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 Every eye was fixed upon the Admiral. All realized that upon
him, upon his courage, his science, and his judgment, rested the
lives and fortunes of every man with him. Never had the Admiral
appeared so serenely great. Fortified by a deep religious faith,
conscious of his own powers, he faced the unknown with an
indomitable courage. None who beheld him on that day doubted
that this man, Columbus, was born a captain.
“Here,” said he, to his companions and pilots, in a clear voice
that made itself heard afar, “do I give you my order as your Admiral,
and it is to be strictly obeyed. If you should become separated from
me and beyond the reach of signals, lay your course due west, and
when you have sailed seven hundred and fifty leagues from this port
make no more sail after midnight, for there will be land off your
quarter. Do you understand?”
“And we will obey,” shouted the captains and the pilots, led by
the strong voice of Martin Pinzon.
The boldness of this stern order thrilled and captivated the
awed and sullen throngs, and an involuntary cheer broke from them.
The Admiral smiled and raised his hat in salute.
He stepped into his boat, followed by Diego and the little
Fernando, and led the procession down the bright river to the
vessels tugging at their anchors off the bar. As the Admiral’s boat
reached the side of the Santa Maria the Admiral stood up and, taking
the little Fernando in his arms, kissed and blessed him. Then he
clasped Diego in his arms, kissing and blessing him likewise, without
agitation on either side. Diego felt as if the wine of courage were
pouring into his veins. He was so quiet, so smiling, so at ease, that
he seemed worthy to be the son of his father. The little Fernando
wept when the Admiral, from the Santa Maria’s poop, waved his
hand back at the child; but Diego, taking the boy in his arms, said
cheerfully:
“Do not weep, Fernando. Our father will return, bringing you
wonderful things never seen before in Spain, and he will at once ask
if you have been good and brave. If you weep you will be neither
good nor brave.”
The little boy was soothed by Diego’s calmness, and waved his
small hand cheerfully back at his father.
The boats returned to the quays, which were crowded with a
multitude of persons, who made way respectfully for the sons of the
Admiral. The ships then hoisted their sails, and with a fair wind
slipped out into the open sea. The sky was glowing, and the earth
and sea basked in a rose-red light shot with gold. As the three little
vessels became white specks upon the horizon, where the blue sea
met the bluer sky, the great sun suddenly burst forth in splendor;
the vessels disappeared in the golden light which flooded the world
with glory.
 VII
THE JOYOUS HEARTS OF YOUTH

“DIEGO, DIEGO, wake up! Suppose you should be caught napping

like this; you would have a hard time with the master of the
pages, I can tell you!”
Diego opened his eyes, sprang to his feet, assumed a military
attitude, and was all awake in a moment. It was Don Felipe who
spoke, and they were in a splendid corridor of the palace at
Barcelona. It was magnificently carpeted from the looms of Granada;
and long, narrow windows let in a flood of sunshine upon splendid
pictures on the walls, which were decorated with trophies of arms,
the great curved simitars of the Moors with jeweled handles, Moorish
shields and breastplates cunningly wrought with gold, and marvelous
daggers and other arms. White statues gleamed against the dark-red
walls, and everywhere were the beauty and splendor of a royal
palace.
As Don Felipe spoke the great carved doors at the farther end of
the corridor were thrown wide, and Queen Isabella, with a glittering
suite of ladies and gentlemen in attendance, was seen about to
enter. At the threshold, however, the Queen paused. The great
Cardinal, Pedro Gonzalez de Mendoza, the first subject in Spain,
appeared, followed by his secretary. The Cardinal saluted the Queen
with profound respect, who engaged in conversation with him. Both
Diego and Don Felipe recognized the Cardinal at once, a tall,
handsome man of commanding appearance, wearing a black robe
edged with scarlet and a black and scarlet skull-cap, while around
his neck hung a gold chain from which depended a superb cross of
jewels.
Diego and Don Felipe, standing side by side, their right hands
upon their sword-hilts, their left hands raised at the salute, could yet
talk without being heard by the Queen and her train at the end of
the long corridor.
