neighbours.  The country is neither rich in gold mines, nor does it possess a fertile soil, being mountainous and arid.  Because of its precipitous mountains the temperature is cold, and the chiefs wear clothes, but the bulk of the people are content to live in a state of nature.  The Spaniards found negro slaves in this province.[4] They only live in a region one day’s march from Quarequa, and they are fierce and cruel.  It is thought that negro pirates of Ethiopia established themselves after the wreck of their ships in these mountains.  The natives of Quarequa carry on incessant war with these negroes.  Massacre or slavery is the alternate fortune of the two peoples.

[Note 4:  This mysterious fact has been asserted by too many authors to be refused credence.  The author’s explanation of the existence of these Africans in America is possibly the correct one.]

Leaving some of his companions who had fallen ill from the incessant fatigue and hardships to which they were not inured, at Quarequa, Vasco, led by native guides, marched towards the summit of the mountain-chain.[5]

[Note 5:  On September 26, 1513; the men who accompanied him numbered sixty-six.]

From the village of Poncha to the spot where the southern ocean is visible is a six days’ ordinary march, but he only covered the distance in twenty-five days, after many adventures and great privations.  On the seventh day of the calends of October, a Quarequa guide showed him a peak from the summit of which the southern ocean is visible.  Vasco looked longingly at it.  He commanded a halt, and went alone to scale the peak, being the first to reach its top.  Kneeling upon the ground, he raised his hands to heaven and saluted the south sea; according to his account, he gave thanks to God and to all the saints for having reserved this glory for him, an ordinary man, devoid alike of experience and authority.  Concluding his prayers in military fashion, he waved his hand to some of his companions, and showed them the object of their desires.  Kneeling again, he prayed the Heavenly Mediator, and especially the Virgin Mother of God, to favour his expedition and to allow him to explore the region that stretched below him.  All his companions, shouting for joy, did likewise.  Prouder than Hannibal showing Italy and the Alps to his soldiers, Vasco Nunez promised great riches to his men.  “Behold the much-desired ocean!  Behold! all ye men, who have shared such efforts, behold the country of which the son of Comogre and other natives told us such wonders!” As a symbol of possession he built a heap of stones in the form of an altar, and that posterity might not accuse them of falsehood, they inscribed the name of the King of Castile here and there on the tree trunks on both slopes of that summit, erecting several heaps of stones.[6]

[Note 6:  In conformity with Spanish usage, a notary, Andres Valderrabano, drew up a statement witnessing the discovery, which was signed, first by Balboa, next by the priest, Andres de Vera, and by all the others, finishing with the notary himself.]