, but more to the
north than were we. He looked for the _Pinta_. again in a reasonable
time. In the meantime let it alone!

So soon as the sea allowed, Vicente Pinzon came in his boat to the Santa
Maria, but he seemed as perplexed as we. He did not know his brother's
mind. But Martin Pinzon forever and always was a good sea captain and
a Castilian of his word, knowing what was proper observance to his
Admiral. If he did this or that, it would be for good reasons. So
Vicente, and the Admiral was cordial with him, and saw him over rail
and down side with cheerful words. He was cheerful all that day in his
speech, cheerful and suave and prophesying good in many directions. But
I knew the trouble behind that front.

In some ways the _Pinta_ was the best of our ships. Martin Pinzon was a
bold and ready man, and those aboard with him devoted to his fortunes.
He did not lack opinions of his own, and often they countered the
Admiral's. He was ambitious, and the Admiral's rights were so vast and
inclusive that there seemed not much room to make name and fame. Much
the same with riches! What Martin Pinzon had loaned would come back
to him beyond doubt, back with high interest and a good deal more. But
still it would seem to him that room was needed. In his mind he had said
perhaps many times to the Admiral, "Do not claim too much soil! Do not
forget that other trees want to grow!"

Martin Pinzon might have put back to Spain, but who knew the man
would not think that likely. Far more probable that he might be doing
discovery of his own. Perhaps he would rejoin us later with some
splendid thing to his credit, claim that Spain could not deny!

Cuba coast rose high and near. It is a shore of the fairest harbors! We
made one of these into which emptied a little river. He named haven and
river Saint Catherine. In the bed of this stream, when we went ashore,
we found no little gold. He took in his hand grains and flakes and one
or two pieces large as beans. It was royal monopoly, gold, and every man
under strict command--to bring to the Admiral all that was found. Seamen
and companions gathered around him, Admiral, Viceroy and Governor, King
Croesus to be, a tenth of all gold and spoil filling his purse! And
they, too, surely some way they would be largely paid! The dream
hovered, then descended upon us, as many a time it descended. Great
riches and happiness and all clothed in silk, and every man as he would
be and not as he was, a