Theywererunningoutofthewood,downuponthewhitebeach.Theremightbeahundred.
　　``Nakedmen!Theyaredark——Theyarenegroes!''——
　　``Ormagicians!''
　　TheAdmiralliftedhisgreatvoice.``Marinersall!IndiaandCathayarefringedwithislands,asaremanypartsofEurope.AdozenofyouhavesailedamongtheGreekislands.Theremaybeasmanyhereasthose.Thisisasmallislandanditsfolksimple.TheyarenotNegroes,buttheskinoftheIndianisdarkerthanours,andthatofCipangoandCathayisyellow.Asforclothing,inallwarmlandsthesimplerfolkwearlittle.Butasforma-
　　gicians,theremaybemagiciansamongthemasthereareamongallpeoples,butitisfalsenessandabsurditytospeakofallasmagicians!Nonsenseandcowardice!Themanwhocriedthatgoesnotashoreto-day!''
　　NotGreatIndiabeforeusnorGoldenCipango!Butitwasland——land——itwassolid,therewerefolk!Howlonghadflowedtheseaaroundus,forthiswasthetwelfthofOctober,fiveweekssinceGomeraandabovetwomonthssincePaloshadsunkawayandwehadheardthelastfaintbellofLaRabida!Andtherehadbeenstrongdoubtifeverweshouldseeagainawhitebeach,oratree,orakindlyfireashore,oranymenbutthoseofourthreeships,oreveranotherwomanorachild.Butland——land!Herewaslandandgreenwoodsandcrowdsofstrangefolk.
　　Themarinerslaughed,andthetearsstoodintheireyesandfriendsembraced.AndtheygrewmightilyrespectfultotheAdmiral.
　　Somanyweretogoashoreinthefirstboat,andsomanyinthesecond.The_Pinta_andtheNinawereloweringtheirboats.Ourhidalgosaboard,DiegodeArana,RoderigoSanchezandtherest,hadalsofineapparelwiththem——
　　seeingthattheGrandKhanwouldhaveacourtandourSovereignsmustberightlyrepresented——andthismorningtheysuitedthemselvesonlylesssplendidlythandidtheAdmiral.ThegreatbannerofCastileandLeonwasreadyforcarrying.Trumpet,drumandfifeshouldland.FrayIgnatiowasready——oh,ready!Hisliquiddarkeyeshadanunearthlylook.Giftswerebeingsortedout.Therewereaboardrichthings,valuedinanylandofours,forgiftstotheGrandKhanandhisministers,ortheEmperorofCipangoandhis.ForQueensandEmpressesandLadiesalso.AndtherewasawondrousmissalforPresterJohndidwefindhim!Butthiswasevidentlyalittleislandafar,andthesewerenaked,savagemen.Theexpeditionwasprovident.Ithadforall.ThePortuguese,ourgreatnavigators,hadtaughtwhatthenakedAfricanliked.Abasketstoodathandfilledwithpiecesofcoloredcloth,beads,caps,hawkbells,fishhooks,toysofsorts.Forthatwemighthavetrouble,fourharquebusmenandfourcrossbowsweregoing.The_SantaMaria_carriedtwocannon.NowattheAdmiral'ssignal,oneofthesewasdischarged.Itwasavoicenotheardbeforeinthisworld.Ifhewishedtoproduceawethatshouldaccompanyhimliketheancientpillarsofcloudandfire,hehadsuccess.Whenthesmokeclearedwesawthewildmenprostrateupontheivorybeachasthoughascythehadcutthemdown.Theylaylikefallengrain,thenroseandmadehasteforthewood.Wecouldthinlyheartheirshouting.
　　ChristopherusColumbusdescendedintotheboatofthe_SantaMaria_.,FrayIgnatioafterhim.DiegodeArana,RoderigoSanchez,Escobedo,GutierrezandJuanLepethephysicianfollowed.JuandelaCosastayedwiththeship,itnotbeingwisetotakeawayallauthority.Ourarmedmencameafterandtherowers.Wedrewoffandthesmallboatfilled.BoatsofthePintaandtheNinajoinedus.Thegreatbanneroverus,theAdmiral'shanduponitsstandard,werowedforAsia.
　　Nearerandnearer.Thewaterhungaboutus,plainmarvel,notdarkblue,butturquoiseandclearasair.Wecouldseethestrange,bright-huedfishandthewhitebottom.TheairbreathedMaytime,andnowwethoughtwecouldtellthespices.Andsoivory-whiteitwas,thelongcurvedbeach,andsogaylybrighttheemeraldofthewood!Thereweremanypalmswithothertreesweknewnot.Itwaslow,theisland,anditshonebeforeussilverandgreen,andthetreesmovedgentlyinawindmoresweet,wethought,thananyAndalusianzephyr.PedroGutierrezstared.
　　Paradise——Paradise!''
　　Itwasnotwhatwehadlookedfor,butitwasgoodenough.Itseemeddivine,thatmorning!
　　Nearerwedrew,nearer.Thebeachwasnowbare.Wemadeoutthedark,nakedfolkatedgeofthewood,intreeshadows,watchingus.Weretheystrangetous,besurewewerestrangertothem!
