下载辰思小说免费APP
Therewasthewatch,butallelseslept.Thewatch,lookingatCubaandthemoononthewater,didnotobserveFelipewhenhecreptfromforecastlewithalong,sharptwo-edgedknifesuchastheysellinToledo.
JuanLepewokefromfirstsleepandcouldnotrecoverit.HefoundBernardoNunez\'ssmall,smallcabinstifling,andatlasthegotup,putongarments,andslippedforthandthroughgreatcabintoouterair.HemighthavefoundtheAdmiraltherebeforehim,forhesleptlittleandwasabouttheshipatallhours,butto-nighthedidsleep.
Ispoketothewatch,thensetmyselfdownatbreakofpooptobreathethesplendorofthenight.ThemoonbathedAlphaandOmega,andthetwoships,the_Nina_andtheSantaMaria.ItwashedthePintabutwesawitnot,notknowingwhererodethePintaandMartinAlonzoPinzon.Sobright,sopleasureable,wasthenight!
Anhourpassed.Mybodywascooledandrefreshed,myspiritquiet.Rising,Ienteredgreatcabinonmywaytobedandsleep.Ifeltthatthecabinwasnotempty,andthen,therebeingmoonlightenough,IsawthefigurebytheAdmiral\'sdoor.``Whoisit?\'\'Idemanded,buttheunbolteddoorgavetotheman\'spush,andhedisappeared.I
knewitwasnottheAdmiralandIfollowedatabound.Thecabinhadawindowandthemoonbeamscamein.TheyshowedFelipeandhisknifeandthegreatGenoeseasleep.
Themadmanlaughedandcrooned,thenliftedthatToledodaggerandlungeddownwardwithasinewyarm.ButI
wasuponhim.Theblowfell,butafootwideofmark.
Therewasastruggle,ashout.TheAdmiral,openingeyes,sprangfrombed.
Hewasapowerfulman,andI,too,hadstrength,butFelipefoughtandstruggledlikeadesertlion.Hekeptcrying,``IamtheKing!IwillsendhimtodiscoverHeaven!
Iwillsendhimtojointheprophets!\'\'Atlastwehadhimdownandboundhim.Bynowthenoisehadbroughtthewatchandothers.Adozenmencamecrowdingin,inthemoonlight.Wetookthemadmanawayandkepthimfast,andJuanLepetriedtocurehimbutcouldnot.Inthreedayshediedandweburiedhimatsea.AndFernando,creepingtome,asked,``senor,don\'tyoufeelattimesthatthereismadnessoverallthisshipandthisvoyageand_him_——
theAdmiral,Imean?\'\'
Iansweredhimthatitwasapitythereweresofewmadmen,andthatFelipemusthavebeenquitesane.
``ThenwhatdoyouthinkwasthematterwithFelipe,Senor?\'\'
Isaid,``Diditeveroccurtoyou,Fernando,thatyouhadtoomuchcourageandsawtoofar?\'\'Atwhichhelookedfrightened,andsaidthatattimeshehadfeltthosesymptoms.
CHAPTERXXI
MARTINPINZONdidnotreturntous.Thattall,blondseacaptainwasgoneweknewnotwhere.The_SantaMaria_andtheNinasailedsouthalongthefootofCuba.Butnowroseoutofoceanonoursoutheastquarteragreatislandwithfairmountainshapes.WeaskedourIndians——wehadfiveaboardbesideDiegoColon——
whatitwas.Bohio!Bohio!\'\'Butwhenwecamethere,itsowninhabitantscalleditHaytiandQuisquaya.
TheAdmiralpacedourdeck,smallasaturretchamber,hishandsbehindhim,hisminduponsomegreatchartdrawnwithin,notwithout.Atlast,havingdecided,hecalledJuandelaCosa.``WewillgotoBohio.\'\'
Soitwasdonewherebymuchwasdone,theWomanwiththedistaffspinningfast,fast!
Asthisislandliftedoutofocean,wewhohadsaidofCuba,``Itisthefairest!\'\'nowsaid,``No,thisisthefairest!\'\'
Itwasmostbeautiful,withmountainsandforestsandvalesandplainsandrivers.
ThetwelfthdayofDecemberwecametoanchorinaharborwhichtheAdmiralnamedConcepcion.
OnthisshoretheIndiansfledfromus.Wefoundavillage,butquitedeserted.Notawoman,notaman,notachild!Onlythreeorfourofthosesilentdogs,andagreatredandgreenparrotthatscreamedbutsaidnothing.
Therewassomethinginthisday,Iknownotwhat,butitmadeitselffelt.TheAdmiral,kneeling,kissedthesoil,andhenamedtheislandHispaniola,andweplantedacross.
