Sundipped,nightcuppedhandsovertheworld.Thelongdayofexcitementwasover.Marinersslept,adventurersgentleandsimple,thetwelvefriarsandFatherBuil.Seventeenships,nighfifteenhundredmenofEurope,swingingwiththetidebeforethelandweweretomakeSpanish.
Thewatchraisedacry.SpringingfromhisbedJuanLepecameondecktofindthereconfusion,andunderthemoonintheclearwater,swimmingforms,swimmingfromusinakindofdesperatehasteandstrength.Therewasshoutingtomantheboat.OnejostlingagainstmecriedthattheywerethecaptiveIndians.Theyhadbrokenbonds,liftedhatch,knockeddownthewatch,leapedoverside.
Anothershouted.No,theCaribsweresafe.Thesewerethewomen——
Thewomen——sevenformsmightbemadeout——werenotfarfromland.Ifelttinglingacrosstometheirhopeandfear.Outofshipshadowshotafterthemourboat.
Stronglyrowed,itseemedtogain,buttheymadespeedstrongly,strongly.Theboatgotintotroublewiththeshallows.Theswimmersnowstoodandran,nowwereracers;inamomenttheywouldtouchthedry,theshiningbeach.Outofboatsprangmenrunningafterthem,runningacrosslowwhitelinesoffoam.Thewomen,thatstrongwomancaciqueahead,leftwater,racedacrosssandtowardforest.Twomenweregaining,theycaughtattheleastswiftwoman.Thedark,nakedformbrokefromthem,leapedlikeahurtdeerandrunningatspeedpassedwithallintotheebonybandthatwasforest.
AlonsodeOjedaburstintoagreatlaugh.``Welldone,Catalina!\'\'
TheAdmiral\'splacecouldeverbetoldbyhisheadoverall.Moreoverhiswarm,lifted,powerfullypulsingnaturewascapableofmakingaroundhimaspherethattingledanddrew.Onenotsomuchsawhimasfelthim,here,there.NowIstoodbesidehimwhereheleanedoverrail.
``Gone,\'\'hesaid.``Theyaregone!\'\'Hedrewadeepbreath.Icanswearthathe,too,feltaninnerjoythattheyhadescapedclutching.
Butinthemorninghesentashorealargepartyunderhisbrother,DonDiego.Wereceivedanothersurprise.NoIndiansonthebeach,noneintheforest,andwhentheycametothevillage,onlyhouses,afewparrotsandthegardens,dewyfreshunderthesun\'sfirststreaming.NoIndiansthere,normannorwomannorchild,notGuacanagari,notGuarin,notCatalinaandhercrew——none!Theyweregone,andweknewnotwhere,Quisquayabeingahugecountry,andthepathsyethiddenfromusorofdoubtfultreading.Buttheheapedmountainsrosebeforeus,andJuanLepeatleastcouldfeelassuredthattheyweregonethere.Theyvanishedandforlongweheardnothingofthem,notofGuacanagari,norofGuarinwhohadsavedJuanLepe,notofCatalina,norany.
Thisneighborhood,LaNavidadandtheshipwreckofthe_SantaMaria_,burnedGuaricoandnowthisemptyvillage,perpetualreminderthatinsomepartourIndiansubjectslikedusnotsowellasformerlyandcouldnotbemadeChristianwithabreath,grewnolongertoourchoice.
SomethingofmelancholyoverhungfortheAdmiralthispartofHispaniola.Hewasseekingasiteforacity,butnowhelikeditnothere.Theseventeenshipsputonsailand,astatelyflightofbirdsgreaterthanherons,pursuedtheirway,easterlynow,alongthecoastofHispaniola.
BetweenthirtyandfortyleaguesfromtheruinofLaNavidadopenedtousafair,largeharborwheretworiversenteredthesea.Therewasagreatforestandbrightprotrudingrock,andacrossthesouththemountains.WhenwelandedandexploredwefoundasmallIndianvillagethathadonlyvaguelyheardthatgodshaddescended.Fortyleaguesacrosstheseforestsisalongway.TheyhadheardarumorthatthecaciqueofGuaricolikedthemightystrangersandCaonabolikedthemnot,butasyetknewlittlemore.Theharbor,theland,thetworiverspleasedus.
