"But where is Harold? Shall I then forget
To urge the gloomy wanderer o'er the wave?
Little reck'd he of all that men regret;
No loved one now in feign'd lament could rave;
No friend the parting hand extended gave
Ere the cold stranger pass'd to other climes."
Byron.
The reader is not to suppose that the eyes of Europe were on our
adventurers. Truth and falsehood, inseparable companions, it would seem,
throughout all time, were not then diffused over the land by means of
newspapers, with mercenary diligence; and it was only the favored few
who got early intelligence of enterprises like that in which Columbus
was engaged. Luis de Bobadilla had, therefore, stolen from court
unnoticed, and they who came in time to miss his presence, either
supposed him to be on a visit to one of his castles, or to have gone
forth on another of those wandering tours which were supposed to be
blemishes on his chivalry and unworthy of his birth. As for the Genoese
himself, his absence was scarcely heeded, though it was understood among
the courtiers generally that Isabella had entered into some arrangement
with him, which gave the adventurer higher rank and greater advantages
than his future services would probably ever justify. The other
principal adventurers were too insignificant to attract much attention,
and they had severally departed for the coast without the knowledge of
their movements extending far beyond the narrow circles of their own
acquaintances. Neither was this expedition, so bold in its conception
and so momentous in its consequences, destined to sail from one of the
more important ports of Spain; but orders to furnish the necessary means
had been sent to a haven of altogether inferior rank, and which would
seem to have possessed no other recommendations for this particular
service, than hardy mariners, and a position without the pass of
Gibraltar, which was sometimes rendered hazardous by the rovers of
Africa. The order, however, is said to have been issued to the place
selected, in consequence of its having incurred some legal penalty, by
which it had been condemned to serve the crown for a twelvemonth with
two armed caravels. Such punishments, it would seem, were part of the
policy of an age in which navies were little more than levies on
sea-ports, and when fleets were usually manned by soldiers from the
land.
Palos de Moguer, the place ordered to pay this tribute for its
transgression, was a town of little importance, even at the close of the
fifteenth century, and it has since dwindled to an insignificant fishing
village. Like most places that are little favored by nature, its
population was hardy and adventurous, as adventure was then limited by
ignorance. It possessed no stately caracks, its business and want of
opulence confining all its efforts to the lighter caravel and the still
more diminutive felucca. All the succor, indeed, that Columbus had been
able to procure from the two crowns, by his protracted solicitations,
was the order for the equipment of the two caravels mentioned, with the
additional officers and men that always accompanied a royal expedition.
The reader, however, is not to infer from this fact any niggardliness of
spirit, or any want of faith, on the part of Isabella. It was partly
owing to the exhausted condition of her treasury, a consequence of the
late war with the Moor, and more, perhaps, to the experience and
discretion of the great navigator himself, who well understood that, for
the purposes of discovery, vessels of this size would be more useful and
secure than those that were larger.
On a rocky promontory, at a distance of less than a league from the
village of Palos, stood the convent of La Rabida, since rendered so
celebrated by its hospitality to Columbus. At the gate of this building,
seven years before, the navigator, leading his youthful son by the hand,
had presented himself, a solicitor for food in behalf of the wearied
boy. The story is too well known to need repetition here, and we will
merely add that his long residence in this convent, and the firm friends
he had made of the holy Franciscans who occupied it, as well as among
others in their vicinity, were also probably motives that influenced him
in directing the choice of the crown to this particular place. Columbus
had not only circulated his opinions with the monks, but with the more
intelligent of the neighborhood, and the first converts he made in Spain
were at this place.
