256 



THREE YEARS IN THEf PACIFIC 



companion, Almagro, had returned from an unsuccessful expe- 

 dition to Chile, dissatisfaction and strife arose between the Pi- 

 zarros and Almagros. Civil war was the result, and a blOody 

 battle was fought at Salinas, and another on the river Amancay. 

 Almagro was taken prisoner in Cuzco, and sentenced to death 

 by Fernando Pizarro, the brother of the marques, on the charge 

 of having concerted, with Manco Inca, plans of a rebellious 

 nature; of having entered Cuzco under arms; and of having 

 slain several Spaniards. Almagro entreated to be allowed to 

 die in prison, and urged his petition, by reminding his unre- 

 lenting judge, that he had never shed the blood of one of Pi- 

 zarro's friends, though many of them had been in his power; 

 and that he had been the principal instrument in elevating the 

 marques to the pinnacle of earthly glory and honor. In conclu- 

 sion, he said ; <^ Behold me, an old, emaciated, gouty man — let 

 me pass in prison the few days of life that may yet remain, 

 to weep for you and for my sins !" His appeal, Garcilaso tells 

 us, " would have moved a heart of steel ; but Fernando Pizarro 

 was firm to his purpose, because he feared the vengeance of 

 Almagro, if he escaped, and moreover, he had received instruc- 

 tions from the marques." 



Almagro was hung in prison, and afterwards publicly be- 

 headed in the plaza at Cuzco, in 1538. 



Almagro left a son named Don Diego, begotten of an Indian 

 woman. With a number of his friends, he was sent to Lima, 

 where they held meetings, and brooded over their sorrows, 

 for they were destitute of even the common necessaries of life. 

 They felt themselves entitled to a share of the wealth and 

 splendor which Pizarro was enjoying, because they had shared 

 in the dangers and toils which had gained them. The expedi- 

 tion to Chile had not been crowned with success. Their leader 

 had been sacrificed. They awaited impatiently the decision of 

 the king, on charges which had been forwarded, of the cruelty 

 and oppression of the Pizarros. They heard that Vaca de Cas- 

 tro, who had been appointed to investigate the causes of their 

 complaints, had arrived at Buenaventura, on his way to Lima. 

 It was said that Pizarro had sent a large sum of money to Pa- 

 nama, for the purpose of suborning this judge ; and in the event 



