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Wewentashoreforwaterandfruit.Solitary——neithermannorwoman!Wefoundtracksuponthesandthatsomeamonguswouldhaveitweremadebygriffons.OneofourmenhadthethoughtthathemightprocuresomelargebirdfortheAdmiral\'stable.Takingacrossbowhepassedalonethroughthepalmsintothedeeperwood.Hewasgoneanhour,andwhenhereturneditwasinhaste,withachalkfaceandgreateyes.Iwasseatedintheboatwiththemasterofthe_Cordera_andheardhistale.Hehadfoundwhathethoughtanaturalaisleoftheforestandhadstolendownit,lookingkeenlyforpigeonorlargerbird.Atreewithdroopingbranchesstoodacrosstheaisle,hesaid.Hewentaroundthetrunk,whichwasagreatone,anditwasasthoughhehadturnedintothenaveofthecathedral.Therewasspace,buttreeslikepillarsoneitherside,andattheendthreegreattreescoveredtothetopswithvineandpurplegrapes.Andherehesawbeforehim,underthegreatesttree,amaninalongwhitegownlikeaWhiteFriar.
Thesighthaltedhim,turnedhim,heaverred,tostone.
Twomoremeninwhitedressesbutshorterthanthatofthefirst,camefromamongthetreesandhesawbehindtheseanumberinlikeclothing.Hecouldnottell,nowhethoughtofit,iftheywerecarryinglancesorpalms.
Wehadlookedsolongforclothedfolkthatitwasthewhiteclotheshethoughtof.Thesamewiththeirfaces——
hecouldnottellaboutthem——hethoughttheywerefair.
Suddenly,itseemed,Panhadfallenuponhimandputhimforthinterror.Hehadturnedandracedthroughtheforest,heretothesea.Hedidnotthinkthewhite-cladmenhadseenhim.
WetookhimtotheAdmiralwholistened,thenbroughthishandstogether.``Hathitnot——hathitnot,Iaskyou——soundofPresterJohn?\'\'
Withthedawnhehadmenashore,andtherehewenthimself,withhimJuandelaCosaandJuanLepe.Thecrossbowman——itwasFelipeGarcia——showedtheway.
Wefoundindeedtheforestaisleandnave,andthethreetreesandthepurplegrapes,avastvinewithheavyclusters,butwefoundnomenandnosignofmen.
TheAdmiralwasnotdiscouraged.``Ifhetrulysawthen,andIbelievehedid,thenaretheysomewhere——\'\'
Webeatalltheneighborhood.Solitary,solitary!Hedividedthemostdeterminedofus——somanyfromeachship——intotwobandsandsentintwodirections.Weweretosearch,ifnecessary,throughtenleagues.Wewent,butreturnedemptyofnewsofclothedmen.Wefounddesolateforest,andbehindthatavast,matted,lowgrowth,impenetrableandextendingfaraway.AtlastwedeterminedthatFelipeGarciahadseenwhitecranes.Unlessitweremagic——
Wesailedonandwesailedon.The_Cordera_,the_SantaClara_andthe_SanJuan_wereinbadcase,hurtinthatstormbetweenJamaicaandCuba,andwaywornsinceinthosesandyseas,amongthosemyriadislets.OurseamenandourshipmastersnowloudlywishedreturntoIsabella.
Hepushedusfartheronandfartheron,andstillwedidnotcometoanythingbeyondthosethingswehadalreadyreached,nordidwecomeeithertoanyendofCuba.AndwhatwasgoingoninHispaniola——inIsabella?WehadsailedinAprilandnowitwasJuly.
Itbecameevidenttohimatlastthathemustturn.TheViceroyandtheAdmiralwarredinhim,hadlongwarredandwouldwar.Betterforhimhadheneverinsisteduponviceroyship!Then,single-minded,hemighthavediscoveredtotheendofhisdays.
Weturned,the_Cordera_,the_SantaClara_andthe_SanJuan_,andstillhebelievedthatthelong,longcoastofCubawasthecoastoftheAsiamain.Hesawitasamonstercapeorprolongation,sproutingintoOcean-SeaassproutsItalyintoMediterranean.Back——back——thewaywehadcome,enteringagainthatwhitesea,entangledagainamongathousandislets!
AtlastwecameagaintothatCapeoftheCrosstowhichwehadescapedintheJamaicatempest.OnethinghewouldyetdointhisvoyageandthatwastogoroundabouthomewardbyJamaicaandfindoutfurtherthingsofthatgreatandfairisland.WeleftCubathatstillwethoughtwasthemain.SantiagoorJamaicarosebeforeus,darkbluemountainsoutofthedarkbluesea.Foronemonthwecoastedthisisland,foralwaystheweatherbeatusbackwhenwewouldquitit,settingoursailsforHispaniola.
Wecameto,Haytiuponthesouthernside,andbecauseofsomemisreckoningfailedofknowingthatitwasHayti,untilanIndianinacanoebelowus,calledloudly``ElAlmirante!\'\'
AndyetIsabellawasthethicknessoftheislandfromus,andtheweatherbecomingfoul,webeataboutforlongdays,strugglingeastwardandpushedback,andagainpartinguponastormynightoneshipfromtheothers.
