Thethrongworkedandputforwardaspokesman,wholookedfromtheAdmiraltotheclearnorth.``Itisthestar,sir!Theneedlenolongerpointstoit!Wethoughtyoumightexplaintousunlearned——Whatwethinkisthatdistanceisgoingtowidenandwiden!What'stokeepneedlefromswingingrightsouth?ThenwillwenevergethometoPalosandourwivesandchildren——neverandneverandnever!''
　　SaidtheAdmiral,``Itwillnotchangefurther,orifitdoesaverylittlefurther!''Inhismostdecisive,mostconvincingvoiceheexplainedwhytheneedlenolongerpointedpreciselytothestar.Thedeviationmarkedandallowedfor,itwasnearenoughforpracticalpurposes,andthereasonsforthewandering——
　　Idonotknowifthewisdomofourdescendantswillconfirmhisexplanation.Itissooftentoexplaintheexplanation!
　　Butoneaswellasanothermightdohere.Whatthe_SantaMaria_wantedwasreassurance,generalandlarge,stretchingfromtheCanariestoIndiaandCathayandbackagain.Heknewthat,andafternogreattimespentwithcompassneedleandcircularlytravelingpolarstar,hebegantotalkgoldandestate,andthepearlsandsilkandspicestheywouldsurelytakeforgiftstotheirfamilyandneighbors,PalosorHuelvaorFishertown!
　　Itwastrulythehopethatupheldmanyonavoyagethattheychosetothinkawitches'one.HetalkednowoutofMarcoPoloandhecladwhatthattravelerhadsaidinmoregorgeousattire.Hemeantnothingfalse;hisexaltedimaginationsawitso.Hewaspainterofgreatpageants,heighteningandremodeling,deepeningandpurifyingcolors,makinghumdrumandworkadayovertohisheart'sdesire.TheVenetianinhisbook,andothertravelersintheirbooks,hadrelatedwondersenough.Thesegrewwithhim,itmightbesaid——andindeedinhislifetimewasoftensaid——intowonderswithoutafootuponearth.Butifonetookasfiguresandsymbolshisgoldroofsandplatters,templesandgardens,everymanamerchantinsilksandspices,strangefruit-droppingtreesandpearlsincarcanets,theGrandKhanandPresterJohn——whocouldsaythatinthelong,patientlifeofTimetheAdmiralwasover-esteeming?Thepityofitwasthatmostherecouldnotliveingreatlengthsoftime.Theywantedrichesnow,now!Andtheywantedonlyonekindofriches;hereandnow,oratthemostinanothermonth,inthehandsandlapsofPedroandFernandoandDiego.
　　CHAPTERXIII
　　THEREgrewattimesanexcitedfeelingthathewasaprophet,andthattherewerefabulouslygreatthingsbeforeus.AsIdoctoredsomesmallillonedayintheforecastle,agreatfellownamedFranciscofromHuelvawouldtellmehisdreamofthenightbefore.Hehadalreadytoldit,itseemed,toallwhowouldlisten,andnowagainhehadconsiderableaudience,crowdingatthedoor.HesaidthathedreamedhewasinCipango.Atfirsthethoughtitwasheaven,butwhenhesawgoldenroofsheknewitmustbeCipango,forinheavenwhereitneverrainedandtherewerenonights,weshouldn'tneedroofs.Oneinterrupted,``We'dneedthemtokeeptheflyingangelsfromlookingin!''
　　``ItwasCipango,''persistedFrancisco,``fortheEmperorhimselfcameandgavemearopeofpearls.Therewerefivethousandofthem,andeachwouldbuyahouseorafinehorseorasuitofvelvet.AndtheEmperortookmebythehand,andhesaid,`DearBrother——'YoumighthavethoughtIwasaking——andbythemass,Iwasaking!
　　Ifeltitrightaway!Andthenhetookmeintoagarden,andtherewerethreebeautifulwomen,andoneofthemwouldpushmetotheother,andthatonetothethird,andthattothefirstagain,asthoughtheywereplayingball,andtheyalllaughed,andIlaughed.Thentherecameagreatpersonwithfivecrownsonhishead,andallthelightblazedupgoldandblue,andsomebodysaid,`It'sPresterJohn'!''
　　Hisdreamkeptatwo-days'serenityupontheship.ItcametotheearoftheAdmiral,whosaid,```IndreamswillIinstructthee.'——Ihavehaddreamsfarstatelierthanhis.''
　　PedroGutierreztoobegantodream,——fantasticthingswhichhetoldwithanidlegusto.Theywereofwineandgoldandwomen,thoughoftentheseweretobeguessedthroughstrange,jumbledmasksandphantasies.``Thoseareilldreams,''saidtheAdmiral.``Dreamstraightandhigh!''
　　FrayIgnatio,too,saidwisely,``ItisnotalwaysGodwhocomethindreams!''
