exploring nations, had only hugged the African coast cautiously; but
this man had sailed straight away from land into the setting sun. Even
landsmen appreciated the fine courage that required.

And the first man bold enough to wish to go out and unravel the mystery
of the west now walked in chains from a Spanish ship to a Spanish
prison! It was monstrous ingratitude, all declared; and they did not
hesitate to show their sympathy. The story of his disgrace traveled
rapidly, and everywhere it brought out the better nature of the Spanish
people, who accordingly denounced this harsh treatment by their
sovereigns.

And what had Columbus himself done to help matters along? The wisest
thing that he could have done; he had refrained from writing to
Ferdinand and Isabella. His silence spoke in his favor; for they did not
learn what had happened till a lady-in-waiting at court, a friend of
Columbus and of the queen, received a letter which Columbus had written
during the voyage, and which the good Villejo sent off by a trusty
messenger the minute the ship reached Spain. This lady carried the
shocking news to the queen, perhaps even read the whole letter to her;
if so, Isabella must have winced at this passage: "I have been wounded
extremely by the fact that a man should have been sent out to make
inquiry into my conduct who knew that if he sent home a very aggravated
account against me, he could remain himself at the head of the
government."

Hardly had the queen heard this letter when there came a report from
Villejo containing the same story of Bobadilla's brutal haste in dealing
with the Admiral. And directly after this came an inquiry from the
alcalde (mayor) of Cadiz asking what he should do with his distinguished