CHAP. V I L ]
CHRISTOPHER
COLUMBUS.
237
labors the Spaniards now cultivated their lands diligently, and there was every appearance of settled and regular prosperity. Columbus considered all this happy change as brought about by the especial intervention of heaven. In a letter to Dona Juana de la Torre, a lady of distinction, aya or nurse of Prince Juan, he gives an instance of those visionary fancies to which he was sub ject in times of illness and anxiety. In the preceding winter, he says, about the festival of Christmas, when menaced by In dian war and domestic rebellion, when distrustful of those around him and apprehensive of disgrace at court, he sank for a time into complete despondency. In this hour of gloom, when aban doned to despair, he heard in the night a voice addressing him in words of comfort, “ Oh man of little faith ! why art thou cast down ? Fear nothing, I will provide for thee. The seven years of the term of gold are not expired ; in that, and in all other things, I will take care of thee." The seven years term of gold here mentioned, alludes to a vow made by Columbus on discovering the New World, and re corded by him in a letter to the sovereigns, that within seven years he would furnish, from the profits of his discoveries, fifty thousand foot and five thousand horse, for the deliverance of the holy sepulchre, and an additional force of like amount, within five years afterwards. The comforting assurance given him by the voice was cor roborated, he says, that very day, by intelligence received of the discovery of a large tract of country rich in mines.* This im aginary promise of divine aid thus mysteriously given, appeared to him at present in still greater progress of fulfillment. The * Letter of Columbus to the nurse of Prince Juan. Hist. del Almirante, cap. 84.