The good Bartolome de las Casas (the priest who devoted his life to the
Indians) was present and has described this memorable interview.
Columbus, he says, was very dignified and very impressive with his snow-
white hair and rich garments. A modest smile flitted across his face "as
if he enjoyed the state and glory in which he came." When he approached
the monarchs, they arose to greet him as though he were the greatest
hidalgo in the land; and when he dropped on his knee to kiss their
hands, they bade him rise and seat himself in their presence. Surely
this was a great day for the humble Genoese sailor. He was _Don_
Cristobal henceforth, with the right to select a noble coat of arms. For
his sake his brothers Bartholomew and Diego (James) were to receive
appointments, and his son Diego was to be brought to court and educated.
Then, after securing the welfare of these members of his family,
Columbus wrote to his old father, the wool-comber in Genoa, and sent him
some money.
All this shows his good heart toward his own people; for toward one not
his own was he guilty of an ignoble act. It was to that sailor Rodrigo,
of the _Pinta_, who had been the first to sight land early on the
morning of October 12. When Columbus was asked to whom the queen's
promised reward of ten thousand maravedis should go, he replied, "To
myself.
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