Sect. XIa.
The Expeditions of Peter Alvarado, Francisco and Gonzalvo Pizarro, and Diego de Almagro.
Pizarro’s and Almagro’s remarkable exploits.
In the City of Panama, in New Spain, liv’d three eminent Spaniards, call’d Francisco Pizarro, Diego de Almagro, and Ferdinand de Luque a Priest, which joyntly design’d to discover farther Southerly along the rich Gold and Pearl Coast, and inspect the Southern Ocean. De Luque was to look to home-affairs, and Pizarro set Sail first with a Ship Man’d with one hundred and fourteen Men, which Almagro follow’d with seventy more, yet both were valiantly repuls’d by the Peruvians; but although they return’d the first time with bad success, yet they undertook their business once more, but with no better fortune; whereupon discouraged, the undertaking seem’d to be totally laid aside, and the American Vice-Roy, Peter de Rios forbad any to attempt a farther Discovery concerning Peru.
The former difficulties with this Edict easily wrought upon Pizarro’s men, all but twelve, to leave him, for the rest went over with the Ship fitted out by Rios with succors to the Island Gallo, where Pizarro resided, having also fail’d in his second Expedition. But although he had made two bad Voyages, yet having an inclination to a third attempt, he went to Spain, desiring of the Emperor to be Governor of Peru, which he had discover’d; for besides his Plea of Merits he had taken possession of the Country twice by Landing there, intended for the use of his Imperial Majesty; one of his Sea-men to that purpose flourishing his two-handed Sword over his Head, the glittering of which Sword so frighted the Natives, that none of them durst come near him.
Pizarro’s fight on Puna.
His request being consulted upon, was at last granted, the Government of Peru being conferred upon him; but Almagro took it very ill, that Pizarro went to the Emperor on such a design for himself; yet by the mediation of his Friends the difference was reconciled, then Pizarro setting Sail with one hundred and fifty Foot besides Horse, and Landing at the Island Puna, at first was courteously entertain’d; but the Spaniards by extravagant hunting and searching every where their Houses for Gold, and committing several other outrages, incensing, chang’d the humor of the Inhabitants so much, that they fell upon them. In stead of Ensigns, Standards, and Warlike Trophies, they used long Canes, at the end whereof were ty’d the Bones of their antient Hero’s, honor’d by them after their death: But these Reliques sav’d not the Indians from slaughter, so well as the coverts of a neighboring Wood.
Comes to Peru.
Peruvian Temple.
From this Isle, lying three degrees Southward of the Equinoctial, Pizarro passed over to the Main Continent, where they were all in a great confusion, upon the report of the Spaniards cruelties committed in Puna; yet all the preparations of the Indians to withstand, stop’d not Pizarro from his intended course; for first, having the success to master Tampez, thence he made nothing to march his Forces over the River Ambato, there burning a Temple Dedicated to the Sun. The Portico stood towards the East, the rising of their God, before which hung a Curtain of their fine Cotton Stuff, within stood the presentations of two Golden Rams, shaded with Black, and as many Dragons, before which the Fire never went out, continually supply’d with Offerings of burnt Incense; on the Pillars hung several Men flead, their Flesh kept firm, and free from all Putrifaction, with the infusion of a sharp Juyce.
Here Almagro coming to Pizarro with fresh Forces, they made no little penetration into Peru, satisfying every where their thirst of Gold, and slaughtering the Toothless Tombezes, a people who having offended their King, had by his order the upper Teeth of the whole Nation beaten out.