Attabaliba, before his death, desir’d that he might be bury’d in the Territory Quito, by his Father Guaynacava, whom the Peruvians for his great Justice and Prudence in Government, believed that he would arise, and settle the World so troubled and full of disorder in peace and quiet: The Corps was accordingly carry’d thither in great State after their manner, attended by his Brother, whom Illescas Ruminagui which ran from Attabaliba in the Battel, where he lay in ambush when he might have done them good service; in the way to his entertainment, receiv’d with all shews of sorrow; but when they were feasted to excess, bury’d in sleep and Wine, he Massacred and flea’d Illescas the Kings Brother alive, and made a Taber of his Skin. Whilst Attabaliba’s Funeral was thus bloodily solemniz’d, his General Quizquiz rais’d a great Army, which Pizarro encountring after a valiant resistance, totally routed; then marching victoriously to Cusco, he saw great Fires in the City, and the Citizens fighting with the Spaniards, sent before; but the Horse breaking in upon them, most of them fled the next morning to the Mountains: Thus the Spaniards became Masters of the City, where they inflicted the most cruel tortures on all Sexes, by that means to force them to discover, if they knew of any hidden Treasures, being not satisfi’d with what they found there, although they had gotten a greater Treasure in Cusco than that that they had extorted from Attabaliba before: Nay, they gave those that were murther’d for Food to their Dogs: Among the rest, Didacus Salazar having a very fierce Dog call’d Bezerril, had also an old Indian Woman his Prisoner, to whom he gave a Letter to deliver to the General Pizarro; the Woman had not gone many Paces before she was set upon by Bezerril, whom Salazar let loose, that he might delight himself in seeing the Dog tear the poor old Woman; but she observing him come running at her with so great fierceness, fell down upon her Knees, and holding forth the Letter, cry’d, Good my Lord, good my Lord Dog, I must carry this Letter to General Pizarro, whereupon the furious Curr having more compassion than the Spaniard, stood still a little, and at last lifted up his Leg in a scornful manner, Urin’d upon her, and return’d satisfi’d; at which sportive behavior of the Cur and the Chrone, Salazar laughing, was so well pleas’d, that he gave the Woman her life.
Almagro’s unhappy Journey.
King’s Town.
After Cusco had been sufficiently Plunder’d, Pizarro made Almagro Governor thereof, with the Territories belonging to it, and built near the River Lima a Town, which they call’d Los Reyes. Mean while, Almagro receiv’d Letters Patent from the Emperor, in which he was nominated Marshal of Peru; encourag’d by that honor, he took a great design in hand, for the Peruvians had reported, that the Golden Chili lay to the South; and Almagro being encourag’d, and assisted by Pizarro, March’d inquest thereof with two Troops of Horse, and five hundred Foot: But mean while there happen’d so great Rains, and such foul Weather, that the Ways were almost unpassable, so that the Expedition grew very troublesome; yet however he went on, in which hard March he lost both Horse and Men.
Mango Inga takes Cusco.
Contest between Almagro and Pizarro.
Almagro strangled.
Whilst Almagro was upon this undertaking, Francisco Pizarro receiv’d Letters Patent from the Emperor, in which he was Intitul’d Duke of Peru, but with a Salvo for the honor before given to Almagro; yet these balanc’d honors bred great dissention between the Duke and Marshal, which Mango Inga another of Attabaliba’s Brothers observing, laid hold of the opportunity, and setting upon the Spanish Garrison in Cusco, took the City. Whereupon Pizarro immediately sent his Horse thither, under the Command of Alphonso Alvarado, and Gomes de Todoya, against whom the Indians fought very valiantly, insomuch, that the Battel was a long time doubtful; yet at last the Spaniards got a bloody Victory, and regain’d Cusco; hither after some time, Almagro returning with ill success, having effected nothing, was kept out by Ferdinand Pizarro, under pretence that he could not open the Gate without Order from his Brother the Duke. Almagro much offended thereat, yet saying little, was so privately let into the City, that he surpriz’d the Governor Ferdinand Pizarro, and his Brother Gonsalvo, with Alphonso Alvarado Prisoners; swearing that he would not rest before he had rooted all the Pizarro’s out of Peru. But whilst he was passing the intended Sentence of Death upon them, Gonsalvo and Alvarado broke Prison; and got away to the Duke, who troubled for his Brother Ferdinand there in custody, and in danger of his life, came to Composition; whereupon Ferdinand was also releas’d: But this was no sooner done, and he had got his Brother safe there, but the Duke regarding nothing less than the keeping of the new-made Peace, sent to Almagro, that the Emperor having given him the prime Command over Peru, he requir’d him to leave Cusco, or else he would force him. Almagro sent answer, That if he could see the Emperor’s Hand, he would immediately obey, otherwise not; whereupon both Parties prepar’d for War, wherein they had many sharp bickerings in a short time: But Almagro being too weak fell into the Dukes hands, who order’d him to be strangled in the Gaol, and his body afterwards to be drawn to the Market-place, and there publickly Beheaded.
Ferdinand Pizarro being not long after sent to Spain, with the fifths of the gotten Treasure for the Emperor, was Imprison’d in the Castle Motto, for Almagro’s Death: But what further happen’d to him there, or became of him, hath never been Recorded by any Pen.
Ferdinand Pizarro never obtains his liberty.