Palosshorespreadaboutme,androseLaRabida,whiteamongvineyardsandpines.Dovesflewovercloister.ButIdidnotsayallIknew.
　　``ThereareotherthingsthatIwoulddo.Idonotspeakofthemtomany!TheywouldsaythatIwasmad.Butgreatthingsthatinthisagenoneelseseemsinclinedtodo!''
　　``Aswhat?''Iasked.``Ihavebeencalledmadmyself.
　　Iamnotapttothinkyouso.''
　　HebegantospeakofamightycrusadetorecovertheHolySepulchre.
　　TheroadtoCordovastretchedsunnyanddusty.AbovethemountainsofElviratheskystoodkeenblue.JuanLepesaidslowly,``AdmiraloftheOcean-SeaandViceroyandGovernorofcontinentsandislandsinperpetuity,sonsandsons'sonsafteryou,andgildeddeepwithatenthofallthewealththatflowsforeverfromAsiaoverOcean-SeatoSpain,andyouandallafteryoumadenobles,grandeesandwealthyfromgenerationtogeneration!Kingsalmostofthewest,anddonorstothecast,arousersofcrusadesandfreersoftheSepulchre!Youbuildahightower!''
　　Cartersandcartsgoingbypushedustotheedgeofroadandcoveredallwithdust.Hewaiteduntilthecloudsank,thenhesaid,``Doyouknow——butyoucannotknowwhatitistobesentfrompillartopostandwaitinantechamberswheretheairstifles,anddoffcap——whohavebeencaptainofships!——tochamberlain,pageandlackey?
　　Tobecalleddreamer,adventurer,dicer!Tohearthelaughandcatchthesneer!Tobethepersuader,thebeggarofgoodandbad,highandlow——tobegyearinandyearout,coldandwarmth,summerandwinter,sunrise,noonandsunset,calmandstorm,begofgalleonandbegofcarrack,yea,begofcockboat!Toseeyourfamilygoneedy,tobedoubtedbywifeandchildandbrethrenandfriendsandacquaintance!Tohavethemsay,`Whileyoudreamwegohungry!'and`WhatgoodwillitdousifthereisIndia,whilewefamishinSpain?'and`Youloveusnot,oryouwouldbecomeaprosperousseacaptain!'——Notoneyearbuteighteen,eighteen,sinceIsawinvisionthesunsetnotbehindwaterbutbehindvaleandhillandmountainandcitiesrichbeyondcounting,andsmelledthespicedraughtfromtheland!''
　　Isawthathemustcountuponhugeindemnity.Wealldreamindemnity.ButstillIthoughtandthinkthattherewashereaweaknessinhim.Farinwardhemayhaveknownithimself,theouterselfwassobusyfindinggrounds!
　　Afteramomenthespokeagain,``Littlethingsbringlittlereward.Buttokeepproportionandharmony,greatthingmustbringgreatthings!Youdonotknowwhatitistocrosswherenomanhathcrossedandtofindwhatnomanhathfound!''
　　``Yes,itisagreatthing!''
　　``Then,''saidhe,``whatisit,thatwhichIask,tothegrandeuroftime!''
　　Hespokewithaliftedface,eyesuponthemountaincrestsandthebluetheytouched.Theywerenearerusthantheyhadbeen;thePassofElvirawasathand.YetonIwalked,andbeforemestillhungthefaroceanwestofPalos.I
　　said,``Iknowsomethingoftheguesses,thechancesandthedangers,butIhavenotspentthereyearsofstudy——''
　　Hekindled,havinganauditorwhomhechosetothinkintelligent.Hecheckedhishorse,thatfelltograzingthebitofgreenbytheway.``Asthough,''hesaid,``IstoodinCipangobeneathagoldenroof,Iknowthatitcanbedone!Twelvehundredleaguesatthemost.Look!''hesaid.``YouarenotanignoramuslikesomeIhavemet;
　　norifIreadyourightareyoulikeotherswhonotknowingthatTrueReligionisTrueWonderupwithhandsandcry,`Blasphemy,SacrilegeandContradiction!'Earthandwatermakeanorb.Placeantonappleandseethatorbsmaybegonearound!Travelfarenoughandeastandwestchangenames!Straightthrough,beneathus,areothermen.''
　　``Feetagainstfeet.Antipodes,''Isaid.``AllthelifeofmanistakingWonderinandmakingHerathome!''
　　``So!''heanswered.``Nowlook!Thelargenessofourglobeisattheequator.ThegreatPtolemyworkedoutourreckoning.Twenty-fourhours,fifteendegreestoeach,inallthreehundredandsixtydegrees.ItisheldthattheGreeksandtheRomansknewfifteenofthesehours.TheystretchedtheirhandfromGibraltarandTangier,callingthemPillarsofHercules,tomid-India.NowinourtimewehavetheCanariesandtheKingofPortugal'snewislands——anotherhour,markyou!Sixteenfromtwenty-fourleaveseighthoursempty.Howmuchofthatiswaterandhowmuchisearth?WhereendsOcean-SeaandwherebeginsIndiaandCathay,ofwhichtheancientsknewonlyapart?TheArabianAlfraganusthinksthatPtolemy'sdegreesshouldbelessinsize.Ifthatberight,thentheearthissmallerthanisthought,andIndianearer!ImyselfinclinetoholdwithAlfraganus.Itmaybethatlessthantwomonths'sailing,calmandwind,wouldbringustoCipango.GivemetheshipsandIwilldoit!''
