第10章

Thehighgrassyspaceranupononesidetosheerprecipice,droppingcleartwohundredfeet.Buttherewascampinggroundenough——andthesunalmosttouchedthefar,violetearth.

TheIndiansthrewthemselvesdown.Whentheyhadsuppertheywouldeatit,whentheyhaditnottheywouldwaitforbreakfast.ButCaonabowithtwentyyoungmencametous.Hesaidsomething,andmyarmswerecaughtfrombehindandheld.HefacedBeltranseatedagainstapine.``Aiya!\'\'hesaid.Hisvoicewasdeepandharsh,andbemadeagestureofrepugnance.TherewasapowerfullymadeIndianbesidehim,andIsawthelastgleamofthesunstrikethelong,sharp,stoneknife.``Kill!\'\'saidthecacique.

AdozenflungthemselvesuponBeltran,buttherewasnoneed,forhesatquitestillwithasteadyface.HehadtimetocrytoJuanLepe,whocriedtohim,``That\'swhatIsay!

Goodcheerandcourageandmeetagain!\'\'

Hehadnolongsuffering.Theknifewasdrivenquicklytohisheart.Theydrewtheshelltotheedgeoftheprecipiceanddroppeditover.

Itwasearlynight,itwasmiddlenight,itwaslatenight.

Theyhadsetnowatch,forwhereandwhatwasthedangerhereonthismountaintop?

Onesidewentdowninaprecipice,oneslopinglesssteeplywehadclimbedfromthepinetreesandthewell,oneofalikedescentwewouldtaketo-morrowdowntotheplain,butthefourthwasmountainheadhangingaboveusandthickwood,——dark,entangled,pathless.AnditchancedoritwasthatJuanLepelayuponthesidetowardthepeak,closetoforest.TheIndianshadnothoughttoguardme.

Welaydownunderthemoon,andthatbronzehostslept,nakedbeautifulstatues,ineveryattitudeofrest.

Themoonshoneuntiltherewassilverday.JuanLepewasnotsleeping.

Therewasnowind,buthewatchedabranchmove.Itlookedlikeaman\'sarm,thenitmovedfartherandwasafullman,——anIndian,noiseless,outclearinthemoon,fromthewood.Iknewhim.ItwasthepriestGuarin,priestandphysician,fortheyarethesamehere.Palmagainstearth,Ihalfrose.Henodded,madeasigntorisewhollyandcome.Ididso.Istoodandsawunderthemoonnowakingfacenorupspringingform.IsteppedacrossanIndian,another,athird.Thenwasclearspace,thewood,Guarin.Therewasnosoundsaveonlytheconstantsoundofthisforestbynightwhenamillionmillioninsectswaken.

Hetookmyhandanddrewmeintothebrakeandwilderness.

Therewasnopath.IfollowedhimoverIknownotwhatoftwinedrootandthickancientsoil,apowderandflakethatgaveunderfoot,toahidden,rockyshelfthatbrokeandcameagainandbrokeandcameagain.Nowwewereahundredfeetabovethatcampandgoingovermountainbrow,goingtothenorthagain.GonewereCaonaboandhisIndians;gonetheviewoftheplainandthemountainsofCibao.Againwemetlowcliff,longstonyledgessunkintheforest,invisiblefrombelow.Ibegantoseethattheywouldnotknowhowtofollow.CaonabomightknowwellthemountainsofCibao,butthissierrathatwasstraightbehindGuarico,Guaricoknew.Itisablessedhabitoftheirprieststogowanderingintheforest,makingtheirmedicine,learningthecountry,discovering,usingcertainhauntsformeditation.Sometimestheyaregonefromtheirvillagesfordaysandweeks.Noneindeedofthesewildpeoplesfearreasonablesolitude.OutofallwhichcomesthefactthatGuarinknewthismountain.Wewerenotfar,asfliesthebird,fromtheburnedtownofGuarico,fromtheseawithoutsail,fromtheruinedLaNavidad.Whenthedawnbrokewesawocean.

Hetookmestraighttoacavern,suchanotherasthatinwhichJerezandLuisTorresandIhadharboredinCuba.

Butthishadfinesandforfloor,andarowofcalabashes,andwoodlaidforfire.

HereJuanLepedropped,forallhisheadwasswimmingwithweariness.

Thesunwasup,theplaceglistered.Guarinshowedhowitwashidden.``IfounditwhenIwasaboy,andnonebutGuarinhathevercomehereuntilyoucome,JuanLepe!

Hehadnofear,itwasevident,ofCaonabo\'scoming.``Theywillthinkyouridolhelpedyouaway.Iftheylookforyou,itwillbeinthecloud.Theywillsay,`Seethatdarkmarkmovingroundedgeofcloudmountain!Thatishe!\'\'\'

Iaskedhim,``WhereareGuacanagariandtherest?\'\'

``Guacanagarihadanarrowthroughhisthighandadeepcutuponthehead.Hewasbleedingandinaswoon.

