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VOYAGES
A N D DISCOVERIES OF
CHAPTER XXVTI. VASCO NOTEZ AND THE ASTROLOGER.
HIS RETURN TO A C L A .
T H E old Spanish writers who have treated of the fortunes of Vasco Nunez, record an anecdote which is worthy of being cited, as characteristic of the people and the age.
Among the motley
crowd of adventurers lured across the ocean by the reputed wealth and wonders of the New World, was an Italian astrologer, a na足 tive of Venice, named Micer Codro.
A t the time that Vasco
Nunez held supreme sway at Darien, this reader of the stars had cast his horoscope, and pretended to foretell his destiny.
Pointing
one night to a certain star, he assured him that in the year in which he should behold that star in a part of the heavens which he designated, his life would be in imminent jeopardy ; but should be survive this year of peril, he would become the richest and most renowned captain throughout the Indies. Several years, it is added, had elapsed since this prediction was made ; yet, that it still dwelt in the mind of Vasco Nunez, was evident from the following circumstance.
While waiting the
return of his messenger, Garabito, he was on the shore of Isla Rica one serene evening, in company with some of his officers, when, regarding the heavens, he beheld the fated star exactly in that part of the firmament which had been pointed out by the Italian astrologer.
Turning to his companions, with a smile,
"Behold," said he, "the wisdom of those who believe in sooth足 sayers, and, above all, in such an astrologer as Micer Codro ! According to his prophecy, I should now be in imminent peril of my life ; yet, here I am, within reach of all my wishes ; sound in