Page:History of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella the Catholic Vol. II.djvu/183

159 SECOND VOYAGE. 159 sidered extremely critical. Durino; this time, the chapter queen was constantly by his side, watching with '— him day and night, and administering all his medi- cines with her own hand. At length, the unfavor- able symptoms yielded ; and his excellent constitu- tion enabled him so far to recover, that in less than three weeks he was able to show himself to the eyes of his anxious subjects, who gave themselves up to a delirium of joy, offering thanksgivings and grateful oblations in the churches ; while many a pilgrimage, which had been vowed for his restora- tion to health, was performed by the good people of Barcelona, with naked feet, and even on their knees, among the wild sierras that surround the city. The author of the crime proved to be a peasant. Punishment ■*■ ^ of the assaa- about sixty years of age, of that humble class, ^'"• de remenza, as it was termed, which Ferdinand had been so instrumental some few years since in re- leasing from the baser and more grinding pains of servitude. The man appeared to be insane ; al- leging in vindication of his conduct, that he was the rightful proprietor of the crown, which he ex- pected to obtain by Ferdinand's death. He de- clared himself willing, however, to give up his pre- tensions, on condition of being set at liberty. The king, convinced of his alienation of mind, would have discharged him ; but the Catalans, indignant at the reproach which such a crime seemed to at- tach to their own honor, and perhaps distrusting the plea of insanity, thought it necessary to expiate it by the blood of the offender, and condemned the