Theywererunningoutofthewood,downuponthewhitebeach.Theremightbeahundred.
``Nakedmen!Theyaredark——Theyarenegroes!\'\'——
``Ormagicians!\'\'
TheAdmiralliftedhisgreatvoice.``Marinersall!IndiaandCathayarefringedwithislands,asaremanypartsofEurope.AdozenofyouhavesailedamongtheGreekislands.Theremaybeasmanyhereasthose.Thisisasmallislandanditsfolksimple.TheyarenotNegroes,buttheskinoftheIndianisdarkerthanours,andthatofCipangoandCathayisyellow.Asforclothing,inallwarmlandsthesimplerfolkwearlittle.Butasforma-
gicians,theremaybemagiciansamongthemasthereareamongallpeoples,butitisfalsenessandabsurditytospeakofallasmagicians!Nonsenseandcowardice!Themanwhocriedthatgoesnotashoreto-day!\'\'
NotGreatIndiabeforeusnorGoldenCipango!Butitwasland——land——itwassolid,therewerefolk!Howlonghadflowedtheseaaroundus,forthiswasthetwelfthofOctober,fiveweekssinceGomeraandabovetwomonthssincePaloshadsunkawayandwehadheardthelastfaintbellofLaRabida!Andtherehadbeenstrongdoubtifeverweshouldseeagainawhitebeach,oratree,orakindlyfireashore,oranymenbutthoseofourthreeships,oreveranotherwomanorachild.Butland——land!Herewaslandandgreenwoodsandcrowdsofstrangefolk.
Themarinerslaughed,andthetearsstoodintheireyesandfriendsembraced.AndtheygrewmightilyrespectfultotheAdmiral.
Somanyweretogoashoreinthefirstboat,andsomanyinthesecond.The_Pinta_andtheNinawereloweringtheirboats.Ourhidalgosaboard,DiegodeArana,RoderigoSanchezandtherest,hadalsofineapparelwiththem——
seeingthattheGrandKhanwouldhaveacourtandourSovereignsmustberightlyrepresented——andthismorningtheysuitedthemselvesonlylesssplendidlythandidtheAdmiral.ThegreatbannerofCastileandLeonwasreadyforcarrying.Trumpet,drumandfifeshouldland.FrayIgnatiowasready——oh,ready!Hisliquiddarkeyeshadanunearthlylook.Giftswerebeingsortedout.Therewereaboardrichthings,valuedinanylandofours,forgiftstotheGrandKhanandhisministers,ortheEmperorofCipangoandhis.ForQueensandEmpressesandLadiesalso.AndtherewasawondrousmissalforPresterJohndidwefindhim!Butthiswasevidentlyalittleislandafar,andthesewerenaked,savagemen.Theexpeditionwasprovident.Ithadforall.ThePortuguese,ourgreatnavigators,hadtaughtwhatthenakedAfricanliked.Abasketstoodathandfilledwithpiecesofcoloredcloth,beads,caps,hawkbells,fishhooks,toysofsorts.Forthatwemighthavetrouble,fourharquebusmenandfourcrossbowsweregoing.The_SantaMaria_carriedtwocannon.NowattheAdmiral\'ssignal,oneofthesewasdischarged.Itwasavoicenotheardbeforeinthisworld.Ifhewishedtoproduceawethatshouldaccompanyhimliketheancientpillarsofcloudandfire,hehadsuccess.Whenthesmokeclearedwesawthewildmenprostrateupontheivorybeachasthoughascythehadcutthemdown.Theylaylikefallengrain,thenroseandmadehasteforthewood.Wecouldthinlyheartheirshouting.
ChristopherusColumbusdescendedintotheboatofthe_SantaMaria_.,FrayIgnatioafterhim.DiegodeArana,RoderigoSanchez,Escobedo,GutierrezandJuanLepethephysicianfollowed.JuandelaCosastayedwiththeship,itnotbeingwisetotakeawayallauthority.Ourarmedmencameafterandtherowers.Wedrewoffandthesmallboatfilled.BoatsofthePintaandtheNinajoinedus.Thegreatbanneroverus,theAdmiral\'shanduponitsstandard,werowedforAsia.
Nearerandnearer.Thewaterhungaboutus,plainmarvel,notdarkblue,butturquoiseandclearasair.Wecouldseethestrange,bright-huedfishandthewhitebottom.TheairbreathedMaytime,andnowwethoughtwecouldtellthespices.Andsoivory-whiteitwas,thelongcurvedbeach,andsogaylybrighttheemeraldofthewood!Thereweremanypalmswithothertreesweknewnot.Itwaslow,theisland,anditshonebeforeussilverandgreen,andthetreesmovedgentlyinawindmoresweet,wethought,thananyAndalusianzephyr.PedroGutierrezstared.
Paradise——Paradise!\'\'
Itwasnotwhatwehadlookedfor,butitwasgoodenough.Itseemeddivine,thatmorning!
Nearerwedrew,nearer.Thebeachwasnowbare.Wemadeoutthedark,nakedfolkatedgeofthewood,intreeshadows,watchingus.Weretheystrangetous,besurewewerestrangertothem!