　　ButtheimagesofGutierrez'sdreamsseemedtohimtobeseatedinCathayandIndia.Theybredinhimbeliefthathewascomingtohappinessbythatsearoadthatglisteredbeforeus.HeandRoderigodeEscobedobegantotalkwithassuranceofwhattheyshouldfind.Havingsmallknowledgeoftravelers'talestheymadeapplicationtotheAdmiralwho,nothingloth,answeredthemoutofMarcoPolo,MandevilleandPedrodeAliaco.
　　Buttheardorofhismindwassuchthatheoutwenthisauthors.WheretheVenetiansaid``gold''theGenoesesaid``Muchgold.''Wheretheonesawpowerfulpeopleswiththeirowncustoms,courts,armies,temples,shipsandtrade,theothergavetotheseanunearthlytingeofsplendor.
　　Oftenashesatincabinorondeck,orrisingpacedtoandfro,wewholistenedtohisaccount,listenedtopoetandenthusiastspeakingofearthstocome.BesidesbookslikethoseofMarcoPoloandJohnMandevilleandtheBishopofCambraihehadstudiedphilosophersandtheancientsandScriptureandtheFathers.Hespokeunwaveringlyofprophecies,explicitandmany,ofhisvoyage,andtheroundingoutofearthbyhim,ChristopherusColumbus.Morethanonceortwice,inthegreatcabin,beneaththeswinginglantern,herepeatedtoussuchpassages,hisvoicemakinggreatpoetryofoldwords.``Averroessaith——AlbertusMagnussaith——Aristotlesaith——Senecasaith——SaintAugustinesaith——Esdrasinhisfourthbooksaith——''Saltairsweepingthroughseemedtofallintoadeep,musicalbeatandrhythm.``AfterthecouncilatSalamancawhengreatchurchmencriedIrreligionandevenHeresyuponme,I
　　searchedallScriptureanddrewtestimonytogether.Infifty,yea,inahundredplacesitisplain!KingDavidsaith——jobsaith——Mosessaith——ThusitreadsinGenesis——''
　　DiegodeAranasmotethetablewithhishand.``Iamyours,senor,tofindfortheLord!''FrayIgnatiolifteddarkyes.``Iwellbelievethatnothinghappensbutwhatischosen!IwilltellyouthatinmycellatLaRabidaIheardacry,`Comeover,IgnatiotheFranciscan!'''
　　AndI,listening,thought,``Notperhapsthatancientspiritualsingingofspiritualthings!Butintruth,yes,itischosen.DidnottheWholeofMethatIcansodimlyfeelsetmyfootuponthisship?''AndgoingoutondeckbeforeIslept,Ilookedatthestarsandthoughtthatwewereliketheinfantinthewombthatknowsnothownorwhereitiscarried.
　　WemightbefourhundredleaguesfromSpain.Stillthewinddroveus,stillwehardlyshiftedcanvas,stilltheskyspreadclear,ofavastbluedepth,andtheblueglassplainofthesealaybeneath.Itwastoosmooth,thewindinourriggingtoochangelessoftune.Atlast,allwouldhavehadvarietyspring.Therebeganaveritablehungerforsomechange,anditwaspossibletofeelafainthorror.
　　_Whatifthisisthehorror——togoonforeverandeverlikethis_?
　　Thenonemorningwhenthesunrose,itlitanovelthing.
　　Seaweedorgrassorherbageofsomesortwasafloataboutus.Farastheeyemightreachitwaslikeadrownedmeadow,vari-colored,awash.Allthatdaywewatchedit.
　　Itcametowardusfromthewest;weranthroughitfromtheeast.Nowitthinnedaway;nowitthickeneduntilitseemedthattheseawasstrewnwithrusheslikeacastlefloor.Withoarswecaughtandbroughtintoshipwreathsofit.Allnightwesailedinthisstrangeplain.Ayellowdawnshoweditstilloneithersidethe_SantaMaria_,andthicker,withfewerblueseastraitsandpassesthanonyesterday.
　　ThePintaandtheNinastoodoutwithastrange,enchantedlook,asshipscrossingaplainmorevastthantheplainofAndalusia.Stillthatfloatingweedthickened.Thecrownedwomanatourprowpushedswathesofittoeitherside.Ourmarinershungoverrail,talking,talking.``Whatisit——andwherewillitend?Mayhappresentlywecannotploughit!''
　　Itwasagainandagaintoadmirehowforfortyyearshehadstoredsea-knowledge.Itwasnotonlywhatthosegrayeyeshadseen,orthoseratherlarge,wellmoldedearshadheard,orthatpowerfulandnervoushandhadtouched.
　　Butheknewhowtotake,rightandleft,knowledgethatothersgathered,asheknewthatotherstookandwouldtakewhathegathered.Heknewthatknowledgeflows.
