But at length the time arrived when, the war being over, the king and queen appointed persons to arrange a plan with Columbus. These persons, however, pretended that he was too extravagant in his demands, and the negotiation was broken off. Grieved and mortified, Columbus hastily left the court, and proceeding towards Cordova, intended thence to sail to France. A friend to Columbus, finding he had departed, hastily repaired to the queen, and entreated her that he might be recalled, and that an enterprise which promised so much honor to Spain might be accomplished. The king would not listen to the proposal. His funds had been exhausted by the war, and he felt himself unable to meet the expense. Isabella hesitated. But at length her generous spirit was victorious over all objections. She offered to fit out the expedition at her own expense, and directed that Columbus should be recalled. While this was passing, he, disappointed, and no doubt dejected, was pursuing his journey towards Cordova. A messenger was dispatched to convey to him the happy turn in his fortune. The messenger overtook him――handed him the recall――and shortly after Columbus was again at Santa Fe, where the king and queen then resided. He was received with kindness both by Ferdinand and Isabella, especially the latter. An arrangement was soon formed between Columbus and the queen. By this, the former was appointed governor-general of all lands which he might discover. He was to be entitled to one tenth of the gold and silver, pearls and precious stones, which he might find. The queen promised to fit out two vessels, and allowed him to furnish one. These arrangements being made much to the satisfaction of Columbus, he set about preparing for the voyage. It was determined that he should sail from a small sea-port by the name of Palos. This lies exactly east from Jamestown, in Virginia. Little did Columbus imagine that in a little more than one hundred years from that time, a settlement should be begun at a spot exactly west from where he then was, on a continent which he should discover, and which should be the beginning of a noble republic, such as we see at this day in the United States. Little did he think of it. Yet he proceeded with as much zeal in preparing for his voyage, as if he had foreseen all the consequences of his enterprise. He now made a visit to the convent of La Rabida, where he was welcomed by the kind father, who expressed his joy at the success of his friend. Here he took up his quarters, it being at no great distance from Palos, while the vessels were fitting at the latter place for the voyage. I said the queen agreed to furnish two vessels, and Columbus was permitted to furnish one. He was unable himself to advance the necessary funds, but a friend kindly offered to do it for him.