Theazurewater,somarvelous,metthatsandwhitelikecrushedbone,strewnwithdelicateshells.Neverwaswindsosweetasthatwhichblewthismorning!Greenplumes,thepalmsbrushedthesky;thereseemedtousfruittreesalso,withsatinstemsandwide-ladenboughs.Whenwelookedovershoulderthe_SantaMaria_,thePintaandtheNinaeachrodedouble,mastandhullinsky,mastandhullinmirrorsea.Somethingstrangeanddivinewasaboutus,overus.Wewishedtolaugh,wewishedtoweep.
Boatheadtouchedcleansand.Theoarsrested.ChristopherusColumbustheAdmiralsteppedfromboatfirstandalone,allwaitingaswasright.HetookwithhimthebannerofSpain.Hewalkedafewyards,thenstruckthestandardintothesand.Therewasairenoughtoopenthefolds,tomakethemfloatandfly.Kneeling,hebowedhimselfandkissedtheearth.Weheardhisstrongvoicepraying.
``_DomineDeus,aeterneetomnipotens,sacrotuoverbocoelum,etterra,etmare,creasti_——\'\'
Wealsobowedourheads.HeroseandcriedtoFrayIgnatio.TheFranciscanwasthenexttoenterthisnewworld.AfterhimsprangoutDiegodeAranaandtheothers.
ThePinzons,too,werenowleavingtheirboats.AllwereatlastgatheredabouttheAdmiral,betweenbluewaterandgreenwood.FiftySpaniards,wegatheredthere,andweheardourfellowsleftupontheshipscheeringus.WekneeledandFrayIgnatiothankedGodforus.
Werose,drewlongbreathandlookedaboutus,thenturnedtotheAdmiralwithloudpraiseandgratulation.Hewasgirdedwithasword,cross-hilted.Drawingit,hesetitspointinthesand.Thenwithonehanduponthecross,andoneliftedandwrappedinthebannerfolds,he,withagreatvoice,proclaimedSpain\'sownership.TotheKingandQueenoftheSpainsalllandsunchristianandidolatrousthatwemightfindanduseandhold,allthatwereclearlyawayfromthelineoftheKingofPortugal,drawnforhimbytheHolyFather!InthenameofGod,inthenameofHolyChurch,inthenameofIsabella,QueenofCastile,andFerdinand,KingofAragonandtheirunitedPower,amenandamen!Hemotionedtothetrumpeterwhoputtrumpettohislipsandblewablasttothenorthandthesouthandtheeastandthewest.Atthesoundthereseemedtocomeacryfromthefringingwood,acryofterror.
Theislandwasours,——ifallthiscouldmakeitours.
Apieceofscarletclothspreaduponthesandhadheapeduponitnecklacesofglassandthreeorfourhawkbellswithothertoys.Weplaceditthere,thenstoodback.AttheAdmiral\'scommandtheharquebusandcrossbowmenlaidtheirweaponsdown,thoughwatchfuleyewaskept.
Butnoarrowflightshadcomefromthewood,andasfarascouldbeseensomekindoflance,notformidablelooking,wastheironlyweapon.NexttheAdmiralmadeourfifertoplayamerryandpeacefulair.
Wehadnotedaclumpoftreesadvancedintothesandandwethoughtthattheboldermenwereoccupyingthis.
Nowamanstartedoutalone,ayoungmanbythelooksofhim,drawnashewasagainstthewhitesand,andapaladin,forhemarchedtomeetaloneheknewnotwhatorwhom.
``Blackamoor!\'\'exclaimedDeAranabesideme,butashecamenearerwesawthatthedeadblacknesswaspaint,laidinafantasticpatternuponhisfaceandbody.Nativehueofskin,aswecamepresentlytofindintheunpainted,wasapleasingred-brown.Headvancedwalkingdaintilyandproudly,knowingthathispeoplewerewatchinghim.SingleCastilian,singleMoor,hadadvancedso,manyatime,betweencamps,orbetweencampandfortress.
Haltingbesidetheredclothhestoopedandturnedoverthetrinkets.Whenhestraightenedhimselfhehadinhandastringofgreatbeads,roseandblueandgreen.Hefingeredthese,seemedabouttoputtheneckleton,thenrefrainedastoodaring.Layingitgentlybackuponthescarlethenexttookupahawkbell.Thesebells,asisknown,ringveryclearandsweet.IwasafterwardstoldthatthePortuguesehadnotedtheirwelcomeamongtheAfricanpeople.
Therewasnonail\'sbreadthofinformationthatthismanColumbuscouldnotuse!Hehadusedthis,andinalistforjustpossiblyfoundsavageIndianshadputdown,``goodnumberofhawkbells.\'\'
Theredmanpaintedblack,tookupthehawkbell.Itchimedashemovedit.Hedroppeditonthesandandgavebackastep,thenpickeditupandsetittinkling.Hisface,thewayinwhichhemoved,said``Musicfromheaven!\'\'
TheAdmiralmotionedtoFrayIgnatiotomovetowardhim.Thatgoodmanwentgentlyforward.Theyouthgaveback,butthenbracedhimself,undertheeyesofhisnation.Hestood.TheFranciscanputoutagownedarmandalong,leankindlyhand.Theyouth,nakedasthebronzeofagod,hesitated,raisedhisownarm,letitdropupontheother\'s.FrayIgnatio,speakingmildwords,broughthimacrossandtotheAdmiral.Thelatter,tallestofusallandgreatlyframed,loftyofport,dressedwithmagnificence,silver-haired,standingforthfromhisofficersandmen,thebanneroverhim,wouldbetakenbyanyforGreatCaptain,chiefgodofthesegods,andcertes,atthefirsttheythoughtthatweweregods!TheIndianputhishandstohisface,shranklikeagirlandcameslowlytohiskneesandloweryetuntilhisforeheadrestedupontheearth.
