IaskedhimifhebelievedthattheSovereignsknewthisoutrage.IcouldbelieveithardlyofKingFerdinand,notatalloftheQueen.
AgainIfeltthatthiswascordialtohim.Ihadspokenoutofmyconviction,andheknewit.``No,\'\'hesaid.``I
donotbelieveit.IwillneverbelieveitoftheQueen!
Lookyou!Ihavethoughtitoutinthenight.Thenightisgoodforthinkingout.YouwouldnotbelievehowmanyenemiesIhaveinSpain.MargariteandFatherBuilarebuttwoofacrowd.Fonseca,whoshouldgivemeallaid,givesmeallhindrance.Ihavethrongsoffoes;menwhoenvyme;menwhothoughtImightgivethemthegoldensun,andIcouldnot;hidalgoswhoholdthatGodmadethemtoenjoy,standingonothermen\'sshoulders,eatingthegrapesandthrowingdowntheemptyskins,andImadethemtolaborliketheothers;andnotinHeavenorHellwilltheyforgiveme!Andothers——andothers.TheyhaveturnedtheKingalittletheirway.Iknewthat,ereIwenttofindthatgreatnewlandwherearepearls,thatslopesupwardbylittlestotheHeightoftheWorldandtheEarthlyParadise.TurnedtheKing,butnottheQueen.ButnowImakeittheyhaveworkeduponher.ImakeitthatshedoesnotknowthecharacterofDonFranciscodeBoba-
dilla.Imakeitthat,holdinghimtobefarwiserthanheis,shewiththeKinggavehimgreatpowerascommissioner.
Imakeitthattheygavehimlettersofauthority,andalastletter,supersedingtheViceroy,naminghimGovernorwhomallmustobey.Imakeitthathewasonlytousethisifafterlongexaminationitwasfoundbyawise,justmanthatIhaddoneaftermyenemies\'hopes.ImakeitthathereacrossOcean-Sea,far,farfromSpain,hechosenottowait.Hecluckedtohimallthedisaffectedandflewwithastrongbeakattheeyesofmyfriends.\'\'Hemovedhisarmsandhischainsclanked.``ImakeitthatthisseverityisDonFranciscodeBobadilla\'s,notKingFerdinand\'s,not——oh,morethannot——thegoodQueen\'s!\'\'
JuanLepethoughtthathehadmadeouttheprobabilities,probablythecertainties.
``IfImaywintoSpain!\'\'heended.``Itallhingesonthat!IfImayseetheSovereigns——ifImayseethegoodQueen!IhopetoGodhewillsoonchainmeinashipandsendme!\'\'
HadheseenDonFranciscodeBobadilla?
No,hehadnotseenDonFranciscodeBobadilla.HethoughtthatonthewholethatHidalgoandCommanderofCalatravawasafraid.
OutsideofthefortressthatafternoonJuanLepekeptcompanywithonewhohadcomewiththefire-newGovernor,agrim,quietfellownamedPedroLopez.HeandLuisTorresbadbeenneighborsinSpain;itwasLuiswhobroughtustogether.IgavehimsomewineinDoctorJuanLepe\'ssmallroomandhetoldreadilythechargesagainsttheViceroythatBobadilla,seizing,madeintoasheaf.
AlreadyIknewwhattheywere.Ihadheardthem.Oneortwohad,Ithought,faintjustification,butthemass,no!
Personalavarice,personalgreed,paynimluxury,arrogance,cruelty,deceit——itmadeonesorrowfullylaughwhoknewtheman!Hereagainclamoredtheoldchargeofupstartness.
Alow-bornItalian,sonofawool-comber,vindictivetowardthehidalgo,ofSpain!Buttherewerenewcharges.
ThreemendeposedthatheneglectedIndiansalvation.AndIheardforthefirsttimethatsosoonashefoundtheGrandKhanhemeanttogiveovertothatOrientalalltheislandsandthemain,andsobetraytheSovereignsandChristandeverySpaniardintheseparts!
TheAdelantadoarrivedinSanDomingo.Hecamewithonlyascoreortwoofmen,whocouldhaveraisedmanymore.DonFranciscodeBobadillasawtoitthathehadwordfromhisgreatbrother,andthatwordwas``Obedience.\'\'
TheAdelantadogavehisswordtoDonFrancisco.
Thelatterloadedthefirstwithchainsandputhimaboardacaravelintheharbor.Heaskedtobeprisonedwithhisbrother;butwhyaskanymagnanimityfromanunmagnanimoussoul?
Outintheopennowwerealltheoldinsurgents.GuevaraandRequelmebowedtotheearthwhentheGovernorpassed,andRoldansatwithhimatwine.
