Wemarchedtowaterside.Priestsandfriarsmovedwithus,singingloudlythehymntotheVirgin,Ladyofallseamen.GreattearsrandownFrayJuanPerez'schecks.
　　Itwasaredsunsetandthewestintowhichweweregoinglookedindeedblood-flecked.DonJuandePenelosa,harkinguson,hadaninspiration.``YouseetherubiesofCipango!''
　　Itisnotalone``great''menwhobringaboutthingsinthisworld.Allofusareinameasuregreat,asallareonthewaytogreatergreatness.Sailorsarebraveandhardymen;thatissaidwhenitissaidthattheyaresailors.Inmanyheartshungdreadofthisvoyageandrebellionagainstbeingforcedtoit.Buttheyhadnottobelashedtotheboats;theywentwithsailors'carelessairanddignity.Byfarthemostwentthus.EvenFernandoceasedhiswailingandembarked.Theredlight,orfordangerorforrubiesinwhichstillmightbedanger,washedusall,washedthetown,thefolkandthesandyshore,andtheboatsthatwouldtakeusouttotheships,smallinthemselves,andsmallbydistance,ridingthereintheriver-mouthliketoysthathavebeenmadeforchildren.
　　Thehundredandtwentyenteredtheboats.Itwaslikealittlefishingfleetgoingouttogether.Therowersbenttotheoars,astripofwaterwidenedbetweenusandSpain.
　　Loudchantedthefriars,butovertheirvoicesrosethecryingoffarewell,nowdeep,nowshrill.``_Adios!_''Thesailorscriedback,``Adios!Adios!''Fromthelanditmusthavehadathinsoundlikeghostswailingfromtheedgeoftheworld.That,thesailorsheldandPalosheld,waswheretheshipsweregoing,overtheedgeoftheworld.
　　ItwasthethirddayofAugust,intheyearfourteenhundredandninety-two.
　　CHAPTERX
　　PALOSvanished,welosttheheadlandofLaRabida,ahazehidSpain.Bynightfallallwasbehindus.Weweresetforthfromnativeland,setforthfromEurope,setforthfromChristendom,setforthfromseacompanyandsailors'cheerofotherships.ThatlastwouldnotbewhollytrueuntilweweregonefromtheCanaries,towardwhichislands,runningsouth,wenowwereheaded.WemighthailsomeSpanishshipgoingto,comingfrom,GrandCanary.Wemightindeed,beforewereachedtheseislands,seeothersails,forarumorranthattheKingofPortugalwassendingshipstointerceptus,sinkusandnoneeverbethewiser,itnotbeingtohisinterestthatSpainshouldmakediscoveries!Pedroitwaswhoputthisintomyearaswehauledatthesamerope.Ilaughed.``Herebeginneththemarveloustaleofthisvoyage!Ifallhappensthatallsaymayhappen,notthePope'slibrarycanholdthebooks!''
　　The_SantaMaria_wasagoodenoughship,thoughfiftymencrowdedit.Itwasnewandclean,afairsailer,thoughnotsoswiftasthePinta.Wemarinerssettledourselvesinwaistandforecastle.TheAdmiral,JuandelaCosa,themaster,RoderigoSanchez,DiegodeAranaandRoderigodeEscobedo,PedroGutierrez,aprivateadventurer,thephysicianBernardoNunezandFrayIgnatiohadgreatcabinandcertainsmallsleepingcabinsandpoopdeck.Intheforecastlealmostallknewoneanother;allranintokinshipsnearorremote.Buttheturnofcharactermadetherealgrouping.PedrohadhisclusterandSanchohadhis,andbetweenswayednowtotheoneandnowtotheotheralargegroup.Fernando,Ifeelgladnessinsaying,hadwithhimbuttwoorthree.Andasidestoodvariations,individuals.
　　Beltranthecookwassuchanone,abold,mirthful,likableman.Wehadseveraldrythinkers,andabraggartandtwoorthreewhoprovedmiserablyvillainous.Wehadweathercocksandmenwhofacedforward,nomatterwhatthewindthatblew.
　　TheAdmiralknewwellthathemusthave,ifhecould,ashippatient,contentedandhopeful.Ibearhimwitnessthathesparednopains.
　　Wehadaboardtrumpetanddrumandviol,andhewouldhavefrequentmusic.Eachdaytowardeveningeachmanwasgivenacupofwine.Andbeforesunsetallweregatheredforvesperservice,andwesang_SalveRegina_.Atnightthegreatfamiliarstarsshoneoutaboveus.
