. Gold-mining was
profitably pursued; in three years, he calculated, the royal revenues
might be raised to an average of 60,000,000 reals. The arrival of
Bobadilla, however, speedily changed this state of affairs. On landing,
he took possession of the admiral's house and summoned him and his
brothers before him. Accusations of severity, of injustice, of venality
even, were poured down on their heads, and Columbus anticipated nothing
less than a shameful death. Bobadilla put all three in irons, and
shipped them off to Spain.

Alonso Vallejo, captain of the caravel in which the illustrious
prisoners sailed, still retained a proper sense of the honour and
respect due to Columbus, and would have removed the fetters; but to this
Columbus would not consent. He would wear them, he said, until their
highnesses, by whose order they had been affixed, should order their
removal; and he would keep them afterwards "as relics and as memorials
of the reward of his service." He did so. His son Fernando "saw them
always hanging in his cabinet, and he requested that when he died they
might be buried with him." Whether this last wish was complied with is
not known.

A heart-broken and indignant letter from Columbus to Dona Juana de
Torres, formerly nurse of the infante Don Juan, arrived at court before
the despatch of Bobadilla. It was read to the queen, and its tidings
were confirmed by communications from Alonso Vallejo and the alcaide of
Cadiz. There was a great movement of indignation; the tide of popular
and royal feeling turned once more in the admiral's favour. He received
a large sum to defray his expenses; and when he appeared at court, on
the 17th of December 1500, he was no longer in irons and disgrace, but
richly apparelled and surrounded with friends. He was received with all
honour and distinction. The queen is said to have been moved to tears by
the narration of his story. Their majesties not only repudiated
Bobadilla's proceedings, but declined to inquire into the charges that
he at the same time brought against his prisoners, and promised Columbus
compensation for his losses and satisfaction for his wrongs. A new
governor, Nicolas de Ovando, was appointed, and left San Lucar on the
13th of February 1502, with a fleet of thirty ships, to supersede
Bobadilla. The latter was to be impeached and sent home; the admiral's
property was to be restored; and a fresh start was to be made in the
conduct of colonial affairs. Thus en