said, "You are not a seaman such as we see at Palos and
San Lucar."

It is often best not to halt denial. Let it pass by and
wander among the wild grasses!

"I myself," he said presently, "have gone by sea to Vigo
and to Bordeaux." He warmed his hands at the fire, then
clasped them about his knees and gazed into the night.
"What, Juan Lepe, is that Ocean we look upon when we
look west? I mean, where does it go? What does it
strike?"

"India, belike. And Cathay. To-day all men believe
the earth to be round."

"A long way!" he said. "O Sancta Maria! All that
water!"

"We do not have to drink it."

He laughed. "No! Nor sail it. But after I had been on
that voyage I could see us always like mice running close to
a wall, forever and forever! Juan Lepe, we are little and
timid!"

I liked his spirit. "One day we shall be lions and eagles
and bold prophets! Then our tongue shall taste much beside
India and Cathay!"