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.