Besides, In Proof That They Both
Deserved The Praise Of Liberality, They Were Both During Their Lives
Prodigiously Rich In
Ready money and vast revenues, beyond any person or
prince not sovereign who had been known for many ages; yet
Both died so
poor that no mention is made of the treasures or estates left by them; so
that hardly at their deaths was there sufficient to defray the expences of
their funerals; resembling in that respect Cato and Sylla and some other
famous Romans, who were buried at the public charge.
Both were exceedingly kind to their servants and dependents, whom on all
occasions they delighted to enrich and advance, and to rescue from dangers.
In this last particular the marquis carried his attentions even to excess,
as appears by the following instance. In passing a river called the
Baranca, one of his Indian servants, of the Yanaconas tribe, was carried
away by the strength of the current, on which the marquis plunged into the
stream and swam after him, catching him by the hair, and saved him at the
imminent hazard of his own life, in so rapid a current that the bravest
and most vigorous man in his army durst hardly have made the attempt. When
his officers blamed him for his rashness in thus exposing his life, he
answered that none of them knew how to value a faithful servant. The
marquis enjoyed the authority of governor much longer in tranquillity than
Almagro; who, though he hardly enjoyed that authority at all, was more
ambitious, and evinced a more ardent desire of exercising command. Both
affected simplicity in dress, keeping to the same fashion in their old age
which they had been accustomed to in their youth. In particular, the
marquis used ordinarily to wear a close coat of black cloth, the wide
skirts of which came down almost to his ankles, while the body had a very
short waist and was closely fitted to his shape. His shoes were of white
leather, with a white or grey hat, and a plain sword and dagger in the old
fashion. Sometimes on festivals, by the entreaty of his servants, he wore
a robe of fine fur which had been sent him by the Marquis del Valle; but
immediately on his return from church he put it off, remaining in his
shirt or a plain jacket, with a napkin hanging from his neck to wipe away
sweat, as he usually passed most of the day when in peace in playing at
bowls or tennis.
Both Pizarro and Almagro were exceedingly patient of labour and fatigue,
and could submit better than most men to hunger and thirst and other
privations; but especially the marquis, who was so vigorous that few young
men were able to compete with him in his old days at athletic sports. The
marquis in general was more addicted to play than Almagro, insomuch that
he often spent whole days in playing at bowls, with any one that offered,
whether mariner or miller was all one; and he never allowed any man to
lift his bowl for him, or to use any ceremony whatever in respect to his
rank. He was so fond of play, that few affairs were of sufficient
importance to induce him to give over, especially when losing. But when
informed of any insurrection among the Indians, he would instantly lay
every thing aside, immediately bracing on his armour and seizing his lance
and target, would hasten to the place where the mutiny had risen, without
waiting for his people, who followed him with all expedition.
Both the marquis and the president were so brave and so experienced in the
manner of making war with the Indians, that either of them alone would
never hesitate when on horseback and armed to charge through a hundred
Indians. Both were extremely intelligent, sensible, and judicious, and
could take their measures both in civil and military affairs with great
promptitude and propriety; yet both were so extremely illiterate that
neither of them could read or write, or even sign their names; which
assuredly was a great defect, and exceedingly inconvenient in carrying on
the important affairs in which they were concerned; and although they in
every other respect appeared like persons of high birth, and deported
themselves like noblemen with much dignity and propriety, yet their entire
ignorance of letters was an evident demonstration of the meanness of their
birth. The marquis placed implicit confidence in his servants and friends,
insomuch that in all his dispatches and orders relative to the government,
and in the assignments of lands and Indians, he only made two lines with
the pen, between which Antonio Picado his secretary wrote his name,
Francisco Pizarro. As Ovid said of Romulus, respecting astronomy, we may
say of Pizarro that he was more learned in the art of war than in the
sciences, and applied himself more to know how to atchieve glorious
conquests than to acquire literature. Both were exceedingly affable and
familiar with the colonists, making them frequent visits, and they readily
accepted invitations to dinner from any one; yet both were extremely
moderate in eating and drinking; and both refrained from amorous
connection with Spanish women, on the principle that to intrigue with the
wives or daughters of their countrymen was both prejudicial and
dishonourable to their neighbours. Almagro was the most continent in
regard to the Peruvian women, as we know of no affairs of his gallantry in
that country, his only son being born of an Indian woman of Panama. But
the marquis had more than one attachment in Peru, having lived publickly
with a sister of Atahualpa, by whom he had a son named Don Gonzalo who
died at fourteen years of age, and a daughter named Donna Francisca. By
another Indian woman of Cuzco he had a son named Don Francisco[6].
Both Pizarro and Almagro received high rewards from his majesty for their
signal services; the former being created a marquis, with the authority of
governor of New Castille, and the order of St Jago.
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