“I told you,” said Don Felipe, in a whisper, without turning his
head, “that you would find the master of the pages a much more
difficult person than Fray Piña. Suppose you had been caught asleep
while waiting for the Queen?”
“I should have been mortified beyond words,” whispered Diego,
as motionless as Don Felipe. “But the truth is that, with rising at four
o’clock and having the horse exercise and the sword exercise and
then studying and standing many hours and doing many errands and
sitting up late at night, I am sometimes half dead for want of sleep.”
“It is not an easy business, being at court,” was Don Felipe’s
answer.
Then, as they saw the Queen advancing, they remained
respectfully silent. The Queen was dressed as usual with quiet
splendor, but wearing few jewels. She wore a robe of crimson cloth,
and her beautiful auburn hair was as usual coifed with pearls. Doña
Christina walked a short distance behind the Queen.
As she approached, talking in a low voice with the Cardinal, who
walked by her side, and followed by Doña Christina and a number of
ladies and gentlemen of the court, the Queen was so absorbed in
what she was saying that she did not observe either Diego or Don
Felipe. Her voice was pitched low, almost a whisper; but both youths
heard her say distinctly to the Cardinal:
“And so, my Lord Cardinal, the rumor has come from Portugal
that the caravels were seen entering the Tagus on the fourth day of
March. It is unconfirmed, and in some respects improbable. Why
should the Admiral land in Portugal before coming to Spain?”
“He may have put in by stress of weather or for repairs,
madam,” the Cardinal replied, in a low and earnest voice. “Many
unforeseen things might induce the Admiral to make the first port
possible if, indeed, he has returned from that strange voyage.”
 The Queen glanced backward and seemed to grow suddenly
conscious of the presence of Diego and Don Felipe. Diego’s ruddy
face had turned deadly pale, although he still maintained his rigid
military attitude.
“Come here, Don Diego,” said the Queen, stopping, “and you,
Don Felipe. Tell me when does the exercise in the manège begin for
Prince Juan and the pages?”
“In half an hour, madam,” responded Diego, advancing and
bowing low as the Queen spoke.
“Then we shall have the pleasure of seeing the exercises in the
manège,” said the Queen, in her usual gracious manner. “Doña
Christina, will you say to the Princess Katharine and to Doña Luisita
that they may be present to see the exercises in the manège?”
The Queen resumed her earnest conversation with the Cardinal,
and the rest of the suite passed on. When the great doors at the
other end of the corridor had closed after the royal train, Don Felipe
said to Diego:
“You heard the Queen’s words, and what the Cardinal replied?”
“Yes,” answered Diego. “It seemed as if my heart stopped
beating. Now it thumps hard enough, I can tell you.”
“But there is no time to count heart-beats,” said Don Felipe. “We
have not a moment to spare if we are to be ready in half an hour for
the manège.”
Without another word both ran the long length of the corridor,
through various winding passages, and up a narrow stairway until
they came to the rooms of Prince Juan, where Diego knocked. Prince
Juan, who was alone, himself opened the door. He inherited his
mother’s noble simplicity of character, and, while fully understanding
the duties of his position, he treated his pages, all youths of his own
age, like companions of his own rank.
“The Queen and her ladies will be present in the manège,”
breathlessly burst out Don Felipe, “and we thought your Highness
would wish to know it.”
“Certainly I should. Many thanks, Felipe,” cried Prince Juan.
“When the Queen honors our exercises we must show at our best.”
Prince Juan ran down the stairs, breakneck, followed by Diego
and Don Felipe, through the winding passages, across the wide
courtyard, into a long colonnade that led to the great circular riding-
school. It was an immense space covered with tan-bark, with
galleries for spectators. Adjoining it was a large room surrounded
with alcoves, in which the arms and riding paraphernalia were kept.
This room was soon filled with the pages, twenty youths, all lithe,
active, and eager to show their accomplishments before the Queen.
