14 



INTRODUCTORY. 



Monteverde. I had him cut in pieces, as was just ; for, believe me, 

 signor, wherever I am, people live according to the law. 



"In the year 1559 the Marquis of Canete sent to the Amazon Pedro 

 de Ursoa, a Navarrese, or rather a Frenchman. We sailed on the 

 largest rivers of Peru till we came to a gulf of fresh water. We had 

 already gone 300 leagues, when we killed that bad and ambitious 

 captain. We chose a Cavallero of Seville, Fernando de Guzman, for 

 king; and we swore fealty to him, as is done to thyself. I was 

 named quartermaster general; and, because I did not consent to all 

 his will, he wanted to kill me. But I killed this new king, the captain 

 of his guards, his lieutenant general, his chaplain, a woman, a knight 

 of the order of Rhodes, two ensigns, and five or six domestics of the 

 pretended king. I then resolved to punish thy ministers and thy 

 auditors. I named captains and sergeants. These again wanted to 

 kill me ; but I had them all hanged. In the midst of these adventures 

 we navigated eleven months, till we reached the mouth of the river. 

 We sailed more than 1,500 leagues. God knows how we got through 

 that great mass of water. I advise thee, great king, never to send 

 Spanish fleets into that cursed river." 



The following story, from the " Viagero Universal" of Ulloa. shows 

 his barbarity in yet more revolting colors. It appears that in all his 

 marches he carried with him a favorite daughter. When defeated 

 and surrounded, so that escape was impossible, he called this lady, and 

 addressing her, said : " I had hoped to make thee a queen. This now is 

 impossible. I cannot bear that you should live to be pointed at as the 

 child of a traitor and a felon. Thou must prepare for death at my 

 hands." She requested a few minutes for prayer, which was granted ; 

 but her father, thinking she was too long at her devotions, fired upon 

 her whilst on her knees. The unfortunate lady staggered towards him ; 

 but taking her by the hand as she approached, the villain plunged his 

 knife into her bosom, and she sank at his feet, murmuring "Basta 

 Padre Mio" — It is enough, my father. 



It is not to be expected that information of an exact and scientific 

 character could be had from the voyages of adventurers like these. 

 They were mere soldiers, and too much occupied in difficulties of travel, 

 conflicts with Indians, ambitious designs, and internal dissentions, to 

 make any notes of the topography or productions of the countries they 

 passed through. 



But a task that had baffled the ambition and power of the Incas and 

 love of gold, backed by the indomitable spirit and courage of the hardy 

 Spanish soldier, was now to be undertaken by men who were urged on 



