Sundipped,nightcuppedhandsovertheworld.Thelongdayofexcitementwasover.Marinersslept,adventurersgentleandsimple,thetwelvefriarsandFatherBuil.Seventeenships,nighfifteenhundredmenofEurope,swingingwiththetidebeforethelandweweretomakeSpanish.
　　Thewatchraisedacry.SpringingfromhisbedJuanLepecameondecktofindthereconfusion,andunderthemoonintheclearwater,swimmingforms,swimmingfromusinakindofdesperatehasteandstrength.Therewasshoutingtomantheboat.OnejostlingagainstmecriedthattheywerethecaptiveIndians.Theyhadbrokenbonds,liftedhatch,knockeddownthewatch,leapedoverside.
　　Anothershouted.No,theCaribsweresafe.Thesewerethewomen——
　　Thewomen——sevenformsmightbemadeout——werenotfarfromland.Ifelttinglingacrosstometheirhopeandfear.Outofshipshadowshotafterthemourboat.
　　Stronglyrowed,itseemedtogain,buttheymadespeedstrongly,strongly.Theboatgotintotroublewiththeshallows.Theswimmersnowstoodandran,nowwereracers;inamomenttheywouldtouchthedry,theshiningbeach.Outofboatsprangmenrunningafterthem,runningacrosslowwhitelinesoffoam.Thewomen,thatstrongwomancaciqueahead,leftwater,racedacrosssandtowardforest.Twomenweregaining,theycaughtattheleastswiftwoman.Thedark,nakedformbrokefromthem,leapedlikeahurtdeerandrunningatspeedpassedwithallintotheebonybandthatwasforest.
　　AlonsodeOjedaburstintoagreatlaugh.``Welldone,Catalina!''
　　TheAdmiral'splacecouldeverbetoldbyhisheadoverall.Moreoverhiswarm,lifted,powerfullypulsingnaturewascapableofmakingaroundhimaspherethattingledanddrew.Onenotsomuchsawhimasfelthim,here,there.NowIstoodbesidehimwhereheleanedoverrail.
　　``Gone,''hesaid.``Theyaregone!''Hedrewadeepbreath.Icanswearthathe,too,feltaninnerjoythattheyhadescapedclutching.
　　Butinthemorninghesentashorealargepartyunderhisbrother,DonDiego.Wereceivedanothersurprise.NoIndiansonthebeach,noneintheforest,andwhentheycametothevillage,onlyhouses,afewparrotsandthegardens,dewyfreshunderthesun'sfirststreaming.NoIndiansthere,normannorwomannorchild,notGuacanagari,notGuarin,notCatalinaandhercrew——none!Theyweregone,andweknewnotwhere,Quisquayabeingahugecountry,andthepathsyethiddenfromusorofdoubtfultreading.Buttheheapedmountainsrosebeforeus,andJuanLepeatleastcouldfeelassuredthattheyweregonethere.Theyvanishedandforlongweheardnothingofthem,notofGuacanagari,norofGuarinwhohadsavedJuanLepe,notofCatalina,norany.
　　Thisneighborhood,LaNavidadandtheshipwreckofthe_SantaMaria_,burnedGuaricoandnowthisemptyvillage,perpetualreminderthatinsomepartourIndiansubjectslikedusnotsowellasformerlyandcouldnotbemadeChristianwithabreath,grewnolongertoourchoice.
　　SomethingofmelancholyoverhungfortheAdmiralthispartofHispaniola.Hewasseekingasiteforacity,butnowhelikeditnothere.Theseventeenshipsputonsailand,astatelyflightofbirdsgreaterthanherons,pursuedtheirway,easterlynow,alongthecoastofHispaniola.
　　BetweenthirtyandfortyleaguesfromtheruinofLaNavidadopenedtousafair,largeharborwheretworiversenteredthesea.Therewasagreatforestandbrightprotrudingrock,andacrossthesouththemountains.WhenwelandedandexploredwefoundasmallIndianvillagethathadonlyvaguelyheardthatgodshaddescended.Fortyleaguesacrosstheseforestsisalongway.TheyhadheardarumorthatthecaciqueofGuaricolikedthemightystrangersandCaonabolikedthemnot,butasyetknewlittlemore.Theharbor,theland,thetworiverspleasedus.
　　``Herewewillbuild,''quoththeViceroy,``acitynamedIsabella.''
　　CHAPTERXXIX
　　CHRISTMASTIDE,ayearfromthesinkingofthe_SantaMaria_,cametonightwothousandChristianmendwellinginsomemannerofhousesbyariverinalandthat,soshorttimebefore,hadneverheardtheword``Christmas.''Now,inSpainandelsewhere,menandwomen,hearingChristmasbells,mightwonder,``Whataretheydoing——aretheyalsogoingtomass——thoseadventurersacrosstheSeaofDarkness?HavetheyconvertedtheIndies?Aretheymovinghappilyinthegolden,spicylands?Greatmarvel!Christnowisbornthereashere!''
