talked somewhat of that great modern world, evident now over the
horizon, bearing upon us like a tall, full-rigged ship. All things
were changing, changing fast. We talked of commerce and inventions, of
letters and of arts, of religion and the soul of man. Out of the soil
were pushing everywhere plants that the old called heretical.

Seven days. We were, as we shall be forever, friends.

But Juan Lepe would go back to La Rabida. He was, for this turn of life,
man of the Admiral of the Ocean-Sea. So we said farewell, Enrique de
Cerda and Jayme de Marchena.

Three leagues Seville side of Cordova I came at eve to a good inn known
to me of old. Riding into its court I found two travelers entering just
before me, one a well-formed hidalgo still at prime, and the other a
young man evidently his son. The elder who had just dismounted turned
and I recognized Don Francisco de Las Casas. At the same instant he saw
me. "Ha, Friend! Ha, Doctor!"

We took our supper together in a wide, low room, looking out upon the
road. Don Francisco and Juan Lepe talked and the young man listened.
Juan Lepe talked but his eyes truly were for this young man. It was not
that he was of a striking aspect and better than handsome, though he was
all that--but I do not know--it was the future in his countenance! His
father addressed him as Bartolome. Once he said, "When my son was at
the University at Salamanca," and again, "My son will go out with Don
Nicholas de Ovando." Juan Lepe, sitting in a brown study, roused at
that. "If you go, senor, you will find good memories around the name of
Las Casas."

The young man said, "I will strive in no way to darken them, senor."

He might be a year or two the younger side of thirty. The father, it was
evident, had great pride in him, and presently having sent him on
some errand--sending him, I thought, in order to be able to speak of
him--told me that he was very learned, a licentiate, having mastered
law, theology and philosophy. He himself would not return to Hispaniola,
but Bartolome wished to go. He sighed, "I do not know. Something makes
me consent," and went on to enlist Doctor Juan Lepe's care if in the
island ever arose any chance to aid--

The son returned. There was something--Juan Lepe
knew it--something in the future.

Later, Don Francisco having gone to bed, the young man and I talked. I
liked him extraordinarily. I was not far from twice his age, as little
man counts age. But he had so