Part 49 (1/2)

Among the guests was Luis de Bobadilla. The young man had been invited on account of his high rank, and in consideration of the confidence and familiarity with which he was evidently treated by the admiral. The friends.h.i.+p of Columbus was more than sufficient to erase the slightly unfavorable impressions that had been produced by Luis' early levities, and men quietly submitted to the influence of the great man's example, without stopping to question the motive or the end. The consciousness of having done that which few of his station and hopes would ever dream of attempting, gave to the proud mien and handsome countenance of Luis, a seriousness and elevation that had not always been seated there, and helped to sustain him in the good opinion that he had otherwise so cheaply purchased. The manner in which he had related to Peter Martyr and his companions the events of the expedition, was also remembered, and, without understanding exactly why, the world was beginning to a.s.sociate him, in some mysterious manner, with the great western voyage.

Owing to these accidental circ.u.mstances, our hero was actually reaping some few of the advantages of his spirit, though in a way he had never antic.i.p.ated; a result by no means extraordinary, men as often receiving applause, or reprobation, for acts that were never meditated, as for those for which reason and justice would hold them rigidly responsible.

”Here is a health to my lord, their Highnesses' Admiral of the Ocean Sea,” cried Luis de St. Angel, raising his cup so that all at the board might witness the act. ”Spain oweth him her grat.i.tude for the boldest and most beneficial enterprise of the age, and no good subject of the two sovereigns will hesitate to do him honor for his services.”

The b.u.mper was drunk, and the meek acknowledgments of Columbus listened to in respectful silence.

”Lord Cardinal,” resumed the free-speaking accountant of the church's revenues, ”I look upon the church's cure as doubled by these discoveries, and esteem the number of souls that will be rescued from perdition by the means that will now be employed to save them, as forming no small part of the l.u.s.tre of the exploit, and a thing not likely to be forgotten at Rome.”

”Thou say'st well, good de St. Angel,” returned the cardinal, ”and the Holy Father will not overlook G.o.d's agent, or his a.s.sistants. Knowledge came from the east, and we have long looked forward to the time when, purified by revelation and the high commission that we hold direct from the source of all power, it would be rolled backward to its place of beginning; but we now see that its course is still to be westward, reaching Asia by a path that, until this great discovery, was hid from human eyes.”

Although so much apparent sympathy ruled at the festival, the human heart was at work, and envy, the basest, and perhaps the most common of our pa.s.sions, was fast swelling in more than one breath. The remark of the cardinal produced an exhibition of the influence of this unworthy feeling that might otherwise have been smothered. Among the guests was a n.o.ble of the name of Juan de Orbitello, and he could listen no longer, in silence, to the praises of those whose breath he had been accustomed to consider fame.

”Is it so certain, holy sir,” he said, addressing his host, ”that G.o.d would not have directed other means to be employed, to effect this end, had these of Don Christopher failed? Or, are we to look upon this voyage as the only known way in which all these heathen could be rescued from perdition?”

”No one may presume, Senor, to limit the agencies of heaven,” returned the cardinal, gravely; ”nor is it the office of man to question the means employed, or to doubt the power to create others, as wisdom may dictate. Least of all, should laymen call in question aught that the church sanctioneth.”

”This I admit, Lord Cardinal,” answered the Senor de Orbitello, a little embarra.s.sed, and somewhat vexed at the implied rebuke of the churchman's remarks, ”and it was the least of my intentions to do so. But you, Senor Don Christopher, did you deem yourself an agent of heaven in this expedition?”

”I have always considered myself a most unworthy instrument, set apart for this great end, Senor,” returned the admiral, with a grave solemnity that was well suited to impose on the spectators. ”From the first, I have felt this impulse, as being of divine origin, and I humbly trust heaven is not displeased with the creature it hath employed.”

”Do you then imagine, Senor Almirante, that Spain could not produce another, fitted equally with yourself, to execute this great enterprise, had any accident prevented either your sailing or your success?”

The boldness, as well as the singularity of this question, produced a general pause in the conversation, and every head was bent a little forward in expectation of the reply. Columbus sat silent for more than a minute; then, reaching forward, he took an egg, and holding it up to view, he spoke mildly, but with great gravity and earnestness of manner.

”Senores,” he said, ”is there one here of sufficient expertness to cause this egg to stand on its end? If such a man be present, I challenge him to give us an exhibition of his skill.”

The request produced a good deal of surprise; but a dozen immediately attempted the exploit, amid much laughter and many words. More than once, some young n.o.ble thought he had succeeded, but the instant his fingers quitted the egg, it rolled upon the table, as if in mockery of his awkwardness.

”By Saint Luke, Senor Almirante, but this notable achievement surpa.s.seth our skill,” cried Juan de Orbitello. ”Here is the Conde de Llera, who hath slain so many Moors, and who hath even unhorsed Alonzo de Ojeda, in a tourney, can make nothing of his egg, in the way you mention.”

”And yet it will no longer be difficult to him, or even to you, Senor, when the art shall be exposed.”

Saying thus, Columbus tapped the smaller end of his egg lightly on the table, when, the sh.e.l.l being forced in, it possessed a base on which it stood firmly and without tremor. A murmur of applause followed this rebuke, and the Lord of Orbitello was fain to shrink back into an insignificance, from which it would have been better for him never to have emerged. At this precise instant a royal page spoke to the admiral, and then pa.s.sed on to the seat of Don Luis de Bobadilla.

”I am summoned hastily to the presence of the queen, Lord Cardinal,”

observed the admiral, ”and look to your grace for an apology for my withdrawing. The business is of weight, by the manner of the message, and you will pardon my now quitting the board, though it seem early.”

The usual reply was made; and, bowed to the door by his host and all present, Columbus quitted the room. Almost at the same instant, he was followed by the Conde de Llera.

”Whither goest thou, in this hurry, Don Luis?” demanded the admiral, as the other joined him. ”Art thou in so great haste to quit a banquet such as Spain hath not often seen, except in the palaces of her kings?”

”By San Iago! nor there, neither, Senor,” answered the young man, gaily, ”if King Ferdinand's board be taken as the sample. But I quit this goodly company in obedience to an order of Dona Isabella, who hath suddenly summoned me to her royal presence.”

”Then, Senor Conde, we go together, and are like to meet on the same errand. I, too, am hastening to the apartments of the queen.”

”It gladdens my heart to hear this, Senor, as I know of but one subject on which a common summons should be sent to us. This affair toucheth on my suit, and, doubtless, you will be required to speak of my bearing in the voyage.”

”My mind and my time have been so much occupied, of late, with public cares, Luis, that I have not had an occasion to question you of this.

How fareth the Lady of Valverde, and when will she deign to reward thy constancy and love?”