The monarchs who took the trouble to bring him back had no time
for his project after he reached Spain.
For almost two years, that is, till the end of 1491, the waiting
navigator again resided with the Duke of Medina Celi who still had faith
in his proposed explorations.
The duke was by far the most powerful friend Columbus had made in Spain,
for he possessed and governed a large principality that was practically
independent of the Crown. He lived in royal splendor and held court like
a king. When Spain went to war, the duke could fit out a whole army from
his own dominions and send them forth under his own banner to fight for
the king. Columbus must have felt greatly encouraged over retaining the
good will of such a mighty personage; indeed, the duke himself was quite
rich enough to give the necessary ships.
But, somehow, he failed to do so; probably because he feared that the
sovereigns might object to having a private individual steal away the
glory they themselves had no time to reap. Our navigator, again
disheartened because the years were slipping away, announced to his host
that he would start for France. At this the duke wrote to the queen
personally, telling her what a pity it would be to let France have the
profits of such a discovery.
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