　　JuanLepechancedtobewalkinginthecooloftheeveningwithDonFranciscodeLasCasas,asensible,strongman,notunreadinthephilosophers.Hespoketomeofhisson,ayoungmanwhomheloved,whowouldsoonerorlatercomeouttohimtoHispaniola,ifhe,theelder,stayedhere.
　　Sosoonasthiswehadbeguntospeakthus,``ComeouttoHispaniola.''``ComeouttoIsabellainHispaniola.''Whatastrongwindislife,leapingfromcontinenttocontinentandcrying,``HomewhereverIcanbreatheandmove!''ThisyoungmanwasBartolome,thenatSalamanca,attheUniversity.
　　BartolomedeLasCasas,whomJuanLepeshouldlivetoknowandworkwith.ButthiseveningIheardthefathertalk,asanyfatherofanypromisingson.
　　Withus,too,wasDonJuanPoncedeLeon,whohadastoryoutofMandevilleofawellbythecityofPolombeinPresterJohn'scountry.Ifyoudrankofthewell,thoughyouweredyingyouwouldnevermorehavesickness,andthoughyouwerewhite-beardedyouwouldcomeyoungagain!
　　ThepalmswavedaboveIsabellathatwasbuildingbehindthecampbytheriver.Itwasbeginning,itwasplannedout;thestonechurch,thestonehouseoftheViceroywerealreadybreast-high.ASpanishcitybuilding,andthebellsofEuroperinging.
　　Outsprangthenoiseofabrawl——TherewasthatintheAdmiralthatwouldhavewhenitcouldoutwardnolessthaninwardinagnificence.HecouldgolikeaSpartanorDiogenestheCynic,butwhenthechancecame——magnificence!
　　WithhimfromSpaintraveledaViceroy'shousehold.
　　Hehadnolessthanthirtypersonalservantsandretainers.HidalgoshereatIsabellahadalsoservants,butnoonemorethantwoorthree.Itwasamongthesefolkthatfirstaroseouramazingjealousiesandenvies.Nowandagainthemastersmusttakepart.NottheViceroywhoinsuchmatterswentverystately,butcertainofourgentlemen.Loudandangryvoicesroseunderthepalms,underaskyofpalegold.
　　Sentfor,IfoundtheAdmirallyingonhisbed,notyetinhisstonehousebutinarichandlargepavilionbroughtoutespeciallyfortheViceroyandnowpitchedupontheriverbank,underpalms.Icametohimpastnumbersoutofthatthirty.Idlehere;theycertainlywereidlehere!
　　WithhimIfoundasecretary,butwhenhecouldhepreferredalwaystowritehisownletters,inhissmall,clear,stronghand,andnowhewasdoingthis,proppedinbed,inhisbrowaknotofpain.Hewrotemanyletters.LongafterwardsIheardthatithadbecomeasayinginSpain,``WriteofyourmattersasoftenasChristopherusColumbus!''
　　Isatwaitingforhimtofinishandhesawmyeyesuponyetunfoldedpagesstrewingthetabletakenfromthe_Marigalante_
　　andsetherebesidehim.``Readifyoulike,''hesaid.
　　``Theshipssetsaildayafterto-morrow.''
　　Itookandreadinparthislettertoalearnedmanwithwhom,onceortwice,JaymedeMarchenahadtalked.ItwasalongletterinwhichtheAdmiral,thinkertothinker,setforthhissecondvoyageandnowhiscitybuilding,andatlastcertainthingsforthemindnotonlyofSpainbutofFranceandItalyandEnglandandGermany.``Alllandsandallmenwhomsofarwehavecometo,''wrotetheAdmiral,``areheathenandidolaters.IntheprovidenceofGodallsucharegivenuntoChristendom.ChristendommusttakepossessionthroughtheactsofChristianprinces,underthesanctionofHolyChurch,allowedbythePopewhoisChristourKing'sViceroy.Seeminghardshipbringethgreatgain!Millionsofsoulsconverted,arebaptized.Everyinfantfeeleththesavingwater.Soulsthatwerelostnowarefound.Christbeamethonthem!Tothat,whatisitthattheearthlyKingofacountrybechanged?''
　　Hisquilltraveledonoverpaper.Anothersheetcameintomyhand.Ireadit,thensatpondering.Hesighedwithpain,pushedallasideandpresentlybadethesecretaryforth.Whenthemanwasgonehetoldmeofanagonybehindhiseyesthatnowstabbedandnowlaidhiminadrowsiness.IdidwhatIcouldforhimthenwaiteduntiltheaccesswasover.Itpassed,andhetookagainhispen.
