the king himself showed more dignity and courtesy. He received the
storm-tossed Admiral with distinction, and permitted him to refit his
shattered vessel with all he needed. Columbus took this occasion to
write to his own sovereigns.

On the thirteenth he sailed again, and on the fifteenth entered the bay
and harbor of Palos, which he had left six months and a half before. He
had sailed on Friday. He had discovered America on Friday. And on Friday
he safely returned to his home.

His journal of the voyage ends with these words: "I see by this voyage
that God has wonderfully proved what I say, as anybody may convince
himself, by reading this narrative, by the signal wonders which he has
worked during the course of my voyage, and in favor of myself, who have
been for so long a time at the court of your Highnesses in opposition
and contrary to the opinions of so many distinguished personages of your
household, who all opposed me, treating my project as a dream, and my
undertaking as a chimera. And I hope still, nevertheless, in our Lord,
this voyage will bring the greatest honor to Christianity, although it
has been performed with so much ease."

CHAPTER VII. -- COLUMBUS IS CALLED TO MEET THE KING AND QUEEN

--HIS MAGNIFICENT RECEPTION--NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE POPE AND WITH THE
KING OF PORTUGAL--SECOND EXPEDITION ORDERED--FONSECA--THE PREPARATIONS
AT CADIZ.

The letter which Columbus sent from Lisbon to the king and queen was
everywhere published. It excited the enthusiasm first of Spain and then
of the world. This letter found in the earlier editions is now one of
the most choice curiosities of libraries. Well it may be, for it is the
first public announcement of the greatest event of modern history.

Ferdinand and Isabella directed him to wait upon them at once at court.
It happened that they were then residing at Barcelona, on the eastern
coast of Spain, so that the journey required to fulfill their wishes
carried him quite across the kingdom. It was a journey of triumph. The
people came together in throngs to meet this peaceful conqueror who
brought with him such amazing illustrations of his discovery.

The letter bearing instructions for him to proceed to Barcelona was
addressed "To Don Christopher Columbus, our Admiral of the Ocean Sea,
Viceroy and Governor of the islands discovered in the Indies." So far
was he now raised above the rank of a poor adventurer, who had for seven
years attended the court in it