Wewentashoreforwaterandfruit.Solitary——neithermannorwoman!Wefoundtracksuponthesandthatsomeamonguswouldhaveitweremadebygriffons.OneofourmenhadthethoughtthathemightprocuresomelargebirdfortheAdmiral'stable.Takingacrossbowhepassedalonethroughthepalmsintothedeeperwood.Hewasgoneanhour,andwhenhereturneditwasinhaste,withachalkfaceandgreateyes.Iwasseatedintheboatwiththemasterofthe_Cordera_andheardhistale.Hehadfoundwhathethoughtanaturalaisleoftheforestandhadstolendownit,lookingkeenlyforpigeonorlargerbird.Atreewithdroopingbranchesstoodacrosstheaisle,hesaid.Hewentaroundthetrunk,whichwasagreatone,anditwasasthoughhehadturnedintothenaveofthecathedral.Therewasspace,buttreeslikepillarsoneitherside,andattheendthreegreattreescoveredtothetopswithvineandpurplegrapes.Andherehesawbeforehim,underthegreatesttree,amaninalongwhitegownlikeaWhiteFriar.
　　Thesighthaltedhim,turnedhim,heaverred,tostone.
　　Twomoremeninwhitedressesbutshorterthanthatofthefirst,camefromamongthetreesandhesawbehindtheseanumberinlikeclothing.Hecouldnottell,nowhethoughtofit,iftheywerecarryinglancesorpalms.
　　Wehadlookedsolongforclothedfolkthatitwasthewhiteclotheshethoughtof.Thesamewiththeirfaces——
　　hecouldnottellaboutthem——hethoughttheywerefair.
　　Suddenly,itseemed,Panhadfallenuponhimandputhimforthinterror.Hehadturnedandracedthroughtheforest,heretothesea.Hedidnotthinkthewhite-cladmenhadseenhim.
　　WetookhimtotheAdmiralwholistened,thenbroughthishandstogether.``Hathitnot——hathitnot,Iaskyou——soundofPresterJohn?''
　　Withthedawnhehadmenashore,andtherehewenthimself,withhimJuandelaCosaandJuanLepe.Thecrossbowman——itwasFelipeGarcia——showedtheway.
　　Wefoundindeedtheforestaisleandnave,andthethreetreesandthepurplegrapes,avastvinewithheavyclusters,butwefoundnomenandnosignofmen.
　　TheAdmiralwasnotdiscouraged.``Ifhetrulysawthen,andIbelievehedid,thenaretheysomewhere——''
　　Webeatalltheneighborhood.Solitary,solitary!Hedividedthemostdeterminedofus——somanyfromeachship——intotwobandsandsentintwodirections.Weweretosearch,ifnecessary,throughtenleagues.Wewent,butreturnedemptyofnewsofclothedmen.Wefounddesolateforest,andbehindthatavast,matted,lowgrowth,impenetrableandextendingfaraway.AtlastwedeterminedthatFelipeGarciahadseenwhitecranes.Unlessitweremagic——
　　Wesailedonandwesailedon.The_Cordera_,the_SantaClara_andthe_SanJuan_wereinbadcase,hurtinthatstormbetweenJamaicaandCuba,andwaywornsinceinthosesandyseas,amongthosemyriadislets.OurseamenandourshipmastersnowloudlywishedreturntoIsabella.
　　Hepushedusfartheronandfartheron,andstillwedidnotcometoanythingbeyondthosethingswehadalreadyreached,nordidwecomeeithertoanyendofCuba.AndwhatwasgoingoninHispaniola——inIsabella?WehadsailedinAprilandnowitwasJuly.
　　Itbecameevidenttohimatlastthathemustturn.TheViceroyandtheAdmiralwarredinhim,hadlongwarredandwouldwar.Betterforhimhadheneverinsisteduponviceroyship!Then,single-minded,hemighthavediscoveredtotheendofhisdays.
　　Weturned,the_Cordera_,the_SantaClara_andthe_SanJuan_,andstillhebelievedthatthelong,longcoastofCubawasthecoastoftheAsiamain.Hesawitasamonstercapeorprolongation,sproutingintoOcean-SeaassproutsItalyintoMediterranean.Back——back——thewaywehadcome,enteringagainthatwhitesea,entangledagainamongathousandislets!
　　AtlastwecameagaintothatCapeoftheCrosstowhichwehadescapedintheJamaicatempest.OnethinghewouldyetdointhisvoyageandthatwastogoroundabouthomewardbyJamaicaandfindoutfurtherthingsofthatgreatandfairisland.WeleftCubathatstillwethoughtwasthemain.SantiagoorJamaicarosebeforeus,darkbluemountainsoutofthedarkbluesea.Foronemonthwecoastedthisisland,foralwaystheweatherbeatusbackwhenwewouldquitit,settingoursailsforHispaniola.
　　Wecameto,Haytiuponthesouthernside,andbecauseofsomemisreckoningfailedofknowingthatitwasHayti,untilanIndianinacanoebelowus,calledloudly``ElAlmirante!''
