He was a
soldier himself, and partook in all the feelings of the soldier,
his joys, his hopes, and his disappointments. He was not raised
by rank and education above sympathy with the humblest of his
followers. Every chord in their bosoms vibrated with the same
pulsations as his own, and the conviction of this gave him a
mastery over them. "Lead on," they shouted, as he finished his
brief but animating address, "lead on wherever you think best.
We will follow with good-will, and you shall see that we can do
our duty in the cause of God and the King!" *23 There was no
longer hesitation. All thoughts were now bent on the instant
passage of the Cordilleras.
[Footnote 23: 'Todos digeron que fuese por el Camino que quisiese
i viese que mas convenia, que todos le seguirian con buena
voluntad e obra al tiempo del efecto, y veria lo que cada uno de
ellos haria en servicio de Dios e de su Magestad." Ibid., Ms,
loc. cit.]
Chapter IV
Severe Passage Of The Andes. - Embassies From Atahuallpa. - The
Spaniards Reach Caxamalca. - Embassy To The Inca. - Interview
With The Inca. - Despondency Of The Spaniards
1532.
That night Pizarro held a council of his principal officers, and
it was determined that he should lead the advance, consisting of
forty horse and sixty foot, and reconnoitre the ground; while the
rest of the company, under his brother Hernando, should occupy
their present position till they received further orders.
At early dawn the Spanish general and his detachment were under
arms, and prepared to breast the difficulties of the sierra.
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