　　Seconddaypassedmuchlikefirst,——lightficklewind,flappingsails,smoothsea,cloudlesssky.To-daybeheldsealifeaftershoregrownhabitual.WemighthavesailedfromMarseillesorGenoaandbeensailingforamonth.Ifthiswereall,thennomoreterrorfromtheSeaofDarknessthanfromourownsowell-knownsea!ButFernandosaid,``ItisaftertheCanaries!Weknowwellenoughitisnotsobadthissideofthem.WhydotheycallthemDogIslands?''
　　``Perhapstheyfounddogsthere.''
　　``No,butthattheygivewarninglikewatchdogs!`Ifyougoanyfurtheritshallbetoyourwoe!'''
　　``Aye,aye!Haveyouheardtellofthespoutingmountain?''
　　Thisnightthewindcameupandbymorningwasblowingstiffly,urginguslandwardasthoughbacktoSpain.
　　Theskybecameleaden,withagreatstormyaspect.Thewavesmounted,thelookoutcriedthatthe_Pinta_wasshowingsignalsofdistress.Bynowallhadshortenedsail,butthePintawastakingineverythingandpresentlylayunderbarepoles.TheSantaMariaworkedtowardheruntilwewerecloseby.Theyshoutedandwebacktothem.Itwasherrudderthatwasunshippedandinjured.CaptainMartinPinzonshoutedthathewouldovercomeit,bindingitsomehowinplace,andwouldovertakeus,the_Pinta_beingfastersailerthantheSantaMariaortheNina.ButtheAdmiralwouldnotagree,andwetookinallsailandlaytossedbyaroughseauntilafternoonwhenthePintasignaledthattherudderwashung.Butbynowtheskystretchedstraightlead,andthewaterranwhite-capped.
　　Wemadenowaytillmorning,whenwithoutadropofrainallthecloudroofwasdrivenlandwardandtheresprangoutaskysobluethattheheartlaughedforjoy.Theviolentwindsank,thenveeredandblowingmoderatelycarriedusagainsouthward.Allthewhitesails,whiteandnew,wereflungout,andweracedoverarich,greenplain.
　　Thatlastedthroughmostoftheday,butanhourbeforesunsetthe_Pinta_againsignaledtrouble.Therudderwasoncemoreworsethanuseless.
　　Againitwasmended.ButwhenthenextmorningithappenedthethirdtimeandakindofwailinggrumblewentthroughtheSantaMaria,therecamepronouncementfromtheAdmiral.``TheCanariesliestraightahead.Intwodaysweshallsightthem.Verygood!weshallrestthereandmakeanewrudderforthe_Pinta_.TheNinawilldobetterwithsquaresailsandwecanchangethese.
　　Freshmeatandwaterandsomeramblingashore!''
　　BeltranthecookhadbeentotheCanaries,driventherebyaperversewindtwentyyearsagowhenhewasboatswainuponabigcarrack.Hesaiditwasnogreatwayandoneortwoagreedwithhim,butothersdeclinedtobelievetheAdmiralwhenhesaidthatintwodaysweshouldbeholdthevolcano.Somewerefoundtoclamorthatthewindhaddrivenusoutofallreckoning!WemightneverfindtheCanariesandthenwhatwouldthe_Pinta_do?Whereas,ifweallturnedbacktoPalos——
　　``If——if!''answeredBeltranthecook,whoatfirstseemedstrangelyandhumorouslythereascookuntilonefoundthathehadaninjuredlegandcouldnotclimbmastnormanagesail.```If'isaseamanwithoutaship!——
　　He'safamousnavigator.''
　　``MartinPinzon?''
　　``Himtoo.ButImeantourAdmiral.''
　　``Hehasn'thadashipforyears!''
　　``Hewasofthebestwhenhehadone!I'vebeardoldCaptainRuytell——''
　　``Maybehewasn'tcrazyinthosedays,buthe'scrazynow!''
　　ThatwasFernando.Ithinkitwasfromhimthatcertainofthecrewtooktheword``crazy.''Theyusedituntilonewouldthinkthatforpurevariety'ssaketheywouldfindanother!
　　ThesixthdayfromPalosthereliftedfromseathepeakofTeneriffe.
　　Thisday,passingonsomeerrandtheopendoorofthegreatcabin,IsawtheAdmiralseatedatthetable.Lookingup,hesawme,gazedaninstant,thenliftedhisvoice.
　　Comeinhere!''
　　Hesatwithagreatchartspreaduponthetablebeforehim.Besideittheloglayopen,andhehadunderhishandabookinwhichhewaswriting.Doorframedblueskyandsea,apleasantwindwassinginginapleasantwarmth,thegreatcabinwhich,withtherestoftheship,hemadetobekeptveryclean,wasawashwithlightandfinenessofair.``Wouldyouliketolookatthechart?''heasked,andI
　　cameandlookedoverhisshoulder.
　　``Imadeit,''hesaid.``Thereisnothingintheworldmoreusefulthanknowinghowtomakemapsandcharts!
