Page:History of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella the Catholic Vol. III.djvu/262

236 236 RETURN OF COLUMBUS. PART II. lie learns Isabella's death. the natives ; was wrecked on the island of Jamaica, where he was permitted to linger more than a year, through the malice of Ovando, the new governor of St. Domingo ; and finally, having reembarked with his shattered crew in a vessel freighted at his own expense, was driven by a succession of terrible tempests across the ocean, until, on the 7th of No- vember, 1504, he anchored in the little port of St. Lucar, twelve leagues from Seville.^ In this quiet haven, Columbus hoped to find the repose his broken constitution and wounded spirit so much needed, and to obtain a speedy restitution of his honors and emoluments from the hand of Isabella. But here he was to experience his bitter- est disappointment. At the time of his arrival, the queen was on her death-bed; and in a very few days Columbus received the afflicting intelligence, that the friend, on whose steady support he had so confi- dently relied, was no more. It was a heavy blow to his hopes, for " he had always experienced favor and protection from her," says his son Ferdinand, " while the king had not only been indifferent, but positively unfriendly to his interests."^ We may readily credit, that a man of the cold and prudent 1 Martyr, De Rebus Oceanicis, dec. 3, lib. 4. — Benzoni, Novi Orbis Hist., lib. 1, cap. 14. — Fernando Colon, Ilist. del Almi- rante, cap. 88- 108. — Herrera,In- dias Occidentales, dec. 1, lib. 5, cap. 2-12; lib. 6, cap. 1-13.— Navarrete, (yolcccion do Viages, torn. i. pp. 282-325. The l)est authorities for the fourth voyage are the relations of Mendez and Porras, both engaged in it; and above all the admiral's own letter to the sovereigns from Jamaica. They are all collected in the first volume of Navarrete. (Ubisupra.) Whatever cloud may be tlirown over the early part of Columbus's career, there is abun- dant light on every step of his path after the commencement of his great enterprise. 2 Hist, del Almirante, cap. 108.