The_Cordera_anchoredbyatall,rockyisletandrodeoutthestorm.Here,whenitwascalm,wewentashore,butfoundnoman,onlyanunreckonablenumberofpigeons.TheAdmirallayonclean,warmsandandrestedwithhiseyesshut.IwasgladwewerenightoIsabellaandhishousethere,forIdidnotthinkhimwell.Hesatup,embracinghisgreatkneesandlookingattheseaandthe_Cordera_.
``Ihavebeenthinking,Doctor.\'\'
``Foryourhealth,myAdmiral,Iwishyoucouldrestawhilefromthinking!\'\'
``WewereuponthesouthsideofMangi.Iamassuredofthat!CouldI,thistime,havesailedon——NowIseeit!\'\'
Hedroppedhishandsfromhiskneesandturnedfulltowardme.Isawthatlyingthusforanhourhehadgatheredstrengthandnowwaspassed,ashewaswonttopassafterquiet,intoahighdegreeofvision,accompaniedbyforth-goingenergy.``NowIsee,andassoonasImay,Iwilldo!BeyondMangi,Champa.BeyondChampa,thecoasttrendingsouthward,IndiaoftheGangesandtheGoldenChersonese.LandofGold——LandofGold!——aretheynotforeverpointingsouthward?Butitisnotofgold——orwhollygold——thatnowIthink!_AureaChersonesus_
makethavastpeninsula,greatermaybethanItaly,GreeceandSpaintakentogether.ButIwillroundit,andIwillcometothemouthofGanges!Thenagain,Iread,wegosouthward!ThereistheKingdomofMaabarwhereSaintThomasisburied,andtheKingdomofMonsulwherethediamondsarefound.ThenwecometotheIslandofZeilan,whereistheTombofourFatherAdam.Herearesapphires,amethysts,topaz,garnetandrubies.Thereisarubyherebeyondprice,largeasaman\'stwofistsandawellofredfire.ButwhatIshouldthinkmostofwouldbetostandwhereAdamlaidhimdown——NowfromtheIslandofZeilanIsailacrosstheIndiasea.AndIgostillsouth,threehundredleagues,andIfindthegreatislandofMadagascarwhosepeopleareSaracensandthereistherukh-birdthatcanliftanelephant,andtheycuttheredsandalthereandfindambergris.ThenliftethZanzibarwhosewomenaremonstersandwherethemarketisinelephantteeth.AndsoIcomeatlasttotheextremityofAfricawhichBartholomewDiazfound——mybrother,DonBartholomewbeingwithhim——andnamedGoodHope.
SoIroundGoodHope,andIcomehomebyCapeBojadorwhichImyselfhaveseen.IwillpassFezandErcillaandthestraitsandCadiz.IwillentertheRiverSagresatPalos,fortherewaswhereIfirstputforth.ThebellsofLaRabidawillring,forathingisdonethatwasneverdonebefore,andthatwillnotceasetoresound!Ishallhavesailedaroundtheearth.ChristopherusColumbus.Tenships.TenchancesoftherebeingoneinwhichImaycomehome!\'\'
``Therehavebeenworsedreams!\'\'saidJuanLepe.
``Iwarrantyou!ButIamnotdreaming.\'\'
Heroseandstoodwitharmsoutstretched,crosswise.
```Noughtishid,\'saithScripture,`butshallbefound!\'
HereisEarth.Doyounotthinkthatonedayweshallgoallaboutit?Aye,freely,freely!Withzestandjoy,discoveringthatitisalovedhome.Foreveryroadsomemanormenbroketheclods!\'\'
Theyhailedusfromthe_Cordera_.Onehadseenfromtopmastthe_SantaClara_.
StillwesailedbythesouthcoastofHispaniola.WeknewnowthatitwasnotCipango.Butitwasagreatisland,natheless,andonedaymightbeasCipango.Beata,Soana,Monawerethelittleislandsthatwefound.Wesailedbetweenthemandourgreatisland,andatlastwecametothecornerandturnednorthward,andagainafterdaystoanothercornerandsailedwestoncemore,withhopesnowofIsabella.ItwasthefirstweekinSeptember.
Inagreatreddawn,Roderigo,theAdmiral\'sservant,rousedJuanLepe.``Come——come——come,Doctor!\'\'
Isprangfrommybedandfollowedhim.ChristopherusColumbuslayinadeepswoon.Roundhecamefromthatandsaid,``Roderigo,tellthemthatIamperfectlywell,butwishtoseenoone!\'\'Fromthat,hecametorecognizeme.
``Doctor,Iamtired.GodandOurLadyonlyknowhowtiredIam!\'\'
Hiseyesshut,hisheadsankdeepintothebed.Hesaidnotanotherword,thatdaynorthenextnorthenext.RoderigoandIforcedhimtoswallowalittlefoodandwine,andonceheroseandmadeasiftogoondeck.Butwelaidhimdownagainandhesankintomovelessnessandasleepofallthefaculties.JuandelaCosatookcareofthe_Cordera_.