　　``Youmighthavehadthemyesterday.''
　　Toamarkedextenthecouldbringoutandmakevisiblehisinnerexaltation.Now,tall,strong,white-haired,helookedafigureofanolderworld.``Thespheresandallaresettoharmony!''hesaid.``Iwouldhavefitness.
　　Greatthingsthroughout!Diamondsandrubieswithoutflawinthecrown——Wewilltalknomoreaboutabatingjustdemand!''
　　Iagreedwithanod,andindeedtherewasneveranyshakinghimhere.BeneathhiswideandloftyvisionofaworldfilledouttotheeternalbenefitofallrestedalwaysthispicturewhichIknewhesavoredlikewineandwarmth.
　　Hisfamily,hissons,hisbrothersandkindred,theagedfatherinGenoa,allfriendsandbackers——andheawarmsuninthemidstofthem,alltheirdoubtsofhimdispelled,shiningoutuponthem,makingeveryfieldrich,repayingathousand,thousandfoldeverytrustshownhim.
　　Thedaysangcoolandhighandbright,themountainsofElvirahadlightsnowatop.MasterChristopherusbeganagaintospeak.
　　``TherecameashoreatPortoSantosomeyearsagoapieceofwoodlongasasparbutthicker.PedroCorreo,whoismybrother-in-law,sawit.Itwasgravedallover,cutbysomethingdullerthanourkniveswithbeastsandleavesandafigurethatPedrothoughtwasmeantforanidol.Heandanothersawitandagreeintheirdescription.
　　Theyleftitonthebeachattwilight,welloutofwaterreach.Butinthenightcameupagreatstormthatsweptitaway.Itcamefromthewest,thewindhavingblownfordaysfromthatquarter.Iaskyouwillemptybillowsfellatreeandtrimitandcarveit?ItissaidthataPortu-
　　guesepilotpickeduponelikeitoffCapeBojadorwhenthewindwassouthwest.IhaveheardamanoftheAzorestellofgiantreedspitcheduponhisshore_fromthewest_.
　　ThereisastoryofthefindingonthebeachofFloresthebodiesoftwomennotlikeanythatweknoweitherincolororinfeature.Fordaysawestwindhaddrivenintheseas.AndIknowofotherfindings.Whencedothesethingscome?
　　``MaytherenotbeunknownislandswestofAzores?
　　Theymightcomefromthere,andstilltothewestofthemstreamallOcean-Sea,violentandunknown!Thelearnedthinktheearthofsuchasize.YourArabianholdsitsmaller.Whatifitislargerthanthelargestcalculation?''
　　Hesaidwithdisdain,``AllthewisemenatSalamancabeforewhomtheKingsetmesixyearsagothoughtithadnoend!Largeorsmall,theycalleditblasphemyforme,apoor,plainseaman,sonofawool-comberandnotevenaSpanishwool-comber,totrytostretchmindoverit!
　　Ocean-Seahadneverbeenoverpassed,andbythattokencouldnotbeoverpassed!Nonehadmetitsdangers,sodangerstheremustbeofamoststrangeandfearfulnature!
　　Butifyouwereputtoseaatfourteenandhavelivedtherelong,waterbecomeswater!Aspeckonthehorizonwillturnoutshiporland.Wavecarriesyouontowave,daytonightandnighttoday.Atlastthereisport!''
　　Allthistimehishorsehadbeencroppingthescantyherbage.Nowheraisedhishead.InamomentwetooheardthehorsemenandlookingbacktowardSantaFesawfourapproaching.Astheycamenearerwemadeouttwocavalierstalkingtogether,followedbyservingmen.Whentheywerealmostathandoneoftheleaderssaidsomething,whereathisfellowlaughed.ItfloatedupCordovaroad,awide,deep,richlaugh.MasterChristopherusstarted.
　　ThatisthelaughofDonLuisdeSt.Angel!''
　　DonLuisdeSt.Angelwas,Iknew,ReceiveroftheEcclesiasticalRevenuesforAragon,amanwhostoodwellwiththeKing.Thehorsemenwerecloseuponus.Suddenlythelaughercried,``SaintJago!Hereheis!''
　　Wewerenowfivemountedmenandatrudgerafoot.Thecavalierwhohadlaughed,aportly,genialpersonwithaboldandmerryeye,laughedagain.``Wellmet,DonCristoval.
　　Wellmet,Admiral!Ilookedtofindyoupresently!YousailedoutofportatsunriseandItwohourslaterwithaswiftershipandmorecanvas——''
　　```Don'and`Admiral'!''answeredMasterChristopherus,andhespokewithanger.``YoujestinSpain!