All, including Prince Juan, disappeared within their alcoves, where
there were valets to assist them in changing their clothes. They kept
up, meanwhile, much talk and laughter, Prince Juan joining as an
equal in their merry preparation. One only, Don Diego de Colon,
usually the merriest of them all, was silent. In a few minutes they
trooped out, dressed in leather surcoats and riding-breeches and
boots with huge spurs, and wearing light helmets. Prince Juan was
dressed exactly like the others, except that on his helmet was
engraved a small crown, and on the breast of his jacket of Cordovan
leather was also a small crown embroidered in gold. The young
prince noticed the silence and pallor of Diego, and, going up to him,
put his arm kindly within Diego’s, saying:
“What is the matter, Don Diego? You are as solemn as an owl.”
“There is a report abroad, so I heard her Majesty the Queen say
to the Cardinal de Mendoza, that the ships of my father, the Admiral,
had been seen in the Tagus. That is enough to make one silent, is it
not, your Highness?”
“Indeed it is,” replied Prince Juan. “For my part, I often dream
at night that the Admiral has returned and has discovered a new
world for Spain. Ah, Don Diego, what a great day that will be for
Spain!”
 There was no time to say more as the trumpet-call sounded for
the riding-hall, into which the pages now marched. The grooms were
bringing in the chargers, the finest breeds of Andalusia, celebrated
for its horses, their coats like satin, their muscles like steel, their
hoofs black and polished. The horses knew well enough for what
they were brought, and were keen for the sport. Before mounting,
Don Tomaso de Gama, the Daredevil Knight, reckoned the most
accomplished horseman in Spain and master of the riding-school,
appeared. He, too, wore riding-dress and a glittering casque. He
gave the order at once to mount, that they might have a warming-
up canter before the Queen and her ladies arrived. Then began a
quick gallop around the circular space, the horses’ hoofs sounding
softly on the tan-bark. In a few minutes the signal was given to
retire, and the young horsemen all filed out through an arched
gateway into the great courtyard of the stables beyond.
At this moment the Queen, preceded and followed by her ladies
and attended by several gentlemen and escorted by the Cardinal,
entered the ladies’ gallery. The Queen sat with Doña Christina on
one side of her and the Cardinal on the other. Many ladies were
sitting on chairs behind her, and on the step below the Queen’s chair
the Princess Katharine and Doña Luisita sat on silken cushions. Doña
Luisita looked no longer a child, but a charming young lady.
Four trumpeters with silver trumpets were stationed at the
farther side of the great circular hall, and at a signal from the Queen
played a fanfare. At that the doors under the archway were flung
open, and the long line of pages entered headed by Prince Juan. As
he dashed through the great archway, sitting square and steady
upon a splendid black horse, the Queen’s eyes lighted up with
pleasure at the appearance of this gallant youth.
When Prince Juan came abreast of the Queen’s gallery, he
pulled up quickly, the horse rising for a moment on his haunches and
then standing like a statue, as Prince Juan saluted first the Queen
and then the other ladies present. The same thing was done by each
of the twenty pages, every charger acting with an intelligence almost
human. When the Daredevil Knight, the master of riding, brought up
the rear of the line, his horse, too—a sinewy chestnut charger—
stood on his haunches and then came down gracefully on his knees
as if making an obeisance to the Queen, then rose and stood as still
as a bronze horse. The Queen was charmed with this pretty trick of
horsemanship, and, leaning over, bowed and smiled and waved her
hand to the Daredevil Knight. Then the exercises began, Prince Juan
always riding first and the Daredevil Knight last. They galloped
around the ring twice to show their manner of ordinary riding. Then
the grooms brought four rings, which they hung at the four quarters
of the circle; and the pages, with glittering lances, rode around,
taking the rings as they went. Some took all the rings, while others
took only three or sometimes two. Next a stuffed horse with a
manikin mounted on him was rolled in; and each young horseman,
galloping by at full speed, had to knock off the manikin’s head with a
single blow of the sword, and again passing it had to dismount at
full speed, taking up the head, and mount again. This was most
exciting, and some of the pages failed to get the head. Prince Juan,
however, succeeded in getting it each time. There were various
other tricks of horsemanship shown which amused and delighted the
Queen and her ladies, especially the Princess Katharine and Doña
Luisita. In one of the feats, Prince Juan galloping past the gallery, his
horse apparently shied and unseated him. A cry of dismay went up
which changed to a burst of applause when Prince Juan sprang back
and stood up on his horse’s back, galloping around the tan-bark in
that fashion, followed by all the other pages. All through Diego and
Don Felipe acquitted themselves with credit. It was usually the
pleasantest hour of the day with them all, this hour in the manège,
and when there were no spectators it was a time of jokes and
merriment. But Diego felt as if he were in another world. He went
through his part well, but mechanically, and his look was so grave
that Doña Luisita whispered to the Princess Katharine:
“What can be the matter with Don Diego to-day? His body may
be here, but his mind is somewhere else.”
