[Note 3:  This was the case; his friend Zamudio had notified Balboa of the appointment of Pedro Arias.]

Desiring to accomplish as much of the journey as possible by sea, he embarked on a brigantine and ten native barques dug out of tree trunks, and first landed in the country of his ally Careca, cacique of Coiba.  Leaving his ships, he implored the divine blessing upon his undertaking and marched directly towards the mountains.  He traversed the country subject to the cacique Poncha, who fled, as he had done on other occasions.  Acting on the advice of the guides furnished by Careca, Vasco sent messengers to Poncha, promising his friendship and protection against his enemies, and other advantages.  The cacique, won by these promises and amiabilities and by those of the people of Careca, joined the Spaniards, and with great alacrity concluded an alliance with them.  Vasco entreated him to have no further fears.  They shook hands and embraced and exchanged numerous presents, Poncha giving about one hundred and ten pesos of gold valued at a castellano each; this was not a large amount, but he had been robbed the preceding year, as we have above related.

Not to be outdone, Vasco made him a present of some glass beads, strung in the form of necklaces and bracelets; also some mirrors, copper bells, and similar European trifles.  The natives cherish these things highly, for whatever comes from abroad is everywhere most prized.  Vasco pleased them still further by presenting them with some iron hatchets for cutting down trees.  There is no instrument the natives appreciate so much, for they have no iron, nor any other metals than gold; and they have great difficulty in cutting wood for the construction of their houses or their canoes without iron.  They do all their carpenter work with tools of sharp stone, which they find in the rivers.

Thenceforth Poncha became his ally, and Vasco Nunez, having no further fear of danger from behind, led his men towards the mountain.  Poncha had supplied him with guides and bearers who went on ahead and opened the trail.  They passed through inaccessible defiles inhabited by ferocious beasts, and they climbed steep mountains.

Communication amongst the natives is infrequent, for naked men who have no money have very few wants.  Whatever trading they do is with their neighbours, and they exchange gold for ornaments or useful articles.  It follows, therefore, as practically no communication exists, there are no roads.  Their scouts are familiar with hidden trails, which they use to make ambuscades or night forays or to massacre and enslave their neighbours.  Thanks to Poncha’s men and the labours of the bearers, Vasco scaled rugged mountains, crossed several large rivers, either by means of improvised bridges or by throwing beams from one bank to another, and always succeeded in keeping his men in health.  Rather than become wearisome and incur the reproach of prolixity, I make no mention of some of the trials and fatigues they endured, but I judge that I should not omit to report what took place between them and the caciques whom they encountered on their march.