第14章

IaskedhimifhebelievedthattheSovereignsknewthisoutrage.IcouldbelieveithardlyofKingFerdinand,notatalloftheQueen.

AgainIfeltthatthiswascordialtohim.Ihadspokenoutofmyconviction,andheknewit.``No,""hesaid.``I

donotbelieveit.IwillneverbelieveitoftheQueen!

Lookyou!Ihavethoughtitoutinthenight.Thenightisgoodforthinkingout.YouwouldnotbelievehowmanyenemiesIhaveinSpain.MargariteandFatherBuilarebuttwoofacrowd.Fonseca,whoshouldgivemeallaid,givesmeallhindrance.Ihavethrongsoffoes;menwhoenvyme;menwhothoughtImightgivethemthegoldensun,andIcouldnot;hidalgoswhoholdthatGodmadethemtoenjoy,standingonothermen"sshoulders,eatingthegrapesandthrowingdowntheemptyskins,andImadethemtolaborliketheothers;andnotinHeavenorHellwilltheyforgiveme!Andothers——andothers.TheyhaveturnedtheKingalittletheirway.Iknewthat,ereIwenttofindthatgreatnewlandwherearepearls,thatslopesupwardbylittlestotheHeightoftheWorldandtheEarthlyParadise.TurnedtheKing,butnottheQueen.ButnowImakeittheyhaveworkeduponher.ImakeitthatshedoesnotknowthecharacterofDonFranciscodeBoba-

dilla.Imakeitthat,holdinghimtobefarwiserthanheis,shewiththeKinggavehimgreatpowerascommissioner.

Imakeitthattheygavehimlettersofauthority,andalastletter,supersedingtheViceroy,naminghimGovernorwhomallmustobey.Imakeitthathewasonlytousethisifafterlongexaminationitwasfoundbyawise,justmanthatIhaddoneaftermyenemies"hopes.ImakeitthathereacrossOcean-Sea,far,farfromSpain,hechosenottowait.Hecluckedtohimallthedisaffectedandflewwithastrongbeakattheeyesofmyfriends.""Hemovedhisarmsandhischainsclanked.``ImakeitthatthisseverityisDonFranciscodeBobadilla"s,notKingFerdinand"s,not——oh,morethannot——thegoodQueen"s!""

JuanLepethoughtthathehadmadeouttheprobabilities,probablythecertainties.

``IfImaywintoSpain!""heended.``Itallhingesonthat!IfImayseetheSovereigns——ifImayseethegoodQueen!IhopetoGodhewillsoonchainmeinashipandsendme!""

HadheseenDonFranciscodeBobadilla?

No,hehadnotseenDonFranciscodeBobadilla.HethoughtthatonthewholethatHidalgoandCommanderofCalatravawasafraid.

OutsideofthefortressthatafternoonJuanLepekeptcompanywithonewhohadcomewiththefire-newGovernor,agrim,quietfellownamedPedroLopez.HeandLuisTorresbadbeenneighborsinSpain;itwasLuiswhobroughtustogether.IgavehimsomewineinDoctorJuanLepe"ssmallroomandhetoldreadilythechargesagainsttheViceroythatBobadilla,seizing,madeintoasheaf.

AlreadyIknewwhattheywere.Ihadheardthem.Oneortwohad,Ithought,faintjustification,butthemass,no!

Personalavarice,personalgreed,paynimluxury,arrogance,cruelty,deceit——itmadeonesorrowfullylaughwhoknewtheman!Hereagainclamoredtheoldchargeofupstartness.

Alow-bornItalian,sonofawool-comber,vindictivetowardthehidalgo,ofSpain!Buttherewerenewcharges.

ThreemendeposedthatheneglectedIndiansalvation.AndIheardforthefirsttimethatsosoonashefoundtheGrandKhanhemeanttogiveovertothatOrientalalltheislandsandthemain,andsobetraytheSovereignsandChristandeverySpaniardintheseparts!

TheAdelantadoarrivedinSanDomingo.Hecamewithonlyascoreortwoofmen,whocouldhaveraisedmanymore.DonFranciscodeBobadillasawtoitthathehadwordfromhisgreatbrother,andthatwordwas``Obedience.""

TheAdelantadogavehisswordtoDonFrancisco.

Thelatterloadedthefirstwithchainsandputhimaboardacaravelintheharbor.Heaskedtobeprisonedwithhisbrother;butwhyaskanymagnanimityfromanunmagnanimoussoul?

Outintheopennowwerealltheoldinsurgents.GuevaraandRequelmebowedtotheearthwhentheGovernorpassed,andRoldansatwithhimatwine.

