"One evening-tide, as with her crones she sate,
Making sweet solace of some scandal new,
A boisterous noise came thund'ring at the gate,
And soon a sturdie boy approached in view;
With gold far glitter and were his vestments blue,
And pye-shaped hat, and of the silver sheen
An huge broad buckle glaunst in either shoe,
And round his necke an Indian kerchiefe clean,
And in his hand a switch;--a jolly wight I ween."
Mickle.
Notwithstanding the noble conceptions that lay at the bottom of the
voyage we have just related, the perseverance and self-devotion that
were necessary to its accomplishment, and the magnificence of the
consequences that were dependent on its success, it attracted very
little attention, amid the stirring incidents and active selfishness of
the age, until the result was known. Only a month before the arrangement
was made with Columbus, the memorable edict of the two sovereigns, for
the expulsion of the Jews, had been signed; and this uprooting of so
large a portion of the Spanish nation was, of itself, an event likely to
draw off the eyes of the people from an enterprise deemed as doubtful,
and which was sustained by means so insignificant, as that of the great
navigator. The close of the month of July had been set as the latest
period for the departure of these persecuted religionists; and thus, at
the very time, almost on the very day, when Columbus sailed from Palos,
was the attention of the nation directed toward what might be termed a
great national calamity. The departure was like the setting forth from
Egypt, the highways being thronged with the moving masses, many of which
were wandering they knew not whither.
The king and queen had left Granada in May, and after remaining two
months in Castile, they passed into Aragon, about the commencement of
August, in which kingdom they happened to be when the expedition sailed.
Here they remained throughout the rest of the season, settling affairs
of importance, and, quite probably, disposed to avoid the spectacle of
the misery their Jewish edict had inflicted, Castile having contained
much the greater portion of that class of their subjects. In October, a
visit was paid to the turbulent Catalans; the court passing the entire
winter in Barcelona. Nor did momentous events cease to occupy them while
in this part of their territories. On the 7th of December an attempt was
made on the life of Ferdinand; the assassin inflicting a severe, though
not a fatal wound, by a blow on the neck. During the critical weeks in
which the life of the king was deemed to be in danger, Isabella watched
at his bed-side, with the untiring affection of a devoted wife; and her
thoughts dwelt more on her affections than on any worldly
aggrandisement. Then followed the investigation into the motives of the
criminal; conspiracies ever being distrusted in such cases, although
history would probably show that much the greater part of these wicked
attempts on the lives of sovereigns, are more the results of individual
fanaticism, than of any combined plans to destroy.
Isabella, whose gentle spirit grieved over the misery her religious
submission had induced her to inflict on the Jews, was spared the
additional sorrow of mourning for a husband, taken away by means so
violent. Ferdinand gradually recovered. All these occurrences, together
with the general cares of the state, had served to divide the thoughts
of even the queen from the voyage; while the politic Ferdinand, in his
mind, had long since set down the gold expended in the outfit as so much
money lost.
The balmy spring of the south opened as usual, and the fertile province
of Catalonia had already become delightful with the fresh verdure of the
close of March. The king had, for some weeks, resumed his usual
occupations, and Isabella, relieved from her conjugal fears, had again
fallen into the quiet current of her duties and her usual acts of
beneficence. Indisposed to the gorgeousness of her station by the recent
events, and ever pining for the indulgence of the domestic affections,
this estimable woman, notwithstanding the strong natural disposition she
had always felt for that sort of life, had lived more among her children
and confidants, of late, than had been even her wont. Her earliest
friend, the Marchioness of Moya, as a matter of course, was ever near
her person, and Mercedes passed most of her time either in the immediate
presence of her royal mistress, or in that of her children.
There had been a small reception one evening, near the close of the
month; and Isabella, glad to escape from such scenes, had withdrawn to
her private apartments, to indulge in conversation in the circle she so
much loved. It was near the hour of midnight, the king being at work, as
usual, in an adjoining closet. There were present, besides the members
of the royal family and Dona Beatriz with her lovely niece, the
Archbishop of Granada, Luis de St. Angel, and Alonzo de Quintanilla, the
two last of whom had been summoned by the prelate, to discuss some
question of clerical finance before their illustrious mistress. All
business, however, was over, and Isabella was rendering the circle
agreeable, with the condescension of a princess and the gentle grace of
a woman.
