296 THE OCEAN. 
he succeeded, after severe privations and imminent 
dangers, in crossing the isthmus that connects the 
northern and southern portions of the continent. 
They had arrived at the foot of a hill, from the top 
of which the Indian assured him he would obtain a 
sight of the wished-for sea; when in the enthusias:a 
BALBOA DISCOVERS THE PactFic. 
of the moment, leaving his companions behind, the 
Spanish chief ran to the summit, and beheld a limit- 
less Ocean sleeping in its immensity at his feet. 
With the spurious piety common to the times—a 
piety that could consist with the grossest injustice, 
the blackest perjury, and the most barbarous cruelty, 
-—he knelt down and gave thanks aloud to God for 
such a termination of his toils; then having descend- 
