CHAPTERXIX
　　FORESTendlessandsplendid!Wewhitemenoftensawnopath,butthered-brownmensawit.Itranlevel,itclimbed,itdescended;thenbeganthethreeagain.Itwaslost,itwasfound.Theysaid,``Herepath!''
　　Butwehadtoserpentthroughthickets,ormakewayonedgeofdizzycrag,orfindfootingthroughmorass.
　　Wecametogreatstretchesofreedsandyieldinggrass,givingwitheverystepintowater.Itwastotoilthroughthisunderhotsun,withstingingcloudsofinsects.Butwhentheywereleftbehindwemightstepintoagroveofthegods,suchfirmness,suchpleasantness,suchshadygoingorhappyrestingundertreesthatdroppedfruit.
　　Wemetnogreatforestbeasts.ThereseemedtobenoneinthispartofAsia.AndyetLuisandIhadreadofgreatbeasts.Dogsofnoconsiderablesizewerethelargestfour-
　　footedthingswehadcomeuponfromSanSalvadortoCuba.Therewerewhattheycalled_utias_,likearabbit,muchusedforfood,andtwicewehadseenananimalthesizeofafoxhangingfromaboughbyitstail.
　　Ifthebeastswerefewthebirdsweremany.Toseetheparrotsgreatandsmallandgorgeouslycolored,toseethosesmall,smallbirdsliketossedjewelsthatneversangbuthummedlikeabee,tohearagraybirdsingclearandloudandsweeteverystrainthatsangotherbirds,wastoseeandhearmostjoyousthings.Lizardswereinnumerable;
　　atedgeofamarshwemetwithtortoises;oncewepassedcoiledaroundatreeagreatserpent.Itlookedatuswithbeadyeyes,buttheIndianssaiditwouldnotharmaman.
　　Athousand,thousandbutterfliesspreadtheirpaintedfans.
　　Thetrees!sohugeofgirthandheightandwhereverwasroomsospreading,sorichofgrain,sofull,Iknew,ofstrangevirtues!WefoundonethatIthoughtwascinnamon,andbroketwigsandbarkandputinourgreatpouchfortheAdmiral.Onlytimemighttellthewealthofthisgreenmultitude.Ithought,``Hereisgold,ifwewouldwaitforit!''Fruittreessprangbyourpath.Wehadwithussomeprovisionofbiscuitanddriedmeat,andweneverlackedgoldenorpurpledelectableorbs.Wefoundthepalmthatbearsthegreatnut,givingalikemeatandmilk.
　　BynowLuisTorresandIhadnolittleofDiegoColon'stongueandhehadSpanishenoughtounderstandthesimpleststatementsandorders.FerdandinatonguewasnotquiteCubatongue,butitwaslikeenoughtofurnishsearoom.Weaskedthis,weaskedthat.No!Noonehadevercometotheendoftheircountry.Whenonetownwasleftbehind,atlastyoucametoanothertown.Onebyone,weretheybigger,bettertowns?Theyseemedtosaythattheywere,butherewasalways,Ithought,doubtfulunderstanding.Butnoonehadeverwalkedaroundtheircountry——theyseemedtolaughatthenotion——landthatway,alwaysland!Ontheotherhand,therewasseayonder——likeseahere.Theypointedsouth.Notsofarthere!
　　``Itmustbe,''saidLuis,``thatCubaisnarrow,thoughwithoutendwestwardly.AgreatpointortongueofAsia?''
　　TheCubanswerestrongyoungmenandnotunintelligent.
　　``Chiefs?''Yes,theyhadchiefs,theycalledthem_caciques_.Someofthemwerefighters,theyandtheirpeople.
　　NotfighterslikeCaribs!Whereuponthespeakerrose——wewererestingunderatree——andfacingsouth,usedforgestureastrongshudderandamovementasiftoflee.
　　South——south——alwaystheypointedsouth!Weweregoingsouth——inland.WouldwecometoCaribs?Butno.CaribsseemednottobeinCuba,butbeyondsea,inislands.
　　LuisandImadeprogressinlanguageandknowledge.
　　RoderigoJerez,asimpleman,sleptortriedthemanykindsoffruit,orteasedtheslender,green-flamelizards.
　　Wesleptthisnighthighonthemountainside,onsoftgrassnearafallofwater.TheIndiansshowednofearofattackfrommanorbeast.Theycouldmakefireinamostingeniousfashion,settingstickagainstlargerstickandturningthefirstwithsuchskill,vigorandpersistencethatpresentlyaroseheat,aspark,fire.Buttheyseemedtoneedorwishnowatchfire.Theylay,nakedandcareless,innocent——
　　fearless,asthoughthewholelandweretheircastle.
　　Luistriedtofindouthowtheyfeltaboutdangers.Wepiecedtogether.``Nonehere!AndtheGreatLizardtakescare!''ThatwastheCuban.DiegoColonsaid,``TheGreatTurtletakescare!''
　　LuisTorreslaughed.``FrayIgnatioshouldhearthat!''
