July 1502
Expecting the worst, Martine and Eva Cortes were happily surprised, when Hernan, after a week of brooding about, seemed to become his old self. Again riding, and talking with his father. Teasing Diego as he had in the past. He seemed to accept that Maria de Ortega was not to be part of his life.
Hernan looked forward to his journey to the New World—
Martine had managed to book passage on one of the treasure ships returning to Santo Domingo sometime next June.
He spoke for hours of his coming adventure with whoever he happened to be with. It was now his all consuming passion.
Then one evening in a drunken stupor, the week after the Easter holiday, he ruined it all. And almost ended his life as well.
As Semana Santa— holy week, and the ceremony of the Easter holiday itself ended, Hernan along with his companions, released from the vows of the holiday, began drinking excessively.
233
JOSEPH HOBESH
Consuming large amounts of wine, and aguardiente—the wine based anise flavored “firewater,” they became extremely drunk, boisterous, and characteristic of men in this condition, began discussing women.
For Hernan the one woman uppermost in his mind was Maria de Ortega. Drunk and full of himself, Hernan decided that he should hear from Maria’s own lips why he was not allowed to court her.
Before anyone could stop him, he had mounted his horse and was headed for the Ortega hacienda. Riding at breakneck speed along the dusty road, dimly lit by the light of a crescent moon, guiding his horse instinctively, he had one thought in mind, Maria!
Arriving at the Ortega hacienda, he looked around, it appeared no one was about, the house itself seemed dark.
Dismounting, Hernan was staggering about and began calling Maria’s name.
Then he thought he saw a dimly lit window close to the roof.
In a drunken stupor he began climbing up the side of the house.
About halfway up, approximately thirty feet from the ground, he lost his footing and fell. Striking his left leg on a low decorative wall, and shattering it.
Fate it seems, is kind to lovers and drunks. In Hernan’s case being a lover and a drunk simultaneously, almost certainly saved him from more serious injury.
Completely relaxed as he fell, he landed in some newly turned soil, soft enough to absorb most of the shock of hitting the ground. Had his leg not struck the wall, his only injuries might have been some scratches and bruises.
Luckily, knowing Hernan too well, his good friend Jose de Ovando decided to follow him, arriving just as the groundskeeper, in his nightshirt, pike in hand, was examining Hernan’s broken body.
Jose quickly identifying himself, and realizing Hernan’s injuries were serious, ordered the servant to fetch a cart and 234
SEPHARDIC FAREWELL
together they managed to place Hernan into it. Tying his horse to the front of the cart, Jose, quickly as he could, made his way to the Cortes hacienda.
Now three months after the incident, Hernan was still in the process of healing. His chance to sail to the New World forfeited—for the time being.
Consumed with worry over Hernan’s slow healing, Eva begged Martine to write to Juan de La Casa. Hoping Juan’s medical knowledge would help Hernan, they implored him to come as soon as he could.
Not able to leave Cordoba because of business matters, and wanting Francisca to accompany him, Juan replied that he and Francisca would come as soon as they could.
Completing his business at the end of June, the de la Casas left Cordoba for Medellin the first week of July. Arriving at the Cortes hacienda late in the evening, very tired. The de la Casas, after a short visit with a very grateful Eva and Martine, retired to a much needed night of rest.
Early the next morning, before the morning meal, Juan entered Hernan’s room, and began his examination.
Starting to scold Hernan, he thought better of it, and just remarked, “Hombre, I hope you have given up aguardiente for at least the next ten years.”
Speaking very softly, Hernan answered, “You can be sure of that, Tio.”
Continuing his examination, Juan felt Hernan’s head; it was warm. His leg seemed to be healing properly, but the fever continued to return, and that worried him.
Juan had brought with him a new acidic compound he had been working with. Found in willow bark and wintergreen, these compounds seemed to help in reducing fevers. Deciding that if Hernan’s fever did not subside, he would ask the Corteses if they thought he should try the new medicine.
Completing his examination of Hernan, he told him he would look in on him later. Instructing the servant caring for Hernan to 235
JOSEPH HOBESH
apply cool water to his body every few hours, Juan left to join the rest of the family.
Joining everyone in the dining room, Juan gratefully accepted the glass of warmed wine Martine offered.
“So what do you think, Juan?” Martine inquired.
“The bones of the leg seem to be healing properly. However, the fever concerns me. If it does not lessen…”
“What can we do? How can we help him?” Eva frantically interrupted.
“Keep him cool. Rub his body with cool water, alcohol, anything to lower the fever.”
“But, Juan, we have been doing just that, the fever keeps coming back. Isn’t there some kind of herb, or medicine that would help?” Martine hastily replied.
“I’ve been working with some new medicines, but not enough is known about them to conclude if they are safe. If Hernan’s fever does not subside, then with your permission, I will try the new compound.”
“Whatever you think is best, Juan, we trust you completely…” Eva haltingly answered. “Anything that you can do…to help Hernan.”
Listening to the adults as they talked of ways to help heal Hernan, Diego was assailed by a fearful sadness. The thought of Hernan dying filled him with complete despair. A despair that brought prayers to his mind and lips. Not prayers he had learned in church, but simple ones from his heart. Prayers to a merciful God not to take Hernan’s life. Nor for that matter, for Hernan to leave for the New World—without him!
His thinking was interrupted as servants began serving the morning meal —desayuno.
Eating little, all appeared to have no appetite for the salted fish, hard boiled eggs, cheese, and various breads being served.
Everyone seemed to be concentrating on their wine.
* * *
236SEPHARDIC FAREWELL
Two weeks passed, and Hernan’s condition remained the same. Although he was beginning to take small amounts of food, the fever continued.
Juan, again examining Hernan, decided that he no longer had any choice. He would try the new medicine immediately.
Mixing a small amount of the acidic powder with some water, he had Hernan swallow it.
“Aye de mi. What a horrible taste,” Hernan complained, as he managed to get the mixture down with some difficulty.
“Horrible it might be, but it may cure the fever that has been plaguing you,” Juan answered.
“I know, Uncle, thank you for all you help, but I feel very sleepy right now.”
“Bueno— good, you could use the rest. I will return later when you have awakened.”
Leaving Hernan’s room, he returned to the patio, where the rest of the family was enjoying the warm July sunshine.
Observing Eva’s look of concern, Juan immediately sat next to her and began consoling her.
“Eva, you must stop worrying, he is young and very strong.
Once the fever is curbed he will make a rapid recovery, trust me!”
“I know you are right, Juan,” a sobbing Eva Cortes cried. “But he has been sick for so long, it saddens me to see him so.”
Diego, seeing his mother so sad, went to her, put his arms around her neck, and whispered, “Mama, don’t be unhappy. I prayed, and I know my prayers will be answered. Hernan will recover…he will be alright.”
“Hijo mio— my son, I pray with all my heart that God hears them.”
Late that night, Hernan began sweating profusely, so much so, that by morning he was sopping wet. His fever had broken.
It would not return. He would awaken feeling weak but hungry, and well on the road to recovery.
237
JOSEPH HOBESH
Juan de La Casa would never know, nor would he ever be recognized for it. The mixture he had given Hernan would in later years be developed and formulated as Aspirin, one of the world’s first anti-inflammatory compounds.
238