CHAPTERXXXVI
THEcaraveltossedinaheavystorm.Someofhermarinerswereoldinthesewaters,butothers,comingoutwithBobadilla,hadlittleknowledgeofourbreadthsofOcean-Sea.Theyhadmetnaughtlikethisrain,thisshakenair,thesethundersandlightnings.Thereroseacrythattheshipwouldsplit.AllwasbecausetheyhadchainedtheAdmiral!
DonAlonsodeVillejo,theCaptaintakingChristopherusColumbustoSpain,calledtohimJuanLepe.``Witnessyou,Doctor,Iwouldhavetakenawaytheironssosoonaswewereoutofharbor!Iwouldhavedoneitonmyownresponsibility.Buthewouldnothaveit!\'\'
``Yes,Iwitness.InchainsinHispaniola,hewillcometoSpaininchains.\'\'
``Iftheshipgoesdowneverymanmustsavehimself.Hemustbefree.Ihavesentforthesmith.Comeyouwithme!\'\'
Wewenttothatduskycabinintheshipwherehewasprisoned.``Itisagreatstorm,andweareindanger,senor!\'\'saidVillejo.``Iwilltakeawaytheseironssothatif——\'\'
TheAdmiral\'ssilverhairgleamedinthedusk.Hemovedandhisgyvesstrucktogether.``Villejo!\'\'hesaid,``ifI
lieto-nightonthefloorofOcean-Sea,Iwillliethereinthesechains!Whentheseagivesupitsdead,Iwillriseinthem!
``Icouldforceyou,senor,\'\'saidVillejo.
Theotheranswered,``Tryit,andGodwillmakeyourhandslikeababe\'s!\'\'
Villejoandthesmithdidnottryit.Therewassomethingaroundhimlikeaninvisibleguard.Iknewthefeelofit,andthatitwashiswillemergedatheight.
``Rememberthen,senor,thatIwouldhavedoneitforyou!\'\'Villejotouchedthedoor.TheAdmiral\'svoicecameafter.``Mybrother,DonBartholomew,hewhowasresponsibletomeandonlythroughmetotheSovereigns,freehim,Villejo,andyouhaveallmythanks!\'\'
WewenttotakethegyvesfromDonBartholomew.Itwouldhavebeencomforttothesebrotherstobetogetherinprison——butthattheGovernorofHispaniolastraitlyforbade.
WhenVillejohadexplainedwhathewoulddo,theAdelantadoasked,``WhatoftheAdmiral?\'\'
``Iwishtotakethemfromhimalso.Butheisobstinateinhisprideandwillnot!\'\'
``HewillgoasheistotheQueenandSpainandtheworld,\'\'saidJuanLepe.
``Thatisenoughforme,\'\'answeredtheAdelantado.``I
donotgodownto-nightafreedbodywhilehegoesdownachained——Farewell,senor!IthinkIhearyoursailorscalling.\'\'
Villejohesitated.``Letthemhavetheirwill,senor,\'\'
saidJuanLepe.``Theirwillisasgoodasours.\'\'
DonBartholomewturnedtome.``Howfaresmybrother,Doctor?Isheill?\'\'
``Heisbetter.BecausehewasillIwaslettocomewithhim.Butnowheisbetter.\'\'
``Givehimmyenduringloveandconstancy,\'\'saidtheAdelantado.``Goodnight,Villejo!\'\'andturneduponhissidewitharattlingofhischain.
ReturningtotheAdmiral,JuanLepesatbesidehimthroughthenight.Thetempestcontinuing,thereweremomentswhenwethought,Itmaybetheendofthislife!
Wethoughttohearthecry``Shesinks!\'\'andtherushoffeet.
Attimeswhentherefelllullswetalked.Hewascalmlycheerful.
``Itseemstomethatthestormlessens.Ihavebeenpenninginmymind,lyinghere,alettertoonewhowillshowittotheQueen.Writingso,Icansaywithgreaterfreedomthatwhichshouldbesaid.\'\'
``Whatdoyousay?\'\'
Hetoldmewithenergy.HisletterrelatedpasteventsinHispaniolaandthearrivalofBobadillaandallthattookplacethereupon.Hehadaneloquenceofthepenasofspeech,andwhathesaidtoDonaJuanadelaTorremoved.
Ahighsimplicitywashisinsuchmoment,anopeningoftheheart,suchasonlychildrenandtheverygreatattain.
