Mercedes of Castile; Or, The Voyage to Cathay

by James Fenimore Cooper

  CHAPTER VII.

  "He that of such a height hath built his mind, And reared the dwelling of his thoughts so strong As neither fear nor hope can shake the frame Of his resolved powers."

  Daniel.

  The following day the Alhambra was crowded with courtiers as usual;applicants for favors, those who sought their own, and those whosolicited the redress of imaginary wrongs. The ante-chambers werethronged, and the different individuals in waiting jealously eyed eachother, as if to inquire how far their neighbors would be likely tothwart their several views or to advance their wishes. Men bowed, ingeneral, coldly and with distrust; and the few that did directly passtheir greetings, met with the elaborated civility that commonlycharacterizes the intercourse of palaces.

  While curiosity was active in guessing at the business of the differentindividuals present, and whispers, nods, shrugs of the shoulders, andmeaning glances, passed among the old stagers, as they communicated toeach other the little they knew, or thought they knew, on differentsubjects, there stood in the corner of the principal apartment, one inparticular, who might be distinguished from all around him, by hisstature, the gravity and dignity of his air, and the peculiar sort ofnotice that he attracted. Few approached him, and they that did, as theyturned their backs, cast those glances of self-sufficiency and ridiculeabout them, that characterize the vulgar-minded when they fancy thatthey are deriding or sneering in consonance with popular opinion. Thiswas Columbus, who was very generally regarded by the multitude as avisionary schemer, and who necessarily shared in that sort ofcontemptuous obloquy that attaches itself to the character. But even thewit and jokes of the crowd had been expended upon this subject, and thepatience of those who danced attendance was getting to be exhausted,when a little stir at the door announced the approach of some newcourtier. The manner in which the throng quickly gave way, denoted thepresence of some one of high rank, and presently Don Luis de Bobadillastood in the centre of the room.

  "It is the nephew of Her Highness' favorite," whispered one.

  "A noble of one of the most illustrious families of Castile," saidanother; "but a fitting associate of this Colon, as neither theauthority of his guardians, the wishes of the queen, nor his highstation, can keep him from the life of a vagabond."

  "One of the best lances in Spain, if he had the prudence and wisdom toturn his skill to profit," observed a third.

  "That is the youthful knight who hath so well deported himself in thislast campaign," growled an inferior officer of the infantry, "and whounhorsed Don Alonso de Ojeda in the tourney; but his lance is asunsteady in its aim, as it is good in the rest. They tell me he is arover."

  As if purposely to justify this character, Luis looked about himanxiously a moment, and then made his way directly to the side of Colon.The smiles, nods, shrugs, and half-suppressed whispers that followed,betrayed the common feeling; but a door on the side of the closetopening, all eyes were immediately bent in that direction, and thelittle interruption just mentioned was as soon forgotten.

  "I greet you, Senor," said Luis, bowing respectfully to Columbus. "Sinceour discourse of last evening I have thought of little besides itssubject, and have come hither to renew it."

  That Columbus was pleased by this homage, appeared in his eye, hissmile, and the manner in which he raised his body, as if full of thegrandeur of his own designs; but he was compelled to defer the pleasurethat it always gave him to dilate on his enterprise.

  "I am commanded hither, noble Senor," he answered, cordially, "by theholy Archbishop of Granada, who, it seemeth, hath it in charge fromtheir Highnesses, to bring my affair to a speedy issue, and who hathnamed this very morning for that purpose. We touch upon the verge ofgreat events: the day is not distant, when this conquest of Granada willbe forgotten, in the greater importance of the mighty things that Godhath held in reserve!"

  "By San Pedro, my new patron! I do believe you, Senor. Cathay must lieat or near the spot you have named, and your own eyes shall not see it,and its gorgeous stories of wealth, sooner than mine. Remember Pedro deMunos, I pray you, Senor Colon."

