THEmorningwasgrayandIsatbytheseanearPalosinagraymood.IwasJaymedeMarchena,andthatwasagood,_oldChristian_name.ButmygrandmotherwasJewess,andincornerstheysaidthatshenevertrulyrecanted,andIhadbeenmuchwithherasachild.
　　Shewasdead,butstilltheytalkedofher.JaymedeMarchena,lookingbackfromthehillsideofforty-six,sawsomeservicedonefortheQueenandthefolk.Thisthingandthatthing.Notdemandingtrumpets,butserviceable.ItwouldbeneithercountednorweighedbesideandagainstthatwhichDonPedroandtheDominicanfoundtosay.
　　Whattheyfoundtosaytheymade,notfound.Theytookclayofmisrepresentation,andinthefieldoffalsehoodsatthemdown,andconsultingtheparchmentofmalice,proceededtocreate.Butfalseaswasalltheysetup,thetimewouldcryittrue.
　　ItwasreasonablethatIshouldfindthedaygray.
　　Studyandstudyandstudy,yearonyear,andatlastimageagreatthing,justundertherimofthemind'socean,sendingupforthosewhowilllookstreamersabovehorizon,streamersofcoloredandwonderfullight!Studyandreasonandwithaweanddelighttakelightfromabove.Dreamofgoodnewsforoneandall,oflifegivendepthandbroughtintomusic,dreamofgivingthegiven,neverholdingitback,whichwouldbeavariceandbetraying!Write,andgivemenandwomentoreadwhatyouhavewritten,andbelieve——poorDeluded!——thattheyalsofeelinnerwarmthandlightandrejoice.
　　Oh,graytheseaandgraytheshore!
　　Butsomedidfeelit.
　　TheDominican,whenitfellintohishands,calleditperdition.AJewessforgrandmother,andDonPedroforenemy.AndnowtheDominican——theDominicans!
　　TheQueenandtheKingmadeedictagainsttheJews,andtheresattheInquisition.
　　Iwas——Iam——Christian.Itisawideanddeepandhighword.Whenyouask,``Whatisit——Christian?''
　　thenmusteachofusanswerasitisgiventohimtoanswer.
　　Iandthou——andtheTrue,theUniversalChristgiveuslight!
　　To-dayallAndalusia,allCastileandallSpaintomeseemedgray,andgraytheutterOceanthatstretchednomanknewwhere.Thegraywasthegrayoffettersandofashes.
　　Thetidemade,andasthewavescamenearer,eatingthesandbeforeme,theyutteredalowcrying._Indanger——
　　danger——indanger,JaymedeMarchena!_
　　Ihadbeenindangerbefore.Whoisnotoftenandalwaysindanger,inlife?Butthiswasadangertodaunt.
　　Minewerenopowerfulfriends.Ihadonlythatwhichwaswithinme.Iwasonlysonofonlyson,andmyparentsandgrandparentsweredead,andmydistantkindredcold,seeingnaughtofgoodinsomuchstudyandthinkingofthatold,dark,beautiful,questionableone,mygrandmother.
　　Ihadindeedaremotekinsman,headofaconventinthisneighborhood,andhewasawisemanandakindly.Butnotheeithercoulddoaughthere!
　　AlltheJewstobebanished,andDonPedrowithasteadyforefinger,``Thatman——takehim,too!WhodoesnotknowthathisgrandmotherwasJewess,andthathelivedwithheranddrankpoison?''ButtheDominican,``No!
　　TheHolyOfficewilltakehim.Youhavebuttoread——onlyyoumustnotread——whathehaswrittentoseewhy!''
　　GrayOcean,stretchingendlesslyandnowcomingclose,wereitnotwellifIdrownedmyselfthisgraymorningwhileIcanchoosethedeathIshalldie?Nowthegreatmurmursang_Well_,andnowitsangNotwell.
　　Lowcliffandheapedsandandasolitarybirdwide-wingingtowardthemountainsofPortugal,andtheOceangray-
　　blueandsalt!Thesaltsavorenteredme,andaninnerzestcameforwardandsaidNo,tobeingcraven.Inbanishmentcertainly,intheHouseoftheInquisitionmoredoubtfully,theimmortalmanmightyetfindmarketfromwhichtobuy!
　　Ifthemindcouldsurmount,theeternalquestneednotbeinterrupted——eventhere!
　　BlueOceansangtome.
　　Avision——itcametomeattimes,vision——setitselfinair.IsawAPeoplewhopersecutedneitherJewnorthinker.
　　ItroseoneFigure,formedofaninfinitenumberofsmallfigures,butalltheiredgesmetinoneglow.Thefigurestoodupontheseaandheldaparttheclouds,andwasfreeandfairandmighty,andwasmanandwomanmeltedtogether,andittookallcolorsandmadeofthemasunforitsbrow.Ididnotknowwhenitwouldlive,butIknewthatitshouldlive.Perhapsitwasthewholeworld.
　　Itvanished,leavingskyandoceanandAndalusia.Butgreatvisionsleavegreatpeace.Afterit,forthisday,itseemednotworthwhiletogrieveandmiserablytoforebode.