``Herewewillbuild,\'\'quoththeViceroy,``acitynamedIsabella.\'\'
CHAPTERXXIX
CHRISTMASTIDE,ayearfromthesinkingofthe_SantaMaria_,cametonightwothousandChristianmendwellinginsomemannerofhousesbyariverinalandthat,soshorttimebefore,hadneverheardtheword``Christmas.\'\'Now,inSpainandelsewhere,menandwomen,hearingChristmasbells,mightwonder,``Whataretheydoing——aretheyalsogoingtomass——thoseadventurersacrosstheSeaofDarkness?HavetheyconvertedtheIndies?Aretheymovinghappilyinthegolden,spicylands?Greatmarvel!Christnowisbornthereashere!\'\'
JuanLepechancedtobewalkinginthecooloftheeveningwithDonFranciscodeLasCasas,asensible,strongman,notunreadinthephilosophers.Hespoketomeofhisson,ayoungmanwhomheloved,whowouldsoonerorlatercomeouttohimtoHispaniola,ifhe,theelder,stayedhere.
Sosoonasthiswehadbeguntospeakthus,``ComeouttoHispaniola.\'\'``ComeouttoIsabellainHispaniola.\'\'Whatastrongwindislife,leapingfromcontinenttocontinentandcrying,``HomewhereverIcanbreatheandmove!\'\'ThisyoungmanwasBartolome,thenatSalamanca,attheUniversity.
BartolomedeLasCasas,whomJuanLepeshouldlivetoknowandworkwith.ButthiseveningIheardthefathertalk,asanyfatherofanypromisingson.
Withus,too,wasDonJuanPoncedeLeon,whohadastoryoutofMandevilleofawellbythecityofPolombeinPresterJohn\'scountry.Ifyoudrankofthewell,thoughyouweredyingyouwouldnevermorehavesickness,andthoughyouwerewhite-beardedyouwouldcomeyoungagain!
ThepalmswavedaboveIsabellathatwasbuildingbehindthecampbytheriver.Itwasbeginning,itwasplannedout;thestonechurch,thestonehouseoftheViceroywerealreadybreast-high.ASpanishcitybuilding,andthebellsofEuroperinging.
Outsprangthenoiseofabrawl——TherewasthatintheAdmiralthatwouldhavewhenitcouldoutwardnolessthaninwardinagnificence.HecouldgolikeaSpartanorDiogenestheCynic,butwhenthechancecame——magnificence!
WithhimfromSpaintraveledaViceroy\'shousehold.
Hehadnolessthanthirtypersonalservantsandretainers.HidalgoshereatIsabellahadalsoservants,butnoonemorethantwoorthree.Itwasamongthesefolkthatfirstaroseouramazingjealousiesandenvies.Nowandagainthemastersmusttakepart.NottheViceroywhoinsuchmatterswentverystately,butcertainofourgentlemen.Loudandangryvoicesroseunderthepalms,underaskyofpalegold.
Sentfor,IfoundtheAdmirallyingonhisbed,notyetinhisstonehousebutinarichandlargepavilionbroughtoutespeciallyfortheViceroyandnowpitchedupontheriverbank,underpalms.Icametohimpastnumbersoutofthatthirty.Idlehere;theycertainlywereidlehere!
WithhimIfoundasecretary,butwhenhecouldhepreferredalwaystowritehisownletters,inhissmall,clear,stronghand,andnowhewasdoingthis,proppedinbed,inhisbrowaknotofpain.Hewrotemanyletters.LongafterwardsIheardthatithadbecomeasayinginSpain,``WriteofyourmattersasoftenasChristopherusColumbus!\'\'
Isatwaitingforhimtofinishandhesawmyeyesuponyetunfoldedpagesstrewingthetabletakenfromthe_Marigalante_
andsetherebesidehim.``Readifyoulike,\'\'hesaid.
``Theshipssetsaildayafterto-morrow.\'\'
Itookandreadinparthislettertoalearnedmanwithwhom,onceortwice,JaymedeMarchenahadtalked.ItwasalongletterinwhichtheAdmiral,thinkertothinker,setforthhissecondvoyageandnowhiscitybuilding,andatlastcertainthingsforthemindnotonlyofSpainbutofFranceandItalyandEnglandandGermany.``Alllandsandallmenwhomsofarwehavecometo,\'\'wrotetheAdmiral,``areheathenandidolaters.IntheprovidenceofGodallsucharegivenuntoChristendom.ChristendommusttakepossessionthroughtheactsofChristianprinces,underthesanctionofHolyChurch,allowedbythePopewhoisChristourKing\'sViceroy.Seeminghardshipbringethgreatgain!Millionsofsoulsconverted,arebaptized.Everyinfantfeeleththesavingwater.Soulsthatwerelostnowarefound.Christbeamethonthem!Tothat,whatisitthattheearthlyKingofacountrybechanged?\'\'
Hisquilltraveledonoverpaper.Anothersheetcameintomyhand.Ireadit,thensatpondering.Hesighedwithpain,pushedallasideandpresentlybadethesecretaryforth.Whenthemanwasgonehetoldmeofanagonybehindhiseyesthatnowstabbedandnowlaidhiminadrowsiness.IdidwhatIcouldforhimthenwaiteduntiltheaccesswasover.Itpassed,andhetookagainhispen.