Notwithstanding all the circumstances named, the order of the crown to
prepare the caravels in question, spread consternation among the
mariners of Palos. In that age, it was thought a wonderful achievement
to follow the land, along the coast of Africa, and to approach the
equator. The vaguest notions existed in the popular mind, concerning
those unknown regions, and many even believed that by journeying south
it was possible to reach a portion of the earth where animal and
vegetable life must cease on account of the intense heat of the sun. The
revolution of the planets, the diurnal motion of the earth, and the
causes of the changes in the seasons, were then profound mysteries even
to the learned; or, if glimmerings of the truth did exist, they existed
as the first rays of the dawn dimly and hesitatingly announce the
approach of day. It is not surprising, therefore, that the simple-minded
and unlettered mariners of Palos viewed the order of the crown as a
sentence of destruction on all who might be fated to obey it. The ocean,
when certain limits were passed, was thought to be, like the firmament,
a sort of chaotic void; and the imaginations of the ignorant had
conjured up currents and whirlpools that were believed to lead to fiery
climates and frightful scenes of natural destruction. Some even fancied
it possible to reach the uttermost boundaries of the earth, and to slide
off into vacuum, by means of swift but imperceptible currents.
Such was the state of things, in the middle of the month of July.
Columbus was still in the convent of Rabida, in the company of his
constant friend and adherent, Fray Juan Perez, when a lay brother came
to announce that a stranger had arrived at the gate, asking earnestly
for the Senor Christoval Colon.
"Hath he the aspect of a messenger from the court?" demanded the
navigator; "for, since the failure of the mission of Juan de Penalosa,
there is need of further orders from their Highnesses to enforce their
gracious intentions."
"I think not, Senor," answered the lay brother; "these hard-riding
couriers of the queen generally appearing with their steeds in a foam,
and with hurried air and blustering voices; whereas this young cavalier
behaveth modestly, and rideth a stout Andalusian mule."
"Did he give thee his name, good Sancho?"
"He gave me two, Senor, styling himself Pedro de Munos, or Pedro
Gutierrez, without the Don."
"This is well," exclaimed Columbus, turning a little quickly toward the
door, but otherwise maintaining a perfect self-command; "I expect the
youth, and he is right welcome. Let him come in at once, good Sancho,
and that without any useless ceremony."
"An acquaintance of the court, Senor?" observed the prior, in the way
one indirectly asks a question.
"A youth that hath the spirit, father, to adventure life and character
for the glory of God, through the advancement of his church, by
embarking in our enterprise. He cometh of a reputable lineage, and is
not without the gifts of fortune. But for the care of guardians, and his
own youth, gold would not have been wanting in our need. As it is, he
ventureth his own person, if one can be said to risk aught in an
expedition that seemeth truly to set even the orders of their Highnesses
at defiance."
As Columbus ceased speaking, the door opened and Luis de Bobadilla
entered. The young grandee had laid aside all the outward evidences of
his high rank, and now appeared in the modest guise of a traveller
belonging to a class more likely to furnish a recruit for the voyage,
than one of the rank he really was. Saluting Columbus with cordial and
sincere respect, and the Franciscan with humble deference, the first at
once perceived that this gallant and reckless spirit had truly engaged
in the enterprise with a determination to use all the means that would
enable him to go through with it.
"Thou art welcome, Pedro," Columbus observed, as soon as Luis had made
his salutations; "thou hast reached the coast at a moment when thy
presence and support may be exceedingly useful. The first order of Her
Highness, by which I should have received the services of the two
caravels to which the state is entitled, hath been utterly disregarded;
and a second mandate, empowering me to seize upon any vessel that may
suit our necessities, hath fared but little better, notwithstanding the
Senor de Penalosa was sent directly from court to enforce its
conditions, under a penalty, to the port, of paying a daily tax of two
hundred maravedis, until the order should be fulfilled. The idiots have
conjured all sorts of ills with which to terrify themselves and their
neighbors, and I seem to be as far from the completion of my hopes as I
was before I procured the friendship of this holy friar and the royal
protection of Dona Isabella. It is a weary thing, my good Pedro, to
waste a life in hopes defeated, with such an object in view as the
spread of knowledge and the extension of the church!"
