full of meaning upon his listeners. "To the contrary, it is the simplest
thing in the world. You have two marriageable daughters. Give him one of
them!"
"What? One of our daughters marry that base-born caitiff? Hearest thou
that, Isabel?"
"I hear," replied his wife, demurely. "But I do not consider Vasco Nunez
so far beneath us that he could not aspire. He is of the hidalguia
[nobility] by birth, and not base-born, my lord."
"Aha! the rope of pearls! Hath it, then, bound thee to Balboa?"
"Shame! Thou knowest it is not so. That remark is unworthy of thee,
Pedro," exclaimed the bishop, hotly.
Dona Isabel did not respond, but her eyes flashed until their fire was
extinguished by the tears that welled up from them. She was used to
insult from her lord, but not yet calloused.
Bestowing upon her a glance of sympathy, the bishop continued: "My
friends, Vasco Nunez would be a suitable match for your daughter. He is
a man of merit, an hidalgo by birth, and--whether thou likest or not to
hear it, Pedro--a favorite of the king. Whilst thou art advanced in
years, Pedro, he is in the prime of life, in the very vigor of his days.
Make him, then, thy son-in-law, and as thy lieutenant he can carry out
thy plans. Thus all his achievements will redound to the advancement of
thy family, and to the credit of thy administration."
"Enough!" exclaimed Pedrarias, won over, not so much by the bishop's
earnestness and eloquence as by the evident advantages to himself in
such a match. "Send for Vasco Nunez and for a notary. He shall espouse
Maria, our eldest daughter. She is in Spain; but that matters not, so
the marriage agreement be written out and signed before witnesses. Send
for my son-in-law!"
XVIII
BUILDING THE BRIGANTINES
1516
The life led by Vasco Nunez de Balboa in the New World, accustomed as he
had been to scenes of rapine and to the indulgence of the baser
passions, was not conducive to the upbuilding of an elevated character.
But that he had a shred of manliness remaining, was shown when, in
response to the command of Pedrarias, he presented himself before that
worthy at his official residence. When he learned of the compact that
had been proposed by the bishop and sanctioned by the governor, he at
first seemed stunned by the intelligence; but recovering himself with an
effort, he exclaimed: "And this is to be the purchase of my freedom?
Bound by pledges which cannot be broken, I am to be delivered into the
hands of mine enemy! Never! never will I consent to such a compromise.
It is disgraceful, humiliating!"
"Tut, tut," said the bishop. "You forget, my son, in whose presence thou
art speaking: the head of thy Church, the head of the government--not
only--but before a lady of a rank the equal of, if not exceeding, thine
own."
"I crave her pardon," said Balboa, now for the first time allowing his
gaze to rest upon Dona Isabel. "But do you, my lady, approve this
alliance? As the mother of your daughter, and knowing me for what I
am--what I have been in this wild land--do you consent to such a
sacrifice?"
"She is my eldest, and dear to my heart," responded the Lady Isabel;
"but I not only consent to--I approve of this arrangement."
"Then so be it," rejoined Balboa, with a sigh. "Never have I seen the
maiden; but if she be like her gracious mother, then truly shall I be
the most fortunate of men." He advanced, and bowing low before her, with
courtly dignity, pressed his lips to the hand which she extended.
"Most fortunate of men, indeed," exclaimed Pedrarias, with a sneer; "not
only in what you gain, but what escape. Dost hear, Isabel? he
_condescends_ to marry our daughter! We will make note of that; but,
inasmuch as I have decided, we will for the moment overlook it. Now the
notary, and the marriage compact. These, our signatures, you witness,
notary. Enough. It is done; it is affirmed. Maria shall be sent for, and
when she arrives the marriage shall be solemnized. Now, son-in-law, what
is it thou desirest most of all--saving, of course, to be my
son-in-law?"
"Your excellency," responded Balboa, ignoring the sneering tone and
look, "when you came hither it was my intention soon to build some
ships, and, after transporting them to the coast of the new sea, to
explore its shores and islands."
"Then proceed. It is a good intention, and should be carried out at
once. But how, son-in-law, wilt transport the ships across the
mountains? The way is long and rugged--impossible."
