TheAdmiral!Hishairwasmilk-white,histall,broadframegauntasaJanuarywolf.Twoyearshadwritteninhisfacetwoyears'experience——fullywritten,forhewassensitivetoeverywindofexperience.``Excellency!''——
　　``JuanLepe,Iamasgladofyouasofabrother!——Andwhatdoyoudo,senors,here?''
　　LuisMendezrelated.``IthinkitfalsenewsaboutthePortuguese,''saidtheAdmiralandgavereasonswhy.``Thenshallwekeepwithyou,sir?''
　　``No,sinceyouaresentoutbymybrotherandmustgivehimaccount.Haveyouwatertospare?Wewilltakethatfromyou.Iamboundstillsouth.Iwillfindoutwhatisthere!''
　　FurthertalkdisclosedthathehadleftSpainwithsixships,butattheCanarieshadpartedhisfleetintwo,sendingthreeunderAlonzodeCaravajaluponthestraightcoursetoHispaniola,andhimselfwiththreesailingfirsttotheGreenCapeislands,andthencesouthwestintoanunknownsea.
　　Sodesolate,wideandblueitlookedwhenthenextdayweparted,——twoshipsnorthward,threesouthward!ButJuanLepestayedwiththe_Esperanza_andtheAdmiral.Aslongsince,betweenthe_SantaMaria_andthe_Pinta_,therehadbeenexchangeofphysicians,sonowagainwasexchangebetweenthe_SantaCruz_andthe_Esperanza_.
　　Daysofbluesea.The_Esperanza_carriedasomewhatfrankandfriendlycrewofmarinersandadventurers.Nowhewouldsailsouth,hesaid,untilhewasundertheEquator.
　　Daysofstarkblueocean.Thenoutoftheseatothesouthroseapointofland,becomingpresentlythreepoints,asitwerethreepeaks.TheAdmiralstared.Isawtheenthusiasmriseinhisface.``DidInotwriteandsaytotheSovereignsandtoRomethatintheNameoftheHolyTrinity,Iwouldnowagainseekoutandfind?There!
　　Lookyou!Itisasign!Trinidad——wewillnameitTrinidad.''
　　ThenextmorningwecametoTrinidad,andthepalmstroopedtothewateredge,andwesawsparklingstreams,andfromtheheightsabovetheseacurlsofsmokefromhiddenhuts.Wecoasted,seekinganchorage,andatlastcameintoaclear,smallharbor,andlanding,filledourwatercasks.Weknewthecountrywasinhabitedforwesawthesmokes,butnocanoescameaboutus,andthoughwemetwithfootprintsuponthesandthemenwhomadethemneverreturned.Weweighedanchorandsailedonalongthesoutherncoast,andnowtothesouthofus,acrossnotmanyleaguesofbluewater,wemadeoutalowshore.Itsendswerelostinhaze,butweesteemeditanisland,andhenameditHolyIsland.Itwasnotisland,asnowweknow;
　　butwedidnotknowitthen.Howdreamlikeisallourfinding,andhowhalfwayonlytogreattruths!Cubawethoughtwasthecontinent,andtheshorethatwascontinent,wecalled``island.''
　　NowwecametoalongsouthwardrunningtongueofTrinidad.PointArenal,henamedit.AcorrespondingtongueofthatlowHolyIslandreachedouttowardit,andbetweenthetwoflowedanazurestrait.Here,offPointArenal,thethreeshipsrestedatanchor,andnowtherecametousfromHolyIslandabigcanoe,filledwithIndians.
　　Astheycamenearthe_Esperanza_wesawthattheyweresomewhatlighterinhuethanthoseIndianstowhomwewereused.Moreovertheyworebright-coloredloincloths,andtwistsofwhiteorcoloredcottonabouttheirheads,likeslightturbans,andtheycarriednotonlybowsandarrowstowhichwewereused,butroundbucklerstowhichwewerenotused.Theylookedatusinamazement,buttheywerereadyforwar.
　　Weinvitedthemwitheverygestureofamity,holdingoutglassbeadsandhawkbells,buttheywouldnotcomeclosetous.Astheyhunguponthebluewateroutoftheshadowoftheship,theAdmiralwouldhaveourmusiciansbeginloudlytoplay.Butwhenthedrumsbegan,thefifeandthecastanets,thecanoestarted,quivered,thepaddlersdipped,itracedbacktothatshorewhenceitcame,thatshorethatwethoughtisland.
　　``LighterthanHaytiens!''exclaimedtheAdmiral.``I
　　havethoughtthataswenearedtheEquatorweshouldfindthemblack!
