IaskedhimifhebelievedthattheSovereignsknewthisoutrage.IcouldbelieveithardlyofKingFerdinand,notatalloftheQueen.
　　AgainIfeltthatthiswascordialtohim.Ihadspokenoutofmyconviction,andheknewit.``No,''hesaid.``I
　　donotbelieveit.IwillneverbelieveitoftheQueen!
　　Lookyou!Ihavethoughtitoutinthenight.Thenightisgoodforthinkingout.YouwouldnotbelievehowmanyenemiesIhaveinSpain.MargariteandFatherBuilarebuttwoofacrowd.Fonseca,whoshouldgivemeallaid,givesmeallhindrance.Ihavethrongsoffoes;menwhoenvyme;menwhothoughtImightgivethemthegoldensun,andIcouldnot;hidalgoswhoholdthatGodmadethemtoenjoy,standingonothermen'sshoulders,eatingthegrapesandthrowingdowntheemptyskins,andImadethemtolaborliketheothers;andnotinHeavenorHellwilltheyforgiveme!Andothers——andothers.TheyhaveturnedtheKingalittletheirway.Iknewthat,ereIwenttofindthatgreatnewlandwherearepearls,thatslopesupwardbylittlestotheHeightoftheWorldandtheEarthlyParadise.TurnedtheKing,butnottheQueen.ButnowImakeittheyhaveworkeduponher.ImakeitthatshedoesnotknowthecharacterofDonFranciscodeBoba-
　　dilla.Imakeitthat,holdinghimtobefarwiserthanheis,shewiththeKinggavehimgreatpowerascommissioner.
　　Imakeitthattheygavehimlettersofauthority,andalastletter,supersedingtheViceroy,naminghimGovernorwhomallmustobey.Imakeitthathewasonlytousethisifafterlongexaminationitwasfoundbyawise,justmanthatIhaddoneaftermyenemies'hopes.ImakeitthathereacrossOcean-Sea,far,farfromSpain,hechosenottowait.Hecluckedtohimallthedisaffectedandflewwithastrongbeakattheeyesofmyfriends.''Hemovedhisarmsandhischainsclanked.``ImakeitthatthisseverityisDonFranciscodeBobadilla's,notKingFerdinand's,not——oh,morethannot——thegoodQueen's!''
　　JuanLepethoughtthathehadmadeouttheprobabilities,probablythecertainties.
　　``IfImaywintoSpain!''heended.``Itallhingesonthat!IfImayseetheSovereigns——ifImayseethegoodQueen!IhopetoGodhewillsoonchainmeinashipandsendme!''
　　HadheseenDonFranciscodeBobadilla?
　　No,hehadnotseenDonFranciscodeBobadilla.HethoughtthatonthewholethatHidalgoandCommanderofCalatravawasafraid.
　　OutsideofthefortressthatafternoonJuanLepekeptcompanywithonewhohadcomewiththefire-newGovernor,agrim,quietfellownamedPedroLopez.HeandLuisTorresbadbeenneighborsinSpain;itwasLuiswhobroughtustogether.IgavehimsomewineinDoctorJuanLepe'ssmallroomandhetoldreadilythechargesagainsttheViceroythatBobadilla,seizing,madeintoasheaf.
　　AlreadyIknewwhattheywere.Ihadheardthem.Oneortwohad,Ithought,faintjustification,butthemass,no!
　　Personalavarice,personalgreed,paynimluxury,arrogance,cruelty,deceit——itmadeonesorrowfullylaughwhoknewtheman!Hereagainclamoredtheoldchargeofupstartness.
　　Alow-bornItalian,sonofawool-comber,vindictivetowardthehidalgo,ofSpain!Buttherewerenewcharges.
　　ThreemendeposedthatheneglectedIndiansalvation.AndIheardforthefirsttimethatsosoonashefoundtheGrandKhanhemeanttogiveovertothatOrientalalltheislandsandthemain,andsobetraytheSovereignsandChristandeverySpaniardintheseparts!
　　TheAdelantadoarrivedinSanDomingo.Hecamewithonlyascoreortwoofmen,whocouldhaveraisedmanymore.DonFranciscodeBobadillasawtoitthathehadwordfromhisgreatbrother,andthatwordwas``Obedience.''
　　TheAdelantadogavehisswordtoDonFrancisco.
　　Thelatterloadedthefirstwithchainsandputhimaboardacaravelintheharbor.Heaskedtobeprisonedwithhisbrother;butwhyaskanymagnanimityfromanunmagnanimoussoul?
　　Outintheopennowwerealltheoldinsurgents.GuevaraandRequelmebowedtotheearthwhentheGovernorpassed,andRoldansatwithhimatwine.
