Mercedes of Castile; Or, The Voyage to Cathay

by James Fenimore Cooper

  CHAPTER XXVI.

  "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 thevoyage we have just related, the perseverance and self-devotion thatwere necessary to its accomplishment, and the magnificence of theconsequences that were dependent on its success, it attracted verylittle attention, amid the stirring incidents and active selfishness ofthe age, until the result was known. Only a month before the arrangementwas made with Columbus, the memorable edict of the two sovereigns, forthe expulsion of the Jews, had been signed; and this uprooting of solarge a portion of the Spanish nation was, of itself, an event likely todraw off the eyes of the people from an enterprise deemed as doubtful,and which was sustained by means so insignificant, as that of the greatnavigator. The close of the month of July had been set as the latestperiod for the departure of these persecuted religionists; and thus, atthe very time, almost on the very day, when Columbus sailed from Palos,was the attention of the nation directed toward what might be termed agreat national calamity. The departure was like the setting forth fromEgypt, the highways being thronged with the moving masses, many of whichwere wandering they knew not whither.

  The king and queen had left Granada in May, and after remaining twomonths in Castile, they passed into Aragon, about the commencement ofAugust, in which kingdom they happened to be when the expedition sailed.Here they remained throughout the rest of the season, settling affairsof importance, and, quite probably, disposed to avoid the spectacle ofthe misery their Jewish edict had inflicted, Castile having containedmuch the greater portion of that class of their subjects. In October, avisit was paid to the turbulent Catalans; the court passing the entirewinter in Barcelona. Nor did momentous events cease to occupy them whilein this part of their territories. On the 7th of December an attempt wasmade on the life of Ferdinand; the assassin inflicting a severe, thoughnot a fatal wound, by a blow on the neck. During the critical weeks inwhich the life of the king was deemed to be in danger, Isabella watchedat his bed-side, with the untiring affection of a devoted wife; and herthoughts dwelt more on her affections than on any worldlyaggrandisement. Then followed the investigation into the motives of thecriminal; conspiracies ever being distrusted in such cases, althoughhistory would probably show that much the greater part of these wickedattempts on the lives of sovereigns, are more the results of individualfanaticism, than of any combined plans to destroy.

  Isabella, whose gentle spirit grieved over the misery her religioussubmission had induced her to inflict on the Jews, was spared theadditional sorrow of mourning for a husband, taken away by means soviolent. Ferdinand gradually recovered. All these occurrences, togetherwith the general cares of the state, had served to divide the thoughtsof even the queen from the voyage; while the politic Ferdinand, in hismind, had long since set down the gold expended in the outfit as so muchmoney lost.

  The balmy spring of the south opened as usual, and the fertile provinceof Catalonia had already become delightful with the fresh verdure of theclose of March. The king had, for some weeks, resumed his usualoccupations, and Isabella, relieved from her conjugal fears, had againfallen into the quiet current of her duties and her usual acts ofbeneficence. Indisposed to the gorgeousness of her station by the recentevents, and ever pining for the indulgence of the domestic affections,this estimable woman, notwithstanding the strong natural disposition shehad always felt for that sort of life, had lived more among her childrenand confidants, of late, than had been even her wont. Her earliestfriend, the Marchioness of Moya, as a matter of course, was ever nearher person, and Mercedes passed most of her time either in the immediatepresence of her royal mistress, or in that of her children.

  There had been a small reception one evening, near the close of themonth; and Isabella, glad to escape from such scenes, had withdrawn toher private apartments, to indulge in conversation in the circle she somuch loved. It was near the hour of midnight, the king being at work, asusual, in an adjoining closet. There were present, besides the membersof the royal family and Dona Beatriz with her lovely niece, theArchbishop of Granada, Luis de St. Angel, and Alonzo de Quintanilla, thetwo last of whom had been summoned by the prelate, to discuss somequestion of clerical finance before their illustrious mistress. Allbusiness, however, was over, and Isabella was rendering the circleagreeable, with the condescension of a princess and the gentle grace ofa woman.

