of the tonnage of the ship was to be at the service
of the crown, free of charge. One tenth of whatever such ships
should procure in the newly-discovered countries was to be paid
to the crown on their return. These regulations included
private ships trading to Hispaniola with provisions. For every
vessel thus fitted out on private adventure, Columbus, in
consideration of his privilege of an eighth of tonnage, was to
have the right to freight one on his own account." Irving's
_Columbus_, vol. ii. p. 76.]

[Sidenote: Columbus loses his temper.]

It was not until late in the spring of 1498 that the ships were ready
for Columbus. Everything that Fonseca could do to vex and delay him was
done. One of the bishop's minions, a converted Moor or Jew named Ximeno
Breviesca, behaved with such outrageous insolence that on the day of
sailing the Admiral's indignation, so long restrained, at last broke
out, and he drove away the fellow with kicks and cuffs.[589] This
imprudent act gave Fonseca the opportunity to maintain that what the
Admiral's accusers said about his tyrannical disposition must be true.

[Footnote 589: "Parece que uno debiera de, en estos reveses, y,
por ventura, en palabras contra el y contra la negociacion
destas Indias, mas que otro senalarse, y segun entendi, no
debiera ser cristiano viejo, y creo que se llamaba Ximeno,
contra el cual debio el Almirante gravemente sentirse y
enojarse, y aguardo el dia que se hizo a la vela, y, o en la
nao que entro, por ventura, el dicho oficial, o en tierra
quando queria desembarcarse, arrebatolo el Almirante, y dale
muchas coces o remesones, por manera que lo trato mal; y a mi
parecer, por esta causa principalmente, sobre otras quejas que
fueron de aca, y cosas que murmuraron del y contra el los que
bien con el no estaban y le acumularon; los Reyes indignados
proveyeron de quitarle la gobernacion." Las Casas, _Historia de
las Indias_, tom. ii. p. 199.]

* * * * *

[Sidenote: The third voyage.]

The expedition started on May 30, 1498, from the little port of San
Lucar de Barrameda. There were six ships, carrying about 200 men besides
the sailors. On June 21, at the Isle of Ferro, the Admiral divided his
fleet, sending three ships directly to Hispa