 When all was over the Queen sent for Don Tomaso and
questioned him upon the proficiency of her son and his companions.
The Daredevil Knight, who was as frank as he was brave, assured
the Queen that Prince Juan was an admirable horseman, but there
were several of the pages who surpassed him. Don Felipe he
considered the best horseman of them all.
“I believe what you tell me,” replied Queen Isabella, “for I see
that you tell the truth and are no flatterer and do not tell me that my
son excels all, although I see that he does well.”
The nobility of the Queen was such that all about her were
encouraged to tell the truth, and not to seek to deceive by flattery
and falsehood.
It was nearly six o’clock when the pages left the riding-hall, and
in a half-hour they were washed and dressed in their ordinary
clothes and were seated at supper at the long table in their dining-
hall. Everything was good but plain, as it was the wish of the King
and the Queen to bring Prince Juan up as a soldier rather than a
courtier. At one end of the table sat the great Duke of Medina Cœli,
governor of the pages; and at the other end sat Don Tomaso de
Gama, the Daredevil Knight. The Duke was a rigid governor, and
made no difference in his discipline between Prince Juan and any of
the other youths under his charge. The sovereigns interfered in no
way with this discipline, and Prince Juan had to ask permission from
the stern Duke for everything he wished to do, as much as any of
his attendant pages. Nevertheless, the governor had a kindly heart.
He encouraged the pages to talk at their meals, using this as a
means of discovering their natural temper and disposition. They
often spoke with the enthusiastic hopes of boyhood of the return of
the Admiral; their patriotism was aroused in his favor; and they
looked forward with eager confidence to the day when he would add
a magnificent empire to the Kingdom of Spain. This had secured for
Diego perfect good-will among his companions, none of whom had
ever taunted him with his humble origin or had spoken of his father
except with the highest respect.
 On this evening a singular silence prevailed at the pages’
supper. The young men spoke in undertones among themselves, and
Diego was conscious that strange looks were cast upon him. When
supper was over and the pages, with Prince Juan, retired to their
study-hall, where they had an hour of study, Diego found out the
cause of the silence and suppressed excitement. The pages crowded
around him; and Prince Juan, acting as spokesman, said:
“Two reports have come this day, Diego; one that Captain
Martin Alonzo Pinzon has landed at Bayonne, and the other that your
father, the Admiral, has returned in a caravel which is anchored in
the Tagus. I do not know who was the messenger that brought the
letter from Captain Pinzon, nor the person who brought the news
from Portugal.”
“But it is true, my Prince!” shouted Diego, raising his arms in
triumph above his head. “I know it, I feel it! For a fortnight past I
have had the feeling that my father was nearing land. The stories of
the dreadful storms and tempests have not frightened me. Each day
my father has been in my mind, and I dream every night of him. Ah,
my Prince, it is true!”
Then, seizing Don Felipe in his strong arms, the two youths
hugged each other and rubbed their cheeks together in a rapture of
boyish affection. Their companions around them broke into an
involuntary cheer, led by Prince Juan. They were young and
sanguine, and found it easy to believe in anything which redounded
to the glory and honor of their country.
Over the noise a ringing voice was heard at the door, that of the
Daredevil Knight.
“The presence of Don Diego de Colon is required by the
governor of the pages.”
An instant silence fell upon the shouting and cheering youths.
They could see through the open door the soldierly figure of the
governor, who in general permitted no noisy outbreaks; but to-night
he said no word and uttered no rebuke. The door closed
immediately after Diego, and the Duke said to him:
“Come with me at once, Don Diego, to the presence of her
Majesty.”
