Thehighgrassyspaceranupononesidetosheerprecipice,droppingcleartwohundredfeet.Buttherewascampinggroundenough——andthesunalmosttouchedthefar,violetearth.
　　TheIndiansthrewthemselvesdown.Whentheyhadsuppertheywouldeatit,whentheyhaditnottheywouldwaitforbreakfast.ButCaonabowithtwentyyoungmencametous.Hesaidsomething,andmyarmswerecaughtfrombehindandheld.HefacedBeltranseatedagainstapine.``Aiya!''hesaid.Hisvoicewasdeepandharsh,andbemadeagestureofrepugnance.TherewasapowerfullymadeIndianbesidehim,andIsawthelastgleamofthesunstrikethelong,sharp,stoneknife.``Kill!''saidthecacique.
　　AdozenflungthemselvesuponBeltran,buttherewasnoneed,forhesatquitestillwithasteadyface.HehadtimetocrytoJuanLepe,whocriedtohim,``That'swhatIsay!
　　Goodcheerandcourageandmeetagain!''
　　Hehadnolongsuffering.Theknifewasdrivenquicklytohisheart.Theydrewtheshelltotheedgeoftheprecipiceanddroppeditover.
　　Itwasearlynight,itwasmiddlenight,itwaslatenight.
　　Theyhadsetnowatch,forwhereandwhatwasthedangerhereonthismountaintop?
　　Onesidewentdowninaprecipice,oneslopinglesssteeplywehadclimbedfromthepinetreesandthewell,oneofalikedescentwewouldtaketo-morrowdowntotheplain,butthefourthwasmountainheadhangingaboveusandthickwood,——dark,entangled,pathless.AnditchancedoritwasthatJuanLepelayuponthesidetowardthepeak,closetoforest.TheIndianshadnothoughttoguardme.
　　Welaydownunderthemoon,andthatbronzehostslept,nakedbeautifulstatues,ineveryattitudeofrest.
　　Themoonshoneuntiltherewassilverday.JuanLepewasnotsleeping.
　　Therewasnowind,buthewatchedabranchmove.Itlookedlikeaman'sarm,thenitmovedfartherandwasafullman,——anIndian,noiseless,outclearinthemoon,fromthewood.Iknewhim.ItwasthepriestGuarin,priestandphysician,fortheyarethesamehere.Palmagainstearth,Ihalfrose.Henodded,madeasigntorisewhollyandcome.Ididso.Istoodandsawunderthemoonnowakingfacenorupspringingform.IsteppedacrossanIndian,another,athird.Thenwasclearspace,thewood,Guarin.Therewasnosoundsaveonlytheconstantsoundofthisforestbynightwhenamillionmillioninsectswaken.
　　Hetookmyhandanddrewmeintothebrakeandwilderness.
　　Therewasnopath.IfollowedhimoverIknownotwhatoftwinedrootandthickancientsoil,apowderandflakethatgaveunderfoot,toahidden,rockyshelfthatbrokeandcameagainandbrokeandcameagain.Nowwewereahundredfeetabovethatcampandgoingovermountainbrow,goingtothenorthagain.GonewereCaonaboandhisIndians;gonetheviewoftheplainandthemountainsofCibao.Againwemetlowcliff,longstonyledgessunkintheforest,invisiblefrombelow.Ibegantoseethattheywouldnotknowhowtofollow.CaonabomightknowwellthemountainsofCibao,butthissierrathatwasstraightbehindGuarico,Guaricoknew.Itisablessedhabitoftheirprieststogowanderingintheforest,makingtheirmedicine,learningthecountry,discovering,usingcertainhauntsformeditation.Sometimestheyaregonefromtheirvillagesfordaysandweeks.Noneindeedofthesewildpeoplesfearreasonablesolitude.OutofallwhichcomesthefactthatGuarinknewthismountain.Wewerenotfar,asfliesthebird,fromtheburnedtownofGuarico,fromtheseawithoutsail,fromtheruinedLaNavidad.Whenthedawnbrokewesawocean.
　　Hetookmestraighttoacavern,suchanotherasthatinwhichJerezandLuisTorresandIhadharboredinCuba.
　　Butthishadfinesandforfloor,andarowofcalabashes,andwoodlaidforfire.
　　HereJuanLepedropped,forallhisheadwasswimmingwithweariness.
　　Thesunwasup,theplaceglistered.Guarinshowedhowitwashidden.``IfounditwhenIwasaboy,andnonebutGuarinhathevercomehereuntilyoucome,JuanLepe!
　　Hehadnofear,itwasevident,ofCaonabo'scoming.``Theywillthinkyouridolhelpedyouaway.Iftheylookforyou,itwillbeinthecloud.Theywillsay,`Seethatdarkmarkmovingroundedgeofcloudmountain!Thatishe!'''
　　Iaskedhim,``WhereareGuacanagariandtherest?''
　　``Guacanagarihadanarrowthroughhisthighandadeepcutuponthehead.Hewasbleedingandinaswoon.