"I am the bearer of good tidings, Senor," answered the young noble. "In
coming hither from the town of Moguer, I journeyed with one Martin
Alonzo Pinzon, a mariner with whom I have formerly voyaged, and we have
had much discourse concerning your commission and difficulties. He tells
me that he is known to you, Senor Colon, and I should judge from his
discourse that he thinketh favorably of the chances."
"He doth--he doth, indeed, good Pedro, and hath often listened to my
reasoning like a discreet and skilful navigator, as I make no question
he really is. But didst thou say that thou wast _known_ to him?"
"Senor, I did. We have voyaged together as far as Cyprus, on one
occasion, and, again, to the island of the English. In such long
voyages, men get to some knowledge of each other's temperament and
disposition, and, of a sooth, I think well of both, in this Senor
Pinzon."
"Thou art young to pass an opinion on a mariner of Martin Alonzo's years
and experience, son," put in the friar; "a man of much repute in this
vicinity, and of no little wealth. Nevertheless, I am rejoiced to hear
that he continueth of the same mind as formerly, in relation to the
great voyage; for, of late, I did think even he had begun to waver."
Don Luis had expressed himself of the great man of the vicinity, more
like a Bobadilla than became his assumed name of Munos, and a glance
from the eye of Columbus told him to forget his rank and to remember the
disguise he had assumed.
"This is truly encouraging," observed the navigator, "and openeth a
brighter view of Cathay. Thou wast journeying between Moguer and Palos,
I think thou saidst, when this discourse was had with our acquaintance,
the good Martin Alonzo?"
"I was, Senor, and it was he who sent me hither in quest of the admiral.
He gave you the title that the queen's favor hath bestowed, and I
consider that no small sign of friendship, as most others with whom I
have conversed in this vicinity seem disposed to call you by any other
name."
"None need embark in this enterprise," returned the navigator, gravely,
as if he would admonish the youth that this was an occasion on which he
might withdraw from the adventure, if he saw fit, "who feel disposed to
act differently, or who distrust my knowledge."
"By San Pedro, my patron! they tell another tale at Palos, and at
Moguer, Senor Amirale," returned Luis, laughing; "at which places, I
hear, that no man whose skin hath been a little warmed by the sun of the
ocean, dare show himself in the highways, lest he be sent to Cathay by a
road that no one ever yet travelled, except in fancy! There is,
notwithstanding, one free and willing volunteer, Senor Colon, who is
disposed to follow you to the edge of the earth, if it be flat, and to
follow you quite around it, should it prove to be a sphere; and that is
one Pedro de Munos, who engageth with you from no sordid love of gold,
or love of aught else that men usually prize; but from the pure love of
adventure, somewhat excited and magnified, perhaps, by love of the
purest and fairest maid of Castile."
Fray Juan Perez gazed at the speaker, whose free manner and open speech
a good deal surprised him; for Columbus had succeeded in awakening so
much respect that few presumed to use any levity in his presence, even
before he was dignified by the high rank so recently conferred by the
commission of Isabella. Little did the good monk suspect that one of a
still higher personal rank, though entirely without official station,
stood before him, in the guise of Pedro de Munos; and he could not
refrain from again expressing the little relish he felt for such freedom
of speech and deportment toward those whom he himself habitually
regarded with so much respect.
"It would seem, Senor Pedro de Munos," he said, "if that be thy
name--though duke, or marquis, or count, would be a title better
becoming thy bearing--that thou treatest His Excellency the Admiral with
quite as much freedom of thought, at least, as thou treatest the worthy
Martin Alonzo of our own neighborhood; a follower should be more humble,
and not pass his jokes on the opinions of his leader, in this loose
style of expression."
"I crave your pardon, holy father, and that of the admiral, too, who
better understandeth me I trust, if there be any just grounds of
offence. All I wish to express is, that I know this Martin Alonzo of
your neighborhood, as an old fellow-voyager; that we have ridden some
leagues in company this very day, and that, after close discourse, he
hath manifested a friendly desire to put his shoulder to the wheel, in
order to lift the expedition, if not from a slough of mud, at least from
the sands of the river; and that he hath promised to come also to this
good convent of La Rabida, for that same purpose and no other. As for
myself, I can only add, that here I am, ready to follow wheresoever the
honorable Senor Colon may see fit to lead."