Forlongwehadbeenbeatenabout,andallaboardtheshipswerewellwillingtoleavethemforalittle.Wehadadozensickandtheycravedtheshoreandthefruittrees.
ourIndians,too,longed.Soweanchored,andmarinersandalladventurersrestedfromthesea.Afewatatime,thevillagersreturned,andfearfullyenoughatfirst.Butwehadharmednothing,andwhatgreatnessandgentlenesswasinusweshowedithere.Presentlyallthoughttheywereathomewithus,andthatheavenbredthefinestfolk!
OurpeopleofHispaniola,subjectsnow,sincetheplantingoftheflag,weretaller,handsomer,wethought,thantheCubans,andmoreadvancedinthearts.Theirhouseswereneatandgood,andtheirgardensweededandwell-stocked.
Themenworeloincloths,thewomenawidecottongirdleorlittleskirt.Wefoundthreeorfourcopperknives,butagaintheysaidthattheycamefromthesouth.AsinSpain``west——west\'\'hadbeenhisword,sonowtheAdmiralbroodeduponsouth.\'\'
Thesefolkhadaverylittlegold,buttheyseemedtosaythattheirswasasimpleandpoorvillage,andthatweshouldfindmoreofallthingsfartheron.SoweleftConcepcion,thecrossupontherockshowingalongwaythroughthepureair.
Fortwodayswecoasted,andattheendofthistimewecametoaharborofgreatbeautyandbackfromitranavalelikeParadise,sorichlysweetitwas!ChristopherusColumbuswasquicktofindbeautyandloveditwhenfound.
OftenandoftenhaveIseenhisfaceturnthatofachildorayouth,filledwithwonder.Ihaveseenhimkissaflower,layacaressuponstemoftree,yearntowardpalmtopsagainsttheblue.Hewaswellreadintheoldpoets,andhehimselfwasapoetthoughhewrotenolineofverse.
Weenteredhereandcametoanchorandthesailsrattleddown.``Hispaniola——Hispaniola,andwewillcallthisharborSt.Thomas!HewastheApostletoIndia.Andnowwearehisyoungerbrotherscomeafterlongfoldingaway.Werewemore——didwehaveafleet——wemightsetacityhereand,itbeingChristmas,callitLaNavidad!\'\'
Outcamethecanoestous,outtheswimmers,darkandgracefulfigurescleavingtheutterblue.Someonepassingthatwayoverland,hurryingwithnews,hadtoldthesevillageshowpeaceful,noble,benevolent,beneficentwewere.
Thecanoeswereheapedwithfruitandcassavabread,andtheyhadcotton,notinballs,butwoveninpieces.AndtheseIndianshadaboutneckorinearsomebitsofgold.
Thesetheychangedcheerfully,takingandvaluingwhattriflewasgiven.``Gold.Wheredoyougetyourgold?
DoyouknowofCipangoorCathayorIndia?HaveeveryouheardofZaiton,orofQuinsaiandCublaiKhan?\'\'
Theygaveusanswerswhichwecouldnotfullyunderstand,andgesturedinlandandalittletotheeast.``Cibao!Cibao!\'\'
Theyseemedtosaythattherewasallthegoldtherethatareasonablemortalmightdesire.``Cibao?——
Cipango?\'\'saidtheAdmiral.``Theymightbethesame.\'\'
``LikeCubaandCublaiKhan,\'\'thoughtJuanLepe.
Aroundapointofshoredartedalongcanoewithmanyrowers.Othercanoesgavewayforit,andtheIndiansalreadyuponthe_SantaMaria_exclaimedthatitwastheboatofthecacique,thoughnotthecaciquebuthisbrothersatinit.Guacanagariwasthecacique.Histownwasyonder!TheypointedtoamistyheadlandbeyondSt.
Thomas\'sbay.
TheIndianfromthegreatcanoecameaboard,ahandsomefellow,andhebroughtpresentsnotlikeanywehadseen.Therewasawidthofcottonembroideredthickwithbitsofgleamingshellandbone,butwhatwasmostwelcomewasahugewoodenmaskwitheyesandtongueofgold.
FrayIgnatiocrossedhimself.``Thedeviltheyworship,——
poorlostsheep!\'\'Thethirdgiftwasaconsiderablepieceofthatmixedandimperfectgoldwhichafterwardswecalledguanin.Andwouldwegotovisitthecaciquewhosetownwasnotsofaryonder?
ItwasChristmasEve.Wesailedwithasmall,smallwindforthecacique\'svillage,outfromharborofSt.
