SailonandonalongthegoldencoastofVeragua!Cometoariverandland,forallthatagainwehearddrumsandthosegreatshellsstronglyblown.Makepeaceandtrade.
Andhereagainwasgold,gold,gold.Wewerenowassuredthatthemainwasfarricherthananyisland.Turbulenthope,——thatwasthechiefladingnowofthefourships.Gold!Gold!Goldenmoondisksandgoldenrudefigures.Wefoundalumpofgoldwroughtlikeamaizeear.
Whatwasbeyondthat,byitselfundertrees,wefoundanancient,broken,truewall,stoneandlime.Thestonesweregreatones,settruly,withcare.Thewallwasold;theremainderofhouse,ifhouseortempletherehadbeen,brokenfromit.Nowtheforestoverranall.Wedidnotknowwhenorbywhomitwasbuilt,andwefoundnomorelikeit.Butherewastruemasonry.Allofussaidthattheworldofthemainwasnottheworldoftheislands.
Ciguarre.TheseIndiansdeclareditwasCiguarreweshouldseek.NowthatwewereinVeragua——seekCiguarre.
SowesailedbeyondVeraguahuntingthestraitwhichwemustpassthroughtoGangesandIndofoldhistory.
CHAPTERXLII
PUERTOBELLO!Beautifultruly,andaharborwheremightrideanavy.Butnogold;andnowcamebackveryevillytheevilweather.Sevendaysablastrockedus.Westrainedeyestoseeifthe_Margarita_
yetlived.The_SanSebastian_likewisewasintrouble.Nobreakforsevendays.ItwasthoseenchantersofCariari——
magicasleepforawhilebutnowawake!
Storm.Andtwoshipsnightofoundering.Whenwindsankandbluecameback,weleftPuertoBelloandturnedagainsouthbyeast,butnowwithcrazy,crazyships,weather-
wrenchedandworm-eaten,_teredo_pierced.Theylookedold,soold,withtheirwhippedanddarkenedsails.Andwhenwedroppedanchorinsomebighttherewasnogold,butallnightweheardthatharshblowingofshellsandbeatingofdrums.
FranciscoandDiegodePorras,AlonsodeZamorra,PedrodeVilletoro,BernardotheApothecaryandothers,themostuponthe_Consolacion_,othersonthe_Margarita_andthe_Juana_,nowbegantobrewmutiny.
Wesailedon,anduponthisforlorncoastwemetnomoregold.Ourshipsgrewsowornthatnowatanythreatintheskywemustlookandlookquicklyforharborage,beitgoodorindifferentbad.Tomanyofusthecoastnowtookawickedlook.ItwasdeepinNovember.
Nogold.TheseIndians——howvastanyhowwasIndia?——
werehostile,notfriendly.Ourshipsweredying,manifestly.Iftheysankunderusandwedrowned,theKingandQueen——iftheQueenstilllived——neverwouldcometoknowthatChristopherusColumbushadfoundVeraguathricemoregoldeneventhanParia!FoundVeragua,metmenofYucatan;andheardofCiguarre.
Atlastnotonlythemutinousbutsteadfastmencried,``Ifthereisastraititistoofarwiththeseships!\'\'
Foratimehewasobstinate._Itmustbefound,——itmustbefound!_ButonenighttherefellallbutlossoftheMargarita.
Whennextheslepthehadadream.``ThegoodQueencametomeandshehadinherhandapictureoffivestoutships.Outofherlipscameasingingvoice.`MasterChristopherus,MasterChristopherus,thesewaitforyou,ridinginCadizharbor!Butnowwillyouslayyoursonandyourbrotherandallyourmen?\'Thenshesaid,`Thestraitishiddenforawhile,\'andwent.\'\'
Thatdayweturned.``WewillgobacktoVeraguaandladewithgold,andthenwe\'llsailtoJamaicaandtoHispaniolawherethistimeweshallbewelcome!ThentoSpainwheretheQueenwillgivemeastrongerfleet.\'\'
Ourshipshailedtheturning.EventheAdelantado,evenDiegoMendezandJuanSanchezandBartholomewFiescowhowereoftheboldestdrewlongbreathasofmenrespitedfromdeath.
Notsomanyhaveknownandlivedtotellofsuchweatherasnowwemetandinitrolledfromwavetowavethroughalongmonth.
Wouldweputtolandwewerebeatenback.Wehadneverseensuchwaves,andattimestheyglowedwithcoldfire.Theseawiththewindtwisted,dancedandshouted.
Weweredeafwiththunderandblindwithlightning.Whentheraindescended,itwasasthoughanupperoceanwerecomingdown.Alittlesurcease,thenreturnofthetempest,likereturnofPolyphemus.Mendiedfromdrowning,and,Ithink,frompurefright.Onedaythecloudsdrovedown,theseawhirledup.Therewasmadeahugewatercolumn,amovingcolumnthatfastgrewlarger.Cryingout,oursailorsflungthemselvesupontheirknees.Itpasseduswithamightysound,andwewerenotengulfed.