　　NowhestoodandtoldthatnolessamanthanAristotlehadrecordedsuchahappeningasthis.CertainshipsofGades——thatisourCadiz——drivenbyagreatwindfarintoRiver-Ocean,mettheseweedsorotherslikethem,distantparentsofthese.Theywerelikefloatingislandsforeverchangingshape,andthoseoldshipssailedamongthemforawhile.Theythoughttheymusthavebrokenfromseafloorandrisentosurface,andcurrentsbroughtothermassesfromland.Tunnyfishwerecaughtamongthem.
　　Andthatverymoment,astheendlesspossibilitiesofthingswouldhaveit,one,leaningontherail,criedoutthatthereweretunnies.Wealllookedandsawtheminaclearcanalbetweentwofloatingmasses.ItbroughttheAdmiralcredence.``Lookyouall!''hesaid,``howmostthingshavebeenseenbefore!''
　　``ButFatherAristotle'sship——Washe`Saint'or`Father'?''
　　``Hewasaheathen——hebelievedinMahound.''
　　``No,helivedbeforeMahound.Hewasawiseman——''
　　``ButhisshipsturnedbacktoCadiz.Theywereafraidofthisstuff——that'sthepoint!''
　　``Theyturnedback,''saidtheAdmiral.``Andthesplendorandthegoldwerekeptforus.''
　　Athickercarpetofthestuffbrushedshipside.Oneoftheboyscried,``Ho,thereisacrab!''Itsatindeedonacriss-crossofbrokenreeds,anditseemedtostareatussolemnly.``Donotallseethatitcamefromland,andlandtothewest?''
　　``Butitiscaughthere!Whatifwearecaughtheretoo?
　　Theseweedsmaystemus——turngreatcrabpincersandholdustillwerot!''
　　``If——andif——andifcriedtheAdmiral.``ForChrist,Hissake,laughatyourselves!''
　　On,on,wewentbeforethatwarmandpotentwind,sosteadfastthattheremustbecontrollingitsomenaturallaw.
　　Ocean-Seaspreadaround,withthatweedlikeamarshatspringtide.Then,suddenly,justasthemurmuringfactionwasmurmuringagain,weclearedallthat.Opensea,bluerunningocean,endlesslyendless!
　　Thetoo-steadysunshinevanished.Therebrokeacloudydawnfollowedbylightrain.Itceasedandtheskycleared.
　　Butinthenorthheldamistandakindofsemblanceoffar-
　　offmountains.Startled,amancried``Land!''butthenextmomentshowedthatitwascloud.Yetalldaythemisthunginthisquarter.The_Pinta_approachedandsignaled,andpresentlyovertousputherboat,initMartinPinzon.TheAdmiralmethimashecameupoversideandwouldhavetakenhimintogreatcabin.But,no!MartinPinzonalwaysspokeout,beforeeverybody!``Senor,thereislandyonder,underthenorth!Shouldnotwechangecourseandseewhatisthere?''
　　``Itiscloud,''answeredtheAdmiral.``ThoughIdonotdenythatsuchahazemaybecrying,`Landbehind!'''
　　``Letussailthennorth,andsee!''
　　ButtheAdmiralshookhishead.``No,Captain!West——west——arrowstraight!''
　　Pinzonappearedabouttosay,``Youareverywrong,andweshouldseewhat'sbehindthatarras!''Buthecheckedhimself,standingbeforeAdmiralandDonandViceroy,andallthoselisteningfacesaround.``Istillthinkhebegan.
　　Theothertookhimup,butkeptconsiderate,almostdeferringmanner.``Yes,ifwehadtimeorshipstospare!
　　Butnowitis,donotstrayfromthepath.Sailstraightwest!''
　　``WearefivehundredleaguesfromPalos.''
　　``Lessthanthat,byourreckoning.ThefurtherfromPalos,thenearerIndia!''
　　``Wemaybepassingbyoursalvation!''
　　``Oursalvationliesingoingaswesetforthtogo.''Hemadehisgestureofdismissalofthat,andaskedafterthehealthofthe_Pinta_.Thehealthheld,butthestoresweregrowinglow.Biscuitenough,butbaconalmostout,andnotsomanymeasuresofbeansleft.Oil,too,approachedbottomofjars.TheNinawasinthesamecase.''
　　``Foodandwaterwilllast,''saidtheAdmiral.``Wehavenotcomesofarwithoutsafelygoingfarther.''
　　MartinAlonsoPinzonwastheyoungermanandbutcaptainofthePinta_,whiletheotherstoodDonandAdmiral,appointedbyMajesty,responsibleonlytotheCrown.
　　ButhehadbeenMasterChristopherusthedreamer,whowasshabbilydressed,owedmoney,almostbegged.HeowedlargemoneynowtoMartinPinzon.ButforthePinzons,hecouldhardlyhavesailed.Heshouldlistennow,takegoodadvice,thatwasclearlywhatthecaptainofthe_Pintathought!UndoubtedlyMasterChristopherusdreamedtruetoacertainpoint,butafterthatwasnotsofollowable!