　　CHAPTERXXXVI
　　THEcaraveltossedinaheavystorm.Someofhermarinerswereoldinthesewaters,butothers,comingoutwithBobadilla,hadlittleknowledgeofourbreadthsofOcean-Sea.Theyhadmetnaughtlikethisrain,thisshakenair,thesethundersandlightnings.Thereroseacrythattheshipwouldsplit.AllwasbecausetheyhadchainedtheAdmiral!
　　DonAlonsodeVillejo,theCaptaintakingChristopherusColumbustoSpain,calledtohimJuanLepe.``Witnessyou,Doctor,Iwouldhavetakenawaytheironssosoonaswewereoutofharbor!Iwouldhavedoneitonmyownresponsibility.Buthewouldnothaveit!''
　　``Yes,Iwitness.InchainsinHispaniola,hewillcometoSpaininchains.''
　　``Iftheshipgoesdowneverymanmustsavehimself.Hemustbefree.Ihavesentforthesmith.Comeyouwithme!''
　　Wewenttothatduskycabinintheshipwherehewasprisoned.``Itisagreatstorm,andweareindanger,senor!''saidVillejo.``Iwilltakeawaytheseironssothatif——''
　　TheAdmiral'ssilverhairgleamedinthedusk.Hemovedandhisgyvesstrucktogether.``Villejo!''hesaid,``ifI
　　lieto-nightonthefloorofOcean-Sea,Iwillliethereinthesechains!Whentheseagivesupitsdead,Iwillriseinthem!
　　``Icouldforceyou,senor,''saidVillejo.
　　Theotheranswered,``Tryit,andGodwillmakeyourhandslikeababe's!''
　　Villejoandthesmithdidnottryit.Therewassomethingaroundhimlikeaninvisibleguard.Iknewthefeelofit,andthatitwashiswillemergedatheight.
　　``Rememberthen,senor,thatIwouldhavedoneitforyou!''Villejotouchedthedoor.TheAdmiral'svoicecameafter.``Mybrother,DonBartholomew,hewhowasresponsibletomeandonlythroughmetotheSovereigns,freehim,Villejo,andyouhaveallmythanks!''
　　WewenttotakethegyvesfromDonBartholomew.Itwouldhavebeencomforttothesebrotherstobetogetherinprison——butthattheGovernorofHispaniolastraitlyforbade.
　　WhenVillejohadexplainedwhathewoulddo,theAdelantadoasked,``WhatoftheAdmiral?''
　　``Iwishtotakethemfromhimalso.Butheisobstinateinhisprideandwillnot!''
　　``HewillgoasheistotheQueenandSpainandtheworld,''saidJuanLepe.
　　``Thatisenoughforme,''answeredtheAdelantado.``I
　　donotgodownto-nightafreedbodywhilehegoesdownachained——Farewell,senor!IthinkIhearyoursailorscalling.''
　　Villejohesitated.``Letthemhavetheirwill,senor,''
　　saidJuanLepe.``Theirwillisasgoodasours.''
　　DonBartholomewturnedtome.``Howfaresmybrother,Doctor?Isheill?''
　　``Heisbetter.BecausehewasillIwaslettocomewithhim.Butnowheisbetter.''
　　``Givehimmyenduringloveandconstancy,''saidtheAdelantado.``Goodnight,Villejo!''andturneduponhissidewitharattlingofhischain.
　　ReturningtotheAdmiral,JuanLepesatbesidehimthroughthenight.Thetempestcontinuing,thereweremomentswhenwethought,Itmaybetheendofthislife!
　　Wethoughttohearthecry``Shesinks!''andtherushoffeet.
　　Attimeswhentherefelllullswetalked.Hewascalmlycheerful.
　　``Itseemstomethatthestormlessens.Ihavebeenpenninginmymind,lyinghere,alettertoonewhowillshowittotheQueen.Writingso,Icansaywithgreaterfreedomthatwhichshouldbesaid.''
　　``Whatdoyousay?''
　　Hetoldmewithenergy.HisletterrelatedpasteventsinHispaniolaandthearrivalofBobadillaandallthattookplacethereupon.Hehadaneloquenceofthepenasofspeech,andwhathesaidtoDonaJuanadelaTorremoved.
　　Ahighsimplicitywashisinsuchmoment,anopeningoftheheart,suchasonlychildrenandtheverygreatattain.
