He is impatient for Martin Alonzo Pinzon to
return. It is disturbing to learn that other men have been getting
nearer and nearer to _his_ land.
At last Pinzon comes and announces, to add to Christopher's uneasiness,
that he has been searching in the Pope's library, in Rome, for
information regarding that enormously rich Asiatic island called
Cipango. As they all sit in the little cell at La Rabida, talking about
the proposed western voyage of discovery, Pinzon cannot help throwing in
a word occasionally about Cipango. He has been reading Marco Polo, and
Japan, or Cipango, is very much on his mind. Perhaps on Christopher's,
also, but _he_ is content to stick to his "western lands." About
this scheme the two men of Palos, Pinzon and Doctor Fernandez, are as
enthusiastic as ever; Martin Alonzo Pinzon repeats his offer to sail as
captain of one of the ships; he even goes further, for he offers to
advance money for the venture in case the Crown is unwilling or unable
to provide the entire sum necessary. All this sounds very promising to
the good prior, who vows that he is willing to speak with the queen if
Christopher will give up forever his idea of going to France. It is a
last ray of hope to the discouraged man, and he agrees.
And so that very day a courier started out from the white monastery
among the dark pine trees to find the queen at Granada, and give her
Friar Juan's letter craving an interview on "an important matter.
Pages:
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66