　　Theazurewater,somarvelous,metthatsandwhitelikecrushedbone,strewnwithdelicateshells.Neverwaswindsosweetasthatwhichblewthismorning!Greenplumes,thepalmsbrushedthesky;thereseemedtousfruittreesalso,withsatinstemsandwide-ladenboughs.Whenwelookedovershoulderthe_SantaMaria_,thePintaandtheNinaeachrodedouble,mastandhullinsky,mastandhullinmirrorsea.Somethingstrangeanddivinewasaboutus,overus.Wewishedtolaugh,wewishedtoweep.
　　Boatheadtouchedcleansand.Theoarsrested.ChristopherusColumbustheAdmiralsteppedfromboatfirstandalone,allwaitingaswasright.HetookwithhimthebannerofSpain.Hewalkedafewyards,thenstruckthestandardintothesand.Therewasairenoughtoopenthefolds,tomakethemfloatandfly.Kneeling,hebowedhimselfandkissedtheearth.Weheardhisstrongvoicepraying.
　　``_DomineDeus,aeterneetomnipotens,sacrotuoverbocoelum,etterra,etmare,creasti_——''
　　Wealsobowedourheads.HeroseandcriedtoFrayIgnatio.TheFranciscanwasthenexttoenterthisnewworld.AfterhimsprangoutDiegodeAranaandtheothers.
　　ThePinzons,too,werenowleavingtheirboats.AllwereatlastgatheredabouttheAdmiral,betweenbluewaterandgreenwood.FiftySpaniards,wegatheredthere,andweheardourfellowsleftupontheshipscheeringus.WekneeledandFrayIgnatiothankedGodforus.
　　Werose,drewlongbreathandlookedaboutus,thenturnedtotheAdmiralwithloudpraiseandgratulation.Hewasgirdedwithasword,cross-hilted.Drawingit,hesetitspointinthesand.Thenwithonehanduponthecross,andoneliftedandwrappedinthebannerfolds,he,withagreatvoice,proclaimedSpain'sownership.TotheKingandQueenoftheSpainsalllandsunchristianandidolatrousthatwemightfindanduseandhold,allthatwereclearlyawayfromthelineoftheKingofPortugal,drawnforhimbytheHolyFather!InthenameofGod,inthenameofHolyChurch,inthenameofIsabella,QueenofCastile,andFerdinand,KingofAragonandtheirunitedPower,amenandamen!Hemotionedtothetrumpeterwhoputtrumpettohislipsandblewablasttothenorthandthesouthandtheeastandthewest.Atthesoundthereseemedtocomeacryfromthefringingwood,acryofterror.
　　Theislandwasours,——ifallthiscouldmakeitours.
　　Apieceofscarletclothspreaduponthesandhadheapeduponitnecklacesofglassandthreeorfourhawkbellswithothertoys.Weplaceditthere,thenstoodback.AttheAdmiral'scommandtheharquebusandcrossbowmenlaidtheirweaponsdown,thoughwatchfuleyewaskept.
　　Butnoarrowflightshadcomefromthewood,andasfarascouldbeseensomekindoflance,notformidablelooking,wastheironlyweapon.NexttheAdmiralmadeourfifertoplayamerryandpeacefulair.
　　Wehadnotedaclumpoftreesadvancedintothesandandwethoughtthattheboldermenwereoccupyingthis.
　　Nowamanstartedoutalone,ayoungmanbythelooksofhim,drawnashewasagainstthewhitesand,andapaladin,forhemarchedtomeetaloneheknewnotwhatorwhom.
　　``Blackamoor!''exclaimedDeAranabesideme,butashecamenearerwesawthatthedeadblacknesswaspaint,laidinafantasticpatternuponhisfaceandbody.Nativehueofskin,aswecamepresentlytofindintheunpainted,wasapleasingred-brown.Headvancedwalkingdaintilyandproudly,knowingthathispeoplewerewatchinghim.SingleCastilian,singleMoor,hadadvancedso,manyatime,betweencamps,orbetweencampandfortress.
　　Haltingbesidetheredclothhestoopedandturnedoverthetrinkets.Whenhestraightenedhimselfhehadinhandastringofgreatbeads,roseandblueandgreen.Hefingeredthese,seemedabouttoputtheneckleton,thenrefrainedastoodaring.Layingitgentlybackuponthescarlethenexttookupahawkbell.Thesebells,asisknown,ringveryclearandsweet.IwasafterwardstoldthatthePortuguesehadnotedtheirwelcomeamongtheAfricanpeople.
　　Therewasnonail'sbreadthofinformationthatthismanColumbuscouldnotuse!Hehadusedthis,andinalistforjustpossiblyfoundsavageIndianshadputdown,``goodnumberofhawkbells.''
　　Theredmanpaintedblack,tookupthehawkbell.Itchimedashemovedit.Hedroppeditonthesandandgavebackastep,thenpickeditupandsetittinkling.Hisface,thewayinwhichhemoved,said``Musicfromheaven!''