Isaid,``YouadvisethattherebemadeamarketforCaribslaves,balancingthusthenegroesthePortuguesearebringingin,andprovidingafundforourneeds——\'\'
Hesaid,``Theyareeatersofmen\'sflesh,intractableandabominable,notlikethegentlerpeoplewefindhereabouts!
Itiscertainthatbeforelong,fleetafterfleetcoming,ourtwothousandheregrowingintomanythousands,morecitiesthanIsabellaarising,commerceandlifeasinEuropebeginning——Well,thesefiercer,Caribalislandswillbeoverrun,takenforSpain!Whatbettertodowiththeirpeople?
Idonotwishtoslaythemandeatthem!\'\'
``Slaves——\'\'
``HowmanyMoorsinCastileandArragon,slavesandnonetheworseforit,beingbaptized,beingkindlyenoughentreated!AndnowthePortuguesebringNegroes,andaretheytheworseoff,beingtakenfromadeepdamnation?
Longago,Ihaveread,theEnglishweretakentoRomeandsoldinthemarketplace,andtheblessedGregory,seeingthem,cried,`Christshallbepreachedintheirnation!\'
WhereuponhesentAugustineandallEnglandwassaved——
Lookyou,thisworldisrudeandworkethrudely!Butitclimbsintheteethofitsimperfections!\'\'
``Idonotdoubtthat,\'\'Isaid.``Whenitwillstoclimb.\'\'
``IdobutlayitbeforetheSovereigns,\'\'heanswered.
``Idonotknowwhattheywillthinkofitthere.ButtrulyIknownotwhatelsetodowiththeseAsiaticswhentheywithstandus!AndeveninslaverytheymustgainfromChristians!WhatmattersmasterswhentheyfindtheTrueMaster?\'\'
JuanLepebroodedstillwhilethepenscratchedandscratchedacrossthepage.Thenoiseceased.Ilookeduptoseeifhewereinpainagain,andmetgray-blueeyesaslongingasachild\'s.``WhatIwould,\'\'hesaid,``isthattheLordwouldgivetomeforevertosailagreatship,andtofind,forevertofind!Theseaiswiderthantheland,anditsendsitswavesuponalllands.NotViceroy,buttheNavigator,theFinder——\'\'
JuanLepealsothoughtthattherestreamedhisGenius.
Herehewasable,butthereplayedtheFire.Buthe,likemanyanother,hadboundhimself.DonCristovalColon——
Viceroy——andeighthsandtenths!
CHAPTERXXX
TWELVEofourshipswenthometoSpain.
Februarywheeledby.Marchwashere,andeverydaythesunsentusmoreheat.
TheIndiansaroundusstillwerefriendly——womenandall.FromthefirsttherewasstrayinginthewoodswithIndianwomen.Doubtlessnow,intheSanSalvadorislands,inCubaandinHispaniola,amongthoseGuaricosfledfromustothemountains,wouldbeinfantsbornofSpanishfathers.JuanLepecontemplatedthatfillingintheseabetweenAsiaandEuropewiththeveryblood.
Sicknessbrokeout.ItwasnotsuchasthatfirstsicknessatLaNavidad,buthereweremanymoretolieill.BesidesJuanLepe,wenowpossessedthreephysicians.Theywereskillful,theylaboredhard,wealllabored.Mendiedofthemalady,butnogreatnumber.Butnowamongtheidleofmindandsoulandthefactiousarosetheeternalmurmur.Notheavenbuthell,thesenewlands!Notwealthandhappyease,butpovertyandmiserabletoil!Notforevernewspectacleandgreedywonder,buttiresomeriver,forestandsea,tiresomeblueheaven,tiresomedelvingandbuilding,tiresomerules,restrictions,commandments,yeasandnays!Partiesarose,twomainparties,andwithineachlesserdifferings.
TheViceroystifflywithstoodthepartythatwasnothis,anduponsomeslurandinsolencetookfromamanhisoffice.
