登陆注册
5384600000175

第175章

Among the Indian prisoners was one of the Inca's wives, a young and beautiful woman, to whom he was said to be fondly attached. The governor ordered her to be stripped naked, bound to a tree, and, in presence of the camp, to be scourged with rods, and then shot to death with arrows. The wretched victim bore the execution of the sentence with surprising fortitude. She did not beg for mercy, where none was to be found. Not a complaint, scarcely a groan, escaped her under the infliction of these terrible torments. The iron Conquerors were amazed at this power of endurance in a delicate woman, and they expressed their admiration, while they condemned the cruelty of their commander,--in their hearts.26 Yet constancy under the most excruciating tortures that human cruelty can inflict is almost the universal characteristic of the American Indian.

Pizarro now prepared, as the most effectual means of checking these disorders among the natives, to establish settlements in the heart of the disaffected country. These settlements, which received the dignified name of cities, might be regarded in the light of military colonies. The houses were usually built of stone, to which were added the various public offices, and sometimes a fortress. A municipal corporation was organized. Settlers were invited by the distribution of large tracts of land in the neighborhood, with a stipulated number of Indian vassals to each.

The soldiers then gathered there, sometimes accompanied by their wives and families; for the women of Castile seem to have disdained the impediments of sex, in the ardor of conjugal attachment, or, it may be, of romantic adventure. A populous settlement rapidly grew up in the wilderness, affording protection to the surrounding territory, and furnishing a commercial depot for the country, and an armed force ready at all times to maintain public order.

Such a settlement was that now made at Guamanga, midway between Cuzco and Lima, which effectually answered its purpose by guarding the communications with the coast.27 Another town was founded in the mining district of Charcas, under the appropriate name of the Villa de la Plato, the "City of Silver." And Pizarro, as he journeyed by a circuitous route along the shores of the southern sea towards Lima, planted there the city of Arequipa, since arisen to such commercial celebrity.

Once more in his favorite capital of Lima, the governor found abundant occupation in attending to its municipal concerns, and in providing for the expansive growth of its population. Nor was he unmindful of the other rising settlements on the Pacific. He encouraged commerce with the remoter colonies north of Peru, and took measures for facilitating internal intercourse. He stimulated industry in all its branches, paying great attention to husbandry, and importing seeds of the different European grains, which he had the satisfaction, in a short time, to see thriving luxuriantly in a country where the variety of soil and climate afforded a home for almost every product.28 Above all, he promoted the working of the mines, which already began to make such returns, that the most common articles of life rose to exorbitant prices, while the precious metals themselves seemed the only things of little value. But they soon changed hands, and found their way to the mother-country, where they rose to their true level as they mingled with the general currency of Europe. The Spaniards found that they had at length reached the land of which they had been so long in search,--the land of gold and silver.

Emigrants came in greater numbers to the country, and, spreading over its surface, formed in the increasing population the most effectual barrier against the rightful owners of the soil.29Pizarro, strengthened by the arrival of fresh adventurers, now turned his attention to the remoter quarters of the country. Pedro de Valdivia was sent on his memorable expedition to Chili; and to his own brother Gonzalo the governor assigned the territory of Quito, with instructions to explore the unknown country towards the east, where, as report said, grew the cinnamon. As this chief, who had hitherto acted but a subordinate part in the Conquest, is henceforth to take the most conspicuous, it may be well to give some account of him.

Little is known of his early life, for he sprang from the same obscure origin with Francisco, and seems to have been as little indebted as his eider brother to the fostering care of his parents. He entered early on the career of a soldier; a career to which every man in that iron age, whether cavalier or vagabond, seems, if left to himself, to have most readily inclined. Here he soon distinguished himself by his skill in martial exercises, was an excellent horseman, and, when he came to the New World, was esteemed the best lance in Peru.30In talent and in expansion of views, he was inferior to his brothers.

Neither did he discover the same cool and crafty policy; but he was equally courageous, and in the execution of his measures quite as unscrupulous. He lied a handsome person, with open, engaging features, a free, soldier-like address, and a confiding temper, which endeared him to his followers. His spirit was high and adventurous, and, what was equally important, he could inspire others with the same spirit, and thus do much to insure the success of his enterprises. He was an excellent captain in guerilla warfare, an admirable leader in doubtful and difficult expeditions; but he had not the enlarged capacity for a great military chief, still less for a civil ruler. It was his misfortune to be called to fill both situations.

同类推荐
  • 离席

    离席

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 佛性论卷

    佛性论卷

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 舍利弗问经

    舍利弗问经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • Master Humphrey S Clock

    Master Humphrey S Clock

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 农说

    农说

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 教育孩子要懂心理学第二版

    教育孩子要懂心理学第二版

    在孩子的成长过程中,心理的发育和生理成长发育同等重要;在孩子不同的年龄阶段,都会有不同的心理特点和问题,学龄期的孩子更是步入了竞争的行列,他们需要有独立的心理、思维、行为,这时家长要做的是当他们取得成绩时表扬、肯定他;当他们失落时,家长要鼓励、支持他,而不是一味地保护或漫骂。爱的表达方式有很多,只要我们肯多花点时间,多用点心思,多点沟通,多点理解,相信我们的孩子一定能够健康茁壮地成长。
  • 奉旨离婚