　　TheAdmiralmotionedtoFrayIgnatiotomovetowardhim.Thatgoodmanwentgentlyforward.Theyouthgaveback,butthenbracedhimself,undertheeyesofhisnation.Hestood.TheFranciscanputoutagownedarmandalong,leankindlyhand.Theyouth,nakedasthebronzeofagod,hesitated,raisedhisownarm,letitdropupontheother's.FrayIgnatio,speakingmildwords,broughthimacrossandtotheAdmiral.Thelatter,tallestofusallandgreatlyframed,loftyofport,dressedwithmagnificence,silver-haired,standingforthfromhisofficersandmen,thebanneroverhim,wouldbetakenbyanyforGreatCaptain,chiefgodofthesegods,andcertes,atthefirsttheythoughtthatweweregods!TheIndianputhishandstohisface,shranklikeagirlandcameslowlytohiskneesandloweryetuntilhisforeheadrestedupontheearth.
　　TheAdmiralliftedhim,callinghim``son.''
　　Thoseofhiskindwatchingfromthewoodnowsentforthaconsiderabledeputation.Therecametousadozennakedmen,fairlytall,well-shaped,skinofredcopper,smearedoftenwithpaintinbarsanddisksandcrescents.TheirhairwasnotliketheNegro's,theonlyothernakedmanourtimeknew,butwasstraight,black,somewhatcoarse,notbushybutabundant,cutshortwiththemenbelowtheear.
　　Theyareabeardlesspeople.Ourbeardsareanamazementtothem,asareourclothes.Afiercelyquarrelsomefolk,apeace-keeping,gentlefolkwillsoundtheirnoteverysoon.
　　Thesebelongedtothelatterkind.Theirlanceswerenotourhugeknightlyones,northelight,hardonesoftheMoors.
　　Theywerehardlymorethanstoutcanes,theheadnotiron——theyhadnoiron——butflintorboneshapedbyaflintknife.Wherethepaintwasnotsplashedorpatternedoverthem,theirfacescouldbelikedverywell.Lipswerenotoverfull,thenoseslightlybeaked,theforeheadfairlyhigh,theeyesgood.Theydidnotjabbernormoveidlybutkeptmeasureandapleasantdignity.Theyseemedgentleandhappy.Soweretheywhenwefoundthem.
　　Theirspeechsoundedofnotonguethatweknew.LuisTorresandIalikehadknowledgeofArabic.WehadnoPersianthatmightbeneareryet,butArabiabeingimmemoriallycaravan-knitwithIndia,itwasthoughtthatitmightbeunderstood.Butthesebarefolkhadnonotionofit,noroftheHebrewwhichLuistriednext.TheLatindidnotdo,theGreekofwhichIhadalittledidnotdo.
　　Butthereisanold,oldlanguagecalledGesture.If,whereverthereisacommonlanguagethereisonepeople,theninendandbeginningsurelyweareonefolkaroundtheearth!
　　Weweretobefriendswiththeseislanders.``Friendsfirstandlast!''believedtheAdmiral.Indeed,allfeltitso,thisbrightday.Iftheywerenotallwehadimaged,sailingtothem,yetweretheymen,andunthreatening,novel,veryinterestingtouswiththeirislandandtheirmarvelousbluewater.Allwasheightenedbysheerjoyoflanding,andoffinding——findingsomething!Andwhatwefoundwasnothorriblenordeathful,butbright,promising,scentedlikefirstfruits.
　　Tothemwefoundweweregods!Theymovedaboutuswithakindofceremonyofpropitiation.Twoyouthscamewithapieceofbarkcarriedlikeasalver,piledwithfruitsandwiththincakesofsomescrapedroot.Anotherbroughtaparrot,agreatgreenandrosebirdthatatoncetalked,thoughwecouldnotunderstandhiswords.Twooldermenhadballs,aslargeasmelons,ofsomewoundstuffthatwepresentlyfoundtobecottonlooselytwistedintoyarn.
　　TheAdmiral'seyesglowed.``Nowifanybringspicesorpepper——''Buttheydidnot,nordidtheybringgold.
　　Allthesethingstheyputdownbeforeus,insilenceorwithwordsthatwethoughtwerepetitions,movingnotconfusedlybutwithamannerofritual.TheAdmiraltookanecklaceandplaceditroundthethroatoftheyoungmanwhofirsthaddared,andinhishandputahawkbell.Thatwasenoughforhimselftodo,whowasViceroy.Threeofusfinishedthedistribution.Theywhohadbroughtpresentsweregivenpresents.Allwouldhaveusgowiththemtotheirvillage,justbehindthetrees.Ahandfulofmenweleftwiththeboatsandtherestofuscrossedsand.
　　Harquebusesandcrossbowswentwithus,butwehadnoneedofthem.Theislandapparentlyfollowedpeace,anditsfolkgreatlyfearedtogiveoffensetogodsfromthesky.
　　Abovetheshipsheldarangeofpearlyclouds,outofwhichindeedonemightmakestrangelandsandforms.TheIndians——ChristopherusColumbuscalledthem``Indians''——
　　pointedfromshipstocloud.Theyspokewithmovementsofreverence.``Youhavecomedown——youhavecomedown!''Weunderstoodthem,thoughtheirwordswerenotours.
　　Nowthegreenwoodrosecloseathand.Thetreesdiffered,thewoventhicknessofit,thecolorandblossom,fromanywoodathome.Aspaceopenedbeforeus,andherewasthevillageofthesefolk,——roundhutsthatchedwithpalmleaves,setonnostreets,butatchoiceundertrees.Eartharoundwastroddenhard,butthegreenwoodspressedclose.