HisbrotherandtheGuaricomenandIwiththemtookhim,andthewomentookthechildren,andwewentaway,saveafewthatwerekilled,uponthepaththatweusedwheninmyfather\'stime,theCaribscameincanoes.

AfterawhilewewillgodowntoGuacanagari.Butnowrest!\'\'

Helookedatme,andthenfromalittletricklingspringhetookwaterinacalabashnolargerthananorangeandfromanothervesselawhitedustwhichhestirredintoit,andmademedrink.Ididnotknowwhatitwas,butI

wenttosleep.

Butthatsleepdidnotrefresh.Itwasfilledwithheavyanddreadfuldreams,andIwokewithanachingheadandaburningskin.JuanLepewhohadnursedthesickdownthereinLaNavidadknewfeeblywhatitwas.Hesawinamistthenakedpriest,hisfriendandrescuer,seateduponthesandyfloorregardinghimwithawrinkledbrowandcompressedlips,andthenhesankintofevervisionsuncouthanddreadful,ormirage-pleasingwithamirage-

ecstasy.

JuanLepedidnotdie,buthelayillandliketodiefortwomonths.ItwasdeepinOctober,thatdayatdawnwhenIcamequietly,evenly,tomyselfagain,andlaymostweak,butwithseeingeyes.AtfirstIthoughtIwasaloneinthecavern,butthenIsawGuarinwherehelayasleep.

ThatdayIstrengthened,andthenextdayandthenext.

ButIhadlainlongattheveryfeetofdeath,andfullstrengthwasatortoiseinreturning.SogoodtoJuanLepewasGuarin!

Nowhewaswithme,andnowhewentawaytothatvillagewherewasGuacanagari.Hehaddonethisfromthefirstcominghere,nursingme,thengoingdownthroughtheforesttoseethatallwaswellwithhiswoundedcaciqueandthefolkwhosebutiohewas.Theyknewhiswaysanddidnottrytokeephimwhenhewouldreturntothemountain,to,``makemedicine.\'\'SononeknewofthecavernorthattherewasoneSpaniardleftaliveinallHayti.

Istrengthened.AtlastIcoulddrawmyselfoutofcaveandlie,inthenowsopleasantweather,upontheledgebeforeit.Allthevastheatandmoisturewasgoneby;

nowagainwasweatheroflastyearwhenwefoundSanSalvador.

Icouldseeocean.Nosail,andwerehereturning,surelyitshouldhavebeenbeforethis!Hemightneverreturn.

WhenGuarinwasawayIsatorlayormovedaboutasmalldemesneandstillprospered.Therewerecleanrock,thewater,themarvelousforest.Hebroughtcassavacake,fruit,fishfromthesea.Hebroughtmeforentertainmentatalkingparrot,andtherelivedinaseamoftherockabeautifullizardwithwhomImadefriends.Theairwasbalm,balm!Asteadysoftwindmadecataractsoundintheforest.Sunrise,noon,sunset,midnight,weregreatglories.

ItwasNovember;itwasmid-Novemberandafter.

NowIwasstrongandwanderedintheforest,thoughneverfarfromthatcliffandcavern.ItwassettledbetweenusthatinfivedaysIshouldgodownwithGuarintoGuacanagari.HeproposedthatIshouldbetakenformallyintothetribe.Theyhadaceremonyofadoption,andafterthatJuanLepewouldbeGuarico.HewouldlivewithandteachtheGuaricos,becomingbutio——heandGuarinbutiostogether.Iponderedit.IftheAdmiralcamenotagainitwastheonethingtodo.

Iremembertheveryodorandexquisitetouchofthemorning.Guarinwasaway.IhadtomyselfcaveandledgeandlittlewaterfallandgreattreesthatnowIwastellingonefromanother.Ihadparrotandlizardandspokenowtotheoneandnowtotheother.Irememberthebutterfliesandthehummingbirds.

Ilookedouttoseaandsawasail!

Itwasafar,awhitepoint.IleanedagainsttherockforIwassuddenlyweakwhothemomentbeforehadfeltstrong.

Thewhitepointswelled.Itwouldbeagoodlylargeship.

Overbluerimslippedanotherflake.AlittleoffIsawathird,thenafourth.JuanLeperubbedhiseyes.Beforetherecamenomorehehadcountedseventeensail.Theygrew;theyweresobeauteous.Towardtheharborsailedafleet.NowImadeouttheflagship.

OLife,thouwondrousgoddessofhappenings!

AnhourIsatoncliffedgeandwatched.Theyweremakingin,thelovelywhiteswans.Whentheywerefairlynear,wheninlittletimetheforemostwouldbringto,downsailanddropanchor,JuanLepe,gatheringhisbelongingstogether,biddingthelizardfarewellandtakingtheparrotwithhimonshoulder,leftcavernandcliffandtookGuarin\'spathdownthroughtheforest.