Hetoldhiswrongs,andheprayedforjustjudgment,``notasarulerofanorderedlandwhereobtainold,known,long-followedlaws,andwhereindeeddisordermightcry`WeaknessandIll-doing!\'ButIshouldbejudgedratherasageneralsenttobringundergovernmentanenemypeople,numerous,heathen,livinginamostdifficult,unknownandpathlesscountry.AndtodothisIhadmanygoodmen,itistrue,butalsoahostthatwasnotgood,butwasfactious,turbulent,sensualandidle.YethaveIbroughtthesestrangelandsandnakedpeoplesundertheSovereigns,givingthemthelordshipofanewworld.Whatsaymyaccusers?TheysaythatIhavetakengreathonorsandwealthandnobilityformyselfandmyhouse.Eventheysay,Omyfriend!
thatfromthevastold-and-newandfairestlandthatIhavelatelyfound,Itookandkeptthepearlsthatthosenativesbroughtme,notrenderingthemtotheSovereigns.Godjudgeme,itisnotso!Spainbecomethvastlyrich,andtheheadoftheworld,andherSovereigns,lesttheyshouldscanttheirownnobility,givenobility,placeandwagetohimwhobroughtthemLordshiphere.Itisall!AndoutofmygainamInotpledgedtogatheranarmyandsetitforthtogaintheSepulchre?HaveIfallen,nowandagain,inalltheseyearsinmyGovernment,intosomeerror?HowshouldInotdoso,beinghuman?Butneverhathanerrorbeenmeant,neverhaveIwishedbuttodealhonestlyandmercifullywithall,withSpaniardsandwithIndians,toservewelltheSovereignsandtoadvancetheCross.Icallthesaintstowitness!Allthewayhasbeendifficult,thornsofnature\'sandmyenemies\'planting,butGodknoweth,I
havetroddenitsteadily.IhavegivenmuchtotheSovereigns,howmuchitisfuturedaysbrighterthanthesewillshow!Ihavebeentrueservanttothem.Ifnow,writinginchains,uponthecaravel_Santa,Marta_,Icrytothemforjustice,itisbecauseIdonotfearjustice!\'\'
Heceasedtospeak,thenpresently,``IwouldthatallmightseethelightthatIseeoverthefuture!——Thouseestit,JuanLepe.\'\'
``Aye,Iseelightoverthefuture.\'\'
Bylittlesthestormfell.Eredawnwecouldsay,``Weshalloutliveit!\'\'Hesleptforanhourthenwaked.``I
wasdreamingoftheHolyLand——butdoyouknow,JuanLepe,itwasseatedhereinthelandswefound!\'\'
``Seatedhereandeverywhere,\'\'Isaid.``Assoonasweseeitsoandmakeitso.\'\'
``Aye,Iknowthattheseaisholy,andsoshouldbealltheland!Theprophetseesitso——\'\'
Thedawncamefaintlyinuponus.Allwasquieter,thefootingoverheadsteady,nothasting,frightened.Lightstrengthened.Aboybroughthimbreakfast.Heatewithappetite.``Youarebetter,\'\'Isaid,``andyounger.\'\'
``Itisastrangething,\'\'heanswered,``butsoithadbeenfrommyboyhood.Isthedangercloseanddrear,istheshipuponthereef,thensomeonepoursformewine!Someone,doIsay?IknowWhom!\'\'
IbegantospeakoftheAdelantado.``Aye,thereheisthesame!`Peril——darkness?Well,let\'smeetit!\'Wearealike,wethreebrothers,alikeanddifferent.DiegoservesGodbestinamonastery,andIservebestinashipwithabookandamaptobefollowedandbettered.Bartholomewservesbestwherehehasbeen,AdelantadoandAlcayde.
Heispowerfulthere,withjudgmentandaction.Butheisaseamastertoo,andhemakesagoodmap——IthankGodwhogaveusgoodparents,andtousallthreemindandafirmwill!Theinheritancepassestomysons.Youhavenotseenthem?Theyareyouthsofgreatpromise!
Afamilythatisableandatone,lovingandaidingeachtheother,honoringitspastandprovidingforitsfuture,becomes,Itellyou,anOakthatcannotbefelled——anArkthatridesthewaters!\'\'
Ashemoved,hischainsmadeagaintheirdullnoise.``Dotheygreatlygallyou?\'\'
``Yes,theygall!Fleshandspirit.ButIshallwearthemuntiltheQueensaith,`Awaywiththem!\'ButeverafterIshallkeepthembyme!Theyshallhanginmyhousewhereforevermenshallseethem!Inmyson\'shouseafterme,andinhisson\'s!\'\'
AlonsodeVillejovisitedhim.``Thetempestisover,senor.Itakeitforgoodauguryinyouraffair!\'\'
JuanLepeuponthedeckfoundbesidehimamanwhomheknew.``Whatd\'yethink?Attheworst,inthemiddlenight,therecametoDonAlonsoandthemastertheoldseamenandwouldhavehimfreedsothathemightsaveus!
Theysaidthattheyhadseenhisdoubleuponthepoop,lookingattheseaandwavinghisarm.Thenitvanished!