　　Isaid,``YouadvisethattherebemadeamarketforCaribslaves,balancingthusthenegroesthePortuguesearebringingin,andprovidingafundforourneeds——''
　　Hesaid,``Theyareeatersofmen'sflesh,intractableandabominable,notlikethegentlerpeoplewefindhereabouts!
　　Itiscertainthatbeforelong,fleetafterfleetcoming,ourtwothousandheregrowingintomanythousands,morecitiesthanIsabellaarising,commerceandlifeasinEuropebeginning——Well,thesefiercer,Caribalislandswillbeoverrun,takenforSpain!Whatbettertodowiththeirpeople?
　　Idonotwishtoslaythemandeatthem!''
　　``Slaves——''
　　``HowmanyMoorsinCastileandArragon,slavesandnonetheworseforit,beingbaptized,beingkindlyenoughentreated!AndnowthePortuguesebringNegroes,andaretheytheworseoff,beingtakenfromadeepdamnation?
　　Longago,Ihaveread,theEnglishweretakentoRomeandsoldinthemarketplace,andtheblessedGregory,seeingthem,cried,`Christshallbepreachedintheirnation!'
　　WhereuponhesentAugustineandallEnglandwassaved——
　　Lookyou,thisworldisrudeandworkethrudely!Butitclimbsintheteethofitsimperfections!''
　　``Idonotdoubtthat,''Isaid.``Whenitwillstoclimb.''
　　``IdobutlayitbeforetheSovereigns,''heanswered.
　　``Idonotknowwhattheywillthinkofitthere.ButtrulyIknownotwhatelsetodowiththeseAsiaticswhentheywithstandus!AndeveninslaverytheymustgainfromChristians!WhatmattersmasterswhentheyfindtheTrueMaster?''
　　JuanLepebroodedstillwhilethepenscratchedandscratchedacrossthepage.Thenoiseceased.Ilookeduptoseeifhewereinpainagain,andmetgray-blueeyesaslongingasachild's.``WhatIwould,''hesaid,``isthattheLordwouldgivetomeforevertosailagreatship,andtofind,forevertofind!Theseaiswiderthantheland,anditsendsitswavesuponalllands.NotViceroy,buttheNavigator,theFinder——''
　　JuanLepealsothoughtthattherestreamedhisGenius.
　　Herehewasable,butthereplayedtheFire.Buthe,likemanyanother,hadboundhimself.DonCristovalColon——
　　Viceroy——andeighthsandtenths!
　　CHAPTERXXX
　　TWELVEofourshipswenthometoSpain.
　　Februarywheeledby.Marchwashere,andeverydaythesunsentusmoreheat.
　　TheIndiansaroundusstillwerefriendly——womenandall.FromthefirsttherewasstrayinginthewoodswithIndianwomen.Doubtlessnow,intheSanSalvadorislands,inCubaandinHispaniola,amongthoseGuaricosfledfromustothemountains,wouldbeinfantsbornofSpanishfathers.JuanLepecontemplatedthatfillingintheseabetweenAsiaandEuropewiththeveryblood.
　　Sicknessbrokeout.ItwasnotsuchasthatfirstsicknessatLaNavidad,buthereweremanymoretolieill.BesidesJuanLepe,wenowpossessedthreephysicians.Theywereskillful,theylaboredhard,wealllabored.Mendiedofthemalady,butnogreatnumber.Butnowamongtheidleofmindandsoulandthefactiousarosetheeternalmurmur.Notheavenbuthell,thesenewlands!Notwealthandhappyease,butpovertyandmiserabletoil!Notforevernewspectacleandgreedywonder,buttiresomeriver,forestandsea,tiresomeblueheaven,tiresomedelvingandbuilding,tiresomerules,restrictions,commandments,yeasandnays!Partiesarose,twomainparties,andwithineachlesserdifferings.
　　TheViceroystifflywithstoodthepartythatwasnothis,anduponsomeslurandinsolencetookfromamanhisoffice.
