al of Tafur with two
well-provisioned ships was greeted with rapture, and the only thought of
the soldiers was to embark as soon as possible, and leave for ever that
dismal island. But the ships had brought letters from Almagro and De
Luque to Pizarro, imploring him to hold fast to his original purpose,
and solemnly promising to send him the means for going forward in a
short time.

THE CHOICE OF PIZARRO

For Pizarro a very little hope was enough, but knowing that he could
probably influence such of his followers as he cared to retain more by
example than by word, he merely announced his own purpose in the
briefest way possible. Drawing his sword, he traced a line upon the sand
from east to west.

'Friends and comrades,' said he, turning to the south, 'on this side are
toil, hunger, the drenching storm, desertion, and death; on that side
ease and pleasure. There lies Peru with its riches, here Panama and its
poverty. Choose each man what best becomes a brave Castilian. For my
part I go to the south.'

So saying he stepped across the line, followed by Ruiz, Pedro de Candia,
and eleven others, and Tafur, after vainly trying to persuade them to
return, reluctantly departed, leaving them part of his store of
provisions. Ruiz sailed with him to help Almagro and De Luque in their
preparations. Not long after Pizarro and his men constructed a raft, and
transported themselves to an island which lay further north. It was
uninhabited, and being partly covered with wood afforded more shelter.
There was also plenty of good water, and pheasants and a species of hare
were fairly numerous. The rain fell incessantly, and the Spaniards built
rude huts to keep themselves dry, but from the swarms of venomous
insects they could find no protection. Pizarro did all he could to keep
up the spirits of his men in this dreary place. Morning prayers were
duly said, the evening hymn chanted, the Church festivals carefully
observed, and, above all, a keen look-out was kept across the ocean for
the expected sail; but seven months had passed before one small vessel
appeared. The Governor had at last allowed De Luque and Almagro to fit
out this ship; but she carried no more men than were needed to work her,
and Pizarro was commanded to report himself in Panama within six months,
whatever might be happening.

[Illustration: Pizarro sees llamas for the first time]

Taking with him his faithful followers and the natives of Tumbez,
Pizarro speed