Followedaweekofglassysmoothness.Thensuddenly,bychance,wasdiscoveredtheplotofBernalDiazdePisa——thefirstofmanySpanishconspiracies.Itinvolvedseveralhun-
dredmenandwasnolessathingthantheseizureinthedarknightoftheshipsandthesettingsailforSpain,theretowreckthefameofChristopherusColumbusandifpossibleobtainthesendingoutofsomeprinceoverhim,whowouldbeamkindlyonallhidalgosandneverputthemtovulgarwork.AletterwasfoundinBernalDiaz\'shand,andifthereinanyillwasleftunsaidoftheAdmiralandViceroy,Iknownotwhatitmightbe!The``Italian\'\',the``Lowborn\'\',the``madlyarrogantandambitious\'\',the``cruel\'\'
and``violent\'\',the``tyrant\'\'acted.BernalDiazwasmadeandkeptprisoneronVicentePinzon\'sship.Ofhisfollowingoneoutoftenlayinprisonforamonth.Oftheseamenconcernedthreewerefloggedandallhadtheirpayestopped.
OnemightsaythatIsabellawasbuilded.Columbushimselfstoodandmovedinbetterhealth.Nowhewouldgodiscoveringondryland,toAlonsodeOjeda\'sglee,gleeindeedofmany.ThemountainsofCibao,wheremightbethegold,——andgoldmustbehad!
AndwemightfindCaonabo,andwhatpeopleswerebehindourownmountains,andperhapscomeuponGuacanagari.
Wewent,fourhundredmenandmore,anarmywithbanners.Wewishedtoimpress,andwetookanyandallthingsthatmighthelpinthatwise.Drumandtrumpetbeatandsang.FatherBuilwasnotwithus.Butthreeofhismissionariesaccompaniedus,andtheycarriedagreatcrucifix.Thereweretwentyhorses,andterriblewerethesetothislandastheelephantsofthePersianstotheGreeks.
AndmuchwemarveledthatCubaandHaytihadnomemorynorideaofelephants.AthrongofIndianswouldgowithus,andinmuchtheycarriedoursupplies.Itwasfirstseenclearlyatthistime,Ithink,theusesthatmightbedrawnfromourheathensubjects.AlonsodeOjeda,JuanPoncedeLeonandPedroMargariterodewiththeAdmiral.
Othersfollowedonblackandbayandwhitehorses.JuanLepemarchedwiththefootmen.HewasgladtofindLuisTorres.
Beforesettingoutwewenttomassinthenewchurch.
Candlesburned,incenseroseinclouds,thefriarschanted,thebellrang,wetookthewafer,thepriestliftedthechalice.
Thesunrose,thetrumpetsrang,weweregone.South,beforeus,themountainlinewasbrokenbyadeepnotch.
Thatwouldbeourpass,afar,andsethigh,filledwithanintense,aburningsapphire.WehadIndianguides.
Day,evening,campandnight.Dawn,trumpets,breakfastandgoodunderstandingandjollity.Afterbreakfastthemarch,andwherewasanyroaduptheheights?Andbeingnonewewouldmakeoneanddid,ourhidalgostoilingwiththeleast.Byevewewereinthehighpass,levelgroundunderourfeet,aboveusmagnificenttrees.WecalleditthePassoftheHidalgos.Wethrewourselvesdownandslept.Atsunrisewepushedon,andpresentlysawwhatJuanLepeoncebeforehadseen,thevastsouthward-lyingplainandthegoldenmountainsofCibao.
Thereroseacry,itwassobeautiful!TheAdmiralnameditVegaReal,theRoyalPlain.
Sweating,panting,wecameatlastdownthatmostdifficultdescentintorollingforestandthentoasmallbrightstream,besideitgardenpatchesandfiftyhuts.Theinhabitantsfledmadly,weheardtheirfrightenedshoutsandthescreamingofchildren.ThereafterwetriedtokeepinadvanceasmallbodyofIndians,sothattheymighttellthatthegodswerecoming,butthattheywouldnotinjure.
Acclivityanddeclivityfellaway.Wewerefullyinanenormous,fertileandpopulousplain.
Thehorsesandthehorsemen!Atfirsttheythoughtthatthesewereone.Whensomecoweringgroupwassurroundedandkeptfrombreakingaway,whenAlonsodeOjedaoranotherleapedfromsteedtoearth,fromearthagaintosteed,theymoanedwithastonishmentandsomerelief.Butthehorses,thehorses——nevertohaveseenanygreatfour-
footedthings,andnowthesethatwereproudandpawedtheearthandneighedand——DeOjeda\'sblackhorse——reared,curvetted,bounded,appearedtothreaten!Theeyes,themane,thegreatteeth!——Theregrewalegendthattheywerefeduponmen\'sflesh,redmen\'sflesh!
HowmanyredmenwereinQuisquayaIdonotknow.Insomeregionstheydwelledthickly,inotherswerefewfolk.
