234 



HISTORY OF THE SEA. 



prince or captain, Christian or infidel, or if any law, condition, 

 or sect whatsoever, shall pretend any right to these lands and 

 seas, I am ready to maintain and defend them in the name of 

 the Castilian sovereigns, whose is the empire and dominion over 

 these Indies, islands, and terra firma, Northern and Southern, 

 with all their seas, both at the Arctic and Antartic poles, on 

 either side of the equinoctial line, whether within or without the 

 tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, both now and in all time, as 

 long as the world endure, and until the final day of judgment 

 of all mankind." 



As may be supposed, no one appeared to dispute these for- 

 midable pretensions, and no champion entered the lists in behalf 

 of the original owners of the seas, islands, and surrounding 

 lands in question ; so that Balboa called upon his companions to 

 bear witness that he had duly and uninterruptedly taken posses- 

 sion. The notary drew up the necessary legal document, which 

 was signed by all present. Then they all tasted the .water, 

 which, from its saltness, they felt assured was the ocean. Bal- 

 boa carved a cross on a tree whose roots were below high-water 

 mark, and, lopping off a branch with his sword, bore it away as 

 a trophy. 



Balboa now wished to perform a voyage upon the bosom of 

 the new-found ocean. In spite of the advice of friendly In- 

 dians, who represented the season as stormy, he embarked with 

 sixty of his men in nine canoes. A tempest compelled them to 

 seek refuge upon an island. In the night the tide completely 

 submerged it, and rose to the girdles of the Spaniards. Their 

 canoes were broken to pieces, and at low tide they managed 

 with great difficulty to effect their escape to the mainland. 

 After numerous forays against the caciques ruling the neighs 

 boring tribes, Balboa arrived at the Darien River, on the 19th 

 of January, 1514, after having accomplished one of the most 

 remarkable feats on record, and after an expedition which must 

 ever be memorable among deeds of intrepidity and adventure. 