  "He shall not be forgotten, I promise you, young lord; and all the greatdeeds of your ancestors will be eclipsed by the glory achieved by theirson. But I hear my name called; we will talk of this anon."

  "El Senor Christoval Colon!" was called by one of the pages, in a loudauthoritative voice, and the navigator hurried forward, buoyed up withhope and joy.

  The manner in which one so generally regarded with indifference, if notwith contempt, had been selected from all that crowd of courtiers,excited some surprise; but as the ordinary business of the antechamberwent on, and the subordinates of office soon appeared in the rooms, tohear solicitations and answer questions, the affair was quicklyforgotten. Luis withdrew disappointed, for he had hoped to enjoy anotherlong discourse with Columbus, on a subject which, as it was connectedwith his dearest hopes, now occupied most of his thoughts. We shallleave him, however, and all in the ante-chambers, to follow the greatnavigator further into the depths of the palace.

  Fernando de Talavera had not been unmindful of his orders. Instead,however, of associating with this prelate, men known to be well disposedto listen to the propositions of Columbus, the king and queen had madethe mistake of choosing some six or eight of their courtiers, persons ofprobity and of good general characters, but who were too littleaccustomed to learned research, properly to appreciate the magnitude ofthe proposed discoveries. Into the presence of these distinguishednobles and churchmen was Columbus now ushered, and among them is thereader to suppose him seated. We pass over the customary ceremonies ofthe introduction, and proceed at once to the material part of thenarrative. The Archbishop of Granada was the principal speaker on thepart of the commissioners.

  "We understand, Senor Colon," continued the prelate, "should you befavored by their Highnesses' power and authority, that you propose toundertake a voyage into the unknown Atlantic, in quest of the land ofCathay and the celebrated island of Cipango?"

  "That is my design, holy and illustrious prelate. The matter hath beenso often up between the agents of the two sovereigns and myself, thatthere is little occasion to enlarge on my views."

  "These were fully discussed at Salamanca, of a verity, where manylearned churchmen were of your way of thinking, Senor, though more wereagainst it. Our Lord the King, and our Lady the Queen, however, aredisposed to view the matter favorably, and this commission hath beencommanded that we might arrange all previous principles, and determinethe rights of the respective parties. What force in vessels andequipments do you demand, in order to achieve the great objects youexpect, under the blessing of God, to accomplish?"

  "You have well spoken, Lord Archbishop; it will be by the blessing ofGod, and under his especial care, that all will be done, for his gloryand worship are involved in the success. With so good an ally on myside, little worldly means will be necessary. Two caravels of lightburden are all I ask, with the flag of the sovereigns, and a sufficiencyof mariners."

  The commissioners turned toward each other in surprise, and while somesaw in the moderate request the enthusiastic heedlessness of avisionary, others detected the steady reliance of faith.

  "That is not asking much, truly," observed the prelate, who was amongthe first; "and, though these wars have left us of Castile with anexhausted treasury, we could compass that little without the aid of amiracle. The caravels might be found, and the mariners levied, but thereare weighty points to determine before we reach that concession. Youexpect, Senor, to be intrusted with the command of the expedition, inyour own person?"

  "Without that confidence I could not be answerable for success. I askthe full and complete authority of an admiral, or a sea-commander, oftheir Highnesses. The force employed will be trifling in appearance, butthe risks will be great, and the power of the two crowns must completelysustain that of him on whose shoulders will rest the entire weight ofthe responsibility."

  "This is but just, and none will gainsay it. But, Seno
r, have youthought maturely on the advantages that are to accrue to the sovereigns,should they sustain you in this undertaking?"

  "Lord Archbishop, for eighteen years hath this subject occupied mythoughts, and employed my studies, both by day and by night. In thewhole of that long period have I done little that hath not had a directbearing on the success of this mighty enterprise. The advantages to allconcerned, that will flow from it, have, therefore, scarce beenforgotten."

  "Name them, Senor."

