The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1912-06-26

he heard OF 6IZ A e e o
boundless wealth, mountains OF gold
and silver, rivers and caverns flashing
with priceless gems-all Of which were
supposed to be found for the search
ing. everywhere in America.
The swineherd-Francesc Pfzarro
BY name-had perhaps never in his
short life seen a single gold piece or
eaten a hearty meal. The tales OF
riches made him suddenly discomfort
ted with his own humble routine. He
was ignorant To his latest day he
could never manage to learn how to
read or write. But far wiser men than
himself had been taken in by these
stories OF land OF wealth. The only
difference between such men and Pi'
zarro was that he actually succeeded
In winning such riches.
Leaving his swine Pizarro sailed
with a company OF seedy adventurers
to the West Indies. There was much
work and small reward at first But
he kept on. Through trade and rob
berry he had picked up enough money
by 1915 to settle near the new city OF
Panama as a farmer. 1t was laugh
able anti-climax to his visions OF
wealth. But Pizarro was not the sort
OF man to be laughed at
As soon as be could scrape together
q little capital he formed partner.
ship with another adventurer. Anal
gro, and a priest named LuQue. and
went In search OF fortune. The expe
dition was a failure But in the course
OF 1t Pizarro heard Of a southern
country-Peru-where gold was said
to be as cheap as iron. He raided the
Peruvian coasts, but gathered scanty
'spoils.
Nevertheless. he believed he was at
last on the right track. he went to
Spain to get money and royal author
ity for further explorations. In Seville
be was thrown in prison for debt. His
career seemed to be at an end. But
he managed to interest the king OF
Spain in his schemes. The king re-
leased him and gave him royal com
mission to conquer Peru. He set forth
and. in 1881, began his invasion OF the
gold land.
Using a civil war in Peru to help on
his adventure. he at length found his
way to the palace OF the Inca temper
guest, Pizarro made the Inca a pris'
oner, and under threat OF death by
torture forced the luckless prisoner to
pay for freedom by strange ransom,
This ransom was no less than
huge roomful of gold. To gain this sum
It was necessary to strip the sacred
Peruvian temples of their golden orna
ments. The full amount, when it was
at last turned over to Pizarro, was
worth more than sl7,00A00O. Having
secured this, he calmly murdered the
Inca.
The vile act set all Peru buzzing
about the Spanlard's ears like nest
full of enraged hornets. But Pizarro
paid little heed to the danger
Wealth-wrung by torture and
treachery-fowed fast into his cof
fers. He had found no literal noun
ldIllS vi bOlu NeNtl VI SS4Ao' D'N
be had discovered how just as great
riches could be annexed through
cruelty His partner, Amalgro, shared
to some extent in the prosperity and
new-found power. This did not sui,
Pizarro. There were quarrels, and
Amalgro was induced to lead an expe-
dltion against Chilli This was In
July, 1885. The Indians took advantage
OF Amalgro's absence to attack Pt
zarro, but were unable, in spite OF their
vast numbers, to overcome him.
When Amalgro came back new
quarrels broke out. And the two for
mer comrades at last came to open
war. Amalgro was captured by Pi'
zarro's troops and was put to death
But his followers kept up the strife.
On Sunday morning, June 26, l54l,
a band OF these men burst into Pizar'
ro's palace at Lima. Pizarro sprans
up from his breakfast table. half
ARMED, and few at his assailants like
a wild beast. He was OF gigantic sta
ture. and despite his sixty-tive years
he was still a dangerous foe. A fierce
battle waged. Three of the conspirators
were slain by Pkarro before he fell
mortally wounded. under score OF