Therewasthewatch,butallelseslept.Thewatch,lookingatCubaandthemoononthewater,didnotobserveFelipewhenhecreptfromforecastlewithalong,sharptwo-edgedknifesuchastheysellinToledo.
　　JuanLepewokefromfirstsleepandcouldnotrecoverit.HefoundBernardoNunez'ssmall,smallcabinstifling,andatlasthegotup,putongarments,andslippedforthandthroughgreatcabintoouterair.HemighthavefoundtheAdmiraltherebeforehim,forhesleptlittleandwasabouttheshipatallhours,butto-nighthedidsleep.
　　Ispoketothewatch,thensetmyselfdownatbreakofpooptobreathethesplendorofthenight.ThemoonbathedAlphaandOmega,andthetwoships,the_Nina_andtheSantaMaria.ItwashedthePintabutwesawitnot,notknowingwhererodethePintaandMartinAlonzoPinzon.Sobright,sopleasureable,wasthenight!
　　Anhourpassed.Mybodywascooledandrefreshed,myspiritquiet.Rising,Ienteredgreatcabinonmywaytobedandsleep.Ifeltthatthecabinwasnotempty,andthen,therebeingmoonlightenough,IsawthefigurebytheAdmiral'sdoor.``Whoisit?''Idemanded,buttheunbolteddoorgavetotheman'spush,andhedisappeared.I
　　knewitwasnottheAdmiralandIfollowedatabound.Thecabinhadawindowandthemoonbeamscamein.TheyshowedFelipeandhisknifeandthegreatGenoeseasleep.
　　Themadmanlaughedandcrooned,thenliftedthatToledodaggerandlungeddownwardwithasinewyarm.ButI
　　wasuponhim.Theblowfell,butafootwideofmark.
　　Therewasastruggle,ashout.TheAdmiral,openingeyes,sprangfrombed.
　　Hewasapowerfulman,andI,too,hadstrength,butFelipefoughtandstruggledlikeadesertlion.Hekeptcrying,``IamtheKing!IwillsendhimtodiscoverHeaven!
　　Iwillsendhimtojointheprophets!''Atlastwehadhimdownandboundhim.Bynowthenoisehadbroughtthewatchandothers.Adozenmencamecrowdingin,inthemoonlight.Wetookthemadmanawayandkepthimfast,andJuanLepetriedtocurehimbutcouldnot.Inthreedayshediedandweburiedhimatsea.AndFernando,creepingtome,asked,``senor,don'tyoufeelattimesthatthereismadnessoverallthisshipandthisvoyageand_him_——
　　theAdmiral,Imean?''
　　Iansweredhimthatitwasapitythereweresofewmadmen,andthatFelipemusthavebeenquitesane.
　　``ThenwhatdoyouthinkwasthematterwithFelipe,Senor?''
　　Isaid,``Diditeveroccurtoyou,Fernando,thatyouhadtoomuchcourageandsawtoofar?''Atwhichhelookedfrightened,andsaidthatattimeshehadfeltthosesymptoms.
　　CHAPTERXXI
　　MARTINPINZONdidnotreturntous.Thattall,blondseacaptainwasgoneweknewnotwhere.The_SantaMaria_andtheNinasailedsouthalongthefootofCuba.Butnowroseoutofoceanonoursoutheastquarteragreatislandwithfairmountainshapes.WeaskedourIndians——wehadfiveaboardbesideDiegoColon——
　　whatitwas.Bohio!Bohio!''Butwhenwecamethere,itsowninhabitantscalleditHaytiandQuisquaya.
　　TheAdmiralpacedourdeck,smallasaturretchamber,hishandsbehindhim,hisminduponsomegreatchartdrawnwithin,notwithout.Atlast,havingdecided,hecalledJuandelaCosa.``WewillgotoBohio.''
　　Soitwasdonewherebymuchwasdone,theWomanwiththedistaffspinningfast,fast!
　　Asthisislandliftedoutofocean,wewhohadsaidofCuba,``Itisthefairest!''nowsaid,``No,thisisthefairest!''
　　Itwasmostbeautiful,withmountainsandforestsandvalesandplainsandrivers.
　　ThetwelfthdayofDecemberwecametoanchorinaharborwhichtheAdmiralnamedConcepcion.
　　OnthisshoretheIndiansfledfromus.Wefoundavillage,butquitedeserted.Notawoman,notaman,notachild!Onlythreeorfourofthosesilentdogs,andagreatredandgreenparrotthatscreamedbutsaidnothing.
　　Therewassomethinginthisday,Iknownotwhat,butitmadeitselffelt.TheAdmiral,kneeling,kissedthesoil,andhenamedtheislandHispaniola,andweplantedacross.