  "Are there fresh tidings from the unfortunate and deluded Hebrews, LordArchbishop?" demanded Isabella, whose kind feelings ever led her toregret the severity which religious dependence on her confessors hadinduced 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 servingMammon among the Moors and Turks, as they served him in Spain. Let notyour Highness' gracious mind be disturbed on account of thesedescendants of the enemies and crucifiers of Christ, who, if they sufferat all, do but suffer justly, for the unutterable sin of theirforefathers. Let us rather inquire, my gracious mistress, of the SenoresSt. Angel and Quintanilla here, what hath become of their favoriteColon, the Genoese; and when they look for his return, dragging theGreat 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 aughtbeen received, that cometh from that quarter?"

  "By report only, Senora. Letters have not reached any in Spain, that Ican learn, but there is a rumor from Portugal, that the admiral touchedat Gomera and the Grand Canary, where it would seem he had hisdifficulties, and whence he shortly after departed, holding a westerncourse; since which time no tidings have been received from either ofthe caravels."

  "By which fact, Lord Archbishop," added Quintanilla, "we can perceivethat trifles are not likely to turn the adventurers back."

  "I'll warrant ye, Senores, that a Genoese adventurer who holdeth theirHighnesses' commission as an admiral, will be in no unseemly haste toget rid of the dignity!" rejoined the prelate, laughing, without muchdeference to his mistress' concessions in Columbus' favor. "One does notsee rank, authority, and emolument, carelessly thrown aside, when theymay 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 theCanaries, 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, inBarcelona, swear that, within the memory of man, there hath not beenanother like it. Should ill-luck wait upon Colon, I trust thiscircumstance may be remembered as his excuse; though I doubt if he bevery near any of our tempests and storms."

  "Not he!" exclaimed the bishop, triumphantly. "It will be seen that hehath been safely harbored in some river of Africa; and we shall havesome question yet to settle about him with Don John of Portugal."

  "Here is the king to give us his opinion," interposed Isabella. "It islong since I have heard him mention the name of Colon. Have you entirelyforgotten 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 thatyour Highness holdeth court, and giveth receptions, past the hour ofmidnight?"

  "Call you this a court, Senor? Here are but our own dear children,Beatriz and her niece, with the good archbishop, and those
two faithfulservants of your own."

  "True; but you overlook the ante-chambers, and those who await yourpleasure 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 hathcome to me, saying that one of strange conduct and guise is in thepalace, insisting on an interview with the queen, let it be late orearly. The accounts of this man's deportment are so singular, that Ihave ordered him to be admitted, and have come myself to witness theinterview. The page telleth me that he swears all hours are alike, andthat 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 rapiersof these gentlemen will prove sufficient for our protection--Hist! thereare footsteps, and we must appear calm, even though we apprehend atumult."

  The door opened, and Sancho Mundo stood in the royal presence. The airand appearance of so singular a being excited both astonishment andamusement, and every eye was fastened on him in wonder; and this so muchthe more, because he had decked his person with sundry ornaments fromthe imaginary Indies, among which were one or two bands of gold.Mercedes alone detected his profession by his air and attire, and sherose involuntarily, clasping her hands with energy, and suffering aslight exclamation to escape her. The queen perceived this littlepantomime, and it at once gave a right direction to her own thoughts.

  "I am Isabella, the queen," she said, prising, without any furthersuspicion of danger; "and thou art a messenger from Colon, the Genoese?"

  Sancho, who had found great difficulty in gaining admittance, now thathis end was obtained, took matters with his native coolness. His firstact was to fall on his knees, as he had been particularly enjoined byColumbus to do. He had caught the habit of using the weed of Hayti andCuba, from the natives, and was, in fact, the first seaman who everchewed 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, novelposition, he saw fit to fill a corner of his mouth with the attractiveplant. Then, giving his wardrobe a shake, for all the decent clothes heowned were on his person, he disposed himself to make a suitable reply.

  "Senora--Dona--your Highness," he answered, "any one might have seenthat at a glance. I am Sancho Mundo, of the ship-yard-gate; one of yourHighness' Excellency's most faithful subjects and mariners, being anative and resident of Moguer."

