panhadfallenuponhimandputhimforthinterror.Hehadturnedandracedthroughtheforest,heretothesea.Hedidnotthinkthewhite-cladmenhadseenhim.

WetookhimtotheAdmiralwholistened,thenbroughthishandstogether.``Hathitnot——hathitnot,Iaskyou——soundofPresterJohn?""

Withthedawnhehadmenashore,andtherehewenthimself,withhimJuandelaCosaandJuanLepe.Thecrossbowman——itwasFelipeGarcia——showedtheway.

Wefoundindeedtheforestaisleandnave,andthethreetreesandthepurplegrapes,avastvinewithheavyclusters,butwefoundnomenandnosignofmen.

TheAdmiralwasnotdiscouraged.``Ifhetrulysawthen,andIbelievehedid,thenaretheysomewhere——""

Webeatalltheneighborhood.Solitary,solitary!Hedividedthemostdeterminedofus——somanyfromeachship——intotwobandsandsentintwodirections.Weweretosearch,ifnecessary,throughtenleagues.Wewent,butreturnedemptyofnewsofclothedmen.Wefounddesolateforest,andbehindthatavast,matted,lowgrowth,impenetrableandextendingfaraway.AtlastwedeterminedthatFelipeGarciahadseenwhitecranes.Unlessitweremagic——

Wesailedonandwesailedon.The_Cordera_,the_SantaClara_andthe_SanJuan_wereinbadcase,hurtinthatstormbetweenJamaicaandCuba,andwaywornsinceinthosesandyseas,amongthosemyriadislets.OurseamenandourshipmastersnowloudlywishedreturntoIsabella.

Hepushedusfartheronandfartheron,andstillwedidnotcometoanythingbeyondthosethingswehadalreadyreached,nordidwecomeeithertoanyendofCuba.AndwhatwasgoingoninHispaniola——inIsabella?WehadsailedinAprilandnowitwasJuly.

Itbecameevidenttohimatlastthathemustturn.TheViceroyandtheAdmiralwarredinhim,hadlongwarredandwouldwar.Betterforhimhadheneverinsisteduponviceroyship!Then,single-minded,hemighthavediscoveredtotheendofhisdays.

Weturned,the_Cordera_,the_SantaClara_andthe_SanJuan_,andstillhebelievedthatthelong,longcoastofCubawasthecoastoftheAsiamain.Hesawitasamonstercapeorprolongation,sproutingintoOcean-SeaassproutsItalyintoMediterranean.Back——back——thewaywehadcome,enteringagainthatwhitesea,entangledagainamongathousandislets!

AtlastwecameagaintothatCapeoftheCrosstowhichwehadescapedintheJamaicatempest.OnethinghewouldyetdointhisvoyageandthatwastogoroundabouthomewardbyJamaicaandfindoutfurtherthingsofthatgreatandfairisland.WeleftCubathatstillwethoughtwasthemain.SantiagoorJamaicarosebeforeus,darkbluemountainsoutofthedarkbluesea.Foronemonthwecoastedthisisland,foralwaystheweatherbeatusbackwhenwewouldquitit,settingoursailsforHispaniola.

Wecameto,Haytiuponthesouthernside,andbecauseofsomemisreckoningfailedofknowingthatitwasHayti,untilanIndianinacanoebelowus,calledloudly``ElAlmirante!""

AndyetIsabellawasthethicknessoftheislandfromus,andtheweatherbecomingfoul,webeataboutforlongdays,strugglingeastwardandpushedback,andagainpartinguponastormynightoneshipfromtheothers.

The_Cordera_anchoredbyatall,rockyisletandrodeoutthestorm.Here,whenitwascalm,wewentashore,butfoundnoman,onlyanunreckonablenumberofpigeons.TheAdmirallayonclean,warmsandandrestedwithhiseyesshut.IwasgladwewerenightoIsabellaandhishousethere,forIdidnotthinkhimwell.Hesatup,embracinghisgreatkneesandlookingattheseaandthe_Cordera_.

``Ihavebeenthinking,Doctor.""

``Foryourhealth,myAdmiral,Iwishyoucouldrestawhilefromthinking!""

``WewereuponthesouthsideofMangi.Iamassuredofthat!CouldI,thistime,havesailedon——NowIseeit!""