　　AsforCristoforoColombo,Italianshipmaster,hehad,itwastrue,oldseawisdom.ButMartinPinzonthoughtMartinPinzonwasasgoodthere!——CaptainMartinAlonsosaidgood-bywithsomehaughtinessandwentstifflybackoverblueseatothePinta.
　　Thesundescended,theseagrewviolet,allweonthe_SantaMaria_gatheredforvesperprayerandsong.FrayIgnatio'srobeandback-throwncowlburnedbrownagainsttheseaandthesail.OnelastbroadgoldshaftlightedthetallAdmiral,histhickwhitehair,hiseaglenose,hisstrongmouth.DiegodeAranawasbig,alertandsoldierly;RoderigoSanchezhadthelookofalcaldethroughhalfalifetime.
　　IhadseenRoderigodeEscobedo'slikeindarkstreetsinFranceandItalyandCastile,andPedroGutierrezwhereverwasacourt.JuandelaCosa,themaster,stoodakeenman,thinasastring.OutofthecrowdofmarinersIpickSanchoandBeltranthecook,Ruizthepilot,WilliamtheIrishmanandArthurtheEnglishman,andtwoorthreeothers.AndLuisTorres.Thelatterwasathinker,andaJewinblood.Hecarrieditinhisface,considerablymoremarkedlythanIcarriedmygrandmotherJudith.ButhisfamilyhadbeenChristianforahundredyears.BeforeIleftforecastleforpoopIhaddiscoveredthathewaslearned.WhyhehadturnedsailorIdidnotthenknow,butafterwardsfoundthatitwasfordisappointedlove.HeknewArabicandHebrew,AristotleandAverroes,andhehadadrycuriosityandzestforlifethatmadeforhimthewonderofthisvoyagefaroutweighthedanger.
　　TherewasahymnthatFrayIgnatiotaughtusandthatwesangattimes,besidetheLatinchant.Hesaidthatabrotherofhisconventhadwrittenitandsetittomusic.
　　Thouthatartaboveus,Aroundus,beneathus,Thouwhoartwithinus,Saveusonthissea!
　　Outofdanger,TeachushowwemayServetheeacceptably!
　　TeachushowwemayCrownourselves,crowningThee!
　　Beltranthecook'svoicewasthebest,andafterhimSancho,andthenasailorwithagreatbass,WilliamtheIrishman.FrayIgnatiosanglikeagoodmonk,andPedroGutierrezlikeatroubadourofnogreatweight.TheAdmiralsangwithapowerfulandwhathadoncebeenasweetvoice.Currentsandeddiesofsweetnessmarkeditstill.
　　Allsanganditmadetogetheragreatandpleasurablesound,rollingovertheseatothe_Pinta_andtheNina,andsotheirsinging,somewhatlessinvolume,cametous.Allgrewdusk,theshipswerebatwingssailinglow;outsprangthestartowhichtheneedlenolongerpointed.ThegreatstarVenushunginthewestlikethelanternofsomeghostlyairship,veryvast.
　　Thouthatartaboveus,Aroundus,beneathus,Thouthatartwithinus,Saveusonthissea!
　　CHAPTERXIV
　　WEwerealong,longwayfromSpain.Aflightofbirdswentoverus.Theywereflyingtoohighfordistinguishing,butwedidnotholdthemtobeseabirds.Wesounded,buttheleadtouchednobottom.Westandwestandwest,pushedbythatwind!LateSeptember,andwehadleftPalosthethirdofAugust.
　　Thewindshiftedandbecamecontrary.Theseathatforsolonghadbeenglassysmoothtookonaroughness.
　　Abirdthatwassurelyaforestbirdbeatentouspercheduponastretchedropeandutteredthreequickcries.A
　　boyclimbedandsoftlytookitfrombehind.ItflutteredintheAdmiral'stwohands.Allcametolook.Itsplumagewasblue,itsbreastreddish.Wewondered,butbeforewecouldmakeitacage,itstronglystroveandwasgone.Oneflashandalltheazuretookittoitself.
　　Inthenightthewavesflattened.Rose-dawnshowedsmoothseaandeverysailfilledagainwiththatwestwardjourneyingwind.Yesterday'sroughnessandthebirdtossedaboardwereasadream.
　　Adayandadayandaday.AsmuchOcean-Seaasever,andAsiaalie,andalikeatthisendandthatofthevesseladulldespondency,andPedroGutierrez'switgrownugly.Sonaked,solonely,soindifferentspreadtheSeaofDarkness!
　　Anotherdayandanotherandanother.Whenhalftheshipwasatthepointofmutinysignsreappearedandthickened.
　　Birdsflewovertheships;oneperchedbesidetheAdmiral'sbannerandsang.Morethanthat,awooddovecameuponthedeckandatecornthatwasstrewedforit.
