The surging waters like a Mountain rise,
And the great Sea, puft up with proud Disdaine,
Threatening to devoure all that his Powre despise.”
Spenser.
The caravel in question was more than ordinarily frail3, having been hastily equipped with two others from the port of Tehuantepec in Mexico, at the order of Cortez for the exploration of the continent about and above the gulf4 of California. It is true, an experienced seaman5 named Grijalva had been put in command, and he had been so far successful as to have reached the twenty-ninth degree of north latitude6. Thence one vessel7 had been sent back with an account of his progress. The other two continued their explorations northward8, with the hope of arriving at that kingdom so rich in precious metals, of which they had heard so many rumors9 from the recently conquered Mexicans. Creeping coastwise slowly upward, many fine bays with shores rich in verdure met their view, but of gold they found no traces, and of inhabitants, with the exception of an occasional glimpse of a naked savage10, who ran terrified away, they were equally[21] unsuccessful. Yet they were navigating11 waters, the tributary12 streams of which were literally13 bedded in gold. But neither the time nor people to which this treasure was to be disclosed had arrived. Consequently, Grijalva, with his eyes blinded to what was constantly within his reach, saw nothing but a vast wilderness14, which promised neither wealth nor honor as the reward of further exploration. Reluctantly, therefore, he turned his course southward. That night a severe gale15 came on, and both caravels were driven far from their course towards the southwest. It was in vain with such unseaworthy vessels16 that Grijalva sought to regain17 the coast. The wind blew him still farther into unknown seas, which daily became more tempestuous18, until his storm-shattered vessel sank in sight of her scarcely better conditioned consort19, engulfing20 all on board.
This sight for the moment chilled the hearts of the surviving crew, and paralyzed their exertions21. But Spanish seamen22 and the soldiers of Cortez were too accustomed to death in every form, to long despair. They redoubled their efforts, and by bailing23 and cautious steering24, keeping the vessel directly before the wind, weathered the gale, which the next day was succeeded by the fatal calm, already described.
There were on board some twenty persons, veterans in the hardships and conflicts of the new world. Their commander was the young man that lay exhausted25 in the cabin. He spoke26 to the woman who now sat with his head on her lap,[22] while she gave him such meagre refreshment27 as their famished28 bark afforded. His name was Juan Alvirez. Hers was Beatriz. They were brother and sister. He had been a volunteer with Narvaez, and after his defeat enlisted29 under Cortez, and was present at the siege of Mexico, and all the subsequent expeditions of his commander, to whom he was greatly attached. This attachment30 was founded in a congeniality of temperament31, which led him to emulate32 the heroic daring and unflinching perseverance33 of Cortez, while his more powerful intellect was equally an object of his profound admiration34. With the same thirst for adventure, the same chivalric35 courage, the same devotion to the Catholic worship, the same contempt for the rights, feelings or sufferings of others so that his own desire was gained, devout36 and loyal, with deep affections, easily moved to anger or kindness, childlike in his impulses, yet strong in action, Alvirez in most points, except judgment37, might be considered a Cortez on a small scale. Indeed, his intimacy38 with him, begun when Alvirez was not twenty years of age, had, by strengthening the natural traits of character so similar to his own, quite merged39 him into his commander. His individuality was shown chiefly in executing what Cortez ordered, and in blind though gallant40 acts of devotion, upon the spur of emergency, in which prudence41 or generalship were not often considered.
Alvirez was frank and social. These qualities joined to his tried bravery made him the favorite of all. Even the Mexicans who had so often suffered[23] from his arm, learned to distinguish and admire in him that generous fearlessness to all danger, which pitiless to them, was self-devoted to his own cause, and stooping to no artifice42 in action, went direct to its mark, like the swoop43 of a hawk44 upon its quarry45. With them he was known as Tonatiuh, ‘the child of the sun,’ from his burning glance and stroke as quick as light. His thirst for adventure keeping him in continual action, he gladly volunteered to command the soldiery in the expeditions which Cortez sent to explore and subdue46 the unknown regions to the north of Mexico.
Not yet in the prime of life, we find this Spanish cavalier, faint from exertions which had wearied out all on board, lying half helpless, grieving over the fate of the brave seamen who had so long and skilfully47 kept the little squadron afloat.
His sister Beatriz shared many of these traits with her brother. She was as brave, self-devoted, ardent48, and impulsive49 as he, but true womanhood and a benevolence50 of heart which instinctively51 led her to seek the happiness of those with whom she was, made her in conduct an altogether different being. Deeply imbued52 with the Roman Catholic faith, while she sedulously53 conformed to the demands of its ritual, its principles tempered by her own native goodness and purity, reflected through her peace and good will towards all men. Juan was all energy and action. His will flowed from desire like a torrent54, rending55 asunder56 its natural barriers, and spreading mingled57 ruin and fertility in its course. Her will was deep, calm, and sure,[24] without noise, with no sudden movement, but like the quiet uprising of an ocean-tide, it steadily58 rose, floating all things safely higher and still higher on its bosom59, until they attained60 its own level. All about her felt its movement, wondered at the effect, and welcomed the cause.
