His recall and then his retirement from
court by the jealous king. But my present knowledge of these facts, and
of his helping put down the Moorish insurrection in 1500, as well as his
exploits as commander of a Spanish armada against the Turks is a recent
debt I owe to the _Encyclopedia Britannica_ and not to my boyish
researches. Of like actuality is my debt to Mr. Calvert's _Southern
Spain,_ where he quotes the accounting which the Great Captain gave on
the greedy king's demand for a statement of his expenses in the
Sicilies.
"Two hundred thousand seven hundred and thirty-six ducats and 9 reals
paid to the clergy and the poor who prayed for the victory of the army
of Spain.
"One hundred millions in pikes, bullets, and intrenching tools; 10,000
ducats in scented gloves, to preserve the troops from the odor of the
enemies' dead left on the battle-field; 100,000 ducats, spent in the
repair of the bells completely worn out by every-day announcing fresh
victories gained over our enemies; 50,000 ducats in 'aguardiente' for
the troops on the eve of battle. A million and a half for the
safeguarding prisoners and wounded.
"One million for Masses of Thanksgiving; 700,494 ducats for secret
service, etc.
