下载辰思小说免费APP
Wemarchedtowaterside.Priestsandfriarsmovedwithus,singingloudlythehymntotheVirgin,Ladyofallseamen.GreattearsrandownFrayJuanPerez\'schecks.
Itwasaredsunsetandthewestintowhichweweregoinglookedindeedblood-flecked.DonJuandePenelosa,harkinguson,hadaninspiration.``YouseetherubiesofCipango!\'\'
Itisnotalone``great\'\'menwhobringaboutthingsinthisworld.Allofusareinameasuregreat,asallareonthewaytogreatergreatness.Sailorsarebraveandhardymen;thatissaidwhenitissaidthattheyaresailors.Inmanyheartshungdreadofthisvoyageandrebellionagainstbeingforcedtoit.Buttheyhadnottobelashedtotheboats;theywentwithsailors\'carelessairanddignity.Byfarthemostwentthus.EvenFernandoceasedhiswailingandembarked.Theredlight,orfordangerorforrubiesinwhichstillmightbedanger,washedusall,washedthetown,thefolkandthesandyshore,andtheboatsthatwouldtakeusouttotheships,smallinthemselves,andsmallbydistance,ridingthereintheriver-mouthliketoysthathavebeenmadeforchildren.
Thehundredandtwentyenteredtheboats.Itwaslikealittlefishingfleetgoingouttogether.Therowersbenttotheoars,astripofwaterwidenedbetweenusandSpain.
Loudchantedthefriars,butovertheirvoicesrosethecryingoffarewell,nowdeep,nowshrill.``_Adios!_\'\'Thesailorscriedback,``Adios!Adios!\'\'Fromthelanditmusthavehadathinsoundlikeghostswailingfromtheedgeoftheworld.That,thesailorsheldandPalosheld,waswheretheshipsweregoing,overtheedgeoftheworld.
ItwasthethirddayofAugust,intheyearfourteenhundredandninety-two.
CHAPTERX
PALOSvanished,welosttheheadlandofLaRabida,ahazehidSpain.Bynightfallallwasbehindus.Weweresetforthfromnativeland,setforthfromEurope,setforthfromChristendom,setforthfromseacompanyandsailors\'cheerofotherships.ThatlastwouldnotbewhollytrueuntilweweregonefromtheCanaries,towardwhichislands,runningsouth,wenowwereheaded.WemighthailsomeSpanishshipgoingto,comingfrom,GrandCanary.Wemightindeed,beforewereachedtheseislands,seeothersails,forarumorranthattheKingofPortugalwassendingshipstointerceptus,sinkusandnoneeverbethewiser,itnotbeingtohisinterestthatSpainshouldmakediscoveries!Pedroitwaswhoputthisintomyearaswehauledatthesamerope.Ilaughed.``Herebeginneththemarveloustaleofthisvoyage!Ifallhappensthatallsaymayhappen,notthePope\'slibrarycanholdthebooks!\'\'
The_SantaMaria_wasagoodenoughship,thoughfiftymencrowdedit.Itwasnewandclean,afairsailer,thoughnotsoswiftasthePinta.Wemarinerssettledourselvesinwaistandforecastle.TheAdmiral,JuandelaCosa,themaster,RoderigoSanchez,DiegodeAranaandRoderigodeEscobedo,PedroGutierrez,aprivateadventurer,thephysicianBernardoNunezandFrayIgnatiohadgreatcabinandcertainsmallsleepingcabinsandpoopdeck.Intheforecastlealmostallknewoneanother;allranintokinshipsnearorremote.Buttheturnofcharactermadetherealgrouping.PedrohadhisclusterandSanchohadhis,andbetweenswayednowtotheoneandnowtotheotheralargegroup.Fernando,Ifeelgladnessinsaying,hadwithhimbuttwoorthree.Andasidestoodvariations,individuals.
Beltranthecookwassuchanone,abold,mirthful,likableman.Wehadseveraldrythinkers,andabraggartandtwoorthreewhoprovedmiserablyvillainous.Wehadweathercocksandmenwhofacedforward,nomatterwhatthewindthatblew.
TheAdmiralknewwellthathemusthave,ifhecould,ashippatient,contentedandhopeful.Ibearhimwitnessthathesparednopains.
Wehadaboardtrumpetanddrumandviol,andhewouldhavefrequentmusic.Eachdaytowardeveningeachmanwasgivenacupofwine.Andbeforesunsetallweregatheredforvesperservice,andwesang_SalveRegina_.Atnightthegreatfamiliarstarsshoneoutaboveus.
