Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1858-09-24
How ,hc pneiHc was Discovered.
ny GRACE GREENWOOD.


On a golden autumn day. almost three aud
half centuries ago, near tbs summit of
m ,ant,ia IN the Istmis Of d lricn, CO M
p,ny Of Spanish soldiers and native Indians
c,mc to sudden halt. They were the par
ty Of tho heroic Castiliau explorer, Vasco
N,uez do Balboa. Thus far they had
marched from the ebony on the Gulf of Da-
ricn, for many weary days through dense
tiles and fearful wi beasts-through pesti-
lcnti;L swamrs and black, Shiny streams,
and over rocky heights, encountcrng the
most dreadful fatigue, illness, hunger and
thirst, in the hope of discoycringa new ocean
upon whose shores might lie that country Of
whose marvcls and riches the s,,vagcs told
such wonderful stories-thc India of which
the great hearted Columbus dreamed, when
he set on that great voyage which the wise
men of Europe Thought would end in a
plunge down some ocean c.tlrLct into II
blank chaos, thousand Leagues below the
world.
Balboa had been assured by his Indian
guide that from the summit of a certain
IN ,antain that he would behold the
great sch, whose WIVES washed tho shores
of vast territories voinad with gold and silver
ore. R,usinS their little remaining strength
the daring adventures toilel On the rough
ascent, us eager to hold thc promised sea
rs were the Isrieltes of old to catch sight of
'the promised lind Bat just before they
reached the hi chest point their leader COM
manded IA halt, and they all paused breath
less, but reluctantly. Balboa had resolved
to be the first to behold the Pacific, and he
proceeded alone to the summit l do not
think that this wis noble act, but selfish
one, quite unworthy u true heart. Surely
those brave followers, who had shared with
him all the perils and hardships Of tho expo
dition, should have had their full share in
the first joy Of diseovery.-But he had it all
to himself-thc glorious sight of that vast,
placid occan-thosc green and aowery shores
tho beauty, the grandeur, the mystery of
new world and it was moro than he
could bear unmovcd. He sank on his knees.
and gave thanks to God. Then he called up
his followers, and they cut down large tree
and made of it a great cross, which they
erected on the spot, in sign of conquest and
civilization. They also carved the names of
King Ferdinand and Queen isabella upon
several prominent trees-thus taking possess
ion Of the land
They then descended to the sea-shore, and
Balboa having in one hand his drawn sword.
and in the other the Spanish standard, stood
In the rising tide, and shouted-''long live
the King and Queen Of CASTLE thus tax
ing possession of the sea-
Perhaps they fingered on that shore till
highland saw the sun descend into that calm,
transparent expanse ofsea, turning all the
waves into vast sheet of gold, and setting
oil the western heavens aglow with burning
spiendors, till they seemed like the open gates
ef''the gol Zen city, or tho mighty pavilions
Of "the King of Glory
When the news Of this discovery, of such
incalculable Importance to the whole world.
reached Spain, it caused great wonder ,reioic-
ing and triumph, and the name of Vasco
Nunez do Balboa was associated with those of
Christopher Columbus and Americus YES
pucius. Yet, am sorry to add, in less than
four years from the time of his glorious
discovery, he was accused of disloyalty, and
put to death By the Spanish governor of
Daricn.
So ii little proftcd the brave adventurer
that he had found a mighty ocean, on which
European eyes had never before gazed. and
pointed the world to regions of exhaustless
riches. Yet let us hope that for him the
waters of that other unknown sea, which
lies between Is and the true promised land,
was Illuminated by the s'Sun of Righteous
ncss," and that the gates of the golden city
of God were not closed against him.
Little Pilgrim.