　　Afterwardsheexpandeduponthis.JaymeFerrerthinksasIthink,thatthenearerwecometotheEquatorthemorepreciousgrowallthings,themoregold,themorediamonds,rubiesandemeralds,themoreprodigalanddeliciousthespices!Thepeopleareburntblack,buttheygrowgentlerandmorewise,andunderthelinetheyaremakersofwhitemagic.Ihavenottoldyou,JuanLepe,butIholdthatnowwebegintocometowhereourMotherEarthherselfclimbs,andclimbsauspiciously!''
　　``Thatwecometogreatmountains?''
　　``No,notthat,thoughtheremaybegreatmountains.ButIhavethoughtitout,andnowIholdthattheearthisnotanorb,butisshaped,asitwere,likeapear.Itwouldtakeanhourtogiveyouallthereasonsthatdecideme!ButIholdthatfromhereaboutsitmountsfairerandfairer,untilundertheline,aboutwherewouldbethestemofthepear,wecometotheancientEarthlyParadise,theoldGardenofEden!''
　　Ilookedtothesouthward.Certainlythereisnowherewherethereisnotsomething!
　　Hegazedoverthetrulyazureandbeauteoussea,andtheairblewsoftandcooluponourforeheads,andthefragrancewhichcametousfromlandseemednew.``Wouldyounotlookforthehalcyons?Trinidad!HolyIsland!
　　Weapproach,Ihold,theHolyMountainoftheWorld.
　　Andharktome,JuanLepe,makevowthatifitbepermittedIwillfoundthereanabbeywhenceshallariseperpetualorisonforthesoulsofourfirstparents!''
　　Wefoundthatnightthattheshipsswung,caughtinacurrentissuingfromthestraitbeforeus.Inthemorningwemadesailandpreparedtopassthroughthisnarrowwaybetweenthetwolands,seeingopenwaterbeyond.WesucceededbygreatskillandwithProvidenceoverus,forwemetasitwereanunderwallofwaterridgedatopwithstrongwaves.Theshipsweretossedasbyatempest,yetwastheairserene,theskyblue.WecamehardlythroughandafterwardscalledthatstraitMouthoftheSerpent.
　　Nowwewereinagreatbayorgulf,andstilltheseashookusanddroveus.Calmabove,around,butunderneathanagitationofwaters,strongcurrentsandboilings.Amongourmarinersmanytookfright.``Whatisit?Aretherewitches?Weareinacauldron!''
　　ChristopherusColumbushimselftookthehelmofthe_Esperanza_.ManyamaninthesetimeschosetodoubtwhatkindofViceroyhemade,butnomanwhoeversailedwithhimbutatlastsaid,``ChildofNeptune,andthegreatestseamanwehave!''
　　Weoutrodedangerandcameunderlandtoaquietanchorage,the_SanSebastian_andthe_SanMartin_followingusasthechickensthehen.Stillbeforeuswesawthatcurrentridgethesea.TheAdmiralstoodgazinguponthesouthwardshorethathunginadazzlinghaze.Nowwethoughtwater,nowwethoughtland.Hecalledtoashipboyandtheladpresentlybroughthimapannikinofwaterdippedfromthesea.TheAdmiraltasted.``Fresh!Itisalmostfresh!''
　　Hestoodwithakindlingface.``Ariverrunsintoseafromthisland!Surelythemightiestthatmaybe,rushingforthlikeadragonandfightingallthesaltwater!Sogreatarivercouldnotcomefromanisland,no,notifitweretwiceaslargeasHispaniola!Sucharivercomesdownwardwithforcehundredsofleaguesandgatherschildrentoitselfasitcomes.Itisnotanislandyonder;itisagreatmain!''
　　WecalledthegulfwhereweweretheGulfoftheWhale.
　　Trinidadstoodontheonehand,theunknowncontinentontheother.Afterrestinmilkywater,wesetsailtocrossthewidthoftheWhale,andfoundglass-greenandshakenwater,butneversopiledanddangerousasattheMouthoftheSerpent.Sowecametothatlandthatmustbe——weknewnotwhat!Ithunglow,ingoldsunlight.Wesawnomountains,butitwascoveredwiththemightiestforest.
　　Anchoringinsmoothwater,wetookoutboatsandwentashore,andweraisedacross.``AsinAdamwealldie,soinChristwebealive!''saidtheAdmiral,andthen,``Whatgrandeurisinthisforest!''
