Pizarro and Almagro perceived that their and Gorgona’s forces were not sufficient to defeat so superior an enemy, and at a conference to which the officers had been summoned, the others insisted on returning to Panama. But Almagro strongly objected to abandoning the enterprise, urged Pizarro to remain with the party and wait until he had gone to Panama to procure reinforcements. But now Pizarro also seemed to get what he needed, he by no means wanted to stay forever in this wild country in the middle of the moors and forests, while Almagro spent his time happily traveling. There was a fight, but the pilot Ruiz and the treasurer Ribeira got the brothers in arms to reconcile. Almagro’s offer was agreed to, but since the population of the region was so warlike, Pizarro sailed to the island of Gallo to wait. However, the soldiers were not going to agree to that, for the island was almost deserted, but they wrote letters to Panama to ask for help. Although Almagro stole the letters, the disaffected managed to send a letter to the governor among the things, in which they described the miserable condition of those left on the island and asked for help. The governor, angered by this information, immediately sent two ships to demand that Pizarro return, as his enterprise was hopeless and costing lives. But on the same ship Almagro received a letter of encouragement in which he urged Pizarro to hold out until help came. And even though it was possible to starve on the island, Pizarro decided to follow the call. Before his troops got to the ship, he drew a line running from east to west with his sword and shouted to his men: »Here, to the south, is Peru with its treasures, on the other side is Panama and poverty. Take your pick. I’m going south!” Then he crossed the line. He was followed by the pilot Ruiz and in addition only 12 men. Their names became famous because their courage decided the fate of Pizarro and Peru. At work, it was hardly possible to get emergency food supplies from the ships, but Ruiz left for Panama to rush help. Pizarro, with his small force, retreated about ten feet north to the uninhabited island of Gorgona, which was larger and had more food both in the water and on land. There was a forest on the island and pheasants and hares in the forest, which provided food. There was also enough water, huts were built to protect against heavy rains. But there was also a lot of opposition to poisonous insects there. Pizarro tried by all means to keep his men’s spirits up. Every morning there was a public prayer and in the evening a hymn was sung in honor of the Virgin. Pizarro generally tried to give the enterprise a religious stamp, in order to make his rough masses trust in the protection of heaven.
For months, from this island they watched the surface of the sea, from where help was supposed to come. But for a long time they watched in vain, they had to wait until they were bored. The governor of Panama was very angry at Pizarro’s snubbing. In the end, however, he was inclined to give the ship, but on the express condition that no more people be taken on board than was necessary for sailing, and that Pizarro himself would arrive after six months to report on his enterprise. Almagro and Luque, after receiving permission through the rush, equipped the ship, took weapons and ammunition and left. Pizarro and his companions had to wait seven months. Even though he was very upset when he couldn’t get help, he happily used the opportunity to continue exploring the country. Through Kiriumma we left »hell», which name the island had received, in spite of diligent devotional exercises, and the pilot Ruiz, who commanded the ship, headed towards Tumbez, according to the indications of the Indians. Although the wind and sea current were almost always against us, the weather was otherwise favorable. After sailing past Pasado’s cape, unknown waters began that even Ruiz had never been to. The coast became shallower and began to have sandbars. Other regions, on the other hand, were extremely fertile and lovely, and the white houses of the inhabitants shone along the dense coastline. After twenty days on the journey, we landed in the lovely bay of Guayaquil. There were many villages and towns along the coast, although the fertile strip was narrow, as the Andean ridges pass close by the bay. Delighted by the country’s beauty and good cultivation, the Spaniards anchored at the mouth of Tumbez Bay under the protection of Santa Clara Island. The island was uninhabited, but the inhabitants of the nearby Puna island used to come there to make sacrifices.
Tumbez.
