CHAPTER XI.
"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 ouradventurers. Truth and falsehood, inseparable companions, it would seem,throughout all time, were not then diffused over the land by means ofnewspapers, with mercenary diligence; and it was only the favored fewwho got early intelligence of enterprises like that in which Columbuswas engaged. Luis de Bobadilla had, therefore, stolen from courtunnoticed, and they who came in time to miss his presence, eithersupposed him to be on a visit to one of his castles, or to have goneforth on another of those wandering tours which were supposed to beblemishes on his chivalry and unworthy of his birth. As for the Genoesehimself, his absence was scarcely heeded, though it was understood amongthe courtiers generally that Isabella had entered into some arrangementwith him, which gave the adventurer higher rank and greater advantagesthan his future services would probably ever justify. The otherprincipal adventurers were too insignificant to attract much attention,and they had severally departed for the coast without the knowledge oftheir movements extending far beyond the narrow circles of their ownacquaintances. Neither was this expedition, so bold in its conceptionand so momentous in its consequences, destined to sail from one of themore important ports of Spain; but orders to furnish the necessary meanshad been sent to a haven of altogether inferior rank, and which wouldseem to have possessed no other recommendations for this particularservice, than hardy mariners, and a position without the pass ofGibraltar, which was sometimes rendered hazardous by the rovers ofAfrica. The order, however, is said to have been issued to the placeselected, in consequence of its having incurred some legal penalty, bywhich it had been condemned to serve the crown for a twelvemonth withtwo armed caravels. Such punishments, it would seem, were part of thepolicy of an age in which navies were little more than levies onsea-ports, and when fleets were usually manned by soldiers from theland.
Palos de Moguer, the place ordered to pay this tribute for itstransgression, was a town of little importance, even at the close of thefifteenth century, and it has since dwindled to an insignificant fishingvillage. Like most places that are little favored by nature, itspopulation was hardy and adventurous, as adventure was then limited byignorance. It possessed no stately caracks, its business and want ofopulence confining all its efforts to the lighter caravel and the stillmore diminutive felucca. All the succor, indeed, that Columbus had beenable to procure from the two crowns, by his protracted solicitations,was the order for the equipment of the two caravels mentioned, with theadditional officers and men that always accompanied a royal expedition.The reader, however, is not to infer from this fact any niggardliness ofspirit, or any want of faith, on the part of Isabella. It was partlyowing to the exhausted condition of her treasury, a consequence of thelate war with the Moor, and more, perhaps, to the experience anddiscretion of the great navigator himself, who well understood that, forthe purposes of discovery, vessels of this size would be more useful andsecure than those that were larger.
On a rocky promontory, at a distance of less than a league from thevillage of Palos, stood the convent of La Rabida, since rendered socelebrated 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 weariedboy. The story is too well known to need repetition here, and we willmerely add that his long residence in this convent, and the firm friendshe had made of the holy Franciscans who occupied it, as well as amongothers in their vicinity, were also probably motives that influenced himin directing the choice of the crown to this particular place. Columbushad not only circulated his opinions with the monks, but with the moreintelligent of the neighborhood, and the first converts he made in Spainwere at this place.
Notwithstanding all the circumstances named, the order of the crown toprepare the caravels in question, spread consternation among themariners of Palos. In that age, it was thought a wonderful achievementto follow the land, along the coast of Africa, and to approach theequator. The vaguest notions existed in the popular mind, concerningthose unknown regions, and many even believed that by journeying southit was possible to reach a portion of the earth where animal andvegetable life must cease on account of the intense heat of the sun. Therevolution of the planets, the diurnal motion of the earth, and thecauses of the changes in the seasons, were then profound mysteries evento the learned; or, if glimmerings of the truth did exist, they existedas the first rays of the dawn dimly and hesitatingly announce theapproach of day. It is not surprising, therefore, that the simple-mindedand unlettered mariners of Palos viewed the order of the crown as asentence 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 hadconjured up currents and whirlpools that were believed to lead to fieryclimates and frightful scenes of natural destruction. Some even fanciedit possible to reach the uttermost boundaries of the earth, and to slideoff 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 hisconstant friend and adherent, Fray Juan Perez, when a lay brother cameto announce that a stranger had arrived at the gate, asking earnestlyfor the Senor Christoval Colon.