　　Hetoldhiswrongs,andheprayedforjustjudgment,``notasarulerofanorderedlandwhereobtainold,known,long-followedlaws,andwhereindeeddisordermightcry`WeaknessandIll-doing!'ButIshouldbejudgedratherasageneralsenttobringundergovernmentanenemypeople,numerous,heathen,livinginamostdifficult,unknownandpathlesscountry.AndtodothisIhadmanygoodmen,itistrue,butalsoahostthatwasnotgood,butwasfactious,turbulent,sensualandidle.YethaveIbroughtthesestrangelandsandnakedpeoplesundertheSovereigns,givingthemthelordshipofanewworld.Whatsaymyaccusers?TheysaythatIhavetakengreathonorsandwealthandnobilityformyselfandmyhouse.Eventheysay,Omyfriend!
　　thatfromthevastold-and-newandfairestlandthatIhavelatelyfound,Itookandkeptthepearlsthatthosenativesbroughtme,notrenderingthemtotheSovereigns.Godjudgeme,itisnotso!Spainbecomethvastlyrich,andtheheadoftheworld,andherSovereigns,lesttheyshouldscanttheirownnobility,givenobility,placeandwagetohimwhobroughtthemLordshiphere.Itisall!AndoutofmygainamInotpledgedtogatheranarmyandsetitforthtogaintheSepulchre?HaveIfallen,nowandagain,inalltheseyearsinmyGovernment,intosomeerror?HowshouldInotdoso,beinghuman?Butneverhathanerrorbeenmeant,neverhaveIwishedbuttodealhonestlyandmercifullywithall,withSpaniardsandwithIndians,toservewelltheSovereignsandtoadvancetheCross.Icallthesaintstowitness!Allthewayhasbeendifficult,thornsofnature'sandmyenemies'planting,butGodknoweth,I
　　havetroddenitsteadily.IhavegivenmuchtotheSovereigns,howmuchitisfuturedaysbrighterthanthesewillshow!Ihavebeentrueservanttothem.Ifnow,writinginchains,uponthecaravel_Santa,Marta_,Icrytothemforjustice,itisbecauseIdonotfearjustice!''
　　Heceasedtospeak,thenpresently,``IwouldthatallmightseethelightthatIseeoverthefuture!——Thouseestit,JuanLepe.''
　　``Aye,Iseelightoverthefuture.''
　　Bylittlesthestormfell.Eredawnwecouldsay,``Weshalloutliveit!''Hesleptforanhourthenwaked.``I
　　wasdreamingoftheHolyLand——butdoyouknow,JuanLepe,itwasseatedhereinthelandswefound!''
　　``Seatedhereandeverywhere,''Isaid.``Assoonasweseeitsoandmakeitso.''
　　``Aye,Iknowthattheseaisholy,andsoshouldbealltheland!Theprophetseesitso——''
　　Thedawncamefaintlyinuponus.Allwasquieter,thefootingoverheadsteady,nothasting,frightened.Lightstrengthened.Aboybroughthimbreakfast.Heatewithappetite.``Youarebetter,''Isaid,``andyounger.''
　　``Itisastrangething,''heanswered,``butsoithadbeenfrommyboyhood.Isthedangercloseanddrear,istheshipuponthereef,thensomeonepoursformewine!Someone,doIsay?IknowWhom!''
　　IbegantospeakoftheAdelantado.``Aye,thereheisthesame!`Peril——darkness?Well,let'smeetit!'Wearealike,wethreebrothers,alikeanddifferent.DiegoservesGodbestinamonastery,andIservebestinashipwithabookandamaptobefollowedandbettered.Bartholomewservesbestwherehehasbeen,AdelantadoandAlcayde.
　　Heispowerfulthere,withjudgmentandaction.Butheisaseamastertoo,andhemakesagoodmap——IthankGodwhogaveusgoodparents,andtousallthreemindandafirmwill!Theinheritancepassestomysons.Youhavenotseenthem?Theyareyouthsofgreatpromise!
　　Afamilythatisableandatone,lovingandaidingeachtheother,honoringitspastandprovidingforitsfuture,becomes,Itellyou,anOakthatcannotbefelled——anArkthatridesthewaters!''
　　Ashemoved,hischainsmadeagaintheirdullnoise.``Dotheygreatlygallyou?''
　　``Yes,theygall!Fleshandspirit.ButIshallwearthemuntiltheQueensaith,`Awaywiththem!'ButeverafterIshallkeepthembyme!Theyshallhanginmyhousewhereforevermenshallseethem!Inmyson'shouseafterme,andinhisson's!''
　　AlonsodeVillejovisitedhim.``Thetempestisover,senor.Itakeitforgoodauguryinyouraffair!''
　　JuanLepeuponthedeckfoundbesidehimamanwhomheknew.``Whatd'yethink?Attheworst,inthemiddlenight,therecametoDonAlonsoandthemastertheoldseamenandwouldhavehimfreedsothathemightsaveus!
　　Theysaidthattheyhadseenhisdoubleuponthepoop,lookingattheseaandwavinghisarm.Thenitvanished!