　　ThroughthehoursthatIlaytherebythesea,airsfromthatlandorthatearthblewaboutmeandfaintsongsvisitedmyears,andthegraydaywasonlygraylikeadove'sbreast.
　　JaymedeMarchenastayedbythelonelyseabecausethatseemedthesafestplacetostay.AthandwasthesmallportofPalosthatmightnotknowwhatwasbreedinginSeville,andgoingthitheratnightfallIfoundlodgingandsupperinastillcornerwhereallnightIheardtheTintoflowingby.
　　IhadwanderedtoPalosbecauseoftheFranciscanconventofSantaMariadelaRabidaandmyverydistantkins-
　　man,FrayJuanPerez.ThedayafterthegraydaybytheshoreIwalkedhalfaleagueofsandyroadandcametoconventgate.Theporterletmein,andIwaitedinalittlecourtwithdovesaboutmeandaswingingbellaboveuntilthebrotherwhomhehadcalledreturnedandtookmetoPrior'sroom.AtfirstFrayJuanPerezwasstiffandcold,butbylittlesthischangedandhebecameagoodman,large-
　　mindedandwithasenseforkindred.ClearlyhethoughtthatIshouldnothavehadaJewishgrandmother,norhavelivedwithherfrommythirdtomytenthbirthday,andmostclearlythatIshouldnothavewrittenthatwhichIhadwritten.ButhisGodwasanenergetic,enterprising,kindlyPrince,ratherboldhimselfandtolerantofheathen.FrayJuanPerezevenintimatedadoubtifGodwantedtheInquisition.``Butthat'sgoingratherfar!''hesaidhastilyandsatdrummingthetableandpursinghislips.
　　Presentlyhebroughtout,``ButyouknowIcan'tdoanything!''
　　Ididknowit.Whatcouldhedo?IsupposeIhadhadahalf-hopeofsomething.Iknewnotwhat.WithoutahopeIwouldnothavecometoLaRabida.Butitwasmaimedfromthefirst,andnowitdied.Imadeagestureofrelinquishment.``No,Isupposeyoucannot——''
　　HesaidafteramomentthathewasgladtoseethatI
　　hadletmybeardgrowandwasveryplainlydressed,thoughIhadneverbeenelaboratethere,andespeciallywashegladthatIwascometoPalosnotasJaymedeMarchena,butunderaplainandsimplename,JuanLepe,towit.Hisadvicewastofleefromthewrathtocome.HewouldnotsayfleefromtheHolyOffice——thatwouldbeheinous!——buthewouldsayabsentmyself,abscond,bebanished,JaymedeMarchenabyJaymedeMarchena.TherewerebarquesinPalosandrudeseamenwhoaskednoquestionwhengoldjustenough,andnevermorethanenough,wasshown.
　　HehesitatedamomentandthenaskedifIhadfunds.Ifnot——
　　IthankedhimandsaidthatIhadmadeprovision.
　　``Then,''saidhe,``gotoBarbary,DonJayme!AnintelligentandprudentmanmayprosperatErcillaoratFez.
　　Ifyoumuststudy,studythere.''
　　``Youalsostudy,''Isaid.
　　``Infairtroddenhighways——neverinthickforestandmerefog!''heanswered.``NowifyouwerelikeonewhohasbeenhereandisnowbeforeGranada,atSantaFe,sentforthitherbytheQueen!ThatonehathindeedstudiedtobenefitSpain——Spain,Christendom,andtheworld!''
　　Iaskedwhowasthatgreatone,butbeforehecouldtellmecameinterruption.Avisitorentered,astrong-lipped,bold-eyedmannamedMartinPinzon.Iwastomeethimagainandoften,butatthistimeIdidnotknowthat.FrayJuanPerezevidentlydesiringthatIshouldgo,Ithoughtitrighttoobligehimwhowouldhavedonemekindnesshadheknownhow.IwentwithoutintimatewordofpartingandafteronlyacasualstarefromMartinPinzon.
　　Butwithout,mykinsmancameafterme.``Iwanttosay,DonJayme,thatifIamaskedfortestimonyIshallholdtoitthatyouareasgoodChristianasany——''
　　Itwaskinsman'spartandallthattrulyIcouldhavehopedfor,andItoldhimso.Aboutuswasquiet,vacantcloister,andwepartedmorewarmlythanwehaddonewithin.
　　ThewhiteconventofLaRabidaissetonaheadlandamongvineyardsandpinetrees.Itregardstheoceanand,afar,themountainsofPortugal,andbelowitrunsasmallriver,goingouttoseathroughsandswiththeTintoandtheOdiel.Againthedaywasgrayandthepinetreessighing.
　　Theporterletmeoutatgate.
　　IwalkedbacktowardPalosthroughthesandyways.I
　　didnotwishtogotoAfrica.
　　ItismybeliefthatthatlargerSelfwhomtheywillcallprotectingSaintorheavenlyGuardiantakeshandinaffairsoftenerthanwethink!LeavingthePalosroad,IwenttotheseaasIhaddoneyesterdayandagainsatunderheapedsandwithaboutmeaseregrassthroughwhichthewindwhined.Atfirstitwhinedandthenitsanginathin,outlandishvoice.Sittingthus,ImighthavelookedtowardAfrica,butIknewnowthatIwasnotgoingtoAfrica.