　　AndyetIsabellawasthethicknessoftheislandfromus,andtheweatherbecomingfoul,webeataboutforlongdays,strugglingeastwardandpushedback,andagainpartinguponastormynightoneshipfromtheothers.
　　The_Cordera_anchoredbyatall,rockyisletandrodeoutthestorm.Here,whenitwascalm,wewentashore,butfoundnoman,onlyanunreckonablenumberofpigeons.TheAdmirallayonclean,warmsandandrestedwithhiseyesshut.IwasgladwewerenightoIsabellaandhishousethere,forIdidnotthinkhimwell.Hesatup,embracinghisgreatkneesandlookingattheseaandthe_Cordera_.
　　``Ihavebeenthinking,Doctor.''
　　``Foryourhealth,myAdmiral,Iwishyoucouldrestawhilefromthinking!''
　　``WewereuponthesouthsideofMangi.Iamassuredofthat!CouldI,thistime,havesailedon——NowIseeit!''
　　Hedroppedhishandsfromhiskneesandturnedfulltowardme.Isawthatlyingthusforanhourhehadgatheredstrengthandnowwaspassed,ashewaswonttopassafterquiet,intoahighdegreeofvision,accompaniedbyforth-goingenergy.``NowIsee,andassoonasImay,Iwilldo!BeyondMangi,Champa.BeyondChampa,thecoasttrendingsouthward,IndiaoftheGangesandtheGoldenChersonese.LandofGold——LandofGold!——aretheynotforeverpointingsouthward?Butitisnotofgold——orwhollygold——thatnowIthink!_AureaChersonesus_
　　makethavastpeninsula,greatermaybethanItaly,GreeceandSpaintakentogether.ButIwillroundit,andIwillcometothemouthofGanges!Thenagain,Iread,wegosouthward!ThereistheKingdomofMaabarwhereSaintThomasisburied,andtheKingdomofMonsulwherethediamondsarefound.ThenwecometotheIslandofZeilan,whereistheTombofourFatherAdam.Herearesapphires,amethysts,topaz,garnetandrubies.Thereisarubyherebeyondprice,largeasaman'stwofistsandawellofredfire.ButwhatIshouldthinkmostofwouldbetostandwhereAdamlaidhimdown——NowfromtheIslandofZeilanIsailacrosstheIndiasea.AndIgostillsouth,threehundredleagues,andIfindthegreatislandofMadagascarwhosepeopleareSaracensandthereistherukh-birdthatcanliftanelephant,andtheycuttheredsandalthereandfindambergris.ThenliftethZanzibarwhosewomenaremonstersandwherethemarketisinelephantteeth.AndsoIcomeatlasttotheextremityofAfricawhichBartholomewDiazfound——mybrother,DonBartholomewbeingwithhim——andnamedGoodHope.
　　SoIroundGoodHope,andIcomehomebyCapeBojadorwhichImyselfhaveseen.IwillpassFezandErcillaandthestraitsandCadiz.IwillentertheRiverSagresatPalos,fortherewaswhereIfirstputforth.ThebellsofLaRabidawillring,forathingisdonethatwasneverdonebefore,andthatwillnotceasetoresound!Ishallhavesailedaroundtheearth.ChristopherusColumbus.Tenships.TenchancesoftherebeingoneinwhichImaycomehome!''
　　``Therehavebeenworsedreams!''saidJuanLepe.
　　``Iwarrantyou!ButIamnotdreaming.''
　　Heroseandstoodwitharmsoutstretched,crosswise.
　　```Noughtishid,'saithScripture,`butshallbefound!'
　　HereisEarth.Doyounotthinkthatonedayweshallgoallaboutit?Aye,freely,freely!Withzestandjoy,discoveringthatitisalovedhome.Foreveryroadsomemanormenbroketheclods!''
　　Theyhailedusfromthe_Cordera_.Onehadseenfromtopmastthe_SantaClara_.
　　StillwesailedbythesouthcoastofHispaniola.WeknewnowthatitwasnotCipango.Butitwasagreatisland,natheless,andonedaymightbeasCipango.Beata,Soana,Monawerethelittleislandsthatwefound.Wesailedbetweenthemandourgreatisland,andatlastwecametothecornerandturnednorthward,andagainafterdaystoanothercornerandsailedwestoncemore,withhopesnowofIsabella.ItwasthefirstweekinSeptember.
　　Inagreatreddawn,Roderigo,theAdmiral'sservant,rousedJuanLepe.``Come——come——come,Doctor!''
　　Isprangfrommybedandfollowedhim.ChristopherusColumbuslayinadeepswoon.Roundhecamefromthatandsaid,``Roderigo,tellthemthatIamperfectlywell,butwishtoseenoone!''Fromthat,hecametorecognizeme.
　　``Doctor,Iamtired.GodandOurLadyonlyknowhowtiredIam!''