　　Forlongwehadbeenbeatenabout,andallaboardtheshipswerewellwillingtoleavethemforalittle.Wehadadozensickandtheycravedtheshoreandthefruittrees.
　　ourIndians,too,longed.Soweanchored,andmarinersandalladventurersrestedfromthesea.Afewatatime,thevillagersreturned,andfearfullyenoughatfirst.Butwehadharmednothing,andwhatgreatnessandgentlenesswasinusweshowedithere.Presentlyallthoughttheywereathomewithus,andthatheavenbredthefinestfolk!
　　OurpeopleofHispaniola,subjectsnow,sincetheplantingoftheflag,weretaller,handsomer,wethought,thantheCubans,andmoreadvancedinthearts.Theirhouseswereneatandgood,andtheirgardensweededandwell-stocked.
　　Themenworeloincloths,thewomenawidecottongirdleorlittleskirt.Wefoundthreeorfourcopperknives,butagaintheysaidthattheycamefromthesouth.AsinSpain``west——west''hadbeenhisword,sonowtheAdmiralbroodeduponsouth.''
　　Thesefolkhadaverylittlegold,buttheyseemedtosaythattheirswasasimpleandpoorvillage,andthatweshouldfindmoreofallthingsfartheron.SoweleftConcepcion,thecrossupontherockshowingalongwaythroughthepureair.
　　Fortwodayswecoasted,andattheendofthistimewecametoaharborofgreatbeautyandbackfromitranavalelikeParadise,sorichlysweetitwas!ChristopherusColumbuswasquicktofindbeautyandloveditwhenfound.
　　OftenandoftenhaveIseenhisfaceturnthatofachildorayouth,filledwithwonder.Ihaveseenhimkissaflower,layacaressuponstemoftree,yearntowardpalmtopsagainsttheblue.Hewaswellreadintheoldpoets,andhehimselfwasapoetthoughhewrotenolineofverse.
　　Weenteredhereandcametoanchorandthesailsrattleddown.``Hispaniola——Hispaniola,andwewillcallthisharborSt.Thomas!HewastheApostletoIndia.Andnowwearehisyoungerbrotherscomeafterlongfoldingaway.Werewemore——didwehaveafleet——wemightsetacityhereand,itbeingChristmas,callitLaNavidad!''
　　Outcamethecanoestous,outtheswimmers,darkandgracefulfigurescleavingtheutterblue.Someonepassingthatwayoverland,hurryingwithnews,hadtoldthesevillageshowpeaceful,noble,benevolent,beneficentwewere.
　　Thecanoeswereheapedwithfruitandcassavabread,andtheyhadcotton,notinballs,butwoveninpieces.AndtheseIndianshadaboutneckorinearsomebitsofgold.
　　Thesetheychangedcheerfully,takingandvaluingwhattriflewasgiven.``Gold.Wheredoyougetyourgold?
　　DoyouknowofCipangoorCathayorIndia?HaveeveryouheardofZaiton,orofQuinsaiandCublaiKhan?''
　　Theygaveusanswerswhichwecouldnotfullyunderstand,andgesturedinlandandalittletotheeast.``Cibao!Cibao!''
　　Theyseemedtosaythattherewasallthegoldtherethatareasonablemortalmightdesire.``Cibao?——
　　Cipango?''saidtheAdmiral.``Theymightbethesame.''
　　``LikeCubaandCublaiKhan,''thoughtJuanLepe.
　　Aroundapointofshoredartedalongcanoewithmanyrowers.Othercanoesgavewayforit,andtheIndiansalreadyuponthe_SantaMaria_exclaimedthatitwastheboatofthecacique,thoughnotthecaciquebuthisbrothersatinit.Guacanagariwasthecacique.Histownwasyonder!TheypointedtoamistyheadlandbeyondSt.
　　Thomas'sbay.
　　TheIndianfromthegreatcanoecameaboard,ahandsomefellow,andhebroughtpresentsnotlikeanywehadseen.Therewasawidthofcottonembroideredthickwithbitsofgleamingshellandbone,butwhatwasmostwelcomewasahugewoodenmaskwitheyesandtongueofgold.
　　FrayIgnatiocrossedhimself.``Thedeviltheyworship,——
　　poorlostsheep!''Thethirdgiftwasaconsiderablepieceofthatmixedandimperfectgoldwhichafterwardswecalledguanin.Andwouldwegotovisitthecaciquewhosetownwasnotsofaryonder?
　　ItwasChristmasEve.Wesailedwithasmall,smallwindforthecacique'svillage,outfromharborofSt.
