"To the far north there are seven wonderful cities where the people make arrow-heads of emeralds and take the sweat off their bodies with scrapers of pure gold, and have jeweled gates, and turquoise3 ornaments4 over their doors."
"Do these men know how to work precious stones and metals?" asked the Spaniards eagerly.
"There are long streets filled with jewelers who make rings for the ears, nose and arms," they said. "Forty days must you journey to reach this land, and you must travel through a desert where there is neither water nor food to be had."
The first Spaniard to attempt the search for the Seven Cities was the cruel Guzman, who looked north for the Amazons. He had with him quite an army, and his men were so excited over the stories they heard that they scarcely took time to eat or sleep on the way. They hoped every day to find the cities, but instead of this the country grew more desolate5, the road more difficult, and the cities still farther to the north. Then the Spaniards began to complain, and said:
"We have been deceived, and shall all die in this bleak6 land. Let us return to Mexico." And they did. For six years no one had the courage to seek the Seven Cities.
Then something very strange happened.
Into a little seaport7 where Cortez had ordered some ships built to explore the western coast, came wandering four strange men. They were barefooted, and had no clothing except some old, dirty 230 skins with the hair worn off in spots. Their heads were a perfect mass of tangles8, and their beards reached almost to the knees. Falling flat on their faces before the first white man they saw, they cried out in a loud voice:
"Thank God! We are safe at last!" When the astonished Spaniard turned to look at them, they seized his hands and kissed them, and springing to their feet danced and shouted for joy.
"These are escaped maniacs," said the people, gathering9 around to look at them. "Whatever shall we do with mad men?"
"No, no! You do not understand. We are poor wanderers who have been lost for years among the Indians."
"Let us take them to our Captain. There is something very strange about this," said the Spaniards, and they started at once.
"Who are you?" asked the Captain, rudely, looking with disgust at their dirt and rags.
"I am a noble of Castile who came to help conquer Florida, and my name is De Vaca," said the oldest man. "The fleet was wrecked10 and all were lost except my companions here, and me. All the years since we have been with the Indians."
"I do not believe a word of it," said the Captain. "Put these fellows in prison until we find out about them. They may be criminals."
For three months they lay in prison, and then the Alcalde came and released them.
"Tell me your story," he said. 231
"When the ships were lost," responded De Vaca, "we swam to the mainland, and were captured by the Indians. They were a poor, starved tribe who lived on roots and berries, and often went days without a mouthful. We had with us a rattle11, and this, with our beards, made them think we came from Heaven, and were great medicine men. They fell on their faces before us and gave us all they had. We asked them to take us where the sun sets, but they refused, and we pretended to be very angry, until they finally let us go. After months of wandering we came to a land of plenty, where the people were wealthy, and wore beautiful plumes12 in their head-dresses. They brought us five emeralds cut into arrow-heads, and many fine turquoises13, and beads14 made of coral. When I asked where they got these stones, they pointed15 to some lofty mountains toward the north and told us the gems16 came from there, and that near them were large cities, with houses three or four stories high. I did not go there because I heard that toward the sunset were other men of my kind, and I longed once more to look upon the face of a Spaniard."
"Of course," said the people, as they talked the matter over, "these are the same cities Guzman tried to find. He did not go in the right direction, but we know where they are," and many were eager to set out at once. But the Viceroy was a quiet and careful man.
"There have been many lives lost already," 232 he said, "and it will be best not to hurry. I shall not send an army there until I am sure."
Then he thought of a padre, named Fray17 Marcos, who had lived much among the Indians of the north, and he sent for him, and said:
"Perhaps there lies to the north as rich a nation as Mexico or Peru. If so it must be conquered for the Church and the King of Spain. You know how to speak to the Indians, and it might be that they would let you come among them and learn the truth. Will you undertake to do so?"
"God giving me strength I will," said Fray Marcos, with enthusiasm.
"Very well. The negro Stephen, who was with De Vaca is here, and is willing to be your guide. If you come to any great city do not send back word, but return yourself and tell me about it. Make all your plans and set out as soon as possible."
Fray Marcos did as he was told, but it was several months before anything was heard of him. One day a traveler, in a monk's gown, came walking into the same seaport that De Vaca had visited.
"It is Fray Marcos, who went in search of the Seven Cities! Did you find them! Are they full of wealth? Where is the negro Stephen?"