"Are there fresh tidings from the unfortunate and deluded Hebrews, Lord
Archbishop?" demanded Isabella, whose kind feelings ever led her to
regret the severity which religious dependence on her confessors had
induced her to sanction. "Our prayers should surely attend them,
notwithstanding our policy and duty have demanded their expulsion."
"Senora," answered Fernando de Talavera, "they are doubtless serving
Mammon among the Moors and Turks, as they served him in Spain. Let not
your Highness' gracious mind be disturbed on account of these
descendants of the enemies and crucifiers of Christ, who, if they suffer
at all, do but suffer justly, for the unutterable sin of their
forefathers. Let us rather inquire, my gracious mistress, of the Senores
St. Angel and Quintanilla here, what hath become of their favorite
Colon, the Genoese; and when they look for his return, dragging the
Great Khan, a captive, by the beard!"
"We know naught of him, holy prelate," put in de St. Angel, briskly,
"since his departure from the Canaries."
"The Canaries!" interrupted the queen, in a little surprise. "Hath aught
been received, that cometh from that quarter?"
"By report only, Senora. Letters have not reached any in Spain, that I
can learn, but there is a rumor from Portugal, that the admiral touched
at Gomera and the Grand Canary, where it would seem he had his
difficulties, and whence he shortly after departed, holding a western
course; since which time no tidings have been received from either of
the caravels."
"By which fact, Lord Archbishop," added Quintanilla, "we can perceive
that trifles are not likely to turn the adventurers back."
"I'll warrant ye, Senores, that a Genoese adventurer who holdeth their
Highnesses' commission as an admiral, will be in no unseemly haste to
get rid of the dignity!" rejoined the prelate, laughing, without much
deference to his mistress' concessions in Columbus' favor. "One does not
see rank, authority, and emolument, carelessly thrown aside, when they
may be retained by keeping aloof from the power whence they spring."
"Thou art unjust to the Genoese, holy sir, and judgest him harshly,"
observed the queen. "Truly, I did not know of these tidings from the
Canaries, and I rejoice to hear that Colon hath got thus far in safety.
Hath not the past been esteemed a most boisterous winter among mariners,
Senor de St. Angel?"
"So much so, your Highness, that I have heard the seamen here, in
Barcelona, swear that, within the memory of man, there hath not been
another like it. Should ill-luck wait upon Colon, I trust this
circumstance may be remembered as his excuse; though I doubt if he be
very near any of our tempests and storms."
"Not he!" exclaimed the bishop, triumphantly. "It will be seen that he
hath been safely harbored in some river of Africa; and we shall have
some question yet to settle about him with Don John of Portugal."
"Here is the king to give us his opinion," interposed Isabella. "It is
long since I have heard him mention the name of Colon. Have you entirely
forgotten our Genoese admiral, Don Fernando?"
"Before I am questioned on subjects so remote," returned the king,
smiling, "let me inquire into matters nearer home. How long is it that
your Highness holdeth court, and giveth receptions, past the hour of
midnight?"
"Call you this a court, Senor? Here are but our own dear children,
Beatriz and her niece, with the good archbishop, and those two faithful
servants of your own."
"True; but you overlook the ante-chambers, and those who await your
pleasure without."
"None can await without at this unusual hour; surely you jest, my lord."
"Then your own page, Diego de Ballesteros, hath reported falsely.
Unwilling to disturb your privacy, at this unseasonable hour, he hath
come to me, saying that one of strange conduct and guise is in the
palace, insisting on an interview with the queen, let it be late or
early. The accounts of this man's deportment are so singular, that I
have ordered him to be admitted, and have come myself to witness the
interview. The page telleth me that he swears all hours are alike, and
that night and day are equally made for our uses."
"Dearest Don Fernando, there may be treason in this!"
"Fear not, Isabella; assassins are not so bold, and the trusty rapiers
of these gentlemen will prove sufficient for our protection--Hist! there
are footsteps, and we must appear calm, even though we apprehend a
tumult."
