ier, with his terrible yet romantic tale with its
infinite possibilities, was received with astonishing cordiality. He
gained a royal commission to discover and conquer the empire of Peru
for Spain for the distance of two hundred leagues south of the Santiago
River, and received the title of Governor and Captain-General with
large powers and revenue appertaining, which it was easy for the crown
to bestow since Pizarro had to get them himself.

Almagro, who justly felt himself slighted and his services inadequately
valued, was made Governor of Tumbez; Luque was appointed Bishop for the
same place and Protector of the Peruvians; Ruiz was named Grand Pilot
of the Southern Ocean; De Candia, a General of Artillery; and every one
of the thirteen who had crossed the line at Gallo was ennobled and made
an Hidalgo of Spain.

Then Pizarro went back to Trujillo. Certainly it must have been a
happy moment for the neglected {67} bastard who had been a swineherd to
return to his native village under such enviable conditions. He set
sail for America early in 1530, with three ships. His four brothers
came with him, the able Hernando being made second in command. Almagro
and Luque were very much chagrined at the meagre reward that had fallen
to them, and Almagro looked with deep antagonism upon the advent of the
Pizarros, who, he realized instinctively, would undermine his influence
with his partner. This hatred the new Pizarros repaid in kind. Some
sort of peace, however, was patched up between them, and in January,
1531, with three small ships and one hundred and eighty-three men,
including thirty-seven horses, Francisco set forth on his final voyage
of conquest.

Nearly seven years had elapsed since the first attempt was made. As
yet they had little but empty titles, large powers, purely potential,
however, and drained purses to show for their heroic endeavor, but the
persistence of Pizarro was about to triumph at last. After a voyage of
thirteen days, the squadron arrived at San Mateo, where the horses and
soldiers were landed and ordered to march along the shore southward,
while the ships were sent back for reenforcements which Almagro was
gathering as usual. They returned with thirty more men and thirty-six
additional horses. Arriving at the Gulf of Guayaquil, Pizarro
established himself on the island of Puna, opposite Tumbez, which he
cleared of its inhabitants by a series of desperate battles. There he
was reenfor