第13章

TheAdmiral!Hishairwasmilk-white,histall,broadframegauntasaJanuarywolf.Twoyearshadwritteninhisfacetwoyears"experience——fullywritten,forhewassensitivetoeverywindofexperience.``Excellency!""——

``JuanLepe,Iamasgladofyouasofabrother!——Andwhatdoyoudo,senors,here?""

LuisMendezrelated.``IthinkitfalsenewsaboutthePortuguese,""saidtheAdmiralandgavereasonswhy.``Thenshallwekeepwithyou,sir?""

``No,sinceyouaresentoutbymybrotherandmustgivehimaccount.Haveyouwatertospare?Wewilltakethatfromyou.Iamboundstillsouth.Iwillfindoutwhatisthere!""

FurthertalkdisclosedthathehadleftSpainwithsixships,butattheCanarieshadpartedhisfleetintwo,sendingthreeunderAlonzodeCaravajaluponthestraightcoursetoHispaniola,andhimselfwiththreesailingfirsttotheGreenCapeislands,andthencesouthwestintoanunknownsea.

Sodesolate,wideandblueitlookedwhenthenextdayweparted,——twoshipsnorthward,threesouthward!ButJuanLepestayedwiththe_Esperanza_andtheAdmiral.Aslongsince,betweenthe_SantaMaria_andthe_Pinta_,therehadbeenexchangeofphysicians,sonowagainwasexchangebetweenthe_SantaCruz_andthe_Esperanza_.

Daysofbluesea.The_Esperanza_carriedasomewhatfrankandfriendlycrewofmarinersandadventurers.Nowhewouldsailsouth,hesaid,untilhewasundertheEquator.

Daysofstarkblueocean.Thenoutoftheseatothesouthroseapointofland,becomingpresentlythreepoints,asitwerethreepeaks.TheAdmiralstared.Isawtheenthusiasmriseinhisface.``DidInotwriteandsaytotheSovereignsandtoRomethatintheNameoftheHolyTrinity,Iwouldnowagainseekoutandfind?There!

Lookyou!Itisasign!Trinidad——wewillnameitTrinidad.""

ThenextmorningwecametoTrinidad,andthepalmstroopedtothewateredge,andwesawsparklingstreams,andfromtheheightsabovetheseacurlsofsmokefromhiddenhuts.Wecoasted,seekinganchorage,andatlastcameintoaclear,smallharbor,andlanding,filledourwatercasks.Weknewthecountrywasinhabitedforwesawthesmokes,butnocanoescameaboutus,andthoughwemetwithfootprintsuponthesandthemenwhomadethemneverreturned.Weweighedanchorandsailedonalongthesoutherncoast,andnowtothesouthofus,acrossnotmanyleaguesofbluewater,wemadeoutalowshore.Itsendswerelostinhaze,butweesteemeditanisland,andhenameditHolyIsland.Itwasnotisland,asnowweknow;

butwedidnotknowitthen.Howdreamlikeisallourfinding,andhowhalfwayonlytogreattruths!Cubawethoughtwasthecontinent,andtheshorethatwascontinent,wecalled``island.""

NowwecametoalongsouthwardrunningtongueofTrinidad.PointArenal,henamedit.AcorrespondingtongueofthatlowHolyIslandreachedouttowardit,andbetweenthetwoflowedanazurestrait.Here,offPointArenal,thethreeshipsrestedatanchor,andnowtherecametousfromHolyIslandabigcanoe,filledwithIndians.

Astheycamenearthe_Esperanza_wesawthattheyweresomewhatlighterinhuethanthoseIndianstowhomwewereused.Moreovertheyworebright-coloredloincloths,andtwistsofwhiteorcoloredcottonabouttheirheads,likeslightturbans,andtheycarriednotonlybowsandarrowstowhichwewereused,butroundbucklerstowhichwewerenotused.Theylookedatusinamazement,buttheywerereadyforwar.

Weinvitedthemwitheverygestureofamity,holdingoutglassbeadsandhawkbells,buttheywouldnotcomeclosetous.Astheyhunguponthebluewateroutoftheshadowoftheship,theAdmiralwouldhaveourmusiciansbeginloudlytoplay.Butwhenthedrumsbegan,thefifeandthecastanets,thecanoestarted,quivered,thepaddlersdipped,itracedbacktothatshorewhenceitcame,thatshorethatwethoughtisland.

``LighterthanHaytiens!""exclaimedtheAdmiral.``I

havethoughtthataswenearedtheEquatorweshouldfindthemblack!