CHAPTERXXXVI

THEcaraveltossedinaheavystorm.Someofhermarinerswereoldinthesewaters,butothers,comingoutwithBobadilla,hadlittleknowledgeofourbreadthsofOcean-Sea.Theyhadmetnaughtlikethisrain,thisshakenair,thesethundersandlightnings.Thereroseacrythattheshipwouldsplit.AllwasbecausetheyhadchainedtheAdmiral!

DonAlonsodeVillejo,theCaptaintakingChristopherusColumbustoSpain,calledtohimJuanLepe.``Witnessyou,Doctor,Iwouldhavetakenawaytheironssosoonaswewereoutofharbor!Iwouldhavedoneitonmyownresponsibility.Buthewouldnothaveit!""

``Yes,Iwitness.InchainsinHispaniola,hewillcometoSpaininchains.""

``Iftheshipgoesdowneverymanmustsavehimself.Hemustbefree.Ihavesentforthesmith.Comeyouwithme!""

Wewenttothatduskycabinintheshipwherehewasprisoned.``Itisagreatstorm,andweareindanger,senor!""saidVillejo.``Iwilltakeawaytheseironssothatif——""

TheAdmiral"ssilverhairgleamedinthedusk.Hemovedandhisgyvesstrucktogether.``Villejo!""hesaid,``ifI

lieto-nightonthefloorofOcean-Sea,Iwillliethereinthesechains!Whentheseagivesupitsdead,Iwillriseinthem!

``Icouldforceyou,senor,""saidVillejo.

Theotheranswered,``Tryit,andGodwillmakeyourhandslikeababe"s!""

Villejoandthesmithdidnottryit.Therewassomethingaroundhimlikeaninvisibleguard.Iknewthefeelofit,andthatitwashiswillemergedatheight.

``Rememberthen,senor,thatIwouldhavedoneitforyou!""Villejotouchedthedoor.TheAdmiral"svoicecameafter.``Mybrother,DonBartholomew,hewhowasresponsibletomeandonlythroughmetotheSovereigns,freehim,Villejo,andyouhaveallmythanks!""

WewenttotakethegyvesfromDonBartholomew.Itwouldhavebeencomforttothesebrotherstobetogetherinprison——butthattheGovernorofHispaniolastraitlyforbade.

WhenVillejohadexplainedwhathewoulddo,theAdelantadoasked,``WhatoftheAdmiral?""

``Iwishtotakethemfromhimalso.Butheisobstinateinhisprideandwillnot!""

``HewillgoasheistotheQueenandSpainandtheworld,""saidJuanLepe.

``Thatisenoughforme,""answeredtheAdelantado.``I

donotgodownto-nightafreedbodywhilehegoesdownachained——Farewell,senor!IthinkIhearyoursailorscalling.""

Villejohesitated.``Letthemhavetheirwill,senor,""

saidJuanLepe.``Theirwillisasgoodasours.""

DonBartholomewturnedtome.``Howfaresmybrother,Doctor?Isheill?""

``Heisbetter.BecausehewasillIwaslettocomewithhim.Butnowheisbetter.""

``Givehimmyenduringloveandconstancy,""saidtheAdelantado.``Goodnight,Villejo!""andturneduponhissidewitharattlingofhischain.

ReturningtotheAdmiral,JuanLepesatbesidehimthroughthenight.Thetempestcontinuing,thereweremomentswhenwethought,Itmaybetheendofthislife!

Wethoughttohearthecry``Shesinks!""andtherushoffeet.

Attimeswhentherefelllullswetalked.Hewascalmlycheerful.

``Itseemstomethatthestormlessens.Ihavebeenpenninginmymind,lyinghere,alettertoonewhowillshowittotheQueen.Writingso,Icansaywithgreaterfreedomthatwhichshouldbesaid.""

``Whatdoyousay?""

Hetoldmewithenergy.HisletterrelatedpasteventsinHispaniolaandthearrivalofBobadillaandallthattookplacethereupon.Hehadaneloquenceofthepenasofspeech,andwhathesaidtoDonaJuanadelaTorremoved.

Ahighsimplicitywashisinsuchmoment,anopeningoftheheart,suchasonlychildrenandtheverygreatattain.