　　Intruthwefoundtreesthatwehadnotfoundinourislands,andofanunbelievableheightandgirth.Upontheboughssatparrots,andwewereusedtothem,butwewerenotusedtomonkeyswhichnowappeared,toourmariners'
　　delight.Wemetfootprintsofsomegreatanimal,andpresently,beingbesideastream,wemadeoutuponamudbankthosecrocodilesthattheIndianscall``cayman.''AndneverhaveIseensomanyandsuchsplendidbutterflies.Allthisforestseemedtousofavastness,astheriverswerevast.
　　Thereranginourears``New!New!''
　　AndatlastcameanIndiancanoe——two——three,filledwithlight-hued,hardlymorethantawny,folk,withclothofcottonabouttheirmiddlesandtwistedaroundtheirheads,withbowsandarrowsandthosenewbucklers.Butseeingthatwedidnotwishtofight,theydidnotwishtofighteither;
　　andtherewasalltheoldamaze.
　　Gods——gods——gods!WesoughttheEarthlyParadise,andtheythoughtwecametherefrom.
　　Paria.WemadeoutthattheycalledtheircountryParia.
　　Theyhadintheircanoesabreadlikecassava,butmoredelicate,wethought,andincalabashesalmostatruewine.
　　Wegavethemtoys,andastheyalwayspointedwestwardandseemedtosignifythattherewas_the_land,wereturnedaftertwohourstotheshipsandsetourselvestofollowthecoast.Twoorthreeofthispeoplewouldgowiththegods.
　　Wecametothatrivermouththattroubledallthissea.
　　WhatshallIsaybutthatitwasitselfasea,agreensea,afreshsea?Wecrosseditwithlonglabor.ThemenofPariamadeusunderstandthattheirseasonofrainwaslatelyover,andthateverafterthatwasmoreriver.Whencediditcome?Theyspokeatlengthand,ChristopherusColumbuswascertain,ofsomeheavenlycountry.
　　Thedawncameupsweetandred.Thecountrybeforeushadhillsandwemadeoutclearingsinthemonsterforest,andnowthebluewaterwasthrongedwithcanoes.Weanchored;theyshotouttousfearlessly.TheJamaicacanoeislargerandbetterthantheHaytien,butthoseofthislandsurpasstheJamaican.Theyarelongandwideandhaveinthemiddlealightcabin.Therowerschantastheyliftanddiptheirbroadoars.Ifweweregodstothem,yettheyseemedgayandfearlessofthegods.IthoughtwiththeAdmiralthattheymusthavetraditionorrumor,offolkhigheruponthemountofenlightenmentthanthemselves.
　　Perhapsnowandagaintherewascontact.Atanyrate,wedidnotmeetherethestupefactionandtheprostrationsofourfirstislands.Wehadagainnocommontongue,buttheyprovedmastersofgesture.Goldwasuponthem,andthatinsomeamount,andwhatwasextraordinary,oftenenoughinwell-wroughtshapesofornament.AseamanbroughttotheAdmiralagoldenfrog,well-made,piercedforaredcottonstring,wornsoaboutacopper-
　　coloredneck.Hehadtradedforitthreehawkbells.TheAdmiral'sfaceglowed.``Ithasbeenwroughtbythosewhoknowhowtoworkinmetals!Tubal-cain!''
　　Moreover,nowwefoundpearls.Therecametoussingingagreatcanoeandinitaplumedcaciquewithhiswifeanddaughters.Allworetwistsofpearlsaroundthroatandarms.Theygavethemfreelyforred,blueandgreenbeads,whichtothemwereindeedrubies,sapphiresandemeralds——Whencecamethepearls?Itseemedfromthecoastbeyondandwithoutthisgulf.Whencethegold?ItseemedfromhighmountainsfarbehindthecountryofParia.Itwasdangerousin:theextremetogothere!
　　``Becauseofthelightwhichrepelsalldarkness!''saidtheAdmiral.``Whenwegothere,itmustbegentlyandhumblylikeshrivenmen.''
　　ItwasAugust.HeknewthatDonBartholomewinHispaniolacravedhisreturn.Thethreeships,too,wereweatherworn,withseamsthatthreatenedgaping.Andasforouradventurersandthehusbandmenandcraftsmen,theyweremostwearyofthesea.Themarinerswereusedtoit,theAdmiralhadlover'spassionforit,butnotthey!
　　Herebeforeus,truly,loomedapromisinggreatland,butitwasnotourport;ourportwasSanDomingo!There,thereinHispaniola,wereoldCastilians.inplentytogreetandshow.Thereweretheminesthatwereactuallyworking,goldtopickup,andIndianstrainedtobringittoyou!
　　There,fortheenterprisingandthelucky,weregiftsofland,toeachhis_repartimentio_!Therewascompanionship,therewasfortune,therewasease!Othersweregetting,whilewerodebeforealandweweretoofewtooccupy.TheywentincompanytotheAdmiral.Wehaddiscovered.NowletusgoontoHispaniola!Theships——ourhealth.