SowesightedIsabellaandintheharborfourcaravelsthathadnotbeentherewhenwehadsailedinApril.
CHAPTERXXXII
TWOmencameintothecabin,DonDiegoColon,leftinchargeofHispaniola,andwithhimatall,powerful,high-featuredman,grayofeyeandblackandsilverofhairandshortbeard.Ashestoodbesidethebed,onesawthathemustbekinsmantothemanwholayuponit.
``OBartholomew!Andisthistheend?\'\'criedDonDiego,andIknewthatthestrangerwasthatbrother,Bartholomew,forwhomtheAdmirallonged.
Thesethreebrothers!Onelaylikeafigureuponatombsaveforthebreathingthatstirredhissilverhair.One,DonDiego,tall,too,andstrong,butallofagentle,quietmiensankonhiskneesandseemedtopray.One,DonBartholomew,stoodlikerockorpine,butheslowlymadethesignofthecross,andIsawhisgrayeyesfill.
ItseemedtomethattheAdmiral\'seyelidsflickered.
Speaktohimagain,\'\'Isaid.``Takehishand.\'\'
BartholomewColumbus,kneelinginthe_Cordera\'s_cabin,puthisarmabouthisgreatbrother.Thatiswhathecalledhim,——``Christopher,mygreatbrother,itisBartholomew!
Don\'tyouknowme?Don\'tyouremember?ImustgotoEngland,yousaid,toseeKingHenry.Totellhimwhatyoucoulddo——whatyouhavedone,mygreatbrother!
Don\'tyouremember?Iwent,butIwaspoorlikeyouwhoarenowViceroyoftheIndies——andIwasshipwreckedbesidesandlostthelittlethatwehadscraped——doyouremember?——andmustlivelikeyoubymakingmapsandcharts,anditwaslongbeforeIsawKingHenry!——
Christopher,mygreatbrother!Helieslikedeath!
Isaid,``Heisreturning,butheisyetalongwayoff.
Keepspeaking.\'\'
``ButKingHenrysaidatlast,`Gobringusthatbrotherofyours,andwethinkitmaybedone!\'Andhegavemegold.SoIwouldcomebacktoSpainforyou,andIreachedParis,anditwasthesummerof1493.Christopher,mygreatbrother,don\'tyouhearme?ForitwasatParisthatIheard,anditcamelikeafloodofglory,falleninonemomentfromHeaven!Iheard,`ChristopherusColumbus!
HehasfoundtheIndiesforKingFerdinandandQueenIsabella!\'——Don\'tyouhear,Christopher?Alltheworldadmiring——alltheworldsaying,`Nothingwillevergojustthesamewayagain!\'Youhavedonethegreatestthing,mygreatbrother!Doctor,ishedying?\'\'
``Hewillnotdie,\'\'Isaid.``Youarecordialtohim,thoughbehearsyouyetfromleaguesandleaguesaway.
Goon!\'\'
``Christopher,fromParisIgotslowly,slowly,soslowlyIthoughtit!——toSeville.ButIwasnotpoor.
Theygavemegold,theFrenchKinggaveit,theirnobles,theirbishops.Iwalkedinthatglory;itfloodedmefromyou!Allyourpeople,Christopher,yoursonsandyourbrothersandouroldfather.Youbuildusagain,youareourcastleandgreatshipandAdmiral!WhenIcametoBarcelona,howtheypraisedyou!WhenIcametoToledo,howtheypraisedyou!WhenIcametoSeville,howtheypraisedyou!ButatSevilleIlearnedthatIwastoolate,andyouweregoneuponyoursecondvoyage.ThenIwenttoValladolidandtheQueenandtheKingwerethere,andtheysaid,`Hehasjustsailed,DonBartholomew,fromCadizwithsixteenships——yourgreatbrotherwhohathcrossedOcean-SeaandboundtousAsia!\'——But,sweetJesu,whatentertainmenttheygaveme,allbecauseIhadlaininouroldwoodencradleatGenoaacoupleofyearsorsoafteryou!——Genoa!——TheysayGenoa_aches_becauseshedidnotsendyou.Christopher,doyouremembertheoldrockbythesea——andyoubeggedcolorsfromMesserLudovicoandpainteduponitashipandwecalledittheGreatDoge——\'\'
TheAdmiral\'seyesopenedslowlylikeagraydawn;hemovedeversoslightlyinthebed,andhislipsparted.
``Brother,\'\'hewhispered.
Wegothimfromthe_Cordera_toRispaniolashore,andsoinalittertohisownhouseinIsabella.Allourtownwasgatheredtoseehimcarriedthere.Hebegantoimprove.
TheseconddayhesaidtoDonBartholomew,``Youshallbemylieutenantanddeputy.Adelantado——InameyouAdelantado.\'\'
DonBartholomewsaidbluntly,``IsnotthatharduponDiego?\'\'
``No,no,Bartholomew!\'\'answeredDonDiego,whowaspresent.``IfitwerequestionofapriorofFranciscans,now!
