^yuJ^ fy^^'ff-^'-'-^ niversity of Cdlifornia, Los Angeles The Fritz L. Hoffmann Collection A Gift of Olgd Mingo Hoffmann FRANCISCO PIZAKRO. WITH PIZARRO IX PERU 1!Y C. FALKENHORST ADAPTED BY ELISE L. LATHROP ILLUSTRATED NEW YORK WORTHINGTON COMPANY 747 Broadway 1892 Copyright, 1892 WORTHINGTON COMPANY New York SRLF URL 1 WITH PIZARRO IN PEEU. Whoever wishes nowadays to take a journey from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean across the istlmms of Panama need malve no great prepara- tions. In two liours and a half the railway train will take you from Colon to Panama. The train winds through the mountain range and does not even ascend very perceptibly, for the highest point of the railway lies only eighty metres above the level of the sea. Man has bridged ravines and rush- ing mountain streams and in this way built a level road. Parallel with the railway in many places, can be seen the deserted Panama Canal. The civilized world has sacrificed millions to bind together the two oceans, but nature has shown herself more powerful in this little strip of land, and opposes to human efforts solid rock, overflows the work 4 WITH PIZAERO IN PERU. with rushing mountain streams, causes poisonous, pestilential vai:)ors to arise from the valleys, and the canal diggers are forced to give way before her. Yes, it is wild, this isthmus of Panama, and if we wander from the road built with such diffi- culty, and climb the mountains — the whole range is but ten miles wide— we soon find ourselves in forests which are everywhere so dense that only a faint light penetrating through the thick foliage proclaims to us that it is still day. The first Euro- pean to penetrate these woods was the Spanish explorer and conqueror Nunez Balboa. At the head of a hundred and ninety Spaniards and a number of bloodhounds, accompanied as well by nine hundred Indians, he climbed the forest-cov- ered mountain range, here about 2,000 feet above the sea level, and by hidden paths through the woods reached the longed-for summit, from which his delighted eyes gazed for the first time over the immense mirror-like surface of the Pacific Ocean. And on the 29th of September, 1513, wav- ing the flag of Castile, he si^rang knee-deep into the salt flood and took possession of the newly discovered sea and all the shores which it washed, from the north pole to the south i)ole, in the name of the king of Sx^aiu. WITH riZARUo IN I'EKU 5 The Spauiiirds not only found along the shore valuable pearls, but received still more valuable information. There they stood around their cop- per-colored leader and listened to his vague ac- count of a land far to the south, where there was an abundance of gold, and saw a strange likeness of an animal, fashioned in clay, which resembled partly a camel, partly a sheep, the first image of a llama, of which the ruler of that distant country possessed whole herds. Among the listeners stood a Spanish soldier who could neither read nor write, but whose nature was most courageous and his heart tilled with a longing for gold and ambi- tion for fame. He resolved to continue the work of his leader; he found adventurers who joined him, he fought his way for an entire year along the coast to the south, defied storm, hunger, and Indian arrows, until he reached the harbor of the most powerful old American kingdom. AVith foolhardy courage, at the head of his weak force he i^enetrated into the interior of the land, into the very camp of the Inca or emperor of Peru, and took the ruler captive by treachery, subjugated the country, plundered it, and gave it nj) as prey to the rapacity of Spanish adventurers. Pizarro's booty was so great that it threw that of all his predecessors into the shade. No won- 6 WITH PIZAREO IN PERU. der that numbers of the settlers of the Spanish colonies flocked to the gold land of Peru, and bold adventurers came from the mother-country also. Then the road which Balboa had made was much travelled over, and a brisk trade was done in the city of Panama, which sprung up on the coast of the Pacific. About the year 1540 a little band of adventurers marched along the forest road across the isthmus. Bearded soldiers, accompanied by their blood- hounds, veterans Avho had fought under Cortez, Alvarado, and other heroes of the conquest — thus were the conquerors of the New World styled— farm hands from the colonies of the Antilles? among whom were also some Spanish women and youths who thirsted for adventure, and like moths around a light, flocked to the wonderful New World, dazzled by the glowing, brilliant descrip- tions they heard — young adventurers who did not know where they were going, or what they would begin, who thought now of the ^ploughshare, now of the sharp sword. They might dream now and hope for a brilliant future, for at that time young, fresh strength was needed in the New World, and the wealthier settlers as well as the bearded soldiers sought to win the young people; all promised them mountains of gold. WITH nzAiiRO IN PERtr. 7 The little band halted in a clearing in the forest. There one could survey the company as they emerged from the gloomy woods along the path, and i)roceeded to camp. Each Spaniard had his Indian to carry his luggage. There were no wag- ons, for on these roads none could pass, but the Spanish women did not fare badly, servants and slaves could so easily be procured here. With the loud confusion of human voices mingled the lowing of cattle and the neighing of the horses, several sheep bleated, and the grunting of swine could also be heard. All these animals were be- ing taken to the new colonies ; they were Europe's return gifts for the glittering gold. The gay troop gradually settled about the camp, and one could soon distinguish the single groups ; the most dis- tinguished occupied nearly half of the camping ground, the most horses and cattle belonged to this group, and also the most Indian slaves were clus- tered near by. The leader of this caravan was a gray-bearded soldier, Pedro Alcan, one of Pizarro's oldest companions, one of the celebrated thirteen who, in the utmost want before Peru was reached, alone clung to their leader. All the cattle and the various European wares, of which tools of steel and iron formed the most valuable part, Alcan, after having purchased them in the Antilles, according 8 WITH PIZARRO IX PERU. to Pizarro's directions, was taking to Panama, in order there to shij:) ,tliem to Peru. In a journey through this primeval forest affairs did not run so very smoothly, and this Pedro Alcan now learned. One of his Spanish riders, who had been attacked by fever on the coast, had been thrown from his horse and so severely injured by this fall that several Indians w^ere forced to carry him in a hammock. Pedro Alcan was disheartened by this accident; he was not only sorry for the man, but anxioiis for the horse, because in this part of America at that time horses were more valuable even than men to the leaders, as war- horses could only be imported at great cost and trouble from Eurox)e. The Spanish soldiers of Alcan's band were already mounted, and the In- dians did not understand the management of horses. Alcan was perplexed. While he was considering what he should do, and had turned away from the injured man's bed, his eyes chanced to rest upon a young Si)aniard who was leaning against a tree and watching the gay camj) scene. Alcan was already acquainted with this fellow- traveller, w^ho wore a sword at his side, carried but a small bundle, and was not waited upon by a single Indian servant. He knew that the young WITH VIZWAK) IX VVAIV. 9 man was the son of an hidalgo, one of tliose Span- ish country nobles who liave little land and less money, but great i)ride. He had left Spain to seek an uncle in Panama, and was, therefore, untrou- bled about his future. "Good-evening, Senor de Calabrera," said Al- can, addressing him. " You are an excellent pe- destrian ; all honor to your marching ; but it surely would not be disagreeable to you to travel the rest of the way on horseback. How do you like the chestnut yonder? You were scrutinizimj him with the eye of a connoisseur." Amador de Calabrera, who had no suspicions of Alcan's embarrassment, misunderstood this speech. He frowned, reflected for but an instant, and then replied sharply: "The animal has soft hoofs, Mr. Alcan. The stony ground of Peru will be ill suited to them. I feel more at ease as regards the swine lying there, they will fall into good hands. They understand these animals in Peru." Now it was Pedro Alcan's turn to frown — ves, he fairly started, and his right hand grasped his sword-handle. Alcan knew very well what the young Amador meant. Pizarro, the present vice- roy of Peru, had tended swine in his youth, and was, therefore, mockingly termed by his enemies and enviers Porquero, or the swineherd. 10 WITH PIZAKKO IN PERU. Amador de Calabrera seemed to find satisfac- tion in the old soldier's anger: he did not place himself on the defensive, only crossed his arms on his breast and gazed at Alcan triumphantly. At this moment Amador was a splendid-looking fel- low. His hat was pushed far back on his head, and from beneath it the rich broAvn hair hung over his white forehead. His clear brown eyes sparkled gayly, and his red lips wore a saucy smile beneath the slight dark mustache. Owing to the heat, Amador had unbuttoned the top but- tons of liis shirt, and Alcan could see that this firm head surmounted a firm neck and broad, powerful chest. The anger gradually vanished from Al- can's eyes; he gazed with satisfaction at the young man, who was strong but not stout, power- ful and yet supple. " If he had blond hair,"Alcan thought to himself, " I would take him for the hero Alvarado, whom in his youth the Mexicans called Tonathili, or the sun. Ah, we are all children of the sun in the eyes of the Indians. The Peruvians call us vira- coclia—bwt one would seek in vain in the whole army of Pizarrofor such a true viracoclia. I cer- tainly must bring this Mars and Apollo in one person to the City of Kings in Peru ! " Slowly his hand slipped from his sword-hilt, WITH PIZARKO IN PERU. 11 and as he drew nearer, he said: "Do not troiil)le yourself about the chestnut, Sefior de Cal'a])rera, the swineherds and conquerors of Peru know liow to protect soft hoofs from stony ground. Wlien we rode from Pachacamac over the rocky and snowy pass of the Cordilleras, to put down the In- dian insurrection in the capital, our horses lost their shoes. We knew what to do: shoes were made of gold and silver, and gold and silver shod our squadron crossed the mountains to rush down upon the enemy. Tell me, what king or emperor in the world has commanded such a squadron? But this aside. It is not the custom of line hijos hidalgos to give a rough answer to friendly ques- tions. My soldier who rode the chestnut horse is ill, and I am seriously looking for a man who will oblige me by riding the animal to Panama. What do you say to it now, Sefior de Calabrera?" " Oh, if the matter stands thus," replied Ama- dor, flushing slightly, "then I must tell you, sir cai)tain, that I know no king or emperor whose soldiers ride gold-shod chargers: but less for that reason than in admiration of the great victories of the Spaniards in the distant fairy-land of gold, I remove my hat to the chivalrous and famous viceroy of Peru." He did in fact remove his hat, and Alcan returned the courtesy, adding with a 12 WITH PIZAT^KO TN PERU. smile, " You would be more astonished were you to see Peru, with its fortilications, temples, and palaces, its fields and gardens, its smiling valleys and glittering snow-crowned mountains, its pretty maidens and bravely caparisoned warriors. But of that later; may I ask you how the chestnut pleases you now?" " Excellently, sir captain," replied Amador, " and vou may be sure that he will be well cared for; for, look you, as the money did not hold out for my studies in medicine, I have helped my father on the estate." " Then you are my man, Sehor de Calabrera," said Alcan, giving Amador his hand. " I beg you to come to my camp. You will be treated as a guest." " Make no ceremony, captain," replied Amador. " I will willingly submit to discipline, and from here to Panama be nothing more than a brave cavalryman." Both now went up to the chestnut, which had been the cause of their nearer acquaintance- ship. Alcan smiled contentedly. "Until Panama?" he murmured to himself. " No, noble Amador, our hearts went out to each other, that was the true ring. You will not j)lant sugar-cane in Pan- WITH PIZAllIU) IN PERU. I'.i ama, no; yon will help Pizarro in Peru to over- throw his malicious enemies! " Dark night has settled down over the tropical forest. The gay-plum aged birds and the shim- mering swarm of insects, who are accustomed to rejoice in their existence in the sunlight among bright-colored flowers, have retired to rest. From deep hiding-places, from the dark recesses under the mouldering tree-trunks and the thick ferns, creeps the gray swarm of the night. Invisible moths and dark beetles emerge from the cavities in the branches of the rotten trees, from rocky hollows noiselessly the night birds fly up, and the bats flutter around; a new life, as different as possible from that of the day, begins in the prime- val forest, and innumerable bright insects, flies, and beetles illuminate the gloomy scenery. In the camp of the colonists the night had ef- fected a change. The weary servants slept in long rows, in tents made of twigs and leaves slumbered the Spanish women who were, to found a new home in the distant New World. The colonists also slept who were to win the fruit of America's soil by the sweat of their brow; they slept calmly, for Alcan, the gray-bearded soldier, had placed sentinels on guard, so they were safe from any at- 14 WITH PIZARKO IN^ PERU. tack of the wild Indians who still lived unre- strained in the distant valleys of these wild moun- tains, according to the habits of their fathers, and whose hearts were filled with the most passionate hatred of the strange oppressors. But it is not nearly midnight. Darkness comes on so quickly in these countries. The night lasts almost twelve hours. A huge camp-fire burns in front of Alcan's tent close beside it he and several Spaniards are re- clining. Pizarro's old comrade does not leave his guests with dry throats. See what luxury ! He hands round a goblet filled with wine. It is Span- ish wine which he has bought for a large sum in the Antilles. But the old soldier does not spare it; he wishes to enjoy himself, and is generous. He drinks often so that his throat will not become dry from his fluent speech. All the men who sit near him are new arrivals upon America's soil. They had left Spain but a few months before, or had lived until then on the miserable Antilles. None of them had fought under Cortez' renowned banner, none of them had seen the wonders of Peru, none had a clear Idea of the true splendor and astonishing civili- zation which America concealed in her interior. All those who had sailed over the ocean had but WITH IMZAllKO IX TKRU. 15 a vague idea of the luca and Pizarro's lieioic deeds. At that time there were no books in which th(^ history of Peru coukl be learned as fully as at the present time, and the jiress which spreads the news of new discoveries to the most distant villages was then unknown. The printed accounts of the great discoveries were only seen by a few scholars; the great masses knew merely what passed from mouth to mouth, and gossip) is never faithful, never reliable ; she exaggerates or depreciates, one can never trust or believe her. But here at the camp-fire sat one wdio, if he could have written, could have left the truest history of the conquest of Peru ; one who had been present throughout the entire campaign. No wonder, therefore, that on this night the ears of all were attentive to Alcan's words and their eyes fixed immovably upon him; no wonder that Amador listened with beating heart to the old soldier's story, that he passed the goblet of fiery Spanish wine on to his neighbor without raising it to his lips— he was carried away by the words of the narrator, which fired his soul. " You Avish to know how we took the Tnca Ata- hualpa captive?" said Alcan. "Good, I will tell you." 16 WITH PIZARKO liV PERU. " Imagine a city as large as Sevilla. Into this city, Caxamarca by name, we marched. Not a soul was to be seen in it, it lay there as if dead, and the Inca camped with his army many thou- sand strong before it. We took j)ossession of a palace which we changed into a fortress, and Pi- zarro began to treat with the Inca, At length an interview was agreed upon to take place in the courtyard of the palace. We knew what we were to do. Would the heathen recognize the dominion of the Spaniards voluntarily? No, he must be taken jprisoner. AVe divided ourselves among the rooms of the palace, ready for fight, and were strictly commanded not to burst out until we heard the cry ' Santiago! ' and the thunder of firing. "I stood at the door, and through the crack I could see what went on outside. The Inca left his camp at the head of a regular procession. At both sides of the street the warriors formed a hedge, and about three hundred gayly dressed servants carefully removed all dust, stones, and blades of grass from the road. Then came divi sions of men clad in red and white checked gar- ments, who danced the merriest dances and sang gay songs. If they had but known to what feast they went! "After them came the imperial body-guard with Willi I'IZAIIUO IX VKKU. 17 rich gold ornaments and splendid feather trap- pings, a trooji which would have honored even a Christian ruler. In their nudst, the Inca was borne in a magnificent arm-chair. He sat on a golden chair, his feet rested on a huge golden plate, his garments were fine as silk, he wore a quantity of gold ornaments and a chain of spark- ling jewels, while on his head was a red woollen turban with a tassel, the imperial crown of the Inca. High dignitaries followed him, and five thousand warriors comjjleted the procession. " AYe burned with impatience, for the procession advanced at a snail's pace, and to our astonish- ment the Indians prepared to camp before the city. Then Pizarro requested the Inca to come into the city before sunset and dine with him that evening. " He consented, and to prove how peaceably dis- posed he was, he commanded his soldiers to lay down their arms before the city. AVe breathed more freely, for this made our victory more sure. "At length the square before our x^^^l^ce was filled with unarmed soldiers; five thousand men stood crowded together and surrounded their em- peror with a living wall. Not a Spaniard was vis- ible, and the Inca looked about him in astonish- ment. Then our priest, Father Valverde, came out, his breviary in his hand, and made a speech to 18 WITH PIZARRO IN PERU. the Inca, telling liim that the Holy Father in Rome had given these lands to the King of Spain, and that the Inca from now on must consider himself the vassal of Spain, and to assure the safety of his soul must abjure his idols and accept Chris- tianity. This did not please the emperor^ for he was rude enough to ask who gave the Spaniards such power, and who had told the pope that the Christian religion was the only true belief. The father handed him the Gospel and said: 'It is written in this holy book.' But the heathen only glanced at the pages, and threw the book disre- spectfully to the ground, while he answered the father roughly. Then I heard the father cry out in righteous indignation : ' The Gospel thrown to the ground : revenge this. Christians, revenge this upon these heathen ! ' "And at this exclamation Pizarro appeared, ac- companied by four soldiers, drew his sword, and with furious blows cut his way through to the Inca, seized the heathen by the left arm, and thun- dered out our war-cry, ' Santiago ! ' And as if by magic the scene changed. The ringing call of trumpets, the discharge of muskets and cannon, shook the air ; the cavalry burst through on their horses hung with bells, and hewed down the heathen; the infantry followed them. WITH PIZAKRO IN PERU. 19 The weaponless Indians could protect their em- peror solely by crowding between him and the Spaniards, so that only after a fearful massacre could Pizarro succeed in dragging the Inca down from his chair. Not until tliev saw their leader fall, did the other Indians take to Hight. We fol lowed them to their camp before the city, and slew in that one day about tw^o thousand. Atahualpa had brought thirty thousand warriors with him; we numbered but one hundred and eighty, and es caped without loss, one horse only being slightly wounded." " Oh ! " cried Amador suddenly ; " but they were thirty thousand wretched cowards. I imagined the Peruvians were of a different character." " They are not cowardly," replied Alcan, " but they obey their emperor blindly, and as he com- manded them ui)on entering the city not to attack the Spaniards, even if they should be attacked, they dared not raise their hands against us." "And they Avere men?" cried Amador in aston- ishment. " Why, they were mere machines! " " Yes, Peru is a strange land," continued Alcan. "As everything about it seems incomprehensible, just so remarkable is the obedience which the na- tives show to their prince. They filled a huge room with gold for us because the cajitive com- 20 WITH PIZAERO I^ PERU. manded it. Tliey give their emperor everything, their gold, their property, their children, them- selves even if he desires it." "That must be a condition of affairs such as exists in Turkey ! " " Not at all! I believe the country is wealthier than Spain. It has large cities, well built for- tresses, it has high-roads— a thousand times better than ours in Spain; inns are situated along the roads for travellers, magnificent storehouses tilled with grain, and supi)ly stations for the trooj)S. The people do not go about naked, but wear finely woven clothes ; hunger is unknown there, so abun- dant are the crops, and I have never seen a beg- gar, for every one must work for the state, and receives a living from the state. The temples are magnificent, the palaces of the princes and no- bles are built with broad halls, they have pleasure gardens, with fountains, surrounded with all kinds of figures of solid gold and silver. Ah, there no Spaniard need build with great trouble and labor miserable block houses, as here on this wretched isthmus of Panama ; there he finds a warm nest all prepared, in which he need only sit himself down. He also finds beautiful princesses there, whom he can marry Avhen they are converted to Christianity, for the peoi)le of Peru are of excellent morals, they WTTir PIZAIMIO TX PKIiLi 21 are well behiived and even cultivated. Such arts as reading and writing are indeed unknown there, but these are not necessary for ci\ ilization, as Peru best proves to us. It is a rich, a blessed country, and whoever says that there is nothing more to be gotten from Peru, that we have already plun- dered it of everything, is a contemx^tible liar. Oh, there is yet so much gold hidden in Peru that we would not be able to carry it away if we had it. But we will soon have it, for gradually the Indi- ans betray the secret cavities in which- they have hidden the gold; and then the mountains of Peru are full of it, one need only take the trouble to melt it. And how much else does the land offer! Everything that you can ask. For when you stand upon the coast, with one glance you take in all the zones of the earth; below, the tomd zone, with its proud palms and fragrant flowers and fruits ; high above, i)erpetual ice and snow as at the north pole, and in between all the hardy plants of the temperate zone. Fields, meadows, forests, all that is to be desired does one find there. And the best of all is that one need not work him- self, for the natives are accustomed from early times to work, and are willing to work for the Spaniards, their new masters." By such sxDeeches, Alcan whiled away the hours 22 WITH PIZARKO IN PERU. of the night for his comrades, and when he took leave of them and sought his bed, Amador's thoughts flew over the wide sea to that fairy-land whose wonders seemed inexhaustible to him. Yes, what were the Antilles, this wild Darien, and the desolated Mexico to this land! He had jour- neyed so far already, why should he not i^ush on further? He fell asleep, and in dreams he wan- dered through dazzling palaces, through magnifi- cent gardens: saw armed warriors, gold-shod horses, and lovely brown i^rincesses with rare dia- monds in their raven-black hair. How disap- X)ointed he was when he awoke, and in the gray dawn discovered the gloomy forest, and overhead a dull gray sky covered with cold, Avet fog! Silently he rode his chestnut horse this day, and when toward noon, from the top of the range, he had a view over the wide green wilderness, and in the far distance the shimmer of the smooth sur- face of the Pacific Ocean, a deep longing filled his heart, and his heated imagination conjured up mountains covered with glittering snow along the edge of the horizon, shady groves at their feet, and concealed among them magic castles with brown knights and ladies. Alcan rode near the young man. Oh, he had already perceived that his tales had kindled the WITH PIZARRO IN PERU. 23 young heart ; he spoke to him, he continued his fascinating accounts, and under the influence of the bearded soldier Amador's will grew soft as wax. He let himself be influenced, guided. On the next day he rode the horse, but he wore a shining new armor, which Alcan had given him as recruiting money, from his supplies. The young man's heart beat stormily against the hard mail, and he raised his head proudly. Yes, he was a brave cavalryman, out and out a cavalry- man, and said as much to Alcan. "And for how long? Until we reach Panama? " " Oh, no, Captain Alcan, to the end of the world if you will ; to the cool, quiet grave ! " cried young Amador enthusiastically. Proudh' he rode into Panama on his tall charger, greeted his relatives hastily and sux)erficially, and embarked upon the ship lying in wait, to sail for the south — as Pizarro's soldier. II. How beautiful is tlie dream, how hard and cruel the reality! The youth dreams, and through his disappointments matures to a man. It was so with Amador in Peru. He had dreamed of a Para- dise, and he awoke in hell ; for a gloomy, blood- stained hell, iilled with the screams of unfortunate people, was lovely Peru at that time. A true tor- ture chamber, for here white devils in the form of men tortured a poor innocent people. Amador de Calabrera was the younger son of a poor but proud Spanish nobleman. The small property would barely suffice for his elder broth- ers, and so he had left his home to seek his for- tune in the New World. The wildest rumors of the wealth of this gold land, this Peru, reached the old country, and to these rumors had in Ama- dor's case been added old Alcan's vivid descrip- tions, his exciting stories. Amador had fancied a life of the wildest adventure would be his in Peru, a life of bold, brave deeds, and that a large WITH PIZAIUK) IX PKRIL 25 fortune would be easily acquired. The dark side of this life had not been presented to him; he had, in fact, no idea that there was a dark side. Never had he dreamed of the cruelty,the treachery, practised upon this unfortunate Indian people. It was some months before he learned of the treacherous manner in w liich the Inca Atahualpa had been put to death. After having collected from his people the enormous ransom demanded, a sum almost equivalent to fifteen millions of dol- lars, this unfortunate Inca had nevertheless been detained prisoner upon one pretext and another, only finally to be put to death. And yet there was pei-haps retributive justice in this act, justice ignorantly rendered through Spanish hands, for this Atahualpa was but an usurper. His father's favorite, he had taken the place rightly belonging to his half brother, Huas- car, and had, even while a x>risoner, caused his murder. When Amador arrived in Cuzco, with Alcan's little band Atahualpa's successor and brother had been dead for several years, and Manco, the lawful Inca, reigned, if reign it could be called. The subjugated ruler had, however, made one desperate attempt to free his people from the hated Spanish yoke, and, leaving some of 26 WITH PIZARRO IN PERU, the highest Per avian dignitaries, among them his favorite sister Aclia, to serve as a blind to his real intentions, he had left Cuzco. Once outside the city, his purj)oses had become only too evident. He had excited his i)eoj)le to revolt, and many and fierce had been the conflicts. At length, however, he had been driven back gradually, and had now- taken refuge in a rocky mountainous region, prac- tically inaccessible, and the Spaniards were for the time baffled. Added to these Indian troubles was a fresh horror; the conquerors attacked each other. The long-standing feud between Almagro and Pizarro had burst out afresh. They were rivals in every sense of the word, and for a time a fierce civil w^ar raged in the young colony. This lasted for sev- eral years, but finally seemed to be subdued ; then in the year 1538 Pizarro obtained the upper hand, and ordered Almagro's execution. This bold act did for a brief space check the civil conflict, but the feeling of rage and longing for vengeance smouldered in the hearts of all the former follow- ers of Almagro, who had been idolized by these followers on account of his generous lavish nature. During all this time the new Indian ruler, Inca Manco, had not been inactive in his rocky fortress. Headed by one or another brave young Indian WITH PIZAllUO IX PERU. 97 warrior, small detaclinients of natives had swooped down like eagles from their lofty eyries upon the small Spanish settlements, and had often effected a decisive victory, as their attacks were sudden and unsuspected. Having disposed once and for all of his rival Almagro, Pizarro now resolved to conquer Inca Manco. He fancied that when once the Spaniards' thoughts were fully occupied with their Indian enemies, the party strife would cease, and Alma- gro's friends become reconciled to his rule. How greatly he deceived himself in this, remains to be shown, A campaign in the impassable ravines of the Andes was not to be thought of; the eagle w^as secure from attack in his lofty eyrie. PizaiTO, therefore, resolved to render him harmless in an- other way. Upon the plateaus of Peru near the enemy, he founded a line of military settlements. The Spaniards who removed to them were to carry on farming, but be always ready for battle. They lived in forts and av ell-fortified villages, ready at any moment to go out to battle should the enemy draw near. This plan of Pizarro proved successful ; war with the troops of Inca Manco was confined solely to the plateaus now, and here too the Spanish science of war was so superior to the Indian methods 28 WITH PIZARRO IN PEEt:. tliat tlie natives attacked the settlements less and less frequently, and cooled tlieir revenge solely by attacking little detachments of Spaniards trav- elling through the mountain passes. Such were the troubled times when Amador de Calabrera arrived in Peru. As has been said, the son of a proud but penniless grandee, Amador had come to the New AVorld to seek his fortune, but it seemed scarcely probable that he w^ould make it here in this wealthy country of the Incas. The methods practised by his companions in arms were abhorrent to him. The greater part of these did not hesitate to extort gold, silver or pearls from the Indians by any m.eans, fair or foul, or even openly to rob and plunder. Few of the more distinguished Indians, the dignitaries of the land, remained in the part of the country inhab- ited by the Spaniards, these few being those who had remidned upon Inca Manco's orders, when he left Cuzco. Among these the Princess Aclia was the most interesting. Several times had she tried to escape and join her brother; once her effort had almost succeeded. This was just before Amador's arrival in the city of Cuzco. Amador had been greatly struck with the mag- nificence of this city, and as his time was almost WITH PIZAKRO IN' PFAIV. 29 entirely his own, he spent the greater part of the day in wandering about and exploring- it. He was often accomx)anied iqoon these walks by an- other young Spaniard, Leon de Gamba by name. The latter having been in the city for nearly two years, was Avell acquainted with it, and he it was who pointed out to Calabrera some of the wonders. He called his attention to the solid beds of masonry over which the two streams which sujiplied the city with water flowed for some dis- tance before reaching this city. The masonry beds kept the water always clear and clean. To Amador's astonishment he found that almost all the houses were built of stone, and stones of im- mense size, which were fastened together with ce- ment in such a masterly fashion that the buildings seemed almost as if made of a single stone. The great Tem^^le of the Sun, although it had been robbed of its chief splendors, was still re- markable, and Leon supplied the missing golden statues and images by vivid descriptions of their magnificence and costliness. Many of the paint- ings were still uninjured. But Amador's new acquaintance enlightened him in other ways. He it was who told him of the scenes which had been enacted in this city; and of the dark deeds concerning which Alcan 30 WITH PIZAERO IN PERU. liad been so silent when lie talked to Amador dur- ing their night camping on the isthmus, or the long journey to Peru. And it was Leon de Gamba who described to him the charms of Princess Aclia, whom he declared to be the most beautiful maiden he had ever set eyes ux)on. He told Amador of the repeated at- tempts made by her, with others of the Indian nobles, to escajoe. "About two weeks before you arrived here, sehor," said he one day, as they stood in the great Temple of the Sun, wondering and admiring, " she made another desperate attempt to escape, and in fact almost succeeded, Accomx^anied only by an- other Indian girl, and a young chief who was to act as guide, she succeeded in getting outside of the city, and had gone some distance into the country, when they were met by a little band of Spanish soldiers, of whom I was one. We had been out on a little hunting expedition. Now three Indians strolling leisurely along, as did these as soon as they perceived us, are no unusual sight, and I doubt if we should have troubled ourselves further concerning them, had not I caught a glimpse of the beautiful Aclia's face. That one glimpse was sufficient; I knew that that beautiful face was none other than that of our fair captive WITH nZARliO IN PERU. 31 princess. Resistance on tlieir part was of course useless; we simply brought them back to the city, and the lovely Aclia is kept under a much more strict watch than before." " Why does not Pizarro allow her to join her brother? Of what use can two or three Indian girls be to his plans? has he not some of the high- est dignitaries detained here as hostages ?" asked Amador impatiently, for he felt a great sympathy for this beautiful Indian whom he had never seen." "Why, my dear countryman, Pizarro hopes great things from the detention of this one girl. Have you not been told that she is the Inca's fav- orite sister? They say the devotion of the two is remarkable. Pizarro really thinks that Inca Manco may yet be brought to surrender and sul> mit to Spanish authority through fear that evil may befall the fair Aclia here at the hands of his enemies. But do not fancy that these captives' lot is such a hard one. They are well treated. Spacious rooms in one of the palaces have been assigned them, tliej^ are made comfortal)le, and as for Aclia herself, she would not be more waited upon were she at her brother's court. The other Indian maidens serve her as attendants, maids of honor as it were, and obey her slightest com- mand. It is remarkable, the abject devotion 32 WITH PIZAERO IN PEKU. of these Peruvians to their Inca and the royal family," " Yon have made me quite curious to see this princess," said Amador. " How is it possible to catch a glimj^se of her? " "Oh, you have but to keep your eyes open, and when you see an Indian maiden, tall, slight, and beautiful as a dream, you may know it is she. She is not confined to her palace, she walks about the streets. Besides, she will soon be baj)tized, I understand, and the ceremony will be a public one." "Has she been converted to Christianity?" asked Amador in surprise. "Converted? H'm, I do not know about that, but it is certain she will be bajjtized, together with her retinue. We do not inquire too closely into the belief of these natives ; they are baptized i^er- force." It was several days after this conversation that the rite of baptism was administered to Aclia, to- gether with several other Indian maidens, in the little Catholic church, which building had for- merly been a temple of one of the lesser deities of the Peruvians, and it was at this ceremony that Amador lirst saw the fair-young princess. The church was filled with spectators, chiefly Span- WITH PIZAKRO IN PERU. 33 iards, altliongh Indians were not lacking, for any- thing to interrupt the monotony of everyday life in Ciizco was welcome. Of the other Indian maidens, some were reluctant to be bajjtized, others merely indifferent ; l)ut the princess seemed an exception. The officiating priest was not the wily Valverde, who so willingly lent himself to the treachery and deceit practised upon the unfortunate Indians ])y Pizarro and his soldiers, but a mild-featured, kindly old man, Father Felipo by name. His was no warlike nature. The sufferings and perse- cutions of the Indians saddened him beyond meas- ure. He had come to the New World, his heart filled with the ho^ie of converting large numbers of these unfortunates, and of bnptizing them, not by force, but at their own expressed desire. His ambition, though so different and so much nobler, was as ardent as that of any soldier or adventurer in Pizarro's band; but how had his liojies been crushed, his plans frustrated! What hope of suc- cess was his, in preaching to this tormented people of the God of love, of kindness and mercy, who was yet the God whom these cruel Spaniards, their oppressors, professed to Avorship? He had done his duty to the best of his ability; he had, though an old man, struggled with the 3 34 WITH PIZAERO IN PER diflBcult Indian language, that lie might speak to these poor beings in their own tongue, but his efforts seemed fruitless. He was listened to by the Indians with stolid indifference, wild mock- ery, or suppressed fury. The Spanish soldiers, whom he exhorted to live after the commands of the Divine gosi)el, paid little heed to him; even his fellow-j^riest Valverde treated him with ill-disguised contempt, after having one day tried in a long argument to persuade him that these Indians did not come under the head of fel- low-men, that it was lawful and right to plunder and even torture them for the good of the Span- ish nation, since these Indians were but heathen and heretics who would not acknowledge the power of the only true church. When, however, the Indian princess Aclia was pointed out to Mm, and she was mentioned as one of those to be baptized, some faint glow of his old hopes seemed to flicker in his heart. Could he but bring her to believe in the true God, what influence might she not have over her people! Looked up to as she was, as the daughter of a powerful Inca and the favorite sister of the pres- ent emperor, her influence might be great indeed. And this was not all. Her face betokened an un- usual amount of intelligence, together with a gen- WITH PIZARRO IN^ VYAIV. 