Afterwardsheexpandeduponthis.JaymeFerrerthinksasIthink,thatthenearerwecometotheEquatorthemorepreciousgrowallthings,themoregold,themorediamonds,rubiesandemeralds,themoreprodigalanddeliciousthespices!Thepeopleareburntblack,buttheygrowgentlerandmorewise,andunderthelinetheyaremakersofwhitemagic.Ihavenottoldyou,JuanLepe,butIholdthatnowwebegintocometowhereourMotherEarthherselfclimbs,andclimbsauspiciously!""

``Thatwecometogreatmountains?""

``No,notthat,thoughtheremaybegreatmountains.ButIhavethoughtitout,andnowIholdthattheearthisnotanorb,butisshaped,asitwere,likeapear.Itwouldtakeanhourtogiveyouallthereasonsthatdecideme!ButIholdthatfromhereaboutsitmountsfairerandfairer,untilundertheline,aboutwherewouldbethestemofthepear,wecometotheancientEarthlyParadise,theoldGardenofEden!""

Ilookedtothesouthward.Certainlythereisnowherewherethereisnotsomething!

Hegazedoverthetrulyazureandbeauteoussea,andtheairblewsoftandcooluponourforeheads,andthefragrancewhichcametousfromlandseemednew.``Wouldyounotlookforthehalcyons?Trinidad!HolyIsland!

Weapproach,Ihold,theHolyMountainoftheWorld.

Andharktome,JuanLepe,makevowthatifitbepermittedIwillfoundthereanabbeywhenceshallariseperpetualorisonforthesoulsofourfirstparents!""

Wefoundthatnightthattheshipsswung,caughtinacurrentissuingfromthestraitbeforeus.Inthemorningwemadesailandpreparedtopassthroughthisnarrowwaybetweenthetwolands,seeingopenwaterbeyond.WesucceededbygreatskillandwithProvidenceoverus,forwemetasitwereanunderwallofwaterridgedatopwithstrongwaves.Theshipsweretossedasbyatempest,yetwastheairserene,theskyblue.WecamehardlythroughandafterwardscalledthatstraitMouthoftheSerpent.

Nowwewereinagreatbayorgulf,andstilltheseashookusanddroveus.Calmabove,around,butunderneathanagitationofwaters,strongcurrentsandboilings.Amongourmarinersmanytookfright.``Whatisit?Aretherewitches?Weareinacauldron!""

ChristopherusColumbushimselftookthehelmofthe_Esperanza_.ManyamaninthesetimeschosetodoubtwhatkindofViceroyhemade,butnomanwhoeversailedwithhimbutatlastsaid,``ChildofNeptune,andthegreatestseamanwehave!""

Weoutrodedangerandcameunderlandtoaquietanchorage,the_SanSebastian_andthe_SanMartin_followingusasthechickensthehen.Stillbeforeuswesawthatcurrentridgethesea.TheAdmiralstoodgazinguponthesouthwardshorethathunginadazzlinghaze.Nowwethoughtwater,nowwethoughtland.Hecalledtoashipboyandtheladpresentlybroughthimapannikinofwaterdippedfromthesea.TheAdmiraltasted.``Fresh!Itisalmostfresh!""

Hestoodwithakindlingface.``Ariverrunsintoseafromthisland!Surelythemightiestthatmaybe,rushingforthlikeadragonandfightingallthesaltwater!Sogreatarivercouldnotcomefromanisland,no,notifitweretwiceaslargeasHispaniola!Sucharivercomesdownwardwithforcehundredsofleaguesandgatherschildrentoitselfasitcomes.Itisnotanislandyonder;itisagreatmain!""

WecalledthegulfwhereweweretheGulfoftheWhale.

Trinidadstoodontheonehand,theunknowncontinentontheother.Afterrestinmilkywater,wesetsailtocrossthewidthoftheWhale,andfoundglass-greenandshakenwater,butneversopiledanddangerousasattheMouthoftheSerpent.Sowecametothatlandthatmustbe——weknewnotwhat!Ithunglow,ingoldsunlight.Wesawnomountains,butitwascoveredwiththemightiestforest.

Anchoringinsmoothwater,wetookoutboatsandwentashore,andweraisedacross.``AsinAdamwealldie,soinChristwebealive!""saidtheAdmiral,andthen,``Whatgrandeurisinthisforest!""

