To the Edge of the World Read Online Free PDF Page A

capable of moving mountains when in the hands of the right man. Isn’t that right, boy?”
    “I suppose so.”
    “And I, I shall move mountains this voyage, else die trying.” This he murmured to himself, gazing back toward the newly arrived ship. After a minute of silence, Cartagena turned again to me. “Tell me, what is it you have ambition for?”
    “What do you mean?”
    “What do you want from life, boy? Money? Power? Women? A man must know what he wants, else life becomes like water in his hands. It trickles away and still he thirsts. To know what you want, boy, that is ambition. Well?”
    “I—I don’t know.”
    “Do you want money?”
    I thought of diamond baths. Castles. Servants. Never working again. “Yes.”
    “Power?”
    “Of course. All wealthy men have great power.”
    “Women?”
    I licked my lips, remembering Rodrigo’s taunts, feeling my face redden again. “Of course. Many women. Who would not?”
    “You see, boy, we think alike. Now tell me. What rumors have you heard?”
    “Rumors? I—I don’t understand.”
    “Everyone knows rumors fester on a ship like pox on a harlot, and a captain needs ears beyond what he himself can hear. A smart boy like yourself should catch hint of every rumor that flies by.” He patted my shoulder. “Come, boy, don’t be shy; tell me. Whatever it is, I promise, it is safe with me.”
    I answered in a gush of words. “They say that we travel to the Spice Islands through waters unknown to man. That if we are not eaten by cannibals or sea monsters, it will be a quick, easy journey to a warm land of cloves, and we will return to Spain laden with chests of gold, rubies, pearls, and spices, and we will live like rich men in castles with many servants and much food and will never work again until we die.”
    At this, Cartagena threw back his head and laughed. He slapped me on the back. “You have lightened my mood, and indeed you have sharp eyes and ears, and a keen tongue. I can use a boy like you.”
    That night as I drifted to sleep, Cartagena’s words echoed through my head.
I can use a boy like you. . . . I can use a boy like you.
I rolled over and fell into a warm, dreamless sleep.
    A few days later, as night fell, I received a summons to the captain’s cabin. Cartagena reclined in a cushioned chair, and while one servant buffed the nails of his left hand, another did the same on his right. A third servant shined the buckles on his shoes while a fourth polished the buttons on his jacket. Yet another held a plate of candied dates, which Cartagena refused. My mouth watered to see such treats, and my gaze followed the servant as he put the dates away.
    Behind Cartagena I saw Rodrigo, stiff and formal, fill a goblet with wine and offer it to the captain.
    Cartagena shook a servant from his hand, took the goblet, and sipped delicately, like a woman. He swallowed, saying, “Ah, Mateo, there you are. I have good news. The captains and pilots of all the ships are to meet this evening aboard the
Trinidad
. No doubt we will discover the contents of the message from Spain.” He looked around him as if to notice the flurry of servants for the first time. “Leave us, all of you. Except the boy and Rodrigo.”
    Behind him, Rodrigo raised his eyebrows but said nothing as the room emptied. “I trust the two of you can follow my orders? Yes? Very well then. During the meeting, you must hide where I tell you. Follow me and I shall show you what I mean. Hurry, we are late.”
    My heart racing, I jumped to do his bidding. We were going on a mission for Captain Cartagena! Together Rodrigo and I buttoned his blouse and draped his cloak about him. Before we left, Cartagena slipped a dagger into his waistband. “For protection,” he said, drawing his cloak about him.
    Once on the docks, Cartagena showed us where to hide. I looked around and realized why this was important. Concealed by darkness and atop casks of cargo, we could easily see through the
Trinidad’s
window