　　Often,perhaps,intheunrememberedpastIhadbeeninAfrica;often,doubtless,inagestocomeitssoilwouldbeundermyfoot,butnowIwasnotgoingthere!To-dayI
　　lookedwestwardoverRiver-Ocean,unknowntoourfathersandunknowntoourselves.Itwasunknownasthefutureoftheworld.
　　Oceanpiledbeforeme.FromwhereIlayitseemedtorunuphilltoonepaleline,norbluenorwhite,setbeneaththesolidgray.Overthathilltop,what?Onlyotherhillsandplains,water,endlesslywater,untilthewaves,somuchmightierthanwavesofthatblueseaweknewbest,shouldbeatatlastagainstAsiashore!Sohigh,sodeep,sovast,soreal,yetsoempty-seemingsaveforstrangedangers!Nosailsoverthehilltop;nosailsinallthatVastsavecloseathandwheremarinersheldtotheskirtsofMother.Europe.
　　Oceanvast,Oceanblack,Oceanunknown.Yetthere,too,lifeandtheknowingofliferansomehowcontinuous.
　　Itwiledmefrommysmallerself.Howhadweallsuffered,wethewholeearth!Butweweremoving,wetheworldwithnoneleftout,movingtowardThatwhichheldworlds,whichwasconsciousaboveworlds.Longthejourney,longtheadventure,butitwasnotworthwhilefearing,itwasnotworthwhilewhining!IwasnotaloneJaymedeMarchena,norJuanLepe,northisnamenorthatnortheother.
　　Therewasnowagreatspaceofquietinmymind.SuddenlyformedtherethefaceandfigureofDonEnriquedeCerdawhoselifeIhadhadthegoodhaptosave.HewasfarawaywiththeQueenandKingwhobeleagueredGranada.
　　Ihadnotseenhimfortenyears.Amomentbeforehehadrestedamongthehostoffiguresintheunevenlylightedlandofmemory.Nowhestoodforthplainlyandseemedtosmile.
　　Itooktheleading.WiththeinnereyeIhaveseenlinesoflightlikesubtleshiningcordsrunningbetweenpersons.
　　SuchathreadstretchednowbetweenmeandEnriquedeCerda.Ideterminedtomakemyway,asJuanLepe,throughthemountainsandovertheplainofGranadatoSantaFe.
　　CHAPTERII
　　SETwilltoanendandpromptlyeyesopentomeans!
　　IdidnotstartforGranadafromPalosbutfromHuelva,andIquittedAndalusiaasaporterinasmallmerchanttraincarryinggoodsofsortstoZarafathatwasamountaintowntakenfromtheMoorsfiveyearsback.I
　　wastothesefolkJuanLepe,astrong,middle-agedmanusedtoshipsbutnowforsomereasontiredofthem.Mymerchantshadonlyeyesforthesafetyoftheirpersonsandtheirbales,plungedthethirddayintomountainouswildcountryechoingandghastlywithlong-lastingwar.Theirservantsandmuleteerswalkedandrode,lamentedorweregay,raisedfaction,swore,laughed,traveledgrimlyorinadullmelancholyormirthfully;quarreledandmadepeace,turnbyturn,daybyday,muchalike.Onewhowasabullyfixedaquarreluponmeandanothertookmypart.
　　Allleapedtosides.Iwasforgotteninthemidstofthem;
　　theycouldhardlyhavetoldnowwhatwasthecauseofbattle.
　　Ayoungmerchantrodebacktochideandsettlematters.
　　AtlastsomeonerememberedthatDiegohadstruckJuanLepewhohadflunghimoff.ThenTomasohadsprunginandstruckDiego.ThenMiguel——``LetJuanLepealone!''saidmymerchant.``Fie!apoorPalosseafaringchild,andyougreatHuelvamen!''Theylaughedatthat,andthestormvanishedasithadcome.
　　Ilikedtheyoungman.
　　Howwildandwithoutlaw,save``Holdifyoucan!''
　　werethesemountains!''Holdifyoucantolife——holdifyoucantoknowledge——holdifyoucantojoy!''Blackcliffoverhungblackglenandweknewthereweredensofrobbers.Farandnearviolencefallslikeblacksnow.Thismerchantbandgatheredtosleepunderoakswithagreatrockatourback.Wehadjourneyers'supperandfire,foritwascold,coldintheseheights.Alittlewinewasgivenandmenfelltosleepbytheheapedbales;horses,assesandmulesbeingfastenedcloseunderthecrag.Threemenwatched,toberelievedinmiddlenightbyotherthreewhonowslept.AmuleteernamedRodrigoandJuanLepeandtheyoungmerchanttookthefirstturn.Thefirsttwosatononesideofthefireandtheyoungmerchantontheother.