ButChristopherknowsandIknowthatItookthisstormyworldbutforlackofanyotherinbloodtoservehim.OurLadyknowsthatIneverheldmyselftobethemanfortheplace!BeAdelantadoandneverthinkofme!\'\'
TheAdmiraluponhisbedspoke.``Wehavealwaysworkedtogether,weColombos.Whenitisdoneforthewholethereisnojealousyamongtheparts.IloveDiego,andIthinkhedidwell,constraininghisnaturetoit,hereamongtheselfish,thedangerousandfactious!Andothersknowthathedidwell.Ilovehimandpraisehim.ButBartholomew,thouartthemanforthis!\'\'
Accordingly,thenextnoontide,trumpets,andaproclamationmadebeforethegreatcrossinthemiddleofourtown.
TheViceroy\'snew-comebrotherhadeverylieutenantpower.
Idonotknowifheeverdisappointedorabusedit.Hebecamegreathelpertohisgreatbrother.
Thesethree!Theywerealessoninwhatbrothersmightbe,onetotheother,makingasitwereathreefoldbeing.
Powerwasinthisfamily,powerofframeandconstitution,withvitalspiritinabundance;powerofwill,powerofmind,andagoodpowerofheart.Theirwillwasgoodtowardmankind.
Theyhadfloodstosurmountandmanyahowlingtempesttoout-endure.Byandlargetheydidwellwithlife,——verywell.Therewasalloy,basemetalofcourse,eveninthegreatestofthethree.Theywerestillmen.ButtheyweresuchmenasNaturemightputforwardamonghergoodlyfruit.
TheViceroylaystillinhisbed,foreachtimehewouldrisecamefaintnessandoldfatigue.TheAdelantadoacted.
TherewasstorminHispaniola,stormofhumanpassions.
IfoundLuisTorres,andheputmewithinleg-strideofthepresent.
Margarite!ItseemedtobeginwithDonPedroMargarite.
Heandhismenhadearlymadechoicebetweentherich,thefruitful,easyVegaandthemountainstheyweretopierceforgoldandhuntoverforafiercemountainchief.IntheVegatheyestablishedthemselves.TheIndiansbroughtthem``tribute\'\',andtheyexactedover-tribute,andreviledandslewwhenitpleasedthem,andtheytooktheIndianwomen,andifitpleasedthemtheyburnedavillage.``Sorrytale,\'\'saidLuis.``Old,sorrytale!\'\'
IndianscametoIsabellaandwithfiercegestureandeyesthatcastlancestalkedtoDonDiego.DonDiegosentasternlettertoDonPedroMargarite.DonPedroansweredthathewasdoingsoldier\'sduty,astheSovereignswouldunderstandwhenitcamebeforethem.DonDiegosentagain,summoninghimuponhisallegiancetoIsabella.Hechoseforamonthnoanswertothatatall,andthebreezesstillbroughtfromtheVegacriesofanger,wailsofsorrow.
ThenheappearedsuddenlyinIsabella.
DonDiegowouldhavearrestedhimandlaidhiminprisontoawaittheAdmiral\'sreturn.Butwithsuddenness,thatwasoftruthnosuddenness,Margaritehadwithhimthreeoutoffourofourhidalgos,andmorethanthat,ourApostolicVicaroftheIndies!DonDiegomustbendaside,speakhimfair,remonstrate,notcommand.TheViceroyoftheIndiesandAdmiralofOcean-Sea?Deadprobably!——andwhatweretheseColombos?Italianwool-combers!ButherestoodhidalgosofSpain!——``Oldstory,\'\'saidLuisTorres.
``Manytimes,manyplaces,manbeingoneinimperfection.\'\'
AchoppyseahadfollowedMargarite\'sreturn.Upanddown,toandfro,andonedayitmightseemMargaritewasincontrol,andthenext,DonDiego,butwithMargarite\'swaveracingupbehind.ThenappearedthreeshipswithmenandsuppliesandDonBartholomew!MargaritesawDonDiegostrengthened.Hewasboldenough,Margarite!onadarknight,ateve,thereweresomanyshipsbeforeIsabellabutwhenmornbroketheywerefewerbytwo.MargariteandtheApostolicVicarandahundreddisaffectedweredepartedtheIndies!\'\'HavetheygottentoSpain?Andwhatdotheysay?God,Heknoweth!——Therehavebeengreatmenandtheyhavebeenstungtodeath.\'\'
``Ay,ay,theoldstory!\'\'Isaid,andwouldlearnaboutthepacificationoftheIndians.
``Why,theyarenotpacified,\'\'answeredLuis.``Worsefollowsworse.PedroMargaritelefttwobandsintheVega,andfromallIheartheyturneddevils.Itlookedlikepeaceitself,didn\'tit,thisgreat,fair,newland,whenfirstwesteppeduponit,andraisedthebannerandthenthecross?
