Pizarro
and the other conquerors refused to give it up. Finally, the quarrels
that ensued were composed by presenting Almagro and his followers
certain sums, large in themselves though trifling in comparison with
what Pizarro's men had received. Almagro's men were also given to
understand that they could move on to the southwest at some convenient
season and conquer another empire and take all they could for
themselves. Unfortunately for them, there were no more empires like
Peru on this or any other side of the world left them to conquer.

Hernando Pizarro was then dispatched to Spain to deliver the royal
fifth to Charles, to give an account of the fortunes of the conquerors
and to secure what further rewards and privileges he could for them.
Atahualpa saw him leave with the greatest regret. He was a man of
fierce, stern, implacable disposition, {89} not a lovely character,
according to any of the chroniclers, but he seems to have been fairer,
and in his own way he had treated the unfortunate monarch better, than
any of the others, unless it was De Soto. Possibly Hernando might have
restrained his brother from the last infamy he was about to perpetrate
if he had been there. Certainly De Soto would have sought to dissuade
him. Pizarro realized this and got rid of De Soto by sending him away
to investigate as to the truth of rumors that Atahualpa was conspiring
to obtain his freedom. I have no doubt that he was so conspiring. I
hope so, for if he was, it was about the only manly thing that he did.
While De Soto was away, at the instigation of the soldiers, Pizarro
with seeming reluctance, allowed Atahualpa to be brought to trial. I
have no doubt that Pizarro instigated the soldiers himself. He was
adroit enough to do it, and he would have no scruples whatever to deter
him.

The Inca was tried on twelve charges, among which were included
accusations that he had usurped the crown, and given its prerogatives
to his friends (instead of to the Spaniards!). He was charged with
being an idolator, an adulterer and a polygamist, and finally it was
urged that he had endeavored to incite an insurrection against the
Spaniards. Such accusations came with a peculiarly bad grace from the
conquerors. The whole thing, charges and all, would have been a farce
had it not been for the certain grim and terrible outcome.

Felippo, the Infamous, was the only interpreter. He had made love to
one of the Inca's wives, whom the