Diego followed the Duke and Don Tomaso as they rapidly
walked through the halls and corridors of the palace toward the wing
occupied by the Queen and the King. Nothing was said except a
brief inquiry made by the Duke of Don Tomaso as to when King
Ferdinand might be expected to return from a hunting expedition
upon which he had that day started.
“In five days the King will return,” was Don Tomaso’s reply.
When they reached the door of the Queen’s private apartments
it was opened at once by Doña Christina. The Queen was alone
except for her favorite lady-in-waiting and Cardinal Mendoza. For the
first time in all the years that Diego had seen the Queen, she
showed deep agitation. Usually of calm demeanor, she was that
night extremely restless, sometimes sitting in her stately chair, again
rising and walking about the small but richly furnished room lighted
with silver lamps. As soon as Diego entered, the Queen spoke to him
kindly, saying to the Duke:
“Tell Don Diego what we have heard.”
Then the Duke spoke.
“A Portuguese merchant has just arrived, reporting that on the
third of March, the weather off the mouth of the Tagus being very
wild and stormy, a caravel was seen in great distress. The tempest
continued very violent all that day, and the caravel was in great
danger of being dashed to pieces on the rock of Cintra. The people
watched it all day, making many prayers for the mariners in such
peril, but unable to be of any assistance to them. The storm
continued the best part of the night, but subsided, and the next
morning broke fair and sunny. The caravel had survived and was
entering the mouth of the Tagus with a fair wind. It was said to be
the Niña with the Admiral, your father, in command, and several men
of a strange race on board with animals and objects hitherto
unknown. The merchant says that a large Portuguese ship-of-war,
commanded by Don Alonzo d’Acunha, one of the greatest captains in
Portugal, was anchored in the Tagus, and that Don Alonzo sent a
boat to the caravel commanding that her captain report on board
the Portuguese ship to give an account of himself. The caravel’s
commander refused to go, sending word in reply that he outranked
Don Alonzo d’Acunha, being under letters patent of the King of
Arragon and the Queen of Castile, Admiral of the Ocean Seas,
Viceroy and Captain-General of all lands to the westward. He
therefore desired that Don Alonzo d’Acunha, as his inferior in rank,
should pay him a visit of ceremony.”
“That was my father!” cried Diego, forgetful of all etiquette, his
soul in a tumult of pride and joy.
The Queen, who was walking about the room restlessly while
the Duke spoke, instead of rebuking the lad, came up to him and,
laying a hand upon his shoulder, said, smiling proudly:
“And there your father showed the true and lofty spirit of a
Spanish admiral. Small might be his ship, but great must be his soul.
Happy am I in having an admiral who knows so well how to maintain
the honor of his flag.”
The Queen sat down, her face aglow, her eyes sparkling; and,
turning to Doña Christina, she put her hand in that of her lady-in-
waiting and said:
“We are but women; but we have hearts like men.”
Diego stood throbbing and palpitating and longing to hear more.
The Duke continued quickly:
“The merchant left Portugal soon after this happened. There
are, however, some discrepancies in his story. He says that the
caravel was the Niña, while the Admiral sailed in the Santa Maria.
The merchant also says that the caravel’s commander was to
proceed to Lisbon instead of coming direct to a Spanish port. Again,
at almost the same moment the Portuguese merchant appeared, a
messenger came bearing a letter from Captain Martin Alonzo Pinzon,
at the port of Bayonne, saying that land was found to the westward;
but that he was separated from the Admiral many weeks ago and
knows not if he still survives. All might be explained except the
persistence with which the Portuguese merchant insists that the
commander of the caravel was undoubtedly going to Lisbon, and
that he saw, before leaving, the preparations to travel thence by
land.”
Then the Cardinal said:
“If the King of Portugal commanded the Admiral to come to
Lisbon, he could scarcely refuse. And, in that event, how poignant
must be the regret of the King of Portugal, who abandoned the
glorious project offered him by the Admiral and left it to your
Majesty and King Ferdinand to reap the glory of it.”
