Thehighgrassyspaceranupononesidetosheerprecipice,droppingcleartwohundredfeet.Buttherewascampinggroundenough——andthesunalmosttouchedthefar,violetearth.
TheIndiansthrewthemselvesdown.Whentheyhadsuppertheywouldeatit,whentheyhaditnottheywouldwaitforbreakfast.ButCaonabowithtwentyyoungmencametous.Hesaidsomething,andmyarmswerecaughtfrombehindandheld.HefacedBeltranseatedagainstapine.``Aiya!\'\'hesaid.Hisvoicewasdeepandharsh,andbemadeagestureofrepugnance.TherewasapowerfullymadeIndianbesidehim,andIsawthelastgleamofthesunstrikethelong,sharp,stoneknife.``Kill!\'\'saidthecacique.
AdozenflungthemselvesuponBeltran,buttherewasnoneed,forhesatquitestillwithasteadyface.HehadtimetocrytoJuanLepe,whocriedtohim,``That\'swhatIsay!
Goodcheerandcourageandmeetagain!\'\'
Hehadnolongsuffering.Theknifewasdrivenquicklytohisheart.Theydrewtheshelltotheedgeoftheprecipiceanddroppeditover.
Itwasearlynight,itwasmiddlenight,itwaslatenight.
Theyhadsetnowatch,forwhereandwhatwasthedangerhereonthismountaintop?
Onesidewentdowninaprecipice,oneslopinglesssteeplywehadclimbedfromthepinetreesandthewell,oneofalikedescentwewouldtaketo-morrowdowntotheplain,butthefourthwasmountainheadhangingaboveusandthickwood,——dark,entangled,pathless.AnditchancedoritwasthatJuanLepelayuponthesidetowardthepeak,closetoforest.TheIndianshadnothoughttoguardme.
Welaydownunderthemoon,andthatbronzehostslept,nakedbeautifulstatues,ineveryattitudeofrest.
Themoonshoneuntiltherewassilverday.JuanLepewasnotsleeping.
Therewasnowind,buthewatchedabranchmove.Itlookedlikeaman\'sarm,thenitmovedfartherandwasafullman,——anIndian,noiseless,outclearinthemoon,fromthewood.Iknewhim.ItwasthepriestGuarin,priestandphysician,fortheyarethesamehere.Palmagainstearth,Ihalfrose.Henodded,madeasigntorisewhollyandcome.Ididso.Istoodandsawunderthemoonnowakingfacenorupspringingform.IsteppedacrossanIndian,another,athird.Thenwasclearspace,thewood,Guarin.Therewasnosoundsaveonlytheconstantsoundofthisforestbynightwhenamillionmillioninsectswaken.
Hetookmyhandanddrewmeintothebrakeandwilderness.
Therewasnopath.IfollowedhimoverIknownotwhatoftwinedrootandthickancientsoil,apowderandflakethatgaveunderfoot,toahidden,rockyshelfthatbrokeandcameagainandbrokeandcameagain.Nowwewereahundredfeetabovethatcampandgoingovermountainbrow,goingtothenorthagain.GonewereCaonaboandhisIndians;gonetheviewoftheplainandthemountainsofCibao.Againwemetlowcliff,longstonyledgessunkintheforest,invisiblefrombelow.Ibegantoseethattheywouldnotknowhowtofollow.CaonabomightknowwellthemountainsofCibao,butthissierrathatwasstraightbehindGuarico,Guaricoknew.Itisablessedhabitoftheirprieststogowanderingintheforest,makingtheirmedicine,learningthecountry,discovering,usingcertainhauntsformeditation.Sometimestheyaregonefromtheirvillagesfordaysandweeks.Noneindeedofthesewildpeoplesfearreasonablesolitude.OutofallwhichcomesthefactthatGuarinknewthismountain.Wewerenotfar,asfliesthebird,fromtheburnedtownofGuarico,fromtheseawithoutsail,fromtheruinedLaNavidad.Whenthedawnbrokewesawocean.
Hetookmestraighttoacavern,suchanotherasthatinwhichJerezandLuisTorresandIhadharboredinCuba.
Butthishadfinesandforfloor,andarowofcalabashes,andwoodlaidforfire.
HereJuanLepedropped,forallhisheadwasswimmingwithweariness.
Thesunwasup,theplaceglistered.Guarinshowedhowitwashidden.``IfounditwhenIwasaboy,andnonebutGuarinhathevercomehereuntilyoucome,JuanLepe!
Hehadnofear,itwasevident,ofCaonabo\'scoming.``Theywillthinkyouridolhelpedyouaway.Iftheylookforyou,itwillbeinthecloud.Theywillsay,`Seethatdarkmarkmovingroundedgeofcloudmountain!Thatishe!\'\'\'
Iaskedhim,``WhereareGuacanagariandtherest?\'\'
``Guacanagarihadanarrowthroughhisthighandadeepcutuponthehead.Hewasbleedingandinaswoon.