HalfwaytolevellandhemetGuarincomingup;thetwometbeneathatreehugeandspreading,curtainedwithavine,starredwithflowers.``Hehascome!\'\'criedtheIndian.``Theyhavecome!\'\'Inhisvoicewasmarveling,awe,perturbation.

Thesunintheskyshone,andinthebayhungthatwonderofreturn,themanyshipsforthe_Nina_.JuanLepeandGuarinwentondownthroughwoodtoanarrowsilverbeach,outuponwhichbadcastitselfanIndianvillage.

Guacanagariwasnothere.HewaitedwithinhishousefortheAdmiral.Buthisbrother,andothersofGuarico,sawmeandthereroseaclamorandexcitementthatforthemomenttookthemfromtheships.GuarinexplainedandJuanLepeexplained,butstillthismiraculousdaydyedalsoforthemmypresencehere.Ihadbeenslain,andhadcometolifetogreettheGreatCacique!Itgrewtoalegend.I

metitso,longafterwardsinHispaniola.

CHAPTERXXVII

ONEbyonewereincoming,werefoldingwings,wereanchoring,Spanishships.Threewerelargereachthanthe_SantaMaria_andthe_Pinta_together;theotherscaravelsofvaryingsize.Seventeeninall,afleet,crowdedwithmen,havingcannonandbannersandmusic.

EuropewascomingwithstrengthintoAsia!TheIndiansonthebeachweremovedasbyanunrestingwind.Theyhadterror,theyhaddelight,andsomeamerestupidityofstaring.Thegreatestship,thefirsttoanchor,carriedthebannerofCastileandLeon,andtheAdmiral\'sbanner.

Nowaboatputofffromher,boatsalsofromthetwoshipsnextingrandeur.

AstheycameoverthebluewaveJuanLepesteppeddownsandtowateredge.Nothere,butsomewhattothewest,beforeLaNavidadwouldonelookforthisanchoring.HethoughtrightlythattheAdmiralcameherefromLaNavidad,wherehefoundonlyruin,butalsosomestrayingIndianwhocouldgivenews.Soitwas,forpresentlyintheforemostboatImadeouttwoGuaricomen.TheyhadtoldofCaonaboandofGuacanagari\'sfortunes,andofeverySpaniarddeadofthatillnessorslainbyCaonabo.TheywouldputJuanLepeamongtheselast,butherewasJuanLepe,oneonlyleftofthatthirty-eight.

Theboatapproached.Isawthebaredhead,higherthananyother,thewhitehair,theblue-grayeyes,thestrongnoseandlips,thewholemajesticairoftheman,asofagreatonechosen.MasterChristopherus——DonCristoval——_elAlmirante_!Oneoftherowers,andthatwasSanchowithwhomIhadwalkedontheFishertownroad,firstsawmeandgaveastartledcry.Allintheboatturnedhead.

IheardtheAdmiral\'svoice,``Aye,itis!Itis!\'\'

Boattouchedsand,therewaslanding.Allsprangout.

TheAdmiraltookmeinhisarms.``Youalone——oneonly?\'\'

Ianswered,``Oneonly.Themostdiedintheirduty.\'\'

Hereleasedme.``senors,thisissenorJuanLepe,thatgoodphysicianwhomweleft.Nowtell——tellall——beforewegoamongthisfolk!\'\'

BywateredgeItold,thirtymenofSpainaroundme.

Awoefulstory,Imadeitshort.Thesemenlistened,andwhenitwasdonefellasilence.ChristopherusColumbusbrokeit.``Thewavesucksunderandthrowsoutagain,butwesailthesea,havesaileditandwillsailit!——NowweretheseIndiansfalseorfair?\'\'

Icouldtellhowfairtheyhadbeen——couldpraiseGuaricoandGuacanagariandGuarin.Helistenedwithgreatsatisfaction.

``IwouldlaymyheadforthatIndian!\'\'

Talkwithhimcouldnotbeprolonged,forwewereinasceneofthegreatestbusinessandcommotion.WhenI

soughtforGuarinhewasgone.NorwasGuacanagariyetathand.Ilookedattheswarmingshipsandshipboats,andthecomingandcominguponthebeachofmoreandmoreclothedmen,andatthetallgreenpalmsandthefeatheredmountains.Thishost,itseemedtome,wasnotsoartlesslyamazedashadbeenweofthe_SantaMaria_,the_Pinta_andthe_Nina_,whenfirstwecametolandssostrangetoEurope.PresentlyImadeoutthattheyhadseenothersoftheseislandsandshores.ComingfromSpaintheyhadsailedmoresoutherlythanwehaddonebeforethem.Theyhadmadeagreatdipandhadcomenorth-by-westtoHispaniola.

IheardnamesofislandsgivenbytheAdmiral,Dominica,Marigalante,Guadaloupe,SantaMarialaAntigua,SanJuan.Theyhadanchoredbythese,setfootuponthem,evenfoughtwithpeoplewhowereCaribs,CaribalsorCannibals.TheyhadadozenCaribs,menandwomen,prisonersuponthe_Marigalante_thatwastheAdmiral\'sship.