　　Themuleteerremainedsunkeninagreatcloak,hischinonhisarmsfoldeduponhisknees,andwhathesawinthelandwithinIcannottell.Buttheyoungmerchantwasofaquickdispositionandpresentlymusttalk.Forsomedistancearoundusspreadbareearthsetonlywithshrubsandstones.
　　Alsotherisingmoongavelight,andwiththatandourownstrengthwedidnottrulylookforanyattack.Wesatandtalkedatease,thoughwithloweredvoices,Rodrigosomewhereawayandtherestofthepicturesleeping.Themerchantaskedwhathadbeenmylastvoyage.
　　Ianswered,afteramoment,toEngland.
　　``Youdonotseemtome,''hesaid,``aseaman.ButI
　　supposethereareallkindsofseamen.''
　　Isaidyes,theseawaswide.
　　``Englandnow,atthepresentmoment?''hesaid,andquestionedmeastoBristol,ofwhichporthehadtrader'sknowledge.IansweredoutofabookIhadread.Itwastruethat,livingoncebythesea,Iknewhowtohandleaboat.Icouldfindinmemorysailors'terms.Butstillhesaid,``YouarenotaseamansuchasweseeatPalosandSanLucar.''
　　Itisoftenbestnottohaltdenial.Letitpassbyandwanderamongthewildgrasses!
　　``Imyself,''hesaidpresently,``havegonebyseatoVigoandtoBordeaux.''Hewarmedhishandsatthefire,thenclaspedthemabouthiskneesandgazedintothenight.
　　``What,JuanLepe,isthatOceanwelookuponwhenwelookwest?Imean,wheredoesitgo?Whatdoesitstrike?''
　　``India,belike.AndCathay.To-dayallmenbelievetheearthtoberound.''
　　``Alongway!''hesaid.``OSanctaMaria!Allthatwater!''
　　``Wedonothavetodrinkit.''
　　Helaughed.``No!Norsailit.ButafterIhadbeenonthatvoyageIcouldseeusalwayslikemicerunningclosetoawall,foreverandforever!JuanLepe,wearelittleandtimid!''
　　Ilikedhisspirit.``Onedayweshallbelionsandeaglesandboldprophets!ThenourtongueshalltastemuchbesideIndiaandCathay!''
　　``Well,Ihopeit,''hesaid.``Micerunningundertheheadlands.''
　　Hefellsilent,cherishinghiskneesandstaringintothefire.ItwasnotJuanLepe'splacetotalkwhenmastermerchanttalkednot.I,too,regardedthefire,andtheherdedmountainsrobedinnight,andthehalf-moonlikeasailrisingfromaninvisibleboat.
　　Thenightwentpeacefullyby.Itwasfollowedbyahardday'stravelandtheincidentoftheroad.AteveningwesawthewallsofZarafainasunsetglory.Themerchantsandtheirtrainpassedthroughthegateandfoundtheircustomaryinn.Withothers,JuanLepeworkedhard,unladingandstoring.Alldone,heandthebullysleptalmostineachother'sarms,underthearchesofthecourt,dreamlessly.
　　Thenextdayandthenextwerestilldaysoflabor.ItwasnotuntilthethirdthatJuanLepeconsideredthathemightnowabsenthimselfandthereberaisednohueandcryafterstrongshoulders.Hehadearnedhisquittance,andinthenighttime,uponhishandsandknees,hecreptfromthesleepersinthecourt.Justbeforedawntheinngateswungopen.Hehadbeenwaitingclosetoit,andhepassedoutnoiselessly.
　　Inthetwodays,carryinggoodsthroughstreetstomarketsquareanduptocitadelandpausingatvaryinglevelsforbreathandtheprospect,Ihadlearnedthistownwellenough.Iknewwherewenttheascendinganddescendingways.Nowalmostalllayasleep,antique,shaded,Moorish,still,underthestars.Thesoldieryandthehidalgos,theirofficers,slept;onlythesentinelswakedbeforethecitadelentryandonthetownwallsandbythethreegates.Thetownfolkslept,allbutthesickandthesorrowfulandthecarefulandthosewhohadworkatdawn.Listen,andyoumighthearsoundlikethefirstmovingofbirds,orbreathofdawnwindcomingupatsea.ThegreaterpartnowofthetownfolkwereChristian,broughtinsincethefive-year-
　　gonesiegethatstillresounded.Moorswerehere,buttheyhadturnedChristian,orwereslaves,orbothslaveandChristian.Ihadseenmonksofallhabitsandheardringabovetheinnthebellsofanunnery.Nowagaintheyrang.Themosquewasnowachurch.Itroseathand,——
　　white,square,domed.Iwentbyaladder-likelanedowntowardZarafawallandtheGateoftheLion.Atsunriseinwouldpourpeasantsfromthevalebelow,bringingvegetablesandpoultry,andmountaineerswithquailsandconies,andotherswithdiversaffairs.Outgoingwouldbethosewhotilledafewsteepgardensbeyondthewall,messengersanderrandfolk,soldiersandtradersforthearmybeforeGranada.
