CHAPTER X.
_Columbus arrested, and sent home in chains――His fourth voyage――His sufferings and death._
Bobadilla arrived at Isabella in July, 1500. Columbus, at this time, was in another part of the island. No sooner was the former landed, than it was apparent to the friends of Columbus, especially to his brothers, what he intended. He began to issue his commands as chief of the island, and took possession of the house of Columbus and everything in it.
Soon after, this arrogant man summoned Columbus to appear before him. This was truly humbling to the exalted mind of Columbus, conscious, as he was, of no wrong. Yet he judged it wise to suppress his feelings and comply with the command.
But little did Columbus expect such a reception as he met with. Little did he imagine that it was in the power, even of enemies, to treat him with so much injustice and indignity as he now experienced. No sooner did he appear at Isabella, than he was seized, loaded with irons, and confined to the fortress. His brothers, Diego and Bartholomew, shared a similar fate. They were separated from each other, and Bobadilla, himself, did not condescend even to see them.
Soon after, orders were issued for the departure of a vessel for Spain; and in that vessel went the noble Columbus and his brothers as prisoners and in irons. What a reverse of fortune! How often have the benefactors of mankind met with unkindness from those from whom they had a right to expect gratitude! How often have they met with injustice, where they ought to have experienced honor and reward!
It was, doubtless, trying to Columbus to be thus seized, imprisoned, and loaded with chains, and sent home apparently disgraced; but it must have been most trying of all to him to have met with insults and hoots from the multitude who had assembled to witness his departure. The voyage was short. The master of the vessel treated Columbus with kindness and respect, which served to soften the troubles which now preyed upon his wounded spirit.
When Columbus arrived in Spain, and in chains, there was a general burst of indignation, throughout the country, that he should have been thus treated. The king, therefore, pretended that he had no share in this treatment of the discoverer of the new world, and ordered him to be set at liberty. It seems, however, that the heart of the monarch was turned from him; for, during nine long months, Columbus remained in neglect, and, finally, the king appointed Nicholas Ovando governor of Hispaniola.
It was at last decided that Columbus should proceed on a fourth voyage, which was commenced May 9th, 1502. His powers were indeed restricted, and his constitution shattered; but still he panted for new adventures and discoveries. He had this time four small ships and one hundred and fifty men.
His particular object now was to discover a passage to India through the Gulf of Mexico. After coasting along the shores of this gulf, and making various discoveries, he was forced, by the crazy state of his ships, to return to Hispaniola. He stopped at Jamaica, and finally arrived at Santo Domingo. After experiencing a great variety of sufferings, he departed for Spain, where he arrived in November. On reaching Seville, he heard of the death of his friend and patron, queen Isabella.
The sun of prosperity had now set upon Columbus. He was suffered to linger in neglect and poverty. He was also attacked with sickness, and detained till 1505, at which time, weary and exhausted, he arrived at Segovia, the seat of the Spanish court. Here he applied to the king for redress, but this was denied him. He lingered a year longer in obscurity and poverty, till death gave him relief. He died at Valladolid, on the 20th of May, 1506.
Thus ended a noble and glorious career, and one which teaches us a sad lesson of the wrongs, injustice and cruelty of kings. As if to make some amends for the sufferings of Columbus, his remains received a pompous funeral,――a circumstance, however, which shows that his merit was known, and that those who had injured him were conscious of the wrongs they had done him.
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THE CAT AND THE MOUSE.――A mouse, ranging about a brewery, happening to fall into one of the vats, was in imminent danger of drowning, and called to a cat to take him out. “It is a foolish request,” replied the cat; “for, as soon as I get you, I shall eat you.” The mouse piteously replied that that fate would be better than to be drowned in beer. The cat lifted him out; but the fumes of the beer caused pussy to sneeze, and the mouse took refuge in his hole. The cat called upon mousey to come out: “You rascal, did you not promise I should eat you?” “Ah!” replied mousey, “but you know I was _in liquor_ at the time.”
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FABLE OF THE HUMMING-BIRD AND BUTTERFLY.――A humming-bird once met a butterfly, and, being pleased with the beauty of its person and the glory of its wings, made an offer of perpetual friendship.
“I cannot think of it,” was the reply, “as you once spurned at me, and called me a crawling dolt!”
“Impossible!” exclaimed the humming-bird. “I always entertained the highest respect for such beautiful creatures as you.”
“Perhaps you do now,” said the other; “but, when you insulted me, I was a caterpillar. So let me give you this piece of advice: Never insult the humble, as they may one day become your superiors.”
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Some time since, some men took twenty-one geese from a farm-yard in Kent, England, belonging to a Mr. White. A gander, which belonged to the flock, was left behind, with a bag tied round its neck, containing twenty-one pence, and the following poetic excuse written on a slip of paper:
“Dear Mister White, We wish you good night, We are sorry we cannot stay longer; We have taken twenty-one geese, At a penny a piece, And left the amount with the gander.”
[Illustration: _Washington Irving’s cottage._]
Washington Irving’s Cottage.
It is curious to observe the interest attached to everything connected with a great man. We love especially to visit the residences of those who have excited our admiration either by their writings or their actions. It may be pleasant to our readers, therefore, to see the picture, on the opposite page, of the cottage of Washington Irving, a pleasant and amusing writer, who has acquired great reputation. There are very few persons, in this country, who have not read some of his books.
The cottage, of which we have given a picture, is situated in a secluded spot, on the eastern bank of the Hudson river, a considerable distance above New York. The place is called Sleepy Hollow, and is the scene of one of Mr. Irving’s best stories. The building is a curious one, seeming to partake partly of the English and partly of the Dutch style of architecture.
The place is remarkable for the quiet and tranquillity that reign around. The whistle of the quail and the tapping of the woodpecker are almost the only sounds that are heard.
In this delightful spot Mr. Irving fixed his residence some years ago. But, about two years since, he was appointed minister to Spain, and in this capacity he is now living at Madrid.
Jumping Rabbit’s Story.