TheAdmiralsaid,``Godtriesus,buthewillnotdestroyusutterly!\'\'
TheboyFernando,inamoment\'swildterrorwhowasordinarilycourageousasany,clungtohim.Omyson!
IwouldthatyouwereinLaRabida,safebesideFrayJuanPerez!MysonandmybrotherBartholomew!\'\'
Nowcametousallscarcityoffoodandamiseryofsickness.
Nowtwothirdswouldhavemutiniedhadwenotbeengoingback——butweweregoingback——creeping,crawlingbackasthetempestwouldallowus.
Christmas!WerememberedourfirstChristmasinthisworld,byGuaricoinHispaniola,whenthe_SantaMaria_
sank.Againwefoundaharbor,andwelaytherebetweendeadandalive,untilearlyJanuary.WesailedandonEpiphanyDayenteredariverthatweknewtobeingoldenVeragua.TheAdmiralcalledittheBethlehem.
Goldagain,gold!NotontheBethlehem,butontheriverofVeragua,notfaraway,towhichtheAdmiralsenttheAdelantadoandtwolongboatsfilledwithourstoutestmen.Theybroughtbackgold,gold,gold!
ThecaciqueofthesepartswasQuibian,abarbarianwhomatthelast,notthefirst,weconcludedtobetruebrotherofCaonabo.
Withthreescoreofourstrongest,theAdelantadopushedagainuptheriverofVeragua,tooroughandshallowforourships.HevisitedQuibian;hetradedforgold;hewastakenfarinlandandfromahillobservedacountryofthenoblest,valeandmountainandIndiansmokes.Themountains,theIndianssaid,werepackedwithgold.Hebroughtbackmuchgold,Indiansbearingitforhimindeepbasketsthattheymade.
Quibianpaidusavisit,lookedsullenlyaround,andleftus.NotintheleastwasheGuacanagari!Butneither,quiteyet,didheturnintoCaonabo.
TheAdmiralsatpondering,hishandsbeforehimbetweenhisknees,hisgray-blueeyeslookingfurtherthanthefarmountains.Later,ontheshore,heandtheAdelantadowalkedupanddownunderpalmtrees.Thecrewswatchedthem,knowingtheywereplanning.
Whattheyplannedcameforththenextday,anditwasnothingshortofacolony,asettlementuponthebanksoftheriverBethlehem.
ChristopherusColumbusspoke,——tall,powerful,gaunt,white-headed,gray-eyed,trustedbecausehehimselfsotrusted,suasive,filledwiththepowerofhisvision.Hisframewasgrowingold,buthehimselfstayedyoung.Hisvoicenevergrewold,northegray-bluelightfromhiseyes.
Herewasgoldatlast,andVeraguamanifestlyricherthanallHispaniola;aye,richerthanParia!BehindVeraguaranCiguarrethatwasfabulouslyrich,thatwasindeedIndiaslopingtoGanges.TheIndianswerefriendlyenoughforalltheirdrum-beatingandshell-blowing.Quibian\'sfirstfrowningaspecthadbeenbutaspect.Ascarletcloakandasackfulloftoysbadmadeallright.Therewasrestonland,withfruitandmaizeaswesaw.Buildafort——leaveaship——divideourforce.Ahalfwouldresthere,firstsettlersofagoldencountrywithallfirstsettlers\'advantage.
HalfsailwithChristopherusColumbusbacktoSpain——
straighttoSpain——forsuppliesandmen.Hewouldreturn,hesworeit,withallspeed.Ashipshouldbeleft,andbeyondtheship,theAdelantado——ItwasforvolunteersforthefortressandcityofVeragua!
Intheendeightymensaid``Wewillstay.\'\'Webegantobuild.HowlongsincewehadbuiltLaNavidad!
TheRiverBethlehem,thathadbeenfullwhenweentered,nowwashalfemptyofitswaters.The_Consolacion_,the_Juana_,andthe_SanSebastian_thatweretodepartforSpaincouldnotpass.TheAdmiralhung,fittedtogo,butwaitingperforceforrainsthatshouldlifttheshipssotheymightpassthebar.
AgainJuanLepewastostay——sosurelywouldthestayingneedaphysician.
``ItisMarch,\'\'saidtheAdmiral.``Godaiding,IandFernandoshallbebackinOctoberatlatest.\'\'
TheseIndiansseemedtoustohaveCaribmarkings.Yettheyallprofessedamityandcontinuouslybroughtingold.
Webegantobuildbythefortastorehouseformuchgold.