　　ItwasfullearlywhenIcametothewall.Icouldmakeouttheheavyandtallarchwayofthegate,butasyetwasnothrongbeforeit.Iwaited;thefolkbegantogather,thesuncameup.Zarafagrewrosy.Nowwasclatterenough,voicesofmenandbrutes,bothsidesthegate.Thegateopened.JuanLepewonoutwithaknotofbrawnyfolkgoingtothemountainpastures.Wellforth,helookedbackandsawZarafagleamingroseandpearlintheblinkofthesun,andsentyoungmerchantwardawishforgood.Thenhetooktheeastwardwaydownthemountain,towardlowermountainsandatlasttheVegaofGranada.
　　CHAPTERIII
　　THEdaypassed.Ihadadventuresoftheroad,butnoneofconsequence.Isleptwellamongtherocks,waked,atethebitofbreadIhadwithme,andfellagaintowalking.
　　Mountainswerenowwithdrawingtothedistanthorizonwheretheystoodaround,amightyandbeautifulwall.I
　　wascomingdownintotheplainofGranada,thatoncehadbeenagarden.Now,north,south,east,west,itlaywar-
　　trampled.Oldownersweredead,menandwomen,orwere_mudexares_,vassals,orwerefled,menandwomen,allwhocouldflee,totheirkindredinAfrica.Ortheyyetcowered,menandwomen,inthebrokengarden,awaitingindividualdisaster.TheKingdomofGranadahadsins,andtheKingdomofCastile,andtheKingdomofLeon.TheMoorwasstained,andtheSpaniard,theMoslemandtheChristianandtheJew.WhohadstainstheleastorthemostGodknew——anditwasapoorinquiry.Seekthevirtuesandbindthemwithlove,eachineach!
　　Ifthemountainroadhadbeenlargelysolitary,itwasnotsoofthisroad.TherewerefolkenoughinthewideVegaofGranada.Clearly,asthoughtheonepartyhadbeendressedinblackandtheotherinred,theydividedintovanquishedandvictor.Bitbybit,nowthroughyears,allthesetownsandvillages,allthesefertilefieldsandboskyplaces,richandsinging,hadleftthehandoftheMoorforthehandoftheSpaniard.
　　InallthispartofhisoldkingdomtheMoorlaylowindefeat.InhadswarmedtheChristianandwiththeChristiantheJew,thoughnowtheJewmustleave.ThecityofGranadawasnotyetsurrendered,andtheQueenandKingheldallsoldierythattheymightatSantaFe,builtasitwereinanightbeforeGranadawalls.Yetthereseemedatlargebandsenough,licentiousandloud,thescumofsoldiery.EreIreachedthevillagethatInowsawbeforemeIhadmettwosuchbands,Iwondered,andthenwonderedatmyownwonder.
　　Thechiefhouseofthevillagewasbecomeaninn.Twolongtablesstoodinthepatiowherenofountainnowflowednororangetreesgrewnorbirdssangincornersnorfineawningkeptawaytheglare.Twentyofthesewildandbasefightingmencrowdedonetable,eatinganddrinking,clamorousandspoutingoaths.Attheothertablesattogetheratanendthreemenwhombyanumberoftokensmightberobbersofthemountains.Theysatquiet,indifferenttothenoise,talkinglowamongthemselvesinatongueoftheirown,kinenoughtothesoldierynottofearthem.TheoppositeendofthelongtablewasgiventoagrouptowhichInowjoinedmyself.HeresattwoFranciscanfriars,andamanwhoseemedalawyer;andonewhohadtheairoftheseaandturnedouttobemasterofaLevantine;andabrisk,talkative,importantperson,aCatalan,andasitpresentlyappearedalcaldeonceofaso-sovillage;andayoung,unhealthy-lookingmaninblackwithanopenbookbesidehim;andastrangefellowwhoseSpanishwasimperfect.
　　Isatdownnearthefriars,crossedmyself,andcutapieceofbreadfromtheloafbeforeme.Theinnkeeperandhiswife,agaunt,extraordinarilytallwoman,served,runningfromtabletotable.Theplacewasallheatandnoise.
　　Presentlythesoldiers,endingtheirmeal,gotupwithclamorandsurgedfromthecourttotheirwaitinghorses.Afterthemrantheinnkeeper,appealingforpay.Denials,expostulation,angerandbeseechingreachedtheearsofthepatio,thenthesoundofhorsesgoingdownstonyways.``OGodofthepoor!''criedthegauntwoman.``Howarewerobbed!''
　　``WhyaretheynotbeforeGranada?''demandedthelawyerandalertlyprovidedtheanswertohisownquestion.
　　``Takelocustsandgivethemleavetoeat,beingcarefultosay,`Thisfellow'sfieldsonly!'Butthelocustshavewingsandtheirnatureistoeat!''
　　Themountainrobbers,ifrobberstheywere,dinedquietly,thegauntwomanpromptlyandpainstakinglyservingthem.
　　Theyweregoingtopay,Iwassure,thoughitmightnotbethisnoon.