ThisgroupaboutJuanLepe,survivorofLaNavidad,talkedlikeseasonedfindersandtakers.Forthemostparttheywereyoungmenandhidalgos,fightersagainsttheMoors,releasedbythefinalconquestofthosepaynims,outnowforfurtherwildadventureandforgoldwithwhichtoreturn,wealthyandstillyoung,toSpanishcountry,Spanishcities,Spanishwomen!Theyhadthevirtueandtheviceoftheirsort,courage,miraculousgenerositiesandasmiraculousweaknesses.Gold,valor,comradeship——andeyesrestingappraisinglyuponyoungGuaricowomenthereuponthesilverbeachwithGuaricomen.

Iheardonecry``MasterJuanLepe!\'\'andturningfoundLuisTorres.Weembraced,weweresogladeachtoseetheother.Myhidalgosweregone,butbeforeIcouldquestionLuisorheme,thereboredownuponus,comingtogetherlikebirds,halfadozenfriars.``Webringtwelve——numberoftheApostles!\'\'saidLuis.``Monksandpriests.FatherBernardoBuilistheirhead.TheHolyFatherhathappointedhimVicarhere.Youwon\'tfindhimaFrayIgnatio!\'\'

Abull-necked,dark-browed,cholericlookingmanaddressedme.HisBenedictinedressbecamehimill.HeshouldhavebeenaCaptainofFreeLancesinwhateverbriskwarwaswaging.Hesaid,``Thesurvivor,JuanLepe?——WestoppedatyourLaNavidadandfoundruinandemptiness.Theremusthavebeenillmanagement——

gross!\'\'

``Theyarealldead,\'\'Ianswered.``Noneofusmanagethetowerssoverywell!\'\'

Heregardedmemoreattentively.``Thephysician,JuanLepe.Wheredidyoustudy?\'\'

``InPoitiersandinParis,Father.\'\'

``Youhave,\'\'hesaid,``theheightandsinewandsomethingoftheeyeandvoiceofanotabledisappearedheretic,JaymedeMarchena,whoslippedtheDominicans.Isawhimoncefromadoorway.ButthatthePriorofLaRabidahimselftoldmethathehadaccurateknowledgethatthemanwasgonewiththeJewstoFez,Icouldalmostthink——Butofcourseitisnotpossible,andnowIseethedifferences.\'\'

Iansweredhimwithsomeindifferentword,andwecametotheHaytiens,andhowmanyhadFrayIgnatiomadeChristian?``Iknewhim,\'\'saidtheBenedictine.``Agoodman,butweak,weak!\'\'

JuanLepeaskedoftheIndianstheAdmiralhadtakentoSpain.``Butsixreachedusalive.Weinstructedthemandbaptizedthem.Agreatevent——theGrandCardinalandtheKingandtheQueenattending!Threediedduringthesummer,butblessedly,beingthefirstofalltheirpeopleinalltimetoenterheaven.Agreatsalvation!\'\'

Helookedattheforestandmountains,thesands,theGuaricos,asatacityhewasbesieging.

``Ha!\'\'saidFatherBuil,andwithhismissionariesmovedupthebeach.

LuisandIbegantotalk.``NoneedtotellmethatSpaingaveyouwelcome!\'\'\'

``Theroyalestever!FirstwecametoLisbon,driveninbystorm,andhadittherefromKingJohn,andthentoPaloswhich,sotospeak,wentmad!ThenthroughSpaintoBarcelona,wherewasthecourt,andallthebellsineverytownringingandeverydoorandwindowcrowded,andhereistheFaeryPrinceonawhitecharger,hisIndiansbehindhimandgoldandparrotsandhissailors!Processionsandprocessions——alcaldeandalcaydeanddonandfriarandpriest,andletusstopatthechurchandkneelbeforehighaltar,andvowagaininsevenyearstofreetheSepulchre!

Hehathwalkedandridden,wakedandslept,inagreat,highvision!Mostmenhavevisionsbuthecansustainvision.\'\'

``Aye,hecan!\'\'

``SoatlastintoBarcelona,wheregrandeesmeetus,andsoontothecourt,andmusicasthoughtheworldhadturnedmusic!AndtheKingandQueenandgreatwelcome,and,`Sitbesideus,DonCristovalColon!\'and`Tellandtellagain\',and`PraiseweMostHighGod!\'\'\'

``Itissomethingforwhichtopraise!Endsoftheearthbeginningtomeet.\'\'

``Aye!SowewritethatverynighttothePopetobeconfirmedthatthegloryandprofitunderGodaretoCastileandAragon.ButtheQueenthoughtmostoftheheathenbroughttoChrist.AndtheAdmiralthinksofhissonsandhisbrothersandhisoldfather,andoftheHolySepulchreandoftheProphecies,andhehasthejoyoftherunnerwhotouchesthegoal!——Iwouldyoucouldhaveseentheroyaltywithwhichhewastreated——notonedaynorweekbutawholesummerlong——theflocking,thebowingandcapping,the`Domethehonor——\',the`Ihaveasmallpetition.\'Nothingconquerslikeconquering!\'\'

``Hehadlongpatience.\'\'

``Aye.Well,heisatheightnow.Buthehasgotwithhimtheolddisastrousseeds——Fifteenhundredmen,andamongthemquiteaplentylikeGutierrezandEscobedo!