Seconddaypassedmuchlikefirst,——lightficklewind,flappingsails,smoothsea,cloudlesssky.To-daybeheldsealifeaftershoregrownhabitual.WemighthavesailedfromMarseillesorGenoaandbeensailingforamonth.Ifthiswereall,thennomoreterrorfromtheSeaofDarknessthanfromourownsowell-knownsea!ButFernandosaid,``ItisaftertheCanaries!Weknowwellenoughitisnotsobadthissideofthem.WhydotheycallthemDogIslands?\'\'
``Perhapstheyfounddogsthere.\'\'
``No,butthattheygivewarninglikewatchdogs!`Ifyougoanyfurtheritshallbetoyourwoe!\'\'\'
``Aye,aye!Haveyouheardtellofthespoutingmountain?\'\'
Thisnightthewindcameupandbymorningwasblowingstiffly,urginguslandwardasthoughbacktoSpain.
Theskybecameleaden,withagreatstormyaspect.Thewavesmounted,thelookoutcriedthatthe_Pinta_wasshowingsignalsofdistress.Bynowallhadshortenedsail,butthePintawastakingineverythingandpresentlylayunderbarepoles.TheSantaMariaworkedtowardheruntilwewerecloseby.Theyshoutedandwebacktothem.Itwasherrudderthatwasunshippedandinjured.CaptainMartinPinzonshoutedthathewouldovercomeit,bindingitsomehowinplace,andwouldovertakeus,the_Pinta_beingfastersailerthantheSantaMariaortheNina.ButtheAdmiralwouldnotagree,andwetookinallsailandlaytossedbyaroughseauntilafternoonwhenthePintasignaledthattherudderwashung.Butbynowtheskystretchedstraightlead,andthewaterranwhite-capped.
Wemadenowaytillmorning,whenwithoutadropofrainallthecloudroofwasdrivenlandwardandtheresprangoutaskysobluethattheheartlaughedforjoy.Theviolentwindsank,thenveeredandblowingmoderatelycarriedusagainsouthward.Allthewhitesails,whiteandnew,wereflungout,andweracedoverarich,greenplain.
Thatlastedthroughmostoftheday,butanhourbeforesunsetthe_Pinta_againsignaledtrouble.Therudderwasoncemoreworsethanuseless.
Againitwasmended.ButwhenthenextmorningithappenedthethirdtimeandakindofwailinggrumblewentthroughtheSantaMaria,therecamepronouncementfromtheAdmiral.``TheCanariesliestraightahead.Intwodaysweshallsightthem.Verygood!weshallrestthereandmakeanewrudderforthe_Pinta_.TheNinawilldobetterwithsquaresailsandwecanchangethese.
Freshmeatandwaterandsomeramblingashore!\'\'
BeltranthecookhadbeentotheCanaries,driventherebyaperversewindtwentyyearsagowhenhewasboatswainuponabigcarrack.Hesaiditwasnogreatwayandoneortwoagreedwithhim,butothersdeclinedtobelievetheAdmiralwhenhesaidthatintwodaysweshouldbeholdthevolcano.Somewerefoundtoclamorthatthewindhaddrivenusoutofallreckoning!WemightneverfindtheCanariesandthenwhatwouldthe_Pinta_do?Whereas,ifweallturnedbacktoPalos——
``If——if!\'\'answeredBeltranthecook,whoatfirstseemedstrangelyandhumorouslythereascookuntilonefoundthathehadaninjuredlegandcouldnotclimbmastnormanagesail.```If\'isaseamanwithoutaship!——
He\'safamousnavigator.\'\'
``MartinPinzon?\'\'
``Himtoo.ButImeantourAdmiral.\'\'
``Hehasn\'thadashipforyears!\'\'
``Hewasofthebestwhenhehadone!I\'vebeardoldCaptainRuytell——\'\'
``Maybehewasn\'tcrazyinthosedays,buthe\'scrazynow!\'\'
ThatwasFernando.Ithinkitwasfromhimthatcertainofthecrewtooktheword``crazy.\'\'Theyusedituntilonewouldthinkthatforpurevariety\'ssaketheywouldfindanother!
ThesixthdayfromPalosthereliftedfromseathepeakofTeneriffe.
Thisday,passingonsomeerrandtheopendoorofthegreatcabin,IsawtheAdmiralseatedatthetable.Lookingup,hesawme,gazedaninstant,thenliftedhisvoice.
Comeinhere!\'\'
Hesatwithagreatchartspreaduponthetablebeforehim.Besideittheloglayopen,andhehadunderhishandabookinwhichhewaswriting.Doorframedblueskyandsea,apleasantwindwassinginginapleasantwarmth,thegreatcabinwhich,withtherestoftheship,hemadetobekeptveryclean,wasawashwithlightandfinenessofair.``Wouldyouliketolookatthechart?\'\'heasked,andI
cameandlookedoverhisshoulder.
``Imadeit,\'\'hesaid.``Thereisnothingintheworldmoreusefulthanknowinghowtomakemapsandcharts!