　　Thomas,aroundaheadlandandalongalow,brightgreenshore.Solowandfitfulwasthewindthatwemovedliketwogreatsnails.Bettertohavelefttheshipsandgone,somanyofus,inourboatswithoars,canoesconvoyingus!
　　Thedistancewasnotgreat,butdistanceisasthepowerofgoing.``Iremember,''quoththeAdmiral,``acalm,goingfromtheLevanttoCrete,andourwatercaskbrokenandnotamouthfulforasoulaboard!Thatwasalong,longtwodayswhiletheoneshorewentnofurtherandtheothercamenonearer.AndgoingoncetoPortoSantowithmywifeshefellillandmoanedfortheland,andwewereheldasbytheseabottom,andIthoughtshewoulddiewhomightbesavedifshecouldhavetheland.AndIremembergoingdowntheAfricancoastwithSantanem——''
　　DiegodeAranasaid,``Youhavehadafulllife,senor!''
　　Hewascousin,Ihadbeentold,tothatDonaBeatrixwhomtheAdmiralcherished,motherofhisyoungestson,Fernando.TheAdmiralhadaffectionforhim,andDiegodeAranalivedanddied,agood,loyalman.``Afulloutwardlife,''hewenton,``andIdareswear,afullinwardone!''
　　``ThatisGod'struth!''saidtheAdmiral.``Youmaywellsaythat,senor!InsideIhavelivedwithallwhohavelived,anddiscoveredwithallwhohavediscovered!''
　　Irememberasadreamthislastdayuponthe_SantaMaria_.
　　Beltranthecookhadscaldedhisarm.Idressediteachday,anddressingitnow,halfadozenidlingby,watchingtheoperation,IheardagainakindoftalkthatIhadheardbefore.PartlybecauseIhadshippedasJuanLepeanAndalusiansailorandhadhadmyforecastledays,andpartlybecausemenrarelyfeartospeaktoaphysician,andpartlybecauseinthegreatwholethereexistedlikingbetweenthemandme,theytalkedanddiscussedfreelyenoughwhatanyotherfromtheotherendofshipcouldhavecomeatonlybyformalquestioning.NowmanyoftheseamenwantedtoknowwhenwewerereturningtoPalos,andanothernumbersaidthattheywouldjustassoonneverreturn,oratleastnotforagoodwhile!Buttheydidnotwishtospendthatgoodwhileupontheship.Itwasagoodland,andtheheathenalsogood.Theheathenmightallbegoingtoburninhell,unlessFrayIgnatiocouldgetthembaptizedintime,andsonumerousweretheythatseemedhardlypossible!Almostallmighthavetogotohell.
　　Butinthemeantime,hereonearth,theyhadtheiruses,andonecouldevengrowfondofthem——certainlyfondofthewomen.Theheathenwereeagertoworkforus,catchusconeys,bringusgold,puthammocksforusbetweentreesandsay``Sleep,senor,sleep!''HereevenTomasoPassamontewas``senor''and``Don.''Andasforthewomen——onlytheskinisdark——theywerewarm-hearted!
　　Goldandwomenandneveranycoldnorhungernortoil!
　　Theheathentotoilforyou——andtheycouldbetaughttomakewine,withallthesegrapesdanglingeverywhere?
　　Heathencoulddothegatheringandpressing,andalsothegoldhuntinginrocksandstreams.Spainwouldfurnishthemindandthehabitofcommand.ItwerewelltostayandcultivateHispaniola!TheAdmiralandthosewhowantedtomighttakehometheships.OfcoursetheAdmiralwouldcomeagain,andwithhimshipsandmanymen.Noonewanted,ofcourse,nevertoseeagainCastileandPalosandhisfamily!ButtostayinHispaniolaawhileandrestandgrowrich,——thatwaswhattheywanted.Andnoonecouldjustlycallthemidle!Iftheyfoundoutallaboutthelandandwherewerethegoldandthespices,wastherenotuseinthat,justasmuchuseaswanderingforeveronthe_SantaMaria_?
　　Motherearthwaskind,kind,here,andshedidn'thavearodlikemothercountryandMotherChurch!Theydidnotsaythislast,butitwaswhattheymeant.
　　``Youdon'tseetherod,thatisall,''saidJuanLepe.
