Thebuildingofthefortbecameapleasurableenterprise.
　　WebrokeupwithsingingtheSantaMaria,andwithherbonesbuiltthewalls.Guacanagariandhispeoplehelped.Allwashurried.TheAdmiralandViceroy,nowthathismindwasmadeup,woulddepartassoonasmightbe.
　　WebuiltLaNavidadwhereitmightviewthesea,uponahillsideaboveabrownriverslidingouttoocean.Beyondthestream,inthegroves,aquarter-leagueaway,stoodthehundredhutsofGuarico.Webuiltatowerandstorehouseandwallofwoodandwediggedaroundallsomekindofmoat,andmountedthreelombards.AllthatwecouldliftfromtheSantaMariaandwhatthe_Nina_couldspareusofarms,conveniencesandfoodwentintoourarsenalandstorehouse.Wehadabubblingspringwithintheenclosure.
　　WhenallwasdonethetowerofLaNavidad,thoughaninfantbesidetowersofEurope,mightsufficeforthefirsthereofitsbrood.Itwasdoneinaweekfromthatshipwreck.
　　WhowastobeleftatLaNavidad?Leavewasgiventovolunteerandthemariners'listwassoonmadeup,goodmenandnotsogood.FromthepooptherevolunteeredPedroGutierrezandRoderigodeEscobedo.TheAdmiraldidnotblocktheirwish,buthegavethecommandnottoEscobedowhowishedit,buttoDiegodeAranawhomhenamedtostay,havingpersuadedhimwhowouldratherhavereturnedwiththe_Nina_.ButhecouldtrustDiegodeArana,and,withreason,hewasnotsureofthoseotherhidalgos.
　　DeAranastayedandfulfilledhistrust,anddiedabraveman.FrayIgnatiowouldstay.``Bringmeback,Senor,agoodlybellforthechurchofLaNavidad!Abellandafont.''
　　JuanLepewouldstay.Thereneededaphysician.ButalsoJaymedeMarchenawouldstay.Hethoughtitout.
　　SixmonthshadnotabolishedtheHolyOfficenorconvertedtogentlenessDonPedronortheDominican.
　　ButtheAdmiralhadassignedmetoreturnwiththe_Nina_.Itoldhimintheeveningbetweenthesunsetandthemoonrisewhatwasthedifficulty.Hewasamanprofoundlyreligious,andalsoadocilesonoftheChurch.ButIknewhim,andIknewthathewouldfindreasonsintheBiblefornotgivingmeup.Thedeepman,thewholeman,wasnotinthegraspofbishoporinquisitororpapalbull.
　　Heagreed.``Aye,itiswiser!IcounttwomonthstoSpain,seeingthatwemaynothavesofavorableavoyage.
　　Threeormaybefourthere,forourwelcomeatcourt,andforthegatheringafleet——easynowtogatherforallwillflocktoit,andmastersandownerscry,`Takemyship——
　　andmine!'Twomonthsagaintorecross.LookformeitmaybeinJuly,itmaybeinAugust,itmaybeinSeptember!''
　　TheViceroyspoketous,gatheredbyourfort,underthebannerofCastile,withbehindusonhillbrowacrossgleaming.Again,allthatwehaddonefortheworldandmightfurtherdo!Again,wereturningonthe_Nina_orweremainingatLaNavidadwereascrusaders,knightsoftheOrderofthePurposeofGod!``Cherishgood——
　　oh,menoftheseaandtheland,cherishgood!WhobetraysherebetraysalmostasJudas!ThePurposeofGodisStrengthwithWisdomandCharitywhichonlycanmakejoy!ThereforebeyehereatLaNavidadstrong,wiseandcharitable!''
　　Hesaidmore,andhegavemanyanexplicitdirection,butthatwasthegistofall.Strength,wisdomandcharity.
　　LikewisehespoketotheIndiansandtheylistenedandpromisedandmeantgood.AnaffectionhadsprungbetweenGuacanagariandChristopherusColumbus.Sodifferenttheylooked!andyetinthebreastofeachdwelledmuchguilelessnessandtheabilitytowonderandrevere.TheViceroysawinthisbig,docilerulerofGuaricohoweverfarthatmightextend,onewhowouldpresentlybebaptizedandbecomeaChristianchief,manoftheViceroyofHispaniola,asthelatterwasmanoftheSovereignsofSpain.AllhispeoplewouldfollowGuacanagari.HesawChristendomhereinthewest,andagreatfeudalsociety,acknowledgingCastileforoverlord,andAlexandertheSixthasitsspiritualruler.
　　Guacanagarimayhaveseenfriendsinthegods,andespeciallyinthistheircacique,whowithothersthattheywouldbring,wouldbedrawnintoGuaricoandmadeoneandwholewiththepeopleoftheheron.ButheneversawGuacanagaridisplanted——neversawEuropearmedandwarlike,hungryandthirsty.
