Voyages of the Companions of Columbus (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1831. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... We acquit him entirely of the senseless idea of rebelling against the crown; and suggest these considerations in palliation of any meditated disobedience of Pedrarias, should such a charge be supposed to have been substantiated. CHAPTER XXIX. EXECUTION OF VASCO NUNEZ. (15iy.) It was a day of gloom and horror at Acla, when Vasco Nunez and his companions were led forth to execution. The populace were moved to tears at the unhappy fate of a man, whose gallant deeds had excited their admiration, and whose generous qualities had won their hearts. Most of them regarded him as the victim of a jealous tyrant; and even those who thought him guilty saw something brave and brilliant in the very crime imputed to him. Such, however, was the general dread inspired by the severe measures of Pedrarias, that no one dared to lift up his voice, either in murmur or remonstrance. The public crier walked before Vasco Nunez, proclaiming, -This is the punishment inflicted by command of the king and his lieutenant, Don Pedrarias Davila, on this man, as a traitor and a usurper of the territories of the crown.- When Vasco Nunez heard these words, he exclaimed, indignantly, -It is false never did such a crime enter my mind. I have ever served my king with truth and loyalty, and sought to augment his dominions.- These words were of no avail in his extremitv, but they were fully believed by the poputaee. The execution took place in the public square of Acla; and we are assured by the historian Oviedo, who was in the colony at the time, that the cruel Pedrarias was a secret witness of the bloody spectacle; which he contemplated from between the reeds of the wall of a house, about twelve paces from the scaffold " Vasco Nunez was the first to suffer death. Having confessed ...