Ch. I. 450 Interview between Pizarro and an "Orejon." B. XVI. natives upon it. Then again four other rafts. These vessels contained a body of men who were going to attack the Island of Puña. Pizarro made them return with him to Tumbez, and when they arrived there, and the Spaniards had cast anchor near the shore, Pizarro gave the men anchors off whom they had taken in the rafts, leave to deof Tumbez. part, and entrusted them with a friendly message to the chief inhabitants of Tumbez. Pizarro the shore Strange were the stories which the Indians had to tell their lord, of the white men with large beards whom they had encountered, who were now in that extraordinary-looking raft which had anchored near the shore, and who were come, as they learnt from the other Indians, to discover new lands. It was resolved The inha in Tumbez to be hospitable to the strangers, and to send a present to them under the conduct of a man in authority, whom, from the artificial deformity of his ears (a sign of rank), the Spaniards called an Orejon. bitants send to greet Pizarro. Friendly discourse passed between Pizarro and this Orejon. In reply to the questions of the Indian Lord, Pizarro informed him by what authority and for what purpose he came there, denouncing idols and enlightening him as to the first truths of Christianity. The Orejon and Pizarro dined together, and afterwards the Spanish Captain gave him some presents-an iron hatchet, some strings of pearls, and three chalcedones. To the principal Lord of the town, Pizarro sent two swine and some fowls. The Orejon asked if Pizarro would permit some of his The Inca's Palace at Tumbez. 451 Pizarro B. XVI. men to return with him to the town. I. The principal Lord of Tumbez was much astonished at the new animals which Pizarro had sent him. When the cock crowed, he asked what it said? But nothing surprized him or his people so much as the negro. They endeavoured to wash him, which process he bore with the good nature of his race, laughing and showing his white teeth.* The bystanders little thought that these two strangers were the representatives of nations who came to dispossess them, and that thousands upon thousands of these black men would become the inhabitants of Peru. On the other hand, Molina and the negro were not less astonished at the wonders which they beheld; and, when they were allowed to return to the ship, they brought an account of a fortress which had six or seven walls, of aqueducts, of stone houses, and of vessels of silver and gold. Indeed, they had now arrived at a spot where they might form some estimate of Peruvian civilization. The valley of Pizarro Tumbez contained a town in which was a palace wonders of belonging to the reigning Inca, Huayna-Capac; there was also a temple dedicated to the sun; there were the sacred virgins; and there were beautiful gardens in which all kinds of plants and animals were kept. These latter are said to have given occasion to a miracle which had much repute "No se cansavan de mirarle, hazíanle labar para ver si se le quitava la tinta negra, y el lo hazia de buéna gana, riendose, y mostrando sus dientes blancos."-HERRERA, dec. 3, lib. 10, cap. 5. hears of the Tumbez. 452 Pedro de Candia exposed to Wild Beasts. B. XVI. in those times. Pizarro wished to test Molina's Ch. 1. account of what he had seen, and consented that Pedro de Candia, a large man of noble presence, should go and see the town. Clad in a coat of mail, with a brazen shield on his left arm, his sword in his belt, and in his right hand a wooden cross, the bold Greek stepped forth towards the town, "as if he had been the lord of the whole province." The people flocked to see him: never before had they seen a bearded man, or one with these strange accoutrements. Wishing, very judiciously, to ascertain the temper and quality of their new guest, they let loose two wild animals (a lion and a tiger they are called); but these animals, perhaps too well fed to attack any man, especially one clad in mail, made no attempt to molest him, and, as the story goes, he placed the cross on their backs, "thus giving those Gentiles to understand that the virtue of that sign took away the ferocity even of wild beasts." What effect it had hitherto had upon men, was not so clearly signified. Assured by the reception which the wild beasts had given to Pedro de Candia, the natives received him as a superior being, and conducted Pedro de him over the temple and the palace. The temple some of the was lined with plates of gold, and the palace contained every kind of vessel for use and ornament, made of the same precious metal. In the gardens were animals carved in gold. Pedro de Candia, having feasted his eyes with these splendours, returned to his companions. They now knew enough of the riches of Peru to satisfy the most incredulous; but they still persevered in going down the coast. They reached Collaque, where the town of San Candia sees riches of Peru. Reception of the Spaniards by the Natives. 453 Ch. I. Miguel was afterwards founded, and prosecuted B. XVI. their researches even as far as Puerto de Santa. Having reconnoitred thus far, they resolved to return to Panamá. In this region they were well received by the natives. Pizarro had the pru dence to ask for some young Indians to be given him, who might be taught the Castillian language. Two youths were accordingly brought to him, who were baptized, one being named Martin, the other Felipillo (little Philip), who afterwards became a celebrated and most mischievous in 454 B. XVI. terpreter. Return of Pizarro to Panamá. Pizarro and his companions were especially well received by an Indian lady near Reception Puerto de Santa. She did not even shrink from of the at the house of an Indian lady. The Spaniards coming on board their vessel for the purpose of inviting them to a feast, at which they were entertained with the greatest hospitality. After the banquet and the dance were over, Pizarro took occasion to deliver a religious and political discourse, in which he informed his entertainers of the nullity of their religion, the vainness of their sacrifices, and the obedience which it was necessary to pay to the King of Castille. polite Indians, who probably did not understand one single word uttered by the Spanish Captain, took a flag which he had given them, and waved it, no doubt in imitation of some gesture of his, three times over their heads. This, I believe, was held to be an acknowledgment of subjection to the Emperor, though the Indians themselves, we may venture to say, were entirely guiltless of any such meaning. The Spaniards returned to their boat, the only misadventure being that one of their company, whose brain had most likely been affected by the hardships he had undergone, went mad for love of the Indian lady. The gallant company then made their way back to returns to Panamá, freighted with great news; and we 1527. need not doubt that the little world there, unless it were very different from other parts of the world, gave full honours to success, and omitted now to add the injurious name of loco, when they saw any of the three associates in the streets. Pizarro Panamá. This was at the end of the year 1527. |