Together they all persuaded Columbus to send one messenger more to wait upon their sovereigns.

The man sent was Rodriguez, a pilot of Lepe, who found access to the queen because Juan Perez, the prior, had formerly been her confessor.

She had confidence in him, as she had, indeed, in Columbus.
And in fourteen days the friendly pilot came back from Santa Fe with a kind letter from the queen to her friend, bidding him return at once to court.

Perez de Marchena saddled his mule at once and before midnight was on his way to see his royal mistress.
Santa Fe was half camp, half city.

It had been built in what is called the Vega, the great fruitful plain which extends for many miles to the westward of Grenada.