　　Followedaweekofglassysmoothness.Thensuddenly,bychance,wasdiscoveredtheplotofBernalDiazdePisa——thefirstofmanySpanishconspiracies.Itinvolvedseveralhun-
　　dredmenandwasnolessathingthantheseizureinthedarknightoftheshipsandthesettingsailforSpain,theretowreckthefameofChristopherusColumbusandifpossibleobtainthesendingoutofsomeprinceoverhim,whowouldbeamkindlyonallhidalgosandneverputthemtovulgarwork.AletterwasfoundinBernalDiaz'shand,andifthereinanyillwasleftunsaidoftheAdmiralandViceroy,Iknownotwhatitmightbe!The``Italian'',the``Lowborn'',the``madlyarrogantandambitious'',the``cruel''
　　and``violent'',the``tyrant''acted.BernalDiazwasmadeandkeptprisoneronVicentePinzon'sship.Ofhisfollowingoneoutoftenlayinprisonforamonth.Oftheseamenconcernedthreewerefloggedandallhadtheirpayestopped.
　　OnemightsaythatIsabellawasbuilded.Columbushimselfstoodandmovedinbetterhealth.Nowhewouldgodiscoveringondryland,toAlonsodeOjeda'sglee,gleeindeedofmany.ThemountainsofCibao,wheremightbethegold,——andgoldmustbehad!
　　AndwemightfindCaonabo,andwhatpeopleswerebehindourownmountains,andperhapscomeuponGuacanagari.
　　Wewent,fourhundredmenandmore,anarmywithbanners.Wewishedtoimpress,andwetookanyandallthingsthatmighthelpinthatwise.Drumandtrumpetbeatandsang.FatherBuilwasnotwithus.Butthreeofhismissionariesaccompaniedus,andtheycarriedagreatcrucifix.Thereweretwentyhorses,andterriblewerethesetothislandastheelephantsofthePersianstotheGreeks.
　　AndmuchwemarveledthatCubaandHaytihadnomemorynorideaofelephants.AthrongofIndianswouldgowithus,andinmuchtheycarriedoursupplies.Itwasfirstseenclearlyatthistime,Ithink,theusesthatmightbedrawnfromourheathensubjects.AlonsodeOjeda,JuanPoncedeLeonandPedroMargariterodewiththeAdmiral.
　　Othersfollowedonblackandbayandwhitehorses.JuanLepemarchedwiththefootmen.HewasgladtofindLuisTorres.
　　Beforesettingoutwewenttomassinthenewchurch.
　　Candlesburned,incenseroseinclouds,thefriarschanted,thebellrang,wetookthewafer,thepriestliftedthechalice.
　　Thesunrose,thetrumpetsrang,weweregone.South,beforeus,themountainlinewasbrokenbyadeepnotch.
　　Thatwouldbeourpass,afar,andsethigh,filledwithanintense,aburningsapphire.WehadIndianguides.
　　Day,evening,campandnight.Dawn,trumpets,breakfastandgoodunderstandingandjollity.Afterbreakfastthemarch,andwherewasanyroaduptheheights?Andbeingnonewewouldmakeoneanddid,ourhidalgostoilingwiththeleast.Byevewewereinthehighpass,levelgroundunderourfeet,aboveusmagnificenttrees.WecalleditthePassoftheHidalgos.Wethrewourselvesdownandslept.Atsunrisewepushedon,andpresentlysawwhatJuanLepeoncebeforehadseen,thevastsouthward-lyingplainandthegoldenmountainsofCibao.
　　Thereroseacry,itwassobeautiful!TheAdmiralnameditVegaReal,theRoyalPlain.
　　Sweating,panting,wecameatlastdownthatmostdifficultdescentintorollingforestandthentoasmallbrightstream,besideitgardenpatchesandfiftyhuts.Theinhabitantsfledmadly,weheardtheirfrightenedshoutsandthescreamingofchildren.ThereafterwetriedtokeepinadvanceasmallbodyofIndians,sothattheymighttellthatthegodswerecoming,butthattheywouldnotinjure.
　　Acclivityanddeclivityfellaway.Wewerefullyinanenormous,fertileandpopulousplain.
　　Thehorsesandthehorsemen!Atfirsttheythoughtthatthesewereone.Whensomecoweringgroupwassurroundedandkeptfrombreakingaway,whenAlonsodeOjedaoranotherleapedfromsteedtoearth,fromearthagaintosteed,theymoanedwithastonishmentandsomerelief.Butthehorses,thehorses——nevertohaveseenanygreatfour-
　　footedthings,andnowthesethatwereproudandpawedtheearthandneighedand——DeOjeda'sblackhorse——reared,curvetted,bounded,appearedtothreaten!Theeyes,themane,thegreatteeth!——Theregrewalegendthattheywerefeduponmen'sflesh,redmen'sflesh!
　　HowmanyredmenwereinQuisquayaIdonotknow.Insomeregionstheydwelledthickly,inotherswerefewfolk.