Hetoldhiswrongs,andheprayedforjustjudgment,``notasarulerofanorderedlandwhereobtainold,known,long-followedlaws,andwhereindeeddisordermightcry`WeaknessandIll-doing!"ButIshouldbejudgedratherasageneralsenttobringundergovernmentanenemypeople,numerous,heathen,livinginamostdifficult,unknownandpathlesscountry.AndtodothisIhadmanygoodmen,itistrue,butalsoahostthatwasnotgood,butwasfactious,turbulent,sensualandidle.YethaveIbroughtthesestrangelandsandnakedpeoplesundertheSovereigns,givingthemthelordshipofanewworld.Whatsaymyaccusers?TheysaythatIhavetakengreathonorsandwealthandnobilityformyselfandmyhouse.Eventheysay,Omyfriend!

thatfromthevastold-and-newandfairestlandthatIhavelatelyfound,Itookandkeptthepearlsthatthosenativesbroughtme,notrenderingthemtotheSovereigns.Godjudgeme,itisnotso!Spainbecomethvastlyrich,andtheheadoftheworld,andherSovereigns,lesttheyshouldscanttheirownnobility,givenobility,placeandwagetohimwhobroughtthemLordshiphere.Itisall!AndoutofmygainamInotpledgedtogatheranarmyandsetitforthtogaintheSepulchre?HaveIfallen,nowandagain,inalltheseyearsinmyGovernment,intosomeerror?HowshouldInotdoso,beinghuman?Butneverhathanerrorbeenmeant,neverhaveIwishedbuttodealhonestlyandmercifullywithall,withSpaniardsandwithIndians,toservewelltheSovereignsandtoadvancetheCross.Icallthesaintstowitness!Allthewayhasbeendifficult,thornsofnature"sandmyenemies"planting,butGodknoweth,I

havetroddenitsteadily.IhavegivenmuchtotheSovereigns,howmuchitisfuturedaysbrighterthanthesewillshow!Ihavebeentrueservanttothem.Ifnow,writinginchains,uponthecaravel_Santa,Marta_,Icrytothemforjustice,itisbecauseIdonotfearjustice!""

Heceasedtospeak,thenpresently,``IwouldthatallmightseethelightthatIseeoverthefuture!——Thouseestit,JuanLepe.""

``Aye,Iseelightoverthefuture.""

Bylittlesthestormfell.Eredawnwecouldsay,``Weshalloutliveit!""Hesleptforanhourthenwaked.``I

wasdreamingoftheHolyLand——butdoyouknow,JuanLepe,itwasseatedhereinthelandswefound!""

``Seatedhereandeverywhere,""Isaid.``Assoonasweseeitsoandmakeitso.""

``Aye,Iknowthattheseaisholy,andsoshouldbealltheland!Theprophetseesitso——""

Thedawncamefaintlyinuponus.Allwasquieter,thefootingoverheadsteady,nothasting,frightened.Lightstrengthened.Aboybroughthimbreakfast.Heatewithappetite.``Youarebetter,""Isaid,``andyounger.""

``Itisastrangething,""heanswered,``butsoithadbeenfrommyboyhood.Isthedangercloseanddrear,istheshipuponthereef,thensomeonepoursformewine!Someone,doIsay?IknowWhom!""

IbegantospeakoftheAdelantado.``Aye,thereheisthesame!`Peril——darkness?Well,let"smeetit!"Wearealike,wethreebrothers,alikeanddifferent.DiegoservesGodbestinamonastery,andIservebestinashipwithabookandamaptobefollowedandbettered.Bartholomewservesbestwherehehasbeen,AdelantadoandAlcayde.

Heispowerfulthere,withjudgmentandaction.Butheisaseamastertoo,andhemakesagoodmap——IthankGodwhogaveusgoodparents,andtousallthreemindandafirmwill!Theinheritancepassestomysons.Youhavenotseenthem?Theyareyouthsofgreatpromise!

Afamilythatisableandatone,lovingandaidingeachtheother,honoringitspastandprovidingforitsfuture,becomes,Itellyou,anOakthatcannotbefelled——anArkthatridesthewaters!""

Ashemoved,hischainsmadeagaintheirdullnoise.``Dotheygreatlygallyou?""

``Yes,theygall!Fleshandspirit.ButIshallwearthemuntiltheQueensaith,`Awaywiththem!"ButeverafterIshallkeepthembyme!Theyshallhanginmyhousewhereforevermenshallseethem!Inmyson"shouseafterme,andinhisson"s!""

AlonsodeVillejovisitedhim.``Thetempestisover,senor.Itakeitforgoodauguryinyouraffair!""

JuanLepeuponthedeckfoundbesidehimamanwhomheknew.``Whatd"yethink?Attheworst,inthemiddlenight,therecametoDonAlonsoandthemastertheoldseamenandwouldhavehimfreedsothathemightsaveus!

Theysaidthattheyhadseenhisdoubleuponthepoop,lookingattheseaandwavinghisarm.Thenitvanished!