　　Hiseyesshut,hisheadsankdeepintothebed.Hesaidnotanotherword,thatdaynorthenextnorthenext.RoderigoandIforcedhimtoswallowalittlefoodandwine,andonceheroseandmadeasiftogoondeck.Butwelaidhimdownagainandhesankintomovelessnessandasleepofallthefaculties.JuandelaCosatookcareofthe_Cordera_.
　　SowesightedIsabellaandintheharborfourcaravelsthathadnotbeentherewhenwehadsailedinApril.
　　CHAPTERXXXII
　　TWOmencameintothecabin,DonDiegoColon,leftinchargeofHispaniola,andwithhimatall,powerful,high-featuredman,grayofeyeandblackandsilverofhairandshortbeard.Ashestoodbesidethebed,onesawthathemustbekinsmantothemanwholayuponit.
　　``OBartholomew!Andisthistheend?''criedDonDiego,andIknewthatthestrangerwasthatbrother,Bartholomew,forwhomtheAdmirallonged.
　　Thesethreebrothers!Onelaylikeafigureuponatombsaveforthebreathingthatstirredhissilverhair.One,DonDiego,tall,too,andstrong,butallofagentle,quietmiensankonhiskneesandseemedtopray.One,DonBartholomew,stoodlikerockorpine,butheslowlymadethesignofthecross,andIsawhisgrayeyesfill.
　　ItseemedtomethattheAdmiral'seyelidsflickered.
　　Speaktohimagain,''Isaid.``Takehishand.''
　　BartholomewColumbus,kneelinginthe_Cordera's_cabin,puthisarmabouthisgreatbrother.Thatiswhathecalledhim,——``Christopher,mygreatbrother,itisBartholomew!
　　Don'tyouknowme?Don'tyouremember?ImustgotoEngland,yousaid,toseeKingHenry.Totellhimwhatyoucoulddo——whatyouhavedone,mygreatbrother!
　　Don'tyouremember?Iwent,butIwaspoorlikeyouwhoarenowViceroyoftheIndies——andIwasshipwreckedbesidesandlostthelittlethatwehadscraped——doyouremember?——andmustlivelikeyoubymakingmapsandcharts,anditwaslongbeforeIsawKingHenry!——
　　Christopher,mygreatbrother!Helieslikedeath!
　　Isaid,``Heisreturning,butheisyetalongwayoff.
　　Keepspeaking.''
　　``ButKingHenrysaidatlast,`Gobringusthatbrotherofyours,andwethinkitmaybedone!'Andhegavemegold.SoIwouldcomebacktoSpainforyou,andIreachedParis,anditwasthesummerof1493.Christopher,mygreatbrother,don'tyouhearme?ForitwasatParisthatIheard,anditcamelikeafloodofglory,falleninonemomentfromHeaven!Iheard,`ChristopherusColumbus!
　　HehasfoundtheIndiesforKingFerdinandandQueenIsabella!'——Don'tyouhear,Christopher?Alltheworldadmiring——alltheworldsaying,`Nothingwillevergojustthesamewayagain!'Youhavedonethegreatestthing,mygreatbrother!Doctor,ishedying?''
　　``Hewillnotdie,''Isaid.``Youarecordialtohim,thoughbehearsyouyetfromleaguesandleaguesaway.
　　Goon!''
　　``Christopher,fromParisIgotslowly,slowly,soslowlyIthoughtit!——toSeville.ButIwasnotpoor.
　　Theygavemegold,theFrenchKinggaveit,theirnobles,theirbishops.Iwalkedinthatglory;itfloodedmefromyou!Allyourpeople,Christopher,yoursonsandyourbrothersandouroldfather.Youbuildusagain,youareourcastleandgreatshipandAdmiral!WhenIcametoBarcelona,howtheypraisedyou!WhenIcametoToledo,howtheypraisedyou!WhenIcametoSeville,howtheypraisedyou!ButatSevilleIlearnedthatIwastoolate,andyouweregoneuponyoursecondvoyage.ThenIwenttoValladolidandtheQueenandtheKingwerethere,andtheysaid,`Hehasjustsailed,DonBartholomew,fromCadizwithsixteenships——yourgreatbrotherwhohathcrossedOcean-SeaandboundtousAsia!'——But,sweetJesu,whatentertainmenttheygaveme,allbecauseIhadlaininouroldwoodencradleatGenoaacoupleofyearsorsoafteryou!——Genoa!——TheysayGenoa_aches_becauseshedidnotsendyou.Christopher,doyouremembertheoldrockbythesea——andyoubeggedcolorsfromMesserLudovicoandpainteduponitashipandwecalledittheGreatDoge——''
　　TheAdmiral'seyesopenedslowlylikeagraydawn;hemovedeversoslightlyinthebed,andhislipsparted.
　　``Brother,''hewhispered.
　　Wegothimfromthe_Cordera_toRispaniolashore,andsoinalittertohisownhouseinIsabella.Allourtownwasgatheredtoseehimcarriedthere.Hebegantoimprove.
　　TheseconddayhesaidtoDonBartholomew,``Youshallbemylieutenantanddeputy.Adelantado——InameyouAdelantado.''
　　DonBartholomewsaidbluntly,``IsnotthatharduponDiego?''