  "Thou comest from Colon, I say?"

  "Senora, I do; many thanks to your Royal Grace for the information. DonChristopher hath sent me across the country from Lisbon, seeing that thewily Portuguese would be less likely to distrust a simple mariner, likemyself, 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 ofBarcelona, 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 amfar from bearing half the number of doblas I had at starting. Mass! theinnkeepers 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 hewill 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 motivefor prevarication.

  "Speak, fellow!" cried the king. "Thou triflest where thou owest thyduty and obedience."

  The sharp, quick voice of Ferdinand had much more effect on the ear ofSancho, than the gentler tones of Isabella, notwithstanding his rudenature had been impressed with the matronly beauty and grace of thelatter.

  "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 inthat neighborhood."

  "Whither hath he been?"

  "To Cipango, and the territories of the Great Khan; forty days' sailfrom Gomera, and a country of marvellous beauty and excellence!"

  "Thou canst not--darest not trifle with me! Can we put credit in thywords?"

  "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 DonChristopher Colon hath discovered the other side of the earth, which wenow know to be round, by having circled it; and that he hath found outthat the north star journeyeth about in the heavens, like a gossipspreading her news; and that he hath taken possession of islands aslarge as Spain, in which gold groweth, and where the holy church mayemploy itself in making Christians to the end of time."

  "The letter--Sancho--give me the letter. Colon would scarce send thee asa verbal expositor."

  The fellow now undid sundry coverings of cloth and paper, until hereached the missive of Columbus, when, without rising from his knees, heheld it out toward the queen, giving her the trouble to move forwardseveral paces to receive it. So unexpected and astounding were thetidings, and so novel the whole scene, that no one interfered, leavingIsabella to be the sole actor, as she was, virtually, the sole speaker.Sancho having thus successfully acquitted himself of a task that hadbeen expressly confided to him on account of his character andappearance, which, it was thought, would prove his security from arrestand plunder, settled down quietly on his heels, for he had been directednot to rise until ordered; and drawing forth the gold he had received,he began coolly to count it anew. So absorbing was the attention allgave to the queen, that no one heeded the mariner or his movements.Isabella opened the letter, which her looks devoured, as they followedline after line. As was usual with Columbus, the missive was long, andit required many minutes to read it. All this time not an individualmoved, every eye being fastened on the speaking countenance of thequeen. There, were seen the heightening flush of pleasure and surprise,the glow of delight and wonder, and the look of holy rapture. When theletter was ended, Isabella turned her eyes upward to heaven, clasped herhands with energy, and exclaimed--

  "Not unto us, O Lord, but to Thee, be all the honor of this wonderfuldiscovery, all the benefits of this great proof of thy goodness andpower!"

  Thus saying, she sunk into a seat and dissolved in tears. Ferdinanduttered a slight ejaculation at the words of his royal consort; and thenhe gently took the letter from her unresisting hand, and read it withgreat deliberation and care. It was not often that the wary King ofAragon was as much affected, in appearance at least, as on thisoccasion. The expression of his face, at first, was that of wonder;eagerness, not to say avidity, followed; and when he had finishedreading, his grave countenance was unequivocally illuminated byexultation and joy.

  "Good Luis de St. Angel!" he cried, "and thou, honest Alonzo deQuintanilla, these must be grateful tidings to you both. Even thou, holyprelate, wilt rejoice that the church is like to have acquisitions soglorious--albeit no favorer of the Genoese of old. Far more than all ourexpectations are realized, for Colon hath truly discovered the Indies;increasing our dominions, and otherwise advancing our authority in amost unheard-of manner."

  It was unusual to see Don Ferdinand so excited, and he seemed conscioushimself that he was making an extraordinary exhibition, for heimmediately advanced to the queen, and, taking her hand, he led hertoward his own cabinet. In passing out of the saloon, he indicated tothe three nobles that they might follow to the council. The king madethis sudden movement more from habitual wariness than any settledobject, 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 invitedto follow him had left the room, there remained only the princesses, theMarchioness of Moya, and Mercedes. No sooner had the king and queendisappeared, than the royal children retired to their own apartments,leaving our heroine, her
guardian, and Sancho, the sole occupants of thesaloon. The latter still remained on his knees, scarce heeding what hadpassed, so intently was he occupied with his own situation, and his ownparticular sources of satisfaction.