Hedroppedhishandsfromhiskneesandturnedfulltowardme.Isawthatlyingthusforanhourhehadgatheredstrengthandnowwaspassed,ashewaswonttopassafterquiet,intoahighdegreeofvision,accompaniedbyforth-goingenergy.``NowIsee,andassoonasImay,Iwilldo!BeyondMangi,Champa.BeyondChampa,thecoasttrendingsouthward,IndiaoftheGangesandtheGoldenChersonese.LandofGold——LandofGold!——aretheynotforeverpointingsouthward?Butitisnotofgold——orwhollygold——thatnowIthink!_AureaChersonesus_

makethavastpeninsula,greatermaybethanItaly,GreeceandSpaintakentogether.ButIwillroundit,andIwillcometothemouthofGanges!Thenagain,Iread,wegosouthward!ThereistheKingdomofMaabarwhereSaintThomasisburied,andtheKingdomofMonsulwherethediamondsarefound.ThenwecometotheIslandofZeilan,whereistheTombofourFatherAdam.Herearesapphires,amethysts,topaz,garnetandrubies.Thereisarubyherebeyondprice,largeasaman"stwofistsandawellofredfire.ButwhatIshouldthinkmostofwouldbetostandwhereAdamlaidhimdown——NowfromtheIslandofZeilanIsailacrosstheIndiasea.AndIgostillsouth,threehundredleagues,andIfindthegreatislandofMadagascarwhosepeopleareSaracensandthereistherukh-birdthatcanliftanelephant,andtheycuttheredsandalthereandfindambergris.ThenliftethZanzibarwhosewomenaremonstersandwherethemarketisinelephantteeth.AndsoIcomeatlasttotheextremityofAfricawhichBartholomewDiazfound——mybrother,DonBartholomewbeingwithhim——andnamedGoodHope.

SoIroundGoodHope,andIcomehomebyCapeBojadorwhichImyselfhaveseen.IwillpassFezandErcillaandthestraitsandCadiz.IwillentertheRiverSagresatPalos,fortherewaswhereIfirstputforth.ThebellsofLaRabidawillring,forathingisdonethatwasneverdonebefore,andthatwillnotceasetoresound!Ishallhavesailedaroundtheearth.ChristopherusColumbus.Tenships.TenchancesoftherebeingoneinwhichImaycomehome!""

``Therehavebeenworsedreams!""saidJuanLepe.

``Iwarrantyou!ButIamnotdreaming.""