　　``No,no,Bartholomew!''answeredDonDiego,whowaspresent.``IfitwerequestionofapriorofFranciscans,now!
　　ButChristopherknowsandIknowthatItookthisstormyworldbutforlackofanyotherinbloodtoservehim.OurLadyknowsthatIneverheldmyselftobethemanfortheplace!BeAdelantadoandneverthinkofme!''
　　TheAdmiraluponhisbedspoke.``Wehavealwaysworkedtogether,weColombos.Whenitisdoneforthewholethereisnojealousyamongtheparts.IloveDiego,andIthinkhedidwell,constraininghisnaturetoit,hereamongtheselfish,thedangerousandfactious!Andothersknowthathedidwell.Ilovehimandpraisehim.ButBartholomew,thouartthemanforthis!''
　　Accordingly,thenextnoontide,trumpets,andaproclamationmadebeforethegreatcrossinthemiddleofourtown.
　　TheViceroy'snew-comebrotherhadeverylieutenantpower.
　　Idonotknowifheeverdisappointedorabusedit.Hebecamegreathelpertohisgreatbrother.
　　Thesethree!Theywerealessoninwhatbrothersmightbe,onetotheother,makingasitwereathreefoldbeing.
　　Powerwasinthisfamily,powerofframeandconstitution,withvitalspiritinabundance;powerofwill,powerofmind,andagoodpowerofheart.Theirwillwasgoodtowardmankind.
　　Theyhadfloodstosurmountandmanyahowlingtempesttoout-endure.Byandlargetheydidwellwithlife,——verywell.Therewasalloy,basemetalofcourse,eveninthegreatestofthethree.Theywerestillmen.ButtheyweresuchmenasNaturemightputforwardamonghergoodlyfruit.
　　TheViceroylaystillinhisbed,foreachtimehewouldrisecamefaintnessandoldfatigue.TheAdelantadoacted.
　　TherewasstorminHispaniola,stormofhumanpassions.
　　IfoundLuisTorres,andheputmewithinleg-strideofthepresent.
　　Margarite!ItseemedtobeginwithDonPedroMargarite.
　　Heandhismenhadearlymadechoicebetweentherich,thefruitful,easyVegaandthemountainstheyweretopierceforgoldandhuntoverforafiercemountainchief.IntheVegatheyestablishedthemselves.TheIndiansbroughtthem``tribute'',andtheyexactedover-tribute,andreviledandslewwhenitpleasedthem,andtheytooktheIndianwomen,andifitpleasedthemtheyburnedavillage.``Sorrytale,''saidLuis.``Old,sorrytale!''
　　IndianscametoIsabellaandwithfiercegestureandeyesthatcastlancestalkedtoDonDiego.DonDiegosentasternlettertoDonPedroMargarite.DonPedroansweredthathewasdoingsoldier'sduty,astheSovereignswouldunderstandwhenitcamebeforethem.DonDiegosentagain,summoninghimuponhisallegiancetoIsabella.Hechoseforamonthnoanswertothatatall,andthebreezesstillbroughtfromtheVegacriesofanger,wailsofsorrow.
　　ThenheappearedsuddenlyinIsabella.
　　DonDiegowouldhavearrestedhimandlaidhiminprisontoawaittheAdmiral'sreturn.Butwithsuddenness,thatwasoftruthnosuddenness,Margaritehadwithhimthreeoutoffourofourhidalgos,andmorethanthat,ourApostolicVicaroftheIndies!DonDiegomustbendaside,speakhimfair,remonstrate,notcommand.TheViceroyoftheIndiesandAdmiralofOcean-Sea?Deadprobably!——andwhatweretheseColombos?Italianwool-combers!ButherestoodhidalgosofSpain!——``Oldstory,''saidLuisTorres.
　　``Manytimes,manyplaces,manbeingoneinimperfection.''
　　AchoppyseahadfollowedMargarite'sreturn.Upanddown,toandfro,andonedayitmightseemMargaritewasincontrol,andthenext,DonDiego,butwithMargarite'swaveracingupbehind.ThenappearedthreeshipswithmenandsuppliesandDonBartholomew!MargaritesawDonDiegostrengthened.Hewasboldenough,Margarite!onadarknight,ateve,thereweresomanyshipsbeforeIsabellabutwhenmornbroketheywerefewerbytwo.MargariteandtheApostolicVicarandahundreddisaffectedweredepartedtheIndies!''HavetheygottentoSpain?Andwhatdotheysay?God,Heknoweth!——Therehavebeengreatmenandtheyhavebeenstungtodeath.''
　　``Ay,ay,theoldstory!''Isaid,andwouldlearnaboutthepacificationoftheIndians.
　　``Why,theyarenotpacified,''answeredLuis.``Worsefollowsworse.PedroMargaritelefttwobandsintheVega,andfromallIheartheyturneddevils.Itlookedlikepeaceitself,didn'tit,thisgreat,fair,newland,whenfirstwesteppeduponit,andraisedthebannerandthenthecross?