　　Inthiswide,long,laughingplaindwelledmany,incleantownssunkamongtreesgoodtolookatanddroppingfruit;
　　byriverorsmallerstream,withplantingsofmaize,batata,cassava,jucca,maguey,andIknownotwhatbeside.Ifthestreamwasaconsiderableone,canoes.Theyhadparrots;
　　theyhadthesmallsilentdogs.Insomeplaceswesawclaypotsandbowls.Theywovetheircotton,thoughnotveryskillfully.Theycrushedtheirmaizeinhandmills.Wefoundcaciquesandbutios,andheardoftheirmaincacique,Gwarionex.Buthedidnotcometomeetus;theysaidhebadgoneonavisittoCaonaboinCibao.Theybroughtusfoodandtookourgiftsinexchange;theyharanguedusinanswertoourharangues;theymadedancesforus.Thechildrenthrongedaround,fearlessnowandcurious.Thewomenwerekind.Oldmenandwomentogether,andsometimesmorewomenthanmen,satinacouncilringaboutsomevenerabletree.
　　Therewasnoquarrelandnooppressionuponthisadventure.
　　IlookbackandIseethatsinglejourneyinHispaniolaaflowerandpatternofwhatmightbe.
　　Theygaveuswhatgoldtheyhad——freely——andwegaveinreturnthingsthattheyprized.ButalwaystheysaidCibaoforgold.
　　Werodeandmarchedafoot,withmanyhaltsandturnsaside,fiveleaguesacrossplain.Alargeriverbarredourway,——theYaquitheycalledit.Herewespenttwodaysinavillageabowshotfromthewater.Wesearchedforgold,wesentfromIndiantoIndianrumorthatitwasthehighestmagic,god-magicthatofallthingsintheworldwemostdesiredandtookitfromtheirhands,yetstillwepaidforitingoodsforwhichtheylusted,andweneitherforcednorthreatenedforce.Andthoughwewerefourhundred,yettheremightbeintheRoyalPlainfortythousand,andtheirhueandtheireconomywasyetprinceintheland,andtheSpaniardavisitor.Andtherecommandedthefourhundredahumaneman,withsomethingoftheguilelessnessofthechild.
　　WecrossedtheYaquiincanoesanduponrafts.White,brownandblack,thehorsesswamthestream.Againnighimpenetrableforest,againvillages,againclearsingingandrunningwaters.Buteverthemountainscamecloser.Atlastweenteredhillycountryandthestreamspushedwithrapidity,flowingtotheYaqui,flowingtothesea.Nowwebegantofindgold.Itglistenedintheriversands.Sometimeswefoundnutsofit,washedfromtherocksfarabove.
　　Therecameuponusthegoldfever.Mines——wemustopenmines!FerminCedo,ouressayer,wouldhaveitthatitwasnotOphir,butatthattimehewashardlybelieved.
　　TheAdmiralwrotealetteraboutthesegoldenmines.
　　AnIndianbroughthimapieceofamber;another,alumpofbluestone.Wefoundjasper,weweresureofcopper.
　　Wecametoanaturalrampart,wideattop,steeplydescendingonthreesides,setinaloopofalittleclearrivernamedYanique.``Ho!''criedAlonsodeOjeda.``Hereisthecradleforthebabe!Roundtower,walls,barbicanyonder,andMotherNaturehasdugthemoat!''HesenthisvoiceacrosstotheViceroy.``Afort,senor,afort!''
　　CouncilwasheldbytheYanique.Afort,——aluckierthanLaNavidad!Menleftheretocollectgold,establisharoad,keepcommunicationwithIsabellawhichinturnshouldforwardsuppliesandmen.Thereturningfleetmightbringtwothousand——nay,fivethousandmen!Itwouldcertainlybringassesandmulesaswellashorses.Weshouldhaveburden-bearers.Moreover,acompanyofIndiansmightbetrainedtocomeandgoascarriers.Trainthem,setsomesortofpenaltyformalfeasance.
　　``Theyshouldbetaughttomineforus,''saidPedroMargarite.``Paythem?Ofcourse——ofcourse!Butdonotpaythemtoomuch.DonotweprotectthemfromCaribsandsavetheirsoulstoboot?Takeitastribute!''
　　Itwasthefirsttimethewordwassaid,inSpanish,here.
　　WebuiltafortmuchafterthemodelofLaNavidadandnameditSt.Thomas.Whenafterdaysitwasdone,andcommandantmustbechosen,theViceroy'schoicefelluponPedroMargarite.Andthatwasgreatpity.ButhecouldnotknowMargaritethenasafterwardshecametoknowhim.Fifty-sixmenheleftwithMargarite,andtherestofusmarchedhomeacrosstheVegaandthenorthernmountainstoIsabella.
　　Sickness.Quarrels.Idleness,vanity,dissensionsandaccusations.Heat,moresickness,wildquarrels.
