title: TwoLivesforOñatePasâoPorAquâiauthor: Encinias,Miguel.

publisher: UniversityofNewMexicoisbn10|asin: 0826317820printisbn13: 9780826317827ebookisbn13: 9780585207544

language: English

subject Oñate,Juande,--1549?-1624--Fiction,NewMexico--History--To1848--Fiction.

publicationdate: 1997lcc: PS3555.N37T961997ebddc: 813/.54

subject: Oñate,Juande,--1549?-1624--Fiction,NewMexico--History--To1848--Fiction.

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TwoLivesForOñate

MiguelEncinias

PASÓPORAQUÍSERIESONTHENUEVOMEXICANOLITERARYHERITAGEEDITEDBYGENAROM.PADILLAAND

ERLINDAGONZALES-BERRY

UniversityofNewMexicoPressAlbuquerque

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ToCristina,alovelyandbravechild,andtomyfamilywhowonderedwhatIwasdoingwritingandreadingdayandnightwithoutanyapparentresults.Hereispartoftheanswer.

©1997byUniversityofNewMexicoPress.Allrightsreserved.FIRSTEDITION.

LibraryofCongressCataloging-in-PublicationDataEncinias,Miguel.TwolivesforOñate/MiguelEncinias.1sted.p.cm.(Pasóporaquí)ISBN0-8263-1777-4.ISBN0-8263-1782-0(pbk.)1.Oñate,Juande,1549?1624Fiction.2.NewMexicoHistoryTo1848Fiction.I.Title,II.Series.PS3555.N37T961997812'.54dc20 96-35687CIP

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NotefromtheSeriesEditorsItisnoaccidentthatthepublicationofTwoLivesforOñatecoincideswiththecuatrocentennialofJuandeOñate'sarrivalandtheestablishmentofthefirstpermanentSpanishcolonyintheregion.MiguelEnciniasself-consciouslytimedthewritingofthistextsothatitwouldbereadyforreleasein1998.HisexpressintentwastoeducatethepeopleofNewMexicoregardingaparticularmomentinthedevelopmentoftheirhistory.Andbeingthegoodeducatorthatheis,hehaschosentotransmithislessonthroughamediumthatisatonceinstructionalandengaging.Tothisend,Enciniashaswedmeticulousresearch,intelligentproseandskillfulcharacterdevelopment.

Asistobeexpected,Enciniastreatshisprotagonistwithagooddealofsympathy,yet,hedoesnotglossovertheatrocitiesattributedtoOñate'scommand.He,infact,succeedsindepictingacomplexman,tormentedbyhisowndesires,self-interest,obligations,andsocialcodes.IntheendthereadercannothelpbutfeelempathyforOñate,butneithercans/heforgethislessnobledeeds.Andhereinliesthevalueofthisbook.Acatalystforcelebratoryremembrance,itisalsoaninvitationtothereadertoreflectonthecostofOñate'sventureintermsofhumanlives,freedom,andrepressionofnativepeoples.AndforthoseofuswhoareherebecauseOñateandhispeoplecamehere,thistextwillgiveusagreaterappreciationofwhatittooktosurviveinthelandtheycameto"conquer,"alandthatconqueredtheirheartsandneverletthemgo.

TheprimaryfunctionofthePasóporAquíSeriesisoneofrecoveryanddisseminationofHispanicliteraturethathasbeenforgottenorignoredbyliteraryhistorianswho,untilrecentyears,exercisednarrowcriteriaintheirdefinitionof"American"literature.WhileTwo

LivesforOñate,becauseitisanewwork,doesnotconformtoourrecoverymission,itdoesmeetourgeneralgoalofofferingprofoundrecognitionofthe

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Hispaniccontributiontoartsandlettersintheregion.Assuch,weareverypleasedtoincludeMiguelEncinias'historicalnovelinourseries.

GENAROM.PADILLA,UNIVERSITYOFCALIFORNIA-BERKLEYERLINDAGONZALES-BERRY,UNIVERSITYOFNEWMEXICOPASÓPORAQUISERIES,GENERALEDITORS

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ChapterOneThechurchbellshadstartedtollingintermittently,asifreluctanttospoilthecool,resplendentmorning.Thebirdsappearedtobecompetingwiththelugubrioustonesforthemoodoftheday.

DonJuandeOñatesatintheinnerbalconyofhispalatialhomeandlookedeastwardatBufaPeak,hisfeelingsoscillatingbetweenenervatingsadnessandphysicalwell-beingasthecoolairfilledhislungsandthedistanthubbubofdailylifeintrudedintohisconsciousness.Drawnbythetollingbells,yethardlyconsciousofwhathewasdoing,herosefromhischairforthetimehadcome.Thechurch,NuestraSeñoradelaAsunción,wherehiswife'sbodylay,wasnearby,buttodonJuanitsuddenlyseemedasfarawayasithadappearedtohimwhenhewasachild.Timehadalsotakenanewdimensionsincehiswifehadfallenill.ScenesofhiscourtshipandmarriagetoIsabelflashedintohismind,buttheyseemedremote,asiffromanotherera.

TheirweddinghadbeenamomentouseventinZacatecasandeventhroughoutNewSpain.ScionofafamilythathadamassedoneofthegreatestfortunesintheNewWorld,sonofCristóbaldeOñatewhohadcampaignedwiththegreatCortés,andwhohadbeenaherointheMixtónWar,oneofthefoundersofGuadalajara,anddiscovereroffabulouslyrichsilvermines,JuandeOñatehadtakenforwifeIsabeldeTolosaCortésyMoctezuma.Shewasequallyrichandasaristocraticasonecouldbe,forshewasthegreatgranddaughterofthemagnificent,butill-fated,emperoroftheAztecs,MoctezumaII,andthegranddaughterofthegreatCortés,hisconqueror.

AfterMoctezuma'sdeath,hisonlylegitimatedaughter,Tecuichpotzin,whosurvivedlanochetristewhentheSpaniardswereexpelledfrom

thepalacegrounds,andthediseasesthatbrokeoutduringthesubsequentsiegeofTenochtitlánbytheSpaniards,wasmarriedtoheruncleCultlahuac,whosucceededhisbrotherasemperor.Whenhedied,shewasmarriedtoCuauhtémoc,herfirstcousinandnephewtoMocte-

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zuma.WhenCuauhtémoc,thelastoftheAztecemperors,waskilledbytheSpaniards,shewastakenbythemandchristenedIsabel.In1526shewasmarriedtoaSpanishcaptainwhodiedthreeyearslater.Cortésthenmovedherunderhisroof,andin1529shegavebirthtoadaughterbyhim.ShewasnamedLeonor.Around1550amarriagewasarrangedbetweenLeonorandJuanesdeTolosa,discovereroftherichBufasilvermineinZacatecas,andoneofthefoundersofthecity.Circa1585Isabel,theirdaughterwaswedtoJuandeOñate.

Now,ashewalkedtoseehiswifeforthelasttime,helookeddownathisfive-year-oldson,whowasholdinghishandinatightgripasifafraidthathetoowouldgoaway.Histhroatbecameconstricted,andhiseyeswelledatthesightofthebewilderedboy.Hisglanceturnedtohisinfantdaughter,María,whowasbeingcarriedbyaservantaccompaniedbyVicentedeZaldívar,donJuan'sathletic,twenty-four-year-oldnephew.Inthebackgroundheheardthebirdsandintheperipheryofhissighthecaughtthemagnificenceoftheday.Hefeltasurgeofunbiddenjoyatthegrandmorningaroundhimandatthefreshnessandbeautyofhischildren.

Despitehimself,histhoughtsturnedawayfromdeathandtowardlife.HethoughtofthecampaignsagainsttheunpacifiedIndiansofthenorthwithdonLuisdeVelasco,sonofoneofthegreatestviceroysevertoruleNewSpain.HethoughtmainlyofthefreedomhehadfeltatleavingthemonotonouslifeofZacatecasfortheopencountrywheretheChichimecaslived,ofsleepingunderthestars,andoftheexcitementthateachsucceedingdaypromised.

Ashiswifehadlaininhersickbedhehadoftenlongedforthatkindoffreedom.Hehadbeentornbetweenloveandcompassionbornofalifetogetherandthedesperateneedtoescapethestiflingworldofaffluenceandprivilegeintowhichhefelthimselfbeingdrawnmoreandmore.

AstheterriblemysteryofIsabel'sdeathmergedwithearthlyrealities,heagainthoughtoftheNorth.Duringthelonghoursofvigilithadcometodominatehisconsciousness.Northwasthedirectionhehadalwaystakeninhisbriefforaysintofreedom,andnorthwastheonlydirectionthatofferedthepossibilityofescapefromZacatecasandtheopportunityforactiondangerousactionthatisoftenthesolaceofadventurousmen.Hetriedtoputthosethoughtsoutofhismind,buttheykeptcomingback,evenashisfeelingsofguiltmounted.

Nowlookingonhiswife,hefounditshockingandmonstrousthathewouldneveragaintalktoher,buthisson'spresencebesidehim

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madehimthinkofthefutureincontrasttowhatwasbecomingadistantpastatimethatwasdrawingtoaclose.AndtherewasMaría,hisdelicatedaughterwhoselifewasjustbeginningashermother'shadended.Tomorrowwastheirs,andhefelthimselfpartofit.AtwingeofremorsetuggedathimatthethoughtofhowlittletimehehaddevotedtothemparticularlyCristóbal.

Ithadnotbeenthatwaybetweenhisfatherandhim.DonCristóbaldeOñate,heremembered,hadtoldhimandhisolderbrother,Cristóbal,everydetailabouttheuprisinginNuevaGalicia.HeknewallaboutthegreatarmythatthefierceCoaticorehadformedin1538toridthenorthernprovinceoftheSpaniards.Hisfatherhadtakenoverfromthegovernor,PerezdelaTorre,whenthelatterwaskilled,andCoaticorehadbeendefeated.

OnlytwoyearslaterwhendonCristóbalwasactinggovernorintheabsenceofVásquezdeCoronado,whohadgoneinquestofCíbola,anotherlargerrebellioneruptedthatresultedinthedestructionofGuadalajara.DonCristóbalwasabletoholdofftheunitedtribesuntiltheviceroyAntoniodeMendozaarrivedwiththegreatestarmyeverassembledinAmericauptothattime.TheIndianswereforcedtoretiretothemountainfortressofMixtón,whichwasvirtuallyimpregnable.OnlythetreasonofsomeCaxcánwarriors,whoshowedtheSpaniardsthewayuptothemountainstronghold,permittedaSpanishvictory.ItwasinthiswarthattheimpetuousPedrodeAlvarado,whohadplayedamajorroleintheconquestoftheAztecsandwhohadtriggeredtheeventsthatledtolanochetristeinMoctezuma'scapital,finallyfell.

YoungJuan'sfatherhadrecountedtohimdetailsoftheearliersiegeofGuadalajarabythirtythousandChichimecasandhowhehadsavedthecitybyanintrepidcounterattackthatforcedtheIndianstolifttheencirclement.

Ofcourse,herationalizedtohimself,beforeIsabel'sillnessCristobalillowasaveryyoungchildwhohadnotyetreachedtheageofreason.Nowthathewasfiveitwouldbedifferent.Hewouldhavemoretimeforhim.NowthathissonwasabouttotakehisfirstHolyCommunionhewouldunderstandbetter."ButwhatcanItellhim?"hethought,"duringmyfather'syouthadventurewaseverywhere."

DonJuanshookhishead,andCristóbalasked,"quépapá?"

"Nada,nada,hijo,"hewhispered.Hefeltliketakinghiminhisarmsandkissinghimandweepingwithhim.Cristóbalhadnotcriedopenly.Helookedmorelikeachildwhosefeelingshadbeenhurtbyaconfusingevent.Hehadbeenveryclosetohismotheruntilshefellill.Since

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then,notknowingwhattomakeofhismother'sinaccessibility,hehadtakenmostofhiscuesfromhisfather.

Atthecemetery,Cristóbal'scheckswerestreakedwithtears,buthewasnotsobbing.DonJuanstooderectwithasomber,distantlook.Hehadsaidhisgood-byesduringtheintervalswhenIsabelwaslucid.TheyhadmainlytalkedaboutCristóbalabouthisplannedstudiesinthecapital.ThesubjectofMaríahadonlybroughttears.Isabelwouldaskthatshebebroughttoher.Sheseemedtoknowthatshewasgoingtodie,andsheaskedthroughhertearswhowasgoingtotakecareofherbabydaughter.DonJuanwouldanswerbysayingonly"vasasanar,miamor[Youwillgetwell]."

Nowasthepriestintoned,donJuanwasrestlessimpatientwiththeritualfinalizingthemysterythathadtakenpossessionofhiswife,andthathadlittletodowiththeirrelationshipandwithhisthoughtsandfeelings."Takeherandkeepherforme,Lord,"hemuttered.

ChapterTwoDuringtheweeksfollowingthefuneral,donJuanbecamelethargic.Hewouldsitaloneinhispatiolongstretchesatatime,thinkingofthemyriadthingshehadtodo,butfeelingtoodispiritedeventogetupfromhischair.ThoughtsoftheNorth,ofCíbola,wouldintrudeonhisdesolationbutwithoutsolaceorenthusiasm.Hisjumbledthoughtswouldmakehimwearyandsleepy.Hetookfrequentnaps,onlytoawakewithafeelingofdisarray,butnotknowinghowtobeginrestoringorderanddirectioninhislife.

Oneofthoseafternoonshewokeupwithastart.Hehadbeendreamingofthetimewhenhewasayoungman.HisdreamhadturnedintoanightmareinwhichhehadbeenleftbehindbyanexpeditiononitswaytoseekoutmaraudingChichimecasinthe

northernfrontier.Boundingoutofbed,hecalledforacupofchocolateandwentstraighttohisdeskwherehesatcollectinghisthoughts.Heslowlydrewasheetofpaperfromadrawerandstartedwriting.Headdressedthelettertohisfriendandformercommander,whosince1590hadbeentheviceroyofNewSpain,donLuisdeVelascoII;but,aftersomereflection,heslippeditintothestill-opendrawer.

Asthedayspassed,donJuanbegantoemergefromtheincubusthathadpossessed.Hebegantoseemmorelikehisvigorousself.Because

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ofhisslimbuild,helookedyoungerthanhisforty-oneyears.Healsoappearedtallerthanhisabove-averageheight.HissandyhairwasnodoubtalegacyfromhisBasquefather.Thedarkbrowneyesthatgavehimanaustere,intenselookuntilhesmiledwhichherarelydidwereprobablyaninheritancefromadistantMoorishancestorthroughhismotherCatalinadeSalazardeLaCadena.HerlineagederivedfromanoldGranadafamilythathaddistinguisheditselfduringthecenturies-longstrugglealongtheever-changingfrontierbetweentheChristiansandtheMoslems.

Hebegantovisitmorefrequentlywithhishalf-sister,doñaMagdalenadeMendozaySalazar,aplump,rosy-cheeked,vibrantwomanwithakindlydisposition.ShewasmarriedtoVicentedeZaldívaroftheOñate-Zaldívarfamily,alsorichandprominentinZacatecas;ZaldívarwasalsocaptaingeneralinchargeofthecampaignagainsttheChichimecas.Whenhewent,hetookCristóbal,whoenjoyedthosevisitstohisaunt'sbecausehisfatherseemedtoregainhisvitalityashereminiscedwithhisnephewsabouthappiertimesandaboveallwhenhetalkedaboutNewMexico,whichintheboy'smindwasgraduallybecomingawonderland.Vicente,theyoungerofthetwoZaldívarbrothers,alsowasbecomingfascinatedwiththenewfrontierasdescribedbyhisuncle.DonJuan'smeagerknowledgehadbeengleanedfromhisfather,whohadacquireditsecondhandfromthedisgruntledveteransofthe1540VásquezdeCoronadoexpeditionastheyreturnedtoComposteladuringthetimedonCristóbalwasservingasactinggovernorofNuevaGaliciainthegreatexplorer'sabsence.

NewMexicowasnowverymuchinthemindsofofficialNewSpainbecausetheunauthorized,minusculeexpeditionofLeyvadeBonillaandGutiérrezdeHumañawasattheverymomentsomewhereinthenorthernvastness.In1593CaptainFranciscoLeyvadeBonillawenttothenorthernfrontierofNewSpaintopunishcertainhostileIndian

tribes.Oncethere,herecruitedapartyincludingAntonioGutiérrezdeHumañna,andpenetratedintopueblocountry.Sincethattimetheyhadnotbeenheardfrom.

DoñaMagdalenawasnotsoenthusiasticashersonsaboutherhalf-brother'sscheme.Shedidnotlikethewaytheireyeslitupastheytalkedwiththeirhalf-uncleandcousin.''Why,"sheaskedhalfinearnest,halfsardonically,"doyoumengetsoexcitedaboutgoingtosomeremote,hostileplacetokillorgetkilled."

"NewMexicocouldbeagreatopportunityforUncleJuan,"JuandeZaldívaransweredalmostapologetically.

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"Opportunityforwhat,"shecountered."Heisalreadyforty-three,heisrich,andhehastwochildrentotakecareof.Heshouldstayhereandgetmarriedagain.WhoisgoingtolookafterCristobalillo'seducation?

"Cristóbalismoreexcitedthananyone,andbesidestherewouldbeplentyoffriarsforthat,"answeredVicentepolitelybutwithatoneoffinality.

DoñaMagdalenashruggedhershouldersandsighed,feelingthatperhapshersonswouldbedrawnintosomethingshedidnotrelish,butaboutwhichwomenneverhadanysayatall.

ChapterThreeDonJuanhadnotseenhisboyhoodfriend,FranciscoLópezsinceIsabelfirstfellsick.FranciscowasthesonofDiegoLópez,whohadservedwithdonCristóbalintheMixtónwarsasasergeantandhadcomewithhimtoZacatecasjustafterthediscoveryoftheBufaminebyJuanesdeTolosain1546.Averyenterprisingyoungman,hewassoonmademineforemanbydonCristóbal.Theirtwosonshadplayedtogetheraschildrenandhadbecomefastfriends.Thedifferenceintheirfamilies'stationshadnotmadeanydifferencewhiletheywerechildren,buttheboys'relationshipbecamemoredifficultastheygrewolder.Juan'smother,doñaCatalina,objectedgentlytoherson'srelationshipwithayoungmanwhonotonlywasaforeman'ssonbutwhodidnotseemtohaveanyambitioninlifeexceptassheputit,"tochasecattle,hangaroundthebodegas,andtocourtgirls."DonCristóbalwouldnotsayanything.AfterallFranciscowasthesonofafellowcampaigner.DonCristóbalwasakindandgenerousmanasevincedbytheopentablehekeptathomeforanyoneneedingameal.Hewasalsoveryloyalandconsideratetohisfriends,particularlyso

tothosewhohadfoughtalongsidehim.

DonJuanhadagoodideawheretofindFrancisco,whowasactuallyjustleavingthepulperíaashisfriendwalkedup."Juan,"exclaimedFranciscoastheyembraced,"losiento,"heofferedhiscondolence.

"Graciasamigo.Ihavebeenwantingtoseeyou."

"Well,hereIam.Let'sgobackin."

Theytalkedanddrankuntilwellpastnightfall.

Francisco,contrarytohisdisposition,becameexpansiveifnotchatty.

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"Youknow,Juan,Ineverlikedthemines.IoftenwonderedhowcertainSpaniardscouldprofitsomuchfromtheworkofpeoplewhocameandwentlikephantomsandwhomnobodyreallygottoknow."

DonJuanfeltabituncomfortable."Isthatthereasonyouweresogladthatyourfathergaveupminingtoraisecattle?"

"No,notreally.Ijustlikedtheideaoflivingonaranchamongthecowboys."

DonJuansighed,"Youdon'tknowhowIenviedyou."

"You?ThesonofDonCristóbal?"

"Yourfatherandmineweregoodfriendsandfellowcampaigners."

Franciscolookedintohisfriend'seyes,"Youknowtheysaidthatmyfatherembezzledmoneyfromtheminestostarthisranch."

DonJuanstaredback,"Myfatherneverbelievedit.Hewassohappytoseeyourfatherstarthisownhacienda."

"DonCristóbalwasasaint.Heevenhelpedmyoldmangetagrantoflandfromthegovernor."

Zacatecaswasgrowingandthetownhadaneedforbeef.TheestanciawasnotalargeonebynorthernNewSpainstandards.Itmeasuredonlythirtythousandpacesinperimeter.Diegofilleditwithcattleheboughtorroundedupwithhiscowboysfromamongthemanystraysthatroamedthecountryside.

Franciscowastwelveyearsoldwhenthisdrasticchangeinhislifeoccurred.HisfathermaintainedaresidenceinZacatecas,butFranciscopreferredtostayatthehacienda,asprimitiveasitwasatfirst,becausetherehecouldlistentothecowboys'storiesandfollowthemastheywentthroughtheirtasks.Hesoonbecameaveryskillfulhorseman,winningtherespectoftheoldermen.

Juan,whorodewellhimself,wasatonceproudandslightlyenviousofhisfriend.TheydidnotseeasmuchofeachotherasbeforebecauseFranciscospentasmuchtimeashewasallowedatElAzar,ashisfather'shaciendawascalled,whileJuanwasinZacatecastakinginstructionfromatutorhisfatherhadhiredforhistwoyoungest,JuanandAlfonso,inpreparationforfurtherstudiesinMexicoCity.

Franciscohadcometotheendofhisstudiestheyearthathisfatherbuiltthehacienda.Atfourteenyearsofagehehadbecomeaworkingcowboy.Heenjoyedthework,butwhathelikedmostwasrodeotime,duringwhichtherewasagoodbitofwork,buttherewasalsoanopportunitytoshowoffhishorsemanship,particularlytotheothercowboysbutalsotothetownspeoplewhocameoutforthefestivepartoftheoccasion.Athisfather'sranchandinthecountryside,Francisco

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hadampleopportunitytopracticetheskillsthat,ataveryyoungage,madehimanaccomplishedcharro.

Startingataboutthemiddleofthesixteenthcentury,therewassomuchlivestock,primarilycattle,inthenorthernfrontierthatlargeherdswereroamingtheopencountry,oftentramplingthecropsofIndiansintherelativelyuntamedareasinnorthernNewSpain.Thereweresomanycattlethatsomecowboysstartedkillingthemattheslightestpretext,includingentertainment.InthemannerofthegauchoofthepampasinearlycolonialArgentina,whowouldoftenkillacowforafewchoicesteaks,theSpanishcolonialcowboysinNewSpainwouldslaughterthemforthehidesoreventhefat,whichtheywouldsellforwhatevertheycouldgetfromminersinthearea.

Toincreaseefficiencyinthinningoutthevastherds,thecowboysdevelopedaweaponcalledthehalf-moonbecauseofthescythelikeshapeoftheblade,whichwasattachedtoalonghandle.Thehorsemancouldimmobilizeabulloracowbycuttingoffitshindlegsatfullgallop.Thecoupdegracecouldthenbedeliveredwithrelativeease.Thisbecameoneofthedubiousskillsofthenortherncharros,whoduringrodeoscouldbeprevailedupontogiveademonstrationofthisbrutalpractice.

BythetimehewaseighteenFranciscowasoneoftheleadinghorsemenintheareasurroundingZacatecas.Hehadmaturedintoatrim,stronglybuilt,andhandsomeyoungman.Darklygoodlooking,hehadtakenonanairofdaringthatmanytookforbelligerence.

WhenJuancamebackfromMexicoCityhewouldoftengoridingwithhisfriend,whowouldteachhimsomeofthefinepoints.Juan,however,couldnevergethimselftowearthecharrocostumewithitssilverbuttonsonthevest,thefringesandtasselsonthetrousers,andthebroad-brimmedconicalhat.

AshematuredFranciscobecamehisfather'sforeman.Hewasfairwiththemen,consideringhimselfoneofthem,buthenevertoleratedinsolence.Hismethodofdealingwithrecalcitranthandswasdirectconfrontation.Sinceallofthemenworeswordstherewasalwaysthedangerofalethalfight,butmostofthetimetheseencountersledonlytohardwordsorfistfights.Franciscoseldompulledhisswordoutofitsscabbard,resortinginsteadtohisphysicalstrength,eitherwrestlingorknockingdownhisopponents.Heacquiredsuchrenownthatheseldomhadanytakersattheranch.Inthebodegashefrequentedwhenhewasintown,heoftenfacedchallengesfrombrawlerswhowantedtotesttheirmettleagainsttheleadingcharrointheregion.Withhistaci-

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turnnature,heneverpickedafight,butheneverturnedonedowneither,winningmanymorethanhelost.

ChapterFourThematureJuandeOñate'sfacebeliedhisphysique.Itwasdelicateandsomewhatsallow.Hisclippedbeardaccentuatedtheimpressionoffragility.Viewedfromadistance,however,heprojectedastrong,agile,andalmostathleticimage,withmoderatelybroadshouldersandthewaistlineofamuchyoungerman.Hisinexpressivebrowneyesdidnoteasilyrevealhisfeelingsorthoughts.

Throughouthischildhoodandsincehismarriage,hehadlivedanopulentlifebyNewWorldstandards.Hisveryspacioushome,builtafterhisfather'sdeath,wasessentiallyconstructedinRenaissancestyle.Ithadoftenrungwiththegaietyofthehighestsocietyintheviceroyalty.TheviceroyhadstayedthereonhisvisitstoZacatecaswhich,becauseofitsrichmines,hadbecomethemostimportantcityinthenorthernfrontier.

Itwasatwo-storybuildingahundredorsovarasfromthechurch,downthestreetthatlaterwastoberebuiltasthecathedraloftheregionalarchdiocese.FromadistancethehomeappearedtobeatthefootofthefamousBufapeakthatdominatedthetown.Thefacade,whichcamerightuptoanarrowsidewalk,wasveryplain,withonlyitswrought-ironbalconiestobreakthemonotony;but,inthemannerofmostSpanishmansions,whichneverfailtoastonishasonestepsintothem,thedarkhallwaysuddenlyeruptedintoaprofusionoflightandflowersintheinnercourtyardofwhatamountedtoafair-sizedcloister.Thelowerandupperarcadeswereidentical,composedofsegmentalarchessupportedbysquare-flutedcolumns.Broadstaircasesateachendledtotheuppercorridor,whichwasdecorated

withsmallpotsofflowershangingalongthewrought-ironrailings.Asmallpirultreegrowinginthemiddleoftheopenpatiocastagentleshadowoverthreewell-worn,leather-backedchairs.Ontheperimeterseverallargeflowerpotsgracedtheedgeofthepassageways.Itwasinthiscoolpatio,isolatedfromthedinandbustleofthestreetandfragrantwiththesmellofthecollectionofwildflowersmorningglories,daisies,cincolla-

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gas,andothersthatthesubjectofNewMexicohadbeendiscussedyearsbefore.Theincomingviceroyhadwantedhisfriendtoundertaketheexpedition,notonlybecausehecouldaffordit,butbecausedonJuanhadservedunderhimandheknewsomethingofhischaracterandbackground.

Althoughamemberofaverywealthyminingfamily,Juanwasnottheheir.UndertheancientSpanishlawsofinheritancehisoldestbrother,Fernando,wouldinherithisfather'sfortune.UnfortunatelywhendonCristóbaldied,hisdebtsexceededhisassets,andFernandoacceptedanencomiendainthevicinityofPueblaandeventuallybecamemayorofthatcity.Thesecondoldestson,Cristóbal,alsoreceivedalandgrantandleftZacatecas.Juan,whowastwentyyearsoldatthetime,byconsentofthefamilytookoverthemanagementofhisfather'smines.

Zacatecaswasatownofsometwenty-fivehundredinhabitantswithapopulationoffifteenhundredZacatecoIndianswhoworkedatthemines,eighthundredblackslaveswhoalsoworkedextractingtheprecioussilverfromthemountain,andtwohundredSpaniardswhoeitherworkedinsupervisorypositionsattheminesorhadotherbusinessestablishmentsinthegrowingcity.

TheIndiansworkedforasmallsalary,butinordertoinducethemtostayattheirjobs,themineownersallowedthemtotakeoutasmallpouchoforeeachday.Inthemines,sincetheywerewellacquaintedwithoreprocessing,theyperformedsuchworkwiththeassistanceoftheblackslaves.TheyfollowedaprocessdevisedbyaSpaniard,BartolomédeMedina,whocametoNewSpainsometimenearthemiddleofthesixteenthcentury.Medina'sprocessinvolvedtheuseofmercuryforextractingthesilveroutoftheore.Theorewasfirstpulverized,brinewasthenadded,andsubsequentlyquicksilver.Afteralapseoftime,whichcouldbedaysorweeks,themercuryandsilver

wouldfuse.Duringthewashingphasethesandandclaywereseparatedfromthefusedsubstance.Thelaststepwasthefiring,whichseparatedthemercuryfromthesilver.ThemercurywassalvagedforfurtheruseandthesilverwassentonitswaymostlytoSpainintheformofingots.

Usingtheirownsimpletechniques,theIndianshadbeenproducingsmallquantitiesofsilverforyears.BeforetheSpaniardscame,mostoftheirpreciousmetalsweretakenfromstreamswheretheypannedthemorfromsuperficialexcavations.Ineithercasethesoilwassimplywashedoff.Later,astheydidinZacatecaswiththeirownore,theybrokeuptherocksbyheatingthemandthenpouringcoldwateronthem.

Juanhadalwaysbeenveryconsciousofhisfather'sachievements.As

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oneofthecity'sfoundingfathersandtheownerofthemostmines,hewasthecommunityleader.Hewaswellknownnotonlyforwhathehadaccomplishedbutalsohighlyregardedforhisthoughtfulnessandactsofcharity.Juanreveredhim,althoughasasmallchildwithhistimidnatureheturnedmoreoftentohismotherforloveandcomfort.InthemannerofmostSpanishpatriarchs,donCristóballavishedmostofhisattentionontheeldestson,buthealwaysfoundtimeforallofhischildren.

Juangrewupanintrospectivechild,butwithapenchantforplayingoutheroicfantasies.Havingheardcountlesstimesabouthisfather'sachievements,hewouldspendlongperiodsoftimewonderingifhewouldeverperformheroicdeedsagainsttheChichimecasandmakeimportantdiscoveries.HeadmiredhisfriendFranciscoforhisimpetuousnatureandhispersonalbravery,butheknewthathecouldnotemulatehim,forsuchwasnothisnature.Hewas,besides,veryconsciousofhisresponsibilitiesasamemberofanimportantfamilyandclan.

Whilehehadkeptthevigilashiswifewasslowlydying,hiseyeswouldflashforaninstantatthethoughtofwhattheviceroyhadsuggestedlongago.Now,ashetalkedtoFrancisco,whowasstillabachelor,hesighed,"HowIwouldliketogooutintothewilderness."

Hisfriend,whodidnothaveanyinhibitions,answered,"Puesvamos.Iwouldliketogotoo."

DonJuan,feelingthatsomethingasseriousasanexpeditiontoclaimnewlandsforthecrownandtochristianizeIndiansmightnotbeveryappropriateforhisimpetuousfriend,didnotpursuetheconversationveryfar.Hewouldnodoubtbeagoodfighter;butthen,hemightbeasourceoftroubleamongstthesettlerswithyoungdaughters,orwiththeirwives.

Asthedaysandweekspassed,donJuanthoughtlessofdoñaIsabelwithgrieforguilt,andmorewiththeinexorabledetachmentthatthepassageoftimebrings.TheperiodofherillnessanddeathwasslowlybeingreplacedinhismindbymemoriesofhisyouthofhisfirstcampaignwithdonLuisandoftheincrediblystarrynightsinthedesertwilderness.Lifewasmovingon.Henolongerfeltquitesoguiltyaboutthepossibilityofundertakingtheexpedition.HehadevenbegundiscussingitwithrelativesandfriendsotherthanFrancisco.Notmany,particularlytherelatives(excepthisnephews),encouragedhim.SomewonderedoutloudwhyhewouldleaveacomfortablelifeamonghisfamilyandinfluentialfriendsforanunknownlandcertainlyfullofunfriendlyChichimecas."AndwhataboutMaríaandCristóbal,"somewouldask.

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"Oh,I'lltakehimwithme,"hewouldanswer,stillnotknowingwhathewoulddowithMaría.Itwasafteroneofthoseambiguousconversationsthathetooktheletterhehadwrittenseveralweeksbeforeandsentitofftotheviceroy.

DonJuan'sforaysasaveryyoungmanintoChichimecaterritoryhadnotbeenunusual,theonlydirectionintowhichNewSpaincouldexpandwasnorthward.AsworthyveteransoftheconquestofMexicoweregrantedencomiendas,andasmineswerediscovered,itbecameimperativethattheseinterestsbeprotectedagainstfrequentuprisingsbyvariousIndiantribesthathadlongsincebeenclassifiedsimplyas"Chichimecas,"whichtranslatedroughlyinto"wildIndians."TheterritorytheydominatedranthroughmostoftheprovinceofNuevaGalicia,whichextendednorthfromthefrontiertownsofGuadalajaraandQuerétarotoavaguebordersomewherefarbeyondthelastoutpostsofSpanishcivilization.

Zacatecas,whenitwasfoundedinlate1547,wasrightinthemiddleoftheGranChichimecaandgreatcarehadtobetakenagainstattackfromtheZacatecoIndians.JuanesdeTolosa,however,wasabletoconvincetheZacatecosthattheSpaniardsmeantthemnoharm,andthetownwasestablishedbyTolosa,CristóbaldeOñate,anotherBasquebythenameofDiegodeIbarra,andBaltazardeBañuelos.Itwasthelatterwhoheldfastwhentheminerswantedtoleaveinthefaceofhostilitiesbythenativesofthearea.FinallyafterthedangerhadpassedtherewasarushtoZacatecasbySpaniardsseekingtogetricheitherwithsilverorotherbusinessenterprises.ThelargestoperatorbyfarwasCristóbaldeOñate,whohadthirteensmelters,overonehundredslaves,manyIndianworkers,andevenachurchforallhispeople.

ThenewcitywasmodeledafterToledo,whichwasatthetimethecapitalofSpain.Itsname,NuestraSeñoradelosZacatecos,wasgiven

inrecognitionofitstheIndianinhabitantsofthearea.TherobustandvitalfounderslostnotimeinbringingcivilizationtotheregionandZacatecasbecameknownasthecivilizeroftheNorth.Itsfathers,withtheirmottothatbecamethecity's,"eltrabajolovencetodo"("workconquerseverything"),alsogaveitwealth.

DuringthetimeofJuan'syouthnewmineswerefrequentlybeingopenednorthofZacatecas.TheIndiansreactedbysteppinguptheirattacksontheSpanishsettlements.Theviceroy,donLuisdeVelascoI,establisheddefensiveoutpoststhroughouttheGranChichimeca,asthevast,sparselysettlednorthernterritorywascalled.TheChichimecasre-

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actedbybandingtogether,andevenZacatecasitself,whichbynowwasconsiderablytothesouthoftheaction,cameunderdangerofattack.ThecitywasarmedbyCaptainPedrodeAhumadain1561andheoftensalliedforthwithasizeableforcetoseektheenemy.ThesewereexcitingtimesforyoungJuan.Oh,howhewishedhecouldgowithAhumada,buthewasabittooyoung.ThecaptainsucceededinpacifyingtheIndianstothenorth,thenreturnedtoZacatecasandoncemorerodeoutanddefeatedrebellingGuachichileIndianstothesouth.

Althoughtheattackssubsidedforawhile,theysoonstartedupagainandJuanandFranciscogotthechancetoparticipateinacampaignunderthefourthviceroy,MartinEnriquesdeAlmanza.LuisdeVelascoIIwasonthesamecampaign.JuanservedunderdonLuis,whowaselevenyearsolder.Juan'sfatherhadknowndonLuis'sfatherwhenthelatterwasviceroy.DonCristóbalenjoyedacertainrenownfromtheMixtónWar,asformergovernorofNuevaGalicia,andlaterasoneoftheverywealthynorthernmineowners.DonLuistheyoungertookalikingtotheyoungJuanandtheysoonbecamefriends.NowdonLuiswasviceroy,anddonJuanasedentarymineowner,butneitherofthemenhadforgottenthatcampaignmanyyearsago.

Inlateryears,sinceexpansiontothefarnorthhadbegun,theintermittentwarshadbeenconductedoutofZacatecas.Thetraditionalpolicyof"warbybloodandfire"encounteredstrongoppositionandwasnothavingsuccessinthetaskofpacification.Theidealisticviceroy,AlonsoManriquedeZuñiga,marquisofVillamanrique,whoassumedofficein1585,changedthepolicytooneof"peacethroughpurchase,"whichsoughttopacifytheintransigentnortherntribesthroughconversiontoChristianity,diplomacy,andcompensationofvariouskinds.Inaddition,IndiansfriendlytotheSpaniardswouldbebroughtasrolemodelstosettleintheChichimecaregions.

LuisdeVelascoII,nolessidealisticthanhispredecessor,butalsoapracticaladministrator,succeededVillamanriquein1590.HehadexperiencedtheChichimecaWarfirsthandandknewthefrustrationsthatoftenresultedfromtheoldpolicy.Usingthefundsappropriatedforwar,hecourtedtheheretoforedreadedenemywithgrantsofland,presents,andprovisions.HealsobroughttheoldalliesofCortés,theTlaxcaltecas,intothearea.Asameasureofprecaution,however,hereinforcedthepresidios,whichhadbeenweakenedbyVillamanrique.Hethussucceededbypeacefulinitiativestoaccomplishwhatthewarofbloodandfirehadfailedtodo.

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ChapterFiveThequestionofasettlementinNewMexicohadneverbeendecidedsincethefailureofVásquezdeCoronadotofindanythingconsideredofvaluein1540.ItremainedtheonlyfrontierleftinNewSpain,albeitofverydubiouspromise.Allevidencetothecontrary,theideaofanotherTenochtitlán,ofafarawayCíbolaorQuivira,hadnotquitediedoffdespitethesuccessivedisappointmentofalltheexpeditions,mostlyunauthorized,thathadbeendrawnnorthwardbymyth,wishfulthinking,ormerelythetasteforadventure.

IncertainZacatecascirclesNewMexicowasbeginningtobethechieftopicofconversation.JuandeZaldívarwasnotonetogeteasilyenthusiastic,particularlyaboutsomethingheknewlittleabout.Sittingonabenchinfrontofthechurchonabalmylatesummerafternoon,heandDonJuantalkedandwatchedthepeoplewalkby."TherehavealreadybeenseveralexpeditionstoNewMexico;whyhaven'ttheysucceededinfindingsomethingofvalue,uncle?"

"IthinkweknowthattherewillbenoAztecorIncaempires,butthereareotherkindsofrichestobediscoveredmineraldeposits,seaports."

DonJuandidnotbringitupbuttherewastheopportunityforadventureandthechanceofacquiringtitlesandhonorseveniftheywouldbeonlyfaintechoesofthoseearnedwhentherewasaSpanishpeninsulatobereconqueredorempirestobecrushedbyafewintrepidmen.

Paleastheprizemightbe,therewasnodearthofcandidatesseekingtoestablishacolonyinthenorth.AmongthemwasAntoniodeEspejo,wholedoneofthefewcondonedexpeditionssinceVásquezdeCoronado's.JuanBautistadeTómasyColmenares'splanhadbeenapprovedin1589bythepreviousviceroy,Villamanrique,butwas

rejectedbytheCounciloftheIndiesbecauseofColmenare'sexorbitantdemands.

Oñate'sletterhadbeenreceivedwithfavorbydonLuis,buthewasobligedtotellhisfriendthatacontracthadbeenawardedtothegovernorofNuevaVizcaya,FranciscodeUrdiñola.TheviceroyheldoutsomehopetodonJuan,however,sayingthatUrdiñolahadbeenaccusedofmurderinghiswifeandwasbeingheldinprison.Headdedthathefeltobligedtogothroughwiththecontract,shouldUrdiñolabeexonerated.IfUrdiñolawereconvictedorrejected,donLuiscouldnotthinkofanybodybettersuitedforthetaskthanhisfriendJuan.

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Itwasthefallof1592whenOñatereceivedtheviceroy'sreply.Therestoftheyearpassedslowly.DonJuanfeltasiftheracewithtimewasbeinglost.Hewasonlyforty-twoyearsofage,buthethoughtofhimselfasgettingold.NowthathehaddecidedtoundertaketheexpeditionhewasimpatienttoleaveZacatecas.TheChristmasseasonwasglum.Besidesthefactthathewasobservingaperiodofmourning,hefelthimselffloundering.Hehadlostinterestinthemanagementofthemines.TheNewMexicoprojectwasuppermostinhismind,buthehadmanydoubtsthatitwouldbecameareality.ExceptforanoccasionalvisittoFrancisco,hesawnoonebuthisfamily.HisconversationwasmostlyaboutpreviousexpeditionstoNewMexicoandwhytheyhadfailedoraboutthegreatconquistadores,CortésandPizarro.Hisnephews,JuanandVicente,werehismostfrequentvisitors.Cristóballikedtoeavesdropontheirconversations,andafterwardhewouldask,''mevasallevarpapá?[areyoutakingmefather?]."

DonJuanwouldanswerabsentmindedly,"Yes,yes,I'lltakeyoumyson."

CristóbalwouldyellwithjoyandrunouttoplayatfightingChichimecas.

Thespringof1593camewithitsunpredictableweatherdustywindsoneday,coolandsunnythenext.DonJuan'smoodsseemedtochangewiththeweather.Thereweredayswhenhefeltsurethatgoodnewswasintheoffing,otherswhenhefeltwithouthope.Hisbrother,Cristóbal,whowasrepresentinghiminMexicoCityreportedthatalthoughtherewasnoprogressonthecaseagainstUrdiñola,itappearedasifhewasnolongeraseriouscandidateastheleaderoftheexpedition.

OnehotdayinearlysummerasdonJuancontemplatedtheflat,paleblueskyandthecountrysidebleachedbyasearingsunthatseemedto

bakethelifeoutofbothmanandvegetation,aservantannouncedthatacourierhadjustarrivedfromthecapitalandwaswaitinginthefoyerwithamessagefromtheviceroy.DonJuandidnotaskforthemessengertobebroughttohim,insteadherushedtomeethimasifhehadbeentheviceroyhimself.DonLuisdeVelascowasinvitinghimtocometoMexicoCitytodiscusstheexpeditiontoNewMexico!DonJuancouldnotcontainabroadsmileashefinishedreadingthemessage.Withoutanyhesitationhetoldthemessengertowaitwhilehequicklypennedananswer.Cristóbal,whohadoverheard,rantohisfathershrieking"yavamos,yavamos[wearegoing,wearegoing]."

Hisfatheranswered,"claro,hijo."

"Yes,father,toNewMesico."

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"Weshallsee,"smiledhisfather,knowingthathecouldneverleavehissonbehind,althoughhehadnotreallydecidedandfeltguiltyabouttakinghisyoungsontoanunknownland.

Itwasmid-SeptemberwhendonJuanwasreceivedinthevice-regalpalacebyhisoldfriend.Theviceroy,despitetheaustere,unapproachablelookofhislong,grayface,whichwasrenderedevenmoresolemnbyhispointedblackbeardandthethinsteel-rimmedglassesonhisbonynose,wasactuallyquiteanaffableman.

Thesubjectoftheexpeditionwasnotbroughtupuntilthesecondday.AstheviceroyanddonJuanstrolledaboutthepalacegrounds,donLuissaid,"Juan,haveyouthoughtseriouslyaboutthepacificationofNewMexico?"

"Yes,donLuis,"donJuananswered."IhavethoughtofnothingelsesinceIwrotetoyou...youknow,sinceIsabeldied...Ithankyouforyourconfidenceinme,yourExcellency.IthinkIamready."

"Well,wehavediscusseditbefore,"smiledtheviceroy."Whydon'twediscussthedetailstomorrow?"

ThefollowingdaydonJuanawakenedearly.Itwasacool,brightSeptembermorning.Hesteppedoutontothebalcony,tookadeepbreathandlookednorthwardasifstrainingtoseethelandbeyondthehorizon.OfcourseOñatewaswellacquaintedwiththereportsfrompreviousexpeditions,whichhaddiscoverednothingofgreatvalue.HisimpressionofNewMexicohadbeenformedbythereactionofhisyouthfulimaginationtothestoriesrelatedbyhisfatherandtotheamazingaccountgivenbyCabezadeVacaofhiseight-yearodysseyinthewildsofpresent-dayTexas.

CabezadeVacawasanofficerintheNarváezexpeditionof1528,whichlostitsshipafterpenetratingintotheinteriorofFlorida.Heand241mendriftedwestwardalongtheGulfCoastincruderafts.

Eventuallytherewereonlyfoursurvivors,includingtheblackEstevanwhowasthefirstnon-IndiantosetfootinNewMexico.DuringtheirsoujourntheyheardstoriesfromthenomadicIndiansofthelandof"cities"tothenorth.Spanishimaginationwastriggeredbythevaguedescriptionsprovidedbypeoplewhohadprobablyonlyheardofthemsecondhand.ThisledtothoughtsofTenochtitlán,thefabulouscityoftheAztecs.Thenumber"seven"camefromthelegenddatingbacktothebeginningoftheeighthcenturyinSpainwhensevenbishopswererumoredtohaveescapedfromtheinvadingMoorsandfoundedsevenfabulouscitiesinAtlantis,latertheAntilles,andfinallyCíbolainNew

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Mexico.ThemythpersisteduntilthetimeofCoronado,wholaunchedanexpeditionlookingforthem.

Oñatefelt,asdidmanyotherwould-bediscoverers,thattheotherswhohadgoneintothenorthernlandshadmissedthemanyfruitstobepickedthere,eitherthroughbadluckorlackofresolve.Withboldness,determination,andabitofluckhewouldmeetwithsuccess.Hewasstartledoutofhisreveriebythevoiceofhisson,whohadwalkedupbehindhimblurting,"Esverdad?IsittruethattheviceroyisgoingtoletusgotoNewMesico?"

"Pareceque,sí,siDiosquiere[Godwilling],"donJuansmiledasheputhisarmaroundhisson.

NegotiationswithdonLuiswentwell.Theywereafterallgoingoverfamiliarground.WhatJuandeOñate,richandinfluential,wantedoutoftheexpeditionwasnotpecuniarygainsomuchasadventure,fame,andglory.Hewould,ofcourse,begovernorandcaptaingeneral,buthewishedtobenamedadelantadoforfourgenerations,andhedreamedultimatelyofbeingknightedamarquis.DonLuis,despitehisfriendshipforOñate,asaveryableviceroyknewthathisofficedemandedthatheshowacertainrestraint.TherewasafteralltheAudiencia,theCounciloftheIndies,andthekingtocontendwith."No,Juan,"heshookhishead,"governorandcaptaingeneralyes,butfourlivesasadelantado?Itisnotpossiblefornow.Perhapsaftertheexpeditionhasdemonstratedsomesuccess.

DonJuanknewtheconstraintshisfriendandprotectorfacedsoheextendedhishand.BothsmiledanddonLuischidedgoodnaturedly,"Cuatrovidas,hombre[fourlives,comeon!].Let'sgohaveadrink."

ChapterSix

Althoughhedidnotyethavethecontract,donJuanwentaboutZacatecasduringtheyear1594makingpreliminaryplansforhisgreatodyssey.Asheprogressed,hedraftedaproposalinwhichheofferedtotakeatleasttwohundredmen,"furnishedwitheverythingnecessary,provisionssufficienttoreachthesettlements,andevenmore,thisallatmycostandthatofmysoldiers,HisMajestynotbeingobligatedtopaythemwagesbesideswhatImaywillinglygivefrommyestate."

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JuanandVicentegotwordthattheirunclehadspentthenighttwoleaguesawayfromthecityandwouldbearrivingprobablylateinthemorning.Anxioustoknowtheresultsofhisvisitwiththeviceroy,theywenttohishomewherelunchwaswaitingthetravelers'arrival.AfteralltheabrazosandkissesVicente,evertheimpatientone,smiled,"Well,tío,tellusaboutit."

DonJuansmiledbackatVicente,thenturnedhisgazetotheolderbrother,"Juan,doyouwanttobemymaesedecampo?"

Juanstammered,"Well...I"

"Andyou,Vicente,willbethesargentomayor?"

Theyoungernephewansweredboldly,"Atyourorders,yourexcellency."

Nephewsandunclealllaughed,thentheyembraced,theyoungmenpledginggood,loyalservice.Vicente,stillbeaming,said,"Sabestío,Motherisnotatallenthusiasticaboutthisjourneyofours."

"Iknow,"replieddonJuan."It'sagoodthingsheisnotgoing.Imaginehowthatwouldbe."Allthreelaughed.

VicentepickedupCristóbalinhisarms,"Andwhatareyoulaughingabout?"

Cristóbalansweredinashrillvoice,"BecauseTíaisnotgoing,butfathersaysIam."

JuandeZaldívarwasnotonlytwoyearsolderthanhisbrotherandthusmoremature,hewasoppositeinpersonalityandevenphysique.HeavierandshorterthanVicente,hehadanunruffleddisposition,particularlycomparedtohisdynamic,decisive,sometimesstormyandintelligentbrother.Aschildrenandlaterasadolescents,Juan,whowasofteninvitedonshorttripsortovisittheminesbyhisfather,had

oftenbeentheobjectofhisbrother'sjealousy.Vicente,feelingleftout,turnedhisattentiontohorsemanshipandmartialactivitiesinwhichhesoonexcelled.AttheageoffifteenheinsistedonjoininganexpeditionagainsttheChichimecasbecauseseventeen-year-oldJuanwasgoingonhisfirstone.BythetimeVicentewasseventeenhehadparticipatedinthreecampaigns.Oflatethebrothers,wholongbeforehadreachedanamicablerelationship,hadbeenworkingatthemineswiththeirdistinguishedfather,whonowheldtherankofcaptaingeneral.

LaterintheafternoondonJuanwenttolookforhisfriend.Hefoundhimwheretheyhadmettwoweeksbeforesittinginapulperíawithaveryyoungwomanwho,judgingfromherattire,wasofverysimplecircumstancebutverybeautiful.Franciscopresentedherverycasually."ThisismyfriendGuadalupe;Guadalupe,donJuandeOñate."

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Thegirlwasflusteredbutsheneedn'thavebeenfor,afterdonJuannoddedquicklytoher,thetwomenturnedtheirattentiontoeachotherasifshehadnotbeenthere.

Sittingbesidehisfriend,donJuansaidwithabroadsmile,"Itlooksasifwearegoing."

"Yes,whendoyouleave?"Franciscoaskedunenthustastically.

"Idon'tknow.Wedonothavethecontractyet,onlydonLuis'sword.Doyouwanttogo?"

Franciscolookeddownathiscup,"Mewithallthosecaptainsandensigns?Youknowaboutmyproblemwithdiscipline.Remember,Iwasarrestedonce."

"Yes,butthatwaslongagowhenyouwereaveryyoungman,andthatwasforbrawling.YouperformedverywellinthosecampaignswithdonLuis.Hetoldmesohimself."

"Yes,thatwasalsoalongtimeago.Idon'tfeelsoyounganymore."

"Well,thinkitoveramigo."DonJuanarose,noddedoncemoretoGuadalupethistimemuchslowerthenturnedandleft.

ThateveningdonJuaninvitedafewfriendsandrelativestotellthemofhisgoodfortune.Hefeltexpansiveandtalkedmorethandrank.Therewasnomusicordancing,althoughtheperiodofmourningwasconsideredended,buttherewasgreatanimation.DonJuanfeltasmugsatisfactionatthethoughtofleavingthissoft,easylifeforthepurityandvigorofthefrontier.TheeveningcametoanendwithdonJuansittingaloneinthegreatroom,imagininghimselfonhorseback,straightandresoluteattheheadofhisarmyasitpenetrateddeeperanddeeperintotheunknown."Thatisthelifeforme,notthissalonwithitsfinefurnitureandsoftcarpets,"hethought.

ChapterSevenOnemoreyearhadgoneby.DonJuanwasbecomingmoreandmoreimpatientbutnotdiscouraged.Hewas,fromallindicationsthatcamebacktohimfromhisbrother,theonlyviablechoiceforthecovetedmission.Asthelongsummerended,Oñatehadcompletedallthepreliminaryworkhecouldreasonablyaccomplish.Nowitwasuptothekingtodecide.

InlateAugust1595hewasoncemoresummonedtothecapitalbytheviceroy,whohadreceivedaletterfromKingPhillipIIapproving

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donJuan'sappointment.OñatearrivedinMexicoCityinearlySeptemberwiththeproposalhehadbeenpreparingforoverayear.Forawholemonthitwasreviewedanddiscussedbytheviceroyandhisaides.Afteroneweek,DonJuanreturnedtoZacatecas,leavinghisyoungerbrother,Cristóbal,behindwithauthorizationtonegotiateforhim.Cristóbalmanagedtogetmostofwhathisbrotherwanted.Juanhadaskedforsixfriars;hewasgivenfiveandtwolaybrothers.Hewasnamedadelantadofortwolives;hehadaskedforfour.Herequestedagrantoftwentythousandpesos;hewasgivensixthousand.Ofgreatsatisfactiontohimwasthepromiseofhidalguíaforhissettlers.Theyweretobegentlemenofthekingdom.

On18September1595,thesemiannualfleetarrivedfromSpain.Sailingonthecaptaingeneral'sgalleonwhichwasthelastoneintheconvoywasthenewviceroyofNewSpain,donGaspardeZuñigayAcevedo,thecountofMonterrey.DonLuishadbeenpromotedtotheviceroyaltyofPeruonJune5,1595.AtZacatecasthewould-besettlerscoulddonothingbutawaittheoutcomeofthemeetingbetweenthetwoviceroys.

"Whatdoyouthink,uncle?"askedtheprospectivemaesedecampo."Doesthecounthavetoapprovethecontract?"

"Unfortunatelyhedoes,Juan,butdonLuishaspromisedthathewillpresentmycaseinthemostconvincingmanner.Thefinaldecision,inanycase,willbeKingPhillip's,butofcourse,thecountwillhavemuchinfluenceontheking'sdecision.AllwecandoishopethatdonLuisandthecountareofonemind."

ViceroyVelascomadeplanstomeethissuccessoratthevillageofOculma,sixleagueseastofMexicoCity.On14October,amidmuchfanfare,theymet.Velascosoonsizeduphismild-manneredcounterpartasaverycautiousandsomewhatsuspiciousmanwhowouldnotberushed.

JuandeOñate'sexpeditionwasnottheonlyonebeingnegotiated.VizcaínowasplanningoneupthecoastofCalifornia,andtheannualsupplyfleetwasabouttoleaveforthePhilippines.DonLuiswasnotconcernedaboutthelattertwo,buthewasveryanxiousaboutthecontracthehadnegotiatedwithhisfriend.

Withanexaggerateddisplayofcourtesy,thetwodiscussedthesettlementofNewMexicoforseveraldays.VelascoreiteratedseveraltimesthatOñatewasbyfarthemostqualifiedtoundertakethetaskathand."YourexcellencyhasbuttoaskthemembersoftheAudienciaorany

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ofourleadingcitizens.Youwillseeforyourself,forIhavetakenthelibertyofinvitinghimtowelcomeyou."

Severaltimesduringthemeetingthecountappearedtobeonthevergeofgivinghisconsent,butfinallyhesaid,"Yourexcellency,Ihavegreattrustinyourjudgment,butthepressofaffairsissuchthatIcannotingoodconsciencegivemyapprovaluntilIcanstudythematterafterIarriveatthecapital."

Velasco,afterfailingonseveraloccasionstoswaythecountfinallyasked,"Willtheillustriouscountagreetoissuetherequiredpatentsconditionally?IwilltakefullresponsibilityfordonJuan'sperformance."

DonGasparremainedsilentforwhatseemedtodonLuisanendlessinterval."Sobeit,butIcautionyourexcellencythatIreservetherighttomakeanychangeIdeemnecessary."

On21OctoberthepatentsappointingJuandeOñategovernorandcaptaingeneraluponestablishmentofthecolonyinNewMexicowereissued,butthecontractwasnotapproved,pendingMonterrey'sreviewofitmorecarefully.

ThenewviceroysoonthereafterwrotetothekingthathedidnothaveenoughinformationaboutJuandeOñatetodiscusshiscaseproperly,butthathewouldwritetohismajestywheneverhemadeuphismindaboutthemodificationshemightmakeinthecontract.

DonJuanwassatisfiedthatthedelaywouldbeminimal,particularlyafterreceivingananswertoaletterwrittenbyhimcongratulatingthecountonhisappointment.MonterreyexpressedregretthatVelascohadnotconcludedthematter.InasecondletterheorderedOñatetogatherhisprovisionsandammunitionintheshortesttimepossible,tellinghimthathewouldsendhimtheapprovedcontractaftermakinghismodifications.

On15DecemberdonJuan'sbrothers,CristóbalandLuis,whowererepresentinghiminthecapital,weresummonedbythesecretariodegobernaciónandpresentedwitharticlesputinbythecount.Theyconsistedofalistofinstructions,buttheywerewithoutfinalapprovalbecausetheviceroywaseithertoobusyashesaidorstallingassomeintheOñatecampthought.

DonJuandidnotwastetimeinenlistinghisfamilyandanevenlargercircleoffriendstotherecruitingeffort.TheyscatteredtovariouspartsofthekingdomincompetitionforrecruitswithareinforcementfleettothePhilippinesandwithamaritimeexpeditiontoCaliforniabySebastianVizcaíno.Therewas,however,nodearthofvolunteersfor

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newadventures.MexicoCitywasalwaysfullofhidalgosandwould-behidalgos,aswellassimplefolklookingforanewlifeordreamingoftheirgreatopportunity.Thereweresegundonesfrominfluentialfamiliesdeprivedofaninheritancebythelawsofprimogeniture.Therewerepeoplewho,havingnothinginSpain,hadmadetheirwayacrosstheoceaninthehopeofbetteringtheirlives.NewMexico,anotherMexicoCity,soundedintriguingtoall.ThenamesofCortésandPizarrowerestillfreshinpeople'smindsandweresynonymouswithsuddenwealthandfamewithinthereachofthoseboldenoughtofacetherigorsanddangersoftheunknownwhynotinlaNuevaMexico.

Byearlyfall1596,donJuan,ashepreparedtoleaveforMexicoCitytowelcomethenewviceroy,wasabletosaytohisnephewandmaesedecampo,"Itwon'tbelongnow.WealmosthavetherequisitenumberofmenandFrayRodrigoDuránhasarrivedwithhisfriars.IamhappythatFrayDiegoMárquezisamongthem.Ihaveknownhimforalongtime."

"Bien,Tío,"answeredJuan,"ItooamreadyandCristóbalismoreimpatientthananyone.TheotherdayIoverheadhimmakingaproclamationofsomekindtoimaginaryIndians.Ihopeforhissakewecanleavesoon."

"Yes,Iamimpatient,too,andyouknowIamgoingtoMexicoCitytogreetthenewviceroyandgetmyfinalinstructions,"replieddonJuan.

Thenewviceroy,hadstatedtothekinginaletterthathewouldpermitdonLuis,theoutgoingviceroywhohadbeennamedviceroyofPeru,toproceedinhisdealingswithOñate;butstillhestalled.

DonJuanwasnotidleduringthelongperiodofdoubtandwaiting.Hewentaboutorganizingtheexpeditionasifhehadaprecisedateforleavinginmind.Butnowitwasalmostayearlaterandstillno

decisionhadbeenmadeaboutlaunchingtheexpedition,whichhadgatheredontheNazasRiversomethirty-threeleaguessouthofthenorthernmostminingoutpostofSantaBárbara.

DonLuistookituponhimselftowritetothekingexpressingconcernaboutthedelay.Hepointedoutthattherainyseasonwasapproaching,andthatiftheexpeditiondidnotdepartsoonitmighthavetowaitforthenextdryseason.ThenewlyappointedgovernorofNewMexico,feelingthefrustrationofthecount'sindecision,importunedhisfriend,Velasco,whowasawaitingafleettotakehimtoPeru,onthematter.DonLuisoncemorewrotetotheking,althoughhewordedhislettersinsuchamannerastoavoidgivingtheimpressionthathewastryingtointerfere;buthe,too,wasvexedatthecount'ssuspicionofwhathadbeennegotiatedwithOñate.

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Thenewviceroy'sdoubtsgrewastimepassed.TohisotherconcernshenowaddedthefactthatOñatehadtoomanyrecruitingpartiesworkinginNewSpainincompetitionwithAdmiralOganos'slesspopularandmoredifficultexpeditiontothePhilippines.Hewantedtolimitrecruitmenttooneparty.DonJuan,however,hadalreadyenlistedclosetotherequirednumberofpeople.AddingtoOñate'sgrief,inApril1596theCounciloftheIndiesreceivedapetitionfromPedroPoncedeLeon,countofBailen,offeringtoorganizeanentradatoNewMexico.InalettertothekingthecouncilstatedthatsincethecontractwithJuandeOñatehadnotbeenputintoeffect,theexpeditioncouldbegrantedtodonPedro.

ChapterEightDuringthemonthofAprilJuandeZaldívaraccompaniedhisuncleonarecruitingtriptoNuevaGalicia."Tío,"saidJuanafteralongdayofinterviewingprospectivesettlers,"therearemanypeoplewhowouldwanttoenlist,butwhodonothavethemoneytobuytheequipmenttheyneed."

"Thatisright,"answeredOñate,"andourfundsarerunninglow.Ican'tkeepgoingbacktomyrelativestoaskformoremoney."

"No,andoursuppliesarebeingusedup.Bytheway,haveyouheardfromVicente?"askedJuan.

"Yes,Ireceivedamessagefromhim.ThestagingareasweselectedatSantaBárbaraandattheCascominearequitesatisfactory.TheNazasRiverappearstobejusttheplaceuntilwecanstartusingthem."

"Well,Ihopetheviceroymakesuphismind,"saidJuaninalowgrumblingtone.

"Itisnotjusttheviceroy,now.ItseemstheCounciloftheIndies

wantstogivethecontracttosomePoncedeLeónfromBailén,"rejoineddonJuan.

"Butwhatdoesheknowaboutthispartoftheworld?"groanedJuan.

"Listen,"replieddonJuaninanexasperatedtone,"sincewhenhasthatkeptanyonefrombeingnamedtoanimportantpost.QueenIsabelwasoneofthefewSpanishmonarchswhoeverpickedpeopleonmerit."

OnemonthaftertheoriginalendorsementofPoncedeLeónbythecouncil,thataugustbodywroteanotherlettertotheking.ItagainurgedhimtoappointthecountofBailénandaccusedOñateofmismanaging

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hisestates,owingthirtythousandpesosinbaddebts,andofholdingoffhiscreditorswithdeceit.Waggingtonguesintheviceregalcourtwerebeingheardclearlyacrosstheocean.

Oñate,althoughdiscouraged,insistedonaskingthatthepredeploymentinspectionbeheld.TheviceroyappearedtobemorereluctanttomakeadecisionthanopposedtodonJuan'sappointment.Finally,sinceitdidnotappearthatthekingwasgoingtodecideforhim,andsincehecouldnolongerputOñateoff,on6Juneheorderedthattheinspectionbegin.Forsuchataskhepickedthecaptainofhisguard,donLopedeUlloa.DonLopewasagruff,blunt,butefficientman.Suchwaspreciselythemantheviceroyneeded.Theviceroyhadnot,however,gottenoverthemanysuspicionshehadaboutJuandeOñate.InhisinstructionstoUlloaheincludedtheadmonitionthat"itisveryimportantthatthepeopletakenbydonJuandeOñatebeorderlyanddisciplined,andcausenoharm,andthattheybecorrectedandpunishediftheycauseanytrouble."

Thefirststepintheinspectionwastonameacontadorwhowouldrepresenttheviceroy.ForthistaskaveryreputablemanbythenameofGordianCassanowasnamed.AnappraiserwasalsonamedbydonJuanasleaderoftheexpedition.HischoicewasBaltasarRodríguez,whomheknewandtrusted.Togethertheymadeupalistofgoodstobetaken,alongwiththepricetheyhadpaidforthem.Thesecondtaskwastomakeanappraisalofthemedicinestobetaken.

AmonthandahalfafterthereportonthemedicalsupplieshadbeenfiledinZacatecas,theswordofDamocles,whichhadbeenhangingoverthesettlers'camp,fell.ItwasthemiddleofSeptember,andtheheatofsummerhadfinallyletupabit.Thecamphadshakenofftheindolencethathadbesetitsincemid-June.Acuriousoptimismhadbeengrowinginbothcampswhensuddenly,inthemannerofanunexpectedsummersquall,thenewsfellthattheexpeditionhadbeen

halted.

Lateintheafternoonof9September1596,attheNazascamp,UlloahimselfreaddonJuantheordersuspendingthevastenterprise.TheorderleftdonJuanstunned,deliveredasitwasjustashewaspreparingtocrosstothenorthoftheNazasRiverandproceedwiththeinspectionatCasco.Hefeltaweaknessinhisstomachthatshotdowntohislegs.DonJuanswayed,andthelieutenantgovernorandroyalensignFranciscoSosadePeñalosamadeamovetohelp;but,sensingthis,donJuanstoodstraighterandwentthroughthetraditionalformality

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oftouchingtheletterstohismouthandputtingthemoverhisheadasasignofobedience.

PoncedeLeónhadundoubtedlyreceivedinformationfromOñate'sdetractorsinNewSpain.EverythingthatdonJuanproposed,Ponceofferedtoincrease.Oñatecommittedhimselftotaketwohundredsoldiers;thecountraisedtheantebyonehundred.WhiledonJuanofferedtotake6,400headoflivestock,Ponceproposed13,900.Oñatewouldtaketwentyoxcarts,butthenoblemanfromBailénpromisedthirty.Thecountontheotherhandexactedgreaterconcessions.OnceinNewMexicohewouldbeindependentoftheviceroy'ssupervision,responsibleonlytotheCounciloftheIndiessomethingwhichhadbeendeniedtoOñate.Thesalaryofthegachupín(nativeborn)SpaniardwouldbedoublethatofthecreoleOñate.

Thatevening,feelinganeedtounloadatleastapartofhisbitterburden,hewenttoseetheroyalensignonwhomdonJuandependedformuchofhisadvice.Theensign'sfamilyleftthetentdiscreetly.''Muchasgracias,donFrancisco,IdidfeelalittlegiddyIdon'tknowwhatisgoingtohappen,"donJuansighedashesatdownheavily.

Ididn'twanttoembarrassyou,Juan,butIthoughtyouweregoingtofall,"apologizeddonFrancisco.

"Ifitwerenotforallthesepeople,"donJuansaid,wavinghisarm,"IwouldgobacktoZacatecas,maybetoSpain.IamworriedaboutCristobalillo.IhadhopedwecouldproceedandgetsettledinNewMexicosoIcouldattendtohisschooling.Idon'tworryaboutMaríabecauseIleftherwithmysister,butIdomissthelittleangel.Assoonasweestablishacapital,Ishallsendforher."

DonFranciscounderstoodbecausehehadtwosonsandonedaughterwithhimaswellasdoñaEufemia,hiswife.Theywereallgrown,tobesure,butnonethelessaheavyresponsibility.Hisdaughter,Juana,

hadmetCaptainDiegodeZubíaintheauxiliarycampofLaPuana.Theywereengagedtobemarriedafteraswiftcourtshipofonlytwomonths.Beforeheleft,donJuancautionedhislieutenantgovernornottoletthenewsofthesuspensionleakoutjustyet.

Thegeneralspentthefollowingdayinhistent,alternatelylyingdownanddozingoffintofitfulcatnapsandwritingnotes.Hedeclinedallmealsandaskedonlyforanoccasionalcupofchocolate.Duringthefollowingthreedayshehardlylefthistent.Onthethirteenthhesealedathickenvelopeandgaveittohispage.DonJuanpouredallthefeelinghehadsuppressedduringthelongyearofuncertaintyandfrustra-

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tionintothatletter.Heregrettedthatitwasnotaddressedtohisfriend,donLuis,buttothenewviceroy,apersonwhowaslittlebetterthananenigmatohim.Hefeltasifhewerewritingtoastatue,buttowhomelsecouldhedeclarehisgrievances?

YourLordship,asIwasabouttocrosstheNazasRiver,whichisthemostdifficultcrossingbeforereachingtheprovincesofNewMexico,withmostofthepeopleintheexpeditionandwithallthecattle,provisions,andnecessaryequipmentthatIamobligedtotake,donLopedeUlloahandedmetwolettersfromyourlordship,bothofthesametenor,datedthetwelfthoflastmonth,andheshowedmeacédulafromhisMajestyandtheorderissuedtodonLopebyyourLordshipinstructinghimtowarnandnotifyme,whichhedid.Thusitwasthatevenherewearepursuedbytheobstaclesandhindrancesofthedevil,astheenemyofallgoodness....

ThecontentsoftheroyalcédulaandthethreatsitcarrieshavesotouchedmyfeelingsthatIamfilledwithgriefandhaveneedofthehopeofalleviationthatyourLordshipseemstothinkwillcomeinthefleetinresponsetothecommunicationsandlettersyousentintheseconddispatchboattohisMajestyandtheRoyalCounciloftheIndies....

WhileIcannotfindwordstoexpressmygrievances,IwasoffendedevenmorebytheharshnessofyourLordship'sdecreeorderingmetoobeyandcarryoutwhatisorderedinhisMajesty'scédula.Thefactthattheywereordersfrommykingandlordwasenoughformetoobeythem,andtoplacethemovermyheadasaloyalsubject.Eventhoughsomedifficultiesmighthavebeenanticipated,thefactthatIwasappointedbyyourLordshipshouldhavebeensufficientguaranteetotrustme,andhalfalineinasimpleletterwouldhavesufficedtoovercomeanydifficultiesarisingfromthesaidcédula....

Irealize,however,thatregardlessofmyeffortsIshallnotbeabletoholdthepeopletogether.Themomenttheylearnthatachangehasbeenmade,andthattheexpeditionisbeingtakenawayfrommeandgiventoanother,notmorethantwentymenshallremain....

YourLordshipshouldalsoconsiderthat,howeverlittlethepeopleare

delayed,itwillbealongtimeifwearetowaitthearrivalofthecountofBailénwhoisseekingthecontractfortheexpedition.Evenifitwereonlyforthetimenecessarytogofrom

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VeracruztoMexico,andfromthere,afterbeingdispatchedbyyourLordship,toSántaBarbara,itwouldbenecessarytotakeallwinter,andtheexpeditioncouldnotmoveuntilspringofnextyear.Fromthis,greatharmwouldfollow,especiallytothesoulsofthepeopletherewhomightbeconvertedandsavedquicklyifitwerenotforthedelayoftheexpeditionandharmmightfollowbynotstoppingproperlythedamagecausedbyCaptainLeybaandhisfollowersintheirpenetrationofthatland....

IfGodwillsthatsomeoneshouldcomeinthefleettotakechargeoftheexpeditionandtosupersedeme,yourLordshipmayrestassuredthatneitherInoranyofmymenwilloffertheslightestresistance;onthecontrary,IwilltrytoavoiditwithallmystrengthandnotonlywillIrelinquishtheexpeditiontotheonehisMajestymayappoint,butIwillalsohandovertohimtheequipment,cattle,provisionsandothergoodsthatIhaveassembledforit....

ThehumbleservantofyourLordship,DonJuandeOñate"

ThedayafterdispatchingtheletterdonJuandidnotgetupathisusualhour.Hisblackservant,Juanillo,washesitanttowakehimupforbreakfast,forhehadseenalightinhistentuntilaverylatehour.ThatdayagainOñatehardlyventuredfromhistent.Heknewthathissoldiersandsettlersmustbeverydemoralized,becausetherumorwasalreadyworkingitswaythroughthecamps,yethedidnotknowhoworwhatheshouldtellthem.

AfterwardVicentesaidtohisuncle,"Nosé,Tío,itlooksasifwearedoomednevertoleavethiscursedriver."

"Yes,butwhatcanwedo?"countereddonJuan.Iunderstandthefleetiscominginthismonth.Maybethekingwillgrantusjustice."

"Whatarewegoingtodo?"askedthemaesedecampothateveningatdinner."Ourprovisionsarerunningverylow."