　　WhileIwaitedforKingstomakeuptheirmindsIearnedmylivingso.''IglancedatthelogandhepushedittomesothatImightsee.``EverydayfromPalosout.''Hisstrongfingerstouchedtheotherbook.``MyjournalthatIkeepformyselfandtheQueenandKingFerdinandandindeedfortheworld.Heturnedtheleaves.Thebulkofthemwereblank,butinthefrontshowedcloselycoveredpages,thewritingnotlargebutclearandstrong.``Thisvoyage,yousee,changethourworld!OnceinVeniceIheardascholarlearnedintheGreektellofanoldvoyageofashipcalled_Argo_,whenceitscaptainandcrewwerenamedArgonauts,andhesaidthatitwasofallvoyagesmostfamouswiththeancients.Thisislikethat,butprobablygreater.''Heturnedthepages.``IshalldoitinthemannerofCaesarhisCommentaries.''
　　Heknewhimself,Ithought,forasgreatamanasCaesar.
　　Allsaid,hisbookmightbeasprizedinsomeunenteredfuture.Hedidnotmovewheretimeisasafilm,butwheretimeisdeep,athousandyearsasaday.HecouldnotseethereindetailanymorethanwecouldseetreeandhouseinthoseCanariesuponwhichwewerebearingdown.
　　Isaid,``Nowthatprintingisgeneral,itmaygointofarlandsandintomultitudeofhandsandheads.Manyavoyagertocomemaystudyit.''
　　Hedrewdeepbreath.``Itistheverytruth!PrinceHenrytheNavigator.ChristopherusColumbustheNavigator,andgreaterthanthefirst——''
　　Sunshone,windsang,blueseadancedbeyondthedoor.
　　CamefromdeckRoderigoSanchezandDiegodeArana.
　　TheAdmiralmademeagestureofdismissal.
　　TheCanariesandwedrewtogether.Greatbandsofcloudhidmuchofthehigherland,butthevolcanotopcameclearabovecloud,standingbareandsolemnagainstblueheaven.LeavinguponourrightGrandCanarywestoodfortheislandofGomera.Herewefounddeep,clearwaterclosetoshore,anarrowstrand,asmallSpanishfortandbeginningsofavillage,andinland,upravinescladwithastrange,leaflessbush,plentifulhutsoftheconqueredGuanches.Ourthreeshipscametoanchor,andtheAdmiralwentashore,thecaptainsofthe_Pinta_andtheNinafollowing.
　　JuanLepewasamongtherowers.
　　TheSpanishcommandantcamedowntobeachwithanarmedescort.TheAdmiral,walkingalone,methimbetweenseaandbrightgreentrees,andherestoodthetwoandconversedwhilewewatched.TheAdmiralshowedhimlettersofcredence.Thecommandanttookandread,handedthembackwithabow,andcomingtowateredgehadpresentedtohimthetwocaptains,MartinandVicentePinzon.
　　Heprovedacheeryoldveteranofoldwars,relievedthatwewerenotPortuguesenorpiratesandhappytohavelatenewsfromSpain.ItseemedthathehadlearnedfromasupplyshipinJunethattheexpeditionwasafoot.
　　The_SantaMaria_andtheNinarodecloseinshore.CaptainMartinPinzonbeachedthePintaandunshippedthehurtanduselessrudder.Workuponanewonebeganatonce.TheAdmiral,thetwocaptainsandthoseofrankupontheshipssuppedwiththecommandantathisquitegoodlyhouse,andthenextdayheandhisofficersdinedaboardtheSantaMaria.TheAdmirallikedhimmuchforhewasmorethanrespectfultowardthisvoyage.Ayearbefore,bathingonedayinthesurf,therehadcomefloatingtohishandagreatgourd.Nonesuchgrewanywhereintheseislands,andthewindfordayshadcomesteadilyfromthewest.Thegourdhadakindofpatterncutaroundit.HeshowedittotheAdmiralandafterwardsgaveittohim.Thelattercausedittopassfromhandtohandamongtheseamen.I
　　haditinmyhandsandtrulysawnoreasonwhyitmightnothavebeencutbysomenativeoftheWest,and,carriedawaybythetideordroppedperchancefromaboat,haveatlast,afterlongtime,comeintohandsnotIndian.AsiatossingunthinkinglyaballwhichEuropecaught.
　　The_Pinta_provedinworseplightthanwasatfirstthought.
　　TheNinaalsofoundthisorthattodobesidessquaringherLevantsails.WestayedinGomeraalmostthreeweeks.
　　Theplacewasnovel,theday'stasknothard,theAdmiralandhiscaptainscomplaisant.Wehadleisureandislandcompany.Tomanyitwashappinessenough.WhilewestoppedatGornerawewereatleastnotdriftinguponlodestone,equatorfireandchaos!