  "First, then, as is due to his all-seeing and omnipotent protection,glory will be given to the Almighty, by the spreading of his church andthe increase of his worshippers." Fernando de Talavera and all thechurchmen present piously crossed themselves, an act in which Columbushimself joined. "Their Highnesses, as is meet, will reap the nextadvantages, in the extension of their empire and in the increase oftheir subjects. Wealth will flow in upon Castile and Aragon, in a rapidstream, His Holiness freely granting to Christian monarchs the thronesand territories of all infidel princes whose possessions may bediscovered, or people converted to the faith, through their means."

  "This is plausible, Senor," returned the prelate, "and founded on justprinciples. His Holiness certainly is entrusted with that power, andhath been known to use it, for the glory of God. You doubtless know,Senor Colon, that Don John of Portugal hath paid great attention tothese matters already, and that he and his predecessors have probablypushed discovery to the verge of its final limits. His enterprise hathalso obtained from Rome certain privileges that may not be meddledwith."

  "I am not ignorant of the Portuguese enterprise, holy prelate, nor ofthe spirit with which Don John hath exercised his power. His vesselsvoyage along the western shore of Africa, and in a direction altogetherdifferent from that I propose to take. My purpose is to launch forth, atonce, into the broad Atlantic, and by following the sun toward his placeof evening retirement, reach the eastern bounds of the Indies, by a roadthat will lessen the journey many months."

  Although the archbishop and most of his coadjutors belonged to thenumerous class of those who regarded Columbus as a brain-heatedvisionary, the earnest, but lofty dignity, with which he thus simplytouched upon his projects; the manner in which he quietly smoothed downhis white locks, when he had spoken; and the enthusiasm that neverfailed to kindle in his eye, as he dwelt on his noble designs, produceda deep impression on all present, and there was a moment when thegeneral feeling was to aid him to the extent of the common means. It wasa singular and peculiar proof of the existence of this transient feelingthat one of the commissioners immediately inquired--

  "Do you propose, Senor Colon, to seek the court of Prestor John?"

  "I know not, noble Senor, that such a potentate hath even an existence,"answered Columbus, whose notions had got the fixed and philosophicalbias that is derived from science, and who entered little into thepopular fallacies of the day, though necessarily subject to much of theignorance of the age; "I find nothing to establish the truth of therebeing such a monarch at all, or such territories."

  This admission did not help the navigator's cause; for to affirm thatthe earth was a sphere, and that Prestor John was a creature of theimagination, was abandoning the marvellous to fall back on demonstrationand probabilities--a course that the human mind, in its uncultivatedcondition, is not fond of taking.

  "There are men who will be willing to put faith in the truth of PrestorJohn's power and territories," interrupted one of the commissioners, whowas indebted to his present situation purely to King Ferdinand's policy,"who will flatly deny that the earth is round; since we all know thatthere are kings, and territories, and Christians, while we see that theearth and the ocean are plains."

  This opinion was received with an assenting smile by most present,though Fernando de Talavera had doubts of its justice.

  "Senor," answered Columbus, mildly, "if all in this world was in truthwhat it seemeth, confessions would be little needed, and penance wouldbe much lighter."

  "I esteem you a good Christian, Senor Colon," observed the archbishop,sharply.

  "I am such as the grace of God and a weak nature have made me, LordArchbishop; though I humbly trust that when I shall have achieved thisgreat end, that I may be deemed more worthy of the divine protection, aswell as of the divine favor."

  "It hath been said that thou deemest thyself especially set apart byProvidence for this work."

  "I feel that within me, holy prelate, that encourageth such a hope; butI build naught on mysteries that exceed my comprehension."

  It would be difficult to say whether Columbus lost or gained in theopinions of his auditors, by this answer. The religious feeling of theage was in perfect consonance with the sentiment; but, to the churchmenpresent, it seemed arrogant in a humble and unknown layman, even tobelieve it possible that he could be the chosen vessel, when so many whoappeared to have higher claims were rejected. Still no expression ofthis feeling was permitted, for it was then, as it is now--he who seemedto rely on the power of God, carrying with him a weight and an influencethat ordinarily checked rebukes.

