ItwaslateJune.Hispaniolarose,faint,faint,uponthehorizon.Allcrowdedtolook.There,therebeforeusdwelledcountrymen,fellowmariners,fellowadventurersforthfromtheOldintotheNew!Itwashaven;itwasSpainintheWest;itwasOurColony.
　　TheAdmiralgazed,andIsawthesalttearsblindhiseyes.Hissonwasbesidehim.Heputhishandupontheyouth'sshoulder.``Fernando,thereitis——IfoundandnameditHispaniola!''
　　Theweatherhungperilouslystill,theseaglass.Itwassoclearabove,below,around,thatweseemedtoseebyaddedlight,andyettherewasnomoresunlight.Alltheairhadthinned,itseemed,away.Everysailfellslack.
　　Colorswereslightlyaltered.TheAdmiralsaid,``Thereiscomingagreatstorm.''
　　TheboyFernandolaughed.``Why,father!''
　　``Stillnessbeforetheleap,''saidtheAdmiral.``Quietathomebecausethelegionshavegonetomuster.''
　　Itwashardtothinkit,buttoooftenhaditbeenprovedthathewasinthesecretofwaterandair.NowBartholomewFiescotheGenoesesaid.``Aye,aye!TheysayontheshipsatGenoathatwhenitcametoweather,evenwhenyouwereayoungster,youwerefairnecromancer!''
　　Theskyrestedblue,buttheseabecamegreenoil.Thatnighttherewereallaroundusfieldsofphosphorescence.
　　Aboutmidnightthesevanished;itwasveryblackforallthestars,andweseemedtohearasighingasfromagiantleaguesaway.Thispassed,andthemorningbroke,silentandtranquil,azureskyandazuresea,andnotsosharplyclearasyesterday.Thegreatcalmwindagainpushedus.
　　Hispaniola!Hispaniola!Hermountainsandherpalmsbeforeus.
　　WecoastedtotheriverHaynaandtheSpanishcityofSanDomingo.Threehoursfromsunsetdowninharborplungedouranchors,downrattledoursails.
　　The_Consolacion's_longboatdancedbyherside.TheAdmiralwouldsendtolandbutoneboat,andinitforenvoyPedrodeTerreros,awell-speakingmanandknowntoDonNicholasdeOvando.Terreroswasenvoy,butwithhimtheAdmiralsentJuanLepe,whothroughtheyearsinHispaniolahadtriedtohealthesick,nomatterwhattheirfaction.TheAdmiralstayeduponthe_Consolacion_,theAdelantadouponthe_Margarita_.
　　Theharborwasfilledwithships.Wecountedeighteen.
　　Weguessedthattheywerepreparingforsailing,thelittleboatssocameandwentbetween.Andourentryhadcausedexcitement.Shipandsmallboathailedus,buttothemwedidnotanswer.ThencametowardusfromtheshorealongboatwiththeflagofSpainandinitanofficial.
　　Ourwharf!JuanLepehadleftitsomethingmorethanayearandahalfago.SanDomingowasgrown,manySpaniardshavingsailedforthewestinthattime.Isawstrangersandstrangers,thoughofSpanishblood.WalkingwiththeofficerandhispeopletotheGovernor'shousegavetimeforobservationandswiftthought.Throngwasforming.Onehadearlycriedfromoutit,``That'sthedoctor,JuanLepe!'TistheAdmiraloutthere!''ThatitwastheAdmiralseemedtospread.SanDomingobuzzedliketheairaboutahivethefirstspringday.Fartheron,outpushedaknownvoice.``Welcome,welcome,Doctor!''
　　Ilooked,andthatwasSancho.LuisTorreswasinSpain.
　　IhadseenhiminCadiz.Thecrowdwasthickening——
　　mencamerunning——therewascryandquery.Suddenlyroseacheer.``TheAdmiralandtheAdelantadointheirlittleships!''Atoncecameacounter-shout.``TheGenoese!
　　TheTraitors!''
　　Isaw——Isaw——IsawthattherewassomewisdominKingFerdinand!
　　TheGovernor'shousethatusedtobetheViceroy'shouse.
　　State——state!TheyhadcriedoutupontheGenoese'skeepingit——butDonNicholasdeOvandokeptmore.WhilewewaitedintheantechamberIsaw,outofwindowandthetailofmyeye,filesofsoldierygoby.OvandowouldnothaveriotanddisturbanceiftwentyAdmiralshungintheoffing!Hekeptuswaiting.Hewouldbecoolanddistantandimpregnablebehindtheroyalword.JuanLepesawplainlythatthatlavishandmagnanimouspersonaboardthe_Consolacion_wouldnotmeetherehistwin.TheAdelantadomuststill,Ithought,sailthe_Margarita_.Andyet,lookingatallthings,thatexchangeofshipsshouldhavebeenmade.ASpaniard,wheresoeverfound,shouldhavecried``Aye!''toit.