Heroseandstoodwitharmsoutstretched,crosswise.

```Noughtishid,"saithScripture,`butshallbefound!"

HereisEarth.Doyounotthinkthatonedayweshallgoallaboutit?Aye,freely,freely!Withzestandjoy,discoveringthatitisalovedhome.Foreveryroadsomemanormenbroketheclods!""

Theyhailedusfromthe_Cordera_.Onehadseenfromtopmastthe_SantaClara_.

StillwesailedbythesouthcoastofHispaniola.WeknewnowthatitwasnotCipango.Butitwasagreatisland,natheless,andonedaymightbeasCipango.Beata,Soana,Monawerethelittleislandsthatwefound.Wesailedbetweenthemandourgreatisland,andatlastwecametothecornerandturnednorthward,andagainafterdaystoanothercornerandsailedwestoncemore,withhopesnowofIsabella.ItwasthefirstweekinSeptember.

Inagreatreddawn,Roderigo,theAdmiral"sservant,rousedJuanLepe.``Come——come——come,Doctor!""

Isprangfrommybedandfollowedhim.ChristopherusColumbuslayinadeepswoon.Roundhecamefromthatandsaid,``Roderigo,tellthemthatIamperfectlywell,butwishtoseenoone!""Fromthat,hecametorecognizeme.

``Doctor,Iamtired.GodandOurLadyonlyknowhowtiredIam!""

Hiseyesshut,hisheadsankdeepintothebed.Hesaidnotanotherword,thatdaynorthenextnorthenext.RoderigoandIforcedhimtoswallowalittlefoodandwine,andonceheroseandmadeasiftogoondeck.Butwelaidhimdownagainandhesankintomovelessnessandasleepofallthefaculties.JuandelaCosatookcareofthe_Cordera_.

SowesightedIsabellaandintheharborfourcaravelsthathadnotbeentherewhenwehadsailedinApril.

CHAPTERXXXII

TWOmencameintothecabin,DonDiegoColon,leftinchargeofHispaniola,andwithhimatall,powerful,high-featuredman,grayofeyeandblackandsilverofhairandshortbeard.Ashestoodbesidethebed,onesawthathemustbekinsmantothemanwholayuponit.

``OBartholomew!Andisthistheend?""criedDonDiego,andIknewthatthestrangerwasthatbrother,Bartholomew,forwhomtheAdmirallonged.

Thesethreebrothers!Onelaylikeafigureuponatombsaveforthebreathingthatstirredhissilverhair.One,DonDiego,tall,too,andstrong,butallofagentle,quietmiensankonhiskneesandseemedtopray.One,DonBartholomew,stoodlikerockorpine,butheslowlymadethesignofthecross,andIsawhisgrayeyesfill.

ItseemedtomethattheAdmiral"seyelidsflickered.

Speaktohimagain,""Isaid.``Takehishand.""

BartholomewColumbus,kneelinginthe_Cordera"s_cabin,puthisarmabouthisgreatbrother.Thatiswhathecalledhim,——``Christopher,mygreatbrother,itisBartholomew!

Don"tyouknowme?Don"tyouremember?ImustgotoEngland,yousaid,toseeKingHenry.Totellhimwhatyoucoulddo——whatyouhavedone,mygreatbrother!

Don"tyouremember?Iwent,butIwaspoorlikeyouwhoarenowViceroyoftheIndies——andIwasshipwreckedbesidesandlostthelittlethatwehadscraped——doyouremember?——andmustlivelikeyoubymakingmapsandcharts,anditwaslongbeforeIsawKingHenry!——

Christopher,mygreatbrother!Helieslikedeath!

Isaid,``Heisreturning,butheisyetalongwayoff.

Keepspeaking.""

``ButKingHenrysaidatlast,`Gobringusthatbrotherofyours,andwethinkitmaybedone!"Andhegavemegold.SoIwouldcomebacktoSpainforyou,andIreachedParis,anditwasthesummerof1493.Christopher,mygreatbrother,don"tyouhearme?ForitwasatParisthatIheard,anditcamelikeafloodofglory,falleninonemomentfromHeaven!Iheard,`ChristopherusColumbus!

HehasfoundtheIndiesforKingFerdinandandQueenIsabella!"——Don"tyouhear,Christopher?Alltheworldadmiring——alltheworldsaying,`Nothingwillevergojustthesamewayagain!"Youhavedonethegreatestthing,mygreatbrother!Doctor,ishedying?""

``Hewillnotdie,""Isaid.``Youarecordialtohim,thoughbehearsyouyetfromleaguesandleaguesaway.

Goon!""

``Christopher,fromParisIgotslowly,slowly,soslowlyIthoughtit!——toSeville.ButIwasnotpoor.

