Severe Passage Of The Andes. — Embassies From Atahuallpa. — The Spaniards Reach Caxamalca. — Embassy To The Inca. — Interview With The Inca. — Despondency Of The Spaniards
1532.
That night Pizarro held a council of his principal officers, and it was determined1 that he should lead the advance, consisting of forty horse and sixty foot, and reconnoitre the ground; while the rest of the company, under his brother Hernando, should occupy their present position till they received further orders.
At early dawn the Spanish general and his detachment were under arms, and prepared to breast the difficulties of the sierra. These proved even greater than had been foreseen. The path had been conducted in the most judicious4 manner round the rugged5 and precipitous sides of the mountains, so as best to avoid the natural impediments presented by the ground. But it was necessarily so steep, in many places, that the cavalry6 were obliged to dismount, and, scrambling7 up as they could, to lead their horses by the bridle8. In many places too, where some huge crag or eminence9 overhung the road, this was driven to the very verge10 of the precipice11; and the traveller was compelled to wind along the narrow ledge12 of rock, scarcely wide enough for his single steed, where a misstep would precipitate13 him hundreds, nay14, thousands, of feet into the dreadful abyss! The wild passes of the sierra, practicable for the half-naked Indian, and even for the sure and circumspect15 mule16, — an animal that seems to have been created for the roads of the Cordilleras, — were formidable to the man-at-arms encumbered17 with his panoply18 of mail. The tremendous fissures19 or quebradas, so frightful20 in this mountain chain, yawned open, as if the Andes had been split asunder21 by some terrible convulsion, showing a broad expanse of the primitive22 rock on their sides, partially23 mantled24 over with the spontaneous vegetation of ages; while their obscure depths furnished a channel for the torrents25, that, rising in the heart of the sierra, worked their way gradually into light, and spread over the savannas26 and green valleys of the tierra caliente on their way to the great ocean.
Many of these passes afforded obvious points of defence; and the Spaniards, as they entered the rocky defiles27, looked with apprehension28 lest they might rouse some foe29 from his ambush30. This apprehension was heightened, as, at the summit of a steep and narrow gorge31, in which they were engaged, they beheld32 a strong work, rising like a fortress33, and frowning, as it were, in gloomy defiance34 on the invaders35. As they drew near this building which was of solid stone, commanding an angle of the road, they almost expected to see the dusky forms of the warriors36 rise over the battlements, and to receive their tempest of missiles on their bucklers; for it was in so strong a position, that a few resolute37 men might easily have held there an army at bay. But they had the satisfaction to find the place untenanted, and their spirits were greatly raised by the conviction that the Indian monarch38 did not intend to dispute their passage, when it would have been easy to do so with success.
Pizarro now sent orders to his brother to follow without delay; and, after refreshing39 his men, continued his toilsome ascent41, and before nightfall reached an eminence crowned by another fortress, of even greater strength than the preceding. It was built of solid masonry42, the lower part excavated43 from the living rock, and the whole work executed with skill not inferior to that of the European architect. 1
1 “Tan ancha la Cerca como qualquier Fortaleca de Espana, con2 sus Puertas: que si en esta Tierra oviese los Maestros, i Herramientas de Espana, no pudiera ser mejor labrada la Cerca.” Xerez, Conq. del Peru, ap. Barcia, tom. III. p. 192.]
Here Pizarro took up his quarters for the night. Without waiting for the arrival of the rear, on the following morning he resumed his march, leading still deeper into the intricate gorges44 of the sierra. The climate had gradually changed, and the men and horses, especially the latter, suffered severely45 from the cold, so long accustomed as they had been to the sultry climate of the tropics. 2 The vegetation also had changed its character; and the magnificent timber which covered the lower level of the country had gradually given way to the funereal46 forest of pine, and, as they rose still higher, to the stunted47 growth of numberless Alpine48 plants, whose hardy49 natures found a congenial temperature in the icy atmosphere of the more elevated regions. These dreary51 solitudes52 seemed to be nearly abandoned by the brute53 creation as well as by man. The light-footed vicuna, roaming in its native state, might be sometimes seen looking down from some airy cliff, where the foot of the hunter dared not venture. But instead of the feathered tribes whose gay plumage sparkled in the deep glooms of the tropical forests, the adventurers now beheld only the great bird of the Andes, the loathsome54 condor55, who, sailing high above the clouds, followed with doleful cries in the track of the army, as if guided by instinct in the path of blood and carnage.
