They were therefore received with kindly curiosity by the inhabitants, and in their progress availed themselves without molestation of the public fortresses and sheltered stopping-places prepared upon the high roads for the use of the royal armies. They were delighted with the rich and highly-cultivated appearance of many of the beautiful valleys passed upon the route. The company consisted of one hundred and seventyseven men, of whom sixty-seven were mounted. From this number, nine malecontents were suffered by the prudent leader to return to San Miguel, upon pretence that the garrison left there was too weak, but in reality to prevent the spread of discontent among the troops. In a hopeful spirit, and with strengthened confidence in their commander, the little cavalcade pressed on to Xaran, a fertile settlement amid the mountains. A few leagues. south of this place, at Caxas, a garrison of the Inca's troops were said to be stationed, and thither Pizarro sent an embassy, under the direction of De Soto, to open a communication with the prince. The messengers were absent no less than a week; but they finally returned in safety, accompanied by one of the officers of the Inca, bearing rich presents and messages of welcome and invitation from the monarch in person. Pizarro received this noble with the respect due to his rank and position, bestowing upon him such gifts as would be most attractive in the eyes of a person ignorant of European arts. At his departure, the envoy was charged to tell his sovereign that the band of whites was subject to a great emperor of a distant country; that they had heard of the Inca's greatness and conquests, and had come to proffer their aid in his wars. Continuing their march, the Spaniards reached the foot of the Andes. Nothing but the fiercest courage and the most undaunted resolution, both excited to the utmost by the hope of boundless riches and rewards, could have stimulated such a handful of adventurers to undertake the ascent of this enormous range of mountains, where nothing could save them from utter destruction, should the forbearance of the natives cease. The main mountain road, stretching off to the southward towards the ancient Peruvian capital, tempted them to take their course in that direction, while across the mountains a narrow and difficult pass led towards the encampment of the Inca. It was determined to push on in the originally proposed direction. The vast and rugged elevations, rising one beyond another, must have appeared to the unpractised eye totally insurmountable. 66 # Those everlasting clouds, Seedtime and harvest, morning, noon, and night, As to belong rather to Heaven than Earth * They seemed the barriers of a World, Saying, Thus far, no farther!" The accounts of modern travellers have familiarized us with the details of the dangers attendant upon a passage of the Andes. What then must have been the attempt by these pioneers, totally ignorant of the route, and momentarily expecting an attack from the natives in passes where an army could be effectually checked by a handful of resolute men. Their fears of Indian treachery proved, however, groundless; they reached the summit in safety, and, while encamped about the fires rendered necessary by the sharp air of those elevated regions, messengers again appeared, sent by Atahuallpa to meet them. A present of llamas proved most acceptable to the wearied and suffering troops, and, from all that could be gathered by communion with the ambassadors, it did not appear probable that they would be molested upon their route. Little doubt was entertained by Pizarro that the Inca fully intended to entrap and seize him as soon as he should be completely in his power, and surrounded by an irresistible force of his subjects. It was ascertained that Atahuallpa was encamped with a large army only three miles from Caxamalca, and that the city was abandoned by its inhabitants. This had a threatening appearance, but the Inca continued to send friendly messages, and as it was too late to think of retreat, even had their hearts now failed them, the Spaniards descended the eastern slope of the Andes, and entered the valley of Caxamalca. Every thing now seen gave tokens of prosperity, industry, and skill. "Below the adventurers," says Prescott, "with its white houses glittering in the sun, lay the little city of Caxamalca, like a sparkling gem on the dark skirts of the sierra." Farther on, the immense encampment of the Inca was seen in the distance, spotting the rising ground with countless tents. Marching through the valley, the troops entered the vacant city upon the 15th of November (1532). CHAPTER IV. FIRST INTERVIEW WITH THE INCA. - PLANS FOR HIS CAPTURE.-ENTRY OF ATAHUALLPA INTO CAXAMALCA.-ADDRESS OF THE CHAPLAIN. ATTACK BY THE SPANIARDS: FEARFUL MASSACRE OF THE NATIVES, AND SEIZURE OF THE INCA. - PRISONERS AND PLUNDER OBTAINED. THE PROMISED RANSOM.— HERNANDO PIZARRO'S VISIT TO PACHACAMACA. — CHALLCUCHIMA. - MESSENGERS SENT TO CUZCO. IMMENSE TREASURE COLLECTED AT CAXAMALCA.— TRIAL AND MURDER OF ATAHUALLPA. A SMALL party of horse, led by Hernando Pizarro and by the brave and chivalrous De Soto, was at once despatched to report to the Inca the arrival of the Spaniards. Dashing boldly up, upon their spirited horses, the Spaniards entered the space occupied by the Peruvian camp, and soon stood in the royal presence. Atahuallpa, distinguished by the "borla," or crimson fringe bound around the forehead, an ornament peculiar to the Incas, sat expecting their arrival, surrounded by his officers of state. He did not so far unbend his dignity as to pay the least attention to the novel appearance of the steel-clad cavalcade, but kept his eyes immovably fixed upon the ground. Without dismounting, Hernando saluted the monarch, and, through Felipillo's interpretation, made known his general's avowed purposes, and earnestly requested the king to visit the Spanish camp in person. One of the attendants, speaking in behalf of his master, briefly replied, "It is well." Hernando still persisted in requesting the monarch to make known his pleasure, and to speak to them personally; whereupon Atahuallpa, turning his head, and looking upon him with a smile, announced that he was then in the observance of a fast, but would visit the Spanish quarters on the ensuing day. He further directed that the troops should confine themselves to the buildings situated upon the plaza or public square. De Soto is said to have been mounted upon a noble charger, and, to excite the admiration of the Inca, he put his horse to his full speed, and wheeling suddenly, drew him short up immediately in front of the monarch. Atahuallpa's nerves were proof against this display, and he gave no signs whatever of any emotion. It was afterwards reported that he caused several of his attendants to be put to death for exhibiting alarm, upon this occasion, at the fury and spirit of the war-horse. Some of the women of the royal household now offered the Spaniards the fermented drink of the country, "chicha," in golden goblets. This they drank in their saddles, and then spurred back to the encampment at Caxamalca. Their report of the power of the Peruvian force tended greatly to discourage the little band of adventurers, but only served to nerve their bold and unscrupulous leader to a more determined purpose. Recollecting the success of Cortez in securing the person of Montezuma, and through him, for the time, controlling the officers of the capital, Pizarro determined upon the same policy. He made known his resolution to his officers, and then proceeded to distribute sentinels at points where they could command a view of the approaches to the city, and of the Peruvian camp. At day-break on the following morning, Pizarro commenced his arrangements for the surprise and capture of the Inca. The great square (more properly, in this instance, a triangle) was surrounded with low buildings, with large entrances on the same level with the enclosed space. They were built partly of stone, but mostly of unburnt brick or clay. The Spanish cavalry, in two separate bodies, respectively under command of Hernando Pizarro and De Soto, was concealed in large halls, from which a sally could be made at a moment's warning. The foot soldiers were stationed in another quarter, where they could most promptly second the efforts of the horse; and two small falconets, constituting the only artillery, were placed under charge of an officer called Pedro de Candia, from the place of his birth. The Peruvian monarch, on his part, made preparations to appear in the utmost state, and to impress the eyes of the strangers with his power and magnificence. So much time was occupied in the movements of the immense army, that it was after noon before the Inca arrived at the city. He was about to pitch his camp without the walls, and postpone his visit till the following morning, had not Pizarro sent a message, earnestly requesting him not to |