CHAP. I.]
CHRISTOPHER
COLUMBUS.
459
mestics. The greater part of his Late crews remained at San Domingo ; as they were in great poverty, he relieved their neces sities from his own purse, and advanced the funds necessary for the voyage home of those who chose to return. Many thus relieved by his generosity had been among the most violent of the rebels. On the 12th of September, he set sail; but had scarcely left the harbor when, in a sudden squall, the mast of his ship was car ried away. He immediately went with his family on board of the vessel commanded by the Adelantado, and, sending back the dam aged ship to port, continued on his course. Throughout the voyage he experienced the most tempestuous weather. In one storm the mainmast was sprung in four places. He was confined to his bed at the time by the gout ; by his advice, however, and the activity of the Adelantado, the damage was skillfully repaired ; the mast was shortened ; the weak parts were fortified by wood taken from the castles or cabins, which the vessels in those days carried on the prow and stern ; and the whole was well secured by cords. They were still more damaged in a succeeding tem pest ; in which the ship sprung her foremast. In this crippled state, they had to traverse seven hundred leagues of a stormy ocean. Fortune continued to persecute Columbus to the end of this, his last, and most disastrous expedition. For several weeks he was tempest-tost—suffering at the same time the most excru ciating pains from his malady—until, on the seventh day of No vember, his crazy and shattered bark anchored in the harbor of San Lucar. Hence he had himself conveyed to Seville, where he hoped to enjoy repose of mind and body, and to recruit his health after such a long series of fatigues, anxieties, and hardships.* * Hist, del Almirante, cap. 108.
Las Casas, Hist. Ind., lib. ii. cap. 36.
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