  "Thou canst rise, friend," observed Dona Beatriz; "their Highnesses areno longer present."

  At this intelligence, Sancho quitted his humble posture, brushed hisknees with some care, and looked about him with the composure that hewas wont to exhibit in studying the heavens at sea.

  "Thou wert of Colon's company, friend, by the manner in which thou hastspoken, and the circumstance that the admiral hath employed thee as hiscourier?"

  "You may well believe that, Senora, your Excellency, for most of my timewas passed at the helm, which was within three fathoms of the very spotthat Don Christopher and the Senor de Munos loved so well that theynever 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 SomebodyElse, and they all three did not occupy more room than one common man.Prithee, honorable and agreeable Senora, is there one Dona Beatriz deCabrera, the Marchioness of Moya, a lady of the illustrious house ofBobadilla, anywhere about the court of our gracious queen?"

  "I am she, and thou hast a message for me, from this very Senor deMunos, of whom thou hast spoken."

  "I no longer wonder that there are great lords with their beautifulladies, and poor sailors with wives that no one envies! Scarce can Iopen my mouth, but it is known what I wish to say, which is knowledge tomake 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 deLlera, who goeth by two other names in the caravel, one of which issupposed to be a sham, while the other is still the greatest deceptionof the two."

  "Is it, then, known who my nephew really is? Are many persons acquaintedwith his secret?"

  "Certainly, Senora; it is known, firstly, to himself; secondly, to DonChristopher; thirdly, to me; fourthly, to Master Alonzo Pinzon, if he bestill in the flesh, as most probably he is not. Then it is known to yourladyship; and this beautiful Senorita must have some suspicions of thematter."

  "Enough--I see the secret is not public; though, how one of thy classcame 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 towrite. The admiral had given the princes and princesses, that we broughtfrom Espanola, in charge to the Conde, and he had too much to do to bescribbling letters, else would he have written sheets to an aunt asrespectable as yourself."

  "Princes and princesses!--What mean you, friend, by such high-soundingterms?"

  "Only that we have brought several of these great personages to Spain,to pay their respects to their Highnesses. We deal with none of thecommon fry, Senora, but with the loftiest princes, and the mostbeautiful princesses of the east."

  "And dost thou really mean that persons of this high rank have returnedwith the admiral?"

  "Out of all question, lady, and one of a beauty so rare, that thefairest dames of Castile need look to it, if they wish not to beoutdone. She, in particular, is Don Luis' friend and favorite."

  "Of whom speakest thou?" demanded Dona Beatriz, in the lofty manner inwhich she was wont to insist on being answered directly. "What is thename of this princess, and whence doth she come?"

  "Her name, your Excellency, is Dona Ozema de Hayti, of a part of whichcountry her brother, Don Mattinao, is cacique or king, Senora Ozemabeing the heiress, or next of kin. Don Luis and your humble servant paidthat court a visit"--

  "Thy tale is most improbable, fellow--art thou one whom Don Luis wouldbe 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 courtof Don Ferdinand and Dona Isabella. You must know, illustriousMarchioness, that the young count is a little given to roving aboutamong us sailors, and on one occasion, a certain Sancho Mundo, ofMoguer, happened to be of the same voyage; and thus we became known toeach 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, whichword meaneth 'your Highness,' in the eastern tongue, Sancho must go withhim, and Sancho went. When King Caonabo came down from the mountains tocarry off the Princess Dona Ozema for a wife, and the princess wasunwilling to go, why there remained nothing to be done, but for theConde de Llera and his friend Sancho of the ship-yard-gate, to fight thewhole army in her defence, which we did, gaining as great a victory asDon Fernando, our sovereign master, ever gained over the Moors."