　　TheGovernor'sofficerwhostillkeptbyuswasnotaversetotalk.Allthosepreparingshipsintheharbor?Why,theywerethereturningfleetthatbroughtDonNicholasin.Sailingto-morrow——hencethehubbubonlandandwater.Theyhadaladingnow!Hegazedamomentatus,andasweseemedsoberfolk,sawnoreasonwhyweshouldnothavethepublicnews.Forthitcamelikewateroutofbottle.Bobadillawasreturning.``Aprisoner?''``Why,hardlythat!Roldan,too.''``Aprisoner?''``Why,notpreciselyso.''Manyoftheoldregime——Bobadilla'sregime——werereturningandRoldanmenlikewise.Invitedtogo,infact,thoughwithnootherharshtreatment.OneoftheshipswouldbepackedwithIndianrebels,Gwarionexamongthem.Chained,allthese.Thenotablethingaboutthefleet,afterallthat,wasthegoldthatwasgoing!A
　　treasurefleet!Bobadilla_had_gatheredgoldforthecrown.
　　Hewastaking,theysaid,asultan'sransom.Hehadonepiecethatweighed,theysaid,fivethousandcastellanos.
　　Roldantoohadgold.AndtheGovernorwassendingnomanknewhowmuch.Morethanthat——''Helookedatus,then,beingakindlysoul,quoth,``Whyshouldn'ttheAdmiralknow?AlonsodeCarvajalhasputonboardthe_SantaClara_fortheAdmiral'sagentinCadizfivethousandpieces——fullydue,astheGovernorhadallowed.''
　　Doorwasopened.``HisExcellencytheGovernorwillseeyounow.''
　　Whytarryoverashortstory?DonNicholasdeOvandopleadedsmoothlytheSovereign'smoststrictcommandwhich_inany_todisobeywereplainmalfeasance!Ashespokehelookeddreamilytowardblueharborandthe_Consolacion_.Andastoaship!Everyship,excepttwoorthree,oldandcrippledandinthehandsofthemenders,nowhitbetteritwascertainthanthe_Margarita_,wasladedandonthepointofsailing.Literallyhehadnone,absolutelynotone!HeunderstoodthatJamaicawasexpresslynamedtotheAdmiralforrestingandoverhauling.Careenthe_Margarita_thereandrectifythewrong——whichhetrustedwasnotgreat.Ifshipshadbeenidleandplentiful——buthecouldnotsplinteranyfromthefleetthatwassailingto-morrow.Hewassorry——andtrustedthattheAdmiralwasinhealth?
　　Terrerossaid,``Hisshipisworseoffthanyouthink,Excellency.Hehasgreatthingstodo,confidedintohishandsbytheSovereignswhotreasurehimwhofoundall.
　　Hereisemergency.MaywecarrytohiminvitationtoenterSanDomingoforanhourandhimselfpresenthiscase?''
　　Butno——butno——butno!Thricethat!
　　TheGovernorrose.Audiencewasover.
　　Fortheresthewascourteous——askedofthevoyage——
　　andoftheAdmiral'snotionoftheStrait.``Agreatman!''
　　hesaid.``AThinker,aSeer.''Hesenthimmessagesofcourtesythree-piled.Andsoweparted.
　　ThiswastheGovernorofwhomonesaidlongafterwards,``Hewasagoodgovernorforwhitemen,butnotforIndians.''
　　Aslifeanddestinywouldhaveit,intheplacewithouttheGovernor'shouseImethimwhowastosayit.TerrerosandIwiththesameescortwereforthewaterside,the_Consolacion's_longboat.Thecrowdkeptwithus,butHisExcellency'ssoldiershelditorderly.YettherewereshoutsandmessagesfortheAdmiral,andforthisoneandthatoneaboardourships.Thencameayoungman,saidawordtotheofficerwithus,andputouthishandtomine.
　　ItwasthatBartolomedeLasCasaswithwhomIhadwalkedthewhiteroad,undermoon,beforetheinnbetweenSevilleandCordova.
　　CHAPTERXXXIX
　　THEAdmiraltookitwithsomeItalianwordsunderbreath.Thenhewheeledandleftthecabin.AminutelaterIheardthemasterfromthe_Consolacion_hailthe_Margarita_thatlaycloseby.``_Margarita_,ahoy!Orders!
　　Claponsailandfollow!''ThetrumpetcriedtotheJuanaandthe_SanSebastian_,``Makereadyandfollow!''