Inthiswide,long,laughingplaindwelledmany,incleantownssunkamongtreesgoodtolookatanddroppingfruit;
byriverorsmallerstream,withplantingsofmaize,batata,cassava,jucca,maguey,andIknownotwhatbeside.Ifthestreamwasaconsiderableone,canoes.Theyhadparrots;
theyhadthesmallsilentdogs.Insomeplaceswesawclaypotsandbowls.Theywovetheircotton,thoughnotveryskillfully.Theycrushedtheirmaizeinhandmills.Wefoundcaciquesandbutios,andheardoftheirmaincacique,Gwarionex.Buthedidnotcometomeetus;theysaidhebadgoneonavisittoCaonaboinCibao.Theybroughtusfoodandtookourgiftsinexchange;theyharanguedusinanswertoourharangues;theymadedancesforus.Thechildrenthrongedaround,fearlessnowandcurious.Thewomenwerekind.Oldmenandwomentogether,andsometimesmorewomenthanmen,satinacouncilringaboutsomevenerabletree.
Therewasnoquarrelandnooppressionuponthisadventure.
IlookbackandIseethatsinglejourneyinHispaniolaaflowerandpatternofwhatmightbe.
Theygaveuswhatgoldtheyhad——freely——andwegaveinreturnthingsthattheyprized.ButalwaystheysaidCibaoforgold.
Werodeandmarchedafoot,withmanyhaltsandturnsaside,fiveleaguesacrossplain.Alargeriverbarredourway,——theYaquitheycalledit.Herewespenttwodaysinavillageabowshotfromthewater.Wesearchedforgold,wesentfromIndiantoIndianrumorthatitwasthehighestmagic,god-magicthatofallthingsintheworldwemostdesiredandtookitfromtheirhands,yetstillwepaidforitingoodsforwhichtheylusted,andweneitherforcednorthreatenedforce.Andthoughwewerefourhundred,yettheremightbeintheRoyalPlainfortythousand,andtheirhueandtheireconomywasyetprinceintheland,andtheSpaniardavisitor.Andtherecommandedthefourhundredahumaneman,withsomethingoftheguilelessnessofthechild.
WecrossedtheYaquiincanoesanduponrafts.White,brownandblack,thehorsesswamthestream.Againnighimpenetrableforest,againvillages,againclearsingingandrunningwaters.Buteverthemountainscamecloser.Atlastweenteredhillycountryandthestreamspushedwithrapidity,flowingtotheYaqui,flowingtothesea.Nowwebegantofindgold.Itglistenedintheriversands.Sometimeswefoundnutsofit,washedfromtherocksfarabove.
Therecameuponusthegoldfever.Mines——wemustopenmines!FerminCedo,ouressayer,wouldhaveitthatitwasnotOphir,butatthattimehewashardlybelieved.
TheAdmiralwrotealetteraboutthesegoldenmines.
AnIndianbroughthimapieceofamber;another,alumpofbluestone.Wefoundjasper,weweresureofcopper.
Wecametoanaturalrampart,wideattop,steeplydescendingonthreesides,setinaloopofalittleclearrivernamedYanique.``Ho!\'\'criedAlonsodeOjeda.``Hereisthecradleforthebabe!Roundtower,walls,barbicanyonder,andMotherNaturehasdugthemoat!\'\'HesenthisvoiceacrosstotheViceroy.``Afort,senor,afort!\'\'
CouncilwasheldbytheYanique.Afort,——aluckierthanLaNavidad!Menleftheretocollectgold,establisharoad,keepcommunicationwithIsabellawhichinturnshouldforwardsuppliesandmen.Thereturningfleetmightbringtwothousand——nay,fivethousandmen!Itwouldcertainlybringassesandmulesaswellashorses.Weshouldhaveburden-bearers.Moreover,acompanyofIndiansmightbetrainedtocomeandgoascarriers.Trainthem,setsomesortofpenaltyformalfeasance.
``Theyshouldbetaughttomineforus,\'\'saidPedroMargarite.``Paythem?Ofcourse——ofcourse!Butdonotpaythemtoomuch.DonotweprotectthemfromCaribsandsavetheirsoulstoboot?Takeitastribute!\'\'
Itwasthefirsttimethewordwassaid,inSpanish,here.
WebuiltafortmuchafterthemodelofLaNavidadandnameditSt.Thomas.Whenafterdaysitwasdone,andcommandantmustbechosen,theViceroy\'schoicefelluponPedroMargarite.Andthatwasgreatpity.ButhecouldnotknowMargaritethenasafterwardshecametoknowhim.Fifty-sixmenheleftwithMargarite,andtherestofusmarchedhomeacrosstheVegaandthenorthernmountainstoIsabella.
Sickness.Quarrels.Idleness,vanity,dissensionsandaccusations.Heat,moresickness,wildquarrels.
