Argosy, Vol. 119, No. 2 — page 81: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

® dt THE GREAT He rather liked this youth because of his garments—they reminded him of himself. If only he had not come from the expedi- tion’s arch enemy—Sansito! The admiral suddenly appreciated that he must be on his guard, no matter how much his instinct declared in favor of this young man. ’ “What is your business &” the Genoese finally asked. “T must go with you on tha great voyage,’ Arthur cried. He spoke eagerly, and words flowed eloquently from him, al- most without his knowing what he said. He realized that by his prayful rhapsody he must work a miracle. Columbus mzst see how determined he was to be a part of this glorious adventure, and must, even at this fear of being laughed at. last minute, add another to his crew! | First his listener regarded him with sur- prise; then, for a moment with quick sus- picion, for. the admiral had the true Italian But the youth’s enthusiasm was too sincere to be doubted, and upon the stern face of Columbus settled an expression of amused interest. He was recalling how he had despairingly sought to gain te fellow-voyagers—how it had been a triumph, after hours of persua- sion, to win a reluctant “ Yes” from some hard-pressed sailor—and here was a splen- did seaman begging to be taken! The admiral smiled with admiration, and pleasure; and then across his happy thoughts came a memory of the narrow, conceited, self-satisfied Sansito, who had opposed him at every turn with the crafty conservatism of fanatical bigotry and iron- clad ignorance. Columbus interrupted the youth: “ Why is your master so desirous of having you go along? ‘There are surely spies enough with me—the cautious groom of the king’s cham- ber, jealously and coldly overlooking my every move, and always striving to curb me. Sansito already has sent one—last week. I took him! He’s a good surgeon. And, I'll take you if you are willing to do a seaman’s work—.”’ “« Willing, and able, too,” Arthur cried, ** T have sailed the sea before.” ‘“T have many that have not,’ Columbus receive ae Blessed Sacrament. DISCOVERY, 231 rejoined bitterly. ‘‘ But are you not afraid?” the admiral seemed incredulous. ‘IT am not!” Arthur declared stoutly. There ensued a short silence, broken by the older man. “ Are you a good Catholic?” Columbus’s concern was genuine. -“T try to be,” Arthur responded. ‘‘ Then get you into town and confess and I take none with me,” declared the pious admiral, “ but those lately shrived by H&8ly Church. ae | wil enter you on the lists,”’ Columbus decreed, “‘ and keep you on this ship. And,” he added, acidly, ‘ yon can then watch me better— ‘““T am no spy!” the young sailor oie ‘IT but used the name of the Count of San- sito to gain your presence; it was refused me at first.” ‘TI ask no questions,” the admiral spoke haughtily. ‘I take you, no matter whose man you are. Return before midnight. And your name?” The Italian opened his record book. * Arthur Lake,” the youth replied. ‘An Englishman?” ce Ves. d7 Columbus was surprised, and his suspi- cions were being quieted. But he paused, quill m hand, and remarked conversation- ally: ‘‘ Sansito’s man was styled ‘ Tallarte de Lajes —do you know him? He brought letters of recommendation.” _ ‘ That letter was mine!” Arthur cried, in- dignantly. “It was taken from me, and—” Columbus looked narrowly at his new sailor. “A letter from the Count of San- sito?” he asked quietly. 6é VYes.”’ | “So!” the admiral exclaimed, sadly. ‘You do come from his grace. I feared as much.” ‘ Where is this man? He is an impostor, I must find him.” Arthur Lake was ex-~ cited. : ‘Calm yourself, my youth,” the admiral spoke sternly. “TI will have no quarrels or fights on the eve of my departure—I take you both! So what matter? Go, new, and be shriven.” He motioned toward the door, and returned to his study of the strange-looking chart. (Te be continued NEXT WEEK.) 0)(0 6) =) KS (€(0) (E(0)