The Velvet Doublet [antikvár]

CHAPTER ONE n the name of God, the Clement, the Mercifull I, an Andalusian, born Jüan Rodrigo Bermejo of Triana, now known as Mudarra the Moor, was the first Christian to sight the New World, although my own captain, the niggardly Christopher Columhus, tried to cheat me of that honor and did cheat me of his promised rewards: the Queen's pension and a velvet douhlet. Therefore, to share my story, this truth you will rememben That I saw it first-the white cliffs of San Salvador, the moon waning behind the lonely isle and the night dying pale. The voice that called "Land! Land!" was my voice and no man will rob my life of that rapturous moment, even though he be Grand Admiral of the Ocean Sea, laden with honors, who stooped to cheat his own sailors because í demanded my just dues. He, Christopher Columbus, Viceroy of all strange lands he found, to have and to hold forever, bargainer with kings, breaker of vows-he eost me my name, eountry, and my faith, and yet his deceit brought my beloved Mita to me and bound us together. Re it known that this is my journal, and that if any man takes rf 5