　　HereonGomeramightbestudiedthethreePinzonbrothers.
　　Vicentewasagood,courageouscaptain,Franciscoagoodpilot,andacourageous,seldom-speakingman.ButMartinAlonso,theeldest,wastheprimemoverinalltheiraffairs.Hewasskillfulnavigatorlikehisbrothersandcourageouslikethem,butnotsilentlikeFrancisco,andambitiousfaraboveeither.Hewouldhavesaidperhapsthathadhenotbeenso,beenbothambitiousandshrewd,thePinzonswouldneverhavebecomeprincipalship-owning,tradingandmaritimefamilyofPalosandthreeleaguesaround.He,too,hadfamilyfortunesandaggrandizementatheart,thoughhardlyonthegrand,imperialscaleoftheAdmiral.Hehadmuchmanlybeauty,daringandstrength.
　　Histwobrothersworshippedhim,andinmostplacesandmomentshiscrewwouldfollowhimwithacheer.TheAdmiralwasboundtohim,notonlyinthathehadvolunteeredandmadeotherstogowillingly,butthathehadputinhisship,the_Nina_,andhadfurnishedMasterChristopheruswithmonies.Thateighthofthecostoftheexpedition,whenceelsecoulditcome?IfittiedMartinPinzontotheAdmiral,seeingthatonlythroughsuccesscouldthosemoniesberepaid,itlikewisemadehimfeelthathe,too,hadauthority,wasatlibertytoadvise,andatneedtobecomecritical.
　　ButtheAdmiralhadthegreatman'smark.Hecouldacknowledgeserviceandbequitesimplyanddeeplygratefulforit.HewasgratefultoMartinPinzonwhohadaidedhimfromhisfirstcomingtoPalos,andalsoIthinkhelovedtheyoungerman'sgreatblondstrengthandbeauty.HehadallofItaly'squicknesstobeauty,beitoflandorsea,forest,flower,animalorman.Butnowandagain,evensoearlyasthis,hemustputouthandtocheckPinzon'simpetuousadvice.Hisbrowsdrewtogetherabovegrayeyesandeaglenose.Butforthemostpart,onGomera,theywereveryfriendly,anditwasasighttoseeAdmiralandcaptainsandalltheprivilegedoftheexpeditionsitatwinewiththecommandant.
　　JuanLepehadnoquarrelwithanyofthem.JaymedeMarchenasweptthisvoyageintotheGreatVoyage.
　　The_Pinta_wasnearlyreadywhentherearrivedasmallshipfromFerrobringingnewsthatthreelargePortugueseshipshadsailedbythatisland.Saidthecommandant,``SpainandPortugalareatpeace.Theywouldnotdaretotrytooustus!''HecametowatersidetotalktotheAdmiral.``Nottofightyou,''saidtheAdmiral,``butme!KingJohnwishestokeepIndia,CipangoandCathaystillveiled.SohewillgettimeinwhichtohavefromtheHolyFatheranotherbullthatwillplacethePortugueselinewestandwestuntilhehaththewhole!''Heraisedhishandandletitfall.``Icannotsailto-morrow,butIwillsailthedayafter!''
　　Wewereputtohardlaborfortherestofthatday,andthroughmuchofthemoonlitnight.Byearlymorningagainwelabored.Atmid-afternoonallwasdone.The_Pinta_,rightfromstemtostern,rodethebluewater;theNinahadhergreatsquaresails.TheGuanchesstoredforusfreshprovisionsandrolleddownandintoshipourwatercasks.
　　Therewasagreatmoon,andwewouldstandoffinthenight.
　　NothingmorehadbeenseenofthePortugueseships,butwewerereadytogoandgoweshould.Allbeingdone,andthesuntwohourshigh,wemarinershadleavetorestashoreundertreeswhomightnotforverylongagainseelandortrees.
　　Therewasagrovethatledtoastreamandthewaterfallwherewehadfilledthecasks.Iwalkedthroughthisalone.
　　Theplacelayutterlystillsaveforthemurmuringofthewaterandthesingingofasmallyellowishbirdthataboundsintheseislands.Attheendofanaisleoftreesshonethesea,blueandcalmasasapphireofheaven.Ilaydownupontheearthbythewater.
　　FindingofIndiaandroundingtheearth!Weseemedpoor,weakmen,butthethingwasgreat,andIsupposethedoersofagreatthingaregreat.East——west!Goingwestandyeteast——TheJewinmehadcomefromPalestine,andtoPalestineperhapsfromArabia,andtoArabia——whoknew?——perhapsfromthatIndia!AndmuchoftheSpaniardhadcomefromCarthageandfromPhoenicia,oldTyreandSidon,andTyreandSidonagainfromtheeast.Fromtheeastandtotheeastagain.AllourAgethatwithalllackswasyetastirringonewithasenseofdawnandsunriseanddistanttrumpets,nowwasgoingeast,wasgoingHome,goingeastbythewestroad.WestishomeandEastishome,andNorthandSouth.Knowledgeextendethandtheworldaboveisfed.