Buttherearegoodmen,too,andagreatlotofromanticaldaredevils.Nopressingthistime!Wemighthavebroughtfivethousandcouldtheshipshaveheldthem.`CometotheIndiesandmakeyourfortune!\'——`Aye,thatismydesire!\'\'\'

Isaid,``IamlookingnowataromanticaldaredevilwhomIhaveseenbefore,thoughIamsurethathenevernoticedme.\'\'

``DonAlonsodeOjeda?Heisfeatherincap,andsometimescap,andevenatstressheadwithinthecap!Withoutmovingyou\'vebeckonedhim.\'\'

ThereapproachedayoungmanofwhomIknewsomething,havinghadhimpointedoutbyEnriquedeCerdainSantaFe.Ihadbeforethatheardhisnameandsomewhatofhisexploits.Inourday,overallSpain,onemightfindorhearofcavaliersofthisbrand.WarwiththeMoorhadlastedsomewhatlongerthantheoldfamedwarwithTroy.

Ithadmodeledyouth;youngmenwereoldsoldiers.Whentherecameupaspritelikethisonehedrankwarlikewine.

Aslightyoungman,tautasaropeinagale,withdarkeyesandredlipsandaswift,decisivestep,uphecame.

``Oh,youarethemanwholivedoutofallyourfort?

Howdidyoumanageit?\'\'

``IhadafriendamongthesefriendlyIndianswhorescuedme.\'\'

``Yes!Itisexcellentwarfaretohavefriends——Youhaveseennoknightnormen-at-arms,norheardofsuch?\'\'

``Notunderthosenames.\'\'

``Howfardo,youthinkwemaybefromtruehousesandcities,castles,fortresses?\'\'

``Ihaven\'ttheleastidea.Bythelooksofit,prettyfar.\'\'

``Itseemstomethatyouspeaktruth,\'\'heanswered.

``Well,itisn\'twhatwelookedfor,butit\'ssomething!Roomyettodare!\'\'Offhewent,halfMercury,halfMars,andasprigofyouthtodrawtheeyes.

``Wastherenothingeverheard,\'\'IaskedLuis,``ofthe_Pinta_andMartinPinzon?\'\'

``Heisdead.\'\'

``Yousawthewreck?\'\'

``No,notthatway,thoughtrueitisthathewreckedhimself!Iforgetthatyouknownothing.Wemetthe_Pinta_lastJanuary,notadayfromhere,withMonteCristithereyetinsight.WhenhecameaboardandsatinthegreatcabinIdonotknowwhathesaid,exceptthatitwasofseparationbythatstorm,andthefeelingthattwopartiesdiscoveringwouldtherebydiscoverthemore,andthebetterservetheirMajesties.TheAdmiralmadenoquarrelwithhim.Hehadsomegoldandsomenewsofcoaststhatwehadnotseen.AndhedidnotseemtothinkitnecessarytoseempenitentoranythingbutjustnaturallyMartinPinzon.Soonwesailedtogether,heonthe_Pinta_andtheAdmiralonthe_Nina_.ButthatwasaroughvoyagehomeoverOcean-Sea!Hadwehadsuchweathercoming,mighthavebeenmutinyandthroat-cuttingandputtingback,CathayandIndiabeingofnoaidtodeadmen!Sixtimesatleastwethoughtweweredrowned,andmadevows,kneelingalltogetherandtheAdmiralprayingforus,FrayIgnationotbeingthere.Thencameclear,butbeyondCanariesathreedays\',threenights\'weatherthattrulydroveusapart,the_Pinta_andthe_Nina_.Welosteachotherinthedarknessandneverfoundagain.WewerebeatenintotheTagus,the_Pinta_ontoBayonne.Then,mid-March,wecametoPalos,landedandthewonderbegan.Andinthreedayswhoshouldcomelimpinginbutthe_Pinta_?Butshemissedthetriumph,andMartinPinzonwassick,andtherewassomecoldnessshown.Hewentashoretohisownhouse,andhisillnessgrowingworsehediedthere.Well,hehadqualities.\'\'

``Aye,\'\'Ianswered,withavisionofthebig,bluff,golden-

hairedman.

``VicentePinzonishere;hisshipthe_Cordera_yonder.

