d-nobility--so important is father-care in these respects for
sons!" could make him take a tortuous and complicated way, could make
him bow and cap, could make him rule with an ear for world's advice
when he should have had only his book and his ship and his dream and
a cheering cry "Onward!" Or so thinks Juan Lepe. But Juan Lepe and all
wait on full light.

He talked of her great nature, and her goodness to him. Of how she
understood when the King would not. Of how she would never listen to his
enemies, or at the worst not listen long.

He turned upon his bed in the warm Indian night. I asked him if I should
read to him but he said, not yet. He had talked since the days of his
first seeking with many a great lord, aye, and great lady. But the
Queen was the one of them all who understood best how to trust a man!
Differences in mind arose within us all, and few could find the firm
soul behind all that! She could, and she was great because she could.
He loved to talk with her. Her face lighted when he came in. When others
were by she said "Don Cristoval", or "El Almirante", but with himself
alone she still said "Master Christopherus" as in the old days.

At last he said, "Now, let us read." Each time he came from Spain to
Hispaniola he brought books. And when ships came in there would be a
packet for him. I read to him now from an old poet, printed in Venice.
He listened, then at last he slept. I put out the candle, stepped softly
forth past Gonsalvo his servant, lying without door.

An hour after dawn a small cavalcade appeared before the fort. At first
we thought it was the Adelantado from Xaragua. But no! it was Alonzo
de Carvajal with news and a letter from San Domingo, and in the very
statement ran a thrilling something that said, "Hark, now! I am Fortune
that turns the wheel."

Carvajal said, "senor, I have news and a letter for your ear and eye
alone!"

"From my brother at San Domingo?"

"Aye, and from another," said Carvajal. "Two ships have come in."

With that the Admiral and he went into Commandant's house.

The men at Concepcion made Carvajal's men welcome. "And what is it?"
"And what is it?" They had their orders evidently, but much wine leaked
out of the cask. If one wished the Viceroy and his brothers ill, it was
found to be heady wine; if the other way round, it seemed thin, chilly
and bitter. Here at Concepcion were Admiral's friends.

After an hour he came again among us, behind him Carvajal.