Theywantedthewholeman,theywantedtheAdmiral!Themasterroaredatthemandsentthemback,butifithadcometotheworst——Idon\'tknow!\'\'
Cadiz——the_SantaMarta_cametoCadiz.BeforeushadarrivedBobadilla\'sships,one,twoandthree.WhathefoundtosaythroughhismessengersoftheAdmiralandViceroywasinthehandsandeyesandearsofall.Hesaidattheheightofhisvoice,acrosstheoceanfromHispaniola,violentandvillainousthings.
Cadiz——Spain.WecrowdedtolookDownplungedanchor,downrattledsails,arounduscametheboats.TheAdmiralandtheAdelantadorestedinchains.ThecorregidorofCadiztookthemboththusashoreandtoahousewheretheywerekept,untiltheSovereignsshouldsay,``Bringthembeforeus!\'\'
JuanLepethephysicianwaslettogointheboatwithhim.JuanLepe——JaymedeMarchena.ItwaseightyearssinceIhadquittedSpain.Iwasolderbythat,grizzled,beardedandsobronzedbytheIndiesthatIneedednoMoorishstain.ItrustedGodthatDonPedroandtheHolyOfficehadnolongerclawsforme.
Cadiz,andallthepeopleout,pointingandstaring.IrememberedwhatIhadbeentoldofthereturnfromhisfirstvoyage,andthesecondvoyage.Thenhadbeenbellsandtrumpets,flowers,banners,grandeesdrawinghimamongthem,shoutsandshoutsofwelcome!
Hewalkedingyves,heandtheAdelantado,tothehouseofhisdetention.Onceonlyasinglevoicewasraisedinashout,``ElAlmirante!\'\'Wecametothehouse,notaprison,thoughaprisonforhim.Inagoodenoughroomthecorregidorsoughttohavethechainsremoved.TheAdmiralwouldnot,keepingbackwithvoiceandeyethemenwhowishedtopartthemfromhim.WhentheSovereignsknew,andwhentheSovereignssent——then,butnotbefore!
Sevendaysinthishouse.ThenwordfromtheSovereigns,anditwashereindignant,andherecomforting.
ThebestwastheQueen\'sword;IdonotknowifitwassowhollyKingFerdinand\'s.Therewereletterstothealcaldeandcorregidor.ReleasetheAdmiraloftheOcean-Sea!
DonFranciscodeBobadillahadgrosslymisunderstood!
SoothetheAdmiral\'shurt.ShowhimtrustandgratitudeinCadizthatwasbecomethroughhimagreatercity!FulfillhisneedsandfurtherhimuponthewaytoGranada.Putinhispursetwothousandducats.ButtheletterthatcountedmosttoChristopherusColumbuswasonetohimselffromtheQueen.
JuanLepefoundhimwithitinhishand.Fromthewristyethungthechain.Tearswererunningdownhischeeks.``Yousee——yousee!\'\'hesaid.``Ithankthee,Christ,whotakethcareofusall!\'\'
Theycameandtookawayhischains.Butheclaimedthemfromthecorregidorandkeptthemtohisdeath.CamehidalgosofCadizandentreatedhimawayfromthishousetoabetterone.Outsidethestreetwasthronged.``TheAdmiral!TheAdmiral!WhogavetoSpaintheIndies!\'\'
DonBartholomewwasbyhim,freedlikehim.AndtheretoomovedaslenderyoungmanwhohadcomefromGranadawiththeQueen\'sletter,DonFernando,hiseldestson.
Alightseemedaroundthem.JuanLepethought,``Surelytheywhoservelargepurposesarecaredfor.Eventhoughtheyshoulddieinprison,yetaretheycaredfor!\'\'
CHAPTERXXXVII
JUANLEPElayuponthesandbeyondPalos.TheAdmiralwaswiththecourtinGranada,buthisphysician,cravingholiday,hadbornealettertoJuanPerez,thePriorof_SantaMaria_delaRabida.
IthoughttheAdmiralwouldgoagainseafaring,andthatIwouldgowithhim.UpatLaRabida,FrayJuanPerezwaskind.Ihadacell,Icouldcomeandgo;hedidnottellPalosthatherewastheAdmiral\'sphysician,whoknewtheIndiesfromthefirsttakingandcouldrelatewonders.Ilivedobscure,butinPrior\'sroom,byalightfire,foritwasNovember,hehimselfendlesslyquestionedandlistened.
Oceanbeforeme,ocean,ocean!Lyinghere,thoseyearsago,Ihadseenoceanonly.Now,far,far,Isawland,sawSanSalvador,Cubathatmightbethemain,Hayti,Jamaica,SanJuan,Guadaloupe,Trinidad,Pariathatagainseemedmain.Vastislandsandaworldofsmallislands,vastmainlands.
