Angel says, `It does not need. There is some gold left
in the coffers of Aragon. After all, the man asks but three
little ships and a few score seamen and offers himself to
furnish one of the ships.' "
"With Martin Alonso Pinzon's help, I will!"
" `Never,' said I to their majesties, `was so huge a possible
gain matched against so small a sending forth! And as
for this Genoese who truly hath given and gives and will
give his life for his vision, saith not Scripture that a laborer
is worthy of his hire?' At which the Queen said with
decision, `We will do it, Don Luis! And now go and find
Master Christopherus and comfort him, whose heart must
be heavy, and indeed mine,' she saith, `was heavy when he
went forth to-day, and a voice seemed to say within me,
"What have you done, Isabella? How may you have
hindered!" ' "
The Gatherer of Ecclesiastical Revenues laughed again
with that compelling laughter. "So forth we go, and Don
Alonso sends for you to his house. But you could not be
found. Early this morning came one and informed us that
the ship had put out of harbor, whereupon my nephew and
I set sail after!"
The Admiral of the Ocean-Sea turned his face to the
west. Not knowing, I think, what he did, he raised his
arm, outstretched it, and the hand seemed to close in greeting.
His face was the face of a man who sees the Beloved
after long and sorrowful absence.
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