Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-10-03

pointing to the south. Beyond them
lies another mighty ocean sea. not I'M
like that from which you have come.
1t may be discerned from their sum
nit All the streams which flow into
that sea abound with gold. The Kings
who reign upon its shores eat and
drink out of golden vessels. Gold is
as common and plentiful among those
people of the South as iron is among
you Spaniards.'
Panciaeo evidently referred to Peru.
of which Columbus had also heard. for
in his writings he declared that the
Aurea Chersonesus of old King Solo
mon was somewhere in the New
World Panciacos words kindled the
fire of anticipation in Balboa's breast.
| Anxious to know more of this other
ocean sea" he pressed the youth for
i further details.
TO his surprise. Balboa learned that
ii was only six days journey off. But
the way was hard and many fierce
tribes must be overcome. He was told
that at least a thousand armed Span
iards would be necessary. To prove
his sincerity, Panciaco offered to ac-
company Balboa at the head of a large
band of Comagrans
Here was the exploit for which Bal
boa had been searching. From mere
gold hunter, Nasco Nunez now became
an explorer with definite idea. Re-
turning to Darien to prepare for the
important venture, he appealed to Die
go Columbus, then Governor of Santo
Domingo, for additional men, not for
getting to send him a large quantity
of gold. While waiting for the re-en-
forcements word came to him that the
Bachiller Encvisco had succeeded in
rousing the Kings indignation against
Balboa and that he would be sum
moned to Spain Immediately to answer
criminal charges
Selecting goo of the most reckless of
his band, he armed them with swords.
targets, cross bows and arquebusses.
,, AS an auxiliary fighting force he took
along a pack of boodhounds who had
already proved their worth against the
Indians.
Early in September, 1913 Balboa and
| his men left Antigua, on the Atlantic
side of Panama. To traverse the Is
J leagues that made up the narrow neck
/ of land. 1t has fifty been described as
! The hardest short stretch that can be
| found anywhere
For two weeks the Spaniards toled
| through friendly provinces. Then they
| encountered a series of hostile chief
tains who had joined forces to drive
| the invaders back. According to Span
| ish chronicles, the slaughter of the ma
| tiVes was terrific. Their unprotected,
| naked bodies made them easy prey for
| the steel and bloodhounds of the SPAN
iards.
Finally Balboa reached village at
| the foot of the last mountain to be
climbed. in the Quaraque Range, whose
summit commanded the long sought
| prospect. At dawn of the followins
| day he set out again. Just before
| reaching the peak the leader com
| manded his men to halt that, he might
| make the final ascent alone and be the
first to see what lay beyond.
! 1t Was 10 o'clock on the morning of
! September p. 1913, that he scaled the
/ bare, bald crest. and on reaching it the
| long desired prospect burst upon his
| View. Like the unfolding of new
| world, hitherto shut out by this noun
| tain WALL it spread out. First there
was Il chaos of rock, lower down YER
dure and beyond shimmered the wa
ters of a limitless sea In the lazy fore
noon sunlight
Balboa sank to his knees and thank
ed God for being the first European
! permitted To open the way to this
+, wonderful ocean.
Selling a banner on which We're
painted the Virgin and Child and the
arms of Leon and Castiel, Balboa
marched proudly into the water knee
deep, and, with a flourish of his swore,
took possession of everything therein
and bordering thereon in the names OF
the Sovereigns of CASTLE. Leon and
Arragon, according to the elaborate
formula provided.-N York Sun.