Suddenlywefound——DiegoMendez,boldenoughandagreatwanderer,doingthefinding——thatQuibian\'svillageuptheriverofVeraguacontainedmanytoo,manyyoungmenandmenintheirprime,andthatbydayandnightthesecontinuedtopourin.Ithad——DiegoMendezthought——muchtheaspectofacampwhosegeneralsteadilyreceivedreenforcement.
NextdaycametotheAdmiralanIndianwhobetrayedhispeople.QuibiannevermeanttohaveinVeraguaaswarmofwhitecaciques!Whenhehadabouthimeveryyoungman,hewascoming,coming,comingthroughthewoods!
TheAdmiralsenttheAdelantado.ThatstrongmanchosefourscoreSpaniards,armedthemanddeparted.ByboatandthroughthickforesthereachedQuibian\'svillage,descendeduponitlikeahurricaneandseizedQuibian,muchaslongago——long,longagoitseemedtous——AlonsodeOjedahadseizedCaonabo.
JuanSanchezthepilotheldQuibianinthelongboatwhiletheAdelantadostillwroughtupontheland.JuanSanchezwasstrongandwary,andwatchful;sotheysworewerealltheSpaniardsintheboat.YetwhennightwasfallenthatIndian,boundashewas,brokewithashoutfromthemallandleapedfromboatintoblackriver.
Theythoughtheperished,seeinghimnomoreforalltheirmovingaboutandbringingtheboattotheland.JuanSanchezwascertainhesank,boundashewas.Withothercaptivesandwithagreatmassofgoldenornaments,camebacktotheshipstheAdelantado.TheIndiancampwasbroken,dispersed.
Therainsbegantofall.Theriverswelled;thefortandstoreplaceandotherhouseswerebuilded.
Theeightywhoweretostayandthesomethingunderthatnumberwhoweretogopreparedtosayfarewell.Wewenttomassunderthreepalmtrees,beforeourfortontheriverBethlehem.Thatover,thosewhoweretogowentaboardthethreeships,andthesailsweremade,andtheybegantosingastheypasseddowntheBethlehem.The_Margarita_andwewatchedtheirgoing.
Theywentaleague,andthenanother——wethoughttheywerewhollygone.Butoutoftheriver,thoughtheskieswereclear,againrushedagainstthemanenemywind.Theylayatanchorinrivermouth,waitingonpropitiousness.Butwe,uptheriver,thoughttheyweregone.Thatnight,beforedawn,Quibianattackedus.
Wehadseveralkilled,andtheAdelantadowashurtinthebreast,andmanyothershadtheirwounds.Butwethunderedwithourcannonandweloosedtwobloodhoundsandwecharged.Foratimethebrown,nakedfoefoughtdesperately,butatlasthebroke.Farstreamedfivehundredfleeingparticlesintothegloomy,thedeep,themattedforest.Uptherivercamealongboat,andwefoundittoholdDiegoTristanandeightmensentbytheAdmiralwithaforgottenwordfortheAdelantado.Muchwerejoicedthattheshipswerenotcleangone!
DiegoTristantookournews.TheAdelantado——hishurtwasslight——wroteagaintotheAdmiral.AgainwesaidfarewelltoDiegoTristan.ThelongboatpassedaturnintheBethlehem;outofoursight.Oncewethoughtweheardafaintanddistantshouting,buttherewasnotelling.
ButinfivehourstherestaggeredintofortJuandeNoyawhoalonelivedofthatboatful,setuponbyQuibian.DiegoTristandead,andsevenmen.
AllthatnightweheardinthewoodthosethrobbingIndiandrumsandwild-blowingshells.
TheywereCaribs,nowweweresure,andQuibianlivedandpreachedaholywar.Thoughwehaddriventhemoff,weheardthemmusteringagain.Ifwecouldnotgetfood——perhapsnotwater?
SixtyofourscametotheAdelantado.Intruth,allmighthavecome,formassacre,sloworswift,wascertainifwestayedinVeragua.IreadthattheAdelantado,whowasneveraccusedofcowardiceorfickleness,washimselfdetermined.
ThesettlementbelowthegoldenminesofgoldenVeraguamustwaitalittle.
WetookourwoundedandwiththeAdelantado,turnedMarsinthesethreedays,camedowntotheBethlehem,toapebblyshorefromwhichthewaterhadshrunken.Hereatleastwasourshipwithus,andtheriverthatboretothesea.Here,fortheweatherwasferociousandQuibianhowlingaroundus,webuiltwhatshelterwemight.Hereinmuchmiserywewaiteddaysforthelongandwildstormtocease.WehopedtheAdmiralwasyetatthemouthoftheBethlehem,butcouldnotdomorethanhope.
ThencamethrougheveryperilthatmightbePedroLedesma,fromtheships.Theywaited!Breakthrough——
comedown!