Theywantedthewholeman,theywantedtheAdmiral!Themasterroaredatthemandsentthemback,butifithadcometotheworst——Idon"tknow!""

Cadiz——the_SantaMarta_cametoCadiz.BeforeushadarrivedBobadilla"sships,one,twoandthree.WhathefoundtosaythroughhismessengersoftheAdmiralandViceroywasinthehandsandeyesandearsofall.Hesaidattheheightofhisvoice,acrosstheoceanfromHispaniola,violentandvillainousthings.

Cadiz——Spain.WecrowdedtolookDownplungedanchor,downrattledsails,arounduscametheboats.TheAdmiralandtheAdelantadorestedinchains.ThecorregidorofCadiztookthemboththusashoreandtoahousewheretheywerekept,untiltheSovereignsshouldsay,``Bringthembeforeus!""

JuanLepethephysicianwaslettogointheboatwithhim.JuanLepe——JaymedeMarchena.ItwaseightyearssinceIhadquittedSpain.Iwasolderbythat,grizzled,beardedandsobronzedbytheIndiesthatIneedednoMoorishstain.ItrustedGodthatDonPedroandtheHolyOfficehadnolongerclawsforme.

Cadiz,andallthepeopleout,pointingandstaring.IrememberedwhatIhadbeentoldofthereturnfromhisfirstvoyage,andthesecondvoyage.Thenhadbeenbellsandtrumpets,flowers,banners,grandeesdrawinghimamongthem,shoutsandshoutsofwelcome!

Hewalkedingyves,heandtheAdelantado,tothehouseofhisdetention.Onceonlyasinglevoicewasraisedinashout,``ElAlmirante!""Wecametothehouse,notaprison,thoughaprisonforhim.Inagoodenoughroomthecorregidorsoughttohavethechainsremoved.TheAdmiralwouldnot,keepingbackwithvoiceandeyethemenwhowishedtopartthemfromhim.WhentheSovereignsknew,andwhentheSovereignssent——then,butnotbefore!

Sevendaysinthishouse.ThenwordfromtheSovereigns,anditwashereindignant,andherecomforting.

ThebestwastheQueen"sword;IdonotknowifitwassowhollyKingFerdinand"s.Therewereletterstothealcaldeandcorregidor.ReleasetheAdmiraloftheOcean-Sea!

DonFranciscodeBobadillahadgrosslymisunderstood!

SoothetheAdmiral"shurt.ShowhimtrustandgratitudeinCadizthatwasbecomethroughhimagreatercity!FulfillhisneedsandfurtherhimuponthewaytoGranada.Putinhispursetwothousandducats.ButtheletterthatcountedmosttoChristopherusColumbuswasonetohimselffromtheQueen.

JuanLepefoundhimwithitinhishand.Fromthewristyethungthechain.Tearswererunningdownhischeeks.``Yousee——yousee!""hesaid.``Ithankthee,Christ,whotakethcareofusall!""

Theycameandtookawayhischains.Butheclaimedthemfromthecorregidorandkeptthemtohisdeath.CamehidalgosofCadizandentreatedhimawayfromthishousetoabetterone.Outsidethestreetwasthronged.``TheAdmiral!TheAdmiral!WhogavetoSpaintheIndies!""

DonBartholomewwasbyhim,freedlikehim.AndtheretoomovedaslenderyoungmanwhohadcomefromGranadawiththeQueen"sletter,DonFernando,hiseldestson.

Alightseemedaroundthem.JuanLepethought,``Surelytheywhoservelargepurposesarecaredfor.Eventhoughtheyshoulddieinprison,yetaretheycaredfor!""

CHAPTERXXXVII

JUANLEPElayuponthesandbeyondPalos.TheAdmiralwaswiththecourtinGranada,buthisphysician,cravingholiday,hadbornealettertoJuanPerez,thePriorof_SantaMaria_delaRabida.

IthoughttheAdmiralwouldgoagainseafaring,andthatIwouldgowithhim.UpatLaRabida,FrayJuanPerezwaskind.Ihadacell,Icouldcomeandgo;hedidnottellPalosthatherewastheAdmiral"sphysician,whoknewtheIndiesfromthefirsttakingandcouldrelatewonders.Ilivedobscure,butinPrior"sroom,byalightfire,foritwasNovember,hehimselfendlesslyquestionedandlistened.

Oceanbeforeme,ocean,ocean!Lyinghere,thoseyearsago,Ihadseenoceanonly.Now,far,far,Isawland,sawSanSalvador,Cubathatmightbethemain,Hayti,Jamaica,SanJuan,Guadaloupe,Trinidad,Pariathatagainseemedmain.Vastislandsandaworldofsmallislands,vastmainlands.