　　The_Nina_andLaNavidadbadewithtearseachtheotherfarewell.ItwasthesecondofJanuary,fourteenhundredandninety-three.Wehadmassunderthepalmtrees,bythecross,abovethefort.FrayIginatioblessedthegoing,blessedthestaying.Weembraced,welovedoneanother,weparted.The_Nina_wassosmallaship,eventherejustbeforeusonthebluewater!Sosoon,sosoon,thewindblowingfromtheland,shewassmalleryet,smaller,smaller,acockboat,achip,gone!
　　Thirty-eightwhitemenwatchedherfromthehillabovethefort,andofthethirty-eightJuanLepewastheonlyonewhosawtheAdmiralcomeagain.
　　CHAPTERXXIV
　　THEbutioofthistownhadbeenabsentforsomereasoninthegreatwoodthosedaysoftheshipwreckandthebuildingofLaNavidad.Nowhewasagainhere,andIconsortedwithhimandchieflyfromhimlearnedtheirlanguage.TheAdmiralhadtakenDiegoColontoSpain,andtoSpainwasgonetooLuisTorres,swearingthathewouldcomeagain.ToSpainwasgoneSancho,butBeltranthecookstayedwithus.PedroandFernandoalso.
　　Timepassed.WiththeendingofJanuarytheheatincreased.
　　Thebutioknewallmannerofsimples;hewasdoctorandpriesttogether.Hehadaverysimplemagic.
　　HehimselfdidnotexpectittoreachtheGreatSpirit,butitmightaffecttheinnumerable_zemes_orunderandunder-
　　underspirits.Thesebarbarians,usingotherwordsforthem,hadletter-notionofgnome,sylph,undineandsalamander.
　　Allthingslivedandtookoffenseorbecamepropitious.
　　Effortconsistedinmakingthempropitious.Iftheeffortwastoogreatoneofthemkilledyou.Thenyouwenttotheshadowycaves.Therewasaparadise,too,beautifulandeasy.ButtheGreatSpiritcouldnotbehurtandhadnowishtohurtanyoneelse,whether_zemes_ormen.
　　TolivewiththeGreatSpirit,thatwasreallytheHeronwish,thoughthelittleheronscouldnotalwaysseeit.
　　Thisbutio——Guarinhisname——wasayoungmanwitheyesthatcouldburnandvoicethatfellnaturallyintoachant.Hetookmeintotheforestwithhimtolookforaveryraretree.WhenitwasfoundIwatchedhimgatherplantsfrombeneathitandscrapebitsoffitsbarkintoasmallcalabash.Iunderstoodthatitwasgoodforfever,andlaterIborrowedfromhimandfoundthathehadgroundsforwhathesaid.
　　LaNavidadandGuariconeighboredeachother.TheIndianscamefreelytothefort,butDiegodeAranamadeagood_alcayde_andhewouldnothavemerecrowdingwithinourwoodenwall.Halfofourthirty-eight,permittedatatimetowander,couldnotcrowdGuarico.ButinhimselfeachSpaniardseemedagiant.Atfirstagoodgiant,profoundlyinteresting.ButIwastoseepleasedinterestbecomeapainfulinterest.
　　Women.Thefirstcomplaintaroseaboutthegodsorthegiantsandwomen.GuacanagaricametoLaNavidadwithGuarinandseveraloldmenhiscouncilors.DiegodeAranareceivedthemandtherewastalkunderthegreattreewithinourgate.Thenallthegarrisonwasdrawnup,andinthepresenceofthecaciqueAranagaverebukeandcommand,andthetwothathaddonetheoutragehadprisonforaweek.Itwasourfirstplainshowinginthisworldthatheaven-peopleorEuropeanscoulddifferamongthemselvesastorightandwrong,couldquarrel,upbraidandpunish.
　　Butherewasevidentlygoodandbad.Andwhatmightbetheproportion?Asdayswentbythequestiongatheredinthispeople'sbosom.
　　Itwasnotthattheirwomenstoodalooffromourmen.
　　Manydidnotsointheleast!Butitwastobefreewillandactualfondness,andinmeasure——Buttherewerethoseamonguswho,findinginlonelyplaces,tookbyforce.Thesebecamehated.
　　DiegodeAranawastocollectthegoldthatwasaroyalmonopoly.Tradingforgoldforone'sselfwasforbidden.
　　Assuredlytakingitbyforce——assuredlyallrobberyofthatoranythingelse——wasforbidden.Buttherecamearobbery,andsinceitwasresisted,murderfollowed.ThiswasaleaguefromGuaricoandfromLaNavidad.TheslainIndian'scompanionescaping,told.
