The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-07-01
How the Pacific was DiseOS

On golden Autumn day, almost three
and half centuries ago, near the summit
of a mountain on the lsthmus of DaricD,
company Of Spanish soldiers and native In
dians came to a sudden halt. They were
the party Of the heroic Castilian explorer
Vasco Nunez de Balboa. Thus far they
had marched from the colony on the Gulf OF
Daricn for many weary days through dense
tropical forests, infested by venemou rep
tiles and fearful wild beasts-through pes.
tiferous swamps and black, slimy streams,
and over rocky heights, encOuntering the
most dreadful fatigue, illness, hunger and
thirst, in the hope OF discovering new
ocean, upon whose shores might lie that
country of whose marvels and riches the
savagcs told such wonderful stories-tbe In.
dia OF which the great-hearted Columbus
dreamed, when he get out on that voyage
which the wise men of Europe thought
would end in plunge down some ocean cat
aract, into black chaos, a thousand leagues
below the world.
Balboa had been assured by his Indian
guide that from the summit OF certain
mountain he would behold the great sea,
whose waves washed the shores OF vast ter
ritories veined with gold and silver ore.
Rousing their little remaining strength, the
daring adventures toiled up the rough as
cent, as eager to behold the promised sea as
were the Israelites Of old to catch sight Of
the promised land" But just before they
reached the highest point, their leader com
manded halt, and they all paused breath
less. but reluctant. Balboa had resolved to
be the first TO behold the Pacific and he
proceeded alone TO the summit. do not
think that this was noble act. but selfish
one. quite unworthy a true hero. surely
those brave followers who had shared with
him all the perils and hardshps OF the ex-
petition, should have had their full share IN
the first joy Of the discovery. But he had
il all to himself-the glorious sight OF that
placid ocean-tbose green and Howery shores
the beauty, the grandeur. the mystery Of
new world and it was more than he could
bear unmoved 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 il great cross, which they
erected on the spot, in sign Of conquests and
civilization. They also carved the names Of
X Ih''b "lo"
several prominent tTees-thus taking pos
session Of the land.
They then desoended TO the seashore, and
Balboa having in one hand hi drawn sword
anil in in the other the Spanish standard,
stood ia the rising tide aDd shouted" Long
live the King and Queen OF CASTLE -
thus taking possession Of the -ea.
Perhaps they fingered on that shore till
night, and saw the sun descend into that
calm Transparent expanse Of sea, turning all
the waves into q vast sbest of gold, aud set
ting ell the western heavens aglow with
burning speDdors, I'LL they seemed like the
open gates Of ." tbe golden city," or the
mighty pavilions of ",he King Of Glory"
When the news of this discovery, OF such
incalculable importance % the whole world.
reached Spain, i, ca1sed great wonder, re-
jocing and triumph, ami tae name oi Vasco
NUM- De Balboa was ASSOCIATED with th1se
of Christopher Columbus and Americus
vespacias. Yet ! am sorry " add. IN iess
than four year from tbe time Of has glorious
discovery, be VA accused oi dlslOysliy. aud
put to death By the Spanish governor o'
Darien.
20 it liitle prohted tor brave adven;arer
that be- had found a mighty ocean, on wEich
European eyes had DeTef beiore gazai, and
pointed the world 70 reglors Of eHhags,lesa