“Ah!” cried the Queen. “Once more have you, my Lord Cardinal,
spoken words of wisdom. One thing seems certain, two of the ships
have returned. How unfortunate it is the King is not here! However,
if more definite news comes, I will send messengers for the King.
You may go now, Don Diego. I will send a messenger to La Rabida
telling the Prior, Juan Perez, of what we have heard.”
Then Diego’s soul became possessed with courage. He went up
to the Queen’s chair and, kneeling on one knee, said:
“Will your Majesty pardon me for what I am about to ask? May I
go with that messenger to La Rabida? My father gave his word that
unless driven elsewhere by stress of weather he would make his first
landing in Spain at the port of Palos. I saw him depart, my Queen,
and a voice like the voice of God spoke in my heart, saying, ‘He will
return with immortal glory.’ His first thought next his sovereigns will
be for his sons, for me and my little brother. If my father lands at
Palos and I am not there, it will give him a pang, for my father loves
his children with all his heart. May I go, my Queen? Oh, let me go,
let me go, my Queen!”
 Diego, in his eagerness, had laid his hand upon the Queen’s
robe. Her eyes, ever kind, grew more kindly; but while maintaining
her own authority well she never forgot the authority of others. She
turned to the Duke and said, smiling:
“My Lord Duke, can you spare this young man from his duties
and studies for a little while. It is an occasion which so far has never
arisen but this once in the life of a royal page.”
“If your Majesty requests it,” replied the Duke, “leave shall be
given to Don Diego, and I agree with your Majesty that the occasion
is so great that Don Diego may well be excused.”
Diego, overjoyed, kissed the Queen’s hand and thanked the
Duke. The Queen nodded by way of dismissal. It was then obviously
time for Diego to retire; but he stood irresolutely glancing toward
the door, but apparently unwilling to leave. He looked imploringly at
Doña Christina, who, smiling, went toward him. The next moment
the Duke smiled and the Queen laughed outright as they heard
Diego say to Doña Christina, in a loud whisper:
“Oh, how much would Don Felipe like to see the caravel come
in!”
“I am sure he would,” responded Don Felipe’s mother, amused
at Diego’s straight-forward simplicity.
Then Diego, looking around and seeing only smiling faces, went
and knelt before the Queen.
“Your Majesty,” he said, “together Don Felipe and I saw the
caravel depart. Don Felipe believed in my father as much as I do,
and if he had not we should not have been like brothers, but we
should have fought like tigers. Don Felipe was ever good to me from
the beginning. He was a grandee of Spain, and I was the son of a
poor Genoese navigator; but Don Felipe never let me feel the
difference between us. He has ever been the best of friends and
comrades to me, and now for me to see the caravel come in and
Don Felipe not to—”
 Diego sighed heavily, while the Queen and all present could not
forbear smiling.
“Could you, my Lord Duke, grant the request of this young
man?” asked the Queen.
The Duke hesitated a moment, and Diego thought he would be
refused. He rose, the picture of dejection, and, hanging his head,
said mournfully:
“Poor, poor Felipe!”
The Queen at that laughed once more. Diego, turning to Doña
Christina, said sadly:
“Madam, I would ask you to plead for Don Felipe with the Duke;
but if the Duke will not grant the Queen’s request I am afraid he will
not listen to any one else.”
“But I shall obey the Queen’s wishes,” said the Duke. “I will give
Don Felipe leave also; but you are to start upon your return two
days after the caravel arrives.”
A thrill ran through Diego, his eyes shone, his mouth opened
wide with delight; and Queen Isabella, who understood youth well,
nodded to him again as a sign of dismissal. Diego retained his
senses enough to make an obeisance to the Queen and low bows to
the Cardinal, the Duke, and Doña Christina. Then, slipping out of the
door, he ran like a deer back to the hall of the pages. As he entered
it Prince Juan sprang forward and, clasping him around the neck,
shouted:
“Tell us all, all, all!”
The other pages, with Don Felipe, clustered around; and Diego,
with Prince Juan’s arm about his neck, poured forth the story told by
the Portuguese merchant, and also the news that the Pinta had
arrived at Bayonne.