　　Buttherehadeventuallytobecolonies,andIknewthattheAdmiralwasrevolvinginhisheadtheleavinginthisnewworldcertainofourmen,seedcornasitwere,organsalsotogatherknowledgeagainsthisspeedyreturnwithpowerofshipsandmen.ForsurelySpainwouldbegrateful,——surely,surely!ButhewasnotreadyyettosetsailforSpain.Hemeanttodiscovermore,discoverfurther,comeifbyanymeanshecouldtotheactualwealthofgreat,mainIndia;comeperhapstoZaiton,wherearemoremerchantsthaninalltherestoftheworld,andahundredmastershipsladenwithpepperentereveryyear;ortoQuinsaiofthemarblebridges.No,hewasnotreadytoturnprowtoSpain,andhewasnotlikelytobleedhimselfofmen,noworformanydaystocome.Allthesewhowouldlieinhammocksashoremustwaitawhile,andevenwhentheymadetheircolony,thatisnotthewaythatcoloniesliveandgrow.
　　Beltransaid,``Someofyouwouldliketodoalittlegood,andsomeareforasow'slife!''
　　ItwasChristmasEve,andwehadourvespers,andwethoughtofthedayathomeinCastileandinItaly.Duskdrewdown.Behinduswasthedeep,securewaterofSt.Thomas,hisharbor.TheAdmiralhadussoundandtheleadshowednogreatdepth,whereuponwestoodalittleouttoavoidshoalorbar.
　　ForsomenightstheAdmiralhadbeenwakeful,suffering,asJuanLepeknew,withthatgoutwhichattimestroubledhimlikeaverydemon.Butthisnightheslept.JuandelaCosasetthewatch.ThehelmsmanwasSanchoRuizthanwhomnonewasbetter,saveonlythathewouldtakeariskwhenhepleased.Allothersslept.Thedayhadbeenlong,sowarm,stillandidle,withthewoodedshorestealingsoslowlyby.
　　EarlyinthenightSanchoRuizwastakenwithagreatcrampandaswimmingofthehead.Hecalledtooneofthewatchtocometakethehelmforalittle,butnoneanswered;
　　calledagainandashipboysleepingnear,uncurledhimself,stretched,andcametohand.``It'sallsafe,andtheAdmiralsleepingandthemastersleepingandthewatchalso!''saidtheboy.PedroAcevedoitwas,awell-enoughmeaningyoungwretch.
　　SanchoRuizputhelminhishand.``Keepherso,whileI
　　liedownhereforalittle.Myheadismovingfasterthanthe_SantaMaria_!''
　　Helaydown,andtheswimmingmadehimclosehiseyes,andclosedeyesandthedisappearanceofhispain,andpleasantrestingondeckcausedhimtosleep.PedroAcevedoheldthewheelandlookedatthemoon.Thenthewindchosetochange,blowingstillverylightlybutbearingusnowtowardshore,andPedronevernoticingthisgrowlarger.Hewaslookingatthemoon,heafterwardssaidwithtears,andthinkingofChristborninBethlehem.
　　Theshorecamenearerandnearer.SanchoRuizslept.
　　Pedronowheardasoundthatheknewwellenough.Comingbacktohereandnow,helookedandsawbreakersuponalongsandbar.Themakingtidewasathalf,andthatandthechangedwindcarriedustowardthelinesoffoam.Theboycried,``Steersman!Steersman!''Ruizsatup,holdinghisheadinhishands.``Sucharoaringinmyears!''
　　But``Breakers!Breakers!''criedtheboy.``Takethehelm!''
　　Ruizsprangtoit,butashetoucheditthe_SantaMaria_
　　grounded.Theshockwokemostonboard,theimmediateoutcryandrunningfeettherest.
　　Theharmwasdone,andnogoodnowinrecriminations!
　　Itwasnever,Ibearwitness,habitofChristopherusColumbus.
　　TheSantaMarialistedheavily,theseapoundingagainsther,drivinghermoreandmoreuponthesand.ButorderarrivedwiththeAdmiral.Themastergrewhislieutenant,themarinershisobedientones.Backhewasatthirty,withashipwreckwhohadseenmanyandknewhowtotoilwithhandsandwithhead.Moreover,thegreatgeniusofthemanshoneindarkness.Hecouldencourage;hecouldbringcoolness.
　　Wetriedtowarpheroff,butitwasnottobedone.Wecutawaymasttolightenher,butmoreandmoreshegrewfasttothebank,thewavesstrikingallherside,pushingherover.Seamshadopened,waterwascomingin.The_Nina_amileawaytookoursignalandcamenearer,layto,andsentherboat.
　　TheSantaMaria,itwasseen,wasdying.Nothingmorewastobedone.Hermarinerscouldonlyclingtoherlikebeestocomb.WegotthetwoboatsclearandtherewastheboatoftheNina.MissionedbytheAdmiral,JuanLepegotsomehowintocabin,togetherwithSanchoandLuisTorres,andwecollectedmapsandcharts,log,journal,boxwithroyallettersandthesmallbagsofgold,andtheAdmiral'spersonalbelongings,puttingallintoagreatsackandcaringforit,untiluponthe_Nina_wegaveitintohishand.Aboveusrangthecry,``Alloff!''
