第16章

SailonandonalongthegoldencoastofVeragua!Cometoariverandland,forallthatagainwehearddrumsandthosegreatshellsstronglyblown.Makepeaceandtrade.

Andhereagainwasgold,gold,gold.Wewerenowassuredthatthemainwasfarricherthananyisland.Turbulenthope,——thatwasthechiefladingnowofthefourships.Gold!Gold!Goldenmoondisksandgoldenrudefigures.Wefoundalumpofgoldwroughtlikeamaizeear.

Whatwasbeyondthat,byitselfundertrees,wefoundanancient,broken,truewall,stoneandlime.Thestonesweregreatones,settruly,withcare.Thewallwasold;theremainderofhouse,ifhouseortempletherehadbeen,brokenfromit.Nowtheforestoverranall.Wedidnotknowwhenorbywhomitwasbuilt,andwefoundnomorelikeit.Butherewastruemasonry.Allofussaidthattheworldofthemainwasnottheworldoftheislands.

Ciguarre.TheseIndiansdeclareditwasCiguarreweshouldseek.NowthatwewereinVeragua——seekCiguarre.

SowesailedbeyondVeraguahuntingthestraitwhichwemustpassthroughtoGangesandIndofoldhistory.

CHAPTERXLII

PUERTOBELLO!Beautifultruly,andaharborwheremightrideanavy.Butnogold;andnowcamebackveryevillytheevilweather.Sevendaysablastrockedus.Westrainedeyestoseeifthe_Margarita_

yetlived.The_SanSebastian_likewisewasintrouble.Nobreakforsevendays.ItwasthoseenchantersofCariari——

magicasleepforawhilebutnowawake!

Storm.Andtwoshipsnightofoundering.Whenwindsankandbluecameback,weleftPuertoBelloandturnedagainsouthbyeast,butnowwithcrazy,crazyships,weather-

wrenchedandworm-eaten,_teredo_pierced.Theylookedold,soold,withtheirwhippedanddarkenedsails.Andwhenwedroppedanchorinsomebighttherewasnogold,butallnightweheardthatharshblowingofshellsandbeatingofdrums.

FranciscoandDiegodePorras,AlonsodeZamorra,PedrodeVilletoro,BernardotheApothecaryandothers,themostuponthe_Consolacion_,othersonthe_Margarita_andthe_Juana_,nowbegantobrewmutiny.

Wesailedon,anduponthisforlorncoastwemetnomoregold.Ourshipsgrewsowornthatnowatanythreatintheskywemustlookandlookquicklyforharborage,beitgoodorindifferentbad.Tomanyofusthecoastnowtookawickedlook.ItwasdeepinNovember.

Nogold.TheseIndians——howvastanyhowwasIndia?——

werehostile,notfriendly.Ourshipsweredying,manifestly.Iftheysankunderusandwedrowned,theKingandQueen——iftheQueenstilllived——neverwouldcometoknowthatChristopherusColumbushadfoundVeraguathricemoregoldeneventhanParia!FoundVeragua,metmenofYucatan;andheardofCiguarre.

Atlastnotonlythemutinousbutsteadfastmencried,``Ifthereisastraititistoofarwiththeseships!""

Foratimehewasobstinate._Itmustbefound,——itmustbefound!_ButonenighttherefellallbutlossoftheMargarita.

Whennextheslepthehadadream.``ThegoodQueencametomeandshehadinherhandapictureoffivestoutships.Outofherlipscameasingingvoice.`MasterChristopherus,MasterChristopherus,thesewaitforyou,ridinginCadizharbor!Butnowwillyouslayyoursonandyourbrotherandallyourmen?"Thenshesaid,`Thestraitishiddenforawhile,"andwent.""

Thatdayweturned.``WewillgobacktoVeraguaandladewithgold,andthenwe"llsailtoJamaicaandtoHispaniolawherethistimeweshallbewelcome!ThentoSpainwheretheQueenwillgivemeastrongerfleet.""

Ourshipshailedtheturning.EventheAdelantado,evenDiegoMendezandJuanSanchezandBartholomewFiescowhowereoftheboldestdrewlongbreathasofmenrespitedfromdeath.

Notsomanyhaveknownandlivedtotellofsuchweatherasnowwemetandinitrolledfromwavetowavethroughalongmonth.

Wouldweputtolandwewerebeatenback.Wehadneverseensuchwaves,andattimestheyglowedwithcoldfire.Theseawiththewindtwisted,dancedandshouted.

