Aboard Cabrillo's Galleon Read Online Free PDF Page B

not fully faded. Revealing no sign of either longing or grief, she acknowledged the morning greetings of Cabrillo and Beatriz with a familiar nod and stood back so the family would precede her down the hallway to the dining room. Once there, she seated the boys and slipped quietly from the room.
    When a bare-footed Indian girl placed dishes of food before the family, the three males ate heartily. Cabrillo soon noticed that Beatriz was merely pretending to eat the eggs, beans, and maize on her plate, but she never lifted the fork to her mouth. When he cast her a searching glance she forced a weak smile, and he didn’t question her. This new attempt at courage from his wife struck Cabrillo once more with how deeply he hated the necessity to leave, and his own appetite waned along with the already limited conversation. The boys, beginning to sense their parent’s growing sadness, became quieter too, and their stillness only added to the melancholy in the room.
    Suddenly the imminence of Cabrillo’s departure was undeniably announced by the sound of approaching riders. He rose from the table and was met at the door by Francisco de Vargas, the sergeant major of his guards, who would not only accompany him to the coast but would also act as leader of the fleet’s marines.
    â€œWe have been given a fine day, Captain-General,” said Vargas in a voice as big and burly as the man himself.
    â€œWelcome, Vargas.” Cabrillo pointed to a chest nearby. “There are the last of my things.”
    Vargas waved two of his men in that direction and the chest was picked up and moved toward one of the packhorses. “I have rechecked our weapons and supplies, Captain-General. All is ready.”
    All is ready. Cabrillo had overseen every preparation, given every instruction, and his men had carried them out. Now he had only to go. He turned back to find Beatriz and the boys close behind him. Lucia stood at the far corner of the room, her eyes expressing what her voice could not, asking nothing from him but the knowing glance he now gave her in farewell.
    Little Juan’s face had turned a shade paler than usual and Diego’s lower lip began to quiver.
    Understanding that it took every bit of his wife’s will to keep her expression reassuring, Cabrillo soaked in the steady smile she now shone upon him. Without taking her gaze from his, she said to her boys, “Wish your father well, and show him what brave sons will await his homecoming.”
    They ran to him then, saying, “Farewell, Papa!” and threw their small arms around his waist. Cabrillo crouched down and pulled them closer still, all the while speaking to his wife with shining eyes. Finally, releasing the boys, he stood and went to Beatriz. He held her hands and touched his forehead to hers. “You will be in my prayers, every day and night.”
    â€œAnd you in mine. Go with God.”
    He looked toward the corner of the room and said as his throat tightened, “Take care of them, Lucia.”
    Speaking so softly that no sound reached him, she said, “As I always have.”
    When Diego began to sniffle Beatriz picked him up and pressed his head to her shoulder. Young Juan snuggled his small body into the folds of her full skirt. Cabrillo kissed Beatriz softly on her flushed cheek and then pivoted away. Striding to the doorway, he lifted his sword from its stand and his cape from its peg. Without looking back, he let Vargas open the door and pull it gently closed behind him.
    Rooted in place, Beatriz stood clutching her sons and warring with the urge to follow her husband out the door. But she did not go after him. She would not shame him by exhibiting such weakness before his men.
    Diego whimpered into her ear but she hushed him with one quick, “shh!” She strained to listen, relying on the last of her five senses able to confirm her husband’s closeness. She stared at the door as she labored to hear each