TheAdmiralliftedhim,callinghim``son.\'\'
Thoseofhiskindwatchingfromthewoodnowsentforthaconsiderabledeputation.Therecametousadozennakedmen,fairlytall,well-shaped,skinofredcopper,smearedoftenwithpaintinbarsanddisksandcrescents.TheirhairwasnotliketheNegro\'s,theonlyothernakedmanourtimeknew,butwasstraight,black,somewhatcoarse,notbushybutabundant,cutshortwiththemenbelowtheear.
Theyareabeardlesspeople.Ourbeardsareanamazementtothem,asareourclothes.Afiercelyquarrelsomefolk,apeace-keeping,gentlefolkwillsoundtheirnoteverysoon.
Thesebelongedtothelatterkind.Theirlanceswerenotourhugeknightlyones,northelight,hardonesoftheMoors.
Theywerehardlymorethanstoutcanes,theheadnotiron——theyhadnoiron——butflintorboneshapedbyaflintknife.Wherethepaintwasnotsplashedorpatternedoverthem,theirfacescouldbelikedverywell.Lipswerenotoverfull,thenoseslightlybeaked,theforeheadfairlyhigh,theeyesgood.Theydidnotjabbernormoveidlybutkeptmeasureandapleasantdignity.Theyseemedgentleandhappy.Soweretheywhenwefoundthem.
Theirspeechsoundedofnotonguethatweknew.LuisTorresandIalikehadknowledgeofArabic.WehadnoPersianthatmightbeneareryet,butArabiabeingimmemoriallycaravan-knitwithIndia,itwasthoughtthatitmightbeunderstood.Butthesebarefolkhadnonotionofit,noroftheHebrewwhichLuistriednext.TheLatindidnotdo,theGreekofwhichIhadalittledidnotdo.
Butthereisanold,oldlanguagecalledGesture.If,whereverthereisacommonlanguagethereisonepeople,theninendandbeginningsurelyweareonefolkaroundtheearth!
Weweretobefriendswiththeseislanders.``Friendsfirstandlast!\'\'believedtheAdmiral.Indeed,allfeltitso,thisbrightday.Iftheywerenotallwehadimaged,sailingtothem,yetweretheymen,andunthreatening,novel,veryinterestingtouswiththeirislandandtheirmarvelousbluewater.Allwasheightenedbysheerjoyoflanding,andoffinding——findingsomething!Andwhatwefoundwasnothorriblenordeathful,butbright,promising,scentedlikefirstfruits.
Tothemwefoundweweregods!Theymovedaboutuswithakindofceremonyofpropitiation.Twoyouthscamewithapieceofbarkcarriedlikeasalver,piledwithfruitsandwiththincakesofsomescrapedroot.Anotherbroughtaparrot,agreatgreenandrosebirdthatatoncetalked,thoughwecouldnotunderstandhiswords.Twooldermenhadballs,aslargeasmelons,ofsomewoundstuffthatwepresentlyfoundtobecottonlooselytwistedintoyarn.
TheAdmiral\'seyesglowed.``Nowifanybringspicesorpepper——\'\'Buttheydidnot,nordidtheybringgold.
Allthesethingstheyputdownbeforeus,insilenceorwithwordsthatwethoughtwerepetitions,movingnotconfusedlybutwithamannerofritual.TheAdmiraltookanecklaceandplaceditroundthethroatoftheyoungmanwhofirsthaddared,andinhishandputahawkbell.Thatwasenoughforhimselftodo,whowasViceroy.Threeofusfinishedthedistribution.Theywhohadbroughtpresentsweregivenpresents.Allwouldhaveusgowiththemtotheirvillage,justbehindthetrees.Ahandfulofmenweleftwiththeboatsandtherestofuscrossedsand.
Harquebusesandcrossbowswentwithus,butwehadnoneedofthem.Theislandapparentlyfollowedpeace,anditsfolkgreatlyfearedtogiveoffensetogodsfromthesky.
Abovetheshipsheldarangeofpearlyclouds,outofwhichindeedonemightmakestrangelandsandforms.TheIndians——ChristopherusColumbuscalledthem``Indians\'\'——
pointedfromshipstocloud.Theyspokewithmovementsofreverence.``Youhavecomedown——youhavecomedown!\'\'Weunderstoodthem,thoughtheirwordswerenotours.
Nowthegreenwoodrosecloseathand.Thetreesdiffered,thewoventhicknessofit,thecolorandblossom,fromanywoodathome.Aspaceopenedbeforeus,andherewasthevillageofthesefolk,——roundhutsthatchedwithpalmleaves,setonnostreets,butatchoiceundertrees.Eartharoundwastroddenhard,butthegreenwoodspressedclose.