Weweredeafwiththunderandblindwithlightning.Whentheraindescended,itwasasthoughanupperoceanwerecomingdown.Alittlesurcease,thenreturnofthetempest,likereturnofPolyphemus.Mendiedfromdrowning,and,Ithink,frompurefright.Onedaythecloudsdrovedown,theseawhirledup.Therewasmadeahugewatercolumn,amovingcolumnthatfastgrewlarger.Cryingout,oursailorsflungthemselvesupontheirknees.Itpasseduswithamightysound,andwewerenotengulfed.

TheAdmiralsaid,``Godtriesus,buthewillnotdestroyusutterly!""

TheboyFernando,inamoment"swildterrorwhowasordinarilycourageousasany,clungtohim.Omyson!

IwouldthatyouwereinLaRabida,safebesideFrayJuanPerez!MysonandmybrotherBartholomew!""

Nowcametousallscarcityoffoodandamiseryofsickness.

Nowtwothirdswouldhavemutiniedhadwenotbeengoingback——butweweregoingback——creeping,crawlingbackasthetempestwouldallowus.

Christmas!WerememberedourfirstChristmasinthisworld,byGuaricoinHispaniola,whenthe_SantaMaria_

sank.Againwefoundaharbor,andwelaytherebetweendeadandalive,untilearlyJanuary.WesailedandonEpiphanyDayenteredariverthatweknewtobeingoldenVeragua.TheAdmiralcalledittheBethlehem.

Goldagain,gold!NotontheBethlehem,butontheriverofVeragua,notfaraway,towhichtheAdmiralsenttheAdelantadoandtwolongboatsfilledwithourstoutestmen.Theybroughtbackgold,gold,gold!

ThecaciqueofthesepartswasQuibian,abarbarianwhomatthelast,notthefirst,weconcludedtobetruebrotherofCaonabo.

Withthreescoreofourstrongest,theAdelantadopushedagainuptheriverofVeragua,tooroughandshallowforourships.HevisitedQuibian;hetradedforgold;hewastakenfarinlandandfromahillobservedacountryofthenoblest,valeandmountainandIndiansmokes.Themountains,theIndianssaid,werepackedwithgold.Hebroughtbackmuchgold,Indiansbearingitforhimindeepbasketsthattheymade.

Quibianpaidusavisit,lookedsullenlyaround,andleftus.NotintheleastwasheGuacanagari!Butneither,quiteyet,didheturnintoCaonabo.

TheAdmiralsatpondering,hishandsbeforehimbetweenhisknees,hisgray-blueeyeslookingfurtherthanthefarmountains.Later,ontheshore,heandtheAdelantadowalkedupanddownunderpalmtrees.Thecrewswatchedthem,knowingtheywereplanning.

Whattheyplannedcameforththenextday,anditwasnothingshortofacolony,asettlementuponthebanksoftheriverBethlehem.

ChristopherusColumbusspoke,——tall,powerful,gaunt,white-headed,gray-eyed,trustedbecausehehimselfsotrusted,suasive,filledwiththepowerofhisvision.Hisframewasgrowingold,buthehimselfstayedyoung.Hisvoicenevergrewold,northegray-bluelightfromhiseyes.

Herewasgoldatlast,andVeraguamanifestlyricherthanallHispaniola;aye,richerthanParia!BehindVeraguaranCiguarrethatwasfabulouslyrich,thatwasindeedIndiaslopingtoGanges.TheIndianswerefriendlyenoughforalltheirdrum-beatingandshell-blowing.Quibian"sfirstfrowningaspecthadbeenbutaspect.Ascarletcloakandasackfulloftoysbadmadeallright.Therewasrestonland,withfruitandmaizeaswesaw.Buildafort——leaveaship——divideourforce.Ahalfwouldresthere,firstsettlersofagoldencountrywithallfirstsettlers"advantage.

HalfsailwithChristopherusColumbusbacktoSpain——

straighttoSpain——forsuppliesandmen.Hewouldreturn,hesworeit,withallspeed.Ashipshouldbeleft,andbeyondtheship,theAdelantado——ItwasforvolunteersforthefortressandcityofVeragua!

Intheendeightymensaid``Wewillstay.""Webegantobuild.HowlongsincewehadbuiltLaNavidad!

TheRiverBethlehem,thathadbeenfullwhenweentered,nowwashalfemptyofitswaters.The_Consolacion_,the_Juana_,andthe_SanSebastian_thatweretodepartforSpaincouldnotpass.TheAdmiralhung,fittedtogo,butwaitingperforceforrainsthatshouldlifttheshipssotheymightpassthebar.

AgainJuanLepewastostay——sosurelywouldthestayingneedaphysician.

``ItisMarch,""saidtheAdmiral.``Godaiding,IandFernandoshallbebackinOctoberatlatest.""

TheseIndiansseemedtoustohaveCaribmarkings.Yettheyallprofessedamityandcontinuouslybroughtingold.

Webegantobuildbythefortastorehouseformuchgold.