　　ButinFranceitshallbesaidsoberly——''
　　``No,no!DonandAdmiralhere!ViceroyandGovernorhere——assoonasyoufindthelands!Wealthyhere——
　　assoonasyouputhandonthegold!''DonLuisdeSt.
　　Angel'slaughterceased.Hebecamewithportentousswiftnessadownright,plainmanofbusiness.Hetalked,allofusclusteredtogetherontheCordovaroad.
　　``TheArchbishopkeptmefromthataudienceyesterday,leavingDonAlonsodeQuintanellayouronlyfriendthere!
　　TheQueenwastired,theKingfretted.Theythoughttheyhadcomealongway,andthereyoustood,MasterChristopherus,shakingyourhead!DonAlonsotoldmeaboutit,andhowhopelessitseemed!ButIsaid,`Ifyouconqueralanddon'tyouputinaviceroy?Idon'tseethatDonCristovalisn'tasgoodasDonThisOne,orDonThatOne!
　　I'veanotionthatthefirstmightnotoppressandflaythenewsubjectsasmightthelasttwo!ThatisapointtobemadetotheQueen!Asforperpetuityofofficeandprivilegesdowntheages,mostthingsgettobehereditary.Ifitgrowstobeaswollenserpentsomethinginthefuturewillfallacrossandcutitintwo.Lettimetakecareofit!Asforwealth,inanylandamanwhowillbearaneighthofthecostmayfairlyexpectaneighthofthegain.Thissettingoutistocostlittle,afterall.Hesayshecandoitwiththreesmallshipsandlessthanahundredandfiftymen.Iftheshipsbringbacknotreasure,hewillnotbewealthy.Ifthereisalittlegain,theSpainsneednotgrudgehimhishandfulofdoubloons.Ifthereishugegain,theKingandQueenbutforhimwouldnothavetheirseveneighths.Thesamereasoningappliestohistenthofallfuturegainfromcontinentsandislands.Youwillsaythatsomeoneelsewillarisetodoitforusoneasierterms.Perhaps——andperhapsnotforacentury,andanotherCrownmaythrustinto-morrow!France,probably.ItisnotimpossiblethatEnglandmightdoit.Asforwhatisnamedoverweeningprideandpresumption,atleastitshowsatonceandforaltogether.Wearenotleftpainfullytofinditout.Itgoeswithhischaracter.Takeitorleaveittogetherwithhispatience,courageandlonghead.Leaveit,andpresentlywemayseeFranceorEnglandswallowhimwhole.HewillfindIndiaandCathayandCipango,andFranceorEnglandwillbebuildingships,ships,ships!BlessedVirginaboveus!'saidI,`IfIcouldtalkalonetotheSovereigns,IthinkIcouldclenchit!'''
　　```Thenletusgonowtothepalace,'saysDonAlonso,`andbegaudience!'
　　``Thatdidwe,DonCristoval,andsoIhailyou`Don'
　　and`Admiral',andbegyoutoturnthatmuleandreenterSantaFe!InafewdaysyouandtheKingandQueenmaysigncapitulations.''
　　``WasittheQueen?''
　　``Just.TheKingsaidthetreasurywasdrained.Sheanswered,`Iwillpawnmyjewelsbutheshallsail!'LuisdeSt.Angelsays,`Itdoesnotneed.ThereissomegoldleftinthecoffersofAragon.Afterall,themanasksbutthreelittleshipsandafewscoreseamenandoffershimselftofurnishoneoftheships.'''
　　``WithMartinAlonsoPinzon'shelp,Iwill!''
　　```Never,'saidItotheirmajesties,`wassohugeapossiblegainmatchedagainstsosmallasendingforth!AndasforthisGenoesewhotrulyhathgivenandgivesandwillgivehislifeforhisvision,saithnotScripturethatalaborerisworthyofhishire?'AtwhichtheQueensaidwithdecision,`Wewilldoit,DonLuis!AndnowgoandfindMasterChristopherusandcomforthim,whoseheartmustbeheavy,andindeedmine,'shesaith,`washeavywhenhewentforthto-day,andavoiceseemedtosaywithinme,``Whathaveyoudone,Isabella?Howmayyouhavehindered!'''''
　　TheGathererofEcclesiasticalRevenueslaughedagainwiththatcompellinglaughter.``Soforthwego,andDonAlonsosendsforyoutohishouse.Butyoucouldnotbefound.Earlythismorningcameoneandinformedusthattheshiphadputoutofharbor,whereuponmynephewandIsetsailafter!''
　　TheAdmiraloftheOcean-Seaturnedhisfacetothewest.Notknowing,Ithink,whathedid,heraisedhisarm,outstretchedit,andthehandseemedtocloseingreeting.
　　HisfacewasthefaceofamanwhoseestheBelovedafterlongandsorrowfulabsence.Sodidthoughtandpassionandvisionchargehisframeandhiscountenance,thatforamomenttrulytherewaseffulgence.Itstartled.DonLuisheldhisspeechsuspended,inhiseyeswonder.MasterChristopherusletfallhisarm.Hesighed.Theout-pushinglightfaltered,vanished.Onemightsay,ifonechose,``AGenoeseseacaptain,willingtodoanadventurousthingandmakeapursethereby!''
