THE STORY OF COLUMBUS AND THE WORLD'S FAIR. BO 
vexatious delay was had in preparing the other six vessels for 
the voyage. As Fonseca had charge of Indian affairs, he was 
able to retard all the admiral’s efforts. How such a glorious 
enterprise could provoke such contemptible opposition, we 
can scarce understand. Columbus bore it in silence, but with 
- indignation. He was so far disheartened that he seriously 
- intended abandoning all his discoveries. But he was grateful to 
the queen, and longed to gladden her heart with some return 
of a tangible nature. | 
At length, on the 30th of May, the vessels were ae for 
sea, but the most strenuous efforts had failed to enlist a full 
complement of men. ak 
The third voyage of discovery was launched from the port 
of San Lucar. He intended taking a new route, starting from 
the Cape de Verde Islands, sailing southwest until he came : 
‘under the equinoctial line. Then he purposed steering direct. 
west with the help of the trade winds, when he must find 
land, and perhaps reach the longitude of Hispaniola. Having ) 
heard that a French squadron was cruising off Cape St. Vincent, 
he went southwest after leaving St. Lucar, touching at Porto 
Santo and Madeira, taking in wood and water, and continuing 
on to the Canary Isles. At Gomera he found a French cruiser 2 
lying with two Spanish prizes, but the Frenchman hurried away, 
in hot haste, with her prizes following. Leaving Gomera after Ae 
~ forwarding three of his ships to Hispaniola with supp lies, he 
made for the aes de Verde ee The ship he sai leq | tty