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but I will join Ojeda yet. I will be an explorer, Cortez, and carve a name for myself among the conquerors of the New World.”

Cortez winced, as he tried to move his wounded hip.

"I wonder whose sword it will be next to pierce my flesh?" he coolly remarked.

Months rolled on, and only the wildest rumors of the expedition reached San Domingo. Those whohad friends and relatives with Ojeda strained their eyes, gazing seaward in the hope of seeing a sail. None dreamed of the dangers, trials and sufferings from the ocean, treacherous reefs, unhealthy morasses, and poisonous arrows of revengeful enemies, which menaced the adventurers at Darien. The winter passed, ushering in the year 1510, a year memorable in the history of the New World. Bachelor Encisco was beating up recruits and loading his ships with supplies for San Sebastian, and expected soon to weigh anchor and go in search of Ojeda.

One bright morning, early in the new year, the feeble wail of an infant was heard in the house of Estevan. No sooner was the glad news spread over the town, than old and young flocked to gaze on the first white child born in the New World. The admiral, Don Diego Columbus, who had always been Estevan's warmest friend, was among

the first to congratulate him over the birth of a

son.

The babe grew strong, and as he lay on his bed, gazing with great blue eyes at Balboa, Cortez, and Diego Columbus, he seemed to be reading in their faces his own stormy future. What a wild career was marked out for that child! Well for the peace were not permitted At the proper age

and joy of his parents that they to read the future of their son. the child was christened by the bishop of San Domingo. His parents gave him the name of Christopher Rodrigo Estevan, and appointed Don Diego Columbus as his godfather. Those who saw the child thought its bright face foretold a grand destiny. The good bishop declared that it was no ordinary child. It was seldom ailing, and still more seldom gave evidence of grief. It seemed quietly concentrating all its energies for a wonderful future. Those little feet were to tread great mountain systems then unknown, to thread deep and almost impenetrable forests in far-off lands, and those deep blue eyes were to behold golden cities, witness kings hurled from their thrones, and see dynasties overturned.

CHAPTER II.

THE MAN IN THE CASK.

BACHELOR ENCISCO had almost received his complement of men and supplies, and was busily engaged loading his ship. Neither Ojeda nor Nicuesa had been heard from since their departure, and there were various conjectures as to their fate. But new adventurers had arrived from Spain and the island, ready to engage in new and dangerous enterprises.

On the day before the vessel sailed, Balboa met Estevan on the street, and led him apart from the crowd.

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Estevan, I want to talk with you."

"Do you wish to negotiate a loan?" Estevan asked with a smile.

"No, I prefer running away from old debts to contracting new ones. I want to tell you that I intend to go in the ship which is about to sail."

"Will not your creditors interpose an objection?" asked Estevan.

"No doubt, if they know it," Balboa answered.

"I propose to sail without their knowledge and thus spare the public another scene. I have sold the Bachelor some casks of provisions from my farm, and they are coming to-night to take them on board. I want you to superintend the shipping of the casks."

"Where will you be?"

"In one of them."

Then he explained that Estevan was to nail him up in a cask, that he might be taken aboard, and his presence be kept secret until the ship was well out at sea While they were discussing the wild scheme, Cortez, still limping from his sword thrust, was discovered coming down the street.

"There comes our friend Cortez, who has some judgment, if he is a gallant, devil-may-care fellow," said Balboa. "Let us take him into our counsel."

Estevan assented and called to Cortez.

"What mischief are you twain concocting now?" he asked, as he approached them.

"I am in distress, Cortez, and want the aid of both of you," answered Balboa.

"If it is a loan you wish, my friend, I swear, by St. Anthony, I am unable to aid you. When I shall have settled with my surgeon I will not have a pistole left. I, who came to the New World in search of gold, have so far found nothing but steel."

"I do not want a loan."

"Not want a loan; then your nature has experienced a complete revolution, for I thought you wanted nothing but loans? What do you wish." "I want you to help me in a strategy."

Cortez was always ready for any wild haremscarem enterprise, and when the scheme had been explained to him he laughingly answered:

"Certainly, I will assist to ship you as pork to Terra Firma.”

Estevan and Cortez went to Balboa's farm, and headed him up in a cask. An armed escort was sent to convey the provisions which had been sold to Encisco. The cask containing the stowaway was placed on a cart and hauled to the harbor, where it was taken on ship-board. Cortez, whose wits were always at his command, formed a valid excuse for the absence of Balboa.

Before midnight all were safely on board, and the stowaway, who was to make the expedition among the most famous of Spanish conquests, crouched dozing in the cask, wishing they were well out at sea. At sunrise anchor was weighed, sails unfurled, and amid salutes from the fort, answered by cannon from the ship, Bachelor Encisco began the voyage.

The shore grew fainter and fainter as the vessel bounded over the billowy way until at last it faded

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