　　Whenitcametohealthitwashewhohadmosttoendure.
　　Thegoutpossessedhimoften.Hisbrowknottedwithpain;hisvoice,bynaturemeasuredanddeep,arollingmusic,becamesharpanddry.Hemovedwithdifficulty,nowandthenmuststayinbed,orifondeckinagreatchairwhichwelashedtothemast.Butnowatroubleseizedhiseyes.Theygavehimgreatpain;attimeshecouldbarelysee.Bathethemwithasoothingmedicine,restthem.
　　Butwhenhadherestedthem,strainingovertheoceansincehewasaboy?Hewasamangreatlypatientunderadversity,whetherofthebodyorofthebody'scircumstance,butthistroublewiththeeyesshookhim.``IfI
　　becomeblind——andallthat'syettodoandfind!BlessedMotherofGod,letnotthathappentome!''
　　IthoughtthatheshouldgotoHispaniola,whereintheAdelantado'shouseinSanDomingohemightsubmittobandaging,lightandseashutout.
　　Atlast,``Well,well,wewillturn!Butfirstwemustleavethisgulfandtryitoutforsomedistancewestward!''
　　Weleftthiswaterbyawayasnarrowastheenteringstrait,asnarrowandpresentingthelikeroughconfusionofwaters,wallagainstwall.WecalledittheMouthoftheDragon.MouthoftheDragon,MouthoftheSerpent,andbetweenthemtheGulfoftheWhaleorofParia.Nowwasopensea,andsouthofusranstillthatcoastthathewouldhavemounttotheEquatorandtothatold,firstGardenLandwhereallthingsyetwerefairandprecious!
　　``Icannotstaynow,butIwillcomeagain!Iwillfindthemightylastthings!''Hiseyesgavehimgreatpain.
　　Hecoveredthem,thendroppedhishandsandlooked,thenmustagaincover.
　　Astrangething!Wewerebornewestwardeveruponavastcurrentofthesea,takingusdayandnight,sothatthoughthewindswerelightwewentasthougheverysailwaswhollyfilled.
　　ChristopherusColumbustalkedoftheseriversinocean.
　　``Adaywillcomewhentheywillbecorrectlymarked.Aye,inthemapsofourdescendants!Thenshipswillsay,`Nowhereistheriversoandso,'asto-daythehorsemansays,`HereistheTagus,ortheGuadalquiver!'''
　　Anotherthinghesaidwasthattohismindalltheislandsthatwehadfoundinsixyears,fromSanSalvadortoCubagua,hadoncebeenjoinedtogether.LandfromthisshoretoCubaandbeyond.Sothepeopleswerescattered.
　　Hetalkedtousmuchuponthisvoyageofthegreatearthandtheshapeofit,anditsdestinies;ofthestars,theneedle,theGreatCircleandthelesserones,andtheOcean.Hehadourtime'slearning,gainedthroughGodknowshowmanynightsofbookbycandle!Andhehadamindthattookeagleflightswithspreadofeaglewings,andinmanywayshehadtheeagle'seye.
　　ItwasnotCipangoandCathaythatnowhetalkedof,butofthisgreatland-massbeforeuswhichhewouldhaverisetoEquatorandallWonder.Andhetalkedalsoofsomewaterpassage,somestraitlyingtothewestward,bywhichwemightsailbetweenlandsandislandstothefurtherIndianOcean,andsoacrosstotheSeaofAraby,andthenaroundAfricabyGoodHopeandthennorthward,northward,toSpain,comingintoCadizwithbanners,havingsailedaroundtheworld!
　　Hetalked,andallthetimehispainatehim,andhemustcovereyestokeepthesword-lightout.
　　InmiddleAugustweturnednorthwardfromourNewLand,andafortnightlaterwecametoSanDomingo,thatChristopherusColumbushadneverseen,thoughtousinHispaniolaitwasanoldtown,havingbeenbuildedabovetwoyears.
　　TheViceroyandtheAdelantadoclaspedhands,embraced;
　　tearsrandowntheirbronzedcheeks.
　　Notlaterthanadayafterouranchoring,theshipsbeingunladed,allSanDomingocomingandgoing,trumpetsblewandgatheredalltoouropenplacebeforetheViceroy'shouse.Proclamation——ViceregalProclamation!First,thankstoGodforsafereturn,andsecond,heartyapprovaloftheAdelantado,allhisActsandMeasures.
