CHAPTER XXV. Of the journey by Vasco Nuñez across the isthmus of Darien, and his discovery of the Pacific Ocean on the 26th of September 1513. Soon unfavourable tidings were received from Spain. Word was written by Zamudio that the Bachelor Enciso had obtained a sentence in his favour against Nuñez for damages and costs, and that Nuñez would be summoned to Spain to answer charges against him on account of the harsh treatment and probable death of Nicuesa. This information was, however, in a private letter; no order had yet been received from the king, and Nuñez had still control over the colony. One brilliant achievement might atone for the past and fix him in the favour of the monarch. He chose from his men, one hundred and ninety of the most resolute and vigorous, and the most devoted to his person, and took with him a number of blood-hounds. The famous warrior dog of Juan Ponce was killed by a poisoned arrow as he was swimming in the sea in pursuit of a Carib Indian. He left, however, a numerous progeny and a great name behind him.* He was father to Leoncico, a constant companion, and, as it were, body guard of Vasco Nuñez. Leoncico was scarred all over with wounds received in innumerable battles with the Indians. Nuñez always took him on his expeditions, * See ante, p. 169, and Voyages of Companions of Columbus, p. 308. and sometimes lent him to others, receiving for his services the same share of booty allotted to an armed man. In this way, he gained by him upwards of a thousand crowns. Nuñez had the aid also of a number of the Indians of Darien.* It was on the first of September 1513, that Vasco Nuñez embarked with these followers in a brigantine and nine large canoes. He soon arrived at Coyba where he was received by the cacique Careta with open arms, and furnished with guides and warriors to aid him. About half of his men he left at Coyba to guard the brigantine and canoes while he penetrated the wilderness with the residue. On the 6th of September he struck off for the mountains, and on the 8th he arrived at the village of Ponca, the ancient enemy of Careta. This village was abandoned, but while the Spaniards remained in it, the retreat of Ponca was discovered, and he was prevailed upon to come to Nuñez. This cacique assured Nuñez of the truth of what had been told him of a great sea beyond the mountains, and gave him several ornaments ingeniously wrought of fine gold which had been brought from the countries upon its borders. Nuñez procured fresh guides from the cacique and sent back such of his men as had become ill from fatigue and the heat of the climate. On the 20th of September he again set forward.† "So toilsome was the journey, that in four days they did not advance above ten leagues, and in the mean time they suffered excessively from hunger. At the end of this * Voyages of Companions of Columbus, p. 176 to 178. † Id. p. 179 to 181. time they arrived at the province of a warlike cacique, named Quaraqua, who was at war with Ponca. Hearing that a band of strangers were entering his territories, guided by the subjects of his inveterate foe, the cacique took the field with a large number of warriors, some armed with bows and arrows, others with long spears, or with double handed maces of palm wood, almost as heavy and hard as iron. Seeing the inconsiderable number of the Spaniards, they set upon them with furious yells, thinking to overcome them in an instant. The first discharge of fire-arms, however, struck them with dismay. They thought they were contending with demons who vomited forth thunder and lightning, especially when they saw their companions fall bleeding and dead beside them, without receiving any apparent blow. They took to headlong flight, and were hotly pursued by the Spaniards and their bloodhounds. Some were transfixed with lances, others hewn down with swords, and many were torn to pieces by the dogs, so that Quaraqua and six hundred of his warriors were left dead upon the field. "A brother of the cacique and several chiefs were taken prisoners. They were clad in robes of white cotton. Either from their effeminate dress, or from the accusations of their enemies, the Spaniards were induced to consider them guilty of unnatural crimes, and, in their abhorrence and disgust, gave them to be torn to pieces by the bloodhounds."* "After this sanguinary triumph, the Spaniards marched to the village of Quaraqua, where they found considerable booty in gold and jewels. Of this Vasco Nuñez reserved one fifth for the crown, and shared the rest liberally among his followers. The village was at the foot of the last mountain that remained for them to climb: several of the Spa *Herrera, Hist. Ind. d. 1, 1. x. c. 1. Voyages of Companions of Columbus, p. 181, 2. niards, however, were so disabled by the wounds they had received in battle, or so exhausted by the fatigue and hunger they had endured, that they were unable to proceed. They were obliged, therefore, reluctantly to remain in the village, within sight of the mountain-top that commanded the long-sought prospect. Vasco Nuñez selected fresh guides from among his prisoners, who were natives of the province, and sent back the subjects of Ponca. Of the band of Spaniards who had set out with him in this enterprise, sixty-seven alone remained in sufficient health and spirits for this last effort. These he ordered to retire early to repose, that they might be ready to set off at the cool and fresh hour of day-break, so as to reach the summit of the mountain before the noon-tide heat."* "The day had scarcely dawned, when Vasco Nuñez and his followers set forth from the Indian village and began to climb the height. It was a severe and rugged toil for men so way worn, but they were filled with new ardour at the idea of the triumphant scene that was so soon to repay them for all their hardships. "About ten o'clock in the morning, they emerged from the thick forests through which they had hitherto struggled, and arrived at a lofty and airy region of the mountain. The bald summit alone remained to be ascended, and their guides pointed to a moderate eminence, from which they said the southern sea was visible. "Upon this Vasco Nuñez commanded his followers to halt, and that no man should stir from his place. Then, with a palpitating heart, he ascended alone the bare mountain-top. On reaching the summit, the long-desired prospect burst upon his view. It was as if a new world were unfolded to him, separated from all hitherto known by this mighty barrier of mountains. Below him extended a vast chaos of rock and forest, and green savannahs and wander * Voyages of Companions of Columbus, p. 182, 3. ing streams, while at a distance the waters of the promised ocean glittered in the morning sun. "At this glorious prospect, Vasco Nuñez sank upon his knees, and poured out thanks to God for being the first European to whom it was given to make that great discovery. He then called his people to ascend: Behold, my friends,' said he, that glorious sight which we have so much desired. Let us give thanks to God that he has granted us this great honour and advantage. Let us pray to him that he will guide and aid us to conquer the sea and land which we have discovered, and in which Christian has never entered to preach the holy doctrine of the Evangelists. As to yourselves, be as you have hitherto been, faithful and true to me, and by the favour of Christ you will become the richest Spaniards that have ever come to the Indias; you will render the greatest services to your king that ever vassal rendered to his lord; and you will have the eternal glory and advantage of all that is here discovered, conquered, and converted to our holy Catholic faith.’ "The Spaniards answered this speech by embracing Vasco Nuñez, and promising to follow him to death. Among them was a priest, named Andres de Vara, who lifted up his voice and chanted Te Deum laudamus-the usual anthem of Spanish discoverers. The people, kneeling down, joined in the strain with pious enthusiasm and tears of joy; and never did a more sincere oblation rise to the Deity from a sanctified altar, than from that wild mountain summit. It was indeed one of the most sublime discoveries that had yet been made in the New World, and must have opened a boundless field of conjecture to the wondering Spaniards. The imagination delights to picture forth the splendid confusion of their thoughts. Was this the great Indian Ocean, studded with precious islands, abounding in gold, in gems, and spices, and bordered by the gorgeous cities and wealthy marts of the East? Or was it |