ourished his hatred, and had sought opportunity to injure his former
captain. The men sent by Balboa to Ada to find out the state of
affairs were very maladroit in their manoeuvres, and their peculiar
actions awakened the suspicions of Pedrarias. The first one who
entered the town was seized and cast into prison. The others thereupon
came openly to Ada and declared their purposes. This seems to have
quieted, temporarily, the suspicions of Pedrarias; but the implacable
Garavito, taking opportunity, when the governor's mind was unsettled
and hesitant, assured him that Balboa had not the slightest intention
whatever of marrying Pedrarias's daughter; that he was devoted to his
Indian wife, and intended to remain true to her; that it was his
purpose to sail to the South Sea, establish a kingdom and make himself
independent of Pedrarias.

{48} The old animosity and anger of the governor awoke on the instant.
There was no truth in the accusations except in so far as it regarded
Vasco Nunez's attachment to his Indian wife, and indeed Balboa had
never given any public refusal to abide by the marital engagement which
he had entered into; but there was just enough probability in
Garavito's tale to carry conviction to the ferocious tyrant. He
instantly determined upon Balboa's death. Detaining his envoys, he
sent him a very courteous and affectionate letter, entreating him to
come to Ada to receive some further instructions before he set forth on
the South Sea.

Among the many friends of Balboa was the notary Arguello who had
embarked his fortune in the projected expedition. He prepared a
warning to Vasco Nunez, which unfortunately fell into the hands of
Pedrarias and resulted in his being clapped into prison with the rest.
Balboa unsuspiciously complied with the governor's request, and,
attended by a small escort, immediately set forth for Ada.

He was arrested on the way by a company of soldiers headed by Francisco
Pizarro, who had nothing to do with the subsequent transactions, and
simply acted under orders, as any other soldier would have done.
Balboa was thrown into prison and heavily ironed; he was tried for
treason against the King and Pedrarias. The testimony of the soldier
who had listened in the rainstorm was brought forward, and, in spite of
a noble defense, Balboa was declared guilty.

Espinosa, who was his judge, was so dissatisfied with the verdict,
however, that he personally besought Pedrarias to mitigat