Suddenlywefound——DiegoMendez,boldenoughandagreatwanderer,doingthefinding——thatQuibian"svillageuptheriverofVeraguacontainedmanytoo,manyyoungmenandmenintheirprime,andthatbydayandnightthesecontinuedtopourin.Ithad——DiegoMendezthought——muchtheaspectofacampwhosegeneralsteadilyreceivedreenforcement.

NextdaycametotheAdmiralanIndianwhobetrayedhispeople.QuibiannevermeanttohaveinVeraguaaswarmofwhitecaciques!Whenhehadabouthimeveryyoungman,hewascoming,coming,comingthroughthewoods!

TheAdmiralsenttheAdelantado.ThatstrongmanchosefourscoreSpaniards,armedthemanddeparted.ByboatandthroughthickforesthereachedQuibian"svillage,descendeduponitlikeahurricaneandseizedQuibian,muchaslongago——long,longagoitseemedtous——AlonsodeOjedahadseizedCaonabo.

JuanSanchezthepilotheldQuibianinthelongboatwhiletheAdelantadostillwroughtupontheland.JuanSanchezwasstrongandwary,andwatchful;sotheysworewerealltheSpaniardsintheboat.YetwhennightwasfallenthatIndian,boundashewas,brokewithashoutfromthemallandleapedfromboatintoblackriver.

Theythoughtheperished,seeinghimnomoreforalltheirmovingaboutandbringingtheboattotheland.JuanSanchezwascertainhesank,boundashewas.Withothercaptivesandwithagreatmassofgoldenornaments,camebacktotheshipstheAdelantado.TheIndiancampwasbroken,dispersed.

Therainsbegantofall.Theriverswelled;thefortandstoreplaceandotherhouseswerebuilded.

Theeightywhoweretostayandthesomethingunderthatnumberwhoweretogopreparedtosayfarewell.Wewenttomassunderthreepalmtrees,beforeourfortontheriverBethlehem.Thatover,thosewhoweretogowentaboardthethreeships,andthesailsweremade,andtheybegantosingastheypasseddowntheBethlehem.The_Margarita_andwewatchedtheirgoing.

Theywentaleague,andthenanother——wethoughttheywerewhollygone.Butoutoftheriver,thoughtheskieswereclear,againrushedagainstthemanenemywind.Theylayatanchorinrivermouth,waitingonpropitiousness.Butwe,uptheriver,thoughttheyweregone.Thatnight,beforedawn,Quibianattackedus.

Wehadseveralkilled,andtheAdelantadowashurtinthebreast,andmanyothershadtheirwounds.Butwethunderedwithourcannonandweloosedtwobloodhoundsandwecharged.Foratimethebrown,nakedfoefoughtdesperately,butatlasthebroke.Farstreamedfivehundredfleeingparticlesintothegloomy,thedeep,themattedforest.Uptherivercamealongboat,andwefoundittoholdDiegoTristanandeightmensentbytheAdmiralwithaforgottenwordfortheAdelantado.Muchwerejoicedthattheshipswerenotcleangone!

DiegoTristantookournews.TheAdelantado——hishurtwasslight——wroteagaintotheAdmiral.AgainwesaidfarewelltoDiegoTristan.ThelongboatpassedaturnintheBethlehem;outofoursight.Oncewethoughtweheardafaintanddistantshouting,buttherewasnotelling.

ButinfivehourstherestaggeredintofortJuandeNoyawhoalonelivedofthatboatful,setuponbyQuibian.DiegoTristandead,andsevenmen.

AllthatnightweheardinthewoodthosethrobbingIndiandrumsandwild-blowingshells.

TheywereCaribs,nowweweresure,andQuibianlivedandpreachedaholywar.Thoughwehaddriventhemoff,weheardthemmusteringagain.Ifwecouldnotgetfood——perhapsnotwater?

SixtyofourscametotheAdelantado.Intruth,allmighthavecome,formassacre,sloworswift,wascertainifwestayedinVeragua.IreadthattheAdelantado,whowasneveraccusedofcowardiceorfickleness,washimselfdetermined.

ThesettlementbelowthegoldenminesofgoldenVeraguamustwaitalittle.

WetookourwoundedandwiththeAdelantado,turnedMarsinthesethreedays,camedowntotheBethlehem,toapebblyshorefromwhichthewaterhadshrunken.Hereatleastwasourshipwithus,andtheriverthatboretothesea.Here,fortheweatherwasferociousandQuibianhowlingaroundus,webuiltwhatshelterwemight.Hereinmuchmiserywewaiteddaysforthelongandwildstormtocease.WehopedtheAdmiralwasyetatthemouthoftheBethlehem,butcouldnotdomorethanhope.