Hereandthereshowedgardenpatcheswithplantswhosenamesandusesweknewnot.Nowwecameuponwomenandchildren.Likethementhewomenwerenaked.Well-
shapedandcomely,withlong,black,braidedhair,theyseemedtousgentle,pleasingandfearless.Thechildrenwereacrewthatanymightlove.
Timelackstosayallthatwedidandheardandguessedthisdayuponthisisland!Itwasfirstloveafterlongweeksatsea,andourcrampedshipsandallourgreatuncertainty!
Ifitwasnotwhatwehadexpected,stillhereitwas,tangiblelandthatneverhadbeenknown,wonderfultous,givingusalreadyrichnarrativeforPalosandHuelvaandFisher-
town,forCordovaandtheQueenandKing.Weweresurenowthatotherlandwastobemet,sosoonaswesailedareasonabledistancetomeetit.Underthehorizonwouldbelandsurely,andsurelyofanimportthatthissmallislandlacked,likeParadisethoughitseemedtousthisday!AnywholookedattheAdmiralsawthathewouldmakenolongtarryinghere.HenamedthisislandSanSalvador,butwewouldnotwaitinSanSalvador.
Thisdayinshifts,allourmenwerebroughtashore,eachdivisionhavingthreehoursofblessedland.Sogoodwasearthunderfoot,sogoodweretrees,sodelectablethefruit,solovelytomoveandrunandwatcheverymoving,running,walkingthing!Andthesegood,red-brownfolk,nakeditwastrue,butmannerlyaftertheirownfashion,whothoughteveryseamanagod,andtheshipboyssonsofgods!Andwealsoweregoodandmannerly,the_SantaMaria_,thePintaandtheNina.IlookbackandIseeastrange,aboyishandahappyday.
Thesunwaswestering.Wefelttheexhaustionofalongholidaywithnoveltiessomanythatatlastthesensesdidnotanswer.PerhapstheIndiansfeltittoo.OftenandoftenhaveIseengreatwisdomguidetheAdmiral.Anhourbeforeapproachingnightmighthavesaid``Go!\'\'hetookusoneandallbacktotheships.``_SalveRegina_\'\'wasasoundthateveningtohear,andafterwardsitwastosleep,sleep,——tiredasfromtheFairatSeville!
CHAPTERXVI
ATfirst,thedaybefore,wehadnotmadeoutthattheIndianshadboats.Later,strayinghereandthere,wehadseenthemdrawnupontheshoreandcoveredwithboughsoftrees.Theycalledthem``canoes\'\',madethem,largeandsmall,outoftrunksoftrees,hollowedbyfire,andwiththeirstoneknives.Wehadseenonecopperknife.Askedaboutthat,theypointedtothesouthandseemedtosaythatyonderdwelledmenwhohadalltheywishedofmostthings.
Fromdarktheeastgrewpale,frompallorputonroses.
Thisdaynomarinergrumbledatthecalltoawake.HerestilllayourFortunateIsle,ourSanSalvador;hereourivorybeach,ourgreenwood.Upwentthelittlecurlsofsmoke.
Wehadbreakfast.Sogreatwasnowthedeferencetohimwhothreedaysagohadbeen``madman\'\'and``blackmagician\'\',``dreamingfool\'\'and``spinnerwithoutthread!\'\'
Nowitwas``Admiral\'\',``Excellency\'\',and``Whatshallwedonext?\'\'and``Whatisyouropinion,sir?\'\'
Theimmediatethingtodoprovedtobetocomeforthfromcabinandmarkthebeachthrongingwiththricethenumberofyesterday,andthecanoesputtingofftous.Wecountedeight.Onlyonewasalongcraft,holdingtwentymen;theotherscameincockleboats,withoneortwoorthree.Notonlycanoes,buttheycameswimming,menandboys,alladarkgraceinthecerulean,lucidsea.Theyweresofearless——forwecamefromheavenandwouldnotharmthem.Weweregoingtomakethemrich;weweregoingto``save\'\'them.
Ascoreperhapswerehelpedaboardthe_SantaMaria_.
ThePinta,theNina,hadothers.Theywerelikechildren,touching,staring,excitedlytalkingandgesturingamongthemselves,orgazinginakindoffixedawe,askingoftheleastsailorwithallreverence,bowingthemselvesbeforetheAdmiral,theover-god.TheAdmiralmovedrichlydressed,raptandbenignant,yetsparingapartofhimselftokeepallorder,measure,rightnessontheship,andanotherparttofindoutwithkeenpains,``Whatofotherlands?Whatoffolkwhomustbeyoursuperiors?\'\'
Theyhadbroughtofferings.Halfadozenparrotsperchedaround,verygorgeouslycolored,loquaciousinaspeechwedidnotknow.Wehadstacksofthelargeroundthincakesbakedonstoneswhichafterwardswecalledcassava,andgreatgourds,``calabashes\'\'filledwithfruit,andballsofcottoninarudethread.Wegavebeads,bitsofcloth,littlepurses,andthesmallbellsthatcausedextravagantdelight.ButevertheAdmirallookedforsignsofgold,forhemustfindforprincesandnoblesandmerchantsgoldorsilver,orpreciousstonesorspice,oralltogether.Ifhefoundthemnot,halfhisfortunesfell;ahalf-windonlywouldhenceforthfillhissails.