　　ThesunmadealaneofscarletandgoldacrossOcean-
　　Sea.Iwonderedwhattemples,whattowns,whatspiceshipsatstrangewharfsmightlieunderitafar.IwonderediftherediddwellPresterJohnandifhewouldstepdowntogiveuswelcome.Thetorrentofeventstrikesusdayandnight,allthehours,allthemoments.Whocantellwithdistinctnesscolorandshapeinthatdescendingstream?
　　CHAPTERXI
　　ANhouraftermoonriseweweregonefromGomera.
　　Atfirstalightwindfilledthesails,butwhentheroundmoonwentdowninthewestandthesunrose,therewasTeneriffestillathand,andtheseaglassy.Itrestedlikeamirrorallthatday,andthesailshungemptyandthebanneratmaintopbutamovelesswispofcloth.
　　Inthenightarosea,contrarywind,andanotherreddawnshowedusTeneriffestill.Thewinddroppinglikeashot,wehungoffFerro,fixedinblueglass.WatchwaskeptforthePortuguese,buttheyalsowouldberootedtoseabottom.Thethirdmorningupwhistledthewind,blowingfromAfricaandfillingeverysail.
　　PalostotheCanaries,wehadsailedsouth.Nowforlong,longdaysthesunroserightaft,andwhenitsetdyedwithredbrowandeyesandcheekandbreastofthecarvedwomanatourprow.Sheworeagreatcrown,andshelookedeverwithwideeyesuponthewestthatwechased.
　　StraightwestoverOcean-Sea,thefirstmen,thefirstships!
　　Ifevertherehadbeenothers,ourworldknewitnot.TheCanariessankintotheeast.Turnonheelaroundone'sself,andmarkneverastartoflandtobreaktherimofthevastseabowl!Neverasailsavethoseaboveusofthe_SantaMaria_,orstarboardorlarboard,thePintaandtheNina.
　　Thelonelinesswasvastandutter.Wemightfailhere,sinkhere,diehere,andindeedfailandsinkanddiealone!
　　Twoseamenlaysickintheirbeds,andthethirddayfromGomeratheSantaMaria'sphysician,BernardoNunez,wasseizedwiththesamemalady.AtfirstFrayIgnatiotriedtotakehisplace,butherethemonklackedknowledge.
　　Oneofthesailorsdied,ashipboysickened,andthephysician'sfeverincreaseduponhim.DiegodeAranabegantofail.Theship'smastercameatsuppertimeandlookedusover.``Isthereanyherewhohasanyleechcraft?''
　　Beltranthecooksaid,``Icansetaboneandwashawound;butitendsthere!''
　　CriedFernandofromhiscorner.``Istheplagueamongus!''Themasterturnedonhim.``Hereandnow,Isayfivelashesforthemanwhosaysthatwordagain!Hasanymanheresenseaboutaplainfever?''
　　Noneelsespeaking,IsaidthatlongagoIhadstudiedforatimewithaleech,andthatIwassomewhatusedtocareofthesick.``Thenyouaremyman!''quoththemaster,andforthwithtookmetotheAdmiral.IbecameJuanLepe,thephysician.
　　Itwas,Iheld,afeverreceivedwhilewanderingthroughtheravinesandwoodsofGomera.MasterBernardohadinhiscabindrugsandtinctures,andwebreathednowallthesaltofOcean-Sea,andtheshipwasclean.ItalkedtoBeltranthecookaboutdiet,andIchoseSanchoandamanthatIliked,oneLuisTorres,fornurses.Twootherssickenedthisnight,andonethenextday,butnoneafterward.
　　Nonedied;intendaysallwererecovered.OtherailmentsaboardIdoctoredalso.DonDiegodeAranawassubjecttofitsofmelancholywithtwitchings;ofthebody.I
　　hadwatchedIsaacthePhysiciancuresuchthingsasthis,andnowIfollowedinstruction.IputmyhandsuponthepatientandIstrengthenedhiswillwithmine,sendingintohimdesireforhealthandperceptionofhealth.Hisinnermancaughttune.Themelancholylefthimanddidnotreturn.MasterBernardothrewoffthefever,satupandmovedabout.Buthewasstillweak,andstillItendedtheothersforhim.
　　The_Pinta_hadsignaledfourmenill.ButGarciaFernandez,thePalosphysician,wastherewithMartinPinzon,andthesickrecovered.TheNinahadnodoctorandnowshecameneartotheSantaMariaandsentaboat.ShehadfivesickmenandwouldborrowBernardoNunez.