　　CHAPTERVIII
　　JUANLEPE,quittingtheVegaofGranada,recrossedthemountains.Iwasatwander.IdidnotgotoMalaga.IdidnotthengotoPalos.IwenttoSanLucar.Ihadadventures,butIwillnotdrawthemhere.
　　TheoceanbyPaloscontinuedwithmeinsightandsoundandmovement.ButIdidnotgotoPalos.IwenttothestrandofSanLucar,andthereIfoundasmallbarktradingnottoGenoabuttoMarseilles.Seamenlacked,andthemastertookmegladly.Ifreshenedknowledgeuponthisvoyage.
　　Themasterwasadour,quietCatalan;histhreesonsfavoredhimandtheirsixsailorsmoreorlesstookthenote.
　　Thesearanquietandblueunderaquietblueheaven.Atnightallthestarsshone,oronlylightcloudswentoverhead.
　　ItwasarestfulboatandJaymedeMarchenarested.Evenwhilehisbodylaboredherested.ThesenseofDangerineveryroom,walkingoneveryroad,tookleave.YetwastherethroughoutthatinsistentsightofPalosbeachandthegrayandwildAtlantic.Allthebirdscriedfromthewest;
　　thesalt,stingingwindflungitselfuponmefromthewest.
　　Onceavoice,faintandsilvery,madeitselfheard.``Wereitnotwelltoknowthoseother,thosemightierwaters,andfindthestrangelands,thenewlands?''Iansweredmyself,``Theyaretheoldlandstakenanewway.''Butstillthevoicesaid,``Thenewlands!''
　　WemadeMarseillesandunladed,andwereheldthereafortnight.ImighthaveleftthebarkandfoundworkandmaybesafetyinFrance,orImighthavetakenanothershipforItaly.Ididneither.IclungtothisbarkandmyCata-
　　lans.WetookourladingandquittedMarseilles,andcameafteratranquilvoyagetoSanLucar.Againweunladedandladed,andagainvoyagedtoMarseilles.Springbecamesummer;youngsummer,summerinprime.WeleftMarseillesandvoyagedoncemoreSanLucar-ward.ThererushedupafearfulstormandwewerewreckedoffAlmeria.
　　Oneladdrowned.Therestofussomehowmadeshore.AboattookustoAlgeciras,andthencewetrudgedittoSanLucar.
　　MyCatalanswerenotwhollydepressed.Behindtheirwreckedshipstoodmerchantswhowouldfurnishanotherbark.ThemasterwouldhavehadmewaitatSanLucaruntilhewentforthagain.ButIwasboundforthestrandbyPalosandthegray,pilingAtlantic.
　　Augustwasthemonthandthedaywarm.ThefirstofAugustintheyear1492.TwoleagueseastofPalosI
　　overtookthreementrudgingthatway,andtalkingnowloudlyandangrilyandnowinasullen,draggingfashion.
　　IhadseenbetweenthisroadandoceanafishinghamletandImadeoutthattheywerefromthisplace.Theyweremenofsmallboats,menwhofished,butwhonowandagainweregatheredinbysomeshipmaster,whentheybecamesailors.
　　Inmetheysawonlyapoorlyclad,sea-goingperson.
　　WhenIgavegreetingtheygreetedmeinreturn.``ForPalos?''Iasked,andtheonewhotalkedthemostandtheloudestgavegroaningassent.``Aye,forPalos.Youtoo,brother,arefloppinginthenet?''
　　Ididnotunderstandandsaidasmuch.Hegaveanangrylaughandexplainedhisfigure.``Why,theQueenandtheKingandthelawandMartinPinzon,towhomwe,areboundforayear,arepressingus!Whichistosaythey'vecastanetandhereweare,goodfish,beatingagainstthemeshesandfindingnonebigenoughtoslipthrough!
　　Haven'tyoubeenpressedtoo,scoopedinwithouta`Byyourleave,Palosfish!'Ahundredfishandmoreinthisnetandonebyonethegiantwilltakeusoutandbroilus!''
　　Thesecondmanspokewithawhine.``IhadratheraBarbarypiratewerecomingaboard!Ihadratherbetookslaveandrowagalley!''
　　Thethird,ayoungman,hadawhimsical,dark,fearlessface.``ButwebegoingtoseestrangethingsandservetheQueen!That'ssomething!''
　　``TheQueenisjustalady.Shedon'tknowanythingaboutdeepandfearfulseas!''
　　``Whereareyougoing,''Iasked,``andwithwhom?''
　　Theangrymananswered,``Thelastofthatistheeasiest,mate!WithanItaliansorcererwhohasbewitchedthegreat!Heoughttobeburned,sayI,withtheJewsandheretics!Wearegoingwithhim,andwearegoingwithCaptainMartinPinzon,whomhehathbewitchedwiththerest!Andwearegoingwiththreeships,the_SantaMaria_,thePintaandtheNina.''