　　HisbrotherandtheGuaricomenandIwiththemtookhim,andthewomentookthechildren,andwewentaway,saveafewthatwerekilled,uponthepaththatweusedwheninmyfather'stime,theCaribscameincanoes.
　　AfterawhilewewillgodowntoGuacanagari.Butnowrest!''
　　Helookedatme,andthenfromalittletricklingspringhetookwaterinacalabashnolargerthananorangeandfromanothervesselawhitedustwhichhestirredintoit,andmademedrink.Ididnotknowwhatitwas,butI
　　wenttosleep.
　　Butthatsleepdidnotrefresh.Itwasfilledwithheavyanddreadfuldreams,andIwokewithanachingheadandaburningskin.JuanLepewhohadnursedthesickdownthereinLaNavidadknewfeeblywhatitwas.Hesawinamistthenakedpriest,hisfriendandrescuer,seateduponthesandyfloorregardinghimwithawrinkledbrowandcompressedlips,andthenhesankintofevervisionsuncouthanddreadful,ormirage-pleasingwithamirage-
　　ecstasy.
　　JuanLepedidnotdie,buthelayillandliketodiefortwomonths.ItwasdeepinOctober,thatdayatdawnwhenIcamequietly,evenly,tomyselfagain,andlaymostweak,butwithseeingeyes.AtfirstIthoughtIwasaloneinthecavern,butthenIsawGuarinwherehelayasleep.
　　ThatdayIstrengthened,andthenextdayandthenext.
　　ButIhadlainlongattheveryfeetofdeath,andfullstrengthwasatortoiseinreturning.SogoodtoJuanLepewasGuarin!
　　Nowhewaswithme,andnowhewentawaytothatvillagewherewasGuacanagari.Hehaddonethisfromthefirstcominghere,nursingme,thengoingdownthroughtheforesttoseethatallwaswellwithhiswoundedcaciqueandthefolkwhosebutiohewas.Theyknewhiswaysanddidnottrytokeephimwhenhewouldreturntothemountain,to,``makemedicine.''SononeknewofthecavernorthattherewasoneSpaniardleftaliveinallHayti.
　　Istrengthened.AtlastIcoulddrawmyselfoutofcaveandlie,inthenowsopleasantweather,upontheledgebeforeit.Allthevastheatandmoisturewasgoneby;
　　nowagainwasweatheroflastyearwhenwefoundSanSalvador.
　　Icouldseeocean.Nosail,andwerehereturning,surelyitshouldhavebeenbeforethis!Hemightneverreturn.
　　WhenGuarinwasawayIsatorlayormovedaboutasmalldemesneandstillprospered.Therewerecleanrock,thewater,themarvelousforest.Hebroughtcassavacake,fruit,fishfromthesea.Hebroughtmeforentertainmentatalkingparrot,andtherelivedinaseamoftherockabeautifullizardwithwhomImadefriends.Theairwasbalm,balm!Asteadysoftwindmadecataractsoundintheforest.Sunrise,noon,sunset,midnight,weregreatglories.
　　ItwasNovember;itwasmid-Novemberandafter.
　　NowIwasstrongandwanderedintheforest,thoughneverfarfromthatcliffandcavern.ItwassettledbetweenusthatinfivedaysIshouldgodownwithGuarintoGuacanagari.HeproposedthatIshouldbetakenformallyintothetribe.Theyhadaceremonyofadoption,andafterthatJuanLepewouldbeGuarico.HewouldlivewithandteachtheGuaricos,becomingbutio——heandGuarinbutiostogether.Iponderedit.IftheAdmiralcamenotagainitwastheonethingtodo.
　　Iremembertheveryodorandexquisitetouchofthemorning.Guarinwasaway.IhadtomyselfcaveandledgeandlittlewaterfallandgreattreesthatnowIwastellingonefromanother.Ihadparrotandlizardandspokenowtotheoneandnowtotheother.Irememberthebutterfliesandthehummingbirds.
　　Ilookedouttoseaandsawasail!
　　Itwasafar,awhitepoint.IleanedagainsttherockforIwassuddenlyweakwhothemomentbeforehadfeltstrong.
　　Thewhitepointswelled.Itwouldbeagoodlylargeship.
　　Overbluerimslippedanotherflake.AlittleoffIsawathird,thenafourth.JuanLeperubbedhiseyes.Beforetherecamenomorehehadcountedseventeensail.Theygrew;theyweresobeauteous.Towardtheharborsailedafleet.NowImadeouttheflagship.
　　OLife,thouwondrousgoddessofhappenings!
　　AnhourIsatoncliffedgeandwatched.Theyweremakingin,thelovelywhiteswans.Whentheywerefairlynear,wheninlittletimetheforemostwouldbringto,downsailanddropanchor,JuanLepe,gatheringhisbelongingstogether,biddingthelizardfarewellandtakingtheparrotwithhimonshoulder,leftcavernandcliffandtookGuarin'spathdownthroughtheforest.