  "You propose to endeavor to reach Cathay by means of sailing forth intothe broad Atlantic," resumed the archbishop, "and yet you deny theexistence of Prestor John."

  "Your pardon, holy prelate--I do propose to reach Cathay and Cipango inthe mode you mention, but I do not absolutely deny the existence of themonarch you have named. For the probability of the success of myenterprise, I have already produced my proofs and reasons, which havesatisfied many learned churchmen; but evidence is wanting to establishthe last."

  "And yet Giovanni di Montecorvino, a pious bishop of our holy church, issaid to have converted such a prince to the true faith, nearly twocenturies since."

  "The power of God can do any thing, Lord Archbishop, and I am not one toquestion the merits of his chosen ministers. All I can answer on thispoint is, to say that I find no scientific or plausible reasons tojustify me in pursuing what may prove to be as deceptive as the lightwhich recedes before the hand that would touch it. As for Cathay and itsposition and its wonders, we have the better established evidence of therenowned Venetians, Marco and Nicolo Polo, who not only travelled inthose territories, but sojourned years at the court of their monarch.But, noble gentlemen, whether there is a Prestor John, or a Cathay,there is certainly a limit to the western side of the Atlantic, and thatlimit I am ready to seek."

  The archbishop betrayed his incredulity in the upward turn of his eyes;but having his commands from those who were accustomed to be obeyed, andknowing that the theory of Columbus had been gravely heard and reportedon, years before, at Salamanca, he determined prudently to keep withinhis proper sphere, and to proceed at once to that into which it was hisduty to inquire.

  "You have set forth the advantages that you think may be derived to thesovereigns, should your project succeed, Senor," he said, "and trulythey are not light, if all your brilliant hopes may be realized; but itnow remaineth to know what conditions you reserve for yourself, as thereward of all your risks and many years of anxious labor."

  "All that hath been duly considered, illustrious archbishop, and youwill find the substance of my wishes set forth in this paper, thoughmany of the smaller provisions will remain to be enumerated."

  As Columbus spoke he handed the paper in question to Ferdinand ofTalavera. The prelate ran his eyes over it hastily at first, but asecond time with more deliberation, and it would be difficult to saywhether ridicule or indignation was most strongly expressed in hiscountenance, as he deridingly threw the document on a table. When thisact of contempt was performed, he turned toward Columbus, as if tosatisfy himself that the navigator was not mad.

  "Art thou serious in demanding these terms, Senor?" he asked sternly,and with a look that would have caused most men, in the humble stationof the applicant, to swerve from their purpose.

  "Lord Archbishop," answered Columbus, with a dignity that was not easilydisturbed, "this matter hath now occupied my mind quite eighteen years.During the whole of this lo
ng period I have thought seriously of littleelse, and it may be said to have engaged my mind sleeping and waking. Isaw the truth early and intensely, but every day seems to bring itbrighter and brighter before my eyes. I feel a reliance on success, thatcometh from dependence on God. I think myself an agent, chosen for theaccomplishment of great ends, and ends that will not be decided by thesuccess of this one enterprise. There is more beyond, and I must retainthe dignity and the means necessary to accomplish it. I cannot abate, inthe smallest degree, the nature or the amount of these conditions."

  Although the manner in which these words were uttered lent them weight,the prelate fancied that the mind of the navigator had got to beunsettled by his long contemplation of a single subject. The only thingsthat left any doubt concerning the accuracy of this opinion, were themethod and science with which he had often maintained, even in his ownpresence, the reasonableness of his geographical suppositions; argumentswhich, though they had failed to convince one bent on believing theprojector a visionary, had, nevertheless, greatly puzzled the listener.Still, the demands he had just read seemed so extravagant, that, for asingle instant, a sentiment of pity repressed the burst of indignationto which he felt disposed to give vent.