What\'sthestirnow?TheAdmiralwillgotoseeGuacanagari?\'\'

That,itseemed,waswhatitwas,andpresentlycamewordthatJuanLepeshouldgowithhim.Abodyofcavalierssumptuouslyclad,someevenwearingshiningcorselet,greavesandhelm,wasformingabouthimwhowashimselfinamagnificentdress.Besidesthesewerefiftyoftheplainersort,andtherelackednotcrossbow,lanceandarquebus.

Andtherewerebannersandmusic.WeweregoinglikeanarmytobebrotherlywithGuacanagari.FatherBuilwasgoingalso,andhistwelvegownedmen.``Who,\'\'

IaskedLuis,``isthemanbesidetheAdmiral?Heseemshiskin.\'\'

``Heis.Itishisbrother,DonDiego.Heisagoodman,able,too,thoughnotableliketheAdmiral.Theysaytheotherbrother,Bartholomew,whoisinEnglandorinFrance,isalmostasable.Howdizzilyturnsthewheelforsomeofus!YesterdayplainDiegoandBartholomew,awould-bechurchmanandashipmasterandchart-maker!

NowDonDiego——DonBartholomew!AndthetwosonswatchingusofffromCadiz!PagesbothofthemtothePrince,andpicturestolookat!`Father!\'and`Noblefather!and`Forgetnotyourhealth,whoareourDependance!\'\'\'

Waitingforalltostart,Iyetregardedthathugedazzleuponthebeach,somanylanded,somanycomingfromtheships,theshipsthemselvessogreatadriftofseabirds!

Asforthosedarkfolk——whatshouldtheythinkofallthesebreakers——infromheaven?Itseemedtometo-daythatdespitetheirfriendlinessshownusherefromthefirst,despitethemiracleandthefedeyeandearandtheexcitement,theyknewafarapaleConsternation.

Atlast,todrumandtrumpet,wepassedfromshiningbeachintogreenforest.IfoundmyselfforamomentbesideDiegoColon——nottheAdmiral\'sbrother,buttheyoungIndiansonamed.NowhewasChristianandclothed,andtrulytheHaitiensstaredathimhardlylessthanattheAdmiral.Igreetedhimandheme.HetriedtospeakinCastilianbutitwasveryhardforhim,andinamomentweslippedintoIndian.

Iaskedhim,``HowdidyoulikeSpain?\'\'

Helookedatmewitharemoteandchildlikeeyeandbegantospeakofhousesandroadsandhorsesandoxen.

AmessagecamefromtheAdmiralatheadofcolumn.I

wenttohim.MenlookedatmeasIpassedthem.Iwasraggednow,grizzle-beardedandwan,andtheyseemedtosay,``Isitsothisstrangelanddoesthem?Butthosefirstoneswerefewandwearemany,anditdoesnotlieinourfortune!Goldliesinours,andreturninsplendorandhappiness.\'\'Butsomehadmorethoughtfuleyesandtruersenseofwonder.

WefoundGuacanagariinanew,large,verycleanhouse,andfoundhimlyinginagreathammockwithhislegboundwithcottonweb,aroundhimwivesandchiefmen.HesatuptogreettheAdmiralandwithanobleandaffectingairpouredforthspeechandlaidhishanduponhishiddenhurt.

NowIknew,becauseGuarinhadtoldmeso,thatthatwoundwashealed.Ithadgiventrouble——theCaribspoisonedtheirdarts——butnowitwaswell.Buttheyaresimplermindedthanwe,thisfolk,andIreadGuacanagarithathemustimpressthereturninggodswithhisfidelity.

Hehadprovedit,andwhileJuanLepewasbyhedidnotneedthismummery,buthehadthoughtthathemightneed.

So,abigmanevidentlyhealthful,hesighedandwincedandhalfclosedhiseyesasthoughhalfdyingstillinthatoldcontestwhenhehadstoodbythepeoplefromthesky.I

interpretedhisspeech,theAdmiralalreadyunderstanding,butnotthesurroundingcavaliers.Itwasahighspeechorhighassurancethathehaddonehishighestbest.

``DoInotbelievethat,Guacanagari?\'\'saidtheAdmiral,andthinkingofDiegodeAranaandFrayIgnatioandothersandofthegoodhopeofLaNavidad,tearscameintohiseyes.

HesatuponthemosthonorableblockofwoodwhichwasbroughthimandtalkedtoGuacanagari.Thenathisgestureonebroughthispresents,amirror,arichbelt,aknife,apairofcastanets.Guacanagari,itseemed,sincethesightingoftheships,hadmadecollectiononhispart.Hegaveenoughgoldtomakelustfulmanyaneyelookinguponthatscene.

ThewomenbroughtfoodandsetbeforetheSpaniardsinthehouse.IfoundGuarinandpresentlywecametobestandingwithouttheentrance——theyhadnodoors;

sometimestheyhadcurtainsofcotton——lookinguponthatstrangegatheringinthelittlemiddlesquareofthetown.

