366 LIFE OF COLUMBUS. 



poop of his vessel . Happily, neither of these memorials 

 was ever needed, for the storm abated towards evening, 

 and early the next day, land was made among the Azores. 

 The little squadron arrived off the mouth of the Tagus 

 on the 4th of March, and in this vicinity Columbus re- 

 mained, till May 13th, the object of universal curiosity 

 and of very general admiration and respect. Barges and 

 boats of every kind, full of spectators and visiters, cover- 

 ed the bosom of the Tagus. All hung with wrapt atten- 

 tion on the story told by the voyagers, and gazed with un- 

 bounded wonder upon the Indians and the specimens of 

 unknown plants and animals they had brought with them. 

 Even the king invited the admiral to an interview, and 

 though evidently mortified at his own want of an inter- 

 est in his glorious expedition, treated him with the atten- 

 tion due to his high rank and his unsullied character. 

 The latter was not long detained, however, in Portugal. 

 He reernbarked on the 13th of March, and entered the har- 

 bor of Palos, on the 18th, amid the ringing of bells, and 

 the loud shouts of the whole populace of that neighbor- 

 hood. The fame of his discovery had resounded over 

 all Spain; and wherever he passed on his way to the 

 royal residence at Barcelona, the village-roads were lined 

 with people, and the streets, windows and balconies of 

 the large towns crowded with eager spectators, rending 

 the air with their acclamations. His reception at Barce- 

 lona was still more magnificent. Escorted by large num- 

 bers of young courtiers and gallant cavaliers, and fol- 

 lowed by an immense populace, he entered that noble city 

 with almost the pomp and splendor of a Roman tri- 

 umph. First in the march were paraded the Indians, 

 painted and decorated in their native style. After these 

 were carried various kinds of live parrots, stuffed birds 

 and animals of unknown species, rare plants, and a rich 

 display of Indian coronets, bracelets, pearls, gems and 

 gold. Then came Columbus, with his splendid escort 

 in long array around and behind him. Countless multi- 

 tudes crowded the streets wherever they passed; the 

 windows and balconies were filled, and even the roofs of 

 the houses covered with spectators. In this manner Co- 

 lumbus approached the throne of his sovereign, and they 



