Columbus had now settled the Roldan revolt and other smaller ones; he had now, too, reduced the Indians into subjection; the mines were prospering; the Indians were to be brought together in populous villages, that so they might better be taught the Christian faith, and serve as vassals to the crown of Castile; the royal revenues (always a matter of much concern to Columbus) would, he thought, in three years amount to sixty millions of reals; and now there was time for him to sit down, and meditate upon the rebuilding of the temple of Jerusalem, or the conversion of Cathay.

If there had been any prolonged quiet for him, such great adventures would probably have begun to form the staple of his high thoughts.

But he had hardly enjoyed more than a month of repose, when that evil came down upon him, which "poured the juice of aloes into the remaining portion of his life." The Catholic sovereigns had hitherto, upon the whole, behaved well to Columbus.

He had bitter enemies at court.

People were for ever suggesting to the monarchs that this foreigner was doing wrong.