The_Margarita_couldneverpassthebarthatnowthefallingwaterleftexposed.Wemaderafts,wedismantledherandtookwhatwecould;weleftherinVeraguaforQuibiantowalkherdeckandsailherifhemight.Throughdangerinmultitude,withourraftsandtwoboats,withthelossofsixmen,wewentdowntheBethlehem.Someofoursweptwhentheysawtheships,andtheAdmiralweptwhenheandtheAdelantadomet.
AwayfromVeragua!
IsitonlytheSpaniardswhosuffer,andforwhatatthelast,notatthefirst,didQuibianfight?InthatstrongraidwhenwethoughtQuibianperishedhadbeentakencaptivebrothersandkinsmenofthatcacique.Thesewereprisoneduponthe_Juana_,tobetakentoSpain,shown,madeChristian,perhapssold,perhaps——whoknows?——returnedtotheirland,butnevertofreedom.
Whilethe_Juana_tossedwhereBethlehemmetthesea,theseIndiansbrokeinthenighttimeupthroughhatchwayandmadeforthesidetothrowthemselvesover.Butthewatchgaveagreatcryandspranguponthem,andotherSpaniardscameinstantly.Allbuttwowereretaken.Thesetwo,wrenchingthemselvesfree,sprangawayintoroughwateranddarknight,anditismostlikelythattheydrowned,beingamilefromshore.Buttheotherswerethrustbackanddownunderhatchwhichthenwaschainedsothattheymightnotagainliftit.Butinthemorningwhenthecaptainofthe_Juana_wenttolook,all,allweredead,havinghangedthemselves.
CHAPTERXLIII
WEleftoneofourshipsintheBethlehemandwelostanotheruponthisdisastrouscoasterewegotclearforJamaica.
Wewereseaspecters.Wehadsavedourmenfromthe_SanSebastian_asfromthe_Margarita_.Nowallwereuponthe_Consolacion_andthe_Juana_.FiftyfewerwerewethanwhenwehadsailedfromCadiz,yetthetwoshipscreptover-full.Andtheywerelikecreaturesovercomewitheld.
Beaten,crazed,fallingapart.
OntheEveofSaintJohnwecametoJamaica.
Theshipswereriddledbythe_teredo_.WecouldnotkeepafloattogotoHispaniola.AtSantaGloriawerantheminquietwatersidebysideuponthesand.Theypartlyfilled,theysettleddown,onlyforecastleandpoopabovethebluemirror.Webuiltsheltersuponthemandbridgedthespacebetween.Theoceanwandererswereturnedintoafort.
Jamaica,wethankedallthesaints,wasafriendlyland.
Theybroughtuscassavaandfruit,theseIndians;theyswarmedaboutusintheircanoes.Thegodsintrouble,yetstillthegods!
WewerefortyleaguesfromHispaniola,andwehadnoship!
AgaintherevolunteeredDiegoMendez.WeourselvesbadnowbutoneChristianboat.Butthereexistedcanoesa-plenty.Choseone,withsixIndianstorow!LeaveDiegoMendezwithoneotherSpaniardofhischoicetocrosstheseabetweenusandHispaniola,gettoSanDomingo,rouseallChristianmen,evenDonNicholasdeOvanda,procurealargeshiportwosmallerones,returnwithrescue!
WesentoffDiegoMendezwithstrongfarewellsandblessings.Thevastblueseaandairwithdrewandcoveredfromsightthecanoe.
Aweek——twoweeks.Grewoutoftheazureasinglecanoe,andapproached.``DiegoMendez——DiegoMendez!\'\'
Itwashealone,withataletotellofstormandputtingashoreandcaptureafterbattlebyJamaicansnolongerfriendly,andofescapealone.ButhewouldgoagainifsobehemighthavewithhimBartholomewFiesco.Theywent,withheavilypaidIndianstorowthestaunchestcanoewecouldfind.ThistimetheAdelantadowithtwentykeptthemcompanyalongtheshoretoendoftheisland,wherethecanoeshotforthintoclearsea,andthebluecurtaincamedownbetweenthestrandedandthegoingforhelp.
TheAdelantadoreturnedtous,andwewaited.Theweekscreptby.
Greatheatandsickness,andtheIndiansnolongerprompttobringussupplies.Soonerorlater,eachofthesedarkpeoplesfoundaQuibianorCaonabo.
ThemostofusdeterminedthatDiegoMendezandFiescoandtheircanoewerelost.Hispaniolaknewnothingofus——nothing,nothing!SuddenlythetwoPorrasbrothersledamadmutiny.``Leavetheserottingships——seizethecanoesweneed——allofusroworswimtoHispaniola!\'\'
Therewerefiftywhothoughtthus.TheAdmiralwithstoodthemwithstrongwords,withthereasoningofamasterseaman,andthecounselnow——hiswhiteandlonghair,andelduponhim——ofJacoborIsaacorAbraham.