　　``Itisontheroad,''Isaidandwenttosleep.
　　Thesecondday'sgoingprovedlessdifficultthanthefirst.
　　Lessdifficultmeansdifficultenough!Andasyetwehadmetnoonenoranythingthatremotelyfavoredgolden-roofedCipango,orfamous,richQuinsai,orZaitonofthemarblebridges.Jerezclimbedatalltreeandcomingdownreportedforestandmountain,andnaughtelse.Ourcompanionswatchedwithinteresthisclimbing.``Doyougouptreesinheaven?''
　　Thismorningwehadbathedinapoolbelowthelittlewaterfall.DiegoColonbynowwasusedtousso,buttheCubamendisplayedexcitement.Theyhadnotyetinmindseparatedusfromourclothes.Nowwewereseparatedandwerefoundinallourmemberslikethem,onlythecolordiffering.
　　ColorandtheshortbeardsofLuisTorresandJuanLepe.Theywishedtotouchandexamineourclotheslyinguponthebank,buthereDiegoColoninterfered.
　　Theywerefullofmagic.Somethingterriblemighthappen!
　　WhenLuisandIcameforthfromwateranddriedourselveswithhandfulsofthewarmgrass,theyasked:
　　``Dotheydosoinheaven?''Thestronger,moreintelligentofthetwo,added,``Itisnotsodifferent!''
　　IsaidtoLuisaswetookpathafterbreakfast,``Itisborneinuponmethatonlyfromourselves,Admiraltoshipboy,canwekeepupthisheavenballad!Clothes,beadsandhawkbells,cannon,harquebus,trumpetandbanner,shipandsails,royallettersandblessingofthePope——nothingwilldoitlongunlesswedoitourselves!''
　　``Agreed!''quothLuis.``Butgodsandangelsarebeginningtoslipandslide,backtherebytheships!Wehavethelesstemptationhere.''
　　Hebegantospeakofasailorandabrowngirluponwhomhehadstumbledinaclosewoodalittlewayfromshore.ShethoughtTomasoPasamontewasagodwooingherandwashalf-frightened,half-fain.``AndtwohourslaterIsawDonPedroGutierrez——''
　　``Ay,''saidJuanLepe.``Thesamestory!Theoldestthatis!''Andasatthewordoursavages,whohadbeentalkingtogether,nowatthenextrestingplaceputforwardtheirboldest,whowithgreatreverenceaskediftherewerewomeninheaven.
　　Throughmostofthisdaywestruggledwithadifficultiffantasticallybeautifulcountry.Whererockoutcroppedandinthesandsofbrightrapidstreamswelookedforsignsofthatgold,sostressedasthoughitweretheonlysalvation!Buttherocksweresilent,andthoughinthebedofashrunkenstreamletwefoundsomeglisteningparticlesandscrapingthemcarefullytogethergotasmallspoonfultowrapinclothandbestowinourpouchoftreasures,stillwerewenotsurethatitwaswhollygold.Itmightbe.Weworkedforanhourforjustthispinch.
　　Sinceyesterdaymorningourpathhadbeenperfectlysolitary.Thensuddenly,whenwewere,wethought,sixleaguesatleastfromtheships,thewayturningandenteringasmallgreendell,wecameuponthreeIndiansseatedresting,theirbackstopalmtrees.Wehalted,theyraisedtheireyes.Theystared,theyroseinamazementatthesightofthosegods,RoderigoJerez,LuisTorresandJuanLepe.
　　Theystoodlikestatueswithgreateyesandpartedlips.Forus,comingsilentlyuponthem,wehadtooourmomentofastonishment.
　　Theywerethreecoppermen,naked,fairlytallandwelltolookat.Buteachhadbetweenhislipswhatseemedabrownstick,burningatthefarend,droppingalightashandsendingupathincloudofodoroussmoke.Theseburningstickstheydroppedastheyrose.Theyhadseemedsosilent,socontented,sohappy,sittingtherewithbackstotrees,afirebrandineachmouth,Ifeltaloveforthem!
　　Luisthoughtthelightedstickssomeriteoftheirreligion,butafterawhilewhenwecametoexaminethem,wefoundthemnottruestick,butsomelarge,thickishbrownleaftightlytwistedandpressedtogetherandhavingapungent,notunpleasingodor.Wecrumbledoneinourhandsandtastedit.Thetastewasalsopungent,strange,butonemightgrowtolikeit.Theycalledthesticktobacco,andsaidtheyalwaysuseditthuswithfire,drinkinginthesmokeandpuffingitoutagainastheyshowedusthroughthenostrils.Wethoughtitagreatcuriosity,andsoitwas!
　　Buttothemwewereunearthlybeings.Themenfromtheseatoldofus,thenasitwereintroducedDiegoColon,whospokeproudlywithappropriategesture,lovingalwayshispartofheraldMercury——orratherofheraldMercury'sherald——notassumingtobegodhimself,butcherishingthedivineeffluxandtheimportanceitrayeduponhim!