　　ThistimeDiegodeAranawenttoGuaricoandGuacana-
　　gari.Hetookwithhimarichpresent,andheshowedhowtheguiltymenwerepunished.``Youdonotslaythem?''
　　askedGuacanagari.Aranashookhishead.Hethoughtweweretoofewinthislandtoberiddingoflifetheviolentandlustful.ButtheIndiansseemedtothinkthathesaidthathecouldnot.Theystilldoubted,Ithink,ourmortality.
　　Asyettheyhadseennomightystrangerbleedordie.
　　Aranawouldhavekepthisgarrisonwithinthewalls.
　　Butindeeditwasnothealthfulforthemthere,andattheverywordofconfinementfactionrose.TherewerenowtwopartiesinLaNavidad,theCommandant'spartyandEscobedo'sparty.
　　Theheatincreased.ItwasnowMarch.Anillnessfellamongus.ItookGuarinintocounselandgaveinwaterthebitterinnerbarkofthattreeshreddedandbeatenfine.Thosewhoshookwithcoldandburnedwithfeverrecovered.
　　FrayIgnatiowasamongthosewhosickened.Heleftaftersomedayshishammock,buthisstrengthdidnotcomebacktohim.Yet,staffinhand,hewentalmostdailytoGuarico.Then,likethat!FrayIgnatiodied.Hedied——hisheartstopped——onthepathbetweenGuaricoandLaNavidad.Hehadbeenpreaching,andthen,Guarintoldme,heputhishandtohisside,andsaid,``Iwillgohome!''
　　Hestartedupthepath,butatthebigtreehedropped.Menandwomenrantohim,butthebutiowasdead.
　　WeburiedFrayIgnatiobeneaththecrossonthehilltop.
　　TheIndianswatched,andnowtheyknewthatwecoulddie.
　　Theheatincreased.
　　AtfirstDiegodeAranasentoutatintervalsexploringparties.Weweretolearn,atleast,Guacanagari'scountry.
　　Buttheheatwasgreat,andsomanyofthoseleftatLaNavidadonlyidleandsensual.Theywouldpushontoavillage——wefoundinGuacanagari'scountrymanyhamlets,butnoothertownlikeGuarico——andtheretheywouldstop,withnewwomen,newtalk,andtheendlessplentytoeatandsleepintheshade.When,attheirownsweetwill,theyreturnedtoLaNavidad,thedifficultieshadbeentoogreat.Theycouldnotgettothehighmountainswheremightormightnotbethemines.Butwhattheydidwastospreadoverthecountryscandalousnewsofscandalousgods.
　　AtlastAranasortedoutthosewhocouldbetrustedatleasttostriveforknowledgeandself-controlandsentthese.ButthatweakenedhimatLaNavidad,draininghimofpurebloodandleavingtheinfected,andbymid-
　　Aprilheceasedanyeffortatexploration.ItmustwaituntiltheAdmiralreturned,andhebegantobehungryindeedforthatreturn.
　　EscobedoandPedroGutierrezwerenothungryforit——notyet.Thesetwobecametheheadandfrontofill,encouragingeveryinsubordinate,infuriatingallwhosufferedpenalties,teachinginsolence,self-willandlicense.Theydrewtheirownfeathertothem,promisingevilknowswhatfreedomforrapine.
　　Allthesilverweather,goldenweather,diamondweathersincewehadleftGomeraintheCanaries——howmanyagessince!——nowwaschanged.Wehadthoughtitwouldlastalways,butnowweenteredthelongseasonofgreatheatanddailyrain.Atfirstwethoughttheserainsmomentary,butdayafterday,weekafterweek,withstiflingheat,thecloudsgathered,broke,andcamemightyrainthatatlastceasedtoberefreshing,becameonlywearyingandhateful.
　　Itdidnotcoolus;welivedinasultrygloom.AndthegarrisonofLaNavidad——becameveryquarrelsome.LaNavidadshowedtheIndiansEuropeanscursingoneanother,givingblows,onlyheldbackbythosearoundfromrushingateachother,stabbingandcutting.FinallytheysawTomasoPassamontekilloneJacamo.DiegodeAranahungTomasoPassamonte.ButwhatweretheIndianstothink?Notwhattheythoughtwhenfirstwecamefromthewingedcanoestotheirbeaches.
　　ThelastofAprilfellthesecondsicknessanditwasfarworsethanthefirst.Elevenmendied,andweburiedthem.
　　Whenitpassedweweretwenty-fiveSpaniardsinHispaniola,andwelikednottheIndiansaswellaswehaddone,andtheylikednotus.Oh,thepity——pity——pity,thepityandtheblame!
　　Guacanagaricametovisitthecommandant,nonewithhimbutthebutioGuarin,anddesiringtospeakwithAranaoutofthecompany.Theytalkedbeneaththebigtree,thatbeingthemostcomfortableandcommodiouscouncilchamber.DonDiegowasimperfectyetinthetongueofGuarico,andhecalledJuanLepetohelphimout.