ThennosailwasseenonfarOcean-Sea;nowouttheremightbeshipsgoingfromCadiz,coming,returningfromSanDomingo.Eightyears,andsotheworldwaschanged!

Ithought,``Infiftyyears——inahundredyears——intwohundred?Whatiscomingupthelongroad?""

Oceanmurmured,thetidewascomingin.JuanLepewaitedtillthesandshadnarrowed,tillthegraywavefoamedunderhishand.ThenheroseandwalkedslowlytoLaRabida.

Aftercompline,talk;FrayJuanPerez,thegoodman,comfortableinhisgreatchairbeforethefire.Hehadhungeredalways,Ithought,foradventureandmarvel.Hereithappened——?Andhereithappened——?

To-nightwefelltotalkofthePinzons——Martinwhowasdead,andVicentewhonowwasonOcean-Sea,onavoyageofhisown——andofotherswhohadsailed,andwhattheyfoundandwheretheywere.WewereateaseabouttheAdmiral.Wehadhadletters.

HewasinGranada,dressedagainincrimsonandgold,toweringagainwithhissilverhead,honoredandpraised.

WhenfirsthecameintotheQueen"spresenceshehadtrembledalittleandturnedpale,andtherewaswaterinhereyes.``MasterChristopherus,forgiveus!Whereupon,""

saidtheletter,``Iweptwithher.""

Apparentlyallhonorswereback;hemovedAdmiralandViceroy.Hisbrothers,hissons,allhishousewalkedinaspringsun.HehadbeenshownthelettersfromBobadilla,andhewhowasnotlengthyinspeechhadspokenanhouruponthem.Hiswordranggold;Christgaveit,hesaid,thathistruthwasbelieved.DonFranciscodeBobadillawouldquitHispaniola——thoughnotinchains.

FrayJuanPerezstirredthefire.Uponthetablestoodaflaskofwineandadishoffigs.WewerecomfortableinLaRabida.

Dayspassed,weekspassed,timepassed.WordfromtheAdmiral,wordoftheAdmiral,camenotinfrequentlytowhiteLaRabida.Hehimself,inhisownperson,stoodinbrightfavor,theQueentreasuringhim,lovingtotalkwithhim,theCourtfollowingher,theKingatworstonlyacoolfriend.Buthisaffairsofoffice,FrayJuanPerezandIgathered,sittingsolicitousatLaRabida,werenotinsofairaposture.Heandhishouseholddidnotlack.

Monieswerepaidhim,thoughnotinfullhistitheofallgainsfromhisfinding.WhatnevershookwashistitleofTheAdmiral.Buttheyseemed,theSovereigns,oratleastKingFerdinand,tolookthrough``Viceroy""asthoughitwereashade.AndinHispaniola,thoughcharged,reproved,threatened,stillstayedBobadillaintheguiseofGovernor!

``Theycannotleavehimthere,""Isaid.``IftheColombosarenotmenfortheplace,whatthenisBobadilla?""

FrayJuanPerezstirredthefire.``KingFerdinand,I

sayitonlytoyouandinawhisper,hasnotalittleoftheKingoftheFoxes!Not,tillhehasmadeuphismind,dothhewishthereaperfectman.Whenhehasmadeitup,hewillcastabout——""