HisbrotherandtheGuaricomenandIwiththemtookhim,andthewomentookthechildren,andwewentaway,saveafewthatwerekilled,uponthepaththatweusedwheninmyfather\'stime,theCaribscameincanoes.
AfterawhilewewillgodowntoGuacanagari.Butnowrest!\'\'
Helookedatme,andthenfromalittletricklingspringhetookwaterinacalabashnolargerthananorangeandfromanothervesselawhitedustwhichhestirredintoit,andmademedrink.Ididnotknowwhatitwas,butI
wenttosleep.
Butthatsleepdidnotrefresh.Itwasfilledwithheavyanddreadfuldreams,andIwokewithanachingheadandaburningskin.JuanLepewhohadnursedthesickdownthereinLaNavidadknewfeeblywhatitwas.Hesawinamistthenakedpriest,hisfriendandrescuer,seateduponthesandyfloorregardinghimwithawrinkledbrowandcompressedlips,andthenhesankintofevervisionsuncouthanddreadful,ormirage-pleasingwithamirage-
ecstasy.
JuanLepedidnotdie,buthelayillandliketodiefortwomonths.ItwasdeepinOctober,thatdayatdawnwhenIcamequietly,evenly,tomyselfagain,andlaymostweak,butwithseeingeyes.AtfirstIthoughtIwasaloneinthecavern,butthenIsawGuarinwherehelayasleep.
ThatdayIstrengthened,andthenextdayandthenext.
ButIhadlainlongattheveryfeetofdeath,andfullstrengthwasatortoiseinreturning.SogoodtoJuanLepewasGuarin!
Nowhewaswithme,andnowhewentawaytothatvillagewherewasGuacanagari.Hehaddonethisfromthefirstcominghere,nursingme,thengoingdownthroughtheforesttoseethatallwaswellwithhiswoundedcaciqueandthefolkwhosebutiohewas.Theyknewhiswaysanddidnottrytokeephimwhenhewouldreturntothemountain,to,``makemedicine.\'\'SononeknewofthecavernorthattherewasoneSpaniardleftaliveinallHayti.
Istrengthened.AtlastIcoulddrawmyselfoutofcaveandlie,inthenowsopleasantweather,upontheledgebeforeit.Allthevastheatandmoisturewasgoneby;
nowagainwasweatheroflastyearwhenwefoundSanSalvador.
Icouldseeocean.Nosail,andwerehereturning,surelyitshouldhavebeenbeforethis!Hemightneverreturn.
WhenGuarinwasawayIsatorlayormovedaboutasmalldemesneandstillprospered.Therewerecleanrock,thewater,themarvelousforest.Hebroughtcassavacake,fruit,fishfromthesea.Hebroughtmeforentertainmentatalkingparrot,andtherelivedinaseamoftherockabeautifullizardwithwhomImadefriends.Theairwasbalm,balm!Asteadysoftwindmadecataractsoundintheforest.Sunrise,noon,sunset,midnight,weregreatglories.
ItwasNovember;itwasmid-Novemberandafter.
NowIwasstrongandwanderedintheforest,thoughneverfarfromthatcliffandcavern.ItwassettledbetweenusthatinfivedaysIshouldgodownwithGuarintoGuacanagari.HeproposedthatIshouldbetakenformallyintothetribe.Theyhadaceremonyofadoption,andafterthatJuanLepewouldbeGuarico.HewouldlivewithandteachtheGuaricos,becomingbutio——heandGuarinbutiostogether.Iponderedit.IftheAdmiralcamenotagainitwastheonethingtodo.
Iremembertheveryodorandexquisitetouchofthemorning.Guarinwasaway.IhadtomyselfcaveandledgeandlittlewaterfallandgreattreesthatnowIwastellingonefromanother.Ihadparrotandlizardandspokenowtotheoneandnowtotheother.Irememberthebutterfliesandthehummingbirds.
Ilookedouttoseaandsawasail!
Itwasafar,awhitepoint.IleanedagainsttherockforIwassuddenlyweakwhothemomentbeforehadfeltstrong.
Thewhitepointswelled.Itwouldbeagoodlylargeship.
Overbluerimslippedanotherflake.AlittleoffIsawathird,thenafourth.JuanLeperubbedhiseyes.Beforetherecamenomorehehadcountedseventeensail.Theygrew;theyweresobeauteous.Towardtheharborsailedafleet.NowImadeouttheflagship.
OLife,thouwondrousgoddessofhappenings!
AnhourIsatoncliffedgeandwatched.Theyweremakingin,thelovelywhiteswans.Whentheywerefairlynear,wheninlittletimetheforemostwouldbringto,downsailanddropanchor,JuanLepe,gatheringhisbelongingstogether,biddingthelizardfarewellandtakingtheparrotwithhimonshoulder,leftcavernandcliffandtookGuarin\'spathdownthroughtheforest.
