At break of day the battle began, off Cape St.Vincent, and lasted till nightfall.

The privateer commanded by Columbus grappled a huge Venetian galley, which, after a hand-to-hand struggle, caught fire, and the flames spread to the privateer.

Friends and enemies alike sought safety in the sea, and Columbus, supporting himself on an oar, succeeded, when nearly exhausted, in gaining the land, which was at some six miles distance.

God preserved him, says his son, for greater things.
COLUMBUS AT PORTO SANTO.
It was probably not long after this that he married Donna Felipa Munnis Perestrelo, who was residing at the convent of All Saints, in Lisbon, where he was a regular attendant at the services of the church.

She was a daughter of that captain of Prince Henry's who has been already mentioned as the first governor of Porto Santo.