2 “Es tanto el frio que hace en esta Sierra, que como los Caballos venian hechos al calor, que en los Valles hacia, algunos de ellos se resfriaron.” Ibid., p. 191.]
At length they reached the crest56 of the Cordillera, where it spreads out into a bold and bleak57 expanse, with scarce the vestige58 of vegetation, except what is afforded by the pajonal, a dried yellow grass, which, as it is seen from below, encircling the base of the snow-covered peaks, looks, with its brilliant straw-color lighted up in the rays of an ardent59 sun, like a setting of gold round pinnacles60 of burnished61 silver. The land was sterile62, as usual in mining districts, and they were drawing near the once famous gold quarries63 on the way to Caxamalca;
“Rocks rich in gems64, and mountains big with mines,
That on the high equator ridgy66 rise.”
Here Pizarro halted for the coming up of the rear. The air was sharp and frosty; and the soldiers, spreading their tents, lighted fires, and, huddling67 round them, endeavoured to find some repose68 after their laborious69 march. 3
3 “E aposentaronse los Espanoles en sus toldos o pabellones de algodon de la tierra que llevaban, e haciendo fuegos para defenderse del mucho frio que en aquella Sierra hacen, porque sin ellos no se pudieron valer sin padecer mucho trabajo; y segun a los cristianos les parecio, y aun como era lo cierto, no podia haber mas frio en parte de Espana en invierno. Oviedo, Hist. de las Indias, Ms., Parte 3, lib. 8, cap. 4.]
They had not been long in these quarters, when a messenger arrived, one of those who had accompanied the Indian envoy70 sent by Pizarro to Atahuallpa. He informed the general that the road was free from enemies, and that an embassy from the Inca was on its way to the Castilian camp. Pizarro now sent back to quicken the march of the rear, as he was unwilling71 that the Peruvian envoy should find him with his present diminished numbers. The rest of the army were not far distant, and not long after reached the encampment.
In a short time the Indian embassy also arrived, which consisted of one of the Inca nobles and several attendants, bringing a welcome present of llamas to the Spanish commander. The Peruvian bore, also, the greetings of his master, who wished to know when the Spaniards would arrive at Caxamalca, that he might provide suitable refreshments72 for them. Pizarro learned that the Inca had left Guamachucho, and was now lying with a small force in the neighbourhood of Caxamalca, at a place celebrated73 for its natural springs of warm water. The Peruvian was an intelligent person, and the Spanish commander gathered from him many particulars respecting the late contests which had distracted the empire.
As the envoy vaunted in lofty terms the military prowess and resources of his sovereign, Pizarro thought it politic75 to show that it had no power to overawe him. He expressed his satisfaction at the triumphs of Atahuallpa, who, he acknowledged, had raised himself high in the rank of Indian warriors. But he was as inferior, he added with more policy than politeness, to the monarch who ruled over the white men, as the petty curacas of the country were inferior to him. This was evident from the ease with which a few Spaniards had overrun this great continent, subduing77 one nation after another, that had offered resistance to their arms. He had been led by the fame of Atahuallpa to visit his dominions78, and to offer him his services in his wars; and, if he were received by the Inca in the same friendly spirit with which he came, he was willing, for the aid he could render him, to postpone79 awhile his passage across the country to the opposite seas. The Indian, according to the Castilian accounts, listened with awe76 to this strain of glorification80 from the Spanish commander. Yet it is possible that the envoy was a better diplomatist than they imagined; and that he understood it was only the game of brag81 at which he was playing with his more civilized82 antagonist83. 4