TidingsfromMargariteatSt.Thomas.TheIndianswouldnolongerbringfood.Caonabowasthreateningfromthehighermountains.TheViceroywrotetoMargarite.
CompeltheIndianstobringfood,butasitweretocompelthemgently!
Quarrels——quarrelsatIsabella.Twomainpartiesandallthelesserones.Diseaseandscarcity.FrayGeronimoarrivedfromSt.Thomas.Hehadstories.TheViceroygrewdarkred,hiseyeslightened.YethebelievedthatwhatwastoldpertainedtomenofMargarite,nottothatcavalierhimself.HewrotetoMargarite——Idonotknowwhat.
Butpresentlyaplanaroseinhismindandwasannounced.
DonAlonsodeOjedawastocommandSt.Thomas.DonPedroMargariteshouldhaveamovingforceofseveralhundredCastilians,mainlyforexploration,butatneedforotherthings.Goinghereandthereaboutthecountry,itmightimpressuponCaonabothattheSpaniardthoughgentlebynature,wasdangerouswhenaroused.
AlonsodeOjeda,threehundredmenbehindhim,wentforthonhisblackhorse,totrumpetanddrum,verygayandreadytogo.InaweekhesentintoIsabellasixIndiansinchains.ThesehadsetuponthreeofMargarite\'smencomingwithalettertotheViceroyandhadrobbedthem,thoughwithoutdoingthembodilyinjury.AlonsodeOjedahadcutofftheirearsandsentthemallinheavilychained.TheViceroycondemnedthemtobebeheaded,butwhentheywereontheirkneesbeforetheblockreprievedthem,onebyone.HekeptthemchainedforatimeforallvisitingIndianstosee,thenformallypardonedthemandletthemgo.
Mattersquieted.Sicknessagainsank,afloodretiring,leavingpools.AlonsodeOjedaandPedroMargaritereportedpeaceinHispaniola.TheAdmiralcameforthfromhishouseonedayandsaidquietlytothisoneandthatonethatnowhemeantagaintotakeupDiscovery.
HegaveauthorityinIsabellatoDonDiego,andmadehimacouncilwheresatFatherBuil,Caravajal,CoronelandJuandeLuxan.Thenoutoffiveshipswetookthe_Cordera_,the_SantaClara_andthe_SanJuan_,andwesetsailonAprilthetwenty-fourth.
CHAPTERXXXI
THEisland,welearned,wasnamedJamaica.TheAdmiralcalleditSantiago,butitalsorestsJamaica.
Ofalltheselands,outsideofthelow,smallislandstowhichwecamefirst,Cubaseemedtousthepeaceableland.JamaicagaveusalmostCaribwelcome.Itsfolkhadthelargestcanoes,thesharpest,toughestlances.Perhapstheyhadheardfromsomeboldsearoverthatwehadcome,butthatwewerenotwhollygods!
Ourcrossbowmenshotamongstthem.Thearrowsfailedtohaltthem,butwhenwesentabloodhoundthedogdidourwork.Itwastothemwhatgriffonorfire-breathingdragonmightbetoaSevillethrong.Whenthecreaturesprangamongthemtheyutteredagreatcryandfled.
Jamaicaismostbeautiful.
Fornotafewdayswevisited,sailingandanchoring,liftingagainandstoppingagain.Oncethepeoplewerepacified,theygaveuskindlyenoughwelcome,tradingandwondering.Weslippedbyboldcoastsandheadlandswhichwemustdouble,mountainsaboveus.Theyranbyinlandpaths,savingdistance,tellingvillageaftervillage.Whenwemadeharbor,herewasthethrongedbeach.Someofthesepeopleworeaslightdressofwovengrassandpalmleaves,andtheyusedcrownsofbrightfeathers.Wegotfromtheminsomequantitygoldenornaments.Butsouthforgold,south——south,theyalwayspointedsouth!
The_Cordera_,the_SantaClara_andthe_SanJuan_setsailoutoftheHarborofGoodWeather,inSantiagoorJamaica.
Adayandanightofpleasantsailing,thenwesawthegreatCubacoastriseblueinthedistance.Theweatherwheeled.
Therewasfirstamarvelousgreenhush,whilecloudsformedoutofnothing.Weheardamoaningsoundandwedidnotknowitsquarter.Theseaturneddeadman\'scolor.Thenburstthewind.Itwasmorethanwind;itseemedthemovementofaworlduponus.Bareofallsails,welabored.Weweredriven,onefromtheother.
Themarinersfelltopraying.
