INDIES
I Juan Rodriguez Bermejo, called Rodrigo de Triana, I, approaching the end of my days, to clarify a terrible mistake, a lie that led me to perjury and the crime and would not let me sleep, because my conscience shakes constantly, although I know nothing could be done in order to justify my actions, nor ease the pain that comes from my repentance.
that lie had fame and glory, though it was brief. For a few years of relative happiness and fleeting brush with the grandees of Spain, the rest of my life I suffered imprisonment and mistreatment, without ever being proud of what really was the most important event I held in my life.
As I said, I'm Rodrigo de Triana. Juan Rodríguez Bermejo was the Christian name that I had to take to survive in a time of persecution and death for my race and religion in an era when Catholics were baptized Jews by the thousands, by extending a neat certificate of no could take over cost to be skinned alive, hung by the heels like a cow at the slaughterhouse. Among those who were baptized was a certain Diego Yago or Colom, convert Genovese I met in a bar in Toledo, and who claimed to have certain contacts with the Court. We talked a lot with this Diego, with whom I had several meetings, and told me that his brother, Ezra Samson Colom, who came from Genoa, without being converted, but changed his name to Christopher, had encouraged both to the same Kings of Castile his plan for a trip to India by a new route, which had earned him the position of Admiral, granting a host of benefits.
much should not hesitate to conclude that Diego begged me to get in contact with his brother, so I joined this crew. I had been engaged in the South, where black thanks to my beard and my knowledge of Arabic language passed by, and there I learned to navigate by the stars, I told Diego that she intended to request a post of pilot, who was content with only a humble sailor.
Time passed. I had almost forgotten this conversation, when one afternoon when I was taking a bad wine in the tavern, I come to Diego, who tells me no more: "Man, I was looking for! Hurry, because tomorrow we start to Santa Fe! You have been hired for the trip. Bring the certificate of baptism. "" Oh, and take for the initial expenses, "said she, throwing a stone and a gold doubloon, an act that thankfully no one saw, because I think we would have immediately had to defend life with our daggers ; not the time nor the place for exhibitions. but I assure you that if I had any doubts or hesitation in accepting the invitation, the doubloon I took them off their hinges. The next day, early in the morning, we set off on horseback to the city founded a year ago by the Catholic Monarchs, who was a few miles south, about three days' journey in full Vandalusia. (After all, my country, but was now in the hands of the Spaniards).
the fourth day we came to Santa Fe about the sixth hour, and headed to the church in the walled city, which was where the Admiral had set up his headquarters, all around the building was a go people coming and tried to talk to Colom, sailors of different nationalities, Dutch, Portuguese, Galician, and many Genoese, was heard speaking all languages, also the language of sailors, jargon called Papiamento, which communicate with each other seamen of all countries, races and cultures. Many Women, too, hanging around to take their cut in the pile of men. Sellers of fresh water, and sweets and fried, wrapped in a cloud of flies. Life, life and movement activity everywhere.
Diego with me, we were able to quickly and easily pass through murmuring crowd, and smoothly through the control of soldiers. I exhibited to every request my certificate of baptism, and I opened all the doors, although I think many who asked me not possess the ability to read. Entered the magnificent temple, we went to a room to the left of the entrance. There was Grand Admiral, which is now called Cristobal Colon.
I was very impressed to see, robust and tan imposing attitude, when he stood up I saw that his stature was medium as mine. After being introduced by his brother, and he explicádole who I was, spoke to me, informing me that I was appointed deputy commander of the caravel La Pinta, which had just bought in partnership with two of his men, Martín Alonso, Vicente Yáñez. Logically, the first commander was Alonso. But I'm not exactly impressed by his personality, although it was strong and dominating, the reason for my state of fascination was the face of the Admiral, who took her as a good rogue completely shaved, was quite equal to mine! By God, his features were the same as mine as a drop of water to another! Luckily, nobody noticed that, for my beard Moorish closed prevented discover that detail. But in my head, slowly began to take shape an idea, I leave to tell later.
I will not recount the details of the trip, which were many, storms, scales (one in Portugal), riots and fights. Colom Cristobal was a very arrogant but always spoke softly, gently but said "Slay" bad leader, extremely jealous and petty, for any misdemeanor was tied to the mast the sailors who did not obey as slaves. He had set up his headquarters in Santa Maria, which was not a caravel but a nao. While Martin Alonso and Vicente Yanez, called "The Finches" were his partners, he, with that smooth voice he had, the dominant like they were their servants. The convoy consisted of three ships: the Pinta, owned by Cristóbal Quintero, who had lent them for the voyage, in exchange for who knows what juicy reward, or participation in the spoils. This was leading it was a two-masted caravel, which, on a scale made in the Canary Islands had adapted a round gear, and to that was I, as deputy commander, and a score of scoundrels of the worst kind. Seeing them, I was so amazed that I had been appointed as hierarchical position. Second was La Nina, caravel commanded by Vicente Yanez, and owned by Juan Niño, which I never knew if they participated or not the issue, because I had no contact with all crew members, and that he should remain in my post of La Pinta while not requiring me to something Martin Alonso, and the admiral himself, in which case I should move in a rowboat to the flagship. Finally he closed the training the ship Santa Maria, owned by John de la Cosa, who had been recently refurbished and named, and whose captain, as I said, was the Admiral. I also would not have any details or particulars, but one thing I have to tell because it's the horrible secret that I can not take to my grave without going mad, and I have to confess may be the only way to relieve my some poor soul from the fires of hell.
