the llama of Peru, an animal resembling the camel in form.

After remaining for some time on the coast, gathering all the information
he could obtain, Balboa led his travel-worn men back to Darien, resolved
to return with a stronger force next year and seek that distant land of
gold. But this exploit was left for Pizarro, one of the ablest and bravest
of the men who took part in this pioneer expedition.

It was the 18th of January, 1514, when the adventurers reached their
starting-point at Santa Maria, when the people heard of his discovery with
the utmost joy. Messengers were at once sent to Spain, with an account of
the remarkable exploit, which was received with an enthusiasm little less
than had been the news of the discovery of the New World. If Columbus had
discovered a new land, Balboa had matched it with the discovery of a new
ocean, added to which was the story of a land of gold, for whose conquest
Balboa asked for a reinforcement of a thousand men.

Unfortunate as Columbus had been, the new discovery was destined to still
greater ill-fortune, as we shall soon see. Before his messengers reached
Spain a new governor, Pedrarias de Avila, had been appointed and had set
sail, with fifteen vessels and fifteen hundred men. Balboa had nearly five
hundred men under his command, but he at once submitted to the decision of
his king and accepted Pedrarias as his superior. The fifteen hundred new
men landed in that pestilential climate, in the unhealthy season, paid
bitterly for their imprudence. A violent disease attacked them; scarcity
of provisions made it worse; and within a month more than six hundred of
them had died, while others hastened away from that noxious spot.

At length news came that the king fully appreciated the splendid discovery
of Balboa; letters of high praise were received, and he was appointed
_Adelantado_, or admiral of the South Sea, Pedrarias being ordered to
support him in all his operations. The rivals now became reconciled, their
union being made firmer by Pedrarias giving his daughter in marriage to
Balboa.

The adventurer now began active preparations for an exploration of the
South Sea, materials for ship-building being conveyed, with the greatest
labor, across the isthmus, and two brigantines constructed. There was no
lack of volunteers for the expedition, and the vessels were launched and
sailed to the Pearl Islands, the inclement weather alone preventing them
from going on to the coas