AndatlastcameinacanoewiththreeayoungIndianwhoworeinhisearaknobofgold.RoderigoSanchezsawthisfirstandbroughthimtotheAdmiral.Thelatter,takingupanarmletofgreenglassandahawkbell,touchedthegoldintheear.``Doyoutrade?\'\'GladenoughwastheIndiantotrade.ItlayintheAdmiral\'spalm,apieceofgoldasgreatasafilbert.
JuanLepewatchedhimmakeinquisition,DiegodeArana,SanchezandEscobedoathiselbow.Hedidittoadmiration,withlook,gestureandtoneablytranslatinghiswords.``Gold——gold?\'\'TheIndiansaid,orweputdowninthiswisewhathesaid,``Harac.\'\'
Wastheremoreharacontheisland?Wewouldgiveheavenlythingsforharac.TheIndianwasdoubtful;hethoughtproudlythatbehadtheonlyharac.``Wheredidhegetit?\'\'Heindicatedthesouth.
``Littleislandlikethisone?\'\'
``No.Greatland.Haracthereinmanyears.Muchharac.\'\'
Soweunderstoodhim.``Cipango!\'\'breathedtheAdmiral.
``OrneighbortoCipango,increasinglyrichandcivilizedaswego.\'\'
Hetookacaseofsmallboxes,eachboxfilledwithmerchandiseofspicewhichhedesired.Cinnamon,nutmeg,pepper,saffron,clovesandothers.Hemadetheislandersmellandtaste.``Hadtheyaughtlikethese?\'\'
TheIndianseemedtosaytheyhadnot,butwouldliketohave.Helookedaboutforsomethingwithwhichtotrade,aparrot,orheapofcakes,orballofcotton.I
thoughtthatitwastheboxofboxesthatheextremelywished,buttheAdmiralthoughtitwasthespicery,andthathemusthaveknownthemwhereverhegotthegold.
Weretheyfoundyonder?\'\'
TheAdmiralstretchedarmoutoverblueseaandtheIndianfollowedhisgesture.Heshotouthisownarm,``South——southwest——west,\'\'noddedtheAdmiral.``Manyislands,orthemainland.Gatesopenbeforeus!\'\'
``HadtheIndianbeentotheselands?\'\'No,itseemed,butonehadcomeinaboat,wearingthisknobofgold,andhehadtoldthem.Washeliving?No,hewasnotliving.Whatkindofapersonwashe?Suchasus?
Emphaticallyno.Notsuchasus!Much,wegathered,aswastheIndianhimself.``PearlshavecomefromQueen\'snecktoQueen\'sneck,\'\'quoththeAdmiral,``byathousandrudehandsandtwistingways!\'\'
Therewasonewomanamongthevisitorstothe_SantaMaria_,ayoungwoman,naked,freelymovingandsmiling.
Eyesdwelledonher,eyesfollowedher.ShewaswithanIndianwhomightbebrotherorhusband.TheAdmiralgaveheraworked,Moorishscarf.Shetieditaboutherhead,andthebrightendsfelldownbesideherlong,black,braidedhair.Nonetouchedher,buttheywerewoman-
starved,andtheylookedatherhungrily.Shehadbeautyinherway,andakindofinnocencebothfrankandshy.
Shewaslikeadoeinthegreenforest,comesilentlyuponatdawn.
Fedfullofmarvelatlast,theseIndiansleftus.Butnosoonerhadtheyreachedlandandtoldofgreatkindnessonthepartoftheinhabitantsofheaventhanothercanoesandotherswimmersputforth.Thismightgoonallday,sowecheckeditbyourselvesgoingashore.
Thisdaywefilledourwatercasksandtookaboardmuchfruitandallthecakesthattheybroughtus.Moreoverweexploredtheisland,findingtwovillagesofapiecewiththefirst,andinthemiddlelandafairpoolofwater.Thisdaylikeyesterdaywasblissfulwine.
AllblessedChristopherusColumbus.Nomannowbut,forawhile,didhisbiddingwithanopenheart.
Inthemorningwesailedaway,notwithoutplentifulpromisesofreturn.Whenweputupourwhitesailstheycriedoutandpointedtothecloudsierra.No!Wewouldnotgobacktoheaven——orifwedidsowewouldcomeagain,lovingsoourgentlefriendsuponearth!Wesailed,andinallourafterwanderingswenevercamebacktothisisland.Andneveragain,Ithink,whileColumbusvoyaged,didtherecometousjustthebright,exquisitethrillofthatfirstlandafterlongdoubtandnoland.SanSalvador——
HolySaviourIsland!
CHAPTERXVII
WEwereinathrongofislands.Wemightdropallforalittlewhile,thenfrommasthead``Landho!\'\'
Noneweregreatislands,manyfarsmallerthanSanSalvador.Atnightwelayto,notknowingcurrentsandshoals;thenbrokethedayandweflungoutsail.