  "How like ye, noble lords," he cried, sarcastically, turning to two orthree of his fellow-commissioners, who had eagerly seized the paper andwere endeavoring to read it, and all at the same moment, "the moderateand modest demands of the Senor Christoval Colon, the celebratednavigator who confounded the Council of Salamanca! Are they not such asbecometh their Highnesses to accept on bended knees, and with manythanks?"

  "Read them, Lord Archbishop," exclaimed several in a breath. "Let usfirst know their nature."

  "There are many minor conditions that might be granted, as unworthy ofdiscussion," resumed the prelate, taking the paper; "but here are twothat must give the sovereigns infinite satisfaction. The Senor Colonactually satisfieth himself with the rank of Admiral and Viceroy overall the countries he may discover; and as for gains, one-tenth--thechurch's share, my brethren--yea, even one-tenth, one _humble_ tenth ofthe proceeds and customs, will content him!"

  The general murmur that passed among the commissioners, denoted a commondissatisfaction, and at that instant Columbus had not a true supporterin the room.

  "Nor is this all, illustrious nobles, and holy priests," continued thearchbishop, following up his advantage as soon as he believed hisauditors ready to hear him--"nor is this all; lest these high dignitiesshould weary their Highnesses' shoulders, and those of their royalprogeny, the liberal Genoese actually consenteth to transmit them to hisown posterity, in all time to come; converting the kingdom of Cathayinto a realm for the uses of the house of Colon, to maintain the dignityof which, the tenth of all the benefits are to be consigned to itsespecial care!"

  There would have been an open laugh at this sally, had not the noblebearing of Columbus checked its indulgence; and even Ferdinand ofTalavera, under the stern rebuke of an eye and mien that carried withthem a grave authority, began to think he had gone too far.

  "Your pardon, Senor Colon," he immediately and more courteously added;"but your conditions sounded so lofty that they have quite taken me bysurprise. You cannot seriously mean to maintain them?"

  "Not one jot will I abate, Lord Priest: that much will be my due; and hethat consenteth to less than he deserveth, becometh an instrument of hisown humiliation. I shall give to the sovereigns an empire that will farexceed in value all their other possessions, and I claim my reward. Itell you, moreover, reverend prelate, that there is much in reserve, andthat these conditions will be needed to fulfil the future."

  "These are truly modest proposals for a nameless Genoese!" exclaimed oneof the courtiers, who had been gradually swelling with disgust andcontempt. "The Senor Colon will be certain of commanding in the serviceof their Highnesses, and if nothing is done he will have that high honorwithout cost; whereas, should this most improbable scheme lead to anybenefits, he will become a vice-king, humbly contenting himself with thechurch's revenue!"

  This remark appeared to determine the wavering, and the commissionersrose, in a body, as if the matter were thought to be unworthy of furtherdiscussion. With the view to preserve at least the appearance ofimpartiality and discretion, however, the archbishop turned once moretoward Columbus, and now, certain of obtaining his ends, he spoke to himin milder tones.

  "For the last time, Senor," he said, "I ask if you still insist on theseunheard-of terms?"

  "On them, and on no other," said Columbus, firmly. "I know the magnitudeof the services I shall perform, and will not degrade them--will in nomanner lessen their dignity, by accepting aught else. But, LordArchbishop, and you, too, noble Senor, that treateth my claims solightly, I am ready to add to the risk of person, life, and name, thatof gold. I will furnish one-eighth of the needful sums, if ye willincrease my benefits in that proportion."

  "Enough, enough," returned the prelate, preparing to quit the room; "wewill make our report to the sovereigns, this instant, and thou shaltspeedily know their pleasure."

  Thus terminated the conference. The courtiers left the room, conversingearnestly among themselves, like men who did not care to repress theirindignation; while Columbus, filled with the noble character of his owndesigns, disappeared in another direction, with the bearing of one whoseself-respect was not to be lessened by clamor, and who appreciatedignorance and narrowness of views too justly to suffer them to changehis own high purposes.