　　ItwasastoryofCaonabo,caciqueofMaguanathatranintothegreatmountainsofCibao,thatcaciqueofwhomwehadalreadyheardasbeinglikeCaribs.CaonabohadsentquitesecretlytwoofhisbrotherstoGuacanagari.Hehadheardillofthestrangersandthoughttheyweredemons,notgods!HeadvisedthecaciqueofGuaricotosurprisethemwhiletheysleptandslaythem.Itwasinhisexperiencethatallwhoateandsleptcouldbeslain.IfhisbrotherGuacanagarineededhelpintheadventure,Caonabowouldgiveit.Hewouldevencomeinperson.
　　DiegodeAranasaid,``Whatdidyouanswer,OCacique.''
　　GuacanagarispokeatsomelengthofourGreatCaciqueandhislongingthathemightreturn.Everythinghadgonewellwhilehewashere!``Hewillreturn,''saidArana.
　　``Andhehasyourword.''
　　Guacanagaristatedthathemeanttokeephisword.HehadreturnedanswertoCaonabothattherehadbeenmisfortunesbutthatthemightystrangersweretrulymighty,andalmostwhollybeneficent.Atanyrate,hewasnotpreparedtoslaythem,didnotwishtoslaythem.
　　Aranaspokevigorously,pointingouttothecaciqueallthekindlinessthathadattendedourfirstintercourse.TheunhappinessesofFebruary,MarchandAprilheattributedtorealdemons,nottoourownfiendbuttosmallpowersatlarge,maleficentandalarmed,heathenpowersinshort,jealousoftheintroductionoftheHolyCatholicreligion.
　　Guacanagariseemedtounderstandaboutthesepowers.Helookedrelieved.ButGuarinwhowaswithhimregardedtheseaandIsawhislipcurl.
　　ThecommandantwishedtoknowiftherewereanydangerofCaonabo,alone,descendinguponusfromthemountains.
　　Butno!MaguanaandGuaricowerefriends.Theyhadnotalwaysbeenso,butnowtheywerefriends.DeAranalookeddoubtfully,andIsawhimdeterminetokeepwatchandwardandtoholdthemenwithinorneartofort.
　　ButGuacanagarisatserene.Herepeatedthattherewerealwayspreliminariesbeforewars,andthatforalongtimetherehadonlybeenpeacebetweenGuaricoandMaguana.
　　``CaonaboisCarib,''saidtheyoungcopperpriest.Thecaciqueanswered,``Cariblongago.Notnow.''
　　Atsunset,therainceasingforalittle,theearthsmoking,thewestalow,vaporousyellow,theswollenriversounding,DiegodeAranahadsummonedbythedrumeverymaninLaNavidad.Hestoodbeneathourbannerandputhishanduponthestaffandspokeearnestlytothosegatheredbeforehim,intheirdutyandoutoftheirduty.HetoldofCaonabo,andofhisownsensethatGuacanagariwastooconfident.HetoldofGuacanagari'sfidelitytotheAdmiral,andheappealedtoeveryChristiantheretobeatleastasfaithful.WewerefewandfarfromSpain,andwehadperhapsmorethanwecouldconceiveintrust.``FarfromSpain,butnofartherthanwewillfromtheblessedsaintsandthetrueChrist.Letusputlessdistancethere,beingfewinthislandandindanger!''
　　Heknewthathehadadozenwithhim,andlookedstraightatEscobedo.
　　Thelattersaid,``Liveintheopenanddiethere,ifneedbe!Toliveinthisrathole,breathingplague,isdyingalready!Caonaboisafable!Thesepeople!Spaniardshavebuttoliftvoiceandtheyflee!''
　　Hereceivedfromhisfollowingacquiescentsound.SpokePedroGutierrez.``Guacanagariwishestobottleushere;
　　thatisthewholeofit.Whyplayhisgame?Ineversawasaferland!OnlyLaNavidadisnotsafe!''
　　Thosetwohadhalfandperhapsmorethanhalfofthegarrison.Aranacried,``DonRoderigodeEscobedoandDonPedroGutierrez,youservetheQueenill!''
　　``You,Senor,''answeredGutierrez,``servemyLadyIdleFearandmyLordIncapacity!''
　　WhereuponAranaputhiminarrestandhelaythatnightinprison.ThecloudwasblackoverLaNavidad.
