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VOYAGES
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D I S C O V E R I E S OF
therefore to find this redoubtable hero a plain unassuming man, clad in a cotton frock and drawers, and hempen sandals, directing and aiding the labor of several Indians who were thatching a cottage in which he resided. The messenger approached him respectfully, and announced the arrival of Don Pedrarias Davila as governor of the country. "Whatever Vasco Nunez may have felt at this intelligence, he suppressed his emotions, and answered the messenger with great discretion ; " Tell Don Pedrarias Davila," said he, " that he is welcome, and I congratulate him on his safe arrival, and am ready, with all who are here, to obey his orders." The little community of rough and daring adventurers was in an uproar when they found a new governor had arrived.
Some
of the most zealous adherents of Vasco Nunez were disposed to sally forth, sword in hand, and repel the intruder ; but they were restrained by their more considerate chieftain, who prepared to receive the new governor with all due submission. Pedrarias disembarked on the thirtieth of June, accompanied by his heroic wife, Dona Isabella ; who, according to old Peter Martyr, had sustained the roarings and rages of the ocean with no less stout courage than either her husband or the mariners who had been brought up among the surges of the sea. Pedrarias set out for the embryo city at the head of two thousand men, all well armed.
He led his wife by the hand, and
on the other side of him was the bishop of Darien in his robes ; while a brilliant train of youthful cavaliers, in glittering armor and brocade, formed a kind of body-guard. All this pomp and splendor formed a striking contrast with the humble state of Vasco Nunez, who came forth unarmed, in simple attire, accompanied by his counselors and a handful of the