It\'sthatnolonger.They\'reup,theIndians,Caonaboandthreemaincaciques,andallthelesseronesunderthese.Inshort,weareatwar,\'\'endedLuis.``AlonsodeOjedaatthemomentistheCid.HemaneuversnowintheVega.\'\'
Ilookedaround.Weweresittingunderpalmtrees,bythemudwallofourtown.Beyondtheforestwavedinthewind,andsoftwhitecloudssailedoveritinaskyofessentialsapphire.``There\'sanaspecthereofpeace!\'\'
``ThatisbecauseGuacanagari,fromhisnewtown,holdshispeoplestill.ForthatIndianthescentofgodshiphasnotyetdeparted!HeseestheAdmiralalwaysasasilver-
hairedherobringingwarmthandlight.Heislikeadogforfidelity!——ButIsawthreeIndiansfromoutsidehiscountrycursehiminthenameofalltheothertribes,withakindofmagicalceremony.Isheright,orishewrong,JuanLepe?Orisheneithertheonenortheother,butSomethingmoveshimfromabove?\'\'
``Haveyouneverseenagainthebutio,Guarin?
``No.\'\'
Wesatandlookedattherichforest,andatthatstrange,rude,smalltowncalledIsabella,andattheblueharborwiththeships,andtheblue,blueseabeyond.Overus——whatisoverus?Somethingseemedtocomefromit,stealingdownthestairtous!
Thefourthdayafterhisreturn,DonFranciscodeLasCasas,DonJuanPoncedeLeon,andotherstoldtotheViceroy,lyinguponhisbedinhishouse,muchwhatLuisTorrestoldJuanLepe.``Sirs,\'\'hesaid,whentheyhaddone,``hereismybrother,DonBartholomew,whowilltakeorder.Heisasmyself.ForChristopherusColumbus,heisill,andmustbeillawhile.\'\'
ThesixthdaycameGuacanagari,andsatintheroomandtalkedsorrowfully.Caonabo,Gwarionex,Behechio,Cotubanama,said,``Weretheseorwerethesenotgods,yetwouldtheyfight!\'\'
TheAdmiralsaid,``TheFutureisthegod.Butthereareburrsonhisskirt!\'\'
Guacanagariatlastwoulddepart.Hestoodbesidethebedandthesilver-hairedgreatcaciquefromheaven.TheAdmiralputforthalean,knotted,powerfulhandandlaiditonthebrown,slim,untoiledhand.``Iwishpeace,\'\'hesaid.``MybrotherBartholomewandIwilldowhatwecandotogainit.Goodpeace,truepeace!\'\'
Withouttheroom,IaskedthecaciqueaboutGuarin.Hewasgone,hesaid,tothemountains.HewouldnotstaywithGuacanagari,andhewouldnotgotoCaonaboorGwarionex.``Alloldthingsandwaysarebroken,\'\'saidGuacanagari.``Allourlifeisbroken.Idonotknowwhatwehavedone.Thewomensitandweep.AndI,too,sometimesIweep!\'\'
TheseventhdaycameinAlonsodeOjedafromSt.
Thomas.
TheViceroyandtheAdelantadoandOjedatalkedalonetogetherintheViceroy\'shouse.Butnextdaywasheldagreatcouncil,allourprincipalmenattending.Thereitwasdeterminedtocapture,ifpossible,Caonabo,withdrawinghimsofromtheconfederacy.Theconfederacymightthengotopieces.InthemeantimeuseeveryefforttodetachfromitGwarionexwhoafterGuacanagariwasournearestgreatcacique.Sendawell-guarded,placatingembassytohimandtoCotubanama.Trykindness,kindnesseverywhere,kindwordsandgooddeeds!——AndbuildanotherfortcalledFortConcepcion.
TakeCaonabo!ThatwasataskforAlonsodeOjeda!
Hedidit.Fivedaysafterthecouncil,theViceroybeingnowrecoveredandbringingstrengthtoworkthatneededstrength,theAdelantadovigorouslyhelping,Isabellainagoodmood,theimmediateforestallagoldandgreenpeacefulness,DonAlonsovanished,andwithhimfourteenpickedmen,allmounted.
Forsixweeksitwasasthoughhehaddroppedintothesea,orrisenintotheblueskyaboveeyesight.
ThenonaSundaybeandhisfourteenrodeintotown.
Wehadagreatchurchbellanditwasringing,loudly,sonorously.
Herodeinandatoncetherearoseashout,``DonAlonsodeOjeda!\'\'Allhishorsemenrodewithhim,androdealsoonewhowasnotCastilian.Onagraysteedabare,bronzefigure——Caonabo!
Thechurchbellswung,thechurchbellrang.Ridingbeneaththesquattower,allourpeoplepouringforthfromourpoorhousesuponthereturnedandhiscaptive,thelatterhadeyes,itseemedtome,butforthatbell.A
curious,sardoniclookofrecognition,appraisal,relinquishment,satintheIndian\'sface.FromwristtowristofCaonabowentabright,shortchain.Thesunglittereduponthebraceletsandthelinks.Idonotknow——therewasforamoment——somethinginthesoundofthebell,somethinginthegleamofthemanacles,thatsentoutfaintpityandhorrorandchokinglaughter.
