Ocean's Story; or, Triumphs of Thirty Centuries Maritime Adventures, Achievements, Explorations, Discoveries and Inventions; and of the Rise and Progress of Ship-Building and Ocean Navigation, from the Ark to the Iron Steamships

CHAPTER XXII.--Ponce de Leon--The Fountain of Youth--Discovery of

Chapter 2290 wordsPublic domain

Florida--The Martyrs and the Tortugas--The Bahama Channel--Vasco Nuñez de Balboa--He goes to Sea in a Barrel--Marries a Lady of the Isthmus--His Search for Gold--Hears of a Mighty Ocean--Undertakes to reach it--Preparations for the Expedition--Leoncico the Bloodhound--Battle with a Cacique--Ascent of the Mountains--Balboa mounts to the Summit alone--The First Sight of the Pacific--Ceremonies of taking Possession--Balboa up to his Knees in the Ocean--Every one tastes the Water--A Voyage upon the Pacific, and a Narrow Escape--Ignominious Fate of Balboa--Juan Diaz de Solis--Discovers the Rio de la Plata--His Horrible Death by Cannibals 213