The Crimson Conquest: A Romance of Pizarro and Peru — John Shaqi
The Crimson Conquest: A Romance of Pizarro and PeruHudson, Charles B. (Charles Bradford)
History
The Crimson Conquest: A Romance of Pizarro and Peru
Hudson, Charles B. (Charles Bradford)
Peru -- History -- Conquest, 1522-1548 -- Fiction
"How now?" Pizarro demanded hoarsely. "Fighting among ourselves? Name
of God! Is Spanish blood so cheap that we can waste it in brawls?—Seize
this man!" he commanded, turning to the guard.
Pedro had gathered himself together, and was lifting Cristoval out of
the corner where he had fallen. A sentinel was posted at the door, and
a soldier despatched to summon the officers. De Soto and José, the old
armorer, had followed Pizarro, and Cristoval’s cuts were quickly
bandaged. The officers hurried in, a summary court was organized for
inquiry, and the assailants, with the exception of three who were
receiving rough surgical care, were lined up under guard, blistered and
sullen.
Pedro’s testimony was the first to be taken, but it gave no
enlightenment regarding the origin of the affray, and Juarez was
examined. He was disposed to be recalcitrant, but Pizarro ordered
thumbscrews, and the sight of the instrument loosed his tongue.
Discipline was enforced in those days by effective means. Juarez well
knew what was coming. He glanced at the screws, at Pizarro, and
shrugged his surrender; then, with apparent candor, he told of the
conversation and of the growing discontent among the men. Pizarro
ordered the prisoners into confinement, and they were marched away by
the guard, their relief at escape from the thumbscrews marred by a
vision of a courtmartial and the garrote on the morrow.
Cristoval was conveyed to his quarters, and Pedro immediately turned the
management of the _cantina_ over to Pedrillo, assuming the role of nurse
as a matter of course.
About midnight he stepped outside the cavalier’s door and stood for a
moment enjoying the freshness of the night. The _tambo_ was silent
except for the footfalls of the sentinel at the gate, a murmur of voices
from the guard-room, where the affair was being discussed, and an
occasional sound from the distant stables. A light shone through
Pizarro’s door, and as Pedro stood a shadow passed and repassed within.
An hour before dawn he again stepped into the square. The light still
burned, and still the shadow came and went. Clearly Pizarro was having
a bad night. Pedro shook his head and muttered an anathema upon all
traitors.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account