stward of the said India and all the gain
of the world and the Kingdom of God and of our Sovereigns the King Don
Ferdinand and the Queen Dona Isabella, he bargaineth thus:

"He shall be named Admiral of the Ocean-Sea, whereby he means the
whole water west of the line drawn by the Holy Father for the King of
Portugal. He shall be made Viceroy and Governor of all continents and
islands that he may discover, claim and occupy for the Sovereigns. And
the said Christopherus Columbus's eldest son shall hold these offices
after him, and the heir of his son, and his heir, down time. He shall be
granted one tenth of all gold, pearls, precious stones, spices, or
other merchandise found or bought or exchanged within his admiralty and
viceroyship, and this tithe is likewise to be taken by his heirs from
generation to generation. He or one that he shall name shall be judge in
all disputes that arise in these continents and islands, so be it that
the honor of the Sovereigns of Spain is not touched. He shall have the
salary that hath the High Admiral of Castile. He and his family shall
be ennobled and henceforth be called Don and Dona. And for the immediate
sailing of ships he may, if he so desire, be at an eighth of the expense
of outfitting, for which he shall be returned an eighth of all the
profit of this the first voyage."

The secretary did not make the terms less sounding by his reading.
Wind in leaves, went a stir through the room. I heard a page near me
whispering, "O Sancta Maria! The hanger-on, the needy one! Since the
beginning of time I've seen him at doors, sunny and cloudy days, the
big, droning bee!" Manuel Rodriguez painted on. I felt his thought. "I
should like to paint _you_, Admiral of the Ocean-Sea!"

The room recomposed itself. Out of silence came the King's voice, chill
and dry. "We abate so vast a claim for so vast reward! But we would be
naught else but just, and in our ability lavish. Read now what we will
do!"

The secretary read. It had a certain largeness and goodliness, as go
rewards for adventure, even for great adventure, what the sovereigns
would do. The room thought it should answer. The King spoke, "We
can promise no more nor other than this. It contents you, Master
Christopherus?"

The long-faced, high-nosed, gray-eyed man answered, "No, my lord King."

"Your own terms or none?"

"Mine or none, your Highness."

The King's voice grew a cutting wind. "To that the Queen and I answer,
'Ours or