WhileIwaitedforKingstomakeuptheirmindsIearnedmylivingso.\'\'IglancedatthelogandhepushedittomesothatImightsee.``EverydayfromPalosout.\'\'Hisstrongfingerstouchedtheotherbook.``MyjournalthatIkeepformyselfandtheQueenandKingFerdinandandindeedfortheworld.Heturnedtheleaves.Thebulkofthemwereblank,butinthefrontshowedcloselycoveredpages,thewritingnotlargebutclearandstrong.``Thisvoyage,yousee,changethourworld!OnceinVeniceIheardascholarlearnedintheGreektellofanoldvoyageofashipcalled_Argo_,whenceitscaptainandcrewwerenamedArgonauts,andhesaidthatitwasofallvoyagesmostfamouswiththeancients.Thisislikethat,butprobablygreater.\'\'Heturnedthepages.``IshalldoitinthemannerofCaesarhisCommentaries.\'\'
Heknewhimself,Ithought,forasgreatamanasCaesar.
Allsaid,hisbookmightbeasprizedinsomeunenteredfuture.Hedidnotmovewheretimeisasafilm,butwheretimeisdeep,athousandyearsasaday.HecouldnotseethereindetailanymorethanwecouldseetreeandhouseinthoseCanariesuponwhichwewerebearingdown.
Isaid,``Nowthatprintingisgeneral,itmaygointofarlandsandintomultitudeofhandsandheads.Manyavoyagertocomemaystudyit.\'\'
Hedrewdeepbreath.``Itistheverytruth!PrinceHenrytheNavigator.ChristopherusColumbustheNavigator,andgreaterthanthefirst——\'\'
Sunshone,windsang,blueseadancedbeyondthedoor.
CamefromdeckRoderigoSanchezandDiegodeArana.
TheAdmiralmademeagestureofdismissal.
TheCanariesandwedrewtogether.Greatbandsofcloudhidmuchofthehigherland,butthevolcanotopcameclearabovecloud,standingbareandsolemnagainstblueheaven.LeavinguponourrightGrandCanarywestoodfortheislandofGomera.Herewefounddeep,clearwaterclosetoshore,anarrowstrand,asmallSpanishfortandbeginningsofavillage,andinland,upravinescladwithastrange,leaflessbush,plentifulhutsoftheconqueredGuanches.Ourthreeshipscametoanchor,andtheAdmiralwentashore,thecaptainsofthe_Pinta_andtheNinafollowing.
JuanLepewasamongtherowers.
TheSpanishcommandantcamedowntobeachwithanarmedescort.TheAdmiral,walkingalone,methimbetweenseaandbrightgreentrees,andherestoodthetwoandconversedwhilewewatched.TheAdmiralshowedhimlettersofcredence.Thecommandanttookandread,handedthembackwithabow,andcomingtowateredgehadpresentedtohimthetwocaptains,MartinandVicentePinzon.
Heprovedacheeryoldveteranofoldwars,relievedthatwewerenotPortuguesenorpiratesandhappytohavelatenewsfromSpain.ItseemedthathehadlearnedfromasupplyshipinJunethattheexpeditionwasafoot.
The_SantaMaria_andtheNinarodecloseinshore.CaptainMartinPinzonbeachedthePintaandunshippedthehurtanduselessrudder.Workuponanewonebeganatonce.TheAdmiral,thetwocaptainsandthoseofrankupontheshipssuppedwiththecommandantathisquitegoodlyhouse,andthenextdayheandhisofficersdinedaboardtheSantaMaria.TheAdmirallikedhimmuchforhewasmorethanrespectfultowardthisvoyage.Ayearbefore,bathingonedayinthesurf,therehadcomefloatingtohishandagreatgourd.Nonesuchgrewanywhereintheseislands,andthewindfordayshadcomesteadilyfromthewest.Thegourdhadakindofpatterncutaroundit.HeshowedittotheAdmiralandafterwardsgaveittohim.Thelattercausedittopassfromhandtohandamongtheseamen.I
haditinmyhandsandtrulysawnoreasonwhyitmightnothavebeencutbysomenativeoftheWest,and,carriedawaybythetideordroppedperchancefromaboat,haveatlast,afterlongtime,comeintohandsnotIndian.AsiatossingunthinkinglyaballwhichEuropecaught.
The_Pinta_provedinworseplightthanwasatfirstthought.
TheNinaalsofoundthisorthattodobesidessquaringherLevantsails.WestayedinGomeraalmostthreeweeks.
Theplacewasnovel,theday\'stasknothard,theAdmiralandhiscaptainscomplaisant.Wehadleisureandislandcompany.Tomanyitwashappinessenough.WhilewestoppedatGornerawewereatleastnotdriftinguponlodestone,equatorfireandchaos!
