CHAPTER XVIII
CUBA! At first he called it Juana, but we came afterwards still to usethe Indian name. Cuba! We saw it after three days, and it was littleenough like Isabella, Fernandina, Concepcion, San Salvador and theislets the Admiral called Isles de Arena. It covered all our south, nolevel, shining thing that masthead could see around, but a mighty coastline, mountainous, with headlands and bays and river mouths. Now afterlong years, I who outlive the Admiral, know it for an island, buthow could he or I or any know that in November fourteen hundred andninety-two? He never believed it an island.
He stood on deck watching. "Cuba--Cuba! Have you not read of CublaiKhan? The sounds chime!"
"Cublai Khan. He lives in Quinsai."
"Ay. His splendid, capital city. Buildings all wonderful, and gardenslike Mahound's paradise!"
"But if it is Cipango?"
"Ay. It may be Cipango. We have no angel here to tell us which. I wouldone would fly down and take us by the hand! Being men, we must makeguesses."
Beautiful to us, splendid to us, was this coast of Cuba! We sailed byheadlands and deep, narrow-necked bays, river mouths and hanging forestsand bold cliffs. We sailed west and still headland followed headland,and still the lookout cried, "It stretched forever like the main!"
We came to a river where ships might ride. Sounding, we found deepwater, entered river mouth and dropped anchor, then went ashore in theboats. Palms and their water doubles, and in the grove a small abandonedvillage. We had seen the people flee before us, and they were no morenor other kind of people than had showed in Concepcion or Fernandina.Yet were they a little wealthier. We found parrots on their perches,and two dogs, small and wolf-like that never barked. In one hut lay aharpoon tipped with bone, and a net for fishing. In another we found awrought block of wood which Fray Ignatio pronounced their idol.
We went back to our ships, and leaving river, sailed on in a bright bluesea. The next day we doubled a cape and found a great haven, but silentand sailless, with no maritime city thronging the shore. What was thisworld, so huge, so sparely, rudely peopled?
We came to anchor close under shore in this haven. Again the marvelouswater, but now it laved a bold and great country! We landed. Canoesfastened in a row, another village, most of the folk decamped, but a fewbrave men and women tarrying to find out something about heaven and itsinmates. With toys again and pacific gestures we wiled them to us.
There was upon the _Santa Maria_ a young Indian who had chosen to comewith us from Fernandina. He had courage and intelligence, was willingto receive instruction and baptism from Fray Ignatio, and first and lastfollowed the Admiral with devotion. The latter had him christened DiegoColon. We taught him Spanish as fast and soundly as we might, and usedhim as interpreter. The tongue of his island was not just the tongue ofCuba, but near enough to serve. All these Indians have a gift of oratoryand dote to speak at length, with firm voice and great gestures. Nowwe set Diego Colon to his narration. We of Castile had so much of thetongue by now that we could in some wise follow.
Forth it poured! We were gods come from heaven. Yonder stood the chiefgod that the others obeyed. He was very great, strong, good, wise, kind,giving beautiful gifts! We were all kind--no one was going to be hurt.We made magic with harac--which we called "gold." In heaven was notenough harac. So important is it to the best magic that a chief godhas come to earth to seek it. We also liked cotton and things to eat,especially cassava cakes, and we liked a very few parrots. But it wasgold that in chief we wanted. The man who brought the gods gold mightgo home with gifts so beautiful that there was never anything seen likethem! Especially is there something that the gods call "bells" that ringand sound in your hand when you dance! Gold--do you know where to findit? Another thing! They desire to find a god who dropped out of the skya long time ago, and has now a people and a great, marvelous village.Thinking he might be here, they have dived down to our land, for theydive in the sky as we dive in water! The name of the god they hunt isGrand Khan or Cublai Khan, and his village is Quinsai. Have you heardof him? They are very anxious to find him. The chief god with white hairand wonderful clothes--It is what they call clothes; under it they areas you and me, only the color is different--the chief god will give manybells to any folk who can show him the way to Quinsai. Gold and Quinsaiwhere lives the god Grand Khan.
As might have been expected, this brought tidings. "Cubanacan!Cubanacan!" Whatever that might mean, they said it with assurance,pointing inland. Diego Colon interrupted their further speech. "Thereis a river. Go up it three days and come to great village. Cacique therewearing clothes. All men there have gold!"
Pedro Gutierrez spoke. "They'll promise anything for a hawk bell!"
"What do they understand and what do they not understand? What do theysay and what do they not say?" That was Martin Pinzon. "Between them allwe are fooled!"
The Admiral, who was gazing inland after the dark pointing finger,turned and spoke. "At the root of all things sit Patience and MakeTrial!
"Well, I know," answered Pinzon, "that if these ships be not careenedand mended we shall have trouble! Weather changes. There will be storm!"
He was right as to ships and weather, and the Admiral knew it and saidas much. I never saw him grudge recognition to Martin Pinzon. It hasbeen said that he did, but I never saw it.
That night, on board the _Santa Maria_ there was held a great council.At last it was settled that we should rest here a week and overhaul theships, and that while that was doing, there should be sent two or threewith Indian guides to find, if might be, this river and this town. Andthere were chosen, and given a week to go and come, Juan Lepe, LuisTorres and a seaman Roderigo Jerez, with Diego Colon, the Fernandinayouth. Likewise there would go two Indians of this village, blitheenough to show their country to the gods and the gods to their country.
The next day being Sunday, Fray Ignatio preached a sermon to theIndians. He assumed, and at this time I think the Admiral assumed, thatthese folk had no religion. That was a mistake. I doubt if on earth canbe found a people without religion.
Men and women they watched and listened, still, attentive, knowing thatit had somehow to do with heaven. After sermon and after we had prayedand sung, we fashioned and set up a great cross upon cliff brow. Againthe Indians watched and seemed to have some notion of what we did.
The remainder of the day we rested, and on Monday early RoderigoJerez, Luis Torres and Juan Lepe with Diego Colon and two Cuba men madedeparture, We had a pack of presents and a letter from the Admiral. Forwe might meet some administrator or commandant or other, from Quinsaior Zaiton or we knew not where. This was the first of many--ah, somany--expeditions, separations from main body and return, or not return,as the case might be!