``IdonotthinkhehasanybetterthantheAdelantado!""

```Thosebrothersareone.Leavehimout!"saiththeKing.Iwillreadyouhismind!`MasterChristopherusColumbushathhadtoomuchfromthebeginning.Norishenecessaryashewas.Whenthebreachismade,anymaytakethefortress!IwillleavehimandgivehimwhatImustbutnomore!"HewillsendatlastanotherthanBobadilla,butnotagain,ifhecanhelpit,theoldViceroy!

OfcoursethereistheQueen,butshehasmanysorrowsthesedays,andfails,theysay,inhealth.""

``Itmaybe,""saidJuanLepe.``ImyselfwerecontentforhimtorestTheAdmiralonly.Buthismindisyetahawktoweringoverlandandseaandclaimingbothforprize.Heminglestheearthlyandtheheavenly.""

``Itistrue,""saidFrayJuanPerez,``thatagecomesuponhim.Andtrue,too,thatKingFerdinandmaysay,`Whateveritwasatfirst,thisworldintheWestbecomesfartoovastamatterforonemanandtheold,first,simpleways!"""

``Youhaveitthere,""Ianswered,andwecoveredtheembersandwenttobedinLaRabida.

Winterpassed.ItwasseenthattheAdmiralcouldnotsailthisweeknorthenext.

JuanLepe,bearded,brownasaMoor,olderthanintheyearGranadafell,crossedwithquietnessmuchofCastileandcameonaspringeveningtothecastleofDonEnriquedeCerda.Again``_JuanLepefromthehermitageintheoakwood_.""

Sevendays.Iwouldnotstaylonger,butinthattimetheancienttreeswavedgreenagain.

DonEnriquehadbeenrecentlytoGranada.``KingFerdinandwillchangeallmattersintheWest!YourislandsshallhaveGovernors,asmanyasnecessary.TheyshallreferthemselvestoaHighGovernoratSanDomingo,whoinhisturnshallcloselylistentoaCouncilhere.""

``WilltheHighGovernorbeDonCristovalColon?""

``No.Ihearthathehimselfagreestoasuspensionofhisviceroyaltyfortwoyears,seeingwellthatinHispaniolaisnaughtbutfaction,everythingtorninto`FriendsoftheGenoese"and`Notfriends!".Perhapsheseesthathecannothelphimselfandthathelesspartswithdignitybyacceding.

Idonotknow.ThereistalkofDonNicholasdeOvanda,CommanderofLares.Yourmanwillnot,Ithink,besentbeforeasteadywindforViceroyagain——neveragain.Ifhepressestoopersistently,therecanalwaysbefoundoneormorewhowillstandandcry,`Hedidintend,OKing——

hedothintend——tomakehimselfKingoftheIndies!"

AndKingFerdinandwillsayhedoesnotbelieve,butitismanifestthatthatthoughtmustfirstdiefrommen"sminds.

TheQueenfailsfast.Shehasnotthevoiceandthehandinallmattersthatoncewasso.""

``Heisonewhodiesforloyalties,""Isaid.``HereverencesallsimplythecrownsofCastileandLeon.ForhisownsakeIamnottrulysoanxioustohavehimViceroyagain!Theywillgivehimshipsandlethimdiscoveruntilhedies?""

``Ah,Idon"tthinkthereisanydoubtaboutthat!""heanswered.

Wetalkedsomewhatofthatgreatmodernworld,evidentnowoverthehorizon,bearinguponuslikeatall,full-riggedship.Allthingswerechanging,changingfast.Wetalkedofcommerceandinventions,oflettersandofarts,ofreligionandthesoulofman.Outofthesoilwerepushingeverywhereplantsthattheoldcalledheretical.

Sevendays.Wewere,asweshallbeforever,friends.

ButJuanLepewouldgobacktoLaRabida.Hewas,forthisturnoflife,manoftheAdmiraloftheOcean-Sea.Sowesaidfarewell,EnriquedeCerdaandJaymedeMarchena.

ThreeleaguesSevillesideofCordovaIcameatevetoagoodinnknowntomeofold.RidingintoitscourtI

foundtwotravelersenteringjustbeforeme,oneawell-

formedhidalgostillatprime,andtheotherayoungmanevidentlyhisson.TheelderwhohadjustdismountedturnedandIrecognizedDonFranciscodeLasCasas.Atthesameinstanthesawme.``Ha,Friend!Ha,Doctor!""

Wetookoursuppertogetherinawide,lowroom,lookingoutupontheroad.DonFranciscoandJuanLepetalkedandtheyoungmanlistened.JuanLepetalkedbuthiseyestrulywereforthisyoungman.Itwasnotthathewasofastrikingaspectandbetterthanhandsome,thoughhewasallthat——butIdonotknow——itwasthefutureinhiscountenance!HisfatheraddressedhimasBartolome.

Oncehesaid,``WhenmysonwasattheUniversityatSalamanca,""andagain,``MysonwillgooutwithDonNicholasdeOvando.""JuanLepe,sittinginabrownstudy,rousedatthat.``Ifyougo,senor,youwillfindgoodmemoriesaroundthenameofLasCasas.""