　　``Colombo——Colombo!''quoththeAdmiral.``I,too,am`dove.'`_Andheopenedawindowandsentfortha``dove''
　　tofindiftherewereland!_'''
　　AlmostthewholeshipfromJasondowntookthesetwobirdsforportents.FrayIgnatioliftedhands.``TheBlessedFranciswhoknewthatbirdshavesoulstosavehathsentthem!''Wepassedthedriftingbranchofatree.Ithadgreenleaves.Thesearanextremelyblueandclear,andhalftheshipthoughttheysmelledfrankincense,broughtonthewindswhichnowwerechangeable.Ateveningroseagreatcryof``Land!''andindeedtoonesidethesinkingsunseemedveritablecliffswithasinglemountainpeak.TheAdmiral,whoknewmoreofseaandairthananytwomenuponthoseships,cried``Cloud——cloud!''
　　butforatimenonebelievedhim.Therespranggreatcommotion,the_Pinta_toosignaling.Thenbeforeoureyescameariftinthemountainandthecliffsslippedintothesea.
　　Butnowallbelievedinlandahead.Itwasasthoughsomeonehadwithlaughtertossedthemthatassuranceoverthehorizonstraightbeforeus.Everymarinernowwasemuloustobethelookout,everymankepteyesonthewest.
　　NowsprangclearandrealtothemtheroyalpromiseoftenthousandmaravediespensiontohimwhofirstsightedCipango,CathayorIndia.TheAdmiraladdedaprizeofagreenvelvetdoublet.
　　Wehadcomenigheighthundredleagues.
　　Inthecabin,uponthetablehespreadToscanelli'smap,andbesideitagreatonelikeit,ofhisownmaking,signedinthecorner_ColumbusdeTerraRubra_.Thedepictionwasofacircle,andintherightoreasternsideshowedthecoastsofIrelandandEngland,France,SpainandPortugal,andofAfricathatportionofwhichanythingwasknown.OutinOceanappearedtheislandsgainedinandsincePrinceHenry'sday.Theirnameswerewritten,——Madeira,Canaria,CapedeVerdeandAzores.WestoftheseandfillingthemiddlemapcameOcean-Sea,anopenparchmentfieldsaveforhereapictureofagreatfish,andhereasirenandhereTriton,andheretheIslandoftheSevenCitiesandhereSaintBrandon'sIsle,andthesenoneknewiftheyberealormagical!WidemiddlemapandRiver-Ocean!Theeyequittingthatgreatvoidapproachedtheleftorwesternsideofthecircle.Andnowagainbeganislandsgreatandsmallwithlegendswrittenacrossandaroundthem.ThegreatislandwasCipango,andacrosstheextentofitraninfinelettering.``MarcoPolowashere.Itistherichestoftheeasternlands.Thehousesareroofedwithgold.Thepeopleareidolaters.Therearespicesandpearls,nutmegs,pepperandpreciousstones.Verymuchgoldsothatthecommonpeopleuseitastheywish.''
　　Weread,theAdmiralseated,we,thegreatcabingroup,standing,bendingoverthetable.Aftertheislandscamemainland.``Cathay''ranthewriting.``Mangi.HereistheseatoftheGreatKhan.HiscityisCambalu.''Southofallthisranotherdrawingsandotherlegends.``Here,oppositeAfrica,neartheequator,areislandscalledManillas.
　　Theyhavelodestone,sothatnoshipwithironcansailtothem.HereisJavaofallthespices.HereisgreatIndiathattheancientsknew.''
　　``WearebearingtowardCipango,''saidtheAdmiral.``I
　　lookfirstforsmalloutwardislands,whereperhapsthefolkareuncouthandsimple,andthereislittlegold.''
　　Andagaindayspassed.Whenmanytimesuponthe_SantaMaria_andasoftenonthe_Pinta_andthe_Nina_someonehadcried``Land!''andtheshipsbeenputincommotionandthelandmeltedintoairbeforeoureyes,andanotherasplausibleislandorcoastformedbeforeusonlytovanish,despairseizedusagain.Witchcraftandsorceryandmonstrousignorance,andfooledtoourdeaths!''West——
　　west——west!''tillthewestwashated.ThePinzonsthoughtweshouldchangecourse.Iftherewerelandswewereleavingtheminthenorthwherehungthehaze.ButtheMadmanortheBlackMagician,ourItalianAdmiral,wouldnotheargoodadvice!ItwasGutierrez'sword,underhisbreathwhentheAdmiralwasinearshot,andaloudwhenhewasnot.``OurItalian——ourItalian!WhydidnotItalykeephim?AndPortugalneitherwouldhavehim!
　　Castile,thejade,takeshimup!''
　　Thenafterabsencebeganagainthesigns.Flocksofbirdswentbyus.Isawhimwatching,andtrulytheseflightsdidseemtocomefromsouthofwest.OntheseventhofOctoberhealteredcourse.Wesailedsouthwest.Thisdaytherefloatedbyabranchwithpurpleberries,andwesawflyingfish.Dolphinsplayedabouttheship.Theveryseafeltwarmtothehand,andyetwasnooppression,butlightandeasilybreathedair,fragrantandliftingthespirits.