“And the Duke has given me leave, and Don Felipe, too, to go to
Palos immediately to see the caravel come in. I knew that it would
be so hard for him to stay here when I went to Palos and saw all the
people crowding the quays and shores and the caravel come sailing
in with my father on the poop.”
“And why,” cried Prince Juan, shaking Diego, “cannot I see that
glorious sight as well as you and Don Felipe?”
“Because your Highness is a royal prince,” answered Diego.
“Your Highness cannot run about the country as we do. We are not
heirs to thrones, we are not so important, and so we have more
liberty.”
The door opened, and Father de Deza, tutor to Prince Juan and
master of studies, entered. Instantly all sat down and took their
books, Prince Juan with the others, but the minds of all were
elsewhere speculating upon the glorious discovery, the gain of new
worlds for Spain.
It was the way of the Duke to act quickly, and the next day by
noon Diego and Don Felipe were starting off with a party consisting
of Don Tomaso de Gama, Alonzo de Quintanilla, the Queen’s
accountant, and a dozen men-at-arms. De Quintanilla was to make
official records of the return of the ship, to take charge of important
papers, and carried a letter from Queen Isabella to the Admiral.
As the cavalcade trotted out of the courtyard of the palace,
Prince Juan, watching from a window and surrounded by all the
pages, wore a melancholy countenance; he longed to be of the
travelers. From another window on a level with the heads of Diego
and Don Felipe watched Doña Christina and Doña Luisita. The last
picture impressed upon Diego’s mind, as he rode out of the
courtyard in the cavalcade, was Doña Luisita’s soft and beautiful
eyes gazing after him. But his absence was not likely to be longer
than eight or ten days, and never did a young man set out on a
journey which meant more of hope and happiness than did Diego.
The return of his father not only meant the sight of the best and
tenderest of fathers returning from a long and hazardous voyage,
but it meant a triumph for the Admiral so great that Diego was
dazzled as he contemplated it. How insignificant appeared the
greatest title by that of the Admiral of the Ocean Seas, Viceroy and
Captain-General of all Lands to the Westward! It meant unending
fame for the Admiral and splendor for all his descendants. Diego
remained silent as they passed through the narrow streets of the
town of Barcelona, skirted the harbor, bright in the spring sun, and
the blue Mediterranean beyond. Soon they were in the open country.
It was the ninth day of March, and the vegetation in the sunny
climate of southern Spain was already well advanced. When they
struck the highway through the forests there was a faint, delicate
green upon the trees, and the sweet and pungent odor of the
coming leaves perfumed the air. In the fields the peasants tilled the
rich earth and laughed and sang as they toiled.
Don Tomaso was the leader likely to be most popular with
youths of the age of Diego and Don Felipe. He rode ahead, trolling in
his rich voice the canzonets and popular ballads of the day—all
relating to love and war. His famous chestnut horse seemed proud of
being bestridden by so superb a horseman, and whinnied with
delight and caracoled as they traveled rapidly along the highway. At
evening the Daredevil Knight scorned inns and castles, saying:
“Let us sleep like soldiers in our cloaks, and not seek soft beds
like ladies and carpet knights.”
Diego and Don Felipe were willing enough for this, and their
supper around the campfire seemed to them the most delicious meal
they had ever eaten. The Daredevil Knight, whose flow of spirits and
energy seemed inexhaustible, told them stories of his adventures in
camps and in the tilt-yard and in tournaments in France as well as in
Spain. When they at last settled to sleep, wrapped in their cloaks
and blankets, Diego put a stick of wood under his head by way of
being more comfortable. The Daredevil Knight, seeing this, rose and
kicked the log away, crying indignantly:
“You are too fond of luxury, Don Diego, if you cannot sleep
without a pillow under your head; you are not fit for a soldier.”