35 tleness of expression. The old priest had niiiny long talks with her. She seemed interested in his words from the first. She did not treat liim with the stolid indifference displayed by her compan- ions. She listened intently to his arguments, to his simple accounts of the belief so dear to him. AVhen finally the appointed day of the baptism arrived, although Aclia could hardly be said to desire to receive this sacrament, yet she certainly seemed willing, and Father Felipo's hopes had risen. Upon this day, as she stood with her compan- ions before the font, in the little chapel, Amador thought he had never, even among the far-famed beauties of Castile, his native country, seen any to compare with her. Her white robe, simple, and in the fashion of her people, fell in classic folds around a slender, graceful form. Her clear olive skin was smooth as polished ivory, and her cheeks tinged with a faint Hush of excitement. Her eyes, large, dark, and lustrous, shaded by long, curling lashes, were raised with a look of awe to the old l^riest before her, while her slender, beautiful hands were clasped on hei* bosom. More than one Spaniard gazed at her in admira- tion, but she seemed conscious of none of these bold glances. As for Amador, he could not take 36 WITH PIZAERO IN PERU. his eyes from her. The young fellow, who had been voted cold and unimpressionable by the young Castilian maidens of his home, was be- witched, fascinated by the first sight of a young Indian who had never seen him, and whom he might never address. The ceremony at an end, she and her companions left the chapel by a side door. They were treated Avith great resjject, and had as yet nothing to com- plain of except their lack of freedom. Amador too left the building, but he walked as if in a dream among his soldier comrades, and gave such dazed rei:)lies to their questions that, after joking him about his absent-mindedness, they finally left him alone. Some days elapsed, and he had not seen the princess again. He had learned where her palace was situated, and spent many an hour strolling around it, but, even so, he caught not so much as a glimi)se of her. But he was destined to make her acquaintance in a most unexpected manner. Amador de Calabrera had been greatly attracted to the priest, Father Felipo. His mild, gentle face and winning smile had drawn the young man to him, and gradually a warm friendship had sprung up between the two. Amador felt more and more isolated among the SxDaniards, his companions in WITH PIZAiniO IN PERU, 37 amis. The talkative de Gamba liad gone to a dis- tant Spanish settlement, and among the others there was none with whom Amador cared to be- come friends excej^t in the barest sense of tlie word. Time, as has been said, hung heavily on the hands of most of the Spaniards in Cnzco at that time. There had been no battles with the Indians for some weeks, and a few even fancied that the trouble was at an end, and Inca Manco's surrender now a question of days only. He had explored the city quite thoroughly, and, being young and of a social disposition, tired of his solitary walks, and was glad to avail himself of Father Felipo's society. The two hadjiiany long talks together, but the princess' name was seldom mentioned between them, and this was due chiefly to Amador himself. The old i)riest and Inez, as Aclia was now called, this being the name given her in baptism, were great friends, and many were the long talks they had together. The young Indian felt a great love for the kindly old man, although he was a coun- tryman of the enemies and oppressors of her people. She became deeply interested in the Christian religion, for her own was not of such a totally unreconcilable nature to it. The day at length arrived when Father Felipo could rejoice 38 WITH PIZAREO IN PERU. that the fair maiden was in reality, as well as ap- pearance, a member of his church. He had con- fided many of his hopes to Amador, for the priest's position in Cuzco was somewhat similar to the young soldier's. Both felt themselves isolated from their other countrymen, whose aims were so different from theirs, and this feeling had helped to draw them nearer together than might have otherwise been the case. It was to Amador that che old priest poured out his thankful joy when he knew that his efforts had been crowned with success, his i)rayers granted, and the princess was indeed a Christian. He hoped much from her in- fluence over her people. Amador listened to him attentively ; his calmness was indeed only feigned, and lie delighted to hear everything the priest told him about his unknown inamorata ; but he never questioned the father about her except in the most casual manner, and his behavior was such that the priest never suspected that he felt anything but the most careless interest in his fair 'protegee. Meanwhile, Inez, as well as several other high- born Indian maidens, had expressed a desire to learn the Spanish language. Whether in most cases from mere lack of occupation, or because they were not insensible to the admiration of some WITn PTZAKF.O m PERTT. 89 of tlie young Si)ani8li soldiers, wlio could carry on no conversation with them except by their looks and glances, being as ignprant of the Peruvian as the fair Indians were of the Spanish language, need not be inquired into. In Inez' case it was a thirst for knowledge, perliai)s mingled with curi- osity. Inez communicated her and her companions' desire to her friend tlie priest. He encouraged her in her wish, and offered to secure a teacher. His choice fell upon Amador. Need it be said that Amador accepted this posi- tion most joyfully? It was hard for him to con- ceal Ills delight from the unsuspecting father. Would he not now meet the fair maiden upon whom his thoughts had dwelt so continually since that day in the church? Meet her face to face, speak to her, perhaps even press her hand, as he listened to her replies in a soft, musical voice, for surely no other could belong to such a lovely be- ing? His impatience was such that the hours which must elapse before the first lesson, fixed for the following afternoon, seemed interminable. Father Felipo's choice of Amador as tutor of the Spanish language excited no envy among his comrades. They had not come to the New World to give lessons in Sjianish ; that could have been 40 WITH PIZAEKO IlSr PERU. done at home. Tliey had come for gold. No lit- tle ridicule fell to Amador's share when his new occupation becamp generally known, but he cared little for this. The lessons became a source of pleasure to both teacher and pupils. At the first lesson, so nerv- ous was he when actually brought into the pres- ence of the object of his dreams, that it was only with a great effort that he controlled himself suffi- ciently to appear tolerably calm and get through the lesson. But in time this nervousness left him. Close acquaintance, however, but added fuel to the flame of his love for Inez, for into love had his imaginative infatuation ripened. Inez, too, soon came to look forward to the lessons. Bright and unusually quick, she acquired the new language with astonishing ease, and learned to read it in an incredibly short time. Amador had attended the famous university of Salamanca, and his mind was well stored with the treasures of his own and other ancient literatures. Many were the talks which Inez and Amador had together, long after the les- sons were at an end, the other girls sometimes present listening in evident surprise, and won- dering what these two found so interesting in such subjects. Inez told Amador of her jDeoi^le and their history and customs, while Amador gave WITH PIZAIIRO IN PERTT. 41 vivid descriptions of the Old ^Vo^ld wonders. Sometimes they talked of the ancients, the Greeks and Romans, and Inez listened eagerly to his ac- counts of these wonderful nations, their civiliza- tion, their works of art, their literature. Fre- quently he would recite some fragments of the old poets, pointing out to her the beauties of the verse. But this delightful intercourse was rudely checked. Many of the Spaniards had married In- dian maidens, and Amador had hoped in time to win Aclia for his wife, but this hope was frustrated by none other than Pizarro himself. How he learned of Amador's infatuation it is impossible to say, for the latter fancied that none of his com- rades even suspected it. No words of love had ever been exchanged between Inez- Aclia and himself, and the whole woi'ld might have been present at their interviews, so wholly frank and unl overlike were their conversations. How Pi- zarro had learned the secret of his heart Amador therefore could not imagine ; possibly indeed he only guessed it and scented mischief. Be that as it may, the young man was one day summoned to the viceroy's presence, immediately after his return from one of these lessons which had be- come so necessary to his happiness. Having rei:)aired to the viceroy's jialace, he was 42 WITH PiZAERO IN PERU. at once usliered into Pizarro's presence. He was received most cordially by the conqueror, and the conversation, at first general, might have mis- led any stranger present to fancy this a mere de- sire on the part of the viceroy to have a x^leasant chat with so talented and agreeable a young fel- low as his officer Amador de Calabrera. But grad- ually the conversation was led to the young man himself, his ambition, wishes, etc., and being closely questioned, still in the same j)leasant, half careless fashion, he finally revealed his hopes and ended by declaring that he asked nothing more of fortune than to win the Indian maiden Aclia for his bride. But these hopes were ruthlessly shattered by the blunt soldier. Inez or Aclia was his prisoner, held as hostage, and through her he hoped to bring the proud Inca Manco to surrender. Marriage with her now was out of the question. Later, when times became more peaceable, when the Inca was once brought into subjection, all might be different, but at present any such plans must be nipped in the bud. All arguments and protestations on the young man's part were si- lenced peremi^torily, though not without a cer- tain gruff good-nature, by Pizarro, for the viceroy had no wish to win the young soldier's dislike. Any brave, educated man, such as Amador, was WITH PIZARRO IN PERU. 43 valuable to liim in these days of mutiny and re- volt; but the end of the matter was tjiat the very next day xVmador received orders to set out at once for a certain military station in the province of Iluamanca, under pretext that his talents had too long remained unappreciated in the over-filled city; here a place was offered him where he might have a chance to make a name for himself in a less crowded field. Amador guessed only too readily the reason of these sudden orders, but could do nothing but obey them. He gave his last Spanish lesson, ex- plaining to his pupils that he had been sent away to fill a more important post, and his lessons must cease. Almost all of them expressed regret, for he had won their liking bj'liis pleasant, courteous ways and handsome face, but Inez was no louder in her expression of regret than her companions. There was no time for long talks. -It was Inez whose hand he took last, and jn'essing it raised it to his lips, murmuring a few broken words of regret, with hopes that they might meet again. One long, speaking glance, and she and the others were gone, and Amador made his hasty x>i'epara- tions for departure. Father Felipo expressed great sorrow at parting from Amador. The good old man looked feeble 44 WITH PIZARRO IN PERU. and ill. The strange climate and his hard work — for he was tireless in his efforts, and many were the sick he visited — together with his scanty suc- cess, were beginning to tell on his strength. He was no longer what he once was, he told Amador; he was a broken-down old man. In vain did the young Spaniard try to cheer him, and hope that they should soon meet again ; the old priest shook his head sadly and gave Amador his blessing in a faltering voice. Altogether it was with a sorrowful heart that Amador set out with three or four other Spaniards and several Indians for the distant settlement whither he had been ordered. They had heard vague rumors of Indian revolts, but met with no opi^osition on their long march through a desolate part of the country, and finally arrived safely at their destination. This military settlement in the j^rovince of IIu- amanca, whither he was ordered, was one of the first and most important of those formed by Pi- zarro. An enviable prosperity had always pre- vailed among the Peruvians in this part of the country. The working of the gold and silver mines which were abundant in this neighborhood had indeed been rendered difficult owing to lack of fuel at a convenient distance, for the mines were at WITH PIZAIIRO IN PERU. 45 a considerable distance from the wooded moun- tains. But the soil here was very fertile, and ex- cellently adapted to the culture of the coca plant, whose leaves were chewed by the Indians, they be- ing very nourishing. These leaves contained the anodj^ne cocoaine, in such extensive use at the present day. In Huamanca three crops of coca were harvested each year, the leaves requiring in summer from thirty to thirty-five, in winter about fifty days for their development. Even in our times an Indian can pick in one day two bas- kets of coca leaves in this region, each' basketful weighing twenty pounds. Upon the cactus plants which grew here in great abundance lived the fa- miliar cochineal insect. The Indians busied them- selves industriously in collecting this insect^ and preparing the dye which they used to color their finely woven material made from the wool of the vicuna. A third very important product of the country was salt, for here there were not only salt springs, but also immense, inexhaustible beds of salt, wdiicli had been mined for ages. Along the well-built roads stretched fields of maize and other grains, which yielded an abundant crop. For- merly there had been herds of tame llamas, but at the time of our story these had long since been exterminated by rapacious Spaniards. 46 WITH PIZARRO IN PERU. So the Spanish settlers could live here in ease, for they made part of the Indians subservient to them, and lacked bat one thing — meat. The Ind- ians of high rank had disappeared from this region ; they lived, as has been said, at the court of their Inca in the inaccessible plateaus, and the common people of Peru had never been accustomed to eat meat. Only from time to time they enjoyed a guinea-pig soup, which animal was raised by them as rabbits are with us. But the Sj)aniards did not learn to like this sowp. The country, however, afforded game for their kitchens. Near the settlements this was scarce, but as one ascended higher into the mountains one reached a zone of dense forests. Here there were different kinds of deer and tapirs, fowls and doves, the flesh of which tasted delicious ; further up the mountains lived the wild vicuna, the chamois of the Andes, The Indians, busied with farming, did not, however, understand hunting. The Inca's own hunters had formerly attended to this, but these men, accustomed to a freer life, had disappeared with their ruler from the region. AVhen the attacks of the Indians became less and less frequent, the Sj^aniards made hunting excursions into the woods, and among them was Amador de Calabrera. WITH PIZAUIIO IN VERU. 47 On these expeditions he became familiar with the magnificent nature of the Cordilleras. It had a great attraction for h im. In the forests, between the rocky ravines, on the tall cliffs from which one could catch a glimpse of the snow-covered tops of the mountains, his heart found a beneficent calm. Here he saw no sad scenes of rapine and oppression such as he must witness in the settle- ments. Tlie Spaniards still searched for gold. Every Indian, in their eyes, knew of some secret hiding-place, for the report was circulated that the Incas had not surrendered their greatest treas- ures to the S^^aniards, but had hidden them in caves in the mountains. Amador de Calabrera was doubtless one of the bravest of Pizarro's soldiers, but avarice was unknown to his nature. In these campaigns he had often seen that gold brought the conquerors no haj^piness. Scarcely had it been extorted, by the worst means, than it changed masters. The soldier gambled away his share in a single night, and the winner gloried over him the next day. Gold alone cannot establish a man's happiness, true happiness can be attained only by an industrious and upright life; and were there not a thousand ojiportunities to lead such a life? Could one not graft upon the remarkably high civilization of the Peruvians the branch of 48 WITH PIZARRO IN PERU. Christianity, and tlius assure to this gifted peo- ple iDeaceable happiness? 'No one in Huamanca thought of such a thing, for the settlers were rob- bers and adventurers. They did indeed convert the Indians and bajitize them, but this occurred by means of brute force, in masses, while armed soldiers stood drawn up in line before the Indians destined to receive baptism. With a sore heart, Amador witnessed such scenes, and even worse ones. He saw sons and daughters torn from their parents, and made to serve the Spaniards. This was a harsh slavery. As he longed to be back in the wilderness, away from these horrible acts, he became a hunter, pass- ing but little time in Huamanca, and dwelling on the mountain toj) in a simple log hut, a rash procedure at which the other settlers shook their heads; but Amador had a clear conscience, he had injured none of the Indians in the valley, he knew that they considered him a good viracocJia, viz., a son of the sun, and so he did not fear them. In the region where he had built his log hut there were no j)atlis leading into the plateaus of Vilcabamba, in which the last Inca resided. An attack upon the Spaniards from this region had never been attempted. Here the chain of the Cor- dilleras rose in fearfully steej) masses against the WITH PiZAKKo IN i'p:i:u 49 blue sky. Only tlie wild vicufui could here liiid its way, leaping over ravines; only the proud con dor, borne on its massive wings, could tiy over these mountains. These mountains formed a bar- rier which mocked all foolhardy attempts. On the lower range of this chain of mountains, and at the border of the woods, stood Amador's hut. It was on a clear May day. Amador had com- pany. The old swordsman Alcan had come from Huamanca to the hunter's hut. He had been made governor of the province Huamanca by Pizarro, and sought to profit by this i:)osition. " You are still young," he frequently remarked to Amador, " the world is still before you. You can cross the Andes and descend into the valley of Maranon and there discover the true Eldorado. I am old, soon I con no longer brandish my sword, and so I must accumulate a little stock of gold for mv old age." Alcan had come to visit Amador as an old friend, or at least he had so stated upon his arrival. But gradually he began to cross-question his friend, so that Amador soon perceived that only a strange curiosity had brought the governor of the prov- ince to this wilderness. "We are old friends," said Alcan, "brothers 60 WITH PIZARRO IN PERU. at arms, you need have no secrets from me. Your advantage is my advantage and tlie reverse, dear friend. Pali! you do not sit here like a hermit in this wilderness for the sake of deer. I suspect what your object is, and I am angry Avith you for having a secret from me." " You are mistaken, Alcan," rex)lied Amador with a smile. " What other object could I have in these mountains? " "What other?" said Alcan, half shutting his eyes and stealing a glance at Amador. " JN otliing merely trilling, certainly, Yoa are here preparing for a second conquest of Peru, which will far sur- pass the first in spoils." Amador laughed aloud. " I do not understand you, Alcan," he cried. " Do you think that I wish to seek in the Avoods of Marahon, the Eldorado? Oh, then I should have joined the band which has gone there." . "Exactly, the Eldorado," replied Alcan; "that is what I mean, and what you seek, my denr sly- boots, is much nearer. If we could now climb to the top of that mountain, I wager we could look over beyond that line of rocks, into the valley of Vilcabamba, in which Inca Manco guards like a Cerberus the imperial treasures of Peru." " Yes, I should like to go there," cried Amador, WITH PI/AKIIO IX VEUV. 51 laughing loudly; "but you must first show uie the way, for I tell you there is /to path over the mountains/' "Do you think so?" replied Alcan: "and I tell you that there is no mountain in the world over which one cannot climb. Besides the jiasses to Yilcabaniba, which Inca Manco's troops have or- cupied, there must be others. You surely know that Pizarro had taken captive a young sister of Inca Man CO, the beautiful Inez, in the City of the Kings?'"