"Tis well, good Pedro--'tis well," rejoined the admiral. "I give thee
full credit for sincerity and spirit, and that must content thee until
an opportunity offereth to convince others. I like these tidings
concerning Martin Alonzo, father, since he might truly do us much good
service, and his zeal had assuredly begun to flag."
"That might he, and that will he, if he engageth seriously in the
affair. Martin is the greatest navigator on all this coast, for, though
I did not know that he had ever been even to Cyprus, as would appear by
the account of this youth, I was well aware that he had frequently
sailed as far north as France, and as far south as the Canaries. Dost
think Cathay much more remote than Cyprus, Senor Almirante?"
Columbus smiled at this question, and shook his head in the manner of
one who would prepare a friend for some sore disappointment.
"Although Cyprus be not distant from the Holy Land and the seat of the
Infidel's power," he answered, "Cathay must lie much more remote. I
flatter not myself, nor those who are disposed to follow me, with the
hope of reaching the Indies short of a voyage that shall extend to some
eight hundred or a thousand leagues."
"'Tis a fearful and a weary distance!" exclaimed the Franciscan; while
Luis stood in smiling unconcern, equally indifferent whether he had to
traverse one-thousand or ten thousand leagues of ocean, so that the
journey led to Mercedes and was productive of adventure. "A fearful and
weary distance, and yet I doubt not, Senor Almirante, that you are the
very man designed by Providence to overcome it, and to open the way for
those who will succeed you, bearing on high the cross of Christ and the
promises of his redemption!"
"Let us hope this," returned Columbus, reverently making the usual sign
of the sacred emblem to which his friend alluded; "as a proof that we
have some worldly foundation for the expectation, here cometh the Senor
Pinzon himself, apparently hot with haste to see us."
Martin Alonzo Pinzon, whose name is so familiar to the reader, as one
who greatly aided the Genoese in his vast undertaking, now entered the
room, seemingly earnest and bent on some fixed purpose, as Columbus'
observant eye had instantly detected. Fray Juan Perez was not a little
surprised to see that the first salutation of Martin Alonzo, the great
man of the neighborhood, was directed to Pedro, the second to the
admiral, and the third to himself. There was not time, however, for the
worthy Franciscan, who was a little apt to rebuke any dereliction of
decency on the spot, to express what he felt on this occasion, ere
Martin Alonzo opened his errand with an eagerness that showed he had not
come on a mere visit of friendship, or of ceremony.
"I am sorely vexed, Senor Almirante," he commenced, "at learning the
obstinacy, and the disobedience to the orders of the queen, that have
been shown among our mariners of Palos. Although a dweller of the port
itself, and one who hath always viewed your opinions of this western
voyage with respect, if not with absolute faith, I did not know the full
extent of this insubordination until I met, by accident, an old
acquaintance on the highway, in the person of Don Pedro--I ought to say
the _Senor_ Pedro de Munos, here, who, coming from a distance as he
doth, hath discovered more of our backslidings than I had learned
myself, on the spot. But, Senor, you are not now to hear for the first
time, of what sort of stuff men are made. They are reasoning beings, we
are told; notwithstanding which undeniable truth, as there is not one in
a hundred who is at the trouble to do his own thinking, means may be
found to change the opinions of a sufficient number for all your wants,
without their even suspecting it."
"This is very true, neighbor Martin Alonzo," put in the friar--"so true,
that it might go into a homily and do no disservice to religion. Man
_is_ a rational animal, and an accountable animal, but it is not meet
that he should be a _thinking_ animal. In matters of the church, now,
its interests being entrusted to a ministry, what have the unlearned and
ignorant to say of its affairs? In matters of navigation, it doth,
indeed, seem as if one steersman were better than a hundred! Although
man be a reasoning animal, there are quite as many occasions when he is
bound to obey without reasoning, and few when he should be permitted to
reason without obeying."