  Ferdinand of Talavera was as good as his word. He was the queen'sconfessor, and, in virtue of that holy office, had at all times accessto her presence. Full of the subject of the late interview, he took hisway directly to the private apartments of the queen, and, as a matter ofcourse, was at once admitted. Isabella heard his representations withmortification and regret, for she had begun to set her heart on thesailing of this extraordinary expedition. But the influence of thearchbishop was very great, for his royal penitent knew the sincerity anddevotedness of his heart.

  "This carrieth presumption to insolence, Senora," continued theirritated churchman; "have we not here a mendicant adventurer demandinghonors and authority that belong only to God and his anointed, theprinces of the earth? Who is this Colon?--a nameless Genoese, withoutrank, services, or modesty, and yet doth he carry his pretensions to aheight that might cause even a Guzman to hesitate."

  "He is a good Christian, holy prelate," Isabella meekly answered, "andseemeth to delight in the service and glory of God, and to wish to favorthe extension of his visible and Catholic church."

  "True, Senora, and yet may there be deceit in this"--

  "Nay, Lord Archbishop, I do not think that deceit is the man's failing,for franker speech and more manly bearing it is not usual to see, evenin the most powerful. He hath solicited us for years, and yet no act ofmeanness may be fairly laid to his charge."

  "I shall not judge the heart of this man harshly, Dona Isabella, but wemay judge of his actions and his pretensions, and how far they may besuitable to the dignity of the two crowns, freely and without censure. Iconfess him grave, and plausible, and light of neither discourse normanner, virtues certainly, as the world moveth in courts"--Isabellasmiled, but she said nothing, for her ghostly counsellor was wont torebuke with freedom, and she to listen with humility--"where the age isnot exhibiting its purest models of sobriety of thought and devotion,but even these may exist without the spirit that shall be fitted forheaven. But what are gravity and decorum, if sustained by an inflatedpride and inordinate rapacity? ambition being a term too lofty for sucha craving. Reflect, Senora, on the full nature of these demands. ThisColon requireth to be established, forever, in the high state of asubstitute for a king, not only for his own person, but for those of hisdescendants throughout all time, with the title and authority of Admiralover all adjacent seas, should he discover any of the lands he so muchexalts, before he will consent to enter into the command of certain ofYour Highnesses' vessels, a station of itself only too honorable for oneof so little
note! Should his most extravagant pretensions berealized--and the probabilities are that they will entirely fail--hisdemands would exceed his services; whereas, in the case of failure, theCastilian and Aragonese names would be covered with ridicule, and a soredisrespect would befal the royal dignity for having been thus duped byan adventurer. Much of the glory of this late conquest would betarnished, by a mistake so unfortunate."

  "Daughter-Marchioness," observed the queen, turning toward the faithful,and long-tried friend who was occupied with her needle near her ownside--"these conditions of Colon do, truly, seem to exceed the bounds ofreason."

  "The enterprise also exceedeth all the usual bounds of risks andadventures, Senora," was the steady reply of Dona Beatriz, as sheglanced toward the countenance of Mercedes. "Noble efforts deserve noblerewards."

  The eye of Isabella followed the glance of her friend, and it remainedfixed for some time on the pale, anxious features of her favorite'sward. The beautiful girl herself was unconscious of the attention sheexcited; but one who knew her secret might easily detect the intensefeeling with which she awaited the issue. The opinions of her confessorhad seemed so reasonable, that Isabella was on the point of assenting tothe report of the commissioners, and of abandoning altogether the secrethopes and expectations she had begun to couple with the success of thenavigator's schemes, when a gentler feeling, one that belongedpeculiarly to her own feminine heart, interposed to give the marineranother chance. It is seldom that woman is dead to the sympathiesconnected with the affections, and the wishes that sprang from the loveof Mercedes de Valverde were the active cause of the decision that theQueen of Castile came to at that critical moment.