  "Carrying off the princess yourselves, as would seem! Friend Sancho, ofthe ship-yard-gate, if that be thy appellation, this tale of thine isingenious, but it lacketh probability. Were I to deal justly by thee,honest Sancho, it would be to order thee the stripes thou merietst sowell, 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, altogetherunmoved at the menace implied by the words of the Marchioness, "sincethe battle hath been fought, the victory hath been gained, and both theheroes escaped uninjured. This illustrious Senora, to whom I can forgiveany thing, as the aunt of the best friend I have on earth--any thing_spoken_, I mean--will remember that the Haytians know nothing ofarquebuses, by means of which we defeated Caonabo, and also, that manyis the column of Moors that Don Luis hath broken singly, and by means ofhis 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 evenAlonzo 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 theholy mass, and all the saints in the calendar! A princess, moreover,surpassing in beauty the daughters of our own blessed queen, if the fairladies 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 ofthis, and marvel that my nephew should have employed one of so loose atongue, on any of his errands. Go to, and learn discretion ere themorning, 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 toshow him to the place where he was to pass the night. The old marinerhad grumbled a little to himself, concerning the spirit of Don Luis'aunt, counted anew his gold, and was about to take possession of hispallet, when the same page reappeared to summon him to anotherinterview. Sancho, who knew little distinction between night and day,made no objections, especially when he was told that his presence wasrequired by the lovely Senorita, whose gentle, tremulous voice had somuch interested him, in the late interview. Mercedes received her rudeguest in a small saloon of her own, after having parted from herguardian for the night. As he entered, her face was flushed, her eyebright, and her whole demeanor, to one more expert in detecting femaleemotions, would have betrayed intense anxiety.

  "Thou hast had a long and weary journey, Sancho," said our heroine, whenalone with the seaman, "and, I pray thee, accept this gold, as a smallproof of the interest with which I have heard the great tidings of whichthou hast been the bearer."

  "Senorita!" exclaimed Sancho, affecting indifference to the doblas thatfell into his hand--"I hope you do not think me mercenary! the honor ofbeing the messenger, and of being admitted to converse with suchillustrious ladies, more than pays me for any thing I could do."

  "Still, thou
may'st need money for thy wants, and wilt not refuse thatwhich a lady offereth."

  "On that ground, I would accept it, Dona Senorita, even were it twice asmuch."

  So saying, Sancho placed the money, with a suitable resignation, by theside of that which he had previously received by order of the queen.Mercedes now found herself in the situation that they who task theirpowers too much, are often fated to endure; in other words, now she hadat command the means of satisfying her own doubts, she hesitated aboutusing them.

  "Sancho," Mercedes at length commenced, "thou hast been with the SenorColon, throughout this great and extraordinary voyage, and must knowmuch that it will be curious for us, who have lived quietly in Spain, tohear. Is all thou hast said about the princes and princesses true?"

  "As true, Senorita, as such things need be for a history. Mass!--Any onewho hath been in a battle, or seen any other great adventure, and thencometh to hear it read of, afterward, will soon learn to understand thedifference between the thing itself, and the history that may be givenof it. Now, I was"--

  "Never mind thy other adventures, good Sancho; tell me only of this. Arethere really a Prince Mattinao, and a Princess Ozema his sister, andhave both accompanied the admiral to Spain?"

  "I said not that, beautiful Senorita, for Don Mattinao remained behindto rule his people. It is only his handsome sister, who hath followedDon Christopher and Don Luis to Palos."

  "Followed!--Do the admiral and the Conde de Llera possess such influenceover royal ladies, as to induce them to abandon their native country andto _follow_ them to a foreign land?"

  "Ay, Senorita, that might seem out of rule in Castile, or Portugal, oreven in France. But Hayti is not yet a Christian country, and a princessthere may not be more than a noble lady in Castile, and, in the way ofwardrobe, perhaps, not even as much. Still, a princess is a princess,and a handsome princess is a handsome princess. Dona Ozema, here, is awonderful creature, and beginneth already to prattle your pureCastilian, and she had been brought up at Toledo, or Burgos. But DonLuis 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 withher, before that incarnate devil Don Caonabo came down with hisfollowers to seize the lady."