"Whatdoyousuggest,Juan?"Oñatesighed.

Idon'tknow,butwehadbetterdoitquickly.Ourpeoplearegettingverynervous,"warnedJuan.

"Yes,somehavealreadyleft,"addedVicente."Well,atleastperhapswecanroundupsomeofthelivestockwehavelost,"hesuggested.

"Andthepeople?"snappedJuan.Vicenteshookhishead.

AweeklaterCaptainGregorioCessarwithabandofhorsemensetouttolookforthethreehundredhorses,mules,andoxenthathaddis-

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appeared.Afterseveraldaystheyreturnedwithseveraloxen.DuringthesearchtheyhadpassedthroughacornerofJuanBautistadeLomas'sestate.WhentheformercontenderfortheleadershipoftheNewMexicoexpeditionheardofthis,hewasinfuriated,chargingOñatewithtrespassingonhispropertyandstealinglivestock.LomastookhiscomplainttoajudgeinNieves,asmallminingtownnearby,whodidlittlemorethanrecorditandpassonacopytothejudgesintheAudienciainGuadalajara.Theysaidnothingmorethanthattheyweregoingtosendacopytotheviceroy.Nothingmorewasheardofthis.Lomashad,afterall,beenaseriouscandidatefortheexpeditionandhadlostout.Hehadpreviously,fornoapparentreason,askedforaninjunctionagainstinjuryfromOñate.Hehadbeengrantedtheinjunction,anddonJuanhadverygraciouslyacknowledgedit.

DoñaEufemia,thefifty-six-year-oldwifeoftheroyalensign,SosadePeñalosa,hadjustreturnedfromGuadalajarawhereshehadgonetobuyagownandaccessoriesforherdaughter,Juana,whoseweddingwithCaptainDiegodeZubíawaswaitingforapropitiousplaceandmoment.Asshewasenteringhertent,Mercedes,CaptainGregorioCessar'swife,calledtoher,"Buenastardes,doñaEufemia."

"Buenastardes,"answeredthedistinguishedolderlady.AsMercedesadvancedtowardher,sheadded,"Comeinandhavearefreshmentwithme.AsyoucanseeIjustreturnedfromatrip."

Aftertheyhadexhaustedtheamenitiesoverchocolateandsweetbiscuits,Mercedesasked,"IsittruewhattheysayaboutdonJuan?"

"Idon'tknow.Whatisittheyaresaying?"countereddoñaEufemiaabitcoldly.

"ThatheowesmoneyandthatheisbeingreplacedbyacountfromSpain."

"Well,thereistalkthatthecountofBailénwantstoreplacedonJuan,

butIcan'ttellyouwhetherourleaderowesmoneyornot.Idon'tknowofanybodygoinghungryhere."

DonJuanreceivednoanswertohislong,plaintiveletter.Ashereflectedontheturnofevents,hecouldnotdecideonastrategyuntilCaptainSosadePeñalosa,towhomhedeferredasanolderandexperiencedman,suggestedthateventhoughnodecisionhadbeenmade,itwouldbebettertodemandthattheinspectionbemaderegardless.TheinspectorUlloawasstillattheNazasRiver.ThefactthattheinspectionhadbeenheldwouldaddweighttodonJuan'sposition.

AsheleftdonFrancisco'stent,thegeneral'spacequickened.Ashewalkedtowardhisquarters,eyesfixedstraightahead,hefailedtoac-

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knowledgethedeferentialgreetingsofthesoldierswhocrossedhispath.Onceinhistent,hewentstraighttohiscamptableandstartedwritingfuriouslytothenotaryandsecretaryoftheexpeditionandtodonLope,theinspector.Icallonyoutofurnishmewithanaffidavit...yourGraceisawarethatincompliancewiththecapitulationswhichImadewithhisMajestyandwithviceroydonLuisdeVelasco,IamstayingwithmyarmyatthisplacecalledCascoinNuevaVizcaya,thoughaconsiderableportionofitisatSantaBárbara.ToassembleitIhavespentlargesums...."

Thefirstletterwrittenonthe28Novemberwasfollowedbytwomore,eachstrongerintone.On9December,Ulloaagreedtoresumetheinspection,whichstartedthesamedayatCasco,whereexpeditionheadquartershadbeenestablished.

On15January,Ulloawasrecalledtothecapital.HehadbeenappointedgeneralofthePhilippinefleet.SincetheinspectionatSantaBárbaraandatsomesmallersiteshadnotbeenheld,UlloaappointedFranciscodeEsquibeltofinishthetask.On1FebruarydonJuanandtheinspectorproceededseveralleaguesfarthernorthtoSanBartolométocontinuetheinspection.TheyreturnedtoCascoforthemusterthatwasheldon17February1597.

TheinspectionrevealedthatOñatehadinallrespectsmettherequirementsofthecontract,butthisdidnotdeterUlloabeforeheleftfromissuingawarningtothegeneralnottostartoutnortomodifytheroyalcédulafromthekingpertainingtotheexpedition.Thesuccessfulconclusionoftheinspectionwasfollowedbyamildoptimisminthecamp.

Cristóbalfeltproudthathehadpassedmusteronhisownandnotasthegeneral'sson."Nowthattheyknowweareready,theywillletusgo,verdadPapá?"hesaidashelookedupfromplayingwithtoysoldiershehadreceivedasapresentseveralyearsbeforeontheday

ofthewisemen.

"Ahorasíhijo[now,yes,son],"answereddonLuistenderly.

Asthedayspassedandnowordarrived,Oñateembarkedonacampaigntoreassurehissoldiers,settlers,andtheirfamilies.Althoughhefeltfrightenedattheprospectofanoutrightrejection,henevershowedit,exceptattimestohisnephewsandtodonFrancisco.Whenaskedwhentheexpeditionwouldleave,hewouldanswer."Anydaynow.Youseetheinspectionisoverandweareready."

Attimeshewouldstopbyafamilytentandtalkwiththeyoungpeople,askingthemwhattheirplanswereoncetheyarrivedinNew

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Mexico.ThepresenceofCristóbalonsomeofthosevisitswouldreassurethemotherswhoworriedabouttheirownchildren."DonJuanalsohasachildandwithoutamothertolookoutafterhim,"somewomenwouldsaytoeachother.

CaptainCessarhadnotshakenoffthedustfromthecattleroundupwhenCaptainGascoappearedattheentrancetohistent."CapitanCessar,sepuede."

"Sí,entraLuis,"answeredtheolderman,whotriedtohidehisfatigue,"whatcanIdoforyou?"

Nothing,thankyou;Ijustwantedtotalktoyou."

"Yes?"Cessarlookedathimquizzically.

"Allthesedelaysandpeopledeserting.Doyouthinkweshalleverleave?"

"Well,rightnowitdoesn'tlooktoopromising,"answeredthestockycaptainfromCádizwiththechestnut-coloredhair.

Theyoungerred-headedcaptainshiftedhisstance."DonJuandoesn'tappearoverlyconcerned."

"Whatdoyoumean?"

"Don'tyouthinkheshouldgobeforetheAudienciaandtheviceroytoanswerthechargesthathemismanagedhisaffairsandnowdoesnothavethefundstocarrythisexpeditionoff?"

Themoreexperiencedcaptainreflectedawhilebeforeheansweredinameasuredtone."IadmitthatperhapsdonJuancoulddomoretoexpeditethisundertaking,butifIwereyou,Captain,IwouldnotquestiondonJuan'sbehaviortooclosely."

"No,Idon'tmeantocriticize.Ijustwantedtohearyouropinion."

"Myopinionisthatweshallsoonbemovingon,"answeredCessarcurtly.

ChapterNineMeanwhile,thewheeloffortunewasstillspinninginSpain.TheCounciloftheIndiesstillfavoredPoncedeLeón,butunbeknownsttothem,hisfortuneswereflagging.Firstofallhefellsick,andsincehewasnotayoungman,itwasamatterofconcern.Thenitwasrumoredthathehadaskedthekingforaloan.Thekingissuedabriefdecreetothecouncilstating:"SinceitisunderstoodthatdonPedroPonceisnotnearlyready,thathedoes

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nothavethenecessarycapital,itwillbewelltokeephimwaitingwithgoodhopes,andinthemeantimewritetotheviceroywiththeutmosttactandsecrecyinstructinghimthatifhebelievesdonJuandeOñatehasinreadinessthepeopleandotherthingsneededfortheexpedition,heshalllethimproceed,butthatifhedoesnot,heshallnotifymewithoutdelay,inorderthatafterdueconsiderationImaybeabletomakethemostsuitabledecision."

TheviceroywasbeginningtorealizethatJuandeOñatehadmanyinfluentialsupporters,suchasdonSantiagodelRiego,oídoroftheAudienciaandJuanCortés,greatgrandsonofthegreatconquistador.AsearlyasNovember1596theviceroyinachangeofhearthadrecommendedtothekingthatOñatebeallowedtoproceed,expressingfearthatthewholeenterprisewouldcollapse.HecitedthefactthattheheartoftheexpeditionlaywithOñateandhisrelativeswhohadorganizedandfinanceditineveryrespect,anddoubtedthatanyonecomingfromSpaincouldgenerateasmucheffortandenthusiasm.

Intheendthekingwasmovedbypracticalconsiderations.PoncedeLeóndidnothavethemoneyfortheenterpriseandhewasnotingoodhealth.On2Aprilthekingacknowledgedtheviceroy'sletterandauthorizedhimtoletOñateproceed.

Atthevariouscamps,theoptimismfollowingtheinspectionturnedtodespondenceasthesettlersreasoned,"Iftheywillnotletusgonowthatwehaveshownthemweareready,theywillneverletusgo."Aspeopleandfamiliesbegantodesert,themaintopicofconversationrevolvedaroundspeculationonwhowouldbenext.Someofthesettlerswouldleaveatnightabandoningtheirlivestockandmanyoftheirpossessions.

AndrésPalomohadtakenpartinraidsseekingslavesamongtheChichimecasinthenorthernmostprovinces.BartoloméGonzáleswas

returningfromthecorralinSanBartoloméaftertendingthehorseswhenPalomocalledtohim,"Bartolomé,awordwithyou."

Bartoloméwonderedwhatthegruff,huskymanwiththedeepraspingvoicewanted."Sí,senor."

"No,señorno,callmeAndrés."

Theeighteen-year-olddidnotanswerbutstoppedandlookedathimopenmouthed.

Andrés'ssmiledidnotdomuchtoalterhisvaguelymenacinglook."Bringyourfriend,Marcos,tonighttothecorral.Ihaveaninterestingpropositionforyou."

TheskywasturningadarkpurpleasAndrés,accompaniedbyan-

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otherman,approachedthetwoyoungmenwhohadansweredthesummonsofPalomo,oneofthecampbrawlers.

Palomogottothepoint."Doyoutwomenwanttomakesomemoneyandatthesametimegetawayfromthismiserablecamp?"

Thetwoyoungmen,flatteredandoverwhelmed,lookedateachotherandansweredsimply,"Sí."

Palomosmiledhishalf-menacingsmile."WearegoingtotakeseveralhorsesandgoupnorthtolookforstrayChichimecas."

"When?"askedBartolométimidly.

"Stayclosetothecampandbereadytoleaveatanytime.We'llcontactyou,"Palomoansweredasheturnedtoleave.

Thetwoyoungmenlookedateachotheragain,wide-eyed,andshruggedtheirshoulders.

"Tío,"warnedJuan,"manyofourpeoplearedeserting.Ifthiskeepsup,wewillnothaveanexpeditionleft."

Idon'tblamethemforleaving.Theirchildrenarerunningaroundlikeloosecattle.IammyselfconcernedaboutCristóbal.Hisupbringingandeducationarebeingbadlyneglected,"sigheddonJuan.

IhaveheardthattheviceroydoubtsthatPoncedeLeóncanmountanexpedition.Isittrue?"askedJuan.

"Yes,butheisnottheonetodecide.Ifonlywehadsomeonetospeakforusatthecourt,"observeddonJuanwistfully.

Towardtheendofthesummer,disputesthathadbeenbrewingamongthesixFranciscanfriarssurfacedonceagain.FriarRodrigoDurán,thecommissary,orheadofthereligiouscontingentontheexpedition,resentedtheinclusionofarepresentativeoftheInquisition,Fray

DiegoMárquez,amonghisfriars.Hehadprotestedtohissuperiors,buttonoavail.Thelongdelaysaddedtotheirlossofenthusiasm,untilonedayfriarRodrigocametodonJuantoannouncetheirdecisiontoleave.OnlyFrayDiego;FrayFranciscodeSanMiguel,thegeneral'ssixty-nine-year-oldconfessor;andFrayCristóbaldeSalazarremainedwiththeexpeditionatSanBartolomé.

Thedefectionofthefriarsapparentlyencouragedsomeofthefrustratedsoldierstomutiny.Knowingthatthiswoulddealamortalblowtotheexpedition,donJuan,uponhearingofthemutineers'plansfromoneofhispages,immediatelysummonedacouncilofwar.ThetaskofquellingtheuprisingwasgiventoJuan."Youmustputanendtothismovementbeforeitspreads.Youareauthorizedtotakeanyactionyoudeemnecessary,"donJuaninstructedthemaesedecampo.

"Whydon'tyouletmetakecareofit,"interruptedVicente.

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Juanlookedathisuncle,whoseeyesnarrowedslightly,butwhonoddedafterabriefhesitation.

"Asusordenes,migeneral[atyourorders,general],"snappedVicente.

Afterdiscussingthematterwithhisbrother,Juan,heselectedadetachmentofsoldiersandwithinanhourleftforthenorthernmostcamptoconfrontthewould-bemutineers.ThreedayslaterhearrivedatSanBartolomé,andasheapproached,therebels,whohadnotbeenforewarnedbutwhoexpectedareactionfromthegeneral,startedfortheirhorses.Thesargentomayorandhismen,whoweremountedandarmed,easilyovertookthemandsurroundedthem.WithouthesitationZaldívarpointedhisswordattheleader,AndrésPalomo,andbarkedacommand,"Offwithhishead."Theterrifiedsoldierwasledofftoasummaryexecution.Thetroopcommanderturnedhishorsearoundandwentoffinaslowtrot,confidentthattheexamplewouldhaveitseffect.

SeveraleveningslaterwhenVicentegotbacktoCasco,andnewsoftheexecutionhadspread,therewasgreatconsternationandmuchgrumblingaroundthesoldiers'campfire.DoñaEufemia,hadlongbeenwantingtoexpressherfeelingsontheunrestthatwasturningtoanarchyinthecamp.Herhusbandhadbeenopposedtosuchanaction,butonthisnightshefeltshecouldnolongerputitoff.Assheapproachedthecampfiresheshouted,"Listentome,listentome."Asthesurprisedsoldiersquieteddown,shedeclaimed,"Tellme,noblesoldiers,whereisthecouragewhichyousoprofessedwhenyouenlistedinthisnoblecause?Whydidyougivethentounderstandthatnothingcouldresistthemightofyourarmsifnowyouturnyourbackandignoblydesert?Whatexplanationhaveyouforsuchconductifyouholdyourselvesmen?

"Forshame!SucharenottheactionsofSpaniards.Eventhough

everythingelsemightbelost,thereisyetlandonthebanksofsomemightyriverwherewemayraiseagreatcityandimmortalizeournames.Tosuchaplacewecangoanditwouldbebettertodosoafterhaltingtorestthantoretraceoursteps,andincuruponourselvesandourposterityastigmawhichcouldneverbeerased."

Cristóbal,whohadoverheadaconversationbetweendonJuanandVicenteaboutPalomo'sbeheading,toldhisfriend,PacoCessaraboutit."Thebadsoldierhadhisheadcutoff.I'mafraiditcouldhappentousortomyfather."

Hisfriendstaredathiminterrifieddisbelief.

ThefollowingdaydonJuancalledforaconsultationwithhisstaff.

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"Gentlemen,"hebegan,"thetragiceventsofthelastfewdaysareacalltoactionifwearetosavethisexpedition.Theredoesnotappeartobemuchhope,butwhatcanwedobutpersevere?ItdoesappearthatPonceisnolongerunderconsideration.Moreover,theviceroyisnowonourside,sothatitisprobablyjustamatteroftime."

"Yes,buthowlongcanthepeopleholdout,"interruptedthetreasurer,CaptainGasco.

"ThatispreciselywhatIwishtodiscusstoday.ThiscamphasbecomeanightmaretomanyandSanBartoloméiswithoutleadership.Wehavetomoveinordertoconsolidatethecamp."

"Butwon'tthatbeconstruedasdisobedienceifwestartnorthwardagain?"askedCaptainSosadePeñalosa.

"Perhaps,"interjectedVicente,"butweshallbeagainencampedwhentheyfindout."

On1August1597thedispiritedarmygathereditslivestock,loadeditsdepletedsupplies,andheadedforSanBartolomé,twenty-eightleaguesawayonthenorthernsideoftheRíoNazas.Afterthenoveltyofthemovehadwornoff,onceagainthecampsettledintoforlorndejection.

Inthelatesummerof1597Oñatehadstoppedmakingtheroundsofthecamps.Itwasasifnowtherewaslittlemorehecoulddo.Heknewthatiftheydidnotreceivegoodnewsbytheonsetofwinter,whatwasleftofhisforcewouldfinallydisintegrate.Thelethargyhewasfeelingpermeatedthewholecamp,whichwasquietandlistlesslybroilinginthesun.Onlythedroneofthefliesbrokethestiflingsilence.DonJuan,lyingonhiscot,lapsedintoafitfulsleepoftroubleddreams.Hedreamedtheexpeditionwasdeparting.Hewasattherearofthecolumntryingtogethisgeartogether.Hehadnotbeenreadywhenitwaspickedupearlier,andnowthehostwasleaving

himbehind.

"DonJuan,donJuan,"heheardabovethedinofthecreakingwheelsandneighinghorses.Heawakenedwithastart.Itwashispage,JorgedeZumaya,standingatthedoortothetent."DonJuan,amessengerisherewithaletterfromtheviceroy."

DonJuangotup,wenttothewashbasin,anddousedhisthinninghairwithhishands,thensteppedouttoreceivethemessage.Hisfaceflushedasheread,andhereeledslightly.Holdingtheletterinhisrighthandhelethisarmdropandhestaredstraightaheadforamoment."Porfin,thanksbetoGod,"hemuttered.

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ChapterTenThatnightafterhehadannouncedtothecampthattheywerefinallyauthorizedtomaketheirdeparture,therewasnojubilationamongthesettlers.Somehadalreadymadeuptheirmindstoleavetheexpedition.Othersdidnotknowwhattothink;buttomostgoingtoNewMexiconolongerheldanyfascination.ToastsweremadeanddonJuanwascongratulatedbuttherewerefewsmiles.TheonlyoneswhoappeareddelightedwereCristóbalandhislittlefriends.TothemthetrektoNewMexicostillpromisedtobeanexcitingadventure.

Theviceroy,consciousoftheravagesthemanydelayscouldhavecausedtheexpedition,wouldnotconsenttoletitleavewithoutanotherinspection.ForthattaskhenamedJuanFríasdeSalazar,assuringthekingthathewasamanofintegritywhowouldgivefullsatisfactioninthisoranymatter.

On17November1597,FríassummonedOñatetobreakcampandproceedtoalocationdesignatedbytheinspector.Oñaterefusedtomove,sayingitwouldbeaterribleinconveniencetocollectthewholeexpedition,moveout,andthenstoptounloadeverything.Hewantedtohavetheinspectionatthesiteswheretheywerealreadycamped,atSanBartoloméwhereheadquartershadbeenestablished,Casco,LaPuana,andSantaBárbara.

Onthenightof1December,Jorgecametothecommander'stent,sayingthatamanbythenameofFranciscoLópezhadjustarrivedonhorsebackandhadaskedtoseehisgrace.Thegeneralputonhisvesthurriedlyandrushedoutofthetent.''Francisco,amigo,whatareyoudoinginthishellhole?"heblurtedashegavehimanabrazo.

"Icametojoinyou,Juan,Imeanyourexcellency,"hecorrectedhimself.

"Truly,youwanttogotoNewMexicowithme?"

"Certainly,hereyouhavemewithmyhorse.Iamahorseman,agentlemanasyoucansee,joiningyouasdidthosewhojoinedGarciFernandezcenturiesagoinCastilla."

"Andyoushallbenamedhidalgo,too,"laugheddonJuan."ThisisthefirstreallygoodnewsIhavehadinmonths,Captain."

"Captain?"Franciscorepeatedquizzically.

"Yes,oneofmycaptainsleftyesterday.Hedidnotshowupforthereview.Youshalltakehisplace,"answereddonJuanasheembracedhisfriendagain.

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"ButwhereisGuadalupe?"hecontinued.

Franciscoshruggedhisshoulders,"BackinZacatecas,Iguess."

"Youguess,"smileddonJuan.Ithoughtyouwereinlovewithher."

"Iwas,andperhapsIstillam,"hefrownedslightly,"butIdidnotcomeheretosetupafamilyhome."

DonJuanputhisarmaroundhim."Well,youareheremyfriendandIamglad."

On8December1597,almostamonthfromthetimeofthefirstsummons,GeneralOñateorderedhisexpeditiontomoveout.On21DecemberthenotaryoftheexpeditionreceivedtheordertonotifyOñatethattheinspectionwouldbeginthefollowingday,andthesitechosenwasattheSanGerónimoRiver,neartheminesofTodoslosSantosinthevalleyofSanGregorio,provinceofSantaBárbara.

Theexpeditionwasshortoflivestockfromwhathadbeencontracted.Someitemssuchasshortnailswerenotlistedinthecontract.Thenailswerecountedat13,500.Thiswasdonebyplacingonethousandnailsinadishofabalancescaleandfillingtheotherdishwiththesameweight.Theywerevaluedat135pesos.Anotheritemnotinthecontractwasfourbarrelsofwine.Theinspectorwantedthebarrelstappedtoseeiftheyreallycontainedwine,butthenotarytookCaptainVillagrá'swordthattheydid.Thereweresomesuppliesfortheladies,too,includingAnjoucloth,petticoats,Hollandcloth,blacktaffeta,Londoncloth,andevenblackChinesedamask.

Medicinesandmedicalsupplieshadnotbeenoverlooked,fromsyringesandlancetstogreenointment,whiteointment,laxatives,sulphur,rosewaterandalum;neitherhadthearticlesforbarter,intheformofglassbeads,mirrors,combs,andhawk'sbells.Foodwouldbemainlyonthehoofalthoughsuchstaplesasflour,sugar,andchocolate

werelistedaswereotheritemsindispensabletoanarmy,suchaslances,halberds,harquebuses,swords,andcorselets.

Thesoldierswereeachrequiredtodeclarewhattheyweretaking.Thisconsistedmainlyofarms,saddles,andotheressentialequipment.CaptainMarcosFarfándelosGodoslistedcompletearmorofcuisse,beaver,helmet,strongbuckskinjacket,oneharquebus,asword,adagger,andonehalberd.

CaptainLuisGascodeVelascolistedthefollowingitems:onecartwithoxen,tenhorsesforcavalry,oneharquebus,onecoatofmail,onesword,onegildeddagger,onehelmetandbeaver,somecuissesofmail,horsearmor,twosaddlesonejineta,oneforbridlethreebridlesandthreepairofspurs.

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CaptainGerónimoMárquezlistedhisbelongingsasonecartandoxen,thirtytamecows,thirty-fivehorses,onecoatofmail,beaverandcuisse,horsearmor,twoharquebuses,twojinetasaddlesandoneestradiota,onelance,sixplowshares,fouraxes,andsomeironhoopsandtenironwheelrims.

InhisdeclarationhecomplainedthatwhenheleftMichoacan,hehadbroughtthirtyequippedmenandeightyhorses,butthatbecauseofthedelays,hispeoplehadscatteredandthatmostofhisgoodswerestolen,consumed,orlost.Hestillhad,hedeclared,mostofthetoolsheneededtoworktheland,andfourboysandagirltousethem.

Thateveningasagroupofmenwerechattingaroundacampfire,CaptainGascocameupandsatbesideCaptainMárquez."Iseeyouaretakingsomeformidableweaponsfortheconquestplowshares."

Márquezturnedtohimwithasmile."Wecanalwaysplowundertheoneswekill."

Gascolaughed,andthensaiddrily,Iamnotgoingtoworkthelandwithmyhands."

Márquezcontinuedsmiling."MaybeIcanplantenoughforbothofus."

Theexpeditionwasfoundtobeseventy-onesoldiersshortofthetwohundredOñatehadagreedtotake.DonJuanappealedforhelponceagaintohiscousin,doñaAnadeZaldívarandherhusband,JuanGuerra,whowereownersoftherichminesatAvirointhenorthernfrontier.Therichcoupleagreedwithouthesitation.Inadocumentissued27January1598,theystated,"Wepledgeourselvestomakeupatourexpenseanyandallrequirementsimposeduponusbytheviceroy,countofMonterrey,tocompletethedeficienciesthatJuandeFríasSalazar,commissarygeneral,mayhavefoundintheinspectionandmaydemandtobefilled."TheirinterestinhelpingdonJuanwas

reinforcedbythefactthattheirsixteen-year-oldsonJuanhadenlistedintheexpeditionasasoldier.

ThemainpartoftheinspectiontookplaceatthearroyoofSanGerónimo,whichlayafewleaguestothenorthofSanBartolomé.Itlastedfrom22January1598tothetwenty-sixthofthesamemonth.SinceFríasSalazarinsistedoncontinuingtheinspectionenroute,onthetwenty-sixththeexpeditionsetout,stoppingattheTodoslasSantosmines.

Thirty-six-year-oldCaptainDiegodeZubíahadbeenraisedinthenorthernfrontierofNuevaGalicia.ThescaronhisforeheadattestedtomanyaskirmishwiththeChichimecas.Tomorrowhewasgetting

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married.TheprimitivevillageofTodoslasSantoshadthelastchurchontheendlessdesertplaintothenorth.

Tonightwashislastnightasabachelor,andhewashavingafewdrinkswithCaptainsPablodeAguilarandAlonsodeSosa."Señorprocurador,bytomorrowatthistimeyouwillbeenjoyingthenuptialbed,"laughedPablo.

"Youtwohavebeenenjoyingitforsometime,tellmeaboutit,"chuckledDiego.

"Yes,andPablohereleftoneofthemostbeautifulwomeninNewSpaintocomeonthishorribleexpedition,"saidAlonsoaffectingagrimace.

"Whatissohorribleaboutit?"askedthedarklyhandsomeAguilar.

Sosa'sfacewentfromashamscowltoagenuinesourlook."Well,itmightnotbesobadifwehadarealleader."

Aguilarchided,"Becareful.Youarespeakinginthepresenceofthepurveyorgeneral."

"ExceptthatthepurveyoragreeswithAlonso,"halfsmiledDiego.

Thesunwasjuststartingtoshowasthesmallweddingparty,ledbytheroyalensignwhoescortedhiscomelyauburn-haireddaughter,Juana,enteredthefrontdoorofthediminutivechurch.DoñaEufemiafollowedwithherolderchildren.FromasidedoorenteredCaptainZubía,escortedbyhisfriendandcousin,CaptainSosa.DonJuanwasoneofthelasttoenter;hetookaseatattherearofthechurch.

Thedayfollowingthewedding,themassofwagons,people,andlivestockoncemorespreadacrosstheflatcountrysideliketheshadowofacloudslowlymovingontoplacesthatweregivennameswhenthestopwasrecorded.TheystoppedatOjodeAguaHonda,Amosso

Arroyo,arrivingfinallyattheRiodelasConchason20January.

SincetheSpaniardshadapracticeofcrossingariverbeforemakingcamp,theydidsoimmediatelyuponarrival.Oñate,sensingareluctancebyhissoldierstocrosstherushingwaters,mountedachargeranddashedacrossshouting,"Followme."Hecrossedback,themoretoimpressthetimid.

Whenitcametimetocrossthesheep,somebecamewaterloggedbecauseoftheirthickwool.Thegeneralorderedapontoonbridgemadeofwagonwheelssecuredbyropesandcoveredwithlogsmadefromfelledtreesandleveledwithearth.Afterthesheephadcrossedsafely,Oñateorderedthebridgedestroyedasasecuritymeasure.

ThefollowingmorningtheinspectordepartedforMexicoCity

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withoutasmuchasawordofencouragementorfarewell.WhentheannouncementwasmadethatFríasdeSalazarhadleft,agreatcheerwentup,whichthecrabbybutdedicatedoldminermusthaveheardasheheadedbacktocivilization.

ChapterElevenOn7February,thearmyfinallystartedoutforthemythicalNorthwithdonJuandeOñate,andonlyhe,incommand.Singingbrokeoutasthewagonscreakedtoastartonthatmomentousday.Childrenranalongsideshrieking.Onehundredtwenty-nineSpanishsoldiersandtheirfamilies,accompaniedbymorethanonehundredIndianswhocamealongasservantsandlivestockdrivers,werebreakingtheirbondwiththepastandheadingouttoanuncertainfutureinanunfathomedland.Womenridinginthecartsmusthaveshiveredatthethoughtthatthestirringbutdreadedhourhadarrived.Mothersnodoubtheldtheirinfantchildrenalittlecloserastheordertostartwasgiven.

Therewasstillafeelingofelationwhencampwasmadethefirstnight.ItwasonlythreeleaguesbeyondtheConchasRiver,butthesettlers,whohadbeenwaitingforalmosttwoyears,feltasifagreatbarrierhadbeencrossedandthattheywerenowoutofreach.JuandeOñatewenttoseveraltentsandgatheringstothankhispeoplefortheirsteadfastness.HeespeciallythankeddoñaEufemiaforherencouragementofthedisgruntledsoldiersbackatCasco.DonFranciscogotupfromhischairasheheardhiswifegreetthegeneral."Buenastardes,donJuan,nowwearefinallyfreeofthebureaucrats,"shegreetedthegeneral.

"Yes,thankGod,"answereddonJuan."Ah,donFrancisco,"heinterruptedhimselfashesawthelieutenantgovernorgettingup,

"Pleasedon'tgetup."

DonFranciscostoodandgesturedtoachairsaying,"Porfavor."

"NowitisinthehandsofourLord,"ventureddonJuan.

"Andhehasplacedthisgreatventureinyourhandsandweshallallhelpyou,"donFranciscoaddedgently.

"Gracias,donFrancisco.IthasbeenaterribletimeforallofusandIamindeedgratefultoyou,donaEufemia,andalltheloyalpeoplein

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theexpedition.Ihopethefrustrationsandhardshipshadapurpose.Maybeourtrialsstrengthenedusandbroughtusclosertogether,"sigheddonJuan.

FromtheSosadePeñalosatent,donJuanwenttothatofhisfriend,Francisco,whowaslivinginonegiventohimbythegeneral."Entresuexcelencia,"greetedFrancisco,asdonJuanapproachedhistent.

"Francisco,whenwearealone,pleasecallmeJuan,"remonstratedthegeneral.

"Eitherwaynowseemsdifficulttome,"counteredFrancisco.

"Well,whatdoyouthink?"askeddonJuan.

"ItisnotlikethecampaignswithdonLuis,withallthesewomenandchildrenaround,"answeredFranciscoglumly.

"Well,youmustrememberthisisnotamilitarycampaign.WearegoingtoNewMexicoassettlersandtochristianizeIndians,nottofightthem,"admonisheddonJuan.

"Well,Idon'tsupposetheywilljustwelcomeuswithopenarms,"blurtedFrancisco,eyesflashing.

"Thatisourhope,"replieddonJuansoftly.

"Whatdoesonedohereatnight,"askedFranciscosmiling.

"Restupforthefollowingday,"donJuananswered,smilingback.

"Willyouhaveadrink?"askedFranciscoashestartedtoturntowardacamptablewithabottleonit.

"No,gracias,"declineddonJuan."Iamtired,andmybedcalls.Hastamañana,amigo."

Onthewaytohistentthegeneralheardlaughingandshoutingbya

bigcampfire.Asheapproached,hecouldheartwoservantsholdingamockinspection."Yestoquées?[andwhatisthis?]"saidoneinmockseriousness.

"Itisasword,"answeredtheother,holdingastick.

"Andwhatisitfor?"

"Itisforstickingpigs;andforthrashingyou,youscoundrelwhowon'tletusgo."Thesoldierswereroaring.DonJuanlaughedandshookhisheadashewenton.

On10February,thearmyarrivedattheSanPedroRiver,ascantnineleaguesnorthoftheConchasRiver.Becausetheexpeditionhadtowaitforthefriars,thegeneralcalledforahalt.WiththeexceptionoffrayFranciscodeSanMiguelandfrayCristóbaldeSalazar,Oñate'scousin,theoriginalfriarsassignedtotheexpeditionhadtiredofwaitingandhadabandonedtheenterprise.CaptainFarfánhadbeenassignedthetaskofescortingtheinspectorbackandofbringingfray

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AlonzoMartínez,thecommissary,orfriarincharge,andhisfivenewmissionariesandtwolaybrotherstotheexpedition.

ThedayafterarrivingattheSanPedroRiver,thegeneralcalledacouncilofhisofficials.Presentwerethemaesedecampo,thesargentomayor,thetesorero,andthealferezreal."Caballeros,"startedOñate,Idonotknowhowlongweshallhavetowaithereforthefriars,butthispausegivesusanopportunitytodosomeplanning.Youallknowthattheinterminabledelaycausedmostofustoloselivestockandsupplies,andthiswaitingforthefriarswillnothelpmattersanysuggestions?"

"Well,Idon'tknowwhatwecandoaboutlivestockandsupplies,butitseemsobviousthatweshouldproceedasfastaswecantoourdestination,"offeredSosadePeñalosa."DoñaEufemiaandIarefranklyworriedabouthavingenoughtofeedourfamily."

"Whatcanwedo?"askedJuandeZaldívar,thearmycommander."Wecan'ttravelmorethanthreeorfourleaguesadaymoreorless."

"Maybewecanfindashortcut,"suggestedVicente,thetroopcommander."TheEspejoexpeditiontraveledalongtheConchastotheconfluencewiththeRíodelNorte,thennortheastwardtoapointwherethenorthernriverturnsalmostduenorth.Whycan'twegostraighttothatpoint?"

"Thatwouldbedangerous,"suggestedGascodeVelasco,thetreasurer."Wewouldbetakingagreatriskofrunningoutofwater."

"Orevenofgettinglost,"addedthemaesedecampo.

"Tío,pardon,yourexcellency,"interruptedVicente."Oneofuscouldtakeasmallforceandfindtheway."

"Ishallgo,"blurtedJuandeZaldívar.

"No,Juan,Ineedyouhere,saiddonJuancalmly."AndbesidesImustreflectonthis."

Thenextdaythegeneralhadlunchwithhistwonephews.Beforetheybegantoeat,Oñatesaid,"Juan,IhavedecidedtosendVicenteupahead.Howlongdoyouthinkitwilltakehim?"

"Well,"answeredJuan,"theconfluenceisaboutthirty-fiveleaguesfromhere,andaccordingtoSanManuel,whowaswithEspejo,itisaboutfiftyleaguesstraighttowheretheriverheadsduenorth.Asmallpartyonhorsebackshouldmakeitthereandbackinthreeweeksorless."

"Thatisalongtime,butthenwedon'tknowhowmuchlongerwehavetowaitforthefriars,"musedOñate.

"Well,Tío,askedVicente,"whendoIsetout?"

"Tomorrow,ifyoucan.Ifwearegoingtodoit,wecan'twait."

ThatafternoonVicentewasbusyselectinghiscompanionsandpack-

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inghissupplies.Thefollowingdaybrokewithhigh,redcloudsstreakingacrossthesky.Thesunshonewanlythroughthemasifwarningofanimpendingstorm.Vicente,nevertheless,wasinhighspirits,forhewasembarkingonhisfirstmissionassargentomayor.Hewasaccompaniedbyseventeensoldierseach,withanextrahorsecarryingarmsandprovisions,andthreeIndianguides.CrossingtheSanPedroRiver,theyheadednorthwestalongagreatdryplainwithoutmanylandmarks.Theguideswhohadprofessedtoknowtheterritorysoonlosttheirbearings,andthepartybecamelost.

Thesargentomayor,determinedtoaccomplishhismission,pushedonwithouthavingapreciseideaofwheretheyweregoing.Afterseveraldaystheysightedacampfire.Approachingitcautiously,theycameuponasmallgroupofIndians.Intheirfirstencounterwiththenomadicinhabitantsbeyondthenorthernfrontier,theycapturedfourofthemwithoutastruggle;theypromisedtosetthemfreeiftheywouldguidethemtotheRíodelNorte.Thestartleddesertrovers,oncetheygotovertheirfright,acquiesced.Enroutetheyenduredthreedayswithoutwateruntiltheydiscoveredaspring.Astheynearedtheirdestination,theirfoodsupplybecamesodepletedthatuponarrivingattherivertheywereobligedtokilloneoftheirhorses,whichprovidedthemwithawelcomefeast.

Onthewaybacktothearmy,theydidnotfaremuchbetter.Thegeneral,worriedabouttheirdelayinreturning,dispatchedhisfriend,Francisco,alongwithCaptainVillagráandasmallgrouptolookforthem.AfterajourneyoftendaystherescuepartymetupwithZaldívarandhissoldiers,whowereonceagainwithoutwaterandfood.

Afteramonth'sabsencethetroopcommanderandhisrescuersreturnedtothecampattheSanPedroRiver,havingbeeninitiatedintotherigorsofthegreatnortherndesert,butarmedwiththeinformation

thatwouldgettheexpeditiontothebigriver.

Thegeneralmeanwhilehadwordthatthereplacementsforthedefectingfriarswereontheirwaytojoinupwithhim.ThepresenceoffrayDiegoMárquez,representativeoftheInquisition,hadbeenprotestedtotheorderofSanFrancisco;aftermanycomplaintsbythecommissary,FatherDurán,hehadbeenrecalledfromtheRíoConchas.AsCaptainFarfánapproachedtheSanPedrocampwiththenewfriars,thegeneralassembledhisentirearmytogreetthem.Hedismountedastheyapproached,andwhenthenewfathercommissarydismountedalso,donJuankneltononekneebeforehim.FrayAlonzodeMartínezbowedandofferedhishand.Astheyembracedagreatcheer

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wentup.Theceremonywasfollowedbyabanquetundersomeshadytrees.ThenewfriarsaccompanyingthefathercommissarywereFathersAndrésCorchado,JuanClaros,AlonsodeLugo,JuandeRozas,FranciscodeZamora,twolaybrothers,PedrodeVergaraandJuandeSanBuenaventuraandthreeIndiandonados,layassistantJuandeDios,Francisco,andMartín.

ChapterTwelveNowthattheexpeditionwasintact,andaroutehadbeendiscoveredtothegreatRíodelNorte,thetimehadcomeforthefinalpush.Onthetenth,afteraMasscelebratedbythecommissary,Oñate'smassivearmyofmenandlivestockbegantospreadacrosstheplain.OnthetwelfthitreachedtheNombredeDiosRiver.Acampwasestablishedonthefourteenthatanoakgrovefartheruptheriver.Thearmystayedfourdaysatthiscamppermittingthesargentomayorandhispartytorestfromtheordealofthepastmonth.

Onthe19MarchtheyreachedasitegiventhenameofAguadeSanJoseph.BecausethefollowingdaywasthedayoftheBlessedSacrament,thegeneralorderedachapelbuiltinitshonor.ThroughoutthedayofthetwentieththepeopleoftheexpeditioncametoprayforprotectionandforhelpintakingtheholyfaithtoNewMexico.CaptainVillagráwastowritelaterthatmanyofthemen,includingthegeneral,scourgedthemselvesthatday.Bethatasitmay,theywereallabletoridethreeleaguesthefollowingdayandanotherthreethedayafterthat,arrivingatagrovenearawaterspout.TheplacewasnamedResurrection,forthefollowingdaywasEasterSunday.TheLentenseasonwasnowoverandoptimismwasrekindledasthedaywasspentrestingandrejoicing.

OnEasterMondaytheexpeditionmovedoutwithrenewedresolve.

HolyWeek,theweekofpenanceandreflectionwasnowbehindthem.Thejoyfuldayhadcomeandtodaywasasthebeginningofanewcycle.Onceagainthesargentomayorwassentaheadtoscoutatrailforthehost,whoremainedcloselybehind.

On1Apriltheexpeditionlumberedforseveralleagueswithoutencounteringatraceofwater.Everydaythelandseemedtogetmorearid.Thewindwasblowingunmercifully,contributingtothedehydrationthatwasslowlysettinginonmanandbeast.AsdonJuanstartedto

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drinkthelastofthewaterinhiscanteen,hehesitated.Afewminuteslaterhereinedhishorseinslightlytoslowitspace.AsCristóbalcamealongsidehimheaskedhimifhehadsomewater.Cristóbalanswered,"No,papá,butIamnotthirsty."

DonJuantooktheboy'scanteenandpouredhiswaterintoit.Cristóbaldidnotquestionhisfather'saction,butonlysmiledasdonJuanpattedhimontheback.Asnightapproachedthearmycametoahalt.Thewindhadpickedupandtheskiesdarkened.Suddenlythegroundwasdottedwithpuffsofdustashugedropsofrainbegantofall.Soonitwasacloudburstofmajorproportions.Largepoolswereformed,andmenandbeastsdranktheirfill.FrayAlonsosuggestedtothegeneralthattheplacebenamedSocorrodelCielotocommemoratethemiraculousreliefthatfellfromthesky.

Revivedandreanimatedbythe"miraculousrain,"thearmytraveledfortwodaysuntilitreachedtheRíodelaMentira.CaptainFarfándelosGodossuggestedthenamebecauseofthemendaciouscharacterofthedesertriver.Hesaidithadeverythingarivershouldhaveexceptwater.

AtthebeginningofthesanddunesapproximatelysixleaguesfromtheRíodelNorte,wateronceagainbecamescarceandthelivestockhadtobedriveninhasteallthewaytotheriver.Forthepeople,ahaltwascalledatthedunestopermitstragglerstocatchup.AnIndianboywasburiedduringthisseven-daystoporderedbythegeneralinpreparationforthefinalcrossingintoNewMexico.Theburialwasattendedbytheboy'simmediatefamily,thewomeninthefamilyhismotherserved,andbydoñaEufemia.

Thedayafterleavingtheweeklongencampmenttheexpeditionstruggledthroughthesanddunesandspentthenightwithoutwater.Thefollowingdaywashotfortheseason,andthewindblewallday.Therewasnowateruntiltheriverwasreachedatsundownonthe

twentieth.Thosewhowereonhorsebackdrovetheirhorsesintotheriver.Thewomenandchildrentookofftheirshoesandshoutedgleefullyastheysplashedanddrankatthebanksofthemightyriver.

Thatnightthesoldierslitabonfire,thewomenandchildrencaughtfish,andeverybodyfeasted.Itwasgettingdark,andtheglowofthefirewasblendingwiththelightofdaywhendonJuanspoketohispeopleinkindly,praisingtonesrecountingthehardshipstheyhadbeenthrough.Hehadparticularlytenderwordsforthewomenandchildrenwhohadendureddayswithoutdrinkandsufficientsustenance.Heremindedthemofthemiraculousshowerthathadsuccoredthemwhen

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theyneededit.Heretheyremainedsevendaysresting,repairingwagonsandequipment,andplanningthefinalentradaintothelandofthepueblostothenorth.

Onthetwentieth-sixth,forthefirsttimesinceEasterSunday,theentirearmywastogetherinoneplace.''Whenareyougoingtotakepossession,Uncle?"askedJuandeZaldívarthateveningasheandCaptainFarfánsataroundthecampfirechattingwiththegeneral.

"IwasthinkingIwoulddelayituntilweknowabitmoreaboutthiscountry,"answeredthecommander."Weshallsoonbegoingfurtheruptheriver.CaptainAguilarisleavingtomorrowtoreconnoiter,"addedthegeneral.

"Iwouldliketopresentalittleplayonthatday,"interjectedCaptainFarfán."Itwouldcommemoratethetrialsandsacrificesofthosewhocamebeforeus."

"Thatwouldbeagoodidea,"smileddonJuan."MaybewecanhavetheceremonyonAscensionDay."

TheexpeditiontraveledslowlyuptheriverastheyawaitedtrailinformationfromCaptainAguilar.Onthetwenty-ninththegeneraldecidedthathewouldnotwaitforhimanylongerandhewouldholdtheceremonythenextday,foritwasAscensionDay.Achapelforthepurposewasbuiltintheformofabowerinashadygrove.On30April1598,aftersolemnMass,theentirearmydrewupinformation.Firstcameafanfarefromthetrumpets,andthenthegeneralbeganalongspeech."InthenameofthemostHolyTrinityandoftheeternalUnity,Deity,andMajesty,GodtheFather,andSon,andtheHolyGhost."Hefinished,"InthenameofthemostChristianking,donFelipe,ourlord,thedefenderandprotectoroftheHolyChurch,anditstrueson,andinthenameoftheCrownofCastile,andofthekingsthatfromitsgloriousprogenymayreignthereinandformysaid

government,Itakepossessiononce,twice,andthrice,andallthetimesIcanandmust,oftheactualjurisdiction,civilaswellascriminal,ofthelandsofthesaidRiodelNortewithoutexceptionwhatsoever,withallitsmeadowsandpasturegroundsandpasses.Andthispossessionistoincludeallotherlands,pueblos,cities,villasofwhatsoevernaturenowfoundedinthekingdomandprovinceofNewMexicoandalltheneighboringandadjoininglandsthereto."

Whenthegovernorendedhispronouncement,thetrumpetsblastedanotherfanfareandtheharquebusiersfiredasaluteasthegeneralsetinplacetheroyalstandard.Theactofpossessionwassignedbythegeneralandhisofficersandbyallthefriarspresent.Thustheimmea-

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surableexpanseoflandbeyondthenorthernorwildriverlatertobeknownasthebigriverbecameofficiallyapartofthelargestempiretheworldhadeverknown.

AftertheceremonyFranciscoaskedthegovernor,"HowfardoesthisotherMexicanKingdomextend?"

DonJuanarchedhiseyebrows,"Whoknows?NorthtotheicyStraitsofAnian,westtotheSouthernSea,andeasttotheAtlanticOcean."

Franciscoarchedhisowneyebrowsandsmiled.

Noneofthepreviousinhabitantshadeverpretendedtoexercisesovereigntyoversuchamightycontinent,ifindeedtheycouldvisualizeitasone.Sometwentytotwenty-fivethousandyearsbeforetheCastiliannavigatorofItaliandescenthadmadehisfirstlandfallonthisnewworld,nomadicAsiaticshadstartedwanderingacrossthelandbridgeexposedbytherecedingfrozenwatersofthelatesticeage.Twelveorfifteenthousandyearsofperegrinationhadbroughtthemtothesamelandthesmallbandofonlyslightlylessbewilderedsettlerswerenowstartingtopenetrate.

CabezadeVaca,whoroamedthewildsofTejaterritory,althoughhecalledattentiontothelandofpeoplewholivedinmultistoriedhouses,didnotgiveitanamewhenhepassedjustsouthofit.ItwasJuandeIbarraexplorer,founder,anddeveloperofnorthernNewSpain,whorangedovermodernSonoraandthesouthernextremityofthelandthathadfirstbeencalledCíbolawhoreferredtoitasapossiblereplicationoftheAztecempire,anotherMexicounaNuevaMexico.

FollowingtheMass,thedramawrittenbyCaptainFarfánwasenacted.ItwaswithgreatemotionthatsomeofthesoldiersplayedthepartofthefriarsandothersthatofIndianscominghumblyandkneelingbeforetheprieststobereceivedintotheholyfaith.

Aftertheceremony,thearmyfeastedonfishandbeef,eatingtheheartiestmealsincedepartingtheNazasRiver.Thegovernor,stillflushedwiththeheadyeventsoftheday,whichhadtransformedhimfromaleaderofanexpeditiontoagovernorandcaptaingeneral,smiledasheaskedhisfriendFrancisco,"Whatdoyouthinkofallthis?"

Francisco,whowassittingnonchalantlybythefirestaringatthestarrysky,startedtogetup,butdonJuanputhishandonhisshoulderbeforesittingdownbesidehisfriend."Itisn'tthecampaignswithdonLuis,"smiledFrancisco."NohayChichimecas[TherearenoChichimecas]."

"No,Francisco,theseIndiansarenotwild.TheyaregentleIndiansasyouwillsee."

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"Thenwhydidyoubringanarmy."

"Well,oneneverknows;butwedidnotcometoconquer,onlytotakepossessionpeacefullyandtospreadthefaith,"answereddonJuan.

"Doyouthinkyouwillfindanythingofvalue?"askedFranciscoinadoubtingtone.

"Yes,Ithinkso,"retorteddonJuan."Ifnotgoldinthestreets,perhapsminessuchaswefoundinZacatecasandotherplaces."

"ButyouhadminesinZacatecas,"counteredFrancisco.

"Yes,butIwasnotgovernorofakingdom.HereIshallbe,andperhapsevenmarquis,"donJuanansweredwithahintofhaughtiness.

"Well,Ihopeyoufindwhatyouarelookingfor,"saidFranciscoinafallingvoice.

"Ytú,Francisco,whatdoyouwantoutofallthis?Youcanhaveanencomiendayouknow,"saiddonJuansolicitously.

"No,Icameoutofcuriosity.Zacatecaswasgettingmedown.Idon'tknowwhatIwant."

ChapterThirteenThefollowingmorningthesunbrokeonahorizontintedwiththinredclouds.Bythetimetheexpeditiononcemorecreakedtoastart,wispsofwindwerebeginningtostirupdustdevils.Despitetheapprehensionbroughtonbythethreatofawindstorm,theelationofthepreviousdaywasstillintheair,particularlyamongtheyoungerpeople.Bythetimethearmyhadtraveledhalfaleagueuptheriver,afull-blownduststormwasinprogress.Theoxenputtheirheadsdownagainstthestrongwindastheypulledthewagonsasthedrivers,who

coveredtheirnosesandmouthswithkerchiefs,urgedthemonandsometimesevenpulledthereluctantbeasts.Thepassengershuddledunderblanketsandcoats.Theriderswereobligedtotietheirhatsdownwiththeirbandannas.Afteralmostaleague,ahaltwascalled,butitwasimpossibletopitchtents.Thewindletuponlyslightlyatsundown.Thateveningtherewereveryfewfireslitandeveryoneexceptthoseonguarddutyretiredearly.Thefollowingdaythewindcamebackevenstronger.Theexpeditionmanagedtogetstarted,butafteraleagueandahalfitcametoahaltasifstoppedinitstracksbyawallofdust.Atsundownthewinddieddownbutthedustremained.Everythingthesettlersdrankandatetastedofit."Diosmío,"

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exclaimedoneofdoñaEufemia'sIndianservants."Itlooksliketheendoftheworld."

Thefollowingmorningeveryonewasupearlyafteranightofsoundsleep.Thesunwasshiningbrightlyinaperfectlycleanandbluesky.Amongthetreesalongtheriver,thebirdswerechirpingincessantly.DonJuanthoughtofthatotherbeautifulmorninginZacatecaswhenhehadlookeduponIsabel'sfaceforthelasttime.Itseemedasifcenturieshadpassed,yetCristóbalathissidewasstillachild.Helookedathisson,whohadspentthenightinhistent.Hewassleepingincarefreeinnocence,hislongdarkhair,alegacyfromMoctezuma,hisgreat,greatgrandfather,strewnabouthisface.Hehadcometoseehisfathertheeveningbefore.DonJuan,feelingthatCristóbalwasscared,askedhimtospendthenight.Thatmorningheresolvedtokeephimclosetohimforawhileratherthanmakingasoldierofhimjustyet.

ThefirstencounterwiththeIndiansoftheterritoryoccurredon3May.Theexpeditionhadtraveleduptheriverfiveandahalfleagues.Thesargentomayorhadbeenlookingforafordintheriverwhenhecameacrossasmallcamp.TheSpaniards,whowereunarmed,approachedtheIndians,whoshowednosignoffearorhostility.FourofthemagreedtogototheSpanishcamptomeetthegovernor.Thegovernororderedthatclothingandgiftsbegiventothem.TheSpaniards,truetotheirnature,gavethemanicknamecallingthemmuledriversbecausetosay,"yes,"theymadethesameclickingnoisethatSpanishmuleteersusedingettingtheirmulestomove.

Thenextdayattheford,fortyofthesamegroupofIndiansshowedupwithalargequantityoffishmakingthesignofthecrossandutteringtheSpanishwordsfortameandfriends.TheytoldtheSpaniardsthatthetownsofthenorthernIndianswereeightdaysoftraveluptheriver.

GovernorOñatefeltmoreconfidentaftertalkingtotheIndiansfromtheregion.Hefeltasifnowhewasabouttoenterhisownjurisdiction,andhehadabetterideaofwhattoexpectahead.Theriverwouldtakethemtotheirdestinationwithoutanydangerofrunningoutofwaterastheyhaddonecrossingthevastaridplain.TheIndianswouldprobablyprovetobejustasfriendlyastheonestheyhadalreadymet.Afterall,theywere"gentevestida"(peoplewithclotheson),morecivilizedandmoresettledthantheChichimecastothesouth.

Thedayaftertheylefttheford,theycameacrosstherutsleftbythewagonsoftheCastaño,deSosa-Morleteexpeditionsof1590and1591.GasparCastañodeSosahadbeenlieutenantgovernoroftheprovinceofNuevoLeon,eastofthemodern-daystateofChihuahuaandsouth

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ofTexas,whenthegovernorwasarrestedbytheInquisitionin1589.Castaño,asactinggovernor,apparentlyonimpulseanddiscouragedbythelackofopportunityinNuevoLeón,gatheredallofthecolonistsinthevicinityofAlmaden(present-dayMonclova)andmovedthemtowardthelandstothenorthwithoutanyauthorizationwhatsoever.Theylefton27July1590,andtraveleduptheRíoBravo(Grande)totheRíoSalado(Pecos)andthennorthwardthrougheasternNewMexicotoCicuye,laterknownasPecos.HeexploredthelandofthepueblosuntilCaptainJuanMorletearrivedtoarresthimandtakehimbacktoNewSpaininchains.

ThusOñate'smultitudewouldnotbepenetratingcompletelyunknownterritory.Thegeneral,however,decidedtosendCaptainAguilartosearchforthefirstsettlement.Thecaptainwaswarnedunderpenaltyofdeathnottoenteranyvillages,assuchactionwouldalertandpossiblyfrightentheIndians.

By11MaytheexpeditionhadreachedaplacefamiliartosomeofthesoldierswhohadbeeninNewMexicobeforethespotwhereMorletehadhangedfourIndiansforstealinghorses.Bythefifteenththeintrudersweremorethanhalfwaytothesettlements.ThiswasthedayoftheHolyTrinity.Theseven-year-oldsonofGerónimodeHeredia,sergeantinthecompanyofCaptainGerónimoMárquez,hadbeenillwithafeversincethedayaftertheriverhadbeenforded.Hismother,María,hadbeencaringforhimdayandnightfortwelvedays.Bringingmedicineorsomelittletidbitforhim,doñaEufemiahadvisitedthechildeverynight.Onthesixteenth,whenthetrainhaltedbecausesomeoftheoxenhadstrayed,Manuelitowasgivenarespitefromthebumpyrideonthewagon.Heappearedtogetbetterandhadarestfulsleep.Ontheseventeenthonceagainheawokewithafever.Asthecolumnbegantopullout,hewasputonthefamilywagon.Afteroneleagueoftravel,hediedinhismother'sarms.Maríastartedkissingthechild,andsobbing,untilitappearedshewouldchoke.One

ofthesoldiersonhorsebacknearthewagongallopedtotheheadofthecolumn,"DonJuan,donJuan,General.SergeantHeredia'ssonhasjustdied."

Thegeneralraisedhisarmtosignalahalt,reinedhishorseintoahardturn,andbrokeintoagallop.Whenhearrivedatthesergeant'swagon,Maríawasstillholdingherson,rockinghimgently.Oblivioustothosearoundher,herdelirioussobshadsoftenedtoalowmoan.Herfourteen-year-olddaughterEsperanzasatdryeyedandstaringstraightaheadbesideher.

Theexpeditionmadecampfortheday.Abriefreligiousceremony

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duringwhichFatherSanMiguelattemptedtoconsolethefamilywasheldandManuelitowasburiedinthewilderness.Anentrywasmadeontheexpeditionlog,"Todayweburiedachild."

ThedayaftertheburialofManuelito,theexpeditiondidnotmovebecausetheoxenhadstillnotbeencompletelyroundedup.Travelingwasnowgettingverydifficultbecauseoftheuneventerrainneartheriver.Whenthearmyoncemoregotunderwayonthenineteenth,itcouldadvanceonlyoneleague.Onthetwentieththeterrainwassoroughthattheystoppedatnoon.TowardeveningCaptainAguilarrodeintocamp.Thegeneralsentwordthathewantedtoseehimimmediately.CaptainAguilarinclinedhisheadalmostimperceptibly,andsaid,"Asusórdenes."

"Whatdoyouhavetoreport?"askedthegeneralstiffly.

"Theterrainisimpossibleneartheriver.Weshallhavetogoinlandifwearegoingtogetthewagonsthrough,"answeredAguilar.

"Yes,itseemsso;andtheIndians?"continuedthegeneral.

"Well,thefirstpuebloisabouteighteenleaguesaway.Thenativesappearfriendly,butwedidnotseeanythingofvalueinthepueblo."

"What,youenteredthepuebloagainstmyorders?"Oñate'sfaceturnedcrimson.

"Yes,Ithoughtitwasagoodopportunity,"counteredAguilar,inaslightlydefianttone.

"Maese,arrestthisman,"shriekedthegeneral."Weshallseewhatwearetodowithhim.Havehimtakenoutimmediately."

"Wecannottoleratethatkindofinsubordination,"saidthegenerallateraftercalmingdown.

"Iagree,"joinedthesargentomayor.

Withthebloodonceagainrisingtohisface,thegeneralalmostyelled,"Weshouldexecutehim."

"Executehim?"gaspedthemaesedecampo."Isn'tthatabitextreme?"

"Noitisn't,"brokeinEnsignJuanPiñero."Hehadhisorders."

"Yes,butoutinthefieldonesometimeshastousehisowndiscretion,and..."

"Noexcuse,"interruptedVicente."Heisatroublemakeranyhow."

"Calmdown,brother,"saidJuaninasoftvoice.

"Verywell,Juan.Iwon'texecutehim,buthewoulddowelltowatchhisstep,"warnedthegeneral.

Earlythenextdayastheexpeditionwaspreparingtomoveout,AlonsoRobledocametothemaesedecampo'stenttotellhimthathisfa-

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ther,EnsignPedroRobledohaddiedinhissleep.LaterinthedayEnsignPedroRobledoofMaqueda,Spain,sixtyyearsold,wasburied.

Hiswife,Catalina,herfacegauntandweather-beaten,stoodbyimpassivelywithherfoursonsandonedaughterasthedryearthswallowedupthehusbandwhohadbroughtherandherfirstbornfromExtremaduraaneternityago.

FromtheinformationCaptainAguilarhadprovided,itbecameobviousthattheexpeditioncouldnolongertravelalongtheriver.OñatedecidedtoleavethewagonsalongwiththewomenandchildrenandadetachmentofsoldiersfortheirprotectionnearthesiteofEnsignRobledo'sgrave.

Hewentaheadwithhishorsemenandjustafewcartstotheeastofthepresent-dayCaballoMountains.Themainbodyoftheexpeditionundercommandoftheroyalensignwaslefttofollowasbestitcould.ThiswasthebeginningoftheJornadadelMuerto,orWayofDeath,whichwastobecomeapartoftheCaminoRealfromSantaFetoNewSpain.Futuretravelerswouldbewarned,andthusbetterprepared.

Oñateandhislighttroopencounteredtroublealmostimmediatelywhentheyranoutofwaterthefirstday.Twodayslater,stillwithoutwater,whichwassoclosebutinaccessibleacrossthebarrenmountain,oneoftheirdogsappearedintheirmidstwithmuddypaws.Afranticsearchforwaterholesrevealedtwoofthem.Butthelackofwatercontinuedtobeathreat.Anattempttodrivethehorsestotheriverprovedfutile.Theeasternbankwasdescribedintheexpeditionjournalas"almostlikecutrock";theycouldn'tgetthroughittothewaterbelow.Tomakemattersworse,thefathercommissarysufferedasevereattackofgout.

Finallyaftersixhellishdays,lateinthedayofthetwenty-seventh,

theyclearedthepeskymountains.Inthedistancetheysawablackmesabytheriver.AtitsfoottheyknewwasQualacú,thesecondoftheIndianpueblos.Thefirstoneabouttwoleaguessouthonthewestsidewasbypassed.

Onthetwenty-eighthaMasswassaidbecausetheSpaniards,havingturnedtowardtheriver,wereabouttomaketheirfirstcontactwiththepeopleofNewMexico.TheytraveledthefourleaguestoQualacú,thelargestoftwovillages.Theinhabitantsabandonedthepuebloatthefirstsightoftheintrudersfromthesouth,butsomeoftheIndianswerereachedandgivengiftsoftrinkets.Oñateorderedhispeopletoretiretothebankoftheriverwheretheypitchedtheirtentsandstayedfor

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onemonth.Thelongstaywastoaccommodatethefathercommissary,whosegouthadgottenworse.Thepurveyorgeneralavailedhimselfofthepausetoreplenishfoodsuppliesbycollectingmaizefromtheothersettlementsinthevicinity.Oñate,havingreceivedreportsofbickeringamongthepeoplewhohadstayedbacktofollowslowly,returnedtothewagonstotrytoquellthedisturbances.Hehadonlymildsuccessbecausebynowthecampwasdividedbetweenthemalcontentsandthosewhostillhadfaithinthecolonizingproject.

On14June,withOñateback,theadvancepartyreachedTeypana,whichtheyrenamedSocorroingratitudeofthegenerosityoftheinhabitants,whonotonlydidnotfleeastheothershaddone,butwhosechief,Letoc,furnishedthemwithaccurateinformationofwhattoexpectahead.Thetravelerssecuredalargesupplyofmaizefromthesekindpeople.

FourleaguesuptherivertheSpaniardsoccupiedapuebloforthefirsttime.ThisonewasnamedNuevaSevillabecauseCaptainFarfán,whowasfromSevilla,thoughtthatinitspositioninrelationtotheriveritresembledhishometown.

Anotherfourleaguesfoundtheexpeditionoccupyinganewlybuiltbutabandonedpueblo,whichreceivedthenameofSanJuanBautistainhonorofSt.JohntheBaptist,whosefeastdayitwasthedayaftertheyarrived.Althoughtheinhabitantshadevacuatedthetown,theycametovisittheiruninvitedguests.TheyweretreatedtoashambattlebetweentheMoorsandtheChristiansenactedbythesoldiers.Themaesedecampoledonesideandthesargentomayortheother.Franciscowasaskedbythemaesetobeonhisside,butheexcusedhimselfbysaying,"Iwouldnotknowwhattodo.I'mjustacowboy."

Thehorsemendressedintheirbestarmorandattachedcoloredribbonstotheirhelmets.Thebattlegroundwasagreenmeadowbytheriver.Afterthetwo"armies"wereassembled,aloudblastoftrumpets

signaledthebeginningoftheconflict.Bothsidesletoutacheer,whichwassoonaccompaniedbythesoundofthunderinghoovesandfinallybytheclashingofsteelagainststeel.

TheIndianswhowitnessedthefraywereveryimpressed.Oneofthem,wishingtoingratiatehimselfwiththegeneral,cameuptohimandutteredinaloudvoicetheSpanishwords,"jueves,viernes,sabado,domingo."

Thegeneralasked,"DidIhearright?Thursday,Friday,Saturday,Sunday?"

"ThatiswhatIheard,"answeredCaptainVillagrá."Whatdidyou

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say?"VillagráaskedtheIndian."Whatdoyoumean?"buttheIndianwouldnotsayanotherword.

"Heismockingus,"saidasoldierinthecrowd.

"Yes,arrestthem,"orderedthegeneral.

AstheloquaciousIndianandhistwocomradeswereapprehended,heutteredtwomorewords,"Tomás,Cristóbal,"ashepointednorth.

TheSpaniardsfoundoutthattheIndian'snamewasdonLupeandthathewasreferringtotwoIndiansfromNewSpainwhohadcomewithCastañodeSosaandhadremainedinNewMexicowhenCastañowastakenbackinchainsbyMorlete.Thiswasastrokeofluckfortheexpedition.Nowtheywouldhaveeffectiveinterpreters.

ThegeneralwaselatedwiththisdevelopmentandfeltthatmakingcontactwithTomásandCristóbalwasnowthefirstorderofbusiness.HethoughttheymightbeatthelargeandimportantpuebloofPuarayintheregionoftheTiguaspeakingIndians.Leavingearlythefollowingday,Oñateandhisadvancepartycoveredsixteenleagueswithonlytwoovernightstops;theyarrivedatPuarayonthetwenty-seventh.

HeretheyweretoldthatthetwoSpanish-speakingIndianswereatthepuebloofQuiqui.Unwillingtowait,thegeneralandhismaesedecamposetoutforthepueblosixleaguesaway,withoutbenefitofovernightrest.

"ThisiswherefriarsRodríguezandLópezweremartyred,"thegeneralsaidsoftlytoJuanastheylefttheconfinesofthevillage.

"Yes,soFarfántoldme,"answeredthemaese.TheywerereferringtothetwoFranciscanpriestswhohad,inspiteofprotestsfromtheircomrades,decidedtostayinSanFelipedeNuevoMexico,astheprovincewasthenknown.TheyweremembersoftheChamuscado-

Rodríguezexpeditionof1581,whichhadreawakenedinterestinNewMexico,virtuallyforgottensinceVásquezdeCoronado'sdisappointingexpedition.

ArrivingatdaybreakatthevillagelatertobecalledSantoDomingo,thegeneralhadashortconferenceinthecoolmorningairjustasthefirstraysofsunshinewerebeginningtopainttheskyovertheeasternmountainsasoftpink.Afterabriefdiscussion,thegeneraldecidedtosendthepurveyor,CaptainZubía,andtwelvesoldierstobringthetwowould-beinterpretersandguidestohim.TheywerestillinbedwhenconfrontedbytheSpanishsoldiers.Theywentwillinglywiththemtotheedgeofthepueblowherethegeneralwaswaiting.

"WeareChristians,"saidCristóbal,"butwestayedhereofourownfreewill."

"Yes,"addedTomás,"wearemarriedhereandwehavechildren.Wedonotwishtogoback."

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"Weshallnotforceyoutogoback,"saidthegeneral."Allweaskisforyoutohelpustoknowthiscountryanditspeoplebetter."

TomásandCristóbal,havingnochoiceinthematter,weretakentoPuaraytobegintheirnewcareersasinterpretersandguides.ThegovernorwasimpatienttobeginthetaskoftakingcontrolofNewMexico.ThedayafterthetwoMexicanswereconscripted,themaesedecamposetoutforTziapueblo.Twodayslaterthegeneral,hisstaffandguardvisitedtwomorepueblos,KatishtyaandbacktoQuiqui,whichtheynownamedrespectivelySanFelipeandSantoDomingo.Thelatterwaschosenasthesiteforthefirstconvent,whichwasgiventhenameofNuestraSeñoradelaAsunción.

ThewordsoonwentoutfromheretoeverycornerofthePueblolandsaboutthearrivaloftheSpaniards.Theywerenolongeranoveltytothenatives,however,andnolongerinspiredtheaweoftheearlydayseventhoughthistimetheyconstitutedanarmyandtheywereaccompaniedbysettlers.

Summonedbythegovernoron6July,chieftainsalongwiththeirentouragesbegantoconvergeonSantoDomingo.Theymadecampoutsidethepueblo,awaitingthedawnofthenextdaywhenageneralcouncilwastobeheld.Asthetimeapproached,thechiefsofsevenpueblosgatheredonahilloverlookingthevillagetoawaitGovernorOñate.Herodeuptothemtogetherwithhismaesedecampo,thesargentomayor,thealferezreal,andthecommissarygeneral.Theyalldismounted,saveforaguardofeightsoldierswhoremainedontheirhorses.Onebyonethechiefsapproachedthegovernoranddroppedtoonekneetopledgeallegiancetotheking.Thegovernortookeachonebytheshoulders,hadthemrise,andthenembracedthem.

Aftertheceremony,thegovernorwaselatedattheeasewithwhichtheassumptionofpowerwasprogressing.Nowtheprincipalconcernwastheestablishmentofacapital.Speakingtohislieutenant

governor,thealferezreal,SosadePeñalosa,hesaid,"Wemustfindasuitableplaceforacapitalbeforethewagonscomeup.Asyouknow,JuanwentbacktoRobledo'sgravetofetchthem.Heshouldbearrivinginamonthorso.IhaveheardthatthelandoftheTeguasisveryattractive...morefertile...cooler,"hehuffed,wipingthesweatfromhisforehead."Besides,"headded,''theypledgedobediencetothecrownduringCastañodeSosa'sexpedition."Thegeneraltookhisceremonialhelmetoffand,blowingairthroughpursedlips,said,"Itwouldbegoodifwecouldescapethiscursedheat."

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AstheadvancepartyprogressednorthwardalongtheRíodelNorte,thevegetationstartedtogetgreener,theriverdeeper,andtheaircooler,buttheterrainrougher.On11Augusttheyreachedapueblocalled,orsoitseemedtoSpanishears,Okhe.Itlookedmoreappealingthananytheyhadyetseen.ShadetreeswereinabundanceandthefieldsneartheconfluenceoftheRíodelNorteandasmallerriverthatmetjustabovethevillageweregreenerthantheyhadbeensinceleavingSanBartolomé.

"Tío,"saidJuandeZaldívarasheandthegovernorobservedthepueblofromahill,"wearegettingintoveryhillycountry.ThecartshadtroublegettingtoBoveorSanIldefonso,anditlooksmuchrougherupahead."

"Well,thisisthebest-lookinglocationwehaveseenyet.Letusseehowthenativesreact,"smileddonJuan.

Asthegovernorandhisretinueenteredthepueblo,thepeopleofOkhecameouttogreetthem.DonJuan,ashadbecomehiscustomuponmeetingafriendlyreception,dismountedandembracedthefirstIndianhecameto.Itwasdifficulttotellwhowastheleader.Theywerealldressedmoreorlessthesameandnooneseemedtowanttobeattheheadofthecrowd.Thevillageconsistedofsomefiftyhouses,andafewceremonialestufas,orkivas.Mostofthebuildingsweretwo-storyhouses,butafewhadasmanyasfourorfivestories,eachstoryrecessedfromtheoneunderittoformaterrace.Theywerebuiltaroundalargecommonarea.TheSpaniardswereshownintothevillagers'homes,wheretheyweremostgraciouslyinvitedtotakethenoonmeal.Afterthemealthenewcomerspitchedsomeoftheirtentsintheopenareaandsomeontheoutskirtsofthepueblo.

Thateveningasthegovernorsatunderastarryskywithhisson,Cristóbal,heasked,"Howdoyoulikethisplace,son?"

Cristóballookedupattheskyandanswered,"Howcoolitishereatnight.Yes,Ilikeit.Andthewaywewerereceived,itseemslikeatownofgentlepeople."

"SanJuandelosCaballeros[SanJuanoftheGentlemen],"muttereddonJuanalmostasiftalkingtohimself.

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ChapterFourteenTheGovernorseemedtobeeverywhereatonce.HetraveledtotheTiguapuebloofPicuries,thentoTayberon,thenorthernmostofallthesettlements.Thenameofthispueblowaschanged,aswasthecustomoftheSpaniards,toTaos.ItseemsthatsomeofthenativesworeanemblemthatresembledtheGreeklettertau.

ThewhirlwindtourtookinSanIldefonso,southofSanJuan;SanMarcos,aKeres-speakingsettlement;andSanCristóbal,oneoftheTano-speakingpuebloswheredoñaInes,whowastakenbacktoNewSpainbyCastañoin1590wasborn.ShewasbroughttoNewMexicobyOñateasaninterpreterbutsheeitherrefusedtospeakhernativetongueorhadforgottenit.SheapparentlywasnotcastinthesamemoldasdoñaMarina,thegreatMalinchewhowasindispensableasaninterpreterandguidetoCortésintheconquestofMexico.