HereonGomeramightbestudiedthethreePinzonbrothers.
Vicentewasagood,courageouscaptain,Franciscoagoodpilot,andacourageous,seldom-speakingman.ButMartinAlonso,theeldest,wastheprimemoverinalltheiraffairs.Hewasskillfulnavigatorlikehisbrothersandcourageouslikethem,butnotsilentlikeFrancisco,andambitiousfaraboveeither.Hewouldhavesaidperhapsthathadhenotbeenso,beenbothambitiousandshrewd,thePinzonswouldneverhavebecomeprincipalship-owning,tradingandmaritimefamilyofPalosandthreeleaguesaround.He,too,hadfamilyfortunesandaggrandizementatheart,thoughhardlyonthegrand,imperialscaleoftheAdmiral.Hehadmuchmanlybeauty,daringandstrength.
Histwobrothersworshippedhim,andinmostplacesandmomentshiscrewwouldfollowhimwithacheer.TheAdmiralwasboundtohim,notonlyinthathehadvolunteeredandmadeotherstogowillingly,butthathehadputinhisship,the_Nina_,andhadfurnishedMasterChristopheruswithmonies.Thateighthofthecostoftheexpedition,whenceelsecoulditcome?IfittiedMartinPinzontotheAdmiral,seeingthatonlythroughsuccesscouldthosemoniesberepaid,itlikewisemadehimfeelthathe,too,hadauthority,wasatlibertytoadvise,andatneedtobecomecritical.
ButtheAdmiralhadthegreatman\'smark.Hecouldacknowledgeserviceandbequitesimplyanddeeplygratefulforit.HewasgratefultoMartinPinzonwhohadaidedhimfromhisfirstcomingtoPalos,andalsoIthinkhelovedtheyoungerman\'sgreatblondstrengthandbeauty.HehadallofItaly\'squicknesstobeauty,beitoflandorsea,forest,flower,animalorman.Butnowandagain,evensoearlyasthis,hemustputouthandtocheckPinzon\'simpetuousadvice.Hisbrowsdrewtogetherabovegrayeyesandeaglenose.Butforthemostpart,onGomera,theywereveryfriendly,anditwasasighttoseeAdmiralandcaptainsandalltheprivilegedoftheexpeditionsitatwinewiththecommandant.
JuanLepehadnoquarrelwithanyofthem.JaymedeMarchenasweptthisvoyageintotheGreatVoyage.
The_Pinta_wasnearlyreadywhentherearrivedasmallshipfromFerrobringingnewsthatthreelargePortugueseshipshadsailedbythatisland.Saidthecommandant,``SpainandPortugalareatpeace.Theywouldnotdaretotrytooustus!\'\'HecametowatersidetotalktotheAdmiral.``Nottofightyou,\'\'saidtheAdmiral,``butme!KingJohnwishestokeepIndia,CipangoandCathaystillveiled.SohewillgettimeinwhichtohavefromtheHolyFatheranotherbullthatwillplacethePortugueselinewestandwestuntilhehaththewhole!\'\'Heraisedhishandandletitfall.``Icannotsailto-morrow,butIwillsailthedayafter!\'\'
Wewereputtohardlaborfortherestofthatday,andthroughmuchofthemoonlitnight.Byearlymorningagainwelabored.Atmid-afternoonallwasdone.The_Pinta_,rightfromstemtostern,rodethebluewater;theNinahadhergreatsquaresails.TheGuanchesstoredforusfreshprovisionsandrolleddownandintoshipourwatercasks.
Therewasagreatmoon,andwewouldstandoffinthenight.
NothingmorehadbeenseenofthePortugueseships,butwewerereadytogoandgoweshould.Allbeingdone,andthesuntwohourshigh,wemarinershadleavetorestashoreundertreeswhomightnotforverylongagainseelandortrees.
Therewasagrovethatledtoastreamandthewaterfallwherewehadfilledthecasks.Iwalkedthroughthisalone.
Theplacelayutterlystillsaveforthemurmuringofthewaterandthesingingofasmallyellowishbirdthataboundsintheseislands.Attheendofanaisleoftreesshonethesea,blueandcalmasasapphireofheaven.Ilaydownupontheearthbythewater.
FindingofIndiaandroundingtheearth!Weseemedpoor,weakmen,butthethingwasgreat,andIsupposethedoersofagreatthingaregreat.East——west!Goingwestandyeteast——TheJewinmehadcomefromPalestine,andtoPalestineperhapsfromArabia,andtoArabia——whoknew?——perhapsfromthatIndia!AndmuchoftheSpaniardhadcomefromCarthageandfromPhoenicia,oldTyreandSidon,andTyreandSidonagainfromtheeast.Fromtheeastandtotheeastagain.AllourAgethatwithalllackswasyetastirringonewithasenseofdawnandsunriseanddistanttrumpets,nowwasgoingeast,wasgoingHome,goingeastbythewestroad.WestishomeandEastishome,andNorthandSouth.Knowledgeextendethandtheworldaboveisfed.