　　ThethreeIndiansquiveredwithasenseofthegreatadventure!Theirtownwasyonder.Theythemselveshadbeenonthepathtosuchandsuchaplace,butnowwouldtheyturnandgowithus,andwhenwewentagaintotheseathey,ifitwerepermitted,wouldaccompanyusandviewforthemselvesouramazingcanoes!Allthistoourcompanion.Theybackedwithgreatdeferencefromus.
　　WewentwiththeseIndianstotheirtown,evidentlythetownwhichwesought.Andindeeditwaslarger,fitter,amoreorderedcommunitythananywehadmetthissideOcean-Sea,thoughfar,farfromtravelers'talesofOrientcities!Itwassetundertrees,palmtreesandothers,bythesideofaclearriver.Thehutswerelargerthanthosebythesea,andsetnotatrandombutinrowswithagreattroddensquareinthemiddle.Fromtowntoriverwheretheyfishedandwhere,underoverhangingpalms,wefoundmanyCanoes,ranawaywiderthanapath,muchlikeanarrowroad.Buttherewerenowheeledvehiclesnordraughtanimals.Weweretofindthatinalltheselandstheyonoccasioncarriedtheircaciquesorthesickorhurtinlittersorpalanquinsborneonmen'sshoulders.Butforcarrying,grinding,drawing,theyknewnaughtofthewheel.
　　ItseemedstrangethatanypartofAsiashouldnotknow!
　　Inthistownwefoundthecacique,andwithhima_butio_
　　orpriest.Once,too,Ithought,ourkingandchurchwereundevelopedlikethese.Wewerelookingintheselandsuponthebudwhichelsewhereweknewintheflower.ThattoJuanLepeseemedthedifferencebetweenthemandus.
　　Thepeopleswarmedoutuponus.Whenthefirstadmirationwassomewhatover,whenDiegoColonandthetwoseasidemenandtheCubansoftheburningstickshadmadeexplanation,weweresweptwiththemintotheirpublicsquareandtoahutmuchlargerthancommonwherewefoundastatelyIndian,thecacique,andanancientwrinkledman,the_butio_.Thesemetuswiththeirownassumptionofsomethinglikegodship.Theyhadnolackofmanner,andLuisandIhadtheCastiliantodrawupon.ThencamepresentsandDiegoColoninterpreting.ButasfortheAdmiral'sletter,thoughIshowedit,itwasnotunderstood.
　　Itwasgazeduponandtouched,consideredaheavenlyraritylikethehawkbellswegavethem,butnotreadnortriedtoberead.Thewritinguponitwasthenaturalveiningofsomemoststrangeleafthatgrewinheaven,oritwasthepatternmiraculouslywovenbyamiraculousworkmanwiththreadmiraculouslyfinerthantheircotton!
　　Itwasstrangethattheyshouldhavenonotionatall——noteventheirchieftainsandpriests——ofwriting!AnypartofAsia,howeverwithdrawn,surelyshouldhavetraditionthere,ifnotpractice!
　　Inthishutorlodge,dooredbutnotwindowed,wefoundakindoftableandseatsfashionedfromblocksofsomedarkwoodrudelycarvedandpolished.Thecaciquewouldhaveusseated,sathimselfbesideus,the_butio_athishand.
　　Thereseemednoespecialwarriorclass.Wenotedthat,itbeingoneofthethingsitwaseverinordertonote.Noparticularbandoffightingmenstoodaboutthatblockofpolishedwood,thatwasessentiallythroneorchairofstate.Thevillageownedslender,boneorflint-headedlances,buttheserestedidlyincorners.Uponoccasionalloranymightusethem,buttherewasnoevidencethatthoseoccasionscameoften.Therewasnobodyoftroops,norarmor,noshields,nocrossbows,noswords.Theyhadknives,rudelymadeofsomehardstone,butitseemedthattheyweremadeforhuntingandfellinganddividing.Noclothinghidfromusanyframe.Thecaciquehadabouthismiddleagirdleofwroughtcottonwithworkedendsandsomeofthewomenworeasslightadress,butthatwasall.Theywereformedwell,allofthem,litheandslender,notlackingeitherinsinewandmuscle,butitwassinewandmuscleofthefree,graceful,wildworld,notbrawnofbowmanandpikemanandswordmanandknightwithhisheavylance.
　　InsomethingtheymightbeliketheMoorwhenonesawhimnaked,buttheMoor,too,wasperfectedinarms,andsotheywerenotlike.
　　Wedidnotknowasyetifevertherewerewinterinthisland.Itseemedperpetual,sereneandperfectsummer.Behindthesehutsransmallgardenswhereinweresetmelonsandalargepepperofwhichwegrewfond,andanourishingroot,andotherplants.Butthesoilwasrich,rich,andtheyloosenedandfurroweditwithasharpenedstick.Therewerenogreatforestbeaststosetthemsternlyhunting.