The door opened, and Sancho Mundo stood in the royal presence. The air
and appearance of so singular a being excited both astonishment and
amusement, and every eye was fastened on him in wonder; and this so much
the more, because he had decked his person with sundry ornaments from
the imaginary Indies, among which were one or two bands of gold.
Mercedes alone detected his profession by his air and attire, and she
rose involuntarily, clasping her hands with energy, and suffering a
slight exclamation to escape her. The queen perceived this little
pantomime, and it at once gave a right direction to her own thoughts.
"I am Isabella, the queen," she said, prising, without any further
suspicion of danger; "and thou art a messenger from Colon, the Genoese?"
Sancho, who had found great difficulty in gaining admittance, now that
his end was obtained, took matters with his native coolness. His first
act was to fall on his knees, as he had been particularly enjoined by
Columbus to do. He had caught the habit of using the weed of Hayti and
Cuba, from the natives, and was, in fact, the first seaman who ever
chewed tobacco. The practice had already got to be confirmed with him,
and before he answered, or as soon as he had taken this, for him, novel
position, he saw fit to fill a corner of his mouth with the attractive
plant. Then, giving his wardrobe a shake, for all the decent clothes he
owned were on his person, he disposed himself to make a suitable reply.
"Senora--Dona--your Highness," he answered, "any one might have seen
that at a glance. I am Sancho Mundo, of the ship-yard-gate; one of your
Highness' Excellency's most faithful subjects and mariners, being a
native and resident of Moguer."
"Thou comest from Colon, I say?"
"Senora, I do; many thanks to your Royal Grace for the information. Don
Christopher hath sent me across the country from Lisbon, seeing that the
wily Portuguese would be less likely to distrust a simple mariner, like
myself, than one of your every-day-booted couriers. 'Tis a weary road,
and there is not a mule between the stables of Lisbon and the palace of
Barcelona, fit for a Christian to bestride."
"Then, hast thou letters? One like thee can scarcely bear aught else."
"Therein, your Grace's Highness, Dona Reyna, is mistaken; though I am
far from bearing half the number of doblas I had at starting. Mass! the
innkeepers took me for a grandee, by the manner in which they charged!"
"Give the man gold, good Alonzo--he is one that liketh his reward ere he
will speak."
Sancho coolly counted the pieces that were put into his hand, and,
finding them greatly to exceed his hopes, he had no longer any motive
for prevarication.
"Speak, fellow!" cried the king. "Thou triflest where thou owest thy
duty and obedience."
The sharp, quick voice of Ferdinand had much more effect on the ear of
Sancho, than the gentler tones of Isabella, notwithstanding his rude
nature had been impressed with the matronly beauty and grace of the
latter.
"If your Highness would condescend to let me know what you wish to hear,
I will speak in all gladness."
"Where is Colon?" demanded the queen.
"At Lisbon, lately, Senora, though I think now at Palos de Moguer, or in
that neighborhood."
"Whither hath he been?"
"To Cipango, and the territories of the Great Khan; forty days' sail
from Gomera, and a country of marvellous beauty and excellence!"
"Thou canst not--darest not trifle with me! Can we put credit in thy
words?"
"If your Highness only knew Sancho Mundo, you would not feel this doubt.
I tell you, Senora, and all these noble cavaliers and dames, that Don
Christopher Colon hath discovered the other side of the earth, which we
now know to be round, by having circled it; and that he hath found out
that the north star journeyeth about in the heavens, like a gossip
spreading her news; and that he hath taken possession of islands as
large as Spain, in which gold groweth, and where the holy church may
employ itself in making Christians to the end of time."
"The letter--Sancho--give me the letter. Colon would scarce send thee as
a verbal expositor."
The fellow now undid sundry coverings of cloth and paper, until he
reached the missive of Columbus, when, without rising from his knees, he
held it out toward the queen, giving her the trouble to move forward
several paces to receive it. So unexpected and astounding were the
tidings, and so novel the whole scene, that no one interfered, leaving
Isabella to be the sole actor, as she was, virtually, the sole speaker.