　　Theywantedthewholeman,theywantedtheAdmiral!Themasterroaredatthemandsentthemback,butifithadcometotheworst——Idon'tknow!''
　　Cadiz——the_SantaMarta_cametoCadiz.BeforeushadarrivedBobadilla'sships,one,twoandthree.WhathefoundtosaythroughhismessengersoftheAdmiralandViceroywasinthehandsandeyesandearsofall.Hesaidattheheightofhisvoice,acrosstheoceanfromHispaniola,violentandvillainousthings.
　　Cadiz——Spain.WecrowdedtolookDownplungedanchor,downrattledsails,arounduscametheboats.TheAdmiralandtheAdelantadorestedinchains.ThecorregidorofCadiztookthemboththusashoreandtoahousewheretheywerekept,untiltheSovereignsshouldsay,``Bringthembeforeus!''
　　JuanLepethephysicianwaslettogointheboatwithhim.JuanLepe——JaymedeMarchena.ItwaseightyearssinceIhadquittedSpain.Iwasolderbythat,grizzled,beardedandsobronzedbytheIndiesthatIneedednoMoorishstain.ItrustedGodthatDonPedroandtheHolyOfficehadnolongerclawsforme.
　　Cadiz,andallthepeopleout,pointingandstaring.IrememberedwhatIhadbeentoldofthereturnfromhisfirstvoyage,andthesecondvoyage.Thenhadbeenbellsandtrumpets,flowers,banners,grandeesdrawinghimamongthem,shoutsandshoutsofwelcome!
　　Hewalkedingyves,heandtheAdelantado,tothehouseofhisdetention.Onceonlyasinglevoicewasraisedinashout,``ElAlmirante!''Wecametothehouse,notaprison,thoughaprisonforhim.Inagoodenoughroomthecorregidorsoughttohavethechainsremoved.TheAdmiralwouldnot,keepingbackwithvoiceandeyethemenwhowishedtopartthemfromhim.WhentheSovereignsknew,andwhentheSovereignssent——then,butnotbefore!
　　Sevendaysinthishouse.ThenwordfromtheSovereigns,anditwashereindignant,andherecomforting.
　　ThebestwastheQueen'sword;IdonotknowifitwassowhollyKingFerdinand's.Therewereletterstothealcaldeandcorregidor.ReleasetheAdmiraloftheOcean-Sea!
　　DonFranciscodeBobadillahadgrosslymisunderstood!
　　SoothetheAdmiral'shurt.ShowhimtrustandgratitudeinCadizthatwasbecomethroughhimagreatercity!FulfillhisneedsandfurtherhimuponthewaytoGranada.Putinhispursetwothousandducats.ButtheletterthatcountedmosttoChristopherusColumbuswasonetohimselffromtheQueen.
　　JuanLepefoundhimwithitinhishand.Fromthewristyethungthechain.Tearswererunningdownhischeeks.``Yousee——yousee!''hesaid.``Ithankthee,Christ,whotakethcareofusall!''
　　Theycameandtookawayhischains.Butheclaimedthemfromthecorregidorandkeptthemtohisdeath.CamehidalgosofCadizandentreatedhimawayfromthishousetoabetterone.Outsidethestreetwasthronged.``TheAdmiral!TheAdmiral!WhogavetoSpaintheIndies!''
　　DonBartholomewwasbyhim,freedlikehim.AndtheretoomovedaslenderyoungmanwhohadcomefromGranadawiththeQueen'sletter,DonFernando,hiseldestson.
　　Alightseemedaroundthem.JuanLepethought,``Surelytheywhoservelargepurposesarecaredfor.Eventhoughtheyshoulddieinprison,yetaretheycaredfor!''
　　CHAPTERXXXVII
　　JUANLEPElayuponthesandbeyondPalos.TheAdmiralwaswiththecourtinGranada,buthisphysician,cravingholiday,hadbornealettertoJuanPerez,thePriorof_SantaMaria_delaRabida.
　　IthoughttheAdmiralwouldgoagainseafaring,andthatIwouldgowithhim.UpatLaRabida,FrayJuanPerezwaskind.Ihadacell,Icouldcomeandgo;hedidnottellPalosthatherewastheAdmiral'sphysician,whoknewtheIndiesfromthefirsttakingandcouldrelatewonders.Ilivedobscure,butinPrior'sroom,byalightfire,foritwasNovember,hehimselfendlesslyquestionedandlistened.
　　Oceanbeforeme,ocean,ocean!Lyinghere,thoseyearsago,Ihadseenoceanonly.Now,far,far,Isawland,sawSanSalvador,Cubathatmightbethemain,Hayti,Jamaica,SanJuan,Guadaloupe,Trinidad,Pariathatagainseemedmain.Vastislandsandaworldofsmallislands,vastmainlands.
