g him to
send a vessel to release the castaways from their imprisonment, and of a
despatch to the Sovereigns, giving a detailed account of the Admiral's
voyage and a glowing description of the riches of Veragua. This despatch
is very characteristic of the writer, bearing, as it does, the marks of
strong enthusiasm, of almost fanatical superstition, of confidence in the
midst of despair, and of exultation in the face of ruin. Describing his
reflections during the storm at the mouth of the river Bethlehem, he
breaks into the following rhapsody, which, probably in perfect good faith,
dwells on the contrast between the goodness of God and the bad faith of
man, in a way which ought to have touched Ferdinand nearly. It is worth
quoting at full length, as an example of the wild fervour of a rapt
enthusiast.

"Wearied and sighing," writes Columbus, "I fell into a slumber, when I
heard a piteous voice saying to me, 'O fool, and slow to believe and serve
thy God, who is the God of all! What did He more for Moses, or for His
servant David, than He has done for thee? From the time of thy birth He
has ever had thee under His peculiar care. When He saw thee of a fitting
age, He made thy name to resound marvellously throughout the earth, and
thou wert obeyed in many lands, and didst acquire honourable fame among
Christians. Of the gates of the ocean sea, shut up with such mighty
chains, He delivered to thee the keys; the Indies, those wealthy regions
of the world, He gave thee for thine own, and empowered thee to dispose of
them to others, according to thy pleasure. What did He more for the great
people of Israel, when He led them forth from Egypt? Or for David, whom,
from being it shepherd, He made a king in Judaea? Turn to Him, then, and
acknowledge thine error: His mercy is infinite. He has many and vast
inheritances yet in reserve. Fear not to seek them. Thine age shall be no
impediment to any great undertaking. Abraham was above a hundred years
when he begat Isaac; and was Sarah youthful? Thou urgest despondingly
for succour. Answer! Who hath afflicted thee so much, and so many times,
God, or the world? The privileges and promises which God hath made to thee
He hath never broken,[23] neither hath He said, after having received thy
services, that His meaning was different, and to be understood in a
different sense. He fulfils all that He promises, and with increase. Such
is His custom. I have shown thee what thy Creator hath done f