　　Thethirdsaid,``TheSantaMaria'sagoodboat.''
　　``Thereisn'tanyboat,goodorbad,''thefirstansweredhim,``thatcanholdtogetherwhenyoucometoheatthat'llmeltpitchandsetwoodafire!Thereisn'tanyboat,goodorbad,thatcanstanditwhenaloadstoneasbigasGibraltarbeginstodrawiron!''
　　Thesecond,whoseelementwasmelancholy,sighed,``I'vebeennorthofIreland,Pedro,andthatwasbadenough!
　　Thelookoutsawasirenandthe_InfantaIsabella_wasdashedontherocksandsomethinglaughedatusallnight!''
　　``Ireland'snothingatalltoit!''answeredtheangryman,whosenamewasPedro.``I'veheardmenthatknowtalk!
　　ThePortuguesegoingdownAfricacoastgottoCapeBojador,butthey'venevertrulygottenanyfurther,thoughI
　　hearthemsaytheyhave!Theysentalittlecarrackfurtherdown,andithadtocomebackbecausethewaterfelltoboiling!Therewasn'tanylandandtherewasn'tanytruesea,butitwasallmelteduptogetherinferventheat!Likehotmud,sotospeak.It'shell,that'swhatIsay;it'shelldownthere!Moreover,thereain'tanyheavenstretchedoverit.''
　　``Whatdoesitmeanbythat?''askedthesecond.
　　``Itmeans,Fernando,thattherewouldn'tbeanysky,bluenorgraynorblack,norclouds,norairtobreathe!
　　Therewouldn'tbeanythunderandlightningnorrainnorwind,andatnighttherewouldn'tbestars,nonorthstar,norany!Itwouldjustbe——Idon'tknowwhat!FrayIgnatiotoldme,andhesaidthenamewas`chaos'.''
　　``Thatwassouth.Thatwasn'twest.''
　　``Westisjustasbad!''
　　Fernandoalsoaddressedtheyoungman,thethird,callinghimSancho.``IftherewereanythingwestforChristianmen,wouldn'ttheHolyFatheratRomehavesentlongago?Weareallgoingtodie!''
　　``Buttheydidn'tknowitwasround,''saidSancho.``Nowwedo,andthat'sthedifference!Ifyoustartedalittlemanikinjusthereonanorangeandtoldhimtogostraightahead,he'dcomearoundhome,wouldn'the?''
　　``Youwearyme,Sancho!''criedthefirst.``AndwhatifyoudidthatandittooksolongthatyoucomebacktoFishertownoldandbaldanddriveling,andyourwifeisdeadandalltheneighbors!Muchgoodyou'dhavefromknowingitwasround!''
　　``Whenyougotrightunderfootwouldn'tyoufall;that'swhatIwanttoknow?''
　　``Fall!Fallwhere?''
　　``Intothesky!MyGod,it'sdeep!Andtherewouldn'tbeanyboattopickyouupnoranyfloatingoartocatchby——''
　　Thevisionseemedtoappallthem.Fernandodrewbackofhandacrosseyes.
　　Icamein.``Youwouldn'tdothatanymorethantheantfallsofftheorange!Menhavecomebackwhohavebeenalmostunderfoot,sofartotheeasthadtheytraveled.Theyfoundtheremenandkingdomsandwaysnotsomightilyunlikeours.''
　　``Theywentthatway,''answeredPedro,jerkinghishandeastward,``overgoodland!Andmaybe,whatevertheysaid,theywerelyingtous!I'mthinkingmostofthelearneddothatallthetime!''
　　``Well,''saidSancho,``ifwedocomeback,we'llhavesomeraregoodtalestotell!''
　　Therefellapauseatthat,apauseofdissentandexasperation,butalsooneofcaughtfancy.Itwouldundoubtedlybeaglorytotellthosetalestoalistening,fascinatedFishertown!
　　JuanLepesaid,``FormonthsI'vebeenwithatraderrunningfromSanLucartoMarseilles.I'vehadnonewsthislongwhile!What'sdoingatPalos?''
　　Theywerereadyforanaudience,anyaudience,andforthwithIhadthestoryoftheAdmiralfairlystraight——
　　orIcouldmakeitstraight——fromthatdaywhenwepartedontheCordovaroad.ThesemendidnotknowwhathadhappenedinMarchorinApril,buttheyknewsomethingofMay.InMayhecametoPalosandsettleddownwithFrayJuanPerezinLaRabida,andtoseehimwentCaptainMartinPinzonwhoknewhimalready,andthephysicianGarciaFernandezandothers,andtheyalltalkedtogetherforadayandanight.AfterthatthealcaldeofPalosandothersinauthorityhadlettersandwarrantsfromtheQueenandtheKing,andtheyoverboreeverything,callinghimDonand_ElAlmirante_andsayingthathemustbefurnishedforth.ThencameadaywheneverybodywasgatheredinthesquarebeforethechurchofSaintGeorge,andthealcaldethathadagreatvoicereadtheletters.
　　``Iwasthere!''saidFernando.``Ibroughtinfishthatmorning.''