Intruthwefoundtreesthatwehadnotfoundinourislands,andofanunbelievableheightandgirth.Upontheboughssatparrots,andwewereusedtothem,butwewerenotusedtomonkeyswhichnowappeared,toourmariners"

delight.Wemetfootprintsofsomegreatanimal,andpresently,beingbesideastream,wemadeoutuponamudbankthosecrocodilesthattheIndianscall``cayman.""AndneverhaveIseensomanyandsuchsplendidbutterflies.Allthisforestseemedtousofavastness,astheriverswerevast.

Thereranginourears``New!New!""

AndatlastcameanIndiancanoe——two——three,filledwithlight-hued,hardlymorethantawny,folk,withclothofcottonabouttheirmiddlesandtwistedaroundtheirheads,withbowsandarrowsandthosenewbucklers.Butseeingthatwedidnotwishtofight,theydidnotwishtofighteither;

andtherewasalltheoldamaze.

Gods——gods——gods!WesoughttheEarthlyParadise,andtheythoughtwecametherefrom.

Paria.WemadeoutthattheycalledtheircountryParia.

Theyhadintheircanoesabreadlikecassava,butmoredelicate,wethought,andincalabashesalmostatruewine.

Wegavethemtoys,andastheyalwayspointedwestwardandseemedtosignifythattherewas_the_land,wereturnedaftertwohourstotheshipsandsetourselvestofollowthecoast.Twoorthreeofthispeoplewouldgowiththegods.

Wecametothatrivermouththattroubledallthissea.

WhatshallIsaybutthatitwasitselfasea,agreensea,afreshsea?Wecrosseditwithlonglabor.ThemenofPariamadeusunderstandthattheirseasonofrainwaslatelyover,andthateverafterthatwasmoreriver.Whencediditcome?Theyspokeatlengthand,ChristopherusColumbuswascertain,ofsomeheavenlycountry.

Thedawncameupsweetandred.Thecountrybeforeushadhillsandwemadeoutclearingsinthemonsterforest,andnowthebluewaterwasthrongedwithcanoes.Weanchored;theyshotouttousfearlessly.TheJamaicacanoeislargerandbetterthantheHaytien,butthoseofthislandsurpasstheJamaican.Theyarelongandwideandhaveinthemiddlealightcabin.Therowerschantastheyliftanddiptheirbroadoars.Ifweweregodstothem,yettheyseemedgayandfearlessofthegods.IthoughtwiththeAdmiralthattheymusthavetraditionorrumor,offolkhigheruponthemountofenlightenmentthanthemselves.

Perhapsnowandagaintherewascontact.Atanyrate,wedidnotmeetherethestupefactionandtheprostrationsofourfirstislands.Wehadagainnocommontongue,buttheyprovedmastersofgesture.Goldwasuponthem,andthatinsomeamount,andwhatwasextraordinary,oftenenoughinwell-wroughtshapesofornament.AseamanbroughttotheAdmiralagoldenfrog,well-made,piercedforaredcottonstring,wornsoaboutacopper-

coloredneck.Hehadtradedforitthreehawkbells.TheAdmiral"sfaceglowed.``Ithasbeenwroughtbythosewhoknowhowtoworkinmetals!Tubal-cain!""

Moreover,nowwefoundpearls.Therecametoussingingagreatcanoeandinitaplumedcaciquewithhiswifeanddaughters.Allworetwistsofpearlsaroundthroatandarms.Theygavethemfreelyforred,blueandgreenbeads,whichtothemwereindeedrubies,sapphiresandemeralds——Whencecamethepearls?Itseemedfromthecoastbeyondandwithoutthisgulf.Whencethegold?ItseemedfromhighmountainsfarbehindthecountryofParia.Itwasdangerousin:theextremetogothere!

``Becauseofthelightwhichrepelsalldarkness!""saidtheAdmiral.``Whenwegothere,itmustbegentlyandhumblylikeshrivenmen.""

ItwasAugust.HeknewthatDonBartholomewinHispaniolacravedhisreturn.Thethreeships,too,wereweatherworn,withseamsthatthreatenedgaping.Andasforouradventurersandthehusbandmenandcraftsmen,theyweremostwearyofthesea.Themarinerswereusedtoit,theAdmiralhadlover"spassionforit,butnotthey!

Herebeforeus,truly,loomedapromisinggreatland,butitwasnotourport;ourportwasSanDomingo!There,thereinHispaniola,wereoldCastilians.inplentytogreetandshow.Thereweretheminesthatwereactuallyworking,goldtopickup,andIndianstrainedtobringittoyou!

There,fortheenterprisingandthelucky,weregiftsofland,toeachhis_repartimentio_!Therewascompanionship,therewasfortune,therewasease!Othersweregetting,whilewerodebeforealandweweretoofewtooccupy.TheywentincompanytotheAdmiral.Wehaddiscovered.NowletusgoontoHispaniola!Theships——ourhealth.