  "Is this lady a Christian princess, Sancho?"

  "Heaven bless your own pure soul, Dona Senorita, she can boast of butlittle in that way; still, she hath made something of a beginning, as Isee she now weareth a cross--one small in size, it is true, but preciousin material, as, indeed it ought to be, seeing that it is a present fromone as noble and rich as the Count of Llera."

  "A cross, say'st thou, Sancho!" interrupted Mercedes, almost gasping forbreath, yet so far subduing her feelings as to prevent the old seamanfrom detecting them; "hath Don Luis succeeded in inducing her to acceptof a cross?"

  "That hath he, Senorita--one of precious stones, that he once wore athis own neck."

  "Knowest thou the stones?--was it of turquoise, embellished with thefinest gold?"

  "For the gold I can answer, lady, though my learning hath never reachedas high as the precious stones. The heavens of Hayti, however, are notbluer than the stones of that cross. Dona Ozema calls it 'Mercedes,' bywhich I understand that she looketh for the mercies of the crucifixionto help her benighted soul."

  "Is this cross, then, held so common, that it hath gotten to be thesubject of discourse even for men of thy class?"

  "Hearkee, Senorita; a man like me is more valued, on board a caravel, ina tossing sea, than he is likely to be here, in Barcelona, on solidground. We went to Cipango to set up crosses, and to make Christians; sothat all hath been in character. As for the Lady Ozema, she taketh morenotice of me than of another, as I was in the battle that rescued herfrom Caonabo, and so she showed me the cross the day we anchored in theTagus, or just before the admiral ordered me to bring his letter to herHighness. Then it was that she kissed the cross, and held it to herheart, and said it was 'Mercedes.'"

  "This is most strange, Sancho! Hath this princess attendants befittingher rank and dignity?"

  "You forget, Senorita, that the Nina is but a small craft, as her namesignifieth, and there would be no room for a large train of lords andladies. Don Christopher and Don Luis are honorable enough to attend onany princess; and for the rest, the Dona Ozema must wait until ourgracious queen can command her a retinue befitting her birth. Besides,my lady, these Haytian dames are simpler than our Spanish nobles, halfof them thinking clothes of no great use in that mild climate."

  Mercedes looked offended and incredulous; but her curiosity and interestwere too active, to permit her to send the man away without furtherquestion.

  "And Don Luis de Bobadilla was ever with the admiral?" she said; "everready to support him, and foremost in all hazards?"

  "Senorita, you describe the count as faithfully as if you had beenpresent from first to last. Had you but seen him dealing out his blowsupon Caonabo's followers, and the manner in which he kept them all atbay, with the Dona Ozema near him, behind the rocks, it would have drawntears 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 therocks, for, when the arrows came thickest, she rushed before the count,compelling the enemy to withhold, lest they should slay the very prizethey were battling for; thereby saving the life of her knight."

  "Saving his life!--the life of Luis--of Don Luis de Bobadilla--an Indianprincess?"

  "It is just as you say, and a most noble girl she is, asking pardon forspeaking so light of one of her high rank. Time and again, since thatday, 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 beenlost, but for the timely resolution of the Dona Ozema. She is a rarecreature, Senorita, and you will love her as a sister, when you come tosee and know her."

  "Sancho," said our heroine, blushing like the dawn, "thou saidst thatthe Conde de Llera bade thee speak of him to his aunt; did he mention noone else?"

  "No one, Senorita."

  "Art certain, Sancho? Bethink thee well--did he mention no other name tothee?"

  "Not that I can swear. It is true, that either he or old Diego, thehelmsman, spoke of one Clara that keepeth an _hosteria_, here inBarcelona, as a place famous for its wine; but I think it more likely tohave 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 willsay more to thee in the morning."

  Sancho was not sorry to be dismissed, and he gladly returned to hispallet, little dreaming of the mischief he had done by the mixture oftruth and exaggeration that he had been recounting.