Fray Marcos would not answer their questions.
"I have much to tell, but my news is for the Viceroy himself," said the padre, and he started for the city of Mexico. When there he said to the Viceroy: 233
"The Indians came out to meet and welcome me everywhere. They had food ready for me, and where there were no houses, they built bowers18 of trees and flowers that I might rest safe from the sun. I spent four days journeying through a desert, and then I found some Indians who marveled much to see me. They thought, because I was white and wore a gown, that I must have come from Heaven. I asked them if they knew of any great kingdom where there were seven large cities, and they told me that farther on were high mountains with wide plains at the foot where the people lived in cities and clothed themselves in cotton. I sent Stephen ahead three-score leagues, and charged him to send back Indians to bring me news of his success. If the country was poor and mean, he was to send me a cross no longer than my hand; if it were a goodly place the cross was to be two lengths of a hand, and if he found what he sought he was to send me a large cross. In four days a messenger came from Stephen bearing a cross as high as a man. He brought news of a mighty19 province called Cibola, thirty days journey northward20 from the town where Stephen was. In this province there are seven great cities governed by one Prince."
"You should have followed at once to make sure that all these things were true," said the Viceroy, now very much interested.
"I did," responded Fray Marcos. "Each day messengers came to me carrying large crosses and 234 giving more particulars concerning Cibola. Finally I entered a valley where there were many people, and all of them had turquoises hanging from their noses, and ears, and collars of the same three or four times double around their necks. Then I had to go through another desert, and was beginning to get very tired when one day there came running to me, an Indian in great fright—his body covered with sweat and dust, and his face showing extreme sadness. He said that the day before Stephen had reached Cibola, and had sent guides into the city with presents for the chief, and to let them know he came in peace. But the great Lord of the City flew into a rage and dashed the presents to the ground. He drove the messengers out in fury, and said he would kill them if they came back again. He said, too, that he would kill Stephen. But the negro was not afraid, and went directly into the city. Instantly they were seized and cast into a prison, where they were kept all night without anything to eat or drink. The next morning Stephen and his guides tried to escape, but the people killed all of them except one other and the messenger who came to me. These two were struck down and left for dead, but were only stunned21, and when the angry people went away they crept out in the night, and made their escape."
"What did you do then, Fray Marcos?" asked the Viceroy.
"ONE OF THE SEVEN CITIES OF CIBOLA"
"So great was my grief that it seemed for a 236 moment as if I should die, but when my guides began to weep and lament22 I gave them the presents I intended for the Lord of Cibola, and resolved to go and see the city, even if I could not enter it. I traveled one day and came to a round hill, which I climbed. Looking down I saw the beautiful city of Cibola."
"And the houses, were they as the Indians told you?"
"Yes, my lord; they were built of stone four stories high, and glistened23 in the bright sunshine. The people were fair and dressed in white. Greatly was I tempted24 to risk my life and go down to them, but I contented25 myself with planting a cross and hurrying here to tell you what I had done."
"That was right, Fray Marcos," said the Viceroy, "and now it is time to send an army."
The first person the Viceroy thought of to lead the soldiers was a brave nobleman, named Coronado, who sat by his side. He had been listening eagerly to all that Fray Marcos had to tell. Turning to him the Viceroy said:
"It is my wish that you should command my forces and conquer this Kingdom of Cibola. I desire you to make ready at once."
"Fray Marcos simply confirms what Guzman and De Vaca have already told us," replied Coronado, "and I accept your commission with one proviso."
"And what may that be?" asked the Viceroy, with a smile. 237
"That you allow me to bear the expenses of the entire expedition."
"Very well, and when you find Cibola I will make you its governor and give you all the treasures you find except what justly belongs to the King of Spain, and his representatives and soldiers taking part in the enterprise."
So great was the excitement over Fray Marcos' story of the new El Dorado, that Coronado scarcely knew what to do with the volunteers of all classes who came flocking into camp determined26 to go with him. He not only spent all his own money, but borrowed all he could get and provided for every one in splendid style. They marched out in glittering armor, on prancing27 horses with lances gleaming in the sunshine and banners flying gayly. They were all in high spirits because they expected to return in a short time loaded with gold and jewels.