ThennosailwasseenonfarOcean-Sea;nowouttheremightbeshipsgoingfromCadiz,coming,returningfromSanDomingo.Eightyears,andsotheworldwaschanged!
Ithought,``Infiftyyears——inahundredyears——intwohundred?Whatiscomingupthelongroad?\'\'
Oceanmurmured,thetidewascomingin.JuanLepewaitedtillthesandshadnarrowed,tillthegraywavefoamedunderhishand.ThenheroseandwalkedslowlytoLaRabida.
Aftercompline,talk;FrayJuanPerez,thegoodman,comfortableinhisgreatchairbeforethefire.Hehadhungeredalways,Ithought,foradventureandmarvel.Hereithappened——?Andhereithappened——?
To-nightwefelltotalkofthePinzons——Martinwhowasdead,andVicentewhonowwasonOcean-Sea,onavoyageofhisown——andofotherswhohadsailed,andwhattheyfoundandwheretheywere.WewereateaseabouttheAdmiral.Wehadhadletters.
HewasinGranada,dressedagainincrimsonandgold,toweringagainwithhissilverhead,honoredandpraised.
WhenfirsthecameintotheQueen\'spresenceshehadtrembledalittleandturnedpale,andtherewaswaterinhereyes.``MasterChristopherus,forgiveus!Whereupon,\'\'
saidtheletter,``Iweptwithher.\'\'
Apparentlyallhonorswereback;hemovedAdmiralandViceroy.Hisbrothers,hissons,allhishousewalkedinaspringsun.HehadbeenshownthelettersfromBobadilla,andhewhowasnotlengthyinspeechhadspokenanhouruponthem.Hiswordranggold;Christgaveit,hesaid,thathistruthwasbelieved.DonFranciscodeBobadillawouldquitHispaniola——thoughnotinchains.
FrayJuanPerezstirredthefire.Uponthetablestoodaflaskofwineandadishoffigs.WewerecomfortableinLaRabida.
Dayspassed,weekspassed,timepassed.WordfromtheAdmiral,wordoftheAdmiral,camenotinfrequentlytowhiteLaRabida.Hehimself,inhisownperson,stoodinbrightfavor,theQueentreasuringhim,lovingtotalkwithhim,theCourtfollowingher,theKingatworstonlyacoolfriend.Buthisaffairsofoffice,FrayJuanPerezandIgathered,sittingsolicitousatLaRabida,werenotinsofairaposture.Heandhishouseholddidnotlack.
Monieswerepaidhim,thoughnotinfullhistitheofallgainsfromhisfinding.WhatnevershookwashistitleofTheAdmiral.Buttheyseemed,theSovereigns,oratleastKingFerdinand,tolookthrough``Viceroy\'\'asthoughitwereashade.AndinHispaniola,thoughcharged,reproved,threatened,stillstayedBobadillaintheguiseofGovernor!
``Theycannotleavehimthere,\'\'Isaid.``IftheColombosarenotmenfortheplace,whatthenisBobadilla?\'\'
FrayJuanPerezstirredthefire.``KingFerdinand,I
sayitonlytoyouandinawhisper,hasnotalittleoftheKingoftheFoxes!Not,tillhehasmadeuphismind,dothhewishthereaperfectman.Whenhehasmadeitup,hewillcastabout——\'\'
``IdonotthinkhehasanybetterthantheAdelantado!\'\'
```Thosebrothersareone.Leavehimout!\'saiththeKing.Iwillreadyouhismind!`MasterChristopherusColumbushathhadtoomuchfromthebeginning.Norishenecessaryashewas.Whenthebreachismade,anymaytakethefortress!IwillleavehimandgivehimwhatImustbutnomore!\'HewillsendatlastanotherthanBobadilla,butnotagain,ifhecanhelpit,theoldViceroy!
OfcoursethereistheQueen,butshehasmanysorrowsthesedays,andfails,theysay,inhealth.\'\'
``Itmaybe,\'\'saidJuanLepe.``ImyselfwerecontentforhimtorestTheAdmiralonly.Buthismindisyetahawktoweringoverlandandseaandclaimingbothforprize.Heminglestheearthlyandtheheavenly.\'\'
``Itistrue,\'\'saidFrayJuanPerez,``thatagecomesuponhim.Andtrue,too,thatKingFerdinandmaysay,`Whateveritwasatfirst,thisworldintheWestbecomesfartoovastamatterforonemanandtheold,first,simpleways!\'\'\'
``Youhaveitthere,\'\'Ianswered,andwecoveredtheembersandwenttobedinLaRabida.
