four hundred years ago the spaniards had a colony at darien1. its captain-general was the fearless explorer, balboa2. friendly natives had whispered to him tidings about a vast sea on the southern side of the isthmus of panama. so one day he determined to penetrate to its shore.
he chose one hundred and ninety of his bravest and sturdiest soldiers; armed them with guns, swords, and crossbows; and took with him as well a number of bloodhounds. balboa himself had a favourite bloodhound, which on one of his expeditions had dealt such havoc among the indians that, whenever the plunder was divided, a portion was always allotted to the dog.
the first part of the journey was over steep and rocky mountains. there was no road, and the party was forced to move slowly, and to halt often to rest. the soldiers found their armour heavy for mountain climbing, and the blazing sun of the tropics made the ascent wearisome and difficult.
1darien: an isthmus and gulf in central america.
2balboa: a spanish explorer and soldier (1475-1517).
having passed the mountains after much toil, they descended into dense entangled forests, and now and then came upon streams which could only be crossed on rafts made hastily on the spot. a friendly chief named ponca went with balboa, and acted as his guide. one day, as they came out of the woods. ponca suddenly uttered a loud cry. hurrying to balboa, who with pizarro1 (one of balboa"s brave lieutenants) was trudging steadily forward in front of his men, the chief pointed to a lofty mountain that rose in the dim distance.
"there!" he cried, "when you have reached the top of that big mountain, you will see the great ocean stretched out at your feet." the peak which the indian pointed out was still a great way off; but his words so thrilled balboa and his comrades that they pushed forward rapidly, eager to catch a glimpse of the mighty waters now screened from their view by the high ranges.
unfortunately (says an interesting writer in describing the expedition) the provisions gave out, and the spaniards were footsore from their long tramp; while, to make their situation yet more serious, they had now reached a country hostile to ponca and the europeans. the indians attacked them with great ferocity, showering spears, arrows, and clubs upon them.
but these indians had never heard or seen a gun go off; and when pizarro, leading on the men, ordered them to fire, and the volley with its flash and smoke thundered upon the savages, they ran shrieking and howling away. no fewer than six hundred1 pizarro: the conqueror of peru (1475-1541).
of them, including their chief, were killed; and the rout being complete, the spaniards entered their village unopposed, where they found not only an abundance of food, but rare treasure in gold and jewels.
balboa, on resuming his way toward the mountain, left a number of his men behind in the indian village. his force was now reduced to sixty-seven, including pizarro, his faithful lieutenant.
it was just at daybreak, on a bright september morning, that the adventurers, guided by ponca and other friendly indians, began their ascent of the mountain. there was no path; and at first their march lay through dense woods, so tangled with brush that the men stumbled at almost every step. after several hours, however, they emerged from this wood into open and rocky ground, where they could mount far more easily.
it was so cold here that vegetation could not grow. just before them towered in solitary grandeur a lofty, bare, jagged peak, far above the surrounding heights. this was the peak from the summit of which, ponca said, the ocean could be seen.
with throbbing heart balboa gazed long at the mighty crag. if it were indeed true that another ocean was visible from its crest, he would be its discoverer, and would be renowned and honoured throughout europe.
"my men," he said, "do you rest here. i must ascend alone to the summit. my eyes must be the first to behold the vast ocean which rolls beyond.""his sturdy figure was seen standing on the summit."he then walked forward, and began to climb lightly and eagerly up the cliffs; while his companions watched him with breathless interest from below. ere long his sturdy figure was seen standing on the summit, his plumes waving in the air.
before him, in truth, lay spread out the limitless waters1 tothe dim horizon. the waves dashed with a roar and rush against the crags at the foot of the mountain; and, looking east and west, balboa could discern rich and beautiful lands stretching down to the water"s edge.
he fell upon his knees; lifted up his hands heavenward, and thanked god for his good fortune. then he rose, and excitedly1 limitless waters: a boundless ocean.
beckoned to his comrades to come up to him. they darted forward, and scrambled wildly up the rocks, pizarro at their head; and he was the second european who beheld the pacific ocean.
the sounds of joy and thanksgiving filled the air. men and leaders frantically1 embraced one another, without respect to rank; someone began to sing the te deum2 in a loud voice; and then balboa, turning to the noble panorama3 before him, solemnly took possession of the ocean and the adjoining countries in the name of king ferdinand of spain.
the object of his mission being accomplished, balboa returned to darien. it was a dangerous journey, and occupied several months. their old comrades were astonished when the members of the party displayed the wealth they had obtained on this expedition.
balboa was a clever man and very brave; but he was not a good man. he was thrown into prison by a new government on a charge of treason, and was shortly afterwards executed- a sad end to a career as daring as it was dramatic.
-compiled by e. w. h. f
1frantically: madly; excitedly.
2te deum: a hymn of praise and thanksgiving. 3 noble panorama: a grand and extensive view.