  "We must be neither harsh nor hasty with this Genoese, Lord Archbishop,"she said, turning again to the prelate. "He hath the virtues ofdevoutness and fair-dealing, and these are qualities that sovereignslearn to prize. His demands no doubt have become somewhat exaggerated bylong brooding, in his thoughts, on a favorite and great scheme; but kindwords and reason may yet lead him to more moderation. Let him, then, betried with propositions of our own, and doubtless, his necessities, ifnot a sense of justice, will cause him to accept them. The viceroyaltydoth, indeed, exceed the usual policy of princes, and, as you say, holyprelate, the tenth is the church's share; but the admiral's rank may befairly claimed. Meet him, then, with these moderated proposals, andsubstitute a fifteenth for a tenth; let him be a viceroy in his ownperson, during the pleasure of Don Fernando and myself, but let himrelinquish the claim for his posterity."

  Fernando de Talavera thought even these concessions too considerable,but, while he exercised his sacred office with a high authority, he toowell knew the character of Isabella to presume to dispute an order shehad once issued, although it was in her own mild and feminine manner.After receiving a few more instructions, therefore, and obtaining thecounsel of the king, who was at work in an adjoining cabinet, theprelate went to execute this new commission.

  Two or three days now passed before the subject was finally disposed of,and Isabella was again seated in the domestic circle, when admission wasonce more demanded in behalf of her confessor. The archbishop enteredwith a flushed face, and his whole appearance was so disturbed that itmust have been observed by the most indifferent person.

  "How now, holy archbishop,"--demanded Isabella--"doth thy new flock vexthy spirit, and is it so very hard to deal with an infidel?"

  "'Tis naught of that, Senora--'tis naught relating to my new people. Ifind even the followers of the false prophet more reasonable than somewho exult in Christ's name and favor. This Colon is a madman, and betterfitted to become a saint in Mussulmans' eyes, than even a pilot in YourHighness' service."

  At this burst of indignation, the queen, the Marchioness of Moya, andDona Mercedes de Valverde, simultaneously dropped their needle-work, andsat looking at the prelate, with a common concern. They had all hopedthat the difficulties which stood in the way of a favorable terminationto the negotiation would be removed, and that the time was at hand, whenthe being who, in spite of the boldness and unusual character of hisprojects, had succeeded in so signally commanding their respect, and ininteresting their feelings, was about to depart, and to furnish apractical solution to problems that had as much puzzled their reasons asthey had excited their curiosity. But here was something like a suddenand unlooked-for termination to all their expectations; and whileMercedes felt something like despair chilling her heart, the queen andDona Beatriz were both displeased.

  "Didst thou duly explain to Senor Colon, the nature of our proposals,Lord Archbishop?" the former asked, with more severity of manner thanshe was accustomed to betray; "and doth he still insist on thepretensions to a vice-regal power, and on the offensive condition inbehalf of his posterity?"

  "Even so, Your Highness; were it Isabella of Castile treating with Henryof England or Louis of France, the starving Genoese could not holdhigher terms or more inflexible conditions. He abateth nothing. The mandeemeth himself chosen of God, to answer certain ends, and his languageand conditions are such as one who felt a holy impulse to his course,could scarcely feel warranted in assuming."

  "This constancy hath its merit," observed the queen; "but there is alimit to concession. I shall urge no more in the navigator's favor, butleave him to the fortune that naturally followeth self-exaltation andall extravagance of demand."

  This speech apparently sealed the fate of Columbus in Castile. Thearchbishop was appeased, and, first holding a short private conferencewith his royal penitent, he left the room. Shortly after, ChristovalColon, as he was called by the Spaniards--Columbus, as he styled himselfin later life--received, for a definite answer, the information that hisconditions were rejected, and that the negotiation for the projectedvoyage to the Indies was finally at an end.