HalfwaytolevellandhemetGuarincomingup;thetwometbeneathatreehugeandspreading,curtainedwithavine,starredwithflowers.``Hehascome!\'\'criedtheIndian.``Theyhavecome!\'\'Inhisvoicewasmarveling,awe,perturbation.
Thesunintheskyshone,andinthebayhungthatwonderofreturn,themanyshipsforthe_Nina_.JuanLepeandGuarinwentondownthroughwoodtoanarrowsilverbeach,outuponwhichbadcastitselfanIndianvillage.
Guacanagariwasnothere.HewaitedwithinhishousefortheAdmiral.Buthisbrother,andothersofGuarico,sawmeandthereroseaclamorandexcitementthatforthemomenttookthemfromtheships.GuarinexplainedandJuanLepeexplained,butstillthismiraculousdaydyedalsoforthemmypresencehere.Ihadbeenslain,andhadcometolifetogreettheGreatCacique!Itgrewtoalegend.I
metitso,longafterwardsinHispaniola.
CHAPTERXXVII
ONEbyonewereincoming,werefoldingwings,wereanchoring,Spanishships.Threewerelargereachthanthe_SantaMaria_andthe_Pinta_together;theotherscaravelsofvaryingsize.Seventeeninall,afleet,crowdedwithmen,havingcannonandbannersandmusic.
EuropewascomingwithstrengthintoAsia!TheIndiansonthebeachweremovedasbyanunrestingwind.Theyhadterror,theyhaddelight,andsomeamerestupidityofstaring.Thegreatestship,thefirsttoanchor,carriedthebannerofCastileandLeon,andtheAdmiral\'sbanner.
Nowaboatputofffromher,boatsalsofromthetwoshipsnextingrandeur.
AstheycameoverthebluewaveJuanLepesteppeddownsandtowateredge.Nothere,butsomewhattothewest,beforeLaNavidadwouldonelookforthisanchoring.HethoughtrightlythattheAdmiralcameherefromLaNavidad,wherehefoundonlyruin,butalsosomestrayingIndianwhocouldgivenews.Soitwas,forpresentlyintheforemostboatImadeouttwoGuaricomen.TheyhadtoldofCaonaboandofGuacanagari\'sfortunes,andofeverySpaniarddeadofthatillnessorslainbyCaonabo.TheywouldputJuanLepeamongtheselast,butherewasJuanLepe,oneonlyleftofthatthirty-eight.
Theboatapproached.Isawthebaredhead,higherthananyother,thewhitehair,theblue-grayeyes,thestrongnoseandlips,thewholemajesticairoftheman,asofagreatonechosen.MasterChristopherus——DonCristoval——_elAlmirante_!Oneoftherowers,andthatwasSanchowithwhomIhadwalkedontheFishertownroad,firstsawmeandgaveastartledcry.Allintheboatturnedhead.
IheardtheAdmiral\'svoice,``Aye,itis!Itis!\'\'
Boattouchedsand,therewaslanding.Allsprangout.
TheAdmiraltookmeinhisarms.``Youalone——oneonly?\'\'
Ianswered,``Oneonly.Themostdiedintheirduty.\'\'
Hereleasedme.``senors,thisissenorJuanLepe,thatgoodphysicianwhomweleft.Nowtell——tellall——beforewegoamongthisfolk!\'\'
BywateredgeItold,thirtymenofSpainaroundme.
Awoefulstory,Imadeitshort.Thesemenlistened,andwhenitwasdonefellasilence.ChristopherusColumbusbrokeit.``Thewavesucksunderandthrowsoutagain,butwesailthesea,havesaileditandwillsailit!——NowweretheseIndiansfalseorfair?\'\'
Icouldtellhowfairtheyhadbeen——couldpraiseGuaricoandGuacanagariandGuarin.Helistenedwithgreatsatisfaction.
``IwouldlaymyheadforthatIndian!\'\'
Talkwithhimcouldnotbeprolonged,forwewereinasceneofthegreatestbusinessandcommotion.WhenI
soughtforGuarinhewasgone.NorwasGuacanagariyetathand.Ilookedattheswarmingshipsandshipboats,andthecomingandcominguponthebeachofmoreandmoreclothedmen,andatthetallgreenpalmsandthefeatheredmountains.Thishost,itseemedtome,wasnotsoartlesslyamazedashadbeenweofthe_SantaMaria_,the_Pinta_andthe_Nina_,whenfirstwecametolandssostrangetoEurope.PresentlyImadeoutthattheyhadseenothersoftheseislandsandshores.ComingfromSpaintheyhadsailedmoresoutherlythanwehaddonebeforethem.Theyhadmadeagreatdipandhadcomenorth-by-westtoHispaniola.
IheardnamesofislandsgivenbytheAdmiral,Dominica,Marigalante,Guadaloupe,SantaMarialaAntigua,SanJuan.Theyhadanchoredbythese,setfootuponthem,evenfoughtwithpeoplewhowereCaribs,CaribalsorCannibals.TheyhadadozenCaribs,menandwomen,prisonersuponthe_Marigalante_thatwastheAdmiral\'sship.