SomanySpaniardsinthepalmshadows,andthewomenfeedingthem,andAlonsodeOjeda\'shanduponthearmofaslenderbrowngirlwithawreathofflowersaroundherhead.FatherBuilwaswithinwiththeAdmiral,truculentlyandsuspiciouslyregardingtheidolaterwhonowhadleftthehammockandseemedaswellofawoundasanythere!

Butherewithoutwereeightortenfriars,gatheredtogetherunderapalmtree,makingrefectionandtalkingamongthemselves.Onedevoutbrother,sittingapartandfasting,toldhisbeads.

SaidGuarin,``Ihavebeenwatchinghim.Heistalkingtohis_zeme_——Theyareallbutios?\'\'

``Yes.Mostofthemaregoodmen.\'\'

``Whatisgoingtohappenheretoallmypeople?Somethingisoveragainstmeandmypeople,Ifeelit!Eventhecaciquehasfear.\'\'

``ItisthedarkIgnoranceandthelightIgnorance,theclothedIgnoranceandthenakedIgnorance.Ifeelittoo,whatyoufeel.ButIfeel,OGuarin,thattheinnerandtrueManwillnotandcannottakehurt!

Hesaid,``Dotheycomeforgood?\'\'

Ianswered,``Thereismuchgoodintheircoming.Seenfromthemountainbrow,enormousgood,Ithink.InthelongrunIamfaintothinkthatallhavetheirmarkethere,younolessthanI,GuacanagarinolessthantheAdmiral.\'\'

``Idonotknowthat,\'\'hesaid.``Itseemstomethesunnydayisdark.\'\'

Isaid,``Inthemainallthingsworktogether,andintheendishoney.\'\'

Outtheycamefrompalm-roofedhouse,theAdmiraloftheOcean-SeaandViceroyofwhatIndieshecouldfindforSpainandSpaincouldtake,andtheIndiankingorgrandeeorprinceling.Perceivingthatwhathedidwasappreciatedforwhatitwas,Guacanagarihadrecoveredhislameness.Thecottonwasnolongerabouthisthigh;hemovedstraightandlightly,——abig,easyIndian.

Itwasnowwellonintheafternoon,buthewouldgowiththeMightyStranger,theGreatCaciquehisfriend,toseetheshipsandallthewonders.Hiswasachildlikecravingforpurenoveltyandmarvel.

Sowewent,allofus,backthroughvastwoodlandtoceruleanwater.Waterwasdeep,the_Marigalante_rodeclosein,andaboutandbeyondherthe_SantaClara_,the_Cordera_,the_SanJuan_,the_Juana_,another_Nina_,the_Beatrix_andmanyanotherfairname.Theywerebeautiful,theshipsonthegaywaterandaboutthemtheboatsandtheredmen\'scanoes.

Wewenttothe_Marigalante_,IwiththeAdmiral.DancingacrossintheboattherespoketomeDonDiegoColon,bornGiacomoColombo,andIfoundhimasober,ableman,withachurchlyinclination.HererosetheMarigalante,andnowwewereuponit,anditwasagreatershipthanthe_SantaMaria_,agoodlyship,withgoodlygearaboardandgoodlySpaniards.JaymedeMarchenafeltthetugofblood,ofhome-comingintohiscountry.

CHAPTERXXVIII

FINDINGyoungSanchouponthe_Marigalante_,Ikepthimbesidemeforinformation\'ssake.He,too,hadhisstories.AndheaskedmehowPedroandFernandodied.

Inthisshipweretwosetsofcaptives,animalsbroughtfromSpainandIndiansfromthosefiercerislandstothesouth.The_Monsalvat_thatwasafreightshiphadmanyanimals,saidSancho,cattleandswineandsheepandgoatsandcocksandhens,andthirtyhorses.Butuponthe_Marigalante_,well-penned,theAdmiralhadastallionandtwomares,ayoungbullandacoupleofheifers,andtwodogs——bloodhounds.TheCaribswereyonder,fivemeninall.

Hetookmetoseethem.Theyweretall,strong,sullenanddesperateinaspect,hardier,fiercerthanIndiansofthesenorthwardlands.ButtheywereIndians,andtheirgutturalspeechcouldbemadeout,atleastinsubstance.

Theyaskedwithahigh,contemptuouslookwhenwemeanttoslayandeatthem.

``Theyeatmen\'sflesh,everyCaribalofthem!WesawhorridthingsinGuadaloupe!\'\'

Awayfromthesemensatorstoodsevenwomen.``Theywerecaptives,\'\'saidSancho.``CaribsbadravishedthemfromotherislandsandtheyfledinGuadaloupetous.\'\'

Thesewomen,too,seemedmorestronglyfibred,courageous,highofheadthantheHaytiwomen.Therewasamongthemonetowhomtheothersgavedeference,achieftainess,strongandwarlikeinmien,notsmoothlyyoungnoraftertheirnotionsbeautiful,butwithanairofsagacityandpride.