Astrangelightwasaroundus,asthoughthetempestitselfmadealight.ByitImarkedtheAdmiral,uprightwherehecouldbestcommandthewhole.Hehadlashedhimselfthere,fortheshiptossedexcessively.Hisgreatfigurestood;hiswhite,blowinghair,inthatstrangelight,madeforhimanimbus.Itwasstrange,howthelightseemedtoseizethatandhisbrowandhisgray-blueeyes.Belowtheeyes.hislipsmoved.Hewasshoutingencouragement,butonlytheintentioncouldbeheard.Theintentionwasheard.Helookedwhathewas,somethingmorethanaboldmanandabraveseacaptain,andtherestreamedfromhimcomfort.Ittouchedhismariners;itcameamongthemliketonguesofflame.
Darknessincreased.Wewerenowamonglightningslikejavelinsandloudthunder.Thenfelltherain,intorrents,indropslargeasplums.Itwasasthoughanotheroceanwasdescendinguponus.
Itlastedandweendured.Afterlongwhilecamelesseninginthatweightofrain,andthencessation.Suddenlythetempestwasover.Thereshoneastar-threestarsandontopmastandbowspritSaintElmo\'slights.
Ourmarinersshouted,``Safe——safe!SaintElmo!\'\'
Suddenly,overallthesky,werestarsshining.TheAdmiralraisedhisgreatvoice.``Sing,allofus!
`StellaMaris——
SanctaMaria!\'\'\'
Withthemorningthe_SantaClara_andthe_SanJuan_,beatenabout,someinjurydone,butalive!AndthecoastofCuba,nearer,nearer,tallandblue——andatlastverytallandgreenandgold.
OffCubaandstilloffCuba,thesoutherncoastnow,asagainstthenorthernthatoncewetriedforawhile.Sailandcometoland,stayabit,andshakeoutsailsoncemore!
WhereverwetarriedwefoundpeaceableifvastlyexcitedIndians.Butstillnaked,butstillunwiseastogoldandspices,tradersandmarkets.Cambalu,QuinsaiandZaitonofthemarblebridges!
```Somewhere,\'saithMesserMarco,`inpartthecountryissalvage,filledwithmountains,andherecomefewstrangers,forthekingwillnothavethem,inorderthathistreasuresandcertainmattersofhiskingdomcomenotintotheworld\'sknowledge.\'Andagainhesaith,`Thefolkherearenaked.\'——Whatwonderthen,\'\'saidtheAdmiral,``thatwefindthesethings!Yea,Ifeelsurprisedattheincessancy,butIcheckmyselfandthink,howvastisAsia,andwhatvariousnessmustneedsbe!\'\'
Butwemovedinacloudofdifferences,andwhileontheonehandthisworldwasgrowingfamiliar,ontheotherthesenseincreased.``HowvastindeedmustbeAsia,ifallthisandyetwecomenot——andnowitisgoingontwoyears——toanyclearhintofotherthanthis!\'\'
Hehimself,theAdmiral,begantofeelthisstrangeness.
Orrather,hehadlongfeltitandfoughtthefeeling,butnowstronglyitcamecreepingover.
Wewereamongthehugestnumberofsmallislands.Starboardloomed,untilitwaslostinthefarness,thatcoastthatwewerefollowing,butthethreeshipswereinahalf-
land,half-waterworld.Wewanderedinthislabyrinth,keepingwithdifficultyourway,socrookedandnarrowthechannels,somanythesandbars.Fromdeckitmindedmeofthatseaofweedwemetinthefirstpassage.
Wavesoffragrancestruckus.``Ha!\'\'criedtheAdmiral.
``Canyounotsmellcinnamon,spikenard,nutmeg,clovesandgalingal?\'\'Hisfaithwassostrongthatwedidsmell.Fromoneoftheseislands,the_Cordera_lyingatanchorandaboatgoingashore,wetookanumberofpigeons.
Sounafraidwerethesebirdsthatourmenapproachedthemeasilyandbeatthemdownwithapike.Wehadthemforsupper,andwhentheircropswereopened,thecookfoundandbroughttotheAdmiralanumberofbrownseeds.TheAdmiraldroppedthemintoclearwater,thensmelledandtasted.``Cloves?Aretheynotcloves?\'\'HegavetoJuandelaCosaandtomewhoalsotastedandthoughttheymightbecloves.Butwedidnotfindtheirtree,andwesawnosignsofeveramerchantofCathayorMangiorInd.
ChristopherusColumbusleanedupontherailofthe_Cordera_.
Inthisisletworldwelayatanchorforthenight.