- Alcan had been absent from the city during Amador's stay there. " Oh, I know that," Amador interrupted. '* Who could forget the most beautiful and x^i^udest maiden of Peru, when once he had seen her? " "Ha, ha, ha!" laughed Alcan. "You speak very enthusiastically of her. Well, she is no longer at Pizarro's court." " Indeed! and what has become of her?" " She has gone ! Common Indians helped her to riight. You knoAv that we treated her as a hostage. If Inca Manco would not surrender she was to share the same fate as Inca Manco's young wife. You know, to be bound to a tree, and slowly put to death ! " Amador uttered not a Avord of reply, but the * The old name for the present city of Lima. 52 WITH PIZARRO IN PERU. veins on liis forehead swelled with righteous in- dignation. *' But only think," continued Alcan, " the time set by Pizarro for the Inca has not yet expired, and behold the princess has disappeared from the City of the Kings. The traces lead to Huamanca; but not a soul has seen her here, and, as weeks have elapsed since the flight, she must have reached Vilcabamba by some secret path, and Inca Manca laughs at the viceroy. Ha! you under- stand me. By a path which a fine princess can travel, we too could enter Vilcabamba, you un- derstand me, so secretly, so unexpectedly." " Oh, I understand you," replied Amador. " But I must repeat to you that there is no i)ath from here over the Andes. I have not even seen a vicuna come from there. It is useless trouble to search here for a pass." " Then your behavior is a riddle to me," said Alcan. " That I believe, my friend," said Amador, '• for my behavior will always be a riddle to you. You know that many of the commanders and knights after their return to Europe have written books upon their campaigns and travels in the New World. I too wish to w^rite a book, but not on my deeds and those of the Spaniards, which I liave WITH I'lZAUIio IX PETIT. 53 seen, for that would be a sad history of a bloody civil war. Besides, I came too late to describe the conquest of Peru, so I shall content myself with describing the nature of Peru, the strange moun- tains and woods, the wonderful animals and birds which dwell in them. Here in this quiet region I can watch them, I know how they build their nests, feed their young, where they seek their food " "Amador I " Alcan interrupted him. " Oh, that is wearisome enough to kill one! Pray tell me nothing more of it. My thoughts are in Vilca- bamba, and if you can find no way over the moun- tains, then I am sorry for you." He rose and called his companions. "Farewell," he said to Amador. The tone of his voice had suddenly become cool. He was tirmlv convinced that Amador had a secret, and he went away offended, but secretly vowed that sooner or later he would discover this secret. III. Amador did indeed know of no pass over the mountains, nor liad lie, ux? to this time, felt the slightest desire to find one. "Of what nse would it be?" he asked himself, after Alcan had gone away, "The Spaniards would enter Vilcabamba by any such new way, and would ruin the distant vallev. Then fresh scenes of robbery and bloodshed would occur in this i)eaceful vale. Fresh persecutions of this already so sorely tried j)eople would be instituted." No, he cherished no secret i)lans for further con- quests, his nature was not filled with the thirst for greed, he cared not for the treasures of the Incas. But when Alcan had disappeared with his com- panions among the tall trees of the thick forest, Amador noticed that he had become uneasy. His eyes now wandered to the chain of high moun- tains, and his thoughts flew to Vilcabamba. Could she really be there, with her brother, the i^roud WITH PIZAKRO IX PERU. 55 beautiful Inez? or was slie hiding like a hunted doe in the valleys of Huanianca, perchance crouch- ing in some dense thicket of these vast forests, seeking in vain for a favorable opi)ortunity to escape her pursuers? He found, somewhat to his surf)rise, that he could think of nothing but her. Although by no means forgetting her, of late his intercourse with her in the city of Cuzco had come to seem to him a vague, beautiful dream. Some months had elapsed since his hopes had been so rudely shat- tered and he had been ordered to Huamanca. Gradually he had almost lost all hoj)e. AVhat prospect was there that Inca Manco would ,soon surrender to the authority of the hated Spaniards? But Alcan's words had revived all these mem- ories. He could think of nothing but Aclia, or Inez. Aclia fleeing for her life from Pizarro and his cruel soldiers. Aclia striving hopelessly, vainly, as it seemed, to escape the fate of her young sister-in-law. His blood boiled at the very idea, and then his indignation yielded to softer thoughts. Was it a mere fancy, or had her hand trembled as he held it clasped in his own at their parting? Had a tear sparkled in her clear eye? Ah, that was but a jmssing emotion! at the same moment 56 WITH PIZAKRO IN PERTT. the Indian girl had overcome it, and had stood before him proud and dignified, as was proper in the sister of the Inca. He had no assurance that she returned his love, no words of love had been exchanged between them, and yet something had seemed to tell him that she cared for him in re- turn. Aside from his feeling for her, she would have been to any teacher the most interesting of the small group of pupils ; her mind was so clear, so keen and capable of cultivation. And it was this lovely creature, this fair, innocent maiden whom that bandit of a Pizarro wished to have tortured to a disgraceful death ! Ah, he had done wisely indeed, to send Amador far away to this distant province! Well he knew that Amador de Cala- brera would j)rotest with the last drop of his blood against such an outrage. But had she no one to x^rotect her against this scoundrel? Where was Father Felij^o? Where was he indeed? Amador had not heard of this good old man's death, which had occurred some three weeks after the former's departure. With his death, Aclia's only friend among the Spaniards was removed, the only one who perhaps might have prevented Pizarro's cruel plans. But although ignorant of this, upon one thing Ama- dor was firmly resolved. Inez should not fall into WITH PIZAIIRO IN PERIT, 57 Pizarro's liands if he could prevent it. The thought of the friglitful fate awaiting her, shoukl she be recaptured, made his heart ache. No, friend Alcan, there is no pass here through the Cordilleras, and had Amador known of one, he would now have betrayed it to no Spaniard. Alcan had sown a whirlwind in Amador's heart bj" his account of the beautiful Inez-Aclia's flight. Her uncertain fate tormented him as though his own safety were at stake. He had no rest. The form of the Indian girl floated before his eyes and followed him in all his pursuits. He' saw her beautiful face, unusually fair for her race, with her large, soft, daik eyes, veiled by their long lashes, her regular features, her luxuriant, silky hair floating around her graceful form, so slender and lithe. Ah, to know her safe from these brut- ish Spaniards! Could he but climb these lofty mountains, and catch a glimpse of her new home! Strange! Amador now sought with the great- est eagerness a path over the mountains. In the log house he had two Indian servants; formerly they had accompanied him on his expeditions; now he almost always left them at home, and went on his searches for the pass accompanied only by his faithful dog Stutt. At that time Alpine excursions were unknown 58 WITH PIZARIIO IN PERU. in Europe, and Amador was not familiar with all the means for rendering comparatively easy the ascent of steep mountains. Celebrated climbers travel in parties of two or three at least. One helps the others. But Amador could have no companions. The secret of his heart was connected with the finding of this path, and he would have no confidants. Two weeks had already jDassed since that visit of Alcan, two weeks of arduous, superhuman labor, but Amador could not pride himself upon the slightest success. But yet he had finally dis- covered something. It was no path, but a roomy cave, which afi'orded protection from wind and storm. Within this cave a spring issued from the ground and lost itself further on, among the dark passages. This spring supplied excellent drink- ing water. All this was of the greatest imjjor- tance for Amador's undertaking. Climbing high mountains is no pleasure-walk which can be accomplished in one day; it is a work which often lasts for days, and the mountain climber must, therefore, camp in the mountains at night, so that at break of day he may push on. Amador too must do this, and the cave offered him an excellent resting-2:)lace. Here, protected from wind and storm, he could pass the nights, WITH I'lZAiiuo i.\ I'Kur. 59 and could begin his f uitlier investigations early in the morning. lie inmiediately set about making his cave, as he called it, cond'ortable. Each day he dragged some provisions there, brought a few warm Indian blankets, wood from the neighboring slopes, two pots in which water could be boiled. He formed a simple hearth from stones, and thus made his bivouac comfortable. At first he returned each night to liis log Imt. But one dav he sent the two Indians with game, biixls' feathers, and skins to the capital of Huamanca, some two days' jour- ney distant, gave them all kinds of written com- missions which would detain them in the city for several daj-s, and when the servants had disap- peared into the woods, he set out at a rapid pace, accompanied by his faithful Stutt, for the cave in the mountains, to pass the night there and early in the morning of the next day begin his dan- gerous search. To-day we are familiar with all the dangers which threaten the mountain wanderer. He may fall and die during the fall; he may be hurled with broken limbs to a spot where he must lie starving and freezing to death; he may fall into the crevasse of a glacier without receiving inju- ries, and yet not be able to leave this icy grave, 60 WITH PIZARRO IN PERU. then freeze to death before he has had time to starve; he may crash through snow whicli has formed a bridge over a crack in the ice, and then suffocate between the icy walls; or again, sur- rounded by a thick fog, he may lose his way, and having exhausted his strength in his long wander- ings, be forced to lie down and die; he may lose his footing, or be wounded by a falling stone. But, as we have said, mountain climbing was un- known to Euroi)eans then, and Amador had no suspicion of the fearful dangers which threatened him. He was soon to become familiar with them. On the very first day he received a warning. He had found a natural path leading up the mountain. He followed it with a happy heart, when suddenly, after climbing for hours, the path stopped at the edge of a precij)ice. Resting on his iron-tipped stick, Amador bent forward and gazed down into the depths; he started back in horror, and almost lost his balance, for there, tw^o hundred feet below him, a human skeleton was being blanched by the sun upon a rocky ledge. So there had been men before him who had here sought a path, and had paid with their lives for their foolhardy undertaking. He went back with gloomy heart, everywhere WITH I'lZAiniO IN PERU. 61 taking an observation, and imprinting the forms of mountains deep upon his memory. All these sununits, cliffs, ravines were for him of the great- est importance. Up to the present time there is no map of that part of the Andes, and Amador must observe closely, notice every rock, so that he might iind his way. in this labyrinth. To these difficulties were added, on the follow- ing day, others sent down by the skies. Early in the morning he saw in the distance thick clouds resting on the mountains, and heard the thunder rumble. In the evening the sky was pierced by the vivid lightning, which lit u}) with a ghostly radiance the masses of mountains. Then in the night the weather changed, a fearful hail -storm came up, the path -finder in the Andes was forced to remain in his cave. What should he do? The day was long, his view obstructed by the mist and storm. He was a prisoner in the cave, and began to explore his prison. There were niches and passages, but in the dim light he could see nothing plaiidy, and it was dangerous to proceed at random, for might not some one of these passages end in an abyss? Had not a kind Providence given him one warning already by that skeleton? 62 WITH PIZARRO IN PERU. Amador ceased liis investigations. He seated himself resignedly, and listened to the howling of the storm ; he wrapped himself in his blankets and thought of Vilcabamba where dwelt the last Inca. He thought much of the beautiful Inez, but the hours passed very slowly. The cold increased, and curiosity incited him to discover whither the gloomy passages led. He rose, kindled a fire, and took a burning torch of wood. He entered one of the passages, and lo and behold ! he found a small purse lying on the ground. He picked it up in astonishment, and hurried with it to the entrance of the cave, that he might examine his find by daylight. His heart beat rapidly with excitement, for here was an- other trace of man in this deserted wilderness. It was a small leather purse such as the Indians made, and it was full. Amador weighed it in his hands before he opened it. It could not contain gold, the purse was too light for that. He untied the string at the top and looked in. It was filled with a powder. What did that mean? Was it medicine, per- haps poison? Amador shook some of it out in his hand. The coarse powder was of a beautiful, deep-red color; here and there there were larger grains of the WITH I>IZAKIif> IX TEItU. 63 same substance. Amador at once knew what it was. This deep red color liad been used since time immemorial by the Peruvians as paint. Here was the mineral from which this paint was made, the mineral for which the Spaniards searched so eagerly, but whose beds the Indians would not betray to them. This mineral which Amador now held in his hand was cinnabar, and he was not de- ceived, for when he now shook out some more of it upon the palm of his hand, he perceived a tiny metnl ball, which moved here and there. lie knew very well what this little ball was: it was mercury, quicksilver, which is one of the component parts of cinnabar. The Spaniards laid such a high value upon this cinnabar, for they needed it for mining gold and silver. Many of the mines which had been discov- ered in Peru must remain unused, because there was a lack of fuel for the smelting furnaces in the proper regions. At that time the method of ex- tracting the i:)recious metals from the ore by means of quicksilver had been introduced into Mexico with great success, as for this no smelting furnaces were needed. This method of amalgamation, car- ried out in its roughest mode, was as follows : The ore was ground up and mixed with several other mineral substances. Quicksilver was then added 64 WITH PIZAERO IN PERU. to the mass, whereupon it united with the gold and silver, forming an amalgam. This was then heated uj^on a plate-like aj^paratus. The quick- silver j)assed off in vapor and was condensed again under water, but the gold and silver remained in the form of a cake. As quicksilver could be obtained from cinna- bar, and Amador was familiar with this method of amalgamation, his discovery was most important to him. In or near these mountains the long- sought cinnabar mines must lie. Amador continued his investigation of the passage, but soon found its end, and returned to the entrance of the cave. The weather had not improved. The rain fell in torrents, and the sjDring in the cave was greatly swollen. It now occupied three times its usual area, and overflowed the lower part of the cave, so that investigation of the more distant x)assages was not to be thought of. As evening drew near Amador lay down. He thought of his discovery, and imagined what would happen should he discover rich mines of cinnabar. His imagination worked quickly. He fancied that then all the gold and silver mines as yet known in Peru could be worked. Treasure uj>on treasure would accrue to the Spaniards, and the WlTJl I'IZAUUO IX PEltU 66 treasure of the Inca would lose its importance. Then there would be no more search for hidden gold, nor would the Indians be persecuted on this account. Pizarro would make peace with Inca Manco, and then the way to Vilcabamba would be free to him, Amador. The more he thought of it, the more magnifi- cent did his i)lan seem to him. First, to be sure, the cinnabar mines must be discovered, but per- haps he would yet succeed in discovering them. If not, he had an even more ambitious plan : he would go to Vilcabamba, to the Inca, and play the part of peacemaker between him and Pizarro, and procure recognition from the Spaniards of the rights and dignity of the ruler of Vilcabamba, in exchange for the secret of the cinnabar mines. When one forms plans in solitude and no one is present to discuss them, they usually seem excel- lent to their maker. Only the discussion of them with others makes us perceive their faults. Ama- dor was, in his seclusion, in an unfortunate posi- tion; he had no confidant with whom he could discuss his plans. But they pleased him, for they led him to another goal. In this way he must surely meet the fugitive Inez. So he fell asleep with rosy hopes, and while the storm raged without, and the water foamed and 5 66 WITH PIZAERO IN PEEU. hissed in tlie basin of tlie spring, his dreams were delightful, for in them he crossed the top of the Cordillera range, and hurried as though on wings to the valley of Vilcabamba, which in its flowery splendor stretched out like a garden of Paradise before his eyes. He dreamed until the intense cold awaked him, and in surprise he gazed at the gloomy walls of the solitary cave, faintly lighted by the pale dawn. IV. When Amador went to the entrance of liis cave and glanced out, lie was highly astonished at the sudden change which had occurred in the weather during the night. The valleys which were inhabited lay thousands of feet below ; even the forest in which his hut was built was now some hundreds of feet below him. Here, high up among the mountains, the air was thinner. During the night there had been a frost; deli- cate icicles hung to the rocks which arched above the entrance to the cave, the ice-cold wind which whistled over the mountains chilled the Spaniard to the bone, and it was snowing hard. It was a snow-storm in which one could not see twenty feet before him. He was, therefore, still a prisoner to the cave, and the hostile elements forged firmer and firmer bolts to his prison. Amador went back into the cave and tried to kindle a fire with the sparks which he drew from his tiint. Fortunately he 68 WITH PIZAREO IN PERU. had a sufficient supply of dry leaves and twigs. The flames leaped up ; he j^laced a waterpot over them upon the rough hearth of stones, threw in dried meat and meal, and adding salt made him- self a strong soup. His meal was ready, and he ate it while it was steaming hot. The rest he i)oured in a wooden dish and gave to his dog. The animal trembled with cold. " Poor Stutt," said Amador, " had I suspected this, I would have j)repared a different bed for you. But now we will warm ourselves as best we can by the remains of the