Ashipboystoodwithus.``ThatisCatalina,\'\'hesaid.

``Ho,Catalina!\'\'

Thewomanlookedathimwithdisdainandwhatshesaidwas,``Youngfoolwithfool-gods!\'\'

``Theycametousforrefuge,\'\'saidSancho.``WethinktheyareAmazons.Therewasanislandwheretheyfoughtuslikemen——greatbow-women!DonAlonsodeOjedafirstcalledthisoneCatalina,sonowweallcallherCatalina.

Atfirsttheylikedus,butnowthattheyaresafeawayfromCaribs——allbutthesefiveandtheycan\'thurtthem——

theysitandpine!Icallitungrateful,Catalina!\'\'

Wemovedaway.TherecamefromthegreatcabinwheretheyhadwineandfinesweetcakestheAdmiralandGuacanagari,withthemDonDiegoandthreeorfourcavaliers.

Guarinwasnotwiththecacique,uponthe_Marigalante_.

Hewouldnotcome.Ihadavisionofhim,intheforest,seatedmotionless,communingwiththedeepestselftowhichhecouldreach,seekinglightwiththeotherlight-

seekers.

ChristopherusColumbusbeckonedmeandIwenttheroundoftheshipwithhimandothersandhisguest,thisfar-awaysonofGreatIndia.So,presently,hewastakentoviewthehorsesandthecattle.Whoeverhathseenlionsbroughttoacourtforshowhathseensomeshrinkingfromtoo-closeandheardtimorousaskingifthebarsbereallystrong.Andtheold,wildbeastsatRomeforthegames.

Ifonecamebychanceupontheminanarrowquartertheremightbeterror.AndthebullthatwegoadtomadnessforagameinSpain——werebarriersdownwouldcomea-scrambling!Thiscaciquehadneverseenananimallargerthanafoxoradog,Yethestoodwithsteadiness,thoughhisglanceshothereandthere.Thestallionwasrestlessandfiery-eyed;thebullsentforthabellow.``Whydotheycome?Whatwilltheydohere?Willyouputthemintheforest?Thepeoplewillbeafraidtowander!\'\'

Helookedawaytoskyandseaandshore.``Itgrowstowardnight,\'\'hesaid.``Iwillgobacktomytown.\'\'

TheAdmiralsaid,``IwouldfirstshowyoutheCaribs,\'\'

andtookhimtherewheretheywerebound.TheHaytienregardedthem,buttheCaribswereascontemptuouslysilentasmighthavebeenAlonsodeOjedainlikecircumstances.

OnlyasGuacanagariturnedaway,onespokeinafierce,monotonousvoice.``Youalso,Haytien,onemoon!\'\'

``Youlie!OnlyCaribs!\'\'Guacanagarisaidback.

ThecaciquestoodbeforethewomanwhomtheycalledCatalina.Shebrokeintospeech.Itwascaciquetocacique.ShewasfromBoriquen——shewouldreturninacanoeifshewerefree!Betterdrownthanlivewiththeutterlyun-understandable——onlythattheyateanddrankandlaidholdofwomenwhetherthesewouldorwouldnot,andwereunderstandablethatfar!Gods!Atfirstshethoughtthemgods;nowshedoubted.Theyweremagicians.

Ifshewerefree——ifshewerefree——ifshewerefree!

Home——Boriquen!Ifnotthat,atleastherowncolorandtheunderstandable!\'\'

Guacanagaristoodandlistened.Shespokesofast——theAdmiralneverbecamequiteperfectinIndiantongues,andfewuponthe_Marigalante_weresoatthistime.JuanLepeunderstood.ButjustashewasthinkingthatindutyboundbemustsaytotheAdmiral,``Sheisunderminingreputation.

Bestmoveaway!\'\'Guacanagarimadeaviolentgestureasthoughhewouldbreakaspell.``Wherecouldtheycomefromwithallthattheyhaveexceptfromheaven?

Whocanplanagainstgods?Itissintothinkofit!_ElAlmirante_willmakeyouhappy,Boriquenwoman!\'\'

Weleftthewomen.ButGuacanagarihimselfwasnothappy,ashehadbeenthatChristmas-tidewhenfirstthegodscame,whenthe_SantaMaria_waswreckedandhegaveushospitality.

TheAdmiraldidnotseethathewasunhappy.TheAdmiralsawalwaysavastmaingood,andhethoughtitpearlandgoldineveryfiber.Asyet,hesawnorottedstring,nosnarltobeuntangled.Itwashisweakness,andmaybe,too,hisstrength.

Thesunsethungoverthisroadsteadandtheshore.Themountainsglowedinit,thenearerwoodfelldark,thebeachshowedmilkywhite,aknotofpalmsuponahornoflandcaughtfullgoldandshoneasthoughtheywereinheaven.

Overuponthe_Cordera_theyweresinging.Thelongcacique-

canoeshotoutfromtheshadowofthe_Marigalante_.