Wehadwithusuponthe_SantaMaria_threeSanSalvadormen.Theyhadcomewillingly,twoyoung,fearlessmen,andoneoldmanwithawrinkled,wise,interestedface.Assiduoustogaintheirtongueandimpartourown,theAdmiral,besidehisowneffort,toldoffforespecialteachersandscholarsLuisTorresandJuanLepe.Wedidgainknowledge,butasyeteverythingwasimperfect,withoutfineshading,andsubjecttoallmiscomprehension.
Butliketherestofus,theAdmiralguessedinaccordancewithhiswishesandhispreviousbelief.
Alltheseislandslayflatoralmostflatuponthesea.Allshowedivorybeach,vividwood,surroundingwater,transparentandheavenlyblue,inhabitedbymagicallycoloredfish.Whenwedroppedanchor,tookboatandlanded,itwastofindthesameastonishedfolk,naked,harmless,holdingusforgods,bringingalltheyhad,eagerforourtoyswhichweretothemking\'streasuresandholyrelics.EveryislandtheAdmiralnamed;hegavethemgoodlynames!
OverandovertheIndianspointedsouthandwest.Weunderstoodgreatlands,clothedmen,muchgold.Butwhenwenextcametoanchor,likesmallisland,likemen,womenandchildren.Wetradedforafewmoreknobsofgold,buttheywerefew.
Toscanelli\'smapandtheAdmiral\'smaplayoncabintable.``IslandsintheSeaofChin——PoloandMandevillealikesaythousands——allgradesthenofadvance.Beyondanymannerofdoubt,perseveringwestorwestbysouth,weshallcometomainAsia.\'\'Solongasheruled,therewouldbeperseverance!
AtSantaMariadelaConcepcionasolitarylargecanoecrowdedwithIndianswasrowingtowardus.OneoftheSanSalvadoryoungmenaboardusfanciedsomeslight,experiencedsomefear,ormayeven,——whoknows?——haveweariedofthegods.Springingupontherailhethrewhimselfintoseaandmadeoffwithgreatstrokestowardthecanoe.Pedrobehindhimshouted``Escape!\'\'Therewasarushtothesidetoobserve.Fernandobawled,``Comeback!orwe\'llletflyanarrow.
Heswam,thedark,nakedfellow,likeafish.Reachingthecanoe,theIndianstheretookhimin;heseemedtohaveataletotell,theyallbrokeintotalk,thecanoewentround,theyrowedfastbacktoland.The_Nina_,lyingnearus,hadherboatfillingtogoashore.Hermenhadseentheleapoverboardandtheswimmer.Nowtheyputafter,rowinghardforthecanoe,thathavingthestartcamefirsttobeach.
TheIndianssprangout,theSanSalvadormanwiththem.
Leavingcanoe,theyranacrosssandintowood.The_Nina\'s_
mentookthecanoeandbroughtittothe_SantaMaria_.Initwereballsofcottonandcalabashesfilledwithfruitandachatteringparrot.Itwasthefirstthingofthiskindthathadhappened,andtheAdmiral\'sfacewaswrathful.Hehadasimple,kindlyheart,andthoughhecouldbevexedorirritated,herarelybrokeintofuriousanger.Butfirstandlasthedesiredpeacefulabsorption,ifbyanymeansthatwerepossible,ofthesecountries.Weabsorbingthem,theyabsorbingus;boththegainers!Andhehadwarmfeelingofromance-loveforallthisthathewasfinding.
Hesawallhisenterprisemilk-white,rose-bright.AndhispridewastouchedthattheIndianwhohadseemedcontentedhadnottrulybeenso,andthatthe_Nina_\'smenhaddis-
obeyedstrictcommandsforfriendliness.Hewouldrestorethatcontentifpossible,andhewouldhavenomoreunorderedchasingofcanoes.TheNina\'smengotangerandrebuke,CaptainCristoforoColombomountingupintheAdmiral.
Hewouldletnothinginthecanoebetouched.Insteadhehadplacedaboardapotofhoneyandaflaskofwineandthreepiecesofcloth,thenwithastrongshoveitwassentlandward,andthetidemakingin,itcametoshore.
Wesawtwoventurefromthewoodanddrawituponbeach.
InalittlewhilecamearoundapointofshoreacanoewithoneIndianwhomadetowardus,usinghisoarverydexterously,andwhenheenteredourshadowholdingupcottonandfruit.Itwastobeseenthathehadhadnocommunicationwiththemenofthelargecanoe.
TheAdmiralhimselfcalledoutencouraginglyandsnatchingthefirstsmallthingathandhelditup.TheIndianscrambledonboard.Hestood,asfineapieceofbronzeasanymightsee,beforetheGenoese,asgreatafigureasmightbefoundinallItaly——allSpain——allEurope.
Theeldertouchedtheyounger,thewhitemantheredman,asaking,afather,mighthavetouchedaprince,ason.Hehimselftooktheyouthoverourship,showinghimthis,showinghimthat,hadthemusicplayforhim,broughthimtoFrayIgnatiowhotalkedofChrist,pointingofttoheaven.Tomythinkingthisaction,oftenrepeated,wasoneofthethingsthatforsolongmadethemcertainwehadcomefromtheskies.InthecabinhegavetheIndianacupofwineandabiscuitdippedinhoney.
Hegavehimasilkencapwithatasselandhimselfputroundhisthroatoneofourbeststringsofbeads,andintohishandnotonebutthreeofthemuch-covetedhawkbells.