　　HalfwaytolevellandhemetGuarincomingup;thetwometbeneathatreehugeandspreading,curtainedwithavine,starredwithflowers.``Hehascome!''criedtheIndian.``Theyhavecome!''Inhisvoicewasmarveling,awe,perturbation.
　　Thesunintheskyshone,andinthebayhungthatwonderofreturn,themanyshipsforthe_Nina_.JuanLepeandGuarinwentondownthroughwoodtoanarrowsilverbeach,outuponwhichbadcastitselfanIndianvillage.
　　Guacanagariwasnothere.HewaitedwithinhishousefortheAdmiral.Buthisbrother,andothersofGuarico,sawmeandthereroseaclamorandexcitementthatforthemomenttookthemfromtheships.GuarinexplainedandJuanLepeexplained,butstillthismiraculousdaydyedalsoforthemmypresencehere.Ihadbeenslain,andhadcometolifetogreettheGreatCacique!Itgrewtoalegend.I
　　metitso,longafterwardsinHispaniola.
　　CHAPTERXXVII
　　ONEbyonewereincoming,werefoldingwings,wereanchoring,Spanishships.Threewerelargereachthanthe_SantaMaria_andthe_Pinta_together;theotherscaravelsofvaryingsize.Seventeeninall,afleet,crowdedwithmen,havingcannonandbannersandmusic.
　　EuropewascomingwithstrengthintoAsia!TheIndiansonthebeachweremovedasbyanunrestingwind.Theyhadterror,theyhaddelight,andsomeamerestupidityofstaring.Thegreatestship,thefirsttoanchor,carriedthebannerofCastileandLeon,andtheAdmiral'sbanner.
　　Nowaboatputofffromher,boatsalsofromthetwoshipsnextingrandeur.
　　AstheycameoverthebluewaveJuanLepesteppeddownsandtowateredge.Nothere,butsomewhattothewest,beforeLaNavidadwouldonelookforthisanchoring.HethoughtrightlythattheAdmiralcameherefromLaNavidad,wherehefoundonlyruin,butalsosomestrayingIndianwhocouldgivenews.Soitwas,forpresentlyintheforemostboatImadeouttwoGuaricomen.TheyhadtoldofCaonaboandofGuacanagari'sfortunes,andofeverySpaniarddeadofthatillnessorslainbyCaonabo.TheywouldputJuanLepeamongtheselast,butherewasJuanLepe,oneonlyleftofthatthirty-eight.
　　Theboatapproached.Isawthebaredhead,higherthananyother,thewhitehair,theblue-grayeyes,thestrongnoseandlips,thewholemajesticairoftheman,asofagreatonechosen.MasterChristopherus——DonCristoval——_elAlmirante_!Oneoftherowers,andthatwasSanchowithwhomIhadwalkedontheFishertownroad,firstsawmeandgaveastartledcry.Allintheboatturnedhead.
　　IheardtheAdmiral'svoice,``Aye,itis!Itis!''
　　Boattouchedsand,therewaslanding.Allsprangout.
　　TheAdmiraltookmeinhisarms.``Youalone——oneonly?''
　　Ianswered,``Oneonly.Themostdiedintheirduty.''
　　Hereleasedme.``senors,thisissenorJuanLepe,thatgoodphysicianwhomweleft.Nowtell——tellall——beforewegoamongthisfolk!''
　　BywateredgeItold,thirtymenofSpainaroundme.
　　Awoefulstory,Imadeitshort.Thesemenlistened,andwhenitwasdonefellasilence.ChristopherusColumbusbrokeit.``Thewavesucksunderandthrowsoutagain,butwesailthesea,havesaileditandwillsailit!——NowweretheseIndiansfalseorfair?''
　　Icouldtellhowfairtheyhadbeen——couldpraiseGuaricoandGuacanagariandGuarin.Helistenedwithgreatsatisfaction.
　　``IwouldlaymyheadforthatIndian!''
　　Talkwithhimcouldnotbeprolonged,forwewereinasceneofthegreatestbusinessandcommotion.WhenI
　　soughtforGuarinhewasgone.NorwasGuacanagariyetathand.Ilookedattheswarmingshipsandshipboats,andthecomingandcominguponthebeachofmoreandmoreclothedmen,andatthetallgreenpalmsandthefeatheredmountains.Thishost,itseemedtome,wasnotsoartlesslyamazedashadbeenweofthe_SantaMaria_,the_Pinta_andthe_Nina_,whenfirstwecametolandssostrangetoEurope.PresentlyImadeoutthattheyhadseenothersoftheseislandsandshores.ComingfromSpaintheyhadsailedmoresoutherlythanwehaddonebeforethem.Theyhadmadeagreatdipandhadcomenorth-by-westtoHispaniola.