Sancho having thus successfully acquitted himself of a task that had
been expressly confided to him on account of his character and
appearance, which, it was thought, would prove his security from arrest
and plunder, settled down quietly on his heels, for he had been directed
not to rise until ordered; and drawing forth the gold he had received,
he began coolly to count it anew. So absorbing was the attention all
gave to the queen, that no one heeded the mariner or his movements.
Isabella opened the letter, which her looks devoured, as they followed
line after line. As was usual with Columbus, the missive was long, and
it required many minutes to read it. All this time not an individual
moved, every eye being fastened on the speaking countenance of the
queen. There, were seen the heightening flush of pleasure and surprise,
the glow of delight and wonder, and the look of holy rapture. When the
letter was ended, Isabella turned her eyes upward to heaven, clasped her
hands with energy, and exclaimed--
"Not unto us, O Lord, but to Thee, be all the honor of this wonderful
discovery, all the benefits of this great proof of thy goodness and
power!"
Thus saying, she sunk into a seat and dissolved in tears. Ferdinand
uttered a slight ejaculation at the words of his royal consort; and then
he gently took the letter from her unresisting hand, and read it with
great deliberation and care. It was not often that the wary King of
Aragon was as much affected, in appearance at least, as on this
occasion. The expression of his face, at first, was that of wonder;
eagerness, not to say avidity, followed; and when he had finished
reading, his grave countenance was unequivocally illuminated by
exultation and joy.
"Good Luis de St. Angel!" he cried, "and thou, honest Alonzo de
Quintanilla, these must be grateful tidings to you both. Even thou, holy
prelate, wilt rejoice that the church is like to have acquisitions so
glorious--albeit no favorer of the Genoese of old. Far more than all our
expectations are realized, for Colon hath truly discovered the Indies;
increasing our dominions, and otherwise advancing our authority in a
most unheard-of manner."
It was unusual to see Don Ferdinand so excited, and he seemed conscious
himself that he was making an extraordinary exhibition, for he
immediately advanced to the queen, and, taking her hand, he led her
toward his own cabinet. In passing out of the saloon, he indicated to
the three nobles that they might follow to the council. The king made
this sudden movement more from habitual wariness than any settled
object, his mind being disturbed in a way to which he was unaccustomed,
while caution formed a part of his religion, as well as of his policy.
It is not surprising, therefore, that when he and the party he invited
to follow him had left the room, there remained only the princesses, the
Marchioness of Moya, and Mercedes. No sooner had the king and queen
disappeared, than the royal children retired to their own apartments,
leaving our heroine, her guardian, and Sancho, the sole occupants of the
saloon. The latter still remained on his knees, scarce heeding what had
passed, so intently was he occupied with his own situation, and his own
particular sources of satisfaction.
"Thou canst rise, friend," observed Dona Beatriz; "their Highnesses are
no longer present."
At this intelligence, Sancho quitted his humble posture, brushed his
knees with some care, and looked about him with the composure that he
was wont to exhibit in studying the heavens at sea.
"Thou wert of Colon's company, friend, by the manner in which thou hast
spoken, and the circumstance that the admiral hath employed thee as his
courier?"
"You may well believe that, Senora, your Excellency, for most of my time
was passed at the helm, which was within three fathoms of the very spot
that Don Christopher and the Senor de Munos loved so well that they
never quitted it, except to sleep, and not always then."
"Hadst thou a Senor de Munos of thy party?" resumed the Marchioness,
making a sign to her ward to control her feelings.
"That had we, Senora, and a Senor Gutierrez, and a certain Don Somebody
Else, and they all three did not occupy more room than one common man.
Prithee, honorable and agreeable Senora, is there one Dona Beatriz de
Cabrera, the Marchioness of Moya, a lady of the illustrious house of
Bobadilla, anywhere about the court of our gracious queen?"
"I am she, and thou hast a message for me, from this very Senor de
Munos, of whom thou hast spoken."
"I no longer wonder that there are great lords with their beautiful
ladies, and poor sailors with wives that no one envies! Scarce can I
open my mouth, but it is known what I wish to say, which is knowledge to
make one party great and the other party little! Mass!--Don Christopher,
himself, will need all his wit, if he journeyeth as far as Barcelona!"
"Tell us of this Pedro de Munos; for thy message is to me."