"Hath he the aspect of a messenger from the court?" demanded thenavigator; "for, since the failure of the mission of Juan de Penalosa,there is need of further orders from their Highnesses to enforce theirgracious intentions."
"I think not, Senor," answered the lay brother; "these hard-ridingcouriers of the queen generally appearing with their steeds in a foam,and with hurried air and blustering voices; whereas this young cavalierbehaveth 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 PedroGutierrez, without the Don."
"This is well," exclaimed Columbus, turning a little quickly toward thedoor, but otherwise maintaining a perfect self-command; "I expect theyouth, 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 wayone indirectly asks a question.
"A youth that hath the spirit, father, to adventure life and characterfor the glory of God, through the advancement of his church, byembarking in our enterprise. He cometh of a reputable lineage, and isnot without the gifts of fortune. But for the care of guardians, and hisown youth, gold would not have been wanting in our need. As it is, heventureth his own person, if one can be said to risk aught in anexpedition that seemeth truly to set even the orders of their Highnessesat defiance."
As Columbus ceased speaking, the door opened and Luis de Bobadillaentered. The young grandee had laid aside all the outward evidences ofhis high rank, and now appeared in the modest guise of a travellerbelonging to a class more likely to furnish a recruit for the voyage,than one of the rank he really was. Saluting Columbus with cordial andsincere respect, and the Franciscan with humble deference, the first atonce perceived that this gallant and reckless spirit had truly engagedin the enterprise with a determination to use all the means that wouldenable him to go through with it.
"Thou art welcome, Pedro," Columbus observed, as soon as Luis had madehis salutations; "thou hast reached the coast at a moment when thypresence and support may be exceedingly useful. The first order of HerHighness, by which I should have received the services of the twocaravels to which the state is entitled, hath been utterly disregarded;and a second mandate, empowering me to seize upon any vessel that maysuit our necessities, hath fared but
little better, notwithstanding theSenor de Penalosa was sent directly from court to enforce itsconditions, under a penalty, to the port, of paying a daily tax of twohundred maravedis, until the order should be fulfilled. The idiots haveconjured all sorts of ills with which to terrify themselves and theirneighbors, and I seem to be as far from the completion of my hopes as Iwas before I procured the friendship of this holy friar and the royalprotection of Dona Isabella. It is a weary thing, my good Pedro, towaste a life in hopes defeated, with such an object in view as thespread of knowledge and the extension of the church!"
"I am the bearer of good tidings, Senor," answered the young noble. "Incoming hither from the town of Moguer, I journeyed with one MartinAlonzo Pinzon, a mariner with whom I have formerly voyaged, and we havehad much discourse concerning your commission and difficulties. He tellsme that he is known to you, Senor Colon, and I should judge from hisdiscourse that he thinketh favorably of the chances."
"He doth--he doth, indeed, good Pedro, and hath often listened to myreasoning like a discreet and skilful navigator, as I make no questionhe really is. But didst thou say that thou wast _known_ to him?"
"Senor, I did. We have voyaged together as far as Cyprus, on oneoccasion, and, again, to the island of the English. In such longvoyages, men get to some knowledge of each other's temperament anddisposition, and, of a sooth, I think well of both, in this SenorPinzon."
"Thou art young to pass an opinion on a mariner of Martin Alonzo's yearsand experience, son," put in the friar; "a man of much repute in thisvicinity, and of no little wealth. Nevertheless, I am rejoiced to hearthat he continueth of the same mind as formerly, in relation to thegreat 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, morelike a Bobadilla than became his assumed name of Munos, and a glancefrom the eye of Columbus told him to forget his rank and to remember thedisguise he had assumed.