Hewaskinderthanrainafterdrought.Firstandlast,hecouldwelllendhimselftothepolicyofkindness,foritwasnotlending.Kindnesswashisnature.
InanhourthisIndian,returnedtohiscanoe,wasrow-
ingtowardshorewithaswellingheartandadeterminedloyalty.Hetouchedtheisland,andwecouldtrusthimtobemissionary,preachingwithallfervorofheavenandthegods.
Ay,me!
Whatevertheother\'sdefection,hemorethancoveredit,thereturnofthecanoeaiding.SantaMariadelaConcepcionbecameagainfriendly.ButtheAdmiralthateveninggaveemphaticinstructiontoMartinandVicentePinzonandallthegatheredSpaniards.Justhere,Ithink,begantheriftbetweenhimandmany.Manywouldhavebyprompttaking,astheytakeinwar.Werenotalltheseheathenandgiven?Buthewouldhaveanotherwayround,thoughoftenhecompromisedwithwar;neverwantingwarbutforcedbyhistimeandhiscompanions.Sometimes,inthefuture,forcedbythepeoplewecameamong,butfaroftenerforcedbygreedandlustandviolenceofourown.
Alas,again!Alas,againandagain!
AfterSantaMariadelaConcepcion,Fernandina,andafterFernandinathemostbeautifulofislands,Isabella,wherewelaythreedays.PeopleuponthisislandseemedtousmorecivilizedthantheSalvadorfolk.Thecottonwaswoven,loinclothswereworn,theyhadgreatervarietyofcalabashes,thehutswerelarger,thevillagesmoreregular.
Theysleptin``hamacs\'\'whicharestoutandwidecottonnetsslungbetweenposts,twoorthreefeetaboveearth.Light,space-giving,easyofremoval,thesebedsgreatlytookourfancy.
Herewesoughtdeterminedlyforspice-givingtreesandmedicinalherbsandroots.ItwasnotaspicerysuchasEuropedependedupon,butstillcertainthingsseemedvaluable!
WegatheredhereandgatheredtherewhatmightbetakentoSpain.Theregrewanemulationtofind.TheAdmiralofferedprizesforsuchandsuchacommoditycomeupon.
WesailedfromIsabellaandafterthreedayscametoCuba.
CHAPTERXVIII
CUBA!AtfirsthecalleditJuana,butwecameafterwardsstilltousetheIndianname.Cuba!Wesawitafterthreedays,anditwaslittleenoughlikeIsabella,Fernandina,Concepcion,SanSalvadorandtheisletstheAdmiralcalledIslesdeArena.Itcoveredalloursouth,nolevel,shiningthingthatmastheadcouldseearound,butamightycoastline,mountainous,withheadlandsandbaysandrivermouths.Nowafterlongyears,IwhooutlivetheAdmiral,knowitforanisland,buthowcouldheorIoranyknowthatinNovemberfourteenhundredandninety-two?Heneverbelieveditanisland.
Hestoodondeckwatching.``Cuba——Cuba!HaveyounotreadofCublaiKhan?Thesoundschime!\'\'
``CublaiKhan.HelivesinQuinsai.\'\'
``Ay.Hissplendid,capitalcity.Buildingsallwonderful,andgardenslikeMahound\'sparadise!\'\'
``ButifitisCipango?\'\'
``Ay.ItmaybeCipango.Wehavenoangelheretotelluswhich.Iwouldonewouldflydownandtakeusbythehand!Beingmen,wemustmakeguesses.\'\'
Beautifultous,splendidtous,wasthiscoastofCuba!
Wesailedbyheadlandsanddeep,narrow-neckedbays,rivermouthsandhangingforestsandboldcliffs.Wesailedwestandstillheadlandfollowedheadland,andstillthelookoutcried,``Itstretchedforeverlikethemain!\'\'
Wecametoariverwhereshipsmightride.Sounding,wefounddeepwater,enteredrivermouthanddroppedanchor,thenwentashoreintheboats.Palmsandtheirwaterdoubles,andinthegroveasmallabandonedvillage.
Wehadseenthepeoplefleebeforeus,andtheywerenomorenorotherkindofpeoplethanhadshowedinConcepcionorFernandina.Yetweretheyalittlewealthier.Wefoundparrotsontheirperches,andtwodogs,smallandwolf-likethatneverbarked.Inonehutlayaharpoontippedwithbone,andanetforfishing.InanotherwefoundawroughtblockofwoodwhichFrayIgnatiopronouncedtheiridol.
Wewentbacktoourships,andleavingriver,sailedoninabrightbluesea.Thenextdaywedoubledacapeandfoundagreathaven,butsilentandsailless,withnomaritimecitythrongingtheshore.Whatwasthisworld,sohuge,sosparely,rudelypeopled?
Wecametoanchorcloseundershoreinthishaven.
Againthemarvelouswater,butnowitlavedaboldandgreatcountry!Welanded.Canoesfastenedinarow,anothervillage,mostofthefolkdecamped,butafewbravemenandwomentarryingtofindoutsomethingaboutheavenanditsinmates.Withtoysagainandpacificgestureswewiledthemtous.
