THE
C O M P A N I O N S OF COLUMBUS.
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prise lay before him, wherein he might make discoveries and conquests to rival, if not surpass, the far-famed conquest of Mexico. Accordingly, in the year 1521 he fitted out two ships at the island of Porto Rico, and embarked almost the whole of his property in the undertaking.
His voyage was toilsome and tem足
pestuous, but at length he arrived at the wished-for land.
He
made a descent upon the coast with a great part of his men, but the Indians sallied forth with unusual valor to defend their shores. A bloody battle ensued, several of the Spaniards were slain, and Juan Ponce was wounded by an arrow, in the thigh. He was borne on board his ship, and finding himself disabled for further action, set sail for Cuba, where he arrived ill in body and dejected in heart. He was of an age where there is no longer prompt and healthful reaction either mental or corporeal.
The irritations of
humiliated pride and disappointed hope, exasperated the fever of his wound, and he died soon after his arrival at the island. " Thus fate," says one of the quaint old Spanish writers, " delights to reverse the schemes of man.
The discovery that Juan Ponce
flattered himself was to lead to a means of perpetuating his life, had the ultimate effect of hastening his death." It may be said, however, that he has at least attained the shadow of his desire, since, though disappointed in extending the natural term of his existence, his discovery has insured a lasting duration to his name. The following epitaph was inscribed upon his tomb, which does justice to the warrior qualities of the stout old cavalier : Mole sub hac fortis requiescunt ossa Leonis, Qui vicit factis nomina magna suis.