"This is truly encouraging," observed the navigator, "and openeth abrighter 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 Iconsider that no small sign of friendship, as most others with whom Ihave conversed in this vicinity seem disposed to call you by any othername."
"None need embark in this enterprise," returned the navigator, gravely,as if he would admonish the youth that this was an occasion on which hemight withdraw from the adventure, if he saw fit, "who feel disposed toact differently, or who distrust my knowledge."
"By San Pedro, my patron! they tell another tale at Palos, and atMoguer, Senor Amirale," returned Luis, laughing; "at which places, Ihear, that no man whose skin hath been a little warmed by the sun of theocean, dare show himself in the highways, lest he be sent to Cathay by aroad that no one ever yet travelled, except in fancy! There is,notwithstanding, one free and willing volunteer, Senor Colon, who isdisposed to follow you to the edge of the earth, if it be flat, and tofollow you quite around it, should it prove to be a sphere; and that isone 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 ofadventure, somewhat excited and magnified, perhaps, by love of thepurest and fairest maid of Castile."
Fray Juan Perez gazed at the speaker, whose free manner and open speecha good deal surprised him; for Columbus had succeeded in awakening somuch respect that few presumed to use any levity in his presence, evenbefore he was dignified by the high rank so recently conferred by thecommission of Isabella. Little did the good monk suspect that one of astill higher personal rank, though entirely without official station,stood before him, in the guise of Pedro de Munos; and he could notrefrain from again expressing the little relish he felt for such freedomof speech and deportment toward those whom he himself habituallyregarded with so much respect.
"It would seem, Senor Pedro de Munos," he said, "if that be thyname--though duke, or marquis, or count, would be a title betterbecoming thy bearing--that thou treatest His Excellency the Admiral withquite as much freedom of thought, at least, as thou treatest the worthyMartin Alonzo of our own neighborhood; a follower should be more humble,and not pass his jokes on the opinions of his leader, in this loosestyle of expression."
"I crave your pardon, holy father, and that of the admiral, too, whobetter understandeth me I trust, if there be any just grounds ofoffence. All I wish to express is, that I know this Martin Alonzo ofyour neighborhood, as an old fellow-voyager; that we have ridden someleagues in company this very day, and that, after close discourse, hehath manifested a friendly desire to put his shoulder to the wheel, inorder to lift the expedition, if not from a slough of mud, at least fromthe sands of the river; and that he hath promised to come also to thisgood convent of La Rabida, for that same purpose and no other. As formyself, I can only add, that here I am, ready to follow wheresoever thehonorable Senor Colon may see fit to lead."
"Tis well, good Pedro--'tis well," rejoined the admiral. "I give theefull credit for sincerity and spirit, and that must content thee untilan opportunity offereth to convince others. I like these tidingsconcerning Martin Alonzo, father, since he might truly do us much goodservice, and his zeal had assuredly begun to flag."
"That might he, and that will he, if he engageth seriously in theaffair. Martin is the greatest navigator on all this coast, for, thoughI did not know that he had ever been even to Cyprus, as would appear bythe account of this youth, I was well aware that he had frequentlysailed as far north as France, and as far south as the Canaries. Dostthink Cathay much more remote than Cyprus, Senor Almirante?"
Columbus smiled at this question, and shook his head in the manner ofone who would prepare a friend for some sore disappointment.
"Although Cyprus be not distant from the Holy Land and the seat of theInfidel's power," he answered, "Cathay must lie much more remote. Iflatter not myself, nor those who are disposed to follow me, with thehope of reaching the Indies short of a voyage that shall extend to someeight hundred or a thousand leagues."
"'Tis a fearful and a weary distance!" exclaimed the Franciscan; whileLuis stood in smiling unconcern, equally indifferent whether he had totraverse one-thousand or ten thousand leagues of ocean, so that thejourney led to Mercedes and was productive of adventure. "A fearful andweary distance, and yet I doubt not, Senor Almirante, that you are thevery man designed by Providence to overcome it, and to open the way forthose who will succeed you, bearing on high the cross of Christ and thepromises of his redemption!"