"Nay, not impossible. After what has been achieved, it is feasible. At
the port of Acla, in Careta's country, I would fain cut the timbers,
collect the material for fittings, and thence have them taken by
carriers to the southern sea-coast."
"Good! In the province of Careta, another father-in-law of thine, by the
way, thy relations with whom thou must sever! Thou canst not but
understand what I mean?"
"I understand," rejoined Balboa, "and your law is my will."
"Certes, thou shouldst have no other, henceforth, as thou'lt find!"
This allusion to Cacique Careta had reference, of course, to the
fact--which was well known in Darien--that his daughter, the Cacica, was
still held in regard by Balboa, and had not yet returned to her father.
Perhaps Dona Isabel had not been aware of the circumstances, for she
looked inquiringly at Balboa, who avoided her gaze, and retired in
confusion from her presence.
Then ensued scenes of activity at Antigua del Darien to which it had
long been a stranger. When it became known that Pedrarias and Balboa
were again in accord, the settlers took heart and began to improve their
condition. Establishing himself at Acla, a port in Careta's province, to
the west of Antigua, where he had already erected a fortress, Balboa
began the construction of four brigantines. Timber for two of them was
already hewn and shaped, when it was discovered that, having been cut
near the sea-coast, it was subject to the ravages of destructive worms,
and all the work had to be done over again.
During long weeks and months, troops of negroes and Indians trudged
painfully over the rugged trails of the mountains, from the north coast
to the south, bearing heavy loads comprised of rigging, anchors, and
iron-work for the brigantines, arms, ammunition, and provisions, a
distance of fifty or sixty miles. Timber for the second pair of
brigantines was felled on the banks of a river called the Balsa, which
flowed into the South Sea; but hardly had it been cut and shaped before
a flood came down from the mountains and swept it nearly all away. Then,
a third time, did the indefatigable Balboa set his men an example by
Herculean labors, and after almost incredible toil, exposure, suffering
from famine and sickness, two brigantines were finally constructed and
floated on the river. They drifted down to the sea-coast, and there,
while timber for the other two was being prepared and their fittings
brought from Acla, Balboa equipped them with sails and set forth upon
the bosom of the ocean he had discovered three years before. This, he
thought, was the consummation of his labors and the triumph of his
genius; but before him yet lay the country in which he hoped to round
out his career by a grand and startling conquest.
A trial trip was made to the islands of pearls, on one of which, called
_Isla Rica_, or the Rich Island, he established a base of supplies, and
then, with one hundred men aboard his clumsy brigantines, he set sail
for the coast of the mainland, where it stretched away to the west and
the southward. He was then, if he had but known it, on the watery
highway to Peru, but which another was to traverse, to its ending at the
gateway of the golden empire. He had found the way, however, and was
content, for, with four brigantines soon to be under his orders, and
three hundred men in his command, it seemed to him that the treasures of
Peru now lay open before him. He could exploit them at his leisure, he
thought, and when a school of whales appeared ahead of his vessel--which
he mistook for reefs--and a contrary wind assailed him, he abandoned his
cruise to the southward and returned to Isla Rica.
Balboa was a careful commander, and he had been three years dreaming of
and preparing for the invasion of Peru. He would not, then, jeopardize
his chances by starting out half equipped, with less than one-third the
number of men he desired and in all probability needed. So he returned
to Isla Rica, which, having reduced its people to subjection and
investigated its resources, he planned to make his headquarters.
With what exultation he found himself at last free from the domination
of Pedrarias! With what delight he rambled over his island realm and
thought upon the freedom that would be his, the glorious opportunities
unfolded, the treasure he would obtain, when, at last afloat, with
armament complete, he would bear down for the land that then lay dim and
shadowy upon the horizon!