Buttheywouldnot,andtheywouldnot,andatlasttheydepartedfromus,taking——buttheAdmiralgavethemfreely——thedozencanoesthatwehadpurchased,crowdingintothese,rowingawaywithcriesfromthatseafortress,melancholyindeed,intheblindinglight.
Theyvanished.Thenextdayfair,thenextamadstorm.
Twoweeks,andnewscameofthem.TheywerenotnightoHispaniola;wrecked,theylostfivemen,butgot,therestofthem,toland,wheretheynowrovedfromvillagetovillage.Anotherweek,andtheIndianswhocametousandwhomwekeptfriendly,relatedwithpassionateandeloquentwordandgestureevilsthatthatbandwasworking.
PedroMargarite——Roldan——overandoveragain!
Aftermuchofupanddownthosemutineerscamebacktous.Theycouldnotdowithoutus;theycouldnotgettoHispaniolainIndiancanoes.TheAdmiralreceivedthemfatherly.
Nosail——nosail.Longmonthsandnosail.SurelyDiegoMendezandBartholomewFiescoweredrowned!
Hispaniola,ifitthoughtofusatall,mightthinkusnowbyGanges.Oraslostatsea.
ChristopherusColumbusdreamedagain,orhadavisionagain.``Iwashopeless.Iweptaloneonadesertshore.
Mynamehadfaded,andallthatIhaddonewasbrokenintosandandsweptaway.Irepined,andcried,`Whyisitthus?\'
Thencameashipnotlikeours,andOnesteppedfromitinlightandthunder.`Omanoflittlefaith,Iwillcoverthyeyesofto-day!\'Hecoveredthem,andI_saw_——Andnow,JuanLepe,Icarenot!WewillallcomeHome,whetherornothewavecoversushere.\'\'
Tomarinersandadventurershesaidatnotimeanywordofdespair.Hesaid,``Ashipwillcome!Forif——whichthesaintsforfend——BartholomewFiescoandDiegoMendezhavenotreachedSanDomingo,yetcomeatlastwillsomecrafttoJamaica!FromourislandorfromSpain.Howmanytimessince\'92hastherebeentouchinghere?Ofneednowitwillbeoftenerandoftener!\'\'
Butstillmanypinedwithhopedeferred——Andthen,outoftheblue,arosefirstDiegodeEscobar\'ssmallship,andlaterthetwogoodshipssentbyDonNicholasdeOvando.
TheAdmiraloftheOcean-SealodgedintheGovernor\'shouseinSanDomingo.WhosocourteousasDonNicholas,savingonlyDonCristoval?
JuanLepefoundcertainonesandhisowneyestotellhimofislandfortunes.HerewasSancho,abeardedman,andyetlookedouttheyouthwhohadwalkedfromFishertowntoPalosstrand.``Oh,aye!SanDomingo\'sgrowing!
It\'stobeasgreatasSeville,withcathedralandfortressandpalace.Whitemenbuildfast,thoughnotsofastastheLord!\'\'
``TheGovernor?\'\'
``Oh,hemakesthingsspin!He\'shardontheIndians——
butthenthey\'vesurelygivenustrouble!\'\'
Hetoldofnewfortsandprojectedtownsandanincreasingstreamofships,fromSpaintoSpainagain.``We\'reheretostay——aslongasthere\'sarockofgoldoranythingthatcanbeturnedintogold!Theoldbadtimesareover——andthatold,firstsimplejoy,too,Doctor!——
Maybewe\'llallshipforCiguarre.\'\'
Butno.Thecolonynowwasfirm,withthousandsofSpaniardswhereoncehadstoodfivescore.LuisTorressatwithmeandhetoldmeofIndianwar,——ofAnacaonahangedandCotubanamahanged,ofeightycaciquesburnedorhanged,of_peace_atlast.NowtheIndiansworkedthemines,andscrapedthesandsofeverystream,andlikewiseplantedcottonandmaizefortheconquerors.Theyweregatheredin_repartimentios,encomiendas_,parceledout,somanytoeverySpaniardwithpower.Theoldword``gods\'\'
hadgoneoutofuse.``Master\'\'wasnowtheplainandaccurateterm.
TheGovernorwasashrewd,political,strongman,——notwithouthisgenerositiestowhitemen.ButnodreamerI
Heputdownfaction,buttherewasnowlessfactiontoputdown.AllhadbeenunitedinmasteringtheIndian,andnowwithpeacethegettingofwealthwasregularized.
HehadabsolutelytheearofKingFerdinand,andhelpfromSpainwheneverhecalledforit.Yes,hewasfairlylikedbythegenerality.AndhadInoticedthegrowthincowlsandprocessions?MotherChurchwasmovingin.