Winterpassed.ItwasseenthattheAdmiralcouldnotsailthisweeknorthenext.
JuanLepe,bearded,brownasaMoor,olderthanintheyearGranadafell,crossedwithquietnessmuchofCastileandcameonaspringeveningtothecastleofDonEnriquedeCerda.Again``_JuanLepefromthehermitageintheoakwood_.\'\'
Sevendays.Iwouldnotstaylonger,butinthattimetheancienttreeswavedgreenagain.
DonEnriquehadbeenrecentlytoGranada.``KingFerdinandwillchangeallmattersintheWest!YourislandsshallhaveGovernors,asmanyasnecessary.TheyshallreferthemselvestoaHighGovernoratSanDomingo,whoinhisturnshallcloselylistentoaCouncilhere.\'\'
``WilltheHighGovernorbeDonCristovalColon?\'\'
``No.Ihearthathehimselfagreestoasuspensionofhisviceroyaltyfortwoyears,seeingwellthatinHispaniolaisnaughtbutfaction,everythingtorninto`FriendsoftheGenoese\'and`Notfriends!\'.Perhapsheseesthathecannothelphimselfandthathelesspartswithdignitybyacceding.
Idonotknow.ThereistalkofDonNicholasdeOvanda,CommanderofLares.Yourmanwillnot,Ithink,besentbeforeasteadywindforViceroyagain——neveragain.Ifhepressestoopersistently,therecanalwaysbefoundoneormorewhowillstandandcry,`Hedidintend,OKing——
hedothintend——tomakehimselfKingoftheIndies!\'
AndKingFerdinandwillsayhedoesnotbelieve,butitismanifestthatthatthoughtmustfirstdiefrommen\'sminds.
TheQueenfailsfast.Shehasnotthevoiceandthehandinallmattersthatoncewasso.\'\'
``Heisonewhodiesforloyalties,\'\'Isaid.``HereverencesallsimplythecrownsofCastileandLeon.ForhisownsakeIamnottrulysoanxioustohavehimViceroyagain!Theywillgivehimshipsandlethimdiscoveruntilhedies?\'\'
``Ah,Idon\'tthinkthereisanydoubtaboutthat!\'\'heanswered.
Wetalkedsomewhatofthatgreatmodernworld,evidentnowoverthehorizon,bearinguponuslikeatall,full-riggedship.Allthingswerechanging,changingfast.Wetalkedofcommerceandinventions,oflettersandofarts,ofreligionandthesoulofman.Outofthesoilwerepushingeverywhereplantsthattheoldcalledheretical.
Sevendays.Wewere,asweshallbeforever,friends.
ButJuanLepewouldgobacktoLaRabida.Hewas,forthisturnoflife,manoftheAdmiraloftheOcean-Sea.Sowesaidfarewell,EnriquedeCerdaandJaymedeMarchena.
ThreeleaguesSevillesideofCordovaIcameatevetoagoodinnknowntomeofold.RidingintoitscourtI
foundtwotravelersenteringjustbeforeme,oneawell-
formedhidalgostillatprime,andtheotherayoungmanevidentlyhisson.TheelderwhohadjustdismountedturnedandIrecognizedDonFranciscodeLasCasas.Atthesameinstanthesawme.``Ha,Friend!Ha,Doctor!\'\'
Wetookoursuppertogetherinawide,lowroom,lookingoutupontheroad.DonFranciscoandJuanLepetalkedandtheyoungmanlistened.JuanLepetalkedbuthiseyestrulywereforthisyoungman.Itwasnotthathewasofastrikingaspectandbetterthanhandsome,thoughhewasallthat——butIdonotknow——itwasthefutureinhiscountenance!HisfatheraddressedhimasBartolome.
Oncehesaid,``WhenmysonwasattheUniversityatSalamanca,\'\'andagain,``MysonwillgooutwithDonNicholasdeOvando.\'\'JuanLepe,sittinginabrownstudy,rousedatthat.``Ifyougo,senor,youwillfindgoodmemoriesaroundthenameofLasCasas.\'\'
Theyoungmansaid,``Iwillstriveinnowaytodarkenthem,senor.\'\'
Hemightbeayearortwotheyoungersideofthirty.
Thefather,itwasevident,hadgreatprideinhim,andpresentlyhavingsenthimonsomeerrand——sendinghim,Ithought,inordertobeabletospeakofhim——toldmethathewasverylearned,alicentiate,havingmasteredlaw,theologyandphilosophy.HehimselfwouldnotreturntoHispaniola,butBartolomewishedtogo.Hesighed,``I
donotknow.Somethingmakesmeconsent,\'\'andwentontoenlistDoctorJuanLepe\'scareifintheislandeveraroseanychancetoaid——
Thesonreturned.Therewassomething——JuanLepeknewit——somethinginthefuture.