"Let us hope this," returned Columbus, reverently making the usual signof the sacred emblem to which his friend alluded; "as a proof that wehave some worldly foundation for the expectation, here cometh the SenorPinzon himself, apparently hot with haste to see us."
Martin Alonzo Pinzon, whose name is so familiar to the reader, as onewho greatly aided the Genoese in his vast undertaking, now entered theroom, seemingly earnest and bent on some fixed purpose, as Columbus'observant eye had instantly detected. Fray Juan Perez was not a littlesurprised to see that the first salutation of Martin Alonzo, the greatman of the neighborhood, was directed to Pedro, the second to theadmiral, and the third to himself. There was not time, however, for theworthy Franciscan, who was a little apt to rebuke any dereliction ofdecency on the spot, to express what he felt on this occasion, ereMartin Alonzo opened his errand with an eagerness that showed he had notcome on a mere visit of friendship, or of ceremony.
"I am sorely vexed, Senor Almirante," he commenced, "at learning theobstinacy, and the disobedience to the orders of the queen, that havebeen shown among our mariners of Palos. Although a dweller of the portitself, and one who hath always viewed your opinions of this westernvoyage with respect, if not with absolute faith, I did not know the fullextent of this insubordination until I met, by accident, an oldacquaintance on the highway, in the per
son of Don Pedro--I ought to saythe _Senor_ Pedro de Munos, here, who, coming from a distance as hedoth, hath discovered more of our backslidings than I had learnedmyself, on the spot. But, Senor, you are not now to hear for the firsttime, of what sort of stuff men are made. They are reasoning beings, weare told; notwithstanding which undeniable truth, as there is not one ina hundred who is at the trouble to do his own thinking, means may befound 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 meetthat he should be a _thinking_ animal. In matters of the church, now,its interests being entrusted to a ministry, what have the unlearned andignorant to say of its affairs? In matters of navigation, it doth,indeed, seem as if one steersman were better than a hundred! Althoughman be a reasoning animal, there are quite as many occasions when he isbound to obey without reasoning, and few when he should be permitted toreason without obeying."
"All true, holy friar and most excellent neighbor; so true that you willfind no one in Palos to deny that, at least. And now we are on thesubject, I may as well add that it is the church that hath thrown moreobstacles in the way of the Senor Almirante's success, than any othercause. All the old women of the port declare that the notion of theearth's being round is a heresy, and contrary to the Bible; and, if thetruth 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 whohath never quitted the land, and who seeth himself much oftener in avalley than on an eminence, that the globe is round, and, though I havehad many occasions to see the ocean, it would not easily find creditwith me, were it not for the fact that we see the upper and smallersails of a ship first, when approaching her, as well as the vanes andcrosses of towns, albeit they are the smaller objects about vessels andchurches. We mariners have one way to inspirit our followers, and youchurchmen have another; and, now that I intend to use my means to putwiser thoughts into the heads of the seamen of Palos, reverend friar, Ilook to you to set the church's engines at work, so as to silence thewomen, and to quell the doubts of the most zealous among your ownbrotherhood."
"Am I to understand by this, Senor Pinzon," demanded Columbus, "that youintend to take a direct and more earnest interest than before in thesuccess of my enterprise?"
"Senor, you may. That is my intention, if we can come to as favorable anunderstanding about the terms, as your worship would seem to haveentered into with our most honored mistress, Dona Isabella deTrastamara. I have had some discourse with Senor Don--I would say withthe Senor Pedro de Munos, here--odd's folly, an excess of courtesy isgetting 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 sofar, that I would gladly be of the party. Senor de Munos and I havevoyaged so much together, that I would fain see his worthy countenanceonce 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 thebenefits of this manly and pious resolution. It is one thing, SenorAlmirante, to have their Highnesses of your side, in a place like Palos,and another to have our worthy neighbor Pinzon, here; for, if they aresovereigns in law, he is an emperor in opinion. I doubt not that thecaravels 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, "outof doubt, thou hast well bethought thee of the conditions, and art comeprepared to let them be known. Do they savor of the terms that havealready been in discussion between us?"