　　IheardnamesofislandsgivenbytheAdmiral,Dominica,Marigalante,Guadaloupe,SantaMarialaAntigua,SanJuan.Theyhadanchoredbythese,setfootuponthem,evenfoughtwithpeoplewhowereCaribs,CaribalsorCannibals.TheyhadadozenCaribs,menandwomen,prisonersuponthe_Marigalante_thatwastheAdmiral'sship.
　　ThisgroupaboutJuanLepe,survivorofLaNavidad,talkedlikeseasonedfindersandtakers.Forthemostparttheywereyoungmenandhidalgos,fightersagainsttheMoors,releasedbythefinalconquestofthosepaynims,outnowforfurtherwildadventureandforgoldwithwhichtoreturn,wealthyandstillyoung,toSpanishcountry,Spanishcities,Spanishwomen!Theyhadthevirtueandtheviceoftheirsort,courage,miraculousgenerositiesandasmiraculousweaknesses.Gold,valor,comradeship——andeyesrestingappraisinglyuponyoungGuaricowomenthereuponthesilverbeachwithGuaricomen.
　　Iheardonecry``MasterJuanLepe!''andturningfoundLuisTorres.Weembraced,weweresogladeachtoseetheother.Myhidalgosweregone,butbeforeIcouldquestionLuisorheme,thereboredownuponus,comingtogetherlikebirds,halfadozenfriars.``Webringtwelve——numberoftheApostles!''saidLuis.``Monksandpriests.FatherBernardoBuilistheirhead.TheHolyFatherhathappointedhimVicarhere.Youwon'tfindhimaFrayIgnatio!''
　　Abull-necked,dark-browed,cholericlookingmanaddressedme.HisBenedictinedressbecamehimill.HeshouldhavebeenaCaptainofFreeLancesinwhateverbriskwarwaswaging.Hesaid,``Thesurvivor,JuanLepe?——WestoppedatyourLaNavidadandfoundruinandemptiness.Theremusthavebeenillmanagement——
　　gross!''
　　``Theyarealldead,''Ianswered.``Noneofusmanagethetowerssoverywell!''
　　Heregardedmemoreattentively.``Thephysician,JuanLepe.Wheredidyoustudy?''
　　``InPoitiersandinParis,Father.''
　　``Youhave,''hesaid,``theheightandsinewandsomethingoftheeyeandvoiceofanotabledisappearedheretic,JaymedeMarchena,whoslippedtheDominicans.Isawhimoncefromadoorway.ButthatthePriorofLaRabidahimselftoldmethathehadaccurateknowledgethatthemanwasgonewiththeJewstoFez,Icouldalmostthink——Butofcourseitisnotpossible,andnowIseethedifferences.''
　　Iansweredhimwithsomeindifferentword,andwecametotheHaytiens,andhowmanyhadFrayIgnatiomadeChristian?``Iknewhim,''saidtheBenedictine.``Agoodman,butweak,weak!''
　　JuanLepeaskedoftheIndianstheAdmiralhadtakentoSpain.``Butsixreachedusalive.Weinstructedthemandbaptizedthem.Agreatevent——theGrandCardinalandtheKingandtheQueenattending!Threediedduringthesummer,butblessedly,beingthefirstofalltheirpeopleinalltimetoenterheaven.Agreatsalvation!''
　　Helookedattheforestandmountains,thesands,theGuaricos,asatacityhewasbesieging.
　　``Ha!''saidFatherBuil,andwithhismissionariesmovedupthebeach.
　　LuisandIbegantotalk.``NoneedtotellmethatSpaingaveyouwelcome!'''
　　``Theroyalestever!FirstwecametoLisbon,driveninbystorm,andhadittherefromKingJohn,andthentoPaloswhich,sotospeak,wentmad!ThenthroughSpaintoBarcelona,wherewasthecourt,andallthebellsineverytownringingandeverydoorandwindowcrowded,andhereistheFaeryPrinceonawhitecharger,hisIndiansbehindhimandgoldandparrotsandhissailors!Processionsandprocessions——alcaldeandalcaydeanddonandfriarandpriest,andletusstopatthechurchandkneelbeforehighaltar,andvowagaininsevenyearstofreetheSepulchre!
　　Hehathwalkedandridden,wakedandslept,inagreat,highvision!Mostmenhavevisionsbuthecansustainvision.''
　　``Aye,hecan!''
　　``SoatlastintoBarcelona,wheregrandeesmeetus,andsoontothecourt,andmusicasthoughtheworldhadturnedmusic!AndtheKingandQueenandgreatwelcome,and,`Sitbesideus,DonCristovalColon!'and`Tellandtellagain',and`PraiseweMostHighGod!'''
　　``Itissomethingforwhichtopraise!Endsoftheearthbeginningtomeet.''
