Columbus was then left to manage as best he could, in the months which must pass, before he could receive an answer.
He was not wholly without success.

That is to say, no actual battles took place between the parties before the answer returned.

But when it returned, it proved to be written by his worst enemy, Fonseca.

It was a genuine Spanish answer to a letter which required immediate decision.
That is to say, Columbus was simply told that the whole matter must be left in suspense till the sovereigns could make such an investigation as they wished.

The hope, therefore, of some help from home was wholly disappointed.
Roldan, the chief of the rebels, was encouraged by this news to take higher ground than even he had ventured on before.