ThenextdayImetagainBartolomedeLasCasas.
Septembernow——andashipfromSpain,bringingthenewsthattheQueenwasill.Therewasanotherwhowasill,andthatwastheAdmiraloftheOcean-Sea:
``Imustgo——andwequarrelhere,thisGovernor-in-my-
placeandI——Imustgo,restatLaRabidawithyou,Doctor,andFrayJuanPereztohelpme.ThenImustgotocourtandseetheQueen.\'\'
TheAdelantadosaid,``BothyouandtheQueenwillgetwell.What,brother,yourvoyagesarejustbegun!ButletussailnowforSpain.Ithinkwellofthat.\'\'
AndthesonFernando,Yes,yes,letusgohome,father,andseeDiego!
CHAPTERXLIV
ITwasSeville,andaninnthere,andtheAdmiraloftheOcean-Sealaidinafairenoughroom.Hisgoutmanacledhim,andanothersicknesscreptuponhim,buthecouldthink,talkandwrite,andattimes,forserenityandabreathofpleasure,read.Hewaseverareader.
Abouthim,alldaylong,camepeople.Theycalledthemselvesfriends,andmanywerefriends.Butsomeusedthatholywordforrobber-mask.Othersweretheidlestwonder-
seekers,neverfindingwonderwithin,alwaysrushingforitwithout.Hisheart,forallhismuchexperience,orperhapsbecauseofthat,wasasimpleheart.Hetookthemforwhattheysaidtheywere,forfriends,andhetalkedoftheIndiesandallhisvoyagespastandtocome,forhewouldyetfindCiguarreandretaketheSepulchre.
Hehadnotmuchmoney.Allhisaffairsweretangled.
YetherestedAdmiraloftheOcean-Sea,andinname,atleast,ViceroyoftheIndies.HewasmuchconcernedoverhismarinersandotherswhohadreturnedwithhimtoSpain.
Alltheirpaywasinarrears.Hewrotebegginglettersforthem,andwithhissonsforeverinhismind,forhimself.
DonDiego,DonFernando,theywerepleasant,ableyouths.
FrayJuanPerezcametoSeville.Hewasworldlycomfort,butghostlycomforttoo.TheAdmiraltalkedofCiguarreandJerusalem,butalsonowoftheNewJerusalemandtheWorld-to-come.
LateinNovember,atMedinadelCampoSantodiedtheQueen!
Hetoldmeadreamoravisionthatday.Therewas,hesaid,afair,tranquilshore,backofafair,bluehaven,andhiswifeandhismother,longdead,walkedthereintalk.
Backoftheshorerose,hesaid,acitywithwonderfulstrongwallsandtowersandaperpetualsweetringingofchurchbells.Itseemedtoclimbtoonegreatpalaceandchurch,setaboutwithorchards,withmanydoves.ThewholemountedlikeMonsalvat.Thecityseemedtobereadyforsomeone.Theywerehangingouttapestriesandweavinggarlandsandheheardmusicians.Everywhereshonealightofgladness.Hereturnedtotheseashore,andwalkingwithhiswifeandmother,askedthemaboutthecity.TheysaidthatitwastheQueen\'sCity.Then,hesaid,heseemedtoheartrumpets,andfaronthehorizonmadeoutasail——
Thencityandshoreandallweregone,anditwasdark,starrynight,andhewasintheAzores,alone,withastaffinhishandthathehaddrawnfromthesea.
ItwasFrayJuanPerezwhobroughthimnewsofherdeath.``QueenIsabella!\'\'hesaidandturnedtothewallandlaytherepraying.
OnedaytherecametoseehimAmerigoVespucciwhosailingwithOjeda,knewParia.TheytalkedofthatVastnesstothesouth.TheVenetianthoughtitmightbeacontinentwhollyunknownaliketotheancientsandthemoderns.
``Known,\'\'answeredtheGenoese,``inthefar,farpast!
Butunknown,Igrant,forsolongthatithasbecomeagainnew.AllaNewWorld.\'\'
``Howshouldwemapit?\'\'saidtheother.``FaithofGod!Ishouldliketoseethemapsahundredyearsfromnow!\'\'
HehadsomethingtosayofSebastianCabotwhowasfindingnorthwardforKingHenryofEngland.ButlayingafinesmallhandupontheAdmiral\'smightyone,hecalledhim``_magisteretdominus_,ChristopherusColumbus.\'\'
Winterworeaway.Withthespringheseemedtobebetterinhealth.Helefthisbed.Butthephysician,JuanLepe,believedthatportsandhavens,newlands,andserviceofanorderabovethisorderwereevennowcoloringandthrillingwithin.