AlltotheViceroy\'shouse,andDonAlonsosittingwithChristopherusColumbus,andCaonabobroughttostandbeforethem.Indiansmakemuchofindifferentbehavior,tauntingcalm,whentaken.Itisapointofhonor,meetingdeathso,evenwhen,asoftenbefalls,theirdeathisaslowandhardone.Amongthemselves,intheirwars,itiseitherdeathorquickadoptionintothevictor\'stribe.Theyhavenogaolsnorherdsofslaves.Caonaboexpecteddeath.Hestood,astrong,contemptuousfigure.ButtheViceroymeanttosendhimtoSpain——trophyandshow,andtobemade,ifitcouldbe,Christian.
CHAPTERXXXIII
ITdidnotendthewar.Forafortnightwethoughtthatithaddoneso.Thencameloudtidings.Caonabo\'swife,Anacaona,hadputonthelioness.WithherwasCaonabo\'sbrotherManicoatexandherownbrotherBehechio,caciqueofXaragua.Therewasanewconfederacy,Gwarionexagainwaswithit.OnlyGuacanagariremained.
DonAlonsomarched,andtheAdelantadomarched.
Atdawnonemorning,foursails.Weallpouredforthtowatchthemgrowbiggerandyetbigger.FourshipsfromCadiz,AntoniodeTorrescommanding,andwithhimcolonistsoftherightkind,mechanicsandhusbandmen.
Manyproposals,muchoforder,camewithTorres.TheAdmiralhadgraciouslettersfromtheQueen,letterssomewhatcoolerfromKingFerdinand,adry,dryletterfromFonseca.MoreoverTorresbroughtagenerallettertoallcolonistsinHispaniola.Themoralofwhichwas,TrustandObeytheViceroyoftheIndies,theAdmiraloftheOcean-Sea!
``Excellentgood!\'\'saidLuisTorres.``DonPedroMargariteandtheApostolicVicarhadnotreachedCadizwhenDonAntoniosailed!\'\'
TheAdmiraltalkedwithmethatnight.Goutagaincrippledhim.Helayhelpless,nowandtheninmuchpain.
IshouldgohomewithAntoniodeTorres,butIcannot!
``Youarenotveryfittogo.\'\'
``Idonotmeanmybody.Mywillcoulddragthatonship.ButIcannotleaveHispaniolawhilegoesonformalwar.Butseeyou,Doctor,whatagreatthingtheirMajestiesplanfor,andwhatcourtesyandrespecttheyshowme!SeehowtheQueenwrites!\'\'
Iknewthatitwasbalmandwinetohim,howshewrote.
ThematterinquestionwasnothingmoreorlessthananamicablegreatmeetingbetweenthetwosovereignsandtheKingofPortugal,thewisestsubjectsofbothattending.
AlinewastobedrawnfromtoptobottomofOcean-Sea,andPortugalmightdiscovertothecastofit,andSpaintothewest!TheHolyFatherwouldconfirm,andsothemightyspoilbejustlydivided.Everygreatgeographershouldcomeintocounsel.Thegreatestofthemall,theDiscoverer,surelyso!TheQueenurgedtheAdmiral\'spresence.
Buthecouldnotgo.SenseofdutytohisViceroyshipheldhimaswithchains.ThenBartholomew?ButBartholomewwasgreatlyneededforthewar.HesentDonDiego,agentle,ablemanwholongedforacloisterandafewhundredmonks,fatherly,admirably,torule.
AntoniodeTorresstayedfewweeksinHispaniola.TheViceroyandAdmiralwouldhavehisletterintheroyalhands.Torrestookthatandtookgoldandstrangeplants,andalsosixhundredIndiancaptivestobesoldforslaves.
WarwentoninHispaniola,butnotforlong.Wehadhorsesandbloodhoundsandmeninarmor,trainedinthelongMoorishstrife.TherewasabattleintheVegathatendedasitmustend.
BehechioandAnacaonafledtothehighmountains.ManicoatexandGwarionexsuedforpeace.Itwasgranted,butagreattributewasimposed.NowallHaytimustgathergoldforSpain.
Nowbegan,alittleto-dayandalittleto-morrow,longwoeforHayti!ItwasthegeneralwayofourAge.ButourAgesinned.
TheyearwheeledtoOctober.JuanAguadocamewithfourcaravelstoIsabella,andhebroughtlettersofadifferenttenorfromthosethatTorresbrought.WeheardinthemthevoiceofMargariteandtheApostolicVicar.
ButnowtheAdmiralwaswellagain,theIndiansdefeated,Hispaniolabaskinginwhatweblithelycalledpeace.
Aguadocametoexamineandinterrogate.Hehadhisletters.