　　Hereandthereshowedgardenpatcheswithplantswhosenamesandusesweknewnot.Nowwecameuponwomenandchildren.Likethementhewomenwerenaked.Well-
　　shapedandcomely,withlong,black,braidedhair,theyseemedtousgentle,pleasingandfearless.Thechildrenwereacrewthatanymightlove.
　　Timelackstosayallthatwedidandheardandguessedthisdayuponthisisland!Itwasfirstloveafterlongweeksatsea,andourcrampedshipsandallourgreatuncertainty!
　　Ifitwasnotwhatwehadexpected,stillhereitwas,tangiblelandthatneverhadbeenknown,wonderfultous,givingusalreadyrichnarrativeforPalosandHuelvaandFisher-
　　town,forCordovaandtheQueenandKing.Weweresurenowthatotherlandwastobemet,sosoonaswesailedareasonabledistancetomeetit.Underthehorizonwouldbelandsurely,andsurelyofanimportthatthissmallislandlacked,likeParadisethoughitseemedtousthisday!AnywholookedattheAdmiralsawthathewouldmakenolongtarryinghere.HenamedthisislandSanSalvador,butwewouldnotwaitinSanSalvador.
　　Thisdayinshifts,allourmenwerebroughtashore,eachdivisionhavingthreehoursofblessedland.Sogoodwasearthunderfoot,sogoodweretrees,sodelectablethefruit,solovelytomoveandrunandwatcheverymoving,running,walkingthing!Andthesegood,red-brownfolk,nakeditwastrue,butmannerlyaftertheirownfashion,whothoughteveryseamanagod,andtheshipboyssonsofgods!Andwealsoweregoodandmannerly,the_SantaMaria_,thePintaandtheNina.IlookbackandIseeastrange,aboyishandahappyday.
　　Thesunwaswestering.Wefelttheexhaustionofalongholidaywithnoveltiessomanythatatlastthesensesdidnotanswer.PerhapstheIndiansfeltittoo.OftenandoftenhaveIseengreatwisdomguidetheAdmiral.Anhourbeforeapproachingnightmighthavesaid``Go!''hetookusoneandallbacktotheships.``_SalveRegina_''wasasoundthateveningtohear,andafterwardsitwastosleep,sleep,——tiredasfromtheFairatSeville!
　　CHAPTERXVI
　　ATfirst,thedaybefore,wehadnotmadeoutthattheIndianshadboats.Later,strayinghereandthere,wehadseenthemdrawnupontheshoreandcoveredwithboughsoftrees.Theycalledthem``canoes'',madethem,largeandsmall,outoftrunksoftrees,hollowedbyfire,andwiththeirstoneknives.Wehadseenonecopperknife.Askedaboutthat,theypointedtothesouthandseemedtosaythatyonderdwelledmenwhohadalltheywishedofmostthings.
　　Fromdarktheeastgrewpale,frompallorputonroses.
　　Thisdaynomarinergrumbledatthecalltoawake.HerestilllayourFortunateIsle,ourSanSalvador;hereourivorybeach,ourgreenwood.Upwentthelittlecurlsofsmoke.
　　Wehadbreakfast.Sogreatwasnowthedeferencetohimwhothreedaysagohadbeen``madman''and``blackmagician'',``dreamingfool''and``spinnerwithoutthread!''
　　Nowitwas``Admiral'',``Excellency'',and``Whatshallwedonext?''and``Whatisyouropinion,sir?''
　　Theimmediatethingtodoprovedtobetocomeforthfromcabinandmarkthebeachthrongingwiththricethenumberofyesterday,andthecanoesputtingofftous.Wecountedeight.Onlyonewasalongcraft,holdingtwentymen;theotherscameincockleboats,withoneortwoorthree.Notonlycanoes,buttheycameswimming,menandboys,alladarkgraceinthecerulean,lucidsea.Theyweresofearless——forwecamefromheavenandwouldnotharmthem.Weweregoingtomakethemrich;weweregoingto``save''them.
　　Ascoreperhapswerehelpedaboardthe_SantaMaria_.
　　ThePinta,theNina,hadothers.Theywerelikechildren,touching,staring,excitedlytalkingandgesturingamongthemselves,orgazinginakindoffixedawe,askingoftheleastsailorwithallreverence,bowingthemselvesbeforetheAdmiral,theover-god.TheAdmiralmovedrichlydressed,raptandbenignant,yetsparingapartofhimselftokeepallorder,measure,rightnessontheship,andanotherparttofindoutwithkeenpains,``Whatofotherlands?Whatoffolkwhomustbeyoursuperiors?''
　　Theyhadbroughtofferings.Halfadozenparrotsperchedaround,verygorgeouslycolored,loquaciousinaspeechwedidnotknow.Wehadstacksofthelargeroundthincakesbakedonstoneswhichafterwardswecalledcassava,andgreatgourds,``calabashes''filledwithfruit,andballsofcottoninarudethread.Wegavebeads,bitsofcloth,littlepurses,andthesmallbellsthatcausedextravagantdelight.ButevertheAdmirallookedforsignsofgold,forhemustfindforprincesandnoblesandmerchantsgoldorsilver,orpreciousstonesorspice,oralltogether.Ifhefoundthemnot,halfhisfortunesfell;ahalf-windonlywouldhenceforthfillhissails.