　　Ourmarinersrantomakesail.Butthelongboatwaitedforsomefinalwordthattheysaidwasgoingashore.Terreroswouldtakeit.Weweresoclosethatwesawtheyetwatchingcrowd,wharfandwaterside,andthesunglintinguponOvando'sorder-keepingsoldiery.TheAdmiralcalledmetohim.IreadthelettertotheGovernor,Terreroswoulddelivertoouroldofficer,probablywaitingonthewharftoseeusquiteaway.Theletter——therewasnaughtinitbutthesincerest,gravestwarningthatahurricanewasathand.Agreatone;heknewthesigns.
　　Itmightstrikethisshorelateto-morroworthenextdayorthenext.WhereforehebeggedhisExcellencytheGovernortotarrythefleet'ssailing.Letitwaitatleastthreedaysandseeifhiswordscamenottrue!Elsetherewouldbescatteringofshipsanddestruction——andherestedhisExcellency'sservant._ElAlmirante_.
　　Terreroswent,deliveredthatletter,andreturnedtothe_Juana_.Andoursailsweremadeandouranchorslifted,anditwassunsetandclearandsmooth,andeverypalmfrondofSanDomingoshowed.Eighteenshipsinharbor,andfifteen,theysaid,goingtoSpain,andaroundanduponthemallbustleofpreparation.OnesawinfancyBobadillaandRoldanandGwarionexandthemuchgold,includingthatpieceofvirginoreweighingfivethousandcastellanos.FifteenshipspreparingforSpain,andSanDomingo,ofwhichtheAdelantadohadlaidfirststone,andastrange,green,sunsetsky.Andthe_Consolacion_,the_Margarita_,theJuanaandthe_SanSebastian_awaytothewest,tothesoundofmusic,fortheAdmiralcriedtoourmusicians,``Play,playinGod'sname!''
　　Nightpassed.Morningbroke.Solightwasthewindthattheshorewentbyslowly.Theregatheredanimpatience.
　　``IfwemusttoJamaica,whatuseinfollowingeverycurveofHispaniolathatisforbidus?''Atnoonthewindalmostwhollyfailed,thenafterthreehoursofthisrosewithapouncingsuddennesstoagoodbreeze.Weroundedapointthrongedwithpalms.Beforeusasimilarpoint,andbetweenthetwothatbentgentlyeachtotheother,sleptadeepandnarrowbight.``Enterhere,''saidtheAdmiral.
　　Weanchored.Therewasagainastrangesunset,greenandgoldinthelowerwest,butaboveanarcofcloudsdressedinsaffronandred.Andnowwecouldhear,thoughfromveryfaroff,adeepandlowmurmur,andwhetheritwastheforestortheseaorbothwedidnotknow.Butnowalltheoldmarinerssaidtherewouldbestorm,andweweregladofthelittlebaybetweentheprotectinghorns.
　　TheAdmiralnameditBayofComfort.The_Consolacion_
　　_Margarita_,_Juana_,_SanSebastian_,layunderbaremasts,deepwithinthebight.
　　Thenextday,anhourbeforenoon,arrivedthatkinghurricane.
　　Theyareknownnow,thesestormsofEurope'swestandAsia'seast.TakeallourMediterraneanstormsandheapthemintoone!
　　ThroughthedayouranchorsheldinourBayofComfort,andweblessedourAdmiral.Butatevethe_Margarita_,the_Juana_andthe_SanSebastian_lostbottom,fearedbreakingagainsttherockyshoreandstoodoutforsearoom.The_Consolacion_stayedfast,andatdawnwaswoetoseenoth-
　　ingatallofthethree.Inthehowlingtempestandthequarterlightweknewnotiftheyweresunkorsaved.
　　Withthesecondeveningthehurricanesank;atdawntheseas,thoughrunninghigh,nolongerpushedagainstuslikewhite-manedhorsesofDeath.Wewaitedtillnoon,thentheseabeinglessmountainous,quittedtheBayofComfortandwenttolookforthethreeships.
　　The_Juana_andthe_SanSebastian_wepresentlysightedandrejoicedthereat.Butthe_Margarita_!Wesawhernowhere,andtheAdmiral'sfacegrewgray.HissonFernandopressedclosetohim.``Myuncleisaboldman,andtheysaythesecondseamanintheworld!Let'shopeandhope——andhope!''
　　``Why,aye!''saidtheAdmiral.``I'magoodscholarinhope.ItoldtheminSanDomingotheshipwasnotseaworthy.Whatcaredtheyforthat?Theywerewillingthatallofmynameshoulddrown!Godjudgebetweenus!''
　　The_Juana_camecloseandshoutedthatatevetheyhadseentheAdelantadoingreattrouble,closetoshore.Thencamedownthenightandonceortwicetheythoughttheymadeoutalightbuttheywerenotsure.
　　InthisWesttheweatherafterahurricaneisweatherofheaven.Wecoastedinahighsea,butwithsafetyunderaskyonesapphire,andwitharightwind,——andsuddenly,roundingapalmyheadland,wesawthe_Margarita_ridingsafeinalittlebayliketheBayofComfort.TheAdmiralfelluponhisknees.
