The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1882-04-14
miscellaneous.
piZarrO'S Death.

PlZarfOS Deatn.
In 1881, after one unsuccessful attempt
PizarrO landed in Peru at the head of nearly
three hundred men, about one half of whom
were mounted. His fellow .adventurer was
Diego de Almagro, n soldier of fortune like
himself, unable to read or write his own name
but confident in the proves of his sword
The latter soon grew Jealous and discomfort
ed, for Pizarro was the master spirit and was
not slow in asserting his superiority
The great empire of the lncas was distract.
ed by the wars of the rival brothers, lluaScar
and Atahualpa The Spaniard cast his for.
tunes with the latter soon after iluascar had
been overcome and cruelty murdered. At
the head of only III men he marched to meet
the powerful Inca in 1882 He entered the
Peruvian camp with signs of friendship, but
treacherously made Atahualpa captive, and
massacrcd upward Of 10000 Peruvians, with.
out losing man. The Indian army fed in dis
may, and the conquerOr made himself master
successfully of Cuzco, the city of the lncas,
and every place of importance, and then
founded the present city of Lima, which lie
called Cudad de Los Reyes; or, City of the
Kings
Pizarro possessed the courage of Cortcz,
and surpassed him in pertidy. He did not
long hesitate at the disposal to be made of
Atahualpa, his royal captive. lie loaded him
with chains and visited him daily in his dun
gCon.
Inca, what wilt thou do for thy freedom ~
asked the Spaniard
81 will fill this dungeon cell with solid
gold" was the response.
do so and you are free"
Atahualpa issued proclamations, and col.
ccted together all the golden ornaments fhis
churches and temples and palaces. These
were melted down and the dungeon celia
large apartment-was filled with solid gold
from wall to wall and from floor to ceiling.
Pizarro accepted the offering and imme-
datcly put the donor to death.
Manatalipa a beautiful Indian princess the
daughter of Atahualpa, was at this time liv-
ing with Pizarro. She loved the conqueror
with wild devotion, which even the treach-
erous murder her father could not dissipate,
and she bindly chung to him through all his
fortunes. The descendants of PiZarro by this
woman are still living at TruXllo, in Spain
Pizaro was growing old, but he continued
the completion of his conquest with all the
energy of youthful ambition.
The revolt Of Nance Capac, half brother
of Atahualpa, engaged his serious efforts, and
after burning CuZco, and at one time threat
ing Lima itself, was only ended by the dis
persion of the Peruvians, in order TO cult
vate their fields to avoid starvation.
But the conqueror's troubles were not ut
an end. A!magro, his disappointed rival,
wagcd war against him in 153S, demanding
as his share a portion ofthe southern coun-
try including Cuzco Pzarro marched to
meet him, defeated him in terrible battle
June 20, 1898, took him prisoner and imme-
diutely put him 10 death with his usual re-
morsclessness.
Almagro had formerly been Pizarro's init
mate friend, and his cowardly execution
seems to have been one of the first omcns OF
destruction to PiZarro himself.
For two months he busted himself with us
ing every means in his power toward strength
cninG his government.
Manataipa was woman of genius as well
as of personal beauty, and she aided him great
" through her knowledge ofthe masses ofthe
people with whom he dealt.
But the shadows of death were gathering
around the chieftain, and the bell of fate
had struck his knell.
Diego Almagro, the son of the former AL
magro by an Indian woman (how strangely
these bloody feuds were wrought ont through
the poor Indian headed conspiracy to nc
complish his death.
Diego was man Of address and ability
His fellow consprators were about twenty in
number-part Spaniards and part Indians
and each was sworn to strike death blow
at Pizarro's heart
Late in the afternoon on Sunday, immcdi-
ately after dinner, Pizarro was reclining on an
ottoman, half Invested of the iron armOr he
was in the habit of wearing in the day time.
He was now 20 years of age, and, though
his head was silvered and his long moustache
frosted with the increasing years, he was still
strong and vigorous of frame, and retain
ed the reckless, adventurous bearing which
had always distinguished him.
One ofhis little children was caressing his
knee, when Manatalipa, their mother, enter
ed and said, eXcitedly:
II see number of suspicious men gather
ing in the archway on the other side OF the
plaza"
"Have they swords? ?" asked Pizarro
"Yes and three of them are in armor.
saw their helmets glisten in the sun. Re
member, Pizarro, the palace is unprotected.
1t is Sunday, and you have dismissed the
guard for holiday"
"Be not alarmed, my dear. They are merry
makers" was the response, as the chieftain
composed himself for his sesta.
Here the little child, as if inspired by sud
den terror, began to cry and weep piteously.
"But," persisted Manatalipa, they are cross
ing the plaza in this direction. One of them
the leader, think, slips and falls through
the arch He RECEIVERS himself, and they are
all marching towatds us with drawn swords
Bring me some water, my dear; am very
thirsty"
The woman departed for the water and
the next instant an angry alteration was
heard with the single sentry at the door,
The report of his faithful arquebus was fol.
lowed almost Immediately by his ringing
death shrieks and the clash of steel, and in
few seconds thereafter the assassins were
on the threshold of the room.
Pzarro caught one glimpse of Diego, his
foe, and sprang to his feet. He reganed his
sword which had been careessly cast aside,
and for few moments defended himself
L., H. Lal nlo III. Irn.l