fire. Come, Stutt, creep in here under my blanket." The dog gladly followed this invitation. So dog and man warmed each other. But Amador watched the whirling snow-flakes falling thickly outside the entrance of the cave. " If this is the beginning of winter," he thought, " I have nothing to seek up here. Farewell, Vil- cabamba. I shall be forced to return to my fel- low-men in the valley. I had a different idea of these mountains, but it is as cold here as in Russia." The storm meanwhile rax)idly abated, the wind soon scattered the clouds, and the sky visible through the entrance became blue, it grew brighter WITH PIZAllRO IN I'KRU. 69 and brighter, and finally the mountain landscape was bathed in bright sunshine. Amador rose and went to the entrance. • What a surprise! The sun which was now high in the lieavens, shone down hotly. The snow melted lapidly beneath tliese rays, while in the shadow there was an icy chill in the air. Amador gazed out at the mountains which he wished to climb. How different they looked! The snowy covering which had fallen over-night had been sufficient to obliterate many projections, while others stood out all the more plainly, Amador looked for the line of his yesterday's march. He could make it out on the whole, but the peculiarities of the land- scape, which yesterday he had noticed so plainly, had vanished. Then for the first time it became clear to him what danger he was about to run. Should a snow-storm surprise him high uj) in the exposed mountain regions, when the paths were thus obliterated, how could he find his way back? Would he not be liable at any moment to slip upon the treacherous snow covering, and fall into the depths? Perhaps this had been the fate of the poor man whose skeleton was now whitening in the deep ravine. Find his way back ! Then it occurred to him that even from here he had a long and dan2:erous 70 WITH PIZARRO IN PEETI. way before liim to reach his log hut, and fresh clouds rose over the mountains, wrapped the summits, and threatened to cover the sun again. With decided uneasiness Amador turned and looked down into the valley over the route by which he must return. Here, too, snow covered everything, but the well-known path which Ama- dor had so often traversed was still plainly to be distinguished. Perhaps it would be best to set out upon his return at once. In a few hours he would be out of the region of snow-storms and rocky precipices, and would reach the bare plains; from there he could surely find the way to his log hut and could sleej:) the next night under a safe roof. Then a fierce, icy-cold wind arose, which seemed to sweep down the mountain side. Amador looked up at the heavens once more : the clouds were piled up in great gloomy masses, and spread themselves out with the rapidity of a hurricane, until they covered the whole sky. He looked back at the path leading to the valley; the distance seemed to him long. He once more scrutinized it as far as his eyes could reach. The sun vanished behind the clouds, and a gloomy shadow began to fill the deeper valleys. All at once Amador sprang back behind a project- AviTir Pi/Ai:i;(> tx n:in^ 71 in^ rock as though he had ijerceived a poisonous serpent. Yes, it was indeed something unexpected which he saw down there below him. From behind a projection upon which the hist reflection of the sunlight lay, came a man carrying some one on his back. The distance was great, but by the favorable light Amador could plainly distinguish tliat both 2:)ersons were Indians. He was sure that one was a man; and it seemed to liiiu that the person carried was a woman. The man stood still and looked up; he was apparently looking- for the entrance to the cave, which was visible from the spot where one began the ascent. Then he slowly advanced with his heavy load. At the same moment the clouds cast a shadow over that spot, and Amador no longer had such a good view of the man, but he could see Iioav the woman's garments fluttered in the icy wind. Then the first snow-flakes fell, the landscape became more and more desolate, and the strange group vanished from Amador's sight. The path which the Indian was ascending led only to the cave, nowhere did it turn aside. The stranger, there- fore, wished to reach the cave with his dear bur- den, there to seek shelter from the storm, r A man, then, knew of this desolate spot. This r 72 WITH PIZAREO IN PERU. wilderness, in which Amador had fancied himself alone, was visited by others. And why? Ah, how could this seem strange to him? had he not only yesterday found the i)urse of cinnabar ? Doubtless this was one of the cinnabar seekers, who had been, with his wife, surprised by the storm. Well, he would make his appearance in a quarter of an hour. Then Amador would have company. But why did he carry the woman on his back? Was she ill? had she fallen and injured herself? It was a hard task for the poor man to climb tip this steep j)ath with such a burden and in such a storm. And now, at this moment, he must be at the steepest place, where the rocky wall de- scended abruptly, and one was forced to hold fast to the rocky projections to climb up safely. This dangerous path ascended for a hundred feet; then it became easy and safe again for one who knew it. Minutes passed. Amador wrapi^ed himself in his mantle, and went back into the cave, for the icy wind penetrated through his clothes as though the woollen stuff had been but gossamer. But he did not remain there long. " What am I doing remaining here? " he cried. " Perhaps he is too weak, and needs my lielj^. Death is threatening AVT'i'H IMZAKUO TX TMMIU. 73 them J)otli. They are only Indians, indeed, but am T not a Christian? ^Vhy do I hesitate to do what is so obviously my duty?" lie seized liis climbing staff, drew his \\ oollen cap low down over his forehead, and quickly left the cave. Stutt probably fancied that his master was about to return home. "With a jovons bark, wliicli wns drowoed by the iierce gale, he si)rang down the familiar path in great leaps. But Stutt was not accustomed to run down mountain paths covered with snow. Scarcely had he run ahead of his master for a few feet when Amador saw the dog slip, roll over, and fall into the yawning depths below. This sight nuide Amador ^-jause in alarm. He stood still; on this easy path there were many places which i)assed close to the brink of a precipice. It was a foolhardy undertaking to try to climb down in this snow-storm; the faithful dog had warned him. Was it not madness to risk his life for two strange Indians? Egotism con- quered, and he returned to the cave. But he had no peace. He could not cease thinking of the woman's figure he had distinguished. Were the two but men he could leave them to their fate, but as it was, how ignoble, how lacking in chivalry was his conduct! He was about to 74 WITH PIZAEKO IN PEEF. set out once more, but egotism again weakened liis good resolve. " Be sensible/' it i^leaded; " do you know what kind of Indians they are? Do you know what reward you will receive for your good action? You will warm serpents in your bosom, and they will reward your benevolence with the mortal sting. Be prudent. These mountain, these caves, conceal secrets, important secrets, which the In- dians will not betray to the Spaniards. If they see that you know this j)lace they will injure you, will kill you, for perhaps a secret path leads over this mountain to Vilcabamba." Vilcabamba ! Scarcely had Amador thought of this valley, when he at once sprang up, hastened to the entrance, and sought to pierce the thickly falling snow-flakes with his gaze. This was now the true Amador de Calabrera, whose eyes flashed fire and whose ex- j)ression betokened courage and resolution. " Miserable, cowardly wretch ! " he ejaculated, from between set teeth, rej^roving himself; and with a firm step, carefully feeling his way through the snow with his stout stick, he started down the path completely hidden with snow. And what was it that had so suddenly changed his decision? What had made him, forgetting all danger, risk his life for two Indians? WITH PIZARRO IN PERU. 75 It was tlie thought that by this secret path, if, as the Spaniards suspected, there was one, the beautiful sister of the Inca might flee to Vilca- bamba. A cinnabar-seeker would have long ago returned to the valley, where pleasant weather and safety awaited him. "Whoever now sought to climb the mountains in the stormy night, whoever resolved to look death in the face, here on the snow-covered mountain, where all paths were now completely obliterated, did it only because he knew that a band of pursuers was at liis heels, be- cause he preferred death from a fall or the terrible frost, to falling into the hands of his enemies. Whoever now wrestled with the storm for his last breath of life was in the same position as the fugitive Inez, who wished to be saved from the rough executioners of the bandit captain Pizarro. And for her sake the pursued Indian couple should be saved. Such thoughts had flashed like lightning through Amador's head, and as quickly he had resolved to save the two down below him, or die. But while he now slowly tried to descend, he thought neither of Inez nor of Yilcabamba. He was fully conscious of the great danger he ran, and all his senses and powers were strained solely to discover the path. IIow slowly the descent 76 WITH PIZARRO IIST PERU. was accomplislied ! Often Amador longed to hurry on at a more rapid pace, but he restrained himself. Haste here meant death, and he had no desire to share poor Stutt's fate. He stood still to recover his breath, which the wind had beaten out of him. He rubbed his hands, grown stiff and numb with cold, and stared gloomily before him. " It is not much further now to the steep place," said he to himself. " It was too much for him with such a heavy burden ! " And he proceeded even more slowly, for soon he would reach the steep part of the path, and this part of the descent was the most dangerous. He peered ahead. Before the descent began he must pass a low projecting rock, which stretched along the path like a broad stone bench. Was this land- mark also obliterated by the snow? A few more steps, and he drew a breath of relief. Yes, yonder rose this bench, which Avas now covered with snow, and upon it the two he Was seeking, one i)erson in a sitting, the other in a re- clining, posture. He called to them: "Courage, you are saved! " But no one answered him; only the figure in the sitting posture seemed to move his arms as though trying to rise. In a few moments Amador stood before him. He w^as a young Indian with noble features ; now SNOWSTORM IN THE MOUNTAINS. AViTir vizwnio is im:i:i . 77 every drop of blood seemed to have left cheeks and lips; his eyes stared at Amador for a while, as though ill horror, then he closed them as though he wished to fall into a deep sleep. Then he forced them open again, and once more stared horrified at his rescuer. He did not move, his arms hung down limply; oniy in his eyes did the last spark of life and of a fearful mental struggle linger. The sons of sunny Spain had become familiar with the icy breath of the north in their frequent expeditions in the passes of the Cordilleras. They knew from experience what death from be- ing frozen meant, and what were its symjitoms. They knew how the exhausted person at length sinks down to rest, losing all power over his limbs, all strength of will, and finally falls into a deep sleep, which, if rescue is not speedily at hand, passes into the sleep of death. Amador therefore at once recognized the situation of the Indian man ; as a r.escuer had appeared, it was no longer ne- cessarily dangerous. With greater anxiety he turned to the woman stretched out upon the rocks. Her face was covered with a woollen shaAvl. Amador uncovered it. He stood there as if stunned. He gazed at a pale, lovely face, which was as calm as though the 73 WITH PIZAllRO IX PERU. maiden slept peacefully and dreamed hapj)ily. A face which was, ah ! so well known to him, whose features were imprinted upon his heart. For this was the lovely form of his dreams, the form which he had fancied in the gardens of Vilcabamba. This was the beautiful, proud sister of the Inca, and he found her lying here by the path, uncon- scious or dead, near desolate rocky ravines and in the blinding snow-storm. " Dead ! Merciful God, not that ! Oh, why did I so long delay coming to her rescue? Gracious God, do not i^unish me for it. Forgive my cow- ardice ! " Thus Amador's excited heart implored, and he called loudly: "Inez! Inez! Stand up! I will save you ! Awake ! " But the sleeping girl did not move ; she did not open her eyes, the eyelids did not even quiver, her mouth remained silent and motionless. Only the cold, fierce wind j)layed with the loose curls on her brow. Then Amador wrapped the shawl around her head, raised her in his arms and carried her like a child ; pressing her tightly to his breast and resting his right hand upon his stick, he hur- ried j)ast the unconscious man, to carry the almost frozen girl out of the reach of the gale into the sheltered cave. WITH nzAnKo ix peru. 79 The exliiiusted Indian's eyes followed Amador as he slowly passed out of si<^ht. The poor fellow, with the last remnant of his strength, had carried the fainting Inez up the steep ascent, but after he had passed the worst obstacles he had fallen down utterly exhausted. Now the Spaniard van- ished from sight with the Inca's sister. This sight worked like an electric shock upon his failing senses. With a loud, piercing cry he rose, and with a sui^erhuman effort he dragged himself after Amador until liotli reached the cave, and then he sank down before the entrance. . V. The wind still blew furiously outside, but the snow-storm had ceased. But a few scattered clouds passed rapidly across the sky, now resem- bling a raging sea, now a mass of dark smoke, and again tinged by the bright sunlight they vied in radiance with the snow on the sloj)es. But the howling gale no longer affected the three seated in the cave. The two Indians who had been so near death are saved. The icy ban which had weighed upon them is broken. Inez has awakened from the deep sleep, color has re- turned to her face, her lips are like coral and her dark eyes are radiant. She gazes in surprise and evident joy at her rescaer, w^ho is now busy over the boiling pots. She seems to be so happy at this hour, and her x:)resence adds a romantic charm to the gloomy cave. But it is quite otherwise with her companion. He leans against the rocky wall and stares gloom- ily before him. His eyes betray the secret con- WITH PIZAliliO IN PERU. 81 flict wliirh is raging within liini. He does not rejoice at his and liis companion's rescue. He has crossed his arms over his chest, and draws in long, deep breaths, lie controls himself as well as he can; were he alone he would groan aloud. But he cannot control his heart, it throbs uneasily against his chest. Let us not seek to i'athom his thoughts; the young soldier's feelings are those of a defeated commander. The meal, a Spartan soup, is at length ready, and Amador hands the princess his earthenware pot and his silver spoon. She eats with an excel- lent appetite, and hands the pot back to her host. There was much left, for Amador had cooked for two hungry persons. He motions to the Indian leaning against the wall, " Pray come. Condor ! " adds Inez encouragingly. Condor drew near, probably more to obey the princess than to satisfy his hunger, for he ate lit- tle. The thin soup seemed to him impossible to swallow. But Amador w^atched the young man with evi- dent interest. Condor! Every Spaniard had heard this name. For Inca Condor, a descendant of the imperial family of Peru, had been the leader of the Indian troops which had risen two years before and be- 82 WITH PIZAERO IN PERU. sieged the Spaniards in the capital city Cuzco. Still young in years, he had at that time distin- guished himself by his jDersonal courage and skill as a commander. He it was who had fired the old imperial city occupied by the enemy, and had driven the Spaniards through the flames from street to street, from place to place, pressing them hard and gaining advantages over them, until the relief sent by Pizarro wrested the victory, which had seemed so certain, from his hands. So this was Condor, the bravest and fiercest en- emy of the Spaniards, whose sole thought was re- venge for the ]Dh^ndering and desecration of the temples of his fatherland; who had sworn to avenge the execution of the Emperor Atahualpa by the blood of all the Spaniards. So this was Condor, who, like the powerful bird for which he was named, was accustomed to x)oance down un- expectedly from the inaccessible rocky fortresses of the Andes, and at the head of his recklessly brave men attack smaller divisiartment. Amador rose. " Take me to the square before the palace," said he to Tupac. But the captain frowned and re- plied: "I cannot do that. You are a prisoner, and I have no orders to take you there." 148 WITH PIZARRO IN PERU. " You lie! " cried Amador excitedly. "Accord- ing to the Inca's command, and your old laws, every captive lias a right to be led to the square at this hour." " You are a stranger," replied Tupac gloomily. " The laws of the Inca do not refer to you. Hold him fast ! " he cried to his soldiers, as he saw that Amador wished to go in spite of him. " Do not dare to touch me ! " cried Amador, pointing to the Inca's kippu, which he always car- ried about his person. " Do you know the token of your emperor? You know that he who wears it can claim the same rights in the land as a na- tive-born Peruvian. You are dead men if you do not respect your emperor's will. In the name of Inca Manco let me pass." The soldiers drew back in alarm, and Captain Tupac followed his prisoner with a j)ale face. He was forced to act against his general's orders, for the word of the all-powerful emperor came first. When Amador appeared in the square, Inca Manco was just appearing in all his regal splendor upon the platform before his palace, and seating himself upon his throne of gold. Around him stood the dignitaries of the realm, among them Inca Condor, at his side Aclia-Inez in a white THE TWO SAVIOIRS. WITH PIZAIIRO IX PERU. 149 gown. n^;r eyes were lowered, and she was far from presenting the appearance of a haj)])}' l)ride. Inca Manco watched lier for a wliile, then lie inspected the crowd. When he discovered among it the hat of the Spaniard he smiled contentedly. Inca Condor did not honor the crowd with a glance; he spoke to Aclia. At a signal from the Inca the herald stepped forward. In a loud voice he reminded the people of the promise which the emperor had given to the man who should rescue his sister from the Spanish captivity and bring her alive and safe to Vilcabamba. Inca Condor asserted that he had done this, and demanded Aclia's hand; it was asked for the last time if any one was there to contest Inca Condor's rights. There was deep silence in the assembled crowd. Then Amador raised his voice: "I contest it; let me come forward so that I may speak." Cries of surprise came from all sides; the crowd divided, and Amador advanced to the open place, and paused at the steps of the platform. He bowed deeply before the Inca, and began to relate in a loud, firm voice his experiences in the cave and his rescue of Aclia. He concluded with the words: " Inca Condor indeed freed Aclia from Pizarro's captivity, and brought her to the 150 WITH PIZARRO IN PERU. spot where he sank down exhausted. Here she fell into my hands, into the hands of a Spaniard again. Inca Condor sat there, worn out and weak, and made no resistance when I took her in my arms and carried her like a child into the cave, where I warmed her, and called her back to life. At that time I could have killed Inca Condor, if I had been cowardly enough to feel no compassion for a lieljjless, unarmed man. He dragged himself behind me, and sank down unconscious at the en- trance to the cave; I needed but to give him a push