Later,DonFranciscohavinggonetobed,theyoungmanandItalked.Ilikedhimextraordinarily.Iwasnotfarfromtwicehisage,aslittlemancountsage.Buthehadsoulandmind,andwhilethesecountageitisnotintheshort,earthlyway.HeaskedmeabouttheIndians,andagainandagainwecamebacktothat,pacingupanddowninthemoonlightbeforetheSpanishinn.
Thenextmorningparting.TheyweregoingtoCordova,Itothesea.
ThedovesflewoverthecloisterofLaRabida.Thebellsrang;inthesmallwhitechurchsangthebrothers,thenpacedtotheircellsorawaytotheirworkamongthevines.
Priorhadagarden,small,withatreeineachcorner,withastonebenchinthesunandastonebenchintheshade,andthedoveswalkedherealldaylong.AndhereIfoundtheAdelantadowithFrayJuanPerez.
TheAdmiralwaswell?
Aye,well,andnextmonthwouldcometoSeville.AnewVoyage.
Wesatunderthegrapearborandhetoldmemuch,thePriorlisteningforthesecondtime.Thedovescooedandwhirredandwalkedinthesunandshadow.AccordingtoDonBartholomew,halfinhispackwasdarkandhalfwaslight.
Ovando?Weheardagainofallthat.Hewasgoingout,DonNicholasdeOvando,withagreatfleet.
TheAdelantadopossessedadealofplain,strongsense.
``IdonotthinkthatCristoforowilleverruleagaininHispaniola!KingFerdinandhashisownmeasureandgoesabouttoapplyit.TheQueenflinchesnowfromdecisions——
Well,whatofit?Afterall,wewerebredtothesea,IhaveanotionthathissonDiego——anableyouth——mayyetbeViceroy.Hehasestablishedhisfamily,ifsobehedoesnotbringdownthestructurebyobstinatingovermuch!
Heseesthat,theAdmiral,andnodshisheadandstepsaside.Asfornativeprideanditshurthesalvesthatwithgreatenterprises.Itishisway.Drouth?Frost?Outofbothherises,greenandhopefulasgrassinMay!
WhatoftheVoyage?askedJuanLepe.
``That\'stheenterprisethatwillgothrough.NowthatPortugalandVascodaGamaareactuallyinatthedoor,itbehoovesus——moreandmoreitbehoovesus,\'\'saidBartolomeoColombo,``tofindIndiaofAlltheWealth!SpainnolessthanPortugalwantsthegoldanddiamonds,thedrugsandspices,thefine,thin,paintedcloths,thecarvedivoryandsilverandamber.`Land,land,somuchland!\'
saysKingFerdinand.`But_wealth_?Itisallout-go!EvenyourCrusadewereabeggarlyCrusade!\'\'\'
``Ha!Thathurthim!\'\'quothFrayJuanPerez.
``SaystheKing.`PedroAlonsoNinohasmadeforusthemostprofitablevoyageofanywhohavesailedfromCadiz.\'`FromCadiz,butnotfromPalos,\'answerstheAdmiral.\'\'
``Ha!Easy\'tiswhenhehasshowntheway!\'\'saidFrayJuanPerez.
DonBartholomewdrewwiththePrior\'sstickinthesandatourfeet.``Heconceivesitthus.HeretothenorthisCuba,stretchingwestwardhowfarnomanknoweth.
HeretothesouthisPariathathefound——nomatterwhatOjedaandNinoandCabralhavedonesince!——stretchingwestwardhowfarnomanknoweth,andbetweenisagreatseaholdingJamaicaandwedonotknowwhatotherislands.
CubaandPariacurvingsouthandnorthandbetweenthemwheretheyshallcomeclosestsurelyastraitintotheseaofRichIndia!\'\'HedrewCubaandPariaapproachingeachtheotheruntiltherewasspacebetweenlikethespacefromthehornofSpaintothehornofAfrica.``RichIndia——now,now,now——goldonthewharves,canoesofpearls,notcottonandcassava,iswhatwewantinSpain!
SotheKingsays,`Verygood,youshallhavetheships,\'
andtheQueen,`Christhaveyouinhiskeeping,MasterChristopherus!\'Sowego.Allhisfuturehangs,heknows,onfindingRichIndia.\'\'
``Howsoondowego?\'\'
``Assoonashecangettheshipsandthemenandthesupplies.
Hewantsonlythreeorfourandnotgreatones.
Greatshipsforwarshipsandstoreships,butlittleshipsfordiscovery!\'\'
``Aye,Ihearhim!\'\'saidFrayJuanPerez.``September——October.\'\'
ButitwasnotuntilMarchthatwesailedonhislastvoyage.