　　TidingsfromMargariteatSt.Thomas.TheIndianswouldnolongerbringfood.Caonabowasthreateningfromthehighermountains.TheViceroywrotetoMargarite.
　　CompeltheIndianstobringfood,butasitweretocompelthemgently!
　　Quarrels——quarrelsatIsabella.Twomainpartiesandallthelesserones.Diseaseandscarcity.FrayGeronimoarrivedfromSt.Thomas.Hehadstories.TheViceroygrewdarkred,hiseyeslightened.YethebelievedthatwhatwastoldpertainedtomenofMargarite,nottothatcavalierhimself.HewrotetoMargarite——Idonotknowwhat.
　　Butpresentlyaplanaroseinhismindandwasannounced.
　　DonAlonsodeOjedawastocommandSt.Thomas.DonPedroMargariteshouldhaveamovingforceofseveralhundredCastilians,mainlyforexploration,butatneedforotherthings.Goinghereandthereaboutthecountry,itmightimpressuponCaonabothattheSpaniardthoughgentlebynature,wasdangerouswhenaroused.
　　AlonsodeOjeda,threehundredmenbehindhim,wentforthonhisblackhorse,totrumpetanddrum,verygayandreadytogo.InaweekhesentintoIsabellasixIndiansinchains.ThesehadsetuponthreeofMargarite'smencomingwithalettertotheViceroyandhadrobbedthem,thoughwithoutdoingthembodilyinjury.AlonsodeOjedahadcutofftheirearsandsentthemallinheavilychained.TheViceroycondemnedthemtobebeheaded,butwhentheywereontheirkneesbeforetheblockreprievedthem,onebyone.HekeptthemchainedforatimeforallvisitingIndianstosee,thenformallypardonedthemandletthemgo.
　　Mattersquieted.Sicknessagainsank,afloodretiring,leavingpools.AlonsodeOjedaandPedroMargaritereportedpeaceinHispaniola.TheAdmiralcameforthfromhishouseonedayandsaidquietlytothisoneandthatonethatnowhemeantagaintotakeupDiscovery.
　　HegaveauthorityinIsabellatoDonDiego,andmadehimacouncilwheresatFatherBuil,Caravajal,CoronelandJuandeLuxan.Thenoutoffiveshipswetookthe_Cordera_,the_SantaClara_andthe_SanJuan_,andwesetsailonAprilthetwenty-fourth.
　　CHAPTERXXXI
　　THEisland,welearned,wasnamedJamaica.TheAdmiralcalleditSantiago,butitalsorestsJamaica.
　　Ofalltheselands,outsideofthelow,smallislandstowhichwecamefirst,Cubaseemedtousthepeaceableland.JamaicagaveusalmostCaribwelcome.Itsfolkhadthelargestcanoes,thesharpest,toughestlances.Perhapstheyhadheardfromsomeboldsearoverthatwehadcome,butthatwewerenotwhollygods!
　　Ourcrossbowmenshotamongstthem.Thearrowsfailedtohaltthem,butwhenwesentabloodhoundthedogdidourwork.Itwastothemwhatgriffonorfire-breathingdragonmightbetoaSevillethrong.Whenthecreaturesprangamongthemtheyutteredagreatcryandfled.
　　Jamaicaismostbeautiful.
　　Fornotafewdayswevisited,sailingandanchoring,liftingagainandstoppingagain.Oncethepeoplewerepacified,theygaveuskindlyenoughwelcome,tradingandwondering.Weslippedbyboldcoastsandheadlandswhichwemustdouble,mountainsaboveus.Theyranbyinlandpaths,savingdistance,tellingvillageaftervillage.Whenwemadeharbor,herewasthethrongedbeach.Someofthesepeopleworeaslightdressofwovengrassandpalmleaves,andtheyusedcrownsofbrightfeathers.Wegotfromtheminsomequantitygoldenornaments.Butsouthforgold,south——south,theyalwayspointedsouth!
　　The_Cordera_,the_SantaClara_andthe_SanJuan_setsailoutoftheHarborofGoodWeather,inSantiagoorJamaica.
　　Adayandanightofpleasantsailing,thenwesawthegreatCubacoastriseblueinthedistance.Theweatherwheeled.
　　Therewasfirstamarvelousgreenhush,whilecloudsformedoutofnothing.Weheardamoaningsoundandwedidnotknowitsquarter.Theseaturneddeadman'scolor.Thenburstthewind.Itwasmorethanwind;itseemedthemovementofaworlduponus.Bareofallsails,welabored.Weweredriven,onefromtheother.
　　Themarinersfelltopraying.
