But mine," he concluded, pointing to his Deity, - then,
alas! sinking in glory behind the mountains, - "my God still
lives in the heavens, and looks down on his children." *18
[Footnote 18: See Appendix, No. 8, where the reader will find
extracts in the original from several contemporary Mss., relating
to the capture of Atahuallpa.]
He then demanded of Valverde by what authority he had said these
things. The friar pointed to the book which he held, as his
authority. Atahuallpa, taking it, turned over the pages a
moment, then, as the insult he had received probably flashed
across his mind, he threw it down with vehemence, and exclaimed,
- "Tell your comrades that they shall give me 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." *19
[Footnote 19: Some accounts describe him as taxing the Spaniards
in much more unqualified terms. (See Appendix, No. 8.) but
language is not likely to be accurately reported in such seasons
of excitement. - According to some authorities, Atahuallpa let
the volume drop by accident. (Montesinos, Annales, Ms., ano
1533. - Balboa, Hist. du Perou, chap. 22.) But the testimony, as
far as we have it, of those present, concurs in representing it
as stated in the text. And, if he spoke with the heat imputed to
him, this act would only be in keeping.]
The friar, greatly scandalized by the indignity offered to the
sacred volume, stayed only to pick it up, and, hastening to
Pizarro, informed him of what had been done, exclaiming, at the
same time, - "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.
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