ThencamethrougheveryperilthatmightbePedroLedesma,fromtheships.Theywaited!Breakthrough——

comedown!

The_Margarita_couldneverpassthebarthatnowthefallingwaterleftexposed.Wemaderafts,wedismantledherandtookwhatwecould;weleftherinVeraguaforQuibiantowalkherdeckandsailherifhemight.Throughdangerinmultitude,withourraftsandtwoboats,withthelossofsixmen,wewentdowntheBethlehem.Someofoursweptwhentheysawtheships,andtheAdmiralweptwhenheandtheAdelantadomet.

AwayfromVeragua!

IsitonlytheSpaniardswhosuffer,andforwhatatthelast,notatthefirst,didQuibianfight?InthatstrongraidwhenwethoughtQuibianperishedhadbeentakencaptivebrothersandkinsmenofthatcacique.Thesewereprisoneduponthe_Juana_,tobetakentoSpain,shown,madeChristian,perhapssold,perhaps——whoknows?——returnedtotheirland,butnevertofreedom.

Whilethe_Juana_tossedwhereBethlehemmetthesea,theseIndiansbrokeinthenighttimeupthroughhatchwayandmadeforthesidetothrowthemselvesover.Butthewatchgaveagreatcryandspranguponthem,andotherSpaniardscameinstantly.Allbuttwowereretaken.Thesetwo,wrenchingthemselvesfree,sprangawayintoroughwateranddarknight,anditismostlikelythattheydrowned,beingamilefromshore.Buttheotherswerethrustbackanddownunderhatchwhichthenwaschainedsothattheymightnotagainliftit.Butinthemorningwhenthecaptainofthe_Juana_wenttolook,all,allweredead,havinghangedthemselves.

CHAPTERXLIII

WEleftoneofourshipsintheBethlehemandwelostanotheruponthisdisastrouscoasterewegotclearforJamaica.

Wewereseaspecters.Wehadsavedourmenfromthe_SanSebastian_asfromthe_Margarita_.Nowallwereuponthe_Consolacion_andthe_Juana_.FiftyfewerwerewethanwhenwehadsailedfromCadiz,yetthetwoshipscreptover-full.Andtheywerelikecreaturesovercomewitheld.

Beaten,crazed,fallingapart.

OntheEveofSaintJohnwecametoJamaica.

Theshipswereriddledbythe_teredo_.WecouldnotkeepafloattogotoHispaniola.AtSantaGloriawerantheminquietwatersidebysideuponthesand.Theypartlyfilled,theysettleddown,onlyforecastleandpoopabovethebluemirror.Webuiltsheltersuponthemandbridgedthespacebetween.Theoceanwandererswereturnedintoafort.

Jamaica,wethankedallthesaints,wasafriendlyland.

Theybroughtuscassavaandfruit,theseIndians;theyswarmedaboutusintheircanoes.Thegodsintrouble,yetstillthegods!

WewerefortyleaguesfromHispaniola,andwehadnoship!

AgaintherevolunteeredDiegoMendez.WeourselvesbadnowbutoneChristianboat.Butthereexistedcanoesa-plenty.Choseone,withsixIndianstorow!LeaveDiegoMendezwithoneotherSpaniardofhischoicetocrosstheseabetweenusandHispaniola,gettoSanDomingo,rouseallChristianmen,evenDonNicholasdeOvanda,procurealargeshiportwosmallerones,returnwithrescue!

WesentoffDiegoMendezwithstrongfarewellsandblessings.Thevastblueseaandairwithdrewandcoveredfromsightthecanoe.

Aweek——twoweeks.Grewoutoftheazureasinglecanoe,andapproached.``DiegoMendez——DiegoMendez!""

Itwashealone,withataletotellofstormandputtingashoreandcaptureafterbattlebyJamaicansnolongerfriendly,andofescapealone.ButhewouldgoagainifsobehemighthavewithhimBartholomewFiesco.Theywent,withheavilypaidIndianstorowthestaunchestcanoewecouldfind.ThistimetheAdelantadowithtwentykeptthemcompanyalongtheshoretoendoftheisland,wherethecanoeshotforthintoclearsea,andthebluecurtaincamedownbetweenthestrandedandthegoingforhelp.

TheAdelantadoreturnedtous,andwewaited.Theweekscreptby.

Greatheatandsickness,andtheIndiansnolongerprompttobringussupplies.Soonerorlater,eachofthesedarkpeoplesfoundaQuibianorCaonabo.

ThemostofusdeterminedthatDiegoMendezandFiescoandtheircanoewerelost.Hispaniolaknewnothingofus——nothing,nothing!SuddenlythetwoPorrasbrothersledamadmutiny.``Leavetheserottingships——seizethecanoesweneed——allofusroworswimtoHispaniola!""

