ro's
conquests, he turned in the direction of Quito a large fleet which he
had intended for the Spice Islands. The Governor was much disturbed by
the news of his landing, but as matters turned out he need not have
been, for Alvarado, having set out to cross the sierra in the direction
of Quito, was deserted in the midst of the snowy passes by his Indian
guide. His unhappy followers, fresh from the warm climate of Guatemala,
were perished with the cold, and still further distressed by suffocating
clouds of dust and ashes from the volcano of Cotopaxi. After days of
incredible suffering they emerged at last, but leaving behind them at
least a fourth of their number, beside two thousand Indians, who had
died of cold and hunger. When, after all, he did reach Quito, he found
it in the hands of Benalcazah, a cavalier who had been left by Pizarro
at San Miguel, and who had deserted his post in order to take possession
of Quito, tempted by the reports of the treasure it contained, which,
however, he failed to find. Almagro, too, had reached the city before
Alvarado got there; moreover, his men had heard so much of the riches of
Cuzco that they were inclined to desert him and join Pizarro. On the
whole, Alvarado judged it expedient to give up all claim to Quito, and
for a sum of money which, though large, did not cover his expenses, to
hand over to the Governor his fleet, forces, stores, and munitions. This
being settled, he went to Pachacamac to meet Pizarro, who had left his
brother Juan in charge of Cuzco, and was inspecting the defences of the
coast. There being now no question of rivalry, the two cavaliers met in
all courtesy, and Alvarado was hospitably entertained by the Governor,
after which he sailed for Guatemala. Peru might now in a manner be
considered as conquered; some of the tribes in the interior still held
out, but an able officer had been told off to subdue them. Quito and
Cuzco had submitted, the army of Atahuallpa had been beaten and
dispersed, the Inca was the mere shadow of a king, ruled by the
conqueror.

The Governor now turned his attention to building a city which should be
the capital of this new colonial empire. Cuzco lay too far inland, San
Miguel too far to the north. Pizarro fixed upon a spot near the mouth of
a wide river which flowed through the Valley of Rimac, and here soon
arose what was then called the 'City of the Kings,' but is now known as
Lima. Meanwhile, Hernando Pizarro returned to Casti