The next day they landed across the bay to Tumbez, which, with its stone and mud houses, was in the middle of a well-watered vegetable meadow. Soon, Tumbez’s “balsas” arrived at the ship, which were full of soldiers going on the Red expedition. The captains were invited to come on board, and in wonder they looked at everything, wondering especially when they met their countrymen on board. These told their story and described the Spaniards as miraculous beings, demigods (huiracalchas) who had not come with any evil intentions, but only to get to know the country and its inhabitants. The residents of Tumbez had gathered on the beach and marveled at the floating castle anchored in the bay. They were excited to hear the stories of their countrymen, and the chief of the area, or kuraka, on the spot decided that the whites were superior beings, who had to be served. Several balsa arrived at the ship, which, according to Pizarro’s request, brought bananas, pisangs, yucca, corn, sweet potatoes, pineapple, cocoa beans and other products of the Tumbez valley. Game and fish were also brought, and some live llamas, which Pizarro now saw for the first time. Then an Inca chief arrived on the ship, who happened to be in Tumbez, and who from the Spaniards got the name “Orejon” because of the huge rings he wore in his ears. Pizarro treated him with great consideration, showed him all the places of his ship, and plainly announced that he had come to usurp the land from his sovereign, as it belonged to him by right, and at the same time to spread the true religion, because an evil spirit was served here. The Indian chief listened attentively, but answered nothing; it seemed very difficult for him to conceive that there should be a greater ruler on earth than the Inca, the son of the sun. Ylymys ate dinner on board and praised the food and especially the wine, which he thought was much better than the fermented drinks at home. Of the gifts that Pizarro gave him, in his opinion the steel flint was the most valuable, since iron was as unknown in Peru as it was in Mexico.
The next day, Pizarro sent Alonso de Molina and a negro taken from Panama ashore to present a pig and a rooster with chickens to the Kuraka: both were unknown animals in the New World. When Molina returned in the evening, he knew how to tell his godfather about what he had seen. A lot of people had immediately gathered around him, who couldn’t stop marveling at his skin color and long beard. The women in particular had been curious and Molina, on the other hand, was in awe of their sweetness and pleasant behavior. They asked him to stay with them and promised to give him a beautiful wife. But they wondered just as much at the black complexion of his companion, and would not believe that it was natural, but tried to rub it off with their hands. When the nigger laughed, so that his white teeth shone, so they too laughed impossibly. They also wondered a lot about the animals, and when the rooster crowed, they clapped their hands together and asked what it said. Kuraka received Molina in his magnificent home, with guards at the door and dishes of gold and silver. Then he was shown the city, and especially the temple, whose abundance of gold and silver Molina extolled in such lavish terms, that Pizarro did not believe it, but the next day promised to send a wiser and more reliable scout. So he sent Pedro de Candia ashore the next day, dressed in full armour, sword on his hip, hook gun on his shoulder. The Indians were even more amazed at him, as the sun glinted off his shiny steel suit. Candia was asked to let her shotgun speak to them, since so much had been said about it. The knight set the board as the target and aimed accurately; the bang, the smoke and the bullet hitting the board startled those present, some fell to the ground and covered their eyes with their hands, others approached the knight in fear, but soon calmed down when they saw his smiling form. Candia was treated as hospitably as Molina, and was equally delighted with his account of the city, which was protected by triple walls. He had once noticed the temple covered with gold and silver plates. Next to it was a monastery where the brides assigned to the Inca were kept, and these had been very curious to see her. The monastery’s garden had been full of fruit images made of gold and silver, which he had seen artisans tinkering with. Tumbez was one of the Inca’s imaginary cities: it was right on the border of Peru, near the territory of conquered Quito. The Incas had built its stately public buildings. Many aqueducts brought it plenty of water, the sea and the lakes provided all kinds of necessities. After the conquest of Peru, not many decades passed before everything was in ruins.