ThisgroupaboutJuanLepe,survivorofLaNavidad,talkedlikeseasonedfindersandtakers.Forthemostparttheywereyoungmenandhidalgos,fightersagainsttheMoors,releasedbythefinalconquestofthosepaynims,outnowforfurtherwildadventureandforgoldwithwhichtoreturn,wealthyandstillyoung,toSpanishcountry,Spanishcities,Spanishwomen!Theyhadthevirtueandtheviceoftheirsort,courage,miraculousgenerositiesandasmiraculousweaknesses.Gold,valor,comradeship——andeyesrestingappraisinglyuponyoungGuaricowomenthereuponthesilverbeachwithGuaricomen.
Iheardonecry``MasterJuanLepe!\'\'andturningfoundLuisTorres.Weembraced,weweresogladeachtoseetheother.Myhidalgosweregone,butbeforeIcouldquestionLuisorheme,thereboredownuponus,comingtogetherlikebirds,halfadozenfriars.``Webringtwelve——numberoftheApostles!\'\'saidLuis.``Monksandpriests.FatherBernardoBuilistheirhead.TheHolyFatherhathappointedhimVicarhere.Youwon\'tfindhimaFrayIgnatio!\'\'
Abull-necked,dark-browed,cholericlookingmanaddressedme.HisBenedictinedressbecamehimill.HeshouldhavebeenaCaptainofFreeLancesinwhateverbriskwarwaswaging.Hesaid,``Thesurvivor,JuanLepe?——WestoppedatyourLaNavidadandfoundruinandemptiness.Theremusthavebeenillmanagement——
gross!\'\'
``Theyarealldead,\'\'Ianswered.``Noneofusmanagethetowerssoverywell!\'\'
Heregardedmemoreattentively.``Thephysician,JuanLepe.Wheredidyoustudy?\'\'
``InPoitiersandinParis,Father.\'\'
``Youhave,\'\'hesaid,``theheightandsinewandsomethingoftheeyeandvoiceofanotabledisappearedheretic,JaymedeMarchena,whoslippedtheDominicans.Isawhimoncefromadoorway.ButthatthePriorofLaRabidahimselftoldmethathehadaccurateknowledgethatthemanwasgonewiththeJewstoFez,Icouldalmostthink——Butofcourseitisnotpossible,andnowIseethedifferences.\'\'
Iansweredhimwithsomeindifferentword,andwecametotheHaytiens,andhowmanyhadFrayIgnatiomadeChristian?``Iknewhim,\'\'saidtheBenedictine.``Agoodman,butweak,weak!\'\'
JuanLepeaskedoftheIndianstheAdmiralhadtakentoSpain.``Butsixreachedusalive.Weinstructedthemandbaptizedthem.Agreatevent——theGrandCardinalandtheKingandtheQueenattending!Threediedduringthesummer,butblessedly,beingthefirstofalltheirpeopleinalltimetoenterheaven.Agreatsalvation!\'\'
Helookedattheforestandmountains,thesands,theGuaricos,asatacityhewasbesieging.
``Ha!\'\'saidFatherBuil,andwithhismissionariesmovedupthebeach.
LuisandIbegantotalk.``NoneedtotellmethatSpaingaveyouwelcome!\'\'\'
``Theroyalestever!FirstwecametoLisbon,driveninbystorm,andhadittherefromKingJohn,andthentoPaloswhich,sotospeak,wentmad!ThenthroughSpaintoBarcelona,wherewasthecourt,andallthebellsineverytownringingandeverydoorandwindowcrowded,andhereistheFaeryPrinceonawhitecharger,hisIndiansbehindhimandgoldandparrotsandhissailors!Processionsandprocessions——alcaldeandalcaydeanddonandfriarandpriest,andletusstopatthechurchandkneelbeforehighaltar,andvowagaininsevenyearstofreetheSepulchre!
Hehathwalkedandridden,wakedandslept,inagreat,highvision!Mostmenhavevisionsbuthecansustainvision.\'\'
``Aye,hecan!\'\'
``SoatlastintoBarcelona,wheregrandeesmeetus,andsoontothecourt,andmusicasthoughtheworldhadturnedmusic!AndtheKingandQueenandgreatwelcome,and,`Sitbesideus,DonCristovalColon!\'and`Tellandtellagain\',and`PraiseweMostHighGod!\'\'\'
``Itissomethingforwhichtopraise!Endsoftheearthbeginningtomeet.\'\'
``Aye!SowewritethatverynighttothePopetobeconfirmedthatthegloryandprofitunderGodaretoCastileandAragon.ButtheQueenthoughtmostoftheheathenbroughttoChrist.AndtheAdmiralthinksofhissonsandhisbrothersandhisoldfather,andoftheHolySepulchreandoftheProphecies,andhehasthejoyoftherunnerwhotouchesthegoal!——Iwouldyoucouldhaveseentheroyaltywithwhichhewastreated——notonedaynorweekbutawholesummerlong——theflocking,thebowingandcapping,the`Domethehonor——\',the`Ihaveasmallpetition.\'Nothingconquerslikeconquering!\'\'
``Hehadlongpatience.\'\'
``Aye.Well,heisatheightnow.Buthehasgotwithhimtheolddisastrousseeds——Fifteenhundredmen,andamongthemquiteaplentylikeGutierrezandEscobedo!