　　``Aye!SowewritethatverynighttothePopetobeconfirmedthatthegloryandprofitunderGodaretoCastileandAragon.ButtheQueenthoughtmostoftheheathenbroughttoChrist.AndtheAdmiralthinksofhissonsandhisbrothersandhisoldfather,andoftheHolySepulchreandoftheProphecies,andhehasthejoyoftherunnerwhotouchesthegoal!——Iwouldyoucouldhaveseentheroyaltywithwhichhewastreated——notonedaynorweekbutawholesummerlong——theflocking,thebowingandcapping,the`Domethehonor——',the`Ihaveasmallpetition.'Nothingconquerslikeconquering!''
　　``Hehadlongpatience.''
　　``Aye.Well,heisatheightnow.Buthehasgotwithhimtheolddisastrousseeds——Fifteenhundredmen,andamongthemquiteaplentylikeGutierrezandEscobedo!
　　Buttherearegoodmen,too,andagreatlotofromanticaldaredevils.Nopressingthistime!Wemighthavebroughtfivethousandcouldtheshipshaveheldthem.`CometotheIndiesandmakeyourfortune!'——`Aye,thatismydesire!'''
　　Isaid,``IamlookingnowataromanticaldaredevilwhomIhaveseenbefore,thoughIamsurethathenevernoticedme.''
　　``DonAlonsodeOjeda?Heisfeatherincap,andsometimescap,andevenatstressheadwithinthecap!Withoutmovingyou'vebeckonedhim.''
　　ThereapproachedayoungmanofwhomIknewsomething,havinghadhimpointedoutbyEnriquedeCerdainSantaFe.Ihadbeforethatheardhisnameandsomewhatofhisexploits.Inourday,overallSpain,onemightfindorhearofcavaliersofthisbrand.WarwiththeMoorhadlastedsomewhatlongerthantheoldfamedwarwithTroy.
　　Ithadmodeledyouth;youngmenwereoldsoldiers.Whentherecameupaspritelikethisonehedrankwarlikewine.
　　Aslightyoungman,tautasaropeinagale,withdarkeyesandredlipsandaswift,decisivestep,uphecame.
　　``Oh,youarethemanwholivedoutofallyourfort?
　　Howdidyoumanageit?''
　　``IhadafriendamongthesefriendlyIndianswhorescuedme.''
　　``Yes!Itisexcellentwarfaretohavefriends——Youhaveseennoknightnormen-at-arms,norheardofsuch?''
　　``Notunderthosenames.''
　　``Howfardo,youthinkwemaybefromtruehousesandcities,castles,fortresses?''
　　``Ihaven'ttheleastidea.Bythelooksofit,prettyfar.''
　　``Itseemstomethatyouspeaktruth,''heanswered.
　　``Well,itisn'twhatwelookedfor,butit'ssomething!Roomyettodare!''Offhewent,halfMercury,halfMars,andasprigofyouthtodrawtheeyes.
　　``Wastherenothingeverheard,''IaskedLuis,``ofthe_Pinta_andMartinPinzon?''
　　``Heisdead.''
　　``Yousawthewreck?''
　　``No,notthatway,thoughtrueitisthathewreckedhimself!Iforgetthatyouknownothing.Wemetthe_Pinta_lastJanuary,notadayfromhere,withMonteCristithereyetinsight.WhenhecameaboardandsatinthegreatcabinIdonotknowwhathesaid,exceptthatitwasofseparationbythatstorm,andthefeelingthattwopartiesdiscoveringwouldtherebydiscoverthemore,andthebetterservetheirMajesties.TheAdmiralmadenoquarrelwithhim.Hehadsomegoldandsomenewsofcoaststhatwehadnotseen.AndhedidnotseemtothinkitnecessarytoseempenitentoranythingbutjustnaturallyMartinPinzon.Soonwesailedtogether,heonthe_Pinta_andtheAdmiralonthe_Nina_.ButthatwasaroughvoyagehomeoverOcean-Sea!Hadwehadsuchweathercoming,mighthavebeenmutinyandthroat-cuttingandputtingback,CathayandIndiabeingofnoaidtodeadmen!Sixtimesatleastwethoughtweweredrowned,andmadevows,kneelingalltogetherandtheAdmiralprayingforus,FrayIgnationotbeingthere.Thencameclear,butbeyondCanariesathreedays',threenights'weatherthattrulydroveusapart,the_Pinta_andthe_Nina_.Welosteachotherinthedarknessandneverfoundagain.WewerebeatenintotheTagus,the_Pinta_ontoBayonne.Then,mid-March,wecametoPalos,landedandthewonderbegan.Andinthreedayswhoshouldcomelimpinginbutthe_Pinta_?Butshemissedthetriumph,andMartinPinzonwassick,andtherewassomecoldnessshown.Hewentashoretohisownhouse,andhisillnessgrowingworsehediedthere.Well,hehadqualities.''
　　``Aye,''Ianswered,withavisionofthebig,bluff,golden-
　　hairedman.
　　``VicentePinzonishere;hisshipthe_Cordera_yonder.
　　What'sthestirnow?TheAdmiralwillgotoseeGuacanagari?''
