The Appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. ;) 1889-19??, 1912-06-22


finances are absolutely drained by this war;
Still she could not renounce the project, and re-
manned much more attentive to it than to the
wonderful plaster palace into which the court had
just moved Thther came Don Luis de Santangel,
treasurer of the church revenues, and stanch
friend of Columbus and sought audience with her
majesty. He asked in amazement if she would
let the paltry sum Columbus demanded deprive
her and Spain of immeasurable glory. "All he
needs to set the expedition a1oat, said Santangel,
sis million maravedi!" (between three and five
thousand dollars), and he straightway offered to
advance the money.
This generous offer seems to have piqued it's
royal nearer into proper contempt for the courts
niggardlness. Also it put end to her mis-
givngs and to her Difference to Ferdinands opin-
ion For the first time the scheme broke upon
her in all it's grandeur and the palace wall that
had echoed many dangerous Arabian love
songs now rang to her stirring cry: IT will under
take this enterprise for my own kingdom of Cas-
tile! And if it's treasury is empty will convert
my jewels into the necessary money"
So messengers were dispatched instantly to
bring Columbus back They overlook him some
ten miles of, just he crossing the Bridge
of Pnos-a fine little stone structure with turrets
and abutments, massively built, for the Cubillas
has great volume there in spring. This Pinos,
an ancient Roman town, is prettily situated at the
foot OF the Sierre de Elvira. 1t has been the
scene OF many a bloody encounter between Mos.
lem and Christian In 1919 the Castilians suffered
frightful defeat there at the hands of the Moors,
both the royal princes, Don Pedro and Don Juan,
being killed. But Pinos' great date is 1892, when
lonely traveller on muleback, bordering detected.
!; ~ on how large a part of his life had worn away
and must still wear away in fruitless solicitings
was halted on the bridge by the queens messen-
gers and brought back to Granada That bridge
more than any other spot in Europe (save perhaps
the convent of La Rabida) should be held sacred
by Americans. Yet few take the trouble to visit
it, though many climb to the spot in the mountain
now called "The Moor's Last Sigh"
Columbus, soulsick of royal promises, needed
much urging he left the little bridge and
turned back; but when next he rode his mule out
OF Granada his head and his hopes were high
his heart sang; the capitulations had been signed
at Santa Fe and he carried in his pocket an order
to the citizens of the little port of Palos to fur
nish him with ships and men. Thus this most
momentous and adventurous journey ever re-
corded in history may truly be considered to have
begun in Granada
Today this city Of so many memories is de-
scribed as living ruin" But even the city
itself has suffered mildly compared with the Al
hambra. Charles ", Isabella's grandson, pulled
down large portion of it in order to erect his
still unfinished Renaissance residence The Sala
de los Mocarabes and the Court of Lions were
injured by powder explosion just hundred
years after Columbus eyes had first gazed on
them. In 1718 Philip v. took for his personal use
the revenues formerly assigned for the preserva-
tlon OF the Alhambra and the famous building fell
into total neglect.
Down below the hilltop. In the citv itself dirt
and decay reign where the Moorish nobility had
their palaces. The Spanish Immediately after
their conquest. erected some hne buildings prin.
c1pally the superb Gothic cathedral built as the
mausoleum OF Ferdinand and Isabella But these.
too. are in sad need OF preservation.