starting to their feet. Cortez, with a spasm clutched his wounded leg and sat down.

as he could speak he said:

of pain,

As soon

"You are a lucky dog, Estevan, to be the father of the first white child born in the New World. You will have richer treasures than Castilla del Oro can furnish."

"I would not care to sail with Ojeda, anyway," added Estevan.

"Why not?"

"He is an enemy of the admiral, and I am Don Diego's friend."

"That is a truth," said Cortez, "and woe is the man under Ojeda who is friendly to Columbus." "Of all of us, Francisco Pizarro, alone, will accompany the expedition," put in Balboa.

Pizarro answered with a silent nod.

These men were typical of the great explorers and cavaliers of the age. They were men whom nothing discouraged or dismayed. In the fervor of their belief, they seemed to be inspired and to inspire.

Pizarro, foundling and swineherd as he had been, was one of the class of daring enthusiasts. He was a man of brain as well as brawn. Reason first kindled his passion, but passion was the instrument he used. While appearing to appeal to men's judgments, he forced bimself into their hearts.

Nothing is more contagious than enthusiasm; it moves stones and charms brutes. It is the genius of sincerity, and truth accomplishes no victories without it. Though gloomy and taciturn as he usually was, Pizarro could become loquacious, and even eloquent at will. When he became roused at last and told his companions of the golden conquests which awaited those brave and daring enough to secure them, Cortez, for the time being, forgot his wound, Balboa his creditors, and Estevan his wife. and prospective heir.

"Before us is a vast unknown world, with treasures that would outrival a Croesus," said Pizarro. "The season is ripe for wealth and fame. Both await the man who has the courage to draw his sword and carve out his fortune."

"I will go!" cried Balboa, enthusiastically. "But your creditors," interposed Cortez, with a smile.

"My creditors may wait until I have amassed a fortune, when I will return and satisfy them in full."

It was late when the little party broke up that night. Cortez with his crutch and cane hobbled away to his humble abode, regretting that he could not be one of the crew to sail on the morrow. Estevan, fired by the oratory of Pizarro, wished that his affairs were so arranged that he could em

bark in the dangerous enterprise of conquering Darien.

At early dawn he was awakened by the tumult of embarcation. Hurriedly dressing, he hastened toward the bay, which presented a scene of unusual excitement. The horses, which had been left until the last, were being taken on shipboard. Cavaliers in glittering helmets and shining armor were hurrying here and there. Crossbow-men, arquebusiers, halberdiers and sailors were embarking. The morning air resounded with music. The departing soldiers and adventurers indulged in song and jest, as though they were going on a mere holiday excursion. The Spanish imagination was easily quickened, and the Spaniards, naturally enthusiastic, caught the contagion of conquest, while their fancies wove triumphs and treasures exceeding the most marvellous dreams.

"You have come to witness the departure," said a familiar voice at Estevan's side, and turning, he beheld Cortez leaning on his crutch. "It is a glorious sight, Cortez, and I feel a desire to go myself," answered Estevan.

"This accursed wound holds me here; but I will bide my time. God ordains us for different fields of action, and, perchance, it is best that we do not go to Darien."

"Poor fellows! Many of them who march so

proudly to board the vessels may never return, thought Estevan. Little did he dream how few would return.

In shining harness, glittering helmet and clanking sword, Ojeda rode his prancing steed to the water's edge. Dismounting, his horse was driven into a scow to be taken on board, while the governor waited on the sands to oversee the embarcation. As a boat was about to pull from shore, a man darted forward and entered it.

"Pull away-pull away!" he shouted to the

oarsman.

But ere an oar could be dipped in the water to speed the boat forward, several harpies of the law rushed forward, and, seizing Balboa, dragged him from the boat.

"Unhand me!" he cried, drawing his sword. "What have we here?" demanded Ojeda, hurrying to the scene.

"This is Balboa, a fellow who owes us, and takes this means of escaping his just obligations,' answered one of the creditors. "We intend to drag him before the alcalde mayor and send him to prison."

Francisco Pizarro, in the hope of aiding his friend, quitted the boat, and, with his hand on his sword, was advancing toward the officers. Knowing it would not do to interfere with the rights of

Balboa's creditors, Ojeda turned toward Pizarro and said:

"Back to your boat, fellow; if he owes debts, let him pay them."

"Unless he can induce Bachelor Encisco to do it for him!" put in a jester who was on the beach. This remark being a direct thrust at Ojeda, who had been helped out of a financial strait by the lawyer Encisco, so enraged the governor that he drew his sword and chased the young knave for two hundred paces, but the jester was swift on foot and Ojeda heavily encumbered with his armor, so the culprit escaped. Ojeda returned, and, entering his boat, was pulled away to his vessel. Anchor was weighed, sails spread, and amid the thundering of cannon and glad huzzas, that portion of the fleet which Ojeda was to take with him sailed. Some of the vessels under Bachelor Encisco, who had borne the expenses of the expedition, remained behind for recruits and supplies, to follow a few months later.

Estevan and Cortez watched the sails until the fleet disappeared, never to return. Cortez, cursing the ill luck which prevented his enlisting in the expedition, hobbled back to his house, where he was soon joined by Balboa.

"Did they release you so soon?" asked Cortez. "They only detained me until the fleet was gone;