Thomas,aroundaheadlandandalongalow,brightgreenshore.Solowandfitfulwasthewindthatwemovedliketwogreatsnails.Bettertohavelefttheshipsandgone,somanyofus,inourboatswithoars,canoesconvoyingus!
Thedistancewasnotgreat,butdistanceisasthepowerofgoing.``Iremember,\'\'quoththeAdmiral,``acalm,goingfromtheLevanttoCrete,andourwatercaskbrokenandnotamouthfulforasoulaboard!Thatwasalong,longtwodayswhiletheoneshorewentnofurtherandtheothercamenonearer.AndgoingoncetoPortoSantowithmywifeshefellillandmoanedfortheland,andwewereheldasbytheseabottom,andIthoughtshewoulddiewhomightbesavedifshecouldhavetheland.AndIremembergoingdowntheAfricancoastwithSantanem——\'\'
DiegodeAranasaid,``Youhavehadafulllife,senor!\'\'
Hewascousin,Ihadbeentold,tothatDonaBeatrixwhomtheAdmiralcherished,motherofhisyoungestson,Fernando.TheAdmiralhadaffectionforhim,andDiegodeAranalivedanddied,agood,loyalman.``Afulloutwardlife,\'\'hewenton,``andIdareswear,afullinwardone!\'\'
``ThatisGod\'struth!\'\'saidtheAdmiral.``Youmaywellsaythat,senor!InsideIhavelivedwithallwhohavelived,anddiscoveredwithallwhohavediscovered!\'\'
Irememberasadreamthislastdayuponthe_SantaMaria_.
Beltranthecookhadscaldedhisarm.Idressediteachday,anddressingitnow,halfadozenidlingby,watchingtheoperation,IheardagainakindoftalkthatIhadheardbefore.PartlybecauseIhadshippedasJuanLepeanAndalusiansailorandhadhadmyforecastledays,andpartlybecausemenrarelyfeartospeaktoaphysician,andpartlybecauseinthegreatwholethereexistedlikingbetweenthemandme,theytalkedanddiscussedfreelyenoughwhatanyotherfromtheotherendofshipcouldhavecomeatonlybyformalquestioning.NowmanyoftheseamenwantedtoknowwhenwewerereturningtoPalos,andanothernumbersaidthattheywouldjustassoonneverreturn,oratleastnotforagoodwhile!Buttheydidnotwishtospendthatgoodwhileupontheship.Itwasagoodland,andtheheathenalsogood.Theheathenmightallbegoingtoburninhell,unlessFrayIgnatiocouldgetthembaptizedintime,andsonumerousweretheythatseemedhardlypossible!Almostallmighthavetogotohell.
Butinthemeantime,hereonearth,theyhadtheiruses,andonecouldevengrowfondofthem——certainlyfondofthewomen.Theheathenwereeagertoworkforus,catchusconeys,bringusgold,puthammocksforusbetweentreesandsay``Sleep,senor,sleep!\'\'HereevenTomasoPassamontewas``senor\'\'and``Don.\'\'Andasforthewomen——onlytheskinisdark——theywerewarm-hearted!
Goldandwomenandneveranycoldnorhungernortoil!
Theheathentotoilforyou——andtheycouldbetaughttomakewine,withallthesegrapesdanglingeverywhere?
Heathencoulddothegatheringandpressing,andalsothegoldhuntinginrocksandstreams.Spainwouldfurnishthemindandthehabitofcommand.ItwerewelltostayandcultivateHispaniola!TheAdmiralandthosewhowantedtomighttakehometheships.OfcoursetheAdmiralwouldcomeagain,andwithhimshipsandmanymen.Noonewanted,ofcourse,nevertoseeagainCastileandPalosandhisfamily!ButtostayinHispaniolaawhileandrestandgrowrich,——thatwaswhattheywanted.Andnoonecouldjustlycallthemidle!Iftheyfoundoutallaboutthelandandwherewerethegoldandthespices,wastherenotuseinthat,justasmuchuseaswanderingforeveronthe_SantaMaria_?
Motherearthwaskind,kind,here,andshedidn\'thavearodlikemothercountryandMotherChurch!Theydidnotsaythislast,butitwaswhattheymeant.
``Youdon\'tseetherod,thatisall,\'\'saidJuanLepe.
