him who would rather have returned with the _Nina_. But he could
trust Diego de Arana, and, with reason, he was not sure of those other
hidalgos. De Arana stayed and fulfilled his trust, and died a brave man.
Fray Ignatio would stay. "Bring me back, Senor, a goodly bell for the
church of La Navidad! A bell and a font."

Juan Lepe would stay. There needed a physician. But also Jayme de
Marchena would stay. He thought it out. Six months had not abolished the
Holy Office nor converted to gentleness Don Pedro nor the Dominican.

But the Admiral had assigned me to return with the _Nina_. I told him in
the evening between the sunset and the moonrise what was the difficulty.
He was a man profoundly religious, and also a docile son of the Church.
But I knew him, and I knew that he would find reasons in the Bible for
not giving me up. The deep man, the whole man, was not in the grasp of
bishop or inquisitor or papal bull.

He agreed. "Aye, it is wiser! I count two months to Spain, seeing that
we may not have so favorable a voyage. Three or maybe four there, for
our welcome at court, and for the gathering a fleet--easy now to gather
for all will flock to it, and masters and owners cry, 'Take my ship--and
mine!' Two months again to recross. Look for me it may be in July, it
may be in August, it may be in September!"

The Viceroy spoke to us, gathered by our fort, under the banner of
Castile, with behind us on hill brow a cross gleaming. Again, all that
we had done for the world and might further do! Again, we returning on
the _Nina_ or we remaining at La Navidad were as crusaders, knights of
the Order of the Purpose of God! "Cherish good--oh, men of the sea and
the land, cherish good! Who betrays here betrays almost as Judas! The
Purpose of God is Strength with Wisdom and Charity which only can make
joy! Therefore be ye here at La Navidad strong, wise and charitable!"

He said more, and he gave many an explicit direction, but that was the
gist of all. Strength, wisdom and charity.

Likewise he spoke to the Indians and they listened and promised
and meant good. An affection had sprung between Guacanagari and
Christopherus Columbus. So different they looked! and yet in the breast
of each dwelled much guilelessness and the ability to wonder and revere.
The Viceroy saw in this big, docile ruler of Guarico however far that
might extend, one who would presently be baptized and become a Christian
chief, man of the Viceroy of Hispa