BythemiddleofthemonththescoutingpartyhadvisitedGalisteo,anotherpueblowherethenowextinctTanolanguagewasspokenandthegreatpuebloofCicuye,whichOñate'spartystartedcallingPecos,theKereswordforthisTowa-speakingsettlement.AtPecos,JuandeSanBuenaventura,alaybrother,actedasinterpreter.HehadbeeninstructedbydonPedroOróz,whohadbeentakentoMexicoCitybyEspejoin1583,andinstructedbyafriarbythenameofPedroOróz,whogavethePecosnativenotonlyhisknowledgebutalsohisname.Espejo'sideahadbeentousethePecosIndianasinterpreterbuthediedinMexicoCitybeforeanyexpeditioncouldbeorganized.Beforehedied,hecompletedhislinguistictaskwithBrotherJuanwhowasputtinghisknowledgetogooduse.

AftermorethantwoweeksofstatevisitstohisnewdominionsthegovernorwenttoSantoDomingowiththehopeofmeetingthemaese

decampo,whowasbringingthemainbodyofthearmyupfromthefirstIndiansettlementsmanyleaguestothesouth.AtSantoDomingohereceivedwordthatJuanandthesettlerswerejustsouthofPuaray.On10August,thegovernorwasbackatSanJuan,wheretherewasmuchtobedone,notleastofwhichwastheirrigationditchthatneededtobebuiltforthephysicalsurvivalofthecolonyandthechurchthatwouldbejustasindispensibletotheirspiritualwell-being.

ThedayafterreturningtoSanJuan,thegovernorgavetheordertoimposealevyonthesurroundingvillagesforaworkforce.ThefirstdayfifteenhundredIndiansshoweduptoworkonthecanal.Bynow,

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someofthesummerheathadabated,therewasplentytoeat,andtheeraofgoodfeelingcontinuedasnativesandSpaniardsworkedsidebysideonaprojectthatwouldbeofbenefittoall.

On18Augustthelong-awaitedwagonsarrived.Thepeopleinthewagonshadbeenthroughaverydishearteningexperience.Separatedfromthevitalelementsoftheexpedition,theyhadsufferedgreatdiscomfortfromintenseheatandevenfromhunger.Havingspentthesummerinthehottestandmostaridpartoftheprovince,manyexperienceddisappointmentattheobviouspovertyoftheland.Theyspokeofthelandasdry,hot,anddusty.ItdidnottakelongforthosewhohadbeeninSanJuanforsometimetoexchangeideasandimpressionswiththenewarrivals.Grumbling,whichhadheretoforebeenundercoveramongsmallgroupswhomutteredcriticismsandcomplaintstoeachother,begantospreadandtosurface."Sterile"and"poor"wereaddedtothegrowingderogatoryvocabularyofthedisaffectedwould-becolonists.

CaptainAguilarhadbeenleftbehindwiththewagonsintheshallowrivervalleynearEnsignRobledo'sgravetoproceedattheirownpace.DuringthehotsummerinoneofthemostforbiddingzonesintheprovincehehadnursedhisgrievanceagainstdonJuanforhavingthreatenedtoexecutehiminfrontofmanywitnesses.HehadcompanyinthepersonofCaptainSosa,whosimplywasdisgruntled.

Mostofthecolonistshadbeenanxioustoseetheirnewhomeandtogetsettled.CaptainGerónimoMárquezwasthemostvocalincounteringthegrowingdisaffectionstokedbyAguilarandSosa.

"IsupportdonJuanfortworeasons,"hetoldAguilarinaconfrontationthatmighthaveledtoswordplayifMárquezhadbeenasquicktemperedasAguilar,"becausethekinghasappointedhimourleader,andbecausethemainbodyofourexpeditionhasnotevenarrivedatourdestination."

"Andbecauseyouarealwayscurryingfavorwithhim,"snappedAguilar.

"Ifloyaltytoone'scommanderseemssuchtoyou,youarenotmuchofasoldier."

"I'mnotasoldier.Iamanofficerofthecrown."

"Isthatwhyyoudisdaintheideaofworkingtheland?"counteredGerónimo.

"Ihavemyownreasonsforcomingandtheydonotincludebecomingaplowboy."

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CaptainMárquezshruggedhisshoulders."Someofussavedyouoncefromgettingarrestedandperhapsexecuted.IwouldbeverycarefulifIwereyouaboutspreadingyourdiscontentamongourpeople."

CaptainAguilar'seyesnarrowedandhedroppedhishandtothehiltofhisswordandstaredatMárquez.Gerónimo'sfacehardenedbuthedidn'tmakeamove.AsAguilarturnedwithoutfurtherwordandstompedaway,Gerónimoshookhisheadslowly.

Cristóbalhadbeenwatchingfrombehindoneofthewagons.AsAguilarturnedtohisfriendsandtheconfrontationhadabated,theyoungOñatelookedaroundforafriendlyface.HespottedJuanheadedforthecorralwherethepersonalmountswerekept.

"MayIgowithyou?"heshouted,catchingupwithhiscousin.

"Ofcourseyoucan,"answeredJuan."Areyougoingtoride?"

"No,Ijustwanttotalkwithyou."

"Well,Iamjustgoingtoseeifthehorsesneedsomewater.Whydon'twesitunderthattreeandhaveachat?"

"Thankyoucousin,"Cristóbalansweredcheerfully.

Astheysatdown,Juanputhiscanteentohislips,butbeforedrinkingoffered,"Wantsome?It'sterriblyhottoday,andtemperswerealsohot,weren'tthey?

"Yes,"answeredCristóbal,"andthatworriesme."

"Youshouldn'tworry.Therearealwayshotheadsineverycrowd."

"Yes,butsomeofthemseemsounhappy.Whydidtheycome?"

"Idon'tknow,"answeredJuan.

"But,won'ttheyharmPapáandtherestofus?Whydon'tweletthem

go?"askedCristóbalanxiously.

"Becauseitwillsetabadexample.Weallcameheretogether.Ifpeoplestartdeserting,whatwillhappentotherestofus?"

CristóbalwassomewhatreassuredbyJuan'sanswers,buthehadsomethingmoreonhismind.

"Why,"heasked,"don'tsomeofourpeopleliketheIndians?Ifoundafriend,andheisverynice."

JuancouldnothideawansmileatCristóbal'sinnocentquestion."Iagreethatweshouldseekoutfriendsamongthemasyoudid.Afterall,oneofourreasonsforcomingistobringthemintotheChristianfaith.Idon'tknow,Cristobalillo,thathasalwaysbeenamysterytome.Manypeopleseemtobesuspiciousofotherpeopletheydon'tknowwell,andwhoarealittledifferentfromthem.Thatiswhathascausedmostofthewarsinthisworld."

CaptainGascodeVelascowasgladtoseehistwofriends."Whata

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horribleplacethisNuevoMexicois,"saidgrayingCaptainSosa,shakinghisheadwithapoutthatmadehischinlookweaker.

AfterhandshakesCaptainGascoanswered,"Itisnotsobaduphere."

Aguilarsmiledironically,"Andwhathasyourgovernordoneexceptparadefrompueblotopueblo."

"Ourgovernor,Pablo."

CaptainAguilar'ssmilevanished,"Notmineasyouwillsoonsee,andIamnottheonlyonewhothinksthatthisexpeditionisafailure.Whathasanyonefoundofvalue?"

CaptainSosashuffledhisfeetslightly."Heisright.Ifthetruthbetold,mostofthefamilieswouldgobacktoNewSpaintomorrowiftheyweregiventhechance."

LuisGascolookedattheground,hishandonhischin."Idon'tentirelydisagreewithyou,butIwarnyoutobecareful,notsomuchofdonJuan,butofVicente.Youknowthereputationfor...notexactlyruthlessness...incampaignsagainsttheChichimecas...anddon'tforgetPalomo."

Aguilar'sfaceturnedred,"Well,Iamnotintheleastafraidofhim."

CaptainSosasniffedinassent.

Twodaysafterthecaravanhadarrived,aconspiracytodesertcametotheattentionofthegovernor.Theleader,itwasrumored,wastherebelliousCaptainAguilar.Thecampwasdividedonthequestionofpunishingthelikelydeserters.Thesargentomayorwasinfavorofmakinganexampleoftheleaders."HasnotCaptainAguilarshownhimselfdisloyalanddisobedientonotheroccasions?"heargued.

Thefathercommissaryandtheroyalensign,SosadePeñalosacounseledforgivenessandpointedoutthatone-thirdofthearmywas

involvedintheplotandthattopunisheventheleadersonlymightsparkadangerousmutiny.JuandeZaldívardidnotjointhediscussion,butafterthegovernorhaddecidedtoforgivetheconspirators,hesaidlaconically,"Youdidwell,uncle."

CristóbalwasconfusedbyallthediscussionsamongVicente,hisfather,andJuan.HehadnotforgottenPalomo'sexecution,andnowheworriedthattherewouldbemoreviolence.Hewasafraidhisfatherwouldbekilled.

Thefollowingdaywasadayofreconciliation;thegovernorhadpardonedall.Therewasmuchtocelebrate.ForthefirsttimesincePedroRobledo'sdeaththeentirecolonywasreunited.Thegovernordeclaredaholidaywithtilting,bullfights,singing,dancing,andacomedy.Aftertwodaysoffiesta,itwastimetostartbuildingachurch.Onthe

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twenty-thirdeveryable-bodiedSpanishmangatheredatthesiteselectedforthehouseofworship.SomeoftheIndianswereaskedtohelp,butmostmainlylookedonasthebuilding,largeenoughtoaccommodateallofthepeopleofthecamp,tookshape.Itwasfinishedon7September.

Ontheeighthanothergreatcelebrationwasheld.ThedaystartedwithasolemnMassduringwhichthechurchwasconsecrated.Thewholecampcrowdedin.TheIndians,curiousabouttheelationamongtheSpaniards,gatheredoutsideastheiruninvitedguestsconcludeddedicatingthefirstChristianchurchtobebuiltinthenewkingdom,thechurchofSaintJohntheBaptist.IntheafternoonashambattlebetweentheChristiansandMoorswasheld.ThoseplayingthepartofChristianswereonfootarmedwithharquebusesandthosewhowereMoorswereonhorsebackwieldinglances.Cristóbalbeggedhisfathertolethimbeoneofthehorsemen,eventhoughtheyweretheMoors.DonJuanwasproud,thoughapprehensive,toseehissonparticipateforthefirsttimeinashambattle.TheSpanish,ofcourse,carriedtheday.TheinhabitantsofSanJuan,whowerestillnotcompletelyovertheiraweofhorsesandSpanisharms,wereverymuchimpressed.Lateintheafternoonaplaywasstagedunderalargecottonwoodtree.TheIndianswerepuzzled,wonderingwhytheSpaniardswouldgothroughthesamemotionsunderthetreethattheyperformedearlierintheday.TheSpanishmencheeredwhentheSpaniardsscoredatriumphandthewomengaspedwhenakillingwasdepicted.

Thatnightthecampsleptwell.Theyhadfeastedandtheyhadplayed.Theentireexpeditionwasatonesinglelocation,theIndianswerefriendlyandsubmissive,andthecolonyfinallyhadachurch.

OnthefollowingdayasteadyprocessionofchiefsandtheirrelativesfromthepueblosthathadbeenvisitedbytheSpaniardsbeganstreamingintothevillage.Thegovernorhadsummonedthemtoa

generalassemblyforthepurposeofreceivingfromthemactsofobedienceandvassalage.Thechiefs,thefriars,andtheSpanishofficialscrowdedintothemainkivatoheardonJuanexplainthepurposeofhiscomingandtoinstructthechiefsonwhatwasexpectedofthem.WithTomásandCristóbal,theMexicanIndians,andthelaybrother,SanBuenaventura,servingasinterpretershesaid,"IhavecometothislandtobringyoutheknowledgeofGod,ourLord,onwhichdependsthesalvationofyoursouls,andtolivepeaceablyandsafelyinyourcountries.Youaretobegovernedjustlyandtobesafeinyourpossessions,andtobeprotectedfromyourenemiesandnotcausedanyharm."

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ThechiefsrepliedthattheydesiredtorenderobediencetoGodandtheking.Thegovernorthentoldthemtoriseandapproachhimandthefathercommissary.Asasignofvassalageandobedience,thechiefsthenfelltotheirkneesandkissedthehandsofthetwoSpaniards.Theceremonyover,thegovernorurgedeachoneofthemtotakeapriestbacktohispuebloasteacherofreligionandtheSpanishlanguage.Thechiefsrepliedthattheywouldbegladtodoso.Thegovernorthenconcludedbyadmonishingthemtotakecareofthepriestsandtotreatthemwell,addingawarningthatiftheyfailedtoobeythepriestsorcausedthemanyharm,theywouldbeputtotheswordandtheircitiesdestroyedbyfire.

Sevenoftheeightfatherswereeachassignedtoaprovinceorpueblo.FatherMartínez,thecommissary,wastostayatSanJuanalongwithfrayCristóbaldeSalazarandthelaybrother,JuandeSanBuenaventura.

ThegovernordidnotmakeanattempttoestablishanykindofrelationshipwiththechiefofSanJuan.FrayCristóbal,however,whowasassignedtothetemporarycapital,didtrytobecomeacquaintedwithhim.KaaPinwasreticentatfirst,butwhenhebecameconvincedofthefriar'ssincerity,hecametoseehimeveryday.Itwasmainlythroughthisrelationshipthatinformationwastransmittedbackandforth.Neitherspoketheother'slanguage,butcommunicationnonethelesstookplace.Cristóbal,feelingmoresecurenowthateveryoneseemedtobeatpeacewitheachother,overcamehistimidityandspoketoCo-ha,KaaPin'sson,forthefirsttime.Co-hawasjustasshy,butseemedveryhappytobreaktheicewiththeSpanishleader'sboy,whomhehadbeenwatchingwithfascinationeversincetheSpaniardsarrived.

ChapterFifteen

Threedaysaftertheconvocation,donJuanhadjustfinishedhisbreakfastwhenthemaesedecampoandthesargentomayordashedintohistent."Wehaveadesertion,"saidJuancatchinghisbreath.

"Adesertion?"askedthegovernorincredulously.

"Yes,itlooksasifJuanRodríguez,Portugués,andJuanGonzáalesstolesomehorseslastnightandleftthecamp,"answeredJuan.

"Letmegoafterthem,tío,"saidVicenteinalowvoice.

"Well,weshallsee,"repliedthegovernor."Goseewhatthesoldiers

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intheircompanyknowaboutthedeserters'intentions,"heinstructedVicente.Afterthetroopcommanderhadleft,donJuansaidtohisnephew,"Idon'twantVicentetogo.HehadthatnastyjobbackatCasco."

"Iagree,"noddedJuan.

"Whydon'twesendVillagrá,"askedthegovernor."SendCaptainFranciscoLópezwithhim.Iwanttotesthim."

"Atyourorders,"saidJuanasheturnedtoleavethetent.

WithinthehourapartyledbyCaptainVillagráandcomposedofCaptainMárquez,CaptainLópez,thesoldiersJuanMedel,andPedrodeRiberasetoutsouthwardfromthepuebloatagallop.CaptainMárquez,byhisunruffleddispositionandwillingnesstoservehadacquiredareputationasaveryreliableofficer.Theywereinhotpursuitoffour,notthree,deserters.AsoldiernamedMatiasRodríguezhadnotbeenincludedintheinitialreport.Fourteendayslatertheycaughtupwiththefugitives,whohadalmostreachedSantaBárbara.Whentheysawanarmedpartyapproachingfromthesouth,theyknewatoncewhatwashappening.Theyscatteredintoawoodedareainseveraldifferentdirections.ManuelPortuguésandJuanGonzáleswerecapturedbutPortugués'solderbrother,JuanRodríguezandMatiasRodríguezmanagedtoescape.

"Whatarewegoingtodowiththem?"askedCaptainMárquez.

"Ihavemyorderstoexecutethem"answeredVillagrá,shrugginghisshoulders,"butwhowilldoit?"

Therewasalongsilenceasnooneanswered.Finally,CaptainLópezthrewuphishandsandsaidsoftly,Iwill."

Afterthedeserterswerebeheadedandburied,thepatrolcontinuedontoSantaBárbaratoseeksuppliesforthelongjourneyback.

AtSanJuantherewasaflurryofactivity.Thefriarswerealldispersingtotheirvariousassignments.TalkingwiththeroyalensignoneSundayafternoon,thegovernorsaid,"Well,itlooksasifwearegettingsettledallright."

SosadePeñalosaagreedwithhim,"Yes,wehaveanirrigationcanal,achurch,butmostimportantlywehavesentourfriarsouttodotheirwork."

DonJuandidnotanswerforsometime,thenhesaid,"Yes,thefriarsshouldbehappy."

"You,too,"answeredtheroyalensign."You,withthehelpofourLordhavebroughtthislargegroupofpeopleallthisway."

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"Youareright.Iamverysatisfied,"heansweredabsentmindedly."Goodnight,Francisco."

Thefollowingmorningthegovernorcalledforhistroopcommander.Ashewalkedintothecommandtent,VicentebumpedintoCristóbal,whowasjustrunningout."Quéhay,whereareyougoinginsuchahurry?"

"Oh,perdon,primo,I'mgoingtofeedmyhorse."

Vicentepattedhimontheheadandwentintothetent.Thegovernorgreetedhimwiththewords,"Wemustexplorethiscountrymorethoroughly.Theremustbesomethingofvaluesomewhere."

"WhatcanIdo?"askedVicente.

"Well,Iamthinkingofsendingyoutotheeasttoroundupthewildcattle,"answereddonJuan.

"Atyourorders."

"IwantyoutotakeCristóbal,buttakegoodcareofhim,please."

"Asifheweremyson,"answeredVicentewithasmile.

Thesargentomayorsetouton15SeptemberwithfiftysoldiersbutwithoutCristóbal.Atfirsthewasflatteredandexcitedtobegoingonamissionwithouthisfather,butasthetimeofdepartureapproached,theeleven-year-oldsaid,"Iwanttostaywithyou,Papá."TherounduppartyrodetoPecosbygoingsouthwardaroundtheSangredeCristoMountains,thentakinganortheasterlydirectionoverthefoothills.Theywerewellreceivedbythepeopleofthatimportantvillage,whohadalreadypledgedtheirallegiance.LatethatafternoonachieftaincametoseethecommanderandbroughtwithhimayoungIndianmanwhospokeSpanishandwhoidentifiedhimselfasJusepeGutiérrez,whohadbeenaservantforAntonioGutiérrezdeHumana.

ThestorythatJusepetoldwaswelcomenewstothesargentomayor.OneofthemissionsassignedtoOñatewasthatofarrestingthemembersoftheunauthorizedexpeditionthathadcometoNewMexicoin1593undertheleadershipofCaptainFranciscoLeyvadeBonilla.Jusepe,whowasfromCulhuacánjustnorthofMexicoCity,hadbeenrecruitedbyGutiérreztoserveashisservantonanexpeditiontothenorthernprovinceofNuevaVizcayaforthepurposeofseekingoutandpunishingtheTabosaandGavilanIndianswhowerenotsubmissivetotheSpanishgovernment.ThesmallrenegadebandcouldnotresistthetemptationandcontinuedtoNewMexico,travelingforalmostayearoutofSanIldefonsopuebloinnorthernNewMexico,whichLeyvahadchosenasheadquarters.Inevitably,luredbythesirenmostlyof

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theirownimaginationthathadcalledsomanyintothatequivocalland,theywanderedfurthernorthward.Followinganinnervoicethatseemedtosay''justalittlefarther,"they,inthemannerofVásquezdeCoronado,stumbledontoQuivira,wheretheonlyrewardawaitingthemwasfrustration,withwhichapparentlytheoutlawbandcouldnotcope.

JusepetoldofthefallingoutbetweentheleaderandhislieutenantandofhowGutiérrez,afterspendingmostofthedayinhistentalone,orderedasoldiertosummonthecaptain.AsLeyvaapproachedGutiérrez'stenthewassurprisedbytheflashingsteelthatendedhislifeandthatoftheexpedition.Jusepedescribedthepanicinthesmallcamp,andhisescapewithfiveotherswhoknewfullwellthatdisasterwasimminent.Hiscomradesallperishedonebyone,buthemadeitbacktoNewMexicowherehelivedasaslavewithApacheandVaqueroIndians.Afterayear,hemanagedtoescapeandsettledinthevicinityofthepuebloofCicuye,whichOñaterenamedPecos.

ThenightbeforeleavingPecos,Vicentewenttosaygood-byetoFatherSanMiguel,whohadbeenassignedthereasguardian.Thevenerablefriarreceivedthesargentomayorcourteously,butnotenthusiastically.

"Isn'tyourreverencefeelingwell?"inquiredtheyoungcommander.

"Iamfeelingallright,butworriedaboutthefutureofourlittlekingdom.Thereisgreatdissatisfactionamongthesettlersandevenamongthefriars.Ifearforourmission."

Thesargentomayorbristledbutcontrolledhimself."Whatdotheyexpectaftersoshortatime?Youareheretostartyourworkandsoonotherswillbe."

"Iknow,myson,butmaybeweshouldbuildourowncapital.Theworkwouldkeepourpeoplebusy.Iamthefirstfriartoleaveforhis

post,butIhavenohelpnorprotection."

Vicentesmiled,"Well,father,thesepeopleareextremelygentle.Itwillallturnoutwellwhenthegovernorhashadtimetoexploretoseewhatthereisofvaluehere.Goodnightfather.Iwishyouwell."

ThetroopcommanderlostnotimeinenlistingtheyoungMexicanIndianasinterpreterandguide,andsoonhewasonhiswaytohelpinsearchofthecattleoftheplains.TravelingeastwardtheyreachedasmallplaininthevicinityofariverlatergiventhenameofGallinas.ItwasherethattheymetthefirstIndiansoftheendlessstretchestotheeastwhomtheycalledthecowIndiansbecauseofthebisonuponwhichtheydependedfortheirsustenance.Continuinginthesamedirection,theyreachedariverthattwoandahalfcenturieslaterwasto

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begiventhenameCanadian.Itwasnearthisriverthattheysawthefirsttepees.Thesargentomayorwassoimpressedbythetanningqualityoftheirtentsthathebarteredforoneandbroughtitbacktohisowncamp.HenotedinhisreportthattheseIndiansuseddogsaspackanimals,puttingloadsontheirbacksandaharnessontheirchestswithwhichtheydraggedthepolesusedforraisingtents.

Afterseeingsomestrayanimals,theyfinallycameuponthemainherd,buttherewasnomaterialforbuildingacorral.Thefollowingdaytheyarrivedatanareaaboundingincottonwoodtrees.Inthreedaysahugecorral,whichZaldívarestimatedlargeenoughtoholdtenthousandcattle,waserectedoutoflogscutfromthetrees.Thedayafterthecorralwasfinished,thewholecampwentonamammothroundup.Atfirstthebuffalomovedinthedirectionofthecorral,butafteratimetheyturnedaroundinthedirectionoftheirwould-becaptors.Noamountofskillorcunningonthepartoftheseearlyplainscowboyscouldgetthebuffalotogointhedesireddirection.AlltheSpaniardsgotfortheireffortswerethreehorseskilledandfortyotherswounded.Theonlyconsolationtheygotoutoftheventurewasthehugefeasttheyenjoyedthatevening,themaincourseofwhichwasthemeatfromtheanimalstheyhadslaughtered.Theyclaimedthemeatwasmoretenderthanveal.Thedeliciousfragrancefromtheroaringcampfirewherethemeatwasroastinginvastquantitiescouldbesmelledahalfaleagueaway.

ChapterSixteenAtSanJuan,theroyalensignandCaptainDiegodeZubía,thepurveyorgeneral,concernedthatwinterwouldsoonbeuponthem,triedtopersuadethegovernortobuildhomesforthesettlerssotheycouldmoveoutoftheirtentsintomoresubstantialquarters."Ifwearereallygoingtosettlehere,weshouldbuildourownhomes,Sosade

Peñalosasuggested."TheIndiansaregoingtotireofourdependenceonthem."

"Yes,Iagree,"addedZubía."Besides,Iamtolditgetsverycoldduringthewinter."

Thegovernorreplied,"Well,gentlemen,Icanseeallthat,too;butIthinkweshouldkeeponlookingbeforewedecideonapermanentcap-

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ital.Ifinditdifficulttobelievethatwecannotfindsomethingmoresubstantialthanwhatwehavehere.Ifwedo,itwouldbewelltohaveourcapitaleitheratthatplaceornearit."

On6October,thegeneralsetoutonceagain;thistimetolookforthefamouswesternsaltbedshehadheardabout,andsinceheplannedtocomebacktoSanJuaninafewdays,hedecidedtotakeCristóbalwithhim.Thegovernor'ssonspenthourspreparinghisequipmentforhisfirstsortieasasoldier.DonJuanleftwordforthesargentomayortostayatSanJuanonhisreturnfromthelandofthebuffalo.Thefathercommissaryrequestedtogowiththegovernor,forhewouldbevisitingpueblosthatwerewithouttheservicesofamissionary.HewantedtoaccompanyFatherClarostohismissionatPuaray.

Headingsouthward,theyvisitedseveralpueblosonthewaytothesaltbeds,whichwerereportedtobeinmountainsthatwerelatertobegiventhenameManzano.TravelingontheeastsideoftheSandiaMountains,thegeneralkepthisminer'seyeopenforsignsofore.Thegovernorwasonlymoderatelyimpressedbythesaltbeds.ThefathercommissarywasveryhappytovisitpeoplewhoshowedanenthusiasticacceptanceofSpanishauthorityandparticularlythatofthechurch.AftervisitingthesouthernmostpueblooftheJumanoIndians,theyheadedinanorthwesterlydirectiontothelandoftheTiguas.

InsteadofreturningtoSanJuan,therestlessgovernordecidedtoextendhismissionandlookfortheSouthSea.FromIsletahesentamessageforthesargentomayorandmaesedecampo.ThesargentomayorwastoremaininchargeatSanJuanandthemaesewastojoinupwithhimatZuni.

HecontinuedwithhissmallforcetoAcoma,thepueblointhesky,whichisbuiltonahighmesa,accessibleonlyatoneend.Thegeneralwasimpressedbyitsimpregnability,andshudderedtothinkhow

dangerousitwouldbetohavetotakeitbystorm,rememberingthestorieswhichhisfatherhadtoldhimabouttheMixtónstronghold.TheAcomanswerethemostindependentmindedofallthepuebloIndians,confidentperhapsthattheywereimmunefromattack.They,nevertheless,welcomedtheSpaniardswithliberalgiftsofmaizeandfowl.TheyalsoreadilyprofessedobediencetothekingofSpain,probablythinking,"thesoonerwedoit,thesoonertheywillleaveusalone."

FromAcoma,thegovernorcontinuedtowardthewestinsnowsoheavythatsomehorsesbecamelost.Afterfivedaysofbitterlycoldweather,exacerbatedbytheomnipresentnorthwestwind,hefinallyspottedsmokefromthehousesatZuni.Spurredbyhungerandcold,

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theSpaniardsenteredtheeasternmostoftheZunipueblos.TheZunianswelcomedthemintotheirwarmhouseswheretheyregaledthenearfrozensoldierswithawarmfeastofmaize,tortillas,andrabbit.Thevillageprovedtobesoinvitingthattheyremainedtherethefollowingday.

ThenextstopwasthehistoricalCíbola,orastheZunianscalledit,Hawikuh,wherefifty-eightyearsearlierVásquezdeCoronadohadhadthefirstmajorskirmishofhisexpedition.ThesonsoftwooftheMexicanIndianswhocamewithVásquezwereamongtheinhabitantswhonotonlypledgedobedience,butwelcomedtheintruderswiththebestfoodtheyhadtooffer.TheSpaniardsremainedthereforseveraldaysduringwhichthegovernorsentoutanexploratorypartytosearchforasaltlakenearbythatpurportedlyyieldedaveryhighqualitysalt.

Oneafternoonthreesoldiers,whohadbeendispatchedtoAguadelaPeña,ahugerockwithaspringatitsbase,tolookforthehorsesthathadbeenlostinthesnowstorm,arrivedatthepueblowithanextrarider.ItwasCaptainVillagráwho,uponhisreturnfromNewSpain,hadstoppedatPuaray,wherehewastoldthatthegeneralhadleftthepreviousdayforAcoma.VillagrásetoutalonetojoinOñate'sparty.NotreceivingaverygoodwelcomeatAcoma,hedecidedtopushon.ThatnighthestumbledonatrapsetbytheAcomans,fallingintoapitduringtheblindingsnowstorm.Sincehishorsewaskilled,hehadtoproceedonfootafterdivestinghimselfofallunnecessaryequipment.Sufferingfromextremehunger,hefeltobligedtokillandeathisdoginordertosurvive.Thedogfledfromhim,butdespitehistwomortalstabwounds,camebacktohimwhenhismastercalled.Hecould,however,noteatthedogbecausehehadnowayofstartingafireinordertocookthemeat.IntheepicpoemhewroteyearslaterinSpain,Villagráexpressedgreatremorseathavingkilledhispoordoginvain.Thecaptainwasjustasthirstyashewashungry.Itwasatthestream

atthebaseoftherockthatthethreesoldiersinsearchofdrinkingwaterfoundthecold,bedraggledcaptain.

ThegeneralwasdelightedtoseeVillagrá,whohadproventobeoneofhismostdependableandloyalcaptains."Welcome,myfriend,howdiditgowiththedeserters?"hesaidinonebreath.

Thestocky,prematurelybaldyoungmanansweredinhisusualcheerfulmanner,"Weexecutedtwoofthem,buttheothertwogotaway."ThecaptainthenrecountedthehostilereceptionhereceivedatthehandsoftheAcomans.DonJuanwaspuzzled,becausejustafewweeksearliertheyhadbeensocooperativewithhim.Hesoonputit

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outofhismind,tellingVillagráthathehadintendedtryingtodiscoveraroutetotheSouthSea,butthatnowhewasgoingonlyasfarastheMoquipueblos.

ThefollowingmorningtheSpaniardsresumedtheirtrekwestward.ThesnowcontinuedtoplaguethesmallbandofSpaniards,whichwasnotfullypreparedfortheextremewinterweatherintheZuniareaandbeyond.Duringthetwenty-leaguetriptothefirstoftheMoquipueblos,whichtookfourdays,theysufferedasmuchfromthirstastheydidfromthecoldweather.Atallpueblos,nowcalledHopi,thereceptiontheSpaniardsreceivedwascourteousandsubmissive.Onthewaybackfromthelastofthewesternpueblos,thegeneral,uponhearingthattherewereminesinthearea,sentCaptainFarfántoexplore.AtZunitheywaitedforFarfán'sdetachmentforseventeenlongdays.

CaptainFarfán,aftertravelingthreedays,muchofthetimewithoutwater,cameuponsomeIndian"rancherías"orcampsites.TheirguidestoldthemtheywereJumanoIndians.CaptainAlonsodeQuesadaagreedtogotalktothem.AstheSpaniardsapproached,theIndians,armedwithbowsandarrows,surroundedthem.CaptainQuesadareassuredthemthattheycamewithfriendlyintentionsandpersuadedtwooftheirchieftainstoaccompanyhimbacktotheSpanishcamp.CaptainFarfánembracedthemandgavethemgifts.

ThefollowingmorningwhenCaptainFarfánwenttotheIndiancamp,hefounditabandoned.Thetwochieftainsandawomanhadstayedbehind.Afterofferingthecaptainsomedatesandvenison,theyshowedhimsomepowderedore.Farfánaskedthemtoshowhimwheretheyhadfoundthemetal.Oneofthechieftainsreadilyagreed,andtheystartedonwhatturnedouttobealongcomplicatedtrip.Theoriginalchieftain,afteraccompanyingthemagooddistance,wishedtoreturntohispeopleandturnedoverhisjobtoachieftainfrom

anotherIndiancamp.AfterstillanotherchangeinguidestheIndiansbeingreluctanttostraytoofarfromtheirownpeopletheexploringpartyfinallyarrivedatthemine.Itwasinthevicinityofthepresent-dayghosttownofJerome,Arizona.TheIndianstalkedofsettlementstothesouthwestwhereitneversnowed,andtheinhabitantsgrewmaize,beans,andcalabashes.Theyalsotoldthemthattheseawasonlythirtydaystothewest.

Afterstakingnumerousclaims,theexploringpartystartedthelongtripbacktoreporttothegovernor.TheyarrivedatZunion11December.Thefollowingday,sincethemaesedecampohadnotarrived,thegen-

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eraldecidedtoheadbacktoSanJuantospendtheChristmasseason.Thedayafterthat,astheyapproachedAguadelaPeña,theywereshockedtoseeBernabédelasCasaswithsixothersoldiers.CaptainVillagrárodeupaheadandshouted,"Whatareyoumendoinghere?"

"WehavenewsfordonJuan,"answeredLasCasasgravely.

Thegovernorrodeupquickly.Dismounting,heaskedinananxiousvoice,"Quépasa?"

"SuSenoría,"answeredLasCasashanginghisheadslightly"Juanisdead.HewaskilledatAcomaaswereCaptainEscalante,CaptainNuñez,andseveralothers."

Thegeneralturnedpale,hiseyesshowingconfusionandincredulity."Qué?"hemanagedweakly.

"Quehamuertoelmaesedecampo[themaesedecampohasdied],"mutteredLasCasas.

Thegenerallookedbehindhimashisbodywentlimp.HewaslookingforCristóbalwhowaswithsomesoldierslookingforstrayhorses.CaptainVillagrámovedupastoolthatLasCasashadvacated,andthegeneralsatdownheavily.Heremainedseatedwithhisheadhangingforseveralmoments,thenhelookedupatCaptainVillagráasiftoask,"Whatdowedonow?"

Everypersoninthepartywhowaspresentcameuptothegeneral,bowedandsaid,Iamverysorry,YourExcellency."

Afterallthecondolenceshadbeengiven,CaptainVillagrásaidgentlytothegeneral,"Wemustleaveassoonaspossible.Thewholecolonymightbeinmortaldanger."

"Yes,Yes,Iagree,"mutteredthegeneralashegotupslowly."Weshallmakecamphere,butpreparefordepartureatdawn."

"WemustalsowarntherestofFarfán'spartytoavoidAcoma,"suggestedVillagrá.

"Yes.Sendwordtothem."

Beforesunrisetherewasaflurryofactivityastentswerestruckandequipmentgathered.Tomás,theinterpreter,wasdispatchedtowarnthestragglersfromFarfán'spartywhohadremainedbackatMoqui,whentheirhorses,exhaustedfrommalnutrition,couldgonofurther.Thesunwasjuststartingtoshowwanlyfrombehindthemountainswhenthegeneralemergedfromhistent.Hiseyeswereswollenfromlackofsleepandfromweeping.Hehadthemenassembledandinachokingvoicedeliveredaeulogyofthosewhohadperished.Heendedhisdiscoursebysaying,"Andnowletuslayasideourgriefandsorrow,

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andliftingourthoughtstoGod,placeourtrustinHim.IfwebutfollowHisfootsteps,withoutfall,HewillextendHishelpinghandintimeofneed."

ChapterSeventeenUponreceivingordersfromthegovernortoleaveVicenteincharge,themaesedecampohadsetouton18NovemberfromSanJuantoZunitojointheexpeditioninsearchoftheSouthSea.JuandeZaldívar'stroopsarrivedatAcomaon1December,ataboutfouro'clockintheafternoon.FromthefootoftherockhesentCaptainGerónimoMárqueztothetoptogetprovisionsfromthepueblo.WhenMárquezreturnedhereportedtothelieutenantgeneral,"Theygaveusonlythissmallquantityofwoodandwater,andtheydiditveryunwillingly."Hehadbroughttwochieftainswithhim,andsuggestedthattheybehelduntiltheAcomanscametoterms.

"No,Captain,"answeredZaldívargently."Iwanttoassurethemthatwedonotwanttoabusethemorhurttheminanyway.Ithinktheywillrelentandgiveuswhatwewant."Hethenorderedthechieftainsreleasedandsentthembacktotheirpeoplewithsomegifts.

TheSpanishleaderthoughtitwouldbeprudenttoestablishhiscampagooddistancefromtherock."Iwanttoavoidthepossibilityofahostileactionbyeitherside,"hetoldCaptainMárquez.

Thefollowingdayheleftearlyinthemorningwithtwelvementogotothetopofthemesa.Hewarnedallofhismentoavoidanysignofhostility.Onceagainheaskedforprovisions."Iwantmoreflourforalongjourneywearetaking,"heexplainedpatiently."Ihavealreadygivenyou,andyouhaveaccepted,manyarticlesintrade."TheAcomansgavehimafewtortillasandasmallquantityofflour.

"Whydon'twetaketheflourbyforce?"suggestedLasCasas.

"Itoldyouonceandforall,wedonotwanttoharmorevenalarmthesepeople.Letuswithdrawinanorderlyfashionandreturntoourcamp.Ineedtimetothinkthisover."

BackatthecampJuandiscussedthebestcourseofactionwithhisofficers.CaptainMárquezsuggestedattackingthefortresscityimmediately.

CaptainTaboraagreed,adding,"Wecannotcontinuetothewestemptyhanded."

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Zaldívarobjected,"Theyaretoonumerousforthenumberofmenwehave,andanattackwouldonlyinflametherestoftheIndiansinthekingdom."

Thefollowingday,4December,actingasifnothinghadhappened,butpreparedfortrouble,theSpanishleaderoncemorewentuptotherockwitheighteenmen.Onceagaininapatientvoiceheaskedfortheflour.

Tya-Ni,whowasnowdoingthetalkingfortheAcomans,shruggedhisshouldersandsaid,"Whydon'tyougoamongthehousesandlookforsome."

Zaldívar,abitapprehensive,sentCaptainNuñezwithsixmen.TheywereaccompaniedbyacrowdofaboutsixtyIndians,somecarryingclubs.MeanwhiletheAcomanshadmaneuveredZaldívarandhismentoaplacebetweenthehousesandtheedgeofthecliff.Themaese,anxiousaboutNuñezandhismen,sentCaptainTaboratoseewhatwashappening.Hereportedbackthatthevillagerswerenotgivinganything.Thecommandergavehimsixmentoassistinthecollection,remainingneartheedgeofthecliffwithfourmen.

OneofthesoldierswithCaptainNuñez,MartíndeViveros,frustratedbytheAcomans'refusaltogiveflour,grabbedtwoturkeysatoneofthehouses.AnIndianwatchingfromtheterraceofaneighboringhouseshotandkilledhimwithanarrow.OtherAcomansbeganshoutingandadvanced,brandishingtheirclubs.

Hearingthecommotion,CaptainTaboraquicklyrejoinedZaldívar."TheyareattackingNuñez,"heshouted.ThemanyIndianswhohadremainedwiththemaesealsostartedadvancing."Fire!"criedCaptainTabora.

"Fireovertheirheads,"shoutedZaldívar.HernandodeSegurafellclosetothecommander'sfeet.TheSpaniards,unabletoreloadtheir

harquebuses,drewtheirswordsandstartedslashingfrantically.

SomeoftheNuñezmen,afterseeingtheircaptainfall,clamberedupaterracetodefendthemselves.Whentheyweredrivendown,theymanagedtojointhemaeseandhismen.SomanyIndianswereattackingthattheSpaniardswereallsoonontheirown:JuandeLeónandJuandeCabanillasjumped,fell,androlleddowntheclifftosafetyasdidAlonsoGonzález.

WhenAntoniodeSarinarasawthemaese,whohadalreadybeenwoundedbyanarrowintherightthigh,fallfromablowbyastone,herealizedthattherewasnootherwaytosurvivethantogodownthecliff.

Bynowthemaeseandtwoofhisthreeofficers,EscalanteandNuñez,

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weredead.CaptainTabora,whenhesawJuandeOlagueandPedroRobledojumpoffthecliff,realizedthathewastheonlyoneleftalive.HebroketowardthespotwhereSarinarahadgoneandbegantheperilousdescenttothedesertfloor.

Thustheskirmishended.BernabédelasCasas,whohadbeenorderedtostaywiththehorses,watchedhelplesslyfrombelowasthemaesedecampoandhisfewmendefendedthemselvesattheedgeofthecliff.Aftertheyhadbeenkilled,hesawJuandeOlagueandPedroRobledojumpdown.HewatchedwithhorrorasRobledowastorntopiecesashehitthejuttingstones.TheRobledofamilyhadnowgivenuptwolivestotheexpeditionthefatherwhowasburiedshortlyafterenteringNewMexicoandnowPedro,hisson.

Thesurvivorsmadetheirwaybacktocamp.ThefirsttoarrivewasBernabédelasCasas,whohadbeenguardingthehorseswhenhostilitiesbrokeout.Heandsomeoftheunwoundedsurvivors,includingCaptainTabora,alguacilreal,putthewoundedonhorseback,andtookthembacktocamp.Aftercaringforthem,thecampwasliftedimmediatelyandallheadedbackforSanJuanexceptTabora,whowentwestwardtowarnthegenerallesthestumbleintoanambushonthewayback.

Atthecapital,thesargentomayorwasbesidehimselfwithgriefatthenewsofhisolderbrother'sdeath.Hemanagedtocomposehimselflongenoughtoseekoutthewidowsandorphanstoconsolethem.Hisgriefsoonturnedtoanger.HecouldbarelycontainhimselffrommarchingtoAcomaatthatverymomenttoexactrevenge.He,nevertheless,madearrangementsforreligiousservices,whichwereheldamidthewailsofthewomen,whogrievednotonlyfortheirdeadhusbands,butalsofortheirchildren,leftbehindtoanuncertainfuture.

On6December,twodaysafterthetragicincident,TaboracameintoSanJuan,sayingthathehadlosthisway.Thesargentomayor,now

chompingatthebit,immediatelyorderedBernabédelasCasas,whohaddistinguishedhimselfatAcoma,togoinsearchofthegeneral.LasCasasleftimmediately,withsixsoldiers,skirtingAcomabyawidemargin.Onthetenth,hemetupwiththegeneral.

NotknowingwhatthereactionhadbeenamongtheIndians,thesmallforceproceededbacktoSanJuanwithgreatcare.FromLaBajada,somenineleaguesfromSanJuan,thegeneral,accedingtoCristóbal'srequest,whowasmostanxioustoseeVicente,senthimaheadinthecompanyofCaptainsVillagráandQuesadatoannouncehisimminentarrivaltothetroopcommander.

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WhenOñatearrivedattheprovisionalcapitalon21December,theshadowsweregettinglong.Thebleaksunshoneintermittentlythroughthestreakedclouds.Asherodeintothevillagewithhisretinue,thesargentomayorranouttogreethim.ThegeneraldismountedandstoodimmobileforamomentasVicenterushedtohimandwrappedhisarmsaroundhim.Asifafraidtheirvoiceswouldbreakinfrontofthewholecamp,neitherofthemspokeforalonginterval.Finally,donJuanspokeinahoarsevoice,"WhereisCristóbal?"

Vicenteswallowedhardandanswered,"Visitingwithhisfriends.Iwillgethim."

"No,waituntilIgettomyquarters,"donJuansaid,asheturnedtowalktohishouse.

Thesargentomayorturnedtoasoldierandordered,"Putupthegeneral'shorse."

ThateveningthegovernordinedwithVicenteandCristóbal.Hewasmorerelaxedthanhehadbeensincereceivingthenewsofhisnephew'sdeath.Heappearedtobeenjoyingtherelativeluxuryofthehouse,whichhadbeenrequisitionedandrefurbishedashisresidence.TheonlyreferencetoJuanmadeduringtheeveningwaswhenthegovernoraskedVicenteifhehadsentwordtohismother.Vicentenodded.Cristóbal,stillconfusedbythefamilytragedy,triedtorestrainhishappinessatbeingbackinthecompanyofhisfavoritecousin.

Thefollowingdaybrokewithsnowflurries.Thegovernorsleptlate,asdidCristóbal.Thesargentomayorawakenedearlyandcametwicetothegovernor'sresidencebeforehefoundhimup.Overacupofchocolateandsomebreadheaskedbluntly,"Whatarewegoingtodo?"

Thegeneraldidnotanswerimmediately,andwhenhediditwaswithanotherquestion,"Whatdoyouthinkweshoulddo?"

"Weshouldpunishthemasseverelyaswecan,"saidthenewmaesedecampo,witheyesflashing.

"Iagreewithyou,"saidthegeneralinaweakvoice.

"Iwanttoleadthearmy,"blurtedVicente.

"Weshalldiscussthatlater,"saidthegeneral,gently,butfirmly.Hedidnotwanttoriskhisothernephew,particularlyinviewoftheunrestthatwasdevelopinginthecolony."Bytheway,"thegeneralsaid.IwouldliketorewardBernabédelasCasasforhisskillinfindingmetoinformmeaboutJuan."Vicentenoddedinagreement.

ThegovernorspenttheChristmasseasoninamoodofapprehensionoveranunpleasantanddifficulttaskthathadtobeaccomplished,butwhichthegovernorknewcouldnotbeundertakenuntilafterthe

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greatestofholyfeasts.WantingtoputitoutofhismindandconcentrateonhavingahappyChristmasforCristóbal'ssake,hedidnotactonthematterfortwodays.

CristóbalwasreluctanttogoseeCo-ha,buthisfriendcametoseehim.Heactedasifnothinghadhappened,callingCristóbaloutofhisfather'shouse.CristóbalapproachedtheTeguaboy,hisheadslightlydown.

''TellmeaboutyourtriptotheMoqui,"Co-hagreetedCristóbalcheerfullyinTeguaandwithgestures.

"Itwasfine,butalotofsnow,"Cristóbalsmiled,pickingupsomesnowfromthegroundandstretchinghisarms.

SayingsomethinginTeguaandwrappinghisarmsaroundhisbody,Co-hasmiledbackathim.

Pointingwestwardandmakingamotionofeatingandofwarminghishands,Cristóbalanswered,"Yesitwascold,buttheZuniweregoodtous."

TheythenfellsilentuntilCristóbalspoke."MuchfightingwithAcoma.Myunclekilled,"hesaidmakingastrikingmotion.

Co-haunderstoodbecausehealreadyknew.HecameuptoCristóbalandputhishandonthisshoulder,thenturnedaroundandleft.

Thesargentomayorbroughtupthesubjectofpunishmentateveryoccasion.Althoughthisrankledthegovernor,hewouldanswerpatiently."Thereisnogreathurry.TheAcomansarenotgoingtoleavetheirfortress,"headded.Thenhechangedthesubject,"IamgoingtoappointlasCasastotherankofensign."

"Good,Uncle,Ithinkheisagoodman,"Vicenteansweredperfunctorilybeforeherealizedthatthegovernorwasindeedserious

aboutavoidingtheunpleasanttopic.Buthepersisted:"Ifwedon'tactquickly,therewillbenolessonlearnedandothersmightgettheideatoresistusandmaybeworse.Don'tforget,Uncle,theykilledJuan."

DonJuanansweredwithatraceofirritation,"Wehavebeenthroughallthis.Waituntilaftertheholidays."

Vicenteburiedhishands."Wecan'tbehesitantorlenientaboutthis.IfJuanhadnotbeensotrustingandsoreluctanttouseforce,hewouldbeherewithustoday."

AfterVicenteleft,thegovernorwenttoseeFrancisco,knowingthathisfriendseldombroughtupofficialmatters.Theytalkedmainlyoftheiryouth.Ononeofthesevisits,Francisco,noticingthathisfriendwasrestless,askedbluntly,"Doyouwanttomeetawoman?"Oñatedidnotanswer.Franciscocontinued,"Myfriend,Juana,hasafriendwhowouldliketomeetyou."

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AfterapausedonJuansaidwithoutlookingup,"yquiénesesamujer?[andwhoisthatwoman?]"

"SheisthewidowofJuanGonzalez.Hedesertedasmuchbecauseofherasforanyotherreason,"explainedFranciscoratherenigmatically.AgaindonJuandidnotanswerashisfriendcontinued,"Ihaveahutinagroveontheothersideoftheriver."

ThenextdaywasChristmasEve.Ithadsnowedduringthenight.Onthiscrispmorningthewholecountrysidewasaresplendentwhite.Asoft,orangesunwasshiningthroughthethin,highclouds.Ithighlightedthegreenpinesinthenearbymountains.Inthestillness,soundcarriedfar.Thevoicesofpeopleabouttheirdailytaskscouldbeheardfromthehighgroundnearthepueblo.DonJuantookadeepbreathashesurveyedthebucolicwinterscene.Cristóbal'seyeswerewidewithappreciation,"Oh,Papá,IwishIhadasleigh."

"Youshallhaveone,son,"heanswered,smiling.Aframefromasmallcartwasquicklyconvertedintoonebythecarpenters,whosubstitutedsomeplanksforthewheels.Theboardsweresmoothedoutandsmearedwithbuffalofat.Anoldmarewashitchedtoit,andCristóbalhadhissleigh.AsdonJuanwatchedhissonridebackandforth,adullpangshotthroughhisstomachashethoughtoftheunpleasanttaskthatlaybeforehim.HeshookhisheadalmostimperceptiblyandshoutedtoCristóbal,"Wait,letmeridewithyou."

AsMaría,thealcalde'sten-year-olddaughter,watchedherneighborandsometimeplaymatehavesuchawonderfultime,shecriedout,"Cristóbal,Cristóbal,pleaseletmeridewithyou."

Cristóbalshoutedback,"No,María,thisistoodangerousforgirls."

ThateveningdonJuanwenttoFrancisco'squarters.Afterthegreetingsheaskedinasubduedvoice,"Andwhatisthiswoman'sname?"

"Magdalena,MagdalenaGonzález,"answeredFrancisco.

"Iwouldliketotalktoher,"saiddonJuan,raisinghisheadandlookingathisfriendintheeyes.

"When?"askedFrancisco.

"Tomorrowafternoon."

"Done."

On2January1599thegovernorcalledacouncilofwarwiththesargentomayor,CaptainSosadePeñalosa,CaptainGasco,thetreasurer,CaptainVillagrá,thequartermaster,andCaptainZubía.Themeetingwasshort.ThegovernorannouncedthatVicenteZaldívarwouldbethemaesedecampo.ItwasdecidedthatsternactionbetakenagainsttheAcomanslestotherpueblosfollowtheirexample.Itwasalsodecided

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toconsultthefriarsonthemoralaspectsofthesituation.Twoquestionswereposedtothem:Whatconditionsarenecessarytowageajustwar?Andwhatmaybedonewiththepersonsandpropertyofthoseagainstwhomajustwariswaged?

Thefriarsthemselveshadacouncilinordertoanswerthetwomomentousquestions.Adaylatertheydeliveredtheiropiniontothegovernor.Forawartobejust,theywrote,theremustbeproperauthority.Therepresentativeofthekinghassuchauthority.Thecausemustbejust,suchasinthepunishmentofwrongdoersortoestablishpeace.Warmustmoreoverbewagedwithoutmalice.Astowhatcouldbedonewiththedefeated,theydeclared,ifthecauseofthewaristopunishthewrongdoers,theyandtheirpossessionsareatthemercyoftheconquerorsaccordingtothelawsoftheland.

Afterthegovernorreceivedtheopinion,signedbyallthefriars,hedeclaredwarontheAcomansbybloodandfire.Heannouncedthathewouldleadtheattackinperson,butthefriarsandmanysettlersdissuadedhim.Reluctantly,heassignedthemissiontohisnephew,thenewmaesedecampo.

Vicentewasgratifiedthathewasselectedforthismission.Hepickedseventyofthebestmeninthecolony.AmongthemwasCaptainFranciscoLópez,who,althoughnotreactingoutwardly,waspleasedthatsomethingwasfinallyabouttohappen.Thatevening,whiletalkingtodonJuan,hesaid,"Well,hereyouhavemealmostanoldmanbutIamgoingtotestmymettleonceagain.Toobadyouarenotgoing,Juan."

"Yes,theywon'tletme.Besides,Vicenteviewsthisashiswar.Ihaveneverseenanybodyasavidaboutcombatashe."

"Yes,heisayoungwolf,"confirmedFrancisco.

Earlythefollowingmorning,astheskieswerebeginningtoturna

silvergray,aMasswassaidfortheintentionofthosegoingtoAcoma.EverymanconfessedandreceivedcommunionexceptFrancisco.Hiscomradesinarmscouldnotunderstandhowhecouldcontemplategoingintocombatwithoutreceivingthesacraments.Hedidnotsayanythingbutsimplyrefusedtoconfessandtakecommunion.

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ChapterEighteenOn12January1599,ZaldívarsetoutforAcomawithseventysoldiersandinstructionstodemandthedeliveryofthoseguiltyfortheattackontheSpaniardsand,failingtoachievethat,towagerelentlesswarandtotakealloftheinhabitantsprisoner,regardlessofsexorage.Cristóbalhadbeggedhisfathertolethimgowithhisbelovedcousin.DonJuandidnotforamomententertaintheideaofsendinghissononsuchadangerousmission,butthatdidnotkeeptheyoungsoldierfromplayingouthisfantasies.

AtAcomatherewasgreatconsternation,aftertheincidentinwhichseveralliveswerelostonbothsides.Kho-Ka-Cha-Ni,thechief,regrettedtheliveslostbytheAcomansandbytheSpaniardsbecauseithadbrokenthepeacethathadreignedsincethecomingoftheintruders.Hehadlearnedthatthebestwaytodealwiththemwastogivethemwhattheyaskedforandtowaitforthemtoleave.Noneofthemhadeverstayed.Shu-Wi-Mi,achieftainofoneofthewards,agreedwithhim."Itisfollytoletpridealonedictatewhatweshalldo.Becauseoftheirsuperiorweaponsandtheirhorses,wehaveneverbeenabletodefeatthem."

"Iamafraidthatnowitistoolate;Tya-Nihasinflamedtherestofthechieftains,"sighedKho-Ka-Cha-Ni.

"TheyactuallythinktheycandefeattheCastilians,andtheCastiliansmustnowseekrevengeforthedeathofoneoftheleaders.Evenaswetalk,Iamtold,thebrotheroftheslaingeneralisonhiswaytoseeksatisfactionforhisfamily'shonor."

"Weshouldatleastevacuatethewomenandchildren,"suggestedShu-Wi-Mi."Theyareblamelessandbesidestheywouldonlygetintheway."

"IwilltrytoconvinceTya-Niandtheothers,"answeredthechiefweakly.

AtacouncilthateveningtheoldchiefdidnotarguethemeritsofresistingtheSpaniardsornot.Hemerelytriedtogetagreementontheevacuationofthenoncombatants."TheCastilianswillbeheretomorrow.Wemustactimmediately."

Tya-Nianswered,"Youtalkasifwewerealreadydefeated.Theintrudersaremenlikeus.Thereisonlyasmallnumberofthemontheirwayhere.Wewilloutnumberthemgreatly.Ifyoudonotwanttofightbecauseofyourage,wewillunderstand;butIbelieveweshouldmake

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astand,allofustogether.Thepresenceoftheirchildrenandwiveswillmakeourmenfightbetter."Mostofthewarcaptainsagreed.

ThenitwasoncemoreKho-Ka-Cha-Ni'sturntotalk."Ipredictagreatcatastropheforourpeople,butletnoonesuggestthatIdonotwanttofight.Thisoldarmcanstillwieldaclubandwilldosountilthereisnomorelifeinit.Ifwearegoingtofight,letusprepare."

VicenteZaldívararrivedatthefootoftheboulderatfouro'clockintheafternoonof21January.TheSpanishleaderhadcautionedallhissoldiersnottoshootoruseanyoffensivelanguageuntiltheAcomanshadachancetoagreetohisterms,whichweretosurrenderandtogiveupallofthoseimplicatedinthedeathofhisbrotherandtheothersoldiers.

AstheSpaniardscircledthemesa,theAcomanscouldeasilyseethatitwasasmallforcethathadbeensentagainstthem.Tya-Niandhiscohortsdancedwithgleeattheprospectofdefeatingthisgroupofarrogantforeignerswhothoughttheycouldwinoverthreethousandpeoplewithonlyseventymen.Kho-Ka-Cha-Niwatchedsilently.

AsZaldívarspokethroughhisinterpreter,donTomás,askingtheAcomanstocomedown,theybegantohootandholler,callingtheSpaniards"whoremongers"andpeltingthemwitharrows,rocks,andevenchunksofice.Sinceitwasgettinglate,thecommanderorderedthatcampbepitched.TheSpaniardsremainedonahighstateofalertallnightlesttheAcomansoverwhelmthemintheirsleep.

Onthemesatherewasdancingandrevelinguntildawn.Thedrumsandchantingcouldbeclearlyheardbythesoldierswho,betweenfitfulsnatchesofsleepinthebittercoldnight,ponderedwhatthemorningwouldbring.Theentirecampwasupbeforedawnasifeagertogetadifficultjobdone,orsimplybecausetheycouldnotsleep.Itwasoneofthoseperfectlyclear,raw,cuttingdaysofahighdesert

winter.Themengatheredaroundthecampfirewithswolleneyes,rubbingtheirhandstogetthemwarm.Franciscowasupearlierthantherest,buthelookedrested.Hewenttoseethemembersofhissquadtomakesurethateverythingwasinreadiness,thenwaitedfororders.Asthesoldierswerefinishingtheirscantybreakfast,someofthehorseswanderedtoalargefrozenpuddleatthebaseoftherock.TheAcomanswhowereonthatsideofthehighmesarushedoverandstartedshootingarrowsatthem.Twoofthehorseswerekilled.Zaldívarorderedtwosoldierswithharquebusestoopenfire.Astheydidso,oneoftheAcomanscametumblingdowndeadfromashot.Theothersscattered.ThusbegantheBattleofAcoma.

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Ataquicklyassembledcouncil,thecommanderspoke,"Itisuselesstodiscusswithsuchsavagebeasts.Withawell-conceivedplanthistaskwillnotbesodifficult.Weshallfeignanopenattackagainstthenorthernrock,andastheenemyisdistracted,wewillclimbthesouthernoneandgainasecurefoothold."Therewasnodearthofvolunteers.Franciscowasoneofthefirst,butthemaesedecamposelectedtwelveothers,mostlyyoungermen.HeknewthatFranciscowashisuncle'sfriend,buthedidn'tlikehimnortrusthim,althoughtheyhadneverexchangedmorethanasimplegreeting.CaptainPablodeAguilar,therebelliousone,wasoneofthosechosen,aswasCaptainVillagrá,thepoet.

ThecommanderandhismenonthesoutheastsidemadeforthecragbetweenthetwobigrocksassoonastheAcomans,believingthattheSpaniardswereabouttostormthem,rushedtodefendthemainaccessontheoppositesideoftheotherrock.Thethirteenremainedhiddenuntilitwassafetoclimbtothetop.Shu-Wi-MiandTyami,discoveringtheruse,rushedoverwithfourhundredwarriors.

TheAcomanshadtocrossamakeshiftbridgebetweenthetworocks.ThisgavetheSpaniardstimetofireatthemassedmen,who,althoughtheyinflictedsomedamageontheSpaniards,soonretreatedwithsomeoftheirdeadandwounded.ThisrespitegavetheSpaniardstimetoreloadandprepareforthenextonslaught.TheAcomans,ledbyShu-Wi-Mi,whohadearliercounseledmoderation,oncemoreresumedtheirfierceattack.

TheyoungSpanishcommanderdirectedthefiring,whichquicklyscatteredthemassofwarriorsenoughforhimtoseeayoungAcomanwearinghisbrother'sbloodyclothing.Fightinghiswaytowheretheyoungmanstoodwavinghisclub,hebeganhackingawayfuriouslywithhissword.TheastonishedwarriortriedtodefendhimselfbutsoondroppeddeadattheenragedZaldívar'sfeet.Breathingheavily,

theSpanishleaderlookedaroundhimdefiantly,buttherewasnoonetofightsincethefirefromtheharquebuseshaddispersedtheIndiansmomentarily.Hereturnedtohismenwherehecaughthisbreathbeforethenextwaveattacked.

Itwasnotlongincoming.Shu-Wi-MiralliedhismenwhodespitetheirmountinglossescamebacktofacetheblisteringfirefromtheSpanishfirearms.TheAcomans,Shu-Wi-Mileadingthem,weremakingprogressuntiltheSpanishleadershatteredthechieftain'sarmwithashotfromhisweapon.

Meanwhileattherockstaircaseatthewesternside,severalSpanishhorsemendismountedandpretendedtobeclimbingtothetopwhere

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themainforceofAcomanssentdownashowerofrocksandarrows.InthebackgroundbehindthedismountedhorsemenCaptainMárquezalongwithcaptainsLópez,Quesada,andZubíastartedfiringattheAcomansabove,whowereledbytheimpetuousTya-Ni.ThereweresomanyAcomansthatitwasdifficulttomiss,andmanycametumblingdownheadoverheelsfromthetopofthemountainfortress.

Atsunset,becauseofsheerfatigueonbothsides,thebattleslowlycametoahalt.Thecommander,leavingPablodeAguilarhisanddonJuan'snemesisincharge,descendedfromtheoccupiedrockandrejoinedthosewhowereconductingthediversionaryattackbelowtomakeplansforthecomingday.

Notmanyineithercampsleptthatnight.TheSpaniardshadthetaskoffindingawayacrossthechasmtheyhadtocrossinordertoreachthemainpartofthenorthernrockwherethevillagestood.TheIndiansspentthenightmourningtheirmanydeadandtendingtothewounded.ThebeautifulKu-Wai-DiiwasdistraughtatherhusbandShu-Wi-Mi'sinjury.Thewoundwassoseverethatitseemedbeyondhealing.

Zaldívarorderedagreatbeampreparedandtakentotheoccupiedrockforuseincrossingfromonerocktoanother.

SometimeduringthenightastheAcomawarcouncilwasmakingplansforthemorning,someoneintherearmurmured,"WewantShu-Wi-Mi."

Someoneelsefollowedabitlouderwith,"WeneedShu-Wi-Mi."

Thenanotherpersonshouted,"Hehasbeendoingallthefighting."Soontherewasaclamor.

Tyami,afriendofShu-Wi-Mi,wasaskedbyseveralofthecouncilmemberstogogethim.Heanswered,"Hasn'thedoneenough?Heis

badlywounded.Heisrestingwithhiswife."

"Weneedhim,weneedhim,"criedseveralofthewarriors.

WhenTyamiwenttogetShu-Wi-Mi,Ku-Wai-Diibeggedhimnottogo,butsickashewas,hewent.Atthemeetinghewasappointedcommanderbyacclamation.Beforeacceptinghestatedthreeconditions:first,thatshouldheandTya-Nibothperish,"Iaskthatwe,alongwithourlieutenants,beburiedtogethersowecansettleourscores.Second,allofyouhereandyourfollowersmustpromisetofighttothelastman.Andthird,ifweshouldbevictoriousinthisvainanddestructivewar,IshallbethesolerulerofAcoma."

Theplansmadeforthefollowingmorningweretohidefivehundredmeninacavejustonthesouthsideofthefissurewherethe

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Spaniardsweresuretocross.FromtherethemenunderTyami'scommandweretosurprisethemjustaftertheycrossedoverfromtherocktheyoccupied.

Thediewascast,andtheonlychoicewastoresistandeithertriumphorperish.Shu-Wi-Mistillexpressedconcernforthechildren,thewomen,andtheaged.Tya-Ni,thoughdeposed,wasstillthefirebrandanddeclaimed,"Whatgoodcanitbeforthewomenandchildrentosurviveifwedon't?TheywillbeatthemercyoftheCastilians.Asfortheaged,theyhavelivedlongenough.Whatdifferencewillafewmonths,afewyearsmake?Isayfighttothedeathofallofusifnecessary."Kho-Ka-Cha-Niremainedsilent.Itwasasiftheturbulenteventsofthepastfewweekshadbeentooconfusingandtoopowerfulforhimtocopewith,andnowheandhisgentlepeoplehadnochoicebuttoweatherthestormandthecataclysmthatappearedinevitable.

AtsunriseShu-Wi-Misaidatendergood-byetoKu-Wai-Dii,whobeggedhimnottoleaveher.HeansweredthatAcomadependedonhim."ItisimpossiblethatIabandonthefightagainsttheSpaniards.Imustleaveyounow,butmyheartandsoulremainwithyouthatyoumayknowthetenderloveIbearforyou."

AstheskygrewpinkinthedirectionofSanJuan,theSpaniards,withtheexceptionofFrancisco,who,disgustedathavingspentthepreviousdayshootingfromthebaseoftherock,talkedtonobody,gatheredaroundFrayAlonsotohearMass.Thefriarspoketothem,"KnightsofChrist,stronginbattle,defendersoftheHolyFaith...Ibeseechyou,throughChristoursavior,torestrainyourbloodyarmsasmuchasyoucanlestneedlessbloodmayflow.ThetruevalorofCatholicarmsistoconquerwithoutdeathorbloodshed.GoinChrist'sname.InHisHolyName,Iblessyouoneandall."

Inthebrightsunthatbathedthecountrysidewithitsstark,rawlightbutfailedtowarmthebitterlycoldair,theSpaniardsoncemore

reachedthetop.Astheylookedacrossthechasm,theyfoundthevillageapparentlydeserted.Usingthebeamthathadbeenbroughtupduringthenight,thefirstwaveofSpaniardsrushedacrosstotheotherside.Intheirexcitementtwoofthesoldierspickedupthebeamforpossibleuseincrossingothergaps,leavingtherestoftheSpanishforcestranded.

Lyinginhidingaccordingtoplan,Shu-Wi-Mi,hisarmwrappedinbandages,withamightywarwhoopgavethesignaltoattack.Hecouldnotusethecapturedswordhewascarryingveryeffectivelybuthewaseverywhereexhortinghismentoaction.

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TheSpaniardswhohadbeentemporarilyleftbehindfiredfromtheirposition,helpingtoscattertheAcomans,buttheprincipalactionwasjoinedbythethirteenwhogotacross,andamongthemwasFrancisco.Theyfiredonce,bringingdownsomeAcomans,andthinnedouttheirrankssufficientlybutnotenoughtogaintimeforreloadingonlytounsheathetheirswords.Franciscoseemedtobeeverywhereslashingandstickingwitharecklessnessborderingonfrenzy.AsTyamibroughtupreinforcements,thethirteenwithdrewtoacavenearby,despiteFrancisco'sexhortationstostayandfinishthejob.JuanPiñeropulledhimasidehollering,"Vamoshombre,therearetoomanyofthem."Francisco,hiseyesglazed,followed,breathingdeeplyandsoakedinsweat.FromthecavetheynowcouldholdtheAcomansatbaywiththeirharquebusesuntilhelpcame.

ThosewhohadremainedontherockoccupiedbytheSpaniardsneededdesperatelytocrossthechasmthatseparatedthetworocks.Sincethebeamwasontheotherside,someonehadsomehowtogetacrosstosetitinplace.Villagrá,inthemannerofalongjumper,tookarunningstartandboundedthroughtheairtotheotherside.Oncethebeamwasinplace,theSpaniardsstreamedacrossasthetrumpeterblastedthecalltocharge.TheAcomanswereatadisadvantageinthattheyhadtocloseintoattack.TheSpaniardswiththeirfirearmscouldfightfromasafedistance.Theonesinthecavesoonjoinedtheaction.

AsthefightingcontinuedsomeoftheSpaniardsstayedbackandcontinuedtofire,butastheAcomansbrokerankssomeoftheothersclosedinwiththeirswords.CaptainQuesada,EnsignCarabajal,andthesoldiersFranciscoGarcía,AntonioHernandez,andanothernamedLicamawerewoundedseriously.Whatsavedtheirlivesandpreventedothersfrombeingwoundedwerethemetalhelmetsandtheheavyleatherjacketstheywerewearing.AnothersoldierbythenameofLorenzoSaladofromValladolid,Spain,whowasfightinghand-to-handwasaccidentallyshotbyhisbestfriendAsensiodeArechuleta,

whowasaimingatanAcomancomingupbehindhisfriend.Knowinghewasdying,heaskedtobetakendowntothebaseofthemountaintotheconfessor.Arechuleta,cryingouthisfriend'snameandaskinghisforgiveness,leftthebattle.Downatthebase,althoughhewasinexcruciatingpain,heconfessedhissinsandmanagedasadsmileforhisfriendbeforehedied.

AlthoughtheAcomanswerebeingdecimatedbytheSpanishfirearms,theykeptcomingonwaveafterwave.TheSpanishcommanderorderedtwosmallculverinsbroughtforward.TheAcomansinturn

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chargedwithsomethreehundredwarriors.Thetwoculverins,whichhadbeenloadedwithtwohundrednailseach,eruptedwithadullburp,andasthepoetVillagráwastowritelater,"Itwaslikewatchingaflockofmagpiessuddenlystoptheirchirpingandcroakingsomeescaping,somewithbrokenlegs,somedead,andotherssweepingthegroundwiththeirwings,theirblackbeaksopenandtheirintestinesdragging."

AndsoweretheAcomansasthetwosmallcannontooktheirterribletoll.TheSpaniards,takingadvantageoftheweapon'seffect,chargedintothepuebloandbegantosetthehousesonfire.

AtthispointtheSpanishcommandercalledupontheAcomanstosurrender.Shu-Wi-MiaccompaniedbyTya-Niandagroupofwomencarryingtheofferingsofblanketsandcorn,offeredtosurrender,butwhenZaldívargavethemhisterms,whichrequiredtheAcomanstoturnovertheinstigatorsandringleadersoftheoriginalattackontheSpaniards,theyrefusedandwentbacktoresumethehopelessstruggle.

TheAcomanswerenowindesperatestraits.Manystartedtakingtheirownlives,someleapingtodeathfromthetopoftherock.CaptainVillagrá,seeingthis,remarkedtoCaptainFarfán,"Theyareactinglikethenumantinos,"areferencetotheinhabitantsoftheCeltiberiancityofNumanciawhich,in133B.C.,whenbesiegedbytheRomans,chosetoperishdowntothelastchildratherthansurrender.Amongthesuicides,itwasbelieved,wereShu-Wi-MiandTya-Ni,buttheirremainswereneveridentified.

VillagráheardlaterthatShu-Wi-MihadmadeitthroughthecarnageandthesmoketohisburninghousewherehefoundKu-Wai-DiiweepingwithotherAcomawomenandawaitingafierydeath.Hetookherouttotherearofthehouse,whereheheldherinhisbloodyarmstryingtoconsoleher.Theywerefound,thepoetwastold,her

headbashedinandhelyingbesideherwithhisuninjuredarmaroundher,theswordhehadtakenfromafallenSpaniardinhisstomach.

Lateonthetwenty-third,theoldandbentKho-Ka-Cha-NicametoZaldívarofferingtosurrender.Withtearsrunningdownhiswrinkledface,hekneltbeforetheSpanishcommander.Zaldívarliftedhimbytheshouldersandembracedhim,andthenaskedhimtoleadhimtothespotwherehisbrotherhadmethisdeath.Vicenteweptforhisbrother,Juan;therestoftheSpaniardsbowedtheirheads.Whenacrosswasraisedonthespot,theyallsanktotheirkneesandprayed.Kho-Ka-Cha-Nicontinuedweepingquietly.

Thenextday,theSpaniardsoccupiedtheruinedpueblo,establishingtheircampinthemainplaza.Theythenbegantryingtoapprehend

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theAcomans.Manyofthemhidintheirkivasandundergroundpassages,refusingtocomeout.Someofthosehidingoutwerekilledbytheirownleaderswhowouldrathertheyalldiethansurrender.ThenewrecalcitranceenragedthealreadyunnervedZaldívar.Heorderedthattheybesmokedout,andthatiftherewasanyresistance,tokillthem.AstheterrifiedAcomanswereforcedoutbythesmoke,mostwereputtodeathbytheswordsofablackservantandsomeofthesoldiers.Zaldívar,whowasdistraughtathavingseentheplacewherehisbrotherwaskilled,couldnotcontainhisfury.Heorderedthatwhatwasleftofthepueblobelaidwasteandburnedtotheground.Onthatday,Acoma,theinvincibleskycity,ceasedtoexist.Itwasnottoberebuiltformanyyears.

