But little did Columbus expect such a reception as he met with. Little did he imagine that it was in the power, even of enemies, to treat him with so much injustice and indignity as he now experienced. No sooner did he appear at Isabella, than he was seized, loaded with irons, and confined to the fortress. His brothers, Diego and Bartholomew, shared a similar fate. They were separated from each other, and Bobadilla, himself, did not condescend even to see them.
Soon after, orders were issued for the departure of a vessel for Spain; and in that vessel went the noble Columbus and his brothers as prisoners and in irons. What a reverse of fortune! How often have the benefactors of mankind met with unkindness from those from whom they had a right to expect gratitude! How often have they met with injustice, where they ought to have experienced honor and reward!
It was, doubtless, trying to Columbus to be thus seized, imprisoned, and loaded with chains, and sent home apparently disgraced; but it must have been most trying of all to him to have met with insults and hoots from the multitude who had assembled to witness his departure. The voyage was short. The master of the vessel treated Columbus with kindness and respect, which served to soften the troubles which now preyed upon his wounded spirit.
When Columbus arrived in Spain, and in chains, there was a general burst of indignation, throughout the country, that he should have been thus treated. The king, therefore, pretended that he had no share in this treatment of the discoverer of the new world, and ordered him to be set at liberty. It seems, however, that the heart of the monarch was turned from him; for, during nine long months, Columbus remained in neglect, and, finally, the king appointed Nicholas Ovando governor of Hispaniola.
It was at last decided that Columbus should proceed on a fourth voyage, which was commenced May 9th, 1502. His powers were indeed restricted, and his constitution shattered; but still he panted for new adventures and discoveries. He had this time four small ships and one hundred and fifty men.
His particular object now was to discover a passage to India through the Gulf of Mexico. After coasting along the shores of this gulf, and making various discoveries, he was forced, by the crazy state of his ships, to return to Hispaniola. He stopped at Jamaica, and finally arrived at Santo Domingo. After experiencing a great variety of sufferings, he departed for Spain, where he arrived in November. On reaching Seville, he heard of the death of his friend and patron, queen Isabella.
The sun of prosperity had now set upon Columbus. He was suffered to linger in neglect and poverty. He was also attacked with sickness, and detained till 1505, at which time, weary and exhausted, he arrived at Segovia, the seat of the Spanish court. Here he applied to the king for redress, but this was denied him. He lingered a year longer in obscurity and poverty, till death gave him relief. He died at Valladolid, on the 20th of May, 1506.
Thus ended a noble and glorious career, and one which teaches us a sad lesson of the wrongs, injustice and cruelty of kings. As if to make some amends for the sufferings of Columbus, his remains received a pompous funeral,—a circumstance, however, which shows that his merit was known, and that those who had injured him were conscious of the wrongs they had done him.