4 Xerez, Conq. del Peru, ap. Barcia, tom. III. p. 193. — Oviedo, Hist. de las Indias, Ms., Parte 3, lib. 8, cap. 5.]
On the succeeding morning, at an early hour, the troops were again on their march, and for two days were occupied in threading the airy defiles of the Cordilleras. Soon after beginning their descent on the eastern side, another emissary arrived from the Inca, bearing a message of similar import to the preceding, and a present, in like manner, of Peruvian sheep. This was the same noble that had visited Pizarro in the valley. He now came in more state, quaffing85 chicha — the fermented86 juice of the maize87 — from golden goblets88 borne by his attendants, which sparkled in the eyes of the rapacious89 adventurers. 5
5 “Este Embajardor traia servicio de Senor, i cinco, o seis Vasos de Oro fino, con que bebia, i con ellos daba a beber a los Espanoles de la Chicha que traia.” Xerez, Conq. del Peru, ap. Barcia, tom III. p 193. — Oviedo, Hist. de las Indias, Ms., ubi supra.
The latter author, in this part of his work, has done little more than make a transcript90 of that of Xerez. His indorsement of Pizarro’s secretary, however, is of value, from the fact that, with less temptation to misstate or overstate, he enjoyed excellent opportunities for information.
While he was in the camp, the Indian messenger, originally sent by Pizarro to the Inca, returned, and no sooner did he behold91 the Peruvian, and the honorable reception which he met with from the Spaniards, than he was filled with wrath92, which would have vented93 itself in personal violence, but for the interposition of the by-standers. It was hard, he said, that this Peruvian dog should be thus courteously94 treated, when he himself had nearly lost his life on a similar mission among his countrymen. On reaching the Inca’s camp, he had been refused admission to his presence, on the ground that he was keeping a fast and could not be seen. They had paid no respect to his assertion that he came as an envoy from the white men, and would, probably, not have suffered him to escape with life, if he had not assured them that any violence offered to him would be retaliated96 in full measure on the persons of the Peruvian envoys97, now in the Spanish quarters. There was no doubt, he continued, of the hostile intentions of Atahuallpa; for he was surrounded with a powerful army, strongly encamped about a league from Caxamalca, while that city was entirely98 evacuated99 by its inhabitants.
To all this the Inca’s envoy coolly replied, that Pizarro’s messenger might have reckoned on such a reception as he had found, since he seemed to have taken with him no credentials100 of his mission. As to the Inca’s fast, that was true; and, although he would doubtless have seen the messenger, had he known there was one from the strangers, yet it was not safe to disturb him at these solemn seasons, when engaged in his religious duties. The troops by whom he was surrounded were not numerous, considering that the Inca was at that time carrying on an important war; and as to Caxamalca, it was abandoned by the inhabitants in order to make room for the white men, who were so soon to occupy it. 6
6 Xerez, Conq. del Peru, ap. Barcia, tom. III. p. 194. — Oviedo Hist. de las Indias, Ms., ubi supra.]
This explanation, however plausible101, did not altogether satisfy the general; for he had too deep a conviction of the cunning of Atahuallpa, whose intentions towards the Spaniards he had long greatly distrusted. As he proposed, however, to keep on friendly relations with the monarch for the present, it was obviously not his cue to manifest suspicion. Affecting, therefore, to give full credit to the explanation of the envoy, he dismissed him with reiterated102 assurances of speedily presenting himself before the Inca.