AfterthebattleitwasestimatedthatsixtoeighthundredAcomanshadperished.Outofthesixhundredsurvivors,onlyseventy-eightwerewarriors.Alltherestwerewomenandchildren.Averysmallnumberescapedfromtherock.TwoofthesewerecapturedbyCaptainZubía,whohadbeendispatchedbyZaldívartotakethenewsofhisvictorytothegovernor.TheyweretakentoSanJuanandlockedupinakiva.Theylaterrequestedropeandhangedthemselves.

ChapterNineteenThegovernorreceivedthenewsofthevictoryfromCaptainZubíasomewhatcoldlybecauseheknewthatZubíahadbeencriticizinghimoflate.HewasneverthelesselatedaboutVicente'ssuccesswithbutoneSpaniardkilledaccidentally,butabitdismayedattheviolencethathadtakenplace.HefearedthatthetragiceventwouldhaveanadverseaffectontherestoftheIndianpopulation.Thepeacethathadreignedfromthebeginninghadbeenbrokenandrelationswouldneverbethesame.Hefeltconfidentinhisarmy,however.Theyhadbeentestedandhadmetthetestmostsuccessfully.Severalofhismen

werewounded,butnoneseriously.IronageweaponsandarmorandmilitaryorganizationhadoncemoreproventoomuchfortheStoneAgeFirstAmericans.

Franciscohadjustfinisheddinnerwhenthegovernorcameintohisquarters.''Buenasnoches,Francisco,howdidyoufareatAcoma?"

"Itwasagoodcampaignuptoapoint,"heansweredcurtly.

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"Whatdoyoumean?"queriedthegovernor.

"Well,ImeantheIndianshadtobepunished,andthefightingwasworthy,althoughyouknowitisreallyalwaysthesame.Withoursuperiorweaponsitisnotmuchofacontest."

"Andwhatwaswrong?"thegovernorasked.

"Youhavereceivedyourreport,I'msure,"answeredFranciscoevasively.

"Yes,butIwanttohearitfromyou,"insisteddonJuan.

"Well,allthatkillingandburningafterward,"answeredFrancisco.

"Theycontinuedresistingevenaftersurrendering,didn'tthey?"countereddonJuan.

"Iwouldnotcalltryingtogetawayorshowingterror,resistance,"arguedFrancisco.

"Well,thisisn'toveryet.Westillhavetomakeanexampleofthoserebellioussavages,"continueddonJuan.

"Yes,Isupposeso,"answeredFranciscoinatiredvoice.

WhenFrayMiguel,whowasinPecos,heardofthetragichappeningsatAcoma,hehurriedtoSanJuantoseethegovernor.Asanoldermanandconfessortothegovernor,hecouldallowhimselfsomefrankobservations.DonJuandidnotparticularlywanttodiscussAcomawithhim.Heknewthathewouldhavetobetheonetodecideonthepunishmenttobemetedout.Exceptinofficialdiscussionsnobodytalkedaboutthetrial;onlythenatureofthepunishment.ThatwaspreciselywhatFrayMiguelwantedtodiscusswithhisoldfriend.

"Juan,hijo,whatareyougoingtodowiththosepoorwretches,"hesaid,embracingdonJuan.

"Father,doesn'titdependonhowthetrialturnsout?"

"Juan,listentome.Whatdoyouintendtodo?Wasitnotenoughtodestroythevillagewheretheyhavelivedforcenturies?"pleadedFrayMiguel.

"Padre,youknowtheburdenofresponsibilitywhichIbear.Iamresponsibleforthesafetyofallofyou,"replieddonJuan.

"Granted,"continuedFrayMiguel,"butdon'tyouthinkthatdestructionofasocietyisexampleenoughtotheothers?"

"Well,father,weshallsee,butwestillhavenotpunishedtheguiltyones."

"Theyareprobablyalldead,"sighedFrayMiguel.

Severalcouncilswereheldinpreparationforthetrial.ItwasdecidedtoholdthetrialattheecclesiasticalcapitalofSantoDomingo.Captain

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AlonsoGómezMontesinoswasappointeddefensecounsel.Wheninformed,helistenedwithasaggingface."Ishalldomybest,"hesaidunsmilingly.

CaptainFarfánwasgiventhetaskoftransportingthevanquishedAcomanstotrialsite.Itwaslikeavastcattledrivewithhundredsofpeople,mostlywomenandchildren,strewnacrossthedesertcountryside.Spanishcolonies,despiteabusesandcrueltiesthatresulteverytimeapeopleconquersanother,werenotwithoutaconscienceoratleastlegalproceduresfordealingwithdiscordantsituations.ThishadbeenestablishedbyFerdinandandIsabelfromtheveryoutsetwhentheydeclaredthepeoplefromtheNewWorldtobeSpanishsubjectsundertheprotectionofthecrown.TheLawsoftheIndiesfirstappearedin1512.Somanyofthemwerewrittenandrewrittenthatin1563thesupremejudgeofthetribunalinNewSpainwasobligedtomakeacompendium.In1680anothermorecomprehensiveoneorderedmanyyearsbeforebyPhillipIIwaspublished.

AsSpanishsubjects,theIndianswereentitledtoatrial.Withthefriarslookingoverthegovernor'sshoulderandwiththereportsthathadtobemade,therewasnowaytoavoidone.

WhenVicentearrivedfromSantoDomingotowaitfortheprisoners,thegovernorreproachedhimfornotacceptingtheAcomans'firstofferofsurrender.

"Whatarewegoingtodowithallthosepeoplenowthattheirvillageiscompletelydestroyed?Itisnotjustamatterofpunishment,ofmakinganexampleofthemandyouknowwemusthaveatrialandallthishastobereportedtotheauthoritiesandeventuallytotheking."

"Tío,"beganVicente."WestillhavetomakeanexampleofthosesavagesfromAcomaifwearetosurviveinthisforsakenland."

"Thereareonlysomeseventywarriorsamongthecaptured,"counteredOñate.

"Wecandealwiththoseaswewish."

"IamnotsomuchconcernedwiththemasIamwiththewomenandchildren.Wecan'thangthem."

"Maybenot,"retortedVicente."Butwecansendthemintoservitudesomewhere."

"Well,weshallsee,"saiddonJuaninanexasperatedtone.

Thecaptiveswereheldinahastilyconstructedcompoundontheoutskirtsofthepueblo.TheonlysheltertheAcomanshadwaswhattheycouldcarryontheirbacks.IthadbeenaveryharshwalkfromAcomatoSantoDomingo.Thesevereweatherthathadstartedonthe

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eveoftheassaultuponAcomastillpersisted.TheSantoDomingansandthosefromadjoiningpueblosweregiventheresponsibilityoffeedingtheprisoners.

Thetrialconvenedon9February,withthegovernorpresidingasjudge.ThetestimonybytheSpanishofficersandsoldierswasmonotonouslyconsistent.Itcenteredontheeventsimmediatelyprecedingtheassaultonthemaesedecampoandhissoldiers,whointheirsearchforflourhadseparatedintotwogroups.ThetestimonyoftheAcomansalsowasquiteuniform.Ca-O-MaandCat-Ti-Ca-TistatedthattheywerenotatAcomaatthetimeoftheincident.Ta-Xyogaveveryfranktestimony,statingthattheAcomansdidnotwantpeacewiththeSpaniards.Zu-Nu-StastatedthattheSpaniardshadbeenthefirsttokillanAcoman.HealsostatedthatthepeopleofAcomahadbeendividedonthesubjectofsurrenderingorresisting.Ca-U-Ca-ChitestifiedthattheSpaniardshadwoundedanAcomanandthatitwasthatactthathadincitedtheAcomanstoretaliate.ThegovernorintroducedtheopinionofthefriarsonwhetherornotthewaragainsttheAcomanswasjust.TheopinionoftheSpanishcommunity,andtheinstructionsgiventoVicentedeZaldívarontheconductofthecampaignagainstAcomawerealsopresented.TheAcomansstatedthroughtheirdefenseattorneythattheydidnothaveanythingfurthertosay.Thus,on12Februarythegovernordeclaredthetrialclosedandpreparedtogivehissentence.HehaddiscussedthequestionofpunishmentonlywithSosadePeñalosa,andwithVicente.FrayMiguelhadmadeanappealforclemency.

LieutenantGovernorSosadePeñalosaarguedforsomekindofmildpunishment.HeadvisedthegovernornottolethisgriefoverJuan'sdeathinfluencehisdecision.DonJuanlistenedattentivelytotheolderman.

Thenextdayhesummonedhisnephewtoaskhisopinion."Vicente,

theroyalensignthinksitwouldbemuchbettertomakethepunishmentamildone."

"Tío,"retortedVicenteinamildlyexasperatedtone,"theykilledJuan.Ifwedonotteachthemalesson,theothersmightattackushereatSanJuan."

"Well,Idon'tknowwhattodo.Thereisalreadymuchcriticismofthewaythecampaignwasconducted."

"Yes,bythepeoplewhowerenotthere,"gloweredtheyoungarmycommander.

Twodayslaterthegovernorpronouncedsentence.Allmalesover

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twenty-fourweresentencedtohaveonefootcutoff.Twenty-fourindividualsweresubjectedtothispunishment.Themalesbetweentwelveandtwenty-fourweresentencedtotwentyyearsofservitude.Thewomenovertwelveyearsofageweregiventhesamesentence.ThetwoMoquiIndianswhohappenedtobeatthepuebloandwhoparticipatedinthebattleweresentencedtohavetheirrighthandscutoffandthensetfreetocarrytheterriblestorytotheirland.ThegirlsundertwelvewereputunderthecareofthefathercommissaryandtheboysunderthetutelageofVicenteZaldívar.TheoldmenandwomenweresenttolivewiththeQuerechoIndians.Kho-Ka-Cha-NinevermadeittothelandoftheQuerechos.HediedattheSantoDomingocampjustasthetrialwasending.Thosecondemnedtoservitudeweredistributedamongthecaptainsandsoldiers.

Co-haavoidedCristóbalforseveraldays.Hewasn'tangrywithhimnorparticularlydistressed,consideringthathehadoverhearddiscussionsinhisfamilyaboutthedisasteratAcoma.HisfatherandhischieftainsknewtheSpaniardsweredividedintheiropinionsabouttheconductofthebattleandthepunishmentsthatfollowed.NonethelesshedidnotknowwhathewouldsaytohisSpanishfriend.

TwodaysafterthetrialasCristóbalranaroundthecornerofoneofthehouseshealmostbumpedintoCo-ha.Thetwoboysstoodfacingeachothersmilingawkwardly.FinallyCristóbalspokeup,"I'msorryforwhathappened."

Co-halookedatCristóbalwithsadnessinhiseyes.Hedidnotspeak,butsimplynodded.

ChapterTwentyAfterthetrialandpunishmentoftheAcomans,thediscontentthathadstartedgrowingalmostfromthebeginningafterreachingSanJuan

onceagainsurfaced.Thefriars,particularlyFrayMiguel,whohadbeencriticalofthetreatmentaccordedtheIndians,wereshockedattheseverityofthepunishmentoftheAcomans.TheyandmostofthesettlersadvocatedmovingoutofSanJuan,wherefrictionbetweenthehostsanduninvitedguestsgrewwitheachpassingday.SosadePeñalosa,whohadtheconfidenceofthedisaffectedfaction,wasincreasinglyworriedthatthegrumblingwouldswelltoanoutrightmutinyordesertion.

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Ononeofhisdailydiscussionswiththegovernorhesaid,"SenorGobernador,whydon'tweconstructacapitalandremoveourselvesfromthissituationwhichissouncomfortabletousandtothepeopleofSanJuan."

"Yes,Yes.Iintendtodoitjustassoonasweknowmoreaboutthewholeprovince,"Oñateansweredinanevasivetone.

"Eventhefriarsarebeginningtocomplain.Theydon'tseeanyplanbeingdevelopedthatwillpermitthemtodotheirworkwithaclearconscience,"continueddonFrancisco.

"Don'tyouthinkIknowthat?"snappedthegovernor."Weshalldosomethingaboutallthiswhenthetimecomes,andallthosefaintheartedpeopleneedisalittlepatience."

DonFranciscoinclinedhisheadslightlyandsaid,"Buenasdias,General,consupermiso,"thenturnedonhisheelandwalkedoutbriskly.

DonJuancalledforacupofchocolateandsatdownathiscamptableforseveralminutesthinking,"Ihavetofindsomethingofconsequence."Afterfinishinghischocolate,hegotupandwalkedtohisnephew'stent.AsheenteredVicente'squartersheutteredacurt,"Buenasdias,"thenafteralongpausesaid,"Theyarecontinuingtopressmetobuildourowncapital."

Vicenteanswered,"Well,itisabadsituationhereatSanJuan."

DonJuancontinued,"ButIdon'twanttosettledowntofarmingyet.WhatifCortéshadwrittenbacksaying,'Iplantedsomecropstoday.'"

Vicentereflectedforawhilethenoffered,"Whatifwebuildacapitalandthencontinuelooking."

"Itwouldtakeuptoomuchofmytime,"protesteddonJuan.

"Well,whatifwetakeoverapueblofromtheIndians,"proposedVicente.

"Canyouimaginethehowlsfromthefriars?"answereddonJuan.

"Wecanrelocatetheminsomeotherpueblo.HowaboutYoongehOweengeh,it'sjustdownthetrail,"pursuedVicente.

"Itwouldbelargeenough,"museddonJuan.

"Yes,anditwouldbeonlyashortmove,"addedVicente.

"IshalldiscussitwithSosadePeñalosa,"concludeddonJuanwitharelievedlook,"butIstillneedsomethingimportanttoreportbacktoNewSpain.Manyofthepeoplearediscontented,asyouknow,andIexpectallthatwillgettotheviceroy."

"Weshouldkeeponlooking,"suggestedVicente.

"Precisely,"shotbackdonJuan,"andIhavebeenthinkingoftryingtofindtheSouthSea."

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"Doyouthinkitwouldbewisetoleavethebulkofthearmyandsettlersheretostewwhileyougoonaprolongedexpedition?"askedVicente.

"Maybenot,butwhatcanIdo?"

"Youcansendme."

ThatnightdonJuanthoughtaboutthesituationinthevillageashelayinbedunabletosleep.Hefeltuneasyaboutthecriticismthatbuzzedallaroundhim,buthedidnotknowexactlyhowtohandleit."IfonlyIcouldfindarichmineorasiteforagoodport,"hereflectedashetriedtorelax.

ThenextmorninghecalledVicentetohisquarterstoinformhimthathewassendinghiminsearchoftheSouthSea.Vicenteappearedpleasedthathisuncleandcommanderhadacceptedhisadvice,andentrustedsuchanimportantmissiontohim.Hewasjustaspleasedattheprospectofleavingthebickeringandthefrictionbetweenthefactions,whichwerebecomingmorepolarizedwitheachpassingday.

DonJuancontinuedseeingMagdalenadespitethegossipthatcamebacktohim.Helikedsharinghisaspirationswithsomeonewhowouldnotcriticizehimorgivehimadvice.Relaxedaftertheirpassionateembraces,theywouldlieinbedandchitchataboutSanJuanlife.HegatheredagoodbitofinformationaboutwhatpeopleweresayingabouthimandNewMexico.Mostofitwasnegativeandsuperficial,havingtodowiththeseverewinterweatherandthediscomfortitwascausing.Wordssuchas"sterile,""poor,"and"unproductive,"hadbeguncreepingintothevocabularyofthesettlers.DonJuantoldMagdalenaabouthisplanstomovethecolonytoYoongehOweengeh."Maybewhentheystartlivingmorecomfortablyintheirownhomestheywillstopcomplaining,''hetoldher.Shedidnotventureanopinion.

Duringthenextfewdayshediscussedthemovewiththeroyalensign.Thelieutenantgovernoragreedthatamovewouldbedesirable,buthequestionedthewisdomofrootingthepeopleofYoongehOweengehoutoftheirhomes."Whydon'twebuildacapitalofourown?"heasked.

DonJuanansweredthateventuallytheywouldbuildone,butreiteratedhisobjectiontodoingsountiltheprovincehadbeenbetterexplored.HestatedthattwomonthsorsoagohehadspokentoJusepe,theMexicanIndianwhohadbeenthesolesurvivoroftheLeyvadeBonillaexpeditionof1593thathadperishedafterAntonioGutiérrezdeHumanahadmurderedCaptainLeyvadeBonillawithabutcherknifeatQuivira.TheyoungIndianhadtoldhimthatalthoughhehadnot

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seenany,hehadheardstoriesfromtheinhabitantsoftheareathatfarthernorththerewereanumberofgreatcities.SosadePeñalosaremindedthegovernorthatVásquezdeCoronadohadbeenthroughtheentireQuiviraareawithoutfindinganyriches,andthatbesidessuchstoriesonlyservedtoinflamethosewithideasoffindingquick,easytreasure.

ThegovernorputtheQuiviraexpeditioninthebackofhismind,concentratingonthemoreimmediateproblemofdiscontentamonghispeople.OnedayinthemiddleofAprilheannouncedatapublicmeetinginthechurchthatthefollowingdayhewasgoingtostartevacuatingtheIndiansfromYoongehOweengehandmovingthemtoSanJuan.AllcolonistsandsoldierswhohadbeenlivinginSanJuanhomeswouldalsohavetomoveout.He,Vicente,CaptainVillagrá,andCaptainSosadePeñalosahadbeensurveyingYoongehOweengeh,countingthehousesandmakingnotesconcerningassignmentofthemtosoldiersandfamilies.ThepeopleofthevillagehadbeennotifiedashadthoseofSanJuan.Bothprotestedthemove,butoncetheSpaniardshaddecided,thepeopleofthepueblohadnorecourse,andresignedlymovedtoSanJuanorawaytootherplaceswheretheymightfindawelcome.

ThechiefatSanJuancomplainedbitterlytohiscounterpartatYoongehOweengeh."Firsttheycomehereandpitchtheircampinourmidst,thenmoveintomanyofourhomes,andnowtheyaskthatwetakeyouin."

"Yes,"addedSo-Ekhuwa,"theytakeourblankets,theytakeourfood,andnowtheytakeourhomes."

KaaPinalsocomplainedtohisfriendFrayCristóbal,whosympathizedwithhim,butwhowaspowerlesstohelp,"We,thefriars,havesuggestedtimeandagaintothegovernorthathebuildacapital.Maybehewillrelentoneofthesedays."

Cristóbal,whokneweverythingthatwasgoingonfromoverhearingconversationsbetweenhisfatherandhisuncle,wenttotellhisfriendPacoCessarofthemove.

"HaveyoutoldCo-ha?"Pacoasked.

"No,"answeredCristóbalwithatroubledlook."Idon'tknowhowtotellhimthatwearetakinghomesawayfromhispeoplesowecanmovein."

"Well,"counteredPaco,"weneedthehomes."

Cristóbaldidnotanswer,butsimplylookedathisfriendasifaskingforanexplanation.

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TherewasmuchconfusionduringthemovetoYoongehOweengeh.FortunatelytheworstofthecoldweatherwasbehindthembecausesomepeopleSpaniardsandIndianswereleftwithoutshelterforseveraldays.

Aboutamonthaftertheyweresettledintheirnewcapital,whichwasgiventhenameofSanGabriel,themaesedecamposetouttodiscovertheSouthSea.

SergeantHerediawasoneofthesoldiersgoingonthewesternexpedition.DoñaEufemia,whohadmaintainedacloserelationwithhiswifeMaría,toldthesergeantthatshewouldlookafterher.Maríahadnotyetrecoveredfromherson'sdeath.Sheseldomventuredoutsideofherhome.ThesergeantwasgladtobegoingwithZaldívar,ifonlytogetawayfromthegloomyatmosphereofthecampandofhishome.

Esperanza,hisdaughter,wasnowseventeenyearsold.ForalmostayearnowshehadbeenseeingJorgedeZumaya,thegovernor'spage,whocalledoften.Maríahardlynoticed.HewouldcallforEsperanzaandshewouldcomeout.Theywouldsitonacrudebenchbythedooruntilthesergeantcalledforhertocomein.Nowasherfatherwavedgoodbye,shethought,"Ihopeyouwillbesafe,father,"butdespiteherselfshethought,"nowIshallbeabletospendmoretimewithJorge."

Thelongwinterwasnowover.Therivershadthawedoutandwererunningstrongandfullasthesnowmeltedinthemountains.Thesettlerswereinbetterspirits.ThosegoingwestwithZaldívarwereelatedatthethoughtofachangeinscenery,andthosestayingfeltmildlyoptimisticastheearthreneweditselfonceagain.CristóbalhadaskedhisfatherifhecouldgowithVicente,butdonJuan,thinkingofthemanythingsthathadhappenedsincehelasttraveledtothewest,said,"No,hijo,IshalltakeyoutoQuiviralateron."Theboyfrowned

butquicklyforgothewasjustasgladtobestayingwithhisfather,whomhedearlylovedandlookedtoforcomfortandprotection.

Everyonewasupearlyonthatsunny,mildmorninginearlyJunetoseethemaesedecampoandhistwenty-fivemensetouttothewest.Thosestayingbehindfeltacertainnostalgiaacertainlongingasonedoeswhenashipleavesport.Thedepartingsoldiersappearedgladtobeshakingoffthewintergloomastheystartedwestward.Itfeltgoodtositinthesaddleagain.

Inviewofthestill-seethingdiscontent,Vicentefeltuneasyaboutleavinghisuncle.ReportshadcometohimfromofficersloyaltohimandthegovernorthatcaptainsAguilarandSosawerestilltalkingmutiny.CaptainSosawantedmainlytotakehiswifeandfivechildren

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backtoNewSpain,butAguilarwasmoredesperatebecausehehadlefthisbeautiful,aristocraticwifeinMexicoCityandnowsawnoreasontostay.Becauseofthebitterdisagreementshehadhadwiththem,hefeltincreasinghatredforthegovernorandtoalesserdegreeforthemaesedecampo.Hehadtwicebeenforgivenbythegovernorandthisrankledtheproud,handsomecaptain.

VicenteembraceddonJuanandCristóbalandthenmountedhishorseandgavethesignaltostart.Asthecrowdstartedtodisperse,thegovernorandhissonstoodsidebysidewatchingasthesmalltroopdisappearedbehindahill.

Thegovernorthoughtthatthisperiodwhilethecolonyawaitedthemaesedecampo'sreturnwasagoodtimetosumupeverythingthathadhappenedtodate.Hedidsoinalettertotheviceroydated2March1599,which,despitehisefforttosoundoptimistic,wasplaintiveintone.Hecitedfewassetsbutmanyproblems,askingforadditionalaidintheformofsuppliesandmen.Statingthat"withGod'shelpIamgoingtogivemorepacifiedworlds,newandconqueredtohismajesty,greaterthanthegoodMarqués(Cortés)gavehim."Headdedthat"althoughonoccasionslikethis,one'smeansoftenmultiply,andinasituationlikemineothersusuallycomplain,Iprefertobearmydifficulties,tobeingburdensometohismajestyoryourlordship,confidentinthehopeofmeetingtheneedsofmanypoorpeoplewhomaywishtojoinme.Ifyourlordshipwillgrantmethefavorofsendingmethebestqualifiedpersonstomycamp,asisproper,itbeingsuchanimportantmatterfortheserviceofGodandhismajesty."

Hedidnotforgethislittledaughter,María,askingtheviceroytogranthimpermissiontobringherandanyofhisrelativeswhomightwishtocome.HealsotoldtheviceroythathewassendingcaptainsVillagrá,Farfán,andPiñeroashispersonalrepresentativestoplead

hiscaseforreinforcementsinthecapital.

TwoweekslaterCaptainVillagrá,ascommander,accompaniedbyCaptainMárquez,CaptainFarfán,CaptainPiñero,EnsignLasCasas,BrotherPedrodeVergara,commissaryFrayAlonsoMartínez,andFrayCristóbal,thegovernor'scousin,leftforMexicoCityinthehopeofreceivingthemuch-neededhelp,butalsoofconvincingtheviceroythatthecolonyhadpromise.Withthemweresixtyhalf-excited,half-scaredyounggirlscapturedatAcoma.TheywereboundforconventsinthecapitalofNewSpain.

FrayCristóbaldeSalazarwasreturningbecausehewasstartingtofeeltheravagesofage.

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TheeveningbeforehisdeparturehepaidavisittoKaaPinatSanJuan."Soyouareleavingourland,myfriend?"

FrayCristóbalsighed,"Yes,Ifeelthatmydaysarenotlong.Ineedtogethome."

"Iunderstand,"answeredKaaPinthroughJusepe,whohadbeenaskedbyFrayCristóbaltotranslatewhereitwasnecessary."Ihopeyoureachyourlovedones."

ThatsameeveningCaptainMárquezcamehometofindhiswife,Ana,sobbing."Whatisbotheringyou?"heaskedimpassively.

Anashruggedhershoulderscontinuingtosob.

"Ididn'tasktogo,"hecontinuedapologetically.

"Youwentafterthedeserters.YouwenttoAcomaandnowyouaregoingagain.YouaregoingtomissDiego'sbaptism,whichhasbeendelayedoncealready."

Heansweredinamoretendertone."IknowbutIamasoldieranddonJuandoesn'thavemanypeoplehecantrust."

"Whydoesn'thewanttobuildatown,sothatwecanstarttohaverealhomeswithfields?"

"Whomhaveyoubeentalkingto?"frownedGerónimo.

"Theyareallsayingthesamething.InesSosa;CaptainGasco'swife,Ana;Vaca'swife;andothers."

"Well,theyhadbetterwatchtheirtongues.DotheythinkitiseasyfordonJuan?Thatiswhywearegoingtogetreinforcements."

DonJuanhopedthatnowthathehadsentVicenteinsearchofaportandcaptainsVillagráandMárquezinsearchofsupport,materialandmoral,hewouldhavemoretimeforCristóbal.Hewasconcerned

abouthisson'slackofformaleducation.Heneverseemedtohavetimetoarrangeforit.HerealizedthathedidnothaveenoughofanintellectualbenttodomuchforCristóbalhimself,buthealwaysmeanttotalktothefathercommissaryaboutit.Perhapsoneofthelaybrotherscouldtutortheboy.TheproblemwasthatCristóbalneverwantedtostayhome.Itwasobviousthathepreferredthesaddletotheschooldesk.

FrayJuanwasgladtohelpoutwiththeyounglieutenant'seducation.Hediscoveredthatthetwelve-year-oldfutureadelantadowaspracticallyilliterate.Whatwasworse,hedidnotshowmuchofaninterestinhisstudies.Theclassesneverthelesscontinuedthroughoutthesummer,oftenunderacottonwoodtreebytheredwatersoftheChamaRiver.Cristóbalcametolikethelaybrother.Heconfidedhisdreamstothatgentlemonk,butalsohisfears.Thegreatestonehehadwasthathisfatherwoulddieandhewouldbeleftalone.Hetoldhimhow

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hislifehadchangedwhenMaría,hislittlesister,wasborn.Afterthathismotherwasalwayseitherinbedorsittingonalargestuffedchair.Allshecoulddowassmileathim.Hewouldsitlonghoursbyherside,mostlywatchingherasshedozed.Hetalkedtoherfromtimetotimetomakesurethatshewasstillalive.Allshecoulddowassmileandreassurehiminaweakvoice."Estoybien,hijito,ytú?Whydon'tyougoouttoplay?"Hewouldgetupandgoouttoplaybuthewouldneverfullyputheroutofhismind.

Whenshedied,hewasmoreconfusedandscaredthangriefstricken.Hewouldconstantlyseekcomfortfromhisfather,whowashimselfwrappedinhisthoughts.Hewouldsitforlongstretchesoftimenearhisfatherwatchinghim,toseeifheshowedanysignofdebility.Anotherofhisfearswhenhefirstheardoftheexpeditionwasthathewouldbeleftbehindthathisfatherwouldgooffwithouthimandperhapsnevercomeback.

ThegoodbrotherhadbynowbecomeafastfriendofJusepe.TheyweretheonlyonesinSanGabrielwhospokeTowa,thelanguageofPecos.WiththeirfrequentcontactwiththepeopleofSanJuanandSanIldefonsotheywerestartingtolearnTegua,andtomakemanyfriendsamongtheIndianswhoregardedthemasdifferentfromtheotherSpaniards.AmongthemwasafriendlyyoungmanfromSanJuannamedAwaTside.

TherewasotherwisenotmuchcontactbetweentheSpaniardsandtheIndians,exceptforsomeliaisonsthatdevelopedbetweentheyoungsoldiersandsomeSanJuangirls.

MiguelMartín,atwenty-two-year-oldwithlighthairandblueeyes,wasseenfrequentlywithOyi.Itwasobviousthattheirrelationshipwasmorethanaflirtation.Hisfriend,AlvaroGarcía,brown-eyedanddark,wouldaccompanyhimtoSanJuanonSundayafternoons.AwaPovi,asixteen-year-oldfriend,camealongaschaperon.Togetherthe

fourwouldstrollbythebanksoftheriver.

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ChapterTwenty-OneDonJuanfeltrelativelyatpeace.HisvisitswithMagdalenabecamemorefrequent.Hehadstartedtakingwalkswithherinthelateafternoonsaftertheheatofthedayhadsubsided.Hebegantoconfideinher,tellingherofhisdreamsandaspirations.Shewouldlistenandsympathizewithhim,knowingfullwellthatshecouldneverbeapartofthem.Theyneverdiscussedherlifeexceptsuperficially.Herdestinydidnotseemtogobeyondtheday-todayoccurrencesthatdefinedherprecariousexistence.

Underneaththerelativecalmthathadsettledoverthecolony,theever-presentthreatofdiscontentlaylikeanunsteadyfaultline.Onlyafewofthesettlerswererepairingtheirhousesandplantingcrops.Therestsatasifwaitingforsomethingmomentous,goodorbad,tohappen.Theyappearedreluctanttowastetheirenergyonanenterprisetheyknewintheirheartofheartswouldnotendure.Theywatchedthegovernor,andtheylistenedtothemutteringsandwhisperingsofthosewhonolongerthoughtjustofdesertion,butofthetotaldestructionofthegovernor'sreputation.

Thetreasurerandthepurveyorgeneraloftheprovincewerenotparticularlyfriendlytoeachother,buttheywerefrequentlybroughttogetherbycommon,officialbusiness."WearehavingameetingtonightatSosa'shouse,"CaptainGascosaidnonchalantlytoCaptaindeZubía.

"Youandyourmeetings,Luis.Idon'twantanythingtodowiththem."

"YouagreethatOñateisnotgoingtoaccomplishanythinghere."

"WhatifIdo?Idon'twanttobepartofanymutiny,Luis."

Gascoheldhispalmsupward,"Wearenotgoingtotalkmutiny,just

discusspossibilities."

"Who'sgoingtobethere?"

"Ican'ttellyouthat,besidesyouhaveagoodidea,Iamsure."

"Yes,Ido,butIstilldon'twanttogo.Don'tforgetthatmyfather-in-lawislieutenantgovernor."

Luispersisted,"Iamsureheisnothappywiththesituationeither."

AnexasperatedlookcrossedDiego'slightcomplexioned,regularlyhandsomeface."Doyouknowthepunishmentformutiny?"

"Itoldyouwearenottalkingmutiny.Whydon'tyoucomeandfindout?"Hepausedamoment."Halfofthecolonyfeelsthesamewaywedo.Don'tyourealizethatthereisstrengthinnumbers?"

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"Someothertime,Luis,"Diegosaidwithfinality.Ihavetogethome.Theroyalensigniscomingtodinner,"hesmiledasheturnedandleftLuistryingtoreturnthesmile.

OnedayinearlySeptemberastheseriouscolonistsweregoingabouttheirworkofirrigatingandhoeing,andtheothersweresimplylivingouttheday,themaesedecamporodeinwithhisbedraggledtroops.Theyweredustyandtired.Someoftheirhorseswerebeingledbecausetheywerelame.DonJuancouldtellbythelookontheirfacesthattheyhadnotaccomplishedtheirmission.

Onlypartofthecampturnedouttogreetthereturningsoldiers.Someabsentedthemselvesfromthetown;othersmerelylookedupfromwhattheyweredoingandwentbacktotheirtask.ThegovernorandhisfaithfulcaptainsandsoldiersscurriedouttowelcomethetiredtravelersaftertheyheardCristóbalrunningthroughthetownsquarehollering,"LlegaVicente,llegaVicente[Vicentehasarrived]."

ThateveningatdinnerCristóbalwasfullofquestionsforhiscousin.Afterhehadbeensenttobed,donJuansaidcalmly,"Isupposeyoudidnotfindanything."

"No,"answeredVicente."Wehadahardtimeevenfindingpeoplefromwhomtoaskdirections.Wesawafewrancheríasbutnoestablishedsettlements."

"DidtheyspeakoftheSouthSea?"queriedthegovernor.

"Somedid,butmostofthemdidnotseemtohaveanyidea.Theyareverypoorpeople,tío.Besides,theterrainwasterrible.WehadtoleaveourmountsatasierracalledTopiaandproceedonfoot.Accordingtothelastpeoplewetalkedto,theoceanwasjustafewdaysawaybutwecouldnotcontinuewithoutourhorses,particularlysinceweweretoldthatsomeIndiansintheareaplannedtoattackus.Sowereturnedtowherewehadleftthehorsesandcameback."

"Well,"snappeddonJuanwithasetjaw."Weshalltryagain,becausewedoneedaport."Hecheckedhimself,smiled,andpattedVicenteontheback.

VicentetoldhisunclelaterthattheJumanoIndianstothesouthoftheManzanoMountainshadrefusedtogivethemprovisionswhentheyhadpassedthroughontheirwaywest."Iwouldliketogobackthereandshowthemhowtorespectthesoldiersoftheking."

"Ishallgomyself,"repliedthegovernor."Ihavebeentieddownherelongenough.Iamgettingtiredofseeingthelongfacesofthemalcontents.SomeoftheyoungerpeoplearebeginningtoavoidCristóbal."

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"Itoldyou,Uncle,thatyoushouldhavetakencareofAguilarandsomeoftheothersalongtimeago.Eventuallyyouaregoingtobeobligedtodoit."

"Well,youareright,ofcourse,buttheyhavealargefollowing."

"Allthemorereasontoactquickly,"warnedVicente.

ThegovernorstartedorganizingthepunitiveexpeditionagainsttheJumanosthefollowingday.HewasmotivatedasmuchbythedesiretoleavethetenseatmosphereofSanGabrielasbyadesiretoexactretributionfromrebelliousnatives.Knowingthenatureofhismissionandthefactthathewasnottobegoneforverylong,heleftCristóbalinthecareofVicenteatSanGabriel.ItwasthelatterpartofJunewhenthegovernorassembledhisforceoffiftysoldiersandsetout.Theloyalistsassembledunderanalreadyhotmorningsuntoseethegeneraloff.Havingfoundoutthenatureofthemission,CristóbalwasclearlytroubledHedidnotsayanythingexcept,"Adios,papá,"buthisworriedlookwasfarmoreeloquentthanhiswords.

Thegovernorwasnotparticularlyenthusiasticasherodesouthward.Hehadasinkingfeelingashethoughtofhowbadlyhisenterprisewasfaring.Heknewhehadsomeunpleasantdecisionstomakeconcerningtherebelliouscaptains,buthetriedtoshakethethoughtoutofhismind.Onceonthetrailhestartedtofeelbetter.Hethought,"WiththereinforcementsfromNewSpain,Ishallhavemorepeopletosupportme."AsherodethroughthevalleyeastoftheSandiaMountainshethoughtofthelasttimehehadriddenthere.CristóbalhadbeenwithhimbecausetherewasnodangerfromtheIndians.ButsinceAcoma,thingshadchanged.Nowhewasonhiswaytofight.

Asheenteredthefirstpueblo,hesawthattherewasgoingtobetrouble.Thepeoplepartedveryreluctantlywiththetributethatwasaskedofthem.Thegovernorwithdrewfromthetowntothinkthe

situationover.Onthefollowingdayhereturnedwithaninterpreter.ThegeneraltoldtheIndianswhometwithhimthathewasgoingtopunishthemfortheirinsolencetohimandtothemaesedecampothreemonthsbefore.Hethenorderedhismentosetfiretosomeofthehouses.Thevillagersretreatedimmediatelytotheirhomes.Astheydidso,thegeneralorderedhismentofireonthem.Sixofthetownspeoplewerekilledandseveralwounded.Later,twooftheapparentleadersamongtheIndianswerehanged.Oñateactedthroughouttheincidentwithanuncharacteristicrageasifhewerelashingoutatallhisenemies.Whenoneofhissoldierstoldhimthatthenativeinterpreterhadalteredthemeaningofwhathehadsaid,heorderedhimhangedonthespot.

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ChapterTwenty-TwoWhenthegovernorreturnedtoSanGabrielseveralofhisloyalistscametoreporttohimthataplotwashatchingamongtherebellioussettlerstodesert.CaptainAguilarandCaptainSosa'snameswereprominentinmostreports.Thegovernorconsultedwithhisnephewwhourgedaquickresolutiontowhatheconsideredadangerousthreattothewelfareofthecolony."Youshouldhavethemtried,"hecounseled.

"Forwhatspecifically?"askeddonJuan.

"Forfomentingdesertion,"answeredVicente.

"Theproblem,"countereddonJuan,"isthatthosewhomheisenticingtodesertaremalcontentsandwouldnottestifyagainsthim."

AtdinnerthateveningCristóbalwasveryrelievedtohavehisfathersafelyathome.HehadoverheadconversationsaboutdonJuan'sexpeditiontotheJumanopueblos.WhiledonJuantriedtomakeconversationhethoughtpleasanttohisson,henoticedthatCristóbalwasabitfidgety.Finallyheasked,"Whatisit,son?"

Cristóbalclearedhisthroat."Papá,whatdidtheJumanosdoforyoutopunishthem?"

DonJuanwassurprisedtohearsuchaquestionfromhismostlypassiveson."TheywereinsolenttoVicentewhenheaskedthemtobarterforprovisions,andlatertomewhenIwenttoinvestigate."

Cristóballookedathisfatherinacceptance,butalsoinexpectationoffurtherexplanation,butdonJuansaidnomore.

ThatnightdonJuansoughtouthisfriend,Francisco.TheytalkedabitaboutthetriptothelandoftheJumanos,butthentheconversation

turnedtowhatwasbecominganobsessionwiththegovernortheplotagainsthisauthority."Whydon'tyoukilltheleaders?"Franciscoaskedbluntly.

"What?Justwalkuptothemandrunthemthrough?"protesteddonJuan.

"No,catchthemintheactofdesertingandgivethemasummarytrial,thenexecutethem."

DonJuandidnotanswer.HechangedthesubjecttoaskFranciscoifhehadseenMagdalenaduringhisabsence.Franciscoansweredlaconically,"Onceortwiceonthesquare.

Thehot,dryweatherlasteduntilmidAugust.Alethargytookoverthecapital;theonlyactivitywasthatofthechildrenwhowereoblivioustotheheatastheyplayedonthebanksoftheriver."Queinfierno,"

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becamealmostagreeting.Someafternoonsthecloudswouldgatheroverthemountainsandthreatentodrenchthecountryside.Thewindwouldblow,thunderwouldrolldownthecanyons,andlightningwouldflashinthesky,buttherewasnorain.

Aftersunsetitwasasifthewholecolonybreathedadeepsighofrelief.Theycameouttothesquareorwenttotheriverbanktofilltheirlungsandimmersetheirbodiesinthecoolair.Twohourslaterthosewhohadnotbroughtawrapscurriedbacktotheirhomes.

EsperanzaandJorge,whowerenowtakingwalksbytheriver,wereoblivioustotheheat.Esperanza'sbestfriend,Isabel,wouldaccompanythem.María,Esperanza'smother,didnotseemtonoticethebreachofcustomandpropriety,andSergeantHeredia,whowasfullyaware,apparentlyinfluencedbythelaxconditionsinthecolonywheresignsaboundedthatage-oldcustomswerenotbeingstrictlyobserved,pretendednottoknow.

AttheSosadePeñalosahometherewassomediscussionofthematter.TheroyalensignbroughtthesubjectuponeeveningwhileheanddoñaEufemiawerewatchingthebrilliantsunsetinthedistanthorizon.''HaveyouseenSergeantHeredia'sdaughterwalkingunchaperonedwiththegovernor'spage?"

"Unchaperonedperhaps,butnotunaccompanied,"retortedhiswife."ThatverysensibledaughterofGerónimoMárquezgoeswiththemeverywheretheygo."AfteramomentofreflectiondonFranciscoaddedwithahintofdisapprovalinhisvoice,"Yes,andsheisacaptain'sdaughter,too."

"Francisco,"answereddoñaEufemia."Whatpossibledifferencedoesthatmakeouthereinthiswilderness?"

Theroyalensignlookedagitated."Itispreciselyinthiswildernesswhereweneedtobemorevigilant.Ifwearecarelessaboutourmoral

valueswewillbeindangerofmoralandculturalcollapse."

DoñaEufemiasmiledbroadlyandshookherhead."PoorlittleEsperanza,bringingdownanempire."

"Laughifyouwill,butsomeofourboysarecourtingIndiangirls,somethingtheywouldnotdoiftheywerebackinNewSpain."

DoñaEufemiagaveherhusbandascarcelyforbearinglook."Cortés,ourgreatconquistador,didafewthingsbecausehewasinastrangelandandnothome.AmongotherthingshefatheredTolosa'swife,agrandchildoftheemperorMoctezumaandIsabeldeOñate'smother."

"Yes,Iknow,butmestizajeisgoingtodousgreatharm."

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"DoyouthinkCristobalilloisnotasgoodassomeoftherestofus?"PursueddoñaEufemia.

DonFrancisco,lookingdistraught,didnotanswer.

DoñaEufemiatriednottolooktriumphant,"Thinkofourhistory.EverybodycametothepeninsulafromsomewhereeventheCeltsandtheVisigoths."

Theybothsatinsilenceuntilthesundisappearedbehindthedistantmountains,thenambledintotheirhouse.

InearlySeptemberthefirstcropofcornandwheatplantedbytheSpaniardswasharvested.Sincemanyofthecolonistsdidnotparticipateinthisagriculturalendeavor,theharvestwasstillnotenoughtomeetthecolony'sneeds.Thegovernorhimselfwasapatheticaboutsuchanenterprise,althoughhisowngardentendedbyhisservantsproducedarespectableharvestofvegetables.

Lifewasimproving,butonlyveryslightly.ThehomesofSanGabriel,whichhadformerlybeenoccupiedbyIndians,wereveryuncomfortablefortheSpaniardswhohadmovedintothemalongwiththeirservants,whowereplentifulsincetheconquestofAcoma.Bedbugsandliceweresuchaproblemthatsomeofthecolonistssleptoutsideintheirgardenswhentheweatherpermitted.Atnighttheonlylightwasthatfromthefireplacethatproducedsomuchsmokeandsolittleheatthateveryone'seyeswateredandsmarted,eventhoughtheygatheredarounditwhentheweathergotcolder.

DonJuanhadneverbeensatisfiedwiththetreatmenthehadgottenatthehandsoftheviceroy,thecountofMonterrey,whomodifiedhiscontractinsomanyways.Thegovernorcontinuedtopressforrestitutionoftheoriginalcontract.Hisrelative,JuanGuerradeResa,therichminer,becamethechieffinancialsupporteroftheexpeditionandwasinchargeofrecruitingreinforcementsandpurchasing

supplies.Thegovernor'sbrothers,AlonsoandCristóbal,becamehisprincipalagents,withauthorizationtospeakforhimattheviceregalcourt.AlthoughCristóbalhadacceptedthemodificationsmadebytheviceroyinOctober1599,hisotherbrother,Alonso,wenttoSpaintopleadtotheCounciloftheIndiesforreinstatementoftheoriginalcontractmadewithViceroyVelasco.

FromthetimethatdonJuanhadleftforNewMexicowiththeoriginalsettlers,JuanGuerrahadstartedorganizingthesecondphaseoftheexpeditionsothatbythetimecaptainsVillagráandMárquezarrivedinthemiddleofthesummerof1599inNewSpaintoleadthe

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newgrouptoNewMexico,theexpeditionhadbeenlargelyassembled.Allthatwasneedednowwastheindispensableinspection.ThecountofMonterrey'schoiceforthistaskwasCaptainJuandeGordejuelaYbarguen.

Thepointofdeparturewasthesameonethathadbeenusedin1598,SanBartoloméintheprovinceofSantaBárbara.Amongtheusualsuppliesofnails,powder,andmedicinewasaboxmarkedforJuanGuerratheyoungercontainingshirtsmadeofwovenlinen,asilverplateddaggerandsword,cordovanshoes,finesatin-facedhats,anothersword,thisonegildedandwithabelttrimmedwithgold,andmanyotherluxuryitems.Anotherboxmarked"donCristóbal"containedmuchthesame,includingsixpairsofcordovanshoes,threepairsofordinaryboots,twopairsofcordovanboots,twopairsofcalfskinboots,andagildedswordanddaggeralongwithabagofsoapcontainingeighthundredcakes.TherewerealsoseverallargeboxesmarkedfordonJuandeOñatewithmanyluxuryarticlesandalargequantityoffineclothing.

BernabédelasCasas,whohadbeenpromotedtoensignbyOñateafterhesucceededinfindingthegovernortonotifyhimofthedeathofJuandeZaldívaratAcoma,wasunexpectedlynamedcommanderofthereinforcementexpedition.Theviceroy,thecountofMonterrey,whowasnotpleasedwithOñate'spersistenceintryingtogetthemodificationshehadmadetothegovernor'scontractrevoked,tookcommandoftheexpeditionawayfromCaptainGaspardeVillagráandgaveittoLasCasas,whomhepromotedtocaptain.CaptainMárquez,anOñateloyalist,wasnamedmaesedecampo.ThesargentomayorwasCaptainCondedeHerrera,anewcomertotheexpedition,butwhosesonwasalreadyinNewMexico.CaptainVillagráwasgiventhesamepositionaswiththeoriginalexpedition.Hewasnamedprocuratorgeneralorlegalofficer.HehadexpectedthathewouldretainhiscommandwithMárquezashismaesede

campo.CaptainFarfán,whowastohavebeentheexpedition'ssargentomayordidnotreturnfromavisittohisparents.Hisfather,whohadbeenillforsometime,diedduringhisson'svisit.Beingtheoldestson,theextensivefamilyholdingswouldnowbehisresponsibility.

On5September1600theexpeditionbegantomove.CaptainVillagráwasnotpresent.Hehadleftafewdaysbeforeandhadtakenrefugeinaconvent,resentfulthatcommandoftheexpeditionhadbeengiventoBernabédelasCasasbytheviceroy.VillagráwasthreatenedbyJuan

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Guerrawitharrest,buttonoavail,thusNewMexicolostitspoethistorian,andOñatelostaninvaluableally.

Seventy-threesoldiers,manymarriedandtakingtheirfamilies,beganthetripfullofapprehensionaboutthefuture;amongthemwasafifty-four-year-oldsoldierbythenameofGonzaloFernándezBenhumeaandhiswife,eighteen-year-oldGuadalupe.TheyhadheardrumorsofthediscontentinNewMexico,butitwastoolatetoturnback.Thecommanderhimself,CaptainlasCasas,wasnotveryenthusiasticaboutreturningtoanunpromisingstrife-riddencolony.Whenaskedbythenewcomersaboutconditionsattheirdestination,hewasevasive.CaptainMárquez,themaesedecampooftheexpedition,soughttopaintagoodpicture,explainingthepossibilitiesofthenewterritorynowthatreinforcementswouldpermitamorethoroughexplorationofit.

Thejourneywasmucheasierthanithadbeenforthemainbodytwoyearsbefore.Theleaderswereallveteransofthefirstexpeditionandnotonlyknewthewaybutalsowhattoexpectateachstep.

ChapterTwenty-ThreeChristmasevemorningatSanGabrielhadbegununderaperfectlycloudlesssky.Thewholedaywassunnyandwarmandeventhosewhowereclamoringtoleavethecolonywereatpeace,partlybecausetheywereenjoyingasurceasefromtheseverelycoldweatherthathadstartedtwoweeksbefore,andpartlybecauseitwasthedaybeforeChristmas.

Towardmidafternoonthesoundofcreakingwagonwheelsbecameaudibleinthetown.Thetownspeopleknewthatthereinforcementswouldbearrivingatanytime.TheadvancepartyofeightsoldiersledbyFrayAlonsodelaOlivahadalertedthemsomeweeksbefore.They

knewmoreoverthatthetravelers,iftherewasanychanceatall,wouldtrytoreachSanGabrielbyChristmas.

Astheridersrodeinaheadofthewagons,thegovernorlookedforCaptainVillagrá;thenhespottedBernabédelasCasasontheleadhorse.AstheriderreinedindonJuanasked,"DóndeestáVillagrá?"

LasCasasdismounted,tookoffhishatandsaid,"I'msorry,general,butVillagrástayedbackatSantaBárbara."

"What?"exclaimedthegovernorobviouslyshaken."Whatisall

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this?CaptainMárquezyouaretheonlyonewhoseemstobeinplace.Youtellmewhatisgoingon."

CaptainMárquezinamatter-of-facttonesaid,"YourExcellency,commandoftheexpeditionwasgiventoCaptainLasCasasuponordersfromtheviceroy."

"Whereisthefathercommissary?"blurtedthegovernor.

Atalldistinguishedfriarofaboutforty-fiveyearsofagedismountedandsaidpolitely,"PadreEscalonaatyourordersmygovernor."

CaptainLópezwastalkingtoCaptainTaboraandnotreallylookingatthewagonsastheypulledupattheplaza.Outofthecornerofhiseyehecaughtaglimpseofafamiliarpersonaveryprettyyoungwoman.Hesaidtohimself,"Itcan'tbe,"butasshegotoff,assistedbyasoldierhedidnotknow,hemuttered,"MyGoditis.It'sGuadalupe."Hepulledhishatlowerandturnedtoleave.CaptainTaboralookedathimquizzicallybutdidnotsayanything.

Despitethetensioninthetown,whenthereinforcementsandsuppliesbecameareality,thetownspeopleforgottheiranimosities,andforafewbriefdaysharmonyreigned.Cristóbalwasparticularlypleasedatthedozensofgiftshereceived.Hecouldnotbelievehiseyeswhenhesawallthedelightfulthingsinsidethecratesmarkedinhisname.

Thenightofthecaravan'sarrivalFranciscowenttodonJuan'shouse,wherebothfatherandsonwerestilladmiringallofthefinerytheyhadreceived."ComeinFrancisco.LookatwhatJuanGuerrasentus."

Franciscofeltsomeoftheshirtswithhisfingers,thensaid,"MayIhaveawordwithyou."

DonJuandroppedwhathehadinhishandsandlookedathimwithcuriosity."Ofcourse.Let'sgomyoffice."

AfterdonJuanhadclosedthedoor,Franciscosaid,"Doyouknowwhoishere?"

DonJuanshruggedhisshoulders,signifying"tellmemore."

"ItisGuadalupe.MárqueztellsmesheismarriedtoasoldierFernandez...mucholderthanshe."

DonJuanbrokeoutintoasmile."Aha,shehasfollowedyou."

Franciscosmiledbackweaklyandshookhishead."ThatisallIneededinthisforsakenplacebesidesthisFernandezbroughttwogrownsonswithhim."

BothdonJuanandhisfriendbrokeoutintolaughter.

ChristmasdayCristóbalandhisfatherworetheRouenshirtsandthefinehatstheyhadreceived.AfterMass,heanddonJuanspentalongtimetalkingnotonlytothenewcomersbuteventosomeoftheir

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detractors.ThegoodweatherthathadarrivedthedaybeforeheldthroughoutChristmasweek.Theunseasonablywarmdaysbroughtthepeopleouttothesquare.Thenewarrivals,aftermanyweeksonthetrail,welcomedaroofovertheirheadsandtheprivacyofahome,rudimentaryasitmightbe.

Cristóbal,whohadbeenworriedaboutthechangesinattitudetowardhimthathehadstartedtofeelmorethantoperceive,begantoworryless."Nowthatthenewpeoplehavearrivedweshallbestronger,andpeoplewon'tbesounfriendlytowardus,"hesaidtohisfather.

DonJuantookagoodintervaltoanswer,thenhesaidcasually,"Hassomeonebeenunfriendlytoyou?"

"Notexactly,"repliedCristóbal,"butitisnotthesameasitwaswhenwefirstarrived."

"Well,I'mgladthatthereinforcementsarehere,"concludeddonJuan.

Bythetimethenewyeararrivedtheweatherhadturnednotonlycoldbutwindyaswell.Thehousesweredraftyandwereleaking.Sincetherewaslittleworktodo,thenewsettlershadplentyoftimetodwellontheirphysicaldiscomfortsandtotalkaboutitamongthemselvesandwiththediscontentedfactionamongtheoriginalsettlers.

Thegovernorhadnotgottenovertheresentmenthefeltattheappointmentstheviceroyhadmade.Heissuedaproclamationorderingeveryonetopresenthiscommission.Oneofthecaptains,AlonsoDonis,havingfallensick,senthisappointmentwithanothercaptain,PedroAlonso.WhenAlonsopresentedthecommission,thegovernorasked,"Ishebeingsentbytheviceroyormybrother?"

WhenAlonsoanswered,"Bytheviceroy,yourexcellency,"thegovernorrepliedinasharptone,"Thentellhimtowipehisrearwithhispatents."

Franciscowasinagoodpositiontoknowthemachinationsthatwereoccurringinthecapital.Hedrankandhobnobbedwiththesinglemenandhehadtwoladyfriends,oneawidowandonemarried.HewarneddonJuaneverytimehesawhimthatthecampwasonthevergeofopenmutiny."Sí,yosé,"blurtedthegovernor."ItisAguilarandSosawhoarebehindthis."

"Buttheyarenottheonlyones,"respondedFrancisco."ThefriarsarecomplainingevenFrayJuandeEscalona,thenewfathercommissary,islisteningtothecomplaints."

"Theyareallupsetbecauseithasnotbeeneasyandtheweatheriscold.HowcanIhelpthat?"addeddonJuanplaintively.

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"Well,I'mjusttellingyouwhatisgoingon,"answeredFrancisco,shrugginghisshoulders.

Therewasseriousdiscontentevenamongthefriars.Theoptimisticplanfortheestablishmentofmissionsinseveralpuebloshadnotmaterialized.MostofthefriarshadreturnedtoSanGabrielseekingreinforcementintheirfrustrationfromtheirfellowfriars.Waryastheywereofexpressingtheirtruefeelingsexceptinthestrictestprivacy,thegovernorwasobliviousoftheirdisaffection.FatherEscalonawhohadjustarrived,foundhisfellowFranciscansalmosttotallyinactiveandwithplentyoftimetobrood.HesoughtoutFatherSanMiguel,whotoldhimthatthegovernorseemedtobeparalyzedbyindecision,andthathelistenedtoomuchtohisnephew.

AfewdayslaterEscalonacrossedpathswithVicenteashewalkedpastthechurch.Headdressedthearmycommanderinhisusualdignifiedmanner,"Buenasdías,SenorMaese."

"Buenasdías,Padre,"repliedVicenteinadeferentialtone.

Thefatherjoinedtheyoungman,whoinstinctivelyslowedhispace.TheywerechattingabouttheweatherwhenFatherEscalona,seeingayoungIndianmanhoppingononefootaidedbyaroughhewncane,remarked,"ThisisthethirdsuchyoungmanIhaveseenthisweek."

"Yes,theyareAcomans,"repliedVicentenonchalantly.

"Isee,"saidthepriestgravely.

"Yes,wehadtopunishthem,"volunteeredthemaese.

"AndyetourkingshavesaidthatwemusttreatthemthewaywewouldSpanishsubjectswhichtheyareand,ofcourse,childrenofGod."

"Wetreatthembetter,Father.WejustbeheadedsomeSpanishsoldiers

fordeserting."

Thefatherremonstratedgently,"Yes,butdesertionandtreason,offensesagainstone'sdutiesandresponsibilitiestoGodandKingaremuchmoreseriousthandefendingone'sself."

"Itwasmorethanself-defense,Father."

"Butperhapsnotintheirminds.Thesearesimple,gentlepeople."

"But,didn'twecomeheretoteachthem,Father?"

"Yes,yes,wedid,"thearistocraticpriestsaidslowlyasheslackenedhispaceandbegantotakeadifferentdirection."Goodday,SenorMaese."

Vicentedoffedhishatpolitelyandcontinuedtowardhisuncle'shouse.

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AsheenteredheremarkedtodonJuan,"ThefathercommissarythinksweweretooharshwiththeAcomans."

Thegovernorreplied,"He,too?Itseemseverybodyisturningagainstme."

"Noteverybody,"snappedVicente."Butitistimewedidsomethingaboutit."

Vicentewasadamantlyinfavorofdrasticactionagainstthetwowhomheregardedastheringleaders.Exasperated,donJuanasked,"Butwhatcanwedo?"

"Eliminatethem,"explodedVicente."EitherletthemgobacktoNewSpainorexecutethem."

DonJuanfrowned,pausedamoment,thensaidhaltingly,"IfIletthemgoback,theywillspreadderogatorystoriesaroundthecapital."

"Thenthereisonlyoneotherthingyoucando,"answeredVicente,hisjawtightening.

"Onecan'tsuddenlyexecutesomeone,justlikethat,"protesteddonJuan.

"Wehavedoneitbefore,"saidVicente,staringathisuncle.

ChapterTwenty-FourOnemorninginlateFebruarytherewasagreatdealofagitationinthesquare.Peoplegatheredinsmallgroups,engagedinhurriedconversations,thenmovedontoanothergroup.CaptainAguilar'sbodyhadbeenbroughttothechurchinasealedcoffin.

"Heisbeingburiedthisafternoon,"someoneinthecrowdvolunteered.

"Whathappenedtohim?"otherswouldaskasthemuffledconversationscontinued.

ThefuneralserviceswereverybriefandCaptainPablodeAguilarofEcija,Spain,wasnomoreconsignedtothecold,bareNewMexicoearth.Thoseattendingstooddry-eyedastheystaredattheground,wonderingwhatwouldhappennext,nowthatthebubbleofequivocationhadburst.

Thegovernorcalledacouncilofhistrustedcaptainsthenextdaytoexplainwhathadhappened."AllofyouknowthatCaptainAguilar

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hadbeenwantingtodesertormutinyforsometimenow.Hewassavedfromexecutiontwicebecausethepeopleinterceded.Lastnighthefledwithfivesoldiers.Iwasapprisedintimeandhewascaptured,tried,andexecuted.Theothersgotaway."

Hisofficersremainedsilentforamoment,thenbeganmakingcommentssuchas,"Hedeservedit,"and,Iknewitcouldcometothat."

Despitetheofficialexplanation,rumorsweresooncirculatingthatthegovernorhadhadhimmurderedbyinvitinghimtohisresidencewherehisservantswerewaitingwithbutcherknives.ItwasevenrumoredthatdonJuanhimselfhadrunhimthroughwithhissword.

Cristóbaldidn'tknowwhattothink.WhenhewenttoseehisfriendPaco,hewastoldthathewasoutwithhisfather.Thatnightatdinnerheaskedhisfather,"Willsomeonetrytokillus?"

DonJuanwassurprisedandhesitatedbeforeheansweredgently,"No,son,nobodywantstohurtus."

TheanswerdidnotsatisfyCristóbalbutheremainedsilent.

Twodaysafterthatmysterious,ifnotsinister,incident,GovernorOñateissuedaproclamationthat,duetothelossofalargenumberofhorses,ageneralroundupwastobeheld.Thegovernor,againsttheadviceofsomeofhisofficers,hadfollowedthepolicyoflettingthehorsesloose,thusobviatingthenecessityoffeedingthem.NowwiththetriptoQuiviraplanned,thehorseswereneeded.Therounduprequiredtheservicesofeveryable-bodiedmale,exceptthoseofthereligiouscommunity.

Aftertheroundup,thehorsemenstarteddriftingbacktotowninsmallgroupsandindividually.ByearlyeveningCaptainSosa'swifewasdesperate,askingifanyonehadseenherhusband.Shewenttothe

fathercommissarytoseeifhecouldhelp.Sincehehadnotbeenintheroundup,heknewnothingofwhatmighthavehappened,buthereferredSeñoradeSosatoCaptainGasco,thetreasurer,whowouldsurelyknoworbeabletofindout.CaptainGascotoldtheseñorathathedidnotknowforsure,butthathesuspectedthatherhusbandhadbeenkilled.Hesaidthathe,too,wasveryconcerned.Asoldiertoldhim,herelated,thathehadseenthecaptainenteraravine,andthatshortlythereafterthemaesedecampoandsomeotherridershadenteredthesameravine.CaptainSosawasnotseenafterthat.SeñoradeSosahadforsometimefearedtheworstwouldhappen.Sheknewthatherhusbandwasinvolvedinthedisputewiththegovernorandhisnephew,andhadaskedhimonseveraloccasionsnottogetentangled,buttotry

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simplytogetherandhisfamilyoutoftheprovince,whichshedetested.WhensheleftCaptainGasco'shouse,shewassobbingalmostuncontrollably."Whatistohappentousnowmypoorchildren?Whowilllookafterus?"

Theofficialexplanationgiventohisofficersandthefathercommissarybythegovernorwasthat,inasmuchasCaptainSosahadtriedtodesertbefore,andsincehehadconfessedtoanewattempt,thegovernorhadhimexecutedaccordingtothepracticesofwar,andburiedinanunmarkedgrave.

Cristóbaldidnotaskanymorequestionsofhisfather,butforseveraldaysfollowedhimeverywherehewent.

Althoughthecolonywasstilldivided,thoseopposedtothegovernorandhispoliciesbecameverycircumspect,knowingthatthemajorityoftheofficersandsoldierswerestillloyaltohim.Hisenemies,however,continuedtheircampaigntounderminehim,talkinginverycautioustonestothosewhowerenotknownsupportersofthegovernor.AmongthemoreoutspokenleaderswereCaptainZubía,thepurveyorgeneral,andCaptainGasco,thetreasurer.Achillsettledoverthecolony.Thepeoplebarelygreetedeachother,unsureonwhosesidetheirneighborsmightbe.

FatherSanMiguel,whohadbeenfrustratedatPecosbythelackofresponsebytheIndiansandthereportshehadheardofwhatwasgoingoninSanGabriel,decidedtoabandonhispostandreturntothecapital.JuandeOñateknewthathisconfessorwasunhappywithhispolicies,buthealsothoughtthatperhapshisagewastakingitstoll.

Thedayofhisarrivalthegovernorinvitedhimtohishouseforamerienda.ThefriarwasmorecircumspectthanOñateeverrememberedhim.FinallydonJuanaskedhimoutright,"Istheresomethingyouwouldliketotellme,Father?"FrayFranciscowaved

hishandasiftodismissthesubjectbuttheyoungermaninsisted."IhearthatyouhavesaidyouwishtoreturntoNewSpain."

FrayFranciscoanswered,"TothatImustsayyes,Juan."

"Areyounotfeelingwell?"askeddonJuan.

"Iamnotsick,ifthatiswhatyoumean,butImusttellyou,myson,Iamnotfeelingverywellaboutthisenterprise."

WaitingforFatherSanMigueltoproceed,thegovernordidnotanswer."IcannotbehappywhenwekeeptakingcornandotherprovisionsfromtheIndianswithoutmakinganefforttosustainourselvesbyplantingcrops."

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HereOñatebrokesilence,''IhavealwayssaidthatIintendtodojustthatandmorewheneverIdecideonourpermanentsettlement.IhavenotcompletedtheexplorationsIhadplanned."

"Icansympathizewiththat,butwhydowehavetomistreattheIndiansandtakesomuchfromthem?Wehavebeenherelongenoughtobeproducingourownprovisionsandmaybeevenhelpingthenativesincreasetheiryields.Wedohaveanevangelisticmissionhere.Don'tyoubelieveinit?"

Oñatereflectedforalongintervalthenanswered."Icandomoretoensurethesuccessofourmission,Father,ifIfindsomethingofvalueforthecrown."

"AnotherTenochtitlán,anotherCuzcoperhaps?"interruptedthevenerablefriar.

"No,IamnoCortés.Thetimeispastforsuchdiscoveries,butImeansomethinglikeaportorrichmines.Ibelieveinyourwork,Father,butIdidnotcomeherejusttofoundmissions.WecouldhavedonethatinNuevaVizcayawithoutcomingallthisgreatdistance."

"Idetectsomefalseprideinwhatyouaresaying,Juan.Areyoulookingforhonors?"askedFrayFrancisco.

"IfIam,itisnotjustforme,butformycountry,andmyfamily.Whatmandoesnotaspiretorecognition?ThegreatcivilizingmissionwhichGodentrustedtoQueenIsabelandtoSpaindependsontheeffortsandwilloftheadelantados,ofthemenwhodaredtodream."

FatherSanMiguelshookhishead,"Thisisnolongertheageforthat,Juan.WealreadyhaveaNewSpainandothervice-royaltiestothesouth.Thisisnolongertheageofconquest."

"Maybeyouareright,Father,butImustbetruetomybeliefsasyouaretoyours,andthereisstillanunfathomablelandtothenorthofus."

"Yes,thereis,"answertheoldfriar,"anditwillswallowyouasitswallowedupHumanaandLeyva,thatis,ifyourpridedoesnotconsumeyoufirst."

Withthat,asilenceensueduntilitwasbrokenbyFatherSanMiguel."ImustgoJuan.Godblessyou."

ThatwasthelasttimeJuandeOñateandhisconfessorspoketoeachother.

Theroyalensign,whohadbeenagoodfriendandsupporterofthegovernor,wasmortifiedattherecentdevelopments.Hewascaughtbetweenthetwofactions.AtadinnerheldforhisentirefamilyoneSundayinApril,thestateoftheexpeditioncameup,asalways.CaptainZubía

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criticizedthegovernorandhisnephewbitterly.Theroyalensignsaidinacalmvoice,"Cuidado,hijoyouknowthewallshaveears."

"Well,Idon'tcare,"Zubíaalmosthollered."TheyhadAguilarandSosakilled.Aguilarmighthavedeservedit,butAlonsocertainlydidn't."

"Wedon'tknowforsurehowithappened,"answereddonFranciscosoftly.

"Becauseyoudonotwanttoknow,"hissedDiego.

"Don'tberude,"interrupteddoñaEufemia.

"I'msorry,mother,butnobodywantstoseewhatisgoingon,"continuedZubía.

"Diego,"pleadedhiswife,Juana,"whydon'tyouleavethistoanothertime?"

AfterthemysteriousdeathsofcaptainsAguilarandSosa,thegovernorfeltlessthreatened,andbegantothinkseriouslyoftheexpeditiontoQuivira.ThefirstpersonheconsultedwasVicente,whowasnotenthusiasticabouttheidea.

"Wealreadyknowthereisnotmuchinthatcountryandwithalltherumorsaboutadesertion,doyouthinkthisisthebesttimetogothere?"

DonJuanlookedannoyed."Yes,weknowthatVásquezdeCoronadodidnotencountermuch,buthedidnotgofarenough,andastothosewhoaredisloyal,Idon'twantthemtoaffectmydecisionsinanyway.Idon'tevenwanttotakethemwithme."

Vicenteshotanincredulouslookathisuncle."What,leavethemheretoplotagainstyou.Thereisnotellingwhattheymightdo."

Oñatelookedofftoonesideasifthesubjectdidnotmerithisattention."IamnotsureIwouldn'tlikethemtodesert."

Vicentelookedpuzzled."Idon'tunderstand."

DonJuanfixedhisgazeonVicente'seyes."Idon'twantthemhere,butIcan'torderthembacktoNewSpain.Iftheydesert,Inotonlywillberidofthem,butIcanchargethemwithamostseriouscrime."

Vicenteraisedhiseyebrowsthenshookhisheadslowly."That,uncle,wouldbeagreatrisk.Iftheygetaway,theywillspreadstoriesaboutyou."

"Iguesstheywould,buthowintheworldcouldanybodycondonedesertion?"

"Doyouwantmetostaybehinduncle?"askedVicente.

"No,"donJuanansweredemphatically."Ineedagoodfieldcommander;wemighthavetroublewiththeIndians,whoareverynumerous."

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"Well,then,whomwillyouleaveincharge,"pursuedVicente.

Idon'tknow,butthereisMárquezorMontesinosandstayingbehindwillbeanumberofgoodfriarsandtheroyalensign.Besides,Idon'tthinktheywillhavethecouragetodesert."

"Ithinkweshouldtakeatleastmostofthemalcontentssowecankeepaneyeonthem,"proposedVicente.

"Totellyouthetruth,Vicente,Iwouldliketogetawayfromthemandtoconductthisexpeditioninpeace,"sighedDonJuan.

"Ihopewewon'thavetopayforthatpeacewithworsetroublewhenwegetback,"saidVicenteinaresignedtone.

On3May,justasthegovernorwasfinishinghisbreakfast,theroyalensigncameintohistenttoaskhimwhathewasgoingtodoaboutthemissingfivemenwhohadapparentlydeserted.Thegovernorshookhisheadslowly,thensaidinatiredvoice,"PleaseaskVicentetocomeseeme."AttheconferencebetweenthegovernorandhismaesedecampoitwasdecidedtosendCaptainMárquezafterthem.

Theroyalensignstayedonuntiltheothersleft.DonJuanaskedhim,"Doyouhavesomethingelse,donFrancisco?"

Theoldermanlookedhimstraightintheeyes."Shouldn'twebuildacapital,andgiveourpeopleafeelingofstabilityandachanceforanormallife?Mostofthemareidlenotknowingwhatyourintentionsare."

DonJuanansweredwithunaccustomedinformality,"Amigo,myfathercametotheNewWorldasayoungman.Hedidn'thavetoleavehishomeinthePyrenees.Hisfamilywasnotrich,buthadacomfortablelife.However,hehadadream,anditwaspartofSpain'sdream.Asourcountry'sdestinystartedtomaterialize,hisdidalso.Hebecameafounderofgreatcitiesandgovernorofaprovince.Thisis

myonlyopportunitytofollowinhisfootsteps.IfIstayhereandjustplantcrops,itwillmeanabandonmentofhisdreamandmine."

Theloyalcaptainwitheightmenwasunderwaybeforenoon.TwodayslaterastheyapproachedtheeastsideoftheManzanoMountainstheyheardseveralvoicesshoutinginSpanish.Afterawhilethreeriderscameintoview.Theywerethreeofthedeserterswhoappearedanxioustobecaptured.Oneofthem,PedrodeRivasaddressedCaptainMárquez,"Captain,weareonourwaybacktoSanGabriel.TheJumanoskilledCastañedaandSantillán."

CaptainMárquezdidnotanswerhim,butlookedbackathismenandshouted,"Arrestthem."Thethreedidnotresist.Aftertheywereputinchains,Márquezinterrogatedthem.TheytoldhimthatIndians

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atAbohadnotonlykilledthetwoSpaniards,butapparentlyinvitedotherpueblosintoopenrebellion.TheywereheadingbacktoSanGabriel,theysaid,towarnthegovernor.

Whentheyarrivedatthecapitalthegovernorwasalarmed,buthewaswellintopreparationfortheexpeditiontoQuivirainpresent-daysoutheasternKansas.HeconsequentlydidnotreactashehadaftertheAcomaincidentthatprecipitatedthewar.Ittookapetitionbythewholepopulation,feelingthatthecolonywasingreatperil,particularlyifthegovernorleftforQuivira,tomovethegovernortoconsiderapunitiveexpedition.AtameetingoftheofficersandsoldiersallagreedthatthegovernorshoulddisposeofthispressingmatterbeforeproceedingtoQuivira.

Vicenteoncemorewaschargedwiththeperilousmission.Hechoseaforceoffiftymen,includingCaptainCristóbalVaca,andsetouton8MayforAbo.HedeclinedFrancisco'soffer,madeindirectlytodonJuan,toparticipate.Hetoldhisunclethathedidnotfeelcomfortablewithhisfriend.

TheJumanoIndiansknewthatwhenthecompanionsofthetwosoldierstheyhadkilledreportedtheincident,theSpaniardswouldretaliate.Aweeklatertheirscoutsconfirmedthisassumptionwhentheyreportedalargeforceofhorsemenheadedtowardtheirterritory.TheyassembledinthepuebloofAcoloconorthofAbotoawaittheirarrival.