　　It'sthatnolonger.They'reup,theIndians,Caonaboandthreemaincaciques,andallthelesseronesunderthese.Inshort,weareatwar,''endedLuis.``AlonsodeOjedaatthemomentistheCid.HemaneuversnowintheVega.''
　　Ilookedaround.Weweresittingunderpalmtrees,bythemudwallofourtown.Beyondtheforestwavedinthewind,andsoftwhitecloudssailedoveritinaskyofessentialsapphire.``There'sanaspecthereofpeace!''
　　``ThatisbecauseGuacanagari,fromhisnewtown,holdshispeoplestill.ForthatIndianthescentofgodshiphasnotyetdeparted!HeseestheAdmiralalwaysasasilver-
　　hairedherobringingwarmthandlight.Heislikeadogforfidelity!——ButIsawthreeIndiansfromoutsidehiscountrycursehiminthenameofalltheothertribes,withakindofmagicalceremony.Isheright,orishewrong,JuanLepe?Orisheneithertheonenortheother,butSomethingmoveshimfromabove?''
　　``Haveyouneverseenagainthebutio,Guarin?
　　``No.''
　　Wesatandlookedattherichforest,andatthatstrange,rude,smalltowncalledIsabella,andattheblueharborwiththeships,andtheblue,blueseabeyond.Overus——whatisoverus?Somethingseemedtocomefromit,stealingdownthestairtous!
　　Thefourthdayafterhisreturn,DonFranciscodeLasCasas,DonJuanPoncedeLeon,andotherstoldtotheViceroy,lyinguponhisbedinhishouse,muchwhatLuisTorrestoldJuanLepe.``Sirs,''hesaid,whentheyhaddone,``hereismybrother,DonBartholomew,whowilltakeorder.Heisasmyself.ForChristopherusColumbus,heisill,andmustbeillawhile.''
　　ThesixthdaycameGuacanagari,andsatintheroomandtalkedsorrowfully.Caonabo,Gwarionex,Behechio,Cotubanama,said,``Weretheseorwerethesenotgods,yetwouldtheyfight!''
　　TheAdmiralsaid,``TheFutureisthegod.Butthereareburrsonhisskirt!''
　　Guacanagariatlastwoulddepart.Hestoodbesidethebedandthesilver-hairedgreatcaciquefromheaven.TheAdmiralputforthalean,knotted,powerfulhandandlaiditonthebrown,slim,untoiledhand.``Iwishpeace,''hesaid.``MybrotherBartholomewandIwilldowhatwecandotogainit.Goodpeace,truepeace!''
　　Withouttheroom,IaskedthecaciqueaboutGuarin.Hewasgone,hesaid,tothemountains.HewouldnotstaywithGuacanagari,andhewouldnotgotoCaonaboorGwarionex.``Alloldthingsandwaysarebroken,''saidGuacanagari.``Allourlifeisbroken.Idonotknowwhatwehavedone.Thewomensitandweep.AndI,too,sometimesIweep!''
　　TheseventhdaycameinAlonsodeOjedafromSt.
　　Thomas.
　　TheViceroyandtheAdelantadoandOjedatalkedalonetogetherintheViceroy'shouse.Butnextdaywasheldagreatcouncil,allourprincipalmenattending.Thereitwasdeterminedtocapture,ifpossible,Caonabo,withdrawinghimsofromtheconfederacy.Theconfederacymightthengotopieces.InthemeantimeuseeveryefforttodetachfromitGwarionexwhoafterGuacanagariwasournearestgreatcacique.Sendawell-guarded,placatingembassytohimandtoCotubanama.Trykindness,kindnesseverywhere,kindwordsandgooddeeds!——AndbuildanotherfortcalledFortConcepcion.
　　TakeCaonabo!ThatwasataskforAlonsodeOjeda!
　　Hedidit.Fivedaysafterthecouncil,theViceroybeingnowrecoveredandbringingstrengthtoworkthatneededstrength,theAdelantadovigorouslyhelping,Isabellainagoodmood,theimmediateforestallagoldandgreenpeacefulness,DonAlonsovanished,andwithhimfourteenpickedmen,allmounted.
　　Forsixweeksitwasasthoughhehaddroppedintothesea,orrisenintotheblueskyaboveeyesight.
　　ThenonaSundaybeandhisfourteenrodeintotown.
　　Wehadagreatchurchbellanditwasringing,loudly,sonorously.
　　Herodeinandatoncetherearoseashout,``DonAlonsodeOjeda!''Allhishorsemenrodewithhim,androdealsoonewhowasnotCastilian.Onagraysteedabare,bronzefigure——Caonabo!
　　Thechurchbellswung,thechurchbellrang.Ridingbeneaththesquattower,allourpeoplepouringforthfromourpoorhousesuponthereturnedandhiscaptive,thelatterhadeyes,itseemedtome,butforthatbell.A
　　curious,sardoniclookofrecognition,appraisal,relinquishment,satintheIndian'sface.FromwristtowristofCaonabowentabright,shortchain.Thesunglittereduponthebraceletsandthelinks.Idonotknow——therewasforamoment——somethinginthesoundofthebell,somethinginthegleamofthemanacles,thatsentoutfaintpityandhorrorandchokinglaughter.
