416 Reception of the Spaniards. guage. Two youths were accordingly brought to him, who were baptized, one being named Martin, the other Felipillo (little Philip), who afterward became a cele brated and most mischievous interpreter. Pizarro and his companions were especially well received by an Indian lady near Puerto de Santa. She did not even shrink from coming on board their vessel for the pur Return of Pizarro to Panamá. 417 pose of inviting them to a feast, at which they were entertained with the greatest hospitality. After the banquet and the dance were over, Pizarro took occasion to deliver a religious and political discourse, in which he informed his entertainers of the nullity of their religion, the vainness of their sacrifices, and the obedience which it was necessary to pay to the King of Castile. The polite Indians, who probably did not understand one single word uttered by the Spanish captain, took a flag which he had given them, and waved it, no doubt in imitation of some gesture of his, three times over their heads. This, I believe, was held to be an acknowledgment of subjection to the Emperor, though the Indians themselves, we may venture to say, were entirely guiltless of any such meaning. The Spaniards returned to their boat, the only misadventure being that one of their company, whose brain had most likely been affected by the hardships he had undergone, went mad for love of the Indian lady. The gallant company then made their way back to Panamá, freighted with great news; and we need not doubt that the little world there, unless it were very different from other parts of the world, gave full honors to success, and omitted now to add the injurious name of loco when they saw any of the three associates in the streets. This was at the end of the year 1527. S 2 CHAPTER II. PIZARRO GOES TO THE SPANISH COURT.-RETURNS TO PANAMÁ.-STARTS FOR THE CONQUEST OF PERU.-FOUNDS THE TOWN OF SAN MIGUEL. IT T was agreed by the partners that Pizarro should go to the Spanish court, to bear the good tidings thither, and to seek for due honors and rewards. The worthy schoolmaster seems to have had some misgivings about this journey, as he is reported to have said, "Please God, my children, that you do not steal the blessing one from the other, as Jacob did from Esau; but I would that you had gone both together." Pizarro arrived safely in Spain. He had not, however, long disembarked before he was seized upon by that persistent Bachiller of law, Enciso, who put him in prison, probably for some claim which the Bachiller had against him in reference to the expedition of Ojeda. Pizarro was soon freed from this degrading imprisonment; and, making his way to the Spanish court, was well received there. His main object was speedily accomplished. The government of Peru was assigned to him, the extent of that government being defined to be two hundred leagues down the coast, from Tenumpuela (the island of Puña is meant, I think) to Chincha; the title of adelantado was also given to * "Las cuales dichas ducientas leguas comienzan desde el pueblo que en lengua de indios se dice Tenumpuela, é despues le llamasteis Santiago, hasta llegar al pueblo de Chincha, que puede haber las dichas Visit of Pizarro to his native Town. 419 him; and the bishopric of Tumbez was assigned to Fernando de Luque. Pizarro then went to visit his native town, Truxillo, in Estremadura. It is not often that a man has come back to his home with more renown; and he seems to have had the unusual fortune of inspiring his nearest relatives with some belief in him, or at least in his success. His brothers, Fernando (who was the only legitimate one), Juan, Gonzalo, and Martin, resolved to sell their estates and to join their brother Francisco in his enterprise. This gathering of the family around him apparently strengthened him much. His brother Fernando was a man of great ducientas leguas de costa, poco mas o menos." See Agreement signed by the Queen of Spain as Regent, given in the Appendix to QUINTANA'S Life of Pizarro. 420 Meeting of Pizarro and Almagro. ability, though of a nature and temperament which afterward proved very detrimental to the governor. Notwithstanding all these present advantages, Pizarro found it difficult to furnish the necessary complement of men for his vessels; and it was only by a trick that he contrived to elude the investigation of the king's officers at Seville, who had orders to see that his vessels were duly furnished and equipped before being allowed to depart. One hundred and twenty-five men were all that he could number when he arrived at Nombre de Dios, from which port he made his way to Panamá. The meeting of the principal partners was not at all friendly, for Almagro was naturally much discontented at the neglect which Pizarro had shown of his interests at court. Hitherto the only fruits of Almagro's enterprise had been the loss of his eye, and the various debts which he had rendered himself accountable for; and now he was not to share any of his partner's honors. It may here be mentioned that Pizarro, in addition to other marks of favor which he had received, had been appointed a knight of the Order of Santiago.* The arrival, moreover, of Pizarro's brothers was not a pleasing circumstance to Almagro; and then began those feuds between him and the Pizarros which afterward led to the most deadly consequences. By the advice, however, of common friends-such as Fernando de Luque and Gaspar de Espinosa, who were deeply interested in the reconciliation of Pizarro and Almagro-the two associates were brought to terms; Pizarro agreeing to renounce the appointment of adelantado in favor of Almagro, and binding him * It is pleasing to find that the brave men who had stood by Pizarro in the island of Gallo were made hidalgoes. |