　　Thetwofriarsseemed,quiet,simplemen,diningasdumblyasiftheysatinSaintFrancis'srefectory.Thesometimealcaldeandtheshipmasterwerethetalkers,thestudentsittingasthoughhewereinthedesert,eatingbreadandcheeseandonionsandlookingonhisbook.Thelawyerwatchedall,talkedtomakethemtalk,thencameinandsettledmatters.Thealcaldewasthepolitician,knowingtheaffairsoftheworldandspeakingfamiliarlyoftheKingandtheQueenandtheMarquisofCadiz.
　　Theshipmastersaid,``ThistimelastyearIwasinLondon,andIsawtheirKing.HisnameisHenry.KingHenrytheSeventh,andagoodcarrierofhiskingship!''
　　``Thatforhim!''saidthealcalde.``Lethimstayinhisfoggyisland!ButSpainistoosmallforKingFerdinand.''
　　``Allkingsfindtheirlandstoosmall,''saidthelawyer.
　　Theshipmasterspokeagain.``TheKingofPortugal'sshipsailsaheadofoursinthatmatter.He'sstuckhisbannerinthenewislands,MaderiaandtheHawkIslandsandwherenot!IwastalkinginCadizwithonewhowaswithBartholomewDiazwhenheturnedAfricaandnameditGoodHope.Whichistosay,KingJohnhasGoodHopeofseeingPortugalswell.Portugal!Well,Isay,`WhynotSpain'?''
　　Thestudentlookedupfromhisbook.``ItisagreatAge!''hesaidandreturnedtohisreading.
　　Whenwehadfinisheddinner,wepaidthetall,gauntwomanandleavingtherobbers,ifrobberstheywere,stillattable,wentoutintothestreet.Herethefriars,thealcaldeandthelawyermovedinthedirectionofthesmall,staringwhiteandruinedmosquethatwastobetransformedintothechurchofSanJagotheDeliverer.Thatwastheonethingofwhichthefriarshadspoken.Alongbenchranbyinnwallandheretheshipmastertookhisseatandbegantodiscoursewiththosealreadythere.Bookunderarm,thestudentmoveddreamilydowntheoppositelane.JuanLepewalkedawayalone.
　　Throughtheremainderofthisdayhehadnowcompanyandadventurewithout,nowsolitudeandadventurewithin.
　　Thatnighthespentinaruinedtowerwhereyoungtreesgrewandanowlwashiscomradeandhereadthefaceofagloriousmoon.Dawn.Hebathedinastreamthatranbythemoundofthetowerandateapieceofbreadfromhiswalletandtooktheroad.
　　Thesunmountedabovethetrees.Amanuponamulecameupbehindmeandwaspassing.``Thereisastonewedgedinhisshoe,''Isaid.TheriderdrewreinandI
　　liftedthecreature'sforelegandtookoutthepebble.Theridermadesearchforabitofmoney.Isaidthatthedeedwasshortandeasyandneedednopayment,whereuponheputupthecoinandregardedmeoutofhisfineblueeyes.
　　Hewasquitefair,ayoungmanstill,anddressedafteramannerofhisowningarmentsnotatallnewbutwithabeautyoffashioningandputtingon.Heandhismulelookedacorneroutofagreatpainting.AndIhadnosoonerthoughtthatthanhesaid,``Iseeinyou,friend,afaceandfigureformy`DraughtofFishes.'AndbySaintChristopher,thereiswateroveryonderandjustthelandscape!''
　　Heleanedfromthesaddleandspokepersuasively,``Comefromtheroadabitdowntothewaterandletmedrawyou!YouarenotdressedlikethekinofMidas!I
　　willgiveyouthepriceofdinner.''Ashetalkedhedrewoutofarichlyworkedbagabookofpaperandpencils.
　　Ithought,``ThisbeardandtheclothesofJuanLepe.Hecanhardlymakeitsothatanymayrecognize.''Itwasrestingtimeandthemanattracted.Iagreed,ifhewouldtakenomorethananhour.
　　``Thedrawing,no!——Bentfarover,gatheringthenetstrongly——AndreworMarkperhaps,since,traditionally,Johnmusthaveyouth.''
　　Hehadcontinuedtostudymeallthistime,andnowwelefttheroadandmovedovertheplaintothestreamthatherewidenedintoapoolfringedwithrushesandafewtwistedtrees.Anancient,half-sunkenboatdrowsingunderthebankhehailedagaininthenameofSaintChristopher.
　　Dismounting,hefastenedhismuletoawillowandproceededtoplaceme,thenhimselffoundarootofatree,andtakingouthisknifefelltosharpeningpencil.Thisdone,herestedbookagainstkneeandbegantodraw.
　　Havingmadehisfigureinonepostureheroseandshowedmeanotheranddrewhisfishermanso.Thenhedemonstratedathirdwayanddrewagain.Nowhewassilent,workinghard,andnowhedroppedhishand,threwbackhisheadandtalked.Hehimselfmadeapicture,palygoldoflocks,subtleandquickofface,plasteredagainstablueshieldwithawillowwreathgoingaround.
　　Istoodsoorso,drawingharduponthenetwiththefishes.ThenathiscommandIapproachedmorenearly,andhedrewfullfaceandthree-quarterandprofile.Itwasbetweentheseaccomplishingsthathetalkedmoreintimately.