Her influence over rude men was not the result of charms that most attract the common eye. The oval of her head was faultless. Her hair was of ethereal softness, and seemed to take its hue61 and character from her mind rather than from nature’s pigments62. Considering her race, her complexion63 was rare, being blonde. Warmth, firmness, decision, and much heart-suffering, were denoted by her mouth. Her eyes spoke at will the language of her soul, or kept its emotions as a sealed book. Yet they were not beautiful in the strictly64 physical sense, being in repose65 somewhat lifeless in color, but when they talked, an illumination as if from another sphere overspread her countenance66, and surrounded her entire person with an atmosphere radiant with spirit emotion. So gentle, yet so penetrating67 was her speech, that it seemed as though she breathed her language. To the listener it was as if some delicious strain of music had passed through him, harmonizing his whole nature. This, no doubt, was owing rather to her purity and earnestness, as they found language and a responsive echo and all that was true and good in others, than to any wonderful endowment of voice. Her vital organization being acute and generous, she was extremely susceptible68 to all life emotions, yet so[25] well-balanced was her character, which was the result of a varied69 experience, garnered70 into wisdom, that came more from intuition than out of the cold processes of reason, that rarely was she otherwise than the same quiet high-toned woman, as persuasive71 to good by her presence, as faithful to it by her example. None, therefore, asked her age, debated her beauty, or questioned her motives72. All, even the mercenary soldier, the profane73 seamen, and the untutored Indian, felt themselves better, happier and safer, for having her among them. Her sad, sympathizing face, her winning speech, generous action, and noiseless, graceful74 carriage, were to them more of the Madonna than of the earth-woman. Yet she was strictly human, differing from others of her sex only in being a larger type of God’s handiwork, with fuller capacities both to receive and give, whether of suffering or joy. The key to her character was her invariably following her own noble instincts, sanctioned and aided as they were by the principles of her faith. In this respect, she was fortunate in possessing for her confessor the priest who was with them. He was a Dominican monk75, Olmedo by name, and although attached by education to his theology, was of enlarged and humane76 mind, and felt that love rather than force was the only sure principle of conversion77 of the heathen to Christianity.
Olmedo had come from Spain with the father of Alvirez, who held a post of trust in Cuba. Thence he followed Cortez to Mexico, and on repeated occasions had done much to soften78 his[26] fanaticism79, and inspire him with a more humane policy towards the unhappy Indians. When Alvirez set out on the present expedition, his sister and Olmedo determined80 to accompany him; the former from her love for Juan, and the latter from attachment to both, and the hope that he might find a field for missionary81 labor82, in which the principles that animated83 him and Beatriz might have free scope, unneutralized by the brutality85 and excesses of the miscalled soldiers of the Cross.
The other members of the caravel’s company need just now no special mention, except that although bred in the Cortez school of blood and rapine, they were, almost unconsciously to themselves, influenced much not only by the high toned courage and unflinching perseverance of their commander, but still more by the purer examples and earnest faith of Beatriz and Olmedo; each of whom, as opportunity offered, sought to deepen this impression, and to persuade them that there was truer treasure on earth than even the gold for which they lavished86 their blood, and better enjoyment87 to be found than in the brutal84 indulgence of base passions. There was, in consequence, in most of them a devotion to their leader and confessor, loftier and more sincere than the force of discipline, or the ordinary inspiration of their religion, because founded on an appeal to their hearts. For Beatriz the rudest one among them would willingly have shed all his blood to save a drop of hers.
“May the Holy Mother receive their souls,” somewhat abruptly88 exclaimed Juan, who had been[27] musing89 upon the fate of Grijalva. His sister did not reply, except by a deep sigh, feeling that silence best expressed her sympathy with her brother’s ejaculation.
Juan and those of the crew who now remained alive, exhausted by their sufferings and labors90, soon sunk into a sound sleep. Olmedo and Beatriz were alone left awake, and avoiding by a common instinct the past, they talked only of their present situation and probable future. There was nothing in their external conditions to authorize91 hope for maiden92 or priest; yet a reliance on divine care so completely filled their hearts, that although no light penetrated93 their ocean-horizon, each felt and spoke words of encouragement to the other.
While they talked, light breezes began in variable puffs94 to stir the sails. As the wind increased, it grew contrary to the course for Mexico, yet it was balmy, and as the sea under its influence began to rise and fall in gentle swells95, the air became cooler, and the sky was gradually interspersed96 with fleecy clouds which occasionally shed a little rain.
