Balboa was just about to embark on a new expedition to Peru, when he was arrested and charged with treason, after which he was inconvenienced by the removal of his head.

In the previous article on Balboa, we left off just as our two intrepid heroes, Balboa and his faithful, ever-feisty dog Leoncico, had stepped out of a barrel after landing in Colombia.

The Arrival of Balboa in Hostile Indian Country. "Proceed with Caution: You Are Now Entering Indian Territory with Poisoned Arrows in Flight"

The ship that carried Balboa away from his creditors was commanded by Martín Fernández de Enciso (1470-1528). The year was 1510. The aim of this particular voyage was to give comfort and aid to a colony that was deep in hostile Indian country and, as might have been foreseen by both competent and quack strategists alike, was surrounded by hostile Indians. These Indians were not the kind of people to be mistaken for the local good-neighbour welcoming committee. These were Indians who were in the nasty habit of dipping their arrow tips in poison. They had the arrows; they had the poison; they had the bows; and they were not afraid to use them.

The relief party and the barrel-inhabiting Balboa arrived too late. The colony lay in smouldering ruins, with just enough survivors alive to say that "the injuns done it."

Balboa Now Steps Forward to Seize the Moment and Take Command of the Expedition. He Ignores Any Heckler Who Might Have Said, "Wait a Minute. Aren't You the Guy Who Just Stepped out of a Barrel?"

In a testimony to his natural leadership skills, Balboa wasted no time in stepping forward and recommending that the remaining settlers move westward across the Gulf of Uraba to the more sensible area known as Darien, not least because it was a place with less poison-arrow traffic in the air. This seemed to make great sense, by Jove, said the settlers. And thus was founded the town of Antigua.

Unlike most conquistadors, Balboa treated the Indians with a degree of respect and a restraining hand, and only attacked them when necessary. In part thanks to his Indian-befriending ways that led to more security and greater wealth for all, Balboa was eventually made the co-magistrate of the settlement. Getting wind of his success, the king of Spain then named Balboa captain general of Darien, giving Balboa the sort of titles that would look great on any future CV.

Balboa Makes an Instant Lifelong Enemy of Enciso, Who Must have Suppressed One Hell of a Hissy-Fit Inclination.

Balboa's sudden rise to prominence set powerful motions in force against him and won him powerful, petty enemies that would stop at nothing to see Balboa undermined and, ultimately, beheaded.

His firstly made enemy was Encisco, who scarcely concealed his disdain for Balboa as he watched him assert his authority over the settlement. With his authority undermined by Balboa, Encisco and his faithful were soon sent packing back to Hispañola.

Lo and Behold. The First Sighting of the Eastern Pacific Ocean by a European

The first of September, 1513, was an important day in the lengthy annuls of Spanish colonisation. This was the date that Balboa set off from Antigua to have a look at the Pacific Ocean. His force consisted of 190 Spaniards, among them Francisco Pizarro, who would later invade and destroy the Inca empire. Also included were about 1,000 natives and a pack of dogs, including --yes, indeed-- Balboa's old barrel mate, his canine companion Leoncico.

After a march through the jungles, the party reached a mountain, from the summit of which could be seen the ocean. Balboa, climbing ahead of the others in order, no doubt, to have the limelight to himself, was the first to reach the top, which won him his prized position as the world's first non-Indian to see the Pacific Ocean from the east. The emotional Balboa fell to his knees and thanked God, which was perhaps odd, because the finding of the ocean had more to do with the native guides than the all-powerful One.

After arising from his knees, Balboa signalled for the others to come up the mountain and look at the ocean. This they did and then they, too, thanked God. Meanwhile, the natives no doubt hung back and wondered what all the fuss was about.

In classic conquistador fashion, Balboa then wasted no time in claiming possession of the sea and all lands in it for the Spanish crown. At high tide, Balboa then waded into the ocean, along with the Spanish flag and banners reminiscent of Columbus' first arrival in the New World.

All Good Things Seem to Come to an End Before We Know It. Perhaps Quite Predictably, Balboa Meets with an Ignominious End

On June 30, 1514, the king's new governor, Pedrarias, arrived in Darius. Pedrarias was a cantankerous, resentful 70-year-old. Sniffing Balboa's success and popularity, Darius was determined to bark and bite.

Pedrarias shrewdly set about separating the forces that were loyal to Balboa by sending them on missions into different parts of Castilla Aurifica for the stated objective of forming new settlements.

Meanwhile, Balboa was on the coast making the final preparations for an expedition further south of the continent. Several ships had been outfitted for the purpose. Just as he was about to launch his fleet, he was recalled by Pedrarias. On the way north to him, Balboa was arrested and falsely but formally charged with treason. A trial was hastily arranged, after which Balboa, in addition to some of his lieutenants and allies, was beheaded on April 16, 1517.

As for Balboa's dog Leoncico, it is believed that he escaped his master's fate and did not suffer a beheading at the hands of Pedrarias.