But, even while indulging in these dreams of future conquest, sinister
rumors reached him from the northern shores of the isthmus. At least,
viewed in the light that Pedrarias was now his friend, they seemed so,
for they related to the arrival of a new governor, who might not look
with favor on his schemes, and indeed supplant him with favorites of his
own. After consulting with the most trusty of his officers, he resolved
to send a messenger to Acla, in order to ascertain the exact condition
of affairs in Antigua, for reports were conflicting, and he knew not
what to do. The man selected for this important mission was none other
than Andres Garabito, who had brought the contingent of armed men from
Cuba. Balboa thought he could trust him, as they had campaigned
together, passed through perils together, and existed in close
comradeship for years; but he had not taken into the account a recent
occurrence which had changed Garabito's friendship into bitter hatred.
His enmity was secret, but was none the less vindictive, and it was
occasioned by his fondness for Careta's daughter, of whom Balboa claimed
sole proprietorship. When, therefore, he one day discovered Garabito
paying her attentions--which she seemed not to receive unwillingly--he
rebuked his subordinate severely, and sent him away in anger. The
occurrence faded quickly from Balboa's mind, for his generous nature did
not harbor resentment long; but not so with Garabito, who felt he had
been unjustly treated, and meditated revenge.
Before setting out with Balboa on this very expedition, he wrote to
Pedrarias that his prospective son-in-law was so completely enamored of
the Indian girl Cacica that, rather than give her up, he would fly with
her to the wilds and abandon the settlement forever. This poisoned
missive had done its dastardly work most effectually during Balboa's
absence on the southern coast, and when, by a sinister coincidence,
Garabito was chosen to return to Darien to spy upon the Spaniards there,
he found the mind of Pedrarias ripe to receive any accusation whatever
against the man he hated yet had so highly honored. He was furious from
wounded pride and jealousy. His former suspicions revived, and were
augmented by the arrival of the malignant Garabito at Acla. This
despicable wretch allowed himself to be arrested as a spy, and when
threatened with punishment pretended to reveal what he knew and
suspected of Balboa's intentions. He declared that his chief intended,
as soon as the brigantines were ready for sea, provisioned and equipped,
to embark upon the southern ocean. As an independent commander, said
Garabito, he proposed to sever all relations with the government of
Darien, and cast off his allegiance to the king. Thus was Balboa accused
of the crime of treason by this dastard scoundrel, a crime which, as he
well knew, was punishable with death!
As the new governor had died in the very harbor of Antigua before he
could take up the burden of government, Pedrarias was not only
undisturbed, but at liberty now to proceed unrestrained with his
persecution of Balboa. In his blind fury, he cast all considerations of
justice or fairness to the winds, and listened to the accusations of
Balboa's enemies, who now rose up on all sides to condemn him. The
colony was again thrown into a ferment by the several factions, for
Balboa still had many friends besides those who were with him on the
coast; and every advantage which had been gained by the alliance between
the governor and the discoverer was thus thrown away. The interests of
the colony were subordinated by Pedrarias to the gratification of his
malice, and all enterprises halted while he pursued his enemy to the
last extremity.
Garabito had, as though unintentionally, let drop that his chief had
sent for Cacica, who was instructed to join him in his camp at Isla
Rica, he said, without delay. But this was an untruth, for Balboa had
broken with her from the day he had promised Pedrarias to do so. As an
honorable man--according to the code of honor at that time--he felt
himself constrained to abide by the letter of his marriage agreement
with the governor's daughter, and had held himself aloof from all
temptations. His deep regard for Dona Isabel constrained him also; for,
though she had condoned his past, she expected him to comport himself
like a true knight in the future. As the mother of his bride in
prospective, and as the first pure woman he had met in many years, he
regarded her with worshipful reverence. For her sake he had resolved to
crucify his lusts and purge himself of all iniquities.
But Balboa's righteous resolve had been made too late, for the Cacica,
though she had long since steeled her heart against her master, was
piqued at his coldness, and it was that which had caused her to receive
the attentions of Garabito, who failed not to tell her of the marriage
contract with the governor's daughter. Balboa had, then, at least two
enemies who, with a desire for revenge, though from different motives,
aided Pedrarias in fastening the fetters upon him.