    奉旨离婚

    本文已设置成五折半价,一次性订阅仅需1.93元!!********************************************还未从穿越中回过神来,便一道圣旨将丁宁和她那所谓的夫君给和离了!吖吖个呸的!离婚就离婚嘛!还和离!用的着搞的这么冠冕堂皇的!什么?昨晚才把她那什么XXOO了,今天她就成下堂妇了!还是顶着圣旨下堂的!奶奶你个大腿的!我操你祖宗十八代!这么一千零一夜的事情也让她丁宁给碰到了!她到底是好运还是倒霉!离就离,谁怕谁,乌龟怕铁锤!这个世界不会谁少了谁就停止转动的!不就是那什么少了一层膜嘛!她全当是419或是叫鸭了!她可是新新人类,怎么可能会为了那一层膜寻死觅活!什么?就那么一次就中奖了!老天爷,你不至于让我丁宁如此吧!瞎了你的狗眼了!刚指天对骂,却一阵晴空霹雳,吓的丁宁缩缩脖子,再也不敢骂老天瞎眼了!好吧,好吧,勉强接受肚子中这块突然之间多出来的肉吧!也省的她一个人在这鸟不拉屎,鸡不生蛋的地方无依无靠!至少还有一个唯一的亲人!什么!这个儿子不是那什么狗屁前夫的?她进门三年,那什么狗屁前夫根本就没碰过她?那那晚上她XX又OO的那混蛋是谁?吖吖个呸的!给她等着!最好别让她找到那个将她吃干抺尽却不负责任的拍拍屁股走的混蛋是谁!否则,哼哼!一定让你好看!不将你大卸八块,她就不叫丁宁!可是为什么,被大卸八块的不是他而是她?而且还是被把光了衣服在床上被红果果的卸成八块了!为毛她还似乎是心甘情愿的?这又是虾米情况?(一)清风阁内,某老鸨正满脸兴奋的数银票数到手抽筋。“柳清书!”某王爷咬牙切齿的声音传入她的耳中,随即只觉一阵风卷过,某王爷已然铁青着脸立于她面前“赶紧给本王回去,别在这里丢人现眼!”却见某老鸨以顺雷不及掩耳之势将那叠银票往胸前一塞,露出一抹盛开的桃花般的笑容“对不起,姑娘我是三草原则的忠实坚持者!”某王爷:……“哦,你一定不知道什么是三草,那姑娘我大发慈悲,告诉你吧!”于是侃侃而谈“所谓三草就是:兔子不吃窝边草,好马不吃回头草,天涯何处无芳草!所以,为了不防碍姑娘数银票寻芳草,请你无视我的存在,大门在那边,不送!”未了还很客气的补上一句“Thankyou!”只见某王爷面部肌肉狠抽。(二)“柳清书,本王最后再说一次,给本王回去!”某王爷狠狠的盯着那一脸欠抽的女人。
  • 废材小姐:我的皇妃是个偷儿

    废材小姐:我的皇妃是个偷儿

    “小子,扭过头给爷瞧瞧!”某女一只手摸着下巴,抖着一条腿。“何事?”男人转过身,摩擦着手里的剑!“呃……没事没事,您钱包掉了……”“哦?”男人挑眉,“你看着很……”眼熟。话未落,某女已经窜上树逃之夭夭……一个酷似高冷实则逗比的小偷,穿越未知的大陆打怪升级,废材的她却有一颗向上的心,还有一双欣赏美的火眼金睛,某女立志偷遍天下黄金美玉,享遍天下美人儿,但这是个金山与美人儿难以抉择的难题……
  • 大乘金刚髻珠菩萨修行分

    大乘金刚髻珠菩萨修行分

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 诗经(国学启蒙书系列)

    诗经(国学启蒙书系列)

    本书是我国最早的一部诗歌总集,收集和保存了古代诗歌305首,6首只存篇名而无诗文的“笙诗”。《诗经(国学启蒙书系列)》最初只称为《诗》或“诗三百”,到西汉时,被尊为儒家经典,才称为《诗经》。《诗经(国学启蒙书系列)》中,编者韩震等人采用活泼插图的表现方式,编选相关的精彩故事,融知识性与趣味性于一体,让青少年在诵读中轻松快乐地亲近《诗经》,更直观、真切地感受《诗经》的魅力,在阅读中积淀文化底蕴,培养良好道德品质,从而受益一生。
  • 名人传记丛书:安徒生

    名人传记丛书:安徒生

    名人传记丛书——安徒生——把生命献给了“未来一代”:“立足课本,超越课堂”,以提高中小学生的综合素质为目的,让中小学生从课内受益到课外,是一生的良师益友。
  • 羽翔幻舞

    羽翔幻舞

    一个人,两个兄弟,一群朋友!身死魂斗冥中王,弃灵胜魔灭魔灵!各大势利均与他有着千丝万缕的联系,在其中他不缺朋友,更有着数不清的劲敌!一路上,他哭过笑过,却始终坚定地向前走,从未停滞——他的名字,只是一个标杆!
  • 受益一生的哈佛情商课

    受益一生的哈佛情商课

    哈佛学者认为,情商是性格影响力的关键因素,无时无刻不在影响着人的方方面面。这一观念已成为哈佛人的共识。从哈佛大学毕业的学子无一不具有高情商的特质,他们正是凭借成熟的心智、超人的意志,从容地应对和处理人生、社会中的各种问题,取得了令人瞩目的成就,从而成为社会各领域的精英。
  • 异界那么大,我想去看看

    异界那么大,我想去看看

    欧罗巴大陆的一处街道上,冒险者匆匆,在忙着一天的生计,一个声音打破了平静。“瞧一瞧看一看啦,各种魔法书、技能书应有尽有,还有绝版小说,让你的实力更加强大,五金一本”夏尔蹲在路边,摊位上放着《五年高考三年模拟》《新东方四级词汇》《思想与政治》《异界那么大,我想去看看》等一系列书籍多伦多说卖假货是不道德的,不过看着兜里的金币,夏尔开心的笑了,这可是异界的书籍呢,再说了,知识就是力量,不对吗!
  • Barnaby Rudge

    Barnaby Rudge

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。