　　The_Margarita_wassafeindeedbutwassocrazedaship!
　　The_SanSebastian_,too,wasinbadcase.Hispaniolatruly,butsomeleaguesfromSanDomingo,andasmall,desert,lonelybay!Werestedherebecauserestwemust,andmendedourships.Days——threedays——aweek.TheAdmiralandtheAdelantadokeptourpeopleclosetotheships.
　　TherewasnoIndianvillage,butapartysenttogatherfruitfoundtwoIndiansbiding,watchingfromathicket.
　　These,broughttotheAdmiral,provedtobefromavillagebetweenusandSanDomingo.Theyhadbeeninthattownafterthehurricane.IthaduprootedthegreattreebeforetheGovernor'shouseandthrowndownapartofthechurch.
　　``Hadthefleetsailed?''
　　Yes,itseemed.Thedaybeforethestorm.Butthesemenknewnothingofitsfortunes.HekepttheIndianswithusuntilwesailed,soasnottospreadnewsofwherewewere,thengavethempresentsandletthemgo.
　　Butonthedaywesettosailwedidnotsail,foralongthecoastandintoourbaycameasmallcaravel,goingwithmentoourfortinXaragua.Thecaptain——RuyLopezitwas——metusasawonder,SanDomingohavingheldthatthehurricanemusthavesunkus,theseaswallowedusup.
　　Heanchored,tookhisboatandcametotheAdmiraluponthe_Consolacion_.
　　``senor,Iamgladtoseeyouliving!''
　　``Yes,Ilive,senor.AreyouwellinSanDomingo?''
　　``Wellinbody,butsickatheartbecauseofthefleet.''
　　``Becauseofthefleet?''
　　``Thefleet,senor,wasadayawaywhenthehurricaneburst.Halftheshipsweresplit,lost,sunken!Theothers,broken,returnedtous.OneonlywentontoSpain.Thegoldshipsarelost.Only,theysay,thegoldthatpertainstoyou,goesonsafelyonthatonetoCadiz.GwarionextheIndianisdrowned,andBobadillaandRoldanaredrowned.''
　　CHAPTERXL
　　THEIndianscalleditGuanaja,buttheAdmiral,theIsleofPines.Itwasfar,far,fromHispaniola,far,far,fromJamaica,overawideandstormysea,reachedaftermanydaysofhorribleweather.Guanaja,small,lofty,coveredwithrichtreesamongwhichstoodinnumbersthepineswelovedbecausetheytalkedofhome.Tothesouth,faroff,acrossleaguesofwater,wemadeoutland.Mainlanditseemedtous,stretchingacrossthesouth,losingitselfintheeasternhaze.Theweathersuddenlybecameblissful.
　　WehadsweetrestinGuanaja.
　　AfewIndiansliveduponthissmallisland,like,yetinsomewaysunlikeallthoseweknew.Buttheywererudeandsimpleandtheytalkedalwaysofgods_tothewest_.Wehadrestedaweekwhentherecameatruewondertous_fromthewest_.
　　Thatwasacanoe,ofthemightiestlengthwehadyetseen,longasatalltree,eightfeetwide,noless,withtwenty-
　　fiverowingIndians——tall,lightbronzemen——withcottonclothabouttheirloins.Middleofthisgiantcanoewasbuiltahutorarbor,thatchedwithpalm.Underthissatasplendidbarbarian,tallandstrong,withacrownoffeathersandashortskirtandmantleofcotton.Besidehimsattwowomenwrappedincottonmantles,andattheirfeettwoboysandayoungmaid.Allthesepeopleworegoldenornamentsabouttheirnecks.
　　ItwasinakindofamazethatwewatchedthisdragonamongcanoesdrawneartoandpasstheshipsandtotheshorewherewehadbuiltahutfortheAdmiralandtheAdelantadoandtheyouthFernando,andtosheltertherestofusamanneroflongbooth.Itseemedthatitwasuponaconsiderablevoyage,andwantingwater,putinhere.TheGuanajaIndianscried,``Yucatan!Yucatan!''
　　TheAdmiralsteppeddowntomeetthesestrangers.Hisfaceglowed.HereatlastwasdifferencebeyondthedifferenceofthePariafolk!
　　Wefoundthattheywerearmed,——thenewcomers.
　　Strangelymadeswordsofwoodandflint,lances,lightbucklersand_hatchetsoftruecopper_.Theywerestrongandfearless,andtheyseemedtosay,``Herebeforeusisgreatwonder,butwonderdoesnotsubdueourminds!''
　　Theirlanguagehad,itistrue,theflowandclinkofIndiantongues,yetwasgreatlydifferent.Wehadworktounderstand.Buttheywerepastmastersofgesture.