　　``SeamengotoItaly,''hesaid.``WereyoueverinMilan?Butthatisinland.''
　　IansweredthatIhadbeenfromGenoatoMilan.
　　``ItisnotlikelythatyousawagreatpainterthereMesserLeonardo?''
　　IthappenedthatIhaddonethis,andmoreoverhadseenhimatworkandheardhimputrightthoughtintomostrightwords.IwassotiredoflyingthatafteramomentIsaidthatIhadseenandheardMesserLeonardo.
　　``Didyouseethestatue?''
　　``ThefirsttimeIsawhimhewasatworkuponit.ThenexttimehewaspaintinginthechurchofSantaMaria.
　　Thethirdtimehesatinagarden,sippedwineandtalked.''
　　``Iholdyou,''hesaid,``tobeafortunatefisherman!
　　JustasthisfisherIampainting,andwhetheritisAndreworMark,Idonotyetknow,wasamostfortunatefisherman!''
　　Heendedmeditatively,``Thoughwhoeveritis,probablyhewascrucifiedorbeheadedorburned.''
　　Ifeltacertainshiverofpremonition.Thedaythathadbeenwarmandbrightturnedinaflashashyandchill.Thenitswungbacktoitsfirstfairseeming,ornottoitsfirst,buttoadeeper,brighteryet.TheFishermanbyGalileewasfortunate.Whoeverperceivedtruthandbeautywasfortunate,fortunatenowandforever!
　　WecamebacktoMesserLeonardo.``IspentsixmonthsatthecourtinMilan,''saidthefairman.``IpaintedtheDukeandtheDuchessandtwogreatcourtiers.MesserLeonardowasaway.Hereturned,andIvisitedhimandfoundamaster.SincethattimeIstudylightandshadowandsmallthingsandseekoutinneraction.''
　　Heworkedinsilence,thenagainbegantospeakofpainters,ItalianandSpanish.HeaskedmeifIhadseensuchandsuchpicturesinSeville.
　　``Yes.Theyaregood.''
　　``DoyouknowMonsalvat?''
　　IsaidthatIhadclimbedthereoneday.``Idreamapainting!''
　　hesaid,``TheQuestoftheGrail.NowIseeitrunningoverthefourwallsofachurch,andnowIseeitallpackedintoonemanwhorides.Thenagainithasseemedtometruertohaveitinamanandwomanwhowalk,orperhapsevenareseated.Whatdoyouthink?''
　　IwasthinkingofIsabelwhodiedinmyarmstwentyyearsago.``Iwouldhaveitmanandwoman,''Isaid.
　　Unless,likeMesserLeonardo,youcanputbothinone.''
　　Hesatstill,hismindworking,whileinafairinnerlandIsabelandImovedtogether;theninameditativequiethefinishedhisdrawing.Hehimselfwasadmirable,finegoldandbronze,sapphire-eyed,withafacewherestreamsofvisionsmovedthemuscles,andallagainsttheblueandthewillowtree.
　　Atlastheputawaypencil,andathisgestureIcamefromtheboatandthereeds.Ilookedatwhathehaddrawn,andthenheshutbookand,themulefollowingus,wemovedbacktotheroad.
　　``Mydearfisherman,''hesaid,``youaretrudgingafootandyourdressexhibitspoverty.PaintersmaypaintJovedescendinginshowersofgoldenpesosandyethavefewpesosinpurse.Ihaveatpresentten.Ishouldliketosharethemwithyouwhohavedonemevariousgoodturnsto-day.''
　　Isaidthathewasgenerousbutthathehaddonemegoodturns.MoreoverIwasnotutterlywithoutcoin,andcertainlythehourhadpaidforitself.Sohemountedhismuleandwishedmegoodfortune,andIwishedhimgoodfortune.
　　``AreyougoingtoSantaFe?''
　　``Yes.Ihaveafriendinthecamp.''
　　``IgotheretopaintherHighnesstheQueenforhisHighnesstheKing.Perhapsweshallmeetagain.IamManuelRodriguez.''
　　``Iguessedthat,''Ianswered,``anhourago!Besogood,greatpainter,asnottorememberme.Itwillservemebetter.''
　　Thelightplayedagainoverhisface.``_TheDisguisedHidalgo_.Excellentpicturescometomelikethat,inagreatwarmlight,andexcellentnamesforpictures——Verygood.
　　Inaway,sotospeak,Ishallcompletelyforgetyou!''
　　Twoonhorseback,achurchmanandaknight,withservantsfollowing,camearoundabendofthedustyroadandrecognizingManuelRodriguez,calledtohimbyname.
　　Awayherodeuponhismule,keepingcompanywiththem.
　　Thedozenintheirtrainfollowed,raisingastheywentbysuchadustcloudthatpresentlyallbecamelikefiguresuponwornarras.TheyrodetowardSantaFe,andIfollowedonfoot.
　　CHAPTERIV
　　SANTAFerosebeforeme,acampinwood,plasterandstone,acampwithapalace,acampwithchurches.