Theygavemegold,theFrenchKinggaveit,theirnobles,theirbishops.Iwalkedinthatglory;itfloodedmefromyou!Allyourpeople,Christopher,yoursonsandyourbrothersandouroldfather.Youbuildusagain,youareourcastleandgreatshipandAdmiral!WhenIcametoBarcelona,howtheypraisedyou!WhenIcametoToledo,howtheypraisedyou!WhenIcametoSeville,howtheypraisedyou!ButatSevilleIlearnedthatIwastoolate,andyouweregoneuponyoursecondvoyage.ThenIwenttoValladolidandtheQueenandtheKingwerethere,andtheysaid,`Hehasjustsailed,DonBartholomew,fromCadizwithsixteenships——yourgreatbrotherwhohathcrossedOcean-SeaandboundtousAsia!"——But,sweetJesu,whatentertainmenttheygaveme,allbecauseIhadlaininouroldwoodencradleatGenoaacoupleofyearsorsoafteryou!——Genoa!——TheysayGenoa_aches_becauseshedidnotsendyou.Christopher,doyouremembertheoldrockbythesea——andyoubeggedcolorsfromMesserLudovicoandpainteduponitashipandwecalledittheGreatDoge——""

TheAdmiral"seyesopenedslowlylikeagraydawn;hemovedeversoslightlyinthebed,andhislipsparted.

``Brother,""hewhispered.

Wegothimfromthe_Cordera_toRispaniolashore,andsoinalittertohisownhouseinIsabella.Allourtownwasgatheredtoseehimcarriedthere.Hebegantoimprove.

TheseconddayhesaidtoDonBartholomew,``Youshallbemylieutenantanddeputy.Adelantado——InameyouAdelantado.""

DonBartholomewsaidbluntly,``IsnotthatharduponDiego?""

``No,no,Bartholomew!""answeredDonDiego,whowaspresent.``IfitwerequestionofapriorofFranciscans,now!

ButChristopherknowsandIknowthatItookthisstormyworldbutforlackofanyotherinbloodtoservehim.OurLadyknowsthatIneverheldmyselftobethemanfortheplace!BeAdelantadoandneverthinkofme!""

TheAdmiraluponhisbedspoke.``Wehavealwaysworkedtogether,weColombos.Whenitisdoneforthewholethereisnojealousyamongtheparts.IloveDiego,andIthinkhedidwell,constraininghisnaturetoit,hereamongtheselfish,thedangerousandfactious!Andothersknowthathedidwell.Ilovehimandpraisehim.ButBartholomew,thouartthemanforthis!""

Accordingly,thenextnoontide,trumpets,andaproclamationmadebeforethegreatcrossinthemiddleofourtown.

TheViceroy"snew-comebrotherhadeverylieutenantpower.

Idonotknowifheeverdisappointedorabusedit.Hebecamegreathelpertohisgreatbrother.

Thesethree!Theywerealessoninwhatbrothersmightbe,onetotheother,makingasitwereathreefoldbeing.

Powerwasinthisfamily,powerofframeandconstitution,withvitalspiritinabundance;powerofwill,powerofmind,andagoodpowerofheart.Theirwillwasgoodtowardmankind.

Theyhadfloodstosurmountandmanyahowlingtempesttoout-endure.Byandlargetheydidwellwithlife,——verywell.Therewasalloy,basemetalofcourse,eveninthegreatestofthethree.Theywerestillmen.ButtheyweresuchmenasNaturemightputforwardamonghergoodlyfruit.

TheViceroylaystillinhisbed,foreachtimehewouldrisecamefaintnessandoldfatigue.TheAdelantadoacted.

TherewasstorminHispaniola,stormofhumanpassions.

IfoundLuisTorres,andheputmewithinleg-strideofthepresent.

Margarite!ItseemedtobeginwithDonPedroMargarite.

Heandhismenhadearlymadechoicebetweentherich,thefruitful,easyVegaandthemountainstheyweretopierceforgoldandhuntoverforafiercemountainchief.IntheVegatheyestablishedthemselves.TheIndiansbroughtthem``tribute"",andtheyexactedover-tribute,andreviledandslewwhenitpleasedthem,andtheytooktheIndianwomen,andifitpleasedthemtheyburnedavillage.``Sorrytale,""saidLuis.``Old,sorrytale!""

IndianscametoIsabellaandwithfiercegestureandeyesthatcastlancestalkedtoDonDiego.DonDiegosentasternlettertoDonPedroMargarite.DonPedroansweredthathewasdoingsoldier"sduty,astheSovereignswouldunderstandwhenitcamebeforethem.DonDiegosentagain,summoninghimuponhisallegiancetoIsabella.Hechoseforamonthnoanswertothatatall,andthebreezesstillbroughtfromtheVegacriesofanger,wailsofsorrow.

ThenheappearedsuddenlyinIsabella.

DonDiegowouldhavearrestedhimandlaidhiminprisontoawaittheAdmiral"sreturn.Butwithsuddenness,thatwasoftruthnosuddenness,Margaritehadwithhimthreeoutoffourofourhidalgos,andmorethanthat,ourApostolicVicaroftheIndies!DonDiegomustbendaside,speakhimfair,remonstrate,notcommand.TheViceroyoftheIndiesandAdmiralofOcean-Sea?Deadprobably!——andwhatweretheseColombos?Italianwool-combers!ButherestoodhidalgosofSpain!——``Oldstory,""saidLuisTorres.

``Manytimes,manyplaces,manbeingoneinimperfection.""

