Aboard Cabrillo's Galleon (35 page)

Upon their arrival at the pueblo Cabrillo and his men had every reason to feel grateful that they had treated the natives so honorably during their visit two and a half weeks earlier. People from the villages on both sides of the river welcomed their return by providing enough wood to warm their food and chilled extremities for some time to come and enough fresh water to fill many empty barrels. In light of their congenial reception, Cabrillo decided to remain here a day or two so that his men could make ship repairs as well as sew stout clothing to protect them against the cold weather ahead.

The villagers were also covering their bodies more fittingly for the season, yet a number were willing to barter with some of their heavier furs and tanned leather. As Cabrillo strolled his deck during the first night watch at the pueblo, he smiled down at the large buff colored hides now covering several sleeping men. When the hour of midnight passed and he opened the door to his own cabin, he saw Paulo settling a beautiful blanket of sea otter fur atop his bunk.

Heartily pleased, Cabrillo opened his mouth to question its origin and express his thanks but Paulo merely smiled and said as he left the chamber, “Enjoy a good night's rest, sir.”

Cabrillo undressed and slid into his bed with a moan of pleasure. Within moments he slipped into a sleep uncommonly free of hauntings.

The next morning he awoke to a gentle knocking at his door. “Yes, enter,” he called, rising up on an elbow.

Pilot San Remón appeared at the door looking distinctly uncomfortable. “Forgive me, sir, but a woman has come aboard and she is demanding to see you.”

“A woman?” Cabrillo asked as he reluctantly left his furs and pulled on his breeches. “A woman has made you so uneasy?”

“When you meet her, Captain-General, you will understand my, uh, my disquiet.”

“Is she
that
beautiful?”

His pilot's expression revolted in protest. “Decidedly not, sir!”

Curious now, Cabrillo waved his pilot out, saying, “I will be on deck in a moment. Try to entertain her until then.”

San Remón let a muffled whimper escape before he bowed and departed.

Emerging from his cabin and heading to the main deck, Cabrillo took one look at his latest guest and did indeed comprehend his pilot's behavior. Here stood a woman who had seen the passing of so many years that Cabrillo dared not even guess their number. Though stooped with age, there was unmistakable pride in the carriage of her tiny frame. Cabrillo couldn't help being appreciative that the nippy weather had enticed her to cover her body with furs that reached almost to her ankles, or for the expansive and intricate jewelry that hid most of her flagging chest. Her white hair was tied high atop her head and encircled by a masterful work of woven rushes and feathers that rose six inches above her forehead. Brawny guards hovered protectively behind and on both sides of her, further demonstrating her high status. She watched Cabrillo's approach with eyes still bright with keenness.

Noting that Father Lezcano already stood at her side, Cabrillo reached her and bowed deeply. “I welcome you to my ship.”

She smiled with genuine warmth, revealing a gap where three top front teeth should have been. But Cabrillo was surprised to read a touch of mischief in the clever old face.

One of her guards announced and signed with great deference, “This is Luhui. She is the wise leader of all the villages in this region.”

Cabrillo bowed as he said aside to Manuel, “Bring the chair from my cabin, and have Paulo gather some fitting gifts.”

To Luhui, he said, “We are happy that you have come. Your people have been good to us. We wish to repay their kindness.”

The aged woman's eyes shone with pleasure and in a wavering but authoritative voice, she said, “When you came before, I did not see you but I was told that you were generous with your gifts and that you shared many wonders with my people. All are glad you have returned. Now, I wish to learn about you and your ways.”

The chair arrived and at Cabrillo's invitation she accepted her place of honor. Once seated, her feet dangling two inches off the floor, she ran her withered hands over the smoothness of the carved arms as she marveled at the comfort of such a contrivance. Paulo appeared with a small chest of goods, and Cabrillo drew out a six-foot length of crimson satin.

“Aaiio,” breathed Luhui, as Cabrillo laid the cloth across her lap. She lifted it, admiring the play of light across its dramatic hue and the feel of its silky surface. Next, after hesitating over its possible inappropriateness, he handed her a looking glass. When she caught the sight of her reflection, she started, held completely still for a moment, and then broke into an irresistible howl of laughter that carried not the slightest trace of vanity. Relieved and tickled by her reaction, Cabrillo lifted a lovely silver cup from the chest. Her eyes sparkled anew at its fascinating shape and delicately worked surface. She lowered her gifts to her lap and smiled upon Cabrillo as if he were a newly adopted son. “You are generous, Chief Cabrillo. You have already bestowed gifts to my chiefs and now you give these in exchange for wood and water.”

