第5章

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!""