Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-03-16

guilty, saw something brave anu Driiiia"' l" Nv
VERY crime imputed to him. Surh. however,
was the general dread inspired by the severe
Of Pedrarias. that no one dared 10
lift up his voice, either III murmur OF ie'hoh-
STRANGE.
"The public crier walked before VaSco NJ
uez, procIaiming. this is the punishment IN
Hicted by command of the King, and his Lieu
tenant Don Pedrarias Dayila, OH this man. as a
traitor and an usurper of the territories OF the
CROWN
9. When Vasco Nunez heard these words, he
exclaimed Indignantly. 1T is false! never dld
such a crime enter my mind, have ever served
nv King with truth and loyalty. and sought to
augment his dominions.'
{. These words were of no avail III his eXtrem-
ity. but they were fully believed by the populace.
=" Thus persisted in his forty second year, In
the prime and vigor of his days aud the full ca,
reer of his glory. one of the most illustrious and
deserving of the Spanish discoverers-a victim to
the basest and most perfdious envy.
s.How vain are our most confident hopes,
our brightest triumphs? When Nasco Nunez,
from the mountains of Darien. beheld the South
ern Ocean revealed to his gaze, he considered
his unknown realms at his disposal. When he
had launched his ships upon It's waters. and his
sails we're in a manner Tapping in the wind to
bear him in quest Of the wealthy empire of Peru,
he scofed at the prediction of the astroloser' and
defed the influence Of the stars.
Behold him interrupted at the very moment OF
his departures; betrayed into the hands Of his
most invidious foe; the very enterprise that was
to have crowned him with glory w:eSted into a
crime; and himself hurried to u bloody and igno-
minious grave, at the foot. as it were, OF the
mountain from whence he had made his dlscove-
ry! His fate, like that Of his renowned prede-
cessor Columbus, proves. that 1t IS sometimes
dangerous even to discern too greatly"
The other scene of his life, SO wildly here
contrasted, is thus glowingly described:
1.-The day had scarcely dawned, when Fasco
Nuncz and his followers set forth from the In
dian village and began to climb the height. 1t
was a severe and rugged toll for men SO way
worn, but they were filled with new ardOur at the
idea of that triumphant scene that was So soon to
repay them for all their hardships.
..About ten O'Clock in the morning they en-
erged 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 assembled, and their guides
pointed to a moderate eminence from which they
said the southern sea was visible.
"UDOU AllS dSCO -NuuCL CdHuhidiiuCu hS ~
lowers to halt. aud that no man should stir from
his place. Then, with a palpitating heart, he as
cended alone the bare mountain-top. On reach
ing the summit the long.desired prospect burst
upon his view. 1t vas as if a new world were
unfolded to him, separated from all hitherto
known by his mighty barrier of mountains. Be-
low him extended a vast chaos ofrOck and forest,
and green savannahs and wandering streams,
while at a distance the waters of the promised
ocean g%Iittered in the morning sun.
Sat this glorious prospect Vasco Nunez 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 w have so much desir-
ed. Let us give thanks to God that he has grant
ed US this great honor and advantage. Let US
pray to him that he will guide and aid US to con-
quer 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. faith
full and true to me, and by the favor of Christ
you will become the richest Spaniards that have
ever come to the Indies; you will render the
greatest services to your king that ever vassal
rendered to his lord; and you will have the eter-
nal glory anu advantage vi du uidt 10 IctC Tvs
covered. conquered, and converted to our holy
Catholic faith"
We conclude the present notice with the story
of one of Ojeda's romantic adventures
After landing upon the Coast of Carthagena,
when the friars had read a plous manifesto, Ojeda
made a sign of amity to the natives, and held up
gIittering presents. They had already suffered,
however, from the cruelty of the white men, and
were not 10 be won BY kindness. On the contra
ry. they brandished their weapons. sounded their
conchs. and prepared to make battle. Juan de
la Cosa saw the rising choler of Oieda, and
knew his fiery impatiencc. He again e~ntreated
him to abandon these hostile shores, and reminded
him of the venomous Weapons of the enemy. 1t
was all in vain: Ojeda contided blindly in the
protection of the Virgin. Putting up as usual, a
short PRAYER to his patronness, he drew his wea-
pom. braced his buckler, and charged %furiously
upon the savages. Juan de la Cosa followed as
heartily as if the battle had been Of his own seek
inc. The Indians were soon routed. a number
killed, and several taken prisoners: on their per-
sons were found plates of gold. but of an inferior
quality. Flushed by this triumph, Ojeda took
several of the prisoners as guides. and pursued
the Hying enemy four IeaguesintO the Interior