Whenitcametohealthitwashewhohadmosttoendure.

Thegoutpossessedhimoften.Hisbrowknottedwithpain;hisvoice,bynaturemeasuredanddeep,arollingmusic,becamesharpanddry.Hemovedwithdifficulty,nowandthenmuststayinbed,orifondeckinagreatchairwhichwelashedtothemast.Butnowatroubleseizedhiseyes.Theygavehimgreatpain;attimeshecouldbarelysee.Bathethemwithasoothingmedicine,restthem.

Butwhenhadherestedthem,strainingovertheoceansincehewasaboy?Hewasamangreatlypatientunderadversity,whetherofthebodyorofthebody"scircumstance,butthistroublewiththeeyesshookhim.``IfI

becomeblind——andallthat"syettodoandfind!BlessedMotherofGod,letnotthathappentome!""

IthoughtthatheshouldgotoHispaniola,whereintheAdelantado"shouseinSanDomingohemightsubmittobandaging,lightandseashutout.

Atlast,``Well,well,wewillturn!Butfirstwemustleavethisgulfandtryitoutforsomedistancewestward!""

Weleftthiswaterbyawayasnarrowastheenteringstrait,asnarrowandpresentingthelikeroughconfusionofwaters,wallagainstwall.WecalledittheMouthoftheDragon.MouthoftheDragon,MouthoftheSerpent,andbetweenthemtheGulfoftheWhaleorofParia.Nowwasopensea,andsouthofusranstillthatcoastthathewouldhavemounttotheEquatorandtothatold,firstGardenLandwhereallthingsyetwerefairandprecious!

``Icannotstaynow,butIwillcomeagain!Iwillfindthemightylastthings!""Hiseyesgavehimgreatpain.

Hecoveredthem,thendroppedhishandsandlooked,thenmustagaincover.

Astrangething!Wewerebornewestwardeveruponavastcurrentofthesea,takingusdayandnight,sothatthoughthewindswerelightwewentasthougheverysailwaswhollyfilled.

ChristopherusColumbustalkedoftheseriversinocean.

``Adaywillcomewhentheywillbecorrectlymarked.Aye,inthemapsofourdescendants!Thenshipswillsay,`Nowhereistheriversoandso,"asto-daythehorsemansays,`HereistheTagus,ortheGuadalquiver!"""

Anotherthinghesaidwasthattohismindalltheislandsthatwehadfoundinsixyears,fromSanSalvadortoCubagua,hadoncebeenjoinedtogether.LandfromthisshoretoCubaandbeyond.Sothepeopleswerescattered.

Hetalkedtousmuchuponthisvoyageofthegreatearthandtheshapeofit,anditsdestinies;ofthestars,theneedle,theGreatCircleandthelesserones,andtheOcean.Hehadourtime"slearning,gainedthroughGodknowshowmanynightsofbookbycandle!Andhehadamindthattookeagleflightswithspreadofeaglewings,andinmanywayshehadtheeagle"seye.

ItwasnotCipangoandCathaythatnowhetalkedof,butofthisgreatland-massbeforeuswhichhewouldhaverisetoEquatorandallWonder.Andhetalkedalsoofsomewaterpassage,somestraitlyingtothewestward,bywhichwemightsailbetweenlandsandislandstothefurtherIndianOcean,andsoacrosstotheSeaofAraby,andthenaroundAfricabyGoodHopeandthennorthward,northward,toSpain,comingintoCadizwithbanners,havingsailedaroundtheworld!

Hetalked,andallthetimehispainatehim,andhemustcovereyestokeepthesword-lightout.

InmiddleAugustweturnednorthwardfromourNewLand,andafortnightlaterwecametoSanDomingo,thatChristopherusColumbushadneverseen,thoughtousinHispaniolaitwasanoldtown,havingbeenbuildedabovetwoyears.

TheViceroyandtheAdelantadoclaspedhands,embraced;

tearsrandowntheirbronzedcheeks.

Notlaterthanadayafterouranchoring,theshipsbeingunladed,allSanDomingocomingandgoing,trumpetsblewandgatheredalltoouropenplacebeforetheViceroy"shouse.Proclamation——ViceregalProclamation!First,thankstoGodforsafereturn,andsecond,heartyapprovaloftheAdelantado,allhisActsandMeasures.