``Cavaliers,esquiresandothers,youaretogiveDonJuanAguadofaithandcredit.Heiswithyouonourparttolookinto——\'\'
AguadolookedwithahostileeyetowardViceroyandAdelantado.Wherewasamalcontenthecamesecretlyifmightbe,ifnotopenly,toAguado.Whoeverhadagrudgecame;whoeverthoughthehadtrueinjury.EveryonewhodislikedItalians,fire-newnobles,seacaptainsdubbedAdmiralsandViceroyscame.Everyonewhohadbeenrestrainedfromgreed,lustandviolencecame.Thosewhoheldanhonestdoubtastosomeonepolicy,oract,questioned,foundtheirmeredoubtbecomeinAguado\'sminddamningcertainty.AndsomanygoodSpaniardsdeadinwar,andsomanyofpestilence,andsuchthinness,melancholy,povertyinIsabella!Andwherewasthegold?AndwasthisrichAsiaofthespices,theelephants,thebeautifulthinclothsandthejewels?ThefriendsofChristopherusColumbushadtheirsayalso,butsuddenlytherearosealltheenemies.
``Whenhesailshome,Iwillsailwithhim!\'\'saidtheAdmiral,``Mynameishurt,thetruthiswounded!\'\'
InthethirdweekofAguado\'svisit,aroseoutoffaroceanandrusheduponusoneofthoseimmensetempeststhatwecallhere``hurricane\'\'.Notafewhadweseensince1492,butnonesogreat,soterribleasthisone.Eightshipsrodeintheharborandsixweresunk.Aguado\'sfourcaravelsandtwoothers.Manyseamendrowned;somegotashorehalf-dead.
``HowwillIgetaway?ImusttoSpain!\'\'criedAguado.
TheAdmiralsaid,``Thereisthe_Nina_.\'\'
The_Nina_mustbemadeseaworthy,andintheendwebuiltasmallershipstillwhichwecalledthe_SantaCruz_.
Aguadowaited,fretting.ChristopherusColumbuskepttowardhimagreat,calmcourtesy.
ItwasatthismomentthatDonBartholomewfound,throughMiguelDiaz,theminesofHayna,thatwasagreatriverinaveryrichcountry.TheAdelantadobroughttoIsabellaoreinbaskets.PabloBelvis,ournewessayer,pronouncedittrueandmostrich.Broughtinsmallermeasuresweregoldengrains,knobsaslargeasfilberts,goldencollarsandarmringsfromtheIndiansofBonaowhereflowedtheHayna.
``Ophir!\'\'saidtheAdmiral.``MayhapitisOphir!
ThenhavewepassedsomewheretheGulfofPersiaandTrapoban!\'\'
Withthatgoldhesailed,heandAguadoandtwosmallcrowdedships.WithhimhecarriedCaonabo.ItwasearlyMarchin1496.
ButJuanLepestayedinHispaniola,greatlycommendedbytheAdmiraltotheAdelantado.Amanmightattachhimselftotheyoungeraswellastheelderofthesebrothers.
DonBartholomewhadgreatqualities.ButhehardlydreamedasdidChristopherusColumbus.Ilovedthelattermostforthat——forhisdreams.
Daysanddaysanddays!WesoughtforgoldintheHaynacountryandfoundafairamount.AndallHaytinow,eachIndiancaciqueandhiscountry,mustgatherforus._Must_,notmay.WebuiltthefortressofSanCristoval,andatlast,tobenearerthegoldthanwasIsabella,theAdelantadofoundedthecityofSanDomingo,atthemouthoftheOzema,intheXaraguacountry.SpaniardsinHispaniolanowlived,somanyinIsabella,somanyinSanDomingo,andgarrisonsinthefortsofSt.Thomas,Concepcion,andSanCristoval.
Weeks——months.July,andPedroAlonzoNinowiththreecaravelsfilledwithstrongnewmenandwithprovisions.
Howalwayswewelcomedtheseincomingshipsandthethrongtheybroughtthatstoodandlistenedandthoughtatfirst,aftertheseatossingandcrowding,thattheywerecometoheaven!AndPedroNinohadleftCadizinJune,threedaysafterthearrivalthereofthe_Nina_andthe_SantaCruz_.``June!Theyhadthenalongvoyage!\'\'——
``Longenough!Theylookedlikeskeletons!IftheAdmiral\'shaircouldgetwhiter,itwaswhiter.\'\'
HehadlettersfortheAdelantadofromthegreatbrother,havingwaitedinCadizwhiletheywerewritten.