Theyoungmansaid,``Iwillstriveinnowaytodarkenthem,senor.""

Hemightbeayearortwotheyoungersideofthirty.

Thefather,itwasevident,hadgreatprideinhim,andpresentlyhavingsenthimonsomeerrand——sendinghim,Ithought,inordertobeabletospeakofhim——toldmethathewasverylearned,alicentiate,havingmasteredlaw,theologyandphilosophy.HehimselfwouldnotreturntoHispaniola,butBartolomewishedtogo.Hesighed,``I

donotknow.Somethingmakesmeconsent,""andwentontoenlistDoctorJuanLepe"scareifintheislandeveraroseanychancetoaid——

Thesonreturned.Therewassomething——JuanLepeknewit——somethinginthefuture.

Later,DonFranciscohavinggonetobed,theyoungmanandItalked.Ilikedhimextraordinarily.Iwasnotfarfromtwicehisage,aslittlemancountsage.Buthehadsoulandmind,andwhilethesecountageitisnotintheshort,earthlyway.HeaskedmeabouttheIndians,andagainandagainwecamebacktothat,pacingupanddowninthemoonlightbeforetheSpanishinn.

Thenextmorningparting.TheyweregoingtoCordova,Itothesea.

ThedovesflewoverthecloisterofLaRabida.Thebellsrang;inthesmallwhitechurchsangthebrothers,thenpacedtotheircellsorawaytotheirworkamongthevines.

Priorhadagarden,small,withatreeineachcorner,withastonebenchinthesunandastonebenchintheshade,andthedoveswalkedherealldaylong.AndhereIfoundtheAdelantadowithFrayJuanPerez.

TheAdmiralwaswell?

Aye,well,andnextmonthwouldcometoSeville.AnewVoyage.

Wesatunderthegrapearborandhetoldmemuch,thePriorlisteningforthesecondtime.Thedovescooedandwhirredandwalkedinthesunandshadow.AccordingtoDonBartholomew,halfinhispackwasdarkandhalfwaslight.

Ovando?Weheardagainofallthat.Hewasgoingout,DonNicholasdeOvando,withagreatfleet.

TheAdelantadopossessedadealofplain,strongsense.

``IdonotthinkthatCristoforowilleverruleagaininHispaniola!KingFerdinandhashisownmeasureandgoesabouttoapplyit.TheQueenflinchesnowfromdecisions——

Well,whatofit?Afterall,wewerebredtothesea,IhaveanotionthathissonDiego——anableyouth——mayyetbeViceroy.Hehasestablishedhisfamily,ifsobehedoesnotbringdownthestructurebyobstinatingovermuch!

Heseesthat,theAdmiral,andnodshisheadandstepsaside.Asfornativeprideanditshurthesalvesthatwithgreatenterprises.Itishisway.Drouth?Frost?Outofbothherises,greenandhopefulasgrassinMay!

WhatoftheVoyage?askedJuanLepe.

``That"stheenterprisethatwillgothrough.NowthatPortugalandVascodaGamaareactuallyinatthedoor,itbehoovesus——moreandmoreitbehoovesus,""saidBartolomeoColombo,``tofindIndiaofAlltheWealth!SpainnolessthanPortugalwantsthegoldanddiamonds,thedrugsandspices,thefine,thin,paintedcloths,thecarvedivoryandsilverandamber.`Land,land,somuchland!"

saysKingFerdinand.`But_wealth_?Itisallout-go!EvenyourCrusadewereabeggarlyCrusade!"""

``Ha!Thathurthim!""quothFrayJuanPerez.

``SaystheKing.`PedroAlonsoNinohasmadeforusthemostprofitablevoyageofanywhohavesailedfromCadiz."`FromCadiz,butnotfromPalos,"answerstheAdmiral.""

``Ha!Easy"tiswhenhehasshowntheway!""saidFrayJuanPerez.

DonBartholomewdrewwiththePrior"sstickinthesandatourfeet.``Heconceivesitthus.HeretothenorthisCuba,stretchingwestwardhowfarnomanknoweth.

HeretothesouthisPariathathefound——nomatterwhatOjedaandNinoandCabralhavedonesince!——stretchingwestwardhowfarnomanknoweth,andbetweenisagreatseaholdingJamaicaandwedonotknowwhatotherislands.

CubaandPariacurvingsouthandnorthandbetweenthemwheretheyshallcomeclosestsurelyastraitintotheseaofRichIndia!""HedrewCubaandPariaapproachingeachtheotheruntiltherewasspacebetweenlikethespacefromthehornofSpaintothehornofAfrica.``RichIndia——now,now,now——goldonthewharves,canoesofpearls,notcottonandcassava,iswhatwewantinSpain!

SotheKingsays,`Verygood,youshallhavetheships,"

andtheQueen,`Christhaveyouinhiskeeping,MasterChristopherus!"Sowego.Allhisfuturehangs,heknows,onfindingRichIndia.""