　　AndatlastcameinacanoewiththreeayoungIndianwhoworeinhisearaknobofgold.RoderigoSanchezsawthisfirstandbroughthimtotheAdmiral.Thelatter,takingupanarmletofgreenglassandahawkbell,touchedthegoldintheear.``Doyoutrade?''GladenoughwastheIndiantotrade.ItlayintheAdmiral'spalm,apieceofgoldasgreatasafilbert.
　　JuanLepewatchedhimmakeinquisition,DiegodeArana,SanchezandEscobedoathiselbow.Hedidittoadmiration,withlook,gestureandtoneablytranslatinghiswords.``Gold——gold?''TheIndiansaid,orweputdowninthiswisewhathesaid,``Harac.''
　　Wastheremoreharacontheisland?Wewouldgiveheavenlythingsforharac.TheIndianwasdoubtful;hethoughtproudlythatbehadtheonlyharac.``Wheredidhegetit?''Heindicatedthesouth.
　　``Littleislandlikethisone?''
　　``No.Greatland.Haracthereinmanyears.Muchharac.''
　　Soweunderstoodhim.``Cipango!''breathedtheAdmiral.
　　``OrneighbortoCipango,increasinglyrichandcivilizedaswego.''
　　Hetookacaseofsmallboxes,eachboxfilledwithmerchandiseofspicewhichhedesired.Cinnamon,nutmeg,pepper,saffron,clovesandothers.Hemadetheislandersmellandtaste.``Hadtheyaughtlikethese?''
　　TheIndianseemedtosaytheyhadnot,butwouldliketohave.Helookedaboutforsomethingwithwhichtotrade,aparrot,orheapofcakes,orballofcotton.I
　　thoughtthatitwastheboxofboxesthatheextremelywished,buttheAdmiralthoughtitwasthespicery,andthathemusthaveknownthemwhereverhegotthegold.
　　Weretheyfoundyonder?''
　　TheAdmiralstretchedarmoutoverblueseaandtheIndianfollowedhisgesture.Heshotouthisownarm,``South——southwest——west,''noddedtheAdmiral.``Manyislands,orthemainland.Gatesopenbeforeus!''
　　``HadtheIndianbeentotheselands?''No,itseemed,butonehadcomeinaboat,wearingthisknobofgold,andhehadtoldthem.Washeliving?No,hewasnotliving.Whatkindofapersonwashe?Suchasus?
　　Emphaticallyno.Notsuchasus!Much,wegathered,aswastheIndianhimself.``PearlshavecomefromQueen'snecktoQueen'sneck,''quoththeAdmiral,``byathousandrudehandsandtwistingways!''
　　Therewasonewomanamongthevisitorstothe_SantaMaria_,ayoungwoman,naked,freelymovingandsmiling.
　　Eyesdwelledonher,eyesfollowedher.ShewaswithanIndianwhomightbebrotherorhusband.TheAdmiralgaveheraworked,Moorishscarf.Shetieditaboutherhead,andthebrightendsfelldownbesideherlong,black,braidedhair.Nonetouchedher,buttheywerewoman-
　　starved,andtheylookedatherhungrily.Shehadbeautyinherway,andakindofinnocencebothfrankandshy.
　　Shewaslikeadoeinthegreenforest,comesilentlyuponatdawn.
　　Fedfullofmarvelatlast,theseIndiansleftus.Butnosoonerhadtheyreachedlandandtoldofgreatkindnessonthepartoftheinhabitantsofheaventhanothercanoesandotherswimmersputforth.Thismightgoonallday,sowecheckeditbyourselvesgoingashore.
　　Thisdaywefilledourwatercasksandtookaboardmuchfruitandallthecakesthattheybroughtus.Moreoverweexploredtheisland,findingtwovillagesofapiecewiththefirst,andinthemiddlelandafairpoolofwater.Thisdaylikeyesterdaywasblissfulwine.
　　AllblessedChristopherusColumbus.Nomannowbut,forawhile,didhisbiddingwithanopenheart.
　　Inthemorningwesailedaway,notwithoutplentifulpromisesofreturn.Whenweputupourwhitesailstheycriedoutandpointedtothecloudsierra.No!Wewouldnotgobacktoheaven——orifwedidsowewouldcomeagain,lovingsoourgentlefriendsuponearth!Wesailed,andinallourafterwanderingswenevercamebacktothisisland.Andneveragain,Ithink,whileColumbusvoyaged,didtherecometousjustthebright,exquisitethrillofthatfirstlandafterlongdoubtandnoland.SanSalvador——
　　HolySaviourIsland!
　　CHAPTERXVII
　　WEwereinathrongofislands.Wemightdropallforalittlewhile,thenfrommasthead``Landho!''
　　Noneweregreatislands,manyfarsmallerthanSanSalvador.Atnightwelayto,notknowingcurrentsandshoals;thenbrokethedayandweflungoutsail.
　　Wehadwithusuponthe_SantaMaria_threeSanSalvadormen.Theyhadcomewillingly,twoyoung,fearlessmen,andoneoldmanwithawrinkled,wise,interestedface.Assiduoustogaintheirtongueandimpartourown,theAdmiral,besidehisowneffort,toldoffforespecialteachersandscholarsLuisTorresandJuanLepe.Wedidgainknowledge,butasyeteverythingwasimperfect,withoutfineshading,andsubjecttoallmiscomprehension.