Buttherehadeventuallytobecolonies,andIknewthattheAdmiralwasrevolvinginhisheadtheleavinginthisnewworldcertainofourmen,seedcornasitwere,organsalsotogatherknowledgeagainsthisspeedyreturnwithpowerofshipsandmen.ForsurelySpainwouldbegrateful,——surely,surely!ButhewasnotreadyyettosetsailforSpain.Hemeanttodiscovermore,discoverfurther,comeifbyanymeanshecouldtotheactualwealthofgreat,mainIndia;comeperhapstoZaiton,wherearemoremerchantsthaninalltherestoftheworld,andahundredmastershipsladenwithpepperentereveryyear;ortoQuinsaiofthemarblebridges.No,hewasnotreadytoturnprowtoSpain,andhewasnotlikelytobleedhimselfofmen,noworformanydaystocome.Allthesewhowouldlieinhammocksashoremustwaitawhile,andevenwhentheymadetheircolony,thatisnotthewaythatcoloniesliveandgrow.
Beltransaid,``Someofyouwouldliketodoalittlegood,andsomeareforasow\'slife!\'\'
ItwasChristmasEve,andwehadourvespers,andwethoughtofthedayathomeinCastileandinItaly.Duskdrewdown.Behinduswasthedeep,securewaterofSt.Thomas,hisharbor.TheAdmiralhadussoundandtheleadshowednogreatdepth,whereuponwestoodalittleouttoavoidshoalorbar.
ForsomenightstheAdmiralhadbeenwakeful,suffering,asJuanLepeknew,withthatgoutwhichattimestroubledhimlikeaverydemon.Butthisnightheslept.JuandelaCosasetthewatch.ThehelmsmanwasSanchoRuizthanwhomnonewasbetter,saveonlythathewouldtakeariskwhenhepleased.Allothersslept.Thedayhadbeenlong,sowarm,stillandidle,withthewoodedshorestealingsoslowlyby.
EarlyinthenightSanchoRuizwastakenwithagreatcrampandaswimmingofthehead.Hecalledtooneofthewatchtocometakethehelmforalittle,butnoneanswered;
calledagainandashipboysleepingnear,uncurledhimself,stretched,andcametohand.``It\'sallsafe,andtheAdmiralsleepingandthemastersleepingandthewatchalso!\'\'saidtheboy.PedroAcevedoitwas,awell-enoughmeaningyoungwretch.
SanchoRuizputhelminhishand.``Keepherso,whileI
liedownhereforalittle.Myheadismovingfasterthanthe_SantaMaria_!\'\'
Helaydown,andtheswimmingmadehimclosehiseyes,andclosedeyesandthedisappearanceofhispain,andpleasantrestingondeckcausedhimtosleep.PedroAcevedoheldthewheelandlookedatthemoon.Thenthewindchosetochange,blowingstillverylightlybutbearingusnowtowardshore,andPedronevernoticingthisgrowlarger.Hewaslookingatthemoon,heafterwardssaidwithtears,andthinkingofChristborninBethlehem.
Theshorecamenearerandnearer.SanchoRuizslept.
Pedronowheardasoundthatheknewwellenough.Comingbacktohereandnow,helookedandsawbreakersuponalongsandbar.Themakingtidewasathalf,andthatandthechangedwindcarriedustowardthelinesoffoam.Theboycried,``Steersman!Steersman!\'\'Ruizsatup,holdinghisheadinhishands.``Sucharoaringinmyears!\'\'
But``Breakers!Breakers!\'\'criedtheboy.``Takethehelm!\'\'
Ruizsprangtoit,butashetoucheditthe_SantaMaria_
grounded.Theshockwokemostonboard,theimmediateoutcryandrunningfeettherest.
Theharmwasdone,andnogoodnowinrecriminations!
Itwasnever,Ibearwitness,habitofChristopherusColumbus.
TheSantaMarialistedheavily,theseapoundingagainsther,drivinghermoreandmoreuponthesand.ButorderarrivedwiththeAdmiral.Themastergrewhislieutenant,themarinershisobedientones.Backhewasatthirty,withashipwreckwhohadseenmanyandknewhowtotoilwithhandsandwithhead.Moreover,thegreatgeniusofthemanshoneindarkness.Hecouldencourage;hecouldbringcoolness.
Wetriedtowarpheroff,butitwasnottobedone.Wecutawaymasttolightenher,butmoreandmoreshegrewfasttothebank,thewavesstrikingallherside,pushingherover.Seamshadopened,waterwascomingin.The_Nina_amileawaytookoursignalandcamenearer,layto,andsentherboat.