 Diego remained meekly silent; and Don Felipe, who was
reaching out for another stick of wood to use for the same purpose,
withdrew his hand and appeared to be sleeping soundly. Neither
slept much, however; their veins throbbed with excitement; and, as
they watched the quiet stars overhead, the thought of the story told
by those stars to the Admiral on the trackless ocean thrilled them
both. They were late in falling asleep, and slept so soundly that they
were only awakened by Don Tomaso’s kicks and reproaches for
being such sluggards. The sun was just rising, their morning meal
was prepared, their horses groomed, and everything ready for their
departure. Mindful of his father’s habits of singular neatness, Diego
boldly said:
“Before we start I must wash in yonder brook.”
“I washed half an hour ago,” replied the Daredevil Knight. “If we
had depended on you and Don Felipe an enemy might have come
and surprised us all and carried you both off without waking you, I
suppose. Oh, very enterprising knights will you and Don Felipe
make!”
Neither Diego nor Don Felipe minded Don Tomaso’s jokes; but
they privately arranged to be up in advance of him next morning.
That day was a repetition of the rapid and joyous travel of the day
before. They were passing through the richest parts of Spain, with
many castles and splendid residences in sight, and they encountered
noblemen and gentlemen upon the road who urged Don Tomaso to
stop at least for dinner or supper in their houses. But to each one
Don Tomaso gave courteously the same reply:
“I travel on urgent business for her Majesty the Queen, and I
cannot stop except for needed rest and refreshment.”
He made no mention of the names of either Diego or Don
Felipe, not wishing any one to suspect his errand in advance.
That night they slept again in the open on the banks of the
Guadalquivir, which narrowed suddenly at that point. Next morning,
by break of day Diego and Don Felipe were awake and, rising
noiselessly, were careful not to disturb any of the other sleepers;
and, going to the banks of the river, a short distance off, had a bath
so cold it made them shiver, but soon brought a warm glow to their
healthy young bodies. When they returned to their companions all
were up and awake except Don Tomaso, to the great joy of Diego
and Don Felipe. The Daredevil Knight lay snoozing peacefully. They
even ate their morning meal without awaking him, and at last, when
Alonzo de Quintanilla called to Don Tomaso, Diego and Don Felipe
were sitting on their horses as if ready to start. Don Tomaso sprang
up in great confusion and made a hurried toilet and a still more
hurried breakfast. When they finally started off in the glorious spring
sunrise, Don Tomaso said, laughing, to Diego and Don Felipe:
“You have once caught me napping; I predict that I will catch
each of you a thousand times.”
That day they drew near the coast, and on the next, about four
o’clock, when the afternoon sun was at its richest, they caught the
far-off gleam of the blue Atlantic.
 VIII
SUNRISE OFF THE BAR OF SALTES

THE sight of the monastery and the thought of seeing his little
brother and the good Prior and Fray Piña filled the heart of Diego
with joy. He had an imaginative mind, and he lived over in thought
and spoke to Don Felipe of the extraordinary change that had taken
place in his fortunes since the day, nearly eight years before, when
his father, a poor and unhonored and unsuccessful applicant at the
courts of kings, jeered at and disbelieved, and Diego, himself a little
ragged and barefooted boy, had stopped at La Rabida to ask for a
dole of bread. Now, he was returning as Don Diego, a page-in-
waiting to the heir to the thrones of Arragon and Castile; his father
returning as Admiral of the Ocean Seas and Viceroy and Captain-
General of all lands to the westward, a title far transcending that of
any grandee of Spain and second only to the title of royalty, the
arrival of this great man breathlessly awaited not only by kings and
queens, but by the whole Spanish people. No more amazing picture
of the vicissitudes of fortune had ever been presented to the human
mind.
The party pushed on rapidly to the monastery and drew up
before the courtyard within half an hour. There, all was placid; no
hint of the return of the Admiral’s caravel or that of Captain Martin
Alonzo Pinzon had reached the neighborhood of Palos. Diego,
looking about the silent old stone building, the orchard, and the fish-
pond basking in the afternoon glow, and the monks at their business
of work or prayer, felt that a thunderbolt was to fall among them.
The Prior, Juan Perez, came out at once when he heard the
clattering of the horses’ hoofs. One glance at Diego’s radiant face
and De Quintanilla’s look of triumph aroused a strong hope in the
Prior’s heart. The Daredevil Knight flung himself off his horse and,