　　That,itseemed,waswhatitwas,andpresentlycamewordthatJuanLepeshouldgowithhim.Abodyofcavalierssumptuouslyclad,someevenwearingshiningcorselet,greavesandhelm,wasformingabouthimwhowashimselfinamagnificentdress.Besidesthesewerefiftyoftheplainersort,andtherelackednotcrossbow,lanceandarquebus.
　　Andtherewerebannersandmusic.WeweregoinglikeanarmytobebrotherlywithGuacanagari.FatherBuilwasgoingalso,andhistwelvegownedmen.``Who,''
　　IaskedLuis,``isthemanbesidetheAdmiral?Heseemshiskin.''
　　``Heis.Itishisbrother,DonDiego.Heisagoodman,able,too,thoughnotableliketheAdmiral.Theysaytheotherbrother,Bartholomew,whoisinEnglandorinFrance,isalmostasable.Howdizzilyturnsthewheelforsomeofus!YesterdayplainDiegoandBartholomew,awould-bechurchmanandashipmasterandchart-maker!
　　NowDonDiego——DonBartholomew!AndthetwosonswatchingusofffromCadiz!PagesbothofthemtothePrince,andpicturestolookat!`Father!'and`Noblefather!and`Forgetnotyourhealth,whoareourDependance!'''
　　Waitingforalltostart,Iyetregardedthathugedazzleuponthebeach,somanylanded,somanycomingfromtheships,theshipsthemselvessogreatadriftofseabirds!
　　Asforthosedarkfolk——whatshouldtheythinkofallthesebreakers——infromheaven?Itseemedtometo-daythatdespitetheirfriendlinessshownusherefromthefirst,despitethemiracleandthefedeyeandearandtheexcitement,theyknewafarapaleConsternation.
　　Atlast,todrumandtrumpet,wepassedfromshiningbeachintogreenforest.IfoundmyselfforamomentbesideDiegoColon——nottheAdmiral'sbrother,buttheyoungIndiansonamed.NowhewasChristianandclothed,andtrulytheHaitiensstaredathimhardlylessthanattheAdmiral.Igreetedhimandheme.HetriedtospeakinCastilianbutitwasveryhardforhim,andinamomentweslippedintoIndian.
　　Iaskedhim,``HowdidyoulikeSpain?''
　　Helookedatmewitharemoteandchildlikeeyeandbegantospeakofhousesandroadsandhorsesandoxen.
　　AmessagecamefromtheAdmiralatheadofcolumn.I
　　wenttohim.MenlookedatmeasIpassedthem.Iwasraggednow,grizzle-beardedandwan,andtheyseemedtosay,``Isitsothisstrangelanddoesthem?Butthosefirstoneswerefewandwearemany,anditdoesnotlieinourfortune!Goldliesinours,andreturninsplendorandhappiness.''Butsomehadmorethoughtfuleyesandtruersenseofwonder.
　　WefoundGuacanagariinanew,large,verycleanhouse,andfoundhimlyinginagreathammockwithhislegboundwithcottonweb,aroundhimwivesandchiefmen.HesatuptogreettheAdmiralandwithanobleandaffectingairpouredforthspeechandlaidhishanduponhishiddenhurt.
　　NowIknew,becauseGuarinhadtoldmeso,thatthatwoundwashealed.Ithadgiventrouble——theCaribspoisonedtheirdarts——butnowitwaswell.Buttheyaresimplermindedthanwe,thisfolk,andIreadGuacanagarithathemustimpressthereturninggodswithhisfidelity.
　　Hehadprovedit,andwhileJuanLepewasbyhedidnotneedthismummery,buthehadthoughtthathemightneed.
　　So,abigmanevidentlyhealthful,hesighedandwincedandhalfclosedhiseyesasthoughhalfdyingstillinthatoldcontestwhenhehadstoodbythepeoplefromthesky.I
　　interpretedhisspeech,theAdmiralalreadyunderstanding,butnotthesurroundingcavaliers.Itwasahighspeechorhighassurancethathehaddonehishighestbest.
　　``DoInotbelievethat,Guacanagari?''saidtheAdmiral,andthinkingofDiegodeAranaandFrayIgnatioandothersandofthegoodhopeofLaNavidad,tearscameintohiseyes.
　　HesatuponthemosthonorableblockofwoodwhichwasbroughthimandtalkedtoGuacanagari.Thenathisgestureonebroughthispresents,amirror,arichbelt,aknife,apairofcastanets.Guacanagari,itseemed,sincethesightingoftheships,hadmadecollectiononhispart.Hegaveenoughgoldtomakelustfulmanyaneyelookinguponthatscene.
　　ThewomenbroughtfoodandsetbeforetheSpaniardsinthehouse.IfoundGuarinandpresentlywecametobestandingwithouttheentrance——theyhadnodoors;
　　sometimestheyhadcurtainsofcotton——lookinguponthatstrangegatheringinthelittlemiddlesquareofthetown.