to send him over the precipice and down into fathomless depths, but I was sorry for him, and carried him also uj) to the warm lire. At that moment Aclia was my prisoner, the prisoner of a Spaniard, but as I knew her love for her emperor and brother and for her jDeople I let her go free, I and no one else. So she was set free by me, and as she returned alive to Vilcabamba, she has me to thank for it. I contest Inca Condor's right to demand Aclia's hand because of his so-called rescue of her, for I too have the same right." In unbounded fury, Inca Condor had sprung forward at Amador's first words, but the respect due the presence of the Inca imposed silence upon him ; but when the herald now turned to him and asked: ''Inca Condor, what have you to say in WITJI PIZAltlK) IN PERU. 151 reply to this? " all his rage, until then restrained, burst forth, and he cried, turning to the assem- blage : " Sons of the Inca people, do not believe the faithless words of a Spaniard. He lies a thousand times. He lurked in his cave like the savage jaguar of the wilderness, to surprise us, as his spies had informed him that we were in that part of the country. AYe were hunted by the Spanish executioners from place to place, day and night, without intermission. Ah yes, we did sink down utterly exhausted I then he fell upon us. He spared us our lives, it is true, but -only that he might deliver us alive into Pizarro's hands again. The Spaniard thirsts for blood, he rejoices in the anguish of the tortured Inca. That robber and desecrator of temples, Pizarro, threatened that he would have Aclia tortured to death if we did not surrender to his robber hordes the valleys of Vil- cabamba, where the banner with the rainbow still Hoats freelv. This slave of Pizarro wished to de- liver us alive into his master's hands, for this rea- son he bestowed our lives upon us. He merely waited until his boon companions who were pur- suing us should overtake us, and then lead us back to the coast again. But the protecting gods of the Incas were propitious to us in that hour. I 152 WITH PIZARRO IN PERU. recovered fresh strength, and when I stood face to face with him, man to man, I demanded Aclia from his hands, and threatened him, in case of re- fusal, with death. Then he was frightened and let us go, not from free choice, but in trembling fear. I tore from you, Spaniard, the sister of the Inca, and have but one regret, and that is, that I did not plunge this dagger into your heart in that cave, for you are here to-day as one of Pizarro's spies, and will bring misery upon the remnant of the free Inca land." Inca Condor was silent. Then the herald asked Amador: " Stranger in this valley, what reply have you to make? Have you any one who can testify for you against Inca Condor? " Amador replied calmly: "Inca Condor, shame on you, to lie like a little child before your em- peror and the people. Had I wished to keep you in my power, could I not have bound you a hun- dred times with ropes as you lay there helpless before me? I was sorry for Aclia, and therefore I rescued her, and let her go on her way with a happy heart. Believe me, better times will come, in which Indians and Spaniards may live together as brothers, and I have come here to bring about these times. But I do not quarrel with you. I WITH pi/AiiRo rx PERU. 153 have a witness who can decide between me and you. It is Aclia, she may speak." Then at a sign from the Inca the herald turned to Aclia and summoned her to testify. She no longer stood there depressed and mel- ancholy. The hues of life had returned to her face, and her eyes sparkled joyously, lie, Ama- dor, had bravely appeared to free her from the power of this man, whom she had despised from the bottom of her heart since that moment in the cave when he had wished to reward an act of benevolence with murder. She stepped forward, and said, with her hand resting on her heart: "In the sight of the pro- tecting gods of the Incas, this is what I testify: All that the Spaniard has said is true ! " A cry of astonishment passed through the crowd. Many pitied the brave Inca Condor, for the events which had taken place in the cave in the moun- tains had been concealed from the people, so that they should not unnecessarily be alarmed by learning that the Spaniards had also discovered this ^secret path to V^ilcabamba. Condor had, therefore, been considered as xA.clia's courageous rescuer; now he must share the fame of this brave deed, and with a Spaniard. But Condor himself cried in a deeply jDained 154 WITH PIZAERO IN PERU. voice: "Aclia, you have forgotten your duty — you, a daughter of the Inca race. Your heart wavers between your tortured brethren and the strange robber. Woe to you, unfortunate one, for you will bring boundless misery upon our land!" But the herald said: "My duties are ended. May the judges decide between the two." The judges, the dignitaries of the realm, assem- bled in counsel. Before long, the eldest stepped forward, and communicated their decision to Inca Manco. " Highest, mightiest of rulers, son of the sun ; thou alone art the lord, all the world m List obey thee in truth," said he. " Thou hast appointed us that we might decide according to the laws made by thy forefathers, and wdiich thou hast confirmed. We have weighed the dispute between Inca Con- dor and the Sj^aniard Calabrera, who wears thy sacred protecting token, and have come to the following conclusion: Inca Condor did indeed free the maiden Aclia from the power of Pizarro, and bring her safely to the mountains. But he was too weak to complete his work of rescue; he could not have brought her alive to Vilcabamba, had he not been assisted by the Spaniard Calabrera. So he completed but a part of the task for which, V/ITII PIZAUUO I\ VFAIV. 155 thou, highest, mightiest of sovereigns, liadst set the price. "In regiiid to the Spaniard, he cannot assert that he freed Aciia from her captivity. She was free when he raised her unconscious form fiom the snow, and lie did not malve lier his prisoner, for he raised her to rescue her, and not to deliver her to her pursuers. He himself admits that, and so he cannot contest the accomplishment of the first part of the task by Inca Condor. Great and worthy of admiration is the courage of our re- nowned leader. But the Si^aniard is nevertheless undoubtedly Aclia's rescuer. Never would she have seen the valleys of Yilcabamba had not the Spaniard carried her into the cave, and there warmed her and brought her back to life ; and. if Inca Condor was so weak, that w ithout attemjjt- ing resistance he permitted the Spaniard to lay hands upon the sister of our mighty ruler and emjoeror, he could never, in all human experience, have recovered sufficient strength to carry Aclia over the mountains. He too would have suc- cumbed to the icy gale, and would have found death with her. He was forced, therefore, bv higher powers, to leave his work uncompleted. There the Spaniard appeared, and continued this work of rescue, and brought it to a happy close. 156 WITH PIZARRO IN PERU. He accomplished the second part of the task. May he demand the prize for this? Never, for he did but half of the work. " If a prize of gold or silver ware had been of- fered for the task, in such a case we would divide it. But if the prize consisted of but a single work of art, a beautiful goblet, a figure, a masterpiece whose A^alue lay not only in the quantity of gold but also in the work of the master, then the de- cision would be much more difficult, for we could not divide the work of art. The value would be thereby diminished, and neither of the two would receive the intended half of the prize, but less. We could then propose to have the value of the work of art estimated and each contestant paid half of tlie estimated value in other wares. " But if it is difficult to divide a work of art in gold or silver between two contestants, how much harder is it to divide a human being, a work of art which comes from the hands of the gods ! It cannot be divided, for it is inseparable; all the fibres of its being are so closely bound up in each other that two halves of a human being would be even less valuable than the halves of a work of art. " It is also impossible to estimate the value of a human being. In a slave, youth, skill, and abil- WITH J'I/aim:<) i.\ vvmu. 157 ity to work can be considered. ]5ut who can esti- mate the value of a free l)eing, even were lie the commonest man of the people? And here a prin- cess, the daughter of the family of our mighty Inca, is the human being. " Therefore we have decided that the prize can- not be divided. No one in the realm of the four suns has fully and entirely won it, and therefore it must return to those who offered it." All had waited with the greatest interest the decision of Inca Manco which should confirm or overthrow the judgment. Breathless silence pre- vailed as he prepared to speak. " I find the decision of the wise judges just and right," said he. " I and Aclia owe both rescuers thanks, and they may be sure of my royal favor. But Aclia remains in the house of my sisters. The contest is decided." The Inca then rose and returned to his apartments. His court followed him; Aclia and Condor also vanished into the hall of the palace, while Amador walked through the dispersing crowds to his quarters. Among the common men of the people opinions varied. The soldiers, who idolized tlieir leader, were dissatisfied, and murmured among them- selves. '^ Only let an Inca stand before a Spanish judge," said they; " we would see then what rights 158 WITH PIZARRO IN PERU. would be allowed him if lie were oi)posed to a Spaniard. Ataliiialpa ruined himself by his lonc^- suffering and love of Justice. Inca Manco is fol- lowing his example. The first Spaniard has al- ready come to Yilcabaniba, others will follow him, and the rainbow banner will fall here as it fell in Cuzco and Caxamarca." Others, on the contrary, j)eaceable farmers and mechanics, said : "A new era seems to be at hand. The Spaniai'd said so. War will cease. Inca Manco will make peace with the strangers, and all will be well again in the kingdom of the four suns." At court also, opinion was divided among the dignitaries of the land. One party, formed of younger men, was for con- tinuing the fight. They sent messengers into the region occui^ied by the Spaniards, and tried to incite the people to fresh revolt. They felt noth- ing but hatred for the Spaniards, and in their youthful confidence hoped for final victory. Inca Condor was their leader. The others, the party of older, exj^erienced men, saw that further resistance would be completely useless. They looked down upon Condor's heroic deeds with a certain depreciation, for these little skirmishes in whi(!h three or four Spaniards were killed did not change the political situation in WITH JMZARRO IX PKKU. 1.09 the sliglitest. Tlie number of really capable war- riors in Yileabaniba did not amount to more than ten thousand. The Spaniards had already de- feated the army of the Inca when live times stronger, and now they were more to Ije dreaded than ever. They were also gradually "winning allies among the Indians. The realm of the four suns had originated by conquests, by the subjugation of single tribes. Formerly all these different elements had been united by common laws; now the bond was loos- ened, and the tribes along the coast submitted to their fate. They began to make common cause with the Spaniards against the Inca, in the ap- parently justified hope of thereby improving their condition. The deplorable state of affairs, the need which threatened him face to face in Vilcabamba, has alreadj^ been referred to. Inca Manco listened to both parties. Up to this time he had preserved silence, but the party of elder men believed that the Inca inclined more to their views. They now ascribed the Inca's treat- ment of this Spaniard who had so suddenly ap- peared among them, and, more than this, was decorated with the Inca's protecting token, to this fact. 160 WITH PIZARKO IN PEKU. Condor remained in his apartments for the rest of the day, but his friends went among the sol- diers, listened to their talk, and fanned the flame. They brought the general faithful reports of the army's feeling uj)on this subject. From captain to private, all were enraged that on this day the Inca had preferred a Spaniard to the courageous rescuer of the fatherland. Inca Condor now knew that he did not stand alone in the valley of Vilcabamba. In his eyes, Inca Manco was now a cowardly, good- for-nothing ruler, who cherished the intention of making i)eace with the Spaniards. Condor could no longer endure life in the capital. He hated Aclia now, since she clung to the Spaniard. He set out on one of his expeditions, that he might cool his hatred with Spanish blood. Inca Manco let him go, but commanded him to return in a week. As imperial gold-maker Amador was of neces- sity brought in contact with the Peruvian artifi- cers, so that he might have the necessary supplies of gold and silver amalgam x)laced at his disposal. As he obtained a deeper insight of the interesting methods of this joeculiar industry, his curiosity was so excited that he even visited those work- shops which were of no use to his undertaking. He saw the potters at their work. The Peruvian WITJl IMZAiniO IX PERU. 161 pottery industry, in regard to maniifucture, ex- celled that of all the other peoples of America. Although the Inca Indians did not have potter's wheels, they yet could make utensils of extreme regularity of form. There were vessels of the coarsest kind, which were somewhat similar to the pottery of the lake regions in olden times, and carafes of exquisite workmanship, representing men, animals, and plants. This species was black, gray, or red, seldom yellow or blue, and were baked in ovens and covered with a transparent glaze. Then there were also original speci- mens, to which the Spaniards had. given the name silbador, or pipes, examples of which can be seen to-day in European museums. Amador inspected one such specimen in astonishment. It consisted of two long-necked flasks, joined to- gether in the middle. One of the necks was closed, and upon it sat a small, prettily executed ligure of a man. The other neck was open. If a licpiid were poured through the opening, the air in the other flask was compressed, and this escaped with a strange whistle, whose tones imi- tated the cries of various animals, and even the human voice. The art of weaving was also highly developed in Peru. The weavers had an excellent raw ma- il 162 WITH PIZARRO IN PERU. terial in the cotton which was cultivated in the hot, moist valleys, and in the wool of the llamas, alpacas, and vicunas, and also understood the art of dyeing in various brilliant colors. The cloth which was prejDared from the wool of alpacas and vicunas could be worn only by the Inca and no- bles. It was of such line texture and lustre that it looked like silk, and was at first taken for silk at the court of the emperor Charles V. But Peru- vian industry reached a still higher j)lane in this art. They took the fine hair of the bat, and wove from this the finest and most delicate materials for their emperor. These were dyed different colors, and by combinations of ornaments and fig- ures the most varied and tasteful patterns were made. Printing forms were even employed, partly of bark, partly of burnt clay. Fine garments w^ere ornamented with beaten gold and silver, with brill- iant feathers and precious stones. Strangely enough, the use of wood was not as familiar to the Peruvians as that of other sub- stances. While they knew how to mine gold, sil- ver, and copper, and prepare bronze ; wdiile they built great buildings, although without arches, they were poor carpenters and but little skilled in wood-carving. They did not know how to build good bridges of wood, and contented them- WITH riZAllKU IN PEKU. 1G3 selves with weak hanging bridges. They liad no carriages, no horses, the llama Avas their only beast of burden ; but as a rule these animals could not carry a load of more than thirty-five kilogrammes, and for the passing of such animals with these loads the hanging bridges or the not especially well-built ferries sufficed. Amador also found a theatre in Vilcabamba. The stage consisted of a slightly elevated room, protected by a straw I'oof from the i-ays of the sun, and to which three or four steps led from the theatre itself. Opposite the stage was the box of the ruler, also elevated. At the side of the spec- tators' room were the seats for the distinguished men of the kingdom, where these took their places strictly in accordance with their rank. In the pit were the low wooden benches for the people. The actors also sat among the audience until the time for their appearance, and at the end of the scene returned to their places. The actors were more honored in Peru than in Europe at that time, for the pieces which were given in the Peruvian the- atre were historic spectacles, in Avhich the great deeds of their ancestors were glorified, and the actors themselves were the most distinguished men of the realm, and even members of the Inca family. 