[Illustration: The cavalier displays his horsemanship before Atahuallpa]
One of the cavaliers who was mounted upon a fiery steed, seeing that
Atahuallpa looked at it with some interest, caused it to rear and
curvet, and then dashed out over the plain in a wild gallop, and
returning checked it in full career close beside the Inca. But the face
of Atahuallpa never for an instant lost its marble composure, though
several of his soldiers shrank back in manifest terror as the strange
creature passed them; and it is said that they paid dearly for their
timidity, as Atahuallpa caused them to be put to death for thus showing
fear in the presence of the strangers. Wine was now brought, and offered
to the Spaniards in golden goblets of extraordinary size, and then they
took their leave and rode gloomily back to Caxamalca. Pizarro alone was
not discouraged by the news they brought. He saw that matters had now
come to a climax, and determined upon making a bold stroke. To encounter
the Inca in the open field was manifestly impossible, but could his
person be secured when he entered the city with comparatively few of his
followers the rest might be intimidated, and all might yet be well. To
this end, therefore, he laid his plans. The building in which the
Spaniards were encamped occupied three sides of a square, and consisted
of spacious halls opening upon it with wide doors. In these halls the
general stationed his men, and there they were to remain under cover
till the Inca should have entered the square, when at a given signal,
the firing of a gun, they were to rush out uttering their battle-cries,
and, putting the Peruvians to the sword, possess themselves of the
person of Atahuallpa. After a quiet night and a careful inspection of
their arms and equipments, the Spaniards took up their respective
positions, but it was late in the day before a great stir was visible in
the Peruvian camp. The Inca sent word to Pizarro that he was coming
armed, as the Spaniards had come to him. To which the general replied
that, come as he might, he would be received as a friend and a brother.
At last the procession was seen approaching. First came a large body of
attendants, sweeping every particle of rubbish from the road. Then high
above the crowd the Inca appeared, carried in a gorgeous litter and
surrounded by his nobles, who wore such quantities of golden ornaments
that they blazed like the sun. The road was lined with Peruvian troops,
who also covered the level meadows as far as the eye could reach. When
the company had arrived within half a mile of the city gate Pizarro
observed with dismay that they halted, and seemed to be preparing to
encamp, and word was brought him that the Inca would enter the city on
the following morning. This was far from suiting the general's plans;
his men had been under arms since daylight, and to prolong the suspense
at this critical moment would he felt be fatal. He returned an answer,
therefore, to Atahuallpa, deprecating his change of purpose, and saying
that everything was provided for his entertainment and he expected him
that night to sup with him. This message turned the Inca from his
purpose, his tents were struck again, and the procession re-formed. Only
he sent Pizarro word that he should prefer to pass the night at
Caxamalca, and so would bring into the town with him only a few unarmed
men. It was near sunset when the Peruvians, chanting their triumphant
songs, entered the city gate. According to their different ranks their
robes were of various colours, some chequered in white and red, some
pure white, while the guards and attendants of the Inca were
distinguished by their gay blue uniform and the profusion of their
ornaments. Atahuallpa sat in an open litter, lined with the brilliantly
coloured plumes of tropical birds and studded with burnished plates of
gold and silver. His dress was far richer than on the preceding evening;
round his neck hung a collar of large and brilliant emeralds, and his
short hair was decorated with golden ornaments. He was at this time
about thirty years old, and was taller and stronger than most of his
countrymen. His head was large, and he might have been called handsome
but for his fierce and bloodshot eyes. His bearing was calm and
dignified, and he gazed upon the multitudes about him like one
accustomed to command. Not a Spaniard was to be seen as the procession,
in admirable order, entered the great square of the building that had
been assigned to them, and when the place was occupied by some six
thousand of his people Atahuallpa halted, and asked, 'Where are the
strangers?' Upon this Father Valverde, Pizarro's chaplain, came forward
Bible in hand, and proceeded to expound to him the doctrines of his
faith, declaring finally that the Pope had commissioned the Spanish
Emperor to conquer and convert the inhabitants of the western world, and
beseeching the Inca to embrace the Christian faith and acknowledge
himself a tributary of the Emperor Charles, who would aid and protect
him as a loyal vassal. The eyes of Atahuallpa flashed fire as he
answered: 'I will be no man's tributary; I am greater than any prince
upon earth. Your Emperor may be a great prince. I do not doubt it when I
see that he has sent his subjects so far across the waters, and I am
willing to hold him as a brother. As for the Pope of whom you speak, he
must be crazy to talk of giving away countries which do not belong to
him. For my faith, I will not change it. Your own God, you say, was put
to death by the very men whom he created, but mine'--and here he pointed
to the setting sun--'my god still lives in the heavens and looks down
upon his children.' He then demanded of Valverde by what authority he
had said these things. The friar pointed to the book he held. Atahuallpa
took it, looked at it for an instant, and then threw it violently down,
exclaiming: 'Tell your comrades they shall give an account of their
doings in my land. I will not go from here till they have made me full
satisfaction for all the wrongs they have committed.'
The friar thereupon rushed to Pizarro crying: 'Do you not see that while
we stand here wasting our breath in talking with this dog--full of pride
as he is--the fields are filling with Indians? Set on at once; I absolve
you.'
Pizarro saw that the hour had come. He waved a white scarf, the fatal
gun was fired, and from every opening the Spaniards poured into the
great square, sword in hand, shouting their old battle-cry, 'St. Jago,
and at them!' The Indians, unarmed, taken by surprise, stunned by the
noise of the artillery, and blinded with smoke, knew not which way to
fly. Nobles and soldiers were ruthlessly cut down, or trampled underfoot
by the horses, the entrance to the square was choked with the fallen
bodies of men, but the desperate struggles of the masses of natives
driven together by their fierce assailants actually broke down the wall
of clay and stone for a space of a hundred paces, through which the
wretched fugitives endeavoured to reach the open country, hotly pursued
by the cavalry and struck down in all directions.