　　Butliketherestofus,theAdmiralguessedinaccordancewithhiswishesandhispreviousbelief.
　　Alltheseislandslayflatoralmostflatuponthesea.Allshowedivorybeach,vividwood,surroundingwater,transparentandheavenlyblue,inhabitedbymagicallycoloredfish.Whenwedroppedanchor,tookboatandlanded,itwastofindthesameastonishedfolk,naked,harmless,holdingusforgods,bringingalltheyhad,eagerforourtoyswhichweretothemking'streasuresandholyrelics.EveryislandtheAdmiralnamed;hegavethemgoodlynames!
　　OverandovertheIndianspointedsouthandwest.Weunderstoodgreatlands,clothedmen,muchgold.Butwhenwenextcametoanchor,likesmallisland,likemen,womenandchildren.Wetradedforafewmoreknobsofgold,buttheywerefew.
　　Toscanelli'smapandtheAdmiral'smaplayoncabintable.``IslandsintheSeaofChin——PoloandMandevillealikesaythousands——allgradesthenofadvance.Beyondanymannerofdoubt,perseveringwestorwestbysouth,weshallcometomainAsia.''Solongasheruled,therewouldbeperseverance!
　　AtSantaMariadelaConcepcionasolitarylargecanoecrowdedwithIndianswasrowingtowardus.OneoftheSanSalvadoryoungmenaboardusfanciedsomeslight,experiencedsomefear,ormayeven,——whoknows?——haveweariedofthegods.Springingupontherailhethrewhimselfintoseaandmadeoffwithgreatstrokestowardthecanoe.Pedrobehindhimshouted``Escape!''Therewasarushtothesidetoobserve.Fernandobawled,``Comeback!orwe'llletflyanarrow.
　　Heswam,thedark,nakedfellow,likeafish.Reachingthecanoe,theIndianstheretookhimin;heseemedtohaveataletotell,theyallbrokeintotalk,thecanoewentround,theyrowedfastbacktoland.The_Nina_,lyingnearus,hadherboatfillingtogoashore.Hermenhadseentheleapoverboardandtheswimmer.Nowtheyputafter,rowinghardforthecanoe,thathavingthestartcamefirsttobeach.
　　TheIndianssprangout,theSanSalvadormanwiththem.
　　Leavingcanoe,theyranacrosssandintowood.The_Nina's_
　　mentookthecanoeandbroughtittothe_SantaMaria_.Initwereballsofcottonandcalabashesfilledwithfruitandachatteringparrot.Itwasthefirstthingofthiskindthathadhappened,andtheAdmiral'sfacewaswrathful.Hehadasimple,kindlyheart,andthoughhecouldbevexedorirritated,herarelybrokeintofuriousanger.Butfirstandlasthedesiredpeacefulabsorption,ifbyanymeansthatwerepossible,ofthesecountries.Weabsorbingthem,theyabsorbingus;boththegainers!Andhehadwarmfeelingofromance-loveforallthisthathewasfinding.
　　Hesawallhisenterprisemilk-white,rose-bright.AndhispridewastouchedthattheIndianwhohadseemedcontentedhadnottrulybeenso,andthatthe_Nina_'smenhaddis-
　　obeyedstrictcommandsforfriendliness.Hewouldrestorethatcontentifpossible,andhewouldhavenomoreunorderedchasingofcanoes.TheNina'smengotangerandrebuke,CaptainCristoforoColombomountingupintheAdmiral.
　　Hewouldletnothinginthecanoebetouched.Insteadhehadplacedaboardapotofhoneyandaflaskofwineandthreepiecesofcloth,thenwithastrongshoveitwassentlandward,andthetidemakingin,itcametoshore.
　　Wesawtwoventurefromthewoodanddrawituponbeach.
　　InalittlewhilecamearoundapointofshoreacanoewithoneIndianwhomadetowardus,usinghisoarverydexterously,andwhenheenteredourshadowholdingupcottonandfruit.Itwastobeseenthathehadhadnocommunicationwiththemenofthelargecanoe.
　　TheAdmiralhimselfcalledoutencouraginglyandsnatchingthefirstsmallthingathandhelditup.TheIndianscrambledonboard.Hestood,asfineapieceofbronzeasanymightsee,beforetheGenoese,asgreatafigureasmightbefoundinallItaly——allSpain——allEurope.
　　Theeldertouchedtheyounger,thewhitemantheredman,asaking,afather,mighthavetouchedaprince,ason.Hehimselftooktheyouthoverourship,showinghimthis,showinghimthat,hadthemusicplayforhim,broughthimtoFrayIgnatiowhotalkedofChrist,pointingofttoheaven.Tomythinkingthisaction,oftenrepeated,wasoneofthethingsthatforsolongmadethemcertainwehadcomefromtheskies.InthecabinhegavetheIndianacupofwineandabiscuitdippedinhoney.
　　Hegavehimasilkencapwithatasselandhimselfputroundhisthroatoneofourbeststringsofbeads,andintohishandnotonebutthreeofthemuch-covetedhawkbells.