"Then, Senora, I will tell you of your own brave nephew, the Conde de
Llera, who goeth by two other names in the caravel, one of which is
supposed to be a sham, while the other is still the greatest deception
of the two."
"Is it, then, known who my nephew really is? Are many persons acquainted
with his secret?"
"Certainly, Senora; it is known, firstly, to himself; secondly, to Don
Christopher; thirdly, to me; fourthly, to Master Alonzo Pinzon, if he be
still in the flesh, as most probably he is not. Then it is known to your
ladyship; and this beautiful Senorita must have some suspicions of the
matter."
"Enough--I see the secret is not public; though, how one of thy class
came to be of it, I cannot explain. Tell me of my nephew:--did he, too,
write? if so, let me, at once, peruse his letter."
"Senora, my departure took Don Luis by surprise, and he had no time to
write. The admiral had given the princes and princesses, that we brought
from Espanola, in charge to the Conde, and he had too much to do to be
scribbling letters, else would he have written sheets to an aunt as
respectable as yourself."
"Princes and princesses!--What mean you, friend, by such high-sounding
terms?"
"Only that we have brought several of these great personages to Spain,
to pay their respects to their Highnesses. We deal with none of the
common fry, Senora, but with the loftiest princes, and the most
beautiful princesses of the east."
"And dost thou really mean that persons of this high rank have returned
with the admiral?"
"Out of all question, lady, and one of a beauty so rare, that the
fairest dames of Castile need look to it, if they wish not to be
outdone. She, in particular, is Don Luis' friend and favorite."
"Of whom speakest thou?" demanded Dona Beatriz, in the lofty manner in
which she was wont to insist on being answered directly. "What is the
name of this princess, and whence doth she come?"
"Her name, your Excellency, is Dona Ozema de Hayti, of a part of which
country her brother, Don Mattinao, is cacique or king, Senora Ozema
being the heiress, or next of kin. Don Luis and your humble servant paid
that court a visit"--
"Thy tale is most improbable, fellow--art thou one whom Don Luis would
be likely to select as a companion on such an occasion?"
"Look at it as you will, Senora, it is as true as that this is the court
of Don Ferdinand and Dona Isabella. You must know, illustrious
Marchioness, that the young count is a little given to roving about
among us sailors, and on one occasion, a certain Sancho Mundo, of
Moguer, happened to be of the same voyage; and thus we became known to
each other. I kept the noble's secret, and he got to be Sancho's friend.
When Don Luis went to pay a visit to Don Mattinao, the cacique, which
word meaneth 'your Highness,' in the eastern tongue, Sancho must go with
him, and Sancho went. When King Caonabo came down from the mountains to
carry off the Princess Dona Ozema for a wife, and the princess was
unwilling to go, why there remained nothing to be done, but for the
Conde de Llera and his friend Sancho of the ship-yard-gate, to fight the
whole army in her defence, which we did, gaining as great a victory as
Don Fernando, our sovereign master, ever gained over the Moors."
"Carrying off the princess yourselves, as would seem! Friend Sancho, of
the ship-yard-gate, if that be thy appellation, this tale of thine is
ingenious, but it lacketh probability. Were I to deal justly by thee,
honest Sancho, it would be to order thee the stripes thou merietst so
well, as a reward for this trifling."
"The man speaketh as he hath been taught," observed Mercedes, in a low,
unsteady voice; "I fear, Senora, there is too much truth in his tale!"
"You need fear nothing, beautiful Senorita," put in Sancho, altogether
unmoved at the menace implied by the words of the Marchioness, "since
the battle hath been fought, the victory hath been gained, and both the
heroes escaped uninjured. This illustrious Senora, to whom I can forgive
any thing, as the aunt of the best friend I have on earth--any thing
_spoken_, I mean--will remember that the Haytians know nothing of
arquebuses, by means of which we defeated Caonabo, and also, that many
is the column of Moors that Don Luis hath broken singly, and by means of
his own good lance."
"Ay, fellow," answered Dona Beatriz, "but that hath been in the saddle,
behind plaits of steel, and with a weapon that hath overturned even
Alonzo de Ojeda!"