"All true, holy friar and most excellent neighbor; so true that you will
find no one in Palos to deny that, at least. And now we are on the
subject, I may as well add that it is the church that hath thrown more
obstacles in the way of the Senor Almirante's success, than any other
cause. All the old women of the port declare that the notion of the
earth's being round is a heresy, and contrary to the Bible; and, if the
truth must be said, there are not a few underlings of this very convent,
who uphold them in the opinion. It doth appear unnatural to tell one who
hath never quitted the land, and who seeth himself much oftener in a
valley than on an eminence, that the globe is round, and, though I have
had many occasions to see the ocean, it would not easily find credit
with me, were it not for the fact that we see the upper and smaller
sails of a ship first, when approaching her, as well as the vanes and
crosses of towns, albeit they are the smaller objects about vessels and
churches. We mariners have one way to inspirit our followers, and you
churchmen have another; and, now that I intend to use my means to put
wiser thoughts into the heads of the seamen of Palos, reverend friar, I
look to you to set the church's engines at work, so as to silence the
women, and to quell the doubts of the most zealous among your own
brotherhood."
"Am I to understand by this, Senor Pinzon," demanded Columbus, "that you
intend to take a direct and more earnest interest than before in the
success of my enterprise?"
"Senor, you may. That is my intention, if we can come to as favorable an
understanding about the terms, as your worship would seem to have
entered into with our most honored mistress, Dona Isabella de
Trastamara. I have had some discourse with Senor Don--I would say with
the Senor Pedro de Munos, here--odd's folly, an excess of courtesy is
getting to be a vice with me of late--but as he is a youth of prudence,
and manifests a desire to embark with you, it hath stirred my fancy so
far, that I would gladly be of the party. Senor de Munos and I have
voyaged so much together, that I would fain see his worthy countenance
once more upon the ocean."
"These are cheerful tidings, Martin Alonzo"--eagerly put in the friar,
"and thy soul, and the souls of all who belong to you, will reap the
benefits of this manly and pious resolution. It is one thing, Senor
Almirante, to have their Highnesses of your side, in a place like Palos,
and another to have our worthy neighbor Pinzon, here; for, if they are
sovereigns in law, he is an emperor in opinion. I doubt not that the
caravels will now be speedily forthcoming."
"Since thou seemest to have truly resolved to enter into our enterprise,
Senor Martin Alonzo," added Columbus, with his dignified gravity, "out
of doubt, thou hast well bethought thee of the conditions, and art come
prepared to let them be known. Do they savor of the terms that have
already been in discussion between us?"
"Senor Admiral, they do; though gold is not, just now, as abundant in
our purses, as when we last discoursed on this subject. On that head,
some obstacles may exist, but on all others, I doubt not, a brief
explanation between us will leave the matter free from doubt."
"As to the eighth, for which I stand committed with their Highnesses,
Senor Pinzon, there will be less reason, now, to raise that point
between us, than when we last met, as other means may offer to redeem
that pledge"--as Columbus spoke, his eyes involuntarily turned toward
the pretended Pedro, whither those of Martin Alonzo Pinzon significantly
followed; "but there will be many difficulties to overcome with these
terrified and silly mariners, which may yield to thy influence. If thou
wilt come with me into this chamber, we will at once discuss the heads
of our treaty, leaving this youth, the while, to the hospitality of our
reverend friend."
The prior raising no objection to this proposition, it was immediately
put in execution, Columbus and Pinzon withdrawing to a more private
apartment, leaving Fray Juan Perez alone with our hero.
"Then thou thinkest seriously, son, of making one in this great
enterprise of the admiral's," said the Franciscan, as soon as the door
was closed on those who had just left them, eyeing Luis, for the first
time, with a more strict scrutiny than hitherto he had leisure to
exercise. "Thou carriest thyself much like the young lords of the court,
and wilt have occasion to acquire a less towering air in the narrow
limits of one of our Palos caravels."