TheSantaMaria,itwasseen,wasdying.Nothingmorewastobedone.Hermarinerscouldonlyclingtoherlikebeestocomb.WegotthetwoboatsclearandtherewastheboatoftheNina.MissionedbytheAdmiral,JuanLepegotsomehowintocabin,togetherwithSanchoandLuisTorres,andwecollectedmapsandcharts,log,journal,boxwithroyallettersandthesmallbagsofgold,andtheAdmiral\'spersonalbelongings,puttingallintoagreatsackandcaringforit,untiluponthe_Nina_wegaveitintohishand.Aboveusrangthecry,``Alloff!\'\'
FromChristopherusColumbustoPedroAcevedoalllefttheSantaMariaandwerereceivedbytheNina.Crowded,crowdedwastheNina!Downvoyagedthemoon,upcamewithfreshnesstherose-chapleteddawn.AwrecklaytheSantaMaria,paintedagainsttheeast,aboutheralowthunderofbreakers.Wherewasthe_Pinta_nomanknew!PerhapshalfwaybacktoSpainorperhapswreckedanddrownedliketheflagship.TheNina,asmall,smallshipandnonetooseaworthy,carriedallofEuropeandDiscovery.
CHAPTERXXII
INthesmall,smallcabinofthe_Nina_ChristopherusColumbussatforatimewithhisheadbowedinhisarms,thenroseandmadeupamissiontogotothecaciqueGuacanagariand,relatingourmisfortune,requestaidandshelteruntilwehaddetermineduponourcourse.TherewentDiegodeAranaandPedroGutierrezwithLuisTorresandoneortwomore,andtheytookDiegoColonandthetwoSt.ThomasIndians.Itwasnowfulllight,theshoreandmountainsgreenasemerald,thewateritsoldunearthlyblue.
The_Nina_swungatanchorjustunderthelandandthenowrecedingtideuncoveredmoreandmorethosesandswheretheSantaMarialayhuddledanddying.TheAdmiralgazed,andthetearsrandownhisface.Hewassogreatthatheneverthoughttohidejustemotion.Hespokeasthoughtohimself.``ManysinshaveI,many,many!Butthouwiltnot,OGod,castmeutterlyawaybecauseofthem!
IwillnotdoubtThee,normycalling!\'\'
Therewaslittlespaceabouthim.The_Nina_seemedtoquiver,packedanddarkwithmen.Hisdeepvoicewenton,andtheycouldhearhim,buthedidnotseemtoknowthattheywerethere.``Asthoughuponaraft,hereathousandleaguesinOcean-Sea!YetwiltThoucareforthyGoodNews.IwillcometoSpain,andIwilltellit.Chosen,andalmostbyverynamepointedoutinThyBook!ThefirstChristianshorethatItouchIwillwalkbarefootandinmyshirtattheheadoftwelvetothefirstshrine.And,OmyLord,nevermorewillIforgetthatthattombinwhichthoudidstrest,still,stillisheldbytheinfidel!\'\'Hebeathisbreast.``_Meaculpa!meaculpa!_\'\'
Hisvoicesank,helookedatthesky,thenwithaturnofthewristatthewheelheputthatbyandbecameagainthevigilantAdmiralofafleetofone.``Shewillholdtogetheryetawhile!Whenthetideisout,wecangettoherandemptyher.Takeallashorethatcanbecarriedorfloatedandmaybeofuse.Upanddown——downandup!\'\'
TheinhabitantsofHispaniolawerenowaboutusincanoesorswimming.Theyseemedtocryoutindistressandsympathy,gazingatthe_SantaMaria_asthoughitwereagoddyingthere.Theirowncanoeswerelivingthingstothemasisanyshiptoamariner,andbyanalogyourgreatcanoewasaBeingdying,moreofaBeingthantheirs,becauseithadwingsandcouldopenandfoldthem.AndthenbackcameourboatwithDiegodeAranaandtheothers,andtheyhadwiththemthatsamebrotherofthecaciquewhohadcometousinSt.ThomasHarbor.AndhadwebeenwreckedoffPalos,notPaloscouldhaveshowedmoreconcernorbeenmorereadytohelpthanwerethesemen.
WehadthreeboatsandtheIndiancanoesandhandsenough,whiteandcopper-hued.Nowatlowtide,wecouldapproachandenterthe_SantaMaria_.Agreatbreachbadbeenmadeandwaterwasdeepinherhold,butwecouldgetatmuchofcasksandchests,andcouldtakeawaysailsandcordage,evenhertwocannon.Eventually,asshebrokeup,wemightfloatawaytoshoremuchofhertimber.WhenIlookedfromthewrecktothelittleNina,Icouldsee,limnedasitwereinair,theViceroy\'sfirstcolony,setinHispaniola,besideGuacanagari\'stown.AllChristmasdaywetoiledandtheIndiansatourside.Wefoundthemready,notwithoutskill,gayandbiddable.