Therewerefiftywhothoughtthus.TheAdmiralwithstoodthemwithstrongwords,withthereasoningofamasterseaman,andthecounselnow——hiswhiteandlonghair,andelduponhim——ofJacoborIsaacorAbraham.

Buttheywouldnot,andtheywouldnot,andatlasttheydepartedfromus,taking——buttheAdmiralgavethemfreely——thedozencanoesthatwehadpurchased,crowdingintothese,rowingawaywithcriesfromthatseafortress,melancholyindeed,intheblindinglight.

Theyvanished.Thenextdayfair,thenextamadstorm.

Twoweeks,andnewscameofthem.TheywerenotnightoHispaniola;wrecked,theylostfivemen,butgot,therestofthem,toland,wheretheynowrovedfromvillagetovillage.Anotherweek,andtheIndianswhocametousandwhomwekeptfriendly,relatedwithpassionateandeloquentwordandgestureevilsthatthatbandwasworking.

PedroMargarite——Roldan——overandoveragain!

Aftermuchofupanddownthosemutineerscamebacktous.Theycouldnotdowithoutus;theycouldnotgettoHispaniolainIndiancanoes.TheAdmiralreceivedthemfatherly.

Nosail——nosail.Longmonthsandnosail.SurelyDiegoMendezandBartholomewFiescoweredrowned!

Hispaniola,ifitthoughtofusatall,mightthinkusnowbyGanges.Oraslostatsea.

ChristopherusColumbusdreamedagain,orhadavisionagain.``Iwashopeless.Iweptaloneonadesertshore.

Mynamehadfaded,andallthatIhaddonewasbrokenintosandandsweptaway.Irepined,andcried,`Whyisitthus?"

Thencameashipnotlikeours,andOnesteppedfromitinlightandthunder.`Omanoflittlefaith,Iwillcoverthyeyesofto-day!"Hecoveredthem,andI_saw_——Andnow,JuanLepe,Icarenot!WewillallcomeHome,whetherornothewavecoversushere.""

Tomarinersandadventurershesaidatnotimeanywordofdespair.Hesaid,``Ashipwillcome!Forif——whichthesaintsforfend——BartholomewFiescoandDiegoMendezhavenotreachedSanDomingo,yetcomeatlastwillsomecrafttoJamaica!FromourislandorfromSpain.Howmanytimessince"92hastherebeentouchinghere?Ofneednowitwillbeoftenerandoftener!""

Butstillmanypinedwithhopedeferred——Andthen,outoftheblue,arosefirstDiegodeEscobar"ssmallship,andlaterthetwogoodshipssentbyDonNicholasdeOvando.

TheAdmiraloftheOcean-SealodgedintheGovernor"shouseinSanDomingo.WhosocourteousasDonNicholas,savingonlyDonCristoval?

JuanLepefoundcertainonesandhisowneyestotellhimofislandfortunes.HerewasSancho,abeardedman,andyetlookedouttheyouthwhohadwalkedfromFishertowntoPalosstrand.``Oh,aye!SanDomingo"sgrowing!

It"stobeasgreatasSeville,withcathedralandfortressandpalace.Whitemenbuildfast,thoughnotsofastastheLord!""

``TheGovernor?""

``Oh,hemakesthingsspin!He"shardontheIndians——

butthenthey"vesurelygivenustrouble!""

Hetoldofnewfortsandprojectedtownsandanincreasingstreamofships,fromSpaintoSpainagain.``We"reheretostay——aslongasthere"sarockofgoldoranythingthatcanbeturnedintogold!Theoldbadtimesareover——andthatold,firstsimplejoy,too,Doctor!——

Maybewe"llallshipforCiguarre.""

Butno.Thecolonynowwasfirm,withthousandsofSpaniardswhereoncehadstoodfivescore.LuisTorressatwithmeandhetoldmeofIndianwar,——ofAnacaonahangedandCotubanamahanged,ofeightycaciquesburnedorhanged,of_peace_atlast.NowtheIndiansworkedthemines,andscrapedthesandsofeverystream,andlikewiseplantedcottonandmaizefortheconquerors.Theyweregatheredin_repartimentios,encomiendas_,parceledout,somanytoeverySpaniardwithpower.Theoldword``gods""

hadgoneoutofuse.``Master""wasnowtheplainandaccurateterm.

TheGovernorwasashrewd,political,strongman,——notwithouthisgenerositiestowhitemen.ButnodreamerI

Heputdownfaction,buttherewasnowlessfactiontoputdown.AllhadbeenunitedinmasteringtheIndian,andnowwithpeacethegettingofwealthwasregularized.