　　CHAPTERXXV
　　ITdidnotlighten.Escobedowaitedtwodays,theninthedarknight,corruptingthewatch,brokegaolforPedroGutierrezandwithhimandninemenquittedLaNavidad.Beltranthecookitwaswhoheardandprocuredagreatsmokingtorch,andsentoutagainstthemavoicelikeabullofBashan's.Aranasprangup,andtherestofuswhoslept.Theywereelevenmen,armedandalert.Therewereshouts,blows,aclutchingandathrowingoff,adetainingandrepelling.Intheeastshowedlongghostfingers,therainheldaway.Theywereatthegatewhenweranuponthem;theyburstitopenandwentforth,leavingoneoftheirownnumberdead,andtwoofthemwhostayedwithAranadesperatelyhurt.Wefollowedthemdownthepath,throughthewood,buttheyhadthestart.TheydidnotgotoGuarico,buttheyseizedtheboatofthe_SantaMaria_whichtheAdmiralhadleftwithusandwentuptheriver.Weheardthedashoftheiroars,thentheraincamedown,withaweepingofeverycloud.
　　ThedeadmantheyleftbehindwasFernando.IhadseenPedrointhegate,goingforth.
　　Fourteenmen,twoofwhomwereillandtwowounded,stayedatLaNavidad.Aranasaidwithpassion,``Honestmenandagarrisonatone!Thereissomegain!''
　　Thatcouldnotbedenied.Gainhere,buthowaboutityonder?
　　ItwasMay.Andnowtherainfellinagreatcopiousflood,huge-droppedandwarm,andnowitwasrestrainedforalittle,andthereshoneasunconfusedandfierce.Earthandforestdrippedandstreamedandsmoked.WewereAndalusians,buttheheatdrainedus.Butweheld,wefourteenmen.AranadidwellatLaNavidad.WealldidwhatwecouldtoliveliketruenotfalseCastilians,truenotfalseChristians.AndInameBeltranthecookasheroandmightyencouragerofhearts.
　　WewentbackandforthbetweenLaNavidadandGuarico,forthoughtheAdmiralhadleftusastoreoffoodwegotfromthemfruitandmaizeandcassava.Theywereallfriendlyagain,forthefourteenwithheldthemselvesfromexcess.NordidwequarrelamongourselvesandshowthemEuropeanweakness.
　　Guacanagariremainedabig,easy,somewhatslothful,friendlybarbarian,achildinmuch,butbraveenoughwhenrousedandnotwithoutcommonsense.Hehadanitchformarvels,lovedtoheartalesofourworldthatforallonecouldsayremainedtothemwitchcraftandcloudland,worldabovetheirworld!Whatcouldthey,whohadnogreatbeasts,makeoftalesofhorsemen?Whatcouldtheirhutsknowofpalaceandtowerandcathedral,theirswimmersofstonebridges,theircanoesofathousandshipsgreaterfarthanthe_SantaMaria_andthe_Nina_?WhatcouldGuaricoknowofSeville?Insomeslightwisetheypracticedbarter,buthugemarketsandfairstowhichtraveledfromallquartersandafarmerchantsandbuyerswentwiththetalesofhorsemen.Andsowithathousandthings!Wewerethewavingoaktalkingtotheacorn.
　　Buttherewereamongthisfolktwoorthreereadyforknowledge.Guarinwasalearningsoul.HeforegatheredwiththephysicianJuanLepe,andmanyatalktheyhad,likeamasterandpupil,insomecornerofLaNavidad,orunderapalm-thatchedroof,or,whentherainheld,byriverorsoundingsea.Hehadmindandmoralsense,thoughnottheEuropeanmindatbest,northeEuropeanmoralsenseathighest.Buthewaswellbegun.Andhehadbeautyofformandcountenanceandaneager,deepeye.
　　JuanLepelovedhim.
　　ItwasJune.GuacanagaricametoLaNavidad,andhisbrownfacewasasseriousasatragedy.``Caonabo?''askedDiegodeArana.
　　Afortnightbeforethisthecacique,atArana'sdesire,hadsentthreeIndiansinacanoeuptheriver,theobjectnewsifpossibleofthattenwhohaddepartedinthatdirection.
　　NowtheIndianswereback.Theyhadgonealongwayuntilthehighmountainswerejustbeforethem,andtheretheyheardnewsfromthelastfolkwhomightbecalledGuaricoandthefirstfolkwhomightbecalledMaguana.
　　ThemightystrangershadgoneonupintothemountainsandCaonabohadputthemtodeath.
　　``Todeath!''
　　Itappearedthattheyhadseizedwomenandbadbeatenmenwhomtheythoughthadgoldwhichtheywouldnotgive.Theyweremadmen,EscobedoandGutierrezandallwiththem!
　　GuacanagarisaidthatCaonabohadinvitedthemtoafeast.
　　Itwasspreadinthreehouses,andtheyweredividedso,andaroundeachSpaniardwasputaringofIndians.Theywereeatinganddrinking.Caonaboenteredthefirsthouse,andhiscomingmadethesignal.EscobedoandPedroGutierrezwereinthishouse.Theyraisedashout,``Undone,Spaniards!''Butthoughtheywereheardintheotherhouses——thesehousesbeingnothingmorethanbooths——itwastonouse.Therefollowedstruggleandmassacre;
　　finallyGutierrezandEscobedoandeightmenlaydead.