ThereweretwopartiesinSanDomingo,andonenowechoedinashoutapprovaloftheAdelantado,andtheothermadehereadeadsilence,andhereacounter-murmur.I

heardamansay,``Foolpraisesfool!Villainbrotherupholdingvillainbrother!""

NowIdonotthinktheAdelantado"severyactwaswise,northeViceroy"seither,forthatmatter.Buttheywerefar,far,thosebrothers,fromfoolandvillain!

TheProclamationarrivedatlongthundersagainstFranciscoRoldanhissedition.Hereagaintheplacedividedasbefore.Roldan,IhaditfromLuisTorres,wasinXaragua,safeandarrogant,harkingonIndianwar,underminingeverywhere.OurlineoffortsheldfortheAdelantado,butthetwoorthreehundredSpaniardsleftinIsabellawereopenlyRoldan"smen.TheViceroy,throughthevoiceofMigueltheHerald,recited,denouncedandwarned,thenleftFranciscoRoldanandwithsuddennessmadestatementthatwithinafewdaysfiveshipswouldsailforSpain,andthatallSpaniardswhomsoever,whoforreasonswhatsoeverdesiredHome,hadhisconsenttogo!Consent,FreePassage,andNoQuestioning!

Whereattheplacebuzzedloudly,andonesawthatmanywouldgo.

Manydidgoupontheshipsthatsailednotinafewdaysbutafewweeks.Somewentforgoodreasons,butmanyforill.JuanLepeheardafarandaheadoftimethegreattideoftalkwhentheyshouldarriveinSpain!AndthoughmanywentwhowishedtheAdmiralill,manystayed,andforeverRoldanmadeforhimmoreenemies,openorsecret.

Hesent,itistrue,uponthoseshipsfriendstopleadhiscause.DonFranciscodeLasCasaswenttoSpainandotherswent.Andhesentletters.JuanLepe,muchinhishouse,tendinghimwhoneededthephysicianLong-RestandEase-of-Mind,heardtheselettersread.TherewasonetotheSovereignsinwhichberelatedwithsimpleeloquencethatdiscoverytotheSouth,andhisassurancethathehadtouchedthefootoftheMountofalltheWorld.

Withthisletterhesentahundredpearls,thegoldenfrogandothergold.AgainhetookpaperandwroteoftheattitudeofallthingsinHispaniola,ofRoldanandevilmen,oftheAdelantado"svigilance,justiceandmercy,ofnaturaldifficultiesandtheneedtowaitontime,oftheIndians.Hebeggedthattherebesenthimamplesuppliesandgoodmen,andwithalfriarsfortheIndiansalvation,andsomelearned,wiseandablelawyerandjudge,muchneededtogivethelawuponathousandcomplaintsbroughtbychildishandfactiousmen.AndiftheSovereignssawfittosendoutsomejustandloftymindtotakeevidencefromallastotheirservantChristopherusColumbus"sdeedsandpublicactsandcareoftheirMajesties"NewLandsandallthesoulstherein,suchanonewouldbewelcomedbytheirGraces"trueservant.

Sohehimselfaskedforacommissioner——butheneverthoughtofsuchanoneasFranciscodeBobadilla!

Sotheshipssailed.Timepassed.

CHAPTERXXXV

UPanddownwentthegreatRoldanscission.UpanddownwentIndianrevolt,repression,freshrevolt,freshrepression.Onflowedtime.Shipscamein,onebearingDonDiego;shipswentout.Timepassed.

AlonsodeOjeda,whobynowwasnomorethanhalfhisfriend,returnedtoSpainandthereproposedtotheSovereignsavoyageofhisowntothatSouthernContinentthatneverhadtheAdmiralchancetoreturnto!TheSovereignsnowweregivingsuchconsenttothisoneandtothatone,breakingtheirpactwithChristopherusColumbus.Inourworlditwasnowimpossiblethatthatpactshouldbeletter-kept,buttheGenoesedidnotseeitso.OjedasailedfromCadizforPariawithfourshipsandaconcourseofadventurers.WithhimwentthepilotJuandelaCosa,andageographerofFlorence,MesserAmerigoVespucci.

ItcametousinHispaniolathatOjedawasgone.NowIsawtheAdmiral"sheartbegintobreak.YetOjedainhisvoyagedidnotfindtheEarthlyParadise,onlywentalongthatcoastaswehaddone,gatheredpearls,andreturned.

Timepassed.OtherwildandrestlessadventurersbesideRoldanbrokeintoinsurrectionslessthanRoldan"s.TheViceroyhangedMoxicaandsevenwithhim,andthrewintoprisonGuevaraandRequelme.Roldan,havinghadhislongfling——toopowerfulstilltohangortochaininsomeoneofourforts——Roldanwroteandreceivedpermission,andcametoSanDomingo,andwasreconciled.