"Hast thou truly brought away with thee the princess thou hast named?"
asked Mercedes, earnestly.
"I swear to it, Senora and Senorita, illustrious ladies both, by the
holy mass, and all the saints in the calendar! A princess, moreover,
surpassing in beauty the daughters of our own blessed queen, if the fair
ladies who passed out of this room, even now, are they, as I suspect."
"Out upon thee, knave!" cried the indignant Beatriz--"I will no more of
this, and marvel that my nephew should have employed one of so loose a
tongue, on any of his errands. Go to, and learn discretion ere the
morning, or the favor of even thy admiral will not save thy bones.
Mercedes, we will seek our rest--the hour is late."
Sancho was immediately left alone, and in a minute a page appeared to
show him to the place where he was to pass the night. The old mariner
had grumbled a little to himself, concerning the spirit of Don Luis'
aunt, counted anew his gold, and was about to take possession of his
pallet, when the same page reappeared to summon him to another
interview. Sancho, who knew little distinction between night and day,
made no objections, especially when he was told that his presence was
required by the lovely Senorita, whose gentle, tremulous voice had so
much interested him, in the late interview. Mercedes received her rude
guest in a small saloon of her own, after having parted from her
guardian for the night. As he entered, her face was flushed, her eye
bright, and her whole demeanor, to one more expert in detecting female
emotions, would have betrayed intense anxiety.
"Thou hast had a long and weary journey, Sancho," said our heroine, when
alone with the seaman, "and, I pray thee, accept this gold, as a small
proof of the interest with which I have heard the great tidings of which
thou hast been the bearer."
"Senorita!" exclaimed Sancho, affecting indifference to the doblas that
fell into his hand--"I hope you do not think me mercenary! the honor of
being the messenger, and of being admitted to converse with such
illustrious ladies, more than pays me for any thing I could do."
"Still, thou may'st need money for thy wants, and wilt not refuse that
which a lady offereth."
"On that ground, I would accept it, Dona Senorita, even were it twice as
much."
So saying, Sancho placed the money, with a suitable resignation, by the
side of that which he had previously received by order of the queen.
Mercedes now found herself in the situation that they who task their
powers too much, are often fated to endure; in other words, now she had
at command the means of satisfying her own doubts, she hesitated about
using them.
"Sancho," Mercedes at length commenced, "thou hast been with the Senor
Colon, throughout this great and extraordinary voyage, and must know
much that it will be curious for us, who have lived quietly in Spain, to
hear. Is all thou hast said about the princes and princesses true?"
"As true, Senorita, as such things need be for a history. Mass!--Any one
who hath been in a battle, or seen any other great adventure, and then
cometh to hear it read of, afterward, will soon learn to understand the
difference between the thing itself, and the history that may be given
of it. Now, I was"--
"Never mind thy other adventures, good Sancho; tell me only of this. Are
there really a Prince Mattinao, and a Princess Ozema his sister, and
have both accompanied the admiral to Spain?"
"I said not that, beautiful Senorita, for Don Mattinao remained behind
to rule his people. It is only his handsome sister, who hath followed
Don Christopher and Don Luis to Palos."
"Followed!--Do the admiral and the Conde de Llera possess such influence
over royal ladies, as to induce them to abandon their native country and
to _follow_ them to a foreign land?"
"Ay, Senorita, that might seem out of rule in Castile, or Portugal, or
even in France. But Hayti is not yet a Christian country, and a princess
there may not be more than a noble lady in Castile, and, in the way of
wardrobe, perhaps, not even as much. Still, a princess is a princess,
and a handsome princess is a handsome princess. Dona Ozema, here, is a
wonderful creature, and beginneth already to prattle your pure
Castilian, and she had been brought up at Toledo, or Burgos. But Don
Luis is a most encouraging master, and no doubt made great head-way,
during the time he was living in her palace, as it might be alone with
her, before that incarnate devil Don Caonabo came down with his
followers to seize the lady."
"Is this lady a Christian princess, Sancho?"
"Heaven bless your own pure soul, Dona Senorita, she can boast of but
little in that way; still, she hath made something of a beginning, as I
see she now weareth a cross--one small in size, it is true, but precious
in material, as, indeed it ought to be, seeing that it is a present from
one as noble and rich as the Count of Llera."