CHAPTERXXXVIII
THEshipswerethe_Consolacion_,the_Margarita_,the_Juana_andthe_SanSebastian_,allcaravelsandsmallones,the_Consolacion_thelargestandtheflagship.
The_Margarita_,thatwastheAdelantado\'sship,sailedbadly.
Therewassomethingaswrongwithherashadbeenwiththe_Pinta_whenwestartedfromPalosin\'92.
Themenalltold,crewsandofficersandadventurers,werelessthantwohundred.
PedrodeTerreros,BartholomewFiesco,DiegoTristan,FranciscodePorraswerethecaptainsofthecaravelsJuanSanchezandPedroLedesmathechiefpilots.BartholomewFiescoofthe_Consolacion_wasaGenoeseandwhollydevotedtothegreaterGenoese.WehadfornotaryDiegoMendez.
Thereweregoodmenuponthisvoyage,andveryboldmen.
TheyouthFernandoColonsailedwithhisfather.Hewasnowfourteen,DonFernando,slim,intelligent,obedientandlovingalwaystotheAdmiral.
Daysofbrightweather,daysanddaysofthatmarvelousfavorablewindthatblowsoverOcean-Sea.Thetwenty-
fifthofMaytheCanariessankbehindus.Onandon,allthesailssteady.
WewerenotfirstforHispaniola.Allmustbestrange,thisvoyage!Jamaica,notSanDomingo,wasourstar.
Restthereamoment,takefoodandwater,thenforthandaway.Westagain,westbysouth.HewasstraitlyforbiddentodropanchorinanywaterofHispaniola.``Forwhy?\'\'saidthey.``BecausetheverysightofhisshipswilltearasunderagainthatwhichDonNicholasdeOvandoishealing!\'\'
The_Margarita_,thatwasnexttothe_Consolacion_ingreatness,sailedsoinfirmlythatmercy\'twastheseasweresmooth.Itwastrueaccident.ShehadbeenknownatPalos,CadizandSanLucarforgoodship.ButatErcillawherewemuststopontheSovereigns\'business,astormhadbeatenherupontheshorewhereshegotagreatwoundinherside.Thatwasstaunched,butallherframewaswrenchedandsheneverdidwellthereafter.Inmid-JunewecametoanislandoftheCaribswhichtheycalledMantineo.
Herewerestedthebetterpartofaweek,keepinggoodguardagainsttheCaribs,thensailed,andnownorthbywest,alongavastcurve,withinaworldofislands.
Theyaregreat,theyaresmall,theyareoftheextremestbeauty!SanMartin,Dominica,Guadaloupe,SanJuan——
theBoriquenwhencehadcome,longago,thatCatalinawhomGuacanagariaided——anduntouchedat,orunderthehorizon,manyanotherthattheAdmiralhadnamed;_SantaMaria_laAntigua,SantaCruz,SantaUrsula,Montserrat,ElevenThousandVirgins,Marigalanteandallbeside.Whataworld!PlatohisAtlantis.HowtrulyoldweareGodonlyknows!
The_Margarita_sailedmostbadly.AtSanJuanthatistheneighborgreatislandtoHispaniola,council,twocouncils,onefollowingtheother.ThensaidtheAdmiral,``WearetofindtheStraitthatshallatlastcarryustoclothedAsiaofalltheechoes,andtofindwehavebutfoursmallshipsandoneofthemevidentlydoomed.Andinthatonesailsmybrother.WhatistheSovereigns\'command?`TouchnotonyouroutwardwayatHispaniola!\'Whatisintheirmindhere?`Haleandfaringwell,youhavenoneed.\'——
Butifwearenotbaleandfaringwellbyafourthofourenterprise?Theynevermeantittoadrowningman,oronewhosewatercaskwasempty!BeingChristian,no!
WewillputintoSanDomingoandaskofDonNicholasdeOvandoashipinplaceofthe_Margarita_.\'\'
Whereatallcheered.Weweregatheredunderpalms,uponafairpointoflandinSanJuanleBautista.Nextdayweweighedanchor,andinpictureSanDomingorosebeforeus.
Hefeltnodoubtofdecentwelcome,ofgettinghisship.
FifteensailhadgoneoutwithOvando.Turnthecasesaround,andhewouldhavegivenOvandowelcome,hewouldgivehimagoodship.HowmuchmorethenChristopherusColumbus!Theenterprisewascommoninthatallstoodtoprofit.Itwasroyalerrand,worldservice!SohethoughtandsailedinsometranquillityofmindforSanDomingo.
ButtheAdelantadosaidinmyear.``Therewillbeavastto-do!MaybeI\'llsailthe_Margarita_totheend.\'\'Hewastheprophet!