for the outward voyage, now proved a serious hindrance to the Spaniards; but fortunately they were blessed with mild, delightful weather. After they had been at sea about six weeks, however, the weather changed: the wind began to blow furiously, and the sea became very rough. Soon a fearful tempest burst upon them, which lasted forty-eight hours. The small, open vessels were little fitted to resist the fury of the elements, and all on board gave themselves up for lost. In the night the two vessels lost sight of one another. Columbus fearing that, if the vessels were lost, the discovery of the New World would be lost with them, wrote a short account of his expedition, which he directed to the king and queen, adding a promise of a thousand ducats to whoever should deliver it unopened. He then wrapped the packet in a waxed cloth, enclosed it in a cask, and threw it into the sea. Lest this memorial should never reach the land, he enclosed a copy of it in a similar manner, and placed it upon the poop of the vessel, so that, should the vessel be swallowed up by the waves, the barrel might float off and survive.

His precautions, however, proved unnecessary. The storm abated, and Columbus, finding himself near the Azores, put in there for a few days to rest. On starting again, his vessel encountered another severe storm, which drove her off the coast of Portugal near the mouth of the Tagus, and there Columbus was obliged to take shelter. He did not, however, remain longer than necessary in Portugal,

feeling distrustful of the Portuguese, who manifested no little jealousy on hearing of an achievement which so much eclipsed their own discoveries ; and as soon as the weather moderated, he once more put to sea, and, on the 15th of March 1493, entered triumphantly the harbour of Palos, having been absent between seven and eight months.

Great was the delight and excitement at Palos when the inhabitants beheld the safe return of the adventurous band whom they had long since given up for lost; but when they heard of the success of the expedition their rejoicings knew no bounds. The bells rang out a joyful peal, the shops were shut, and all business ceased. Crowds thronged to welcome Columbus, and a procession was formed to the principal church, to return thanks to God for the important discoveries He had permitted the inhabitants of Palos to make.

By a singular coincidence the Pinta entered the harbour of Palos only a few hours after Columbus had landed. Her commander, Pinzon, thinking that Columbus and his ship had been probably lost in the storm, hoped to be the first to bring the good news to Spain; but when he heard that Columbus had already arrived, he was greatly disappointed, and the remembrance of his shameful desertion filled him with alarm. For fear of meeting Columbus, he landed privately, and returned to his home, broken in health, dejected in mind, and a prey to the bitter pangs of jealousy. He died a few days afterwards of envy and remorse.

His

The news of Columbus's arrival produced a great sensation at court. The sovereigns were delighted and dazzled with his account of the countries he had discovered. Columbus immediately received a most pressing invitation to court. journey thither resembled a triumphal procession. Wherever he passed the inhabitants lined the roads to obtain a sight of him, and of the Indians whom he was carrying with him, and rent the air with their shouts. Washington Irving has given an interesting description of his entrance into Barcelona, where the court was then residing.

"Every preparation had been made to give him a solemn and magnificent reception. The beauty and serenity of the weather contributed to give splendour to this memorable ceremony. As Columbus drew near the place, many of the more youthful courtiers and nobles, together with a vast concourse of the populace, came forth to welcome him. His entrance into this noble city has been compared to one of those triumphs which the Romans were accustomed to decree to conquerors. First were paraded the Indians, painted according to their savage fashion, and decorated with the national ornaments of gold. After these were borne various kinds of live parrots, together with stuffed birds and animals of unknown species, and rare plants, supposed to be of precious qualities; while great care was taken to make a conspicuous display of Indian coronets, bracelets, and other decorations of gold which might

give an idea of the wealth of the newly-discovered regions. After this followed Columbus on horseback, surrounded by a brilliant cavalcade of Spanish chivalry. The streets were almost impassable from the countless multitude; the windows and balconies were crowded with the fair; the very roofs were covered with spectators."

Columbus was received by Ferdinand and Isabella, clad in their royal robes, and seated upon their throne, which they had ordered to be placed in public, under a magnificent canopy, in a vast and splendid hall. Around them stood the principal nobility of Spain. "At length Columbus entered the hall, surrounded by a brilliant crowd of cavaliers, among whom he was conspicuous for his stately and commanding person. As Columbus approached, the sovereigns rose, as if receiving a person of the highest rank. Bending his knees, he requested to kiss their hands; but there was some hesitation on the part of their majesties to permit this act of vassallage. Raising him in the most gracious manner, they ordered him to seat himself in their presence,- —a rare honour in this proud and punctilious court." Columbus then gave them a detailed account of his expedition, and exhibited the Indians, and the specimens of gold, and of the other productions of the newlydiscovered lands that he had brought with him ; adding that he believed the discoveries he had hitherto made, were only harbingers of still greater ones, which would add realms of boundless wealth

to the dominions of their majesties, and whole nations of converts to the true faith.

When Columbus had finished his address the sovereigns fell on their knees, and, with tears of joy and gratitude, poured forth their thanks to God; the Te Deum was then chanted by the choir of the royal chapel.

The rejoicings occasioned by this great discovery were not merely confined to Spain, but extended over all Europe. But no one was aware of the real importance of Columbus's expedition, or imagined for a moment that an entirely new hemisphere had been opened to mankind. All believed that the new lands formed part of western Asia, for which reason they were called the West Indies.

Columbus possessed one of those noble minds which are not elated and made selfish by success. In the midst of his triumphs he remembered his pious scheme for the deliverance of the Holy Sepulchre, and, anticipating immense wealth from his future discoveries, he made a solemn vow to furnish, within seven years, an army of four thousand horse and fifty thousand foot for that purpose. How little he was in a condition to keep that promise we shall presently see.

An amusing anecdote is told of Columbus at this time. He was at a banquet given in his honour by Cardinal de Mendoza. One of the courtiers who were present, jealous of the success of a foreigner, asked him if he thought that, sup