TowardsunsetcameGuacanagari.Allthelittleshorewasstrewnandheapedwithourmatters.AndhereIwillsaythatnoIndianstolethatdaythoughhemighthavestolen,andthoughourpossessionsseemedtohimgreatwondersandtreasurebeyondestimation.Whatwasbroughtfromthe_SantaMaria_layinheapsandourmencameandwent.
Themostofourforcewasashoreorintheboats;onlysomanyontheNina.TheAdmiral,justreturnedtotheship,stretchedhimselfuponthebenchinhersmallcabin.Powerfulwashisframeandconstitution,andpowerfullytriedallhislifewithathousandstrainsandbuffetings!Itseemedstilltohold;helookedamuscular,sinewy,strongandruddyman.Butthereweresignsthatacarefuleyemightfind.
HelayuponthebenchinthecabinandI,whowashisphysician,broughthimwineandbiscuitandmadehimeatanddrinkwho,Iknew,hadnottouchedfoodsincetheeveningbefore;afterwhichItoldhimtocloseeyesandgoawaytoGenoaandboyhood.Heshutthem,andIsittingnearbroughtmywillasbestIcouldtothequietingofallheavyandsorrowfulwaves.
Butthenthecaciquecame.Sosmallwasthe_Nina_thatwecouldhearwellenoughthewordofhisarrival.TheAdmiralopenedhiseyesandsatstifflyup.Hegroanedandtookhisheadintohishands,thendroppedtheseandwithashakeofhisshouldersresumedcommand.Somanyandgrievousaseahaddashedoverhimandretreatedandhehadstood!Whathesaidnowwas,``Thetideofthespiritgoesout;thetidecomesbackin.Letitcomebackaspringtide!\'\'
Guacanagarientered.Thiscacique,whosefortunesnowbegantobeintertwinedwithours,hadhislikeness,sofaraswentstateandcustom,tothatCubanchieftainwhomLuisTorresandIhadvisited.Butthiswasaneasier,lessstronglyfibredperson,abig,amiable,indolentmanwithsomequalityofagreatdogwho,acceptingyouandbecomingyourfriend,mayneverbeestranged.Hewasbraveafterhisfashion,giftedenoughinsimplethings.InEuropehewouldhavebeenan.easy,well-likedprinceordukeofnogreatterritory.Hekeptasimplestate,woresomeslightapparelofcottonandagoldennecklet.Hebroughtgiftsandanunfeignedsympathyforthatdeathuponthesandbar.
HeandtheAdmiralsatandtalkedtogether.``Godsfromheaven?\'\'——``ChristianmenandfromEurope,\'\'andwecouldnotmakehim,atthistime,understandthatthatwasnotthesamething.Webegantocomprehendthat``heaven\'\'wasawordofmanylevels,andthattheyascribedtoiteverythingthattheychosetoconsidergoodandthatwasmanifestlyoutoftherangeoftheirexperience.
InhisturntheAdmiralwasreadyforallthatGuacanagaricouldtellhim.``Gold?\'\'HiseyeswereupontheIndian\'snecklet.Removingit,thecaciquelaiditinthegod\'shand.AllIndiansnow.understoodthatwemadehighmagicwithgold,gettingoutofitvirtuesbeyondtheircomprehension.InreturntheAdmiralgavehimasmallbrazengongandhammer.``Wheredidtheygetthegold?\'\'
AgainliketheCubanchiefthiscaciquewavedhishandtothemountains.``Cibao!\'\'andthenturninghetoopointedtothesouth.``Muchgoldthere,\'\'saidDiegoColon.``Inland,inthemountains,\'\'quoththeAdmiral,``andevidently,inverygreatquantity,insomelandtothesouth!ThisisnotCipango,butIthinkthatCipangoliestothesouth.\'\'
HeaskedwhoruledHaytithatwecalledHispaniola.Weunderstoodthattherewereanumberofcaciques,butthatforaday\'sjourneyeverywayitwasGuacanagari\'scountry.
``Acaciquewhoruledthemall?\'\'No,therewasnosuchthing.
``Hadshipslikeoursandclothedmeneverbeforecometothem?\'\'
No,never!Butthenheseemedtosaythattherewasundoubtedlyatradition.Godshadcome,andwouldcomeagain,andwhentheydidsogreatthingswouldfollow!
Butnocaciquenorpriestnoranyknewwhenthegodshadcome.
