[Hiddigeigei]

There are certain indications that Columbus knew the size of the world (from the ancient Greeks), that there was a continent in between; but used the idea of getting to India in order to sell the voyage to Ferdinand and Isabella.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

Except he kept maintaining that he was right if only they had let him sail a little bit further he would have reached India. When it became obvious that he had not (on his third voyage I think) he then announced that he had discovered Eden.

If he was not mistaken then he did an awful good job of pretending he was.