　　TheAdmiralspokewithNunez,nownearlywell.Thenthephysicianmadeabundleofdrugsandmedicaments,saidfarewelltoallandkindlyenoughtome,androwedawaytothe_Nina_.HewasafriendofthePinzons,andabovethevanityofthegreatership.ThesickupontheNinaprosperedunderhim.
　　ButJuanLepewastakenfromtheforecastle,andsleptwhereNunezhadslept,andhadhisplaceatthetableinthegreatcabin.HeturnedfromthesailorJuanLepetothephysicianJuanLepe,becoming``Doctor''and``Senor.''
　　Thewheelturnsandaman'spastmakeshispresent.
　　AfewdaysfromGomera,anhouraftersunset,thenightwastornbythehugest,flaming,fallingstarthatanyofushadeverseen.Themassdrovedownthelowerskirtofthesky,leavingbehinditawakeoffire.Itplungedintothesea.Thereisnosailorbutknowsshootingstars.Butthiswasahugelygreatone,andOcean-Seaverylonely,andtomostthereourerrandaspectralandfrighteningone.ItneededboththeAdmiralandFrayIgnatiotoquellthepanic.
　　Thenextdayagreatbirdlikeacranepassedoverthe_SantaMaria_.ItcamefromAfrica,behindus.Butitspokeofland,andthesailorsgazedwistfully.
　　ThisdayIenteredthegreatcabinwhennonewastherebuttheAdmiral,andagainhesatattablewithhischartsandhisbooks.HeaskedofthesickandIanswered.
　　Againhesatlookingthroughopendoorandwindowatbluewater,agreatfigureofamanwithagreatheadandfaceandearly-silveredhair.``Doyouknowaught,''heasked,``ofastrology?''
　　IansweredthatIknewalittleofthesurfaceofit.
　　``Ihaveasense,''hesaid,``thatourstarsareakin,yoursandmine.IfeltitthedayGranadafell,andIfeltitonCordovaroad,andagainthatdaybelowLaRabidawhenweturnedthecornerandthebellsrangandyoustoodbesidethevineyardwall.ShouldInothavelearnedinmorethanfiftyyearstoknowaman?Thestarsareakinthatwillendureforvision'ssake.''
　　Isaid,``Ibelievethat,myAdmiral.''
　　Hesatinsilenceforamoment,thendrewthelogbetweenusandturnedseveralpagessothatImightseethereckoning.``Wehavecomewell,''Isaid.``Yetwithsofairawind,Ishouldhavethought——''
　　Heturnedtheleavestillherestedatonecoveredwithotherfigures.``Hereitisasittrulyis,andwherewetrulyare!Wehaveoversailedallthatthefirstshow,andsomanyleaguesbesides.''
　　``Tworecords,trueanduntrue!Whydoyoudoitso?''
　　``Ihavetoldthemthataftersevenhundredleaguesweshouldfindland.Addfiftymoreforourgeneralimperfection.
　　ButitmaybewiderthanIthink.Wemaynotcomeeventosomefringingislandineighthundredleagues,no,norinmorethanthat!Ifitbeathousand,ifitbetwothousand,onIgo!Butafterthesevenhundredispassed,itwillbehardtokeeptheminhand.So,thoughwearecoveringmore,Iletthemthinkwearecoveringonlythis.''
　　Icouldbutlaugh.Tworeckonings!Afterall,hewasnotItalianfornothing!
　　``Themasterknows,''hesaid,``andalsoDiegodeArana.
　　Butatleastoneothershouldknow.Twomightdrownorperishfromsickness.Imyselfmightfallsickanddie,thoughIwillnotbelieveit!''Hepausedamoment,thensaid,lookingdirectlyatme,``IneedoneinwhomIcanutterlyconfide.IshouldhavehadwithmemybrotherBartholomew.ButheisinEngland.AmangoingtoseekaCrownjewelforallmenshouldhavewithhimsonorbrother.DiegodeAranaisakinsmanofonewhomI
　　love,andhepartlybelieves.ButRoderigoSanchezandtheothersbelievehardlyatall.ThereisFrayIgnatio.Hebelieves,andIconfessmysinstohim.Buthethinksonlyofpenitents,andthismatterneedsmind,notheartalone.
　　Becauseofthatsenseofthestars,Itellyouthesethings.''
　　ThenextdayitcametomethatinthatJournalwhichhemeanttomakelikeCaesar'sCommentaries,hemightputdownthechangeinthe_SantaMaria's_physiciansandsetmynametheretoooften.Iwatchedmychanceandfindingit,askedthathenamemenotinthatbook.Hisgrayeyesresteduponme;hedemandedthereasonforthat.IsaidthatinSpainIwasindanger,andthatJuanLepewasnotmyname.MorethanthatIdidnotwishtosay,andperchanceitwerewiserforhimnottoknow.ButIwouldnotthatthepowerfulshouldmarkmeinhisJournalorelsewhere!