“And kindness,” he said.

If possible, the affection in her smile only deepened.

Handing her new treasures to the guard who had introduced her, she proclaimed happily to Cabrillo. “We will stay with you.”

Although uncertain as to the intended scope of this statement, Cabrillo said what any good host would have, “You are welcome.”

Little did he suspect that eleven hours would pass and Luhui and her guards would still be aboard the
San Salvador
, giving no indication of an intention to leave. After the first hour or so Cabrillo had left them in Father Lezcano's care, and they had proven to be amiable guests even while Luhui investigated every inch, tool, and sailor of the flagship. While overseeing the repair duties and keeping track of the progress of the clothing production, Cabrillo saw her frequently. Once he came across her patting the muscled bicep of a sailor who was trying to refit a pair of wheels to a cannon, and on another occasion he heard her praising a pair of soldiers who were polishing the ship's musketry. She also seemed captivated by Father Lezcano's instruction of the Christian faith and questioned him often about its origin and customs. The captain-general soon realized that, despite her willingness to answer every question posed to her, she was learning far more about them than the other way around.

When the time to dine arrived, Cabrillo entertained Luhui in the best manner their circumstances allowed. Considering the minuteness of her physique as well as the greatness of her social stature, he gave her only a sip of sherry with their meal while making only a small portion available to himself and the others at the table. As the dishes were being cleared Cabrillo invited his guests back out to the main deck, fully believing that they would choose to return to their homes at last. Luhui, however, went directly to the spot where her chair had previously rested and raised a questioning face to her host. A quick glance toward Manuel brought the chair back, and Luhui wasted no time in occupying it.

While her attention was momentarily captured by the old slave brand on Manuel's arm, Cabrillo drew Father Lezcano a couple of steps away. “Now what the devil do we do?”

Amused by his commander's consternation, the priest said, “Music, perhaps?”

“I do not appreciate your levity at the moment. How do we politely remove her from the ship?”

“My dear Captain-General, one does not politely remove a queen from one's ship if she does not wish to be removed.”

Accepting the unwanted truth of these words, Cabrillo still cast his priest a scowl while surrendering with, “Very well, what music?”

“We can call on Father Gamboa. He is a most obliging piper, and Manuel can bring out his tambourine.”

Cabrillo glanced at Luhui, now smiling up into Manuel's considerate face. “I will not let that woman take any closer notice of Manuel. She has been captivated by him all day, keeps eyeing him with that look of speculation. He may represent some kind of magic to her, and his banging on the tambourine could confirm it. Who knows what she may propose?”

The manner in which these last words were said made Father Lezcano's grin break free of its restraints. “Surely not that, sir. At her age?”

“Who knows?” he repeated. “I would not have the heart to order him to... entertain her.”

“Very well, sir. Mateo can play the tambourine fairly well. The boy should be safe from such royal attentions.”

Choosing to ignore his friend's impudence, Cabrillo said with a nod, “Please ask Master Uribe to have Father Gamboa brought over.” Still chuckling inwardly, Father Lezcano left his side with a bow.

More surprised than anyone else, Cabrillo gradually found himself enjoying the evening. Captains Ferrelo and Correa accompanied Father Gamboa to the flagship to meet Luhui, and all three commanders displayed their best manners in her presence. Captain Ferrelo's natural grace and charm especially seemed to impress her, and she asked him to remain at her side, thereby relieving Manuel for a time. Without betraying the slightest trace of chagrin at being singled out by so ancient an admirer, Captain Ferrelo genially complied with her wishes.

Father Gamboa and Mateo soon settled into their positions and began to play a lively tune. With the first notes Luhui let out a mesmerized exclamation and the feet of the sailors began to tap the decking. At an acquiescing nod from Cabrillo, Master Uribe cried, “Dance before the mast if you wish, men.”