Buttherearegoodmen,too,andagreatlotofromanticaldaredevils.Nopressingthistime!Wemighthavebroughtfivethousandcouldtheshipshaveheldthem.`CometotheIndiesandmakeyourfortune!\'——`Aye,thatismydesire!\'\'\'
Isaid,``IamlookingnowataromanticaldaredevilwhomIhaveseenbefore,thoughIamsurethathenevernoticedme.\'\'
``DonAlonsodeOjeda?Heisfeatherincap,andsometimescap,andevenatstressheadwithinthecap!Withoutmovingyou\'vebeckonedhim.\'\'
ThereapproachedayoungmanofwhomIknewsomething,havinghadhimpointedoutbyEnriquedeCerdainSantaFe.Ihadbeforethatheardhisnameandsomewhatofhisexploits.Inourday,overallSpain,onemightfindorhearofcavaliersofthisbrand.WarwiththeMoorhadlastedsomewhatlongerthantheoldfamedwarwithTroy.
Ithadmodeledyouth;youngmenwereoldsoldiers.Whentherecameupaspritelikethisonehedrankwarlikewine.
Aslightyoungman,tautasaropeinagale,withdarkeyesandredlipsandaswift,decisivestep,uphecame.
``Oh,youarethemanwholivedoutofallyourfort?
Howdidyoumanageit?\'\'
``IhadafriendamongthesefriendlyIndianswhorescuedme.\'\'
``Yes!Itisexcellentwarfaretohavefriends——Youhaveseennoknightnormen-at-arms,norheardofsuch?\'\'
``Notunderthosenames.\'\'
``Howfardo,youthinkwemaybefromtruehousesandcities,castles,fortresses?\'\'
``Ihaven\'ttheleastidea.Bythelooksofit,prettyfar.\'\'
``Itseemstomethatyouspeaktruth,\'\'heanswered.
``Well,itisn\'twhatwelookedfor,butit\'ssomething!Roomyettodare!\'\'Offhewent,halfMercury,halfMars,andasprigofyouthtodrawtheeyes.
``Wastherenothingeverheard,\'\'IaskedLuis,``ofthe_Pinta_andMartinPinzon?\'\'
``Heisdead.\'\'
``Yousawthewreck?\'\'
``No,notthatway,thoughtrueitisthathewreckedhimself!Iforgetthatyouknownothing.Wemetthe_Pinta_lastJanuary,notadayfromhere,withMonteCristithereyetinsight.WhenhecameaboardandsatinthegreatcabinIdonotknowwhathesaid,exceptthatitwasofseparationbythatstorm,andthefeelingthattwopartiesdiscoveringwouldtherebydiscoverthemore,andthebetterservetheirMajesties.TheAdmiralmadenoquarrelwithhim.Hehadsomegoldandsomenewsofcoaststhatwehadnotseen.AndhedidnotseemtothinkitnecessarytoseempenitentoranythingbutjustnaturallyMartinPinzon.Soonwesailedtogether,heonthe_Pinta_andtheAdmiralonthe_Nina_.ButthatwasaroughvoyagehomeoverOcean-Sea!Hadwehadsuchweathercoming,mighthavebeenmutinyandthroat-cuttingandputtingback,CathayandIndiabeingofnoaidtodeadmen!Sixtimesatleastwethoughtweweredrowned,andmadevows,kneelingalltogetherandtheAdmiralprayingforus,FrayIgnationotbeingthere.Thencameclear,butbeyondCanariesathreedays\',threenights\'weatherthattrulydroveusapart,the_Pinta_andthe_Nina_.Welosteachotherinthedarknessandneverfoundagain.WewerebeatenintotheTagus,the_Pinta_ontoBayonne.Then,mid-March,wecametoPalos,landedandthewonderbegan.Andinthreedayswhoshouldcomelimpinginbutthe_Pinta_?Butshemissedthetriumph,andMartinPinzonwassick,andtherewassomecoldnessshown.Hewentashoretohisownhouse,andhisillnessgrowingworsehediedthere.Well,hehadqualities.\'\'
``Aye,\'\'Ianswered,withavisionofthebig,bluff,golden-
hairedman.
``VicentePinzonishere;hisshipthe_Cordera_yonder.