164 WITH PIZAERO IN PERU. There was also a band, for the Peruvians had acquired a certain skill in playing upon various instruments. Warlike music inspired the hearts of the men, the gentle notes of the pipes excited the women, and the court band could be sj^ared as little at theatrical performances as at sacrificial feasts and other solemnities. But the Peruvians had not gone so far as to have an opera. They did not know how to sing; their throats were so unmusical that even later would-be i^roselyti- zers tried in vain to teach them the simple chants of the church. The poems Avhich were composed by ]3oets ap- l)ointed by the state were, therefore, not sung but recited, and according to their subjects accom- panied by pipes, zithers, and trumpets. Behind the cloister of the maidens of the sun lay the workshojos of the goldsmiths. Here Ama- dor had now taken up his quarters. At the Inca's command the Indians had brought him a quan- tity of cinnabar and gold ore. He roasted the cinnabar, caught the quicksilver in clay retorts, had the ore ground u}), and finally, on the sixth day of his efforts, he could show the Inca the first bit of gold obtained. But during all this time the imperial gold-maker did not once catch a glimpse of Aclia. According WITH PIZAllRO IX PEKU. 105 to her brotlier's strict orders, she retired to the cloister of the maidens of the sun, and tlie gokl- niaker must hrst succeed in the task set him. What liad passed between the Inca and his favorite sister after the decision of the judges, and when it was declared that her hand no longer was pledged to Condor, no one knew. No one knew of the j^rayers of thankfidness offered by Aclia, or was present at the long talks which she had with her brother, when she poured out her whole heart to him, and told hirn all she knew of the young Spaniard who had won her heart. The Inca lis- tened to her rhapsodies with a melancholy smile. How had it been possible for his sister to forget that this man, however brave and noble, was yet one of the hated race, the enemies of her 2;)eople, and their cruel oppressors? But the Inca was not blind to the advantages which might accrue to his sister from this marriage. As the wife of Condor she would be an exile; she could never hope to leave these mountains unless peace were made with the Spaniards, and Condor woidd never willingly make peace. Even should the Inca make peace, he felt sure that Condor would never submit to the Spaniards. Once married to a Spaniard her future was se- cured in any case, thought the Inca, who saw only 166 WITH PIZARRO IN PERU. too plainly that the time was coming when this little valley would no longer support the vast numbers which flocked to it as to a place of refuge. And then Amador had sent word that he had succeeded ; he stood before the Inca triumphant, he had kept his word. " I now believe everything that you told Aclia," said the Indian emperor. "I will make peace with the Spaniards. Return to your new vice- roy, and tell him that I will surrender to him if he will share the government of the land with me as with my predecessors. Let him make propo- sals to me. If he imposes conditions which I can- not agree to, I will turn to desperate remedies, and will once more call all the Indians of Peru to arms. But if you fulfil my wishes, I will reward you by making you ruler of this valley, and will give you my sister Aclia to Avife." Thus Amador felt that he had indeed come to Vilcabamba at the most i:)ropitious moment. Oh, had he but wings, that he might fly to Vaca de Castro in Lima! But the distance was great, he must return by the same path by which he had come. The Inca gave the guard at the ravine orders to allow liim to pass unmolested. He did not delay. He could not see Aclia even for a moment, for the Inca wished to keep the WITH PIZARRO IN PERU. 107 arrangement secret. Amador was to leave the answer in the cave, it was agreed upon, and the Inca would have it fetched from there. The people were merely to suppose that, in consideration of Amador's having rescued Aclia, the Inca had al- lowed him simply to depart unhamied. Thus the sly Indian ruler wished to favor openly neither of the two parties in his kingdom until he knew certainly what he could expect of the new viceroy. Amador pleaded in vain for one short interview^, however brief, were it in the presence of the Inca himself, but the ruler refused decidedly. The risk was too great to run. His plans must not be learned now, or their f ultilment might be rendered utterly impossible. The sooner Amador returned to the cave with the Spanish viceroy's reply, the sooner he could see Aclia. Nor would the Inca consent to bear any message to Aclia. Amador was forced to submit, and hastened his prepara- tions for departure. The Inca communicated to a few of his most trustworthy soldiers the fact that Amador de Calabrera, the Spaniard who had been of such great assistance in rescuing Princess Aclia, but for whom, in fact, she might have j)erished in the terrible snow-storm in the mountains, and to 168 WITH PIZARKO IN PERTT. whom lie had granted his imperial Jclppu., was to be permitted to leave Yilcabamba unmolested. Thus the rejoort he desired would be spread among his people. They might marvel, perhaps grumble, at the clemency thus shown, but there would be no risk of exciting the terrible uproar he feared should his true plans become known. These faithful soldiers were to serve as Amador's escort. So in the afternoon Amador got into a litter; he was to be carried in this as far as the guard- house. There he would pass the night, and early in the morning would journey on through the ra- vine to the cave, and from thence to his block -hut and to Huamanca. What would Alcan, the brave swordsman, say to his exx)eriences ? Now he need not conceal from him all his recent adventures; he could tell him that there really was a path over those mountains to Vilcabamba. XL The negro whom Amador had sent bound to his friend Alcan had not been taken at once to Huamanca. Not until five days after he had been sent away did lie ajipear before Alcan's house, not bound, but perfectly free, and gay, accom- panied by the two Indians as two good friends. He smiled with satisfaction, for he had managed beautifully. How astonished was Alcan as he listened to the man's story ! The negro had long since made his two Indian guards his confidants, and it had not been hard for him to persuade them to unbind him so that he might creep after his master. And he did creep after him. He had followed him eyery- where as far as the rayine which led up the moun- tain toward the summit of the range. The negro, who posssessed no liippu, suspected danger here. He waited until nightfall, and then found liis way through the rayine. Having reached the sununit 170 WITH PIZAEEO IN PERU. of the mountains, he climbed a tall bowlder, and lay here for the rest of the night. Peeping out from his place of concealment the next morning, to his joyful surprise he overlooked the distant valleys of Yilcabamba, and could even distinguish in the distance the Indian stations on the rocky walls of the ravine, and the guard-house in the forest. Without moving, he remained all day in his hiding-place, and as his supi)ly of provisions gave out, he returned half starved and terribly thirsty to the cave, where he refreshed himself with the remnant of Amador's supplies. " Fellow," cried Alcan, " I should never have believed you capable of this ! So then you are good friends with the Indians who lurk here along our paths. Good friends, or else you would not have walked so comfortably and unharmed along the mountain jjath into the lion's den, my fine Mr. Amador de Calabrera! Bravo, Moor! You shall guide us to the x)ath. Pah ! we can easily over- power the guard-house, we have already stormed other passes of the Andes. And when we have conquered the second gold land of Peru, we can settle down in peace and spend the days of our old age quietly." Alcan would have in fact at once fitted out an WITH J'lZAKllO IN PERU. 171 expedition hud he been in command of a more respectable troop in ])oint of numbers, but he liad but fifty men, and he dared not venture to attack the Indians with such a weak force. But this was to be a day of surprises for Cap- tain Alcan. A Spanish trumpet rang out before the house of the governor of Huamanca ; an or- derly came from Lima, and presented a letter from the new viceroy to Alcan. Alcan opened it with the greatest eagerness. What would the contents be? But when he read it his face fairly shone with joy, for the viceroy wrote that Captain Alcan was to set out to reduce the Inca in his vallev of Vilcabamba to submis- sion to the Spaniards, either by persuasion or force. And for this purpose the viceroy sent a hundred and fifty soldiers, who Avere already on the way, and could be expected to arrive in Huamanca at any moment. With a hundred and eighty men Pizarro had in his time conquered the first Peru; Avith the fifty men at his disposal in Huamanca, Alcan had twenty more with which to conquer the second Peru, He made no delay, but began at once to fit out the troops for their campaign. He would not use persuasion with the Inca, for he was a hard-hearted 172 WITH PIZAKRO IN PERU. opponent, this Inca, who had again and again set that Condor nj)on them. Shoukl Alcan summon the Inca to lay down his arms and acl-i-nowledge Sx)anish supremacy, it would but be a w^arning to the bird of prey in his lofty eyry. No, he would surprise him, take this Indian ruler captive; then the viceroy could do with him what he would, could put him to death should he still resist, for the viceroy could then select a more submissive Inca from among the Indians. But Captain Alcan was forced to take a lesson in patience. The expected troops did not arrive as quickly as he had hoped. Meanwhile he sent messengers to Amador's log hut to see whether Baron Amador de Calabrera had returned yet from his expedition into the mountains. The young man was to be taken prisoner, so ran the orders ; but there were no signs of him. Either he was well satisfied with life among the Indians, or they had taken him prisoner. Meanwhile Amador de Calabrera had arrived at the guard-house in the ravine. Evening was already close at hand, and the bearers returned with the litter. Amador went into the guard-house. The sol- diers ceased talking as he entered. He understood their behavior very well— he was the rival of their WITH PlZAlillO IN PERU. 173 idolized general ; they hated him, the Spaniard, who thought himself superior to Inca Condor. Amador walked to the window, and looked out into the woods. Twilight had descended, soon it would be dark, and so he looked about the room for a suitable night's resting-place. It grew (hirker and darker. No light burned in the room, when hnally the cai:)tain came and seated himself beside Amador. " Is it true that Pizarro is dead? " he asked. "It is true," replied Amador; "a new viceroy now governs in Peru." " And how did he die? " asked the captain. Amador was unpleasantly affected by this ques- tion. Should he tell the Indian soldiers of such breach of faith among the Sjianiards? " I was not in Lima at the time," he replied, " and do not know all the particulars," and he rose and began pacing up and down the room, hoping by this to avoid unpleasant questioning; but now the soldiers surrounded him and urged: " Pray tell us. You surely must have heard! " Amador perceived their game, and tried to push past them. " Let me alone ! " he cried impatiently. " Ha, ha, ha I " laughed the soldiers. " He does not wish to." 174 WITH PIZARRO IN PERU. "He does not wish to?" cried the captain. "Then bind him!" And at this given signal ten arms chitched Ama- dor in an iron grasj), and before lie could look round he was bound hand and foot. He was thrown upon the earth. The captain tore the I'lppu from his breast. " This rag can now build a way for us to the palace," he cried, "and you shall stay here, ac- cursed Spaniard ; for know that from this hour Inca Manco is no longer the Inca. He shall die, the cowardly friend of the Spaniards. Inca Con- dor is our ruler, and Inca Condor will invite you to a wedding with Aclia. You shall celebrate it with the traitress uj^on the funereal pyre," Derisive laughter of the soldiers accompanied these words, and the troop rushed out into the open air. But two men remained to guard Ama- dor. Soon after, other bound captives were brought into the room; they were the secretive imperial tschascis, who had also been over- powered, so as to break all means of communica- tion of the government. But five men guarded these fresh captives. The rest of the soldiers assembled before the house. "The fires glow upon the Capac Mountains!" WITH PIZAUKO IN PERU. 175 cried tlie captain. " P"'orvvard, you cliildren, for Inca Condor! " " Inca Condor!'' rang from a liiindred throats in tlie forest. The heavy tread of the sokliers was heard departing, then it grew more and more quiet; liiially tlie last sound ceased, and only the locusts could !)(' heard in the woods. The guards, who had reiiiaiued standing by the door and windows looking after tlieir departing comrades, now kindled a light, and reassured the captive tscJiaseis as to their fate. " Be of good courage," said they, '* we must leave you bound, but the struggle will not last long. All the troops are descending froui the mountains to advance upon the palace. At nudnight Inca Condor will wind the %Kiitsclia about his head, will become our emperor, and then you will be set free, that you may serve a better, nobler ruler. You will then,"' they added, "go with us to the city to wit- ness the spectacle of this tiaitor of a Spaniard meeting his death by lire, for he shall die the same death which so many of our people have had inflicted upon them by the murderous white robbers." Then they turned to Amador, and overwhelmed him with insults and scornful remarks. They 176 WITH PIZAIlliO IN PEKU. even actually attacked him, pulling his beard and kicking liim. " Defend yourself, wretch," they cried, " if you are a son of the sun. You came here to inform yourself of our strength, and then to lead the Spaniards into the land by our secret paths. You have come to an agreement with Inca Manco, as to how you would ruin the remnant of the free Inca land. But Condor's eyes keep watch over the valley of Yilcabamba. Your j^urposes have been discovered, and you are now a prisoner here? and the secret of the path is hidden now as before from the Sj)aniards. You will receive your reward. To be sure, you will often appear at the imperial table, for Inca Condor will surely drink from your skull when the festivals of the kingdom of the four suns are celebrated." Amador bore all this mockery and insult with silent composure. It was clear to him that he would never escape alive from this captivity. Only death could set him free from it, for from the sx)eech of the soldiers he could realize the gravity of his position. The chief power of the Inca army was now stationed at the boundaries of Vilcabamba, to protect the j^asses. Old warriors here formed the WITH PIZAUUO IX PERU. 177 mainstay of tlie army; warriors who liad served in former campaigns under the hite Inca, and who now looked up to the young Inca Condor, by rea- son of his military skill, with blind adoration and confidence. In the city itself was stationed only Inca Manco's body-guard. Without doubt Condor had undertaken no ex- peditions against the Spaniards in the course of the last week. lie had merely hurried to the va- rious passes to place himself at the head of his rebel hordes. If only half or a third of the regi- ments adhered to him he would have taken the emperor captive in his cajiital in broad daylight. But now when night came to the assistance of his gloomy plans, the victory was even more sure to him. Amador knew that in the city of Vilca- bamba no susj^icions were entertained of the at- tacking column which was marching upon them at that very moment. Poor Inca Manco ! What a terrible awakening would be his this night! But more pitiable still did the heli^less and weak maiden Aclia appear to Amador, for she was now hopelessly exposed to the vengeance of the furious Condor. Poor Aclia! Worse torments were perhaps now in store for her than those from which she had fled 12 178 WITH PIZAKRO IN PERU. at tlie court of Pizarro. Would slie have strength to bear them ? In his anxiety for her fate, Ama- dor forgot his own unhappy situation. All, how slowly the hours of the night passed! Midnight was long since passed. The Indian guards crowded around the Avindow, and looked out at the dark heavens, seeking a signal from the city. At last a red light flashed up over the tree-toi)s. It grew brighter and brighter; a cry of joy came from the soldiers, and they shouted: "Inca Con- dor has conquered. Long live our emperor, Condor!" But what was that? With these cries mingled others which came from the ravine — a cry which sounded like an alarm. The soldiers listened intently, but "the cry was not repeated. One after another, however, de- clared that he had heard it distinctly. " It was but an echo of our call," said a third. " I heard nothing," said a fourth. Finally they went out in front of the house to see what was going on. All was still outside. They listened. Then a sound like the creaking of heavy armor was heard, but this sound came more from the woods, not from the ravine. Could their comrades who had WITH PIZARRO IN PERU. 179 hastened to the assistance of Inca Condor have returned already ;f Impossible. A strange dread seized the commander of the guard. The ravine was occupied l)y but tliree posts which had not yet been relieved. All the other soldiers had set out against their brotlier enemies. Inca Condor had indeed commanded that but half of the guards should join his forces, and tile other half remain to occupy the ravine. But how could the Spaniards appear in this pass this night ! No one had wished to remain behind, all wished to assist Inca Condor in his struggle, and the rebellion put an end for the time being to discipline. All this now flashed through the mind of the commander of the weak force. He took two men with him and resolved to make the rounds. He challenged the nearest post. No answer. He repeated his call, only his own voice echoed from the ravine. He went on; perhaps the senti- nel had fallen asleep. But with a piercing cry he started back, for in the dim starlight strange armor flashed before his eyes, and at this moment, he and his two compan- ions sank down under fierce sword-thrusts, given them by a half-invisible enemy. Amador was roused from his gloomy thoughts 180 WITH PIZARRO IN PERU. by this piercing cry of the Indians. What was going on out there? Did the conflict rage here also? Had Inca Manco learned in time of the treachery of his general, and had he been before him? Amador had no time to ponder upon this; the thought merely flashed through his mind, when suddenly another cry rang out in front of the house : "Santiago!" Amador's heart beat rapidly. Santiago! Good heavens, that was the battle-cry of the Spaniards! Could his ears have deceived him? No. " Santiago ! " rang out a second time, and this time he could i)lainly distinguish the clashing of Spanish arms. What a heavenly sound to the ear of the captive! Had God sent his brothers to his rescue? "Santiago!" now cried a single voice. Ah, Amador knew it well, it was Alcan's deep voice. " Santiago ! " cried the old swordsman. " The two dogs are dead before they had a chance to light the signal Are to alarm Vilcabamba. But it is ac- cursedly still in there. Can those three men have been the entire guard? Be careful, men, there is a light burning in there." "Alcan— Santiago!— Alcan!" cried Amador at the top of his voice. AVT'I'ir I'l/AIMtO IN' PKIirj. 181 "Hello," said Alctin, "was not tliat Spanish? Alcan, Santiafijo?" Then he called out: "In the name of the blessed Trinity, are }'oli a Spaniard or a ghost? Answer!" " I am Amador de Cahibrera. Come in, Alcan, there are only bound men here. Come quickly and loose my bonds. War rages in \'ilcabamba." "Yes, that is his voice!" cried Alcan. ''For- ward, comrades! Protect yourselves with your shields. Santiago! Beware of treachery!" Covering himself with his shield, Alcan stei)23ed cautiously through the doorway, and into the in- terior of the guard-house. He surveyed the strange scene in astonishment. Where he had thought to find a fierce enemy in the background, he now saw six bound Indian runners, and his comrade Ama- dor in the same helpless condition. He quickly drew his dagger, and while he cut the cords with which Amador's hands and feet were bound, he said to him quickly: "I am here with two hun- dred men. I wish to take the Inca prisoner. Do you know the way? Take us there quickly, so that we may take advantage of the darkness." Amador sprang up and threw his arms around Alcan's neck. "No childishness! " cried the captain roughly. " To business, cavalryman. Report ! " 182 AVTTTI PIZARRO IN PERU. Amador brietly related what he had learned during the night. " Inca Condor must have conquered," he fin- ished his report. "The Indians said so. You will, therefore, find the whole army united in the valley of the capital cit}^ But we can never reach it before dawn." "Excellent!" cried Alcan. "Then the second conquest of Peru has its Huascar and Atahualpa. Forward, then ! Fifty men can occupy the pass, a hundred and fifty will suffice to storm the city." " Leave no one here behind, take them all with you," Amador said warningly. " The enemy is stronger than you think." " I thank you for your good advice, dear Ama- dor," replied Alcan, " but I have no desire to be bound like you. Pah, one Spaniard is sufficient against a thousand Indians. We liave muskets. We will wake the thunder in the valleys of Vil- cabamba ! " He went out of the guard-house and arranged his troops. He himself marched at their head, with Amador. The way through the forest was broad and de- serted. They reached the nearest post station. Here too the runners were bound. "Excellent!" cried Alcan. "All honor! The rebellion was excellently i)lanned. Ah, Inca Con- WITH PIZARRO IN PERU. 183 dor understands such matters. But he had no suspicion that he luid smoothed the way for us. We will come very unannounced! " He granted the soldiers a short rest, and com- manded them to take some refreshment. At the lirst break of dawn he pushed forward. XII. At the hour when Amador had prepared to leave the city, Inca Manco had left his apartments and gone to the temple of the sun. He had first x>lucked flowers in his garden and twigs from the bushes. When his courtiers saw this they withdrew, for they knew that their em- peror was about to perfoini some act of worship at which no one could be present. Inca Manco opened a small door in the wall which surrounded the temple and entered the sacred garden, in which stood gilded trees and statues of animals. In comparison with the golden garden which had once existed in Cuzco, this was but the work of a bungler, and Inca Manco sighed as he gazed around it and thought of the former wealth and magnificence of the temples of Peru. Through this garden flowed a small brook, and toward this the Inca turned his steps. His thoughts were now occupied with the sun-god; he confessed his sins to him and then threw the WITH I'IZAIIIK) \S VVAIV. 