The descent of the sierra, though the Andes are less precipitous on their eastern side than towards the west, was attended with difficulties almost equal to those of the upward march; and the Spaniards felt no little satisfaction, when, on the seventh day, they arrived in view of the valley of Caxamalca, which, enamelled with all the beauties of cultivation103, lay unrolled like a rich and variegated104 carpet of verdure, in strong contrast with the dark forms of the Andes, that rose up everywhere around it. The valley is of an oval shape, extending about five leagues in length by three in breadth. It was inhabited by a population of a superior character to any which the Spaniards had met on the other side of the mountains, as was argued by the superior style of their attire105, and the greater cleanliness and comfort visible both in their persons and dwellings106. 7 As far as the eye could reach, the level tract74 exhibited the show of a diligent107 and thrifty108 husbandry. A broad river rolled through the meadows, supplying facilities for copious109 irrigation by means of the usual canals and subterraneous aqueducts. The land, intersected by verdant110 hedge-rows, was checkered111 with patches of various cultivation; for the soil was rich, and the climate, if less stimulating112 than that of the sultry regions of the coast, was more favorable to the hardy products of the temperate113 latitudes114. Below the adventurers, with its white houses glittering in the sun, lay the little city of Caxamalca, like a sparkling gem65 on the dark skirts of the sierra. At the distance of about a league farther, across the valley, might be seen columns of vapor115 rising up towards the heavens, indicating the place of the famous hot baths, much frequented by the Peruvian princes. And here, too, was a spectacle less grateful to the eyes of the Spaniards; for along the slope of the hills a white cloud of pavilions was seen covering the ground, as thick as snow-flakes, for the space, apparently116, of several miles. “It filled us all with amazement,” exclaims one of the Conquerors118, “to behold the Indians occupying so proud a position! So many tents, so well appointed, as were never seen in the Indies till now The spectacle caused something like confusion and even fear in the stoutest120 bosom121. But it was too late to turn back, or to betray the least sign of weakness, since the natives in our own company would, in such case, have been the first to rise upon us. So, with as bold a countenance122 as we could, after coolly surveying the ground, we prepared for our entrance into Caxamalca.” 8
7 Xerez, Conq. del Peru, ap. Barcia, tom. III. p. 195.]
8 “Y eran tantas las tiendas que parecian, que cierto nos puso harto espanto, porque no pensabamos que Indios pudiesen tener tan soberbia estancia, ni tantas tiendas, ni tan a punto, lo cual hasta alli en las Indias nunca se vio, que nos causo a todos los Espanoles harta confusion y temor; aunque no convenia mostrarse, ni menos volver atras, porque si alguna flaqueza en nosotros sintieran, los mismos Indios que llevabamos nos mataran, y ansi con animoso semblante, despues de haber muy bien atalayado el pueblo123 y tiendas que he dicho, abajamos por el valle abajo, y entramos en el pueblo de Cajamalca.” Relacion del Primer. Descub., Ms.]
What were the feelings of the Peruvian monarch we are not informed, when he gazed on the martial124 cavalcade125 of the Christians126, as, with banners streaming, and bright panoplies127 glistening128 in the rays of the evening sun, it emerged from the dark depths of the sierra, and advanced in hostile array over the fair domain129, which, to this period, had never been trodden by other foot than that of the red man. It might be, as several of the reports had stated, that the Inca had purposely decoyed the adventurers into the heart of his populous130 empire, that he might envelope them with his legions, and the more easily become master of their property and persons. 9 Or was it from a natural feeling of curiosity, and relying on their professions of friendship, that he had thus allowed them, without any attempt at resistance, to come into his presence? At all events, he could hardly have felt such confidence in himself, as not to look with apprehension, mingled132 with awe, on the mysterious strangers, who, coming from an unknown world, and possessed133 of such wonderful gifts, had made their way across mountain and valley, in spite of every obstacle which man and nature had opposed to them.
9 This was evidently the opinion of the old Conqueror117, whose imperfect manuscript forms one of the best authorities for this portion of our narrative134. “Teniendonos en muy poco, y no haciendo cuenta que 190 hombres le habian de ofender. dio lugar y consintio que pasasemos por aquel paso y por otros muchos tan malos como el, porque realmente, a lo que despues se supo y averiguo, su intencion era vernos y preguntarnos, de donde veniamos? y quien nos habia hechado alli? y que queriamos? Porque era muy sabio y discreto, y aunque sin luz ni escriptura, amigo de saber y de sotil entendimiento; y despues de holgadose con nosotros, tomarnos los caballos y las cosas que a el mas le aplacian, y sacrificar a los demas.” Relacion del Primer. Descub., Ms.]
