The funds were in fact advanced by St. Angel, from the ecclesiastical revenues under his control.  They were repaid from the gold brought in the first voyage.  But, always afterward, Isabella regarded the Indies as a Castilian possession.  The most important officers in its administration, indeed most of the emigrants, were always from Castile.

Columbus, meanwhile, was on his way back to Palos, on his mule, alone.  But at a bridge, still pointed out, a royal courier overtook him, bidding him return.  The spot has been made the scene of more than one picture, which represents the crisis, in which the despair of one moment changed to the glad hope which was to lead to certainty.

He returned to Isabella for the last time, before that great return in which he came as a conqueror, to display to her the riches of the New World.  The king yielded a slow and doubtful assent.  Isabella took the enterprise in her own hands.  She and Columbus agreed at once, and articles were drawn up which gave him the place of admiral for life on all lands he might discover; gave him one-tenth of all pearls, precious stones, gold, silver, spices and other merchandise to be obtained in his admiralty, and gave him the right to nominate three candidates from whom the governor of each province should be selected by the crown.  He was to be the judge of all disputes arising from such traffic as was proposed; and he was to have one-eighth part of the profit, and bear one-eighth part of the cost of it.

With this glad news he returned at once to Palos.  The Pinzons, who had been such loyal friends, were to take part in the enterprise.  He carried with him a royal order, commanding the people of Palos to fit out two caravels within ten days, and to place them and their crews at the disposal of Columbus.  The third vessel proposed was to be fitted out by him and his friends.  The crews were to be paid four months’ wages in advance, and Columbus was to have full command, to do what he chose, if he did not interfere with the Portuguese discoveries.

On the 23rd of May, Columbus went to the church of San Giorgio in Palos, with his friend, the prior of St. Mary’s convent, and other important people, and the royal order was read with great solemnity: 

But it excited at first only indignation or dismay.  The expedition was most unpopular.  Sailors refused to enlist, and the authorities, who had already offended the crown, so that they had to furnish these vessels, as it were, as a fine, refused to do what they were bidden.  Other orders from Court were necessary.  But it seems to have been the courage and determination of the Pinzons which carried the preparations through.  After weeks had been lost, Martin Alonso Pinzon and his brothers said they would go in person on the expedition.  They were well-known merchants and seamen, and were much respected.  Sailors were impressed, by the royal authority, and the needful stores were taken in the same way.  It seems now strange that so much difficulty should have surrounded an expedition in itself so small.  But the plan met then all the superstition, terror and other prejudice of the time.