ndians cried,
"Hai! Hai!" But when the four harquebus men set up their iron rests,
fixed the harquebuses, and firing cut leaves and twigs from the same
tree, there was a louder crying. And when there was dragged forth,
charged with powder and fired, one of the lombards taken from the _Santa
Maria_, wider yet sprang the commotion. Pedro Gutierrez and a young
cavalier from the _Nina_ deigned to show lance play, and Vicente Pinzon
who had served against the Moors took a great sword and with it carved
calabashes and severed green boughs. The sword was very marvelous to
them. We might have danced for them for Spain knows how to dance, or we
might have sung for them, for our mariners sing at sea. But these were
not the superior things we wished to show them.

Guacanagari, big and easy and gentle, said, "Live here, you who are so
great and good! We will take you into the people. We shall be brothers."
We understood them that the great white heron was their guardian spirit
and would be ours. I said, "They do not think of it as just those
stalking, stilly standing birds! It is a name for something hovering,
brooding, caring for them."

The Viceroy spoke with energy. "Tell them of Father, Son and Holy
Ghost!"

Fray Ignatio stood and spoke, gentle and plain. Diego Colon made what
headway he could. Guacanagari listened, attentive. The Franciscan had a
certainty that presently he might begin to baptize. His face glowed. I
heard him say to the Admiral, "If it be possible, senor, leave me
here when you return to Spain! I will convert this chief and all his
people--by the time you come again there shall be a church!"

"Let me ponder it yet a while," answered the other.

He was thoughtful when he went back to the _Nina_. Vicente Pinzon, too,
was anxious for light. "This ship is crowded to sinking! If we meet
wretched weather, or if sickness break out, returning, we shall be
in bad case!" Roderigo Sanchez also had his word. "Is it not very
important, senor, that we should get the tidings to the Sovereigns? And
we have now just this one small ship, and so far to go, and all manner
of dangers!"

"Aye, it is important!" said the Admiral. "Let me think it out, senor."

He had not slept at all, thought Juan Lepe, when next morning he came
among us. But he looked resolved, hardy to accomplish. He had his plan,
and he gave it to us in his deep voice that always thrilled with much
beside the momentary utterance. We would build a fort her