On the return of Columbus to Europe after his fourth and last voyage, King Ferdinand was roused by the accounts which he gave of _Veragua_ into an ardent longing to possess that wealthy territory. He resolved, therefore, to found colonies upon that coast, and to place them under an able governor. But before he had proceeded to carry his resolution into practice, the great admiral was no more. In looking about for a capable commander, it might have been supposed that the king would have selected his brother, _Don_ Bartholomew, who had accompanied him in his last voyage. Columbus had, however, left vast claims behind him, of which his family were the heirs, and which the mean and jealous monarch was unwilling to recognise. His choice of an officer, therefore, fell on the gallant and enterprising Alonzo de Ojeda, who at this period was idling his time in _Hispaniola_,--his purse being empty, but his spirit as high as ever. His generous character and reckless bearing had endeared to him the veteran pilot, Juan de la Cosa, who offered him the use of his savings for the purpose of fitting out his expedition. Ojeda, however, had a rival in the person of Diego de Nicuesa. Both were accomplished cavaliers, well fitted by their spirit of enterprise to do what men could do in fulfilment of the unforeseen and almost superhuman tasks that lay before them. King Ferdinand, being unwilling to lose the services of Nicuesa, appointed him, too, to a government; that is to say, he granted to each permission to conquer and govern a portion of the continent which lies along the Isthmus of _Darien_,--the boundary line to pass through the Gulf of _Urabá_. The eastern portion, extending to Cape _de la Vela_, was named New Andalusia, and was granted to Ojeda. The country to the west, including _Veragua_, and reaching to Cape _Gracias à Dios_, was assigned to Nicuesa. Both governors were to draw supplies in common from the island of _Jamaica_, and each was to enjoy for ten years the profits of the mines he might discover, with the usual deduction for the Crown. Ojeda, by the aid of Juan de la Cosa, fitted out a ship and two brigantines, carrying between them about two hundred men. Nicuesa furnished four large vessels, carrying a much larger force. Ojeda, being somewhat jealous of the superior show of his rival, persuaded one of his friends, a lawyer called the Bachelor Enciso, to invest his money--two thousand _castillanos_--in his enterprise.