Balboa now suggests that the settlement of…

Balboa now suggests that the settlement of San Sebastián be moved to the region of Darién, to the west of the Gulf of Urabá, where the soil is more fertile and the natives present less resistance.

Fernández de Enciso givs serious consideration to this suggestion, and the regiment later goes to Darién, where the native cacique (chieftain) Cémaco has five hundred warriors waiting, ready for battle.

The Spanish, fearful of the large number of enemy combatants, make a vow to the Virgen de la Antigua, venerated in Seville, that they will name a settlement in the region after her should they prevail.

It is a difficult battle for both sides, but, by a stroke of luck, the Spanish come out victorious.

Cémaco, together with his warriors, abandons the town and heads for the jungle.

The Spanish plunder the houses and gather a treasure-trove of golden ornaments.

Balboa keeps his vow, and, in September 1510, founds the first permanent settlement on mainland American soil, and calls it Santa María la Antigua del Darién.