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.