Awakening97 Juan and the crew, Olmedo pointed98 to the clouds, which, driving before them, seemed to beckon99 to some unknown haven100 beyond. “Our deliverance has come,” exclaimed he; “let us lose no time in welcoming the breeze.”
“We cannot reach Mexico with this wind,” said Juan glancing aloft; then, as his spirits revived with the brightening prospect101, he gaily102 added, “Let us follow whither it blows; new fields of adventure may repay us for those we have lost.”
[28]
“My son,” solemnly replied Olmedo, “we are a feeble band, but trusting in Him who ordereth all things, we may accept with gratitude103 the auspicious104 breeze; not to carry us to new scenes of slaughter105, but in the hope that He who has preserved us alike from the storm and calm, reserves us for a more noble mission.”
“What say you, Beatriz, is father Olmedo right?” asked Juan, more to hear her voice than as desiring her opinion, which he knew would conform to her confessor’s.
“Dear brother, our father is right. Orphans106 that we are, let us abandon ourselves to the guidance of the Holy Virgin107 and the saints. They will lead us to the work they have for us to do.”
To the followers108 of Alvirez, any course which promised a new excitement or conquest was welcome. They therefore bestirred themselves with such alacrity109 as their famished condition permitted. In a short time the caravel was going before the wind with all the speed she was capable of, while the crew, excepting the necessary watch, again betook themselves to the repose they so greatly needed, and which, sustained as it now was by hope, did much to revive their strength.
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1
swell
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| vi.膨胀，肿胀；增长，增强 | |
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2
guise
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| n.外表，伪装的姿态 | |
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3
frail
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| adj.身体虚弱的；易损坏的 | |
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4
gulf
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| n.海湾；深渊，鸿沟；分歧，隔阂 | |
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5
seaman
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| n.海员，水手，水兵 | |
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latitude
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| n.纬度，行动或言论的自由(范围)，(pl.)地区 | |
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7
vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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northward
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| adv.向北；n.北方的地区 | |
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9
rumors
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| n.传闻( rumor的名词复数 )；[古]名誉；咕哝；[古]喧嚷v.传闻( rumor的第三人称单数 )；[古]名誉；咕哝；[古]喧嚷 | |
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10
savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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11
navigating
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| v.给（船舶、飞机等）引航，导航( navigate的现在分词 )；（从海上、空中等）横越；横渡；飞跃 | |
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12
tributary
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| n.支流；纳贡国；adj.附庸的；辅助的；支流的 | |
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13
literally
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| adv.照字面意义，逐字地；确实 | |
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14
wilderness
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| n.杳无人烟的一片陆地、水等，荒漠 | |
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15
gale
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| n.大风，强风，一阵闹声（尤指笑声等） | |
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16
vessels
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| n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人 | |
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17
regain
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| vt.重新获得，收复，恢复 | |
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18
tempestuous
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| adj.狂暴的 | |
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consort
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| v.相伴；结交 | |
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engulfing
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| adj.吞噬的v.吞没，包住( engulf的现在分词 ) | |
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21
exertions
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| n.努力( exertion的名词复数 )；费力；（能力、权力等的）运用；行使 | |
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22
seamen
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| n.海员 | |
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bailing
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| （凿井时用吊桶）排水 | |
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steering
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| n.操舵装置 | |
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exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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26
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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27
refreshment
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| n.恢复，精神爽快，提神之事物；（复数）refreshments:点心，茶点 | |
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28
famished
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| adj.饥饿的 | |
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29
enlisted
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| adj.应募入伍的v.（使）入伍， （使）参军( enlist的过去式和过去分词 )；获得（帮助或支持） | |
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attachment
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| n.附属物，附件；依恋；依附 | |
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temperament
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| n.气质，性格，性情 | |
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32
emulate
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| v.努力赶上或超越，与…竞争；效仿 | |
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33
perseverance
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| n.坚持不懈，不屈不挠 | |
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34
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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35
chivalric
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| 有武士气概的，有武士风范的 | |
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36
devout
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| adj.虔诚的，虔敬的，衷心的 (n.devoutness) | |
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37
judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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38
intimacy
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| n.熟悉，亲密，密切关系，亲昵的言行 | |
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39
merged
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| （使）混合( merge的过去式和过去分词 )； 相融； 融入； 渐渐消失在某物中 | |
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gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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prudence
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| n.谨慎，精明，节俭 | |
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42
artifice
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| n.妙计，高明的手段；狡诈，诡计 | |
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43
swoop
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| n.俯冲，攫取；v.抓取，突然袭击 | |
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44
hawk
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| n.鹰，骗子；鹰派成员 | |
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45
quarry
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| n.采石场；v.采石；费力地找 | |
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46
subdue
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| vt.制服，使顺从，征服；抑制，克制 | |
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skilfully
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| adv. (美skillfully)熟练地 | |
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48
ardent
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，强烈的，烈性的 | |
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49
impulsive
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| adj.冲动的，刺激的；有推动力的 | |
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50
benevolence