　　Hewaskinderthanrainafterdrought.Firstandlast,hecouldwelllendhimselftothepolicyofkindness,foritwasnotlending.Kindnesswashisnature.
　　InanhourthisIndian,returnedtohiscanoe,wasrow-
　　ingtowardshorewithaswellingheartandadeterminedloyalty.Hetouchedtheisland,andwecouldtrusthimtobemissionary,preachingwithallfervorofheavenandthegods.
　　Ay,me!
　　Whatevertheother'sdefection,hemorethancoveredit,thereturnofthecanoeaiding.SantaMariadelaConcepcionbecameagainfriendly.ButtheAdmiralthateveninggaveemphaticinstructiontoMartinandVicentePinzonandallthegatheredSpaniards.Justhere,Ithink,begantheriftbetweenhimandmany.Manywouldhavebyprompttaking,astheytakeinwar.Werenotalltheseheathenandgiven?Buthewouldhaveanotherwayround,thoughoftenhecompromisedwithwar;neverwantingwarbutforcedbyhistimeandhiscompanions.Sometimes,inthefuture,forcedbythepeoplewecameamong,butfaroftenerforcedbygreedandlustandviolenceofourown.
　　Alas,again!Alas,againandagain!
　　AfterSantaMariadelaConcepcion,Fernandina,andafterFernandinathemostbeautifulofislands,Isabella,wherewelaythreedays.PeopleuponthisislandseemedtousmorecivilizedthantheSalvadorfolk.Thecottonwaswoven,loinclothswereworn,theyhadgreatervarietyofcalabashes,thehutswerelarger,thevillagesmoreregular.
　　Theysleptin``hamacs''whicharestoutandwidecottonnetsslungbetweenposts,twoorthreefeetaboveearth.Light,space-giving,easyofremoval,thesebedsgreatlytookourfancy.
　　Herewesoughtdeterminedlyforspice-givingtreesandmedicinalherbsandroots.ItwasnotaspicerysuchasEuropedependedupon,butstillcertainthingsseemedvaluable!
　　WegatheredhereandgatheredtherewhatmightbetakentoSpain.Theregrewanemulationtofind.TheAdmiralofferedprizesforsuchandsuchacommoditycomeupon.
　　WesailedfromIsabellaandafterthreedayscametoCuba.
　　CHAPTERXVIII
　　CUBA!AtfirsthecalleditJuana,butwecameafterwardsstilltousetheIndianname.Cuba!Wesawitafterthreedays,anditwaslittleenoughlikeIsabella,Fernandina,Concepcion,SanSalvadorandtheisletstheAdmiralcalledIslesdeArena.Itcoveredalloursouth,nolevel,shiningthingthatmastheadcouldseearound,butamightycoastline,mountainous,withheadlandsandbaysandrivermouths.Nowafterlongyears,IwhooutlivetheAdmiral,knowitforanisland,buthowcouldheorIoranyknowthatinNovemberfourteenhundredandninety-two?Heneverbelieveditanisland.
　　Hestoodondeckwatching.``Cuba——Cuba!HaveyounotreadofCublaiKhan?Thesoundschime!''
　　``CublaiKhan.HelivesinQuinsai.''
　　``Ay.Hissplendid,capitalcity.Buildingsallwonderful,andgardenslikeMahound'sparadise!''
　　``ButifitisCipango?''
　　``Ay.ItmaybeCipango.Wehavenoangelheretotelluswhich.Iwouldonewouldflydownandtakeusbythehand!Beingmen,wemustmakeguesses.''
　　Beautifultous,splendidtous,wasthiscoastofCuba!
　　Wesailedbyheadlandsanddeep,narrow-neckedbays,rivermouthsandhangingforestsandboldcliffs.Wesailedwestandstillheadlandfollowedheadland,andstillthelookoutcried,``Itstretchedforeverlikethemain!''
　　Wecametoariverwhereshipsmightride.Sounding,wefounddeepwater,enteredrivermouthanddroppedanchor,thenwentashoreintheboats.Palmsandtheirwaterdoubles,andinthegroveasmallabandonedvillage.
　　Wehadseenthepeoplefleebeforeus,andtheywerenomorenorotherkindofpeoplethanhadshowedinConcepcionorFernandina.Yetweretheyalittlewealthier.Wefoundparrotsontheirperches,andtwodogs,smallandwolf-likethatneverbarked.Inonehutlayaharpoontippedwithbone,andanetforfishing.InanotherwefoundawroughtblockofwoodwhichFrayIgnatiopronouncedtheiridol.
　　Wewentbacktoourships,andleavingriver,sailedoninabrightbluesea.Thenextdaywedoubledacapeandfoundagreathaven,butsilentandsailless,withnomaritimecitythrongingtheshore.Whatwasthisworld,sohuge,sosparely,rudelypeopled?
　　Wecametoanchorcloseundershoreinthishaven.
　　Againthemarvelouswater,butnowitlavedaboldandgreatcountry!Welanded.Canoesfastenedinarow,anothervillage,mostofthefolkdecamped,butafewbravemenandwomentarryingtofindoutsomethingaboutheavenanditsinmates.Withtoysagainandpacificgestureswewiledthemtous.
