He sailed in an evil hour and no news was ever again heard of that brigantine.  It is believed the vessel sank, and that all the men were drowned.  However that may be, Nicuesa plunged from one calamity into another, and died even more miserably than he had lived.

After the shameful expulsion of Nicuesa, the colonists consumed the provisions Colmenares had brought, and soon, driven by hunger, they were forced to plunder the neighbourhood of the colony like wolves of the forest.  A troop of about one hundred and thirty men was formed under the leadership of Vasco Nunez, who organised them like a band of brigands.  Puffed up by vanity, he sent a guard in advance, and had others to accompany and follow him.  He chose Colmenares[1] as his associate and companion.  From the outset of this expedition he determined to seize everything he could find in the territory of the neighbouring caciques, and he began by marching along the shore of the district of Coiba, of which we have already spoken.  Summoning the cacique of that district, Careca, of whom the Spaniards had never had reason to complain, he haughtily and threateningly ordered him to furnish provisions for his men.  The cacique Careca answered that it was impossible, because he had already at different times helped the Christians and consequently his own provisions were well-nigh exhausted.  Moreover, in consequence of a long-drawn-out war with a neighbouring cacique called Poncha, he was himself reduced to want.  The adventurer admitted none of these reasons, and the wretched Careca saw his town sacked.  He himself was put in irons and brought with his two wives, his sons and all his familia to Darien.[2] In the house of Careca they found three of Nicuesa’s companions, who, when his ships were at anchor, during his search for Veragua, had deserted him because they feared to be tried for certain crimes.  As soon as the fleet sailed away, they took refuge with Careca who received them amicably.  Eighteen months had elapsed since that time, so they were as naked as the natives, but plump as the capons women fatten in dark places, for they had lived well at the cacique’s table during that period; nor did they concern themselves about meum and tuum, or as to who gave and who received, which is the cause of the crimes of violence that shorten human life.

[Note 1:  The memoir of Colmenares on this expedition is contained in Navarrete’s Coleccion de Viajes, tom. iii., pp. 386-393.  Also Balboa’s letter to King Ferdinand in the same volume.]

[Note 2:  Balboa’s description of his treatment of the natives, which he penned to the King, is just the contrary.  He prides himself on having won their friendship, and ascribes to their affection for him his success in discovering the treasures and secrets of the country.]