"A cross, say'st thou, Sancho!" interrupted Mercedes, almost gasping for
breath, yet so far subduing her feelings as to prevent the old seaman
from detecting them; "hath Don Luis succeeded in inducing her to accept
of a cross?"
"That hath he, Senorita--one of precious stones, that he once wore at
his own neck."
"Knowest thou the stones?--was it of turquoise, embellished with the
finest gold?"
"For the gold I can answer, lady, though my learning hath never reached
as high as the precious stones. The heavens of Hayti, however, are not
bluer than the stones of that cross. Dona Ozema calls it 'Mercedes,' by
which I understand that she looketh for the mercies of the crucifixion
to help her benighted soul."
"Is this cross, then, held so common, that it hath gotten to be the
subject of discourse even for men of thy class?"
"Hearkee, Senorita; a man like me is more valued, on board a caravel, in
a tossing sea, than he is likely to be here, in Barcelona, on solid
ground. We went to Cipango to set up crosses, and to make Christians; so
that all hath been in character. As for the Lady Ozema, she taketh more
notice of me than of another, as I was in the battle that rescued her
from Caonabo, and so she showed me the cross the day we anchored in the
Tagus, or just before the admiral ordered me to bring his letter to her
Highness. Then it was that she kissed the cross, and held it to her
heart, and said it was 'Mercedes.'"
"This is most strange, Sancho! Hath this princess attendants befitting
her rank and dignity?"
"You forget, Senorita, that the Nina is but a small craft, as her name
signifieth, and there would be no room for a large train of lords and
ladies. Don Christopher and Don Luis are honorable enough to attend on
any princess; and for the rest, the Dona Ozema must wait until our
gracious queen can command her a retinue befitting her birth. Besides,
my lady, these Haytian dames are simpler than our Spanish nobles, half
of them thinking clothes of no great use in that mild climate."
Mercedes looked offended and incredulous; but her curiosity and interest
were too active, to permit her to send the man away without further
question.
"And Don Luis de Bobadilla was ever with the admiral?" she said; "ever
ready to support him, and foremost in all hazards?"
"Senorita, you describe the count as faithfully as if you had been
present from first to last. Had you but seen him dealing out his blows
upon Caonabo's followers, and the manner in which he kept them all at
bay, with the Dona Ozema near him, behind the rocks, it would have drawn
tears of admiration from your own lovely eyes."
"The Dona Ozema near him--behind rocks--and assailants held at bay!"
"Si, Senora; you repeat it all like a book. It was much as you say,
though the Lady Ozema did not content herself with being behind the
rocks, for, when the arrows came thickest, she rushed before the count,
compelling the enemy to withhold, lest they should slay the very prize
they were battling for; thereby saving the life of her knight."
"Saving his life!--the life of Luis--of Don Luis de Bobadilla--an Indian
princess?"
"It is just as you say, and a most noble girl she is, asking pardon for
speaking so light of one of her high rank. Time and again, since that
day, hath the young count told me, that the arrows came in such clouds,
that his honor might have been tarnished by a retreat, or his life been
lost, but for the timely resolution of the Dona Ozema. She is a rare
creature, Senorita, and you will love her as a sister, when you come to
see and know her."
"Sancho," said our heroine, blushing like the dawn, "thou saidst that
the Conde de Llera bade thee speak of him to his aunt; did he mention no
one else?"
"No one, Senorita."
"Art certain, Sancho? Bethink thee well--did he mention no other name to
thee?"
"Not that I can swear. It is true, that either he or old Diego, the
helmsman, spoke of one Clara that keepeth an _hosteria_, here in
Barcelona, as a place famous for its wine; but I think it more likely to
have been Diego than the count, as one thinketh much of these matters,
and the other would not be apt to know aught of Clara."
"Thou canst retire, Sancho," said Mercedes, in a faint voice. "We will
say more to thee in the morning."
Sancho was not sorry to be dismissed, and he gladly returned to his
pallet, little dreaming of the mischief he had done by the mixture of
truth and exaggeration that he had been recounting.