"I am no stranger to Nao, Carraca, Fusta, Pinaza, Carabelon, or Felucca,
holy prior, and shall carry myself with the admiral, as I should carry
myself before Don Fernando of Aragon, were he my fellow-voyager, or in
the presence of Boabdil of Grenada, were that unhappy monarch again
seated on the throne from which he hath been so lately hurled, urging
his chivalry to charge the knights of Christian Spain."
"These are fine words, son, ay, and uttered with a tilting air, if truth
must be said; but they will avail thee nothing with this Genoese, who
hath that in him, that would leave him unabashed even in the presence of
our gracious lady, Dona Isabella, herself."
"Thou knowest the queen, holy monk?" inquired Luis, forgetting his
assumed character, in the freedom of his address.
"I ought to know her inmost heart, son, for often have I listened to her
pure and meek spirit, in the secrets of the confessional. Much as she is
beloved by us Castilians, no one can know the true, spiritual elevation
of that pious princess, and most excellent woman, but they who have had
occasion to shrive her."
Don Luis hemmed, played with the handle of his rapier, and then gave
utterance to the uppermost thought, as usual.
"Didst thou, by any chance of thy priestly office, father, ever find it
necessary to confess a maiden of the court, who is much esteemed by the
queen?" he inquired, "and whose spirit, I'll answer for it, is as pure
as that of Dona Isabella's itself."
"Son, thy question denoteth greater necessity for repairing to
Salamanca, in order to be instructed in the history, and practices, and
faith of the church, than to be entering into an enterprise, even as
commendable as this of Colon's! Dost thou not know that we churchmen are
not permitted to betray the secrets of the confessional, or to draw
comparisons between penitents? and, moreover, that we do not take even
Dona Isabella, the blessed Maria keep her ever in mind, as the standard
of holiness to which all Christians are expected to aim? The maiden of
whom thou speakest may be virtuous, according to worldly notions, and
yet a grievous sinner in the eyes of mother church."
"I should like, before I quit Spain, to hear a Mendoza, or a Guzman, who
hath not a shaven crown, venture to hint as much, most reverend prior!"
"Thou art hot and restive, and talkest idly, son; what would one like
thee find to say to a Guzman, or a Mendoza, or a Bobadilla, even, did he
affirm what thou wishest? But, who is the maid, in whom thy feelings
seem to take so deep, although I question if it be not an unrequited,
interest?"
"Nay, I did but speak in idleness. Our stations have made such a chasm
between us, that it is little likely we should ever come to speech; nor
is my merit such as would be apt to cause her to forget her high
advantages."
"Still, she hath a name?"
"She hath, truly, prior, and a right noble one it is. I had the Dona
Maria de las Mercedes de Valverde in my thoughts, when the light remark
found utterance. Haply, thou may'st know that illustrious heiress?"
Fray Juan Perez, a truly guileless priest, started at the name; then he
gazed intently, and with a sort of pity, at the youth; after which he
bent his head toward the tiles beneath his feet, smiled, and shook his
head like one whose thoughts were very active.
"I do, indeed, know the lady," he said, "and even when last at court, on
this errand of Colon's, their own confessor being ill, I shrived her, as
well as my royal mistress. That she is worthy of Dona Isabella's esteem
is true; but thy admiration for this noble maiden, which must be
something like the distant reverence we feel for the clouds that sail
above our heads, can scarce be founded on any rational hopes."
"Thou canst not know that, father. If this expedition end as we trust,
all who engage in it will be honored and advanced; and why not I, as
well as another?"