　　Builtofapiecewherenotownhadstood,builtthatMajestyanditsCourtanditsArmymighthaveroofsandwalls,nottents,forsolongasiege,itcoveredtheplain,acityraisedinanight.Thesiegehadbeenlongasthewarhadbeenlong.HidalgoSpainandsimpleSpainweregatheredhereingreatsquaresandribbonsofvalor,ambition,emulation,desireofexcitementandoflivelihood,andlikewise,Isayit,inpiecesnotsmall,herdedandbroughtherewithoutany``Isayyes''oftheirown,andtotheirmisery.
　　Thereheldfullflavorofcrusade,asallalongthewarhadbeenpreachedasacrusade.HolyChurchhadhereherowngrandees,cavaliersandfootmen.Theyworecopeandtheyworecowl,andonoccasionmanyenduedthemselveswitharmorandhackedandhewedwithanearthlysword.
　　Attimesthereseemedasmanyfriarsandpriestsassoldiers.
　　OutandinwentagreatQueenandKing.Theircourtwashere.ThechurchmenpressedaroundtheQueen.FamousleadersputonortookoffarmorinSantaFe,——theMarquisofCadizandmanyothersonlylessthanheinestimation,andoneDonGonsalvodeCordova,whosegreaterfamewasyettocome.Militaryandshiningyouthcametotrainandfightunderthese.Oldcaptains-at-arms,gauntandscarred,madetheirwaythitherfromafar.AllwerenotSpaniard;manyasoldieroutatfortuneorwishfuloffamecamefromFranceandItaly,evenfromEnglandandGermany.
　　WomenwereinSantaFe.TheQueenhadherladies.Wives,sistersanddaughtersofhidalgoscametovisit,andthecommonsoldieryhadtheirmates.Nordidtherelackcourtesans.
　　Pettymerchantsthrongedtheplace.Allmannerofrichgoodswereboughtbytheflushedsoldiers,thehighandthelow.Andtheredwelledhereahostofthosewhosoldentertainment,——mummersandjugglersandsingers,dwarfsandgiants.Dicerattled,nowtherewerecastanetsanddancing,andnowchurchbellsseemedtorocktheplace.
　　Wineflowed.
　　OutoftheplainaleagueandmoreawaysprangthetwohillsofGranada,andprickedagainstthesky,herwallsandthousandtowersandnoblegates.BetweenthemandSantaFestretchedopenandruinedground,andhereformanyadayhadshockedtogethertheSpaniardandtheMoor.Butnowtherewasnolongerbattle.Granadahadaskedandbeengrantedseventydaysinwhichtoenvisageandacceptherfate.Thesewerenearingtheend.Lostandbeaten,haggardwithwoeandhungerandpestilence,thecitystoodoveragainstus,abovethenakedplain,allheroutergardensstrippedaway,barelightstrikingtheredAlhambraandtheCitadel.WhenthewindsweptoverherandontoSantaFeitseemedtobringasoundofwailingandthefaintandterribleodorofalongbesiegedplace.
　　IcameateveintoSantaFe,foundatlastaninnofthepoorersort,atescantsupperandwenttobed.Dawncamewithagreatringingofchurchbells.
　　Outoftheinn,inthethrobbingstreet,IbeganmysearchforDonEnriquedeCerda.Onetoldmeonethingandoneanother,butatlastIgottruedirection.AtnoonIfoundhiminagoodlyroomwherebemaderecoveryfromwounds.
　　Nowhewalkedandnowhesat,hisarminaslingandabandagelikeaturbanaroundhishead.ApagetookhimthewordIgave.``JuanLepe.Fromthehermitageintheoakwood.''Itsufficed.WhenIenteredhegazed,thencomingtome,puthisunboundhandovermine.``Why,''
　　heasked,```JuanLepe'?''
　　Iglancedtowardthepageandhedismissedhim,whereuponIexplainedthecircumstances.
　　Wesatbythewindow,andagainroseforusthehermitageintheoakwoodatfootofamountain,andthesmalltowerthatslewinuglyfashion.Againwewereyoungmen,togetherinstrangedangers,learningthereeachother'smettle.Hehadnotatallforgotten.
　　HeofferedtogotoSeville,assoonasGranadashouldfall,andfindandfightDonPedro.Ishookmyhead.I
　　couldhavedonethathadIseenitastheway.''
　　HeagreedthatDonPedrowasnowtheminorperil.Itiseviltochainthought!Inourdaywethinkboldlyofanumberofthings.ButtouchKingortouchChurch——thecordisaroundyourneck!''
　　IsaidthatIsupposedIhadbeenrash.
　　Henodded.``Yes.Youwererashthatdayintheoakwood.Lessrash,andmyboneswouldbelyingthere,undertree.''Heroseandwalkedtheroom,thencametomeandputhisunhurtarmaboutmyshoulders.``DonJayme,wesworethatdaycomradeloveandservice——andthatdayisnow;twilighthasnevercometoit,theleavesoftheoakwoodhaveneverfallen!TheHolyOfficeshallnothavethee!''
　　``DonEnrique——''
　　Wesatdownanddrankeachalittlewine,andfelltowaysandmeans.