WM JXSCOVmtY OF PmOL

haadfalofmeBy without food, without dothiiig, afaaost witbool
mami without knowledge of the land to which they woe
boood, without vesBel to transport tfaem^ were here Idl on a
loody rodL in the ocean with the avowed purpose of carrying
on a crusade against a powerfiil ^npire, staking their lives on
its success. What is there in the l^ends of chivalry that sur-
passes it? This was the crisis of Pizarro's fate. There ace
moments in the lives of men^ which, as they are seized or neg*
kcted, decide their future destiny.* Had Kzarro Altered
from his strong purpose, and 3rielded to the occasion, now so
temptingly presented, for extricatii^ himself and his broken
band from their desperate position, his name would have
been buried with his fortunes, and the conquest of Peru would
have been left for other and more successfril adventurers. But
his constancy was equal to the occasion, and his conduct here
proved him competent to the perilous post he had assumed,
and inspired others with a confidence in him which was die
best assurance of success.
In the vessd that bore back Tafur and those who seceded
from the expedition the pilot Ruiz was also permitted to return,
in onier to co-operate with Loique and Almagro in their api^
cation for further succor.