"In this, thou may'st utter truth, but as for the Dona--" The Franciscan
checked himself, for he was about to betray the secret of the
confessional. He had, in truth, listened to the contrition of Mercedes,
of which her passion for Luis was the principal cause; and it was he
who, with a species of pious fraud of which he was himself unconscious,
had first pointed out the means by which the truant noble might be made
to turn his propensity to rove to the profit of his love; and his mind
was full of her beautiful exhibition of purity and natural feeling,
nearly even to overflowing. But habit and duty interfered in time, and
he did not utter the name that had been trembling on his lips. Still,
his thoughts continued in this current, and his tongue gave utterance to
that portion of them which he believed to be harmless. "Thou hast been
much about the world, it would seem, by Master Alonzo's greeting," he
continued, after a short pause; "didst ever meet, son, with a certain
cavalier of Castile, named Don Luis de Bobadilla--a grandee, who also
bears the title of Conde de Llera?"
"I know little of his hopes, and care less for his titles," returned
Luis, calmly, who thought he would manifest a magnanimous indifference
to the Franciscan's opinions--"but I have seen the cavalier, and a
roving, mad-brained, graceless youth it is, of whom no good can be
expected."
"I fear this is but too true," rejoined Fray Juan Perez, shaking his
head in a melancholy manner--"and yet they say he is a gallant knight,
and the very best lance in all Spain."
"Ay, he may be that," answered Luis, hemming a little louder than was
decorous, for his throat began to grow husky--"Ay, he may be that; but
of what avail is a good lance without a good character. I hear little
commendable of this young Conde de Llera."
"I trust he is not the man he generally passeth for,"--answered the
simple-hearted monk, without in the least suspecting his companion's
disguise; "and I do know that there are some who think well of him--nay,
whose existence, I might say whose very souls, are wrapped up in him!"
"Holy Franciscan!--why wilt thou not mention the names of one or two of
these?" demanded Luis, with an impetuosity that caused the prior to
start.
"And why should I give this information to thee, young man, more than to
another?"
"Why, father--why, for several most excellent and unanswerable reasons.
In the first place, I am a youth myself, as thou seest; and example,
they say, is better than precept. Then, too, _I_ am somewhat given to
roving, and it may profit me to know how others of the same propensity
have sped. Moreover, it would gladden my inmost heart to hear that--but
two sufficient reasons are better than three, and thou hast the first
number already."
Fray Juan Perez, a devout Christian, a learned churchman, and a liberal
scholar, was as simple as a child in matters that related to the world
and its passions. Nevertheless, he was not so dull as to overlook the
strange deportment and stranger language of his companion. A direction
had been given to his thoughts by the mention of the name of our
heroine; and, as he himself had devised the very course taken by our
hero, the truth began to dawn on his imagination.
"Young cavalier," he exclaimed, "thou art Don Luis de Bobadilla!"
"I shall never deny the prophetic knowledge of a churchman, worthy
father, after this detection! I _am_ he thou sayest, entered on this
expedition to win the love of Mercedes de Valverde."
"'Tis as I thought--and yet, Senor, you might have taken our poor
convent less at an advantage. Suffer that I command the lay brothers to
place refreshments before you!"
"Thy pardon, excellent prior--Pedro de Munos, or even Pero Gutierrez,
hath no need of food; but, now that thou knowest me, there can be less
reason for not conversing of the Dona Mercedes?"
"Now that I know thee, Senor Conde, there is greater reason for silence
on that head," returned Fray Juan Perez, smiling. "Thine aunt, the most
esteemed and virtuous lady of Moya, can give thee all occasion to urge
thy suit with this charming maiden, and it would ill become a churchman
to temper her prudence by any indiscreet interference."
This explanation was the commencement of a long and confidential
dialogue, in which the worthy prior, now that he was on his guard,
succeeded in preserving his main secret, though he much encouraged the
young man in the leading hope of his existence, as well as in his
project to adhere to the fortunes of Columbus. In the mean while, the
great navigator himself continued closeted with his new counsellor; and
when the two reappeared, it was announced to those without that the
latter had engaged in the enterprise with so much zeal, that he actually
entertained the intention of embarking on board of one of the caravels
in person.