If this were but a story of love and revenge, rather than the simple
biography of a historical character, we should find the material at hand
for a most fascinating romance; and if the reader will recall the
leading features of chapters v. and ix., in this connection, perhaps
such a story may be woven, after all! For we have all the essentials for
a plot: valiant hero, beautiful heroine, despicable villain; love,
intrigue, the deadly enmity of a base tyrant; and finally, a tragic
ending. This final tragedy we are leading up to now, and we shall
attempt to show how Vasco Nunez de Balboa's crimes in the early part of
his career came to be visited upon him when at the height of apparent
prosperity and power, and brought him to the headsman's block!
When Pedrarias heard from Garabito that the Cacica had been ordered by
Balboa to join him on his expedition, he sent an officer to bring her
before him. She came tremblingly, having in mind the tortures to which
her brother had been subjected when summoned before a similar council by
the magistrates. She was waylaid by Garabito, who whispered in her ear:
"You have only to say that your master sent for you, but that you
refused to go. If you testify otherwise, you are lost, for the governor
will put you to the torture!"
The power of Garabito was in the ascendent, over that of Balboa, and the
girl testified as he commanded, greatly to the satisfaction of the
governor, who grimly regarded this rival of his daughter with something
like approval. Her evidence was the last link in the chain he was
forging to connect his enemy with treason towards the king. The fact
that he had sent for her proved his intention of making the southern
coast his base of operations and place of permanent abode. It also
showed, the governor argued, that Balboa had no thought of fulfilling
his obligations to his daughter, whom he thus virtually repudiated. This
thought enraged him to the verge of frenzy. That he should have
meditated an alliance with this base-born adventurer (as he styled him
then) was exasperating; but that the graceless fellow should have
spurned that alliance, and preferred an Indian female to his high-born
daughter, stirred his malignant nature to its depths.
XIX
IMPRISONED AND IN CHAINS
1517
While his enemies were plotting to take his life, Balboa was beyond
their reach at Isla Rica, where, all unconscious of the dangers that
menaced him, he was completing preparations for the voyage southward to
Peru. He had sent for and expected supplies and reinforcements, but
while they were, presumably, on the way, he did not abate his diligence
for a moment.
He relaxed, however, his strenuous exertions, for the great object of
the past months of terrible toils had been in a measure accomplished in
the building of the brigantines. While the work went on beneath his eye,
he allowed himself a little recreation, and amid the delights of Isla
Rica indulged in dreams of future conquests. One evening, while
reclining in company with some comrades on a couch of palm-leaves spread
upon the sands, he pointed to a particular star in the heavens above
them, and said: "There is the planet that holds my fate in its keeping.
See you yon star, my friends? Well, I was told by Micer Codro (the
Venetian astrologer who was with us, you remember, when we first found
these shores) that when that star appeared in this position in the
firmament my life would be in jeopardy. But should I survive this period
of peril, I would become the richest, the most renowned man in the
Indies!
"Now, what think ye, comrades? That was more than three years ago, and,
according to Micer Codro's prophecy, I should be in peril of my life;
yet here am I, almost within reach of my desires, sound in health, with
four brigantines and three hundred good men at my command, and on the
point of exploring the great Southern Ocean, which I was the first to
find! Out upon all astrologers, say I. That man is surely womanish who
gives credit to diviners, and especially to old Micer Codro. Star, I
salute thee! Continue thou to shine; but thy baleful radiance is not for
Vasco Nunez de Balboa!"
"He was a learned man," replied one of his companions. "Of a truth, I
have heard fearsome stories of his sagacity. But what is that? See,
yonder on the sea: a canoe approaches. What can fetch a boat hither from
the main, save unwelcome tidings?"
"I cannot conceive," rejoined Balboa, "except that the new governor has
arrived and it is a summons for us to return. But we shall see as to
that, for while the isthmus intervenes between him and me, no power
shall stay us nor cause us to delay."
Propelled by the sinewy arms of naked Indians, the canoe darted over the
sea and through the surf to the strand, when a man in the garb of a
king's official leaped out and approached the group. Going up to Balboa,
who was standing expectantly, he bowed low, then said: "Senor
Adelantado, a letter I bring you from his excellency the governor."