　　Whatthencouldgivethemtoil?Notgatheringthealwaysfallingfruit;notcuttingfromthetreesanddryingthecalabashes,greatandsmall,thattheyusedforallmannerofreceptacle;notdrawingoutwithalineofsomestouterfiberthancottonandwithahookofboneorthornthepaintedfishfromtheircrystalwater!Tofelltreesforcanoes,tohollowthecanoe,waslabor,aswasthebuildingoftheirhuts,butdividedamongsomanyitbecamelightlabor.InthosedayswesawnoIndianfigurebowedwithtoil,andwhenitcameitwasnottheIndianwhoimposedit.
　　Buttheyswam,theyrowedtheircanoes,theyhuntedintheirnotarduousfashion,theyrovedafarintheircountryatpeace,andtheydanced.Thatlastwastheirfair,theirgames,theirtourney,theirpilgrimage,theirprocessionstochurch,theirattendanceatmass,theirexpressionofanythingelsethattheyfeltaltogetherandatonce!Itwaslikechildren'splay,renewedforever,andforeverwithzest.Buttheydidnottreatitasplay.WehadbeenshoweddancesinConcepcionandIsabella,buthereinCuba,inthisinlandtown,JerezandLuisandIweregiventoseeagreatandformaldance,arrangedallinhonorofus,godsdescendedforourownreasonstomixwithmen!Theydancedinthesquare,butfirsttheymadeusafeastwith_hutias_andcassavaandfishandfruitandadrinknotunlikemead,exhilaratingbutnotbestowingdrunkenness.Grapeswereallovertheselands,purpleclustershanginghighandlow,buttheyknewnotwine.
　　Menandwomendanced,nowinseparatebands,nowmingledtogether.Decorumwaskept.Weafterwardsknewthatithadbeenareligiousdance.Theyhadwardances,huntingdances,dancesattheplantingoftheircorn,ghostdancesandothers.Thisnowwasathingtowatch,likeabeautifulmasque.Theywereverygraceful,verysupple;
　　theyhadtheirowndignity.
　　Welearnedmuchinthethreedayswespentinthistown.
　　Menandwomenforinstance!Thatnakednessofthebody,thatfreeandpublicmingling,goingaboutworkandadventureandplaytogether,worked,thoughtJuanLepenoharm.Lateroninthisvastadventureofanewworld,someofourchurchmenweregiventoassertingthattheylivedlikeanimals,thoughtheanimalsalsoarethereslandered!
　　Thewomenwerefreeandcomplaisant;thereweremanychildrenabout.Butmatings,Ithought,occurredonlyoffreeandmutualdesire,andnotmorefrequentlythaninothercountries.Thewomenwerenotwithoutmodesty,northemenwithoutapalechivalry.AtfirstIthoughtconstraintorruledidnotenterin,butafteratalkwiththeirpriestthroughDiegoColon,Igatheredthatthereprevailedtribeandkinshiprestraints.Laterweweretofindthatagreatnetworkof``thoushalt''and``thoushaltnot''ranthroughtheirtotalsociety,whereverortowhatmembersitmightextend.Commongood,orwhatwassupposedtobecommongood,wasthemasterhereasitiseverywhere!
　　Thewomenworkedthegardens,themenhunted;bothmenandwomenfished.Womenmightbecaciques.Therewerewomencaciques,theysaid,fartheronintheirland.Anditseemedtousthatnameandfamilywerecountedfromthemother'sside.
　　TheAdmiralhadsolemnlylaidituponustodiscoverthepolityofthisnewworld.Iftheyheldfieffromfief,thenatlastwemustcomethroughhowevermanyoverlordstotheseigneurofthemall,GrandKhanorEmperor.Weappliedourselvestocaciqueandbutio,butwefoundnoGrandSeigneur.Therewereothercaciques.WhentheCaribsdescendedtheybandedtogether.Theyhaddimly,wethought,theideaofawar-lord.Butitendedthere,whenthewarended.Tribute:Hefoundtheyhadnoideaoftribute.Cottongreweverywhere!Cotton,cassava,calabashes,allthings!Whentheyvisitedacaciquetheytookhimgifts,andatpartinghegavethemgifts.Thatwasall.
　　Gold?Theyknewofit.Whentheyfoundabittheykeptitforornament.Thecaciquepossessedapiecethesizeofaducat,suspendedbyastringofcotton.Ithadbeengiventohimbyacaciquewholivedonthegreatwater.
　　PerhapshetookitfromtheCaribs.Butitwasinthemoun-
　　tains,too.Heindicatedtheheightsbeyond.Sometimestheyscrapeditfromsandunderthestream.Heseemedindifferenttoit.ButDiegoColon,comingin,saidthatitwasmuchprizedinheaven,beingusedforhighmagic,andthatwewouldgiveheavenlygiftsforit.Resultedfromthattheproductioninanhourofeveryshiningflakeandgrainandbuttonpiecethevillageowned.WecarriedfromthisplacetotheAdmiralasmallgourdfilledwithgold.Butitwasnotgreatlyplentiful;thatwasevidenttoanythinkingman!Butwehadsomanywhowerenotthinkingmen.