　　Usuallyhiseyeswerewideandfilledwithlightasthoughitweresentintothemfromthevastlandsthathecontinuouslysaw.Buthecouldbeimmediatecaptainandcommanderofthingsandofmen,andwhenthatwasso,thelightdrewintoapoint,andhebecameeaglethatseesthroughthewavethefish.Hadhebeentheseeralone,trulyhemighthavebeentheseerofwhatwastobediscoveredandmighthavesetothersuponthepath.Buthewouldnothavesailedonthe_SantaMaria_!
　　Inhismanyyearsatseahemustmanytimeshavemetmenwhohadputtoseaoutoffearofland.Hewouldhavesailedwithmanywhosenames,heknew,werenotthosegiventhematbirth.Hemusthavelearnedtotakereasonsforgrantedandtogoon——wherehewishedtogoon.
　　Sowegazedateachother.
　　``Ihadwrittendown,''hesaid,``thatyougreatlyhelpedthesick,anduponBernardoNunez'sgoingtothe_Nina_,becameourphysician.ButIwillwritenomoreofyou,andthatwrittenwillpassinthefloodofthingstocome.''Afteramoment,heendedwithdeliberation,``Iknowmystartobeagreatstar,burninglongandnowwithamountingflame.Ifyoursisinanywiseitskin,thenthereneedsmustbehistories.''
　　CHAPTERXII
　　ITwasastrangethinghowutterlyfavoringnowwasthewind!Itblewwithagreatsteadypushalwaysfromtheeast,andalwaysweranbeforeitintothewest.
　　Dayafterdayweexperiencedthiswarmandsteadfastdriving;
　　dayafterdaywenevershiftedsail.Theriggingsangasteadysong,dayandnight.Thecrownedwoman,ourfigurehead,ran,light-footed,overagreenandblueplain,andwheretheplainendednomanmightknow!''Perhapsitdoesnotend!''saidthemariners.
　　OfthehidalgosaboardIlikebestDiegodeAranawhohadcastoffhismelancholy.Hewasamanofsense,candidandbrave.RoderigoSanchezsatandmovedadull,goodman.RoderigodeEscobedohadcourage,buthewasfactious,wouldtakesidesagainsthisshadowifnoneotherwerethere.PedroGutierrezhadbeenacourtier,andhadthevicesofthatlife,togetherwithadaredevilrecklessnessandakindofwildwit.IhadlikingandadmirationforFrayIgnatio,butcarefulindeedwasIwhenIspokewithhim!
　　Thewindblewunchanging,thestarkblueshieldofsea,awater-world,mustbetakeninthewhole,fortherewasnocontrastingpointinittocatchtheeye.Sancho,forward,inahighsweetvoicelikeajongleur'svoice,wassingingtothemenanendlessballad.UponthepoopdeckEscobedoandGutierrez,havingdicedthemselvestoanevenwealthorpoverty,turnedtofurtherexaminationoftheAdmiral'sways.Endlesslytheymadehimandhisviewssubjectoftalk.RoderigoSanchezlistenedwithafacelikeanowl,DiegodeAranawithsomeironyabouthislips.Icameandstoodbesidethelatter.
　　TheywereuponthebeggaryofChristopherusColumbus.
　　``HowdidthePriorofLaRabida——?''
　　``I'lltellyou,forIheardit.OneeveningatvesperbellcomesourAdmiral——nolessaman!——toPriorygatewithayoungboyinhishand.NotFernandohislove-child,butDiegotheelder,whowasborninLisbon.Alldustywiththeroad,likeanybeggaryousee,andnotmuchbetterclad,foot-soreandbeggingbreadforhimselfandtheboy.
　　Andbecauseofhiswhitehair,andbecausehecarriedhimselfinthatabsurdwaythatmakestheundiscerningcry,`Ah,mylordkingindisguise!'theportermusthavehimin,andbyandbycomesthepriorandstandstotalkwithhim,`Fromwhere?'`FromCordova.'`Whither?'`ToPortugal.'`Forwhy?'`TospeakagainwithKingJohn!'
　　`Areyouinthehabitofspeakingwithkings?'`Aye,I
　　am!'`Aboutwhat,mayIask?'`AboutthefindingofIndiabywayofOcean-Sea,thepossessionofidolatrouscountriesandthegreatwealththereof,andthetakingofChristtotheheathenwhoelsearelost!'''
　　``Ha,ha!Ha,ha!''ThiswasEscobedo.