Keeping a respectful distance between Luhui and the officers and themselves, several sailors immediately stepped forward to take advantage of this rare boon. They began with a few subtle movements to find the rhythm of the music, but things quickly evolved into a competition of sorts between several dancers, some performing steps known since childhood and others creating spins, capers, and leaps on the spot. To complement the soaring moods of the guests and dancers, Father Gamboa smoothly swung into an even faster second melody that was familiar to most. At this livelier pace more bodies began to turn and bounce, more hands to clap, and voices to sing. Out of exhilaration one of the sailors let out a high, piercing battle cry, and Luhui pulled in a breath and mimicked it beautifully, extracting an appreciative grin from the captain-general.

A pair of the more athletic men instigated an impromptu duel of flexibility by taking turns whirling around and then kicking their feet higher and higher into the air. To the delight of all, this continued until the taller of them was toeing the air inches above his head. As applause for the winner erupted and Father Gamboa broke into his next musical number, Luhui suddenly hopped down from her chair, tugged a chagrinned Manuel along with her, and joined in by kicking and tottering with abandon.

At first Cabrillo held his breath, fearful that the old lady would hurt herself, but for the moment she was maintaining her balance, and Manuel was staying close enough to catch her if she fell. When Father Gamboa spotted her he glanced at the captain-general, silently asking if he should continue. Cabrillo nodded guardedly. At the end of that tune, however, he signaled for a pause in the music that allowed Luhui to return to her chair, beaming but out of breath.

From that point on her spurts of activity were high-spirited but short-lived, and during her times of rest she sat in her chair and clapped delightedly along with the crew. A few of her own people, some needing a little encouragement from their leader, eventually joined the dancing crewmen and quickly picked up many of the maneuvers. The lantern-lit decks of the
San Salvador
bounced and echoed with stomping of feet, and the air around the flagship rang with music, merry shouts, and laughter.

All of the ruckus brought a dose of envy but much amusement to those aboard her sister ships, especially when Luhui's high, gleeful chortle could be heard above it all. The villagers ashore stood or sat by their fires and stared in wonder toward the huge, noisy canoe, a little apprehensive that a spell might have been cast upon their beloved chief.

The music went on for nearly an hour, but as the evening deepened Cabrillo grew more and more aware of how badly his men needed rest. It was time to bring the evening's entertainment to a close, and he pointedly but cordially extended parting words to his two captains. They took to their boats and pushed off toward the other ships, and Cabrillo approached Luhui's still occupied chair. Before he could offer to usher her to her canoe, she extinguished any hope of an immediate departure by saying. “I am tired, Chief Cabrillo. I wish to sleep here among your people.”

Caught off guard, Cabrillo stood speechless for a moment but recovered quickly enough to hide all but a trace of frustration. Turning to Manuel, he said, “Chief Luhui is to be given my cabin. Have Paulo prepare it for her, and move a mattress for me into Pilot San Remón and Master Uribe's quarters. I will be joining them tonight.”

He said to Luhui, “You are welcome to sleep in my lodgings.”

Her eyes twinkled again and that perceptive look reappeared that told him she knew exactly what mischief she was causing. He couldn't keep from smiling at the old fox as he said, “I must watch over the ship now. Have a pleasant sleep.”

That night the decks were so crowded with the bodies of Luhui's guards and his own sailors, even scattered around his usual sanctuary on the quarterdeck, that Cabrillo grumbled repeatedly as he sought safe places to set his restless feet. When at last midnight came and Master Uribe relieved him, rather than heading to his own well-padded bunk and private cabin Cabrillo made his way to a mattress wedged between his officers in their area of the main cabin. His disgruntled mutterings soon changed to snores that blended with those of the other two men.

Luhui awakened with the sun, as brightly curious as ever, and again indicated her desire to remain aboard the
San Salvador
. Since, try as he might, Cabrillo could come up with no delicate way to oust her on this early Sunday, Fathers Lezcano and Gamboa were asked to proceed with the celebration of Mass. She honored the gravity of the ceremony by maintaining a reverential demeanor throughout, showing an understanding of the existence of a higher authority, and she followed the signing, bowing, and kneeling practices right along with the Catholics. Afterward, as if during the service she'd received some assurance or answer she'd been awaiting, Luhui announced that she wished to board her canoe. Surrounded by her guards, she paused at the railing to say, “Cabrillo, come to my village to be my guest. You have been good to me.”