"Senor Admiral, they do; though gold is not, just now, as abundant inour purses, as when we last discoursed on this subject. On that head,some obstacles may exist, but on all others, I doubt not, a briefexplanation 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 pointbetween us, than when we last met, as other means may offer to redeemthat pledge"--as Columbus spoke, his eyes involuntarily turned towardthe pretended Pedro, whither those of Martin Alonzo Pinzon significantlyfollowed; "but there will be many difficulties to overcome with theseterrified and silly mariners, which may yield to thy influence. If thouwilt come with me into this chamber, we will at once discuss the headsof our treaty, leaving this youth, the while, to the hospitality of ourreverend friend."
The prior raising no objection to this proposition, it was immediatelyput in execution, Columbus and Pinzon withdrawing to a more privateapartment, leaving Fray Juan Perez alone with our hero.
"Then thou thinkest seriously, son, of making one in this greatenterprise of the admiral's," said the Franciscan, as soon as the doorwas closed on those who had just left them, eyeing Luis, for the firsttime, with a more strict scrutiny than hitherto he had leisure toexercise. "Thou carriest thyself much like the young lords of the court,and wilt have occasion to acquire a less towering air in the narrowlimits 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 carrymyself before Don Fernando of Aragon, were he my fellow-voyager, or inthe presence of Boabdil of Grenada, were that unhappy monarch againseated on the throne from which he hath been so lately hurled, urginghis chivalry to charge the knights of Christian Spain."
"These are fine words, son, ay, and uttered with a tilting air, if truthmust be said; but they will avail thee nothing with this Genoese, whohath that in him, that would leave him unabashed even in the presence ofour gracious lady, Dona Isabella, herself."
"Thou knowest the queen, holy monk?" inquired Luis, forgetting hisassumed character, in the freedom of his address.
"I ought to know her inmost heart, son, for often have I listened to herpure and meek spirit, in the secrets of the confessional. Much as she isbeloved by us Castilians, no one can know the true, spiritual elevationof that pious princess, and most excellent woman, but they who have hadoccasion to shrive her."
Don Luis hemmed, played with the handle of his rapier, and then gaveutterance to the uppermost thought, as usual.
"Didst thou, by any chance of thy priestly office, father, ever find itnecessary to confess a maiden of the court, who is much esteemed by thequeen?" he inquired, "and whose spirit, I'll answer for it, is as pureas that of Dona Isabella's itself."
"Son, thy question denoteth greater necessity for repairing toSalamanca, in order to be instructed in the history, and practices, andfaith of the church, than to be entering into an enterprise, even ascommendable as this of Colon's! Dost thou not know that we churchmen arenot permitted to betray the secrets of the confessional, or to drawcomparisons between penitents? and, moreover, that we do not take evenDona Isabella, the blessed Maria keep her ever in mind, as the standardof holiness to which all Christians are expected to aim? The maiden ofwhom thou speakest may be virtuous, according to worldly notions, andyet a grievous sinner in the eyes of mother church."
"I should like, before I quit Spain, to hear a Mendoza, or a Guzman, whohath not a shaven crown, venture to hint as much, most reverend prior!"
"Thou art hot and restive, and talkest idly, son; what would one likethee find to say to a Guzman, or a Mendoza, or a Bobadilla, even, did heaffirm what thou wishest? But, who is the maid, in whom thy feelingsseem 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 chasmbetween us, that it is little likely we should ever come to speech; noris my merit such as would be apt to cause her to forget her highadvantages."
"Still, she hath a name?"
"She hath, truly, prior, and a right noble one it is. I had the DonaMaria de las Mercedes de Valverde in my though
ts, when the light remarkfound utterance. Haply, thou may'st know that illustrious heiress?"
