are justified
in claiming for you an alliance with exalted rank and
affluence; and I love you far too well to regard my own
happiness more than your welfare. If, therefore, in your
extreme youth you have made a promise which you now regret,
as far as it is in my power to absolve you from that
engagement, you are released. On my side, the obligation is
sacred and eternal. It is not likely that I shall ever
return to my country. While I am banished from your
presence, all countries are alike to me.

"The person who brings you this exposes himself to great
danger in his desire to serve me. I entreat you to use such
precautions as his safety may require. If your goodness
should vouchsafe any message to me, he will deliver it, and
you may have perfect confidence in his fidelity. Pardon my
boldness in supposing it possible that I still have a place
in your remembrance. Though you may now think of me with
indifference or dislike, do not censure me too severely for
calling myself unchangeably and devotedly, Yours, DE SOTO."

CHAPTER IV.

_Demoniac Reign._

Giles Gonzales.--Unsuccessful Contest of De Soto with
Gonzales.--Bold Reply of De Soto to the Governor.--Cruelty
of Don Pedro to M. Codro.--Assassination of Cordova.--New
Expedition of Discovery.--Revenge upon Valenzuela.--Reign of
Don Pedro at Nicaragua.--Unwise Decision of De Soto.

It was supposed at that time that there must be a strait somewhere
north of Panama across the narrow isthmus, which would connect the
waters of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Several expeditions had
been fitted out in search of this all-important passage. Almost
invariably a company of priests joined these expeditions, who exerted
all their energies to convert the Indians to nominal Christianity. A
fanatic adventurer by the name of Giles Gonzales, acquired much
celebrity for his success in inducing the natives to accept the
Christian faith and to acknowledge fealty to the king of Spain. He was
at the head of one hundred steel-clad warriors. His mode of
persuasion, though unique, was very potent. When he approached the
seat of the chief of Nicaragua, he sent a courier to him with the
following message:

"I am coming as a friend to teach you the only true religion, and to
persuade you to recognize the most powerful monarch on the globe. If
you refuse to yield to m