AchoppyseahadfollowedMargarite"sreturn.Upanddown,toandfro,andonedayitmightseemMargaritewasincontrol,andthenext,DonDiego,butwithMargarite"swaveracingupbehind.ThenappearedthreeshipswithmenandsuppliesandDonBartholomew!MargaritesawDonDiegostrengthened.Hewasboldenough,Margarite!onadarknight,ateve,thereweresomanyshipsbeforeIsabellabutwhenmornbroketheywerefewerbytwo.MargariteandtheApostolicVicarandahundreddisaffectedweredepartedtheIndies!""HavetheygottentoSpain?Andwhatdotheysay?God,Heknoweth!——Therehavebeengreatmenandtheyhavebeenstungtodeath.""

``Ay,ay,theoldstory!""Isaid,andwouldlearnaboutthepacificationoftheIndians.

``Why,theyarenotpacified,""answeredLuis.``Worsefollowsworse.PedroMargaritelefttwobandsintheVega,andfromallIheartheyturneddevils.Itlookedlikepeaceitself,didn"tit,thisgreat,fair,newland,whenfirstwesteppeduponit,andraisedthebannerandthenthecross?

It"sthatnolonger.They"reup,theIndians,Caonaboandthreemaincaciques,andallthelesseronesunderthese.Inshort,weareatwar,""endedLuis.``AlonsodeOjedaatthemomentistheCid.HemaneuversnowintheVega.""

Ilookedaround.Weweresittingunderpalmtrees,bythemudwallofourtown.Beyondtheforestwavedinthewind,andsoftwhitecloudssailedoveritinaskyofessentialsapphire.``There"sanaspecthereofpeace!""

``ThatisbecauseGuacanagari,fromhisnewtown,holdshispeoplestill.ForthatIndianthescentofgodshiphasnotyetdeparted!HeseestheAdmiralalwaysasasilver-

hairedherobringingwarmthandlight.Heislikeadogforfidelity!——ButIsawthreeIndiansfromoutsidehiscountrycursehiminthenameofalltheothertribes,withakindofmagicalceremony.Isheright,orishewrong,JuanLepe?Orisheneithertheonenortheother,butSomethingmoveshimfromabove?""

``Haveyouneverseenagainthebutio,Guarin?

``No.""

Wesatandlookedattherichforest,andatthatstrange,rude,smalltowncalledIsabella,andattheblueharborwiththeships,andtheblue,blueseabeyond.Overus——whatisoverus?Somethingseemedtocomefromit,stealingdownthestairtous!

Thefourthdayafterhisreturn,DonFranciscodeLasCasas,DonJuanPoncedeLeon,andotherstoldtotheViceroy,lyinguponhisbedinhishouse,muchwhatLuisTorrestoldJuanLepe.``Sirs,""hesaid,whentheyhaddone,``hereismybrother,DonBartholomew,whowilltakeorder.Heisasmyself.ForChristopherusColumbus,heisill,andmustbeillawhile.""

ThesixthdaycameGuacanagari,andsatintheroomandtalkedsorrowfully.Caonabo,Gwarionex,Behechio,Cotubanama,said,``Weretheseorwerethesenotgods,yetwouldtheyfight!""

TheAdmiralsaid,``TheFutureisthegod.Butthereareburrsonhisskirt!""

Guacanagariatlastwoulddepart.Hestoodbesidethebedandthesilver-hairedgreatcaciquefromheaven.TheAdmiralputforthalean,knotted,powerfulhandandlaiditonthebrown,slim,untoiledhand.``Iwishpeace,""hesaid.``MybrotherBartholomewandIwilldowhatwecandotogainit.Goodpeace,truepeace!""

Withouttheroom,IaskedthecaciqueaboutGuarin.Hewasgone,hesaid,tothemountains.HewouldnotstaywithGuacanagari,andhewouldnotgotoCaonaboorGwarionex.``Alloldthingsandwaysarebroken,""saidGuacanagari.``Allourlifeisbroken.Idonotknowwhatwehavedone.Thewomensitandweep.AndI,too,sometimesIweep!""

TheseventhdaycameinAlonsodeOjedafromSt.

Thomas.

TheViceroyandtheAdelantadoandOjedatalkedalonetogetherintheViceroy"shouse.Butnextdaywasheldagreatcouncil,allourprincipalmenattending.Thereitwasdeterminedtocapture,ifpossible,Caonabo,withdrawinghimsofromtheconfederacy.Theconfederacymightthengotopieces.InthemeantimeuseeveryefforttodetachfromitGwarionexwhoafterGuacanagariwasournearestgreatcacique.Sendawell-guarded,placatingembassytohimandtoCotubanama.Trykindness,kindnesseverywhere,kindwordsandgooddeeds!——AndbuildanotherfortcalledFortConcepcion.

TakeCaonabo!ThatwasataskforAlonsodeOjeda!

Hedidit.Fivedaysafterthecouncil,theViceroybeingnowrecoveredandbringingstrengthtoworkthatneededstrength,theAdelantadovigorouslyhelping,Isabellainagoodmood,theimmediateforestallagoldandgreenpeacefulness,DonAlonsovanished,andwithhimfourteenpickedmen,allmounted.

Forsixweeksitwasasthoughhehaddroppedintothesea,orrisenintotheblueskyaboveeyesight.

ThenonaSundaybeandhisfourteenrodeintotown.