　　``Thepriorthinks,`Thisisaninterestingmadman.'Andbeingacharitablegoodmanandlackingentertainmentthatevening,hebringsthebeggarintosupperandsitsbyhim.''
　　RoderigoSanchezopenedhismouth.``AllAndalusiaknowsFrayJuanPerezisakindofvisionary!''
　　``Aye,liketolike!`HaveyoubeentoourQueenandtheKing?'`Aye,Ihave!'saiththebeggar,`buttheyarewarringwiththeMoorsandwillpullGranadadownanddonotseethegreaterglory!'''
　　Alllaughedatthat,andindeedGutierrezcouldmimictoperfection.Wegot,fullmeasure,thebeggar'sloftiness.
　　``Sothesirensingsandthepriorleapstomeether,ortarantulastingshimandbedances!`Iamgrowingmadtoo,'thinksFrayJuanPerez,andbeginspresentlytotellthatlastweekhedreamedofPresterJohn.Theendisthatheandthebeggartalktillmidnightandthenextmorningtheytalkagain,andthepriorsendsforhisfriendsCaptainMartinAlonzoPinzonandthephysicianGarciaFernandez.Thebeggargainsthemall!''
　　``Doyouthinkabeggarcandothat?''Isaid.``Onlyagivercandothat.''
　　PedroGutierrezturnedblackeyesuponJuanLepe,whomheresentedthereonthepoopdeck.``Howcouldyouhavelearnedsomuch,Doctor,whileyouweremakingsailandwashingship?''Hewasmyyoungerineveryway,andI
　　answeredequably,``IlearnedinthesamewaythattheAdmirallearnedwhilehebegged.''
　　``Touched!''saidDiegodeArana.``Sothatisthewaythepriorcameintothebusiness?''
　　``Heenterswithsuchvigor,''saidGutierrez,``thatwhatdoeshedobutwriteanimpassionedlettertotheQueen,havinglongago,foratime,beenherconfessor?Whathetellsher,Godknows,butitseemsthatitchangestheworld!
　　SheanswersthatforherselfshehathgrievedforMasterColumbus'sdeparturefromthecourtandtherealm,andthatifhewillturnandcometoSantaFe,hispropositionsshallatlastbethoroughlyweighed.LetterfindsthebeggarwithhisboyhonoredguestofLaRabida,touchingheadswithMartinPinzonovermapsandchartsandthe`BookofTravels'ofMesserMarcoPolo.Thereisgreatjoy!
　　Thebeggarhaththeprior'sownmuleandhissonajennet,andherewegotoSantaFe!Thatwaslastyear.NowtheboythatwhimperedforbreadatconventgateisDonDiegoColon,pagetoPrinceJuan,andtheViceroysailsonthe_SantaMaria_forthecountrieshewilladminister!''
　　Gutierrezshookthediceinthebox.``Oh,QueenLuck,thatIhaveservedforsolong!Whydoyounotmakemeviceroy?''
　　SaidEscobedo,``ViceroyofthecontinentofwaterandAdmiralofseaweedandfishes!''
　　DiegodeAranatookthatup.``Weareobligedtofindsomething!Nosensiblemancanthinklikesomeofthoseforwardthatthisgoesonforeverandweshallsailtillthewoodrotsandsailsgrowraggedandwindcarriesawaytheirshredsortheyfallintodust!''
　　``WhoknowsanythingofRiver-Ocean?Wemaynotfindthewesternshore,iftherebesuchathing,forayear!
　　Bythattimestormwillsinkustentimesover,orplaguewilltakeus——''
　　``There'snotneededplaguenorstorm.Justsay,foodwon'tlast,andwaterisalreadyhalfgone!''
　　``That'stheundeniabletruth,''quothRoderigoSanchez,andlookedwithaperturbedfaceatthetoo-smoothsea.
　　Smoothblueseacontinued,windcontinued,pushinglikeagreat,warmhand,easttowest.TheAdmiralspenthoursaloneinhissleepingcabin.Thereweremenwhosaidthathestudiedthereagreatbookofmagic.Hehadoftenabookinhishand,itistrue,butJuanLepethephysicianknewwhathestrovetokeepfromothers,thatthegoutthatattimesthreatenedcripplingwasuponhimandwaseasiertobearlyingdown.
　　Sunset,vesperprayerand_SalveRegina_.Asthestrainsdied,therebecameevidentalingeringonthepartoftheseamen.ThemasterspoketotheAdmiral.``They'vefoundoutabouttheneedle,sir!Perhapsyou'dbetterhearthemandanswerthem.''
　　Almosteverydayheheardthemandansweredthem.
　　Tomakehisseamen,howevertheygroanedandgrumbledandplotted,yetabidehimandhispurposewasaday-after-
　　dayarisingtask!Nowhesaidequably,inthetonealmostofafather,``Whatisitto-day,men?''