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VOYAGES
A N D DISCOVERIES OF
glory thus suddenly dispelled ; when, as if to console them, the enterprise of Pedrarias was set on foot, and opened a different career of adventure.
The very idea of an unknown sea and
splendid empire, where never European ship had sailed nor foot had trodden, broke upon the imagination with the vague wonders of an Arabian tale.
Even the countries already known, in the
vicinity of the settlement of Darien, were described in the usual terms of exaggeration.
Gold was said to lie on the surface of
the ground, or to be gathered with nets out of the brooks and rivers ; insomuch that the region hitherto called Terra Firma, now received the pompous and delusive appellation of Castilla del Oro, or Golden Castile. Excited by these reports, many of the youthful cavaliers, who had prepared for the Italian campaign, now offered them足 selves as volunteers to Don Pedrarias. ces, and appointed
He accepted their servi足
Seville as the place of assemblage.
The
streets of that ancient city soon swarmed with young and noble eavaliers splendidly arrayed, full of spirits, and eager for the sailing of the Indian armada.
Pedrarias, on his arrival at Seville,
made a general review of his forces, and was embarrassed to find that the number amounted to three thousand.
He had been
limited in his first armament to twelve hundred ; on representing the nature of the case, however, the number was extended to fifteen hundred ; but through influence, entreaty, and stratagem, upwards of two thousand eventually embarked.*
Happy did he
think himself who could in any manner, and by any means, get admitted on board of the squadron.
Nor was this eagerness for
the enterprise confined merely to young and buoyant and ambi足 tious adventurers ; we are told that there were many covetous * Oviedo, lib. ii. cap. 7, M S .