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　　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.