　　AlltotheViceroy'shouse,andDonAlonsosittingwithChristopherusColumbus,andCaonabobroughttostandbeforethem.Indiansmakemuchofindifferentbehavior,tauntingcalm,whentaken.Itisapointofhonor,meetingdeathso,evenwhen,asoftenbefalls,theirdeathisaslowandhardone.Amongthemselves,intheirwars,itiseitherdeathorquickadoptionintothevictor'stribe.Theyhavenogaolsnorherdsofslaves.Caonaboexpecteddeath.Hestood,astrong,contemptuousfigure.ButtheViceroymeanttosendhimtoSpain——trophyandshow,andtobemade,ifitcouldbe,Christian.
　　CHAPTERXXXIII
　　ITdidnotendthewar.Forafortnightwethoughtthatithaddoneso.Thencameloudtidings.Caonabo'swife,Anacaona,hadputonthelioness.WithherwasCaonabo'sbrotherManicoatexandherownbrotherBehechio,caciqueofXaragua.Therewasanewconfederacy,Gwarionexagainwaswithit.OnlyGuacanagariremained.
　　DonAlonsomarched,andtheAdelantadomarched.
　　Atdawnonemorning,foursails.Weallpouredforthtowatchthemgrowbiggerandyetbigger.FourshipsfromCadiz,AntoniodeTorrescommanding,andwithhimcolonistsoftherightkind,mechanicsandhusbandmen.
　　Manyproposals,muchoforder,camewithTorres.TheAdmiralhadgraciouslettersfromtheQueen,letterssomewhatcoolerfromKingFerdinand,adry,dryletterfromFonseca.MoreoverTorresbroughtagenerallettertoallcolonistsinHispaniola.Themoralofwhichwas,TrustandObeytheViceroyoftheIndies,theAdmiraloftheOcean-Sea!
　　``Excellentgood!''saidLuisTorres.``DonPedroMargariteandtheApostolicVicarhadnotreachedCadizwhenDonAntoniosailed!''
　　TheAdmiraltalkedwithmethatnight.Goutagaincrippledhim.Helayhelpless,nowandtheninmuchpain.
　　IshouldgohomewithAntoniodeTorres,butIcannot!
　　``Youarenotveryfittogo.''
　　``Idonotmeanmybody.Mywillcoulddragthatonship.ButIcannotleaveHispaniolawhilegoesonformalwar.Butseeyou,Doctor,whatagreatthingtheirMajestiesplanfor,andwhatcourtesyandrespecttheyshowme!SeehowtheQueenwrites!''
　　Iknewthatitwasbalmandwinetohim,howshewrote.
　　ThematterinquestionwasnothingmoreorlessthananamicablegreatmeetingbetweenthetwosovereignsandtheKingofPortugal,thewisestsubjectsofbothattending.
　　AlinewastobedrawnfromtoptobottomofOcean-Sea,andPortugalmightdiscovertothecastofit,andSpaintothewest!TheHolyFatherwouldconfirm,andsothemightyspoilbejustlydivided.Everygreatgeographershouldcomeintocounsel.Thegreatestofthemall,theDiscoverer,surelyso!TheQueenurgedtheAdmiral'spresence.
　　Buthecouldnotgo.SenseofdutytohisViceroyshipheldhimaswithchains.ThenBartholomew?ButBartholomewwasgreatlyneededforthewar.HesentDonDiego,agentle,ablemanwholongedforacloisterandafewhundredmonks,fatherly,admirably,torule.
　　AntoniodeTorresstayedfewweeksinHispaniola.TheViceroyandAdmiralwouldhavehisletterintheroyalhands.Torrestookthatandtookgoldandstrangeplants,andalsosixhundredIndiancaptivestobesoldforslaves.
　　WarwentoninHispaniola,butnotforlong.Wehadhorsesandbloodhoundsandmeninarmor,trainedinthelongMoorishstrife.TherewasabattleintheVegathatendedasitmustend.
　　BehechioandAnacaonafledtothehighmountains.ManicoatexandGwarionexsuedforpeace.Itwasgranted,butagreattributewasimposed.NowallHaytimustgathergoldforSpain.
　　Nowbegan,alittleto-dayandalittleto-morrow,longwoeforHayti!ItwasthegeneralwayofourAge.ButourAgesinned.
　　TheyearwheeledtoOctober.JuanAguadocamewithfourcaravelstoIsabella,andhebroughtlettersofadifferenttenorfromthosethatTorresbrought.WeheardinthemthevoiceofMargariteandtheApostolicVicar.
　　ButnowtheAdmiralwaswellagain,theIndiansdefeated,Hispaniolabaskinginwhatweblithelycalledpeace.
　　Aguadocametoexamineandinterrogate.Hehadhisletters.