BecausetheywerestillseveralleaguesfromAbo,Zaldívar'ssmallarmywastravelinginarelaxedmodeandnotfullyreadyforaction.Suddenlyshotswereheard.Theycamefromthevanguardofthreesoldierswhohadbeenattackedbyalargeforceofwarriorsshootingarrows,eventhoughtheywelloutofrange.

ThemainSpanishforcecamealiveasVicenteshouted,"Putonyour

armorandprepareforbattle."Withinmomentstheyweregallopingtowardtheskirmishthatwastakingplacenearthepueblo.WhentheIndianssawthedustkickedupbythehorses,theyretiredbehindthehouses.TheSpaniardsdidnotpursue,insteadwithdrawingasafedistancetopreparetheirassault.

Zaldívar,perhapsrememberingAcoma,offeredpeaceiftheywouldturnoverthoseresponsibleforkillingSantillánandCastañeda,buttheIndiansansweredwithashowerofrocksandarrows.

Shouting,"Santiago,"themaeseledanattacktotheoutskirtsofthevillage.SeveralIndianswerekilledandtwoSpaniardswounded.Zaldívar,notwishingtoriskanymorewounded,signaledawithdrawal.Settingcamponhighgroundwithagoodviewofthepueblo,theyspent

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thenightmakingplansandresting."Idon'twanttostormthevillage,"hetoldCaptainJuandeMontoya,"wecanlaysiegeandattackandwithdrawuntiltheysurrender."

Forsixdaysthemaeseinhisusualtirelessfashionledattackafterattack.Woundedhimself,hewasverymindfuloftheotherswhosufferedthesamefate.

OnthethirddayEnsignAlvaroGarcíasuggested,"Whydon'tyouresttoday.CaptainCristóbalVacacanleadus."

"I'mallright,"heansweredinalowvoiceashepreparedhisequipmentfortheday'slethalwork.

"Whydon'twemountanattackandputanendtothis,"venturedGarcía.

ThecommanderlookedupatAlvaro."Idon'twantanymorepeoplekilledthanisnecessaryparticularlywomenandchildren."

Alvaroraisedhiseyebrows,thensmilednervously,"Bien,maese."

ThepunishingraidswerebeginningtobreakdowntheIndians'resolve.ThemaeseestimatedtheJumanoshadlostfourhundredmen."Theycan'tholdoutmuchlongernotwithsuchlossesandtheirwatersupplycutoff,"hesaidhopefully.

Thefifthdaythefightingwasparticularlyferocious.SpurredonbytheirdesperatesituationtheIndianstookcoverbehindtheirhouses,shottheirarrows,andretreatedbehindanotherhouse.Asthemaesechaseddowntwowarriorshefailedtonoticeanotheronewhoremainedhiddenbehindoneoftheforwardhuts.AsZaldívargallopedpast,thewarriorshotanarrowthatmissedthecommander,butfelledhishorse.Themaesefelltothegroundwithathud.OneofhissoldierswhowasfollowingclosebehindspottedtheyoungIndian.Hewheeledaroundandchasedthewarriordown,runninghimthrough

withhissword.Thecommandergotupslowly,hisleftarmlimp.Heorderedthesoldiertodeliveracoup-de-gracetohishorse,mountedbehindhimandgallopedwithhimoutofthevillageandsafefromthefray.

ThelossesamongtheIndians,estimatednowatninehundred,spurredtheIndianstotrytoescapefromthedoomedpueblo.Thecommander,despitehiswounds,didnotletupinhisefforts,notonlyinthefightingbutinlookingafterhistroops.IntheendSpanisharmsandorganizationoncemoreprovedtoomuchforthedoomedcity.Onthesixthdayfightingstopped.Thewomenandchildrenweresetfreebutthemenovertwenty-fiveweregiventotheSpanishsoldiersasslaves.

WhenthemaesedecampoarrivedbackatSanGabriel,hewasgreetedasaherobytheloyalists,andwithmixedemotionsbytheothers.Cap-

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tainLasCasasandCaptainZubíawatchedfromadistanceasZaldívarwasmetbydonJuanjustoutsidetheconfinesofSanGabriel."Well,youmustadmitthatVicenteaccomplishedwhathesetouttodo,"musedLasCasas."Wemustbeverycarefulwithhim."

"Hedoesn'tscareme,"grumbledZubía.

ChapterTwenty-FiveThegovernoroncemoreturnedhisattentiontotheQuiviraventure.Heselectedseventy-threemen,includingFrancisco,onwhoseloyaltyhecouldcount,withVicenteasmaesedecampoandsargentomayor.Hetookwithhimtworeligiousrepresentatives,FrayFranciscodeVelasco,apriest,andPedrodeVergara,alaybrother.Thegovernor,ashehadpromised,tookhissonasafull-fledgedsoldier.

ThenightbeforetheirdepartureFranciscohadarendezvouswithGuadalupe.Shehadsenthimanotethatshewouldbewalkingbytheconfluenceofthetworiverswithafriend.

Franciscowasnottookeenaboutgoing,mainlybecausehealreadyhadagirlfriend.AshetoldGerónimo,"Thisplaceistoosmall.IhaveenoughtroubleseeingRosa."

Hewentanyhow.Theywentbehindthebullrusheswheretheycouldhaveprivacy.Heembracedherbutwithacertaincoolness.

"Well,Iguessyouaremarried,"hesaidawkwardly.

Sheblushed."ImarriedthatoldmansoIcouldcometoyou."

"Thisisaverysmallplace,Guadalupe.Itwillbedifficult,"hestammeredapologetically.

"Youdon'tlikemeanymore?"

Helookedatherforamomentthenbegansmotheringherwithkisses.Afterwhatseemedlikeaneternitytoherfriend,FranciscoandGuadalupeemergedfrombehindtheunderbrushhandinhand,smilingandchattering.

ConsideringthegrouptoolargetoassembleatSanGabriel,theadvanceechelonunderZaldívarlefton23June1601forGalisteo,afewleaguestothesouth.Fivedayslaterthemainbody,ledbythegovernor,joinedupwiththem.Theentireexpedition,consistingoftheseventy-threesoldiersandthetwofriars,alongwithmanyservants,setoutforQuivira.TheyskirtedtheSangredeCristoMountainstotheeastand

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crossedthesouthernedgeoftheGlorietaMesa,headedinanortheasterlydirection.TheycrossedthePecosRiverjustnorthofpresent-dayAntónChico,thentheGallinasRiverafewmilesnorthofitsjunctionwiththePecos,andontotheCanadianRiver,whichtheyadmiredverymuchnotonlyforthewateritofferedbutforitsbeauty.Theydidnotsufferanyshortagesofwater,whichwasabundantnotonlyintheriver,butfromthespringsnearby.Fruittreeswereeverywhere,andthefurthereasttheywentthetallerthegrassgrew.TheyencounteredveryfewIndians,butastheyfirstreachedtheplaintheymetupwithsomenomadicApacheswhowereveryfriendlytothem.Astheyprogressedeastward,theycameacrosshugeherdsofbuffalo,whichprovidedthemwiththemostdeliciousmeattheyrememberedtasting.

Afterfollowingtheriverformanydays,theywereforcedtoturnnorthwardbysomesanddunes,whichmadetravelingverydifficult.ThispointwasjustbeyondthemodernTexasPanhandle.Byturningnorthwardtheycameuponbroadplainswithevenmorebuffalothanbefore,aswellasagreatvarietyofgame,includingquail,turkeys,deer,andjackrabbits.

ItwasonthisplainthattheyencounteredthefirstlargegroupofIndians,whoturnedouttobehostileatfirst,butafterabriefdiscussionbecamefriendly.TheyvisitedtheSpanishcampthefirstnight,andtheSpaniardsreturnedthecourtesythefollowingday.TheIndiansallowedtheSpaniardstovisittheirhuts,whichweremadefromtreebranchesplacedinacircleapproximatelytenfeethigh.Mostofthehutswerecoveredwithtannedskins.Somewereaslargeasninetyfeetacross,whichmadethemlooklikeroundcircustents.TheseweretheKansasIndians,whoconsideredthemselvesenemiesofthosewholivedfurtherontheoneswhowouldlaterbecalledtheWichitas.Here,aselsewhere,itwasdifficulttotellwhowerethechiefs,sincemostofthepeopleappearedquiteindependent.

WhentheyfoundoutthattheSpaniardsweregoingtoinvestigatethedisappearanceoftheLeyva-Humanaexpeditionseveralyearsbeforeinthisregion,theywerequicktoblametheWichitas,whotheywereatwarwith.TheyvolunteeredtogowithOñate'smen,guidingthemasfarastheArkansasRiver.TheSpaniardsthenwentontheirown.

WhentheSpaniardsmadecontactwithanewgroupofIndians,they,too,seemedreadytofight,buttheSpaniardsplacatedthemwithpalms-upsigns,indicatingpeacefulintentions.TheWichitasprovedtobeveryfriendly,bringingthefirstcorntheyhadseeninthiscountry,

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andevenhugeloavesofcornbreadwhichwereasmuchastwofeetindiameter.

TheKansasIndians,meanwhile,cameupbehindtheSpaniardsandstartedshoutinginsultsandchallengestotheirenemies.TheytoldtheSpaniardsthatitwasherewheretheWichitashadkilledthemembersoftheLeyvadeBonillaexpedition,ofwhichJusepe,whowasnowtheinterpreterandguidefortheSpaniards,hadbeentheonlysurvivor.

ThegovernordecidedtocapturethechiefoftheWichitas,whosenamewasCatarax,andholdhimuntilsomethingdefinitecouldbeascertainedabouttheSpaniardswhohadperished,butastheyadvanced,theyfoundtheWichitavillagescompletelyabandoned.TheSpaniardshadneverseensomuchstoredcorn.Inaddition,theyfoundbeans,calabashes,andplums.Theywereveryimpressedbythefertilityoftheland,whichproducedamazinglytallstalksofcornandyieldedsomanyothercrops.TheIndiansfromthisareatoldtheSpaniardsthatfartherontherewasanothergreatriverwithanetworkofsmallerrivers,andthatalongsidethesetributarieslivedpeoplemuchmorenumerousthananywhereelseintheregion.TheyalsosaidthattheyweretheoneswhohadkilledtheLeyvadeBonillapartyandweretobeconsideredhostile.

Thegovernorwantedtopresson,butthesoldiersoftheexpeditionheldacouncilduringwhichtheydecidedtopresentapetitiontothegovernoraskinghimnottogooninviewofthelargenumberofhostileIndians.Theypointedouttothecommanderthattheirmissionhadalreadybeenaccomplished.

Feelingthatwhattheyhaddiscoveredwasnotsubstantialenough,Oñatewantedtoproceed.Hehad,however,becomemoreamenabletosuggestionsnowthathewassurroundedbyloyaltroops.Helistenedcarefully,presentedhisargumentsforcontinuing,butfinallyaccededtohissoldiers'wishes.

PreparationstoreturntoSanGabrielwerequicklymade.VicentewentaheadtoassessthesituationamongtheKansasIndians,whomhedidnottrust.Hefoundthattheyhadretreatedtotheirhouses,whichtheyhadfortified.Hereportedwhathehadlearnedtothegovernor,whoorderedallofhissoldierstoputarmorontheirhorses,andprepareforbattle.

Cristóbalbecameelatedatthethoughtofhisfirstcombat.Ashenervouslyputthearmoronhishorse,hedroppedseveralarticles.Hisfather,whofeltthatafightwasimminent,cametoreassurehim.AshehandedCristóbaloneoftheplateshehaddropped,hesmiledathim.

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Cristóbal'sfaceturnedpinkashereturnedhisfather'ssmilewithaweakoneofhisown.DonJuanputhisarmaroundCristóbal'sshoulderandgavehimareassuringsqueeze.

AfterheleftCristóbalhewenttowhereFranciscoandhismenwerepreparingtheirmounts."Francisco,"hesaidashereinedin,"mayIspeaktoyouprivately?"Oncetheywereoutofearshotfromtheothershecontinued,"WouldyouridenearCristóbalandkeepaneyeonhim.Idon'twanthimtothinkthatIamundulyconcerned.''

"CertainlyJuan,"repliedFrancisco.

Astheyadvancedsouthward,theSpanishsoldiersturnedtheirpalmsupwardasasignofpeace,buttheseKansasIndians,whowereresentfulthattheSpaniardshadnothelpedthemagainsttheirenemies,weredeterminedtopunishthem.ThefirstformationtheSpaniardsencounteredconsistedofmorethanfifteenhundredwarriorsinasemicircle.Cristóbalwasridingtotherightandslightlybehindhisfather.Franciscoandhismenwererightnexttohim.Hefeltaweaknessinhisstomach,whichradiatedtohisarmsandlegs.Hesawtheenemyonlyasablurofpeople.Hewasobliviousoftheshowerofarrowsfallingaroundhim.Somehowhemanagedtoraisehisharquebusandhefiredintotheenemycrowd.Itbecameverydifficultforhimtoputawayhisfirearminordertounsheathehisswordbecauseheneededbothhandstocontrolhishorse.Suddenlyhesawhisfatherandthosenexttohimwheelaroundtotheleft.Hefollowed,notknowingwhatwashappening,astheSpanishtroopretiredtoasafedistancebeyondarrowrange.HeretheSpaniardsdismounted,assumedaformation,andstartedafusilladewiththeirfirearms.Astheenemyattacksubsided,Vicentecalledforacease-fire.ItwasnotuntilthenthatCristóbalfeltaslight,stingingitchonhisleftshoulder.Ashebroughtdownhishandafterscratchingtheoffendingarea,therewasbloodonhisfingers.Hisfather,whohadforgottenabouthisson

duringtheheatoftheencounter,rushedovertohim.Quicklycheckingthewound,whichturnedouttobenomorethanasuperficialskinbreak,hesaid,"Yaeressoldado,hijo[Youarenowasoldier]."Afterthis,Cristóbalshookoffhisnervousnessandconfusion,andstartedtofeeltheelationborderingonjoythatmostsoldiersfeelaftertheirbaptismoffire.

Thebattlelastedanothertwohours.TheKansaswouldadvancewithinarrowrangeandtheSpaniardswouldfirevolleyaftervolleyuntiltheIndiansretreated.Cristóbalnowcouldseetheenemymoredistinctly,andhefiredwithsteadieraimandagoodbitofrelish.There

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wasnoneedforanyparticularattentiontoCristóbaleitherbyhisfatherorhisfather'sfriend.

Seeingthatjustaboutallofhissoldierswerewounded,althoughnoneseriously,andthatnumerousIndiansweregettingkilled,thegovernororderedhismentofallfurtherback,releasingmostoftheprisonerstheyhadtakenduringthefirstpartofthebattle.Thisgesturehadtheeffectofstoppingthebattle.Oñate'ssmallarmyreturnedtoitscampandmadepreparationsforthereturntoSanGabriel.

On25SeptembertheQuiviraexpeditionstartedbacktothecapital.DonJuanhadratherenjoyedtheouting,eventhoughithadproducednothing,butnowasheheadedbacktoNewMexico,hebegantoworryaboutthesituationthere,andaboutthefutureofthecolony.Asherodealong,avarietyofthoughtscametohim.Gazingattheendlessplain,afeelingofunrealitywouldpossesshimforaninstant.Thewholesceneseemeddreamliketohimasifhewereonatreadmillwalking,butnotmakinganyprogress.Hisbackhurtmostofthetime.Sometimesthepainwouldshootthroughtohisstomach,causingnausea.Hewouldoccasionallycallahalt,getoffhishorse,andsitonthegroundforseveralminutesuntilhismindclearedandthepainsubsided.

Vicentewasimpatienttogetback.Hehadnaggingapprehensionsthatsomethingdrasticwashappeningbackatthecapital.HehadopposedleavingthedissidentringleadersatSanGabriel.HehadmentionedthisconcernseveraltimestothegovernorduringtheQuiviratrip,butdonJuaninvariablychangedthesubjectasifthepossibilityofamutinyordesertionwastoomonstroustocontemplate.

Theexpedition,nevertheless,didmakeaveryquicktriphome,duemostlytotheeffortsofthemaesedecampo,whokeptthesoldiersmovingwithoutdeviationsorunusualreststops.DonJuanmountedwhenalltherestdid,anddismountedattheendofthedaywithout

conversingmuchwithanyone.Thefeelingofunrealityanddepressionpersisted.Hedidnotcomplainofthepainhewassuffering,althoughhisashenfacerevealedit.

WhentheSangredoCristoMountainscameintoview,mostofthesmallarmycheered.DonJuanlookedatthemandblinkedasifhedidnotcomprehendthatthemountainsmeanttheywerenearinghome.

AtPecostheyreceivedthenewsfromthenativesthatmostoftheSpaniardsatSanGabrielhadleft.Thenewsjoltedthegovernoroutofhistrance,buthefelttootiredtocontinue.Vicenteatoncesaid,"IwillgoontoSanGabrielimmediately."

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ChapterTwenty-SixAtSanGabriel,talkofdesertionhadsurfacedthemomentthegovernorandhistroopsdisappearedbehindthefirsthill.CaptainBernabédelasCasashadnotgottenoverthestingingrebukehehadreceivedfromthegovernorforhaving"conspired,"asthegovernorputit,totakeovercommandfromCaptainMárquezofthereinforcementsontheirwaybacktoNewMexico.Hewasbynomeanstheleader,however,thatdistinctiongoingtoCaptainLuisGascodeVelascoandCaptainDiegodeZubía,whoweremuchbolder.Inoneoftheirnumerousdiscussions,ZubíatoldCaptainGasco,"Wemustactnowthatthegovernorandthemaesedecampoaregone."

"Iknow,"answeredGasco."ButwhataboutMárquezandGómez?Theywillneveragreetoletusleavewithouttryingtostopus."

"Luis,"counteredtheyoungerman,"weoutnumberthem,andtheyknowit."

"Well,Ithinkthatweshouldapproachthemanyhowtogetanideaofwhattheywilldo,"repliedGasco.

"Yes,perhaps,andweshouldcontactallthefriars,also,"addedZubía.

AtameetingcalledatCaptainGasco'shomebyhimandCaptainZubía,theabandonmentofNewMexicowasdiscussedwithCaptainBernabédelasCasas;CaptainCessar;CaptainAlonsoQuesada;CaptainAlonsoSánchez,thecontador;CaptainAntonioConde;andCaptainPedroValle.CaptainZubíabroughtupthenecessityforatleastnearunanimityintheventure."Itcouldafterall,beconstruedasdesertionbytheauthoritiesinNewSpain."

"Wemusthavetheroyalensign'saccordinthis,"saidCaptain

Quesada.

"Whatdoyouthink,Diego?"heaskedofCaptainZubía.

"Well,hewon'tstopus,buthewon'tjoinus,either,"answeredZubía.

"Canwegethimtocallameetingwherewecanallgoonrecordwithourgrievances?"askedCaptainCessar.

"Idon'tknow,"repliedZubía.Ihadamisunderstandingwithhim.MaybeifCaptainCessarandLuisapproachhim."

"Wealsoneedtogetthefriarsbehindus,"saidCaptainSánchez.

"Well,mostofthemareverydiscouraged,"joinedCaptainGasco.

"Yes,theonesweneedtoconvincearethefathercommissaryandFrayMiguel,"addedZubía.

"Whydon'tweallmeetwiththemassoonaspossible?"

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Thefriarsdidnotneedmuchconvincing.They,themselves,weremakingplansfordiscussingdesertionwiththeofficersandsoldiers.BothgroupsagreedtomeetatSanIldefonso,whichpresentedtheadvantageofofferingaplaceforamoreorlesssecretmeetingnearbywithoutconductingitinthecapitalitself,whereitmightprovoketheloyalists.AlloftheleadingconspiratorsamongtheofficersattendedexceptCaptainZubía.Hestayedawayindeferencetohiswife,whoappealedtohimnottocauseherfather,thelieutenantgovernor,anymoreproblems.Zubíaknewwhattheoutcomeofthemeetingwouldbeanyhow,butheaskedCaptainGascotoassurethefriarsthathewasverymuchinfavorofabandoningwhatheconsideredadoomedcolonialenterprise.

Theoutcomeofthemeetingwasindeedaforegoneconclusion.FrayMiguelhadalreadybeenswayedbytheargumentthatmissionaryworkwasallbutimpossibleunderthegovernor'spolicyofdependenceonIndiantribute.FatherEscalonaagreedinprinciple,butsaidthathecouldnotleavetheprovinceforfearthattheFranciscanswouldbelookeduponasdesertingtheirflocks.HefeltthattheymustnotjeopardizetheirecclesiasticaljurisdictioninNewMexico,whereheknewtherewasmuchworktobedoneifconditionsweretochange.Theyallagreedtoaskthelieutenantgovernorforameeting.

FrayFranciscoandFrayMiguel,alongwithCaptainCessarandCaptainGasco,presentedthepetitiontotheroyalensignforameetingofthedisaffectedfriarsandcolonistswheretheirreasonsfordepartingNewMexicocouldbestatedandrecorded.

CaptainSosadePeñalosa,aslieutenantgovernor,wasveryreluctantathavinganythingtodowiththeplot.Hefeltthathewascaughtbetweentwoirreconcilableforces.Hereceivedtheemissariesfromtherebelgroupcoldly."Icannotinanywaycondoneyourcontemplatedaction,"hetoldthem."Isympathizewithyour

grievances,butdesertionisnotthewaytoresolveanyproblem."

"Weappreciateyourposition,andwedonotaskyoutojoinus,"repliedCaptainCessarsomewhattimidly.

"Yes,"concurredCaptainGasco."Allwewantisahearing.Wedonotwanttoleavewithouthavingpubliclystatedourreasons."

"Butcertainlyyoumustseethateventhatwillbeconstruedasatleasttacitapproval,"answeredthelieutenantgovernor.

"Whydon'tyoulistentobothsides,"suggestedFatherMiguel.

"Youdon'thavethepowertostopus,andyoumustshowthatyoudidsomething,"addedCaptainAlonsodeQuesada.

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Thelieutenantgovernorreluctantlyagreedtoholdthemeeting.On7September1601,hecalledallofthefriarsandalloftheofficerswhowereplanningtoabandontheprovincetoameetingattheChurchofSanMiguel.Thefriarsrespondedtothesummonstoamanexceptthefathercommissary,fathersLugoandOliva,andLayBrotherSanBuenaventura,whowereoutworkingintheirmissions.Thelieutenantgovernoraskedeachpersonpresenttostatehisviewsinturn.ThefirstonetotestifywasFatherFranciscodeSanMiguel,thegovernor'sownvenerableconfessor.Hestatedthatfromthetimehearrivedhisconsciencehadbeenbotheredbythemistreatmentofthenatives.Hesaid,"InsteadofcomingtopreachthewordofGod,weSpaniardshaveblasphemedit."Hefurtherstatedthat"ourpeopledonotleavethemanythingintheirhouses,noranylivingthing,food,oranythingofvalue.Forthisreason,theIndiansrunaway.Thiswitnesshasseenmanypueblosabandoned,thepeoplehavingfledforfearofilltreatment.Whenthiswitnesswasprelate,heaskedthegovernormanytimestohavepityonthesufferingofthenatives,andnottotoleraterobberiesandinjustices.Butsincethiscountryissowretchedandpoor,thegovernorhasnotbeenabletoeffectanyremedy,norcanhedoso.Forthis,andmanyothermattersthattroublehisconscience,andonaccountofthepovertyoftheland,thiswitnessisoftheopinionthatnow,whilethereisanopportunity,weshouldreturntoNewSpainandreporttotheking,ourlord,theviceroy,theAudiencia,andtheirprelatesaboutallthesemattersandanyothersthatwouldbebroughtoutinthecourts."

FrayFranciscodeZamorafollowed.Hereiteratedmanyofthegrievancesofthefirstwitness,askingthequestionthat,inviewofsuchtreatment,whyshouldthenativeswanttobecomeChristians?HeaddedthatheknewforsurethatthesoldiersoftenviolatedIndianwomen.Hementionedthegreatsterilityoftheland.HedidnotnecessarilyadvocatereturningtoNewSpain,butsimplymovingaway

fromtheareaofSanGabrielandbuildingtheirowncapital.

FrayLopeIzquierdowasthenextwitness.He,beingamongthereinforcements,gavecredittotheoriginalsettlerswho"withtheloyalty,enthusiasm,andcourageoftruesubjects,haveenduredmorethanthreeyearsofnumerousanddiverselaborssuchashadneverbeenborneintheserviceoftheirkingandnaturallord.Thissituationwasdue,"hesaid,"tothefactthatthelandwassopoorandlackingineverythingnecessarytosupportlife."Heconcludedthat"theonlydecentwaytoovercometheharmdonethenativesistodepartfromtheirlandsand

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leavethemfree,ortoletourpeopleperishwhentheirprovisionsgiveout."Theotherfriarspresentconfirmedwhatthewitnesseshadsaid.

ThefirstoftheofficerstotestifywasCaptainAlonsoSánchez,theexpeditioncontadororaccountant.Hedidnotcastanyaspersions,butsimplystatedthatbecauseoftheextremesterilityoftheland,hisnumerousfamilyhadsufferedmuchprivationandhewishedtoleave.

CaptainZubíastatedthatsupplieswereexhaustedandwhatevertheIndianshadtoofferhadbeenconsumed.Allheaskedwasthathebeallowedtoseekhisownremedy.

CaptainBernabédelasCasascitedtheextremesterilityoftheland,sayingthatnonethelesshemarriedinNewMexicoandhadsettleddowntodohisbest.Hefelt,however,thathecouldnolongerstaybecauseofthegovernor'shostilitysincehehadbeenappointedbytheviceroytoleadthereinforcementexpeditionin1600.Heaskedpermissiontoleavewithhiswifeandchild.

CaptainGregorioCessartestifiedthat,havingbeenamongtheoriginalsettlers,hehadaccompaniedthegovernortothepueblos,whichhehadexplored,andhadalwaysfoundthelandsterile,lackingineverythingessentialtosupporthumanlife.HerequestedthathebeallowedtogobacktoNewSpainlesthiswifeandsevenchildrenriskthedangerofperishing.

On1October,thelieutenantgovernorwrotealettertotheviceroyapprisinghimofthedesperatesituation.Hestartedtheletterbywriting,"IdonotknowhowIshouldexplaintoyourexcellencytheeventsandchangesthathavetakenplaceintheseprovincesofNewMexico.Iamatalosstoknowwhoisresponsibleforthesituation.IfIblamethegovernor,itwouldbeunjust,sinceheisawaywithmostofthearmyinsearchofnewprovinces,enduringmanyhardshipsintheserviceofyourmajesty.IfIblamethefriars,theyquotesomany

textsfromtheHolyScripturestoprovethatwecannottakefoodandblanketsfromtheIndians.IfIblamethecaptains,theyanswerthattheywereactingtoovercometheirownprivationsinordertosurvive.Who,then,arewetoblameifnotoursins?AllwillbelostifourLorddoesnotremedythissituationbyallowingthegovernortodiscoversomethingsoimportantthatthemenmayovercometheirindifferenceandlackofconfidenceinfindinganythingworthwhileintheselands."ThelieutenantgovernorentrustedthelettertoCaptainGascodeVelasco,oneoftheleadersinthemovementtoabandontheprovince.

FatherEscalona,inhisletterofthesamedatetotheviceroywasopenlycriticalofthegovernor,saying,"Thefirstandforemostdiffi-

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culty,fromwhichhavesprungalltheevilsandruinofthisland,isthefactthatthisconquestwasentrustedtoamanofsuchlimitedresourcesasdonJuandeOñate.Theresultwasthatafterheenteredtheland,hispeoplebegantoperpetratemanyoffensesagainstthenativesandtoplundertheirpueblosofthecorntheyhadgatheredfortheirownsustenance."Hewentontosaythatifthekingwantedtomaintaintheland,heshoulddistributethepueblosamongthemarriedmen.Theyshouldreceivehelpfromthekingforatime,otherwiseitwouldbeimpossibletolivebecausethelandissosterileandcold.HewentontosaythatofthethreepartsofthearmyatSanGabriel,twowereleaving.Heandthelieutenantgovernorwerestayingtoawaitthereturnofthegovernor.

Interlude:TheWomenofSanGabriel

Whilethemeetingwasinprogressinthechurch,womenwrappedinshawls,almostasiftodisguisetheiridentities,begantoheadforMaría'sdeHeredia'shome,onebyone,asiftheyhadmadeappointments.TheywereprincipallywidowsorwivesofsoldierswhohadgonetoQuivirawiththegovernor.Maríawasnursingthewifeofoneofherhusband'ssoldiers.Thewomanhadfallensickaweekbeforewithaveryhighfever,whichwouldabateonedayandragethenext.Shewaslyinginasmallbedatonecornerofthelargeroomthatservedaskitchen,bedroom,andsittingroom.Mercedes,thepatient,hadbeenmarriedonlyoneyearwhenherinfantchildhaddiedofanillnessthattookhiminamatterofdays.

Thehousewasdark,illuminatedonlybythelightofonesmallwindowthathadbeencutoutbySergeantHerediaatthetimethehousewasrequisitionedfromitsIndianowners,andfromthelightofthesmallfireinthefireplace.

Esperanza,María'sseventeen-year-olddaughter,bustledaroundthe

roominalateefforttotidyupasthefirstwomanapproachedthehouse.Thebellsinthechurchbegantolling.Mercedesobservedthescenethroughglisteningeyesandheardtheconversationsasifcomingfrominsideawell.

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Scene(Escena)

(Habitaciónsencillisima,casisinmuebles,mesaysillasmuyrústicas.Suenanlascampanasdelaiglesia.)

CORO:OTierratriste,Tierrafría,Tierraabrasada.

MARIA:¿Porquésuenanlascampanas,hija?

ESPERANZA:Seestánreuniendoenlaiglesiaparaversinosquedamosonosvamos.

MARIA:LasiglesiassonparalascosasdeDiosynoparalasdeestemundo.

ESPERANZA:Dicenquenosvamosamorirdefríoodehambresinosquedamos.

MARIA:Quenosvayamosonosquedemos,quiénvaaresucitaramihijo?

ESPERANZA:Elyahamuerto,madre,peronosotrasvivimos.

MARIA:Túvives,youno,yomequedéenaqueltristedesiertoconmyhijitoqueapenascomenzabaavivir.

ESPERANZA:Yalaiglesiaseestállenando.Voyamirarporlapuertaabierta.

MARIA:Ve,hija,tútienesvida.Yomequedo.(Lahijaseva.)

CORO:Tierradevientoscálidos,detormentassinlluvia,Tierradevientoshelados,/Quecongelanelalma.

(JUANAentra.)

JUANA:Hola,María.Hasoídoloquedicenlosfrailes?

MARIA:Yalosfrailesnomedicennadadesdequemedijeronquemi

niñoseibaalcieloyyomequedabasolaenestepáramo.

JUANA:Vamos,María!yEsperanzanocuenta?

MARIA:Yohablodeniños.Ellayatienediecisieteañosymedicenquetienenovio.

JUANA:Hablascomosiyasetehubieraacabadolavida.

MARIA:¿Hayvidaaquíenestatierra?

JUANA:Tumaridovive.

MARIA:Sí,peronoparamí.ElestácontentomientrasandacondonJuanensusQuiviras,osusCíbolas,buscandoriquezasilusiones,ensueños.

JUANA:Claro,asísonloshombres,María.

MARIA:Si,asíson,peroellossediviertenaúnenlascircumstanciasmáspenosasypeligrosas,consusguerrasyfantasíasinfantiles.

JUANA:Pues,elmíonofueestavez,peroseleveenlosojosquequisiera.

MARIA:Yvosotros¿osváisoosquedáis?

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JUANA:Claroquenosquedamos.PacocreequedonJuanvaatropezarsobrealgoimportante.

MARIA:Noencontraránnadamásquellanossobrellanos,sinfin,sinhorizonte.

JUANA:Esperoquetraiganbuenasnoticias.

MARIA:Quevenganatrabajar.Porquénosembramos?PorqueadonJuanymimaridonolesimportasimorimosovivimos.

JUANA:Bueno,María,quédateconDios.Voyaversiencuentrounpocodemaízparalacena.

CORO:Otierravasta,Tierraárida,Tierrayerma.

(Crepusculo.MAGDALENAentra.)

MAGDALENA:Buenas.¿Quéhacessola,mujer?

MARIA:Sola,másquesolaestoy,ysolosestamostodos.

MAGDALENA:Puesyono,aunquehayamuertomimaridohuyendonosésidemíodeestatierra.

MARIA:QueDioslotengaenpaz!

MAGDALENA:Elenpaz.Yyoenvida.

MARIA:¿NoteimportaloquedicendetiydedonJuan?

MAGDALENA:¿Yquemásda?Elgobernadoresviudoyyotambién.Eleshombreyyomujer.

MARIA:Segúndicen,selequiereirlagente.

MAGDALENA:Quesevayanloscobardes,losdébiles.Yomequedoporquevivoyporqueséquelavidaesigualentodaspartes.

MARIA:Sí,esigualcuandohayvida.Peroaquínohaymásque

hambre,frío,calorymuerte...muertedelosnuestrosymuertedelospobresindiosdeloscualestenemosquerobarparasobrevivir.Morirparavivir.

MAGDALENA:Túhablascomolosfrailes,¿Paraquéhemosvenidosinóparaquitarlesalosindiosloquetienen?

MARIA:(irónicamente)Conceptomuycristiano,ese.

MAGDALENA:Parabautizaralosindiostenemosquevivir.

MARIA:Mataryrobarparabautizar,québonito.

MAGDALENA:¿Porquénotevasconlosdemás?Losfrailesquierenirseporquetienenlosmismosescrúpulos.

MARIA:Yonomevoyporqueyanotengovida,niaquí,niallá,peroaúnmoribundacomoestoy,nomegustarobarymatar.

(SevaMAGDALENA.)

CORO:Tierradellanossinhorizonte,desierrascoronadas,Tierradecielosinfinitos,/sintiemponidimensiones.

(Anochece.EntraANA.)

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ANA:Buenastardes,María.¿NohasoídoquesevantodoslosfrailesconlaexcepcióndelpadreEscalona?SevanlosCéssarylosSánchez.

MARIA:¿Yquiénessequedan?

ANA:Casinadie,elAlférezPenalosa,AlonsoGómez,GerónimoMárquezyotrospocos.

MARIA:¿Ytú,tevas?

ANA:¿Cómo?Aunquequisiera,yasabesqueaCristóballegustaestepaís.

MARIA:Amimaridonoleimportamientrasandaerrandocomovagabundo.

ANA:Ysupongoquetequedas.

MARIA:Yoyamefui.Quemásdasimequedoomevoy?

ANA:¿Cómo?Ytuhija,ytumarido?

MARIA:MimaridotienesusCíbolasysusQuiviras,ymihijatienesunovio.

ANA:LoshombresfueronaQuivirabajoórdenes.

MARIA:Elmíosefueporquelegustamásqueestarencasa.

ANA:NosotroshemosvenidoporqueenEspañanoteníamosnada.

MARIA:(conironía)Yaquítenéismucho?

ANA:No,perotendremos.Cristóbaldicequehayriquezasaquí,silasbuscamosconpaciencia.

MARIA:Noencontraremosmásdeloqueyahemosencontrado.NuncahanpodidoolvidarsusTenochtitlanesysusCuzcos.Sonniñosavarientos.

ANA:Cristóbalnohabladeesasriquezas.(Seva.)

CORO:Tierrahumilde,Tierrapasible,Tierrasufrida.

(Mañanaresplandeciente.Tressemanasdespués.)

(Salelahija.)

ESPERANZA:O,Madre,dicenquelaexpediciónestáaveinteleguas.

MARIA:Quiénlodice?

ESPERANZA:Nosélodicen.

MARIA:Yanosotrasqué?EstamosmásmuertasquevivasQuénospuedeimportar?

ESPERANZA:Amisí.VieneJorgeymepadretambién!

MARIA:Ycreesquetevaaquereraún,tanflacacomoestás.

ESPERANZA:O,sí,porqueyoloquierotanto.

MARIA:Tambiéndicenquenohanencontradonada.Chozasyllanosllanosychozas.

ESPERANZA:Quéimporta,madre,vienenellos.Nostraenvida.

MARIA:¿Quévida?Talvezvienenmasharapientosquenosotras.Ya

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hacedossemanasquesefueronlosdemásycadadíahaymenosvidaenSanGabriel.

ESPERANZA:Peronosotrasvivimosynosvienemásvida,todalavidaaveinteleguasdeaquí.

MARIA:(pensativa,distante)Vidaaveinteleguas,ymihijotanlejos.

CORO:OTierraencumbrada,Aradelcontinente,Tierradondeserezaagritos,/Queretumbanporloscañones.

Scene

(Asimpledwelling,almostdevoidoffurnitureatableandsomeveryrusticchairs.Thechurchbellsaresounding.)

CHORUS:O,sorrowfulland,/Landhardandcold,/Parchingland.

MARIA:Whyarethechurchbellsringing,daughter?

ESPERANZA:Theyarecallingeverybodytomeetinthechurchtodecideifwearestayinghereorgoingaway.

MARIA:ChurchesareforthethingsofGodandnotforthoseofthisworld.

ESPERANZA:Theysaythatwearegoingtodieofcoldandhungerifwestayhere.

MARIA:Whetherwegoorstay,whoisgoingtobringmybabysonbacktolife?

ESPERANZA:Heisdead,mother,butwearestillalive.

MARIA:Youarealive,notI.Istayedinthatterribledesertwithmylittleboywhohadscarcelybeguntolive.

ESPERANZA:Thechurchisalreadyfillingup.I'mgoingtopeekthroughtheopendoor.

MARIA:Go,child.Youstillhavelife.Ishallstay.

(Thedaughterleaves.)

CHORUS:Landofhotwinds,/Ofrainlessstorms,Landofchillgales,Thatturnsoulstoice.

(JUANAenters.)

JUANA:Goodafternoon,María.Haveyouheardwhatthefriarsaresaying?

MARIA:ThefriarshavenothingtosaytomesincetheytoldmethatmybabywasgoingtoheavenandImuststayaloneinthisemptydesert.

JUANA:Comenow,María.Esperanzadoesn'tcountwithyou?

MARIA:I'mspeakingofchildren.Esperanzaisalreadyseventeenyearsoldandtheytellmeshehasasweetheart.

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JUANA:Youtalkasifyourlifewereover.

MARIA:Istherelifeinthiscountry?

JUANA:Yourhusbandisalive.

MARIA:Oh,yes,butnotforme.HeishappygoingwithdonJuantohisQuiviras,hisCíbolas,lookingforrichesrunningafterdreams,illusions.

JUANA:Butthat'sthewaymenare,María.

MARIA:Yes,that'sthewaytheyare.Theyfindamusementindanger,misery,warsallchildishfantasies.

JUANA:Well,minedidn'tgothistime.ButIcouldseehewantedtogo.

MARIA:AndyouAreyoustayingorleaving?

JUANA:Itseemsthatwearestaying.PacothinksthatdonJuanisgoingtostumbleacrosssomethingimportant.

MARIA:Theywon'tfindanythingbutbarrenlandandmoreland,withnoend,neverafixedhorizon.

JUANA:Well,Ihopetheybringgoodnews.

MARIA:Letthemgetdowntowork.Whydon'tweplant?BecausetodonJuanandmyhusbandit'snotimportantifweliveordie.

JUANA:Ah,well,María.Godkeepyou.IhavetoseeifIcanfindalittlecornfordinner.(Sheexits.)

CHORUS:Ovastland,Barrenland,Emptyland.

(Twilight.MAGDALENAenters.)

MAGDALENA:Goodevening,María.Woman,whatareyoudoing

allalone?

MARIA:Iammorethanalone.Andaren'tweallalone?

MAGDALENA:NotI.Iamnotalone.EventhoughmyhusbanddiedrunningawayandIdon'tevenknowifhewasrunningfrommeorfromthiscountry.

MARIA:Godgivehimpeace.

MAGDALENA:Yes.Peaceforhim.Lifeforme.

MARIA:Don'tyoucarewhattheysayaboutyouanddonJuan?

MAGDALENA:WhyshouldI?ThegovernorisawidowerandIhavenohusband.HeisamanandIamawoman.

MARIA:Well,thepeoplearesayingtheywanttoleave.

MAGDALENA:Letthecowardsgo,theweakones.IamstayingbecauseIfeelalive,andIknowlifeisthesamenomatterwhereyougo.

MARIA:Yes,it'sthesamewhenthereisreallylife,butherethereisnothingbuthungerandcold,orheatanddeathdeathforusdeathforthepoorIndiansthatwehavetorobinordertosurvive.Deathtosupportlife.

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MAGDALENA:Youaretalkinglikethefriars.WhydidwecomeifnottotakefromtheIndianswhattheyhave?

MARIA:(Ironically)AveryChristianideathat.

MAGDALENA:InordertobaptizeandsaveIndiansouls,wehavetostayalive.

MARIA:Tokillandrobinordertobaptizeverypretty.

MAGDALENA:Thenwhydon'tyougowiththerest?Thefriarswanttoleavebecausetheyhavethesamescruples.

MARIA:IamnotgoingbecauseIhavenolifeleftneitherherenorthere.ButdeadasIfeel,Idon'tlikerobbingandkilling.

(MAGDALENAleaves.)

CHORUS:Landofplainswithendlesshorizons,Eminentpeakscrownedbysnow,Landofskies,blueandunbounded,/Dimensionandtimewithoutmeasure.

(NIGHTFALL.ANAenters.)

ANA:Goodevening,María.HaveyouheardthatallthefriarsareleavingexceptFatherEscalona?TheCéssarsandSánchezesareleaving.

MARIA:Whoisstaying?

ANA:Almostnobody.AlférezPeñalosa,AlonsoGómez,GerónimoMárquez,andjustafewothers.

MARIA:AndyouAreyouleaving?

ANA:HowcanI?EvenifIwantedto,youknowthatCristóballikesthiscountry.

MARIA:Nothingmatterstomyhusbandsolongasheisroaminglike

avagabond.

ANA:AndIsupposethatyouarestaying.

MARIA:Mylifehasalreadygone,sowhatdifferencedoesitmakeifIstayorgo?

ANA:Whatdifference?Whataboutyourdaughterandyourhusband?

MARIA:MyhusbandhashisCíbolasandhisQuiviras,andmydaughterhashersweetheart.

ANA:ThemenwenttoQuivirabecausetheywereorderedtogo.

MARIA:Minewentbecausehelikesitmorethanbeingathome.

ANA:WecameherebecauseinSpainwehadnothing.

MARIA:(Ironically)Andherewehavealot?

ANA:No,butweshallhave.Cristóbalsaystherearericheshereifwehavethepatiencetolookforthem.

MARIA:Wewon'tfindmorethanwhatwehavealreadyfound.TheycanneverforgettheirTenochtitlánsandtheirCuzcos.Theyaregreedychildren.

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ANA:Cristóbalisnottalkingaboutthoseriches.(Sheleaves.)

CHORUS:Humbleland,Languidland,Stoicland.

(Agloriousmorning.THREEWEEKSLATER.ESPERANZAenters.)

ESPERANZA:Oh,mother,theysaytheexpeditionisonlytwentyleaguesaway.

MARIA:Whosaysit?

ESPERANZA:Idon'tknow.Theysay.

MARIA:Andwhatcanitmeantous?Wearemoredeadthanalive.Howcanwepossiblycare?

ESPERANZA:Well,Icare.Jorgeiscominghome,andmyfathertoo.

MARIA:Andyouthinkheisstillgoingtowantyouasskinnyasyouare?

ESPERANZA:Oh,yes!BecauseIwanthimsomuch.

MARIA:Theyalsosaythattheyhavefoundnothing.Hutsandprairies,plainsandtents.

ESPERANZA:Whatdoesitmatter,mother?Theyarecomingandbringinglifebacktous.

MARIA:Whatlife?Theymaybecomingbackmoreraggedthatweare.It'salreadybeentwoweekssincetheotherswentaway,andeachdaythereislesslifeinSanGabriel.

ESPERANZA:Butwearealive,andmorelifeiscomingtowardusalloflifeonlytwentyleaguesfromhere.

MARIA:(Pensively,distant)Lifeattwentyleagues,andmysonsofaraway.

CHORUS:Oh,loftyland,Altarofacontinent,Landwhereprayersbecomescreams,/Resoundingdownthecanyons.

ChapterTwenty-SevenThediewasnowcast.Everybodyknewwhereeverybodyelsestood.Thenightafterthemeeting,CaptainZubíaandhiswifecametoseethelieutenantgovernor.Relationshadbeenstrainedeversincetheoutburstbythecaptainduringdinnerathisfather-in-law'sresidence.DoñaEufemiahadbeenatherdaughter'shouseseveraltimes,butonlywhensheknewthatherson-in-lawwasnotthere.Thedistinguishedlady,whilecriticizingdonJuan,wasverymuchopposedtodesertion.ShewantedtogobacktoNewSpain,butnotasarenegade.''Wearestillsubjectsofhismajesty,andassuchwe

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mustactwithinthelaw,"sherepeatedseveraltimestoherdaughterandtoherhusband.

DonFranciscoreceivedDiegoandJuanacoolly,notoutofresentment,butsimplyoutofindecisivenessandconfusion.Hefeltequallyillateasewheneverhemetoneoftheloyalcolonists.CaptainZubía,whowasnotintheleasttimid,startedtheconversation."Well,nowthateverythingisout,willyoubecomingwithus?"

DoñaEufemiadidnotspeak,butsheshookherheadslowly.

Diego'sfacehardenedperceptibly,buthetooksometimetospeakagain.Hiswifelookedathermotherasifpleadingforunderstanding."Well,weareleaving,"repliedDiego,slowlyandemphatically,"andwearegoingtochargeyourdonJuanwithallthecrimeshehascommitted.Vamos,Juana."

Astheyturnedtoleave,Juanacastanotherpleadingglanceathermother,whomadeagestureofunderstandingwithhereyes.

ThatsamedayJuanmetAwaTsideashewascrossingthevillagesquare.Thetwofriendsgreetedeachotherintheusualmanner,butBrotherJuannoticedacertainreticenceinhisfriend.Heaskedifanythingwerewrong.

AwaTsideansweredbyasking,"Areyouleaving,too?"

Idon'tknow,"answeredthebrother.Idon'tbelievewearedoingmuchforyourpeople."

Theyoungmanbowedhisheadslightly,perhapsnotwillingtoengageinafruitlessconversation.

"GowithGod,"smiledBrotherJuan.

AwaTsidenoddedandcontinuedacrossthesquare.

Severaldayslater,asCaptainAlonsoGómez,whowasostensiblyincommandofthecolony,waswalkingacrossthesquare,CaptainZubíacalledtohim.CaptainGómezstopped,andZubíacameuptohimandgreetedhim."Buenastardes,"answeredGómez.

"Whydoyourfollowersrefusetoleavewithus?"askedZubía.

"Mr.Purveyor,"CaptainGómezsnapped."Evenifwewerenotintheserviceofourking,ourmaster,couldweshowgreatercrueltythantoabandonthegovernorandhisforcesintheinteriorandleavethemwithoutrefugeorshelterontheirreturn?EvenifIamleftalone,Iamgoingtowaitforhim."

CaptainZubía'seyesflashedandhisfacereddenedashereplied."Mr.Captain,whatwearedoingisnotcruelty,buttheworkofmenashonorableasyourgrace."Hisvoicegrewhuskyandlowerashecontinued."AndIsweartoGodthatyourgraceandyourcompanionsde-

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servetobebeheadedforissuingtheordernottoabandontheland,contrarytocommondesire.Byrefusingtoleave,youandmyfather-in-lawarerenderingthekingapoorservice."

CaptainGómez'sjawtightenedasheanswered,"Well,IsweartoGodandyourgracethatifIwereonanequalfootingIwouldsettlethisquestion;butyourgracehassixtymenandIhaveonlyeight.ButsomedaywewillmeetbeforetheroyalAudiencia,wheretheonewhodeservesitwillbepunished."

Recoveringsomewhatfromtheiranger,theyinclinedtheirheadsalmostsimultaneouslyandbackedupastepastheyturnedandparted.

CaptainGómezwasatalossastowhattodo.Heknewwherethepowerlay,atleasttemporarily,untilthegovernorreturnedfromQuivira.Bythenhefearedthedeserterswouldbegoneandoutofreach.Feelingthatsomethingshouldbedone,heconsultedwithCaptainMárquez.TheyagreedthatsincetheydidnothavethepowertostopthosewhohaddecidedtoabandonNewMexicotheyshouldatleastgoonrecord,onebyone,asopposingdesertionofthecolony.Inameetingoftheloyalists,calledbyCaptainGómez,Márquezwasappointedtohandlethematter,whichwouldbeconductedintheformofaninterrogatory.Bothcaptains,GómezandMárquez,approachedthelieutenantgovernorwho,asanostensibleloyalist,couldnotverywellrefuse.CaptainMárquezdrewupthequestionswithhelpfromAsensioArechuleta,thecolony'ssecretary.Together,theymadeupthelist,whichincludedeverybodywhowasstaying.

WhenCristóbalVaca'swife,doñaAna,heardthatherhusbandhadbeensummoned,sheaskedCristóbal,"Whydoyouhavetogetinvolved?"

Heanswered,"Ihavenochoiceinthematter.Ihavebeenorderedto,butevenifIhadnot,Iwouldstillwanttodoit."

"Why,isn'titenoughthatwearestayinginthisharshland?"

"Idon'tthinkitissoharsh,"repliedCristóbal,"butevenifitis,whatdidwehaveinMexicoCity?Herewecanhaveallthelandwecanuse."

"Bien,bien,butdon'tsayanythingbadabouttheoneswhoareleavingdoñaJuanaismyfriend,"pleadeddonaAna.

Ishallsayonlywhatisrequiredofme.Besides,Idon'tcareiftheyleavetheywouldnotbeanythingbutanuisanceiftheystayed."

On2October,theinterrogatory,presidedoverbythelieutenantgovernor,FranciscoSosadePeñalosa,washeld.ThefirstwitnesswasCristóbalVacawho,truetothepromisemadetohiswife,toldonly

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whatheknewwithoutembellishmentsorexaggeration.Tenwitnesseswerepresented.Theyeachroseandgaveessentiallythesametestimony,sayingthatconditionswerenotasbadasdepictedbythosewhohaddecidedtoleave.Theyalsogavethenamesofringleadersamongthedeserters,andstatedthatthefriarshadsuddenlychangedtheirmindsfromtheirpreviousstancewhentheyhadurgedthecoloniststostayintheprovincetohelpintheconversionofthenatives.

On9October,CaptainMárquezmadeaformalpresentationoftheinterrogatorytothelieutenantgovernorandaskedforacopy.Thedocumentwassignedbythelieutenantgovernorandthesecretary,andacopywaslatergiventoMárquez.

Aftertheloyalists'interrogatory,thelinebetweenthemandthedisaffectedonesbecameperfectlyclear.Effortstoconvinceeachotherceased.Therewaslittleornocommunicationbetweenthetwogroups.Thewivesandchildrenwithfriendsintheopposingcampwereobligedbythecircumstancestostopseeingthem.AnadeVacahadbecomeveryclosetoJuanadeZubía,whohadbefriendedherwhensheandCristóbalhadarrivedwiththereinforcementsonChristmasEve1600.KnowingthatJuanawasleaving,Anawenttovisither."Well,soyouaregoingback,"shesaidasJuanaopenedthedoor.

"Yes,andyouarestaying,"repliedJuanagently.

"Iwouldliketogoback,butCristobal[Cristóbalsayswemusthavefaithbecausethisisouronlychancetobesomebody."

Iunderstand,andwouldbehappytostay,butDiegoissoangrywithdonJuan."

"Ican'tstaylong,"Anaapologizeduneasily.Tryingtoholdbacktheirtears,thetwoladiesembraced

"Maybeweshallmeetagain,"whisperedJuana.

"Maybe.Good-bye,myfriend,"sobbedAnaassheturnedtogo.

Thetwoyoungsoldiers,MiguelandAlvaro,werenotinvolvedinthecontroversy,whichtheyscarcelyappearedtonotice.OnenightastheywerereturningfromSanJuan,MiguelsuddenlystoppedhishorseandfacedAlvaro."Iamleaving,"hesaidabruptly.

Alvarolookedstunned."YoutoldmeonlylastweekthatyouweregoingtomarryOyiandstay."

"Well,I'vethoughtaboutit,andIcouldnotliveamongtheIndians."

"Well,goodluck,myfriend.Iamgoingtomarryandifitmeanslivingamongthem,sobeit."ThetwoyoungmenrodebacktoSanGabrielinsilence.

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On25Octobertheexpedition,whichhadstartedformingafterthemeetingofthedefectors,begantomoveout.Ithadbeenamildfall,butthatdaythefirstsignsofwinterbegantoshow.Highstreakedcloudshadgatheredduringthenight,andatdawnthewindstartedtoblow.Asthewagonsstartedtolineup,thosewhowerestayingpeekedoutoftheirrusticwindows,makingsurenottolightcandlesorfiressoasnottobeseen.

AwaTsideknowingthatBrotherJuanSanBuenaventurawasleavingthatday,madethetripfromnearbySanJuantosaygoodbye.TwodaysbeforeBrotherJuanhadgonetoseehim,"Myfriend,IwantyoutoknowthatIamnotdeserting.Allmyfriarfriendsareleaving,andIfeelImustgowiththem,butIintend,Godwilling,tocomeback."

"Iunderstand,brother,"heansweredgentlyusingthetermbrotherforthefirsttime.

"Myrespectstoyourelder,KaaPin,whomIdidnotgetachancetosee."

Astheyembracedbothmensaid,"Goodbye,brother."

AlvaroGarcíaalsowatchedthroughhiswindow,butspottinghisfriendMiguelheboltedoutcalling,"Miguel,Miguel."

Miguel,whowasalreadymounted,turnedhishorseinthedirectionofhisfriend."Iamgladyoucameout,Alvaro,"hesaidashedismounted.

TherewasamomentofsilencebetweenthemuntilMiguelsaid,"PleasesaygoodbyetoOyiforme.Itwasn'tthatIwasafraidto.Ijustcouldn'tthinkofawaytoexplainmydecision."

"Iwill,"answeredAlvaro,lookingdownattheground.

"Well,Imustgomyfriend.Iamtrulysorrytoleaveyouandtoleave

thisland.Pleaseremembermetoyourbride-to-be.IhopeyouandAwaPoviwillbehappy."

"Goodbyemyfriend,"AlvarocalledoutasMiguelrodeawaytocatchupwiththedepartinghorsemenandwagons.

GerónimoMárquez'swife,Ines,waswatchingwhileherhusband,feigningindifference,wasputteringwithhisbreakfast."Look,"shesaidsuddenly,"theyaretakingtheservants."

"Iknow,"answeredGerónimo."Theyaresettingthemfree;takingthemasfarasTiguex."

"Thatisgoodofthem,"sighedAna.

"Iunderstandthatsomeoftheservantsdidnotwanttoleave,"addedMárquez.

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"Iwonderwhy,"hiswifesaidsoftlyturningawayfromthewindow.Thosewhowereleavingwere,withtheexceptionofthelittlechildren,inasombermood.Atseveno'clock,justafterdaybreak,thecreakingofthewagonsfilledtheairastheybegantomove.Astheyleftthevillage,theotherscameout,somefeelingthattheyshouldbegoingwiththem.Afterafewminutes,asthesunbegantosheditsdulllight,allthatcouldbeseenwasthedustofthediscontentedcolonistsleavingtheintolerableland.DoñaEufemia,whosedaughterandgrandchildrenwereinthecaravan,wrappedhershawltighteraroundhershoulders,thentouchedherfingerstohereyesassheturnedandwalkedslowlytowardherhouse.

Duringtheensuingweeks,adolefullethargydescendedonthevillage.Mostlefttheirhomesonlytogetfirewoodortotendtotheiranimals.Everyonehadbeenaffectedbythedepartureofeitherafriendorarelative,andsomeofthoseremainingwerenotnecessarilyclosetoeachother.Afeelingofisolationandvulnerabilitypervadedtheminusculecolony.TheIndianswerefullyawareofthesituation,andhadtheybeenhostile,couldhaveannihilatedthehandfulremainingwithease.TheSpaniards'anxietyincreasedaseachdaypassedwithoutwordfromtheQuiviraexpedition.ThecolonywasfurtherdepletedwhenCaptainMárquezleftforMexicoCityon5Novembertodelivertheloyalistversionofthedesertiontotheviceroy.

ChapterTwenty-EightOn19November,towardsunset,CaptainJuanMatínezdeMontoya,atall,sandy-haired,andhandsomemanwithapleasantdemeanorarrivedwithtwosoldiers.Sincethecolonistswereatdinner,nobodysawthemastheyenteredthevillagesquare.Theywentstraighttothelieutenantgovernor'sresidencewho,uponhearingthesoundof

hooves,steppedoutside.Aftertheusualgreetings,thelieutenantgovernorsaidbluntly,"Mostofthepeoplehaveleft."

CaptainMartínezanswered,"Yes,Iknow.WeweretoldatPecos."Afterabriefconversation,duringwhichthecaptaininformeddonFranciscothatdonJuanwouldbearrivingonthetwenty-fourth,they

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eachretiredtotheirhomes.CaptainMartínezwasanxioustobewithhisfamily,whomhehadnotseeninalmostfivemonths.

Thefollowingday,donFranciscowenttoseeCaptainMartínezimmediatelyafterbreakfast."WhatdiddonJuansaywhenhefoundoutaboutthedeparture?"

"Well,Imusttellyou,Mr.RoyalEnsign,thathewasnotatallhappyaboutit.Heisdeterminedtopursuethem.MyinstructionsaretopreparesomemenwithfreshmountstoleaveforNewSpainjustassoonasthemaesedecampoarrives,whichshouldbethedayaftertomorrow."

DonFranciscosuggestedthatthepursuitmightbetoolate."Theyleftalmostamonthago,"headded.

WhendonJuanarrivedaroundnoonon24November,hewentstraighttohisquarters.Esperanza,whowasoutonthesquarewaiting,rushedintotellhermother."Theyarehere,theyarehere,"shescreeched.MaríadidnotreactandEsperanzadidnotwaitforher.SheranbackoutandcranedherneckasshetriedtospotJorge.Whenshefinallylocatedhim,hesawheralsoandreinedhishorseinherdirection.

Hedismounted,walkedtowardhersmiling."Howareyou,Esperanza,"hesaid.

Sheloweredherhead,thenlookedupathimradiantly."Verywell,Jorge,andyou?"

Hethentookherhand,squeezeditashesaid,"I'llbeovertoyourhouseinafewminutes.Ihavesomethingtotellyou."

ThatafternoonFranciscosentwordtoGuadalupetomeethimatthechurchwherearosarywasbeingsaidafterdinnerinthanksgivingforthesafearrivaloftheQuiviraexpedition.Hewascountingonherto

comewithoutherhusbandsincefewmenattendedsuchfunctionsunlessproddedbytheirwives.

AsGuadalupeapproachedwithafriendwhoknewaboutthetrystswithFrancisco,hesteppedoutoftheshadowsandhustledhertotherearofthechurch.Sheputherarmsaroundhisneckandkissedhim."I'msohappyyoucalledme."

Franciscosmiledweakly,"I'mgladtoseeyoutoo,Guadalupe,butIamleavingtomorrowforNewSpain."

"Oh,youaregoingafterthedeserters?"

"Yes,butIamnotcomingback."

Guadalupelookedstunnedforamoment,thenstartedsobbing.

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"Francisco,howcanyouleavemeafterIcameallthiswaytoseeyou,tobewithyou?"

Franciscoshookhishead."Thisisnowaytobetogether.Youhaveahusbandandthisisaverysmallvillage."

"Butyoutoldmeyoulovedme."

"YesIdid,andIdo,butIalsotoldyouIcouldnevermarryandnowyouaremarried."

Shepleaded,"Pleasetakemewithyou;Gonzalowouldnotreallycare.HeknowsIcametobenearyou."

Franciscoputhisfingertoherlips,"Miamor,pleasedon'thopeforwhatcannotbe.Iamtoooldtochange."

Heheldherinhisarmsamoment,thenturnedaroundandleftGuadalupesobbinginthedarkness.

Cristóbalwenttoseehowmanyofhisfriendswereleft.Thatevening,inspiteofhispain,andthrowingcautiontothewinds,donJuanpaidMagdalenaavisitatherhouse.

"¿Quétal?donJuan."shegreetedhim."Areyousurprisedtoseemestillhere?"

"Totellyouthetruth,Ididn'tknow.Youhadamuchbetterreasontoleavethansomeofthosepigswhodeserted."

"Perhaps,"shereplied."ButIhadnorealreasontoleave."

"Andyouhadagoodreasontostay?"hesmiledweakly.

"I'llletyoujudgethat,Juan,"sheansweredwithashrug.Hestayedlateintothenight.Thecampwasstillashestolebacktohisquartersunderacoldclearsky.

Whenhegothome,Franciscowaswaitingforhim."Juan,Ineedtotalktoyou.Asyouknow,Iwoulddoanythingtohelpyou,butIfranklythinkthatitisn'tfightersyouneed."

"Whatareyoutryingtosay,myfriend?"

"ThatIwanttoleave,butnotbehindyourback."

DonJuansmiled."Idon'tblameyou,Francisco.I'mfedupwithallthis,butIamthegovernorandImuststay."

"Iunderstandthat,andIsympathizewithyoumydear,dearfriend."Theyembracedwithoutfurtherwords.AsFranciscowalkedoutundertheflickeringstars,donJuanstoodforalongwhilewithalookofdespair,thinkingthatFranciscowasrighttoleave.

Thenextmorning,Vicentecametoseehimrightafterbreakfast.OveracupofchocolatehetolddonJuan,"Ihatetopressyou,butifwearegoingafterthedeserters,shouldn'tweleaveassoonaspossible?"

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Thegovernordidnotlookupfromhiscup,andsaidinatiredvoice,"Gowhenyouareready."

"Iamleavingtoday,"repliedVicente.

"IthankGodeverydaythatyouarewithme,dearnephew.Ifeveryonehadyourloyaltyandcourage,therewouldbelittletoworryabout,"hesaidashelookedupatVicentewhostoodupasifreadytoleave.

ThegovernorandCristóbalrodewiththemaesedecampoasfarasSanIldefonso.Whenitcametimetopart,donJuanfirstwentoverandgavehisoldfriend,Francisco,anabrazo.Hethenwavedtotherest,andfinallyembracedhisnephew.Hisvoicefalteredabitwhenhesaid,"QuevayaDioscontigo,hijo[MayGodgowithyou]."

Cristóbal'seyesbrimmedwithtears,buthesmiledasheembracedVicente.Hewassayinggood-byenotonlytohisfavoritecousin,buttoafellowsoldierwhohadwitnessedhisbaptismoffire.Ashetrottedaway,Vicentelookedbackathisuncle,whowasmorelikeafather.DonJuanlookedoldandbent.Fatherandsonstoodwatchinguntilalltheycouldseewasthedustofthedepartinghorsemen.

FatherEscalonawaiteduntilVicentehadleftbeforehecametoseedonJuan."Yourexcellency,youhaveundoubtedlybeentold,butIwantyoutohearitfromme.Ifavoredthedepartureofthoseyoucalldeserters."

DonJuanlookeduncomfortable."Yourreverencedidmeagreatwrong."

"Perhaps,butIactedinresponsetomyconscience."

"Didyourconsciencetellyoutoleavetheprovincedevoidoffriars,haltingtheworkofconversion?"

"Yes,yourexcellency,becausetheexistingsituationdidnotpermitustodothatwork."

DonJuan'sfacereddened.Hetookadeepbreaththensaidinalow,meteredtone,"Andwhatdoesyourreverenceintendtodonow?"

"Toaskyourexcellencytoacceptmyresignation."

DonJuanregainedhiscomposure."Whydidn'tyoutellmebefore?Youcouldhaveleftwiththecaravan."

"BecauseIdidnot,anddon'tintendtoleave."

ThefollowingdaythegovernoraskedFrayFranciscodeVelascotoserveasinterimcommissary,"untilthecommissarygeneralcansendusaprelateofhischoice."

Healsoaskedhimifhewouldbehisconfessor.FatherVelascolookedathimwithperplexity,buthequicklyassented.

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Thateveningmuchtothenewcommissary'ssurprisethecommanderpaidhimavisit."Father,Iwantyoutohearmyconfession."

FatherVelasconoddedandwithasweepofhishandshowedhimthroughadoorleadingtothechurchandaconfessional.

JuandeOñatecamequicklytothepoint."Blessme,Father,forIhavesinned.Ihavecommittedthesinofweakness."

FrayFranciscointerrupted."Idon'tknowifweaknessitselfisasin,butitcanleadtosin."

Thegovernorcontinued,"Mysinwasoneofweakness."

Thefriaranswered,"Pleasetellmewhatyourweaknesswas."

"Ihandeddownsomeoneelse'spunishmentagainsttheAcomas.Ididnotfollowmyconscience."

"Andwhatwouldhavebeenyourpunishment?"askedtheprelate.

"Idon'tknow,"answeredthepenitent,"butitwouldhavebeenminemyconsciencespeaking."

FatherVelascowassilentforalonginterval,thenspokeslowlyandsoftly."Itwasyoursentence,donJuan."

DonJuaninturnwassilent,thenasked,"Andwhatismypenance,Father?"

"YourpenanceistorememberAcoma."

FatherEscalonaaskedFrayFranciscoifhewouldpermithimtoworkaloneatSantoDomingo.FatherVelascoaskeddonJuanwhathethoughtoftheoddrequest.

"Itisperfectlyallrightwithme.Maybehewantstoatoneforhissins."FrayFranciscosmiledatdonJuan.

CristóbalexperiencedthefirstreallyunhappyChristmasofhisyounglife.Hisfatherwasstillsick,althoughrecovering,andmostofhisfriendshadleft.HelongedforZacatecasandhismother,whomherememberedonlyasasoft-spokenpersonwithwhomhehadfeltwarmandsecure.

Thearrivalofspringwaslabored,asitusuallyisinthehighdesertwindyoneday,threateningtosnowanother,withatrulymagnificentdayinterspersedhereandthereasiftokeeptheinhabitantsfromdespairing.Thearrivalofwarmerweatherbroughtrelieftothetinybandofcolonists,butnojoy.Thewholecampwasinastateofsuspendedanimation.Theyseemedtobewaitingforsomethinganythingtohappen.Afewhadstartedplowingforthespringplanting,butmost,althoughtheyknewtheymusteventuallygetonwithit,keptputtingitofffromdaytoday.

DonJuanwasfeelingbetter,butthelethargythathaddescendedon

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thevillageafflictedhimaswell.ThemessagehereceivedinlateAprilthatVicentehadarrivedtoolatetoapprehendthedesertersonlyheightenedhisfeelingofhelplessness,buthesentamessagebackforVicentetogoontoSpainashehadsuggested,tocarrytheappealtothekingifhedidnotgetsatisfactionfromtheAudiencia.

ThenewsthathehadbeenappointedadelantadobroughtasardonicsmiletodonJuan'slips.Hemutteredtohimself,''Porsólodosvidas,dosvidas."

InMexicoCityVicenteappearedbeforetheAudiencia,where,afterreviewingthehistoryoftheNewMexicocolony,hepresenteddonJuan'sproposalfortheconquestandpacificationofQuivira.DonJuanproposedtofurnishonehundredadditionalsoldiersifthekingwouldcontributethreehundred.

TheAudiencialistenedtothemaesedecampo,butaftergettingotherreportsaboutthesituationinNewMexico,recommendedagainstanyfurtherexploration.Itdid,however,recommendthemaintenanceofthecolony,primarilybecauseofthe"goodqualitiesandpeacefuldispositionofthenatives."Thefiscalwhoadvisedinfinancialmatterstookmuchthesameposition,sayingthattheexpectationsforwealthwerenogreaterthantheyhadbeenin1598.HeconcurredwiththeAudienciathat,forthebenefitofthosealreadybaptized,thecolonyshouldbemaintained.

Theviceroy,inasummaryofthesituationsenttotheking,statedthatthelandintheprovinceofNewMexicowasnotassterileasdescribedbythepeoplewhocameback,butalsonotasprosperousasotherspaintedit.HefurtherstatedthatalthoughthefriarshadbeeninNewMexicofiveyears,notmanypeoplehadbeenbaptized.Herecommendedthatonlyatotalofonehundredsoldiersbesentasreinforcements.

Meanwhilethetheologianswhohadbeenconsultedbytheviceroyexpressedtheopinionthatthepeoplewhohaddefectedwerenotexactlysoldiersbecauseastateofwardidnotexistand,moreover,manyhadtheirfamilieswiththem.Forthesereasonstheystatedthatthedesertersmustbeheardaccordingtojudicialprocedure,notbythegovernorofNewMexico,butbytheviceroy.Thisdecisionprecludedthattheybeforcedtoreturntothecolony.

AtSanGabriel,asspringprogressed,theplantingwasdone.ThesmallgroupofpeoplewhohadremainedwhilethegovernorandhistroopswereatQuiviraledtheeffortstoputthecolonyonafirmfooting.CristóbalVacacomplainedtohiswife,"Ifonlytherestwould

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makeuptheirmindstobecomeNewMexicans,wecoulddosomethinghere.Thisisnotthemostfertilesoilintheworld,buttheIndiansgrowcornandcalabashes.Whycan'twe?"

Anaanswered,"Butifalmosteverybodyelsedoesnotlikeithere,howcanweeverestablisharealcolony?"

"Well,ifthosepeoplewanttoleave,letthem.Iintendtostay,andtherewillbeaNewMexico,"heblurtedoutasheputonhishatandheadedforhisfields.Onthewayhethought,"IfonlyIhadthreesonsandonedaughter,insteadoftheopposite."

WhatJorgewantedtotellEsperanzawasthatduringtheexpeditiontoQuivirahehadaskedSergeantHerediaforhisdaughter'shandinmarriage.Thesergeant,whohadbeenexpectingtheproposal,wasnotsurprisedbuthedidhavesomequestionsforJorge."Whatdoyouintendtodo,stayorgo?"

Jorgeansweredveryquickly,"Stay,Sergeant,stay.Iamnotlookingforriches.IthinkEsperanzaandIcanhaveagoodlife."

"Ithinkso,too,"repliedthesergeant."YouhavemyblessingandIthinkalsomywife's,althoughIdon'tknowbecauseshehasnotbeenrightsinceoursondied."

Theweddingwasquicklyarranged.Itwasnotelaboratebecauseneitherfamilyinvolvedwaswelloff.Atthechurch,astheweddingvowswerebeingspoken,Maríacameoutofherdepression.Shesobbed,butnowmoreoutofarealizationthatshehadneglectedEsperanzaalltheseyearsbecauseofhergriefforherlostson.Sheexperiencedabriefmomentoflucidity.HerdaughterwasenteringanewphaseofherlifeandstayinginNewMexico.Sheherself,throughEsperanza,sawafutureinthelandshehadblamedforherson'sdeath.Dryinghertearsshetookherhusband'shandforthefirsttimesinceManuelito'sdeathandlookedhimintheeyesasiftosay,"It'sallright

now,Gerónimo."

AnotherweddingtookplaceafewdayslaterinSanIldefonso.AlvaroGarcíatookforabrideAwaPovi.TheceremonywasfirstperformedaccordingtotheIndianritual,thentwodayslaterinSanGabriel.This,thefirstbetweenaSpaniardandanIndiangirl,raisedsomeeyebrowsbutnorealconcern.Alvarohadobtainedpermissionfromthegovernor,whoassentedafterafewperfunctoryquestionsaboutwheretheyoungsoldierintendedtolive.

WithoutVicente,donJuanwasstrangelydisinterestedintheaffairsoftheprovince.HeoftenthoughtofgivingCristóbalmoreresponsibility,butCristóbaldidnotshowanyinclinationtotakecharge.NowthatVicentewasgone,theyoungmanlookedmoreandmoretohisfa-

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therforstrengthandguidance,butdonJuan,absorbedinhisdeterioratingposition,didnotrespondverywell.

