d to Vasco Nunez, the king expressed his high sense of
his merits and services, and constituted him adelantado of the South
Sea, though subordinate to the general command of Pedrarias. That
governor, still envious of the renown of his rival, refused to confer on
him the powers belonging to his new office, and all that Vasco Nunez
could obtain was the recognition of the title. Still further to thwart
the honourable plans of the discoverer, he determined to explore, under
his own auspices, the pearl fisheries and islands discovered by Vasco
Nunez on the Pacific, and for this purpose fitted out an expedition
under the command of his own relative Morales; he sent with him,
however, Francisco Pizarro, who had accompanied Vasco Nunez on his first
expedition. These explorers were kindly received by the caciques, who
willingly gave them pearls for hatchets, beads, and hawks' bills, which
they valued much more. An incident occurred on their visit to Isla
Rica, which, connected with the future history of Pizarro, was
singularly interesting.

"Finding that pearls were so precious in the eyes of the
Spaniards, the cacique took Morales and Pizarro to the summit
of a wooden tower, commanding an unbounded prospect. 'Behold
before you,' said he, 'the infinite sea, which extends even
beyond the sun-beams. As to these islands which lie to the
right and left, they are all subject to my sway. They possess
but little gold, but the deep places of the sea around them are
full of pearls. Continue to be my friends, and you shall have
as many as you desire; for I value your friendship more than
pearls, and, as far as in me lies, will never forfeit it.'

"He then pointed to the main land, where it stretched away
towards the east, mountain beyond mountain, until the summit of
the last faded in the distance, and was scarcely seen above the
watery horizon. In that direction, he said, there lay a vast
country of inexhaustible riches, inhabited by a mighty nation.
He went on to repeat the vague but wonderful rumours which the
Spaniards had frequently heard about the great kingdom of Peru.
Pizarro listened greedily to his words, and while his eye
followed the finger of the cacique, as it ranged along the line
of shadowy coast, his daring mind kindled with the thought of
seeking this golden empire beyond the waters."

On their way back through the