Nexus - 0211 - New Times Magazine-pages

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-_._._._._. TREASURE OF THE SAN ANDREAS (cid:1) Continued from page 41 arms, shouted at them to desist on pain of The tragic fate of Peru was now settled. in the open, they fled in all directions" but death. "Let no man who values his me, A mere handful of Spaniards had tri even these poor runaways did' not elude strike 'the Inca!" A sword, already upUft umphed. the Spaniards for long. The cavalrymen, ed, descended, and the Pizarro received a Atahualpa, deprived of his former striking their iron heels into their chargers, wound on the hand. It was a minor grandeur, but free to enjoy the attentions leaped through the gaping hole, and gave wound, and it was the only casualty the of his household and wives, and certain chase, until all were overtaken and killed. Spaniards experienced throughout the late other privileges befitting his high rank, Meanwhile the despairing Indian nobles, afternoon of unmitigated savagery. continued to hold court in miniature. His in trying to protect their beloved Inca, put Indeed, the unprovoked assault on the five visitors were allowed to come and gu, and themselves in front of the Spaniards, or, at these kept him well informed of events. to six 'thousand defenceless Indians was least, offered themselves as easy targets to From them he learned how the Spaniards exceptionally ferocious, because it took be slain by tbeir weapons. Some of the had ransacked the temples and palaces Ito only half an hour to butcher every single nobles, struck down, but not killed, clawed gain possession of enormous plunder. II one of them. "The Inca will, at all times," their way out from under the dead and was very evident from these reports that said Pizarro, "be treated with the utmost dying to an ,unsteady footing on the slip the strangers had an insatiable desire for respect." pery blood soaked ground, and again took gold. Could' their avarice be us-ed to He took the white scarf from around his their places by the palanquin of their mas secure his freedom? One day, when neck and, wrapping it around his wounded ter. With their dying gasps, they clung to Pizlif'FO came to !his quarters, Atahualpa hand, wiped the blade of his sword clean the horses, or to the legs of the Spanish made him a fantastic proposal. "Set me on it. "Is that understood by all of you?" soldiers. Soon their rapidly dwindling free," he said, abruptly, "and I will cover When no one answered, he sheathed his numbers could no longer withhold ,the the floor of this room with gold." sword. Atahualpa was then taken a pris cruel onslaught, and their last de$perate Those Spaniards present stared in oner to the fortress. struggles were swiftly brought to an end. amazement, for the room was about 17 Now only the Inca, Atahualpa, was left When the ghastly tidings of what had feet wide, by 22 feet long. Taking in the alive, and some of the Spanish cavaliers happened in the plaza re.ached 'the Inca size of the room, Pizarro silently wanted to kill him too, but Pizarro jumped camp, the army of Atahualpa took fright expressed his doubt by slowly shaking his in front of them and, stretching out his and dissolved overnight. head. Not all the gold in the world could