　　``Cavaliers,esquiresandothers,youaretogiveDonJuanAguadofaithandcredit.Heiswithyouonourparttolookinto——''
　　AguadolookedwithahostileeyetowardViceroyandAdelantado.Wherewasamalcontenthecamesecretlyifmightbe,ifnotopenly,toAguado.Whoeverhadagrudgecame;whoeverthoughthehadtrueinjury.EveryonewhodislikedItalians,fire-newnobles,seacaptainsdubbedAdmiralsandViceroyscame.Everyonewhohadbeenrestrainedfromgreed,lustandviolencecame.Thosewhoheldanhonestdoubtastosomeonepolicy,oract,questioned,foundtheirmeredoubtbecomeinAguado'sminddamningcertainty.AndsomanygoodSpaniardsdeadinwar,andsomanyofpestilence,andsuchthinness,melancholy,povertyinIsabella!Andwherewasthegold?AndwasthisrichAsiaofthespices,theelephants,thebeautifulthinclothsandthejewels?ThefriendsofChristopherusColumbushadtheirsayalso,butsuddenlytherearosealltheenemies.
　　``Whenhesailshome,Iwillsailwithhim!''saidtheAdmiral,``Mynameishurt,thetruthiswounded!''
　　InthethirdweekofAguado'svisit,aroseoutoffaroceanandrusheduponusoneofthoseimmensetempeststhatwecallhere``hurricane''.Notafewhadweseensince1492,butnonesogreat,soterribleasthisone.Eightshipsrodeintheharborandsixweresunk.Aguado'sfourcaravelsandtwoothers.Manyseamendrowned;somegotashorehalf-dead.
　　``HowwillIgetaway?ImusttoSpain!''criedAguado.
　　TheAdmiralsaid,``Thereisthe_Nina_.''
　　The_Nina_mustbemadeseaworthy,andintheendwebuiltasmallershipstillwhichwecalledthe_SantaCruz_.
　　Aguadowaited,fretting.ChristopherusColumbuskepttowardhimagreat,calmcourtesy.
　　ItwasatthismomentthatDonBartholomewfound,throughMiguelDiaz,theminesofHayna,thatwasagreatriverinaveryrichcountry.TheAdelantadobroughttoIsabellaoreinbaskets.PabloBelvis,ournewessayer,pronouncedittrueandmostrich.Broughtinsmallermeasuresweregoldengrains,knobsaslargeasfilberts,goldencollarsandarmringsfromtheIndiansofBonaowhereflowedtheHayna.
　　``Ophir!''saidtheAdmiral.``MayhapitisOphir!
　　ThenhavewepassedsomewheretheGulfofPersiaandTrapoban!''
　　Withthatgoldhesailed,heandAguadoandtwosmallcrowdedships.WithhimhecarriedCaonabo.ItwasearlyMarchin1496.
　　ButJuanLepestayedinHispaniola,greatlycommendedbytheAdmiraltotheAdelantado.Amanmightattachhimselftotheyoungeraswellastheelderofthesebrothers.
　　DonBartholomewhadgreatqualities.ButhehardlydreamedasdidChristopherusColumbus.Ilovedthelattermostforthat——forhisdreams.
　　Daysanddaysanddays!WesoughtforgoldintheHaynacountryandfoundafairamount.AndallHaytinow,eachIndiancaciqueandhiscountry,mustgatherforus._Must_,notmay.WebuiltthefortressofSanCristoval,andatlast,tobenearerthegoldthanwasIsabella,theAdelantadofoundedthecityofSanDomingo,atthemouthoftheOzema,intheXaraguacountry.SpaniardsinHispaniolanowlived,somanyinIsabella,somanyinSanDomingo,andgarrisonsinthefortsofSt.Thomas,Concepcion,andSanCristoval.
　　Weeks——months.July,andPedroAlonzoNinowiththreecaravelsfilledwithstrongnewmenandwithprovisions.
　　Howalwayswewelcomedtheseincomingshipsandthethrongtheybroughtthatstoodandlistenedandthoughtatfirst,aftertheseatossingandcrowding,thattheywerecometoheaven!AndPedroNinohadleftCadizinJune,threedaysafterthearrivalthereofthe_Nina_andthe_SantaCruz_.``June!Theyhadthenalongvoyage!''——
　　``Longenough!Theylookedlikeskeletons!IftheAdmiral'shaircouldgetwhiter,itwaswhiter.''
　　HehadlettersfortheAdelantadofromthegreatbrother,havingwaitedinCadizwhiletheywerewritten.