What\'sthestirnow?TheAdmiralwillgotoseeGuacanagari?\'\'
That,itseemed,waswhatitwas,andpresentlycamewordthatJuanLepeshouldgowithhim.Abodyofcavalierssumptuouslyclad,someevenwearingshiningcorselet,greavesandhelm,wasformingabouthimwhowashimselfinamagnificentdress.Besidesthesewerefiftyoftheplainersort,andtherelackednotcrossbow,lanceandarquebus.
Andtherewerebannersandmusic.WeweregoinglikeanarmytobebrotherlywithGuacanagari.FatherBuilwasgoingalso,andhistwelvegownedmen.``Who,\'\'
IaskedLuis,``isthemanbesidetheAdmiral?Heseemshiskin.\'\'
``Heis.Itishisbrother,DonDiego.Heisagoodman,able,too,thoughnotableliketheAdmiral.Theysaytheotherbrother,Bartholomew,whoisinEnglandorinFrance,isalmostasable.Howdizzilyturnsthewheelforsomeofus!YesterdayplainDiegoandBartholomew,awould-bechurchmanandashipmasterandchart-maker!
NowDonDiego——DonBartholomew!AndthetwosonswatchingusofffromCadiz!PagesbothofthemtothePrince,andpicturestolookat!`Father!\'and`Noblefather!and`Forgetnotyourhealth,whoareourDependance!\'\'\'
Waitingforalltostart,Iyetregardedthathugedazzleuponthebeach,somanylanded,somanycomingfromtheships,theshipsthemselvessogreatadriftofseabirds!
Asforthosedarkfolk——whatshouldtheythinkofallthesebreakers——infromheaven?Itseemedtometo-daythatdespitetheirfriendlinessshownusherefromthefirst,despitethemiracleandthefedeyeandearandtheexcitement,theyknewafarapaleConsternation.
Atlast,todrumandtrumpet,wepassedfromshiningbeachintogreenforest.IfoundmyselfforamomentbesideDiegoColon——nottheAdmiral\'sbrother,buttheyoungIndiansonamed.NowhewasChristianandclothed,andtrulytheHaitiensstaredathimhardlylessthanattheAdmiral.Igreetedhimandheme.HetriedtospeakinCastilianbutitwasveryhardforhim,andinamomentweslippedintoIndian.
Iaskedhim,``HowdidyoulikeSpain?\'\'
Helookedatmewitharemoteandchildlikeeyeandbegantospeakofhousesandroadsandhorsesandoxen.
AmessagecamefromtheAdmiralatheadofcolumn.I
wenttohim.MenlookedatmeasIpassedthem.Iwasraggednow,grizzle-beardedandwan,andtheyseemedtosay,``Isitsothisstrangelanddoesthem?Butthosefirstoneswerefewandwearemany,anditdoesnotlieinourfortune!Goldliesinours,andreturninsplendorandhappiness.\'\'Butsomehadmorethoughtfuleyesandtruersenseofwonder.
WefoundGuacanagariinanew,large,verycleanhouse,andfoundhimlyinginagreathammockwithhislegboundwithcottonweb,aroundhimwivesandchiefmen.HesatuptogreettheAdmiralandwithanobleandaffectingairpouredforthspeechandlaidhishanduponhishiddenhurt.
NowIknew,becauseGuarinhadtoldmeso,thatthatwoundwashealed.Ithadgiventrouble——theCaribspoisonedtheirdarts——butnowitwaswell.Buttheyaresimplermindedthanwe,thisfolk,andIreadGuacanagarithathemustimpressthereturninggodswithhisfidelity.
Hehadprovedit,andwhileJuanLepewasbyhedidnotneedthismummery,buthehadthoughtthathemightneed.
So,abigmanevidentlyhealthful,hesighedandwincedandhalfclosedhiseyesasthoughhalfdyingstillinthatoldcontestwhenhehadstoodbythepeoplefromthesky.I
interpretedhisspeech,theAdmiralalreadyunderstanding,butnotthesurroundingcavaliers.Itwasahighspeechorhighassurancethathehaddonehishighestbest.
``DoInotbelievethat,Guacanagari?\'\'saidtheAdmiral,andthinkingofDiegodeAranaandFrayIgnatioandothersandofthegoodhopeofLaNavidad,tearscameintohiseyes.
HesatuponthemosthonorableblockofwoodwhichwasbroughthimandtalkedtoGuacanagari.Thenathisgestureonebroughthispresents,amirror,arichbelt,aknife,apairofcastanets.Guacanagari,itseemed,sincethesightingoftheships,hadmadecollectiononhispart.Hegaveenoughgoldtomakelustfulmanyaneyelookinguponthatscene.
ThewomenbroughtfoodandsetbeforetheSpaniardsinthehouse.IfoundGuarinandpresentlywecametobestandingwithouttheentrance——theyhadnodoors;
sometimestheyhadcurtainsofcotton——lookinguponthatstrangegatheringinthelittlemiddlesquareofthetown.