　　ButcertainIndianswerealsokilledandamongthemasonofCaonabo.
　　ItwasJuly.WebegantolongtowardtheAdmiral'sreturn.Amanamonguswentmelancholymad,watchingthesea,threateningtherainwhenitcamedownandhidthesea,andtheAdmiralmightgoby!Atlasthethrewhimselfintooceanandwasdrowned.Anothermanwasbittenbyaserpent,andwecouldnotsavehim.WeweretwelveSpaniardsinLaNavidad.WerestedfriendswithGuarico,thoughnowtheyheldustobenothingmorethandemigods.Andindeedbynowwewereragged!
　　Then,inanight,itcame.
　　Guacanagariagainappeared.IthadreachedhimfromuptheriverthatCaonabowasmakingpactwiththecaciqueofMarienandthatthetwomeanttoproceedagainstus.
　　Standing,hespokeatlengthandeloquently.Ifherestedourfriend,itmightendinhishavingforfoesMaguanaandMarien.Therehadbeenlongpeace,andGuaricodidnotdesirewar.Moreover,CaonabosaidthatitwasidletodreadCaribsandletinthemightystrangers!Hesaidthatallpalemen,afraidofthemselvessothattheycoveredthemselvesup,werefilledwithevil_zemes_andwereworsethanathousandCaribs!ButCaonabowasamockerandahard-of-heart!DifferentwasGuacanagari.Hetoldushowdifferent.ItallendedingreathopethatCaonabowouldthinkbetterofit.
　　Wekeptwatchandward.YetwecouldnotbeutterlycoopedwithinLaNavidad.Errandsmustbedone,foodbegathered.Morethanthat,toseemtoGuaricofrightened,tocrythatwemustkeepdayandnightbehindwallwithcannontrained,notwithstandingthatCaonabomightbeasleepinthemountainsofCibao,wouldbebuttomineourownfame,wewho,forallthatbadpassed,stillseemedtothisfolkmighty,eachofusahostinhimself!Andasnothingcameoutoftheforest,andnomoremessengersofdanger,theythemselveshadceasedtofear,beinglikechildreninthiswise.Andwe,too,atlast;fornowitwaslateAugust,andtheweatherwasbetter,andsurely,surely,anydaywemightseeawhitepointrisefromblueocean,——awhitepointandanotherandanother,likestarsafterlongcloudednightskies!
　　Sowewatchedthesea.Andalsotherewasamantowatchtheforest.Butwedidnotconceivethatthedragonwouldcomeforthinthedaytime,northathecouldcomeatanytimewithoutourhearingafarthedraggingofhisbodyandthewhistlingofhisbreath.
　　Itwashalfwaybetweensunriseandnoon.Fiveofuswereinthevillage,sevenatLaNavidad.Thefivewerethereformelonsandfruitandcassavaandtobaccowhichweboughtwithbeadsandfishhooksandbitsofbrightcloth.
　　ThreeofthesevenatLaNavidadwereoutofgate,downattheriver,washingtheirclothes.DiegoMinas,thearcher,ontopofwall,watchedtheforest.Walkingbelow,BeltranthecookwassinginginhisbigvoiceaMoorishsongthattheymademuchofyearbeforelastinSeville.IhadabookofMesserPetrarca'spoems.IthadbeenGutierrez's,wholeftitbehindwhenhebrokeforthtothemountains.
　　Beltran'svoicesuddenlyceased.Diegothearcherabovehimonwallhadcrieddown,``Hush,willyou,amoment!''
　　DiegodeAranacameup.``Whatisit?''
　　``Ithought,''saidthearcher,``thatIheardastrangeshoutingfromtowardvillage.Harkye!There!''
　　Weheardit,aconfusedsound.``Callinthemenfromtheriver!''Aranaordered.
　　DiegoMinassenthisvoicedowntheslope.Thethreebelowbytheriveralsoheardthecommotion,distantasGuarico.Theywerestandingup,theireyesturnedthatway.Justbehindthemhungtheforestoutofwhichslid,darkandsmooth,thenarrowriver.
　　OutoftheforestcameanarrowandstrucktotheheartGabrielBaraona.Followeditawildprolongedcryofmanyvoices,peculiarandcurdlingtotheblood,andfifty——ahundred——ahostofnakedmenpaintedblackwithwhiteandredandyellowmarkings.Guaricodidnotusebowandarrow,butaCaribcaciqueknewthem,andhadsomany,andalsolancesflintorbone-headed,andclubswithstoneswedgedinthemandstoneknives.GabrielBaraonafell,whetherdeadornotwecouldnottell.JuanMorcilloandGonzaloFernandezsentascreamforaiduptoLaNavidad.Nowtheywerehiddenassomesmallthingbyfuriousbees.DiegodeAranarushedforhissword.``Downandcutthemout!''