　　AndtheAdmiralhadtoappeasewithhisreportsgold-thirstygreatfolkinSpain.
　　WespentthreedaysinthisvillageandtheyweredaysforgodsandIndiansofhappywonderandlearning.Theywouldhaveusdescribeheaven.LuisandItoldthemofEurope.Wepointedtotheeast.Theysaidthattheyknewthatheavenrestedthereuponthegreatwater.Thetownofthesunwasoverthere.Hadweseenthesun'stown?Wasitbesideusinheaven,in``Europe''?Thesunwentdownunderthemountains,andtherehefoundariverandhiscanoe.Herowedallnightuntilhecametohistown.Thenheatecassavacakesandrested,whilethegreenandgoldandredLizard[Thesewere``Lizard''folk.TheyhadaLizardpaintedonagreatpostbythecacique'shouse.]wentaheadtosaythathewascoming.Thenherose,rightoutofthegreatwater,andtherewasdayagain!Butwemustknowaboutthesun'stown;we,thegods!
　　LuisandIcouldhavestayedlongwhileanddisentangledthisplaceandlovedthedoingit.
　　ButitwastoreturntotheAdmiralandthewaitingships.
　　Thethreetobaccomenwouldgowithustoseewonders,sowereturnednineinnumberalongthepath.Beforewesetoutwesawthatastormthreatened.AllsixIndianswerelothtodepartuntilitwasover,andthecaciquewouldhavekeptus.ButLuisandIdidnotknowhowlongthebadweathermightholdandwemustgettotheships.ItwasJerezwhotoldthemboastfullythatgodsdidnotfearstorms,——specimenofthatSpanishfollyofoursthatworkedharmandharmagain!
　　Wetraveleduntilafternoonagreeablyenough,thenwithgreatswiftnessthecloudsclimbedandthickened.Sunwentout,airgrewdark.TheIndiansbehindusonthepath,thatwassonarrowthatwemusttreadoneaftertheother,spokeamongthemselves,thenDiegoColonpushedthroughmarvelouslyhuge,richferntoLuisandme.``Theysay,`willnotthegodstellthecloudstogoaway?'''Butdoubtlikeagnomesatintheyouth'seye.WehadhadbadweatheroffIsabella,andthegodshadhadtowaitforthesunlikeothers.BynowDiegoColonhadseenmanyandstrangemiracles,buthehadlikewisefoundlimitations,quitenumerousanddecisivelimitations!Hethoughtthatherewasone,andIexplainedtohimthathethoughtcorrectly.Europeanscoulddomanythingsbutthiswasnotamongthem.
　　LuisandIwatchedhimtelltheCubansthathe,DiegoColon,hadneversaidthatwethreewereamongthehighestgods.Eventhegreat,white-headed,chiefgodyonderinthewingedcanoewassaidtobelessthansomeothergodsinheavenwhichwecalledEurope,andoverallwasaHighGodwhocoulddoeverything,scatterclouds,stopthunderorsendthunder,everything!Hadwebroughtourbutio,withushemightperhapshavemadegreatmagicandhelpedthings.Asitwas,wemusttakeluck.ThatseemingrationaltotheIndians,weproceeded,ourglorysomethingdiminished,butstillsufficient.
　　Thestormclimbedandthickenedandevidentlywastobecomeafury.Windbegantowhistle,treestobend,lightningstoplay,thundertosound.Itgrew.Westoodinblazinglight,thunderalmostburstourears,atreewasrivenabow-shotaway.Greatwarmrainbegantofall.Wecouldhardlystandagainstthewind.Weweregoingundermountainsidewithasplashingstreambelowus.DiegoColonshouted,ashemusttogetabovewindandthunder.
　　``Hurry!hurry!Theyknowplace.''Allbegantorun.
　　Afterabattletomakewayatall,wecametoaslopeofloose,smallstonesandvineandfern.Thisweclimbed,passedbehindajaggedmassofrock,andfoundacavern.A
　　flashlititforus,thenanotherandanother.Atmouthitmightbetwentyfeetacross,wasdeepandnarrowedlikeafunnel.Panting,wethrewourselvesonthecavefloor.
　　Thestormprevailedthroughtherestofthisdayandfarintothenight.``_Hurricane!_''saidtheCubans.``Notgreatone,littleone!''ButwefromSpainthoughtitagreatenoughhurricane.Therainfellasthoughitwouldmakeanotherfloodandinmuchlessthanfortydays.Wemustbesilent,forwindandthunderallowednootherchoice.
　　Streamsofraincameintothecavern,butwefoundledgescurtainedbyrock.Weatecassavacakeanddrankfromarunletofwater.Thestormmadealmostnight,thenactualnightarrived.Wecurledourselvesup,huggingourselvesforwarmth,andwenttosleep.