TheAdmiralmadesomequestionofCaribs.Againtherewasgesturesouthward,thoughitseemedtousthatsomethingwassaidoffolkwithinthisgreatislandwhowereatleastlikeCaribs.Andwherewasthemostgoldandthegreatestotherwealththattheyknewof?Againsouth,thoughthistimewethoughtitrathersouthbywest.TheAdmiralsighed,andspokeofCuba.Yes,GuacanagariknewofCuba.Haditendfaryondertothewestward,ornoend?Hadanyoneevercometoitsend?Thecaciquethoughtnot,orknewnotandassumeddeliberation.LuisandIagreedthatwehadnotmetamongtheseIndiansanytruenotionofacontinent.TothemHaytiwasvast,Cubawasvast,thelandsoftheCaribs,wherevertheywere,werevast,andvastwhateverotherislandstheremightbe.
Tothemthiswasthe_OEcumene_,theinhabitedandinhabitableworld,Europe——Asia——Africa?Theirfacesstayedblank.Werethesedivisionsofheaven?
Guacanagariwouldentertainandsuccorus.Thiscanoe——oh,thehugemarvel!——wastoocrowded!Yonderlayhistown.Allthehousesthatwemightwantwereours,allthehammocks,allthefood.Andhewouldfeastthegods.
Thathadbeenpreparingsinceyesterday,Afeastwithdancing.HehopedthegreatcaciqueandhispeoplefromfarnearerheaventhanwasGuacanagariwouldliveaslongasmightbeinhistown.Guaricowashistown.Abig,easy,amiable,likeableman,hesatinnakednessonlynotutter,saveforthatmuchlikeabighidalgoofferingsympathyandsheltertosomefire-oustedorfoe-oustedprince!
AsforthepartofprinceitwasnothardfortheAdmiraltoplayit.Hewasonenaturally.
Hethankedthecaciquetowhom,Icouldsee,behadtakenliking.Sevenhouseswouldbeenough.To-nightsomeofuswouldsleepuponthebeachbesidetheheapedgoods.
To-morrowwewouldvisitGuacanapri.Thebig,lazy,peaceablemanexpressedhispleasure,thenwithawideanddignifiedgesturedismissingallthat,askedtobeshownmarvels.
CHAPTERXXIII
GUACANAGARI\'StownwasmuchperhapsaswasGothtown,Franktown,Saxontown,Latintown,sufficienttimeago.Asforclothedandunclothed,thatmaybetosomedegreeamatterofcoldorwarmweather.Wehadnotseenthateveritwascoldinthisland.
Guacanagarifeasteduswithgreatdignityandearnestness,forheandhispeoplehelditamomentousthingourcominghere,ourbeinghere.Utiaswehadandiguana,fish,cassavabread,potato,manyadeliciousfruit,andthatmilddrinkthattheymade.Andwehadcalabashes,trenchersandfingers,stonekniveswithwhichcertainofficersofthefeastdecorouslydividedthemeat,smallgourdsforcups,waterforcleansing,napkinsofbroadleaves.Itwasagreatandcomelyfeast.Butbeforethefeast,asinCuba,thedance.
Ishouldsaythatthreehundredyoungmenandmaidensdanced.Theyadvanced,theyretreated,theycowered,theypressedforward.Theymadesupplication,armstoheavenorforeheadtoground,theyreceived,theyweregrateful,theycircledfastineaseofmind,theyhungeredagainandwerefilledagain,theyflowedtogether,theymadeagreatsquare,chantingproudly!
FrayIgnatiobesidemeglowered,sofarassogoodamancouldglower.ButJuanLepesaid,``Itisdoubtanddifficulty,approach,reconciliationholytriumph!Theyareactingoutlongpilgrimagesandarrivalsatsacredcitiesandhopesforgreatercities.ItismuchthesameasinSevilleorRome!\'\'Whereuponhelookedatmeinastonishment,andJaymedeMarchenasaidtoJuanLepe,``Holdthytongue!\'\'
Danceandthefeastover,itbecametheAdmiral\'sturn.
Hewassetnottoseemdejected,nottogiveanySpaniardnoranyIndianreasontosay,``ThisGenoese——orthisgod——doesnotsustainmisfortune!\'\'Buthesatcalm,pleasedwithall;brotherly,fatherly,bythatbig,easy,contentedcacique.Nowhewouldfurnishtheentertainment!
AmonguswehadoneDiegoMinas,ahugemanandasmightyabowmanasanyinFlandersorEngland.HimtheAdmiralnowputforwardwithhisgreatcrossbowandlongarrows.Astirranaround.``Carib!Carib!\'\'WemadeoutthatthosemysteriousCaribshadbowsandarrows,thoughnotgreatoneslikethis.GuacanagariemployedgesturesandwordsthatLuisTorresandIstrovetounderstand.WegatheredthatseveraltimesinthememoryofmantheCaribshadcomeinmanycanoes,warreddreadfully,killedandtakenaway.Morethanthat,somewhereinHaytiorQuisquayaorHispaniolawerecertainpeoplewhoknewtheweapon.``Caonabo!\'\'Herepeatedthenamewithrespectanddisliking.``Caonabo,Caonabo!