　　DiegoMinasfiredthebiglombard,butforfearofhurtingourthreemensentwidetheball.Welookedforterroralwaysfromtheflame,thesmokeandgreatnoise,andsotherewasterrorhereforamomentandabearingbackinwhichJuanandGonzalogotlooseandmadealittlewayuppath.Butabarbarianwasherewhocouldnotlongbeterrified.CaonabosenthalfhishordeagainstGuarico,buthimselfhadcometoLaNavidad.Thatpaintedarmyralliedandovertookthefleeingmen.
　　Shouting,makinghisswungsworddazzleinlight,DiegodeAranaraceddownpath,andDiegoMinasandBeltranthecookandJuanLepewithhim.Manyatimesincethen,inthisisland,haveIseenhalfadozenChristianswiththeirarmsandthesuperstitiousterrorthatsurroundedthemputtoflighttwentytimestheirnumber.Butthiswasearly,andthespiritofthesenakedmennotbroken,andCaonabofacedus.Itwashehimselfwho,whenthreeorfourhadbeenwoundedbyArana,suddenlyrusheduponthecommandant.
　　Withhisstone-headedclubhestrucktheswordaway,andheplungedhisknifeintoArana'sbreast.Hedied,abravemanwhobaddonehisbestatLaNavidad.
　　JuanMorcilloandGonzaloFernandezandDiegoMinaswereslain.Isawaliftedclubandswerved,buttoolate.
　　Blacknessandneithercarenordelight.Then,faroff,alittlebeatingofsurfonshore,veryfarandnothingtodowithanything.ThenaclueofpainthatitseemedImustfolloworthatmustfollowme,andatfirstitwasalittlethinthread,butthenacableandallmycarewastothinitagain.Itpassedintoanacheandthrobthatfilledmybeingliketheraincloudsthesky.Thensuddenlytherewereyetheavycloudsbuttheskyaroundandbehind.I
　　openedmyeyesandsatup,butfoundthatmyarmswereboundtomysides.
　　``Wearen'tdead,andthat'ssomecomfort,Doctor,asthecocksaidtotheothercockinthemarketpannier!''
　　ItwasBeltranthecookwhospokeandhewasboundlikeme.Arounduslaythefivedead.AscoreofIndianswardedus,mightystrangersinbonds,andweheardtherestupatthefortwheretheyweresearchingandpillaging.
　　Guarico,andthementhere?
　　WefoundthatoutwhenatlasttheyweredonewithLaNavidadandtheyandwewereputonthemarch.WecametowherehadbeenGuarico,andtrulyforlongwehadsmelledtheburningofit,aswehadheardthecryingandshouting.
　　Itwasalldown,thefrailhouses.ImadeoutintheloudtalkingthatfollowedtheblendingofCaonabo'sbandswhathadbeendoneandnotdone.Guacanagari,wounded,wasfledafterfightingawhile,heandhisbrotherandthebutioandallthepeople.Butthemightystrangersfoundinthevillage,weredead.Theyhadrundowntothesea,butCaonabo'smenhadcaughtthem,andafterhardworkkilledthem.JuanLepeandBeltran,passing,sawthefivebodies.
　　IdonotthinkthatCaonabohadlessthanathousandwithhim.Hehadcomeinforce,andthewholeassilentasabatormoth.Weweretolearnoverandoveragainthat``Indians''coulddothat,travelverysilently,creaturesoftheforestwhotookbysurprise.Well,Guaricowasdestroyed,andGuacanagariandGuarinfled,andinallHispaniolawereonlytwoSpaniards,andwesawnosailuponthesea,nosailatall!
　　CHAPTERXXVI
　　WEturnedfromthesea.Thickforestcamebetweenusandit.WeweregoingwithCaonabotothemountains.BeltranandIthoughtthatithadbeeninquestionwhetherheshouldkillusatonce,orholdusinlifeuntilwehadbeenshownastrophiesinMaguana,andthattheprideandvanityofthelattercourseprevailed.Aftertwodaysinthisruinedplace,duringwhichwesawnoGuaricoIndian,wedeparted.Theraidwasover.Alltheirwarisbyraid.Theycarriedeverythingfromthefortsavethefortitselfandthetwolombards.Inthenarrowpathsthatarethisworld'sroads,onemanmustwalkafteranother,andtheircolumnseemsendlesswhereitwindsandislostandappearsagain.BeltranandIwerenolongerbound.Norwerewetreatedunkindly,starvednorhurtinanyway.AllthatwaiteduntilweshouldreachCaonabo'stown.
　　Caonabowasamosthandsomebarbarian,strongandfierceandintelligent,morefierce,moreintelligentthanGuacanagari.