HehadabsolutelytheearofKingFerdinand,andhelpfromSpainwheneverhecalledforit.Yes,hewasfairlylikedbythegenerality.AndhadInoticedthegrowthincowlsandprocessions?MotherChurchwasmovingin.

ThenextdayImetagainBartolomedeLasCasas.

Septembernow——andashipfromSpain,bringingthenewsthattheQueenwasill.Therewasanotherwhowasill,andthatwastheAdmiraloftheOcean-Sea:

``Imustgo——andwequarrelhere,thisGovernor-in-my-

placeandI——Imustgo,restatLaRabidawithyou,Doctor,andFrayJuanPereztohelpme.ThenImustgotocourtandseetheQueen.""

TheAdelantadosaid,``BothyouandtheQueenwillgetwell.What,brother,yourvoyagesarejustbegun!ButletussailnowforSpain.Ithinkwellofthat.""

AndthesonFernando,Yes,yes,letusgohome,father,andseeDiego!

CHAPTERXLIV

ITwasSeville,andaninnthere,andtheAdmiraloftheOcean-Sealaidinafairenoughroom.Hisgoutmanacledhim,andanothersicknesscreptuponhim,buthecouldthink,talkandwrite,andattimes,forserenityandabreathofpleasure,read.Hewaseverareader.

Abouthim,alldaylong,camepeople.Theycalledthemselvesfriends,andmanywerefriends.Butsomeusedthatholywordforrobber-mask.Othersweretheidlestwonder-

seekers,neverfindingwonderwithin,alwaysrushingforitwithout.Hisheart,forallhismuchexperience,orperhapsbecauseofthat,wasasimpleheart.Hetookthemforwhattheysaidtheywere,forfriends,andhetalkedoftheIndiesandallhisvoyagespastandtocome,forhewouldyetfindCiguarreandretaketheSepulchre.

Hehadnotmuchmoney.Allhisaffairsweretangled.

YetherestedAdmiraloftheOcean-Sea,andinname,atleast,ViceroyoftheIndies.HewasmuchconcernedoverhismarinersandotherswhohadreturnedwithhimtoSpain.

Alltheirpaywasinarrears.Hewrotebegginglettersforthem,andwithhissonsforeverinhismind,forhimself.

DonDiego,DonFernando,theywerepleasant,ableyouths.

FrayJuanPerezcametoSeville.Hewasworldlycomfort,butghostlycomforttoo.TheAdmiraltalkedofCiguarreandJerusalem,butalsonowoftheNewJerusalemandtheWorld-to-come.

LateinNovember,atMedinadelCampoSantodiedtheQueen!

Hetoldmeadreamoravisionthatday.Therewas,hesaid,afair,tranquilshore,backofafair,bluehaven,andhiswifeandhismother,longdead,walkedthereintalk.

Backoftheshorerose,hesaid,acitywithwonderfulstrongwallsandtowersandaperpetualsweetringingofchurchbells.Itseemedtoclimbtoonegreatpalaceandchurch,setaboutwithorchards,withmanydoves.ThewholemountedlikeMonsalvat.Thecityseemedtobereadyforsomeone.Theywerehangingouttapestriesandweavinggarlandsandheheardmusicians.Everywhereshonealightofgladness.Hereturnedtotheseashore,andwalkingwithhiswifeandmother,askedthemaboutthecity.TheysaidthatitwastheQueen"sCity.Then,hesaid,heseemedtoheartrumpets,andfaronthehorizonmadeoutasail——

Thencityandshoreandallweregone,anditwasdark,starrynight,andhewasintheAzores,alone,withastaffinhishandthathehaddrawnfromthesea.

ItwasFrayJuanPerezwhobroughthimnewsofherdeath.``QueenIsabella!""hesaidandturnedtothewallandlaytherepraying.

OnedaytherecametoseehimAmerigoVespucciwhosailingwithOjeda,knewParia.TheytalkedofthatVastnesstothesouth.TheVenetianthoughtitmightbeacontinentwhollyunknownaliketotheancientsandthemoderns.

``Known,""answeredtheGenoese,``inthefar,farpast!

Butunknown,Igrant,forsolongthatithasbecomeagainnew.AllaNewWorld.""

``Howshouldwemapit?""saidtheother.``FaithofGod!Ishouldliketoseethemapsahundredyearsfromnow!""

HehadsomethingtosayofSebastianCabotwhowasfindingnorthwardforKingHenryofEngland.ButlayingafinesmallhandupontheAdmiral"smightyone,hecalledhim``_magisteretdominus_,ChristopherusColumbus.""

Winterworeaway.Withthespringheseemedtobebetterinhealth.Helefthisbed.Butthephysician,JuanLepe,believedthatportsandhavens,newlands,andserviceofanorderabovethisorderwereevennowcoloringandthrillingwithin.

