BALBOA, having resolved to march over to the South Sea, and having provided all things necessary for it, set out from Darien in the beginning of September, 1513.26 He went by sea as far as the land of the Cacique Careta. There he left the brigantines and the canoes and advanced towards the mountain. Careta who was friendly to him commanded some of his subjects to attend Balboa. A neighboring Cacique, Ponca, by name, who had spies abroad, was informed that the Spaniards were coming up his mountain, and hid himself in an out of the way part of his territory. Balboa sent some of the Careta Indians to assure him that he was doing no harm but would be his friend as he was Careta's. So Ponca came, bringing a present of gold.
Then Balboa proceeded to the top of the mountain whence he had been told that the other sea might be seen. From Ponca's land to the top was about six days' journey; but they spent twenty-five days because of the roughness of the land, and because they were short of provisions. At length they arrived at the top of the high mountain, on the twenty-fifth of September, 1513 , whence the sea could be seen. Balboa was given notice a little while before they came to the top that they were very near it. Commanding all to halt there, Balboa went up alone and saw the South Sea; then, with uplifted hands and on his knees, he returned thanks to heaven for being the first who had seen this sea.
After performing this act of devotion he called his men and repeated the same, and they followed his example, while the Indians stood amazed to see them so overjoyed. Balboa praised Camegra's son for giving him this news, and promised all his followers much wealth and happiness. They all believed him, for he was very much beloved because he made no difference between himself and the common soldiers, He always showed sympathy for the sick and wounded, every one of whom he visited and comforted. He was himself undaunted in dangers, never showing the least fear in the greatest perils.
Balboa next ordered that a certificate should be drawn of his taking possession of that sea and all
Alonzo Martin hit upon the shortest road and in two days came to a place where he found two canoes upon dry land, yet saw no sea; but whilst he was considering how those canoes were up on the land, the sea water came in and lifted them up about a fathom in height;30 for upon that coast the sea ebbs and flows every six hours, two or three fathoms, so that great ships are left dry and no sea water appears for half a league at least. Alonzo Martin, seeing the canoes begin to swim, went into one of them and bid his companions to bear witness that he was the first to enter the South Sea. Another man whose name was Atienza did the like and bid them bear witness that he was the second. They returned to Balboa with the news, which made them all rejoice.31