　　FromChristopherusColumbustoPedroAcevedoalllefttheSantaMariaandwerereceivedbytheNina.Crowded,crowdedwastheNina!Downvoyagedthemoon,upcamewithfreshnesstherose-chapleteddawn.AwrecklaytheSantaMaria,paintedagainsttheeast,aboutheralowthunderofbreakers.Wherewasthe_Pinta_nomanknew!PerhapshalfwaybacktoSpainorperhapswreckedanddrownedliketheflagship.TheNina,asmall,smallshipandnonetooseaworthy,carriedallofEuropeandDiscovery.
　　CHAPTERXXII
　　INthesmall,smallcabinofthe_Nina_ChristopherusColumbussatforatimewithhisheadbowedinhisarms,thenroseandmadeupamissiontogotothecaciqueGuacanagariand,relatingourmisfortune,requestaidandshelteruntilwehaddetermineduponourcourse.TherewentDiegodeAranaandPedroGutierrezwithLuisTorresandoneortwomore,andtheytookDiegoColonandthetwoSt.ThomasIndians.Itwasnowfulllight,theshoreandmountainsgreenasemerald,thewateritsoldunearthlyblue.
　　The_Nina_swungatanchorjustunderthelandandthenowrecedingtideuncoveredmoreandmorethosesandswheretheSantaMarialayhuddledanddying.TheAdmiralgazed,andthetearsrandownhisface.Hewassogreatthatheneverthoughttohidejustemotion.Hespokeasthoughtohimself.``ManysinshaveI,many,many!Butthouwiltnot,OGod,castmeutterlyawaybecauseofthem!
　　IwillnotdoubtThee,normycalling!''
　　Therewaslittlespaceabouthim.The_Nina_seemedtoquiver,packedanddarkwithmen.Hisdeepvoicewenton,andtheycouldhearhim,buthedidnotseemtoknowthattheywerethere.``Asthoughuponaraft,hereathousandleaguesinOcean-Sea!YetwiltThoucareforthyGoodNews.IwillcometoSpain,andIwilltellit.Chosen,andalmostbyverynamepointedoutinThyBook!ThefirstChristianshorethatItouchIwillwalkbarefootandinmyshirtattheheadoftwelvetothefirstshrine.And,OmyLord,nevermorewillIforgetthatthattombinwhichthoudidstrest,still,stillisheldbytheinfidel!''Hebeathisbreast.``_Meaculpa!meaculpa!_''
　　Hisvoicesank,helookedatthesky,thenwithaturnofthewristatthewheelheputthatbyandbecameagainthevigilantAdmiralofafleetofone.``Shewillholdtogetheryetawhile!Whenthetideisout,wecangettoherandemptyher.Takeallashorethatcanbecarriedorfloatedandmaybeofuse.Upanddown——downandup!''
　　TheinhabitantsofHispaniolawerenowaboutusincanoesorswimming.Theyseemedtocryoutindistressandsympathy,gazingatthe_SantaMaria_asthoughitwereagoddyingthere.Theirowncanoeswerelivingthingstothemasisanyshiptoamariner,andbyanalogyourgreatcanoewasaBeingdying,moreofaBeingthantheirs,becauseithadwingsandcouldopenandfoldthem.AndthenbackcameourboatwithDiegodeAranaandtheothers,andtheyhadwiththemthatsamebrotherofthecaciquewhohadcometousinSt.ThomasHarbor.AndhadwebeenwreckedoffPalos,notPaloscouldhaveshowedmoreconcernorbeenmorereadytohelpthanwerethesemen.
　　WehadthreeboatsandtheIndiancanoesandhandsenough,whiteandcopper-hued.Nowatlowtide,wecouldapproachandenterthe_SantaMaria_.Agreatbreachbadbeenmadeandwaterwasdeepinherhold,butwecouldgetatmuchofcasksandchests,andcouldtakeawaysailsandcordage,evenhertwocannon.Eventually,asshebrokeup,wemightfloatawaytoshoremuchofhertimber.WhenIlookedfromthewrecktothelittleNina,Icouldsee,limnedasitwereinair,theViceroy'sfirstcolony,setinHispaniola,besideGuacanagari'stown.AllChristmasdaywetoiledandtheIndiansatourside.Wefoundthemready,notwithoutskill,gayandbiddable.