　　ThereweretwopartiesinSanDomingo,andonenowechoedinashoutapprovaloftheAdelantado,andtheothermadehereadeadsilence,andhereacounter-murmur.I
　　heardamansay,``Foolpraisesfool!Villainbrotherupholdingvillainbrother!''
　　NowIdonotthinktheAdelantado'severyactwaswise,northeViceroy'seither,forthatmatter.Buttheywerefar,far,thosebrothers,fromfoolandvillain!
　　TheProclamationarrivedatlongthundersagainstFranciscoRoldanhissedition.Hereagaintheplacedividedasbefore.Roldan,IhaditfromLuisTorres,wasinXaragua,safeandarrogant,harkingonIndianwar,underminingeverywhere.OurlineoffortsheldfortheAdelantado,butthetwoorthreehundredSpaniardsleftinIsabellawereopenlyRoldan'smen.TheViceroy,throughthevoiceofMigueltheHerald,recited,denouncedandwarned,thenleftFranciscoRoldanandwithsuddennessmadestatementthatwithinafewdaysfiveshipswouldsailforSpain,andthatallSpaniardswhomsoever,whoforreasonswhatsoeverdesiredHome,hadhisconsenttogo!Consent,FreePassage,andNoQuestioning!
　　Whereattheplacebuzzedloudly,andonesawthatmanywouldgo.
　　Manydidgoupontheshipsthatsailednotinafewdaysbutafewweeks.Somewentforgoodreasons,butmanyforill.JuanLepeheardafarandaheadoftimethegreattideoftalkwhentheyshouldarriveinSpain!AndthoughmanywentwhowishedtheAdmiralill,manystayed,andforeverRoldanmadeforhimmoreenemies,openorsecret.
　　Hesent,itistrue,uponthoseshipsfriendstopleadhiscause.DonFranciscodeLasCasaswenttoSpainandotherswent.Andhesentletters.JuanLepe,muchinhishouse,tendinghimwhoneededthephysicianLong-RestandEase-of-Mind,heardtheselettersread.TherewasonetotheSovereignsinwhichberelatedwithsimpleeloquencethatdiscoverytotheSouth,andhisassurancethathehadtouchedthefootoftheMountofalltheWorld.
　　Withthisletterhesentahundredpearls,thegoldenfrogandothergold.AgainhetookpaperandwroteoftheattitudeofallthingsinHispaniola,ofRoldanandevilmen,oftheAdelantado'svigilance,justiceandmercy,ofnaturaldifficultiesandtheneedtowaitontime,oftheIndians.Hebeggedthattherebesenthimamplesuppliesandgoodmen,andwithalfriarsfortheIndiansalvation,andsomelearned,wiseandablelawyerandjudge,muchneededtogivethelawuponathousandcomplaintsbroughtbychildishandfactiousmen.AndiftheSovereignssawfittosendoutsomejustandloftymindtotakeevidencefromallastotheirservantChristopherusColumbus'sdeedsandpublicactsandcareoftheirMajesties'NewLandsandallthesoulstherein,suchanonewouldbewelcomedbytheirGraces'trueservant.
　　Sohehimselfaskedforacommissioner——butheneverthoughtofsuchanoneasFranciscodeBobadilla!
　　Sotheshipssailed.Timepassed.
　　CHAPTERXXXV
　　UPanddownwentthegreatRoldanscission.UpanddownwentIndianrevolt,repression,freshrevolt,freshrepression.Onflowedtime.Shipscamein,onebearingDonDiego;shipswentout.Timepassed.
　　AlonsodeOjeda,whobynowwasnomorethanhalfhisfriend,returnedtoSpainandthereproposedtotheSovereignsavoyageofhisowntothatSouthernContinentthatneverhadtheAdmiralchancetoreturnto!TheSovereignsnowweregivingsuchconsenttothisoneandtothatone,breakingtheirpactwithChristopherusColumbus.Inourworlditwasnowimpossiblethatthatpactshouldbeletter-kept,buttheGenoesedidnotseeitso.OjedasailedfromCadizforPariawithfourshipsandaconcourseofadventurers.WithhimwentthepilotJuandelaCosa,andageographerofFlorence,MesserAmerigoVespucci.
　　ItcametousinHispaniolathatOjedawasgone.NowIsawtheAdmiral'sheartbegintobreak.YetOjedainhisvoyagedidnotfindtheEarthlyParadise,onlywentalongthatcoastaswehaddone,gatheredpearls,andreturned.
　　Timepassed.OtherwildandrestlessadventurersbesideRoldanbrokeintoinsurrectionslessthanRoldan's.TheViceroyhangedMoxicaandsevenwithhim,andthrewintoprisonGuevaraandRequelme.Roldan,havinghadhislongfling——toopowerfulstilltohangortochaininsomeoneofourforts——Roldanwroteandreceivedpermission,andcametoSanDomingo,andwasreconciled.