ThesunmadealaneofscarletandgoldacrossOcean-
Sea.Iwonderedwhattemples,whattowns,whatspiceshipsatstrangewharfsmightlieunderitafar.IwonderediftherediddwellPresterJohnandifhewouldstepdowntogiveuswelcome.Thetorrentofeventstrikesusdayandnight,allthehours,allthemoments.Whocantellwithdistinctnesscolorandshapeinthatdescendingstream?
CHAPTERXI
ANhouraftermoonriseweweregonefromGomera.
Atfirstalightwindfilledthesails,butwhentheroundmoonwentdowninthewestandthesunrose,therewasTeneriffestillathand,andtheseaglassy.Itrestedlikeamirrorallthatday,andthesailshungemptyandthebanneratmaintopbutamovelesswispofcloth.
Inthenightarosea,contrarywind,andanotherreddawnshowedusTeneriffestill.Thewinddroppinglikeashot,wehungoffFerro,fixedinblueglass.WatchwaskeptforthePortuguese,buttheyalsowouldberootedtoseabottom.Thethirdmorningupwhistledthewind,blowingfromAfricaandfillingeverysail.
PalostotheCanaries,wehadsailedsouth.Nowforlong,longdaysthesunroserightaft,andwhenitsetdyedwithredbrowandeyesandcheekandbreastofthecarvedwomanatourprow.Sheworeagreatcrown,andshelookedeverwithwideeyesuponthewestthatwechased.
StraightwestoverOcean-Sea,thefirstmen,thefirstships!
Ifevertherehadbeenothers,ourworldknewitnot.TheCanariessankintotheeast.Turnonheelaroundone\'sself,andmarkneverastartoflandtobreaktherimofthevastseabowl!Neverasailsavethoseaboveusofthe_SantaMaria_,orstarboardorlarboard,thePintaandtheNina.
Thelonelinesswasvastandutter.Wemightfailhere,sinkhere,diehere,andindeedfailandsinkanddiealone!
Twoseamenlaysickintheirbeds,andthethirddayfromGomeratheSantaMaria\'sphysician,BernardoNunez,wasseizedwiththesamemalady.AtfirstFrayIgnatiotriedtotakehisplace,butherethemonklackedknowledge.
Oneofthesailorsdied,ashipboysickened,andthephysician\'sfeverincreaseduponhim.DiegodeAranabegantofail.Theship\'smastercameatsuppertimeandlookedusover.``Isthereanyherewhohasanyleechcraft?\'\'
Beltranthecooksaid,``Icansetaboneandwashawound;butitendsthere!\'\'
CriedFernandofromhiscorner.``Istheplagueamongus!\'\'Themasterturnedonhim.``Hereandnow,Isayfivelashesforthemanwhosaysthatwordagain!Hasanymanheresenseaboutaplainfever?\'\'
Noneelsespeaking,IsaidthatlongagoIhadstudiedforatimewithaleech,andthatIwassomewhatusedtocareofthesick.``Thenyouaremyman!\'\'quoththemaster,andforthwithtookmetotheAdmiral.IbecameJuanLepe,thephysician.
Itwas,Iheld,afeverreceivedwhilewanderingthroughtheravinesandwoodsofGomera.MasterBernardohadinhiscabindrugsandtinctures,andwebreathednowallthesaltofOcean-Sea,andtheshipwasclean.ItalkedtoBeltranthecookaboutdiet,andIchoseSanchoandamanthatIliked,oneLuisTorres,fornurses.Twootherssickenedthisnight,andonethenextday,butnoneafterward.
Nonedied;intendaysallwererecovered.OtherailmentsaboardIdoctoredalso.DonDiegodeAranawassubjecttofitsofmelancholywithtwitchings;ofthebody.I
hadwatchedIsaacthePhysiciancuresuchthingsasthis,andnowIfollowedinstruction.IputmyhandsuponthepatientandIstrengthenedhiswillwithmine,sendingintohimdesireforhealthandperceptionofhealth.Hisinnermancaughttune.Themelancholylefthimanddidnotreturn.MasterBernardothrewoffthefever,satupandmovedabout.Buthewasstillweak,andstillItendedtheothersforhim.
The_Pinta_hadsignaledfourmenill.ButGarciaFernandez,thePalosphysician,wastherewithMartinPinzon,andthesickrecovered.TheNinahadnodoctorandnowshecameneartotheSantaMariaandsentaboat.ShehadfivesickmenandwouldborrowBernardoNunez.