``Doyouknowwhatitis,\'\'heasked,``tohaveawordcolorthewholedaylong?\'\'Heglancedaround,butnonewasverynear.``MyWordto-dayis_magic_.I\'dnotgiveittoanybutyou,andIdropmyvoiceinsayingit.I\'llsailonthroughmagicandagainstmagic,forIhaveHelpfromAbove!ButI\'llnotlayafearsomewordamongthosewhoarenotsoaccorded!AllsayIndiahathhighmagic,andtheGrandKhantakesfromthatcountryhisastrologersandsorcerers.IhavereadthatatShandu,iftherebelongraining,theywillmountatowerbythepalaceandwaveitback,sothatthefallingrainmakesbutapleasantwallaroundtheking\'sfairgardenthatitselfrestsinsunshine.
Alsothatwithouttouchingthemtheycausethegoldenflagonstofillwithredwineandtomovethroughair,withnohanduponthem,totheking\'stable.Thatwaslongago.
Wehavehadnonewsofthemoflate.Theymaydonowmoremarvelous,vasterthings.\'\'
``Andthemoral?\'\'
``Isaid,`Theydothemthere.\'Perhapsthisisthere.\'\'
``Itakeyou!\'\'Isaidandhalf-laughed.``WemaybeinCathayallthiswhile,underthegoldenroofs,withthebellsstrungfromtheeaves.Yonderlineofcranesstandingintheshallowwater,watchingus,may,Godwot,betallmagiciansinwhitelinenandscarletsilk!
Hecrossedhimself.Thecraneshadliftedthemselvesandflownaway.``Iftheyheard——\'\'
``Areyouinearnest?\'\'
Heputhishandsoverhiseyes.``SometimesIthinkitmaybefact,sometimesnot!Sorceryisafact,andwhoknowshowfaritmaygo?Attimesmybrainisliketocrack,Ihavesocudgeledit!\'\'
Thathecudgeleditwastrue,andthoughhisbrainnevercrackedandtotheendwasthebestbraininahundred,yetfromthistimeforthIbegantomarkinhimanunearthliness.
TheseislandswenamedtheQueen\'sGardens,andescapingfromthemcameagaintocleancoast.Onwewentfortwo,days,andthispartofCubahadmanyvillages,atseaedgeoralittlefromthewater,andallmenandwomenwerefriendlyandbroughtusgifts.
Irememberamoonlightnight.Allwereaboardthe_Cordera_,the_SantaClara_andthe_SanJuan_,forwemeanttosailatdawn.Wehadleftavillageyetdancingandfeasting.
Thenightwasamiracleofsilver.AgainIstoodbesideChristopherusColumbus;fromlandstreamedtheirsingingandtheirthin,drummingandclashingmusic.Athanditisratherharshthansweet,butdistancesweetenedit.
``Whatwillbehereinthefuture——iftherearenotalreadyhere,afteryournotion,greatcitiesandbridgesandshipping,andonlyoureyesholdenandourhandsandstepsmadeharmless?Ornearlyharmless,forwehaveslainsomeIndians!\'\'
Hehadmadeagestureofdeprecation.``Ah,that,I
hardlydoubt,wasmyfancy!ButinthefutureIseethem,yourcities!\'\'
Doyouseethem,fromSanSalvadoronwardandeverywhere,——Spanishcities?
``Necessarily——seeingthattheHolyFatherhathgiventhewholeofthelandtoSpain.\'\'Helookedatthemoonthatwassohugeandbright,andlistenedtothesavagemusic.``Ifwegofarenough——walkingafar——whoknowethwhatweshallfind?\'\'Hestoodmotionless.``_I_
donotknow.ItisinGod\'shands!\'\'
``Doyousee,\'\'Iasked,``agreatstatueofyourself?\'\'
``Yes,Iseethat.\'\'
Themoonshonesobrightlyitwasmarvel.Landbreezebroughtperfumefromtheenormousforest.``Itistoofairtosleep!\'\'saidtheAdmiral.``Iwillsithereandthink.\'\'
Hesleptlittleatanytime.Hisdayswerefilledwithaction.
Neverwasanywhohadmorebusinesstoattendto!
Yethewasofthosetowhomsolitudeisasair,——imperiouslyanecessity.Intoitheplungedthrougheverycrackandcrannyamongevents.Heknewhowtousethespaceinwhichswimevents.Butbesidethishemustmakeforhimselfwideholdings,andwhenhecouldnotgetthembydayhetookfromnight.
WecameagaintoamultitudeofisletsliketotheQueen\'sGardens.Andtheseweresetinastrangechurnedandcurdledsea,aswhiteasmilk.Makingthroughitasbestwemight,wepassedfromthatsilvernessandbrokenlandintoagreatbayorgulf,sodeepthatwemighthardlyfindbottom,andhereweanchoredclosetoalongpointofCubacoveredthickwithpalms.