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.
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