"Which I receive as his dutiful servant," answered Balboa, taking it in
his hand, and reading it by the light of a torch held by one of his
aids. "It seems my intended father-in-law is desirous of seeing me and
consulting with respect to our projected expedition," he explained to
his comrades. "As his wishes are my desires, I shall start in the
morning. Meanwhile I am gone, Francisco Companon, you will be in
command of the ships and the soldiers. Messenger, what tidings in
Antigua del Darien? For, sooth, my father-in-law says not a word as to
happenings there. Is all well? Has the new governor arrived? Perchance
not, else Pedrarias would not have written."
"The new governor, who was to supersede his excellency, died as he
entered the harbor," answered the messenger; but he was silent, or
evasive, as to other happenings at Antigua.
On the shore of the mainland other messengers were in waiting, who,
finding that Balboa had set out unarmed and without a suspicion of the
fate that was in store for him, consulted together as to the
advisability of informing him. They did not do so, however, until the
mountains were passed and the little party drew near Acla, when, won by
Balboa's frankness and open conduct, their sympathies prevailed over
their fears of the governor's vengeance, and they informed him of the
snare into which he was hurrying. Balboa was astounded, and at first
refused to believe in the perfidy of the man to whose daughter he was
pledged in marriage.
"I am innocent of any evil intention," he finally exclaimed. "Faithfully
have I served Pedrarias, and faithfully have I served my king. No, I
will not retreat," he said, in answer to a suggestion that he should
escape while the opportunity offered. "I have done nothing worthy of
punishment, and I will go forward, for my innocence I can prove."
"To-morrow it will be too late," answered one of the messengers, "for at
Acla awaits Francisco Pizarro, with a command, to arrest you.
Adelantado, we entreat you: return while you may."
"Nay, never! My back I have never turned to an enemy yet. But I cannot
believe that Pedrarias will continue my enemy; and as for Francisco
Pizarro, have I not reared him in the profession of arms? Have we not
campaigned together, fought and starved together?"
Sorrowfully, then, the little band of unarmed Spaniards held on their
way to Acla, in the environs of which they were met by Pizarro and a
company of soldiers, who barred the way. Pizarro drew from his corselet
an order of arrest and proceeded to read it, while Balboa regarded him
with reproachful astonishment. When it was concluded, he exclaimed:
"How is this Francisco? You were not wont to come out in this fashion to
receive me!" His former comrade made no reply, for he was only obeying
the orders of his superior, and had no alternative but to choose between
the two: Pedrarias, supreme in authority, and Balboa, discredited
commander. He chose to serve the former, and, as shown in the light of
future events, he may have chosen wisely, for it was under Pedrarias,
then governor of Panama, that he made his first voyage southward,
eventually achieving the conquest of Peru, and tearing Balboa's laurels
from his brow.
At a muttered command from Pizarro, two soldiers stepped forward with
manacles, which they placed upon Balboa's wrists and ankles, and in
chains he was conducted to Acla and thrown into prison. There he was
soon visited by the wily Pedrarias, who could scarce conceal his
exultation at having in his power the man he hated because his
reputation was greater than his own. But, concealing his true feelings,
he said to Balboa: "Be thou not afflicted, my son. Thou art here through
the charges brought against thee by Alonzo de Puente, who, being the
king's treasurer, hath compelled me to this proceeding. But, doubtless,
an investigation will not merely establish thy innocency, but serve to
render thy zeal and loyalty to the crown the more conspicuous."
Balboa made no reply, for, frank and generous himself, without the power
of dissembling, he despised, detested a hypocrite. He knew that Puente's
charge was a mere pretence behind which were cloaked deeper designs than
had yet been revealed; and so it proved, for when, in the course of a
few days, Pedrarias was satisfied that the grounds of the legal process
were sufficiently strong to secure Balboa's conviction of treason and
enable him to put his unhappy prisoner to death, he threw off the mask.
Returning to the prison, he said to Balboa, with the hard and
threatening countenance which he habitually wore: "Hitherto I have
treated you as a son, because I gave you credit for fidelity to the
king, and to me, in his name. Since, however, I find myself mistaken,
you have no longer to expect from me the conduct of a father, but of a
judge and an enemy, as I shall henceforth treat you."