Suddenly,afterlongtimeofturmoil,wildadventureanduncertainty,peacedescended.OverallHispaniolatheIndianssubmitted.Henceforththeywereoursubjects;letussayourvictimsandourslaves!QuarrelsbetweenCastiliansdiedovernight.Miraculouslytheskycleared.Miraculously,orperhapsbecauseoflong,patientsteeringthroughstorm.Forthreemonthswelivedwithanappearanceofblossomingandprospering.Itseemedthatitmightbecomeapeaceful,evenahappyisland.

TheViceroygrewyounger,theAdelantadogrewyounger,andDonDiego,andwiththemthosewhoheldbythemthroughthickandthin.TheAdmiralbegantotalkDiscovery.

Itwastwoyearssincethere,fartothesouth,wehadpassedinbytheMouthoftheSerpent,andoutbytheMouthoftheDragon.

TheViceroy,inspectingthenowquietVega,rodetoanIndianvillage,nearConcepcion.Hehadtwentybehindhim,well-armed,butarmswerenotneeded.Thepeoplecameabouthimwithaneagerness,adocility.Theytoldtheirstories.Hesathishorseandlistenedwithabenignantface.Certainharshnessesintimesandamountsoftheirtributeheredressed.Forever,whenpersonalappealcametohim,heprovedmagnanimous,oftentender,fatherlyandbrotherly.Atadistancehecouldbesevere.ButwhenI

thinkofthecrueltiesandhigh-handednessofothershere,theAdelantadoandtheViceroyshinemildly.

WerodebacktoConcepcion.Irememberthejewel-likeairthatday,theflowers,thetrees,thesky.Palmsrustledaboveus,thebrilliantsmalllizardsdartedaroundsilvertrunks.``Thefairestday!""quoththeAdmiral.``Easeatheart!Ifeeleaseatheart.""

Thisnight,asIsatbesidehim,wilinghimtosleep,forhealwayshadtroublesleeping——amostwakefulman!——

hetalkedtomeabouttheQueen.Towardthisgreatwomanheevershowedveneration,piety,andknightlyregard.OfallinSpainsheitwaswhobestunderstoodandsharedthatreligiouspartinhimthatbreathedupward,inspired,longedandstrainedtowardworldstrulynotontheearthlymap.

She,likehim——orsotookleavetothinkJuanLepe——receivedattimestoodocilelywordofauthority,orthatwhichtheyreckonedtobeauthority.PrincesoftheChurchcouldbringhertogoagainstherpurerthought.Theworldasitis,dingingever,``Soimportantiswealth——soimportantisherald-nobility——soimportantisfather-careintheserespectsforsons!""couldmakehimtakeatortuousandcomplicatedway,couldmakehimbowandcap,couldmakehimrulewithanearforworld"sadvicewhenheshouldhavehadonlyhisbookandhisshipandhisdreamandacheeringcry``Onward!""OrsothinksJuanLepe.ButJuanLepeandallwaitonfulllight.

Hetalkedofhergreatnature,andhergoodnesstohim.

OfhowsheunderstoodwhentheKingwouldnot.Ofhowshewouldneverlistentohisenemies,orattheworstnotlistenlong.

HeturneduponhisbedinthewarmIndiannight.I

askedhimifIshouldreadtohimbuthesaid,notyet.Hehadtalkedsincethedaysofhisfirstseekingwithmanyagreatlord,aye,andgreatlady.ButtheQueenwastheoneofthemallwhounderstoodbesthowtotrustaman!

Differencesinmindarosewithinusall,andfewcouldfindthefirmsoulbehindallthat!Shecould,andshewasgreatbecauseshecould.Helovedtotalkwithher.Herfacelightedwhenhecamein.Whenotherswerebyshesaid``DonCristoval"",or``ElAlmirante"",butwithhimselfaloneshestillsaid``MasterChristopherus""asintheolddays.

Atlasthesaid,``Now,letusread.""EachtimehecamefromSpaintoHispaniolahebroughtbooks.Andwhenshipscameintherewouldbeapacketforhim.Ireadtohimnowfromanoldpoet,printedinVenice.Helistened,thenatlastheslept.Iputoutthecandle,steppedsoftlyforthpastGonsalvohisservant,lyingwithoutdoor.