　　Thethirddayfromthetownwecametotheseaandtheships.Allseemedwell.Ourcompanionshadfeltthestorm,hadtalestotellofwrenchedanchorsandthe_Pinta's_
　　boatbeatalmosttopieces,uprootedtrees,wind,lightning,thunderandrain.Buttheycutshorttheirrecital,wishingtoknowwhatwehadfound.
　　LuisandImadereporttotheAdmiral.HesatunderahugetreeandaroundgatheredthePinzons,FrayIgnatio,DiegodeArana,RoderigoSanchezandothers.Werelated;
　　theyquestioned,weanswered;therewasdiscussion;theAdmiralsummedup.
　　ButlaterIspoketohimalone.Wewerenowonship,makingreadyforsailing.Wewouldgoeastward,aroundthispointofAsia,sincefromwhatallsaiditmustbepoint,andseewhatwasupontheotherside.``Theyallgesturesouth!Theysay`Babeque——Babeque!Bohio!'''
　　Iaskedhim,``WhyisitthattheseIndianshereseemgladforustogo?''
　　Hesighedimpatiently,drawingonehandthroughtheother,withhimarecurringgesture.``Itisthewomen!
　　Certainofourmen——''IsawhimlookatGutierrezwhopassed.
　　``TomasoPassamonte,too,''Isaid.
　　``Yes.Andothers.Itistheoldwoe!Nowtheyhaveonlytokillaman!''
　　Hearraignedshort-sightedness.Isaid,``Butstillwearefromheaven?''
　　``Still.Butsomeofthegods——justfiveorsix,say——
　　havefearfulways!''Helaughed,sorrowfullyandangrily.
　　``Andyouthinkthereislittlegold,andthatweareveryfarfromclothedandletteredAsia?''
　　``Sofar,''Ianswered,``thatIseenotwhywecallthesebrown,nakedfolkIndians.''
　　``Whatelsewouldyoucallthem?''
　　``Idonotknowthat.''
　　``Why,then,letusstillcallthemIndians.''Hedrummedupontherailbeforehim,thenbrokeout,``Christ!Ithinkwedoesteemhard,present,hand-heldgoldtoomuch!''
　　``Isayyestothat!''
　　Hesaid,``WeshouldholdtothejoyofDiscoveryandgreatusehereafter——mountinguse!''
　　``Aye.''
　　``Hereisvirginland,vastandbeautiful,withaclimelikeheaven,androomforahundredcoloniessuchasGreeceandRomesentout!Hereisadocile,unwarlikepeoplereadytobeindustriousservitorsandpeasants,forwhichwedogivethemsalvationoftheirsouls!ItisallSpain's,thebannerisplanted,thenamesgiven!Wearetooimpatient!Wecannothaveitbetweendawnandsunset!Butlookintothefuture——thereiswealthbeyondcounting!Nogreatamountofgold,butenoughtoshowthatthereisgold.''
　　Ifollowedtheworkingofhismind.Itwastosmilesomewhatsorrowfully,seeinghisgreatdifficulties.HewasthebornDiscoverermightilylovingDiscovery,andwatchingtheBelovedinherlifethroughtime.ButhehadtoservePrinceHave-it-now,inthecityGreed.Isaid,``Senor,donotputtoomuchsplendorinyourjournalfortheKingandQueenandtheSpanishmerchantsandtheChurchandallthechivalrythattheendedwarreleases!Or,ifyouprophesy,markitprophecy.Itisagreattroubleintheworldthatmendonotknowwhenonedayistalkedoforwhenismeantgreatrangesofdays!OtherwiseyouwillhaveallthirstySpainsailingforOphirandGoldenChersonesus,wealthimmediate,gildingMidaswherehestands!
　　Iftheyfinddisappointmenttheywillnotthinkofthefuture;
　　theywillsmiteyou!''
　　Iknewthathewaswritinginthatbooktooardently,andthathewasevennowcomposingletterstogreatpersonstobedispatchedfromwhatSpanishportheshouldfirstenter,comingbackeastfromwest,overOcean-Sea,fromAsia!
　　Buthehadlong,longfollowedhisownadvice,stoodbyhisowncourse.Thedoingsohadsoservedhimthatitwasnaturalheshouldhaveconfidence.Nowhesaidonly,``IdothebestIcan!Ihavelittlesearoom.OneScyllaandCharybdis?Nay,awholebroodofthem!''
　　Icouldagreetothat.Isawitcomingupthewaysthattheywouldgivehimlessandlesssearoom.Hewenton,``Merchandisehastobemadeattractive!Thecookdressesthedish,thegirlputsflowersinherhairYet,intheendthewaresaremightybeyonddescription!ThedishisforPopeandKing——thegirlisabrideforapaladin!''
　　Againhewasrightafarandoverthegreatspan.ButtheywouldnotseeinSpain,ornotmanywouldsee,thatthewholespanmustbetaken.ButIwasnotonetochidehim,seeingthatI,too,sawafar,andtheywouldnotseewithmeeitherinSpain.