　　TheAdmiralsentforpresents.Again,thesedidnotravish,thoughthecaciqueandhisfamilyandtherowersregardedwithinterestsuchstrangematters.Buttheyseemedtosay,``Youyourselvesandyourfantastichighcanoesmade,itisevident,ofmanytrees,arethewonder!''
　　Butwe,theSpaniards,searchingnowthroughtenyears——longastheWarofTroy——forAsiainwhichthatTroyandallwealthbesidehadbeenplaced,thoughtthatatlastwehadcomeupontraces.Inthatcanoeweremanyarticlesofcopper,wellenoughwrought;agreatcopperbell,amortarandpestle,hatchetsandknives.MoreoverinYucatanwerepotters!Inplaceoftheeternalcalabashherewerejarsandbowlsofbakedclay,well-made,well-shaped,markedwithstrangepaintedfigures.Theyhadpiecesofcottoncloth,well-wovenandgreatasasail.Surely,withthisstuff,beforelongthenotionofasailwouldariseintheseminds!Wesawcottonmantlesandotherarticlesofdress,bothwhiteandgaylydyedorfigured.ClothingwasnottothemthebruteamazewehadfounditwithoureasternIndians.Mattersenough,strangetoourexperience,werebeingcarriedinthatgreatcanoe.Wefoundtheyhadabread,notcassava,butmadefrommaize,andadrinkmuchlikeEnglishale,andalsoafoodcalledcacao.
　　Gold!Allofthemworegold,disksofit,hangingupontheirbreasts.Thecaciquehadathinbandofgoldacrosshisforehead;togetherwithafilletofcottonitheldthebrightfeathersofhisheaddress.
　　Theytradedthegold——allexceptthecoronalandasunlikeplateuponthebreastofthecacique——willinglyenough.
　　Whence?Whence?
　　ItseemedfromYucatan,onsomeembassytoanothercoastorisland.Yucatan.West——west!AndbeyondYucatanricherstill;oh,greatriches,goldandclothingand——wethoughtitfromtheircontemptuoussignstowardourboothsandtheirfingersdrawnintheair——truehousesandtemples.
　　Fartheron——fartheron——fartherwest!Foreverthathaunting,deludingcry——thecrythathaddeludedsinceGuanahanithatwecalledSanSalvador.Nowmanyofouradventurersandmarinerscaughtfirefromthatcacique'swidegestures.TheAdelantadonoless.``Cristoforo,itlookssatisfactionatlast!''AndtheyoungFernando,——
　　``Father,letussailwest!''
　　TheAdmiralwastryingtocomeatthatStrait.Earnestly,throughJuanLepeandthroughaJamaicanthatwehadwithus,hestrovetogiveandtakelight.Yucatan?WasthereseabeyondYucatan?DidsealikearivercutYucatan?
　　Mightacanoe——mightcanoeslikeours——gobyitfromthisseatothatsea?
　　ButnothingdidwegetsavethatYucatanwasagreatcountrywithseahereandseathere.``ApointofthemainlikeCuba!''saidtheAdmiral.Behindit,tothenorthofit,itseemedtous,thegreatercountrywherewerethegold,therichclothing,thetemples.ButwemadeoutthatYucatanfromseatoseawasmanydays'march.Andasforthecountrybeyondit,thatwenton,theythought,forever.
　　TheycalledthiscountryAnahuacandtheymeantthesamethatyearsafterwardHernandoCortesfound.Butwedidnotknowthis.Wedidnotknowthatstrangepeopleandtheirgreattreasure.
　　TheAdmirallookedouttosea.``Ihavecried,`West——
　　west——west!]througha-manyyears!Yucatan!ButI
　　makeoutnosea-passagethenceintoVascodaGama'sIndiaI
　　AndIamsworntotheQueenandKingFerdinandthistimetofindit.Soit'ssouth,it'ssouth,brotherandson!''
　　So,ourcasksbeingfull,ourfruitgathered,theskyclearandthewindfair,weleftthewesttoothersandsailedtofindthestraitinthesouth.Whenweraisedoursailsthatdragoncanoecriedoutandmarveled.Butthecaciquewiththecoronalaskedintelligentquestions.TheAdmiralshowedhimthewayofit,mastandsparandsailcloth,andhowwemadethewindourrower.Helistened,andatthelasthegaveChristopherus,Columbusforthatinstructionthegolddiskfromhisbreast.Idonotknow——Yucatanmighthavegoneonfromthatanditselfdevelopedtrueship.Ifithadlongenoughtime!ButEuropewasatitsdoors.
　　Thecanoekeptwithusforalittle,thenshoutedtoseethefairbreezefilloursailsandcarryusfromthem.