When we started, the admiral told us. Castilian spoke clearly, it does peppered with Latin words, Genoese and Galician. We said we were going into the unknown for us, but he was absolutely sure we would come to The Indies, which later would visit Zipangu and Cathay, and would be back with pockets full. That when first discovered in the soil horizon line that meant we had reached the Catholic Monarchs had given a prize of ten thousand maravedíes of gold and a velvet doublet. The case was that it was my turn, the 12 October the year ninety-two the dark lsuerte distinguish the Indian coastline on the horizon, and as agreed (and I confess that with relief and joy) shouted "Tierra !, as I had ordered. I say with relief, because none of us except, perhaps, Colom, was sure to find land in that direction, and say with joy, because ten thousand maravedíes gold, or the Arabic Almoravids, six grams per coin, constituted more than a small fortune. When sending Admiral Pinzon part of discovery, he ordered that the ships stay in the Corda, and also required my presence. We went on a boat to the flagship, which came for, and Colom wanted to talk first with Martin Alonso. After a long time - I was waiting on deck, under a blazing sun - Alonso came out and told me to come in, that the admiral wanted to talk directly with me. I entered the cabin because Colom, and my boss was fired, communicating that when the Admiral had finished me take me back to my ship. Cristobal Colom and I were face to face in the cool shade of the cabin, a large, heavy oak desk stood between us. The Alamirante stared at me, and expressed his great satisfaction for my discovery, who said he was of "fundamental importance in the history of mankind", and then stretch out your hand and shake mine, turned around, opened a heavy and safe solid reinforced Suncho and black studs and metal thickness, and pulled out two medium bags filled with perhaps ten thousand maravedíes ... copper, coined by the Catholic Monarchs, these coins of little value, with the stamps of Castile on one side, and Leon in the other. At that time, almost without thinking, the idea had been simmering in my mind when I met him hatched, and quickly turned around the desk, took out my hanger Arabic, and when he turned towards me stuck it in the chest, one twice, thrice. The Admiral opened his eyes very wide, I do not know if terror or surprise, the fact is that in the next instant he was dead, without uttering a sound, and almost without bloodshed. As if they plan to meet some long thought (and God knows he had had time to think in as many months at sea), I ran to the door, lock, and carried out various activities, without pause and with some haste: Naked body, and stripped me. I took some scissors and a razor, and shaved my dear and closed completely Arab beard. I need not repeat that my features and the corpse of the Admiral were exactly alike. I went to the fridge where I supposed to keep his clothes and pulled out a clean shirt of the finest cambric, white, with embroidery around the neck, and a green brocade jacket, embroidered with gold and silver, with sleeves in the form of crop , finished in tight fists. I placed the velvet breeches, stockings and shoes he had taken the body, as well as long-sleeved red jacket sajadas, with large color tabs snuff, trimmed in black. Finally, I stuck the wide leather belt lined with silk from Cathay, and hung his sword. I went to the mirror, I passed the bloody shirt of Colombia, and when he had to shine combed my hair, put on my coat black three-cornered hat, and I finally looked to see the result of my work.
The polished metal plate reflected the effigy of Grand Admiral Don Cristobal Colom
A moment was like paralyzed. I could not believe what habíaa fact, but I knew that at any moment someone could hit the door, and if not follow my plan would be lost, I was, then, to the body and dressed him with my poor clothes, with great care the hair of my beard, and then smash with my knife faction killed until it was unrecognizable bloody mass pressed on my attributes follicles, so that if not watched very carefully, could have passed through my body, his face shattered. Clean and tidy everything was out of place as a result of the fall of the body, which was not much, I kept the bags of coins in the box, opened the cabin door, and rang, loud voice, asking for help.
The second commander Rodrigo de Triana was dead. I was from now Cristóbal Colom, or Colombo or Columbus, Grand Admiral.
The rest we know, is history. The sad truth is that I'm dying in Valladolid, poor, sick and forgotten of all. I suffered a prison, I was chained in La Gorda, paid for many unjustly suffering a terrible price. But now you have my confession. If ever you're going to Seville, come into the Church of Rodrigo de Triana, I sent up a little of my return to Spain, and pray a prayer for my soul.
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(from "From Castles, Princesses and Dragons" 2002)
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