But it was very different when they reached the desert and mountains, for they did not know how to bear the fatigue28 of such a journey, nor how to care for their horses, cattle and sheep. The animals died rapidly, and the soldiers got into many fights with the Indians who resented being robbed and badly treated. On they went through what we now call Arizona, over almost the same road that Fray Marcos had traveled, and found, instead of the fine, glittering city they expected, only a few houses of one of the Zuni Indian villages. 238
The hearts of the Spaniards sunk as they gazed upon it. Calling some of the men, Coronado said:
"Go in to the people of the city, and say that we come to defend and join with them in friendship."
They went and delivered Coronado's greeting, but were received with scorn.
"We did not ask you to come, and your chief had no right to send you. This is our land, and we can defend it. If you attempt to stay here we will kill every one of you." Even as the soldiers, carrying the message, turned to go away the people of Cibola began firing arrows at them. Coronado quickly gave the command to attack, which the Indians answered by a shower of arrows and stones which they sent down from their high-walled houses. They seemed bent29 upon killing30 Coronado; twice they felled him to the ground, but he recovered and led the charge with an arrow sticking through his foot.
"Santiago! and at them!" he shouted, as he rode forward in the last assault.
"Santiago," echoed his soldiers, close at his heels. When the Indians saw the horses coming at full speed into their village, they threw down their bows and arrows, and fled in every direction.
Then the Spaniards almost cried with anger and disappointment. The houses were really made of stone, but there were no jewels, no gold, no treasures of any kind—nothing, in fact, but a poor, miserable31 Indian pueblo32, or village, built upon a 239 high ledge33 of rocks, miles away from the fields of corn, beans and squashes, upon which they lived. All the Indians in that part of the United States built their houses in pueblos34, or villages, but not one of them had any treasures. They irrigated35 the dry, sandy soil and tilled their fields, and were a simple, kindly36 people, until the greedy Spanish soldiers drove them into rebellion which has left their country bare and desolate, even to this day.
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1
sect
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| n.派别，宗教，学派，派系 | |
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descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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turquoise
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| n.绿宝石；adj.蓝绿色的 | |
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ornaments
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| n.装饰( ornament的名词复数 )；点缀；装饰品；首饰v.装饰，点缀，美化( ornament的第三人称单数 ) | |
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desolate
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| adj.荒凉的，荒芜的；孤独的，凄凉的；v.使荒芜，使孤寂 | |
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bleak
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| adj.(天气)阴冷的；凄凉的；暗淡的 | |
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seaport
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| n.海港，港口，港市 | |
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tangles
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| （使）缠结， （使）乱作一团( tangle的第三人称单数 ) | |
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gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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wrecked
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| adj.失事的，遇难的 | |
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rattle
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| v.飞奔，碰响；激怒；n.碰撞声；拨浪鼓 | |
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plumes
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| 羽毛( plume的名词复数 )； 羽毛饰； 羽毛状物； 升上空中的羽状物 | |
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turquoises
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| n.绿松石( turquoise的名词复数 )；青绿色 | |
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beads
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| n.（空心）小珠子( bead的名词复数 )；水珠；珠子项链 | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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gems
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| growth； economy； management； and customer satisfaction 增长 | |
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fray
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| v.争吵；打斗；磨损，磨破；n.吵架；打斗 | |
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bowers
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| n.（女子的）卧室( bower的名词复数 )；船首锚；阴凉处；鞠躬的人 | |
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mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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northward
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| adv.向北；n.北方的地区 | |
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stunned
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| adj. 震惊的，惊讶的 动词stun的过去式和过去分词 | |
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lament
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| n.悲叹，悔恨，恸哭；v.哀悼，悔恨，悲叹 | |
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glistened
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| v.湿物闪耀，闪亮( glisten的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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tempted
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| v.怂恿（某人）干不正当的事；冒…的险（tempt的过去分词） | |
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contented
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| adj.满意的，安心的，知足的 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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prancing
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| v.（马）腾跃( prance的现在分词 ) | |
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fatigue
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| n.疲劳，劳累 | |
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bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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killing
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| n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财 | |
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miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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pueblo
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| n.（美国西南部或墨西哥等）印第安人的村庄 | |
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ledge
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| n.壁架，架状突出物；岩架，岩礁 | |
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pueblos
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| n.印第安人村庄( pueblo的名词复数 ) | |
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35
irrigated
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| [医]冲洗的 | |
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kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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