　　Suddenly,afterlongtimeofturmoil,wildadventureanduncertainty,peacedescended.OverallHispaniolatheIndianssubmitted.Henceforththeywereoursubjects;letussayourvictimsandourslaves!QuarrelsbetweenCastiliansdiedovernight.Miraculouslytheskycleared.Miraculously,orperhapsbecauseoflong,patientsteeringthroughstorm.Forthreemonthswelivedwithanappearanceofblossomingandprospering.Itseemedthatitmightbecomeapeaceful,evenahappyisland.
　　TheViceroygrewyounger,theAdelantadogrewyounger,andDonDiego,andwiththemthosewhoheldbythemthroughthickandthin.TheAdmiralbegantotalkDiscovery.
　　Itwastwoyearssincethere,fartothesouth,wehadpassedinbytheMouthoftheSerpent,andoutbytheMouthoftheDragon.
　　TheViceroy,inspectingthenowquietVega,rodetoanIndianvillage,nearConcepcion.Hehadtwentybehindhim,well-armed,butarmswerenotneeded.Thepeoplecameabouthimwithaneagerness,adocility.Theytoldtheirstories.Hesathishorseandlistenedwithabenignantface.Certainharshnessesintimesandamountsoftheirtributeheredressed.Forever,whenpersonalappealcametohim,heprovedmagnanimous,oftentender,fatherlyandbrotherly.Atadistancehecouldbesevere.ButwhenI
　　thinkofthecrueltiesandhigh-handednessofothershere,theAdelantadoandtheViceroyshinemildly.
　　WerodebacktoConcepcion.Irememberthejewel-likeairthatday,theflowers,thetrees,thesky.Palmsrustledaboveus,thebrilliantsmalllizardsdartedaroundsilvertrunks.``Thefairestday!''quoththeAdmiral.``Easeatheart!Ifeeleaseatheart.''
　　Thisnight,asIsatbesidehim,wilinghimtosleep,forhealwayshadtroublesleeping——amostwakefulman!——
　　hetalkedtomeabouttheQueen.Towardthisgreatwomanheevershowedveneration,piety,andknightlyregard.OfallinSpainsheitwaswhobestunderstoodandsharedthatreligiouspartinhimthatbreathedupward,inspired,longedandstrainedtowardworldstrulynotontheearthlymap.
　　She,likehim——orsotookleavetothinkJuanLepe——receivedattimestoodocilelywordofauthority,orthatwhichtheyreckonedtobeauthority.PrincesoftheChurchcouldbringhertogoagainstherpurerthought.Theworldasitis,dingingever,``Soimportantiswealth——soimportantisherald-nobility——soimportantisfather-careintheserespectsforsons!''couldmakehimtakeatortuousandcomplicatedway,couldmakehimbowandcap,couldmakehimrulewithanearforworld'sadvicewhenheshouldhavehadonlyhisbookandhisshipandhisdreamandacheeringcry``Onward!''OrsothinksJuanLepe.ButJuanLepeandallwaitonfulllight.
　　Hetalkedofhergreatnature,andhergoodnesstohim.
　　OfhowsheunderstoodwhentheKingwouldnot.Ofhowshewouldneverlistentohisenemies,orattheworstnotlistenlong.
　　HeturneduponhisbedinthewarmIndiannight.I
　　askedhimifIshouldreadtohimbuthesaid,notyet.Hehadtalkedsincethedaysofhisfirstseekingwithmanyagreatlord,aye,andgreatlady.ButtheQueenwastheoneofthemallwhounderstoodbesthowtotrustaman!
　　Differencesinmindarosewithinusall,andfewcouldfindthefirmsoulbehindallthat!Shecould,andshewasgreatbecauseshecould.Helovedtotalkwithher.Herfacelightedwhenhecamein.Whenotherswerebyshesaid``DonCristoval'',or``ElAlmirante'',butwithhimselfaloneshestillsaid``MasterChristopherus''asintheolddays.
　　Atlasthesaid,``Now,letusread.''EachtimehecamefromSpaintoHispaniolahebroughtbooks.Andwhenshipscameintherewouldbeapacketforhim.Ireadtohimnowfromanoldpoet,printedinVenice.Helistened,thenatlastheslept.Iputoutthecandle,steppedsoftlyforthpastGonsalvohisservant,lyingwithoutdoor.
　　Anhourafterdawnasmallcavalcadeappearedbeforethefort.AtfirstwethoughtitwastheAdelantadofromXaragua.Butno!itwasAlonzodeCarvajalwithnewsandaletterfromSanDomingo,andintheverystatementranathrillingsomethingthatsaid,``Hark,now!IamFortunethatturnsthewheel.''