Whenallspringwassinginghigh,theAdmiral,havinghadaletterfromtheking,saidhewouldgotocourt.Hissonswouldhavehadhimtravelinalitter,buthewavedthataway.TheAdelantadoprocuredhimamule,andwithhissonsandbrotherandasmalltrainbesidehestarted,theKingbeingatSegovia.Hehadahardlyscrapedtogetherpurseofgold,andallhismattersseemeddejected.

YethisfamilyridingwithhimrodeasnoblesofSpain,andhisson,DonDiego,shouldonedaybecomeGovernorofHispaniola.Earthlyspeaking,forallhisfeeling``Allisvain!""hehadmadehisfamily.Unlikemanyfamiliessomade,thisonewasgrateful.

OntheroadtoSegovia,stayings,restingsandmeetingswerecordialenoughtohim,forhereflockedthepeopletoseetheDiscoverer.Iftheyheardhisvoicetheywerehappy;ifsomebolderonehadamoment"sspeechwithhimthatfortunatewentoffwiththeairof,``Mychildren"schildrenshallknowofthis!""Therereturnedinthisspringtidetravelsunniness,halcyonweather,brightwindsofpraise.Thelasthealthofthepresentbodywashisuponthisjourney.Healthandstrengthharkedback.Allnotedit.JaymedeMarchenahelditfortheleapoftheflamebeforesinking,beforeleavingtheframeofthisworld.

ButhissonsandDonBartholomewcried,``Why,father,why,brother,youwilloutliveusyet!""

Herodefirmly;helookedaboutwithbright,blue-grayeyes;hisvoicehadtheold,powerfulthrill.Itwashappinesstohimwhenthesimplecamecrowding,orwheninsomehalthetalkedwithtwoorthreeorwithasolitary.

TheNewLandsandtheVastChange,anditwouldaffectallourlife,thisway,thatwayandtheotherway.

ButwhenwecametoSegovia,theKingwasdead,notalive,toChristopherusColumbus.NotdeadtotheIndies,no!Butdeadtotheirolddiscoverer.Wehadchillyweather,miserable,andallthebudsofpromisewentback.

Orrathertherewerepromises,coldsmiles,butevenhe,theGenoese,sawatlastthatthesebudswere_simulacra_,nevermeanttobloom.

TheQueenwasgone.TheCourtworetheKing"scolor.

ThentheKingwenttoLaredotomeethisdaughterJuana,whowasnowQueenofCastile.Withhimwentallofimportance.

SegoviabecameadullandsomewhathostilewaterwhererodeatlastanchortheshipoftheAdmiral.

CHAPTERXLV

DONFERNANDOmetmeatthedoor.``Heiswandering——hethinksheisinCordovawithmymother.""

Hecamefromthatandsaidhewouldgetupandgotomass.Persuadedtoliequiet,hetalkedofhiswill,drawnbeforehisthirdvoyage,andsaidthathewouldhaveitreadtohim,andmakeacodicil.

Thiswill.Itranatlengththroughpreambleandbody.

``InthenameofthemostHolyTrinitywhorevealedittomethatIcouldsailwestwardacrossOcean-Sea——

``AsitpleasedGod,intheyearonethousand,fourhundredandninety-two,IdiscoveredtheContinentoftheIndiesandmanyislands.IreturnedtoCadiztotheirMajestieswhoallowedmygoingasecondvoyage,andinthisGodgavemevictoryovertheislandofHispaniola,whichcoverssixhundredleagues,andIconquereditandmadeittributary;

andIdiscoveredmanyislandsdwelledinbyCaribalsoreatersofmen"sflesh,andalsoJamaicawhichInamedSantiago,andthreehundredandthirtyleaguesofContinentfromsouthtowest——""

Herecitedhisrights,dignities,tithes,emoluments,——

``wheretoIhavethesacredwordoftheSovereigns.""Thencametheheirship.AlluponDonDiegoandtheheirsofhisbody,withlavishprovisionfortheyoungerson,``havinggreatqualitiesandmostdeartome,""andforthebrothers,butmoreespeciallytheAdelantado.Followedgiftstofriendsandcompanions,andthenfar-flungbenefactions.

Sonandson"ssonmustgive,yearfollowingyear,atenthofrevenuefromtheIndiestothehelpofneedymen.

``InthecityofGenoainItalyistobemaintainedamanandhiswifeofthelineofourfamilyofwhichheistobetherootinthatcity,fromwhenceallgoodmayderiveuntoher,forIwasbornthereandcamefromthence.""

ThetakingoftheSepulchre.IntotheBankofSaintGeorgeinGenoa,``thatnobleandpotentcity""wastobeputwhatmoneyscouldbesavedandcollectedforthepurpose,``andonedayGodwillbringthepurposeabout.""