Whenallspringwassinginghigh,theAdmiral,havinghadaletterfromtheking,saidhewouldgotocourt.Hissonswouldhavehadhimtravelinalitter,buthewavedthataway.TheAdelantadoprocuredhimamule,andwithhissonsandbrotherandasmalltrainbesidehestarted,theKingbeingatSegovia.Hehadahardlyscrapedtogetherpurseofgold,andallhismattersseemeddejected.
YethisfamilyridingwithhimrodeasnoblesofSpain,andhisson,DonDiego,shouldonedaybecomeGovernorofHispaniola.Earthlyspeaking,forallhisfeeling``Allisvain!\'\'hehadmadehisfamily.Unlikemanyfamiliessomade,thisonewasgrateful.
OntheroadtoSegovia,stayings,restingsandmeetingswerecordialenoughtohim,forhereflockedthepeopletoseetheDiscoverer.Iftheyheardhisvoicetheywerehappy;ifsomebolderonehadamoment\'sspeechwithhimthatfortunatewentoffwiththeairof,``Mychildren\'schildrenshallknowofthis!\'\'Therereturnedinthisspringtidetravelsunniness,halcyonweather,brightwindsofpraise.Thelasthealthofthepresentbodywashisuponthisjourney.Healthandstrengthharkedback.Allnotedit.JaymedeMarchenahelditfortheleapoftheflamebeforesinking,beforeleavingtheframeofthisworld.
ButhissonsandDonBartholomewcried,``Why,father,why,brother,youwilloutliveusyet!\'\'
Herodefirmly;helookedaboutwithbright,blue-grayeyes;hisvoicehadtheold,powerfulthrill.Itwashappinesstohimwhenthesimplecamecrowding,orwheninsomehalthetalkedwithtwoorthreeorwithasolitary.
TheNewLandsandtheVastChange,anditwouldaffectallourlife,thisway,thatwayandtheotherway.
ButwhenwecametoSegovia,theKingwasdead,notalive,toChristopherusColumbus.NotdeadtotheIndies,no!Butdeadtotheirolddiscoverer.Wehadchillyweather,miserable,andallthebudsofpromisewentback.
Orrathertherewerepromises,coldsmiles,butevenhe,theGenoese,sawatlastthatthesebudswere_simulacra_,nevermeanttobloom.
TheQueenwasgone.TheCourtworetheKing\'scolor.
ThentheKingwenttoLaredotomeethisdaughterJuana,whowasnowQueenofCastile.Withhimwentallofimportance.
SegoviabecameadullandsomewhathostilewaterwhererodeatlastanchortheshipoftheAdmiral.
CHAPTERXLV
DONFERNANDOmetmeatthedoor.``Heiswandering——hethinksheisinCordovawithmymother.\'\'
Hecamefromthatandsaidhewouldgetupandgotomass.Persuadedtoliequiet,hetalkedofhiswill,drawnbeforehisthirdvoyage,andsaidthathewouldhaveitreadtohim,andmakeacodicil.
Thiswill.Itranatlengththroughpreambleandbody.
``InthenameofthemostHolyTrinitywhorevealedittomethatIcouldsailwestwardacrossOcean-Sea——
``AsitpleasedGod,intheyearonethousand,fourhundredandninety-two,IdiscoveredtheContinentoftheIndiesandmanyislands.IreturnedtoCadiztotheirMajestieswhoallowedmygoingasecondvoyage,andinthisGodgavemevictoryovertheislandofHispaniola,whichcoverssixhundredleagues,andIconquereditandmadeittributary;
andIdiscoveredmanyislandsdwelledinbyCaribalsoreatersofmen\'sflesh,andalsoJamaicawhichInamedSantiago,andthreehundredandthirtyleaguesofContinentfromsouthtowest——\'\'
Herecitedhisrights,dignities,tithes,emoluments,——
``wheretoIhavethesacredwordoftheSovereigns.\'\'Thencametheheirship.AlluponDonDiegoandtheheirsofhisbody,withlavishprovisionfortheyoungerson,``havinggreatqualitiesandmostdeartome,\'\'andforthebrothers,butmoreespeciallytheAdelantado.Followedgiftstofriendsandcompanions,andthenfar-flungbenefactions.
Sonandson\'ssonmustgive,yearfollowingyear,atenthofrevenuefromtheIndiestothehelpofneedymen.