Wehadagreatchurchbellanditwasringing,loudly,sonorously.

Herodeinandatoncetherearoseashout,``DonAlonsodeOjeda!""Allhishorsemenrodewithhim,androdealsoonewhowasnotCastilian.Onagraysteedabare,bronzefigure——Caonabo!

Thechurchbellswung,thechurchbellrang.Ridingbeneaththesquattower,allourpeoplepouringforthfromourpoorhousesuponthereturnedandhiscaptive,thelatterhadeyes,itseemedtome,butforthatbell.A

curious,sardoniclookofrecognition,appraisal,relinquishment,satintheIndian"sface.FromwristtowristofCaonabowentabright,shortchain.Thesunglittereduponthebraceletsandthelinks.Idonotknow——therewasforamoment——somethinginthesoundofthebell,somethinginthegleamofthemanacles,thatsentoutfaintpityandhorrorandchokinglaughter.

AlltotheViceroy"shouse,andDonAlonsosittingwithChristopherusColumbus,andCaonabobroughttostandbeforethem.Indiansmakemuchofindifferentbehavior,tauntingcalm,whentaken.Itisapointofhonor,meetingdeathso,evenwhen,asoftenbefalls,theirdeathisaslowandhardone.Amongthemselves,intheirwars,itiseitherdeathorquickadoptionintothevictor"stribe.Theyhavenogaolsnorherdsofslaves.Caonaboexpecteddeath.Hestood,astrong,contemptuousfigure.ButtheViceroymeanttosendhimtoSpain——trophyandshow,andtobemade,ifitcouldbe,Christian.

CHAPTERXXXIII

ITdidnotendthewar.Forafortnightwethoughtthatithaddoneso.Thencameloudtidings.Caonabo"swife,Anacaona,hadputonthelioness.WithherwasCaonabo"sbrotherManicoatexandherownbrotherBehechio,caciqueofXaragua.Therewasanewconfederacy,Gwarionexagainwaswithit.OnlyGuacanagariremained.

DonAlonsomarched,andtheAdelantadomarched.

Atdawnonemorning,foursails.Weallpouredforthtowatchthemgrowbiggerandyetbigger.FourshipsfromCadiz,AntoniodeTorrescommanding,andwithhimcolonistsoftherightkind,mechanicsandhusbandmen.

Manyproposals,muchoforder,camewithTorres.TheAdmiralhadgraciouslettersfromtheQueen,letterssomewhatcoolerfromKingFerdinand,adry,dryletterfromFonseca.MoreoverTorresbroughtagenerallettertoallcolonistsinHispaniola.Themoralofwhichwas,TrustandObeytheViceroyoftheIndies,theAdmiraloftheOcean-Sea!

``Excellentgood!""saidLuisTorres.``DonPedroMargariteandtheApostolicVicarhadnotreachedCadizwhenDonAntoniosailed!""

TheAdmiraltalkedwithmethatnight.Goutagaincrippledhim.Helayhelpless,nowandtheninmuchpain.

IshouldgohomewithAntoniodeTorres,butIcannot!

``Youarenotveryfittogo.""

``Idonotmeanmybody.Mywillcoulddragthatonship.ButIcannotleaveHispaniolawhilegoesonformalwar.Butseeyou,Doctor,whatagreatthingtheirMajestiesplanfor,andwhatcourtesyandrespecttheyshowme!SeehowtheQueenwrites!""

Iknewthatitwasbalmandwinetohim,howshewrote.

ThematterinquestionwasnothingmoreorlessthananamicablegreatmeetingbetweenthetwosovereignsandtheKingofPortugal,thewisestsubjectsofbothattending.

AlinewastobedrawnfromtoptobottomofOcean-Sea,andPortugalmightdiscovertothecastofit,andSpaintothewest!TheHolyFatherwouldconfirm,andsothemightyspoilbejustlydivided.Everygreatgeographershouldcomeintocounsel.Thegreatestofthemall,theDiscoverer,surelyso!TheQueenurgedtheAdmiral"spresence.

Buthecouldnotgo.SenseofdutytohisViceroyshipheldhimaswithchains.ThenBartholomew?ButBartholomewwasgreatlyneededforthewar.HesentDonDiego,agentle,ablemanwholongedforacloisterandafewhundredmonks,fatherly,admirably,torule.

AntoniodeTorresstayedfewweeksinHispaniola.TheViceroyandAdmiralwouldhavehisletterintheroyalhands.Torrestookthatandtookgoldandstrangeplants,andalsosixhundredIndiancaptivestobesoldforslaves.

WarwentoninHispaniola,butnotforlong.Wehadhorsesandbloodhoundsandmeninarmor,trainedinthelongMoorishstrife.TherewasabattleintheVegathatendedasitmustend.

BehechioandAnacaonafledtothehighmountains.ManicoatexandGwarionexsuedforpeace.Itwasgranted,butagreattributewasimposed.NowallHaytimustgathergoldforSpain.

Nowbegan,alittleto-dayandalittleto-morrow,longwoeforHayti!ItwasthegeneralwayofourAge.ButourAgesinned.