HisheirsmustsupporttheCrownofSpain,``seeingthattheseSovereigns,nexttoGod,areresponsibleformyachievingtheproperty,thoughtrueitisthatIcameintothiscountrytoinvitethemtotheenterprise,andthatalongwhilepassedbeforetheyallowedmetoexecuteit,butthisshouldnotsurpriseusasitwasanundertakingofwhichalltheworldwasignorantandnoonehadanyfaithinit.""AndifschismaroseinChristendom,hisheirsmusttotheiruttermostsupportHisHolinessthePope,andgiveallanddie,ifneedbe,defendingtheChurchofGod.And,whereitwaspossibleandnotcontrarytotheserviceandtheclaimsoftheSovereignsofSpain,``letthemgiveaidandservicetothatnoblecityofGenoafromwhichweallspring.""

Suchandsuchmoneys,accruing,weretobeappliedtomakingfitmarriagesforthedaughtersoftheline.

AndletDonDiegohissonbuildintheislandofHispaniolaachurchandcallitSantaMariadelaConcepcion,achurchandahospitalandachapelwheremassesmightbesaidforthegoodofthesoulofChristopherusColumbus.

``DoubtlessGodwillbepleasedtogiveusrevenueenoughforthisandallpurposes.""AndletthemmaintainintheislandofHispaniolafourgoodteachersoftheologytoconverttotheOneFaiththeinhabitantsoftheIndies,``towhichendnoexpenseshouldbethoughttooconsiderable.""

Manyotherthingsheprovidedfor.HecaredforthatDonaBeatrixwhohadgivenhimFernando.Wherehehadmetkindness,therehegaveasbesthemight.AmongothersmallbequestswasasilvermarktoapoorJewwhohaddonehimservice,wholivedatthegateoftheGhettoinLisbon.Hegavetomany,andclosedhiswillandsigneditwithhissignetlettersandbelowthese,ELALMIRANTE.

Afterthistherecameasecondleapoftheflame.QueenJuanawaswithherhusband,KingPhillip,inLaredo,——

QueenofCastileashadbeenthegoodQueenhermother.

TheAdmiral,utterlyreveringtheQueenwhowasgone,wrotetothedaughterQueenastatelyletterofhighcomfortandofferandpromiseofservice.HewouldhavetheAdelantado,nolessaman,bearthistoLaredo.DonBartholomewspokeasidetoJuanLepe.``IfIdoashewished,IdonotknowifIwillseehimagain.""

``Idonotknow,""Ianswered.``Buthisheartisseton``ThenIwillgo,""hesaid.``Andmany"sthetimeI

havethought,`Ishallneverseehimagain",andstillwemet.""

ForseveraldaysafterthisIthoughtthatafterallhemightrecover.Perhapsevensailagainonearthlydiscoveries.

Then,inanight,cametheunmistakablestrokeuponthedoor.

Hesank,andknewnowthathewasputtingoffthebody.

FrayJuanPerezstayedbesidehim.HissonsandhisbrotherDiegowaitedwithreddenedeyes.ItwasfullMay,andtheblandwindstrayedinandoutofwindowandflutteredhismanypapersuponthegreattable.ItwastowardeveningofAscensionDay.HissonFernandothrewhimselfonthebed,weeping.TheAdmiral"sgreathandfellupontheyouth"shead.Helookedtothewindowandsaidclearly,``Alight——yonderisalight!""andafteramoment,``_InmanustuasDominecoinmendospiritummeum_.""

TheseabyPalosandJuneinAndalusia.JuanLepe,stayingatLaRabida,walkedalongthesandsandsawLifelikeamighty,breathingpicture.Hestoodbytheseaandtheripplesbrokeathisfeet,andhefeltandknewtheMasterofLife,therewherefeelingandknowingpassintoBeing.

HewalkedamilebesideOcean-Sea,thensatdownbeneathridgedsandwiththewindsingingover.Itsang,_Wherenow,JaymedeMarchena——wherenow——wherenow_?

Isatstill.Spainrosebehindme,SpainandEurope.

Beforeme,outofsea,liftedtheNewLands.Therefellamomentofgreatcalmandquiet.Then,fleeting,likeaspirit,passedbeforemetheIndianGuarinwhohadsavedmeafterLaNavidad.Isawhisdarkeyes,thenhewent.

Stillspacewithoutcolororlineorform,andoutside,dreamily,dreamily,theoceansoundingbelowLaRabida.Then,intheclearfieldroseBartolomedeLasCasas.Aquiet,singingvoiceranthroughJaymedeMarchena,andheknewthathewouldreturntoHispaniolaandlinkhislifewiththatyoungerlifewhichapparentlyhadworktodointheIndies.