``InthecityofGenoainItalyistobemaintainedamanandhiswifeofthelineofourfamilyofwhichheistobetherootinthatcity,fromwhenceallgoodmayderiveuntoher,forIwasbornthereandcamefromthence.\'\'
ThetakingoftheSepulchre.IntotheBankofSaintGeorgeinGenoa,``thatnobleandpotentcity\'\'wastobeputwhatmoneyscouldbesavedandcollectedforthepurpose,``andonedayGodwillbringthepurposeabout.\'\'
HisheirsmustsupporttheCrownofSpain,``seeingthattheseSovereigns,nexttoGod,areresponsibleformyachievingtheproperty,thoughtrueitisthatIcameintothiscountrytoinvitethemtotheenterprise,andthatalongwhilepassedbeforetheyallowedmetoexecuteit,butthisshouldnotsurpriseusasitwasanundertakingofwhichalltheworldwasignorantandnoonehadanyfaithinit.\'\'AndifschismaroseinChristendom,hisheirsmusttotheiruttermostsupportHisHolinessthePope,andgiveallanddie,ifneedbe,defendingtheChurchofGod.And,whereitwaspossibleandnotcontrarytotheserviceandtheclaimsoftheSovereignsofSpain,``letthemgiveaidandservicetothatnoblecityofGenoafromwhichweallspring.\'\'
Suchandsuchmoneys,accruing,weretobeappliedtomakingfitmarriagesforthedaughtersoftheline.
AndletDonDiegohissonbuildintheislandofHispaniolaachurchandcallitSantaMariadelaConcepcion,achurchandahospitalandachapelwheremassesmightbesaidforthegoodofthesoulofChristopherusColumbus.
``DoubtlessGodwillbepleasedtogiveusrevenueenoughforthisandallpurposes.\'\'AndletthemmaintainintheislandofHispaniolafourgoodteachersoftheologytoconverttotheOneFaiththeinhabitantsoftheIndies,``towhichendnoexpenseshouldbethoughttooconsiderable.\'\'
Manyotherthingsheprovidedfor.HecaredforthatDonaBeatrixwhohadgivenhimFernando.Wherehehadmetkindness,therehegaveasbesthemight.AmongothersmallbequestswasasilvermarktoapoorJewwhohaddonehimservice,wholivedatthegateoftheGhettoinLisbon.Hegavetomany,andclosedhiswillandsigneditwithhissignetlettersandbelowthese,ELALMIRANTE.
Afterthistherecameasecondleapoftheflame.QueenJuanawaswithherhusband,KingPhillip,inLaredo,——
QueenofCastileashadbeenthegoodQueenhermother.
TheAdmiral,utterlyreveringtheQueenwhowasgone,wrotetothedaughterQueenastatelyletterofhighcomfortandofferandpromiseofservice.HewouldhavetheAdelantado,nolessaman,bearthistoLaredo.DonBartholomewspokeasidetoJuanLepe.``IfIdoashewished,IdonotknowifIwillseehimagain.\'\'
``Idonotknow,\'\'Ianswered.``Buthisheartisseton``ThenIwillgo,\'\'hesaid.``Andmany\'sthetimeI
havethought,`Ishallneverseehimagain\',andstillwemet.\'\'
ForseveraldaysafterthisIthoughtthatafterallhemightrecover.Perhapsevensailagainonearthlydiscoveries.
Then,inanight,cametheunmistakablestrokeuponthedoor.
Hesank,andknewnowthathewasputtingoffthebody.
FrayJuanPerezstayedbesidehim.HissonsandhisbrotherDiegowaitedwithreddenedeyes.ItwasfullMay,andtheblandwindstrayedinandoutofwindowandflutteredhismanypapersuponthegreattable.ItwastowardeveningofAscensionDay.HissonFernandothrewhimselfonthebed,weeping.TheAdmiral\'sgreathandfellupontheyouth\'shead.Helookedtothewindowandsaidclearly,``Alight——yonderisalight!\'\'andafteramoment,``_InmanustuasDominecoinmendospiritummeum_.\'\'
TheseabyPalosandJuneinAndalusia.JuanLepe,stayingatLaRabida,walkedalongthesandsandsawLifelikeamighty,breathingpicture.Hestoodbytheseaandtheripplesbrokeathisfeet,andhefeltandknewtheMasterofLife,therewherefeelingandknowingpassintoBeing.
HewalkedamilebesideOcean-Sea,thensatdownbeneathridgedsandwiththewindsingingover.Itsang,_Wherenow,JaymedeMarchena——wherenow——wherenow_?
Isatstill.Spainrosebehindme,SpainandEurope.
Beforeme,outofsea,liftedtheNewLands.Therefellamomentofgreatcalmandquiet.Then,fleeting,likeaspirit,passedbeforemetheIndianGuarinwhohadsavedmeafterLaNavidad.Isawhisdarkeyes,thenhewent.
Stillspacewithoutcolororlineorform,andoutside,dreamily,dreamily,theoceansoundingbelowLaRabida.Then,intheclearfieldroseBartolomedeLasCasas.Aquiet,singingvoiceranthroughJaymedeMarchena,andheknewthathewouldreturntoHispaniolaandlinkhislifewiththatyoungerlifewhichapparentlyhadworktodointheIndies.