"¿Quévamosahacer,papá?"Cristóbalaskedoneeveningatdinner.

"Waitforreinforcements,"heansweredcasually.Cristóballoweredhisheadandcontinuedeatinginsilence.

Nowthatmostofhisfriendsweregone,andbecauseCo-halivedinSanJuanandheinSanGabriel,Cristóbalstartedgoingmorefrequentlytothealcalde'shomeononepretextoranothertoseehisdaughter,María.Shewasalwaysgladtoseehim,althoughtheirvisitswerelimitedmostlytohalting,awkwardconversation.

DonJuan'svisitstoMagdalenabecamemorefrequent.Henowconfidedtoherevenhisinnermostthoughts.Onenightastheywerelyinginbed,sheaskedhim,"Whatdoyouexpectfromallthis,Juan?"

Hepausedsolongthatshewasabouttofallasleepwhenheansweredalmostinaudibly,"Nosé,Magdalena."

ChapterTwenty-NineIfDonJuanwasbecomingmoreandmoredetachedaboutthefateofthecolony,hisbrother,donAlonso,wasnot.HehadgonetoSpaintointercedeinthecourtondonJuan'sbehalf.InalettertothekingheonceagainsoughtredressfromthemodificationsthecountofMonterreyhadmadetoOñate'soriginalcontract.Theking,inacéduladated8July1602,ruledinfavorofdonJuanasfarasobservanceoftheoriginalcontractwithViceroyVelascowent,butrejectedorreferredtotheviceroyallrequeststhatwentbeyondtheprovisionsofthecontract.Thushelosthisappealtohavehistitlesremainineffectformorethantwogenerations.

InNewSpain,conflictingreportsabounded,causingmyriadopinionsconcerningtheguiltorinnocenceofthedeserters,andOñate.SomeopinionswouldhavehadalltheFranciscansremovedfromNewMexicoinfavorofanotherorder.Inalettertotheviceroydated13November1602,authoritiesoftheOrderofSaintFranciswrotethatthetaskofconversioninNewMexicoshouldnotbewithdrawnfromthemjustbecausesomefriarshaddefected.HadnotmanyFranciscansmadetheultimatesacrificefromtheverybeginning?Werethecountlesscontributionstobewipedoutbytheactions,notentirelyunjustified,ofafewofthem?Theblamelayprincipallywiththegovernor,

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theyargued.Hehadalwaysmadetheworkofthereligiousbodydifficult,particularlyaftertheyhadadmonishedhimforhiscrueltytotheIndians.

DonJuan,wantingtoridhimselfofathorninhisside,askedtheviceroytosendinsomeJesuits,buttheviceroydeclined,knowingfullwellwhatthereactionamongthepoliticallypowerfulFranciscanswouldbe.

VicentedeZaldívar,meanwhile,wasnotmakinganyprogressinMexicoCity.ThedefectinggrouphadgottentherebeforehimwiththeirversionofthesituationinNewMexico.On22and23April1602,ZaldívarmadeanotherpresentationtotheAudienciainwhichhereviewedtheaccomplishmentsoftheNewMexicocolony.Hehadwithhimsixsoldiersandofficersfromthetroubledprovincewhoansweredaseriesofquestionspreparedbythetribunal.Thatinfluentialbodyoncemorerecommendedagainstanynewsettlements,butdidgoonrecordfavoring"maintainingwhathasbeenpacified."SincehehadplannedtogotoSpainifhecouldnotgetsatisfactioninMexicoCity,Vicenteturnedhisattentiontothatalternative.

AfleetlefttwiceayearfromtheWestIndiescolonies.AprilandAugustwereconsideredthebestmonthsfromthestandpointofweather.Someindividualshipsalsomadethecrossing,butitwasconsideredunsafeandtooexpensive.EnglishandotherbuccaneersstillprowledtheSpanishroutesinsearchofopulentSpanishshipstoplunder.

AlthoughVicentehadneverbeentoSpain,andhehadneverbeforemadealongoceantrip,thisadventure,aftermorethanfouryearsinNewMexico,seemedratherblandtohim.Hewas,nonetheless,curiousaboutseeingthemotherlandandaboutgoingtothecourtashehopedtodo.

Veracruzwasabustling,busyport.Therewerefortunes,largeandsmall,tobemadeatthis,thecrossroadstothelargestandmostproductiveviceroyaltyintheNewWorld.Thenumerousbodegaswereburstingwithcustomers,mostlysailorsawayfromhome,lookingtospendtheirwagesonwhateverpleasurestheycouldfind.Womenwerestillratherscarce,andcompetitionforthemsometimesledtodrunkenbrawls,someendinginstabbingsoftenfatal.Vicentemadetherounds,butmainlyinaspiritofcuriosity.Hewas,afterall,onaseriousmissionafactwhichseldomescapedhismind.

Whenheboardedtheshipon20April1602,hewasastoundedatthelargenumberofothershipsthatfilledtheharbor.Theywereallloadedwithrichesofsomekind,makingtheirwaytothewealthiest,

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mostpowerfulcountryintheworld.Hefeltacertainprideandcomforttobeapartoftheaffluence,power,andsplendorthatsurroundedhim.HealsowasconsciousoftheveryconsiderablecontributionhisfamilyandthatoftheOñateshadmadethroughouttheyearstotheprosperityofSpain.

ThearrivalofthefleetfromtheIndieswasalwaysanoccasion.IfVeracruzwasthebusiestportintheNewWorld,SevillewasthemostimportantoneinSpain.ShipsfromallovertheSpanishempirewereanchoreddownstreamonthegreatGuadalquivir,awaitingtheirturntoadockwheretheycouldunloadtheircargoesofchocolate,sugar,hides,dyes,andofcourse,preciousmetals.Importantpassengersfromthevariousshipsdebarkedontorowboats,whichtookthemtothedocksnotfarfromthecathedral.VicentespentafewdayslookingatthesightsofthegreatcitybeforeheleftforMadrid.Seville,acityofninety-fivethousandsouls,wastherichestandlargestbyfarofanycityinSpain.ThenextlargestonewasValladolid,withapopulationofthirty-sixthousandinhabitants.MadridwasthefastestgrowingcityandifacensushadbeentakenwhenVicentewasthere,itmighthavesurpassedValladolid.

SevillewasthenervecenteroftradewiththeNewWorld.TheCasadeContratación,throughwhichalltransactionswiththeNewWorldhadtopass,wasstillthere.Intheeighteenthcentury,however,astheincreasedtrafficandtonnagebecamemoredifficultfortheGuadalquivirRivertohandle,theCasawastransferredtoCádiz.

ThecityontheGuadalquivirwasasighttobehold.AstheTorredeOrocameintosight,VicentefeltproudofbeingaSpaniard.Littledidheknowthatattheverymomentwhenhewasmarvelingatthefirstreallybigcityhehadeverseen,MigueldeCervanteswaslanguishinginoneofitsjails,formulatinginhismindthethoughtsandideasthatwouldresultinhisstupendousnovel,DonQuijote.Thethoughtcame

toVicentethatallthissplendorwaspossiblebecauseofthecourage,hardwork,andsacrificeofmenlikehimandhismaligneduncle.Heitchedtotellthekingso.

WiththatpurposeinmindhemadehiswaybycoachtoMadrid.EversincePhillipIIhadmovedhiscourtfromToledototheAlcazar,Madridhadbeenincreasing,notonlyinimportance,butinpopulationaswell,havinggonefromfourthousandsoulsin1530toperhapsthirty-eightthousandin1594.AsheapproachedthecityhemarveledathowmuchthelandscaperesembledthatbetweenTiguexandtheTewapueblosalongtheRiodelNorte.Heremainedinthecityforseveral

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weeks,duringwhichtimeheconsultedwithhisuncle,AlonsoOñate,whohadbeeninSpainforoverayearpromotinghisbrother'sfortunesatthecourtinValladolid,butlivinginMadridbecausehousingwasnexttoimpossibleinthenewcapital.

WhenKingPhillipIIdiedin1598,hissonPhillipIIIascendedtothethrone.Hewasaratherpassiveyoungmanaboutwhomhisfatherhadsaid,"God,whohasgivenmesomanykingdoms,hasdeniedmeasoncapableofmanagingthem."ThenewkingfellundertheinfluenceofthedukeofDenia,laterLerma,whowasbribedtopersuadethekingtotransferthecourttoValladolid.Thishedidin1601.Manyofthehangers-on,includingOñate'sbrother,whohadbuiltorboughthomesinMadridwerestilllivingthereuntiltheirnewhomescouldbecompletedinthenewcapital,butagreatexoduswasinthemaking.OnepersonwhoremainedinMadridwastherenownedGoldenAgedramatistandpoet,LopedeVega.

DonAlonsodeOñatehadnotseenVicentesincelate1597."HowisJuantakingallthesesetbacks?"heaskedastheyretiredtothedrawingroom.

"TherearetimeswhenheregretshavinggonetoNewMexico.HeworriesaboutCristóbal,whoisgrowingupwithoutanyschooling,andhelongstoseeMaría."

"PoorJuan.Hehadsuchhopesforthenewkingdom.Heplannedtotakeallofusthere.Iguessheenvisionedakindofdynasty.Whatdoyouthinkoftheplace?"

Vicentegotafarawaylookinhiseyes."Thereisnothingthere,butIagreewithunclethattherehastobesomethingofvalueinthathugeexpanseifonlywegettherightkindofsupport."

DonAlonsoputdownhisglass."ButyouhavebeentothesouthernseaandtoQuiviraandhavefoundnothing."

Vicentefrownedslightly."Well,notexactlynothing.WeknowofaportthatcouldserveavastlandlargerthanSpain,andwejusttouchedthefringesofQuivira.Wejustdon'thaveenoughmen,particularlysincethedesertion."

DonAlonsolookedpensive."Iagree.PizarrohadtotravelhundredsofleaguesbeforehestumbledontheIncaempire."

"Anddon'tyousupposethatinallthatimmenselandtherearemineraldepositstoequalthoseinNewSpain?"addedVicente.

"Yes,nephewandthatiswhywearehere.Hearingallthisfromsomeonewhohasbeenthereshouldhelpconvincethecouncilandtheking."

Gettingtoseethekingwasnoeasytask.DonAlonsohadmade

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somepreliminarycontactsthatfacilitatedVicente'sappointmentconsiderably,buthestillhadtowait.Itwouldbemonthsbeforethekingwouldhaveanopendate.VicentewhiledawayhistimeseeingthesightssuchastheEscorial,whichuntiljustthelastyearhadhousedthecourt,andToledo,oneday'sjourneytothesouth,whichhadbeenthecapitaluntilPhillipIItransferredittotheancientArabalcazarinMadridin1561atthebehestofhismostbelovedandailingwife,IsabelledeValois,whodetestedToledo.HedecidedhewouldtrytogetanappointmentwiththeCounciloftheIndies.Thecouncilcouldnotseehimuntilmid-January,sohehadmorefreetimeinMadrid.

Thethoughtoccurredtohimashewasstrollingabouttown,andashethoughtofSanGabriel,thathewouldliketostayinSpain.Lifewassosettled,andthereweresomanythingstosee.Hehadgonetosomebullfightswhichwere,judgingfromthenumberoftoreroskilled,muchmoredangerousinthosedaysthantheyaretoday.HehadbeentothetheaterafewtimesinMexicoCityandhadseensometravelingcompaniesinZacatecas,buttherewassomuchmoreofferedinMadrid.VicentehadheardofLopedeVega,andwascurioustoseetheworkofthiscontemporaryplaywright,ifonlytofindoutwhypeopleweresoenthusiasticabouthim.ThecorraleswereonceagainbeginningtothriveinMadridaftertheyhadbeenshutdownduringoneoftheperiodsinwhichtheaterhadbeenprohibitedinthecity.HewenttoseeLope'sLasdoncellasdeSimancasattheCorraldelaCruz.

Acorralwasarectangularpatioformedbythethreesidesofbuildingsattheendofastreetorsmallplaza.Thebalconiesofthebuildingservedasboxesfordistinguishedpatrons,whilethepatiowasforthegeneralaudience.Performanceswereheldintheafternoon,weatherpermitting.Manypeoplecamearmedwithwhistlesandothernoisemakers,withwhichtheyexpressedtheir

pleasureordispleasureverynoisily.

Hewasimpressedwiththecourageofthefemaleprotagonistintheplay,whoshamedthekingofLeónintoresistingthedemandoftheMoorsfortributeconsistingofonehundredwomenannually,byundressingasshewasbeingdeliveredalongwiththeninety-nineothers.SheexplainedherbehaviorbysayingthatsincetherewerenomeninLeóntherewasnoembarrassmentinvolvedinexposinghernudebody.

Hedidnotreturntothetheater.HewastoopreoccupiedwithhismissionandwiththethoughtthatdonJuanandthefewloyalcolonistsweredependingonhim.

ThemeetingwiththeCounciloftheIndiestookplaceduringthethirdweekofJanuary.ThetripacrosstheGuadarramaMountainshad

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beendifficultintheopinionoftheotherpassengersinVicente'scoach.Hesmiled,thinkingofthemanytimeshehadsloggedthroughsnowasdeepasthatcoveringtheroadtoValladolidwithoutevenknowingwhatawaitedhimattheendofhisjourney.Hesatback,comfortedbythefactthatitwasuptosomeoneelsetoworryaboutgettingthecoachthrough.Valladolidwasverycrowded.Hewasfortunatetogetasmallbackroomataninnontheoutskirts,ontheroadtoPeñafiel.Mostoftheguestshadtosleepinadormitorywithseveralbeds.

Themeetingwiththecouncilwasnotasformalashehadimagineditwouldbe.TherewassomecuriosityamongthemembersaboutNewMexico.Itwas,afterall,oneofthelastfrontiersleftintheNewWorld.Vicente,whohadfeltnervouswithanticipation,soonrelaxedandmadehiscaseforhelpquiteconvincingly,tellingthecouncilthatdonJuanhadtoofewpeopleandsuppliestocontinuehisexplorationandcolonization,andaskingforthreehundredmentoaccompanytheonehundredhisunclewouldprovide.

VicentereturnedtoMadridtoawaithisaudiencewiththeking.Hewasfairlysatisfiedwithhismeetingwiththecouncil,andwhenhereturnedtoValladolidinearlyApril,hefinallyrealizedthegoalofhismissiontoSpain.Hewassurprisedathowcallowthekingseemed.Hehadexpectedtoseeamoremature,dignifiedperson.Hewasalsosurprisedathowquicklythekingappearedtoagreewithhisrequest.

On17May1603,theCounciloftheIndiesmadeawrittenrecommendationtothekingadvisinghimtograntZaldívarfortymenwiththeskillshehadsaidheneeded,thatis,pilots,shipwrights.On23June,thekingsentalettertotheCasadeContratacióninSevilleadvisingthemthathehadagreedtopayforfortymusketeersandshipscarpentersandthathehadauthorizedtherecruitmentoftwopilotswhowouldjoinOñateathisownexpense.

Unfortunately,VicentehadalreadyleftforAmericainearlyMay.DonAlonsonotifiedthecouncilofthis,andtheyreferredittotheJuntadeGuerra,whichrecommendedtothekingthattheexpenseforthereinforcementsbepassedontodonJuan,whowouldbelentthemoneybytheviceroy.

VicenteleftSpainwithacertainregret,buthewasgladtobegoinghomeandhewassatisfiedwiththewayhismissionhadgone.Thetripbackseemedmuchlongerthanthetripover.HehadplentyoftimetoreflectonhislifeandonNewMexico.Hewouldcatchhimselfwishingthathewouldnothavetogobacktothenorthernprovince.Hewouldshakehisheadasiftobanishsuchthoughtsfromhismind.The

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possibilityofnotcompletinghismissionwasunthinkable,sowhyentertainsuchideas,hereprimandedhimself.

Hewasgladtospendseveralweeksinhismother'shomeinZacatecas.Hiscousin,María,donJuan'sdaughter,wasnowelevenyearsold.Hetriedtotalktoheraboutherfatherandherbrother,butshehadonlyahazyrecollectionofthem.Hethoughttohimselfthatshewasgettingtobeaverylivelyandprettygirl.

Duringthesummerdayshewouldspendlonghourssittinginthepatiothinkingofwhathadhappenedinhislifeduringthepastyear.HehadvisitedthefabulousSeville,hehadseenaplaybyLopedeVega,andhehadmettheking.ThenhewouldthinkofSanGabrielandhisbrowwouldwrinkle.Hefelt,however,thatthetimehadcomeforhimtoreturntoduty,buthecouldnotgowithoutthemenandsupporthecamefor.

WhileJuandeOñatewaitedfordecisionstobemade,onefactorremainedconstantandthatwastheresolvebyeverybodyconcernedtosalvagetheevangelicalworkthathadbeenstarted.Becauseofdelaysincommunication,theCounciloftheIndies,andthekingontheonepart,andtheviceroyandtheAudienciaontheother,wereissuingdivergentinstructions.

Althoughthekinghadaccededtothebulkofthegovernor'srequests,includingtheoneaskingforindependencefromtheviceroyofNewSpain,thecountofMonterreyactedasifhehadnoknowledgeofthedevelopmentsandcontinuedtoissueinstructionsofhisown.

Oñate'srequestthattheFranciscansbereplacedbytheJesuitswasignored,probablybecauseofthestrengthoftheOrderofSt.Francis,andpartlybecauseofthederogatoryinformation,trueorfalse,impartedbythedesertersof1601aboutthegovernor'sadministration.

Inearly1603,acaravanoffriarswasdispatchedbytheviceroyto

augmentthethreewhowereleftafteralltheothersjoinedthedisaffectedsettlers.LedbyFrayFranciscodeEscobar,wholaterwasnamedcommissaryreplacingFrayFranciscodeVelasco,sixfriarsmadetheirwaytoNewMexicoinMay1603.AmongthemwasBrotherJuandeSanBuenaventura,whotruetohispromisehadcomebacktoNewMexico.FrayAlonsodeSanJuan,laybrotherwiththeEscobargroup,askedhimbluntlyjustbeforetheyarrivedwhy,ifhewascomingback,didhedesertin1601."Ididn'tdesert.Ileftbecausemybrotherfriarswereleaving.Ialwaysintendedtocomeback."

Asthemonthspassed,wordgotbacktoNewSpainthatthekinghadapprovedthefortymenandtwopilots,butnothingelsehappened.

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Inthespringof1604Vicente,stillatZacatecas,heardthatthekinghadauthorizeddonAlonsotobringthemusketeersandshipwrights,butdonAlonsocouldnotpayforashiptotakejustthemenandarmshewastransporting.Thecouncilagreedon19July1604tolethimtakesomemerchandisethatwouldpayforthetripbuttheorderwaslostsomewhereinthebureaucraticmorass.Vicentebecameincreasinglyfrustratedandhelplessinthefaceofindecisionsbyhigherauthoritiesandthebureaucraticdelays.Hebegantoturnhisattentionfromexpeditionbusinesstothatofthefamilymines.AfterafewmonthshebegantofeellessandlesslikethemaesedecampooftheNewMexicocolony.

Thisoutpost,inthemannerofotherNewWorldenterprises,sufferedfromtheabsolutistnatureoftheSpanishgovernment,whereevenamatterassmallaspermissiontoreinforceafalteringcolonybyahandfulofmenneededtheapprovaloftheking,whointurndependedupontheadviceoftheCounciloftheIndies,theviceroy,andevenindividualsliketheprovincialtreasurer,orabishop,dependingonthecase.Theprocedurewascomplicated,moreover,bythefactthatallthesebodiesandofficialswereavailabletoanyonewhowantedtoprovideinput,particularlyifitwasnegativeinnature.

ChapterThirtyInNewMexico,wherehewasactingmaesedecampo,Cristóbalhadtakencertaininitiativeswithhisfather'sconsenttobesure.JorgedeZumaya,whohadbeencommissionedcaptainbythegovernorinthespringof1604,becameafriendandmentoroftheyoungOñate.Cristóbalwasentrustedwiththeleadershipofseveralvisitstooutlyingpueblos.

OneeveninginAprilafterdinner,asdonJuanandhissonweresitting

underastarryskyenjoyingtheunseasonablywarmweather,Cristóbalremarkedalmostcasually,"IwonderhowthepeopleofAcomaarefaring."

DonJuanwastakenslightlyabackbecausehehadnotgiventhemmuchthoughtsincethedesertion,whenmanyoftheAcomaservantshadleftwiththedepartingexpeditionalongwiththosewhoweresetfree."Idon'tknow,son,"heansweredsoftly."Isupposetheyhaverebuilttheirtownbynow."

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Cristóbalseizedtheopportunitytoaskhisfatherandcommander,''MayItakeasmallforcetopaythemavisit?BrotherBuenaventuracanaccompanyme.Maybewecanbringthembackintothefold."

DonJuanwashesitantabouthisanswer."Averyworthymission,myson,butwouldn'titbeabitdangerous.""Idon'tthinkso,sir.They,noranyoftheothers,haveshownanyhostilitytowardus."

"Well,Ishallthinkaboutit."

ThefollowingdaydonJuanwasactuallyenthusiasticatthethoughtofeffectingareconciliationwiththepeopleofAcoma.Hehadafterallnotbeenfullyinagreementwiththeharshpunishmenttheyhadreceived.Besidesifhewasbeingaccusedofmistreatingthem,itmighthelphisreputationifhewentonapeacemissiontotheSkyCity.

ThateveninghebroughtupthesubjecttoCristóbal."IhavereflectedsomeonthevisittoAcoma.Weshalldoitandyouwillbemysecond-in-command.

Cristóbalbecameexhilaratedatthethoughtofvisitingthemysteriousplacewherethegreatbattlehadtakenplace,nevermindthathisunclehadbeenkilledthere."CanwetakeAlvaroandJorge?"heaskedalmostbreathlessly.

"Ofcoursewecan,theycanlookafteryou,"heteased.

"Idon'tneedanybodytotakecareofme,butIwouldfeelgoodiftheywerewithus."

DonJuanlaughedashepattedhissixteen-year-oldsonontheback.

AweeklaterthesmallforceoftwentymenleftSanGabrielonthefirstexpeditionorganizedforthepurposeofseekingreconciliationwithaformerenemy.NotonlywereAlvaroandJorgeamongthe

soldiers,thefathercommissaryandBrotherBuenaventuraalsoansweredtherollcall.Unliketheotherexpeditions,thisonecapturedtheimaginationofthecolonists.

Withafanfareandsmilesallaround,itwasonitsway.Eventheweatherseemedtocooperate.Itwasadayworthyofawedding.Thespringshowersofthenightbeforegavewaytoacool,brightmorningwithonlyafewwhitefluffycloudsclingingtothemountains.

CristóbalhadnotseenCo-hasinceaftertheBattleofAcomaandthemovetoSanGabriel.HeaskedhisfathertogobySanJuanonthewaywest.Co-hawasreticentwithCristóbalatfirst,butwhentheyoungOñatetoldhimthepurposeofthetrip,hesmiled."Pleasecomebackandtellmeaboutit,"hesaidasCristóbalembracedhim.

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Sincetherewasnohurry,theSpanishcontingentstoppedatvirtuallyeverypuebloalongtheriver.Theinhabitants,sensingthepurposeofthemission,cametomeetthemwithofferingsoffriendship.

Leavingtheriverthepartyheadedalmostduewestdirectlytothebluff,whichcouldbeseenfromalongdistance.TheSpaniardswereproceedingwithconfidence,almostwithafestiveair.AnenvoyhadbeensentaheadtoapprisetheAcomansofOñate'smission.

TheAcomansdidnotwaitfortheSpaniardstocometothetopbutdescendedtothedesertfloortogreetthem.Thespokesmansaidinaloud,resonantvoice,"WelcometoAcoma.Iwasonlyachildduringthegreatbattle.Iamhappytoseeyoucomeinpeace."

DonJuanwithCristóbaldismountedandwalkedtowardthemanwhospokeandwhoapparentlywasthechief.Thetwoleadersbowedalmostsimultaneously,thendonJuanembracedTyami(Eagle),sonofTyami,heroofAcoma.

Thatnightatthevillageatthetopofthemesathefeastlastedallnight.TheSpaniardsanticipatingthefestivitieshadbroughtsomewinetosharewiththeirguests.TheAcomanssanganddanced;theSpaniardsofferedtheirmusic.

Oñateandhismendescendedtotheircampjustafewhoursbeforedaybreak.TheAcomans,assoonastheysawtheSpanishcampstirring,oncemoredescendedfromtheirhugebouldertosendtheSpaniardsoff.

ChapterThirty-OneShortlyaftertheyarrivedbackatSanGabriel,preparationswerestartedforthelongdeferredtriptotheSouthSea.ThemaesedecampohadbeentotheareaoftheGulfofCaliforniathreeyears

before,buthadnotdoneanyrealexplorationnorchartedanyoftheregion.Sincethecolonyhadbeendepletedsomuchbythedesertionof1601,Oñatehadtosettleforonlythirtysoldiersforthisventure.HewasalsoaccompaniedbyFatherFranciscodeEscobarandthelongtimeNewMexican,JuandeBuenaventura.AmongthesoldierswasAlvaroGarcía,whohadacquiredareputationasagoodsoldierandanindustriouscolonist.ThisleftSanGabrielwithaminimalgarrison,andvirtuallyindefensibleshouldtroublearise.However,donJuandidnotfeelhewasplacinghispeopleinjeopardy.Relationswith

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theIndians,whilenotclose,hadsincetheearlydaysandthecatastropheatAcomabeencordialandpacific.

Ontheeveofhisdeparture,BrotherJuanwenttoseehisfriend,AwaTside,atSanJuan.HetoldhimabouttheuneasinessofafewofthepeopleofSanGabriel.AwaTsideonlyshookhisheadslowlyandsmiled.BrotherJuanknewthatatleastasfarasthepeopleoftheneighboringvillagewereconcerned,theSpaniardswouldbesafe.TherewasalwaysthedangerofattackfromtheAthabascans,buttheTeguasoftheimmediatevicinityfacedthesamedanger.Nothingwasevercertaininafrontier.

CristóbalwentwithFrayJuan,buthewenttoseeCo-hatotellhimabouttheAcomavisit.Co-hawasveryhappytoseeCristóbal.AfterchattingwithhimabouttheAcomansforseveralminutes,helookedatCristóbaldirectlyandsaidsoftly,"Youareatruefriendofourpeople."

Thegovernorwasnotembarkingonthistripwithanyenthusiasmorsenseofadventure.Bynow,theonlyhopethathehadwasthatVicentewouldshowupwithasubstantialnumberofreinforcements.Hedidnothaveaclearideaofwhathewoulddowiththemotherthanlaunchfurtherexplorationsorintensifyhissearchforpreciousmetals.

Cristóbalhadlosthisboyishenthusiasm,buthe,too,wasgladfortheopportunitytoshakeofftheapathyanddespairofthedecrepitcapitalforafreshvista.Hewasnowsixteenyearsoldandhadscarcelyknownanyotherlifethantheonehewasleadingnow.

On7October1604thegovernorassembledhissmalltroopintheplazaforabriefceremonybeforedeparting.Someofthewomensobbed,rememberingotherceremoniesinbettertimes.Thisoneseemedperfunctoryandrathersad.Thesoldiers'uniformswerefrayed,andtheformationlackedmilitarycrispnessandprecision.

Cristóbal,actingasmaesedecampo,cranedhisnecklookingforMaría.ShewasthereinthebackgroundwithEsperanza,whosehusbandwasalsointheexpedition.Cristóbalwavedtimidly,andsheansweredhisgestureenthusiastically.

Theexpeditiongotunderway,headingwestonthenorthsideoftheRíodelNorte.TheSpaniardsdidnotmakeanycontactwiththeIndiansalongthewayuntiltheygottoZuni.WhentheypassednearAcoma,theysawsmokecomingoutofthechimneys.They,ofcourse,alreadyknewthatAcomawasoncemorefunctioningasavillage.MostofthewomenwhohadbeentakenasservantsinSpanishhomeshadlongsincelefttorejointheirpeople,whowerewanderingbackfromalldirections.

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AstragicastheAcomaincidentwas,ithadstillbeenatimeofhopefortheSpaniards.Thecolonywasjustgettingstarted.NowdonJuanorderedahalt,dismounted,andfellononekneeinsilentprayerinremembranceofhisbelovednephew,Juan.AsheremountedhishorsehewonderedhowdifferentthefortunesofthecolonymighthavebeenifhehadcontinuedtowardtheSouthSeaattheendof1598.Hestillcommandedcredibilityandrespectthen,andanydiscoverieshemighthavemadewouldhavebeentakenseriously.Nowhehadafeelingthat,shortofdiscoveringafabulousgoldorsilvermine,nothingthathecoulddowouldmakemuchdifference.

Ashehaddoneseveralyearsbefore,OñatestoppedatZuni,whereheandhistroopswerereceivedcourteously.Thecuisinehadnotchangedfromthelasttimehewasthere,asitprobablyhadnotchangedinhundredsofyears.Oncemoretheyweretreatedtogrilledrabbit,wellsaltedfromthenearbyflats;calabashes,whichhadbeencookedinthenativehorno;andtortillasmadeofcornmeal.DonJuanwasgrateful,butnoteffusive,givingtheimpressionofindifferencetoZunigraciousnessandgenerosity.

ThenextstopinthedispiritedodysseywasMoqui,whichlaysometwentyleaguestothenorthwest.AsatHawikuh,heretheywerealsowellreceived.FatherEscobarwasimpressedwiththeheavycottonblanketshesaw,commentingthattheywerenotonlythebestintheland,butthebestcoloredaswell.

TenleaguesfromMoquitheycameacrossariver,whichtheynamedSt.Josephbecausethedaytheyspentonitsbankwasthesaint'sday.ItwastheLittleColoradoRiver,sonamedlaterbecauseoftheredcolorofitswater.Next,theycameuponarivertheynamedSanAntonio,whichwasprobablythewesternbranchoftheRioVerde.Theynotedthatfromthispointon,theclimatebecamemoretemperate.

AlongtherivertheycalledtheSacramento,whichwaslatertobeknownastheSantaMaríaRiver,theycameuponsomeIndiansintheareawestofmodernPrescott,whohadevidentlyhadencounteredsomeSpaniardsevenbeforeEspejo'stimein1553,becausetheearlyexplorerhadrelatedthefactthattheyworecrossesovertheirforeheads,tiedtotheirhair,thusinspiringthenameCruzados.

TheyworethecrossesmainlyinthepresenceofSpaniards,whichthelatterinterpretedasasignthatIndiansmeanttoplease.TheseweremostlikelythemodernYavapaiIndians,whonowliveintheareaoftheGrandCanyon.Thesepeopledidnotgrowcornorbeans,subsistingmainlyonvenison.ItwasDecember,buttheclimatekeptgetting

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warmerandwarmer,whichpleasedtheSpaniards,whohadcometohatethecoldwinterweatherofSanGabriel.

AsBrotherJuanandCristóbalgazedfromaprominenceuponthelightbrowndesertfloorbelow,Cristóbalremarked,"Onecanseefiftyleaguesaway."

"Yes,"BrotherJuansaidwithwonderinhisvoice,"itlooksasifwearedescendingintoaperpetualsummerland."

Bythetimetheyreachedthebottom,thetravelershadshedtheirjacketsandtheirhats.Birdswerechirpinginthecottonwoodtreesalongthefoothills.Cactuswasvisibleinthedistance.Adustyhazeclungtothedistantbarrenmountains."Icouldstayandlivehere,"shoutedCristóbal,rememberingthecold,bitingnorthwindofSanGabriel.

"Maybewecanmovethecapitalhere,"laughedBrotherJuan,squintinginthebrightsunlight.

ThenextlargerivertheyencounteredwastheColoradoRiver,whichwasgiventhenameBuenaEsperanza(GoodHope).Itwasborderedbymeadowsthatweredenselypopulated.

Cristóballookedawayandwonderedwhatlaybeyondthetoweringmountainsinthefarwesterndistance."PerhapstheSouthSea,"venturedAlvaro.

TheyoungOñatehalfshuthiseyesashegazedattheforbiddinglandscapebeyondthegreenstripalongtheriverbanks."Thislandisendless.Wehavebeentravelingformonthsandtheendisnotinsight."

Alvarostrainedhiseyesandsaidtohimself,"AllthisbelongstoSpain,butitwon'tsatisfytheauthorities;theirviewisdimsighted."

DonJuan,whowasnowgenerallyreferredtoastheadelantado,sentCaptainMárquezwithfoursoldierstotalktothenativesoftheregion.Hecamebackwithtwomenwhowereregaledandsentbacktobringmorepeople.ThenextdayfortypeopleledbyamancalledCurracacame,bearingcorn,beans,andcalabashes.ThechieftaindeliveredalongspeechexpressingfriendshipfortheSpaniards.TheseweretheAmacavapeople.

Theymetotherpeopleoftheregion,whowereequallyfriendly.Theywere,accordingtoFatherEscobar,tall,good-lookingpeoplewhowentaroundcompletelynude,butnotthewomen,whocoveredtheirprivatepartswithgrassorfiber.

ThesepeopletoldtheSpaniardsthatfurtheronwerepeoplelivingaroundalake,whoworebraceletsmadeofayellowmetal.WhenoneoftheSpaniardsshowedthematoothpickmadeofgold,oneoftheIndiansnoddedandputthetoothpicktohiswrist.Furtheron,another

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grouptoldthemthatfartherwestwerepeoplewhoateoutofbowlsmadeofthesamematerialassomeofthesilverutensilstheSpaniardshadwiththem.Theylivedonanislandoneday'sboattripfromshore.

AlongtheGilaRiver,calledbytheSpaniardsNombredeJesus,theOserapeoplewerefoundnottobeastractableasothersintheregion.ItwasherethattheSpaniardslefttwentyhorsesbecausethegrazingwasgood.Whentheyreturnedforthem,thirteenhadbeenkilledandeaten.TheSpaniardsdidnottakeanyaction,reasoningthattheIndianshadneverbehavedimproperlyintheirpresenceandthat,besides,theSpaniardshadtemptedtheIndianstoomuchbyleavingasourceoffoodonthehoofunguarded.

Beforetheexpeditionreachedthegulf,theSpaniardswentthroughseveralsettlementseachwiththousandsofinhabitantsuntiltheyreachedonecalledCocapa,whichextendedtothecoast.ItwasonthedayofSt.Paul'sconversion(25January)thattheSpaniardsfinallyreachedthebayformedbythemouthoftheColoradoRiverandtheGulfofCalifornia.ItwasgiventhenamePortofConversioninhonoroftheconvertedapostle.

Thus,duringthefirstmonthof1605OñatehadalmostaccomplishedwhathesetouttododiscovertheSouthSea.HedidnotreachthePacificOcean,althoughhelearnedfromthenativeswhereitlayinrelationtothegulf.Thelocalpeopleevidentlydidnotventurewestwardmuchbeyondthatpointbecauseofthefantasticstoriesthatweretoldofthepeoplewholivednearthesea.DonJuanwassuspiciousthattheymightbejoshinghim,buttheIndiansseemedseriousenough.Theirstories,whilefantastic,wereconsistentwithwhatVicentedeZaldívarhadbeentoldseveralyearsearlier.Thewhimsicalstoriesofpeoplewithhugeears,ofotherswhosleptunderwater,thosewhosustainedthemselvespurelyontheodoroffood,andofthosewhosesexualmembersweresolongthatthey

couldwindthemfourtimesaroundtheirwaists,wereallrepeatedexactlyastheyhadbeentoldtoVicente.

Thegovernordidnotpushhisexpeditionfartherbecausesuppliesweregettingverylow.AlthoughtheIndiansoftheareaweregenerousenough,theydidnothavemuchtogive.Onthewayback,theSpaniardshadtoslaughterandeatsomeoftheiremaciatedhorses.TheydidnotgetadequatelysupplieduntiltheyreachedthelandoftheMoqui.

On25April1605,theexhaustedexpeditionreachedSanGabriel.Thosewhohadstayedbehindwererelievedthattheexpeditionwasbackafterasixmonths'absence,whichseemedinterminable.Theyhad

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allbeenhopingthatsomethingofvaluewouldbediscoveredtobreakthewearyingstalemate,butforthemomenttheyweremainlygladthattheirhusbandsandsonsweresafeandthattheythemselvesweremoresecure.MaríahadbeencountingthedayswhenCristóbalwouldreturn.Beforeheleft,hehadspokentoJorgeaboutaskingforherhand.Jorgehadtoldhiswife,whointurnhadtoldMaría.Now,asaseasonedfrontiersmanseventeenyearsold,hefeltentitledtotakethatcrucialstep.

Thedayaftertheirarrival,Cristóbalbroachedthesubjectwithhisfather.DonJuanwasnotsurprised,buthedidfeelthatCristóbalwasabityoungformarriage.Feelingthathissonhadbeendeniedatranquilandsecurechildhood,herelentedquickly.WhenCristóbalapproachedCaptainGutiérreztoaskforhisdaughter'shand,thecaptainsaid,"Bothofyouaresoyoung,butthesearenotnormaltimesGodblessyou."

ChapterThirty-TwoDonJuanhadresolvedtosendhisfathercommissarytoMexicoCitytoreportonhisrecentaccomplishment.Afterafewdays'rest,on29June,thegovernorwrotealettertotheviceroyadvisinghimthathewassendingFatherEscobartoinformhimofthestateofaffairsinNewMexico.Themorehethoughtaboutit,themorehebecameconvincedthatthiswasapropitioustimeforhimtoreportinperson.Besides,hethoughttohimself,itwouldbeagoodopportunityfinallytobringMaríatoNewMexico.SincepreparationshadalreadybeenmadeforFatherEscobar,thesmallpartyledbyOñateleftforNewSpainwithoutdelay.

Cristóbaldidnotgowithhisfatherthistime,stayingbackatSanGabrieltomaintaintheOñatepresenceincaseanybodybecame

restlessandstartedthinkingofdeserting.Hisfiancéehadexpressedhopethathewouldnotleaveheragainsosoon.Withthegovernorwerethelieutenantgovernor,donFrancisco,andhiswife,Eufemia.Thegovernorhadlongsincegivenpermissiontotheelderlycoupletoreturn,buttheoccasionhadnotpresenteditself.SevenyearsofharshNewMexicolifehadnotdampeneddoñaEufemia'sspiritverymuch,butshelongedtoseehersonandgrandchildren.Shemadetheroundssayinggood-byetoallthefamilies.

"Iamleaving,"shesaid,"becauseIamgettingtoooldforthiskind

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oflife.Iwanttolivemylastyearsamongmygrandchildren.Butyouyoungerones,don'tthinkofgivingupyournewhomeland.Ithaseverythingforagoodlifeifyouworkatit.Makethemostofit.MayGodkeepyou."

By7AugustthepartywasinSanBartolomé.FromtheredonJuanwrotetheviceroy,themarquisofMontesclaros,askingpermissiontocontinuetoMexicoCity.On1Septembertheviceroyanswered,grantingpermissionreluctantly.ButbythetimetheletterreachedSanBartolomé,donJuanwashavingsecondthoughtsaboutmeetingahostileviceroyandwasthinkingofreturningtoNewMexico.

DonJuanhadbeenplanningtospendsometimeinZacatecasonthewaytoMexicoCity.Whentheviceroy'sreplywasdelayed,andhehadmadeuphismindtoreturn,hehadhisdaughter,María,broughttohimwiththeintentionoftakingherwithhim.Maríawasnowarefinedfourteen-year-oldyounglady.Themorehesawherthroughouttheirshortvisit,themorehefeltdisinclinedtotakehertohiscrudehomeinSanGabrielandtoafailingventure.Asheheardherspeak,thecontrastbetweenherandhissonCristóbalalarmedanddisheartenedhim.Itwasobviousthatshewasbecomingwelleducated,andinNewMexicotherewerenoschools.

MaríahadcomepreparedtojoinherfatherandbrotherinNewMexico;Vicente,whohadescortedher,knewjustwhattobring.DonJuanfeltaflushofoptimismwhenhesawhisbeloveddaughterstandingbyhistrustedandequallybelovednephew.Hethoughttohimself,"Withhimandher,NewMexicomightbeagreeable."

Maríawasshyatfirst,butsoonwaschatteringabouteverythingthatcametohermind,butmainlyatthegreatlifesheandherbrotherwouldhaveinthenewkingdom.

Thedayafterarrivingwithhiscousin,VicentewaiteduntildonJuan

wasalonebeforecomingtoseehim."Tío,Ihavesomethingtotellyou."

"Whatisit,Vicente,"donJuananswered,alarmedabouthisnephew'sseriousdemeanor.

"Ourenemieshaveapparentlytalkedtothenewviceroy.Idonotthinkhewouldgiveyouagoodreceptionandhemighttrytokeepyoufromgoingback."

"Ihadthoughtofthat,Vicente.ThatiswhyIhadyoubringMaría.NowthatIhaveseenher,Idon'tknow."

"Wecouldtakecareofher,"encouragedVicente.

"Yes,"answereddonJuanwithagrimace,"butinviewofwhatyou

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tellmeyoushouldgobackandseewhatyoucandotocounterthewaggingtongues."

Vicentedidnotinsist."Asyouwish,uncle."

"No,"continuedthegovernor,"withthedepressedstateofthecolonyanditsuncertainfuture,Icannottakeherthere."

HeresolvedtogetbackwherehebelongedbeforehisholdonNewMexicobecameweakerthanitwas.HefeltanurgencytogetbacktoCristóbal,who,forbetterorworse,wasalreadyaNewMexican.TowardtheendofSeptemberherecalledallthosewhoweretoreturnwithhimandmadepreparationsforthetripbacktoNewMexico.Ashesaidgood-byetoMaría,hethoughtoftheseven-year-oldgirlhehadleftin1598.HisdreamofreunitinghisfamilyvanishedintheharshlightofconditionsinNewMexicoandofcourtpolitics.AsthelastdaysofabeautifulSeptembercametoanend,thetired,dispiritedgovernorbeganthelongtrektohissad,littlecolony.

TheviceroymeanwhilereceivedthereportoftherecentdiscoveryfromFatherEscobar.ThefantasticstoriescontainedinitdidnothelpOñate'scause.TheygaveMontesclarosanopportunitytoridiculeandminimizeOñate'saccomplishment.InaderogatoryreporttoKingPhillipIII,theviceroyproclaimedOñate'sconquest"afairytale."

ItwasthisletterthatsealedOñate'sandhiscolony'sfate.Thekinggaveinstructionstohissecretarytoanswertheviceroy"toobservewhathasbeenorderedrelatingtothediscoveryofNewMexicoandtheaffairsofJuandeOñate.Withthisunderstandinghemaystopfurtherdiscoveries,takingmeasuresforthepreservationoftheconvertedIndiansattheleastpossiblecosttohismajesty.Andiftheconquestshouldcontinue,letitbewithfriarsonly,ashasbeeninstructed."

WhenthegovernorgotbacktoSanGabriel,hewasadefeatedman.

WatchingwereanelderinSanJuanandtheyoungerAwaTside.TheysawatiredandbentmandismountfromhishorsetoembraceCristóbalandgreetCaptainMárquezandtheotherswhohadturnedouttowelcomehim.

AwaTsideremarked,"Heisaverydifferentmanfromwhathewaswhenhefirstcame."

"FrayJuantellsmetheleadersofhisnationhavelostconfidenceinhim,"theelderanswered.

"Yes,maybetheywillhavetoleavethisland,"observedAwaTsidedryly.

DonJuantoldCaptainMárquezthatnightthathewantedtoresign,

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butthathewasafraidoneofhisenemieswouldbenamedgovernor."HowImissVicente,"heconfided.CaptainMárquezremainedsilent.

OñatesoughtsolacewithMagdalena,butmoreinfrequentlynow.Whenhedidseeher,hedidnottalkverymuch.Hisspentmostofhistimestaringoutthewindowasifthinkingthatsomewhereouttherelaytheanswertohisproblemsandaspirations.

AcrosstheoceaninSpainthecurtainwasslowlybeingdrawnovertheadelantado'sfatefulventure.On16January1606,theCounciloftheIndiesrecommendedtothekingthatheordertheviceroytobringOñatebacktoNewSpainandtoreplacehimasgovernor.Inoneofhisbriefnotesattheendofthecouncil'sreport,thekingagreedtothatplan.Aweeklaterthecounciltransmittedthedecisiontotheviceroy.BynowPhillipIIIwasbackattheEscorial.Itwasfromtherethathesentoutanordertotheviceroy.

ChapterThirty-ThreeOneafternooninthemiddleofJuneasSanGabrielbakedslowlyinthesunandmostofitsinhabitantswereinsideeithersleepingoratleastseekingrespitefromthestiflingheat,onehardysoulwhoapparentlydidnothaveatasteforthesiestawasridingbacktothevillagewhenhespottedasmallpartyofhorsemenapproaching.Heknewthatthemaesedecampo'sarrivalwasimminent,soinsteadofgoinguptogreetthem,hewentintothesquareatfullgallop,hollering,"elmaesedecampo,elmaesedecampo!"Littlebylittlethevillagecametolifeasthedrowsyinhabitantscameoutblinkingandrubbingtheireyes.BythetimeVicenterodeuptothesquareeverybodywasout.

Itwasabittersweetreunionbetweenuncleandnephew,leaderandloyalsecond-in-command.DonJuanwashappytoseeVicente,buthe

wasnotrelievedashehadbeensomanyothertimeswhenhehadreturnedfromanassignment.HealreadyknewthatVicente'smissionhadbeenafailure.Vicentedismountedquicklyandembracedhisuncle.Theydidnotsayanythingbeyondacursorygreeting,butonlylookedateachotherwithasadnessvergingontears.Cristóbalstoodbylookingatthegrounduntilhiscousinnoticedhimandgavehimabigabrazo.Cristóbalwasnoweighteenyearsold.Hewasfourteenandstillaboywhentheyhadlastseeneachother.Thateveningforthefirsttimein

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severalyears,thevillagewasalive.DonJuaninvitedthoseclosetohimtodinner,andthewinecontinuedtoflowtillaverylatehour.

ThefollowingmorningdonJuanhadaheadache.HehadawakenedearlywithaheavyfeelingthatcarriedoverfromthedreamsinducedbytheemptinessofVicente'sreturn.Insteadofthethree-hundred-somesoldiershehadhopedforatthetimeofhisnephew'sdeparture,hewelcomedtwofriarsandahandfulofmen.Heremainedinbed,asifreluctanttofacetheworld.Atnineo'clockVicentestoodattheentrancetohisuncle'squarters.Inthepasthewouldhavewalkedstraightin.DonJuan,whowaspickingathisbreakfast,lookedupandsmiledweakly,''Whydon'tyoucomein?"

Vicentetookoffhishatandsatatthetablewithhim,thinkingofthemanytimestheyhadmadeplansoverbreakfast.Nowhesimplysatdown.

DonJuanaskedinalowvoice,"¿Quévamosahacer?[Whatarewetodo?]"

Vicente,whocamebackonlybecauseitwashisduty,andoutofasenseofdevotiontohisuncle,answeredalsoinalowvoice,"Nosé,tío."

Thesummerof1606wasparticularlydryandparticularlyhot.Thecolonywasatavirtualstandstill,withSanGabrielsimmeringandthecolonists,withtheexceptionoftheyoungpeople,insidetheirhousesmostofthetime.Whentheydidventureout,themenhardlybotheredtodressproperly,somegoingintothesquareshirtless.Greetings,otherthanperfunctoryones,werebecomingrare.Itwasasiftheydidnotwanttoremindoneanotheroftheirexistence,becausetoacknowledgethatwouldbetoacknowledgetheirdesperateplight.Itwasnottheabsenceofcomfortsthatcausedtheirdepression.Itwassheerboredomandhopelessness.

DonJuanhadlongagogivenuponSanGabrielanditsenvirons.Hehadbeenpinninghishopesonanotherexpedition,whichdependedonreinforcements.

"Whatwouldyouhavedonewiththethreehundredsoldiers?"askedVicente.

Afterapause,donJuananswered,"Idon'tknowexactly,butwewouldhavemovedfromhere."

"Isee,"mutteredVicente,thenfellsilent.Theysatthereforseveralminuteswithoututteringaword.Vicenterosetoleave.

"Oh,bytheway,"donJuancalledtoVicente,whostoppedandturnedaround,"FatherEscalonapassedawaylastweek."Vicenteremainedsilentlookingattheground.DonJuancontinuedhaltingly,

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"HehadbeenservingatSantoDomingosincehewasreplacedbyFatherEscobar."

"I'msorry,"mutteredVicenteasheturnedandleft.

Vicente,everthemanofaction,soonbecamerestlessinthelanguidatmosphereofSanGabriel.HestartedtakinglongridesonhorsebackwithCristóbal.OnoneofthosetheyhadbeenridinginsilencewhenCristóbalspottedsomeIndiansinthedistance.

"Iwonderwhotheyare,"Cristóbalthoughtaloud.

Vicentebrokeintoagallop,"Let'sgosee."

Uponcloserexaminationtheysawtwohorsesbeingledbyahalterintheirmidst.AstheIndiansnoticedthetwoSpanishhorsemen,theystartedrunningandsoonletthetwohorsesloose.Cristóbalandhiscousindidnotgivechase,simplycatchingthehorses.

AstheytrottedbacktoSanGabrielVicentesaid,"TheylookedlikeApachestome."

Cristóbalconcurred,"Yes,whydidn'twechasethem?"

"Because,"answeredVicente,"theywereprobablypartofalargergroup.ThisisveryseriousApachesthisclosetoSanGabrielandstealingourhorses."

Thetworodebackswiftly,Vicentethinkingoutaplanofaction;CristóbalexcitedabouttheprospectofacampaignagainstthemaraudingmountainIndians.

DonJuanwassurprisedtohearthemaese'sreportandagreedthatatroopshouldbesentwithoutdelaytocleartheareaofraiders.

Cristóbal,assargentomayor,insistedthathebeincluded.

Theearlyautumnskywasstillpinkwhentheforceoftwentysoldiers

accompaniedbyveteranCaptainGerónimoMárquez,EnsignAlvaroGarcía,andEnsignEscarramad,whoaccompaniedOñatein1598asasimplesoldier,leftSanGabriel.

TheyrodewestonthenorthsideoftheriverfollowingwhattheyknewwastheroutetheApachestooktotheirmountainhomes.OnthethirddayatthefootofthewesternJemezMountainstheyspottedthesmokeofanearlyeveningcampfire.

Bythetimetheygotwithinearshottheycouldseeclearlyseveralsilhouettes,includingthoseofseveralhorses.Intendingtoformasemicirclearoundthecamp,theSpaniardsspreadoutbutoneoftheApachelookoutsheardthesoftclinkingofswordsorharquebuses.Heranquietlytowardthecenterofthecampandgavethealarm.AstheSpaniardssprangforwardtoattack,thecamproseasone.TheIndians

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whocouldmountdidsoandrodeofftryingtodrivetheloosehorsesinfrontofthem.

BythetimetheSpaniardsreachedthescatteredembersofthecampfire,allofthepeoplehadscrambledintothedarkness.TheSpanishsoldiersgavechase,buttonoavail.Thefollowingmorningafewofthehorseswereroundedup.

DonJuancouldnotconcealthelookofreliefinhiseyesashesawCristóbalridinginfrontofthecolumnwithVicente.Laterintheprivacyofthegovernor'squarters,themaesebroughtupthesubjectofthehorsesthatwerebeinglosttothenomadicraiders.

"Wediscussedthisonthewayback,"Vicentespokeearnestlywiththegovernor."Notonlyhavetheybeenstealinghorses,butwesawsomeofthemridingthem.Doyourealizewhatthisportendsforthefuture?"

"Yes,Vicente,Ido.Thankyouforyourreport.Thisgivesusonemoreargumentwhyweshouldhavemorereinforcements;butitisabitlate."HeshiftedhiseyesfromVicenteandstaredblanklyahead.Hestammeredslightly,"WhereisCristóbal?"

TheyoungOñatewaswithhisfriendAlvaro.ThetwoyoungmenhadstruckupafriendshipduringthereconciliationexpeditiontoAcomainearly1604.LatertheytraveledtogethertoTaosandfinallytotheSouthSea.ItwasafterthelatterexpeditionthatthegovernorcommissionedAlvaroanensign.

CristóbalalsobecameveryclosetotheZumaya'sJorgeandEsperanza,whohadtwochildrenandeveryintentionofstayinginNewMexico.

HisweddinghadbeenpostponedbecausedonJuanwaswaitingforamorepropitiousmoment.Nowwiththearrivalofthemaesedecampowithoutreinforcementshebeganthinkingseriouslyofresigning,an

actthatwouldonceagaindelaythepromisednuptials.

InaconversationwithVicenteandCaptainMárquezhefirstrevealedhisthoughts.Márquezwasthefirstonetoreact."DonJuan,inGod'sname,don'tleaveusalonehere."

"WhatchoicedoIhave?"donJuanansweredweakly.

"Tío,youareright,"interjectedVicente."Aslongasyouarehereandyourenemiesarethereattheviceregalcourtyouwillneverreceiveanyhelp."

WitharesignedlookdonJuannodded."Ihavebeenputtingmyson'sweddingoff;nowIthinkwecanhaveadecentoneinZacatecas."

"Andyoudeservemuchbetteryourexcellency,"interposedCaptain

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Márquez,"butwhatwillhappentothoseofuswhohavedecidedtostaycomewhatmay?"

"Ihonestlydon'tknow,Gerónimo,butperhapsamanwithoutenemiesinthecapitalmightbebetterabletogovern."

GerónimodidnotanswerbutVicentedid."WithduerespecttoGerónimo'sambitionsortaste,itisnotjustthepeoplewhospeakagainstyou,uncle,itisalsothisland.Therewassometruthinwhatthedeserterssaid.Wehavefoundexactlynothinghere."

"Pleasedon'tmentionthosecowardlyingratestome,"frowneddonJuan.

"Wehavedonequitewellsincetheyleft,"joinedGerónimo.

"Perhapsasasimplecolony,butwhathaveweearnedforthecrown,orforourselvesotherthanahand-to-mouthexistence?"

Gerónimopersisted,"Isn'tChristianizationoneofourpurposes?"

"Yes,andlookhowmanyfriarswehaveninewiththetwowebroughthere.Thatisnottheproblem,butninefriarsarehardlyabasisforathrivingcolony."

DonJuanraisedhishandasifaskingforsilence,"Thereisnosenseinarguing.IfIleave,someonewilltakeoverandthecolonywillgoonforbetterorworse."

VicenteandCristóbalmadeonemoreattempttocatchtheApacheswithstrayedorstolenhorsesin1606,goingasfarasthemountainsnorthofTaos,butwereforcedbackbyseverewinterweather.

"Wemustcomebackinthespringtime.Thiscountrymustbebeautifulwhentheweathergetswarmer,"remarkedVicente.

"Itisbeautifulnow,"correctedCristóbal,adding,"Ilovethiscountry."

"Yes,Isupposeitis,"smiledthemaesedecampo.

Themomenttheriversstartedrunningfullandthefirstgeesewerespottedflyingnorth,Vicente,everrestless,toldCristóbal."Cristobalillo,whendoweleaveforApacheland?"

"Tomorrowifyouwish."

Withinaweekaforceoftwenty-fivesoldierswassaddledupandreadytogo.ThesmallarmystoppedatSantoDomingo,whereamissionhadbeenestablishedandmaintainedbyFatherEscalonauntilhisdeathduringthepastyear.TheyalsostoppedatCia,whereamissionwasbeinginstalled.

TwodaysafterleavingCia,CristóbalwasridingsidebysidewithJorge,"ThatistheplacewherewesurprisedtheApacheslastfall,"Cristóbalpointedouttohisfriend.

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"Whatastrangeland,"observedJorge,"barrenjaggedhillstothewestandtoweringmountainstotheeast."

Cristóbalsquintedashegazedatthehighpeaksinthedistance,"That,accordingtoVicente,iswheretheApacheslive."

CampwasmadethatnightnearthesitepointedoutbyCristóbal.Thefestiveairbythecampfireappearedtobeliethepurposeofthemission.Foodandevendrinkwereplentiful.Cristóbalfeltanunaccustomedwarmthsurroundedbyhisfavoriterelativebesideshisfather,andbyhisbestfriends.HefeltthatthiswouldprobablyhehislastoutingwithVicente,fordonJuanwasplanningtosendhimhometoNewSpainwithamessagetotheviceroythatwouldprobablycontainhisresignation.

Thefollowingmorningwasverycool,butbrightandsunny,promisingwarmerairintheafternoon.Theleavesonthecottonwoodsandaspenswerebeginningtoappear.

"Thisissopure,sopeaceful,"sighedCristóbal."Idolovethismagicalcountry."TheoldermembersofthetroopwhohadnotbeenbroughtupinNewMexicojustlookedateachother.Someshruggedandsmiled.

OnthefourthdayasAlvaroGarcía,whowasscoutingforthemainparty,rodeoverarise,amagnificentlittlevalleysplashedwithwild-flowersspreadoutbeforehim.Whenhegotabetterlook,hespottedsometepeesbyasmallriver.Notwantingtotakeachanceofbeingspottedbyalookout,hewheeledhishorsearound.

"SeñorMaese,"hecalledtoZaldívar,"Thereisacampjustoverthatrise."

Aconsultationfollowedandpreparationsweremadeforattack."Didyouseeanyhorses?"askedCristóbal.

"Iamsorry,butIdidn'ttaketimetolookthatwell."

Vicentemountedhishorse,"Well,letusgosee."

Suddenlythepleasantexcursionturnedserious.Themaesebegangivingcrisp,pointedcommands,"CaptainZumaya,takefivemenabouttwohundredstepstotheleft.EnsignGarcía,gowithyourmenanotherhundredtotheright.Reportbacktomewhatyousee.Cristóbal,youstaywithme."

Ashewassecond-in-command,Cristóbalfeltabitslighted,buthewentwillinglyandcomfortablywithVicente.

Themaeseandhisyoungsargentomayorobservedthepeaceful,pastoralencampmentforseveralminutes.

"Iseesomehorses,"whisperedVicente.

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"Where?"

"Overtotherightofthecreekbytheclumpoftrees."

"Ohyes,Iseetwo,butthereareonlyfivetepeesandsomewomenandchildren."

VicentehadmeanwhilereceivedthesameinformationfromCaptainZumayawhohadamoredirectviewofthecamp.

"TellCaptainZumayatoawaitmysignaltoattack.Keepusinsight,"heinstructedthemessenger.HetoldGarcía'smessengertotelltheensigntorejointhemainforce.

AshadowcrossedCristóbal'sface.Helookedagitated."Whatisthematter?"askedVicente.

"Thereareonlyaboutfifteenpeopledownthereandtheyareallwomenandchildren.Themenmustbeawayhunting."

"Orstealinghorses,"interruptedVicente.

"Maybe,"heansweredinaweakvoice.

VicentelookedintoCristóbal'stroubledeyes,"WhatinGod'snameisthematter?"

Cristóbaldroppedhisheadhalfashamed.

Takingafewsteps,Vicenteturnedawayfromhim.Hegazedatthecampforagoodinterval,thenturnedtohisaide,"RecallCaptainZumaya'sandGarcia'smen."Whentheyhadallgatheredhesaid."Itisnotworthit,let'sheadback."

Cristóbalstayedattherearasthetroopstarteddowntheslope.Vicenteslowedhishorsetoallowhiscousintocatchup.Asherodeup,CristóbalavoidedVicente'sgaze.Vicentesearchedhiseyes,thenputhisarmaroundhim.

Duringthetripbacknobodysaidawordaboutwhathadhappened.Thesoldiersdidnotseeorhear.Theofficerscouldguessbutdidnot.

WhentheyarrivedatSanGabrieldonJuanwasrelievedtoseeeverybodyarrivesafely."Whatdidyoufind?"heaskedVicente.

"Nothingofanyvalue,uncle,"heanswerednonchalantly.

Co-hahadheardthattheexpeditionintoApacheterritorywasinSantaDomingoonitswaybackandwouldarriveinSanGabrielthefollowingday.Hehadnotseenhisfriendinoverayear.DuringthattimeCristóbalhadbecomeactingmaese,anduponVicente'sreturnsargentomayorandhadnotmadeanyofhiscustomaryvisitstoSanJuan.FeelingthatperhapsCristóbalwastoobusy,Co-hahadn'tgonetoSanGabriel.Now,hefeltcompelledtogo;afterall,itwasanappropriateoccasion,andtherewouldbeothersfromtheneighboringpuebloswelcomingtheyounggovernorhome.

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AtSanGabrielCo-hastoodinthebackofthesmallcrowd.AfterawarmgreetingfromdonJuanandtheotherSpaniards,CristóbalwalkedovertotheIndiangatheringtoacknowledgetheirgraciousgesture.Whileexchangingcourtesieswiththeelders,henoticedCo-haintheback.Hemadehiswaytohimandgavehimabigabrazo.

"Thankyouforcoming,myfriend.Howhaveyoubeen?"Cristóbalsaidwithabigsmile.

Co-hasmiledback."Verywell,andhowwasyourtrip?Didyourecoveranyofthehorses?"

Cristóbalgrinnedsheepishly."No,wedidn't;butthesceneryinthemountainswasbeautiful."

Cristóbalinvitedhimtohishomeforrefreshments.Thetwofriendschattedforawhile,butCo-hadidnotfeelcomfortablesurroundedbysomanySpaniardswhowantedtotalktothegovernor.HeexcusedhimselfandashewasleavingCristóbalsaid,"Illgoseeyousoon."

Asthesummerdronedon,donJuanbecamemoreandmoresettledinhisresolvetogiveupthegovernorship.On20Augusthecalledameetingofthecabildo,inwhichhereviewedthesituationforthem,thenstatedhisintentionsofresigning,saying,"Señores,inviewofthefactthattheauthoritieshaveignoredourpleaforhelp,Icannolongergoonasyourgovernor.Icannolongeraskyouandyournoblefamiliestomakethesacrificeswhichhavebeencommonplaceinyourlivessinceevenbeforewecametothisland.IfbytheendofJuneofthecomingyearyouhavenotreceivedthehelpwhichyouneed,Iwillgrantyoupermissiontoleave.OncemoreIamsendingmybelovednephewtoMexicoCitytointercedeforus.Ihaveconsultedwiththefriarsinallthedeliberationswhichledtomydecisions."ThecabildomurmuredasdonJuanfinishedhisstatement,butnobodyventuredacomment.

On24August1607,donJuanwrotealettertotheviceroyrestatingwhathehadtoldthecabildo,butinadditionresigninghisoffice:

Yourexcellency,thearrivalofthefriarsandthemaesedecampowithsofewpeoplecausedsuchdiscouragementamongthosewhowereatthiscampthatitrequirednolittleingenuityandefforttomaintainthemthisyear,butithasservednogoodpurpose,consideringthemanygoodmenandabundantsuccoryoupromised,andthereforeIamawaitingtheanswerfromSpainwhichyourexcellencypromisedinyourfirstlettertome.AlthoughIdonottireofwaitingorofenduringthehardshipsthatoneencountershere,thesoldiersaresowornoutbyseeingthemselvesputoffforsolong

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withmerehopesthattheydonotwishnoraretheyabletowaitanylonger.NordoIfindmyselfabletorestrainthem,fortheyareexhausted,hardpressed,andinneedofhelpasIamhelplesstofurnishit.Furthermore,thefriarsdonotcaretoproceedwiththebaptizingofthenativesuntiltheyknowthattheaffairsofthislandaresettled,noramIsurethattheyareinclinedtoremainhere,asonemayjudgefromapetitionofthefathercommissary,whichIbegyourexcellencytoread.Findingmyselfhelplessineveryrespect,becauseIhaveuseduponthisexpeditionmyestateandtheresourcesofmyrelativesandfriends,amountingtomorethansixhundredthousandpesos,andanxiousthatthefruitsofsomanyexpendituresandofmorethanelevenyearsoflaborshouldnotbelost,andespeciallybecauseIameagerthatourHolyCatholicfaithshouldbespreadintheselandsandthatthekingourlordshouldincreasehisdominionsbytheadditionofgreatandrichprovinces,whichaccordingtoourinformation,areatourthreshold,Ifindnoothermeanstoattainallofthisthantorenouncemyoffice,whichresignationIamsendingyourexcellency.Iamdoingthisinorderthathismajesty,sincehehasfailedtosupportthisundertakingasitsimportancedemands,mayappointforthispostapersonwhomaybeabletocarryontheserviceIhavestarted.Toeffectthischangeitisnecessarytoreachanagreementwiththesoldiersinthenameofhismajesty,wherebytheywillawaitananswerfromyourexcellencyuntiltheendofJuneofnextyear.Fromthatdateon,Igrantedthempermissiontoleaveatwill.Therefore,Ibegyourexcellencytosendwordwithinthisshortperiod,sinceIhadtopromisethemthatfailuretoobtainananswerwouldpermitthemtoleave,andtheywillnotwanttoremainamomentbeyondthatdate,norcouldIforcethemtostay.Thisisinaccordancewiththeopinionofthefriarswhoputthismatteruponmyconscience.Theyhavefulfilledtheirobligationsforsomanyyears,alwayswithgreatfidelityandperseverance,withouteverreceivinganysupportfromhismajestyorhisministers.Norhavetheyeverbeenencouragedbygoodwords,faringequallyinthisrespectwiththesoldiersandthegovernor.

AsfarasIamconcerned,mattershavemovedinsuchawaythatmyfeelingshavebeengreatlyhurt,inviewofthefactthatthosewhofledfromthiscamphavegoneentirelyunpunished.Throughextensive

testimoniesandfalsehoodstheytriedtojustifytheirtreason,andtheyhaveremainedfreeandmyhonorhasbeenplacedindoubtbythosewhodonotwanttoseethatmyperse-

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veranceinthislandrestssolelyonmydesiretoworkforthecauseofGodandtheserviceofhismajestyandnotforselfishinterests,forwhatwehavethusfardiscoveredisnothingbutpoverty.NorhaveIbeenmovedeitherbyrewardsreceived,formycompensation,orlackofitthusfar,hasbeentheoccasionformypresentfeeling.Ofcourse,asthedevilissointerestedinthismatter,hewilltrybyallwaysandmeanstohinderthisenterprise,andhehasbroughtthingstosuchastatethat,unabletoovercomemyzealandgoodpurpose,hehasexhaustedmyresourcesandIfindmyselfunabletoexploreanyfurtheratamomentwhenthereportsaremostpromisingandencouraging,forlastyearthereportsofrichesandgreatnessintheinteriorofthelandwereverified,asyourexcellencymayseebyareportwhichIamenclosing.

Therefore,inorderthatmylimitedmeansshouldnotbeahindrancetotheworkofbaptismandtheextensionoftheroyalcrown,Idecided,fortheunburdeningofmyconscience,toresignmyoffice,whichIcannotmaintainwithoutmorehelp,assuredindoingthisIamrenderingamostimportantservicetohismajesty.EvenifIhadnotincurredsomanyexpensesandenduredsomanyhardshipsbymymanypastservices,Itrustyourmajestywillhonorandrewardme,evenifheshouldnotwishtousemeintheprosecutionofthisundertaking.

Iwishtopointoutthatifwhathasbeenbuilthereshouldbedestroyed,aswillbethecaseunlessyourexcellencysendssuccorbythetimeIhavestated,manygraveinconvenienceswillresult.Thismustbegivenseriousconsideration,forshouldhismajestywishtomakethisexpeditionlater,morethansixhundredthousandpesoswillnotsufficetobringmatterstothestateinwhichtheynoware.Ifweshouldallleavetheland,itwillbenecessarytotakealongmorethansixhundredChristianIndians.Theresultofthiswillbenotonlythatholybaptismwillberefusedintheselandsatalltimes,butthenativeswillnotevendaretowelcometheSpaniardsinfutureyearsiftheirchildren,brothers,andrelativesaretakenaway.Theyareincapableofunderstandingthereasonforourleaving,nomatterhowmuchitisexplainedtothem.Thiswillnodoubtgiverisetomanydifficultiesanddangers,foratthetimeoftheirremovalthelandwillriseandtakeuparmstopreventit.Thiscanbetakenforgranted,

consideringthenatureoftheseIndians,foreventhoughtheymaynotbenaturallywarlike,theywouldbecomeboldonseeinghowfewofusareleftforthistask.Weretheynottobetakenawaybuttobeleftheretore-

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verttoidolatry,nolesserdifficultywouldensue.ItwouldbelessharmfultoceasemakingmoreChristiansthantoallowthosewhohavealreadybeenconvertedtobelost.

Mayyourexcellencybepleasedtoweighprudentlythegravityofthisaffair,keepinginmindtheChristianzealthathismajestyfeelsforthepreservationofsouls,whichisthemainobjectthatheurgesinthesediscoveries.

Themaesedecampoisgoingbacktointercedeforthiscause.Heleavesmecomfortedandevenencouragedtohopeforanentirelysuccessfularrangementsinceitwillcomefromthehandsofyourexcellency,towhomhismajestysowiselyentrustedthegovernmentofNewSpain.Inthisgoodfortune,Ihopethatasolutionwillbefoundforaprovinceasimportantasthisone,andIbelievethatIamprovidingthenecessaryremedybywithdrawingandplacingthisgovernmentinthehandsofyourexcellency.

Thecabildowrotetheviceroyaletterthesamedaystatingtheirposition,whichwasthattheycouldnotmaintainthecolonywithouthelpfromtheviceroyortheking.TheypraisedOñatewho,theysaid,"treatedusasifwewerehischildren,andwelookeduponhimasafather."

Duringtheyear,donLuisdeVelascohadoncemorebecomeviceroyofNewSpain.TheburdenofdecidingthefateoftheNewMexicocolonyanditsleaderwasnowinthehandsofthesympatheticviceroywhohadchosendonJuanforthetask,andwhohadhelpedhimsomuchintheearlydays,butthesituationhaddeterioratedtosuchanextentthateventhegoodwillofafriendlyviceroymightnotsuffice.

DuringthefirstweekofSeptemberthemaesedecampo,accompaniedbyCaptainMárquez,inhistirelessfashion,oncemoretooktothesaddletogopleadforwhatappearedtobealostcause.WithhimtopresentthespiritualsideoftheargumentwentFrayLázaro,XiménezandFatherFranciscodeVelasco.Vicente,whobynowhaddespaired

ofgettinganyassistancefromtheauthorities,wasmainlygoinghometoZacatecas.HewasneveragaintoseeNewMexico.

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ChapterThirty-FourDonJuanhadnotseenMagdalenaintwoweeks.Thenightafterfinishinghislonglettertotheviceroy,hepaidheravisit.Magdalenalethiminwithoutaword.Hewasthefirsttospeak.''Howhaveyoubeen,myfriend?

Sherepliedwithoutatraceofresentment,"Well,asyoucansee."

Hemutteredashestartedtoexplainwhyhehadnotbeentoseeher.

"Don'tconcernyourselfwiththis,Juan,Iknowwhy,"shesaidquietly.

"Idon'tthinkyoudocompletely,"heansweredsoftly,lookingoutthewindow.

"Iknowenough,Juan.Iamnotagirl."

Hetookalongpausebeforeheclearedhisthroatandsaidwithahintofawaverinhisvoice,"Magdalena,miamiguita,IthinkyoushouldleavewithVicente."

Shealsotookalongwhiletoanswer,andtheninanunnaturallycomposedvoicereplied,"Comotúquieras,Juan[Asyouwish,Juan]."

DonJuanturnedaroundtofaceher.Theylookedateachotherforaninterval,thenembraced.DonJuan'seyesglistened;tearsrolleddownhercheeks.

Aftersendingofftheletterandoncemoresendingoffhistrustednephew,histhoughtsturnedtohisson'swedding.Asdiscouragedashefelt,hewantedtomaketheoccasionahappyoneforCristóbalandMaría.Thedatehadbeenset.ItwastobeonSaintGabriel,thearchangel's,day,29September1608.Littlebylittlethecolonystartedtocomebacktolife.Thehappinessandoptimismoftheyoungcouple

wasstartingtospread.Eventhemostdepressedtookcomfortfromthisexpressionoffaithineachotherandinthefuturebytheyoungmanandhisbridetobe.Cristóbalhadgrowntoberatherdiffidentandpolite.Maríahadsomehowmanagedtoreachheryoungagearefinedyoungwomandespitethecrudeenvironmentthatsurroundedher.