　　Itwasmid-August.Wecametoalow-lyinglandwithhillsbehind.HerewetouchedandfoundIndians,thoughnonesuchasYucatanseemedtobreed.ItwasSundayandundergreattreeswehadmass,havingwithustheFranciscanPedroofValencia.Fromthisplacewecoastedthreedays,whenagainwelanded.HeretheIndianswereofasavageaspect,paintedwithblackandwhiteandyellowandutteringloudcries.Wethoughtthattheywereeatersofmen'sflesh.Likewisetheyhadacustomofwearingearringsofgreatweight,someofcopper,someofthatmixedgoldwecalledguanin.Soheavyweretheseornamentsthattheypulledtheeardowntomid-throat.TheAdmiralnamedthisplacetheCoastoftheEar.
　　Onwesailed,andon,neveroutofsightoflandtostarboard.
　　Daybyday,alongacoastthatnowasawholebenteastward.Andyetnostrait——nowaythroughintotheseaintowhichpouredtheGanges.
　　CHAPTERXLI
　　THEweatherplaguedus.Therainswerecataracts,thelightningblinding,thethunderloudenoughtowakethedead.Dayafterday,untilthisweathergrewtoseemaveritableWill,aDemonwithagrudgeagainstus.
　　The_Margarita_sailednobetter;shesailedworse.TheAdmiralconsideredabandoningher,takingtheAdelantadouponthe_Consolacion_anddividinghiscrewamongthethreeships.ButtheAdelantado'sprideandobstinacyandseamanshipwereagainstthat.``I'llsailher,becauseSanDomingothinksIcan!''
　　Stormydaysandnights,andtheAdmiralwatching.``The_Margarita_!Ho,lookout!Doyouseethe_Margarita_?''
　　Inthemidstoffoulweathercamefoullybackthegoutthatcrippledhim.Iwouldhavehadhimstayinhisbed.
　　``Icannot!HowdoyouthinkIcan?''Intheendhehadusbuildhimsomekindofshelterupondeck,fasteningthereabenchandlayingapalletuponthis.Here,proppedagainstthewood,coveredwithcloaks,hestillwatchedtheseaandhowwentourshipandtheotherships.
　　Dayafterdayanddayafterday!Creepingeastwardalongabadshore,intheteethofthedemon.Theseas,thewinds,theenormousrainworeusout.Mengrewlarge-
　　eyed.Ifwesleptcameashriekandwakenedus.Wewouldputtoland,butthewindturnedandthrustusoutagain,orwefoundnoharbor.Weseemedtobefixedinoneplacewhiletimerushedbyus.
　　Forecastlebegantosay,``Itisenchantment!''Pres-
　　entlypoopechoedit.TheboyFernandobroughtittohisfather.``AlonsodeZamorraandBernardotheApothecarysaythatdemonsandwitchesareagainstus.''
　　``ThePrinceofthePoweroftheAir!''saidtheAdmiral.
　　``Itmaybe,child!PaynimryagainstChristianity.
　　WehadatouchofthesamequalityonceoffCuba.Butisit,orisitnot,Christianmenshallwin!AndsendmeBartholomewFiesco.Suchtalkisinjury.Itboresmen'scourageworsethanthe_teredo_aship'sbottom!''
　　Wethoughtthefoulweatherwouldnevercease,andourtoilwouldnevercease——thenlo!atthepointofdespairtheskyclearedwithagreatclapoflight,thecoastturnedsharply,sheerlysouth——henamedthegreatcape,CapeGraciasaDios——andweranfreely,Westagain.
　　Cominginthreedaystoawiderivermouth,inweturned.
　　Theshorewasgrownwithreedsthatwoulddoforgiants'
　　staffs.Onmudbankswesawthecrocodile,``cayman''
　　theycallit.Againtheskyhungalow,grayroof;athinwindwhistled,butforallthatitwasdeathlyhot.Seeingnomen,wesenttwoboatswithDiegoMendezupthestream.
　　Theywerenotgoneahalfleague,when,watchingfromthe_Consolacion_wemarkedastrangeandhorridthing.Therecamewithoutwindaswellingofthesea.Ourshipstossedasintempest,andthereenteredtheriverawallofseawater.Meetingtheoutwardpassingcurrent,thereensuedafurywithwhirlpools.Itcaughttheboats.DiegoMendezsavedhis,buttheotherwasseized,tossedandengulfed.
　　Eightmendrowned.
　　Thethingsankasithadcome.TheRiverofDisaster,wenamedit,andleftthisstripofcoastthatseemedtousgloomyandportentous.``_Wizardry!It'snottobelucky,thisvoyage_.''ItwasnowlateSeptember.
　　Nextday,weanchored,itbeingmostclearandbeautiful.
　　Welaybesideaverdurousislet,betweenitandagreenshore.
　　Herewereallourfruits,andwethoughtwesmelledcinnamonandclove.Across,uponthemain,stoodasmallvillage._Cariari_theIndianstherecalledthemselves.Theyhadsomegold,butnottotouchthatcanoefromYucatan.