　　Andnowwesawfloatingsomethinglikeanarrowboardorawidestaff.Themasterorderedtheboatlowered;webroughtitinanditwasgivendrippingintotheAdmiral'shand.``Itiscarvedbyman,''hesaid.``Look!''Trulyitwasso,rudelydonewithboneorflint,butcarvedbymanwithsomethingmeantforapictureofabeastandatree.
　　Wesailedwestbysouththisdayandthenext.Nomoreman-wroughtdriftagecameourway,butothersignsmultiplied.
　　Wesawmanybirds,thewaterwasstrangelywarmandclear,whenthewindblewtowardusithadascent,atone,thatcriedlandbreeze!Thencamebyabranchwithyellowflowers,andupononeabutterfly.Afterthisnonedoubted,notFernandonorany.``Goldflowers——
　　goldflowers——gold,gold!''
　　Thisnightwelaybysothatweshouldnotslippastlandinthedarkness.Whendaycamethereshowedhazesouthandwest.Agentlewindsanginourrigging.Onboardthe_SantaMaria_,thePintaandtheNinaallwatchedforland.Excitementandrestlessnesstookusall.TheAdmiral'seyesburnedlikedeepgrayseas.Icouldreadinthemtheimagesbehind._PresterJohnandtheReleaseoftheSepulchre.TheGrandKhanatributaryPrince.Argosiesofgold,silkandspices,sailingsteady,sailingfastoverawaterwayunblockedbyMahoundandhissoldans.AllEuropeburningbright,risingarichQueen.HolyChurchwith_
　　_anothercubittoherstature.ChristopherusColumbus,theDiscoverer,theEnricher,theDeliverer!QueenIsabella,andonhercheeksaflushofgratitude;alltheSpanishcourtbowinglow.Allthefriends,thekindred,allsoblessed!Sons,brothers;Genoa,andDomenicoColombocladinvelvet,diningwiththeDoge_.
　　Dolphinswereallaboutus;oncethereroseacryfromthemarinersthattheyheardsingingoverthewaves.Weheldbreathandlistened,butiftheyweresirenstheyceasedtheirsong.Butateve,theskypalegold,thewaterasapphirefield,weourselvessangmightilyour``_SalveRegina_.''
　　TheAdmiralwouldspeaktous.Nowalllovedhim,withgoldenIndiarisingto-morrowfromthesea,withhiswisdomprovingitself!Hehadthiseveathrillingvoice.
　　Godhadbeengoodtous;whocouldsayother?Thisveryeve,atPalos,theythoughtofus.AtSantaMariadelaRabida,chantingvesperhymn,theyprayedforusalso.
　　InCordovatheQueenprayed.InRome,theHolyFatherhadusinmind.Wouldwelessenourselves,disappointingsomany,andveryGod,grievingveryChrist?''No!Butoutofthisshipweshallsteponthislandtocome,goodmen,truemen,servantsandsonsofChristinHiskingdom.
　　Thisnight,inIndiabeforeus,mensigh,`Wewearyofouridols!WhytarriethtrueGod?'Therethelearnedthink,bendingovertheirmaps,`Whydothnotsomeoneputforth,bringingallthelandsintoonegarland?'Theylooktotheireastwhencewecome,andtheymayseeindreamto-
　　nightthesethreeships!''Hisvoicerang.``ItellyoutheseThreeShipsshallbeknownforever!Yourgrandchildren'sgrandchildrenshallsay,`The_SantaMaria_,thePintaandtheNina——andonethatwasourancestorsailedinthisoneorinthatone,tothegloryandgainoftheworld,whereforewestillmakefestivalofhisbirthday!'''
　　Atthistheystirred,whetherfromPalosorHuelvaorFishertown.Theylookedathimnowasthoughindeedheweregreatmage,orevenapostle.
　　ThateveningIheardRoderigodeEscobedoatanenumeration.
　　HeseemedtohavecommittedtomemorysomeVenicelist.``Mastic,aloes,pepper,cloves,maceandcinnamonandnutmeg.Ivoryandsilkandmostfinecloth,diamonds,balasses,rubies,pearls,sapphires,jacinthandemeralds.
　　Silverinbulkandgoldcommonasironwithus.
　　Gold——gold!''
　　PedroGutierrezwasspeaking.``GoldtocarrytoSpainandpaymydebts,withenoughlefttogoagaintocourt——''
　　SaidEscobedo,``TheAdmiralsaith,`Nofraudnorviolence,quarrelingnoroppression'!''
　　Gutierrezanswered:``TheAdmiralalsothinkstopayhisdebts!HemaythinkhewillbestrictastheSaints,buthewillnot!''
　　TheAdmiralwaswalkingthedeck.HestoppedbesideJuanLepewholeanedupontherailandwatchedastrange,glisteringsea.Itwasthatshiningstuffweseeattimesatnightincertainweather.Butto-nightLuisTorres,passing,hadsaid,``Strewnducats!''