DonJuanorderedthemostsumptuousfeasteverseeninNewMexico.OnhisreturnfromNewSpain,hehadbroughtbackanewuniformforCristóbalandamagnificentgownforMaría.Vicentehadbroughttheingredientsforseveraldelicaciesandagoodsupplyofwine.

ThedayoftheweddingthesuncameupfrombehindtheSangredeCristoMountainstoanimpeccableskywashedcleanbyashowerduringthenight.DonJuanfeltconfidentthathewasnotlosingason.ThestrongfamilytraditionstartedbythepatriarchCristóbalremainedin-

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tact.AlthoughhewassurethattheNewMexicoadventurewasdrawingtoaclose,hethoughttohimself,"TherearealwaystheminesinZacatecas."Hisfatherhadprovidedopportunitiesforhim;nowhewouldprovidethemforhisson.

Hisprincipalregretwasthathecouldnotfavorthemwithhappiercircumstances.Thebrideandgroom,however,havinglivedinNewMexicomostoftheirconsciouslives,werenotonlyoblivioustotheirprimitivesurroundings,theywerealsoquitedetachedfromtheeventsthatcauseddonJuansuchdistress.Absorbedwitheachother,younglovewasuppermostintheirminds.Howcouldexternalcircumstances,whichhadneverbeengoodtobeginwith,affecttheeuphoriaoftheday?Ifthecurtainwasbeginningtodropformostofthesettlers,forthemitwasabouttorise.

Cristóbal,stillasubmissiveyoungboyatheart,hadconfidencethatwhateverthetrouble,hisfathercouldtakecareofit.María,inthemanneroftheSpanishwomenofthetime,didnotquestionnorconcernherselfoutwardlywithpoliticalmatters,whichwereclearlythedomainofthemen.SheknewthatshelovedCristóbalandthatCristóballovedher,butshewasconsciousofthefactthat,hadtheylivedinZacatecas,Cristóbalwouldmostcertainlyhaveenteredintoamoresociallyandeconomicallyadvantageousmarriage,aswasthepracticeamongtherichandpowerful.

TheceremonywaslavishbyNewMexicostandards.AllthefriarsinthecolonywereinattendanceandattiredforHighMass.AsdonJuanwatchedtheritual,herememberedhisownweddinginanotherworldathoughtthatrenderedthisoneatouchunreal.ThebrideandgroomenteredthechurchfollowedbyEsperanza'slittledaughter,María,andbyCristóbalVaca'syoungson,Antonio.Theykneltbeforethealtar,andthepriestcoveredMaría'sheadandCristóbal'sshoulderswithafinelaceclothasasymboloffemininesubmission.María,hethought,

wasstrikinglybeautifulinthegownandveilthathisownwife,theprincessIsabel,hadwornattheirwedding.Cristóballookedalmoststatelybutforhisdiscomfortinhishighofficial'suniform,ashecastuneasyglancesathisfather.

DonJuanfeltapangashethoughtoftheexcitedbuttimidten-year-oldwhomhehadbroughttothechaoticcampsnorthofZacatecasonhishaltingwaynorth.Hetuggedathiscollarandlookedforthedoor,butkepthisseat.Astheceremonyprogressed,heregainedcontrolofhiswanderingthoughts,butthedepressionengenderedbythe

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recurringfrustrationsoftheyearsinNewMexicocouldnotbeexpelledentirely.

Theoutdoorfeastthatfollowedwasextravagant,butexceptfortheyoungpeople,abithollow.DonJuanwascompelledtoshowcheerfulness."IfonlyMagdalenawerehere,"hemutteredtohimselfashereachedforthewine.Hedrankabittoomuch,andhedidfeelbetter.Hedancedwiththebrideandoneortwooftheotherladies.Asthefiestacametoaclose,andCristóbalandMaríaretired,donJuanremainedseatedathistablesippingwine.Asthepeopleleft,theycamebyhistabletosaygoodnight.Hefeltrelativelygoodinthecoolairofthemagicallystarrymountainnight.HethoughtofotherfiestasinZacatecasandthischeeredhim."Iftheydon'twantmehere,"hethought,"Ishallgobacktomyfamily,mydaughter.CristóbalandIcanrevitalizethemines.Iamfoolishtobroodaboutaplaceasmiserableasthis."

Thefollowingday,realityprevailedagainasthegovernorenteredintoyetanotherperiodofwaitingthistimeforpermissionnottotrytoaccomplishsomething,buttogiveitup.InMexicoCityitwouldbedonJuan'sfriend,LuisdeVelasco,whowouldbemakingthedecision,butdonJuannolongerhadanyillusions,andhewasmentallypreparedtogoback.

Itwasshortlybeforethesunsetofamild,mellowautumndaywhenCristóbalVacacameinfromrepairingasluicegatewithhissonAntonio.Hiswifelookedupfromsettingthetable.

"Whatwereyoudoingoutsolate?"

"Fixingtheirrigationgate,"heansweredashetookoffhissweat-stainedhatandsatdownheavilyonawoodenbench.

"Idon'tknowwhyyoubotherwhenhardlyanybodyelsedoes,"shemutteredwithoutlookingup.

"Wehavebeenthroughthisbefore,"hemanagedinawearyvoice.

"ButsurelyyouknowaswellasIdothatthiscolonyisdying."

"Yes,perhaps,butwearenot,"heansweredinarisingvoice,"andaslongaswearealive,wemustdoourwork."

IsabelandMaría,whohadbeenhelpingtheirmotheralongwithAntonio,hadleftthekitchen.

"JustbecausedonJuandoesnotwanttomakehishomehere..."

Anainterruptedhiminapleadingtone."Butwhatifthecolonyisdisbandedandweareorderedtoreturn?"

"Whatiftheskyfallsin?"healmostshouted."Whatifthis,whatifthat?Iamnotgoingtoputmyfate,ourfate,insomeoneelse'shands.

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WeareNewMexicans,Ana,"hesaidinafallingvoice."This,forbetterorworse,isourdestinybeforeGod.Yes,thismiserableplaceisourhomeandastheLordismywitness,Iintendtomakeitworthyofmyfamily,ofourprogeny."

"Bien,bien,Cristóbal,"shesighedasshesetdownthelastplate.

AfewdayslaterCristóbalmetCaptainMárquezasthetwoheadedfortheirfields."Buenasdias,"VacagreetedMárquez."Therearen'ttoomanyofusdoingagriculturalwork."

Gerónimosmiled."Iguessnot.ImyselfhavenotdoneasmuchasIwouldlike,becausethegovernorisalwayssendingmeofftoNewSpainorsomewhereelse."

"Wellatleastyouhavethreesonswhocanhelpyou.Ihaveonlyone,"smiledbackCristóbal.

"Well,thistimeIamnotgoingwithFrayLázaro,whoisleavingtomorrowtodeliverthebadnewstotheviceroy."

ChapterThirty-FiveInMexicoCityFrayLázaroandFrayFrancisco,whohadbeensentbythegovernortoclarifytheevangelicalsituationandVicente,whowastodeliverOñate'sresignationandultimatumthreateningtoabandonthecolony,metwiththeviceroy.TheyreviewedconditionsinthecolonyandconcludedthatthesettlerswouldliketoabandonSanGabrielandrelocatethecapital,takingwiththemthenativeswhohadbeenbaptized.Theviceroyaskedthemhowhisfriendthegovernorwastakingallthis.Theyrepliedthathewasverytiredandanxioustobringhissonhome.Hethankedthem,sayingthatheconcurredwiththeirrequest,butcouldnotgivethemadefiniteansweruntilheconsultedwiththeking.

On27February1608,thesamedaythathewrotetothekingaboutthetransferofthecolonytoanotherlocation,healsowrotetoOñate,acceptinghisresignationandappointingCaptainJuanMartínezdeMontoya,whomhedidnotknow,asinterimgovernor.DonJuanwasenjoinedfromleavingNewMexicountilspecificallyauthorized.HedispatchedtheletterwithFatherXiménes,whowasreturningwithoutFrayFrancisco,whohadbeenreassignedtodutyinSpain.

WhenthenewsarrivedatSanGabrielinearly1608,therewasgreat

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surpriseandconsternationamongthecolonists.CaptainMartínezwasassurprisedasanyone.Asthepeoplegatheredinthesquare,theyaskedeachother,"Whatgoodwillthisdo?Martínezdoesnothaveanyresources."Otherswouldsay,"Hewasappointedcaptain,buthedoesnothavemuchexperienceasasoldier."Stillotherswouldcomplain,"Heisoneofus.Howintheworldishegoingtoexertanyauthority?HowishegoingtodealwithhisExcellencyorevenCristóbal?"

CaptainMartínezpresentedhispatentatameetingofthecabildothedayafteritarrived.Themembersofthetowncouncilhadalreadymadeuptheirmindsandrefusedhimoutright,citingasareasonthathewasinexperiencedasasoldier.Theyhadalistofotherobjectionsthathadtodowithhispersonalbehavior,butthey,outofconsiderationforoneoftheircomrades,didnotincludeitintheirreporttotheviceroy.Thebasicreasonforhisrejectionwasthathewassimplynotamanofmeansorstature.Thecaptainacceptedthecabildo'sdecisionwithoutprotestevenwithrelief.HeconfidedtoCaptainMárquezthathedidnotwanttoinheritsuchadifficultsituationbecausehedidnothaveanyideahowhewouldbeabletohandleit.

JuandeOñate'snameimmediatelysurfacedastheonlypossibility.Inashowofaffectionandconfidencehewasreelectedgovernorbyacclamation.Visiblytouched,hethankedthosepresentandthecolonyasawholefortheirkindness,buttoldthemthathecouldnotagreesincehisresignationhadalreadybeenacceptedbytheviceroyandprobablytheking.

"Ifwecan'thavedonJuan,letuselectCristóbal,"someoneshoutedinthebackofthecouncilhall.

"Yes,Cristóbal,"othersjoinedin.

Thecommissary,FatherEscobar,thenmadeaformalnomination,andthecouncilproceededtoelectdonJuan'stwenty-year-oldsonasthesecondgovernorofNewMexico.Thefathercommissaryapprovedoftheelection,butCristóbalaskedforabriefpostponementuntilhecouldconsultwithhisfather.Whenthemeetingresumed,hedonnedthesashofoffice.

Theviceroyreportedthesehappeningstothekinginaletterdated13February1609.Heacceptedthefaitaccompliasatemporarysolution,tellingtheking,however,thatheconsideredCristóbaltooyoung,inexperienced,andoflittlewealth,andthathewouldbeginlookingforanappropriateperson.TwomonthslaterheappointeddonPedroPeralta,whowasnotawealthyman.Theviceroywascarefultopointoutto

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thekingthathecouldnotfindanywealthypersontotakethepostandthat,therefore,PeraltaandhisassistantswouldhavetobepaidfromthefundsappropriatedforthewarsagainsttheChichimecas.

MeanwhileatSanGabriel,Cristóbal,withtheaidandcounselofhisfather,tookthefragilereinsofofficeinhishands.Nothingmuchwashappening,andwordhadgottenbackthatCristóbalwasnotconsideredanacceptablechoicebytheauthoritiesinNewSpain.DonLuisdeVelasco,knowingthatOñatewasthereandnotdistrustinghimasmuchasothersmight,didnothingtoinvalidateCristóbal'sappointmentforthetimebeing.

Threedaysafterhehadbeenappointedgovernoroneofthesettlerscameintohisofficewithacomplaintthatoneofhisneighborshadstolensomerabbitpeltshehadlefthangingtodryfromavigaprotrudingfromhishome.Cristóbaltriedtolooksolemnbutafterthesoldier,JuanRodríguez,whohadrecentlyreturnedfromNewSpainwithCaptainZaldívar,finishedhiscomplaint,hecoughedoncethentoldthesoldier,"Icannotconsiderthiscomplainttoday.Comebackdayaftertomorrow,please."

ThatafternoonhefounddonJuansittingonachairoutsidehisofficestaringattheSangredeCristoMountains."Father,soldierRodríguezcametomewithacomplaintthathisneighborstolesomepeltsfromhim.Iwenttohisneighbor'shouseandhedeniesit.WhatshouldIdo?"

DonJuanaskedabsentmindedly,"DoesRodríguezhaveanyevidenceorwitnesseswhosawtheallegedtheft?"

"No.HesaysheknowshisneighborstolethembecauseheistheonlyonewhohadseenRodríguezhangingthem."

"Well,son,youwillhavetogetthembothin,questionthemandthendecide,butyouhavetodothesethingswithoutcomingtome."

AfewdayslaterasAlvarowasvisitingwithCristóbalinhisoffice,FranciscodeLedesma,asoldier,broughtinanIndianboyaboutfourteenyearsoldwhomhesaidhehadcaughtstealing.

"Whatdidhestealfromyou,Francisco?"askedtheyounggovernor.

"Food,"answeredLedesma,"somejerkyIhadhangingintheline."

Cristóbalturnedtotheboyandaskedhim,"Whatisyourname?"WhentheboyansweredthathisnamewasChai,Cristóbalasked,"Didyoustealthejerky?"

Theboyshookhisheadandshruggedhisshoulders.

"Callintheinterpreter,"Cristóbalaskedasoldierstandingbythedoorway.

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Whentheinterpretercamein,Cristóbalsaidtohim,"Askhimifhestolethejerky."

Theinterpreter,aftertalkingtoChaiinTegua,said,"Hesaysthathedid."

"Askhimwhy."

"Hesaysthathismotherissickandthathisfatherisdead,"answeredtheinterpreter.

CristóbalthenaskedtheIndianinterpreterifheknewtheboy'sfamilyandifwhathesaidwastrue.

"Yes,heisanorphan,andhismotherhasbeensickforalongtime."

CristóbalreflectedforamomentthensaidtoChai,"Gohometoyourmotherandneverstealagain."

AstheboyleftLedesmaasked,"Andwhataboutmyjerky?"

Cristóbalanswered,"Well,ifyoudonotwanttodonateittotheboy'sfamily,wewillreplaceitoutofthemilitarysupplies."

Ledesmaanswered,"It'snotworththetrouble,yourexcellency,"andwalkedout.

Whentheywerealone,AlvarosmiledatCristóbal,"Iwouldnothavedonethesame."

Cristóbalsmiledbackandasked,"Whatifhehadbeenyourson,andhaddoneasmuchforyou?"

Alvarocontinuedsmilingandjustshookhishead.

ThateveningafterdinnerasJuanandhissonsatoutsidewatchingthesunset,Cristóbalbrokethesilence,"Father,Idon'tfeelcomfortablebeinggovernor.Youwillstillbetheonepeoplewilllooktofor

guidance."

DonJuansympathizedwithhisson.Hefeltguiltythathehadputsuchaburdenonhim."Yes,I'llbeheretoadviseyou.Besidesaren'tweofonemindaboutmostthings?"

Cristóbalansweredrespectfullyasusual."Yes,mostthings,father."

"Whatdoyoumean?"askeddonJuan."Istheresomethinginparticularaboutwhichyoudon'tagreewithme?"

"Ithinkyouknow,father."

"Well,tellmesothatIwillknow,"answereddonJuanwithatraceofimpatience.

"Pardonme,papá,butIhavealwayswonderedwhywearenotsatisfiedwithwhatwehaveandwithwhatwecanaccomplishinsteadofyearningforgreaterthings,maybeimpossiblethings."

"Son,listentome.Wehadthings,asyousay,inZacatecas,many

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things,butyoumustknowwhyweweresenthere.Itwasn'tjusttoestablishamiserablelittlevillage.Ourmissionwastoexpandtheempire."

"Yes,papáandwearestartingtodoit.Perhapsnotinagrandway,butinamodestwaythatisgoodforoursettlers.LookatCaptainVacaandCaptainHernandez.Theycultivatetheirfields,whichwillproduceenoughrichestosatisfythemandkeeptheirfamiliestogether.Isn'tthatenough?Whydosomepeoplealwayswantsomuch?"

DonJuandidnotanswerhisson'squestionrightaway.Helookedathimwithgreattenderness.AlthoughCristóbalwasthesonofarichman,hehadneverknownluxury,andheneverseemedtomindhishumble,spartanlife."Youwilldofineasgovernor,"hesaidwithacheerlesssmile.

HavingheardfromFatherXiménesthattheApacheIndianshadrecentlybeenmountingattacksagainstboththeSpaniardsandthepuebloIndians,theviceroysentaletteron16March1608tothegovernorofNewMexicotoorganizeapunitiveexpedition.Itfell,therefore,uponCristóbal'sshoulderstocarryouttheviceroy'sorders.HewasnowtwentyyearsoldandfairlyexperiencedinskirmishesagainstmaraudingIndians.Hepickedthemostexperiencedofthecolonists,whichmeanteffectivelyjustaboutalltheadultmaleswhocouldbespared.AmongthemwereCristóbalVacaandCaptainJuanMartínezalongwithAlvaroandJorge.DonJuan,evertheprotectivefather,feltapprehensiveabouthisson,butheknewthatsomeveryreliableandexperiencedmenweregoingwithhim.

Theyheadedwestinmid-JunetowardthemountainswheretheApachesandtheirAthabascancousins,theNavajos,preferredtoliveforthesafetyprovidedbytheruggedterrain.TheAthabascanshadcometoNewMexicoonlyarelativelyshortwhilebeforethe

Spaniards.Asisthecasewithmostlatecomers,theywereleftwiththedregs.Moreover,theAnasazis,theancestorsofthepuebloIndians,hadstartedsettlingalongtheRioGrandeandcultivatingthelandmainlyforcorn,themagicvegetablethathadplayedsuchanimportantroleinthedevelopmentofthegreatMesoamericancivilizations.

TheAthabascans,inthemanneroftheAztecssometwoorthreehundredyearsbeforeinthecentralvalleyofMexico,becameraiders.ButwhiletheAztecsorMeshicaswentontodominateandimitateandimproveonthepre-Aztecancivilizations,theAthabascans,thanksinparttothecomingoftheSpaniardswhokeptthemountainIndiansat

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bay,neveruntilmoderntimesgotbeyondtheirnewcomer,have-notstage.

Forthemostparttheyounggovernorandhisarmyoftwenty-fivemadeonlyafewtentativecontacts.CaptainMontoyareignedupbesideCaptainOñate,"IambeginningtowonderiftheApacheactuallyexist."

Cristóballookedupatthepeaks,"Eveniftherearethousandsofthem,itwouldnotbetoohardtohideinthiscountryofahundredcanyons."

"Iftheydonotwanttofightandkeepretreatingintothemountains,isn'tthatmoreorlesswhatwewanted,"reasonedMontoya.

"ExceptthatViceroyVelasco,myfather'sfriend,askedustogoonapunitiveexpedition,"answeredCristóbal,stressingthewordpunitive.

AlvaroGarcíarodeuptojointhediscussion."Oneofourguidesjusttoldmethatthereisalakejustbeyondthatpeakabouttwoleaguesfromhere."

"Yes?"smiledCristóbal,"andyouthinktheymightbethere?"

Alvarosmiledback,"Theymight,butiftheyarenot,itwillbeagoodplaceforustorest."

Cristóbal,whowashotandtired,lookedlonginglyatthecoolbluepeakandshruggedhisshoulders,"Let'sgo."

Theheatofthedayhadbeguntoabateasthelittlearmyreachedthetopofthefoothillsinfrontofthepeakthathadservedastheirlandmark.Inthegreen,grassyvalleybeforethemwasthelakeaboutathousandpaceswide.Ontheeastside,baskingintheloweringsun,werethelargestnumberoftepeesanyoftheSpaniardshadeverseen.

CaptainVacasuggestedtheymakecampforthenightwithoutputtinguptents."Thiswillgiveustimetoscoutandplan,andwillgiveusthe

wholedaytomorrowtocarryouttheattack."

Cristóbalagreed,"Yes.Wecanhaveacoldmealandretireearly."Theyoungcaptaindidnotsleepverysoundly.HehaddependedtoagreatextentonAlvaroandJorgeinplanningtheassault,butthepressureofresponsibilityofhisfirstmajorbattleasleaderweighedonhim.

Afterahasty,coldbreakfastwellbeforesunrise,thesoldiersbegantodeployaccordingtoplan.CaptainMontoyawithfivemenwaschargedwithstartingafusilladeonthesouthsideofthecamptodrawtheApachesoldiersout.Theyoungcommanderwiththemainforcewouldcoveragroupoffivesoldierswithtorcheswhowouldsetfiretothetepees.EnsignGarcíawithtwomenwouldstaybacktofiretheculverinasneeded.

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Assoonaseveryonewasinplace,CaptainOñategavethesignalbyfiringhiswheel-lockgun.Thesunwasjustbeginningtoglimmerabovethepeakswhenpandemoniumbrokeloose.AsthearmedApachesstartedtopouroutoftheirtentssomewerecutdownbythegunfirebutmostfacedtheattack.CristóbalgrimacedasthetepeeswereemptiedandtheSpanishsoldierswiththetorchesbeganflingingthemonthefragilenomadichomes.

Thewomenandchildrenherdedbyafewwarriorsbeganheadingforthehillsoppositetheattack.Someofthewomencarriedlittlebrownbundlesofchildren.Cristóbalthoughtofhislittlethree-year-oldgodsonJuanito,Alvaro'smestizoson,andshookhisheadasifshakingoffthethought.Astheybegantorun,thefiringsubsidedsincemostofthewarriorstooktoflightaswell,followedbythreehorsemenfromCaptainMontoya'sgroup.TheysucceededincapturingtwooftheApachewarriors.Assoonasthemaesesawthis,hegavethesignaltostopfiringaltogether.Theburningcontinueduntileverytepeewascompletelyinashes.FiveIndianmenlaydeadonthebloodstainedgrassoneofwhomwasgivenacoupdegrace.TherewerenoSpanishlossesandonlytwosuperficialarrowwounds.OnthewaybacktotheSpanishcamp,EnsignAlvaroGarcíacaughtupwiththeyoungcommanderandwithoutawordlayhishandmomentarilyonhisback.

CristóbalandhismenreturnedtoSanGabrielamonthaftertheyhaddeparted.DonJuanwasmuchrelievedandproudtoseehissunburntsonreturningattheheadofacolumnofmen.Cristóbalheldhisheadperhapsabithigherfortheexperience.Afterembracinghisfather,hesawMaríaintheforefrontofthewomenwhohadremainedslightlyinthebackground.Heexcusedhimselffromhisfatherandwalkedovertoher.Whenheheldhershouldersinhishandsandsheblushed,heknewatoncewhatitmeantshewaswithchild.

ChapterThirty-SixNowthatOñate'sresignationhadbeenaccepted,thedebateaboutcontinuingthecolonyintensified.Asearlyas1606thekinghadalreadyinstructedthemarquisofMontesclarosto"haltthediscoveryandnotpermitittocontinue."ViceroyVelascoon7March1608recommendedthatduetothe"smallharvestofsouls"andthefactthattheIndiansdidnotseeminclinedtoaccept

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thegospel,furthereffortsinNewMexicoshouldbediscontinuedandthefewIndianswhowerebaptizedshouldbebroughttoNewSpain.Headdedthat''ifthelandshouldbepreservedforthegoodofthesoulsandthespreadofthegospel,yourmajestyhashereinNewSpainanumberofotherplaceswhichneedhelp,andtheyareonlyfortyleaguesfromthiscity."

InSeptember1608,OñatesentFatherXiménesbacktoMexicoCitytoclarifythesituationinthedyingcolony.HewasescortedbyGerónimoMárquezandaccompaniedbyFrayIsidroOrdónez.CaptainMartínezdeMontoya,whowasalsopartoftheescort,neverdidreturntotheprovincewhich,becauseofitsloyaltytoJuandeOñate,wouldnothavehimasgovernor.

BylateOctober,FrayLázarowasintheviceregalcapitaltellingtheviceroythatamorecarefulassessmenthadshownthatthereweremanymoreIndianswhohadreceivedthesacramentofbaptismuptoseventhousandthanhehadreportedonhispreviousvisit.InadditionhebroughtproofthatNewMexicowasnotaspoorashadbeenthought.ViceroyVelascowasnotverymuchimpressedwiththeoresthefriarpresentedtohim,andhelaterstatedtothekingthatconversionoftheIndianswas"theonlyfruitswecanhopefor."

DonJuanhadsentamessagetotheviceroywithFatherXiménesaskingthatCristóbalbeconfirmedasgovernor,andonceagainhadrequestedenoughsoldierstoexploreandpacifythebuffaloplains.Thefiscalwhowasassignedthetaskoflookingintotherequest,andthesituationinNewMexicoingeneral,recommendedstronglyagainstconfirmingCristóbalbecausehelackedexperienceandhardlyknewhowtoread,explainingthathe"cannothavetheintelligence,capacity,orauthoritynecessarytogivestabilitytoandguidematterswherepersonalitymustmakeupforthelackofforcesandpower."

Herecommendedthatfiftymarriedsoldiersbemaintainedinthe

colonyfortheprotectionofthefriarswhoweretocontinuetheirtaskofinstructingtheIndiansinthefaith.HeclosedbysuggestingthatsinceOñate,inviewofthepovertyoftheland,couldnotrecoverhisexpenses,hebeappointedasgovernorelsewhereinkeepingwiththemeritsofhisservices.

Theking,uponreceiptoftheviceroy'sletter,putouttheorderof13September1608commanding"thesuspensionofthediscoveryandexplorationofNewMexico"untilthecouncilcouldreceivethereportsofthenewassessmentofconditionsinNewMexico.Velascowasinstructednottomakeanyentradaswithsoldiersorbywayofconquest.

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Oñatemeanwhilehadreceivedindicationsthathisrequestwasgoingtobedenied,andaskedforpermissiontoreturntoNewSpain.On29January1609,ViceroyVelascoissuedanorderpermittinghimtodoso.Onthesamedatehesignedadecreeimplementingthefiscal'srecommendations.Onlytwelveadditionalsoldiersweretobesent.Thiswouldleavethecolonyterriblyweakened,asoutofthesixtymalesintheshrinkingprovinceonlythirtywerecapableofcombatduty,andonlythetenbestoftheseweretobeequippedwitharms.Inaddition,sixfriarsandtwolaybrothersweretobesenttoworkamongtheIndians.

AtSanGabriel,thecolonywentintoyetanotherperiodofsuspension.Most,includingCristóbalVacaandJorgedeZumaya,wererelievedthatthecolonywastobemaintained,althoughataveryreducedlevel.CaptainMárquezandJorgehadbeengrantedencomiendas,whichmeantthataccordingtoSpanishlaw,theyhadeconomiccontroloflargetracksoflandalongwiththepeoplelivinginthem.Becauseoftheunsettledconditions,theyhadnotyetexercisedsuchcontrol,butstillhadhopesofseeinggreaterprofitsinthefuture.

CaptainVaca,feelingthattherewasenoughlandavailablewithouthavingtotakeitfromtheIndians,hadnotseenfittoseekanencomienda.Hehadenoughsonsanddaughterstohelphim,andheknewthathecouldalwayshirelocalpeoplewhowerewillingtoworkforjustcompensation.

DonJuanwasdisappointedatthedecisionstakenbytheauthorities,butnotforhimself.HeknewthatCristóbalwassomewhatinclinedtostay,particularlybecausehisbrother-in-lawhaddecidedtoseekhisfutureinNewMexico.María'sgoodfriend,Esperanza,andherhusbandwerealsostaying.Whenthenewsarrived,DonJuanwenttoCristóbal'shuttotellhim,"ItlooksasiftheydonotwantustostayinNewMexico,Cristobalillo."Cristóbaldidnotlookparticularly

downcast.Hedidnotsayanything,lookingathisfatherasifexpectingadecisionfromhim.DonJuan,afterapause,saidgently,"Youcan'tstayhereasasoldier."Cristóbalstilldidnotanswer.Heloweredhishead,thenturnedtolookoutthewindow.Atender,sadlookcrossedhisfather'seyesashewatchedhisson.HesuspectedthatCristóbalhadtearsinhiseyessoheturnedquietlyandleftthehouse.

InJanuary1609,themuchanticipatedarrivaloftheOñateheirtookplace.TheOñatefamily,whichbeganintheBasquecountryofSpain,hadnowextendeditlineagetotheupperreachesoftheNorthAmericanportionoftheSpanishEmpire.

Cristóbal,whowasveryproudathavingcontributedtothecontinu-

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ityofthefamilywithamaleheir,lookedathisfatherforapproval.DonJuanembracedhimwithgreataffection.Hefoundithardtobelievethattheten-year-oldboyhehadbroughttothisprimallandwasnowafatherhimself.

ThepeopleofSanGabrielgreetedthemanwhomtheystillconsideredtheirleaderandgovernorwithawarmenhorabuenaasifhewerethefather.

Thebaptismafewdayslaterinwhichtheinfantchildreceivedthename,Juan,wastheoccasionforthelastgreatfiestainSanGabriel.EveryoneknewthatdonPedrodePeraltawasonhiswaytoNewMexicotofoundanewcapitalanditwasjustamatteroftimewhenallofthemwouldeitherbegoingbacktoNewSpainormovingtothenewtownship.

Nowthattherewasnohopeofafutureinthecolonyeitherforhimorhisson,OñatewantedtoreturntoNewSpainassoonaspossible,buthehadbeenorderedbytheviceroynottoleaveNewMexicountilthefateofthecolonyhadbeendecided.Hehadsincereceivedanauthorizationfromtheviceroy,butknowingthatPeraltawasenroute,hedeemeditbettertoawaitthearrivalofthenewgovernor.

On15March,ViceroyVelascoformalizeddonPedrodePeralta'sappointmentasgovernorandnamedtheofficersandsoldierswhoweretoaccompanyhim.Thereweresixteeninall.AmongthemwasCaptainMárquez,whowasreturninghomeasmaesedecampo.

AmongtheinstructionsreceivedbyPeraltawasanordertoestablishanewvillaintheshortesttimepossiblesothatthesettlerscouldbegintoliveinanorderlymannerandceasetheirdependenceontheIndians.InthetypicalbureaucraticprocedurethatKingPhillipIIwhohaddiedduringthefirstyearoftheexpeditionhadestablishedduringhisreign,thenewgovernorwasgivendetailedplansforthe

constructionofthecity.Hewastomarkoutsixdistricts,orastheSpaniardstermedit,"neighborhoods,"andasquareblockforgovernmentbuildings.Hewastoapportiontoeachindividualtwolotsforahouseandagarden,twoothersforvineyardsandolivegroves,andanadditionalfivecaballeríasofland,whichweretobeusedforthemaintenanceoflivestock.

Theviceroymusthaveknownfromthemanyreportsthatdescribedthelandasinfertile,dry,cold,andpoorthatvineyardsandolivetreeswereoutofthequestion.Theseplansunderscoredtheinflexibilityandinadequacyofgovernmentbylongdistancedecreewhereeventhemostminormatterssuchastheappointmentofamayorofasmalltownhadtobeapprovedbytheking.

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TripsforthepurposeofexplorationwereprohibiteduntilallmatterspertainingtolivingconditionsandtheevangelizationoftheIndianshadbeentakencareof,because,astheviceroyputit,"experiencehasshownthatgreedforwhatisoutofreachhadalwaysledthemtoneglectwhattheyalreadyhave,whentheyshoulddevotetheireffortsprimarilytomaintainingandmakingsecurewhathasbeendiscovered.Untilthevillahasbeenfoundedandsettled,nothingelseshouldbeundertaken."

DonPedrodepartedforhisnewpostinlateMarch1609.WithhimhecarriedaformalorderfordonJuantoleaveNewMexico.ThesmallforceofseventeenfollowedessentiallythesamerouteoftheoriginalOñateexpedition,whichbynowwaswellknown.Moreover,CaptainMárquez,aveteranofnumeroustripsovertheroute,waswiththemaswasEnsignAlvaroGarcía.Alsointhesmallforcewerethenewofficersandmenwhowouldbethedrivingforceintherevitalizationofacolonythathadcomeperilouslyclosetodisintegrating.

ChapterThirty-SevenWhenPeraltaarrivedinearlyMay,theentirecolonycameouttogreethim.DonPedrohaltedhishorseafewmetersfromwheredonJuanwasstandingwithCristóbalanddismounted.Hewalkeduptothemandbowed.Cristóbalhesitated,butdonJuantookafirmstepforwardandembracedPeralta.NewMexicohadanewgovernor!

DonJuanandCristóbalaccompaniedbythecommissary,FatherFranciscodeEscobar,tookafewstepstotheleftandforwardtowhereFrayAlonsodePeinado,thenewcommissary,wasstanding.Theykneltononeknee.Thefathertookthembythehand,helpedthemup,andembracedtheminturn.DonJuanreservedhismostaffectionateabrazoforhisfriends,FrayLázaro,FrayIsidro,and

GerónimoMárquez,whohadworkedsohardonhisbehalfandonbehalfofthecolonyduringthepasttwoyears.

NotsincetheearlyyearshadNewMexicoenjoyedthepresenceofsomanyfriarsfifteeninallwiththetwelvewhoaccompaniedPeinado.Evangelizationwasindeedabouttoenteranewphase.

TheOñatefamilyhadbeenmakingpreparationstoleaveforsome

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time.Theoldgovernor'sspiritsweremarkedlyhigherthatafternoonashemadetheroundssayinggood-byetohisfriends.Theweatherhadbeenwarmwithoutbeingoppressivelyhotduringthepastfewdays,andhewasanxioustoleavebeforeitgothotter.

Nowthathisfuturehadbeendecided,Cristóbal,thefatherofafourteen-month-oldbaby,wasanxioustoleave,mainlyforthesakeofhiswifeandchild.Healsomadetherounds.MaríaandhespentnearlyanhourwithEsperanzaandJorge,whobynowhadthreechildren,andtalkedofhappiertimes."Iamsurethatweshallseeeachotheragain.SurelyJorgeatleastwillcometoNewSpaintoescortfriarsortobringbacksupplies,"smiledCristóbal."Imightescortacaravanmyself,"headded.

DonJuanwasparticularlygratefultoGerónimoMárquez,whofromtheverybeginninghadbeeneverreadytotakeonanymissionrequestedbythegovernor.HeembracedCaptainMárquez,"I'msureIwillseeyouagain,myfriend.TherearestillafewmoretripstoNewSpaininyourfuture."

Márquez'sentirefamilysurroundedthegovernor.AfterheembracedAnaandherdaughters,heshookhandswiththeyoungAntonio."Thisyoungmanwillbeagreathelptoyou,"hesaidasheturnedtoGerónimo.

"Yes,mybelovedgovernor.YouknowthatIalwaysmeanttomakethislandmyhome.Formeandmyfamilythereisnoturningback."

"Quelesvayabien,amigos.Iknowthatwithyoutotakecareofthem,yourfamilywillbesafeanddowell."Theyembraced,thendonJuanlefthurriedlyasGerónimostoodinhisdoorwaywatchingthemanhehadservedsolongandsowell,wonderingwhatthefuturehadinstorefortheanemiclittlecolony.

CristóbalVacaandhisfamilywerejustfinishingdinnerasdonJuan

approached.Cristóbalarosefromthetableandwenttothedoor."Buenastardes,SeñorGobernador.IhearyouareleavingshortlyforZacatecas."

"Yes,myfriend,tomorrow,"answereddonJuan.

"Well,IknowyouwilldowellandthatGodwillprotectyouandyourdearfamily,"saidCristóbalashisownfamilystoodupandapproachedtheex-governorwithrespect.

DonJuanlookedatallofthemandsaidwithfeeling,"AndHewillbeherewithyouandyourfamily,foryouareagoodChristianandahard,honestworker."HeextendedhishandtoCristóbalashesaid,

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"YoustayhereinyourNewMexico.IwishIcouldhavemadeitmine,too,butitwasnotmeanttobe."Adios,amigos,"headdedasheturnedandwalkedoutintoatwilightdottedwithstars.

CristóbalhadspentthewholemorningthedaybeforewithCo-ha,whowasnowtwenty-twoyearsoldandbeingprimedtosucceedhisailingfatherKaaPinascacique.Theytalkedabouteverything:theearlydaysbeforeAcoma,theirfeelingsaboutthebattleandthevisittotheSkyCitylater,andofcourse,thedifficultiesthatledtodonJuan'sresignationandnowtheirdeparture.FrayJuanwaswiththemmostofthetimeandtranslatedforthemwhenCo-ha'sSpanishandCristóbal'sTeguafailed.

"Youmustbegladtobegoinghometoyoursisterandyourauntandcousins,"remarkedCo-hatowardtheendoftheirvisit.

"Yes,"answeredCristóbal,"butthisismyhome.Ilovethisland."

Co-halookedsad."Iwillmissyou.Iknowthattheseweredifficulttimesbetweenourpeoples,butyouhavealwaysbeenkind.YouwerenotobligedtopardonChaifortakingthejerky,andIheardaboutyourreluctancetoattacktheApachewomenandchildren."

Cristóbalsmiledathisfriend."WhenwefirstcameherewenamedyourvillageSanJuanoftheGentlePeople,andyouhavebeentrulygentle.Iamsorrythatwehadbattleswithsomeoftheothervillages."

Co-haraisedhishandsasiftostophimforsayinganymore."Therearegoodandbadpersonsamongallpeoples.Someareevenpin-e-he[crazy]."

Cristóbal,whofelthehadtoreturntoSanGabriel,finallysaid,"Well,mydearfriend.Idon'tknowwhenweshallseeeachotheragainbut,please,don'tforgetmeasIwillneverforgetyou."

Co-hatriedtolookstoic,buthissadnessshonethrough."Youaremy

ke-ma[friend].Iwillremember."

Earlythenextday,CristóbalVacaandAnawatchedfromariseattheedgeoftheirfielduntilthesmallpartydisappearedaroundthehillstothesouth.TheyoungCristóbalridingalongsideMaría'scartsighedalmostinaudiblyashereachedforMaría'shand.Shebrushedhereyesbeforetakinghis.Thereturningpartyproceededalongthewestsideoftheriveratafastpace.Theyweresmallinnumber,hadanabundanceofcarts,andweretravelingoververyfamiliarground.

ThesecondeveningtheycampedjustbelowLaBajadaoppositeSantoDomingoaftertheyhadcrossedtotheeastsideoftheriver.AfterdinnerCristóbalcameuptohisfather,whowassittingonacampstoolfacingtheincrediblyluminoussunset.Itlookedasiftheentire

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westernhorizonwasengulfedinhugeflamesthatreachedhighintothesky."Ishallmissthesemarveloussunsets,"hethought.TheydidnotspeakforawhileastheybothstaredaheadbeyondtheSandiaMountains.FinallydonJuanturnedtoCristóbal,"Quépiensas,hijo?"

Avaguefrowncrossedtheyoungman'sfaceashespontaneouslylookedbackoverhisrightshoulder.Inamuffledvoicehesaid,"Ahorasí."

"Yes,son,andweareheadedbacktoanewlifewhichyouhaveneverknown.Iwon'talwaysbearoundandsinceourfamilyisprominentyouwillbegivenappointmentsofextremeresponsibilitysuchasthatofyouruncleVicentedeZaldívar,ourVicente'sfather,whoiscaptaingeneralinchargeofkeepingpeacewiththeChichimecas.

Cristóballistenedquietly,wonderingwhathisfatherwasgettingto.

"Ididn'twanttomentionitatthetime,butIthoughtthatyouwereabittoolenientwiththatyoungIndianboywhoadmittedstealingthejerky."

Cristóbal'sfaceflushedasheinterruptedhisfather."ButChai'smotherwassickandhewastheonlyonecaringafterher."

"Yes,Iknow,"answereddonJuanpatiently,"butstealingisstealing.YoucouldhavepunishedtheIndianboyandstilldonesomethingforhismother."

"HisnameisChai,Fatherandhewasjustaboy."

"Thatdoesnotmatter.Wesentencethievesasmuchtosetanexampleastopunishthem,"donJuanansweredinthesamegentletone.

"Iamsorry,Father,butIfeltsorryforhim,andabitguilty.Theyarepoor,gentlepeople."

DonJuandidnotpursuethesubject,butcontinuedgazingatthe

sunset.

SergeantGerónimodeHerediahadvolunteeredtogobackasdonJuan'ssargentomayor.Hiswife,María,didnotfullyunderstandwheretheyweregoing.Sheaskedherhusbandrepeatedly,"Arewegoingbackforourson?"Sheappearedhappy,feelingperhapsthatbygoingbacktheyweresomehowgoingtoundowhathadhappenedonthewaytoNewMexico.

AtthestartoftheeighthdayasdonJuanwasfinishinghisbreakfast,Cristóbalcametohistenttowishhimgoodmorning."Buenasdias,papá,"hesaidinanalmostchildishtone.

"Whatisthematter,son?"donJuanaskedintuitively.

"Nothing,papá,Ijusthaveaheadache."

"Well,let'sgo,son,it'sgettinglate."

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Afewhoursafterthecontingentstartedrolling,astheyapproachedthenorthernendofaridgeofmountainslaternamedFraCristóbalMountains,CristóbalreinedhishorseandturnedbacktoMaría'scart."Ican'tstandthisheadache,"hecomplainedinaweakvoice.

Maríaaskedthedrivertostop.ShehandedJuanillotoheryoungservantandgotoff."Quétienes?"sheaskedinafrightenedtoneasshesawhisashenface.

Cristóbaldidnotanswer,butfelltothegroundashestartedtodismount.Maríagasped,butCristóbalgotupquicklyandreassuredher,"Itisnothing.Ijustlostmybalance."HewasshiveringandMaríainsistedthathegetinthecart,whereshecoveredhimwithablanket.

Whentheystoppedforthenight,MaríasentfordonJuan,whowasridingaheadofthemainpartywithSergeantHeredia.AstheelderOñatedismountedMaríarushedtowardhim,"Idon'tknowwhatiswrongwithCristóbal.Hehasahighfever,andheappearsconfused."

DonJuanrantothecartwherehissonwaslying."Quétienes,hijo?"hesaidinatender,butfrightenedvoice.Cristóbal,lookingathisfatherwithglazed,pleadingeyes,didnotanswer.

DonJuanrememberedthathissonhadbeencomplainingofheadachesthelastthreedays.Hehadthoughtitmightbethechangeinweather,whichhadturnedconsiderablywarmerthefourthdayout.NowheknewthatCristóbalwasseriouslyill.Hecradledhisson'sheadinhisarmsandlookedintohiseyes."Don'tworry,son,I'mhere.Everythingwillbefine."Cristóbal'seyessoftened,andhemanagedaweaksmile.

Thatnighttheyoungman'sfevergotworse.Bandagessoakedinvinegarwereputaroundhishead,andtowardmidnightthelancetswerebroughtout,butCristóbalonlybecamemoredeliriousafterbloodwasdrawn,alternatelycallingforhisfatherandshoutingwith

theexcitementofalongrememberedskirmish.

DonJuanstayedwithhimuntilSergeantHerediaandFrayJosephTavera,hisconfessor,gentlysuggestedthathegetsomerest.Asdaybroke,heawakenedwithastart.Hisservantwhohadbeenwatchinghimforsometime,askedhimifhewantedsomebreakfast.Thegeneralshookhisheadabsentmindedlyashearosefullydressed.Hesatontheedgeofhisbed,thenroseslowlyandwalkedoutsidewherehestaredatthesky,pinkwiththincirrusclouds,foramoment;then,asifanticipatingbadnews,hedroppedhiseyesandturnedslowlytowardhisson'stent.

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AllmorningdonJuanstoodbyhelplesslyasCristóballostconsciousnessandwentintoacoma.ShortlyafternoonFrayJosephwascalledtoadministerextremeunction.DonJuan,María,SergeantHeredia,andtheservantsstaredatthegroundindisbeliefasFrayJosephanointedCristóbalandintonedrepeatedly,"BythisHolyUnctionandHismostlovingmercy,maytheLordforgivetheeallthysins."BynightfallCristóbal,whohadspentthegreaterpartofhisyounglifeinNewMexico,haddied.

María,whohadpassedthewholedaybyturnsholdingherinfantchild,Juan,andpraying,finallybrokeintoafitofsobbing.Herservanthadclosedherhusband'seyesandcoveredhisfacewithaveil.Shealsolittwocandles,placingoneoneachsideoftheyoungman'scot.DonJuansatashortdistancefromthebed,hisheadbowedtillclosetomidnightwhenhisservantenteredwithSergeantHeredia,whomusthaverememberedhowitfelttoloseachild.Thesergeantwhisperedintohisear.DonJuanlookedupathimasinassent.Thetwohelpedhimup,andoneateacharmledhimtohisowntentandtohisbed.Hesoonfellintoafitfulsleep.

Thefollowingdayhehadtobeawakenedintimeforthefuneral,whichhadbeenarrangedbythesergeantandFrayJoseph.DonJuan'sservanthadlaidouthiscaptaingeneral'suniform,whichheputonslowlywiththehelpofJuanillo.

Atgraveside,theaginggeneralliftedtheveilfromhisson'sface,andstaredatitforawhile,thenbentdowntokisshisforehead.Whenhestraightenedup,hisfacewasstreakedwithtears.AsFrayJosephintoned,donJuanbegantoshakeasiftryingtosuppresshissobbing.Asthefirstshovelfulofearthfellonthemakeshiftcoffin,heregainedhiscomposure.Astheshovelingcontinued,helookedeastwardtothemountainsinthedistance.Hisfacebrokeintoavague,sadsmileashethoughttohimself,"OnewouldthinkthatCristobalillodidnotwantto

leavehisNewMexico."

SergeantHerediawatchedtheproceedingswithadistant,painedlook.Hisownboy,Manuelitowasburiedjustafewleaguestothesouth.Hiswife,María,wassittinginhertentvirtuallymute.ShehadnotreactedinanymannertodonJuan'stragedy.

Asifparalyzedbygrief,thesmallpartydidnotmovethefollowingday.OnthethirddayatdaybreakaMasswassaidatthegraveside.DonJuan,lookingveryoldandbent,staredatthemoundofearth,whichwasnowtheprincipalsignthatCristóbalhadeverexisted.Herememberedanotherfuneralinwhatseemedadifferentage.Thenhis

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sadnesshadbeeninvadedbyoptimismandbythewonderofhischildren'syouthandbeauty.Hethoughtforthefirsttimesincehissonhadbecomeillofhisdaughter,María,whomhehadseenbutonceintwelveyears.Atremor,almostapangwentthroughhisbodyashetriedtovisualizeher,butthosethoughtswereoncemoreobliteratedbythestarkrealityofthemound.

AssoonasMasswasover,thepackedandreadytraingotunderway,ironicallyproceedingintothemostdifficultpartofthejourneytheDeadMan'sTrail.DonJuandidnotdarelookback.IneightmoredaystheywereoutofNewMexicoandintoNuevaVizcayasouthoftheRioBravo.Theoldgeneralnowtookonelastlookatthelandthathadbeensoinhospitabletohim.Heknewthat,despiteCristóbal'sbeingburiedthere,hewouldnevercomeback.HetriedtoplaceinhismindCristóbal'sgraveinthevastexpansethatlaytothenorth.

Hemuttered,"Adios,myCristobalillo,hijitodemevida.Wecouldhavelearnedsomuchfromyou."Hethenturnedslowly,hiseyesbrimmingwithtearsandfixedhisgazesouthward.

DuringthesixweeksittooktocompletethelongtrekhomeafterafewdaysrestatSantaBárbaradonJuandidnotspeakmuch,exceptwhenaskedforinstructions.SergeantHerediakeptthesmallcaravanmovingatafastandsteadypace.Occasionallythetired,agingcommanderwouldgotohisgrandson'scartandlookintentlyintohisface.Afterthosevisitsitseemedtothosewatchingthathisbodystraightenedandhisgaitquickened.

ChapterThirty-EightOn21Juneatmidmorning,laBufacameintoview.BynowdonJuanwasfeelingmuchbetter.Duringthelastfewdayshehadbeenthinkingalmostconstantlyofhisdaughter.Hehadonceagaintaken

theleadpositioninthecaravan,urgingittotravelfaster.Nowheknewhewouldbehomebysundown.ThepainhefeltforCristóbalhadbeensoftenedbytheglowhefeltashethoughtofhisinvitinghomeandthepeoplewhowouldbethereMaria,Vicente,andhisbelovedhalf-sister.

AtsunsetthetravelersweremetattheoutskirtsofthetownbyVicenteandagroupofhorsemen.Asheapproached,donJuanlookedat

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thecity,whichhadgrownconsiderably,andfeltamildthrillatthechangesthathadtakenplace.Thereturningconquistadorwasbesidehimselfwithjoy,butwhenheembracedVicente,hisvoicebrokeandwithdifficultyhesaid,''Cristóbalisnotwithus."

Vicenteansweredsoftly,"Yes,Iknow,tío."

TearssoonturnedtojoyagainastheyreachedlaCalleRealandcameneartheOñatehome,justahundredorsometersawayfromtheChurchoftheAssumption,soontobedemolishedtomakewayforthebaroquecathedralthatnowguardsoverthecity.Thestreetwaslinedwithcuriousonlookers,manyofwhomhadonlyheardof"theconquistador."Maríaandheraunt,doñaMagdalena,nowveryold,cameouttothestreettomeetthem.Astheyembracedandkissedtheyallcriedmorefromjoythangrief."Youarehome,papá,home,"criedMaría,whowasnowaveryprettyandladylikeseventeen-year-old.DonJuancalledforhisdaughter-in-law,"María,come,comeandbringlittleJuan.Hereisyournephew,mydaughteroh,pardonme,youtwohavenotmet.Thisisyourbrother'swife,María.TheyoungerMaríahadseenherbrotheronlyoncethatshecouldrememberatthecampinGascowhenshewassixyearsold.Shehadbeenveryanxioustoknowhimbetter,butherhopeshadbeendashedbythecourierwhobroughtthesadnewsfromSantaBárbara.

María,underthetutelageofheraunt,Magdalena,hadgrownintoaverygraciousyounglady.HercomplexionrevealedtheAztecsideofherheritage,andhercarriageperhapsherroyallineage.Herlongblackhair,agiftthatcouldhavecometoherfromadistantMoorishancestryorfromNewWorldancestors,accentuatedherlightbrowneyes,whichwereundoubtedlyalegacyfromherfather.TheyreflectedakinddispositionthatremindedtheolderrelativesandfriendsofthefamilyofdonCristóbal,herpaternalgrandfather.

TwodaysafterhisarrivaldonJuanaskedVicenteaboutFrancisco.

"Hediedfourorfiveyearsago,"answeredthefavoritenephewsomewhatevasively.

"Ihadheard,"replieddonJuan,"butdoyouknowhow?"

"Notexactly,"answeredVicenteabituncomfortably.Afterapauseheadded,"HewasfoundstabbedinthestreetoneSundaymorning."Vicentewasrelievedthathisuncledidnotpursuethematterfurther.

WhenVicentehadcomebackin1607,Maríawasstillachildtohimwhomhetreatedasalittlesister.Shelookeduponhimasahalf-brother,half-father.Whenhemarriedthebeautifulandhaughtydoña

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AnadeBañuelos,Maríawassecretlyverydisappointed.AnawasthedaughterofBaltasardeBañuelos,oneofdonCristóbal'scolleaguesandcofounderwithhimofZacatecas.Maríaatfirstbecamecoldanddistantwithhernewcousin.AstimewentbyshefeltlesshostiletoAna,butsheneverwarmedtoher.

Vicente,inadditiontodoingwhathecouldfromZacatecastohelphisunclealleviatethesituationinNewMexico,haddedicatedhimselftohissilvermines,stamping240,000pesossincecomingback.HehadalsotakenchargeofdonJuan'smininginterests,bothinZacatecasandinPánucotwoorthreeleaguesaway,whichhadbeenvirtuallyundevelopedsincedonJuanhadinheritedthepotentiallyrichminesfromhismother.

ItwasatPánucothattheoldminerbeganconcentratinghiseffortsafewweeksafterhisreturn.Hehadthehelpofaloyalcomradeandsubordinate,SergeantHeredia.Gratefulforthelongservice,andparticularlyforthehelpthesergeanthadgivenhimduringCristóbal'sillnessanddeath,donJuanhadmadehimoneofhisprincipalmineforemen.

Beforesettlingdowntothetaskofrevivingthemines,avisittoMexicoCitywasverymuchinorder.DonLuisdeVelascoII,whohadawardedhimthecontracttosettleNewMexicofifteenyearsbefore,hadbeenbackasviceroyforabouttwoyears.ThistimedonJuanwasaccompaniedbyhisdaughter,María.Hethoughtwithtenderness,andwithdiminishedpain,ofhislasttriptothecapitalcitywhenhehadbeenaccompaniedbyhisson.

DonLuisreceivedthemwithallthewarmthofearlierandbetterdays.AlthoughdonJuandidnotbringupthesubjectofhisremoval,theviceroyexplainedhisactions.

"Juan,NewMexicowasafailurefromthebeginning.Iheardaboutit

inLima.Iwouldhavebroughtyouhomemuchsooner."

DonJuan,staringoutawindow,didnotanswer.DonLuisdidnotpursuehispoint.Afteranawkwardsilence,donJuansaidinalow,hoarsevoice,"YouknowthatIleftagreatpartofmylifethere."

"Iknow,"answereddonLuisafteralongpause.

"AndCristobalillo,"muttereddonJuanalmostinaudibly.

"I'msosorry,"commiserateddonLuis,nodoubtrememberingtheexcitedseven-year-oldwhocouldtalkofnothingbutNewMexicolongyearsago.

Thateveningatdinner,theerstwhilegovernorbroughtupthesub-

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jectofthechargesthathadbeenfiledagainsthimbythedesertersof1601.Theviceroyansweredthathewasverymuchawareofthem.

"Thosethingsarealwayshappening,andtherewillalwaysbewillingears."

"Theywere,afterall,deserters,"shotbackdonJuaninanexasperatedvoice.

"Iknow,"sigheddonLuis,"butnothingexcitessomepeoplemorethanintrigueandcalumny."

"Well,whatdoyouthinkwillhappen?"askedOñateanxiously.

"Well,allIcantellyou,"saiddonLuisshrugginghisshoulders,"isthatIdonottakethechargesseriously."

"Andhowaboutthedeserters,willtheygounpunished?"countereddonJuaninarisingvoice.

"Juan,"repliedtheviceroyslowlyinapleadingtone,"leavewellenoughalone.Youknowthepoliticsofthecapital."

Whilehewasinthecapital,donJuaninquireddiscreetlyaboutMagdalena.HewasrelievedtohearthatshehadmarriedamerchantandwaslivinginPuebla.Hehadthoughtaboutheroftenandhadworriedthatshemightbeinneed.

AweeklaterhewasbackinZacatecas,immersedinhisworkatPánuco.Althoughhespentmostofthedayatthesiteascanttwoleaguesaway,hemaintainedhishomeinthecity.Afteryearsofemptinessexceptforacaretakercouple,thespacioushousewascomingtolife.NownotonlywasMaría,hisdaughter,livinginit,Juanitoandhismotherwere,too.

Vicente,whohadhisownminingoperationtosupervise,helpedtoacquainthisunclewiththePánucomine.DonJuanhadasmall

cottagebuilt,whichbecamehisheadquarters.Itwasinthatcottagethat,withVicenteandHeredia,hedesignedmachinerytoimprovetheefficiencyofextractingtheore,transportingandsmeltingit.Time,whichhadpassedsoslowlyinNewMexico,nowpassedincrediblyfast.Thetwoyearssincehisreturnseemedlikemonthstohim.Heoftenfounditdifficulttobelievetheprogresshewasmaking.Theminewasproducingsilveratanunbelievablerate.

Theeuphoria,whichwassharedbyVicente,becausehisfinancialsituationwasalsothriving,wasshatteredbyhiswife'ssuddendeath.ShehadstartedcomplainingaboutadullpaininherstomachshortlyafterthereturnoftheNewMexicans.Oneyearlatershewasdead,leavingVicentewithaveryyoungson.

Uncleandnephewseemedtodrawstrengthfromadversityasthey

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redoubledtheirefforts.Theysaweachotherfrequentlyconsultingonmethodsforimprovingtheirminingoperations.

Vicentebecameevenclosertohisuncleandhisfamily.AsfordonJuan,ifhewasnotparticularlycheerful,heappearedatleasttobecontented.MaríahadbecomeaveryattractiveyoungwomanandJuanitoatoddlerwhowaswelltakencareofandwhoeverydaylookedmoreandmorelikehisfather.

ChapterThirty-NineOneyeartothedayafterthedeathofhiswife,Vicenteendedhisperiodofmourning,andstartedcomingtotheOñatehomealmosteveryday.Maríawasdelighted,becauseVicente'svisitsalwaysputherfatheringoodspirits.Sheenjoyedlisteningtotheirconversations,whichoftentookthembacktotheirgreatadventureintowhatremainedtoheramysterious,forbiddinglandfartotheboundlessnorth.

WhendonJuanwasnotathome,havingstayedatPánucoortraveledtohisothermines,MaríawouldpesterVicentewithquestionsabouttheepisodeinherfather'sandbrother'slivesthathadbeenalmostafairytaletoher.Atfirsthehadansweredthequestionsasonewouldachild,butastimepassed,hebeganconversingwithherasanadult,talkingnotonlyabouteventsbutabouthowhehadfeltaboutthem.Duringoneofthosetête-à-têtesVicentetookherhandashehaddonemanytimesbefore.Thistimehefeltatremorofexcitementthatcausedhimtoremovehishandquickly.Maríalookedathimpuzzled,thenasherfaceflushed,hestammered,"Buenasnoches,Mariquita,yaestarde."

Inthedaysthatfollowed,Vicentestayedawaywhentheheadofthehousewasnotthere.AlthoughMaríasensedthereason,witha

feignednaiveté,shetoldherfatheraboutitwonderingifVicentewasvexedwithher.DonJuanimmediatelyguessedthereason,buttoMaríahesimplysaid,"Hehasbeenverybusylately."

AweeklateroverlunchatPánuco,donJuanaskedhisnephewbluntly,"WhyareyouavoidingMaría?"ApanickylookcrossedVicente'seyes,andknowinghemightstammer,heremainedsilent,loweringhisheadslightly.DonJuanunderstood,sohedidnotpursuethesubject.

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Duringthenextfewdays,heruminatedoverthesituation,untilitoccurredtohimthatVicentewouldbetheidealhusbandforMaría.Hetoldhimsothenexttimehesawhim."DoyouloveMaría?"heaskedoutright.Vicente'sfaceoncemorerevealedhisflusteredstate,butdonJuanraisedhishandandlookedathimasiftosay,"let'sstopthiscomedy."Onceagaintheimpatientuncleasked,"Laquieres[Doyouloveher]?''

"Vicenteansweredabitsheepishly,"Si,tío."Theolderman'ssmilereassuredVicentemorethanwordscouldhavedone.

ThemineatPánucowasyieldingmoresilverthanever,anddonJuanwasalmosttotallyengrossedinhiswork.Themoneyhewasmakingdidnotseemtomatterasmuchasthesuccesshewasenjoying.HisonlyrelaxationcameonSundays.HewouldspendthemorningsittinginthespaciouscourtyardfromwhichthetopofthehistoricBufacouldbeseen,writingletters,checkinghisaccounts,orjustsittingwithhiseyeshalfclosed.IntheafternoonhewouldplaywithJuanitoortakehimforwalksinthenearbyparkoralongthestreetsofthetown.HisdaughterremarkedtoherauntthatJuanito'spresenceseemedtobetheonlysourceofgenuinejoytoherfather.OnSundaynightshewouldoftenbroodrestlesslyasifhehadleftsomethingundone.Thenextmorninghewasupatdawnandofftohismine.

Thewealthhewasamassingdidnotchangehismannerofliving.Helivedsimply,givingtheimpressionoffrugality.Hehadafteralllivedunderspartanconditionsforaverylongtime.Some,nonetheless,thoughtthathewassavinghismoneyforapurpose.Hespokecasuallyifnotcrypticallyofdoingsomething"worthwhile,"somethingof"truevalue"inthefuture.HealsospokeoccasionallyofamonumentinCristóbal'smemory,butsinceheneverelaborated,itremainedasourceofspeculationwhatheintendedtodowiththehugefortunehewasamassing.

ThreefullyearshadpassedsincetheNewMexicanshadreturned.María'sweddingtoVicentehadbeensetforthemiddleofMay.Shewasnoweighteenandnearinghernineteenthbirthday.

VicenteandMaríahaddecidedonaprivatefamilywedding.Itwasn'tsomuchthatVicentehadbeenmarriedandhadasix-year-oldboy,Vicente,butmoreoutofdeferencetodonJuan,whoalthoughhewasnolongerinformalmourning,wasstillnotuptoafestivewedding.Maríawashappyforherself,butalsoforherfather,knowingthe

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esteemandaffectiondonJuanhadforhisnephew,whomhehadlongregardedasason.

Thebridelookedregalinherweddinggown,asthedescendantoftheAztecprincess,Tecuichpotzin,mighthavebeenexpectedtolook.Herdarkskinandhaircontrastedsharplywiththewhitenessthatenvelopedher.Shealsolookedcontentandsecure,perhapsrememberingthosetwelvelongyearsofhearingaboutherfatherandbrotherandwonderingifshewouldeverseethem.

Thefatherofthebridelookedonwithdecidedapproval.HethoughtoftheweddingofhislittleMariquita,aboutwhomhehadworriedsomuchwhilehewasaway,asahavenforher.Shewouldbesecureandwouldundoubtedlygivehimseveralgrandchildren.DuringtheceremonyhelookeddownseveraltimesatJuanito,whowasstandingwithhismotherofftooneside.HiseyesglistenedashenodoubtthoughtofCristóbalandanotherwedding,butasweetsmilefromJuanitokeptthetearsfromforming,andhesmiledback.

AttheweddingfeastdonJuandancedforthefirsttimesincetheNewMexicowedding,firstwithhisdaughterandthenwithhisdaughter-in-law.Throughoutthenighthedrankandtalkedexpansivelywithrelativesandthefewfamilyfriendswhohadbeeninvited.Theweddingmarkedtheendofhismourning.Hestillthoughtfrequentlyofthenortherntragedy,butnowitwaswithoutdespairandwithacertainoptimism.HebeganformulatingvagueplansforwhathewoulddotohonorhisNewMexicansonandforhisNewMexicangrandsonwho,ifheregainedhistitles,wouldbetheonetoinheritthem.

Notverylongafterthewedding,hisdaughter-in-lawfellill.EversinceJuanito'sbirthshehadbeenindelicatehealth.Duringherpregnancyshehadretainedaslightcoughafterabadcold.AlthoughitpersistedaftershecamesouthtoZacatecas,itdidnotappearto

affectherhealth,exceptthatshebecamesusceptibletochills.OnenightinearlyApril1613whilereturningtoZacatecasfromavisittoPánuco,she,María,Vicente,andJuanitowerecaughtinasuddendownpour.Becauseoftherelativelymildweather,theyhadbeenridinginanopencarriage.Latethatnighttheslightchillturnedintoaviolentone.Thefollowingdaythephysicianwhoattendedherdiagnosedherillnessaspneumonia.

DonJuanrushedtoZacatecasassoonashewasnotified.Fortwowholedaysheandthefamilywaitedforthecrisistopass,butatthebeginningofthethirddayMaríadiedwhileherfather-in-lawstoodbyincredulousandhelpless.WhentoldthatMaríahadpassedaway,his

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facebecamecontortedforamomentasifinangerorutterdespair,thenhisheaddroppedtohischestashemuttered,"Porqué?"

DuringthedayfollowingthefuneraldonJuanstayedhomewithhisfour-year-oldgrandson,whowasoblivioustothetragedythatenvelopedthefamily.Asareligiousman,theoldcampaignerresistedthefeelingthatwasinvadinghisconfusedmindthathewascursed.AsceneinvoluntarilyflashedthroughhisconsciousnessthatoftheAcomaIndiansbeingkilledastheyemergedfromtheirsmokinghideouts.Heshookhisheadandmutteredtohimself,"Ididnotorderthat."AmomentlaterhearosefromhischairandwalkedquicklytoJuanito'sroom.Thechildwassleepingpeacefully.

Astimebegantoinsulatehimfromhislatestmisfortune,histhoughtsturnedonceagainfromgrieftopracticalitytohowhecouldbesthonorthememoryofhissonandassurethefutureofhisgrandson.

MaríawonderedoutloudwhysheandVicentewereseeinglessandlessofherfather.Vicenteheardherandofferedatentativeexplanation."WheneverIseehimhetalksalmostofnothingbutCristóbal.IthinkI'llgoseehimtoseewhathereallyintendstodo."

Vicentedidpayhisfather-in-lawavisitonthepretextofaskinghimforadviceonaminorbusinessventure.SoontheconversationturnedpersonalasVicenteventured,"Tío,wehavenotseenmuchofyoulately."

DonJuananswered,"Yes,andIamsorry,butnowthatIhavefoundsomeonereliabletostaywithJuanito,IhavebeenstayingovernightatPánucooratleastgettinghomelate."

Vicentelookedathisfather-in-lawwithconcernedexasperation."Tío,whydon'tyourelaxabitmore?Youhavesomeverycompetentforemenandtheminesareproducingbetterthanever."

DonJuanansweredinatoneofkindlyappreciation."Itisnotthemines,mydearVicente.Youknowthatmyrealbattlestillliesahead.Ihavebeentryingtodecidewhattodo."

Vicenteunderstood,sohesimplyasked,"Whatdoyouintendtodo?"

"Idon'tknowyet.IhavebeenincontactwithVillagráthroughsomepeoplefromSombrerete.YouknowthathisepicpoemaboutNewMexicowaspublishedshortlyafterIcameback,andnowitisgivingmesomeideas."

"Whatdoyoumean?"askedVicente.

"Well,Gaspar'spoemtellsquiteabitaboutmeinthefirstpartand

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laterwhenhewritesaboutAcoma,agoodbitaboutyou,butnothingaboutCristóbal."

Vicentelookedabitpuzzledandshotaninquisitiveglanceathisuncle,butdonJuansaidnomore.

DonJuanhadrecentlyreceivedacopyofCaptainVillagrá'sLaHistoriadelaNuevaMexico,whichhehadwrittenuponhisreturntoSpainin1602andpublishedinAlcalain1610.VillagráwasnowlivinginMadrid.AlthoughhisepicpoemaboutthesettlingofNewMexicoandtheBattleofAcomawasnotconsideredsignificantasliterature,thesubjectmatterdidstirupconsiderableinterestinSpainandNewSpain.Gasparhadbeenconsequentlyreceivedinliterarycirclesasaminorcolleague.DonJuanwasgladtohearfromanoldandloyalcomrade.

AshereadVillagrá'sletter,hethoughtofhiscomrade'spoem.Inthedaysthatfollowedhecontinuedtothinkofthepeopleandeventsmentionedintheminorepic,andhefeltproud.OneSundayashesathalfdozinginhiscourtyard,hesatupwithastart."That'sit,"hemutteredtohimself,"that'sit,anepicpoemhonoringCristóbal."

ThateveningVicentetoldMaríaabouthissomewhatcrypticconversationwithdonJuan.

"HetalkedaboutVillagrá'spoemandhowthereisnothingaboutCristóbalinit,"butthenhestoppedshortasifhewererevealingsomethinginadvertently.

"Villagrá'spoem?"askedMaría,halfsmilingandeyeswideningwithunderstanding."DidyouknowthatFatherdidafavoratVillagrá'srequestforthesonofahighlyplacedliterarymaninSpain?"

Vicente'seyeswidenedtooandhechuckledwithglee,"Now,Iunderstand.HewantsapoemwrittenaboutCristobalillo."

Afterrejoicingabouttheirdeduction,Vicentesaidsoberly."Idon'tknowhowanyonecanwriteanepicabouthim.HewassoyoungmostofthetimehewasinNewMexico,andhewassogentle."

Mariashookherheadslowly."PoorFather.HewantssomuchtofindsignificanceorgreatpurposeinCristóbal'sdeath."

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ChapterFortyDuringthetimehehadbeenhomeandevenbefore,thedesertersof1601hadbeenpressingforatrialofOñate.In1607anofficialhadbeenappointedtoconductaninvestigationofthechargesfiledagainsthim,butnotrialensued.DonJuanhadpowerfulfriends,andchiefamongthemwastheviceroyhimself.Buthisenemieswereimplacable.DiegodeZubía,oneoftheleadersinthedesertionandtheformerCaptainGascowerestillatthevanguardofthosewhohadnotforgivennorforgotten.Theytoohadpowerfulfriends,butaslongasVelascowaspresent,theycouldgetnosatisfactioninthismatter.

VelascohadnowservedsixyearsinhissecondtermasviceroyofNewSpain.He,asbeforefrom1590to1596,haddoneasuperiorjob.Hisreputation,whichwasenhancedbythefouryearsasviceroyofPeru,wassogoodthatnobodythoughtoftryingtoforcehishand.Itwasthissameexcellentreputation,however,thatworkedtohavehimtransferredagainjustwhendonJuanneededhiscontinuedsupportandprotection.HewasnamedpresidentoftheveryprestigiousCounciloftheIndiesinSpain.

Asin1596,whentheincomingviceroyalmostdestroyedOñate'sexpedition,partlybecausehefeltaneedtoexercisehisauthorityandpartlybecausehelistenedtocourtgossip,thenewviceroyapparentlycamewiththesamedisposition.JuandeOñate'sfortuneswereabouttotakeadip.Themarquisdeuadalcázarwasonlytoogladtoheardirtaboutoneofhispredecessor'sfavorites.Moreandmoreofthedesertersbegantosurfacewithcomplaints,nodoubtencouragedbythetwomenwhohadneverforgivenOñateforhavinghadCaptainAguilarandCaptainSosakilled.

DonJuanhadalwaysfeltuneasyaboutthecharges.Remembering

whathappenedwhenViceroyVelascoleftin1596,heknewthathewouldhavetofightthemeventually.HecomplainedbitterlytoVicente,"Ihavespenttwelvehorribleyearsinthatmiserableplacewheremypoorsonisburied,butthatisnotenoughforthem.Whatthosecowardlydeserterswantisblood."

"Zubíaisoneweshouldhavegottenridof,"answeredVicentewithaharshnesshehadseldomshownsinceleavingNewMexico.

"Perhaps,"countereddonJuan,"buthewasSosadePeñalosa'sson-in-law."

"Whatdifferencewouldthatmakenow?Sosaislongdead."an-

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sweredVicenteinanimpatienttonereminiscentofthemanytimesthenephewhadhadtoleadtheunclethroughadifficultdecision.

"Well,"sigheddonJuan,"allthatiswaterunderthebridge."

Intheyearthatfollowed,hestartedstayingmoreathome,sittinginthesameplaceinthepatiohehadsatwhilewaitingfortheNewMexicocontract.Thistimetherewasirritationwherebeforetherehadbeenimpatienceinexpectationofagreateventabouttounfold.Nowitwasangercausinghisinertia.Hewastooangrytowork,sohemainlyrelivedthepast.Inmorelucidmomentshewonderedaboutsomeofthemoreseriouscharges.HadhebeentooharshontheAcomans?Hethoughtperhapshehadallowedhisgriefforhisnephew,Juan,tojustifythepunishment.Butevenso,itwasnothisideatocutofftheyoungmen'slegsattheankle.Buthedidsigntheorder.

"IhonestlylikedtheIndiansofNewMexico,"hemused."Howcouldanyoneaskforgentlerandmorepatientpeople?"SuddenlyhefeltanostalgiaforSanGabrielwherehissonhadspenthislatechildhoodandearlyyouthwherehehadspentmanyanightwithhisgoodfriend,Magdalena,underthecool,starrysky.Oh,howhewishedhehadafaithful,unquestioningfriendlikeher,butshenowlivedinadifferentworld.

Theexecution,ashehadtermedit,ofCaptainAguilarflashedintohisdrowsyconsciousness,makinghimsitupwithastart.

"Buthewasamutineerwhowasplanningtodesert,"herationalized."Hadn'tIforgivenhimtwicebefore?ThankGod,IhadVicentetoadviseandsupportme,otherwiseIwouldhavelostthewholecolony."

HewenttoPánucotwoorthreetimesaweek,buthedidnothavehismindonhiswork.Fortunately,bynowtheminewasworkingatpeakoutputandhiswealthwasincreasingbythehour.