　　Likewisetheyownedafewcottonmantles,withjarsofbakedclay,andwesawacopperhatchet.Buttheydidnotthemselvesmakethesethings.Theyhaddriftedtothem,wethought,fromapeoplefarmoreskilled.
　　TheAdmiralcried,``Whenandwhenandwhenshallwecometothispeople?''
　　Ianswered,``Itellyouwhatisinmymind,andIhavegotit,Ithink,fromyourinmostmind,outofwhichyouwillnotletitcomeforthbecauseyouhavehadagreattheoryandthinkyoumuststandtoit.Butwhatifthisthatyouhaveunderneathisagreaterone?WhatiftheworldtrulyislargerthanAlfraganusortheancientsthought?
　　Whatifallthisthatwehavefoundsincethefirstislandandthatmeansonlybeginningsofwhatistobefound;
　　whatifitisnotAsiaatall?Whatifitisalandmass,greatasEuropeorgreater,thatnooneknewanythingof?
　　WhatifoverbythesunsetthereisOcean-Seaagain,trueoceanandasmanyleaguestoAsiaastoSpain?WhatiftheycannotleadustoQuinsai,CambalucorZaiton,ortotheGanges'mouth,orAureaChersonesus,becausetheyneverheardofthem,andtheyhavenoshipstopassagainanOcean-Sea?WhatifitisallNew,andallthemapshavetoberedrawn?''
　　HelookedatmeasIspoke,steadilyandearnestly.WhatJuanLepesaidwasnotthefirstentryintohismindofsomethinglikethat.ButhewasheldbythatgreatmassofhimthatwasboundbythethinkingoftheVenerable.
　　Hewasfreefarandfarbeyondmost,buttocertainthingsheclunglikealimpet.``TheEarthlyParadise!''hesaid,andhelookedtowardthatPariathatwethoughtranacrossoursouth.``WhenourfirstparentslefttheEarthlyParadise,theyandtheirsonsanddaughtersandallthepeoplestocomewanderedbyfootintoChaldeaandArabia.Soitcouldnotbe!''Hisblue-grayeyesunderthatgreatbrowandshockofwhitehairregardedthesouth.
　　Thisfaeryisland——theGardenhecalledit——andtheCariariwhocametousfromthemain.Onedaytheysawoneofustakeoutpenandinkhornandwritedowntheiranswerstoourmanyquestions.Behinduslaythebluesea,beforeusthedeepgrovesoftheislet;betweenusandtherichshadestoodgatheredascoreoftheseIndians.Theylookedattheoneseatedonthesand,industriouslymakingblackmarksuponawhitesheet.TheIndianspeakingstoppedshortandputupanarminanattitudeofdefense;
　　anotherminuteandtheyhadallbackedfromusintothewood.Wesawonlyexcited,huddledeyes.Thenonestartedforth,advancingoverthesand,andhehadasmallgourdfilledwithsomepowderwhichhethrewbeforehim.
　　Hescattereditceremoniallybetweenusandhimselfandhisfellows,aslow,measuredritewithmutteredwordsandnowandthenasharp,risingnote.
　　CriedJuanSanchezthepilot,``What'shedoing?''
　　JuanLepeansweredbeforehethought,``Hethinksthenotaryyonderisamagicianandthepenhiswand.Somethingisbeingdonetothem!Counter-magic.''
　　``Thentheyareenchanters!''criedAlonsodeZamorro.
　　Ourgreatclustergaveback.``Fixanarrowandshoothimdown!''ThatwasDiegodePorras.
　　TheAdelantadoturnedsharply.``Donosuchthing!
　　Theremaybespells,buttheworstspellherewouldbeabattle!''Weletflynoarrow,butthebeliefpersistedthatherewasseenveritablyatworkthenecromancythatallalongtheyhadguessed.
　　ApartycrossedtothemainwiththeAdelantadoandpushedaleagueintoastallandthickandshadowyaforestaseverwemetinallourwanderings.Herewefoundnovillage,butcamesuddenly,rightinthewood,uponaverygreatthatchedhut,andinit,uponastone,layinstateadeadcacique.Heseemedlongdead,butthebodyhadnotcorrupted;
　　itwassavedbysomeknowledgesuchashadtheEgyptians.Acrownoffeathersrestedupontheheadandgoldwasabouttheneck.AroundtheplacestoodpostsandslabsofadarkwoodandthesewerecutandpaintedwithIdonotknowwhatofbeastandbirdandmonstrousidolforms.Westared.Theplacewasshadowyandverysilent.AtlastwithanoathsaidFranciscodePorras,``Takethegold!''ButtheAdelantadocried,``No!''andgoingoutofthehutthatwasalmostahouseweleftthedeadcaciqueandhiscrownandmantleandgoldenbreastplate.
