BALBOA. THE PACIFIC. 465 
and collected a great quantity of gold, which abounded more in 
that part of the continent than in the islands. 
It happened during one of his frequent excursions that a 
young Cacique, witnessing a very angry dispute among the 
Spaniards about a few grains of gold, asked them in a con- 
temptuous tone why they quarrelled about such a trifle; and 
added, that, if they set such an exorbitant value upon a metai 
comparatively worthless in his eyes, he could gratify their 
utmost wishes by pointing out to them a land where gold was so 
plentiful that even common utensils were made of it. And when 
Balboa eagerly asked where that happy country was situated, 
“Six days’ journey to the south,” was the answer, “will bring 
you to another ocean along whose coast it lies!” 
This was the first time the Spaniards ever heard of the Pacific 
and of gold-teeming Peru, and the intelligence was well calcu- 
lated to inflame the enterprising spirit of their leader. Balboa 
immediately concluded that this sea must be that which Colum- 
bus and so many other navigators had vainly sought for, and 
that its discovery would beyond all doubt open the way to 
India, which, according to the geographical error of the times, 
was supposed to be far less distant from America than it 
really is. 
The most brilliant prospects rose before his fancy, and he 
would immediately have gone forth to realise them, if prudence 
had not warned him first to provide all the means necessary to 
insure success. He therefore endeavoured before all to gain the 
good-will of the neighbouring Indian chiefs, and sent some trust- 
worthy agents to Hispaniola with a considerable quantity of 
gold, whereby many adventurers were induced to floek to his 
standard. Having thus reinforced himself, he thought he might 
now safely undertake his important expedition. 
The Isthmus of Darien, over which he had to force his way, 
is not above sixty miles broad, but this short distance was ren- 
dered difficult, or rather impervious, by the innumerable obstacles 
of a tropical wilderness. The high mountains running along the 
neck of land were covered with dense forests, and the low grounds 
beneath filled with deep swamps, from whieh arose exhalations 
deadly to a European constitution. Wild torrents rushed 
down the ravines, and often forced them to retrace their steps. 
A march through a country Jike this, thinly peopled by a few 
