A first book in American history with European beginnings . n when he left. In 1521 Ponce de Leon sailed again for his flower prov-ince to found a colony. But the natives were the Spaniards landed, a storm of poisoned arrowsgreeted them. Many of the soldiers were killed. Ponce deLeon himself was wounded. A few who managed to escapeto their ships bore their leader with them. They sailed toCuba, and there Ponce de Leon died—an old man still. The Fountain of Youth has never been discovered. BALBOA One day there came to a certain Indian village on theIsthmus of Panama, a party of Span
A first book in American history with European beginnings . n when he left. In 1521 Ponce de Leon sailed again for his flower prov-ince to found a colony. But the natives were the Spaniards landed, a storm of poisoned arrowsgreeted them. Many of the soldiers were killed. Ponce deLeon himself was wounded. A few who managed to escapeto their ships bore their leader with them. They sailed toCuba, and there Ponce de Leon died—an old man still. The Fountain of Youth has never been discovered. BALBOA One day there came to a certain Indian village on theIsthmus of Panama, a party of Spaniards. At their head 72 THE SPANISH CONQUESTS marched Balboa, the commander of the Spanish-Panamasettlement. So great a guest must be received with all possibleceremony. The visitors were welcomed to the home ofthe chief himself, and every honor was showered uponthem. The Spaniards, in turn, were on their best be-havior. Cordial greetings, compliments, and expressionsof lasting friendship filled the air. Then the Indian chief was moved to show even more. Balboa Reaches the Pacific Ocean. plainly his love for the white man. So he gave Balboaseventy slaves and much gold. As if by magic all was confusion. The greedy Span-iards began to quarrel over the gold, and hot words puta sudden end to the pleasure of a moment before. With offended dignity the Indians watched and lis-tened. At last the chiefs son rose and said, Brothers,your actions lead us to think you set great value on thisyellow stuff, since you quarrel over it. If this be true,why do you not go to the southland, on the shore of the 73 A FIRST BOOK IN AMERICAN HISTORY great western sea, where there is more than enough forall? Why not, indeed? This simple question resulted inBalboas going in search of the new sea. His journey was a hard one. Over rocky hills andthrough vine-entangled forests he and his men made theirway day after day. At last they came to the foot of agreat mountain. While his companions rested, Balboacl
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