TheyearwheeledtoOctober.JuanAguadocamewithfourcaravelstoIsabella,andhebroughtlettersofadifferenttenorfromthosethatTorresbrought.WeheardinthemthevoiceofMargariteandtheApostolicVicar.

ButnowtheAdmiralwaswellagain,theIndiansdefeated,Hispaniolabaskinginwhatweblithelycalledpeace.

Aguadocametoexamineandinterrogate.Hehadhisletters.

``Cavaliers,esquiresandothers,youaretogiveDonJuanAguadofaithandcredit.Heiswithyouonourparttolookinto——""

AguadolookedwithahostileeyetowardViceroyandAdelantado.Wherewasamalcontenthecamesecretlyifmightbe,ifnotopenly,toAguado.Whoeverhadagrudgecame;whoeverthoughthehadtrueinjury.EveryonewhodislikedItalians,fire-newnobles,seacaptainsdubbedAdmiralsandViceroyscame.Everyonewhohadbeenrestrainedfromgreed,lustandviolencecame.Thosewhoheldanhonestdoubtastosomeonepolicy,oract,questioned,foundtheirmeredoubtbecomeinAguado"sminddamningcertainty.AndsomanygoodSpaniardsdeadinwar,andsomanyofpestilence,andsuchthinness,melancholy,povertyinIsabella!Andwherewasthegold?AndwasthisrichAsiaofthespices,theelephants,thebeautifulthinclothsandthejewels?ThefriendsofChristopherusColumbushadtheirsayalso,butsuddenlytherearosealltheenemies.

``Whenhesailshome,Iwillsailwithhim!""saidtheAdmiral,``Mynameishurt,thetruthiswounded!""

InthethirdweekofAguado"svisit,aroseoutoffaroceanandrusheduponusoneofthoseimmensetempeststhatwecallhere``hurricane"".Notafewhadweseensince1492,butnonesogreat,soterribleasthisone.Eightshipsrodeintheharborandsixweresunk.Aguado"sfourcaravelsandtwoothers.Manyseamendrowned;somegotashorehalf-dead.

``HowwillIgetaway?ImusttoSpain!""criedAguado.

TheAdmiralsaid,``Thereisthe_Nina_.""

The_Nina_mustbemadeseaworthy,andintheendwebuiltasmallershipstillwhichwecalledthe_SantaCruz_.

Aguadowaited,fretting.ChristopherusColumbuskepttowardhimagreat,calmcourtesy.

ItwasatthismomentthatDonBartholomewfound,throughMiguelDiaz,theminesofHayna,thatwasagreatriverinaveryrichcountry.TheAdelantadobroughttoIsabellaoreinbaskets.PabloBelvis,ournewessayer,pronouncedittrueandmostrich.Broughtinsmallermeasuresweregoldengrains,knobsaslargeasfilberts,goldencollarsandarmringsfromtheIndiansofBonaowhereflowedtheHayna.

``Ophir!""saidtheAdmiral.``MayhapitisOphir!

ThenhavewepassedsomewheretheGulfofPersiaandTrapoban!""

Withthatgoldhesailed,heandAguadoandtwosmallcrowdedships.WithhimhecarriedCaonabo.ItwasearlyMarchin1496.

ButJuanLepestayedinHispaniola,greatlycommendedbytheAdmiraltotheAdelantado.Amanmightattachhimselftotheyoungeraswellastheelderofthesebrothers.

DonBartholomewhadgreatqualities.ButhehardlydreamedasdidChristopherusColumbus.Ilovedthelattermostforthat——forhisdreams.

Daysanddaysanddays!WesoughtforgoldintheHaynacountryandfoundafairamount.AndallHaytinow,eachIndiancaciqueandhiscountry,mustgatherforus._Must_,notmay.WebuiltthefortressofSanCristoval,andatlast,tobenearerthegoldthanwasIsabella,theAdelantadofoundedthecityofSanDomingo,atthemouthoftheOzema,intheXaraguacountry.SpaniardsinHispaniolanowlived,somanyinIsabella,somanyinSanDomingo,andgarrisonsinthefortsofSt.Thomas,Concepcion,andSanCristoval.

Weeks——months.July,andPedroAlonzoNinowiththreecaravelsfilledwithstrongnewmenandwithprovisions.

Howalwayswewelcomedtheseincomingshipsandthethrongtheybroughtthatstoodandlistenedandthoughtatfirst,aftertheseatossingandcrowding,thattheywerecometoheaven!AndPedroNinohadleftCadizinJune,threedaysafterthearrivalthereofthe_Nina_andthe_SantaCruz_.``June!Theyhadthenalongvoyage!""——

``Longenough!Theylookedlikeskeletons!IftheAdmiral"shaircouldgetwhiter,itwaswhiter.""

HehadlettersfortheAdelantadofromthegreatbrother,havingwaitedinCadizwhiletheywerewritten.

JuanLepehadlikewisealetter.``Iwasinthe_Nina_,DonJuandeAguadointheSantaCruz.Wemetatonceheadwindsthatcontinued.AtfirstImadeeast,butatlastofnecessitysomewhattothesouthward.WesawMarigalanteagainandGuadaloupe,andmakingforthislast,anchoredandwentashore,forthegreatreliefofall,andforwaterandprovision.HerewemetAmazons,wearingplumesandhandlingmightilytheirbowsandarrows.Afterthemcameahostofmen.Ourcannonandarquebusesputthemtoflightbutthreeofoursailorswerewounded.Certainprisonerswetookandboundupontheships.Inthevillagethatweenteredwefoundhoneyandwax.TheyareCannibals;