　　TowardsunsetcameGuacanagari.Allthelittleshorewasstrewnandheapedwithourmatters.AndhereIwillsaythatnoIndianstolethatdaythoughhemighthavestolen,andthoughourpossessionsseemedtohimgreatwondersandtreasurebeyondestimation.Whatwasbroughtfromthe_SantaMaria_layinheapsandourmencameandwent.
　　Themostofourforcewasashoreorintheboats;onlysomanyontheNina.TheAdmiral,justreturnedtotheship,stretchedhimselfuponthebenchinhersmallcabin.Powerfulwashisframeandconstitution,andpowerfullytriedallhislifewithathousandstrainsandbuffetings!Itseemedstilltohold;helookedamuscular,sinewy,strongandruddyman.Butthereweresignsthatacarefuleyemightfind.
　　HelayuponthebenchinthecabinandI,whowashisphysician,broughthimwineandbiscuitandmadehimeatanddrinkwho,Iknew,hadnottouchedfoodsincetheeveningbefore;afterwhichItoldhimtocloseeyesandgoawaytoGenoaandboyhood.Heshutthem,andIsittingnearbroughtmywillasbestIcouldtothequietingofallheavyandsorrowfulwaves.
　　Butthenthecaciquecame.Sosmallwasthe_Nina_thatwecouldhearwellenoughthewordofhisarrival.TheAdmiralopenedhiseyesandsatstifflyup.Hegroanedandtookhisheadintohishands,thendroppedtheseandwithashakeofhisshouldersresumedcommand.Somanyandgrievousaseahaddashedoverhimandretreatedandhehadstood!Whathesaidnowwas,``Thetideofthespiritgoesout;thetidecomesbackin.Letitcomebackaspringtide!''
　　Guacanagarientered.Thiscacique,whosefortunesnowbegantobeintertwinedwithours,hadhislikeness,sofaraswentstateandcustom,tothatCubanchieftainwhomLuisTorresandIhadvisited.Butthiswasaneasier,lessstronglyfibredperson,abig,amiable,indolentmanwithsomequalityofagreatdogwho,acceptingyouandbecomingyourfriend,mayneverbeestranged.Hewasbraveafterhisfashion,giftedenoughinsimplethings.InEuropehewouldhavebeenan.easy,well-likedprinceordukeofnogreatterritory.Hekeptasimplestate,woresomeslightapparelofcottonandagoldennecklet.Hebroughtgiftsandanunfeignedsympathyforthatdeathuponthesandbar.
　　HeandtheAdmiralsatandtalkedtogether.``Godsfromheaven?''——``ChristianmenandfromEurope,''andwecouldnotmakehim,atthistime,understandthatthatwasnotthesamething.Webegantocomprehendthat``heaven''wasawordofmanylevels,andthattheyascribedtoiteverythingthattheychosetoconsidergoodandthatwasmanifestlyoutoftherangeoftheirexperience.
　　InhisturntheAdmiralwasreadyforallthatGuacanagaricouldtellhim.``Gold?''HiseyeswereupontheIndian'snecklet.Removingit,thecaciquelaiditinthegod'shand.AllIndiansnow.understoodthatwemadehighmagicwithgold,gettingoutofitvirtuesbeyondtheircomprehension.InreturntheAdmiralgavehimasmallbrazengongandhammer.``Wheredidtheygetthegold?''
　　AgainliketheCubanchiefthiscaciquewavedhishandtothemountains.``Cibao!''andthenturninghetoopointedtothesouth.``Muchgoldthere,''saidDiegoColon.``Inland,inthemountains,''quoththeAdmiral,``andevidently,inverygreatquantity,insomelandtothesouth!ThisisnotCipango,butIthinkthatCipangoliestothesouth.''
　　HeaskedwhoruledHaytithatwecalledHispaniola.Weunderstoodthattherewereanumberofcaciques,butthatforaday'sjourneyeverywayitwasGuacanagari'scountry.
　　``Acaciquewhoruledthemall?''No,therewasnosuchthing.
　　``Hadshipslikeoursandclothedmeneverbeforecometothem?''
　　No,never!Butthenheseemedtosaythattherewasundoubtedlyatradition.Godshadcome,andwouldcomeagain,andwhentheydidsogreatthingswouldfollow!
　　Butnocaciquenorpriestnoranyknewwhenthegodshadcome.