SomanySpaniardsinthepalmshadows,andthewomenfeedingthem,andAlonsodeOjeda\'shanduponthearmofaslenderbrowngirlwithawreathofflowersaroundherhead.FatherBuilwaswithinwiththeAdmiral,truculentlyandsuspiciouslyregardingtheidolaterwhonowhadleftthehammockandseemedaswellofawoundasanythere!
Butherewithoutwereeightortenfriars,gatheredtogetherunderapalmtree,makingrefectionandtalkingamongthemselves.Onedevoutbrother,sittingapartandfasting,toldhisbeads.
SaidGuarin,``Ihavebeenwatchinghim.Heistalkingtohis_zeme_——Theyareallbutios?\'\'
``Yes.Mostofthemaregoodmen.\'\'
``Whatisgoingtohappenheretoallmypeople?Somethingisoveragainstmeandmypeople,Ifeelit!Eventhecaciquehasfear.\'\'
``ItisthedarkIgnoranceandthelightIgnorance,theclothedIgnoranceandthenakedIgnorance.Ifeelittoo,whatyoufeel.ButIfeel,OGuarin,thattheinnerandtrueManwillnotandcannottakehurt!
Hesaid,``Dotheycomeforgood?\'\'
Ianswered,``Thereismuchgoodintheircoming.Seenfromthemountainbrow,enormousgood,Ithink.InthelongrunIamfaintothinkthatallhavetheirmarkethere,younolessthanI,GuacanagarinolessthantheAdmiral.\'\'
``Idonotknowthat,\'\'hesaid.``Itseemstomethesunnydayisdark.\'\'
Isaid,``Inthemainallthingsworktogether,andintheendishoney.\'\'
Outtheycamefrompalm-roofedhouse,theAdmiraloftheOcean-SeaandViceroyofwhatIndieshecouldfindforSpainandSpaincouldtake,andtheIndiankingorgrandeeorprinceling.Perceivingthatwhathedidwasappreciatedforwhatitwas,Guacanagarihadrecoveredhislameness.Thecottonwasnolongerabouthisthigh;hemovedstraightandlightly,——abig,easyIndian.
Itwasnowwellonintheafternoon,buthewouldgowiththeMightyStranger,theGreatCaciquehisfriend,toseetheshipsandallthewonders.Hiswasachildlikecravingforpurenoveltyandmarvel.
Sowewent,allofus,backthroughvastwoodlandtoceruleanwater.Waterwasdeep,the_Marigalante_rodeclosein,andaboutandbeyondherthe_SantaClara_,the_Cordera_,the_SanJuan_,the_Juana_,another_Nina_,the_Beatrix_andmanyanotherfairname.Theywerebeautiful,theshipsonthegaywaterandaboutthemtheboatsandtheredmen\'scanoes.
Wewenttothe_Marigalante_,IwiththeAdmiral.DancingacrossintheboattherespoketomeDonDiegoColon,bornGiacomoColombo,andIfoundhimasober,ableman,withachurchlyinclination.HererosetheMarigalante,andnowwewereuponit,anditwasagreatershipthanthe_SantaMaria_,agoodlyship,withgoodlygearaboardandgoodlySpaniards.JaymedeMarchenafeltthetugofblood,ofhome-comingintohiscountry.
CHAPTERXXVIII
FINDINGyoungSanchouponthe_Marigalante_,Ikepthimbesidemeforinformation\'ssake.He,too,hadhisstories.AndheaskedmehowPedroandFernandodied.
Inthisshipweretwosetsofcaptives,animalsbroughtfromSpainandIndiansfromthosefiercerislandstothesouth.The_Monsalvat_thatwasafreightshiphadmanyanimals,saidSancho,cattleandswineandsheepandgoatsandcocksandhens,andthirtyhorses.Butuponthe_Marigalante_,well-penned,theAdmiralhadastallionandtwomares,ayoungbullandacoupleofheifers,andtwodogs——bloodhounds.TheCaribswereyonder,fivemeninall.
Hetookmetoseethem.Theyweretall,strong,sullenanddesperateinaspect,hardier,fiercerthanIndiansofthesenorthwardlands.ButtheywereIndians,andtheirgutturalspeechcouldbemadeout,atleastinsubstance.
Theyaskedwithahigh,contemptuouslookwhenwemeanttoslayandeatthem.
``Theyeatmen\'sflesh,everyCaribalofthem!WesawhorridthingsinGuadaloupe!\'\'
Awayfromthesemensatorstoodsevenwomen.``Theywerecaptives,\'\'saidSancho.``CaribsbadravishedthemfromotherislandsandtheyfledinGuadaloupetous.\'\'
Thesewomen,too,seemedmorestronglyfibred,courageous,highofheadthantheHaytiwomen.Therewasamongthemonetowhomtheothersgavedeference,achieftainess,strongandwarlikeinmien,notsmoothlyyoungnoraftertheirnotionsbeautiful,butwithanairofsagacityandpride.