　　TheAdmiralandJuanLepewatched.``Neverasail!
　　saidI.``Howstrangeathingisthat!Greatpopulouscountriesthattradeamongthemselves,andneverasailonthissearim!''
　　Hedrummedupontherail.``DonotthinkIhavenotthoughtofthat!Ilookedtomeetfirstashiporships.
　　ButnowIthinkthattrulytheremaybemanyoutlyingislandswithoutships.Ortheremaybeawarbetweenprinces,andallshipsdrawninafleettonorthorsouth.
　　Onebeatsone'sbrains——andtimebringsthesolution,andwesay,`Howsimple!'''
　　Turninghisgreatfigure,hemountedtoourcastlebuiltupfromdeck,whencehecouldseegreatdistances.Thewindhadfreshened;wewerestandingtothewest;itwasbehindusagainanditpusheduslikeashuttleinagiant'shand.Thenightwasvioletdarkandwarm;thenattenthemoonrose.Menwouldnotsleepwhiletheshipsailed.
　　Agreateventwasmarching,marchingtowardus.Wethoughtwecaughtthemusicofit;anymomentheralds,banners,mightflameatendofroad.WewerewatchingfortheMarriageProcession;wewerewatchingforKings,forthePope,forIknownotwhat!Buttherewascertaintobelargesse.
　　Iwentamongthemariners.Sanchometme,ayoungmanwhomthenandafterwardsIgreatlyliked.``Well,we'vehadluck,senor!SaintNoahhimself,sayI,wasn'tanyluckier!''
　　``Yes,we'vedonewell!''
　　Beltranthecook'sgreateasyvoicerolledin.``Fear'syouronlybarnacle,sayI!''
　　LuisTorressaid,``WhenIstudiedArabicandtheHebrew,Ithoughtitwasforthepleasureofit.Theysaidaroundme,`Howyouwasteyourtime!'ButnowsomeabouttheGrandKhanshouldknowArabic.Iwillbeofuse.''
　　Pedrosaid,``Well,ithasturnedoutbetterthananyreasonablemancouldhaveexpected!''andFernando,``Yes,ithas!Ofcoursetheremaybewitches.I'vehearditsaidtherearegreatnecromancersinIndia!''
　　``Necromancers!That'sthemthatshowyouathingandthenblowitaway——''
　　Isaid,``Doyounotknowthatallofusaretheonlynecromancers?''
　　``Didyousee,''askedSancho,``theglisteringinthewater?Arewegoingtolietoaftermidnight?SaintGeorge!Iwouldliketoplungeinandswim!''
　　Onpoopdeck,DiegodeAranacalledmetohim.``Well,Doctor,howgoesit?''HeandIrestedgoodfriends.I
　　said,``Why,itgoeswell.''
　　``Iwasthinking,watchingthemoon,howlittleIeverdreamed,beingnosea-goingman,ofsuchathingasthis.
　　Whoknowshisfate?Aman'sastrangematter!''
　　``Heisaballad,''Ianswered.,``Onestaveleadstoanotherandthestorymounts.''
　　``Icannotthinkwhatto-morrowmayshowus!''
　　``NorcanI!Butitwillbeimportant.Weenterbyanarrowstraitgreatwidthsofthefuture.''
　　``Therewillbegreatchanges,doubtless.Ourworldisgrowinglittle.Everybodyfeelsthatwemustpushout!
　　Itisn'tonlySpain,butallkingdoms.''
　　PedroGutierrezjoinedus.``Youarealearnedman,Doctor!WhatlikearethewomenofCipango?''
　　Themoon,pastthefullyetstrongenoughtosilverthisvastshield,rosehigher.Thesailsofthe_Pinta_andtheNinawerecurvesofpearl,oursailsaboveuspalemountains.
　　Thelightdimmedourlanterns.CrownedwomanatourprowwouldbebathedinitassheranacrossOcean-
　　Sea.Itwashedourdecks,prickedoutourmovingmen.
　　Theycastshadows.Themasterhadservedoutanextradraughtofwine.Itwashardlyneeded.Wewerealllifted,withvisionsdrumminginourheads.FrayIgnatiostoodagainstthemast,andIknewthathefeltapulpitandwasmakinghissermon.Afteratime,DiegodeAranaandPedroGutierrezmovingaway,Iwasalone.Mindandhearttranquilized,andintothemsteppedIsabel,andsheandI,handinhand,walkedfieldsofthewest.
　　Themoonshone.TheAdmiral'svoicecamefrom,aboveuswherehewatchedfromthecastle.``Comeuphere,oneortwoofyou!''Gutierrezwasnearesttheladder.HemountedandIafterhim,andwestoodoneoneitherhandtheAdmiral.Hepointedsouthofwest.``Alight!''Hisvoicewasanocean.``Itisasitshouldbe.I,ChristopherusColumbus,havefirstseentheShoreofAsia!''