　　ThennosailwasseenonfarOcean-Sea;nowouttheremightbeshipsgoingfromCadiz,coming,returningfromSanDomingo.Eightyears,andsotheworldwaschanged!
　　Ithought,``Infiftyyears——inahundredyears——intwohundred?Whatiscomingupthelongroad?''
　　Oceanmurmured,thetidewascomingin.JuanLepewaitedtillthesandshadnarrowed,tillthegraywavefoamedunderhishand.ThenheroseandwalkedslowlytoLaRabida.
　　Aftercompline,talk;FrayJuanPerez,thegoodman,comfortableinhisgreatchairbeforethefire.Hehadhungeredalways,Ithought,foradventureandmarvel.Hereithappened——?Andhereithappened——?
　　To-nightwefelltotalkofthePinzons——Martinwhowasdead,andVicentewhonowwasonOcean-Sea,onavoyageofhisown——andofotherswhohadsailed,andwhattheyfoundandwheretheywere.WewereateaseabouttheAdmiral.Wehadhadletters.
　　HewasinGranada,dressedagainincrimsonandgold,toweringagainwithhissilverhead,honoredandpraised.
　　WhenfirsthecameintotheQueen'spresenceshehadtrembledalittleandturnedpale,andtherewaswaterinhereyes.``MasterChristopherus,forgiveus!Whereupon,''
　　saidtheletter,``Iweptwithher.''
　　Apparentlyallhonorswereback;hemovedAdmiralandViceroy.Hisbrothers,hissons,allhishousewalkedinaspringsun.HehadbeenshownthelettersfromBobadilla,andhewhowasnotlengthyinspeechhadspokenanhouruponthem.Hiswordranggold;Christgaveit,hesaid,thathistruthwasbelieved.DonFranciscodeBobadillawouldquitHispaniola——thoughnotinchains.
　　FrayJuanPerezstirredthefire.Uponthetablestoodaflaskofwineandadishoffigs.WewerecomfortableinLaRabida.
　　Dayspassed,weekspassed,timepassed.WordfromtheAdmiral,wordoftheAdmiral,camenotinfrequentlytowhiteLaRabida.Hehimself,inhisownperson,stoodinbrightfavor,theQueentreasuringhim,lovingtotalkwithhim,theCourtfollowingher,theKingatworstonlyacoolfriend.Buthisaffairsofoffice,FrayJuanPerezandIgathered,sittingsolicitousatLaRabida,werenotinsofairaposture.Heandhishouseholddidnotlack.
　　Monieswerepaidhim,thoughnotinfullhistitheofallgainsfromhisfinding.WhatnevershookwashistitleofTheAdmiral.Buttheyseemed,theSovereigns,oratleastKingFerdinand,tolookthrough``Viceroy''asthoughitwereashade.AndinHispaniola,thoughcharged,reproved,threatened,stillstayedBobadillaintheguiseofGovernor!
　　``Theycannotleavehimthere,''Isaid.``IftheColombosarenotmenfortheplace,whatthenisBobadilla?''
　　FrayJuanPerezstirredthefire.``KingFerdinand,I
　　sayitonlytoyouandinawhisper,hasnotalittleoftheKingoftheFoxes!Not,tillhehasmadeuphismind,dothhewishthereaperfectman.Whenhehasmadeitup,hewillcastabout——''
　　``IdonotthinkhehasanybetterthantheAdelantado!''
　　```Thosebrothersareone.Leavehimout!'saiththeKing.Iwillreadyouhismind!`MasterChristopherusColumbushathhadtoomuchfromthebeginning.Norishenecessaryashewas.Whenthebreachismade,anymaytakethefortress!IwillleavehimandgivehimwhatImustbutnomore!'HewillsendatlastanotherthanBobadilla,butnotagain,ifhecanhelpit,theoldViceroy!
　　OfcoursethereistheQueen,butshehasmanysorrowsthesedays,andfails,theysay,inhealth.''
　　``Itmaybe,''saidJuanLepe.``ImyselfwerecontentforhimtorestTheAdmiralonly.Buthismindisyetahawktoweringoverlandandseaandclaimingbothforprize.Heminglestheearthlyandtheheavenly.''
　　``Itistrue,''saidFrayJuanPerez,``thatagecomesuponhim.Andtrue,too,thatKingFerdinandmaysay,`Whateveritwasatfirst,thisworldintheWestbecomesfartoovastamatterforonemanandtheold,first,simpleways!'''
　　``Youhaveitthere,''Ianswered,andwecoveredtheembersandwenttobedinLaRabida.
　　Winterpassed.ItwasseenthattheAdmiralcouldnotsailthisweeknorthenext.