Fray Juan Perez, a truly guileless priest, started at the name; then hegazed intently, and with a sort of pity, at the youth; after which hebent his head toward the tiles beneath his feet, smiled, and shook hishead like one whose thoughts were very active.
"I do, indeed, know the lady," he said, "and even when last at court, onthis errand of Colon's, their own confessor being ill, I shrived her, aswell as my royal mistress. That she is worthy of Dona Isabella's esteemis true; but thy admiration for this noble maiden, which must besomething like the distant reverence we feel for the clouds that sailabove 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, aswell as another?"
"In this, thou may'st utter truth, but as for the Dona--" The Franciscanchecked himself, for he was about to betray the secret of theconfessional. He had, in truth, listened to the contrition of Mercedes,of which her passion for Luis was the principal cause; and it was hewho, 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 madeto turn his propensity to rove to the profit of his love; and his mindwas full of her beautiful exhibition of purity and natural feeling,nearly even to overflowing. But habit and duty interfered in time, andhe did not utter the name that had been trembling on his lips. Still,his thoughts continued in this current, and his tongue gave utterance tothat portion of them which he believed to be harmless. "Thou hast beenmuch about the world, it would seem, by Master Alonzo's greeting," hecontinued, after a short pause; "didst ever meet, son, with a certaincavalier of Castile, named Don Luis de Bobadilla--a grandee, who alsobears the title of Conde de Llera?"
"I know little of his hopes, and care less for his titles," returnedLuis, calmly, who thought he would manifest a magnanimous indifferenceto the Franciscan's opinions--"but I have seen the cavalier, and aroving, mad-brained, graceless youth it is, of whom no good can beexpected."
"I fear this is but too true," rejoined Fray Juan Perez, shaking hishead 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 wasdecorous, for his throat began to grow husky--"Ay, he may be that; butof what avail is a good lance without a good character. I hear littlecommendable of this young Conde de Llera."
"I trust he is not the man he generally passeth for,"--answered thesimple-hearted monk, without in the least suspecting his companion'sdisguise; "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 ofthese?" demanded Luis, with an impetuosity that caused the prior tostart.
"And why should I give this information to thee, young man, more than toanother?"
"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 toroving, and it may profit me to know how others of the same propensityhave sped. Moreover, it would gladden my inmost heart to hear that--buttwo sufficient reasons are better than three, and thou hast the firstnumber already."
Fray Juan Perez, a devout Christian, a learned churchman, and a liberalscholar, was as simple as a child in matters that related to the worldand its passions. Nevertheless, he was not so dull as to overlook thestrange deportment and stranger language of his companion. A directionhad been given to his thoughts by the mention of the name of ourheroine; and, as he himself had devised the very course taken by ourhero, 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, worthyfather, after this detection! I _am_ he thou sayest, entered on thisexpedition to win the love of Mercedes de Valverde."
"'Tis as I thought--and yet, Senor, you might have taken our poorconvent less at an advantage. Suffer that I command the lay brothers toplace 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 lessreason for not conversing of the Dona Mercedes?"
"Now that I know thee, Senor Conde, there is greater reason for silenceon that head," returned Fray Juan Perez, smiling. "Thine aunt, the mostesteemed and virtuous lady of Moya, can give thee all occasion to urgethy suit with this charming maiden, and it would ill become a churchmanto temper her prudence by any indiscreet interference."
This explanation was the commencement of a long and confidentialdialogue, in which the worthy prior, now that he was on his guard,succeeded in preserving his main secret, though he much encouraged theyoung man in the leading hope of his existence, as well as in hisproject to adhere to the fortunes of Columbus. In the mean while, thegreat navigator himself continued closeted with his new counsellor; andwhen the two reappeared, it was announced to those without that thelatter had engaged in the enterprise with so much zeal, that he actuallyentertained the intention of embarking on board of one of the caravelsin person.