Notable Voyagers | Page 4

Cordova, when he heard that the sovereigns were about to
commence that campaign which ended in the expulsion of the Moors
from Spain. Aware that many months must pass before they would give
their minds to the subject if he allowed the present moment to slip by,
he pressed for a decisive reply to his proposals with an earnestness that
would admit of no evasion.
The learned men of the council were directed to express their opinion
of the enterprise. The report of each was unfavourable, although the
worthy friar Diego de Deza, tutor to Prince John, and several others,
urged the sovereigns not to lose the opportunity of extending their
dominions and adding so greatly to their glory.
Again, however, Columbus was put off. Having no longer confidence
in the vague promises which had hitherto been made, he turned his
back on Seville, resolved to offer to the King of France the honour of
carrying out his magnificent undertaking.
Leaving Seville, his means exhausted, he travelled on foot, leading his
young son Diego by the hand, to the sea-port of Palos de Moguer in
Andalusia. Weary and exhausted, he stopped to ask for bread and water
at the gate of the ancient Franciscan convent of Santa Maria de Rabida.

The Prior, Juan Perez de Marchena, happening to come up, and
remarking the appearance of the stranger, entered into conversation
with him. The Prior, a man of superior information, was struck with the
grandeur of his views, and when he found that the navigator was on the
point of abandoning Spain to seek patronage in the Court of France,
and that so important an enterprise was about to be lost for ever to the
country, his patriotism took the alarm. He entertained Columbus as his
guest, and invited a scientific friend--a physician--Garcia Fernandez, to
converse with him.
Fernandez was soon captivated by his conversation. Frequent
conferences took place, at which several of the veteran mariners of
Palos were present. Among these was Martin Alonzo Pinzon, the head
of a family of wealthy and experienced navigators. Facts were related
by some of the mariners in support of the theory of Columbus, and so
convinced was Pinzon of the feasibility of his project, that he offered to
engage in it with purse and person. The Prior, who had once been
confessor to the Queen, was confirmed in his faith by the opinions
expressed, and he proposed writing to her immediately, and entreated
Columbus to delay his journey until an answer could be received.
It was decided to send Sebastian Rodriguez, a shrewd and clever pilot,
to Santa Fe, where the Queen then was. Isabella had always been
favourable to Columbus, and the Prior received a reply desiring that he
himself should repair to Court. He went, and, seconded by the
Marchioness of Moya and other old friends, so impressed the Queen
with the importance of the undertaking, that she desired Columbus
might be sent for, and ordered that seventy-two dollars, equal to two
hundred and sixteen of the present day, might be forwarded to him, to
bear his travelling expenses.
With his hopes raised to the highest pitch, Columbus again repaired to
Court; but so fully occupied was he with the grandeur of his enterprise,
that he stipulated that he should be invested with the title and privilege
of admiral, and viceroy over the countries he should discover, with
one-tenth of all gains, either by trade or conquest. It must be
remembered the pious and patriotic way--according to his notions--in

which he intended to expend the wealth he hoped to acquire.
The courtiers were indignant, and sneeringly observed that his
arrangement was a secure one, that he was sure of a command, and had
nothing to lose.
On this he offered to furnish one-eighth of the cost, on condition of
enjoying one-eighth of the profit. The King looked coldly on the affair,
and once more the sovereigns of Spain declined the offer. Columbus
was at length again about to set off on his journey to Palos, when the
generous spirit of Isabella was kindled by the remarks of the
Marchioness of Moya, supported by Louis de Saint Angel, Receiver of
the Ecclesiastical Revenues in Arragon. She exclaimed, "I undertake
the enterprise for my own crown of Castile, and will pledge my jewels
to raise the necessary funds!"
This was the proudest moment in the life of Isabella, as it stamped her
as the patroness of the great discovery.
Saint Angel assured her there was no necessity for pledging her jewels,
and expressed his readiness to advance seventeen thousand florins. A
messenger was dispatched to bring back the navigator, with the
assurance that all he desired would be granted; and so, turning the reins
of his mule, he hastened back with joyful alacrity to Santa