SeveralinvestigationsofthechargeshadbeenlaunchedduringVelasco'sterm.KingPhillipIIIhimselfasearlyas1607hadorderedhisinspectoroftheAudienciainNewSpain,DiegodeLanderas,toinvestigatethe"excesses,crimes,andoffensesattributedtoJuandeOñate."Afewmonthslaterhehadachangeofheartandorderedtheinvestigationsuspended.Thekingthenappointedanotherperson,JuandeVillera,tothetask,butVillerastatedthathecouldnotaccomplishituntiltheaccusedreturnedfromNewMexico.HethenturnedthematterovertoArchbishopFrayGarcíaGuerra,whowasactingviceroyuntilthearrivalofthemarquisdeGuadalcázar.ThearchbishopappointeddonFranciscodeLeozwho,afterstartingtheinvestigation,beggedoff,

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statingthatitwouldbeverydifficulttosentencetheaccusedbecausehewouldhavetoliveamongtheverypowerfulandinfluentialpeoplewhofavoreddonJuan.Thekingthen,inacéduladated1June1613,putthewholematterinthehandsofthenewlyarrivedviceroy.

ThemarquisdeGuadalcázarhadnoreasonnottoprosecutesincehedidnotknowOñate.Theroyalpatentwasreasonenoughforhim.HeconsequentlyappointeddonAntoniodeMorga,adourlookingmemberoftheAudienciaofNewSpain,as"legaladvisor."Themarquis,himself,wouldbetheonetodecideifOñatewasguiltyornot,anditwashewho,accordingtothecédula,wastopronouncesentence.

DonJuanwassummonedtoMexicoCityatthebeginningofMayforthetrial,whichwasmoreareviewofthecasebythe"legaladvisor"whoactedmuchasthejudgeofinstructionactstodayinFrance.HearrivedinMexicoCityafewdaysbeforetheverdictwasannounced.Inthemeantimehewasconfinedtotheresidenceofhisbrother,Alonso.On13May,theviceroygavetheverdictandpronouncedthesentence.ThefollowingdaytheclerkofthecourtreadittodonJuan.

TheclerkfirstreadthesixteenchargesofwhichOñatewasabsolved.TheywerebyandlargefrivolousaccusationssuchaspermittingtheroyalstandardtobeloweredbeforehimatthetimethathetookpossessionofNewMexicoandanotherthataccusedhimoflettinghisnephew,Vicente,addresshimas"yourmajesty,"andyetanotherthatclaimedhehadsentsoldiersoutatnighttopickwildfruitsforhim.Therewerealsoafewseriouschargesofwhichhewasabsolved,suchastheexecutionofmutineersatSanBartoloméandatCascobeforetheexpeditionwaslaunched.Theclerkthenreadtwelvechargesofwhichhewasfoundguilty.Mostwereveryserious,suchasthekillingofCaptainsSosaandAguilar,executionoftheearlydeserterswhowerecaughtbyCaptainsVillagrá,Márquez,andhisfriend,Francisco,

beforetheyreachedSantaBárbara.Thereweresomefrivolouschargesamongthesealso,suchasthechargethat"heliveddishonorablyandscandalouslywithwomenofthearmy,marriedandunmarried."

Afterallthechargeshadbeenreadtohim,thesentencewaspronounced.WhiledonJuanstoodwithhisthreewitnesses,oneofwhichwashisbrother,Alonso,theclerkintonedthesentence:

BasedontheaforementionedchargeswhichhavebeenadjudgedprovedagainstdonJuandeOñate,IshouldcondemnhimanddocondemnhimtoperpetualexilefromtheprovincesofNewMex-

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ico,andfromthiscourtandfiveleaguesarounditforexactlyfouryears.Moreover,Icondemnhimtopaysixthousandducats,halfofwhichIallottothecourtoftheking,ourlord,andtheotherhalfforwarexpensesandpacificationoftheaforementionedprovinces,andtopaythecostofthistrial.Thisismyjudgment,whichIpronounceandorderasmyfinalsentence,withtheapprovalandadviceofDoctorAntoniodeMorga,mylegaladvisor.SignedmarquisofGuadalcázarandDoctorAntoniodeMorga.

DonJuan'sfaceflushedwithanger;hiswitnessesloweredtheirheads.Bynowtheoldcampaignerwastooinuredbyadversityemanatingfromofficialsourcestobereallyshaken.Butheknewthatthedeserters,theoneswhohefeltshouldbepunished,hadwon.Despitehisanger,hedeclaredinaloudvoice,"Iunderstandthesentence,"turnedonhisheelandwalkedoutquickly.

Vicentewastriedalso,aswereanumberofpersonswhoremainedloyaltotheexpedition.HewasfoundguiltyofatotalofsixchargesincludingtheseverepunishmentadministeredtotheAcomanswhosurvivedthebattle,andofthemurderofCaptainAlonsodeSosaandofAndrésPalomo.Hewasabsolvedofsevenothercharges.HispunishmentwassimilartodonJuan'sinthathetoowasbannedfromNewMexicoforeightyearsandfromthecourtfortwo.

CaptainMárquezreceivedperhapsthemostsevereofthesentencesgiventoanofficer.HewasbannedinperpetuityfromNewMexico,strippedofhisrankandfined.CaptainMárquezwasinNewMexicoatthetimeofthesentence.Thejudgmentagainsthimwasnevercarriedout,probablybecauseofhisexcellentreputationamongNewMexicansandthefactthathesettledwithhisfamilyinaremoteareaoftheprovince.

Twocaptains,DomingodeLizamaandJuandeSalas,weresentencedinabsentiaforinvolvementinthekillingofcaptainsAguilarand

Sosa,andcaptainsAlonsoGómezandDionisiodeBañuelasforthekillingofSosa.TheywereallassessedfinesandbanishedfromNewMexicoandfromMexicoCityforaperiodoftime.

Thesentencesimposedontheenlistedmenwereradicallydifferentfromthosepronouncedontheofficers.FranciscodeVido,amestizo,andJuan,amulatto,whowerefoundguiltyofparticipatinginthekillingofCaptainSosa,weresentencedtotwohundredlashestobegiveninpublic,andperpetualbanishmentfromthecapital.

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ChapterForty-OneTheconcernsandafflictionsuppermostinhismindremainedthehumiliationofreturningtoZacatecasemptyhanded,thetrial,andCristóbal'sdeath.

ThetrialhadopenedalltheoldwoundsfromtheNewMexicodebacle.Hefeltitasonewouldthelashofawhip.Hisbitternesswasassuagedonlybythememoryofhisson.Hestillfeltadeepsadnessandanaggingguiltthathecouldnotfaceupto.

OneeveningashesatlookingattheBufahesuddenlyreconciledthetwofeelings."WhyamIbitter?"heaskedhimself."Therewasaninjusticedonetome,butinjusticeisallaroundus.Itismypride,myoverweeningpridewhichmakesmebitter."

Hehunghisheadindeepreflectionforsuchalongintervalthatonewouldhavethoughthewasasleep.Suddenlyhisheadbobbedup."Yes,"hethought,"mypride,andIsacrificedmyson,mydearCristobalillo,inordertobecomeanadelantado."

Hisheadstilldown,hisbodybeganrockingwithsobsuntilanumbingdrowsinesstookhimasifbythehandintoamercifulsleep.

Nowthatthetrialwasover,donJuansettleddowntoworkwithavengeance.Heinstructedhisbrother,Alonso,tofileanappeal.Meanwhile,hesteppeduphiscorrespondencewithVillagráandothersinSpain,whourgedhimtogotheretoseekrestitutionofthetitlesandhonorsthathadbeentakenawayfromhimasaconsequenceofthetrial.DonJuanwasmoreinterested,however,insecuringrecognitionforhisson,Cristóbal.Villagrá,whoseepicpoemabouttheearlydaysinNewMexicohadcausedamildstirinSpain,encourageddonJuantohaveonewrittenaboutCristóbal'sdeeds.

Fromthattime,consciousofallthethingsthatrequiredhispresence,donJuanbegantoconsiderseriouslyatriptoSpain.

María,hisdaughter,wasopposedtotheidea."I'mafraid,father,thatifyougotoSpainweshallprobablyneverseeyouagain."Maríaheldbackhertears."Papá,whydon'tyouhaveeverythingdonefromhereorsendanemissary.Itissuchalongandperiloustrip."

DonJuan'sfacesoftenedasherememberedthelittleorphangirlhehadleftbehindin1598,buthisresolvewasunshaken."MysweetlittleMariquita,whatneedstobedoneinSpain,onlyIcandoanditwilltakeonlyayearorso.Inanycase,Ican'twaituntilmysentenceisreviewed."

Mariacontrolledheremotionsuntilshewassafelyensconcedinher

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carriageonherwayhome,thensheletlooseatorrentoftears.DimmemoriesofstayingbehindinZacatecaswhenherfatherandherbrotherherentirefamilyhadgonebewilderinglyawaytosomestrangeandremotelandcreptbackintoherconsciousness.Andnow,herfatherwasleavingheragain,andforthesamebasicreason.

Theheavyfeelinglastedwellintotheevening.Vicentefoundherinthepatiostaringasintothedistance."Whatdidyourfatherhavetosay,Cariño?"

Mariastooduptofacehim."Nothingmuchexceptthatheisgoing.Hehasmadeuphismind."

Vicenteputhisarmsaroundhisyoungwife."YouknowMaría,everythinghehasdonesincehecamebackhasinsomewaybeeninpreparationforthat."

Maríacouldnotholdback.Betweensobssheventedherfrustrationinamixtureofpityforherfatherandtheresentmentshehadneverexpressed."HemightgetbackhistitlesandhemightbuildamonumenttoCristóbal,butwewillnevergethimback."

Vicenteansweredinasoothingvoice,"Heknowsthat,querida,buthewantstogettherecognitionhehimselfnevergotwhichwouldhavepassedontoCristóbal.Soitisreallyavindication,avalidationofboththeirlives."

"Icanunderstandthat,butwhymustheblamehimselfforwhathappenedtoCristóbal?Whymusthecontinuallyatoneforit?"

DonJuantookherconcerntoheart.HereallydidnotwanttoleavehisbelovedfamilyandtheonlylifehehadknownthatintheNewWorld.Hefeltparticularlydistressedatthethoughtofnotwatchinghisgrandsongrowtomanhood.Hewas,besides,constrainedtostayuntilthereviewofhiscasewasaccomplished.

DonJuanwasnowsixtysevenyearsold.HisattentionshiftedslowlyfrommanaginghisminestoplanninghisprojectsinSpain.HefeltsomewhatsatisfiedbythefactthathehadpaidtheenormousfineofsixthousandCastilianducatsverypromptlyandeasily.Duringtheearlypartoftheseventeenthcenturythemonthlysalaryofacarpenterwasalittleunderoneducado.Thecostofconstructionofagalleonstoodatapproximately700ducats;whilethecostofoneslavewascalculatedatapproximately125ducats.DonJuanwasabletopaythissmallfortunebecausehehadbecomeoneoftherichestmeninNewSpainandindeedintheNewWorld.

Hisprojectswerenotentirelypersonal.Withsomethoughtsofvindication,hehadbeguntoconsidersomephilanthropicventures.He

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hadcultivatedafriendshipwiththerectoroftheColegioRealdeSanLuisdeGonzagawhorecommended''goodworks"asawaytoallayhisgrievances.

Despitehisenthusiasmforhisplansandhisexcitementatthethoughtofseeinghisfather'shomelandforthefirsttime,thedayswentbyslowly.FormersergeantHerediahadtakenovertheoperationofthemines,andexceptforanoccasionalvisit,donJuanseldomwenttoPánuco.Hisdayswerespentwritingletters,mainlytoSpain,andwalkingaroundZacatecassometimeswithhisgrandson.

AlthoughtherewasakinshipinsorrowbetweentheformergovernorandadelantadoandSergeantHeredia,theynevertalkedabouttheirpersonallosses.IthadnowbeenseventeenyearssinceHeredia'sboyhadbeenburiedinthebarrenNewMexicandesertnotveryfarfromwhereCristóballay.Thesergeantandhiswifehadnothadanymorechildren,andEsperanzahadstayedinNewMexico.María,hiswife,sinceherreturnhadceasedtalkingaboutherson.Shehadlongsinceregainedhermentalcomposure,butsheappearedtohaveforgottentheNewMexicoexperiencealtogether.Nooneeverquestionedher,andwhenaskedaboutEsperanza,shewouldanswerthatshewaslivingwithherhusbandinPueblawhereshehadbeenbornandthatsomedayshewouldcometovisither.

DuringtheensuingyearsdonJuandividedhistimebetweenpreparinghisappealandbuildinguphisfinancialstatusinSpain.Throughhisnephew,FernandodeOñate,sonofhisoldestbrotherwhohadbeenmayorofPueblauntilhisdeathshortlybeforedonJuanhadreturned,hebeganacquiringmininginterestsinCartagena.FernandohadbeensenttoGranadatocareforhisgrandmother'sconsiderableproperty.CatalinadeSalazarydelaCadena,whowasanativeofGranada,hadleftfortheNewWorldwithherdaughter,Magdalena,somesaidabandoningherhusband.Otherssaidafterhehaddied.Shehad

inheritedtheBelicenahaciendaafewleaguesfromGranadaafterherbrother,themaleheir,hadpassedaway.

HealsostartedsendingmoreandmoreofhisprofitstoSpain.HisfamilysurmisedthatfailingtogetjustrecognitioninNewSpain,hewascountingondoingitinthemothercountry.Infact,althoughhedidnottellhisfamily,hehadresolvedtogoSpainassoonashisappealwasdecided.

Withcharacteristicpatiencehebidedhistime.Themineswerestillproducingataveryprofitablerate,anditwasmainlythefinalityofthemoveinviewofhisagethatoccasionedwhatwasonlyatemporary

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procrastination.Althoughheplannedtoreturn,hewasafraidhemightnotbeabletodoso.

HisdaughterMaría'soldestsonwasnowthreeyearsold,butdonJuan,althoughhewaslovingtohimandtoMaría'sandVicente'soneyearold,spentmostofhistimewithJuanito,nowoversix.HelivedathomewithhimandthecaretakerfamilywhotookupresidencewiththemafterJuanito'smotherdied.

Thecouplehadbeenselectedcarefully.Thehusband,JosedeBarrios,wasamiddleagedclerkwhohelpeddonJuanwithhisaccountsandcorrespondence.Hiswifewas,forwomenofthetime,awelleducated,thirtyyearolddaughterofaZacatecasmerchant.Juanitosooncametothinkofher,ifnotasamother,atleastasadotingaunt.ThecouplewaschildlessandweredelightedtoshareintheupbringingoftheOñatefamilyheir.

ChapterForty-TwoInlate1616,JuandeOñatewasfinallygrantedareviewofhiscase.Itwastobeintheformofaresidencia,whichwastheinspectionusuallyheldattheendofanofficial'sterm.DonJuanhad,becauseofthechaosthataccompaniedhisdeparturefromNewMexico,notbeensubjectedtoone.

Inthiscaseaninspectioncouldhardlybeheld.Theresidenciawasthereforereducedtoaconsulta,adiscussionofthetenchargesofwhichtheformergovernorhadbeenfoundguilty.

Theformatusedconsistedofastatementofthechargesfollowedbyanexpositionoftheproofandconcludedbyarebuttal.Therebuttalportionoftheproceedingsconsistedmainlyofanattempttodiscreditthewitnessesasacknowledgedandbitterenemiesofthegovernor,

becausehehadcondemnedthemastraitorswhohaddesertedthearmy.

TherebuttalofthemostseriouscrimeofwhichthegovernorhadbeenaccusedtheundulyseverepunishmentoftheIndiansaftertheBattleofAcomawaswordedinthefollowingmanner:

Noblamecanbeheldagainsthim[donJuan]fromthischarge,foronlearningthattheIndiansofthepuebloofAcomahadkilleddonJuandeZaldívar,itbecamenecessaryfortheSpaniards,afterconsultingamongthemselves,tosendsomeonetopunish

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them,andthecommissionwasgiventoVicentedeZaldívar.Hetookalongsixcaptains,butwasnotauthorizedtoinflictanypunishmentwithoutagreementofthemajority.Consequently,althoughhewasabrotherofdonJuandeZaldívar,hisappointmentwasnotimproper,becauseanyprejudicefromthisrelationshipwouldbebalancedbythepresenceofthesoldiers,andwhatisstatedinthechapterdidnottakeplace.ThefactthathewasgivenacommissiontoproceedagainsttheIndiansandpunishthemwasduetotheurgingoftheentirearmyandhadtheapprovalofthefriars,allofwhomremonstratedthatunlessthesaidpunishmentwasmetedout,theywouldnotbesafeinthelandandwouldhavetoabandonit.

ThepunishmentinflictedontheIndianswasverymoderate.Thepueblonowhasasmanypeopleasonthedayofthebattle.Asforhistakingonefifthofthebooty,hewasentitledtoit;thishasbeenthecustomeverywhereinNewSpain.Hedidnotappropriateitforhimself,butdistributedhisshareamongtheneighboringpueblos,thoughheallottedsomeIndianwomentoservethepoorsettlers.

Thereport,dated10October1617,wasturnedovertotheAudiencia,whointurngaveittothefiscal.Afterexaminingthereport,hestatedthatitdidnotseemtohimthatanychargeorcomplaintshouldbemadeagainstdonJuan.TheAudienciaissuedastatementthatdeclaredthattheformergovernorhadsatisfiedtheresidenciaandthatnoguiltorchargewhateverhadbeenmadeagainsthim.

Nofurtheractionwastakeninthismatter,probablybecauseonlythekingcouldeitherpardonormodifythesentenceofthetrialheldearlier.Further,theresidencia,whichfoundhiminnocentofwrongdoing,wasanactionseparatefromthetrial.

DonJuan'sonlyhopewastoappealtotheking.Thereport,hethought,wouldcertainlyimprovehischancestobeexoneratedbyKingPhillipIII.Hewasnowmoreconvincedthaneverthatheshouldmakethetrip,buthekeptputtingitoff.

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ChapterForty-ThreeTheyearspassedalmostimperceptiblyexceptforthefactthatJuanitowasgettingtobeayoungmanwithwhomhisgrandfathercouldhaveseriousconversations.DuringthemanylonghourstheyspenttogetherinZacatecasandinPánuco,donJuan,atJuanito'sinsistence,recountedthemorepleasanthighlightsoftheNewMexicoepisode.HedwelledparticularlyonCristóbal'sdeeds,tellinghimthatofthetenderageoffourteenhehadparticipatedinhisfirstbattle.HealsoansweredJuanito'smanyquestionsaboutthelandwherehewasborn,andabouthismotherwhomherememberedonlyvaguely.

OnenightafterhavinghaddinnerwithVicente,Juanito,María,andthechildren,heannounced,"IamgoingtoSpainassoonasthetripcanbearranged."

Vicentefrownedslightly.Hedidnotbelievethathisunclecouldreallyaccomplishanythingbygoing.Nowin1620,heworriedabouthim.Hewasafterallseventyyearsold.Howwouldhegetalonginacountrythatwasvirtuallyforeigntohimwithouthisfamilytosustainhim?VicentehaddiscussedthisproblemwithMaria.Sheagreedthatheshouldstayathome,butsheobservedthatherfatherhadacompulsiontoaccomplishcertainthingsbeforehedied.

Vicentecorrectedher,saying,"Youmeanhehastofinishwhathestartedin1598."

"Yes,Isupposeso,"sighedMaría."Hehasappearedanxious,evenhaunted,eversincehecameback.Iguesshewon'tfeelatpeaceuntilhehasdoneeverythinghecanaboutallthatisbotheringhim.Italmostlooksasifheisdoingpenance."

"Yes,"agreedVicente,"itisthatdamned,miserableNewMexico.He

cannotacceptthecrushingdefeatithandedhimandtheterriblepriceitexacted."

"YoumeanCristóbal,"confirmedMaría.

"Yes,"sighedVicente.

Theyear1620wentbyinaflurryofactivityshippingsilver,writingletters,andputtinghisaffairsinNewSpaininorder.Althoughhedidnottalkaboutitbecauseheknewthatitwouldtriggeranunpleasantdiscussion,hehadsomedoubtsaboutwhetherhewouldbeabletocomeback.Inquietermomentshedreadedthetimewhenhewouldhavetosaygoodbyetoallthepeoplehelovedandwhodependedon

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him.HeknewhewouldbedrawingfartherawayfromCristóbalandleavingthelandwherehisfatherandmotherwereburiedandwherehehimselfhadspenthisentirelife.

Juanitoatelevenyearsofagewasonlyslightlyshorterthanhisgrandfather,whodespitehisseventyyearsmaintainedwhenhewasfeelinggoodanerect,almostmilitaryposture.Theyoungmanhadinheritedhismother'slightchestnuthairratherthanhisfather's,whichwasblack.Hewastheproductofverygentleupbringingbyolderpeoplewhotreatedhimasayoungprince.

"Whymustyougoawayfromus,Abuelito?"JuanitoaskedsuddenlyoneSundayafternoonastheystrolledinthesun.

"Juanito,youmightfindithardtounderstand,butitisforyourfatherandforyouthatIamdoingit."

Juanitostoppedandfacedhisgrandfather,"Howso?"

DonJuanwithafarawaylookanswered,"Cristóbalwouldhavebecomeanadelantado.NowitisyouwhohavearighttothattitlewhenIdie."

"Iwouldratherhaveyouhome,Abuelo,thaninheritatitle."

"Thankyou,myson,butasIsaidthisisalsoforyourfather,Cristóbal.Ican'tlethismemoryendwithme."

"Thenwhydon'tyoutakemewithyou?"

"Youarebetteroffhere.Thefamilyneedslookingafter."

"Wewouldbecomingbacksoon,wouldn'twe?"insistedJuanito.

AdeepsadnessdimmeddonJuan'seyes."IfailedCristóbalandIalonemustmakeamends.WhenthetaskiscompletedIshallsendforyouorcomebacktoyou,"heconcluded,weaklyavertinghis

grandson'seyes.

Juanitosmiledthroughhissadnessandhetoolookedawayfromhisgrandfathertohidehistears.

"ButIhavetodoit,"hemutteredlatertohimself."Thereisnootherway."

"Itisnotjustmyhonor,"hetoldVicentethenexttimetheymet,"itisthewholefamily'shonoryoursandJuanito's.Itisavindicationofmywholelifeandalargepartofyours."

HehadmadearrangementstosailwiththefleetthatwasleavingforSevilleinSeptemberbywayofCuba.Hewouldbesailingononeofthelargergalleons,whichwouldbecarryingashipmentofsilverfromhismines.

VicentewentwithhimtoVeracruzatdonJuan'srequest.Hehad

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askedhisnephewtogowithhimalonebecausehedidnotwanttosaywhatmightbehislastgood-byetoJuanito,Maria,andherchildreninastrangeplace.Hewantedthemfixedinhismemoryinasecurefamilysetting.Whenthetimecamehehadtosteelhimselfinordernottobreakdowninhisgrandson'spresence.ThehollowlookofdesolationonhiswrinkledfacebeliedthesmilehehadonhislipsasheembracedJuanitoandMaria.

HeandVicente,alongwithasmallretinue,leftZacatecasinearlyAugustforMexicoCitywheretherewassomebusinesstoputinorder.Afteraweekinthecapital,thepartyproceededtoVeracruzarrivingthereinearlySeptember.Onthetenthheboardedthegalleon.Vicenteaccompaniedhimtohiscomfortablestateroomnexttothecaptain'squarters.

"Thefleetissailinginonehour,Vicente.Whydon'twegooutonthedeck?"

ThereontherailingoverlookingthegreatharborandtheteemingcityofVeracruztheysaidtheirgood-byes.Therewasnotmuchthatneededsayingbetweenthesetwomen.Theyhadsharedtoomanyexperiences,hadexperiencedtherigorsofbattletogether,andhadbornethesamegriefandfrustration.Theyhadnothadmanytriumphs,butthecamaraderieofadversityisoftenthestrongestkind.Theystaredoutatthedistanthorizon,eachwithhisthoughtsinthesilentcommunicationoftwomenwholovedeachother,butcouldnotverbalizeit.

Fromtheshore,Vicentewatcheduntilthefleetwasbutablur.Acloudofpaincrossedhiseyes,buthisjawtightened.Hewhisperedtohimself,"Adios,tío,"andturnedhisgazeinland.

DonJuanhadneverbeforebeenonanoceanvoyage.Asanoldcampaigner,hiscourage,inthemannerofmostcourageousacts,

consistedmainlyofmakingthedecisiontoundertakeitinthefirstplace.Fearofdangercomesmainlyfromcontemplatingit.Oncetheactionstarts,oneeithersettlesdowntothejobathandoristoobusytodwellontheconsequences.Besides,unlikehisfirstexpeditionnorthward,heknewallthepossibledangers,rangingfromshipwrecktoEnglishcorsairs.Womenandchildrenhadtakentheserisksoverandoveragain.Hismainworrywasthathewouldgetseasick,whichsomehowseemedunworthyofanadelantado.

Asidefromsomeroughseas,thetripwasuneventful.Hewastreatedwiththegreatdeferenceshowntheverywealthywhosetreasureoneiscarrying.Hemadefriendswiththecaptain,whowasamanonly

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slightlyyoungerthanhe,whohadbeenvirtuallyeverywhereintheSpanishEmpirefromFloridatotheTierradelFuegotothePhilippines.DonJuanwasreluctanttotellhimabouthisonelongexcursion,whichseemedtohimsmallbycomparison.

Hespentlongstretchesoftimelookingoutattheendlessocean,bothwestwardinanostalgiathatwasbecomingmellowerbytheday,andeastwardwithayouthfulenthusiasmthatsurprisedhim.HecouldhardlywaittoseetheSpanishcoastlinehisfatherhadleftagesago.

Whenthecoastlinedidappear,heexperiencedanexhilarationhehadnotfeltsincetakingpossessionofNewMexicoforSpain.Oñate'sfirstglimpseofthemothercountrywasatSanlucardeBarramedaatthemouthofthemightyriverthat,sincethediscoveryoftheNewWorld,hadbecomethemosttraveledintheworldtheGuadalquivir.Theconvoyslowedalmosttoastopasitapproachedthesmallbaytoalloweachgalleontoentertheriver.DonJuan'sshipwasthesecondtoenter.Heremainedondeckadmiringthecountrysidedottedwithvineyards.Ashesailedpeacefullyupstream,hethoughthowdifferentthisríograndewasfromtheotherRíoGrandeinhislife.TheGuadalquivir,whichmeans"largeriver"inArabic,wasserene,runningthroughareassuringgreencountryside,whiletheotherhadbeen,thoughlife-sustaining,harshandattimesthreatening.

DonJuanwasfeelingatpeacewithhisworld.Therewassomuchtothinkabout.Hereflecteduponthefullnessofhislifeashewatchedapeasantwhohadprobablyneverventuredmorethanafewleaguesfromhishomeridingamule.Theserenityandthewarmthoftheautumnsunjoinedinlullinghimtosleeponhiscanvaschair.Thesunwassettingwhenheawakenedasthecaptainwalkeduptohimsaying,Iseeyouhavebeenenjoyingtherivertrip,donJuan."

"Yes,it'slovely,"repliedtheoldman,stretchingslightly.

"Thisismyfavoritepartofthecrossing,"remarkedthecaptain.

"Youmustbeanxioustoseeyourfamily,captain,"donJuananswered,thinkingofhisownfamily,sovividinhismind,yetsooutofreach.

TheconvoywouldnotreachSevilleuntilmorning,butdonJuancouldnotsleep.Hekeptlookingouthiscabinwindowforlifealongtheriverbank,butexceptforafewdimlightsfromtimetotimetherewasnothingbutdarkness.Heawakenedatfirstlight,andafteraquickbreakfastwentouttothedeck.Thesailoronwatchyelledathim,"Sevilla!"pointingupriver.DonJuancouldmakeouttheTowerof

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GoldthathadbeenguardingtheentrytotheportsincetheAlmohadeMoslemshadbuiltthetwelve-sidedpolygonatthebeginningofthetwelfthcentury.

AshortwhilelatertheGiraldacameintoview.Thisninety-sevenandahalfmeterstructure,whichdominatestheentirecity,wasalsobuiltbytheAlmohadeMoorswho,undertheleadershipofthefanaticAbenTurnart,haddefeatedthemoremoderateAlmoravidesintheearlytwelfthcentury.Withthisaggressivespirittheynotonlyrekindledtheholywar,butrecoveredsomeoftheterritorythatwasslowlybeinglosttotheChristians.Thetower,aminaretattachedtoamosque,wasbuiltin1176bytwoAlmohadearchitects.Thebelfrycrowningtheminaret,however,isaRenaissanceaddition.ThenameGiraldacomesfromahugeweathervaneintheformofastatuerepresentingFaithwhichtheSpanishadded.TheGiraldaisnowattachedtothecathedral,whichwasbuiltduringthecourseofthefifteenthcenturyandremainsthethirdlargestinallChristendom.

Itwasmidmorningwhentheshipdocked.Fernando,whohadbeenwaitingallmorning,brokeintoasmileasheranupthegangplank."Bienvenidoalamadrepatria,tío.[Welcometothemotherland.]"

"Gracias,Fernando,"donJuansaidasheembracedhisnephew.

DonJuanwasanxioustodisembarkafterwhatseemedaneternityonboard.Heandhisnephew,followedbydonJuan'sservant,walkedslowlyalongthebroadwharfturninguplacalledeCarbón.DonJuanwashavingtheusualtroublewiththesolidsteadinessofthecobblestonestreetsaftermanyweeksatsea.TheycontinuedpasttheHospitaldelaCaridadontoalargeplaza,fromwhichtheyhadafullviewofthecathedral.DonJuanwasdumbfoundedatthesheersizeandbeautyoftheimposingstructurewithitsmagnificenttower.TheywalkedslowlyaroundthenorthsideofthecathedralwheredonJuangotabetterlookattheGiralda,andontothePlazadelaVirgendeloy

Reyestotheposadathatwastobetheirhomeforthenexttwoweeks.

DuringthenextfewdaystheNewWorldvisitorspenthistimebetweensightseeing,promenades,andthebusinesshehadtotakecareofattheCasadeContrataciónwithinthewallsoftheAlcázar,whichwasjustashortwalkfromtheinn.HisbusinessdealingshadtodowiththelargetransferofsilverfromNewSpain,whichincludedpayingtheroyalfifth.

DonJuan,whowasanxioustoseehismother'sestateandhavingconcludedthebusinessendofhisvisittothegreatcity,boardedFer-

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nando'scarriageforthefour-daytriptoGranadaacrossthehillyroadsnorthofthecoastalmountains.

Granada,datingbacktopre-Iberiantimes,wasgiventhenameIliberribytheRomans.UnderVisigothicdominationitborethenameGarnata.TheOmeyaMoorsrenameditMedinaElvirain711.TheAlmoravidesmadeitoneoftheirprincipalfortifiedcities,butitwasnotuntilthefierceAlmohadeshadoustedtheirmoremoderatecoreligioniststhatitbegantotakeonthegreatmagnificencethatwastobecompletedbytheNazaries,whoconceivedtheAlhambra,thegreatmosque,andotherextraordinarystructuralwondersofthisrarecity.In1492QueenIsabel,establishingherheadquartersinthenearbytownofSantaFe,finallyexpelledthelastoftheMoorishmonarchs,Boabdiltheminor.

DonJuanhad,duringhischildhood,heardmanytalesfromhismotheraboutthedreamlikecitythatshehadabandonedtopursueadreamofherownintheNewWorld.Nowhecouldseeforhimself.Hewasenchantedmorebythememoryofwhathismotherhadtoldherchildrenthanbythecityitself,whichwastoagreatextentinadecrepitstateandhalf-moribundsincethedispersionofthemoriscos,descendantsoftheMoorswhohadstayedinSpainafterthereconquest.Soonafter1492popularpressurebegantobuildupagainstthesepeoplewhosestatuswaslittlebetterthanthatofslaves.In1568theywereexpelledfromGranadatootherpartsofSpainandbetween1609and1614theywerebanishedfromtheentirecountry.

ChapterForty-FourDonJuanwasanxioustogettoMadrid.SinceKingPhillipIIIhadmovedthecapitalbackfromValladolid,itwasonceagainthenervecenteroftheSpanishempire.Theoriginsofthiscityareshroudedin

legendandmyth.Thefirsthistoricalmentionofitdatesfromthetenthcentury,whenitwasdestroyedbyKingRamiroIIinoneofhisforaysintoMuslimterritory.Severalmonarchs,includingFernandoandIsabel,heldcourtthere,butitwasn'tuntilFelipeIImovedhiscourtfromToledothatitbecameacapital.

KingPhillipIVwasonlysixteenwhenheascendedthethroneuponthedeathofhisfatherin1621,whileOñatewasenroutetoSpain.Don

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Juanhopedthathewouldhavebetterluckwiththeyoungkingthanhehadwithhisfather,PhillipIII,whohadbeenmoreinterestedinhuntingandotheramusementsthanintheaffairsofstate.Wordhadcomefromthepalacethattheyoungkingwasaveryspoiledandratherfrivolousyoungmanwhohadcomeundertheinfluenceofhismentor,theDukeOlivareswho,whenPhillipIIIwasonhisdeathbedhadreportedlysaid,"Now,itisallmine."Olivaresprovedtobeavindictivedefactorulerwhowasveryjealousofhisprerogatives.

WhentheNewWorldtravelerarrivedinlateNovember,hefoundanewcityofsome50,000inhabitantsstilllargelyunderconstruction.HetookupresidenceinthehousehisbrotherhadboughtduringthetimethathelivedinthecapitalwhilehewaspleadingdonJuan'scase.

GaspardeVillagrá,hisfaithfulcomradefromNewMexicodays,wastheretomeethim.VillagráhadactedasintermediarybetweendonJuanandthepoet,FranciscoMurciadelaLlana,whowastowriteanepicpoemaboutCristóbal.ThemeetingbetweenthetwoNewWorldconquistadorswhohadnotseeneachotherintwentyyearswasinwardlyemotionalbut,sinceitwasbetweentwomenwhohadknowneachotheronlyunderharshconditions,outwardlysubdued.

"Howlongithasbeen,mydearfriend,"donJuansaidsoftly,ashelookedintoVillagrá'seyes.

"Itseemslikecenturies,yourexcellency,"heanswered,astheyembraced.

Thateveningtheymainlyreminisced.Villagráapologizedfornothavinggonebackwiththereinforcementsin1601.DonJuanshruggeditoffsaying,"Youatleastshowedsomecourage,unlikesomeoftheothers.Besides,herewearebothofusbannedfromNewMexico."

"Doyouthinkanythingwillcomeofthatenterprise?"askedVillagrá

indifferently.

"Nothingofgreatimportance,"answereddonJuanasifwishingtochangethesubject.

Duringthenextfewdaystheirdiscussionscenteredontheepicpoem.VillagráinformeddonJuanthattheyoungFranciscoMurciadelaLlanahadstartedtorecruitthewriterswhowouldcontributeindividualcantostothepoem.Murcia'sfather,whowasacorrectordelibrosfortheCounciloftheIndies,hadcontactwithallthewritersinthecountry.

"IappreciateverymuchwhattheMurciashavedone,"remarkeddonJuan.

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''AndtheyareverygratefulforthehelpyouextendedtotheelderMurcia,"answeredVillagrá.

"Well,letushopeitallturnsoutwell,"sigheddonJuan.

LaterintheweekOñatereceivedaletterfromtheyoungerMurciaadvisinghimthatthepoemwouldbecompletedshortly.Hehimselfwouldcontributethreestanzas,andVillagráone.Therestwouldbewrittenbywell-knownhumanistsandclassicists.

Withthispartofhismissionaccomplished,theoldconquistadorturnedhisattentiontotherestorationofhistitles.Knowingthatthekingwasveryyoungandthathewouldundoubtedlybeinfluencedbyhisadvisors,hedidnotknowexactlyhowtoproceed.VillagráhadtoldhimthattheCountDukeOlivareswouldprobablyexercisegreatinfluenceovertheboyking.SomeofthemembersoftheCounciloftheIndiesknewhiscaseverywell.Duringthetimethatex-viceroyVelasco,nowdeceased,hadservedaspresidentofthecouncil,hehadoftentalkedtohisfellowmembersaboutthefounderofNewMexico,whohadnotbeentreatedfairly.

ItwasnotallbusinesswiththeNewWorldvisitor,however.Vicentehadawakenedinhimaninterestinthetheater.HehadbeenlookingforwardtoseeingtheworksofthedramatistwhoserenownhadreachedtoNewSpain.LopedeVegahadrecentlyfinishedhisgreatwork,ElCaballerodeOlmedo,whichhadbeenreceivedwithravesinMadrid.WiththecomingofspringdonJuanstartedgoingtothetheater.AttheCorraldelaCruzhesawthismasterpiece,whichwasperhapsLope'sgreatestdramatictriumphforitsbrilliantexpressionoftheidealsofmedievalSpanishcharacterthroughthemediumoftragiccomedy.ThisgreatworkisabouttheloveofthebeautifulInezfromMedinaandthearistocraticandhonorabledonAlonsofromneighboringOlmedo,whodiesafatefulbutbravedeathprovokedbytheinexorablejealousyofarejectedsuitorexacerbatedbysmalltown

resentmentofanillustriousintruder.

AnothercontemporaryauthorwhoexcitedhisimaginationwasMigueldeCervantesSaavedra,whosesecondpartofDonQuijotehadbeenpublishedafewyearsearlier.Sincehewasnotanavidreader,hehadnotreadeitherthefirstnorthesecondpartofthefamousnovel,butwasimpressedbyVillagrá'srecountingofitshighlights.HewasevenmoreimpressedbythestoryofCervantes'sheroic,butfrustratinglife,astoldbyhisoldfriend.HesawacertainparallelinCervantes'sfailuretogainpublicorofficialacclaimandhisownstruggle.Both

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werecombatveteransCervantesofthefamousBattleofLepanto,inwhichhewaswounded;DonJuanofseveralbattlesoftheChichimecasandtheKansasIndiansofQuivira.FinallyCervanteswasaccusedandfoundguiltyunjustly,hefeltaswasDonJuan.

TheoneotherplayhewenttoseelaterintheyearwasCervantes'sLaNumancia.VillagráhadyearsearliercomparedtheBattleofAcomatothebattlebetweentheforcesoftheRomanconqueror,ScipioAfricanus,andthepeopleofthewalledcityofNumanciain133B.C.OñatewasverymovedashesawtheNumantinosdietothelastpersonratherthansurrender.HecouldnothelpbutthinkofCristóbalwhenthelastsurvivor,amereboy,threwhimselffromthewallratherthanbecomeaprisonertobedisplayedinavictoryparadeinRome.Hethought,"ImustmakesurethattheepicpoemwhichisbeingwrittendoesCristóbaljustice."

Itwasearly1622thathestartedwritinghispetitiontotheboyking.HefeltthathehadtoexpresshimselfcarefullybecausehislettermightbereadnotonlybyaveryyoungmanbutbytheschemingOlivares.OntheadviceofdonJuandeVillela,thepresidentofthecouncilwhohadservedinthataugustbodyunderLuisdeVelasco,heabandonedhisplansforadirectappealinfavorofworkingthroughthecouncil.

Inhispetitiontothecouncilheaskedthathispunishmentberevokedandthatheberestoredthetitleofadelantadoinperpetuity.Thecouncil,impressedbydonJuan'sservicetothecrownandthefactthathehadpaidhissixthousandducatfinepromptly,recommendedtothekingthat"yourmajestycouldfavorhimbyliftingthesaidbanishmentandsuspensionofhisofficessothathemightexercisethemlaterinthoseprovinces."

Themessagetothekingwasdated6April1622.Theanswerwasaspromptasitwasbrief,statingthatitwouldbewellforthecouncilto

statethenatureofthecharges.Thecouncilwasjustaspromptinansweringtheking'sletter,statingthatalthoughithadnotbeenthepractice,inordernottotakeuptheking'stime,tosendthereportsofchargesinsimilarcases,theywereenclosingonenowsincethekingcommandedit.Thekingevidentlydidnotwanttobebotheredbecausewithinaweekhisreplywasreceivedatthecouncilinthefollowingbriefform:"Postponethisforthetimebeing."

ThepresidentofthecouncilhadbynowbecomeaconvincedadvocateindonJuan'scase.HetoldtherelentlessOñatethathewouldsendanotherrecommendation,butthathewouldwaitawhiletoavoidgiv-

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ingtheimpressionofimportuningtheking.Healsoadvisedthepetitionertowritedownastatementofhisservicesforfutureuse.

OnceagaindonJuanhadtobidehistime.Hewhiledawaythedayscomposinghisstatementofservices,goingoccasionallytothetheater,ormerelystrollingaboutthebusycity.

OnedayasheambledaboutthePlazaMayor,hewanderedouttheexitthatledtotheCalledeToldeo.AshewalkedtowardthePuertadeToledohecameacrossanimposinggroupofbuildingsadjacenttoasmallchurch.Henoticedanemptylotwhereafoundationforalargebuildinghadbeenlaid.Walkingpastthat,heturneddowntheCalledelDuquedeAlbalookingforanentrancetothegrounds.Hesaidtohimself,"ThismustbetheColegioImperialwhichFartherMartintoldmeabout."ItwasaJesuitinstitutionforthetrainingoffriar-teachersforserviceinandoutofSpainmentionedbytherectoroftheColegioRealinZacatecas.Hewaspleasantlysurprisedbyhisdiscoverybecauseheheldthemilitantorderinhighesteem.

Ashestoppedtolookatthebuildings,ayoungpriestenteringthegroundsstoppedtoaskifhecouldassisthim.

"Gracias,"answereddonJuanpolitely."Iwasjusttakingastroll."

"Wouldyouliketohavealookaround?"

"Yes,thankyou,ifitisn'tanintrusion."

Sensingthattheoldmanwasastranger,theyoungmanaskedpolitely,"Whereareyoufrom,yourgrace?"

"Oh,fromveryfarawayZacatecasinNewSpain."

TheyoungJesuit'sfacebrightenedconsiderablyrevealingaboyishenthusiasm."Ihavebeentryingtogetpostedtothecolonies,preferablytoNewSpain."

DonJuansmiledbenignly."Well,ifyousucceed,letmeknow.Icanperhapsbeofsomeassistance."

Thechancevisitorendedupmeetingthedirectoroftheschool,whichinthetraditionoftheJesuitswasmorethanaseminary.Thedirector,ashort,strong-lookingmanwithlively,curiouseyes,wasgladtoentertainatravelerfromtheNewWorld,particularlyoneabouthisownage.Overamerienda,whichdonJuanfoundabitsumptuouswithitsmeats,melons,crullers,wine,andtopleasehisguest,chocolate,theydiscoveredmuchabouteachother.TherichcreolefromtheothersideofthevastoceantoldthedistinguishedJesuitofhisexperiencesandthefriar-educatortalkedofhisworkinNorthAfricaandwithinSpaineducatingyoungmennotonlytospreadthefaith,butalsoenlightenmentinmoreworldlymatters.

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DonJuanhadnotgiventheJesuitsmuchthoughtuntilhereturnedfromNewMexico,astheirpresenceinNewSpainhadnotbeenanimposingone.Hisexperience,notalwayshappy,hadbeenwiththelong-sufferingbutnotoverlyintellectualFranciscans.Notthathefanciedhimselfaneruditeperson,buthehadalwaysheardtwothingsabouttheJesuits:thattheywerewelleducatedandhighlydisciplined.InZacatecasduringhislateryearshehadmadesomefriendshipsatthenewlyestablishedJesuitschool.Inanycase,thetwomenfoundsomethingtoadmireineachotherqualitiesorexperiencesmissingintheirownlives.

Thesunwassettingacrosstheoceanasitalwaysdidintheoldexile'smindwhenhetookleaveofthecurate.

Everyevening,particularlyinthoserareinstanceswhentheEuropeansunsetsapproximatedthoseofthedesertsintheNewWorldintheirblazingmagnificence,histhoughtswouldreturntoZacatecasandtoNewMexicoinamixtureofrekindledexcitementandenduringsadness.Thisdayhewalkedhomewithaglow,thinkingwhatagoodfortunethischancemeetinghadbeen.HefeltthathefinallyhadnotjustafriendinMadrid,butacronywhosecompanyhewassuretoenjoy.Hemutteredtohimself,"donPabloAlvarado."

ChapterForty-FiveWhenhegothomehismanservanthandedhimamessage.DonJuansmiledperceptiblyashereadit,thensigheddeeplyasheplacedthenoteonasmalltableinthevestibule.

Thenextdayhearoseearlyinanticipation.GaspardeVillagrá,whowastheauthorofthenote,wascomingtodeliversomecopiesofthepoemhehadcommissioned.WhenVillagráarrived,hegreetedhisoldcommanderwith,"Enhorabuenayourgrace,hereisthepoem,

'Cancioneslugubres'."

DonJuanembracedhisloyalcaptain,thenwithatenderlookandsaidhoarsely,"HowcanIthankyoumydear,dearfriend?Willyoureadapartofitforme?"

Thecaptainknewthatitwasnotagreatorevengoodpoemsinceitwastheproductofastrainedattempttowriteaboutaveryyoungmanwhohadnotaccomplishedmuchandwhohaddiedofamysteriousill-

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ness.ItturnedouttobeapaeantoCristóbalthroughaninvocationofGreekgodsandgoddesses.

Havingreaditbeforehand,Villagráselectedthebestoftheindividualpoems,writtenbyFranciscoCascales,historianofthecityofMurcia,whichstartedoutbyapostrophisingMelpomene,themuseoftragedy.

Where,sacredMelpomene,doyoutakeme?DoyouwishmeproudlytopraiseofthethirdFelipehiswellknowngreatness?

HethengoesontosingthepraisesofJuandeOñateandhissonCristóbal:

ThegreatIndiaheconqueredforFelipe,(Melpomenehasinformedme)donJuanintrepid,CantabrianofOñate,andwantedinthishisgloryhimtosharehisonlyanddearsonheroicandstrongnowinthis,nowinthathardandferociouscombat,Ishouldnotnowtakeupyourtimewithmysadandpainfulthoughts,poetofmine,donCristóbal;,hisdearson,forwhombathedinthesetearsIamafflicted,died,andwithhimdiedthegallantryandelegance,theskillofMarsingenuity,industry,cleverness,andart.

DonJuanbrushedtearsfromhiseyes,buthewassmilingasheagainthankedhisfriend."Andyourpart,Gaspar,whydidn'tyoureadthat?"

"Oh,youcanreaditatyourleisure,donJuan."

WhenVillagrátookhisleave,helefttheoldadventurerstillwithtearsinhiseyesandstillsmiling.Itwascleartohimthathiscomradewasnotonlyhappywiththisbittersweetoccurrence,butalsorelievedthatafteralltheyearsofwaiting,oneofhisheartfeltobjectiveshadbeen

reached.

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ChapterForty-SixForDonJuanthesummerof1622seemedtopassquicklyespeciallyafterhistriptoToledowithdonPablo,whowasanativeofthatvenerablecity,whichhaduntilfairlyrecentlybeenthecapital.ItshistorycouldwellbetheessentialhistoryofSpain.TheVisigothicking,Leovigildo,establishedhiscapitaltheretowardtheendofthesixthcentury,andKingAlfonsoVI,hisin1085whenhewrestedthecityfromtheMoors.ItremainedthecapitaluntilPhillipIItransferredhiscourttoMadrid.

ItwasthehomeofSpain'smostfamousimmigrant,DomenicoTheotocopulis,bornontheislandofCreteandknowninVeniceduringhisstaythereasElGreco.HekeptthenamewhenhewenttoSpaintobecomeoneofitsmostillustriousartists.

DonJuananddonPablosaweachotheratleastthreetimesaweek.WhentheJesuitfoundoutthatdonJuanhadlostasonandhadanorphangrandsonwhomhehadleftalongwithhisdaughterinZacatecas,talkturnedtotheconquistador'splanstoleaveamonumentofsomesorttoCristóbal'smemory.AlthoughdonJuanhadnotbeenparticularlyreligious,nowinthetwilightofhislifehebeganthinkingintermsoftheeternityofthechurch.Whynotareligiousmonument,notonlyinCristóbal'smemory,butinhisnameandthatofhisentirefamily?DonPablolistenedinsympathytotheideasputforwardbyhisnewfoundfriend,agreeingthatnothingcouldbemoreenduringandappropriate.Hesuggesteddoingsomethingfororphanchildrenwhoseopportunitiesforaneducationwerelimitedornonexistent.DonJuanthoughtofhisorphanedgrandsonwhohadeverythingandwhowouldinheritafortuneandeventitles,ifheweresuccessfulingettingthemreinstated.ThenhisthoughtsturnedinvoluntarilytoAcomaandthehundredsoforphanswhohadbeenleftonthatforbiddingmesa

thatterriblycolddayin1599.ApainedlookcrossedhisfacethatstartleddonPablo.

"Quétienes,Juan?"heaskedinasoftvoice.

DonJuanshookhisheadandanswered,"Yes,weneedtodosomethingfortheorphanedchildren."

InNovemberofthesameyeartheCounciloftheIndies,citingdonJuan'sageandurgingthekingnottolethimdie"unjustlyandgrief-stricken,"onceagaindaredtobroachthesubjectofOñate'spetitiontotheking.Theyarguedthathisservicesentitledhimtobeforgiven,"inorderthatheandhisdescendantsmaybefreefromthisblot,forthey

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aredistinguishedpeoplewhowishtocontinueintheserviceofyourmajesty.

Tothispetitionthekingansweredpromptlyandrathercryptically,"IamamazedthatinsuchuglycasesthecouncilannoysmeregardingadecisionwhichIhavealreadytaken."

Thereappearedtobeatoneoffinalityaboutthislatestrebuffbytheking,butLicentiateVillela,whothroughouthislongserviceonthecouncilsixyearsasmemberandnowpresidentsince1622hadseenkingschangetheirminds,advisedthepersistentoldNewMexicantosendastatementofhisservicedirectlytotheking.Therewasahintofassurancethatitwouldbebroughtuptotheking'sattentionpromptlyandasforcefullyasthoseaffairscouldbetoavolatileandindecisiveyoungmonarch.Itappearedthatthecasewasbeinghandledbythekingandhissecretariesratherthanhischiefcounsellors.Villela,throughhissecretary,JuanRuizdeContreras,couldexerciseacertainamountofinfluenceonthem.Favorshadbeengrantedbackandforthonmanyoccasions.

DonJuandustedoffthestatementofservicehehadstartedoverayearbeforeandbeganworkingonitagain.Heshowedittohisfriend,donPablo,whowasveryimpressedbyhisfriend'sdistinguishedrecord.Hepromisedtoputinagoodwordthroughanacquaintancehehadinthecourt.

Withinweeksthestatementofserviceswasdispatchedtothepalace.Thereportdidnothavemuchthathadnotbeensaidbefore.OñatewascarefultopointoutthatbetweenhisreturnfromNewMexicoandthepresent,hehadmined137,510marksofsilverfromhisZacatecasmines,whichamountedtooverthreethousandpounds.Theroyalfifthfromthisbonanzacameto129,454pesosorochoreales,whichwereknownbytheEnglishas"piecesofeight."FromRealdePánucohehadextracted257,800marksoroverfivethousandpounds,one-fifth

ofwhichwaspaidtotheroyaltreasury.Hepointedoutthat"mostallofthesilverandgoldthatcomefromtheminesofNewSpainhavebeenconqueredandwonbydonJuandeOñate'sfather,hisfather-in-law,andhisson-in-law."

Thedirectappealhaditseffect.Withintwomonths,inamessagesignedbyJuanRuizdeContreras,thecouncilwasadvisedthatthekinghadrestoredOñate'stitleofadelantadoon14July1623.

WhendonJuanwasapprisedbyVillelaoftheking'sdecision,heclenchedhisfistmomentarily,thenhesmiledandembracedthepresidentofthecouncilandthankedhimprofusely.

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DonJuanwasstillelated,butfeltfrustratedandterriblyhomesickashestartedtowritealettertohisnephew,Vicente,butintendedforthewholefamily.

MydearVicente,whenwewereinNewMexico,wheneverwehadgoodnewswhich,Godforgivemyingratitude,wasnotveryoften,youeitherbroughtittomeorshareditwithme.KnowinghowCristóballovedyouandthefeelingsyouhadforhim,IconsideryouguardianofJuanito.Althoughheisonlysevenyearsyoungerthanhisfatherwaswhenheleftus,Ican'tseemtothinkofhiminanyotherwaythantheinfantsonofmyowndearCristóbal.

ThenewsthatIhaveforyouisthatIamonceagainadelantado.Wehavetriumphed,Vicente,andthevictoryispartlyyours.Moreover,thefirstmonumenttomysonhasbeencompletedandhereitisforyouandforMaríaandJuanitotoread.Asyouwillsee,ourdearloyalVillagráhaspennedoneofthecantos,anactofloyaltyandlovethataddsimmeasurablytothepoem'sworth.

NewMexicoiseveronmymind,althoughnownotwithbitternessnortheresentmentIoncehadforaforbiddinglandthathasentombedmyonlyson.MyonlyregretisthatIamnotyoungenoughtoreturntoitifonlyforavisit;notonlytovisitCristóbal'sgrave,buttoseeourdearfriendsGerónimo,CristóbalVaca,Jorge,andothers,who,althoughIheartheyaresufferingfromthestrifebetweenthegovernorandfriars,stillmanagetoprevail.

Asyoucansee,mydearcomrade,Iamslowlymakingmypeacewiththatlandwhichweconsideredsoharshandhostileattimes,butwhichwashomeforsolongtoallofus,thebirthplaceofmygrandsonsobelovedbymyson.IdearlyhopeIshallseeallofyousoon.

Itappearedasifthestrugglewasover,butthecombativeOñatejustafewdayslaterdispatchedanotherpetitionaskingforthetitleinperpetuity.Thissecondpetitionwassentbacktothecouncilforstudyon17July.By1September,thecouncilsentbackitsrecommendationthattherewasnoreasontogranthimthetitleformorethantwo

generations.

Inearly1624,heonceagainmadethesamerequestandinadditionaskedforthetitleofmarquis,citingchapter93oftheroyalordinancespertainingtothematter.Thekingonceagainforwardedthepetitionto

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thecouncilforstudy.Thecouncilstatedthatnonewreasonshadbeenfoundtojustifyfavorsbeyondthosealreadygranted.ThekingonceagaininstructedthecounciltostudyOñate'spetition"inallitsdetails."

ThecouncilmeanwhilereceivedareportfromtheAudienciainNewSpainrecommendingthattheoldNewMexicanbe"favoredwiththehabitofoneofthemilitaryorders"forhimself,hisnephewandhisgrandson."Thecouncilforwardedtherecommendationtothekingwithoutmakingarecommendationofitsown.

ThekingacceptedtheadviceoftheAudienciaandmadethenomination,contingentonOñate'smeetingtherequirementsofthelimpiezadesangre(purityofblood),whichmeantthatthecandidatebeprovedfreeofJewishforebears.Atthesametimethatthekingtenderedtheprestigiousappointment,hedecidedtoavailhimselfoftheoldminer'sexperienceandnamedhiminspectorofminesvisitadorgeneraldeminasyescorialesdeEspana.

Oñatecouldhardlybelievehisgoodfortune.HetoldhisailingfriendGaspardeVillagráthatitwasthefirststrokeofluckhehadhadsince1598.

"Youdeserveit,yourgrace.IwishIhadhadyourcourage,"smiledVillagráfromhissickbed.

DonJuanlookedsadandpensive,nodoubtagreeingwithhisfriendthatithadtakenamightyeffort.Hesatdownbesidethecaptain'sbedasifagreatburdenhadbeenliftedfromhisshoulders.

ThenextdayhewenttotellhisfriendtheJesuitofhisappointment.Remarkingthathisfaithhadbornefruit,DonPablorejoicedwithhim.

"Sí,"answereddonJuanlaconically.

Thetired,oldconquistadorrestedforafewdays.Hetooklongwalks

abouttown,visitedwithPablo,andsatinlateafternoon,lookingfromhisbalconyatthesunsetsinthewest.Hemutteredasifcommunicatingwithsomeoneacrosstheocean.Hiscountenancebecamesofteraseachdaypassed.HevisitedthechapeloftheColegioImperial,wherehesatquietly.Hehadneverbeenovertlyreligious,andhehadseldominvokeddivinehelpinhisprayers.Nowheseemedmerelytobeexpressingsimplegratitude.

HisnewfoundtranquillitywasoncemoreshakenbythenewsofVillagrá'sdeath.HisoldfriendhadrecoveredfromhisillnessandhadleftforapostinNicaraguaasalcaldemayor.DonJuanhadhelpedhimobtainitthroughhiscontactsintheCounciloftheIndies.ThenewswaslateingettingtodonJuanbecauseGasparwasstrickenonthehighseaswherehewasburied.Hefoundoutfromthesecretaryofthecoun-

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cil,whohadheardabouttheadventurouspoet'sdeathfromacaptainwhohadsailedtoSpainfromtheAzores.Itwassomethingthatmadehimstarttoconsiderseriouslyhisownmortality.Gasparwas,afterall,atleastadecadeyoungerthanhe.

Itwasduringthisperiodofreflectionthatheslowly,butdeliberately,startedwritinghiswill.LittleJuan,nowfifteenyearsold,wastoreceivethebulkofhisestate.TheColegioImperialwouldreceiveafullfifthofhisentirefortune.Hehadalreadydecidedthathewouldpayforachapelinthecollege'sChurchofSanIsidro,whichwouldsoongounderconstruction.

Hedidnotfinishthewillbeforethestartofhisinspectiontrip.TherichIndiano,anxioustostartworking,setoutinearly1625,stoppingfirstatBurgos,wherehismaternalgrandmotherhadlived.HeavailedhimselfoftheoccasiontovisitnearbyOñate,hisfather'shometownbeforehehadleftfortheNewWorld.

Oñate,meaning"mountainpass"intheBasquelanguage,remindedhimofZacatecas,whichalsolayatthefootofamountain.Whenhefirstcaughtsightofitheremarkedtohisformerservant,GonzaloRodríguezMorányTalavera,nowacolleaguewiththeinspectionparty,"Thereweretwomountainsinmyfather'slife,andhewasamountainofaman."

"Andsoishisson,"answeredMorán.

"No,Gonzalo,"objecteddonJuangently."Iambutahillcomparedtohim,butIhopeheknowsthatIhavetriedtoupholdthefamilyhonor."

Theolddynamodidnotspendmuchtimevisitingthevillageandthecousins,whocouldnotbelievethatthisimportantandwealthymanfromtheNewWorldwouldcometotheirhumbletown.Thenewinspectorwasinahurrytogetonwithhisofficialresponsibility.

Cartagena,aminingtownwherehehadextensiveinterestsofgreatvalue,washisnextstop.

Hisvisitswerenotperfunctory.MininginSpainhadfordecadessufferedfromneglectbecauseoftherelativeplethoraofpreciousmetalscomingfromtheNewWorld.ThesilvertycoonfromtheIndiesknewwhatittooktorevitalizemines.AtPánucohehaddesignednewmachineryforamoreefficientoperation.Itwasprobablyhisminingsuccess,afterreturningindisgracefromNewMexico,whichimpressedtheyoungkingthemost.NowdonJuanwasdeterminednottodisappointroyalopinionwhileitwashigh.

TheminingindustryinGranadahadbeendeterioratingeversince

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thedeclineoftheNazaríes,whohadraisedthecitytoitsultimatesplendorwiththeconstructionundertwentymonarchsoftheAlhambra,theGreatMosque,andothermagnificentarchitecturalmonuments.DonJuanhadaspecialinterestinthiscitybecauseofhismother'stiestoit.Whilehewasthere,inadditiontomakingnumerousnotesconcerningtheminesinthearea,hetooksometimeforpersonalvisitswithhisrelatives.HestayedattheHaciendaBelicena,ashortdistancefromthecity,withhisnephewandhisfamily.TogethertheyheardMassattheconventofSanFrancisco,whichwasbuiltonthefoundationofanArabpalace.Itwasthefirstconventbuiltinthecityaftertheconquest.Theconventchurch,builtin1495,hadheldtheremainsofFerdinandandIsabeluntiltheyweretransferredtotheRoyalChapelinGranada,whichwasbuiltin1504,yearsbeforethecathedralthatadjoinsit.InthisrenownedchurchdonJuangazedupontheOñatefamilychapel,adornedwiththecoatofarmsofthefamilythathadachievedrenownnotonlyintheIndies,butinthisregionthroughhismother'sfamilyaswell.

ChapterForty-SevenInthesummerof1625theinspectiontookhimtoGuadalcanal,notfarfromSeville,whereheboughtahomeandestablishedhisheadquarters.InthisancienttownwheretheRomanshaddevelopedthefirstsilvermines,hewroteoutanextensivereporttotheking.ThereportcreatedaveryfavorableimpressionatthecourtandresultedinthepublicationofanewsetoflawsandordinancesinSeptember1625titledNeuvasleyesyordenanzas.

Theadelantadowasoverwhelmedbythehonorssobelatedlybeingshowereduponhim.FranciscoMurciadeLlana,correctorfortheCounciloftheIndies,signedthedocumentandmentionedtheshortepicpoemwrittenafewyearsbefore.Theintroductionwrittenby

Oñate'ssecretary,AndresdeCarrasquilla,outlinedtheNewMexicoadelantado'sbackground.Hepointedoutthatatmorethanseventyyearsofage,andalthoughoneofthewealthiestmenintheNewWorld,hehadlefthisbeloveddaughterandgrandsontocometoSpainwithout,asthesecretarysaid,knowingexactlyforwhatpurpose.

Thenewlypublishedbookearnedhimapersonalaudiencewiththeking.UponhisarrivalinMadridbeforeanythingelsehewenttovisit

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hisfriendattheColegioImperial.Hetoldhimofhisgoodfortune.DonPablolaughedandcriedtoseetheexhilarationintheoldman'sdemeanor.DonJuanrevealedtohimhisplansfortheColegioImperial.DonPabloanswered,''Godblessyou.PadreLuiswillbesograteful,asweallare."

DonJuanwaselatedatthethoughtthatafteralltheseyearsofstruggleandfrustration,he,themuchmalignedfounderofNewMexico,wastobereceivedbytheking.Dressedinhiscaptaingeneral'suniform,hepresentedhimselfatthepalace.

Thecontrastinageswasstriking.Theyoungkingreceivedthedistinguished,ifslightlybent,adelantadoandsoontobegentlemanoftheorderofSantiago,verygraciously.Takinghishand,hebarelyallowedhiselderlyvisitortimetomakehisfullobeisance.

ThiswasaperiodinSpainwhengreatdeedsandimportantconquestswerebecomingveryrare.Whiletheking(andhisadvisors)hadearlierdeprecated,ifnotscorned,donJuan'smodestdeeds,hewasnonethelessveryinterestedinhearingapersonalaccountfromoneofhiscaptainswhohadpenetratedbeyondthefrontiersofhisestablishedempireinrecenttimes.

"Accordingtooneofyourcaptains,Villalba,Ibelieve,theBattleofAcomawasparticularlyfierce.Didyoupersonallyfightthere?"

"No,noyourmajesty.Iwasadvisednottoforfearofjeopardizingtheentirecolonyshouldsomethinghavehappenedtome."

"ButyoudidfighttheKansas,Ibelieve.Whataretheylike?"

"Theywerequitefierce,yourmajesty."

"Well,wearegladyousurvivedandareheretotellusaboutit."

Afteransweringtheking'syouthfulandimaginativequestions,the

honoredguestmanagedtomakesomeobservationsabouttheminingindustryinSpain.HeemphasizedthefactthattheSpanishmines,someofwhichdatedbacktoPhoenician,Carthaginian,andRomantimes,shouldberestoredandrevitalizedbecausetheminesthroughouttheempirewerebeingdepleted.

Thekingaskedhimwhatheneededtodoinparticular.DonJuanansweredthatathoroughevaluationneededtobeaccomplished,whichincludedassayingandgradingthemetals.HealsosaidthatheneededtobringsixIndiansfromNewSpaintodemonstrateNewWorldexpertiseinsmeltingandrefining.

"Byallmeans,byallmeans.Ishouldliketomeetthem.Pleasekeepmeinformed,"answeredthekingexcitedly.

Oñatecameawayfromthatmeetingwonderingifheshouldnot

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havecometoSpainearlier.Thereseemedtobeabrightfutureaheadforhimexceptforonethinghisage.Hegoteverythingfromthekinghehadrequested,andmore.

PhillipIVwouldprobablyneverforgetthefirstfleshandbonesadelantadohehadeverseen.Theindefatigableseptuagenarian,althoughelatedbythesuddenattentionandrecognition,feltacompulsiontogetonwithhiswork.Timewasgettingshortforhim,heknew,buthedidnotallowhisagetoinfluencehisresolve.Hestartedtofeelacertainfatiguehehadneverfeltbefore,buthesetoutwithouthesitationonanewroundofvisitstotheancientminesofSpain.

Beforedeparting,however,heexecutedacodiciltohiswill.Althoughhefeltconfidentthathecouldcompletethisexcursion,hewasconsciousofhisseventy-fiveyearsandofthekindoffatiguenewtohim,whichhestartedtofeelaftertheeuphoriaofhisaudiencewiththeking.Thus,hemadeprovisionsintheeventofhisdeath.Vicentewastoassumehispositionasvisitadordeminasandhisadvisorsweretocontinueonthisparticularinspectiontoitsconclusion.

AtCartagena,feelingill,hemadeyetanothermodificationtohiswill,butcompletedtheinspection.WhilethereheheardMassattheChurchofOurLady,whichwastobethebeneficiaryofasubstantialpartoftheconsiderablewealthheheldinthatcity.HealsomadeadonationtotheConventofSanIsidroandtotheChurchofSanSebastián.

Theinspectionover,heandhisadvisorsresumedtheiritinerarybyembarkingonthetwelve-daytriptoGuadalcanal.Thetiredfeelingthathadbeentormentinghim'wasnowaggravatedbydizzyspells.Athisinsistence,aftertwodaysinacountryinn,thetripwasresumed.GreatcarewastakentoprovideforhiscomfortwithfrequentstopsatthebestinnsavailableuntiltheyreachedGuadalcanalwherethetired

oldveteranhadacomfortablehome.Here,withservantstocareforhim,hefeltbetter.Abletodictateandverylucid,hemadehisfinalwillandtestamenttowhichheincorporatedallpreviouswillsanddocumentspertainingtohisestate.TheentireportfoliowasturnedovertothenotaryofGuadalcanallateintheyear.

Soonafterhisarrivalhebegantofeelmuchbetter.OnecolddayinJanuaryheannouncedtohisaideandfriend,Gonzalo,"IthinktodayIwillgototheminetoseehowthemodernizationiscomingalong."

Thekindly,rough-hewnGonzalosmiledathim."Itwilldoyougood,donJuan.Ishallaccompanyyou."

Theoldmagnate'sillnesshadlefthimveryconsciousofthefragility

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oflifeandwithapremonitionthattherewouldbenotimeforavisitfromacrossthesea.Hehadnoregret,butonlyahauntingsadnessatthethoughtofdyingalone.Hefeltacomfortingsatisfactionthathehadaccomplishedamissionthatbyitsverynaturewasasolitaryone.Hewasthepatriarchperformingataskonlyhecouldachieve.Consciousofthefutility,hetriedtodismisshisdesperatelongingforthelandandthefamilythatwereintrinsictohisbeing.

InhisworstmomentsofdeliriumhewouldholdconversationswiththemandwithVicente,whohadhelpedhimoutofmanyanunpleasantsituation.WhenhespoketoCristóbal,hemainlysoughttoallayhisfears,andwhenhecaressedMaríahetriedtocomfortthebewilderedchildhewasleavingbehindin1598.Juan,andthatbitterDecemberdayofthesadtidings,werefrequentlyinhisdreams.

PadrePablo,hearingofhisfriend'sillness,madethetriptoGuadalcanaltoseedonJuan.ThisvisitbytherobustJesuitpriestcheeredupthepatient.

"Youlookthesameasever,myfriend,"remarkedFatherAlvarado,"perhapsabitthinner."

DonJuanansweredwithatraceofsadness,"Iknowthatmydaysonthiseartharecomingtoanend.Idon'tfeelparticularlyill,justtired,verytired."Thenhesmiled."Andyou,Pablo,youlooklikeayoungbull."

PadrePablostayedaweekonethatseemedtooshorttodonJuan."MydutiescallmebacktoMadrid,butItrustyouwillgetbetterandcometoseemeandtheprogressthatisbeingmadeonourchurch."

DonJuanshookhisheadslowlywithafaintsmileonhiswanface."Adiós,Pablo,prayformeandmyson."

TheburlypriesthelddonJuaninalongabrazo,thenturnedand

walkedtohiscarriage,takingwithhimthesadthoughtthathisfriendwouldnotsurvivethecomingspring.TherewasacertaincomfortknowingthatdonJuanwouldeverberememberedbyhisorder,andparticularlybyhisownColegioImperialtowhichthemiraculousbenefactorfromanexoticlandwasleavingone-fifthofhisenormousfortune.Heapprovedtenderlyofthestipulationsmadebytheoldphilanthropicexplorer,whichmadeprovisionsfordormitoriesandscholarshipsforthebenefitoforphansandotherswhocouldnotaffordtopayfortheirschooling.Allheaskedinreturnwasthattheyprayforhimandhisfamily.

Meanwhile,theprocesstodeterminedonJuan'slimpiezadesangre(purityofblood)wasproceedinginseveralpartsofSpainintotaloblivion

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ofthefactthatitsoutcomemightnotmattermuchtothecriollofromacrossthesea.

TheindomitableNewMexicannotonlysurvivedthespring,butremainedintermittentlyactive.Eachdayhewouldasktoseethewesternhorizon.Onthedayswhenthecloudsformationswerejustright,theflamingsunsetswouldsethisimaginationastir.HecouldfeelthehotNewMexicosunshiningonhisforehead,andhecouldseetheponderousmesasdominatingthearidplainslikebroodingmedievalfortresses.Theclamorofbattleranginhisears!AboveithecouldheartheshrillyoungvoiceofCristóbalshoutingwithexcitement.Afterthoseepisodesofliveliness,hisconditionwouldoncemoreenvelophimanddraghimbackintothelong,darknight.

TheeighteenthofJunedawnedtoaskycleanedtoapurebluebyarainstormduringthenight.DonJuanwokeupbristlingwithenergy."Iwanttogotothemine,"heannouncedatbreakfast.

Duringashortrideinacabriolethewasclosetoexhilarationandtalkedaboutanotherroundofinspections.Whentheyarrivedattheworksitetheyfoundthattherehadbeenminorfloodingduringthenight.Thewaterthathadaccumulatedattheentrancewasbeingbailedoutbytheminerswhohadformedabucketbrigade.DonJuanwatchedforawhile,thentookhisplaceintheline.

"Porfavor,donJuan,"exclaimedGonzaloinananxiousvoice.

DonJuanmerelychuckled,butashehandedhisthirdorfourthbucketitdroppedfromhishandsandhebegantostagger.Theminersnexttohimcaughthimbeforehefell,buthewasnearunconsciousness.

DonGonzaloexcitedlydirectedthemtothecarriage.Onthewaybackhome,donJuanutteredonlyagruntwhenhisaideandfriendaskedhimhowhefelt.

Thedoctor,whohadnotagreedtothevisitbydonJuantothemine,waswaitingapprehensively.Heputhimtobedthenlistenedtohisheart,whichwasbeatingatarapidrate.Hopingitwouldhaveacalmingeffect,hegavehimvervaintodrink.

OntheseconddaydonJuanawokewithremarkablelucidity.Hecalledhisclosecolleaguesandcounselorstohisbedchamber,wherehereiteratedsomeimportantinstructions.Afteralightlunchhetookashortnap.Whenheawakenedaboutfourintheafternoon,heaskedtobecarriedouttotheterrace.Herequestedthathislongchairbeorientedtowardthewest.Helaythereforalongtime,apparentlynapping.HisfriendsandservantswerecheeredthathefeltwellenoughtowanttobaskinthewarmAndalusiansun.