　　Wefollowedhisextendedhand.Clearundersailwesawit,dimmedbythemoon,butevident,alightasitwereofafireonabeach.DiegodeArana,cameupalsoandsawit.Itwas,wethought,morethanaleagueaway,alightthatmustbeonlandandmadebyman.Itdwindled,outitwentintonightandthereranonlyplainsilver.Wewaitedwhileamanmighthaveswamfromustothe_Pinta_,thenforthitstartedagain,redstarthatwasnostar.Someonebelowuscried,``Ho,look!''TheAdmiralraisedhisvoice,itrangovership.``Aye!Isawitatimeago,haveseenitthrice!I,theAdmiral,sawfirst.''Menwerecrowdingtothesidetolook,thenitwentoutasthoughawavehadcreptupanddrenchedit.Wegazedandgazed,butitdidnotcomeagain.
　　Itmighthavebeennotland,butasmallboatafire.Butthatisnotprobable,andweuponthe_SantaMaria_heldthattoseeburningwoodonshore,thoughnaughtshowedofthatshoreitself,wastrulyfirsttoview,firstofallofus,thatlandwesought.Hedidnotcareforthetenthousandmaravedies,buthecaredthatitshouldbesaidthatGodshoweditfirsttohim.
　　Thewindpushedusonwiththeflatofagreathand.
　　Midnightandaftermidnight.Atthesightofthatflameweshouldhavefiredourcannon,butforsomereasonthiswasnotdone.Nowthesilversilencebeyondtheshipwastornacrossbythe_Pinta's_gun.Shefired,thencamenearus.``Land!Land!''Nowwesawitunderthemoon,justliftingabovethesea,——lonely,peaceful,dark.
　　Itwasmiddlenight.TheSantaMaria,thePintaandtheNinawentanotherleague,thentookinsailandcametoanchor.
　　CHAPTERXV
　　THEAdmiralsetawatchandcommandedallbesidetosleep.To-morrowmightbeworkandwakefulnessenough!Theshipgrewsilent.Withthe_Pinta_
　　andtheNinaitlayunderthemoon,andallaroundwassilverwater.
　　Hedidnotsleepthisnight,Iamsure.Atalltimeshewasaprovidentandwakefulseakingwhoknewhisshipthroughandthrough.Hishabitwaslightsleepandnotmanyhoursofthat.Hestudiedhisbooksatnightwhileothersslept.Lyinginhisbed,witheyesopenoreyesshut,hewatchedforminthedarknesslandsacrosssea.
　　ThisnightsofarfromEuropepassed.Thesenseofdayathandwrappedus.Intheeastaroseacool,asternandindifferentpallor.Itchanged,itflushed.Wecarriedinthe_SantaMaria_acockandhens.Cockcrew.
　　ChristopherusColumbushadItalianloveforfit,harmoniousnotingofvastevents.ThismorningthetrumpeteralsooftheSantaMariawakedthosewhoslept.TheclearandjoyfulnoteswereheardbythePintaandthePinta,too,answeredwithmusic.TheNinatookitfromher.Beltranthecookandhishelpersgaveusastatelybreakfast.TheAdmiralcameforthfromhiscabininadressthataprincemighthaveworn,crimsonandtawny,andaroundhisthroatagoldenchain.Farandnearrushedintolight,forintheselandsandseasthedawnmakesnotarrying.Itisalmostnight,thenwithagreatclapoflightitisday.
　　Wehadvoyaged,allthought,toAsiaoveranuntroddenway.Everyeyeturnedtoland.Nothaze,notdissolvingcloud,notamagicnothinginthethought,butland,land,solid,palpable,likePalosstrand!Hadweseenagreatportcity,hadweseenshipscrowdingharbor,hadweseenacitadelonsomeheight,armedandfrowning,hadwemarkedtemplesandpalacesandbannersafloatinthisdivinecoolwindofmorning,manyaboarduswouldhavehadnownosurprise,wouldhavecried,``Ofcourse,Ireallyknewit,thoughforthefunofitIpretendedotherwise!''
　　Butothersamonguscouldnotexpectsuchasthisafterthequietnight;nolightbeforeussavethatonesosoonquenched,nostirofboatatallorlargeorsmall;anunearthlyquiet,alowlandstillasasleepingmarshundermoon.
　　Thelightbrightened.Thewateraboutusturnedabluethatnonetherehadeverseen,soturquoise,socerulean,sopenetrablebytheeye!Beforeusgentlesurfbrokeonabeachbone-white.Thebeachwithlittlerisemetwoodland;
　　thickitseemedandofavividgreennessandfairlycoveringtheisland.Itwasisland,mastheadtoldus,whosawblueribbongoingaround.Moreover,thereweretwoothers,nogreater,uponthehorizon.Nor,thoughthewoodlandseemedthickaspileofvelvet,wasitdesolateisle.Wemadeoutinthreeplaceslightplumesofsmoke.Nowsomeoneutteredacry,``Men!''