　　Twowoodenfiguresatthedoorgrinneduponus.Wesawnowwhatseemedalightbrownpowderstrewedaroundandacrossthethreshold.Oneofourmen,stooping,tookupapinchthendroppedithastily.``Itisthesametheythrewagainstus!''
　　``Wizardry!We'llfindharmfromthemyet!''Thatsongcreptinnowateveryturn.
　　WesailedfromtheGardensouthbyeastalongtheendlesscoastthatnostraitbroke.Atfirstfairweatherranwithus.Butthe_Margarita_wassolame!Andallourothershipswrenchedandworm-pierced.AndtheAdmiralwasgrowingoldbeforeoureyes.Nothismindorhissoulbuthisframe.
　　Hebettered,lefthisbedandwalkedthedeck.AndthenwecametothecoastwecalledtheGoldenCoast,andhishopespreadgreatwingsagain,andifourmarinerstalkedofmagicitwasforatimeglisteningwhite.
　　Gold,gold!Adeepbay,throngedatthemouthwithisletssogreenandfair,theyweremarveltouswhoweresatedwithislandsgreatandsmall.Weenteredunderoverhangingtrees,andoutatoncetousshottwentycanoes.
　　TheIndianswithinworegoldinamountandpurityfarbeyondanythingintenyears.Oh,ourshipscouldscarcecontaintheirtriumph!TheAdmirallookedadreamerwhocomestotheblisscenterinhisdream.Goldwasevertohimsymbolandmystery.Hedidnotlookuponitasabuyerofstrifeandenvy,idlenessandsoftluxury;butasabuyerofcrusades,shipsandships,discoveriesanddiscoveries,andChristtoenterheathendom.
　　Gold!Discsofgreatsize,half-moons,crescentmoons,piercedforacottonstring.Smallgoldenbeastsandbirds,poorlycarvedbutgolden.Theytradedfreely;wegatheredgold.Andtherewasmoreandmore,theysaid,atVeragua,whereverthatmightbe,andsouthandeastitseemedtobe.
　　Veragua!Wewouldgothere.Againwehoistedsailandinourships,nowallunseaworthy,creptagaininabadwindalongthecoastofgold,——CostaRico.Atlastwesawmanysmokesfromtheland.ThatwouldbealargeIndianvillage.Webeattowardit,foundarivermouthandentered.ButVeraguamusthaveheardofusfromaswiftlandtraveler.Whenaboatfromeachshipwouldapproachtheland——itwasintheafternoon,thesunwesteringfast——asuddenburstofamostmelancholyandawfuldincamefromtheforestgrowingclosetowaterside.
　　Oneofourmencried``Wizards!''TheAdmiralspokefromthesternofthelongboat.``Andwhatiftheybewizards?Wemayanswer,`WeareChristians!'''
　　Thefuriousdincontinuedbutnowwewerenearer.``Besides,''
　　hesaid,``thosearegreatshellsanddrums.''
　　Ourrowersheldoff.Outoftheforestontothenarrowbeachstartedseveralhundredshell-blowing,drum-beatingbarbarians,marvelouslyfeatheredandpaintedandwithbowsandarrowsandwoodenswords.
　　Anarrowstuckinthesideofourboat,othersfellshort.
　　TheAdmiralrose,tall,broad-shouldered,thoughleanaswinterwherethereiswinter,withhairaswhiteasmilk.
　　Heheldinhishandastringofgreenbeadsandanotherofhawkbellswhichhemadetoring,buthedidnotdependmoreuponthemthanuponwhatbeheldwithinhimofpowerfulandpacific,Hesenthisvoice,whichbecouldmakedeepasadrumandreachingasoneofthosegreatshells.``Friends——friends!BringingChrist!''
　　Anarrowsangpasthim.Hissonwouldhavedrawnhimdown,but,``No——no!''and``Friends——friends!BringingChrist!''
　　Andwhethertheythoughtthat``Christ''wasthebeadsandthebell,orwhetherthebowmaninhimdidsendovergoodwillandmakeittoentertheirhearts,orwhetheritwassomewhatofboth,theydidsuddenlygrowfriendly.
　　Whereuponwelanded.
　　Gold!Wetookmuchgoldfromthisplace.Oneofourmen,touchedbythesun,satandbabbled.``Oh,thefaithfulgoldencoast!Oh,thegoldthatistocome!Greatgoldenshipssailingacrossbluesea!Ahundred——no,athousand——whatdoIsay?AmillionIndianswithbasketslongandwideontheirbacksandthebasketsfilledwithgold!ThebasketsaresogreatandthegoldsoheavythattheIndiansareboweddowntilltheygoonallfours.Gold,——amountainofpuregoldandeverySpaniardinSpainandafewItalians——goldenkings——''Whenwehadallwecouldget,upsailandon!