TheAdmiralspokewithNunez,nownearlywell.Thenthephysicianmadeabundleofdrugsandmedicaments,saidfarewelltoallandkindlyenoughtome,androwedawaytothe_Nina_.HewasafriendofthePinzons,andabovethevanityofthegreatership.ThesickupontheNinaprosperedunderhim.
ButJuanLepewastakenfromtheforecastle,andsleptwhereNunezhadslept,andhadhisplaceatthetableinthegreatcabin.HeturnedfromthesailorJuanLepetothephysicianJuanLepe,becoming``Doctor\'\'and``Senor.\'\'
Thewheelturnsandaman\'spastmakeshispresent.
AfewdaysfromGomera,anhouraftersunset,thenightwastornbythehugest,flaming,fallingstarthatanyofushadeverseen.Themassdrovedownthelowerskirtofthesky,leavingbehinditawakeoffire.Itplungedintothesea.Thereisnosailorbutknowsshootingstars.Butthiswasahugelygreatone,andOcean-Seaverylonely,andtomostthereourerrandaspectralandfrighteningone.ItneededboththeAdmiralandFrayIgnatiotoquellthepanic.
Thenextdayagreatbirdlikeacranepassedoverthe_SantaMaria_.ItcamefromAfrica,behindus.Butitspokeofland,andthesailorsgazedwistfully.
ThisdayIenteredthegreatcabinwhennonewastherebuttheAdmiral,andagainhesatattablewithhischartsandhisbooks.HeaskedofthesickandIanswered.
Againhesatlookingthroughopendoorandwindowatbluewater,agreatfigureofamanwithagreatheadandfaceandearly-silveredhair.``Doyouknowaught,\'\'heasked,``ofastrology?\'\'
IansweredthatIknewalittleofthesurfaceofit.
``Ihaveasense,\'\'hesaid,``thatourstarsareakin,yoursandmine.IfeltitthedayGranadafell,andIfeltitonCordovaroad,andagainthatdaybelowLaRabidawhenweturnedthecornerandthebellsrangandyoustoodbesidethevineyardwall.ShouldInothavelearnedinmorethanfiftyyearstoknowaman?Thestarsareakinthatwillendureforvision\'ssake.\'\'
Isaid,``Ibelievethat,myAdmiral.\'\'
Hesatinsilenceforamoment,thendrewthelogbetweenusandturnedseveralpagessothatImightseethereckoning.``Wehavecomewell,\'\'Isaid.``Yetwithsofairawind,Ishouldhavethought——\'\'
Heturnedtheleavestillherestedatonecoveredwithotherfigures.``Hereitisasittrulyis,andwherewetrulyare!Wehaveoversailedallthatthefirstshow,andsomanyleaguesbesides.\'\'
``Tworecords,trueanduntrue!Whydoyoudoitso?\'\'
``Ihavetoldthemthataftersevenhundredleaguesweshouldfindland.Addfiftymoreforourgeneralimperfection.
ButitmaybewiderthanIthink.Wemaynotcomeeventosomefringingislandineighthundredleagues,no,norinmorethanthat!Ifitbeathousand,ifitbetwothousand,onIgo!Butafterthesevenhundredispassed,itwillbehardtokeeptheminhand.So,thoughwearecoveringmore,Iletthemthinkwearecoveringonlythis.\'\'
Icouldbutlaugh.Tworeckonings!Afterall,hewasnotItalianfornothing!
``Themasterknows,\'\'hesaid,``andalsoDiegodeArana.
Butatleastoneothershouldknow.Twomightdrownorperishfromsickness.Imyselfmightfallsickanddie,thoughIwillnotbelieveit!\'\'Hepausedamoment,thensaid,lookingdirectlyatme,``IneedoneinwhomIcanutterlyconfide.IshouldhavehadwithmemybrotherBartholomew.ButheisinEngland.AmangoingtoseekaCrownjewelforallmenshouldhavewithhimsonorbrother.DiegodeAranaisakinsmanofonewhomI
love,andhepartlybelieves.ButRoderigoSanchezandtheothersbelievehardlyatall.ThereisFrayIgnatio.Hebelieves,andIconfessmysinstohim.Buthethinksonlyofpenitents,andthismatterneedsmind,notheartalone.
Becauseofthatsenseofthestars,Itellyouthesethings.\'\'
ThenextdayitcametomethatinthatJournalwhichhemeanttomakelikeCaesar\'sCommentaries,hemightputdownthechangeinthe_SantaMaria\'s_physiciansandsetmynametheretoooften.Iwatchedmychanceandfindingit,askedthathenamemenotinthatbook.Hisgrayeyesresteduponme;hedemandedthereasonforthat.IsaidthatinSpainIwasindanger,andthatJuanLepewasnotmyname.MorethanthatIdidnotwishtosay,andperchanceitwerewiserforhimnottoknow.ButIwouldnotthatthepowerfulshouldmarkmeinhisJournalorelsewhere!