　　JuanLepehadlikewisealetter.``Iwasinthe_Nina_,DonJuandeAguadointheSantaCruz.Wemetatonceheadwindsthatcontinued.AtfirstImadeeast,butatlastofnecessitysomewhattothesouthward.WesawMarigalanteagainandGuadaloupe,andmakingforthislast,anchoredandwentashore,forthegreatreliefofall,andforwaterandprovision.HerewemetAmazons,wearingplumesandhandlingmightilytheirbowsandarrows.Afterthemcameahostofmen.Ourcannonandarquebusesputthemtoflightbutthreeofoursailorswerewounded.Certainprisonerswetookandboundupontheships.Inthevillagethatweenteredwefoundhoneyandwax.TheyareCannibals;
　　theyeatmen.Afterfourdayswesetsail,butmetagaintempestandheadwinds,checkingussothatforweekswebutcreptandcrawledoverocean.Atlastwemustgivesmalldolesofbreadandwater.Theregrewfamine,sicknessandmisery.Iandallmayendurethesewhengreatthingsareabout.Buttheyblameme.OGod,whowillsthattheUnknownbecometheKnown,IbetakemyselftoThycourt!Famineincreased.Therearethose,butIwillnotnamethem,whocriedthatwemustkilltheIndianswithusandeatthemthatwemightlive.Istoodandsaid,`LettheCannibalsstandwiththeCannibals!'
　　Butnomanbudged——Iwillnotwearythee,bestdoctor,withourwoes!AtlastSt.Vincentroseoutofsea,andwepresentlycametoCadiz.Manydieduponthevoyage,andamongthemCaonabo.IntheharborherewefindPedroAlonzoNinowhowillbearmyletters.
　　``InCadizIdiscoverbothfriendsandnotfriends.ThesovereignsareatBurgos,andthitherItravel.Myfortunesareatebb,yetwillthefloodcomeagain!''
　　Timepassed.Hispaniolaheardagainfromhimandagain.WhenshipsputforthfromCadiz-andnowshipspassedwithsufficientregularitybetweenSpaininEuropeandSpanishLandacrossOcean-Sea-hewrotebythem.
　　Hebelievedintheletter.Godonlyknowshowmanyhewroteinhislifetime!Itwaseasetohimtotellout,todreamvisibly,toarguehiscaseonfairpaper.Andthosewhocameintheshipshadstoriesabouthim-ElAlmirante!
　　Werehisfortunesatebb,orweretheystillinflood?
　　Theremightbemoreviewsherethanone.Someputinthathewasdonefor,othersclamoredthathewasyetmounting.
　　ButhewrotetotheAdelantadoandalsotoJuanLepethathesatbetweengoodandbadatcourt.TheQueenwaseverthegreatheadofthegood.WeknewfromhimthatPedroMargariteandFatherBuilandJuanAguadoalterednothingthere.Butelsewherenowtherewerewarmwinds,andnowbitingcold.Andwarmandcold,hecouldnotgetthewindsthatshouldfillhissails.Hebeggedforships——eighthenamed——thathemightnowfindforthesovereignsmainAsia——nottouchhereandthereuponCubashore,butfindtheDeepAll.Butforeverpromised,hewasforeverkeptfromtheships!Trueitwasthatthesovereignsandtheworldbesidewerebusyfolk!TherewereRoyalMarriagesandNaplestobereconqueredforitsking.
　　Weheardofconfirmationsofallhisdignitiesandhistithesofwealth.HewasofferedtobemadeMarquess,butthathewouldnothave.``TheAdmiral''wasbettertitle.ButhesuedforandobtainedentailuponhissonsandtheirsonsforeverofhisnobilityandhisgreatEstateintheWest.``Thus,''hewrote,``haveImadeyourfortunes,sonsandbrothers!ButtrulynotwithoutyouandyourloveandstrengtheningcouldIhavemadeaught!A
　　brotherindeedformylefthandandmyrighthand,andtobeckonmeon,twodearsons!''
　　CHAPTERXXXIV
　　TWOyears!ItwasMarch,1496,whenhesailedinthe_Nina_.Itwasthesummerof1498whenJuanLepewassentasphysicianwithtwoshipsputforthfromSanDomingobytheAdelantadouponarumorthatthePortuguesehadtrespassed,landingfromagreatcarrackuponGuadaloupe.FivedaysfromHispaniolawemetahurricanethatcarriedusoutofallreckoning.Whenstillnesscameagainwewerefarsouth.Noislandswereinsight;therewasonlytheseavastandblue.Thereseemedtobreathefromitastrangeness.Wewereawayandaway,saidourpilots,fromthecurve,likeabentbow,oftheIndianislands.Adayandanightwehunginadeadcalm.
　　Dawnbroke.``Sail,ho!Sail,ho!''
　　WethoughtthatitmightbethePortugueseandmadepreparation.Threeshipsliftedoverthebluerim.Therewasnowalightwind;itbroughtthemnearer,theybeingbettersailersthanthe_SantaCruz_andthe_SantaClara_.Wesawthebanner.``Castile!''andalesserone.``ElAlmirante!''
　　Nowwewereclosetogether.Themastershailed,Whatships?''——``FromHispaniola!''——``FromCadiz.TheAdmiralwithus!Comeaboard,yourcommander!''
　　ThatwasLuisMendez,andintheboatwithhimwentJuanLepe.Theshipswerethe_Esperanza_,the_SanSebastian_
　　andthe_SanMartin_,thefirstfairlylargeandwelldecked,theotherssmall.Theywholookedoversideandshoutedwelcomeseemedamedleyofgentleandsimple,mariners,husbandmen,fightingmenandhidalgos.