　　JuanLepe,bearded,brownasaMoor,olderthanintheyearGranadafell,crossedwithquietnessmuchofCastileandcameonaspringeveningtothecastleofDonEnriquedeCerda.Again``_JuanLepefromthehermitageintheoakwood_.''
　　Sevendays.Iwouldnotstaylonger,butinthattimetheancienttreeswavedgreenagain.
　　DonEnriquehadbeenrecentlytoGranada.``KingFerdinandwillchangeallmattersintheWest!YourislandsshallhaveGovernors,asmanyasnecessary.TheyshallreferthemselvestoaHighGovernoratSanDomingo,whoinhisturnshallcloselylistentoaCouncilhere.''
　　``WilltheHighGovernorbeDonCristovalColon?''
　　``No.Ihearthathehimselfagreestoasuspensionofhisviceroyaltyfortwoyears,seeingwellthatinHispaniolaisnaughtbutfaction,everythingtorninto`FriendsoftheGenoese'and`Notfriends!'.Perhapsheseesthathecannothelphimselfandthathelesspartswithdignitybyacceding.
　　Idonotknow.ThereistalkofDonNicholasdeOvanda,CommanderofLares.Yourmanwillnot,Ithink,besentbeforeasteadywindforViceroyagain——neveragain.Ifhepressestoopersistently,therecanalwaysbefoundoneormorewhowillstandandcry,`Hedidintend,OKing——
　　hedothintend——tomakehimselfKingoftheIndies!'
　　AndKingFerdinandwillsayhedoesnotbelieve,butitismanifestthatthatthoughtmustfirstdiefrommen'sminds.
　　TheQueenfailsfast.Shehasnotthevoiceandthehandinallmattersthatoncewasso.''
　　``Heisonewhodiesforloyalties,''Isaid.``HereverencesallsimplythecrownsofCastileandLeon.ForhisownsakeIamnottrulysoanxioustohavehimViceroyagain!Theywillgivehimshipsandlethimdiscoveruntilhedies?''
　　``Ah,Idon'tthinkthereisanydoubtaboutthat!''heanswered.
　　Wetalkedsomewhatofthatgreatmodernworld,evidentnowoverthehorizon,bearinguponuslikeatall,full-riggedship.Allthingswerechanging,changingfast.Wetalkedofcommerceandinventions,oflettersandofarts,ofreligionandthesoulofman.Outofthesoilwerepushingeverywhereplantsthattheoldcalledheretical.
　　Sevendays.Wewere,asweshallbeforever,friends.
　　ButJuanLepewouldgobacktoLaRabida.Hewas,forthisturnoflife,manoftheAdmiraloftheOcean-Sea.Sowesaidfarewell,EnriquedeCerdaandJaymedeMarchena.
　　ThreeleaguesSevillesideofCordovaIcameatevetoagoodinnknowntomeofold.RidingintoitscourtI
　　foundtwotravelersenteringjustbeforeme,oneawell-
　　formedhidalgostillatprime,andtheotherayoungmanevidentlyhisson.TheelderwhohadjustdismountedturnedandIrecognizedDonFranciscodeLasCasas.Atthesameinstanthesawme.``Ha,Friend!Ha,Doctor!''
　　Wetookoursuppertogetherinawide,lowroom,lookingoutupontheroad.DonFranciscoandJuanLepetalkedandtheyoungmanlistened.JuanLepetalkedbuthiseyestrulywereforthisyoungman.Itwasnotthathewasofastrikingaspectandbetterthanhandsome,thoughhewasallthat——butIdonotknow——itwasthefutureinhiscountenance!HisfatheraddressedhimasBartolome.
　　Oncehesaid,``WhenmysonwasattheUniversityatSalamanca,''andagain,``MysonwillgooutwithDonNicholasdeOvando.''JuanLepe,sittinginabrownstudy,rousedatthat.``Ifyougo,senor,youwillfindgoodmemoriesaroundthenameofLasCasas.''
　　Theyoungmansaid,``Iwillstriveinnowaytodarkenthem,senor.''
　　Hemightbeayearortwotheyoungersideofthirty.
　　Thefather,itwasevident,hadgreatprideinhim,andpresentlyhavingsenthimonsomeerrand——sendinghim,Ithought,inordertobeabletospeakofhim——toldmethathewasverylearned,alicentiate,havingmasteredlaw,theologyandphilosophy.HehimselfwouldnotreturntoHispaniola,butBartolomewishedtogo.Hesighed,``I
　　donotknow.Somethingmakesmeconsent,''andwentontoenlistDoctorJuanLepe'scareifintheislandeveraroseanychancetoaid——
　　Thesonreturned.Therewassomething——JuanLepeknewit——somethinginthefuture.
