you will have to encounter the great cacique Tubanama, whose
territories are at the distance of six days journey, and more
rich in gold than any other province; this cacique will be sure
to come forth against you with a mighty force. To accomplish
your enterprise, therefore, will require at least a thousand
men armed like those who follow you."

The effect of this intelligence, on the enterprising spirit of Vasco
Nunez, may be well imagined. The Pacific ocean and its golden realms
seemed to be at his feet. He beheld within his power an enterprise which
would at once elevate him from a wandering and desperate man, to a rank
among the great captains and discoverers of the earth. He lost no time
in making every preparation to realize the splendid vision. With this
object he sent for aid to Don Diego Columbus, who then governed at St.
Domingo; and in the mean time endeavoured to strengthen himself with the
surrounding tribes of natives, and to quiet the spirit of
insubordination which would occasionally break out at Darien. At length,
on the 1st of September, 1513, he set out with one hundred and ninety
Spaniards, and a number of Indians. At Coyba he left half his company
with the cacique Careta, to await his return, and with the residue, on
the sixth of the month, struck off towards the mountains. By some of the
Indian tribes he was kindly received, by others hostile intentions were
displayed. These were soon overcome by the use of fire arms and blood
hounds, which terrified the natives and put them at once to flight. On
the evening of the 25th of September, the party, now reduced to
sixty-seven Spaniards, arrived at the foot of the last mountain, from
whose top they were told they would command the long sought prospect.
Vasco Nunez obtained fresh Indian guides, and ordered his men to retire
early to repose, that they might be ready to set off at the cool and
fresh hour of daybreak, so as to reach the summit of the mountain before
the noontide heat.

"The day had scarcely dawned, when Vasco Nunez and his
followers set forth from the Indian village and began to climb
the height. It was a severe and rugged toil for men so wayworn,
but they were filled with new ardour at the idea of the
triumphant scene that was so soon to repay them for all their
hardships.

"About ten o'clock in the morning they emerged from the thick
forests through which they had hithe