　　Carvajalsaid,``senor,Ihavenewsandaletterforyourearandeyealone!''
　　``FrommybrotheratSanDomingo?''
　　``Aye,andfromanother,''saidCarvajal.``Twoshipshavecomein.''
　　WiththattheAdmiralandhewentintoCommandant'shouse.
　　ThemenatConcepcionmadeCarvajal'smenwelcome.
　　``Andwhatisit?''``Andwhatisit?''Theyhadtheirordersevidently,butmuchwineleakedoutofthecask.IfonewishedtheViceroyandhisbrothersill,itwasfoundtobeheadywine;iftheotherwayround,itseemedthin,chillyandbitter.HereatConcepcionwereAdmiral'sfriends.
　　Afteranhourhecameagainamongus,behindhimCarvajal.
　　Now,thisman,ChristopherusColumbus,alwaysappearedmosthighlyandnoblyMan,mosteverlastinganduniversal,ingreatpersonaltroubleanddanger.Itwas,Ihold,becausenothingwastohimsmallypersonal,butalwayspertainedtogreatmasses,toworldsandtoages.Now,lookingathim,Iknewthattroubleanddangerhadarrived.Hesaidverylittle.IfIremember,itwas,``Myfriends,theSovereignswhomwetrustandobey,havesentaCommissioner,DonFranciscodeBobadilla,whomwemustgomeet.WeridefromConcepcionatoncetoBonao.''
　　Werode,hiscompanyandCarvajal'scompany.
　　DonFranciscodeBobadilla!JaymedeMarchenahadsomeassociationhere.Itdisentangleditself,cameatlastclear.ACommanderoftheOrderofCalatrava——abouttheKinginsomecapacity——ableandhonest,mensaid.
　　Ableandhonest,JaymedeMarchenahadheardsaid,butalsoapassionateman,andavindictive,andwithvanityenoughforalegionofpeacocks.
　　WecametoBonaoandrestedhere.IhadawordthatnightfromtheAdmiral.``Doctor,Doctor,amanmustoutlookstorm!Hegrewmanbythat.''
　　IaskedifImightknowwhatwasthematter.
　　Heanswered,``Idonotknowmyself.DonDiegosaysthatgreatpowershavebeengrantedDonFranciscodeBobadilla.Ihavenotseenthosepowers.ButhehasdemandedinthenameoftheSovereignsourprisoners,ourshipsandtownsandforts,andhascitedustoappearbeforehimandanswercharges——ofIknownotwhat!Iwellthinkitisavoicewithouttruemindorpowerbehindit——
　　IgotoSanDomingo,butnotjustathiscitation!''
　　Later,inthemoonlight,oneofourmentoldmethatwhichamanofCarvajalhadtoldhim.AlltheAdmiral'senemies,andnoneeversaidtheywerefew,hadthisfire-newcommissioner'sear!Afriendcouldnotgetwithinhail.
　　Justorunjust,everycomplaintcameandsquattedinaringaroundhim.Maybesomewerejust——suchassoldiersnotbeingabletogettheirpay,forinstance.Therewasneverbutonewholivedwithoutspotorblemish.ButofcourseweknewthattheoldAdmiralwasn'treallyatyrant,cruelandafool!Ofcoursenot.Carvajal'smanwaspreparedtofightanymanofhisownclasswhowouldsaythattohisface!He'dfight,too,fortheAdelantado.DonFranciscodeBobadillahadnosoonerlandedthanhebegantotalkandactasthoughtheywereallvillains.DonDiego——whomitwaslaughabletocallavillain——andall.Hewenttomassatonce——DonFranciscodeBobadilla——andwhenitwasoverandallwereoutandallSanDomingothereinthesquare,hehadhislettersloudlyread.Trueenough!HeisGovernor,andeverybodyelsemustobeyhim!_EventheAdmiral!_
　　AtdawnJuanLepewalkedandthought.AndthenhesawcomingtheFranciscan,JuandeTrasienaandFranciscoVelasqueztheTreasurer.ThatwhichJuandeTrasienaandFranciscoVelasquezbroughtwereattestedcopiesoftheroyalletters.
　　Isawthem.``WhereforewehavenamedDonFranciscodeBobadillaGovernoroftheseislandsandofthemainland,andwecommandyou,cavaliersandallpersonswhatever,togivehimthatobediencewhichyoudoowetous.''
