"
And droll it was to Colombo to think what might possibly happen
were King Ferdinand to take his dream seriously or were the King
perhaps to be informed as to the true meaning of Colombo's
subtleties.
"Well, now", said King Ferdinand, "of course, to fit out such an
expedition would require great expense, my dear Colombo--great
expense. And, of course, you know, Colombo, that when investors
can buy Inquisition 4 1/4's for 89 it would be extremely
difficult to raise the money for such a speculative project--oh,
extremely difficult. And then you must consider the present
depression--tell me now, Colombo", said King Ferdinand, "how long
do you think this depression will last, for I seek, above all
things, a return to healthy normalcy."
"Well, truly", replied Colombo, "that would be most difficult to
say. I note that on Rodigruez Babsyn's last chart--"
"I wish this Babsyn and his charts were in hell", said King
Ferdinand, "for it was he who advised me to sell Queen Isabel's
silver holdings. But it occurs to me, Colombo, that in connection
with this land-of-gold scheme of yours, you mentioned something
about sailing to the westward. Now Colombo, that would be a
distinct disadvantage when it came to marketing the bonds, for as
you must already know, one cannot sail to the west without
encountering fierce and enormous monsters who swallow, I am told,
whole ships at a gulp.
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