　　Therewasuponthe_SantaMaria_ayoungIndianwhohadchosentocomewithusfromFernandina.Hehadcourageandintelligence,waswillingtoreceiveinstructionandbaptismfromFrayIgnatio,andfirstandlastfollowedtheAdmiralwithdevotion.ThelatterhadhimchristenedDiegoColon.WetaughthimSpanishasfastandsoundlyaswemight,andusedhimasinterpreter.ThetongueofhisislandwasnotjustthetongueofCuba,butnearenoughtoserve.AlltheseIndianshaveagiftoforatoryanddotetospeakatlength,withfirmvoiceandgreatgestures.NowwesetDiegoColontohisnarration.WeofCastilehadsomuchofthetonguebynowthatwecouldinsomewisefollow.
　　Forthitpoured!Weweregodscomefromheaven.
　　Yonderstoodthechiefgodthattheothersobeyed.Hewasverygreat,strong,good,wise,kind,givingbeautifulgifts!Wewereallkind——noonewasgoingtobehurt.
　　Wemademagicwithharac——whichwecalled``gold.''
　　Inheavenwasnotenoughharac.Soimportantisittothebestmagicthatachiefgodhascometoearthtoseekit.
　　Wealsolikedcottonandthingstoeat,especiallycassavacakes,andwelikedaveryfewparrots.Butitwasgoldthatinchiefwewanted.Themanwhobroughtthegodsgoldmightgohomewithgiftssobeautifulthattherewasneveranythingseenlikethem!Especiallyistheresomethingthatthegodscall``bells''thatringandsoundinyourhandwhenyoudance!Gold——doyouknowwheretofindit?Anotherthing!Theydesiretofindagodwhodroppedoutoftheskyalongtimeago,andhasnowapeopleandagreat,marvelousvillage.Thinkinghemightbehere,theyhavediveddowntoourland,fortheydiveintheskyaswediveinwater!ThenameofthegodtheyhuntisGrandKhanorCublaiKhan,andhisvillageisQuinsai.Haveyouheardofhim?Theyareveryanxioustofindhim.Thechiefgodwithwhitehairandwonderfulclothes——Itiswhattheycallclothes;underittheyareasyouandme,onlythecolorisdifferent——thechiefgodwillgivemanybellstoanyfolkwhocanshowhimthewaytoQuinsai.GoldandQuinsaiwherelivesthegodGrandKhan.''
　　Asmighthavebeenexpected,thisbroughttidings.``Cubanacan!
　　Cubanacan!''Whateverthatmightmean,theysaiditwithassurance,pointinginland.DiegoColoninterruptedtheirfurtherspeech.``Thereisariver.Goupitthreedaysandcometogreatvillage.Caciquetherewearingclothes.Allmentherehavegold!''
　　PedroGutierrezspoke.``They'llpromiseanythingforahawkbell!''
　　``Whatdotheyunderstandandwhatdotheynotunderstand?
　　Whatdotheysayandwhatdotheynotsay?''
　　ThatwasMartinPinzon.``Betweenthemallwearefooled!''
　　TheAdmiral,whowasgazinginlandafterthedarkpointingfinger,turnedandspoke.``AttherootofallthingssitPatienceandMakeTrial!
　　``Well,Iknow,''answeredPinzon,``thatiftheseshipsbenotcareenedandmendedweshallhavetrouble!Weatherchanges.Therewillbestorm!''
　　Hewasrightastoshipsandweather,andtheAdmiralknewitandsaidasmuch.IneversawhimgrudgerecognitiontoMartinPinzon.Ithasbeensaidthathedid,butIneversawit.
　　Thatnight,onboardthe_SantaMaria_therewasheldagreatcouncil.Atlastitwassettledthatweshouldresthereaweekandoverhaultheships,andthatwhilethatwasdoing,thereshouldbesenttwoorthreewithIndianguidestofind,ifmightbe,thisriverandthistown.
　　Andtherewerechosen,andgivenaweektogoandcome,JuanLepe,LuisTorresandaseamanRoderigoJerez,withDiegoColon,theFernandinayouth.LikewisetherewouldgotwoIndiansofthisvillage,blitheenoughtoshowtheircountrytothegodsandthegodstotheircountry.
　　ThenextdaybeingSunday,FrayIgnatiopreachedasermontotheIndians.Heassumed,andatthistimeIthinktheAdmiralassumed,thatthesefolkhadnoreligion.Thatwasamistake.Idoubtifonearthcanbefoundapeoplewithoutreligion.
　　Menandwomentheywatchedandlistened,still,attentive,knowingthatithadsomehowtodowithheaven.Aftersermonandafterwehadprayedandsung,wefashionedandsetupagreatcrossuponcliffbrow.AgaintheIndianswatchedandseemedtohavesomenotionofwhatwedid.
　　Theremainderofthedaywerested,andonMondayearlyRoderigoJerez,LuisTorresandJuanLepewithDiegoColonandtwoCubamenmadedeparture,WehadapackofpresentsandaletterfromtheAdmiral.Forwemightmeetsomeadministratororcommandantorother,fromQuinsaiorZaitonorweknewnotwhere.Thiswasthefirstofmany——ah,somany——expeditions,separationsfrommainbodyandreturn,ornotreturn,asthecasemightbe!