　　Andtohim,thenewGovernor:``Whomsoeveryoufindguilty,arresttheirpersonsandtakeovertheirgoods.''And,``Ifyoufindittoourservicethatanycavaliersorotherpersonswhoareatpresentintheseislandsshouldleavethem,andthattheyshouldcomeandpresentthemselvesbeforeus,youmaycommanditinournamesandobligeit.''And,``Whomsoeveryouthuscommand,weherebyorderthatimmediatelytheyobeyasthoughitwereourselves.''
　　``Andifthusandthusisfoundtobethecase,thesaidAdmiraloftheOcean-Seashallgiveintoyourhands,ships,fortresses,arms,housesandtreasure,andheshallhimselfbeobedienttoyourcommand.''
　　TheAdmiralsaid,``Ifitbefoundthusandthus!Buthowshallhefindit,seeingthatitisnotso?''
　　WerodetoSanDomingo,butnotmanyrode.Hewouldnothavemany.``Noshowofforce,nogaudofoffice!''
　　Herodeunarmored,onhisgrayhorse.Thebannerthatwasalwaysbornewithhim——``Yea,carryitstill,untilhedemandsit!''
　　Wewereabaredozen,butwhenweenteredSanDomingoonemightthinkthatDonFranciscodeBobadillafearedanarmy,forhehadallhissoldiersdrawnuptogreetus!
　　Therestofthepopulationwereincoigns,gazing.Wesawfriends——JuanPoncedeLeonandothers——buttheywerehelpless.Forallthepeopleinit,theplaceseemedtomedeadquiet,hot,sunny,deadquiet.
　　TheAdmiralrodetothesquare.Herewashishouse,andtheroyalbanneroverit.Hedismountedandspoketomenbeforethedoor.``TellDonFranciscodeBobadillathatDonCristovalColonishere.''
　　Therecameanofficerwithasword,behindhimadozenmen.``Senor,inthenameoftheSovereigns,Iarrestyou!''
　　ChristopherusColumbusgazeduponhim.``Forwhat,senor?''
　　Theother,anarrogant,ill-temperedman,answeredloudlysothatallaroundcouldhear,``Forill-servicetoourlordtheKingandQueen,andtotheirsubjectshereintheIndies,andtoGod!''
　　``Godknows,youhurtthetruth!''saidtheAdmiral.
　　``Whereismybrother,DonDiego?''
　　``LaidbytheheelsintheSantaCatarina,''answeredthegracelessman;thentooneofthesoldiers,``Takethebannerfrombehindhimandrestitagainstthewall.''
　　TheAdmiralsaid,``IwouldseeDonFranciscodeBobadilla.''
　　``Thatisashedesiresandwhenhedesires,''theotherreplied.``Closearoundhim,men!''
　　ThefortressofSanDomingoisagloomyplace.Theyprisonedhimhere,andtheyputironsuponhim.Isawthatdone.Oneortwoofhisimmediatefollowing,andI
　　hisphysicianmightenterwithhim.
　　Hestoodinthedismalplacewhereonerayoflightcamedownfromahigh,small,gratedwindow,andhelookedatthechainswhichtheybrought.Heasked,``Whowillputthemon?''
　　Helookedatthechainsandatthesoldierwhobroughtthem.``Putthemon,man!''hesaid.``What!OncethoudidstnailGod'sfoottoacross!Asforme,IwillrememberthatOnewhosavedall,andbepatient.''
　　Theychainedhimandlefthimthereinthedark.
　　Isawhimthenextday,enteringwithhisgaoler.Hadheslept?''Yes.''``Howdidhefindhimself?''
　　``Howdoesmybodyfinditself?Why,noworsethanusual,nowadaysthatIamgettingold!Mybodyhasbeenunhappierathousandtimesinstormandfight,andthirstandfamine.''
　　``Thenmindandsoul?''Iasked.
　　``Theyarewell.Thereisnothingleftforthembuttofeelwell.IaminthehandofGod.''
　　IdidwhatserviceforhimIcould.Hethankedme.
　　``You'vebeeneverastenderasawoman.Abravemanbesides!Ihopeyou'llbebyme,JuanLepe,whenIdie.''
　　``Whenyoudie,senor,therewilldieagreatservantoftheworld.''
　　IspokesobecauseIknewthecordialthathewanted.
　　Hiseyesbrightened,strengthcameintohisvoice.``DoyouknowaughtofmybrothertheAdelantado?''
　　``No.HemaybeonhiswayfromXaragua.Whatwouldyouwishhimtodo,sir?''
　　``ComequietlytoSanDomingoasIcame.ThisGovernorisbutaviolent,pettyshape!ButIhavesworntoobeytheQueenandtheKingoftheSpains.Iandminetoobey.''