The Spaniards immediately became drunk with joy when they heard this news. Pizarro thanked Kaitselmus, who at last had led him to the destination of his wishes; but at the same time he was very bitter at having lost his troops. After saying goodbye to the people of Tumbez and promising to return soon, he set sail even further south. The inhabitants of that side had already heard of these strange visitors and came with balsa to greet them, bringing fruits, fish and vegetables. The shore deviated to the east, the storm forced Ruiz to land a little further out, but even though the shore disappeared, the lines of the Andes were still visible all the time. We only visited the most prominent capes, and everywhere the residents welcomed us with the same hospitality. They came out, Balsas full of provisions, to look at the “children of the sun”, whose skin was so beautiful, their costumes shining, who had thunder hammers in their hands. Besides, it was widely known how kindly and benevolently they had behaved. Pizarro was still too weak, he didn’t show his true nature yet. Everywhere he heard stories about Inca and its riches and powers. And with their own eyes they saw that there could be some truth in this information; they also saw the famous highways of the Incas. Having reached the 9th latitude at the beautiful port of Santa, surrounded by a wide expanse of dry sands, Pizarro at last turned for the return journey, passing by the same ports he had visited on the outward journey. He had promised on his return to see a noble Indian woman, and had hardly anchored off the village, when that woman with a large party arrived on board. Pizarro received him with great respect and presented him with all kinds of toys. The next day Pizarro went on a return visit, and hostages were sent from the village to the ship for the time he remained on land, although he had expressly said, when asked, that it was unnecessary. On the land, gazebos made of lush leaves were built for the reception, and fragrant flowers and herbs were wrapped in them. The table was abundantly filled with all kinds of food that Peru knew how to prepare, and the most delicious fruits, the names and properties of which were unknown to the Spanish. After the meal was eaten, the young men and girls entertained the guests with music and caroling. Pizarro finally explained the purpose of his journey and gave his mistress the Castilian flag, asking him to set it up as a make-up of submission. The Indians did it with the greatest pleasure, always laughing, and Pizarro was well pleased with these apparent hours of subservience, and returned from the feast in good spirits back to the ship. Tumbez was also stopped on the way back, and a couple of his men asked to stay and live there; another of them was Alonso de Molina. Pizarro gladly agreed to the request, because in this way they got to know the people and the country and could be of good help in the future. Instead of them, he took a couple of Peruvians on board to learn the Castilian language. and a couple of his men asked to stay there and live; another of them was Alonso de Molina. Pizarro gladly agreed to the request, because in this way they got to know the people and the country and could be of good help in the future. Instead of them, he took a couple of Peruvians on board to learn the Castilian language. and a couple of his men asked to stay there and live; another of them was Alonso de Molina. Pizarro gladly agreed to the request, because in this way they got to know the people and the country and could be of good help in the future. Instead of them, he took a couple of Peruvians on board to learn the Castilian language.
Pizarro’s Treaty with the Spanish Crown.
After an eighteen-month journey, the ship returned to Panama, where its arrival attracted great attention, although not everyone believed in the travelers’ beautiful stories. The governor, Pedro de los Rios, in particular, was incredulous, and he refused to further the triumvirate’s intentions in any way. Luque then suggested that we turn directly to the crown, and that suggestion was a saving grace. The credit of his friends had decreased so little that they did not want to collect enough travel money for Pizarro so that he could appear at court. Taking with him a map which Ruiz had drawn of the new country, he left Panama in the spring of 1528, but was immediately captured in Seville by Enciso, in whose expedition he had accompanied him, and who owed him money. However, the government had already received information about the purpose of the trip and ordered to set him free. The moment was suitable for him, because Charles V had recently defeated and captured the king of France in the battle of Pavia and had thus escaped his worst external enemy. In addition, through the exploits of Cortes, public attention had become even more attached to these overseas companies and they hoped for an even better catch. Pizarro met Charles V in Toledo. showed the gold jewelry he had brought, other products from Peru and a couple of llamas, which attracted a lot of attention due to their strangeness. Charles V was greatly charmed by Pizarro’s account of his adventures and of the land he had discovered and now promised to conquer. He was moved to tears as Pizarro described his own and his comrades’ suffering on the deserted island. The gold wealth of the land attracted his special attention, and with the best recommendations he submitted Pizarro’s proposal to the Council of the Indies. The decision was favorable in all respects. Francisco Pizarro was appointed governor of Peru, Almagro commander of Tumbez and Luque bishop of Tumbez. Ruiz again as pilot over the South