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| n.慈悲，捐助 | |
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51
instinctively
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| adv.本能地 | |
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52
imbued
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| v.使（某人/某事）充满或激起（感情等）( imbue的过去式和过去分词 )；使充满；灌输；激发（强烈感情或品质等） | |
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53
sedulously
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| ad.孜孜不倦地 | |
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54
torrent
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| n.激流，洪流；爆发，(话语等的)连发 | |
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55
rending
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| v.撕碎( rend的现在分词 )；分裂；（因愤怒、痛苦等而）揪扯（衣服或头发等）；（声音等）刺破 | |
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56
asunder
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| adj.分离的，化为碎片 | |
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57
mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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58
steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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59
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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60
attained
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| （通常经过努力）实现( attain的过去式和过去分词 )； 达到； 获得； 达到（某年龄、水平、状况） | |
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61
hue
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| n.色度；色调；样子 | |
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62
pigments
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| n.（粉状）颜料( pigment的名词复数 )；天然色素 | |
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63
complexion
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| n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格 | |
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64
strictly
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| adv.严厉地，严格地；严密地 | |
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65
repose
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| v.(使)休息；n.安息 | |
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66
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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67
penetrating
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| adj.（声音）响亮的，尖锐的adj.（气味）刺激的adj.（思想）敏锐的，有洞察力的 | |
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68
susceptible
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| adj.过敏的，敏感的；易动感情的，易受感动的 | |
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69
varied
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| adj.多样的，多变化的 | |
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70
garnered
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| v.收集并（通常）贮藏（某物），取得，获得( garner的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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71
persuasive
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| adj.有说服力的，能说得使人相信的 | |
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72
motives
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| n.动机，目的( motive的名词复数 ) | |
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73
profane
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| adj.亵神的，亵渎的；vt.亵渎，玷污 | |
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74
graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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75
monk
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| n.和尚，僧侣，修道士 | |
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76
humane
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| adj.人道的，富有同情心的 | |
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77
conversion
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| n.转化，转换，转变 | |
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78
soften
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| v.(使)变柔软；(使)变柔和 | |
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79
fanaticism
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| n.狂热，盲信 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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missionary
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| adj.教会的，传教(士)的；n.传教士 | |
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labor
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| n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦 | |
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animated
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| adj.生气勃勃的，活跃的，愉快的 | |
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brutal
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| adj.残忍的，野蛮的，不讲理的 | |
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brutality
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| n.野蛮的行为，残忍，野蛮 | |
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lavished
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| v.过分给予，滥施( lavish的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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enjoyment
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| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
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abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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musing
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| n. 沉思，冥想 adj. 沉思的, 冥想的 动词muse的现在分词形式 | |
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labors
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| v.努力争取(for)( labor的第三人称单数 )；苦干；详细分析；（指引擎）缓慢而困难地运转 | |
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authorize
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| v.授权，委任；批准，认可 | |
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maiden
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| n.少女，处女；adj.未婚的，纯洁的，无经验的 | |
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penetrated
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| adj. 击穿的，鞭辟入里的 动词penetrate的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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puffs
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| n.吸( puff的名词复数 )；（烟斗或香烟的）一吸；一缕（烟、蒸汽等）；（呼吸或风的）呼v.使喷出( puff的第三人称单数 )；喷着汽（或烟）移动；吹嘘；吹捧 | |
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swells
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| 增强( swell的第三人称单数 )； 肿胀； （使）凸出； 充满（激情） | |
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interspersed
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| adj.[医]散开的；点缀的v.intersperse的过去式和过去分词 | |
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awakening
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| n.觉醒，醒悟 adj.觉醒中的；唤醒的 | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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beckon
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| v.(以点头或打手势)向...示意，召唤 | |
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haven
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| n.安全的地方，避难所，庇护所 | |
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prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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102
gaily
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| adv.欢乐地，高兴地 | |
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103
gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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104
auspicious
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| adj.吉利的；幸运的，吉兆的 | |
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slaughter
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| n.屠杀，屠宰；vt.屠杀，宰杀 | |
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orphans
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| 孤儿( orphan的名词复数 ) | |
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107
virgin
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| n.处女，未婚女子；adj.未经使用的；未经开发的 | |
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108
followers
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| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
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alacrity
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| n.敏捷，轻快，乐意 | |
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