"
But it all turned out to be a sorry joke on the part of Captain Pedro
Nino. His ships were full of slaves which, he laughingly declared, he
expected to turn into gold in the slave market.
Thus was Columbus, weary with long waiting, left without any
appropriation at all; and Bishop Fonseca laughing at him whenever he
observed his eagerness to be off!
In this quarter the impatient Admiral found much hindrance and no
sympathy. Not only did Fonseca himself exhibit indifference to
Columbus's work, but his secretary did the same. Furthermore, contrary
to the terms of Columbus's contract, by which he was to have a monopoly
of Indian discovery, Fonseca (on royal order, of course) began giving
licenses to other navigators, and the intrepid Columbus saw his coveted
prize slipping through his hands.
In all matters relating to government and administration, Bishop Fonseca
was a far wiser man than the great navigator. Fonseca possessed the best
education a man could receive in that day. His training in the great
church organization had given him skill in reading character. He soon
saw that Columbus had but little ability outside of navigation; and we
wish that, instead of despising him, he had been big enough and kindly
enough to say: "Good friend, give up all connection with that struggling
colony of Hispaniola.
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