　　Later,DonFranciscohavinggonetobed,theyoungmanandItalked.Ilikedhimextraordinarily.Iwasnotfarfromtwicehisage,aslittlemancountsage.Buthehadsoulandmind,andwhilethesecountageitisnotintheshort,earthlyway.HeaskedmeabouttheIndians,andagainandagainwecamebacktothat,pacingupanddowninthemoonlightbeforetheSpanishinn.
　　Thenextmorningparting.TheyweregoingtoCordova,Itothesea.
　　ThedovesflewoverthecloisterofLaRabida.Thebellsrang;inthesmallwhitechurchsangthebrothers,thenpacedtotheircellsorawaytotheirworkamongthevines.
　　Priorhadagarden,small,withatreeineachcorner,withastonebenchinthesunandastonebenchintheshade,andthedoveswalkedherealldaylong.AndhereIfoundtheAdelantadowithFrayJuanPerez.
　　TheAdmiralwaswell?
　　Aye,well,andnextmonthwouldcometoSeville.AnewVoyage.
　　Wesatunderthegrapearborandhetoldmemuch,thePriorlisteningforthesecondtime.Thedovescooedandwhirredandwalkedinthesunandshadow.AccordingtoDonBartholomew,halfinhispackwasdarkandhalfwaslight.
　　Ovando?Weheardagainofallthat.Hewasgoingout,DonNicholasdeOvando,withagreatfleet.
　　TheAdelantadopossessedadealofplain,strongsense.
　　``IdonotthinkthatCristoforowilleverruleagaininHispaniola!KingFerdinandhashisownmeasureandgoesabouttoapplyit.TheQueenflinchesnowfromdecisions——
　　Well,whatofit?Afterall,wewerebredtothesea,IhaveanotionthathissonDiego——anableyouth——mayyetbeViceroy.Hehasestablishedhisfamily,ifsobehedoesnotbringdownthestructurebyobstinatingovermuch!
　　Heseesthat,theAdmiral,andnodshisheadandstepsaside.Asfornativeprideanditshurthesalvesthatwithgreatenterprises.Itishisway.Drouth?Frost?Outofbothherises,greenandhopefulasgrassinMay!
　　WhatoftheVoyage?askedJuanLepe.
　　``That'stheenterprisethatwillgothrough.NowthatPortugalandVascodaGamaareactuallyinatthedoor,itbehoovesus——moreandmoreitbehoovesus,''saidBartolomeoColombo,``tofindIndiaofAlltheWealth!SpainnolessthanPortugalwantsthegoldanddiamonds,thedrugsandspices,thefine,thin,paintedcloths,thecarvedivoryandsilverandamber.`Land,land,somuchland!'
　　saysKingFerdinand.`But_wealth_?Itisallout-go!EvenyourCrusadewereabeggarlyCrusade!'''
　　``Ha!Thathurthim!''quothFrayJuanPerez.
　　``SaystheKing.`PedroAlonsoNinohasmadeforusthemostprofitablevoyageofanywhohavesailedfromCadiz.'`FromCadiz,butnotfromPalos,'answerstheAdmiral.''
　　``Ha!Easy'tiswhenhehasshowntheway!''saidFrayJuanPerez.
　　DonBartholomewdrewwiththePrior'sstickinthesandatourfeet.``Heconceivesitthus.HeretothenorthisCuba,stretchingwestwardhowfarnomanknoweth.
　　HeretothesouthisPariathathefound——nomatterwhatOjedaandNinoandCabralhavedonesince!——stretchingwestwardhowfarnomanknoweth,andbetweenisagreatseaholdingJamaicaandwedonotknowwhatotherislands.
　　CubaandPariacurvingsouthandnorthandbetweenthemwheretheyshallcomeclosestsurelyastraitintotheseaofRichIndia!''HedrewCubaandPariaapproachingeachtheotheruntiltherewasspacebetweenlikethespacefromthehornofSpaintothehornofAfrica.``RichIndia——now,now,now——goldonthewharves,canoesofpearls,notcottonandcassava,iswhatwewantinSpain!
　　SotheKingsays,`Verygood,youshallhavetheships,'
　　andtheQueen,`Christhaveyouinhiskeeping,MasterChristopherus!'Sowego.Allhisfuturehangs,heknows,onfindingRichIndia.''
　　``Howsoondowego?''
　　``Assoonashecangettheshipsandthemenandthesupplies.
　　Hewantsonlythreeorfourandnotgreatones.
　　Greatshipsforwarshipsandstoreships,butlittleshipsfordiscovery!''
　　``Aye,Ihearhim!''saidFrayJuanPerez.``September——October.''
　　ButitwasnotuntilMarchthatwesailedonhislastvoyage.