　　SomanySpaniardsinthepalmshadows,andthewomenfeedingthem,andAlonsodeOjeda'shanduponthearmofaslenderbrowngirlwithawreathofflowersaroundherhead.FatherBuilwaswithinwiththeAdmiral,truculentlyandsuspiciouslyregardingtheidolaterwhonowhadleftthehammockandseemedaswellofawoundasanythere!
　　Butherewithoutwereeightortenfriars,gatheredtogetherunderapalmtree,makingrefectionandtalkingamongthemselves.Onedevoutbrother,sittingapartandfasting,toldhisbeads.
　　SaidGuarin,``Ihavebeenwatchinghim.Heistalkingtohis_zeme_——Theyareallbutios?''
　　``Yes.Mostofthemaregoodmen.''
　　``Whatisgoingtohappenheretoallmypeople?Somethingisoveragainstmeandmypeople,Ifeelit!Eventhecaciquehasfear.''
　　``ItisthedarkIgnoranceandthelightIgnorance,theclothedIgnoranceandthenakedIgnorance.Ifeelittoo,whatyoufeel.ButIfeel,OGuarin,thattheinnerandtrueManwillnotandcannottakehurt!
　　Hesaid,``Dotheycomeforgood?''
　　Ianswered,``Thereismuchgoodintheircoming.Seenfromthemountainbrow,enormousgood,Ithink.InthelongrunIamfaintothinkthatallhavetheirmarkethere,younolessthanI,GuacanagarinolessthantheAdmiral.''
　　``Idonotknowthat,''hesaid.``Itseemstomethesunnydayisdark.''
　　Isaid,``Inthemainallthingsworktogether,andintheendishoney.''
　　Outtheycamefrompalm-roofedhouse,theAdmiraloftheOcean-SeaandViceroyofwhatIndieshecouldfindforSpainandSpaincouldtake,andtheIndiankingorgrandeeorprinceling.Perceivingthatwhathedidwasappreciatedforwhatitwas,Guacanagarihadrecoveredhislameness.Thecottonwasnolongerabouthisthigh;hemovedstraightandlightly,——abig,easyIndian.
　　Itwasnowwellonintheafternoon,buthewouldgowiththeMightyStranger,theGreatCaciquehisfriend,toseetheshipsandallthewonders.Hiswasachildlikecravingforpurenoveltyandmarvel.
　　Sowewent,allofus,backthroughvastwoodlandtoceruleanwater.Waterwasdeep,the_Marigalante_rodeclosein,andaboutandbeyondherthe_SantaClara_,the_Cordera_,the_SanJuan_,the_Juana_,another_Nina_,the_Beatrix_andmanyanotherfairname.Theywerebeautiful,theshipsonthegaywaterandaboutthemtheboatsandtheredmen'scanoes.
　　Wewenttothe_Marigalante_,IwiththeAdmiral.DancingacrossintheboattherespoketomeDonDiegoColon,bornGiacomoColombo,andIfoundhimasober,ableman,withachurchlyinclination.HererosetheMarigalante,andnowwewereuponit,anditwasagreatershipthanthe_SantaMaria_,agoodlyship,withgoodlygearaboardandgoodlySpaniards.JaymedeMarchenafeltthetugofblood,ofhome-comingintohiscountry.
　　CHAPTERXXVIII
　　FINDINGyoungSanchouponthe_Marigalante_,Ikepthimbesidemeforinformation'ssake.He,too,hadhisstories.AndheaskedmehowPedroandFernandodied.
　　Inthisshipweretwosetsofcaptives,animalsbroughtfromSpainandIndiansfromthosefiercerislandstothesouth.The_Monsalvat_thatwasafreightshiphadmanyanimals,saidSancho,cattleandswineandsheepandgoatsandcocksandhens,andthirtyhorses.Butuponthe_Marigalante_,well-penned,theAdmiralhadastallionandtwomares,ayoungbullandacoupleofheifers,andtwodogs——bloodhounds.TheCaribswereyonder,fivemeninall.
　　Hetookmetoseethem.Theyweretall,strong,sullenanddesperateinaspect,hardier,fiercerthanIndiansofthesenorthwardlands.ButtheywereIndians,andtheirgutturalspeechcouldbemadeout,atleastinsubstance.
　　Theyaskedwithahigh,contemptuouslookwhenwemeanttoslayandeatthem.
　　``Theyeatmen'sflesh,everyCaribalofthem!WesawhorridthingsinGuadaloupe!''
　　Awayfromthesemensatorstoodsevenwomen.``Theywerecaptives,''saidSancho.``CaribsbadravishedthemfromotherislandsandtheyfledinGuadaloupetous.''
　　Thesewomen,too,seemedmorestronglyfibred,courageous,highofheadthantheHaytiwomen.Therewasamongthemonetowhomtheothersgavedeference,achieftainess,strongandwarlikeinmien,notsmoothlyyoungnoraftertheirnotionsbeautiful,butwithanairofsagacityandpride.