　　CHAPTERXX
　　WEsailedfortwodayseastbysouth.ButtheweatherthathadbeenperfectionforlongandlongagainfromPalos,nowwaschanged.Deadwindsdelayedus,thesearidged,cloudsblottedouttheblue.Weheldon.TherewasagreatcapewhichwecalledCapeCuba.Offthisastormmetus.Weliveditoutandmadeintooneofthosebottleharborsofwhich,firstandlast,weweretofindGodknowshowmanyinCuba!
　　TheAdmiralnameditPuertodelPrincipe,andweraisedonshorehereaverygreatcross.WehaddonethisoneveryconsiderableislandsinceSanSalvadorandnowtwiceonthiscoast.Therewerebehindussevenoreightcrosses.
　　ThebannerplantedwasthesignoftheSovereigntyofSpain,thecrossthesignofHolyChurch,Sovereignoversovereigns,whogavetheselandstoSpain,asshegaveAfricaandtheislandstoPortugal.Wecametoagreatnumberofislets,riversofclearblueseabetween.Theshipslaytoandwetookboatandwentamongthese.TheKing'sGardens,theAdmiralcalledthem,andthecalmseabetweenthemandmainlandtheSeaofOurLady.Theywerethicklywooded,andwethoughtwefoundcinnamon,aloesandmastic.Twolovelydayswehadinthiswildernessofislesandchannelswherewasnomannorwomanatall,thenagainwewenteastandsouth,thelandtrendingthatway.Verydistant,outofeasternwaste,rosewhatseemedalargeisland.TheAdmiralsaidthatweshouldgodiscover,andwechangedcoursetowardit,butinthreehours'
　　timemetfuriousweather.Thesearose,cloudslikenightclosedusin.Nightcameonwithoutastarandacontrarywindblewalways.WhenthedawnbrokesullenlywewerebeatenbacktoCuba,andagreatpromontoryagainstwhichtrulywemighthavebeendashedstoodtoournorthandshutoutcoastofyesterday.Herewehungadayandnight,andthenthewindlullingandthesearunningnotsohigh,wemadeagainforthatislandwhichmightbeBabeque.WehadIndiansaboard,buttheseaandthewhippingandgroaningofourmastsandriggingandsailsandthepitchingoftheshipterrifiedthem,andterrormadethemdull.Theysatwithkneesdrawnupandheadburiedinarmsandshivered,andknewnotBabequefromanythingelse.
　　ChristopherusColumbuscouldbeveryobstinate.Wishingstronglytogainthatisland,throughallthisdayhehadusstrivetowardit.Butthewindwasdirectlyaheadandstrongastengiants.Themasterandothersmaderepresentations,andatlasthenoddedhisgrayheadandorderedthe_SantaMaria_putaboutandthePintaandtheNinasignaled.TheNinaharkenedandturned,butthePinta.
　　atsomedistanceseemeddeafandblind.Nightfellwhilestillwesignaled.WewerenowforCuba,andthewinddirectlybehindus,butyetaslongaswecouldsee,thePintachosenottoturn.Wesetlightsforsignals,butherlightfellfartherandfartherastern.Shewasaswiftersailerthanwe;therewasnoreasonforthatincreasingdistance.
　　Welayto,the_Nina_besideus.ErelongwewhollylostthePinta'slight.Nightpassed.WhenmorningbrokeCaptainMartinAlonsoPinzonandthePintaweregone.
　　Thesea,thoughrough,wasnottooperilous,andneverasignalofdistresshadbeenseennorheard.
　　``Lost?IsthePintalost?''
　　``Lost!No!——But,yes.Willfullylost!''
　　ItwasRoderigoSanchezwhoknewnotmuchoftheseawhoasked,andtheAdmiralanswered.Buthavingspokenitthatonce,heclosedhisstronglipsandcomingdownfromdecksaidhewouldhavebreakfast.Allthatdaywasguessingandtalkenoughuponthe_SantaMaria_;
　　silentorslurredtalkatlast,fortowardnoontheAdmiralgavesharporderthatthePintashouldbeleftoutofconversation.CaptainMartinPinzonwasanableseaman.
　　Perhaps.somethingheremindedusoftherudderbeforetheCanarieshadgonewrong.CaptainPinzonmayhavethoughttheislandwasthenearerland,orhemayhavereturnedtoCuba,butmoretothenorththanwerewe.Helookedforthe_Pinta_.againinareasonabletime.Inthemeantimeletitalone!
　　Sosoonastheseaallowed,VicentePinzoncameinhisboattotheSantaMaria,butheseemedasperplexedaswe.
　　Hedidnotknowhisbrother'smind.ButMartinPinzonforeverandalwayswasagoodseacaptainandaCastilianofhisword,knowingwhatwasproperobservancetohisAdmiral.Ifhedidthisorthat,itwouldbeforgoodreasons.
　　SoVicente,andtheAdmiralwascordialwithhim,andsawhimoverrailanddownsidewithcheerfulwords.Hewascheerfulallthatdayinhisspeech,cheerfulandsuaveandprophesyinggoodinmanydirections.ButIknewthetroublebehindthatfront.
