Among the sturdy New World explorers of the sixteenth century was Ponce De Leon, who, as a companion of Columbus on his second voyage to the Western Hemisphere, proved himself to be a brave and gallant officer. Most of his time for many years afterward was spent in the New World, exploring, seeking gold, governing provinces, and parleying with the Indians, or fighting them. By the time he was fifty he had amassed wealth enough to make him independent, and he returned to Spain.