　　Astrangelightwasaroundus,asthoughthetempestitselfmadealight.ByitImarkedtheAdmiral,uprightwherehecouldbestcommandthewhole.Hehadlashedhimselfthere,fortheshiptossedexcessively.Hisgreatfigurestood;hiswhite,blowinghair,inthatstrangelight,madeforhimanimbus.Itwasstrange,howthelightseemedtoseizethatandhisbrowandhisgray-blueeyes.Belowtheeyes.hislipsmoved.Hewasshoutingencouragement,butonlytheintentioncouldbeheard.Theintentionwasheard.Helookedwhathewas,somethingmorethanaboldmanandabraveseacaptain,andtherestreamedfromhimcomfort.Ittouchedhismariners;itcameamongthemliketonguesofflame.
　　Darknessincreased.Wewerenowamonglightningslikejavelinsandloudthunder.Thenfelltherain,intorrents,indropslargeasplums.Itwasasthoughanotheroceanwasdescendinguponus.
　　Itlastedandweendured.Afterlongwhilecamelesseninginthatweightofrain,andthencessation.Suddenlythetempestwasover.Thereshoneastar-threestarsandontopmastandbowspritSaintElmo'slights.
　　Ourmarinersshouted,``Safe——safe!SaintElmo!''
　　Suddenly,overallthesky,werestarsshining.TheAdmiralraisedhisgreatvoice.``Sing,allofus!
　　`StellaMaris——
　　SanctaMaria!'''
　　Withthemorningthe_SantaClara_andthe_SanJuan_,beatenabout,someinjurydone,butalive!AndthecoastofCuba,nearer,nearer,tallandblue——andatlastverytallandgreenandgold.
　　OffCubaandstilloffCuba,thesoutherncoastnow,asagainstthenorthernthatoncewetriedforawhile.Sailandcometoland,stayabit,andshakeoutsailsoncemore!
　　WhereverwetarriedwefoundpeaceableifvastlyexcitedIndians.Butstillnaked,butstillunwiseastogoldandspices,tradersandmarkets.Cambalu,QuinsaiandZaitonofthemarblebridges!
　　```Somewhere,'saithMesserMarco,`inpartthecountryissalvage,filledwithmountains,andherecomefewstrangers,forthekingwillnothavethem,inorderthathistreasuresandcertainmattersofhiskingdomcomenotintotheworld'sknowledge.'Andagainhesaith,`Thefolkherearenaked.'——Whatwonderthen,''saidtheAdmiral,``thatwefindthesethings!Yea,Ifeelsurprisedattheincessancy,butIcheckmyselfandthink,howvastisAsia,andwhatvariousnessmustneedsbe!''
　　Butwemovedinacloudofdifferences,andwhileontheonehandthisworldwasgrowingfamiliar,ontheotherthesenseincreased.``HowvastindeedmustbeAsia,ifallthisandyetwecomenot——andnowitisgoingontwoyears——toanyclearhintofotherthanthis!''
　　Hehimself,theAdmiral,begantofeelthisstrangeness.
　　Orrather,hehadlongfeltitandfoughtthefeeling,butnowstronglyitcamecreepingover.
　　Wewereamongthehugestnumberofsmallislands.Starboardloomed,untilitwaslostinthefarness,thatcoastthatwewerefollowing,butthethreeshipswereinahalf-
　　land,half-waterworld.Wewanderedinthislabyrinth,keepingwithdifficultyourway,socrookedandnarrowthechannels,somanythesandbars.Fromdeckitmindedmeofthatseaofweedwemetinthefirstpassage.
　　Wavesoffragrancestruckus.``Ha!''criedtheAdmiral.
　　``Canyounotsmellcinnamon,spikenard,nutmeg,clovesandgalingal?''Hisfaithwassostrongthatwedidsmell.Fromoneoftheseislands,the_Cordera_lyingatanchorandaboatgoingashore,wetookanumberofpigeons.
　　Sounafraidwerethesebirdsthatourmenapproachedthemeasilyandbeatthemdownwithapike.Wehadthemforsupper,andwhentheircropswereopened,thecookfoundandbroughttotheAdmiralanumberofbrownseeds.TheAdmiraldroppedthemintoclearwater,thensmelledandtasted.``Cloves?Aretheynotcloves?''HegavetoJuandelaCosaandtomewhoalsotastedandthoughttheymightbecloves.Butwedidnotfindtheirtree,andwesawnosignsofeveramerchantofCathayorMangiorInd.
　　ChristopherusColumbusleanedupontherailofthe_Cordera_.
　　Inthisisletworldwelayatanchorforthenight.