``Howsoondowego?""

``Assoonashecangettheshipsandthemenandthesupplies.

Hewantsonlythreeorfourandnotgreatones.

Greatshipsforwarshipsandstoreships,butlittleshipsfordiscovery!""

``Aye,Ihearhim!""saidFrayJuanPerez.``September——October.""

ButitwasnotuntilMarchthatwesailedonhislastvoyage.

CHAPTERXXXVIII

THEshipswerethe_Consolacion_,the_Margarita_,the_Juana_andthe_SanSebastian_,allcaravelsandsmallones,the_Consolacion_thelargestandtheflagship.

The_Margarita_,thatwastheAdelantado"sship,sailedbadly.

Therewassomethingaswrongwithherashadbeenwiththe_Pinta_whenwestartedfromPalosin"92.

Themenalltold,crewsandofficersandadventurers,werelessthantwohundred.

PedrodeTerreros,BartholomewFiesco,DiegoTristan,FranciscodePorraswerethecaptainsofthecaravelsJuanSanchezandPedroLedesmathechiefpilots.BartholomewFiescoofthe_Consolacion_wasaGenoeseandwhollydevotedtothegreaterGenoese.WehadfornotaryDiegoMendez.

Thereweregoodmenuponthisvoyage,andveryboldmen.

TheyouthFernandoColonsailedwithhisfather.Hewasnowfourteen,DonFernando,slim,intelligent,obedientandlovingalwaystotheAdmiral.

Daysofbrightweather,daysanddaysofthatmarvelousfavorablewindthatblowsoverOcean-Sea.Thetwenty-

fifthofMaytheCanariessankbehindus.Onandon,allthesailssteady.

WewerenotfirstforHispaniola.Allmustbestrange,thisvoyage!Jamaica,notSanDomingo,wasourstar.

Restthereamoment,takefoodandwater,thenforthandaway.Westagain,westbysouth.HewasstraitlyforbiddentodropanchorinanywaterofHispaniola.``Forwhy?""saidthey.``BecausetheverysightofhisshipswilltearasunderagainthatwhichDonNicholasdeOvandoishealing!""

The_Margarita_,thatwasnexttothe_Consolacion_ingreatness,sailedsoinfirmlythatmercy"twastheseasweresmooth.Itwastrueaccident.ShehadbeenknownatPalos,CadizandSanLucarforgoodship.ButatErcillawherewemuststopontheSovereigns"business,astormhadbeatenherupontheshorewhereshegotagreatwoundinherside.Thatwasstaunched,butallherframewaswrenchedandsheneverdidwellthereafter.Inmid-JunewecametoanislandoftheCaribswhichtheycalledMantineo.

Herewerestedthebetterpartofaweek,keepinggoodguardagainsttheCaribs,thensailed,andnownorthbywest,alongavastcurve,withinaworldofislands.

Theyaregreat,theyaresmall,theyareoftheextremestbeauty!SanMartin,Dominica,Guadaloupe,SanJuan——

theBoriquenwhencehadcome,longago,thatCatalinawhomGuacanagariaided——anduntouchedat,orunderthehorizon,manyanotherthattheAdmiralhadnamed;_SantaMaria_laAntigua,SantaCruz,SantaUrsula,Montserrat,ElevenThousandVirgins,Marigalanteandallbeside.Whataworld!PlatohisAtlantis.HowtrulyoldweareGodonlyknows!

The_Margarita_sailedmostbadly.AtSanJuanthatistheneighborgreatislandtoHispaniola,council,twocouncils,onefollowingtheother.ThensaidtheAdmiral,``WearetofindtheStraitthatshallatlastcarryustoclothedAsiaofalltheechoes,andtofindwehavebutfoursmallshipsandoneofthemevidentlydoomed.Andinthatonesailsmybrother.WhatistheSovereigns"command?`TouchnotonyouroutwardwayatHispaniola!"Whatisintheirmindhere?`Haleandfaringwell,youhavenoneed."——

Butifwearenotbaleandfaringwellbyafourthofourenterprise?Theynevermeantittoadrowningman,oronewhosewatercaskwasempty!BeingChristian,no!

WewillputintoSanDomingoandaskofDonNicholasdeOvandoashipinplaceofthe_Margarita_.""

Whereatallcheered.Weweregatheredunderpalms,uponafairpointoflandinSanJuanleBautista.Nextdayweweighedanchor,andinpictureSanDomingorosebeforeus.

Hefeltnodoubtofdecentwelcome,ofgettinghisship.

FifteensailhadgoneoutwithOvando.Turnthecasesaround,andhewouldhavegivenOvandowelcome,hewouldgivehimagoodship.HowmuchmorethenChristopherusColumbus!Theenterprisewascommoninthatallstoodtoprofit.Itwasroyalerrand,worldservice!SohethoughtandsailedinsometranquillityofmindforSanDomingo.

ButtheAdelantadosaidinmyear.``Therewillbeavastto-do!MaybeI"llsailthe_Margarita_totheend.""Hewastheprophet!