　　``I,too!''quothSancho.``Ihadtobuysailcloth.''
　　ItwasPedrochieflywhotalked.``TheywerefromtheKingandQueen,andthemoralwasthatPalosmustfurnishDonCristovalColon,AdmiraloftheOcean-Sea——
　　andwethoughtthatwasacuriousthingtobeadmiralof!——
　　twoshipsandallseamenneededandallsupplies.Athirdshipcouldbeenterprised,andanyinandaroundPaloswastobeencouragedtoputinfortuneandhelp.ShipsandthosewhowentinthemweretoobeythesaidDonCristovalColonorColumbusasthoughheweretheQueenandtheKing,theBishopofSevilleandtheMarquisofCadiz!Itdidn'tsayitjustthatwaybutthatwaswhatitmeant.Weweretofollowhimanddoashetoldus,oritwouldbemuchtheworseforus!Weweren'ttoputinatSt.GeorgelaMinaonthecoastofAfrica,nortouchattheKingofPortugal'sislands,andthatwasthewholeofit!''
　　``Allseamenweretobegivengoodpay,''saidSancho.
　　``Andifanybodygoingwasindebt,orevenifhehaddoneacrime——sothatitwasn'ttreasonoranythingtheHolyOfficehandles——hecouldn'tbetroubledorheldback,seeingitwasroyalerrand.Thatisveryconvenientforsome.''
　　Pedrolostpatience.``You'dmakethebestofHellitself!''
　　``He'ddeny,''putinFernando,``HolyWritthatsaysthereshallbesorrows!''
　　TheyembarkeduponloudblameofSancho,instanceafterinstance.AtlastIcutthemacross.``WhatfurtherhappenedatPalos?''
　　Theyputbacktothatport.``Oh,itdidn'tseemsobadthatday!Oneandanotherthought,`PerhapsI'llgo!'
　　HimtheycallTheAdmiralisabigfigureofaman,andofcoursewethatusetheseagettoknowhowagoodcaptainlooks.Weknewthathehadsailedandsailed,andhadhadhisownship,maybetwoorthreeofthem!ThentoothePinzonsandthePriorofLaRabidaansweredforhim.A
　　lotofusalmostbelongtothePinzons,havingsignedtofishandvoyageforthem,andthePriorisawell-likedman.
　　Thealcaldefoldsuptheletterasthoughhewereinchurch,andtheyallcomedownthestepsandgoawaytothealcalde'shousewhichisaroundthecorner.Itwasn'tuntiltheyweregonethatPalosbegantoask,`Wherewerethreeshipsandmaybeahundredandfiftymen_going_?'''
　　``Wefoundoutnextday,''saidFernando.``Thetidewentout,butitcamebackbearingthesoundofwhereweweregoing!''
　　``ThenwhathappenedinPalos?''
　　``Whathappenedwasthattheycouldn'tgettheshipsandtheycouldn'tgetthemen!Paloswouldn'tlisten.Itwastoowild,whattheywantedtodo!Itwouldn'tlistentothePrioranditwouldn'tlistentoDoctorGarciaFernandez,anditwouldn'tevenlistentoCaptainMartinAlonsoPinzon.
　　Andwhenthathappens——!Soforalongtimetherewasakindofangrycalm.Andthen,loyou!wefindthattheyhavewrittentotheQueenandtheKing.TherecomeletterstoPalos,andtheyareharshones!''
　　``IneverheardharsherfromanyKingandQueen!''saidFernando.
　　``Thereweren'tonlytheletters,butthey'dsentalsoagreatman,SenorJuandePenelosa,toseethattheygotobedience.
　　Upshotiswe'vegottogo,shipsandmen,orelsebelaidbytheheels!AsforPalos,heroldseaprivilegeswouldbetakenfromher,andshecouldn'tfacethat.Getthoseshipsreadyandstockthemandpipesailorsaboard,orthere'dbeourkindQueenandKingtodealwith!''
　　``Whereveritis,we'regoing.Greatfolkaretootallandbroadforus!''
　　``Sotherecomesanothercrowdinthesquare,beforethechurch.OutstepsCaptainMartinPinzon,andhecries,`MenofPalos,forallyoudoubtit,'tisagloriousthingthat'sdoing!Hereisthe_Nina_thatmybrothersandIown.
　　She'sgoingwithDonCristovaltheAdmiral,andthemenwhoareboundtomeforfishingandvoyagingaregoing,andmorethanthat,thereisgoingMartinAlonsoPinzon,forI'llasknomantogowhereIwillnotgo!'
　　``ThenupbesidehimstartshisbrothersVicenteandFrancisco,andtheysaytheyaregoingtoo.FrayIgnatiostandsonthechurchstepsandcriesthatthereareidolatersthere,andhewillgototellthemaboutourLordJesusChrist!ThenthealcaldegetsupandsaysthattheSovereignsmustbeobeyed,andthatthe_SantaMaria_andthePintashallbemadeready.ThenthepilotsSanchoRuizandPedroNinoandBartolomeoRoldanpushouttogetherandsaythey'llgo,andothersfollow,seeingthey'llhavetoanyhow!Soitwentthatdayandthenextandthenext,untilnowthey'vepressedalltheyneed.SoIsay,wearehere,brother,floppinginthenet!''