　　``Doyouknowwhatitis,''heasked,``tohaveawordcolorthewholedaylong?''Heglancedaround,butnonewasverynear.``MyWordto-dayis_magic_.I'dnotgiveittoanybutyou,andIdropmyvoiceinsayingit.I'llsailonthroughmagicandagainstmagic,forIhaveHelpfromAbove!ButI'llnotlayafearsomewordamongthosewhoarenotsoaccorded!AllsayIndiahathhighmagic,andtheGrandKhantakesfromthatcountryhisastrologersandsorcerers.IhavereadthatatShandu,iftherebelongraining,theywillmountatowerbythepalaceandwaveitback,sothatthefallingrainmakesbutapleasantwallaroundtheking'sfairgardenthatitselfrestsinsunshine.
　　Alsothatwithouttouchingthemtheycausethegoldenflagonstofillwithredwineandtomovethroughair,withnohanduponthem,totheking'stable.Thatwaslongago.
　　Wehavehadnonewsofthemoflate.Theymaydonowmoremarvelous,vasterthings.''
　　``Andthemoral?''
　　``Isaid,`Theydothemthere.'Perhapsthisisthere.''
　　``Itakeyou!''Isaidandhalf-laughed.``WemaybeinCathayallthiswhile,underthegoldenroofs,withthebellsstrungfromtheeaves.Yonderlineofcranesstandingintheshallowwater,watchingus,may,Godwot,betallmagiciansinwhitelinenandscarletsilk!
　　Hecrossedhimself.Thecraneshadliftedthemselvesandflownaway.``Iftheyheard——''
　　``Areyouinearnest?''
　　Heputhishandsoverhiseyes.``SometimesIthinkitmaybefact,sometimesnot!Sorceryisafact,andwhoknowshowfaritmaygo?Attimesmybrainisliketocrack,Ihavesocudgeledit!''
　　Thathecudgeleditwastrue,andthoughhisbrainnevercrackedandtotheendwasthebestbraininahundred,yetfromthistimeforthIbegantomarkinhimanunearthliness.
　　TheseislandswenamedtheQueen'sGardens,andescapingfromthemcameagaintocleancoast.Onwewentfortwo,days,andthispartofCubahadmanyvillages,atseaedgeoralittlefromthewater,andallmenandwomenwerefriendlyandbroughtusgifts.
　　Irememberamoonlightnight.Allwereaboardthe_Cordera_,the_SantaClara_andthe_SanJuan_,forwemeanttosailatdawn.Wehadleftavillageyetdancingandfeasting.
　　Thenightwasamiracleofsilver.AgainIstoodbesideChristopherusColumbus;fromlandstreamedtheirsingingandtheirthin,drummingandclashingmusic.Athanditisratherharshthansweet,butdistancesweetenedit.
　　``Whatwillbehereinthefuture——iftherearenotalreadyhere,afteryournotion,greatcitiesandbridgesandshipping,andonlyoureyesholdenandourhandsandstepsmadeharmless?Ornearlyharmless,forwehaveslainsomeIndians!''
　　Hehadmadeagestureofdeprecation.``Ah,that,I
　　hardlydoubt,wasmyfancy!ButinthefutureIseethem,yourcities!''
　　Doyouseethem,fromSanSalvadoronwardandeverywhere,——Spanishcities?
　　``Necessarily——seeingthattheHolyFatherhathgiventhewholeofthelandtoSpain.''Helookedatthemoonthatwassohugeandbright,andlistenedtothesavagemusic.``Ifwegofarenough——walkingafar——whoknowethwhatweshallfind?''Hestoodmotionless.``_I_
　　donotknow.ItisinGod'shands!''
　　``Doyousee,''Iasked,``agreatstatueofyourself?''
　　``Yes,Iseethat.''
　　Themoonshonesobrightlyitwasmarvel.Landbreezebroughtperfumefromtheenormousforest.``Itistoofairtosleep!''saidtheAdmiral.``Iwillsithereandthink.''
　　Hesleptlittleatanytime.Hisdayswerefilledwithaction.
　　Neverwasanywhohadmorebusinesstoattendto!
　　Yethewasofthosetowhomsolitudeisasair,——imperiouslyanecessity.Intoitheplungedthrougheverycrackandcrannyamongevents.Heknewhowtousethespaceinwhichswimevents.Butbesidethishemustmakeforhimselfwideholdings,andwhenhecouldnotgetthembydayhetookfromnight.
　　WecameagaintoamultitudeofisletsliketotheQueen'sGardens.Andtheseweresetinastrangechurnedandcurdledsea,aswhiteasmilk.Makingthroughitasbestwemight,wepassedfromthatsilvernessandbrokenlandintoagreatbayorgulf,sodeepthatwemighthardlyfindbottom,andhereweanchoredclosetoalongpointofCubacoveredthickwithpalms.