PerhapstheCaribshadmadeasettlement.
Diegofastenedaleafuponthebarkofatreeandfromagreatdistancetransfixeditwithanarrow,theninsuccessionsentfourothersagainstthetrunk,makingpreciselytheformofacross.TheIndianscried,``Hai!Hai!\'\'
Butwhenthefourharquebusmensetuptheirironrests,fixedtheharquebuses,andfiringcutleavesandtwigsfromthesametree,therewasaloudercrying.Andwhentherewasdraggedforth,chargedwithpowderandfired,oneofthelombardstakenfromthe_SantaMaria_,wideryetsprangthecommotion.PedroGutierrezandayoungcavalierfromthe_Nina_deignedtoshowlanceplay,andVicentePinzonwhohadservedagainsttheMoorstookagreatswordandwithitcarvedcalabashesandseveredgreenboughs.Theswordwasverymarveloustothem.WemighthavedancedforthemforSpainknowshowtodance,orwemighthavesungforthem,forourmarinerssingatsea.Butthesewerenotthesuperiorthingswewishedtoshowthem.
Guacanagari,bigandeasyandgentle,said,``Livehere,youwhoaresogreatandgood!Wewilltakeyouintothepeople.Weshallbebrothers.\'\'Weunderstoodthemthatthegreatwhiteheronwastheirguardianspiritandwouldbeours.Isaid,``Theydonotthinkofitasjustthosestalking,stillystandingbirds!Itisanameforsomethinghovering,brooding,caringforthem.\'\'
TheViceroyspokewithenergy.``TellthemofFather,SonandHolyGhost!\'\'
FrayIgnatiostoodandspoke,gentleandplain.DiegoColonmadewhatheadwayhecould.Guacanagarilistened,attentive.TheFranciscanhadacertaintythatpresentlyhemightbegintobaptize.Hisfaceglowed.IheardhimsaytotheAdmiral,``Ifitbepossible,senor,leavemeherewhenyoureturntoSpain!Iwillconvertthischiefandallhispeople——bythetimeyoucomeagainthereshallbeachurch!\'\'
``Letmeponderityetawhile,\'\'answeredtheother.
Hewasthoughtfulwhenhewentbacktothe_Nina_.
VicentePinzon,too,wasanxiousforlight.``Thisshipiscrowdedtosinking!Ifwemeetwretchedweather,orifsicknessbreakout,returning,weshallbeinbadcase!\'\'
RoderigoSanchezalsohadhisword.``Isitnotveryimportant,senor,thatweshouldgetthetidingstotheSovereigns?
Andwehavenowjustthisonesmallship,andsofartogo,andallmannerofdangers!\'\'
``Aye,itisimportant!\'\'saidtheAdmiral.``Letmethinkitout,senor.\'\'
Hehadnotsleptatall,thoughtJuanLepe,whennextmorninghecameamongus.Butbelookedresolved,hardytoaccomplish.Hehadhisplan,andhegaveittousinhisdeepvoicethatalwaysthrilledwithmuchbesidethemomentaryutterance.Wewouldbuildaforthereonshore,hardbythisvillage,fellingwoodforitandusingalsothetimbersofthe_SantaMaria_.Wewouldmounttherehertwogunsandprovideanarsenalwithpowder,shot,harquebusesandbows.BuildafortandcallitLaNavidad,becauseofChristmasdaywhenwasthewreck.Itshouldhaveagarrisonofcertainlythirtymen,amanforeachyearofOurLord\'slifewhenHebeganhismission.SomanyplacedinHispaniolawouldmuchlightenthe_Nina_,whichindeedmustbelightenedinorderwithsafetytore-
crossOcean-Sea.Foryes,wewouldgobacktoPalos!
Go,andcomeagainwithmanyandbetterships,withhidalgosandmissionarypriests,andverymanymen!InthemeantimesomanyshouldstayatLaNavidad.
``Inlessthanayear——muchless,Ipromiseit——ItheAdmiralwillbehereagainatLaNavidad,whenwillcomehappygreetingbetweenbrothersinthegreatestserviceofourownormanyages!Seaandland,GodwillkeepussolongasweareHis!\'\'
AlllovedChristopherusColumbusthatday.NonewastobeforcedtostayatLaNavidad.Itwaseasytogainthirty;intheendtheretarriedthirty-eight.