　　``Whendoeshesail?''
　　Dayafterto-morrow,'tissaid.Butwewhodon'tliveinPaloshaveourorderstobethereto-night.Aren'tyougoingtoo,mate?''
　　IansweredthatIhadn'tthoughtofit,andimmediately,outofthewhole,thereroseandfacedme,``Youhavethoughtofitallthetime!''
　　Sanchospoke.``Ifyou'llgowithustoCaptainMartinPinzon,he'llenteryou.He'dliketogetanotherstrongman.''
　　Isaid,``Idon'tknow.I'llhavetothinkofit.HereisPalos,andyondertheheadlandwithLaRabida.''
　　Weenteredthetown.Theywouldhavehadmegowiththemwherevertheymustreportthemselves.ButIsaidthatIcouldnotthen,andatthemouthoftheirstreetmanagedtoleavethem.IpassedthroughPalosandbeyonditswesternlimitcameagaintothathouseofthepoorestwhereIhadlodgedsixmonthsbeforeandwakingallnighthadheardtheTintoflowingbylikethelifeofaman.LongagoIhadhadsometraininginmedicine,andinmind'smedicine,andthreeyearspastIhadbroughtayoungworkingmanlivingtheninMarchenaoutofillnessandmelancholy.HisparentsdwelledhereinthishousebytheTintoandtheygavemeshelter.
　　CHAPTERIX
　　RISINGatdawn,IwalkedtotheseaandalongituntilIcameatlasttothosedunesbeneathwhichIhadstretchedmyselfthatdayofgrayness.Nowitwasdeepsummer,blueandgold,andtheairallbalmandcaressing.
　　TheeveningbeforeIhadseenthethreeshipswheretheyrodeinrivermouth.Theywerecaravels,andonlythe_SantaMaria_,thelargest,wasfullydecked.SmallcraftwithwhichtofindIndia,overaroadofathousandleagues——ornoroad,forroadmeansthatmenhavetoiledthereandtraveledthere——noroad,butawildernessplain,awaterdesert!TheArabianssaythatJinnandAfritsliveinthedesertawayfromthecaravans.Ifyougothatwayyoumeetfearfulthingsandnevercomeforthagain.TheSantaMaria,the_Pinta_andtheNina.TheSantaMariacouldbeMasterChristopherus'sship.Brightpointthatwashisbannercouldbemadeoutatthefore.
　　Paloswaterside,inared-filtereddusk,hadbeenanoisyplace,butthenoisedidnotringgenially.IgatheredthatthissmallportwasmorelargelyinthemoodofPedroandFernandothaninthatofSancho.Itlookedfrightenedanditlookedsullenanditlookedangry.
　　TheoldwomanbytheTintotalkedgarrulously.ThankfulwasshethathersonMigueldwelledtenleaguesaway!
　　Elsesurelytheywouldhavetakenhim,astheyweretakingthisone'ssonandthatone'sson!Tohearheryouwouldthinkofanogre——ofPolyphemusinthecave——reachingoutfatalhandforthisorthatfattenedbody.Nothingthen,shesaid,todobuttopinchandsavesothatonemightpaythepriestformasses!ShetoldmewithgreateyesthatahundredleagueswestofCanariesonecametoaseaforestwhereallthetreesweremadeofwatergrowinguphighandspreadingoutlikebranchesandleaves,andthatthisforestwasfilledwithseawolvesandserpentsandstrangebeastsallmadeofseawater,buttheycouldstingandrendamanveryghastly.Afterthatyoucametosirensthatyoucouldnothelpleapingtomeet,buttheyputlipstomen'sbreastsandsuckedoutthelife.Thenifthewinddroveyousouth,yousmelledsmokeandatnightsawflames,andifyoucouldnotgettheshipabout——
　　Inmid-afternoonIleftthesandsandtooktheroadtoLaRabida.BythewalledvineyardthatclimbsthehillIwasmetbythreemountedmencomingfromthemonastery.
　　ThefirstwasDonJuandePenelosa,thesecondwasthePriorofLaRabida,thethirdwastheAdmiraloftheOcean-
　　Sea.
　　FrayJuanPerezfirstsawmeclearly,drawnupbywall.
　　HehadbeenquotingLatinandhebrokeat_Dominusetmagister_.TheAdmiralturnedgrayeyesuponme.Isawhismindworking.Hesaid,``TheroadtoCordova——Welcome,JuanLepe!''
　　``Welcome,Excellency!''
　　Igavehimthename,seeinghimforamomentsomewhatwhimsicallyasViceroyofconqueredgreatIndiaoftheelephantsandthetemplesfilledwithbells.Hisfacelighted.
　　Helookedatme,andIknewagainthathelikedme.I
　　likedhim.
　　MykinsmanthePriorhadstartedtospeaktome,butthenhadshotalookatJuandePenelosaandrefrained.
