His plea was successful, and Columbus was again summoned
to appear at court, a small sum of money being sent him so that he need
not appear in rags. The Spanish monarchs received him well, but when
they found that he demanded the title of admiral at once, and, in case
of success, the title of viceroy, together with a tenth part of all
profits resulting from either trade or conquest, they abruptly broke off
the negotiations, and Columbus, mounting a mule which had been given
him, started a second time for Paris. He had proceeded four or five
miles, in what sadness and turmoil of spirit may be imagined, when a
royal messenger, riding furiously, overtook him and bade him return. His
terms had been accepted.
This is what had happened: In despair at the departure of Columbus, Luis
de Santangel, receiver of the revenues of Aragon, and one of the few
converts to his theories, had obtained an audience of the queen, and
pointed out to her, with impassioned eloquence, the glory which Spain
would win should Columbus be successful. The queen's patriotic ardor
was enkindled, and when Ferdinand still hesitated, she cried, "I
undertake the enterprise for my own crown of Castile. I will pledge my
jewels to raise the money that is needed!" Santangel assured her that he
himself was ready to provide the money, and advanced seventeen thousand
florins from the coffers of Aragon, so that Ferdinand paid for the
expedition, after all.
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