JuanLepehadlikewisealetter.``Iwasinthe_Nina_,DonJuandeAguadointheSantaCruz.Wemetatonceheadwindsthatcontinued.AtfirstImadeeast,butatlastofnecessitysomewhattothesouthward.WesawMarigalanteagainandGuadaloupe,andmakingforthislast,anchoredandwentashore,forthegreatreliefofall,andforwaterandprovision.HerewemetAmazons,wearingplumesandhandlingmightilytheirbowsandarrows.Afterthemcameahostofmen.Ourcannonandarquebusesputthemtoflightbutthreeofoursailorswerewounded.Certainprisonerswetookandboundupontheships.Inthevillagethatweenteredwefoundhoneyandwax.TheyareCannibals;
theyeatmen.Afterfourdayswesetsail,butmetagaintempestandheadwinds,checkingussothatforweekswebutcreptandcrawledoverocean.Atlastwemustgivesmalldolesofbreadandwater.Theregrewfamine,sicknessandmisery.Iandallmayendurethesewhengreatthingsareabout.Buttheyblameme.OGod,whowillsthattheUnknownbecometheKnown,IbetakemyselftoThycourt!Famineincreased.Therearethose,butIwillnotnamethem,whocriedthatwemustkilltheIndianswithusandeatthemthatwemightlive.Istoodandsaid,`LettheCannibalsstandwiththeCannibals!\'
Butnomanbudged——Iwillnotwearythee,bestdoctor,withourwoes!AtlastSt.Vincentroseoutofsea,andwepresentlycametoCadiz.Manydieduponthevoyage,andamongthemCaonabo.IntheharborherewefindPedroAlonzoNinowhowillbearmyletters.
``InCadizIdiscoverbothfriendsandnotfriends.ThesovereignsareatBurgos,andthitherItravel.Myfortunesareatebb,yetwillthefloodcomeagain!\'\'
Timepassed.Hispaniolaheardagainfromhimandagain.WhenshipsputforthfromCadiz-andnowshipspassedwithsufficientregularitybetweenSpaininEuropeandSpanishLandacrossOcean-Sea-hewrotebythem.
Hebelievedintheletter.Godonlyknowshowmanyhewroteinhislifetime!Itwaseasetohimtotellout,todreamvisibly,toarguehiscaseonfairpaper.Andthosewhocameintheshipshadstoriesabouthim-ElAlmirante!
Werehisfortunesatebb,orweretheystillinflood?
Theremightbemoreviewsherethanone.Someputinthathewasdonefor,othersclamoredthathewasyetmounting.
ButhewrotetotheAdelantadoandalsotoJuanLepethathesatbetweengoodandbadatcourt.TheQueenwaseverthegreatheadofthegood.WeknewfromhimthatPedroMargariteandFatherBuilandJuanAguadoalterednothingthere.Butelsewherenowtherewerewarmwinds,andnowbitingcold.Andwarmandcold,hecouldnotgetthewindsthatshouldfillhissails.Hebeggedforships——eighthenamed——thathemightnowfindforthesovereignsmainAsia——nottouchhereandthereuponCubashore,butfindtheDeepAll.Butforeverpromised,hewasforeverkeptfromtheships!Trueitwasthatthesovereignsandtheworldbesidewerebusyfolk!TherewereRoyalMarriagesandNaplestobereconqueredforitsking.
Weheardofconfirmationsofallhisdignitiesandhistithesofwealth.HewasofferedtobemadeMarquess,butthathewouldnothave.``TheAdmiral\'\'wasbettertitle.ButhesuedforandobtainedentailuponhissonsandtheirsonsforeverofhisnobilityandhisgreatEstateintheWest.``Thus,\'\'hewrote,``haveImadeyourfortunes,sonsandbrothers!ButtrulynotwithoutyouandyourloveandstrengtheningcouldIhavemadeaught!A
brotherindeedformylefthandandmyrighthand,andtobeckonmeon,twodearsons!\'\'
CHAPTERXXXIV
TWOyears!ItwasMarch,1496,whenhesailedinthe_Nina_.Itwasthesummerof1498whenJuanLepewassentasphysicianwithtwoshipsputforthfromSanDomingobytheAdelantadouponarumorthatthePortuguesehadtrespassed,landingfromagreatcarrackuponGuadaloupe.FivedaysfromHispaniolawemetahurricanethatcarriedusoutofallreckoning.Whenstillnesscameagainwewerefarsouth.Noislandswereinsight;therewasonlytheseavastandblue.Thereseemedtobreathefromitastrangeness.Wewereawayandaway,saidourpilots,fromthecurve,likeabentbow,oftheIndianislands.Adayandanightwehunginadeadcalm.
Dawnbroke.``Sail,ho!Sail,ho!\'\'
WethoughtthatitmightbethePortugueseandmadepreparation.Threeshipsliftedoverthebluerim.Therewasnowalightwind;itbroughtthemnearer,theybeingbettersailersthanthe_SantaCruz_andthe_SantaClara_.Wesawthebanner.``Castile!\'\'andalesserone.``ElAlmirante!\'\'
Nowwewereclosetogether.Themastershailed,Whatships?\'\'——``FromHispaniola!\'\'——``FromCadiz.TheAdmiralwithus!Comeaboard,yourcommander!\'\'
ThatwasLuisMendez,andintheboatwithhimwentJuanLepe.Theshipswerethe_Esperanza_,the_SanSebastian_
andthe_SanMartin_,thefirstfairlylargeandwelldecked,theotherssmall.Theywholookedoversideandshoutedwelcomeseemedamedleyofgentleandsimple,mariners,husbandmen,fightingmenandhidalgos.