Ashipboystoodwithus.``ThatisCatalina,\'\'hesaid.
``Ho,Catalina!\'\'
Thewomanlookedathimwithdisdainandwhatshesaidwas,``Youngfoolwithfool-gods!\'\'
``Theycametousforrefuge,\'\'saidSancho.``WethinktheyareAmazons.Therewasanislandwheretheyfoughtuslikemen——greatbow-women!DonAlonsodeOjedafirstcalledthisoneCatalina,sonowweallcallherCatalina.
Atfirsttheylikedus,butnowthattheyaresafeawayfromCaribs——allbutthesefiveandtheycan\'thurtthem——
theysitandpine!Icallitungrateful,Catalina!\'\'
Wemovedaway.TherecamefromthegreatcabinwheretheyhadwineandfinesweetcakestheAdmiralandGuacanagari,withthemDonDiegoandthreeorfourcavaliers.
Guarinwasnotwiththecacique,uponthe_Marigalante_.
Hewouldnotcome.Ihadavisionofhim,intheforest,seatedmotionless,communingwiththedeepestselftowhichhecouldreach,seekinglightwiththeotherlight-
seekers.
ChristopherusColumbusbeckonedmeandIwenttheroundoftheshipwithhimandothersandhisguest,thisfar-awaysonofGreatIndia.So,presently,hewastakentoviewthehorsesandthecattle.Whoeverhathseenlionsbroughttoacourtforshowhathseensomeshrinkingfromtoo-closeandheardtimorousaskingifthebarsbereallystrong.Andtheold,wildbeastsatRomeforthegames.
Ifonecamebychanceupontheminanarrowquartertheremightbeterror.AndthebullthatwegoadtomadnessforagameinSpain——werebarriersdownwouldcomea-scrambling!Thiscaciquehadneverseenananimallargerthanafoxoradog,Yethestoodwithsteadiness,thoughhisglanceshothereandthere.Thestallionwasrestlessandfiery-eyed;thebullsentforthabellow.``Whydotheycome?Whatwilltheydohere?Willyouputthemintheforest?Thepeoplewillbeafraidtowander!\'\'
Helookedawaytoskyandseaandshore.``Itgrowstowardnight,\'\'hesaid.``Iwillgobacktomytown.\'\'
TheAdmiralsaid,``IwouldfirstshowyoutheCaribs,\'\'
andtookhimtherewheretheywerebound.TheHaytienregardedthem,buttheCaribswereascontemptuouslysilentasmighthavebeenAlonsodeOjedainlikecircumstances.
OnlyasGuacanagariturnedaway,onespokeinafierce,monotonousvoice.``Youalso,Haytien,onemoon!\'\'
``Youlie!OnlyCaribs!\'\'Guacanagarisaidback.
ThecaciquestoodbeforethewomanwhomtheycalledCatalina.Shebrokeintospeech.Itwascaciquetocacique.ShewasfromBoriquen——shewouldreturninacanoeifshewerefree!Betterdrownthanlivewiththeutterlyun-understandable——onlythattheyateanddrankandlaidholdofwomenwhetherthesewouldorwouldnot,andwereunderstandablethatfar!Gods!Atfirstshethoughtthemgods;nowshedoubted.Theyweremagicians.
Ifshewerefree——ifshewerefree——ifshewerefree!
Home——Boriquen!Ifnotthat,atleastherowncolorandtheunderstandable!\'\'
Guacanagaristoodandlistened.Shespokesofast——theAdmiralneverbecamequiteperfectinIndiantongues,andfewuponthe_Marigalante_weresoatthistime.JuanLepeunderstood.ButjustashewasthinkingthatindutyboundbemustsaytotheAdmiral,``Sheisunderminingreputation.
Bestmoveaway!\'\'Guacanagarimadeaviolentgestureasthoughhewouldbreakaspell.``Wherecouldtheycomefromwithallthattheyhaveexceptfromheaven?
Whocanplanagainstgods?Itissintothinkofit!_ElAlmirante_willmakeyouhappy,Boriquenwoman!\'\'
Weleftthewomen.ButGuacanagarihimselfwasnothappy,ashehadbeenthatChristmas-tidewhenfirstthegodscame,whenthe_SantaMaria_waswreckedandhegaveushospitality.
TheAdmiraldidnotseethathewasunhappy.TheAdmiralsawalwaysavastmaingood,andhethoughtitpearlandgoldineveryfiber.Asyet,hesawnorottedstring,nosnarltobeuntangled.Itwashisweakness,andmaybe,too,hisstrength.
Thesunsethungoverthisroadsteadandtheshore.Themountainsglowedinit,thenearerwoodfelldark,thebeachshowedmilkywhite,aknotofpalmsuponahornoflandcaughtfullgoldandshoneasthoughtheywereinheaven.
Overuponthe_Cordera_theyweresinging.Thelongcacique-
canoeshotoutfromtheshadowofthe_Marigalante_.