Page:The life of Christopher Columbus.djvu/89

] gentleman naturalized in Portugal, an old officer in the king's household, one of the protégés of Prince Henry, and who, in his quality of regular mariner, had been in the last expeditions of discovery. In recompense for his maritime services, the patronizer of the navigation, Don Henry, had him appointed governor of Porto Santo, and authorized him to colonize that island, where large possessions were granted him in perpetuity. Yet, because he was deficient in sufficient capital, the colonization scheme was fettered from the commencement. The agricultural works were arrested from a cause as serious as it was ridiculous. Some rabbits that were taken to the island, in a short time multiplied to such an extent that the rapidity of their propagation far exceeded the destruction of them by the colonists, as yet too few in number. These little quadrupeds would eat all the vegetables, destroying at night the plantations, and marring the efforts of the laborers.

The government of Porto Santo scarcely brought Perestrello anything but cares and expenses. He died, ruined by the sterile extent of his domains, leaving with his widow three daughters, whose graces and virtues constituted their principal fortune.

This want of fortune did not prevent Columbus from offering his hand to Doña Felippa. From the time of the offer until the marriage there elapsed a pretty long interval, probably in order that the widow of Perestrello should have time to make full inquiries about her future son-in-law, and take precautions against her daughter's marrying a person of inferior rank. This circumstance shows us once more that, notwithstanding the trade of his father, Columbus descended from an ancient stock. Not only did the marriage take place with the consent of the Perestrello family, but after the union of the two spouses the mother-in-law took them to reside with her in her own dwelling.

Christopher continued to work at his charts and his manuscripts to gain their daily bread, the marriage portion oi his wife being scarcely sufficient for their living.