　　Allhadbeenpainted,buttheheatofthelowlandandtheirgreatexertionhadmadethecoloringrunandmixmostunseemly.WhentheyleftGuaricotheyplungedintotheriverandwashedthewholeaway,comingoutclearred-brown,shiningandbettertolookupon.Caonabowashed,butthenhewouldrenewhismarkingwiththepaintwhichhecarriedwithhiminalittlecalabash.
　　Apool,stillandreflectingasanypolishedshield,madehismirror.Hepaintedinaterrificpatternwhatseemedmeantforlightningandserpent.Itwasarmorandplumeandbannertohim.Ithoughtofourowndevices,comfortingordiscomfortingkinships!Hehadblack,lustroushair,nobeard——theypluckoutallbodyhairsavetheheadthatch——highfeatures,astudiedlookofsettledandcoldfierceness.
　　SuchwasthisCaribinHispaniola.
　　Presentlytheyputawatchandtherestalllaydownandslept,Beltranbesideme.Thedayhadbeenclear,andnowagreatmoonmadesilver,silver,thelandaround.ItshoneupontheSpanishsailorandupontheCaribchiefandallthenakedManguanamen.IthoughtofEurope,andofhowallthisoritslikehadbeengoingonhundredyearsbyhundredyears,whileperishedRomeandquickenedourkingdoms,whileCharlemagnegoverned,whiletheChurchroseuntilshetoweredandcoveredlikethesky,whilewewentcrusadesandpilgrimages,whileVeniceandGenoaandLisbonroseandflourished,whileletterswentonandwestudiedAristotle,whilequestionarose,andwiderknowledge.
　　AtlastJuanLepe,too,wenttosleep.
　　Nextdaywetraveledamongandovermountains.Ourpath,sonarrow,climbedbyrockandtree.Nowitoverhungdeep,tree-crammedvales,nowitborethroughjust-
　　partedcliffs.BeltranandJuanLepehadneedforalltheirstrengthofbody.
　　Theworstwasthatthatoldtremorandweaknessofonelegandside,leftaftersomeseafight,whichhadmadeBeltranthecookfromBeltranthemariner,cameback.Isawhisstepbegintohaltanddrag.Thisincreased.Anhourlater,thepathgoingovertreerootsknottedlikeserpents,hestumbledandfell.Hepickedhimselfup.``Hardtokeepdeckinthisgale!''
　　WhenhewentdowntherehadbeenanexclamationfromthoseIndiansnearestus.``Aiya!''Itwastheirwordforrotten,nogood,spoiled,disappointing,crippledordiseased,foramisformedchildoranoldmanorwomanarrivedathelplessness.Such,IhadlearnedfromGuarin,theyalmostinvariablykilled.Itwaswhy,fromthefirst,wehardlysawdwarfedorhumpedorcrippledamongthem.
　　Wehadtocrossatorrentuponatreethatfallinghadmadefromsidetosidearoundedbridge.Againthatoldhurtbetrayedhim.Heslipped,wouldhavefallenintothetorrentbelow,butthatI,turning,caughthimandtheIndianbehindushelped.Wemanagedacross.``Myship,''saidBeltran,``isgoingtopiecesontherocks.''
　　Thepathbecameladdersteep.NowBeltrandelayedall,foritwasalamemanclimbing.IhelpedhimallIcould.
　　Thesunwasnearitssetting.Wewerealoftinthesemountains.Greenheadsstillroseoverus,butwewerealoft,farabovethesea.Andnowweweregoingthrougharavineorpasswherethewalkingwasbetter.Here,too,awindreachedusanditwascooler.Cooleveoftheheightsdrewon.Wecametoabubblingwellofcoldestwateranddranktoourgreatrefreshment.Veritablepinetrees,whichweneversawinthelowlands,toweredaboveandsang.Thepathwaseasier,buthardly,hardly,couldBeltrandraghimselfalongit.Hisarmwasovermyshoulder.
　　Outofthedarkpasswecameuponatablealmostbareoftreesandcoveredwithafinesoftgrass.ThemountainsofCibao,fiveleagues——maybemore——away,hunginemeraldpurpleandgoldunderthesinkingsun.Thehighestrockypeaksrosepalegold.BelowusandbetweenthosemountainsonwhichwestoodandthegoldenmountainsofCibao,spreadthatplain,sobeautiful,sowideandlong,sofertileandsmilingandvast,thatafterwardswascalledtheRoyalPlain!Eastandwestonemightnotseetheend;southonlythegoldenmountainsstoppedit.Andriversshone,onegreatriverandmanylesserstreams.Andwesawafarmanyplumesofsmokefrommanyvillages,andwemadeoutmaizefields,fortheplainwaspopulous.
　　_VegaReal_!Solovelywasitinthatbrighteve!Theverypainofthedaymadeitlovelier.