Martin Pinzon may thank his luck that the Nina started
home before him. Imagine his utter shame and confusion had _he_
been the first to enter Palos with his perverted news!
As it was, things were bad enough. He heard the Palos bells ringing, and
saw the people thronging along the shore to look at the wonderful little
boat that had traveled in such far waters; his heart sank. The Admiral
was home, and he, Martin Pinzon, _he_ had sent from Bayona to their
Majesties a letter in which were certain false statements. No wonder he
sneaked off of his ship in the dusk and wrapped his cape high around his
face and hurried to his house. No wonder he felt no happiness in seeing
his good wife again, and could only groan and groan.
Martin went to bed--his spirits were very low, and the stormy passage
had racked his old body as well; so he lay down; and the next day he
could not get up, nor the next; and when, in due time, a royal letter
came, thanking him for the aid he had given Columbus, but reproaching
him for statements he had made which did not agree with those of the
Admiral concerning the voyage, then Martin never wanted to get up again;
he had himself carried to La Rabida, where he died in a few days, the
good friars comforting him. So no more of Martin Alonzo Pinzon, whose
end was inglorious, but whose courage and enterprise were later
remembered gratefully by Spain; for Charles V.
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