　　TheQueen'sofficerspoke,``Why,here'sanotherstrongfellow,notsotallassomebutpowerfullyknit!Areyouusedtothesea?''
　　IansweredthatIhadbeenuponaMarseillesbarkthatwaswreckedoffAlmeria,andthatIhadwalkedfromSanLucar.HeaskedmynameandIgaveit.``JuanLepe.''
　　Iattachyouthen,JuanLepe,fortheserviceoftheQueen!Beholdyouradmiral,DonCristovalColon!Hisshipsarethe_SantaMaria_,thePintaandtheNina,hisdestinationthegloriousfindingoftheIndiesandCipangowherethepoorestmandrinksfromagoldencup!Princes,Ifancy,drinkfromhollowedemeralds!Youwillsailto-morrowatdawn.Inwhichshipshallweputhim,Senor?''
　　``IntheSantaMaria,''answeredtheAdmiral.
　　Soshortasthatwasitdone!Andyet——andyet——ithadbeendoingforalongtime,forhowlongatimeIhavenowayofmeasuring!
　　JuandePenelosacontinuedtospeak:``FollowusintoPaloswhereSebastianJaurezwillgiveyouwineandapieceofmoney.Thenceyouwillgotochurchwhereindeedwearebound,allwhosailbeinggatheredthereforgeneralconfessionandabsolution.ThisvoyagebeginsChristianly!''
　　SaidFrayJuanPerez,``Nottodothat,JuanLepe,weretocryaloudforanothershipwreck!''
　　Heusedthetoneofpriest,thrustinginspeechaspriestsoftendo,wherethereisnoespecialneedofspeech.ButI
　　understoodthatthatwasamask,andcouldreadkinsmanlyanxietyinagoodman'sheart.Isaid,``IwillfindSebastianJaurez,andIwillgotochurch,Senors.Ashipisaship,andavoyageavoyage!''
　　``This,JuanLepe,''saidtheAdmiralinthatpeculiarlywarmandthrillingvoiceofhis,``issuchavoyageasyouhaveneverbeen!''
　　Imadereply,``Sobeit!Iwouldhaveeveryvoyagegreaterthanthelast.''Andastheyputtheirsteedsintomotion,walkedbehindthemdownhillandoversandywaysintoPalos.ThereIfoundSebastianJaurezwhosignedmein.Iputintomypocketthecoinhegavemeanddrankwithhimastoupofwine,andthenIwenttochurch.
　　ItwasagreatshadowychurchandIfounditfull.Jaurezpilotedmetowherejustunderpulpitwererangedmyfellowmariners,ahundredplainsailormen,nogreatnumberwithwhichtowidentheworld!Ascoreorsoofbetterstationweregroupedattheheadofthese,andinfrontofallstoodChristopherusColumbus.IsawagainMartinAlonsoPinzonwhohadenteredthePrior'sroomatLaRabida,andwithhimhistwobrothersFranciscoandVicente.MartinPinzonwouldbecaptainofthe_Pinta_andVicenteoftheNina.AndtherewereRoderigoSanchezofSegovia,Inspector-GeneralofArmament,andDiegodeArana,chiefalguaziloftheexpedition,andRoderigodeEscobedo,royalnotary,andwiththesethreeorfouryoungmenofbirth,adventuringforIndianowthatthewarwiththeMoorwasdone.Andthereweretwophysicians,GarciaFernandezandBerardinoNunez.AndtherewastheFranciscan,FrayIgnatio,whowouldconverttheheathenandpreachbeforetheGreatKhan.
　　TheAdmiralofOcean-Seastoodatallermanthananythere,tall,muscular,agreatfigure.Hewasrichlydressed,forassoonashecouldbedressedrichly.Ashaftoflightstruckhisbrowandmadehishairallglowingsilver.Hisfacewaslifted.Theairabouthimtomyeyesswamandquiveredandwasfaintlycolored.
　　FrayJuanPerezpreachedthesermonandheusedgreatearnestnessandnowandagainhisvoicebroke.HetalkedofGod'sgainthatwewentforthupon,reapinginafieldsetus.OnethingcameforthherethatIhadnotbeforeheard.
　　``Andtheunthinkablewealththatsurelyshallbefoundandgained,forthesecountriestowhichyousailhaveeight-
　　tenthsoftheworld'sriches,shallputCastileandLeonwhereofoldstoodPaganRome,andshallmake,Godwilling,ofthisveryPalosanewGenoaorVenice!Andthisman,yourAdmiral,howhathheproposedtotheSovereignstousefirstfruits?Why,friends,bytakingfinallyandforeverfromMahound,andforHolyChurchandherservanttheSpains,theHolySepulchre!''
　　Intheend,wethegoingforth,kneeling,madegeneralconfessionandthepriest'shandsintheduskaboveabsolvedus.Therewassolemnityandtherewastenderness.A
　　hundredandtwenty,wecameforthfromchurch,andaroundusflowedthehundredsofPalos,menandwomenandchildren.Allwasredunderaredsunset,theboatswaitingtotakeusouttothe_SantaMaria_,thePintaandtheNina.