theyeatmen.Afterfourdayswesetsail,butmetagaintempestandheadwinds,checkingussothatforweekswebutcreptandcrawledoverocean.Atlastwemustgivesmalldolesofbreadandwater.Theregrewfamine,sicknessandmisery.Iandallmayendurethesewhengreatthingsareabout.Buttheyblameme.OGod,whowillsthattheUnknownbecometheKnown,IbetakemyselftoThycourt!Famineincreased.Therearethose,butIwillnotnamethem,whocriedthatwemustkilltheIndianswithusandeatthemthatwemightlive.Istoodandsaid,`LettheCannibalsstandwiththeCannibals!"

Butnomanbudged——Iwillnotwearythee,bestdoctor,withourwoes!AtlastSt.Vincentroseoutofsea,andwepresentlycametoCadiz.Manydieduponthevoyage,andamongthemCaonabo.IntheharborherewefindPedroAlonzoNinowhowillbearmyletters.

``InCadizIdiscoverbothfriendsandnotfriends.ThesovereignsareatBurgos,andthitherItravel.Myfortunesareatebb,yetwillthefloodcomeagain!""

Timepassed.Hispaniolaheardagainfromhimandagain.WhenshipsputforthfromCadiz-andnowshipspassedwithsufficientregularitybetweenSpaininEuropeandSpanishLandacrossOcean-Sea-hewrotebythem.

Hebelievedintheletter.Godonlyknowshowmanyhewroteinhislifetime!Itwaseasetohimtotellout,todreamvisibly,toarguehiscaseonfairpaper.Andthosewhocameintheshipshadstoriesabouthim-ElAlmirante!

Werehisfortunesatebb,orweretheystillinflood?

Theremightbemoreviewsherethanone.Someputinthathewasdonefor,othersclamoredthathewasyetmounting.

ButhewrotetotheAdelantadoandalsotoJuanLepethathesatbetweengoodandbadatcourt.TheQueenwaseverthegreatheadofthegood.WeknewfromhimthatPedroMargariteandFatherBuilandJuanAguadoalterednothingthere.Butelsewherenowtherewerewarmwinds,andnowbitingcold.Andwarmandcold,hecouldnotgetthewindsthatshouldfillhissails.Hebeggedforships——eighthenamed——thathemightnowfindforthesovereignsmainAsia——nottouchhereandthereuponCubashore,butfindtheDeepAll.Butforeverpromised,hewasforeverkeptfromtheships!Trueitwasthatthesovereignsandtheworldbesidewerebusyfolk!TherewereRoyalMarriagesandNaplestobereconqueredforitsking.

Weheardofconfirmationsofallhisdignitiesandhistithesofwealth.HewasofferedtobemadeMarquess,butthathewouldnothave.``TheAdmiral""wasbettertitle.ButhesuedforandobtainedentailuponhissonsandtheirsonsforeverofhisnobilityandhisgreatEstateintheWest.``Thus,""hewrote,``haveImadeyourfortunes,sonsandbrothers!ButtrulynotwithoutyouandyourloveandstrengtheningcouldIhavemadeaught!A

brotherindeedformylefthandandmyrighthand,andtobeckonmeon,twodearsons!""

CHAPTERXXXIV

TWOyears!ItwasMarch,1496,whenhesailedinthe_Nina_.Itwasthesummerof1498whenJuanLepewassentasphysicianwithtwoshipsputforthfromSanDomingobytheAdelantadouponarumorthatthePortuguesehadtrespassed,landingfromagreatcarrackuponGuadaloupe.FivedaysfromHispaniolawemetahurricanethatcarriedusoutofallreckoning.Whenstillnesscameagainwewerefarsouth.Noislandswereinsight;therewasonlytheseavastandblue.Thereseemedtobreathefromitastrangeness.Wewereawayandaway,saidourpilots,fromthecurve,likeabentbow,oftheIndianislands.Adayandanightwehunginadeadcalm.

Dawnbroke.``Sail,ho!Sail,ho!""

WethoughtthatitmightbethePortugueseandmadepreparation.Threeshipsliftedoverthebluerim.Therewasnowalightwind;itbroughtthemnearer,theybeingbettersailersthanthe_SantaCruz_andthe_SantaClara_.Wesawthebanner.``Castile!""andalesserone.``ElAlmirante!""

Nowwewereclosetogether.Themastershailed,Whatships?""——``FromHispaniola!""——``FromCadiz.TheAdmiralwithus!Comeaboard,yourcommander!""

ThatwasLuisMendez,andintheboatwithhimwentJuanLepe.Theshipswerethe_Esperanza_,the_SanSebastian_

andthe_SanMartin_,thefirstfairlylargeandwelldecked,theotherssmall.Theywholookedoversideandshoutedwelcomeseemedamedleyofgentleandsimple,mariners,husbandmen,fightingmenandhidalgos.