to come. He would not say flee from
the Holy Office--that would be heinous!--but he would say absent myself,
abscond, be banished, Jayme de Marchena by Jayme de Marchena. There were
barques in Palos and rude seamen who asked no question when gold just
enough, and never more than enough, was shown. He hesitated a moment and
then asked if I had funds. If not--

I thanked him and said that I had made provision.

"Then," said he, "go to Barbary, Don Jayme! An intelligent and prudent
man may prosper at Ercilla or at Fez. If you must study, study there."

"You also study," I said.

"In fair trodden highways--never in thick forest and mere fog!" he
answered. "Now if you were like one who has been here and is now before
Granada, at Santa Fe, sent for thither by the Queen! That one hath
indeed studied to benefit Spain--Spain, Christendom, and the world!"

I asked who was that great one, but before he could tell me came
interruption. A visitor entered, a strong-lipped, bold-eyed man named
Martin Pinzon. I was to meet him again and often, but at this time I did
not know that. Fray Juan Perez evidently desiring that I should go, I
thought it right to oblige him who would have done me kindness had he
known how. I went without intimate word of parting and after only a
casual stare from Martin Pinzon.

But without, my kinsman came after me. "I want to say, Don Jayme, that
if I am asked for testimony I shall hold to it that you are as good
Christian as any--"

It was kinsman's part and all that truly I could have hoped for, and
I told him so. About us was quiet, vacant cloister, and we parted more
warmly than we had done within.

The white convent of La Rabida is set on a headland among vineyards and
pine trees. It regards the ocean and, afar, the mountains of Portugal,
and below it runs a small river, going out to sea through sands with the
Tinto and the Odiel. Again the day was gray and the pine trees sighing.
The porter let me out at gate.

I walked back toward Palos through the sandy ways. I did not wish to go
to Africa.

It is my belief that that larger Self whom they will call protecting
Saint or heavenly Guardian takes hand in affairs oftener than we think!
Leaving the Palos road, I went to the sea as I had done yesterday and
again sat under heaped sand with about me a sere grass through which the
wind whined. At first it whined and then it sang in a thin, outlandish
voice. Sitting thus, I might have looked toward A