Treasures of the Spanish Main

The day was beautiful. I remember the smells and sounds of the port, the sparkle of the water and the warmth of the sun as we watched the men prepare to sail.

"Will you ever come back?" she asked. Marie Lopez Ayalla, the sweetest girl I ever knew. We were childhood friends; I had known her as far back as I could remember. Her family had an estate bordering my own family’s land. I suppose that both of our families thought that in time, we would marry. I thought so too; I think Marie was of a like opinion.

We sat on the side of a little hill, near where the ship I was assigned to was docked. I looked into her eyes; I promised her that I would return. I told her about my dreams of wealth, how I would bring her silver and gold. She promised that she would wait for me. We held hands, even though her Chaperon was just a few yards away. I told her that I would be in good company as all my superior officers were fine, well trained men and besides that, a lot of my friends were also serving with me. We would all watch out for each other. My closest friend, Gomez Martinez Del Rey, was in fact, serving aboard this very ship as a gunner’s mate.

Marie cried a little when the First Mate announced that all parties assigned to the ship should immediately board and present themselves o their officers. We kissed each other’s cheek and wished "Godspeed". She gave me her silver cross and chain to wear around my neck. That was the last time I ever saw her.

The sea voyage . . .

The ship was one hundred and ten feet long, carrying 16 guns and a complement of 94 men and their Officers. The "Nuestra Senora de la Solidad" was what the crew called a "Nao", a ship displacing about 195 tons. The ship was originally designed to be a merchantman, but during the past several months, she was fitted out as a warship. She was built out of the best Oak, crafted in the shipyards of Cadiz by men who built the finest ships in the world. This was the ship that was to take me across the seas to the island of Cuba.

The ship was painted with reds and yellows and had gilding of gold paint. On her sails I could see the broad red cross, a symbol of the Holy Church. As I walked up the gangplank, I could see a line of barnacles at her waterline. The ship was old. I hoped she had at least one more trip across the wide ocean left in her. As I stepped aboard, I realized that this was the first time I had been aboard a ship, and a military one at that.

"You there, yes you, report to the Captain." I was being addressed by the First Mate, a man named Alveraz. He was a senior officer to me, but he had the demeanor of an uncouth seaman. He dressed badly and swore like a common sailor. "Get your arse movin’ the Cap’n don’t like to be kept waitin’." he yelled from the top deck. I hurried below decks and found Gomez. "Where is the Captain’s cabin, he wants to see me." I said. "Just head aft of the ship, he’s got the largest cabin down there. By the way, he hasn’t much use for Junior Officers, especially you academy types." warned Gomez.

I went below decks and followed the small passageway to the stern quarters. There, standing near a small table covered with maps, was a large man in a Naval Captain’s uniform. "Sir, Junior Officer Montoya reporting for duty." I said in a subdued voice. He took no notice of me, but continued to study his maps. I waited. A few, uncomfortable moments passed. "I can come back at a later--" I started to offer. He turned and glared at me, "By what authority do you presume to call yourself an officer in this man’s navy?" he boomed. "Actually, sir, I’m in the army and . . . " I stammered. "I can see perfectly well what you are! I ask for men and they send me children. I get "gentlemen" when I need warriors. Who did your family know, I wonder? Until tomorrow, when I decide what to do with you, you will be confined to your cabin, is that understood? I don’t want you wandering around and falling overboard. That’s all!" he turned back to his maps and I beat a hasty retreat to my cabin.

"We could hear him all the way up on deck, don’t feel too bad, he treats all the new officers like that, just stay out of his way and things will be all right. I will see to it that the cook gets you something to eat and brings it to your cabin, by the way; your cabin-mate is Hernando Del Fuego, who you know from the academy. He is to be posted in Cuba", said Gomez.

I had been in my cabin for only a short while, when it became clear to me that the ship was moving. I could hear the officers yelling out their orders; the sound of seamen running about the decks and the creaking sounds common to a ship as it begins to sail into the open sea. The cook had brought me some food. It was a tough piece of bread, some boiled meat and several apples. A small, cup of poor wine was my drink. After eating the food, I began to unpack my things and try to make my cabin a little more like home. Among my most valuable possessions was a compass that had belonged to my father. He gave it to me at the completion of my academy training. I had a second set of boots and a complete set of extra under clothes. My mother had packed soap and a razor in my kit along with a needle and thread. She also included a small bag of coins, which hung from my belt. My friends had given me a silver flask full of brandy. My father had also given me a new sword made in Toledo of the world’s finest steel. Along with a blanket and my uniform, these were my total worldly possessions, I felt like a monk.