Therewasuponthe_SantaMaria_ayoungIndianwhohadchosentocomewithusfromFernandina.Hehadcourageandintelligence,waswillingtoreceiveinstructionandbaptismfromFrayIgnatio,andfirstandlastfollowedtheAdmiralwithdevotion.ThelatterhadhimchristenedDiegoColon.WetaughthimSpanishasfastandsoundlyaswemight,andusedhimasinterpreter.ThetongueofhisislandwasnotjustthetongueofCuba,butnearenoughtoserve.AlltheseIndianshaveagiftoforatoryanddotetospeakatlength,withfirmvoiceandgreatgestures.NowwesetDiegoColontohisnarration.WeofCastilehadsomuchofthetonguebynowthatwecouldinsomewisefollow.
Forthitpoured!Weweregodscomefromheaven.
Yonderstoodthechiefgodthattheothersobeyed.Hewasverygreat,strong,good,wise,kind,givingbeautifulgifts!Wewereallkind——noonewasgoingtobehurt.
Wemademagicwithharac——whichwecalled``gold.\'\'
Inheavenwasnotenoughharac.Soimportantisittothebestmagicthatachiefgodhascometoearthtoseekit.
Wealsolikedcottonandthingstoeat,especiallycassavacakes,andwelikedaveryfewparrots.Butitwasgoldthatinchiefwewanted.Themanwhobroughtthegodsgoldmightgohomewithgiftssobeautifulthattherewasneveranythingseenlikethem!Especiallyistheresomethingthatthegodscall``bells\'\'thatringandsoundinyourhandwhenyoudance!Gold——doyouknowwheretofindit?Anotherthing!Theydesiretofindagodwhodroppedoutoftheskyalongtimeago,andhasnowapeopleandagreat,marvelousvillage.Thinkinghemightbehere,theyhavediveddowntoourland,fortheydiveintheskyaswediveinwater!ThenameofthegodtheyhuntisGrandKhanorCublaiKhan,andhisvillageisQuinsai.Haveyouheardofhim?Theyareveryanxioustofindhim.Thechiefgodwithwhitehairandwonderfulclothes——Itiswhattheycallclothes;underittheyareasyouandme,onlythecolorisdifferent——thechiefgodwillgivemanybellstoanyfolkwhocanshowhimthewaytoQuinsai.GoldandQuinsaiwherelivesthegodGrandKhan.\'\'
Asmighthavebeenexpected,thisbroughttidings.``Cubanacan!
Cubanacan!\'\'Whateverthatmightmean,theysaiditwithassurance,pointinginland.DiegoColoninterruptedtheirfurtherspeech.``Thereisariver.Goupitthreedaysandcometogreatvillage.Caciquetherewearingclothes.Allmentherehavegold!\'\'
PedroGutierrezspoke.``They\'llpromiseanythingforahawkbell!\'\'
``Whatdotheyunderstandandwhatdotheynotunderstand?
Whatdotheysayandwhatdotheynotsay?\'\'
ThatwasMartinPinzon.``Betweenthemallwearefooled!\'\'
TheAdmiral,whowasgazinginlandafterthedarkpointingfinger,turnedandspoke.``AttherootofallthingssitPatienceandMakeTrial!
``Well,Iknow,\'\'answeredPinzon,``thatiftheseshipsbenotcareenedandmendedweshallhavetrouble!Weatherchanges.Therewillbestorm!\'\'
Hewasrightastoshipsandweather,andtheAdmiralknewitandsaidasmuch.IneversawhimgrudgerecognitiontoMartinPinzon.Ithasbeensaidthathedid,butIneversawit.
Thatnight,onboardthe_SantaMaria_therewasheldagreatcouncil.Atlastitwassettledthatweshouldresthereaweekandoverhaultheships,andthatwhilethatwasdoing,thereshouldbesenttwoorthreewithIndianguidestofind,ifmightbe,thisriverandthistown.
Andtherewerechosen,andgivenaweektogoandcome,JuanLepe,LuisTorresandaseamanRoderigoJerez,withDiegoColon,theFernandinayouth.LikewisetherewouldgotwoIndiansofthisvillage,blitheenoughtoshowtheircountrytothegodsandthegodstotheircountry.
ThenextdaybeingSunday,FrayIgnatiopreachedasermontotheIndians.Heassumed,andatthistimeIthinktheAdmiralassumed,thatthesefolkhadnoreligion.Thatwasamistake.Idoubtifonearthcanbefoundapeoplewithoutreligion.
Menandwomentheywatchedandlistened,still,attentive,knowingthatithadsomehowtodowithheaven.Aftersermonandafterwehadprayedandsung,wefashionedandsetupagreatcrossuponcliffbrow.AgaintheIndianswatchedandseemedtohavesomenotionofwhatwedid.
Theremainderofthedaywerested,andonMondayearlyRoderigoJerez,LuisTorresandJuanLepewithDiegoColonandtwoCubamenmadedeparture,WehadapackofpresentsandaletterfromtheAdmiral.Forwemightmeetsomeadministratororcommandantorother,fromQuinsaiorZaitonorweknewnotwhere.Thiswasthefirstofmany——ah,somany——expeditions,separationsfrommainbodyandreturn,ornotreturn,asthecasemightbe!