　　Insomewaysthe_Pinta_wasthebestofourships.MartinPinzonwasaboldandreadyman,andthoseaboardwithhimdevotedtohisfortunes.Hedidnotlackopinionsofhisown,andoftentheycounteredtheAdmiral's.
　　Hewasambitious,andtheAdmiral'srightsweresovastandinclusivethatthereseemednotmuchroomtomakenameandfame.Muchthesamewithriches!WhatMartinPinzonhadloanedwouldcomebacktohimbeyonddoubt,backwithhighinterestandagooddealmore.
　　Butstillitwouldseemtohimthatroomwasneeded.InhismindhehadsaidperhapsmanytimestotheAdmiral,``Donotclaimtoomuchsoil!Donotforgetthatothertreeswanttogrow!''
　　MartinPinzonmighthaveputbacktoSpain,butwhoknewthemanwouldnotthinkthatlikely.Farmoreprobablethathemightbedoingdiscoveryofhisown.Perhapshewouldrejoinuslaterwithsomesplendidthingtohiscredit,claimthatSpaincouldnotdeny!
　　Cubacoastrosehighandnear.Itisashoreofthefairestharbors!Wemadeoneoftheseintowhichemptiedalittleriver.HenamedhavenandriverSaintCatherine.Inthebedofthisstream,whenwewentashore,wefoundnolittlegold.Hetookinhishandgrainsandflakesandoneortwopieceslargeasbeans.Itwasroyalmonopoly,gold,andeverymanunderstrictcommand——tobringtotheAdmiralallthatwasfound.Seamenandcompanionsgatheredaroundhim,Admiral,ViceroyandGovernor,KingCroesustobe,atenthofallgoldandspoilfillinghispurse!Andthey,too,surelysomewaytheywouldbelargelypaid!Thedreamhovered,thendescendeduponus,asmanyatimeitdescended.Greatrichesandhappinessandallclothedinsilk,andeverymanashewouldbeandnotashewas,adimmagnificenceandasenseoftrumpetsintheair,acclaimingus!Irememberthatdaythatweallfeltthismysticpowerandwealth,theAdmiralandallofus.Forashorttime,therebySaintCatherine'sRiver,wewerebroughtintoharmony.Thenitbrokeandeachlittleselfwentitswayagain.Butforthatwhileeightymenhadfeltasthoughwewereacountryandmorethanacountry.ThegoldintheAdmiral'shandmighthavebeengoldofconsciousness.
　　AfterthisdayfordayswesailedalongCubastrand,seeingmanyafairhavenandenteringtwoorthree.Therewerevillages,andthosedusk,nakedfolkto,whombynowwewerewellused,runningtobeachorcliffbrow,makingsigns,seemingtocry,``Heavencomedown,heaven,heavenandthegods!''Thenotionofasailhadnevercometothem,thoughwiththeircottontheymighthavemadethem.
　　Theywereslowtolearnthatthewindpushedus,actinglikeathousandtirelessrowers.Wewerethrillinglynewtothemandaltogethermagical.Toanyseeingeyeashipunderfullsailisabeautiful,stately,thrillingthing!Totheseredmentherewasaperilousjoyinthevision.Iftousintheshipstherehunginthisvoyagesomethingmystic,hidden,fullofpossibility,inchbyinchtounroll,throbbingallwiththefuturewhichisthesupernatural,besurethese,too,whowerefoundanddiscovered,movedinacloudofmysterytornbystrangelightnings!
　　Sometimeswecameintohaven,droppedanchorandloweredsails,whereuponthoseontheshoreagaincriedout.
　　Whenwetookourboatsandwenttolandwemetalwaysthesamereception,foundmuchthesamevillage,carriedonmuchthesameconversations.Littlebylittlewecollectedgold.Bynow,withintheAdmiral'schest,incanvasbags,restednotalittletreasureforQueenIsabellaandKingFerdinand.Andthoughitwasforbidden,Iknewthatmanyofourseamenhidgold.Alltoldwefoundenoughtowhetappetite.ButstilltheIndianssaidsouth,andBabequeandBohio!
　　AtlastwehadsailedtotheveryeasternendofCubaandturneditaswemightturntheheelofItaly.AgreatspurthatranintotheoceantheAdmiraldubbedAlphaandOmega,andweplantedacross.
　　ItfelltomeheretosavetheAdmiral'slife.
　　Wehaduponthe_SantaMaria_amannamedFelipewhoseemedasimple,God-fearingsoul,veryattentivetoFrayIgnatioandalltheofficesofreligion.Hewasratherasilentfellowandaslow,poorworker,oftenintroublewithboatswainandmaster.Hesaidoddthingsandsometimesweptforhissoul,andtheforecastlelaughedathim.Thismanbecameinanightmad.
　　Itwasmiddlenight.The_SantaMaria_swungatanchorandthewholeworldseemedajust-breathingstillness.