　　Ashipboystoodwithus.``ThatisCatalina,''hesaid.
　　``Ho,Catalina!''
　　Thewomanlookedathimwithdisdainandwhatshesaidwas,``Youngfoolwithfool-gods!''
　　``Theycametousforrefuge,''saidSancho.``WethinktheyareAmazons.Therewasanislandwheretheyfoughtuslikemen——greatbow-women!DonAlonsodeOjedafirstcalledthisoneCatalina,sonowweallcallherCatalina.
　　Atfirsttheylikedus,butnowthattheyaresafeawayfromCaribs——allbutthesefiveandtheycan'thurtthem——
　　theysitandpine!Icallitungrateful,Catalina!''
　　Wemovedaway.TherecamefromthegreatcabinwheretheyhadwineandfinesweetcakestheAdmiralandGuacanagari,withthemDonDiegoandthreeorfourcavaliers.
　　Guarinwasnotwiththecacique,uponthe_Marigalante_.
　　Hewouldnotcome.Ihadavisionofhim,intheforest,seatedmotionless,communingwiththedeepestselftowhichhecouldreach,seekinglightwiththeotherlight-
　　seekers.
　　ChristopherusColumbusbeckonedmeandIwenttheroundoftheshipwithhimandothersandhisguest,thisfar-awaysonofGreatIndia.So,presently,hewastakentoviewthehorsesandthecattle.Whoeverhathseenlionsbroughttoacourtforshowhathseensomeshrinkingfromtoo-closeandheardtimorousaskingifthebarsbereallystrong.Andtheold,wildbeastsatRomeforthegames.
　　Ifonecamebychanceupontheminanarrowquartertheremightbeterror.AndthebullthatwegoadtomadnessforagameinSpain——werebarriersdownwouldcomea-scrambling!Thiscaciquehadneverseenananimallargerthanafoxoradog,Yethestoodwithsteadiness,thoughhisglanceshothereandthere.Thestallionwasrestlessandfiery-eyed;thebullsentforthabellow.``Whydotheycome?Whatwilltheydohere?Willyouputthemintheforest?Thepeoplewillbeafraidtowander!''
　　Helookedawaytoskyandseaandshore.``Itgrowstowardnight,''hesaid.``Iwillgobacktomytown.''
　　TheAdmiralsaid,``IwouldfirstshowyoutheCaribs,''
　　andtookhimtherewheretheywerebound.TheHaytienregardedthem,buttheCaribswereascontemptuouslysilentasmighthavebeenAlonsodeOjedainlikecircumstances.
　　OnlyasGuacanagariturnedaway,onespokeinafierce,monotonousvoice.``Youalso,Haytien,onemoon!''
　　``Youlie!OnlyCaribs!''Guacanagarisaidback.
　　ThecaciquestoodbeforethewomanwhomtheycalledCatalina.Shebrokeintospeech.Itwascaciquetocacique.ShewasfromBoriquen——shewouldreturninacanoeifshewerefree!Betterdrownthanlivewiththeutterlyun-understandable——onlythattheyateanddrankandlaidholdofwomenwhetherthesewouldorwouldnot,andwereunderstandablethatfar!Gods!Atfirstshethoughtthemgods;nowshedoubted.Theyweremagicians.
　　Ifshewerefree——ifshewerefree——ifshewerefree!
　　Home——Boriquen!Ifnotthat,atleastherowncolorandtheunderstandable!''
　　Guacanagaristoodandlistened.Shespokesofast——theAdmiralneverbecamequiteperfectinIndiantongues,andfewuponthe_Marigalante_weresoatthistime.JuanLepeunderstood.ButjustashewasthinkingthatindutyboundbemustsaytotheAdmiral,``Sheisunderminingreputation.
　　Bestmoveaway!''Guacanagarimadeaviolentgestureasthoughhewouldbreakaspell.``Wherecouldtheycomefromwithallthattheyhaveexceptfromheaven?
　　Whocanplanagainstgods?Itissintothinkofit!_ElAlmirante_willmakeyouhappy,Boriquenwoman!''
　　Weleftthewomen.ButGuacanagarihimselfwasnothappy,ashehadbeenthatChristmas-tidewhenfirstthegodscame,whenthe_SantaMaria_waswreckedandhegaveushospitality.
　　TheAdmiraldidnotseethathewasunhappy.TheAdmiralsawalwaysavastmaingood,andhethoughtitpearlandgoldineveryfiber.Asyet,hesawnorottedstring,nosnarltobeuntangled.Itwashisweakness,andmaybe,too,hisstrength.
　　Thesunsethungoverthisroadsteadandtheshore.Themountainsglowedinit,thenearerwoodfelldark,thebeachshowedmilkywhite,aknotofpalmsuponahornoflandcaughtfullgoldandshoneasthoughtheywereinheaven.
　　Overuponthe_Cordera_theyweresinging.Thelongcacique-
　　canoeshotoutfromtheshadowofthe_Marigalante_.