across the Atlantic!

And so on that eventful January 2, 1492, when a whole city was delirious
with joy,

"There was crying in Granada
when the sun was going down,
Some calling on the Trinity--
some calling on Mahoun.
Here passed away the Koran--there
in the Cross was borne--
And here was heard the Christian bell--
and there the Moorish horn."

On that great day of jubilee one man, a stranger, but as devout a
Christian as any of the conquerors, stood apart downcast, melancholy,
saddened by years of fruitless waiting for a few ships. That man was
Christopher Columbus.

When you know that Columbus was present by special invitation, that a
friend of the queen's had secured him the promise of an interview with
full consideration of his plans just as soon as the city surrendered,
you may think he should have looked happy and hopeful with the rest; but
the fact was, that for nearly seven years the monarchs had been holding
out promises, only to put him off, until his faith in princes had
dwindled to almost nothing.

But, as it happened, they really meant it this time. Moreover, it is
only fair to Ferdinand and Isabella to believe that they had always
meant it, but they had been so preoccupied with the enormous task of