　　TheAdmiralmadesomequestionofCaribs.Againtherewasgesturesouthward,thoughitseemedtousthatsomethingwassaidoffolkwithinthisgreatislandwhowereatleastlikeCaribs.Andwherewasthemostgoldandthegreatestotherwealththattheyknewof?Againsouth,thoughthistimewethoughtitrathersouthbywest.TheAdmiralsighed,andspokeofCuba.Yes,GuacanagariknewofCuba.Haditendfaryondertothewestward,ornoend?Hadanyoneevercometoitsend?Thecaciquethoughtnot,orknewnotandassumeddeliberation.LuisandIagreedthatwehadnotmetamongtheseIndiansanytruenotionofacontinent.TothemHaytiwasvast,Cubawasvast,thelandsoftheCaribs,wherevertheywere,werevast,andvastwhateverotherislandstheremightbe.
　　Tothemthiswasthe_OEcumene_,theinhabitedandinhabitableworld,Europe——Asia——Africa?Theirfacesstayedblank.Werethesedivisionsofheaven?
　　Guacanagariwouldentertainandsuccorus.Thiscanoe——oh,thehugemarvel!——wastoocrowded!Yonderlayhistown.Allthehousesthatwemightwantwereours,allthehammocks,allthefood.Andhewouldfeastthegods.
　　Thathadbeenpreparingsinceyesterday,Afeastwithdancing.HehopedthegreatcaciqueandhispeoplefromfarnearerheaventhanwasGuacanagariwouldliveaslongasmightbeinhistown.Guaricowashistown.Abig,easy,amiable,likeableman,hesatinnakednessonlynotutter,saveforthatmuchlikeabighidalgoofferingsympathyandsheltertosomefire-oustedorfoe-oustedprince!
　　AsforthepartofprinceitwasnothardfortheAdmiraltoplayit.Hewasonenaturally.
　　Hethankedthecaciquetowhom,Icouldsee,behadtakenliking.Sevenhouseswouldbeenough.To-nightsomeofuswouldsleepuponthebeachbesidetheheapedgoods.
　　To-morrowwewouldvisitGuacanapri.Thebig,lazy,peaceablemanexpressedhispleasure,thenwithawideanddignifiedgesturedismissingallthat,askedtobeshownmarvels.
　　CHAPTERXXIII
　　GUACANAGARI'StownwasmuchperhapsaswasGothtown,Franktown,Saxontown,Latintown,sufficienttimeago.Asforclothedandunclothed,thatmaybetosomedegreeamatterofcoldorwarmweather.Wehadnotseenthateveritwascoldinthisland.
　　Guacanagarifeasteduswithgreatdignityandearnestness,forheandhispeoplehelditamomentousthingourcominghere,ourbeinghere.Utiaswehadandiguana,fish,cassavabread,potato,manyadeliciousfruit,andthatmilddrinkthattheymade.Andwehadcalabashes,trenchersandfingers,stonekniveswithwhichcertainofficersofthefeastdecorouslydividedthemeat,smallgourdsforcups,waterforcleansing,napkinsofbroadleaves.Itwasagreatandcomelyfeast.Butbeforethefeast,asinCuba,thedance.
　　Ishouldsaythatthreehundredyoungmenandmaidensdanced.Theyadvanced,theyretreated,theycowered,theypressedforward.Theymadesupplication,armstoheavenorforeheadtoground,theyreceived,theyweregrateful,theycircledfastineaseofmind,theyhungeredagainandwerefilledagain,theyflowedtogether,theymadeagreatsquare,chantingproudly!
　　FrayIgnatiobesidemeglowered,sofarassogoodamancouldglower.ButJuanLepesaid,``Itisdoubtanddifficulty,approach,reconciliationholytriumph!Theyareactingoutlongpilgrimagesandarrivalsatsacredcitiesandhopesforgreatercities.ItismuchthesameasinSevilleorRome!''Whereuponhelookedatmeinastonishment,andJaymedeMarchenasaidtoJuanLepe,``Holdthytongue!''
　　Danceandthefeastover,itbecametheAdmiral'sturn.
　　Hewassetnottoseemdejected,nottogiveanySpaniardnoranyIndianreasontosay,``ThisGenoese——orthisgod——doesnotsustainmisfortune!''Buthesatcalm,pleasedwithall;brotherly,fatherly,bythatbig,easy,contentedcacique.Nowhewouldfurnishtheentertainment!
　　AmonguswehadoneDiegoMinas,ahugemanandasmightyabowmanasanyinFlandersorEngland.HimtheAdmiralnowputforwardwithhisgreatcrossbowandlongarrows.Astirranaround.``Carib!Carib!''WemadeoutthatthosemysteriousCaribshadbowsandarrows,thoughnotgreatoneslikethis.GuacanagariemployedgesturesandwordsthatLuisTorresandIstrovetounderstand.WegatheredthatseveraltimesinthememoryofmantheCaribshadcomeinmanycanoes,warreddreadfully,killedandtakenaway.Morethanthat,somewhereinHaytiorQuisquayaorHispaniolawerecertainpeoplewhoknewtheweapon.``Caonabo!''Herepeatedthenamewithrespectanddisliking.``Caonabo,Caonabo!