Anhourafterdawnasmallcavalcadeappearedbeforethefort.AtfirstwethoughtitwastheAdelantadofromXaragua.Butno!itwasAlonzodeCarvajalwithnewsandaletterfromSanDomingo,andintheverystatementranathrillingsomethingthatsaid,``Hark,now!IamFortunethatturnsthewheel.""

Carvajalsaid,``senor,Ihavenewsandaletterforyourearandeyealone!""

``FrommybrotheratSanDomingo?""

``Aye,andfromanother,""saidCarvajal.``Twoshipshavecomein.""

WiththattheAdmiralandhewentintoCommandant"shouse.

ThemenatConcepcionmadeCarvajal"smenwelcome.

``Andwhatisit?""``Andwhatisit?""Theyhadtheirordersevidently,butmuchwineleakedoutofthecask.IfonewishedtheViceroyandhisbrothersill,itwasfoundtobeheadywine;iftheotherwayround,itseemedthin,chillyandbitter.HereatConcepcionwereAdmiral"sfriends.

Afteranhourhecameagainamongus,behindhimCarvajal.

Now,thisman,ChristopherusColumbus,alwaysappearedmosthighlyandnoblyMan,mosteverlastinganduniversal,ingreatpersonaltroubleanddanger.Itwas,Ihold,becausenothingwastohimsmallypersonal,butalwayspertainedtogreatmasses,toworldsandtoages.Now,lookingathim,Iknewthattroubleanddangerhadarrived.Hesaidverylittle.IfIremember,itwas,``Myfriends,theSovereignswhomwetrustandobey,havesentaCommissioner,DonFranciscodeBobadilla,whomwemustgomeet.WeridefromConcepcionatoncetoBonao.""

Werode,hiscompanyandCarvajal"scompany.

DonFranciscodeBobadilla!JaymedeMarchenahadsomeassociationhere.Itdisentangleditself,cameatlastclear.ACommanderoftheOrderofCalatrava——abouttheKinginsomecapacity——ableandhonest,mensaid.

Ableandhonest,JaymedeMarchenahadheardsaid,butalsoapassionateman,andavindictive,andwithvanityenoughforalegionofpeacocks.

WecametoBonaoandrestedhere.IhadawordthatnightfromtheAdmiral.``Doctor,Doctor,amanmustoutlookstorm!Hegrewmanbythat.""

IaskedifImightknowwhatwasthematter.

Heanswered,``Idonotknowmyself.DonDiegosaysthatgreatpowershavebeengrantedDonFranciscodeBobadilla.Ihavenotseenthosepowers.ButhehasdemandedinthenameoftheSovereignsourprisoners,ourshipsandtownsandforts,andhascitedustoappearbeforehimandanswercharges——ofIknownotwhat!Iwellthinkitisavoicewithouttruemindorpowerbehindit——

IgotoSanDomingo,butnotjustathiscitation!""

Later,inthemoonlight,oneofourmentoldmethatwhichamanofCarvajalhadtoldhim.AlltheAdmiral"senemies,andnoneeversaidtheywerefew,hadthisfire-newcommissioner"sear!Afriendcouldnotgetwithinhail.

Justorunjust,everycomplaintcameandsquattedinaringaroundhim.Maybesomewerejust——suchassoldiersnotbeingabletogettheirpay,forinstance.Therewasneverbutonewholivedwithoutspotorblemish.ButofcourseweknewthattheoldAdmiralwasn"treallyatyrant,cruelandafool!Ofcoursenot.Carvajal"smanwaspreparedtofightanymanofhisownclasswhowouldsaythattohisface!He"dfight,too,fortheAdelantado.DonFranciscodeBobadillahadnosoonerlandedthanhebegantotalkandactasthoughtheywereallvillains.DonDiego——whomitwaslaughabletocallavillain——andall.Hewenttomassatonce——DonFranciscodeBobadilla——andwhenitwasoverandallwereoutandallSanDomingothereinthesquare,hehadhislettersloudlyread.Trueenough!HeisGovernor,andeverybodyelsemustobeyhim!_EventheAdmiral!_

AtdawnJuanLepewalkedandthought.AndthenhesawcomingtheFranciscan,JuandeTrasienaandFranciscoVelasqueztheTreasurer.ThatwhichJuandeTrasienaandFranciscoVelasquezbroughtwereattestedcopiesoftheroyalletters.

Isawthem.``WhereforewehavenamedDonFranciscodeBobadillaGovernoroftheseislandsandofthemainland,andwecommandyou,cavaliersandallpersonswhatever,togivehimthatobediencewhichyoudoowetous.""