Usuallyhiseyeswerewideandfilledwithlightasthoughitweresentintothemfromthevastlandsthathecontinuouslysaw.Buthecouldbeimmediatecaptainandcommanderofthingsandofmen,andwhenthatwasso,thelightdrewintoapoint,andhebecameeaglethatseesthroughthewavethefish.Hadhebeentheseeralone,trulyhemighthavebeentheseerofwhatwastobediscoveredandmighthavesetothersuponthepath.Buthewouldnothavesailedonthe_SantaMaria_!
Inhismanyyearsatseahemustmanytimeshavemetmenwhohadputtoseaoutoffearofland.Hewouldhavesailedwithmanywhosenames,heknew,werenotthosegiventhematbirth.Hemusthavelearnedtotakereasonsforgrantedandtogoon——wherehewishedtogoon.
Sowegazedateachother.
``Ihadwrittendown,\'\'hesaid,``thatyougreatlyhelpedthesick,anduponBernardoNunez\'sgoingtothe_Nina_,becameourphysician.ButIwillwritenomoreofyou,andthatwrittenwillpassinthefloodofthingstocome.\'\'Afteramoment,heendedwithdeliberation,``Iknowmystartobeagreatstar,burninglongandnowwithamountingflame.Ifyoursisinanywiseitskin,thenthereneedsmustbehistories.\'\'
CHAPTERXII
ITwasastrangethinghowutterlyfavoringnowwasthewind!Itblewwithagreatsteadypushalwaysfromtheeast,andalwaysweranbeforeitintothewest.
Dayafterdayweexperiencedthiswarmandsteadfastdriving;
dayafterdaywenevershiftedsail.Theriggingsangasteadysong,dayandnight.Thecrownedwoman,ourfigurehead,ran,light-footed,overagreenandblueplain,andwheretheplainendednomanmightknow!\'\'Perhapsitdoesnotend!\'\'saidthemariners.
OfthehidalgosaboardIlikebestDiegodeAranawhohadcastoffhismelancholy.Hewasamanofsense,candidandbrave.RoderigoSanchezsatandmovedadull,goodman.RoderigodeEscobedohadcourage,buthewasfactious,wouldtakesidesagainsthisshadowifnoneotherwerethere.PedroGutierrezhadbeenacourtier,andhadthevicesofthatlife,togetherwithadaredevilrecklessnessandakindofwildwit.IhadlikingandadmirationforFrayIgnatio,butcarefulindeedwasIwhenIspokewithhim!
Thewindblewunchanging,thestarkblueshieldofsea,awater-world,mustbetakeninthewhole,fortherewasnocontrastingpointinittocatchtheeye.Sancho,forward,inahighsweetvoicelikeajongleur\'svoice,wassingingtothemenanendlessballad.UponthepoopdeckEscobedoandGutierrez,havingdicedthemselvestoanevenwealthorpoverty,turnedtofurtherexaminationoftheAdmiral\'sways.Endlesslytheymadehimandhisviewssubjectoftalk.RoderigoSanchezlistenedwithafacelikeanowl,DiegodeAranawithsomeironyabouthislips.Icameandstoodbesidethelatter.
TheywereuponthebeggaryofChristopherusColumbus.
``HowdidthePriorofLaRabida——?\'\'
``I\'lltellyou,forIheardit.OneeveningatvesperbellcomesourAdmiral——nolessaman!——toPriorygatewithayoungboyinhishand.NotFernandohislove-child,butDiegotheelder,whowasborninLisbon.Alldustywiththeroad,likeanybeggaryousee,andnotmuchbetterclad,foot-soreandbeggingbreadforhimselfandtheboy.
Andbecauseofhiswhitehair,andbecausehecarriedhimselfinthatabsurdwaythatmakestheundiscerningcry,`Ah,mylordkingindisguise!\'theportermusthavehimin,andbyandbycomesthepriorandstandstotalkwithhim,`Fromwhere?\'`FromCordova.\'`Whither?\'`ToPortugal.\'`Forwhy?\'`TospeakagainwithKingJohn!\'
`Areyouinthehabitofspeakingwithkings?\'`Aye,I
am!\'`Aboutwhat,mayIask?\'`AboutthefindingofIndiabywayofOcean-Sea,thepossessionofidolatrouscountriesandthegreatwealththereof,andthetakingofChristtotheheathenwhoelsearelost!\'\'\'
``Ha,ha!Ha,ha!\'\'ThiswasEscobedo.
