"They are in the calaboose, your excellency, and in irons." "So? But how long will they remain, if I return. And what of the gold?" "They will remain there at your excellency's pleasure; and the gold shall be collected and returned to the treasury." "_Bueno_--good, very good. But how long, think ye, gentlemen, will ye continue in this chastened frame of mind? Not a month, not a week, before some low-born sons of Belial will provoke an outbreak against the authority of Vasco Nuñez de Balboa, and declare he hath no authority to govern. If I go, gentlemen, to Darien, then it must be under a pledge that ye all will unitedly stand by me, and sustain me in every effort for the public weal. What say ye?" "We will, we will, your excellency. Only return!" XI BALBOA STRENGTHENS HIS ARM 1512 Balboa stretched himself in his hammock, and looking at the delegates through half-closed eyes, as though he would resume his siesta, rejoined: "Gentlemen, I do not wish to return! But here is Don Bartolomé, who might be induced to act in my place. Let him go with you and assume the reins of government." The delegates looked the confusion they felt, but said nothing, though Hurtado hastily exclaimed, "No, no; I care not to do so." "Neither care I," said Balboa. "For what do I get by returning? Only the semblance of a shadow of authority. All the labors, all the insults attending the office; but never a _gracias_, _señor_--never a thank you, sir, get I. But here--ah, here I have my liberty. I ask no man whether I shall come or shall go. Here I can live free from restraint--I and my merry men. What say, compañeros, shall we return?" "Never, no never!" came in a chorus from the soldiery. "We are content here, are we not? The forest gives us sustenance--as ye see, gentlemen; it gives us shelter. Now that I am no longer compelled to hunt the red savage, and only the wild beast when I choose, rest and happiness have come to me." The committee consulted together for the space of five or ten minutes, then the spokesman said, with a new note in his voice and a twinkle of triumph in his eyes: "Your excellency, we have a letter for you, which I herewith deliver. We know not what it contains, for, as you may witness, the seal is still unbroken; but from what tidings we have received from some high in authority at Hispaniola, we divine it refers to the great displeasure of his majesty, the king, as respects your doings at Darien. Here is the letter, your excellency."