Andtohim,thenewGovernor:``Whomsoeveryoufindguilty,arresttheirpersonsandtakeovertheirgoods.""And,``Ifyoufindittoourservicethatanycavaliersorotherpersonswhoareatpresentintheseislandsshouldleavethem,andthattheyshouldcomeandpresentthemselvesbeforeus,youmaycommanditinournamesandobligeit.""And,``Whomsoeveryouthuscommand,weherebyorderthatimmediatelytheyobeyasthoughitwereourselves.""

``Andifthusandthusisfoundtobethecase,thesaidAdmiraloftheOcean-Seashallgiveintoyourhands,ships,fortresses,arms,housesandtreasure,andheshallhimselfbeobedienttoyourcommand.""

TheAdmiralsaid,``Ifitbefoundthusandthus!Buthowshallhefindit,seeingthatitisnotso?""

WerodetoSanDomingo,butnotmanyrode.Hewouldnothavemany.``Noshowofforce,nogaudofoffice!""

Herodeunarmored,onhisgrayhorse.Thebannerthatwasalwaysbornewithhim——``Yea,carryitstill,untilhedemandsit!""

Wewereabaredozen,butwhenweenteredSanDomingoonemightthinkthatDonFranciscodeBobadillafearedanarmy,forhehadallhissoldiersdrawnuptogreetus!

Therestofthepopulationwereincoigns,gazing.Wesawfriends——JuanPoncedeLeonandothers——buttheywerehelpless.Forallthepeopleinit,theplaceseemedtomedeadquiet,hot,sunny,deadquiet.

TheAdmiralrodetothesquare.Herewashishouse,andtheroyalbanneroverit.Hedismountedandspoketomenbeforethedoor.``TellDonFranciscodeBobadillathatDonCristovalColonishere.""

Therecameanofficerwithasword,behindhimadozenmen.``Senor,inthenameoftheSovereigns,Iarrestyou!""

ChristopherusColumbusgazeduponhim.``Forwhat,senor?""

Theother,anarrogant,ill-temperedman,answeredloudlysothatallaroundcouldhear,``Forill-servicetoourlordtheKingandQueen,andtotheirsubjectshereintheIndies,andtoGod!""

``Godknows,youhurtthetruth!""saidtheAdmiral.

``Whereismybrother,DonDiego?""

``LaidbytheheelsintheSantaCatarina,""answeredthegracelessman;thentooneofthesoldiers,``Takethebannerfrombehindhimandrestitagainstthewall.""

TheAdmiralsaid,``IwouldseeDonFranciscodeBobadilla.""

``Thatisashedesiresandwhenhedesires,""theotherreplied.``Closearoundhim,men!""

ThefortressofSanDomingoisagloomyplace.Theyprisonedhimhere,andtheyputironsuponhim.Isawthatdone.Oneortwoofhisimmediatefollowing,andI

hisphysicianmightenterwithhim.

Hestoodinthedismalplacewhereonerayoflightcamedownfromahigh,small,gratedwindow,andhelookedatthechainswhichtheybrought.Heasked,``Whowillputthemon?""

Helookedatthechainsandatthesoldierwhobroughtthem.``Putthemon,man!""hesaid.``What!OncethoudidstnailGod"sfoottoacross!Asforme,IwillrememberthatOnewhosavedall,andbepatient.""

Theychainedhimandlefthimthereinthedark.

Isawhimthenextday,enteringwithhisgaoler.Hadheslept?""Yes.""``Howdidhefindhimself?""

``Howdoesmybodyfinditself?Why,noworsethanusual,nowadaysthatIamgettingold!Mybodyhasbeenunhappierathousandtimesinstormandfight,andthirstandfamine.""

``Thenmindandsoul?""Iasked.

``Theyarewell.Thereisnothingleftforthembuttofeelwell.IaminthehandofGod.""

IdidwhatserviceforhimIcould.Hethankedme.

``You"vebeeneverastenderasawoman.Abravemanbesides!Ihopeyou"llbebyme,JuanLepe,whenIdie.""

``Whenyoudie,senor,therewilldieagreatservantoftheworld.""

IspokesobecauseIknewthecordialthathewanted.

Hiseyesbrightened,strengthcameintohisvoice.``DoyouknowaughtofmybrothertheAdelantado?""

``No.HemaybeonhiswayfromXaragua.Whatwouldyouwishhimtodo,sir?""

``ComequietlytoSanDomingoasIcame.ThisGovernorisbutaviolent,pettyshape!ButIhavesworntoobeytheQueenandtheKingoftheSpains.Iandminetoobey.""