185 bundle of twigs wliicli lie had broken into the water. As the stream carried away this bundle, so should his sins be taken away from him. The anxious ruler turned to the temple, his heart somewhat relieved of its burden of care. In the entrance hall stood priests, who now bowed deeply before the descendant of the sun. They remained behind, allowing the Inca to pass alone through a suite of chapels, richly decorated with gold, these chapels being consecrated to different stars of the heavens, until finally he entered the chief sanctuary. This also was an imitation of the famous temple of Cuzco. All the walls and doors were richly covered with gold; upon the Avail lying oi^posite the entrance, rose the huge likeness of the sun-god, the son of the creator of the world, whom the Peruvians particularly wor- shipped and from whom the Inca was supposed to be descended. It was the size of a wagon- wheel; the golden rays radiating from it were thickly studded with turquoises and emeralds. At the right and left of the great image of the sun sat two viallaclils, or Inca mummies, on golden stools, robed in their imperial splendor, with bowed heads and arms crossed over their breasts. A thin bit of gold- leaf covered their dried eyes, their feet rested upon the gold plat- 186 AVITII PIZARRO IN PERU. form which in life had served the same purpose for tliem, and iixDon whicli the golden stools also rested. These were the only mummies of the many glorious but departed emperors which the Peru- vians had been able to save from Spanish greed and bring with their adornments to the valley of Vilcabamba. They sat there before the sun im- age, united .in death with their ancestor, for the first Inca, the people believed, was a son of the sun god who had been sent to the earth to make the people of Peru happy. Golden rays of the sun shone into the temple and lit up the image of the god. " O mighty god,"' said the Inca, " I know the command which thou gavest to my ancestors, thy children. ' When yoa have converted this un- happy people ! ' thou saidst to them : ' You may rule over them. Rule with kindness, mildness, consideration, and j iistice. Consider yourself their good parents, your subjects as your dear children. Take example from me, your father, who shows kindness to the whole world, lets his light and radiance shine over every one, so that men may see and pursue their various occupations. I warm them when it is cold, I let their seed and harvest prosper, their trees bear fruit, their herds increase ; WITH I'IZAIIKo IN PEIITT. 187 I send rain and clear weather in due season; eacli day I travel around the world to ascertain the needs of every land, and suj)ply the inhabitants with what they need— I, the all-powerful bene- factor of humanity. You must copy my example, for you are my children, sent on earth by me, solely and alone to convert those unfortunate people who live like animals, and to show them kindness. I have made you rulers and kings so that you may convert these people.by persuasion, and subjugate them by your good works and just government.' " O god of the sun, we have faithfully obeyed thy commands. The kingdom of the Incas was flourishing, and all just j)ersons w.thin its bounds were happy and at peace. But these strange men have destroyed all, our armies ha\e been scattered l)y them like spray before the wind. O Lord, are they too thy sons ? Dost thou really command that we bow before them, and suri'ender the rule to them? Give me a sign, O Lord, whether I shall make peace with them ; let my priests divine truly thy will from the intestines of the sacrificial ani- mals ; and graciously accept these flowers and the incense which 1 burn before j^ou in child-like love." AVitli these words, the Inca laid the flowers down before the altar. Then he seized a golden 188 WITH PIZAERO ITi PERU. concave mirror, went iii^ to the altar, lit uj) by the rays of the sun, and by means of these rays re- flected in the mirror he lighted several bushels of dried cotton, and with this kindled the sacriflcial flame, in which he strewed incense. After the Inca had completed the sacrifice, he passed through a door which, contrary to all the others, was covered with plates of silver, into an adjoining chapel. This was consecrated to the Killia, or goddess of the moon and queen of the heavens. Her silver image adorned the wall, and the chapel was decorated with silver alone. Sil- ver was consit^ered the symbol of moonlight, in distinction from gold, which was an attribute of the sun. Tie goddess of the moon and queen of the heavens was the Incas' protecting goddess of married won.en, and so the mummies of the wives of former emperors sat here, richly robed, in their silver chairs. This chapel was not empty like the others. Among the forms of dead empresses stood a slen- der maiden's form robed in dazzlingly white gar- ments, and gazed mournfully at the image of the silver goddess. She did not hear Inca Manco aioproach her over the softly carpeted floor. He watched her for a while, then softly laid his AVITII PIZAltUo IX I'EKU. 189 hand on her shoukler. She started as thougli waking from a dream, and turned toward Inm in affright. "Ah, it is YOU, my brother! " cried she, in a re- lieved tone. " My sister," he replied, " dearest of all my sis- ters, it is well that in this hour you also i)ray to the gods of the Incas. We always need their X)rotection, and they will perhaps graciously give me a sign in these sad hours." Aclia pondered for a while, then she said softly : " O my brother, there are many signs which the gods give us. The priests think that with the intestines of sacrificed animals they can read the future, but the Almighty God in Heaven has placed a warning voice in the hearts of His children. When we waver, these voices speak, and whoever can renounce the deceit of the w^orld, hears in his heart the voice by Avhich God speaks to him." " It needs must be a prophet who can read the future in his own bosom," replied Inca Manco. " This grace is lacking in me. I mav not cast a proi)hetic gaze into the future. I struggle with a thousand doubts. The future of my people lies dark before me, and I do not know whither to lead them, whether to battle, which may end in defeat, or to peace, Avhich imposes upon us a disgraceful 190 WITH PIZAKRO IN PERU. dominion. Tell me, my sister, liow do tlie Span- iards pray to their God? Have tliey no reverence for sanctuaries, that they thus plunder our tem- ples? Whom do they put in the i)lace of the sun, which yet is visible to all? " " My brother," replied Aclia, " you know your- self that the sun-god Intli did not create the world. According to the belief of our fathers he is the son of the creator of the world, Pachacamac, to whom we formerly built no temjDle, whom we hon- ored in every place, since he is omnipresent by day as well as by night. Such an all-powerful, omnipresent God, creator of heaven and earth, do the Spaniards worship). As in primeval times Pachacamac took compassion upon the savage people of Peru and sent his children, Manco Capac and Mama Aclia, to make them happy, even so did the God of the Christians, the Creator of the world. More than a thousand years ago He sent His Son on earth, to bring liai)piness to all men." "And this Son of God conquered the distant country of the Spaniards, and established His do- minion there. He taught the Spaniards to forge iron, and to wield thunder and lightning in bat- tle. He taught them to build the great sea-houses in which, driven by the wind, they traverse the WITH I'IZAUItn IN rKHir. I'-M boundless seas. Tn truth, He was a miglity Son of God, this ancestor of tlie Spanish emperors." " You are mistaken, my brother," replied Aclia, " The Christian's Son of God did not cover Himself with the "lorv of warlike deeds and wise inven- tions. He did indeed wear a crown, but it was a crown not of gold and jewels, but of thorns, which men pressed down upon His head. When He came among men and announced His heavenly mission, but a chosen few believed Him; the people rose against Him, martyred and crucilied Him. He died, but on the third day He rose again from the dead, and then ascended to Heaven, to His divine Father." Inca Manco shook his head. "And what did He teach," he asked his sister, " that so enraged the people with Him?" "He taught," said Aclia slowly, "that all men were children of one and the same Father, the Almighty God of heaven, and should, therefore, love each other as brothers and sisters. He taught that men should forgive their enemies, love them, not hate them; and that after deatli a new life begins for us, for that our souls are immortal. He promised that those who are good and keep His commandments shall enter into the Heavenly Father's mansions, there to live in perpetual hap- 192 WITH PIZAKRO IN PERU. piness, but the wicked lie threatened with the torments of eternal damnation." "Aclia," cried Inca Manco, "our old, sacred Inca belief is surely much prouder and more beautiful. I would not exchange it for the belief of the Chris- tians." " There are many points of similarity in both beliefs," replied Aclia, "and yet there is a vast difference between them. According to the be- lief of the Christians, our earthly existence is but a time of probation, from which the good enter into eternal bliss. I think this belief must have a consoling power in certain conditions of life. Imagine an emperor overthrown from the summit of his power by his enemies, dragged a captive to far-off lauds, exposed to humiliations of every kind. What torments such a dethroned, humil- iated emperor must suffer! But if he knows that our short earthly life is but a time of probation ; that the Heavenly Father above rewards not vic- tories in war, but only the virtues of the heart with eternal happiness; then if he has lived a vir- tuous life, tlie sj^lendor of the thi'one will seem nothing to him in comparison to the perpetual radiance above. Then he will bear his suffer- ings and humiliations in silent submission, for he knows that the more he has been tried here WITH I'lZAKKU IN PERU. 193 on earth by God, the happtier will he be in eternity." " In truth a strange belief," said Inca Manco. " Oh, it does not surprise me that the Spaniards wish to force it upon my people ! That would in- deed be a high consolation for tortured, persecuted beings. But, Aclia, they themselves do not act in accordance with this belief. Their hearts cling to the glories of this world. They indulge in the grossest lusts — they are murderers and robbers." " They are such against the commands of their priests, and according to their religion they will be punished by God's anger. Such deeds as they have committed here are forbidden by the teach- ings of Christ, for the Son of God came not to the Spaniards alone but to all the people of the earth, and in His j)rophecies it can be read that some day all the people of the earth will profess this belief. jSlighty gods of other peoples have sunken in the dust before this teaching. The time of ful- lilment is at hand. Do you not suspect it, dear brother? A powerful army has raged like a storm over Peru, but the clouds will scatter, the sun will once more shine out victoriously, and upon the ruins a new purer world will arise. Spaniards and Indians will clasp each other's hands as brothers. All wiU be better in the land of the ^3 194 WITH PIZARRO IN PERU. four suns, and liappy will be the ruler under whose sceptre this change shall be effected." Inca Manco drew back from his sister pale and alarmed, "Aclia," he cried in a trembling voice, " your words announce misery, you prophesy the downfall of the gods of Peru. Unliapx)y girl, you defame them in their holy sanctuary. I have mis- understood you, Aclia, have I not? You merely repeated Avhat has been told you; you will offer to the silver goddess of the moon, in child-like love, the sacrifice she demands, will you not? Aclia, have you forgotten that those who defame the gods are burned to death before the temj)les of the gods they have defied? " She remained perfectly calm, and with a peace- ful smile she answered her brother: "Here I am, dear brother. You may order me to be sac- rificed. I will think of the Son of God whom men crucified. I know that death will but open to me the portals of everlasting rapture." "Apostate!" cried Inca Manco in an agonized voice, and covered his face. "AVhy do you despair, my brother?" continued Aclia. "In Pachacamac, in Ciizco, in a hundred other places, the gods of Peru are overthrown. You yourself despaired of their power in this moment. You were right, my brother. You are WITH riZAIlKO IX I'KRU. 195 called to convert your people to the new God, so that murder and pillage may cease in Peru and love may prevail among mankind." He stared at her for a long time. Aclia's words had opened a new world to him, had told him of a belief which could afford a hard-pressed man, such as he was, true consolation. But at this mo- ment the forms of Pizarro, Almagro, and the shades of Atahualpa and thousands of murdered Indians rose to his mind. He drew back from his sister in horror, and said gloomily: "Deluded girl, at this price no Tnca Avill make peace. Now I know what I must do. Battle is my decision, should I even be left lying dead under the ruins of this temple. Avaunt, apostate ! " he then cried. "Await ^'our punishment in the cloister of the maidens of the sun." "May God enlighten you, brother!" said she, and went slowly away. Inca Manco gazed after her gloomily. XIII. In tlie palace of Inca Manco the courtiers waited for their sovereign. The evening repast was ready, but he did not apx)ear. He still tarried in the temple of the sun-god, but he no longer stood in the holy of holies, but remained in the broad sac- rificial hall, surrounded by the priests. The nacacs, or temple slaughterers, dragged in the animals ax)pointed for sacrifice. Llamas of black fleece, the color most acceptable to the sun- god. They brought these animals before the chief priest, who w^as present in all the splendor of his ofiicial robes, a long, da.rk garment without sleeves, and a girdle; over this a white garment, also with- out sleeves, reaching to the knees, and ornamented with gold and precious jewels, and bordered at the bottom with a red fringe of the finest wool. Both bare arms were loaded with golden bracelets studded with jewels; on the left arm hung, fast- ened to the broadest bracelet, a little concave golden mirror, by means of which the sacred fire WITH PIZAUUO IX PKRTJ. 197 of the sun temple was kindled. AVliite sandals of the linest wool encased the feet. Ui)on his head he wore a tiara, above which rested a golden diadem, thickly studded with emeralds and adorned with a golden sun and gay araras feath- ers, which diadem was fastened under the chin by a crescent of gold. Around the chief priest were assembled the hamurpas^ or augurs, who x^i'edicted the future from the stars, the liiglit of birds, and the smok- ing intestines of the sacrificed animals. To-day the oldest liamiirpa was to render this service to the gloom 3^ Inca standing at his side. The chief priest designated one of the young llamas. Four nacacs seized it by the legs, for it was forbidden to bind sacrificial animals, threw it to the ground, turned its head toward the east, and opened its left side. The Jiamurpa advanced, and tore out the intestines, that he might read the future. He coidd have seen nothing favorable, for his face darkened. A second llama was seized and the same per- formance enacted. The Jiamurpa discovered signs of misfortune alone in this second trial. The gods also announced misfortune by the in- testines of the third animal, and the eldest liam- urpa began his s^ieech. "Misfortune threatens 198 WITH PIZARRO IN PERU. thee, Inca! The enemy tarries in thy imme- diate vicinity. He has risen against Intli and against thee. Only through the death of the de- famer of tlie gods can the misfortune be averted." A fearful cry of misery and grief from all pres- ent, both priests and slaughterers, concluded the speech of the augur. Inca Manco grew pale. He knew what sacrifice the priests required of him, but he loved his sister too deeply to allow her to be put to death. Her words had roused him to great excitement. He too traced the tokens of a new era. The god of the Spaniards was mightier than the sun-god. The conflict raging within him was not yet de- cided. The enemy tarried in his immediate vicin- ity, so said the augur. That was no new idea for Inca Manco, he had long carried it in his bosom. He had wished to suppress it, but it burst forth with even more violence. Inca Manco knew this enemy — he was Inca Condor, the darling of the army. To-day was the eighth day, upon which he had been commanded to return by Inca Manco. Who- ever did not obey the emperor's command w^as punished with death, whether he were of high or low degree. Blind obedience to the emperor was the first command in the land of the Incas. WITir PIZAUIIO IX rKRLT. 109 Tlie sun was setting. The Inca entered the din_ ing hall, his eyes scanned the assembly. Condor was missing. ''Tell Condor to come and report himself to me! ■' he commanded one of his high officers. The man stood there in confusion. " Mighty rider, Condor has not yet returned." Inca Manco frowned; he gazed out at the top of the mountain, upon which the last rays of the sun rested. Perhaps Condor also looked up at this mountain. Did he know that it was the last sun- set for him? A painful stillness reigned in the assembly. All present divined the Inca's thoughts, and their eyes were fixed upon the ground. Then a messenger arrived covered with dust. He approached the Inca and fell upon his knees before him. "Hail, hail to our emperor!" cried he. " CoQdor sends me with the message that he has descended from the passes, and will arrive, richly laden with booty, in the palace about mid- night." " Who gave Condor permission to tarry in the passes at this time?" said the Inca. ''In my realm no bird may 1\y without my permission, and Condor is detaining thousands against my will and commands ? Tschalci Yupanci," he con- 200 WITH PIZAERO IN PERU. tinued, turning to the commander of his body- guard, " go to meet him, and punish the disobe- dient man with death, according to the law of the land." Tschalci Yupanci rose and silently left the hall, accompanied by a few men. This order was very repugnant to him, and his feet moved as heavily as though they were of lead. Inca Manco glanced over the assembly again. There sat the dignitaries of his land, silent; not one of them seemed to be pleased; there stood his body-guard with gloomy faces. Inca Condor was their darling also. Why should he be punished with death? Perhaps because he had gone too far in pursuit of the hated Spaniards. Perhaps be- cause he had wished to make use of his victory to remain longer on the battle-field, for Inca Condor would surely return as victor, or else he would not be Inca Condor. They pity him, they cling to him, thought Inca Manco, but they will mourn for him a few days and then forget him. But Tschalci Yupanci thought otherwise. " Inca Manco, Condor is more valuable to you than an army. Your decision is like a lost battle. You thereby deprive the passes of Vilcabamba of the most faithful, most unwearied watcher. But THE DEATH OF INCA MaNKO. ^VrTII PIZAIlIio I.V I'KIUT. 2()1 you are my lord and emperor; I must o])ey you." But in front of Tsclialci Yupanci hurries a fieet- footed runner. He carries a small bundle in liis hand. What secret messa