``Thepriorthinks,`Thisisaninterestingmadman.\'Andbeingacharitablegoodmanandlackingentertainmentthatevening,hebringsthebeggarintosupperandsitsbyhim.\'\'
RoderigoSanchezopenedhismouth.``AllAndalusiaknowsFrayJuanPerezisakindofvisionary!\'\'
``Aye,liketolike!`HaveyoubeentoourQueenandtheKing?\'`Aye,Ihave!\'saiththebeggar,`buttheyarewarringwiththeMoorsandwillpullGranadadownanddonotseethegreaterglory!\'\'\'
Alllaughedatthat,andindeedGutierrezcouldmimictoperfection.Wegot,fullmeasure,thebeggar\'sloftiness.
``Sothesirensingsandthepriorleapstomeether,ortarantulastingshimandbedances!`Iamgrowingmadtoo,\'thinksFrayJuanPerez,andbeginspresentlytotellthatlastweekhedreamedofPresterJohn.Theendisthatheandthebeggartalktillmidnightandthenextmorningtheytalkagain,andthepriorsendsforhisfriendsCaptainMartinAlonzoPinzonandthephysicianGarciaFernandez.Thebeggargainsthemall!\'\'
``Doyouthinkabeggarcandothat?\'\'Isaid.``Onlyagivercandothat.\'\'
PedroGutierrezturnedblackeyesuponJuanLepe,whomheresentedthereonthepoopdeck.``Howcouldyouhavelearnedsomuch,Doctor,whileyouweremakingsailandwashingship?\'\'Hewasmyyoungerineveryway,andI
answeredequably,``IlearnedinthesamewaythattheAdmirallearnedwhilehebegged.\'\'
``Touched!\'\'saidDiegodeArana.``Sothatisthewaythepriorcameintothebusiness?\'\'
``Heenterswithsuchvigor,\'\'saidGutierrez,``thatwhatdoeshedobutwriteanimpassionedlettertotheQueen,havinglongago,foratime,beenherconfessor?Whathetellsher,Godknows,butitseemsthatitchangestheworld!
SheanswersthatforherselfshehathgrievedforMasterColumbus\'sdeparturefromthecourtandtherealm,andthatifhewillturnandcometoSantaFe,hispropositionsshallatlastbethoroughlyweighed.LetterfindsthebeggarwithhisboyhonoredguestofLaRabida,touchingheadswithMartinPinzonovermapsandchartsandthe`BookofTravels\'ofMesserMarcoPolo.Thereisgreatjoy!
Thebeggarhaththeprior\'sownmuleandhissonajennet,andherewegotoSantaFe!Thatwaslastyear.NowtheboythatwhimperedforbreadatconventgateisDonDiegoColon,pagetoPrinceJuan,andtheViceroysailsonthe_SantaMaria_forthecountrieshewilladminister!\'\'
Gutierrezshookthediceinthebox.``Oh,QueenLuck,thatIhaveservedforsolong!Whydoyounotmakemeviceroy?\'\'
SaidEscobedo,``ViceroyofthecontinentofwaterandAdmiralofseaweedandfishes!\'\'
DiegodeAranatookthatup.``Weareobligedtofindsomething!Nosensiblemancanthinklikesomeofthoseforwardthatthisgoesonforeverandweshallsailtillthewoodrotsandsailsgrowraggedandwindcarriesawaytheirshredsortheyfallintodust!\'\'
``WhoknowsanythingofRiver-Ocean?Wemaynotfindthewesternshore,iftherebesuchathing,forayear!
Bythattimestormwillsinkustentimesover,orplaguewilltakeus——\'\'
``There\'snotneededplaguenorstorm.Justsay,foodwon\'tlast,andwaterisalreadyhalfgone!\'\'
``That\'stheundeniabletruth,\'\'quothRoderigoSanchez,andlookedwithaperturbedfaceatthetoo-smoothsea.
Smoothblueseacontinued,windcontinued,pushinglikeagreat,warmhand,easttowest.TheAdmiralspenthoursaloneinhissleepingcabin.Thereweremenwhosaidthathestudiedthereagreatbookofmagic.Hehadoftenabookinhishand,itistrue,butJuanLepethephysicianknewwhathestrovetokeepfromothers,thatthegoutthatattimesthreatenedcripplingwasuponhimandwaseasiertobearlyingdown.
Sunset,vesperprayerand_SalveRegina_.Asthestrainsdied,therebecameevidentalingeringonthepartoftheseamen.ThemasterspoketotheAdmiral.``They\'vefoundoutabouttheneedle,sir!Perhapsyou\'dbetterhearthemandanswerthem.\'\'
Almosteverydayheheardthemandansweredthem.
Tomakehisseamen,howevertheygroanedandgrumbledandplotted,yetabidehimandhispurposewasaday-after-
dayarisingtask!Nowhesaidequably,inthetonealmostofafather,``Whatisitto-day,men?\'\'