　　PerhapstheCaribshadmadeasettlement.
　　Diegofastenedaleafuponthebarkofatreeandfromagreatdistancetransfixeditwithanarrow,theninsuccessionsentfourothersagainstthetrunk,makingpreciselytheformofacross.TheIndianscried,``Hai!Hai!''
　　Butwhenthefourharquebusmensetuptheirironrests,fixedtheharquebuses,andfiringcutleavesandtwigsfromthesametree,therewasaloudercrying.Andwhentherewasdraggedforth,chargedwithpowderandfired,oneofthelombardstakenfromthe_SantaMaria_,wideryetsprangthecommotion.PedroGutierrezandayoungcavalierfromthe_Nina_deignedtoshowlanceplay,andVicentePinzonwhohadservedagainsttheMoorstookagreatswordandwithitcarvedcalabashesandseveredgreenboughs.Theswordwasverymarveloustothem.WemighthavedancedforthemforSpainknowshowtodance,orwemighthavesungforthem,forourmarinerssingatsea.Butthesewerenotthesuperiorthingswewishedtoshowthem.
　　Guacanagari,bigandeasyandgentle,said,``Livehere,youwhoaresogreatandgood!Wewilltakeyouintothepeople.Weshallbebrothers.''Weunderstoodthemthatthegreatwhiteheronwastheirguardianspiritandwouldbeours.Isaid,``Theydonotthinkofitasjustthosestalking,stillystandingbirds!Itisanameforsomethinghovering,brooding,caringforthem.''
　　TheViceroyspokewithenergy.``TellthemofFather,SonandHolyGhost!''
　　FrayIgnatiostoodandspoke,gentleandplain.DiegoColonmadewhatheadwayhecould.Guacanagarilistened,attentive.TheFranciscanhadacertaintythatpresentlyhemightbegintobaptize.Hisfaceglowed.IheardhimsaytotheAdmiral,``Ifitbepossible,senor,leavemeherewhenyoureturntoSpain!Iwillconvertthischiefandallhispeople——bythetimeyoucomeagainthereshallbeachurch!''
　　``Letmeponderityetawhile,''answeredtheother.
　　Hewasthoughtfulwhenhewentbacktothe_Nina_.
　　VicentePinzon,too,wasanxiousforlight.``Thisshipiscrowdedtosinking!Ifwemeetwretchedweather,orifsicknessbreakout,returning,weshallbeinbadcase!''
　　RoderigoSanchezalsohadhisword.``Isitnotveryimportant,senor,thatweshouldgetthetidingstotheSovereigns?
　　Andwehavenowjustthisonesmallship,andsofartogo,andallmannerofdangers!''
　　``Aye,itisimportant!''saidtheAdmiral.``Letmethinkitout,senor.''
　　Hehadnotsleptatall,thoughtJuanLepe,whennextmorninghecameamongus.Butbelookedresolved,hardytoaccomplish.Hehadhisplan,andhegaveittousinhisdeepvoicethatalwaysthrilledwithmuchbesidethemomentaryutterance.Wewouldbuildaforthereonshore,hardbythisvillage,fellingwoodforitandusingalsothetimbersofthe_SantaMaria_.Wewouldmounttherehertwogunsandprovideanarsenalwithpowder,shot,harquebusesandbows.BuildafortandcallitLaNavidad,becauseofChristmasdaywhenwasthewreck.Itshouldhaveagarrisonofcertainlythirtymen,amanforeachyearofOurLord'slifewhenHebeganhismission.SomanyplacedinHispaniolawouldmuchlightenthe_Nina_,whichindeedmustbelightenedinorderwithsafetytore-
　　crossOcean-Sea.Foryes,wewouldgobacktoPalos!
　　Go,andcomeagainwithmanyandbetterships,withhidalgosandmissionarypriests,andverymanymen!InthemeantimesomanyshouldstayatLaNavidad.
　　``Inlessthanayear——muchless,Ipromiseit——ItheAdmiralwillbehereagainatLaNavidad,whenwillcomehappygreetingbetweenbrothersinthegreatestserviceofourownormanyages!Seaandland,GodwillkeepussolongasweareHis!''
　　AlllovedChristopherusColumbusthatday.NonewastobeforcedtostayatLaNavidad.Itwaseasytogainthirty;intheendtheretarriedthirty-eight.