TREATMENT OF COLUMBUS. 485 nos of gold, half of which belonged to the govern- chapter ment, went to the bottom with them. The only '- one of the fleet which made its way back to Spain was a crazy, weather-beaten bark, which contained the admiral's property, amounting to four thousand ounces of gold. To complete these curious coinci- dences, Columbus with his little squadron rode out the storm in safety under the lee of the island, where he had prudently taken shelter, on being so rudely repulsed from the port. This evenhanded retribution of justice, so uncommon in human affairs, led many to discern the immediate interposition of Providence. Others, in a less Christian temper, referred it all to the necromancy of the admiral. ^°
- > Peter Martyr, De Rebus Ocea- Almirante, cap. 88. — Benzoni
nicis, dec. 1, lib. 10. — Garibay, Novi Orbis Hist., cap. 12. — Her- Compendio, torn. ii. lib. 19, cap. rera, Indias Occidentales, lib. 5, 14. — Fernando Colon, Hist, del cap. 2.