Sea. They were each supposed to receive generous annual salaries from Peru’s income. The twelve loyal men who had stayed with Pizarro on Gorgona Island were all elevated to hidalgos, i.e. nobles. Pizarro received a coat of arms. In order to promote the company, the government, apart from its official protection, gave ammunition and cannons, the other equipment was to be acquired by Pizarro and his companions. At the same time, Pizarro was completely freed from the command of the governor of Panama. He thus finally got his hands free. Francisco Pizarro was appointed governor of Peru, Almagro commander of Tumbez and Luque bishop of Tumbez. Ruiz again as pilot over the South Sea. They were each supposed to receive generous annual salaries from Peru’s income. The twelve loyal men who had stayed with Pizarro on Gorgona Island were all elevated to hidalgos, i.e. nobles. Pizarro received a coat of arms. In order to promote the company, the government, apart from its official protection, gave ammunition and cannons, the other equipment was to be acquired by Pizarro and his companions. At the same time, Pizarro was completely freed from the command of the governor of Panama. He thus finally got his hands free. Francisco Pizarro was appointed governor of Peru, Almagro commander of Tumbez and Luque bishop of Tumbez. Ruiz again as pilot over the South Sea. They were each supposed to receive generous annual salaries from Peru’s income. The twelve loyal men who had stayed with Pizarro on Gorgona Island were all elevated to hidalgos, i.e. nobles. Pizarro received a coat of arms. In order to promote the company, the government, apart from its official protection, gave ammunition and cannons, the other equipment was to be acquired by Pizarro and his companions. At the same time, Pizarro was completely freed from the command of the governor of Panama. He thus finally got his hands free. who had stayed with Pizarro on the island of Gorgona, were all elevated to hidalgos, i.e. nobles. Pizarro received a coat of arms. In order to promote the company, the government, apart from its official protection, gave ammunition and cannons, the other equipment was to be acquired by Pizarro and his companions. At the same time, Pizarro was completely freed from the command of the governor of Panama. He thus finally got his hands free. who had stayed with Pizarro on the island of Gorgona, were all elevated to hidalgos, i.e. nobles. Pizarro received a coat of arms. In order to promote the company, the government, apart from its official protection, gave ammunition and cannons, the other equipment was to be acquired by Pizarro and his companions. At the same time, Pizarro was completely freed from the command of the governor of Panama. He thus finally got his hands free.
But at the same time, the charter obliged Pizarro to acquire at least 250 men for the company, of which only 100 could be taken from the colonies. And this condition was difficult for him to fulfill, even though he got help from Cortes, who was in Spain at the time. Fearing that the company would be shipwrecked because of this, he set out secretly from the port of San Lucar, at the mouth of the Guadalquivir, in January 1530, albeit with insufficient strength. A little later his brothers Hernando, Juan, Gonzalo and Martinez de Alcantara left, and all joined at Gomera in the Canary Islands. Together we then sailed across the sea to Panama. Almagro and Luque were very dissatisfied with the new interim book, as their position was determined to be completely secondary. Pizarro blamed the Spanish government, but could not convince his partners of the honesty of his own intentions.
Third trip.
They left Panama in January 1531 with three ships with 180 men and 37 horses.
Headwinds slowed down the journey. On the northern border of present-day Ecuador, they went ashore and conquered a city, where a lot of gold, silver and emeralds were obtained. A fifth of the booty was assigned to the crown, the rest was divided among the hikers according to each value. Pizarro also sent a considerable amount to Panama, to attract more people. A few dozen men came from there, but more were needed. Pizarro left for Puna Island in the Bay of Guayaquil to wait for more people. At first, they lived in good harmony with the inhabitants of Puna, until the inhabitants of Tumbez, on the opposite side of the mainland, who were at odds with the Puna people, made Pizarro believe that they intended to attack him and destroy all the Spaniards. Like Cortes in Cholula, Pizarro also decided to set the record straight before. The leaders of Puna were captured and executed. The populace, enraged by it, made a great attack, but were defeated. Soon after, an additional force of 100 men arrived, lured by the distinguished knight Hernando de Soto, enamored of the emeralds sent to Panama. With reinforced forces, Pizarro left for Tumbez. This city would probably have been looted by now, as the adventurers’ hunger for gold grew more and more, Kuta more time passed, but in the meantime it had lost its treasure, according to the Kuraka’s explanation, through the invasion of the Puna barbarian tribes. However, this was definitely not to be trusted, as the people of Tumbez seemed to have fled the Spaniards and, having heard of their robberies further north, might have hidden their treasure. Some returned after Pizarro’s reassuring assurances. They were asked which had become the fate of Alonso de Molina and the other knight who remained with them, but answers were evasive. Others said that they died of a contagious disease, others that they were killed while harassing Indian women. Better information about their fate was never obtained.