　　CHAPTERXXXVIII
　　THEshipswerethe_Consolacion_,the_Margarita_,the_Juana_andthe_SanSebastian_,allcaravelsandsmallones,the_Consolacion_thelargestandtheflagship.
　　The_Margarita_,thatwastheAdelantado'sship,sailedbadly.
　　Therewassomethingaswrongwithherashadbeenwiththe_Pinta_whenwestartedfromPalosin'92.
　　Themenalltold,crewsandofficersandadventurers,werelessthantwohundred.
　　PedrodeTerreros,BartholomewFiesco,DiegoTristan,FranciscodePorraswerethecaptainsofthecaravelsJuanSanchezandPedroLedesmathechiefpilots.BartholomewFiescoofthe_Consolacion_wasaGenoeseandwhollydevotedtothegreaterGenoese.WehadfornotaryDiegoMendez.
　　Thereweregoodmenuponthisvoyage,andveryboldmen.
　　TheyouthFernandoColonsailedwithhisfather.Hewasnowfourteen,DonFernando,slim,intelligent,obedientandlovingalwaystotheAdmiral.
　　Daysofbrightweather,daysanddaysofthatmarvelousfavorablewindthatblowsoverOcean-Sea.Thetwenty-
　　fifthofMaytheCanariessankbehindus.Onandon,allthesailssteady.
　　WewerenotfirstforHispaniola.Allmustbestrange,thisvoyage!Jamaica,notSanDomingo,wasourstar.
　　Restthereamoment,takefoodandwater,thenforthandaway.Westagain,westbysouth.HewasstraitlyforbiddentodropanchorinanywaterofHispaniola.``Forwhy?''saidthey.``BecausetheverysightofhisshipswilltearasunderagainthatwhichDonNicholasdeOvandoishealing!''
　　The_Margarita_,thatwasnexttothe_Consolacion_ingreatness,sailedsoinfirmlythatmercy'twastheseasweresmooth.Itwastrueaccident.ShehadbeenknownatPalos,CadizandSanLucarforgoodship.ButatErcillawherewemuststopontheSovereigns'business,astormhadbeatenherupontheshorewhereshegotagreatwoundinherside.Thatwasstaunched,butallherframewaswrenchedandsheneverdidwellthereafter.Inmid-JunewecametoanislandoftheCaribswhichtheycalledMantineo.
　　Herewerestedthebetterpartofaweek,keepinggoodguardagainsttheCaribs,thensailed,andnownorthbywest,alongavastcurve,withinaworldofislands.
　　Theyaregreat,theyaresmall,theyareoftheextremestbeauty!SanMartin,Dominica,Guadaloupe,SanJuan——
　　theBoriquenwhencehadcome,longago,thatCatalinawhomGuacanagariaided——anduntouchedat,orunderthehorizon,manyanotherthattheAdmiralhadnamed;_SantaMaria_laAntigua,SantaCruz,SantaUrsula,Montserrat,ElevenThousandVirgins,Marigalanteandallbeside.Whataworld!PlatohisAtlantis.HowtrulyoldweareGodonlyknows!
　　The_Margarita_sailedmostbadly.AtSanJuanthatistheneighborgreatislandtoHispaniola,council,twocouncils,onefollowingtheother.ThensaidtheAdmiral,``WearetofindtheStraitthatshallatlastcarryustoclothedAsiaofalltheechoes,andtofindwehavebutfoursmallshipsandoneofthemevidentlydoomed.Andinthatonesailsmybrother.WhatistheSovereigns'command?`TouchnotonyouroutwardwayatHispaniola!'Whatisintheirmindhere?`Haleandfaringwell,youhavenoneed.'——
　　Butifwearenotbaleandfaringwellbyafourthofourenterprise?Theynevermeantittoadrowningman,oronewhosewatercaskwasempty!BeingChristian,no!
　　WewillputintoSanDomingoandaskofDonNicholasdeOvandoashipinplaceofthe_Margarita_.''
　　Whereatallcheered.Weweregatheredunderpalms,uponafairpointoflandinSanJuanleBautista.Nextdayweweighedanchor,andinpictureSanDomingorosebeforeus.
　　Hefeltnodoubtofdecentwelcome,ofgettinghisship.
　　FifteensailhadgoneoutwithOvando.Turnthecasesaround,andhewouldhavegivenOvandowelcome,hewouldgivehimagoodship.HowmuchmorethenChristopherusColumbus!Theenterprisewascommoninthatallstoodtoprofit.Itwasroyalerrand,worldservice!SohethoughtandsailedinsometranquillityofmindforSanDomingo.
　　ButtheAdelantadosaidinmyear.``Therewillbeavastto-do!MaybeI'llsailthe_Margarita_totheend.''Hewastheprophet!