250
LIFE
A N D
V O Y A G E S
OF
[BOOK
V.
C H A P T E R IV.
ARRIVAL AT P O R T U G A L . — V I S I T TO THE COURT. [1493.]
COLUMBUS remained two days longer at the island of St. Mary's, endeavoring to take in wood and ballast, but was prevented by the heavy surf which broke upon the shore.
The wind veering
to the south, and being dangerous for vessels at anchor off the island, but favorable for the voyage to Spain, he set sail on the 24th of February, and had pleasant weather until the 27th, when, being within one hundred and twenty-five leagues of Cape St. Vincent, he again encountered contrary gales and a boisterous sea.
His fortitude was scarcely proof against these perils and
delays, which appeared to increase, the nearer he approached his home; and he could not help uttering a complaint at thus being repulsed, as it were, “ from the very door of the house."
He
contrasted the rude storms which raged about the coasts of the old world, with the genial airs, the tranquil seas, and balmy weather which he supposed perpetually to prevail about the countries he had discovered. “ Well," says he, “ may the sacred theologians and sage philosophers declare that the terrestrial paradise is in the uttermost extremity of the East, for it is the most temperate of regions." After experiencing several days of stormy and adverse wea-