Columbus appears to have decided that, before starting for France, it
would be well to remove Diego from La Rabida and place him with the baby
step-brother Fernando in Cordova, so that Fernando's mother might bring
up the two lads together. With this end in view, he again presented
himself (and again afoot, for he was far too poor to ride a mule) before
the gate of the low, white monastery near Palos. The first time he had
rung that bell it was with hope in his heart; this time he was dejected.
He had no hope, so far as Spain was concerned. The good monk Marchena
had certainly done his best, but it had come to naught. There was
nothing left but to thank them all and get to France as soon as
possible. So mused Christopher sadly as he waited for the gate to open.
But Christopher did not know that there had recently come to La Rabida a
new prior or chief monk. This prior, whose name was Juan Perez
(pronounced Hwan Pair'eth), possessed, fortunately, an imagination and a
certain amount of influence at court. Having imagination, he loved an
occasional bit of news from the outside world. Therefore, when he heard
a stranger talking to the monks in the outer courtyard, he listened.
"That man is no ordinary beggar asking alms," said the sympathetic prior
to himself.
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