Pizarro, meanwhile, forming his little corps135 into three divisions, now moved forward, at a more measured pace, and in order of battle, down the slopes that led towards the Indian city. As he drew near, no one came out to welcome him; and he rode through the streets without meeting with a living thing, or hearing a sound, except the echoes, sent back from the deserted136 dwellings, of the tramp of the soldiery.
It was a place of considerable size, containing about ten thousand inhabitants, somewhat more, probably, than the population assembled at this day within the walls of the modern city of Caxamalca. 10 The houses, for the most part, were built of clay, hardened in the sun; the roofs thatched, or of timber. Some of the more ambitious dwellings were of hewn stone; and there was a convent in the place, occupied by the Virgins137 of the Sun, and a temple dedicated138 to the same tutelar deity139, which last was hidden in the deep embowering shades of a grove140 on the skirts of the city. On the quarter towards the Indian camp was a square — if square it might be called, which was almost triangular141 in form — of an immense size, surrounded by low buildings. These consisted of capacious halls, with wide doors or opening communicating with the square. They were probably intended as a sort of barracks for the Inca’s soldiers. 11 At the end of the plaza142, looking towards the country, was a fortress of stone, with a stairway leading from the city, and a private entrance from the adjoining suburbs. There was still another fortress on the rising ground which commanded the town, built of hewn stone, and encompassed143 by three circular walls, — or rather one and the same wall, which wound up spirally around it. It was a place of great strength, and the workmanship showed a better knowledge of masonry, and gave a higher impression of the architectural science of the people, than any thing the Spaniards had yet seen. 12
10 According to Stevenson, this population, which is of a very mixed character, amounts, or did amount some thirty years ago, to about seven thousand. That sagacious traveller gives an animated144 description of the city, in which he resided some time, and which he seems to have regarded with peculiar145 predilection146. Yet it does not hold probably the relative rank at the present day, that it did in that of the Incas. Residence in South America, vol. II. p. 131.]
11 Carta de Hern. Pizarro, ap. Oviedo, Hist. de las Indias, Ms. Parte 3, lib. 8, cap. 15. — Xerez Conq. del Peru, ap. Barcia, tom III. p. 195.]
12 “Fuercas son, que entre Indios no se han visto tales.” Xerez, Conq. del Peru, ap. Barcia, tom. III. p. 195. — Relacion del Primer. Descub., Ms.]
It was late in the afternoon of the fifteenth of November, 1532, when the Conquerors entered the city of Caxamalca. The weather, which had been fair during the day, now threatened a storm, and some rain mingled with hail — for it was unusually cold — began to fall. 13 Pizarro, however, was so anxious to ascertain147 the dispositions149 of the Inca, that he determined to send an embassy, at once, to his quarters. He selected for this, Hernando de Soto with fifteen horse, and, after his departure, conceiving that the number was too small, in case of any unfriendly demonstrations150 by the Indians, he ordered his brother Hernando to follow with twenty additional troopers. This captain and one other of his party have left us an account of the excursion. 14
13 “Desde a poco rato comenco a llover, i caer granico.” (Xerez, Conq. del Peru, ap. Barcia, tom. III. p. 195.) Caxamalca, in the Indian tongue, signifies “place of frost”; for the temperature, though usually bland151 and genial50, is sometimes affected152 by frosty winds from the east, very pernicious to vegetation. Stervenson, Residence in South America, vol. II. p. 129.]
14 Carta de Hern. Pizarro, Ms. The Letter of Hernando Pizarro, addressed to the Royal Audience of St. Domingo, gives a full account of the extraordinary events recorded in this and the ensuing chapter, in which that cavalier took a prominent part. Allowing for the partialities incident to a chief actor in the scenes he describes, no authority can rank higher. The indefatigable153 Oviedo, who resided in St. Domingo, saw its importance, and fortunately incorporated the document in his great work, Hist. de las Indias, Ms., Parte 3, lib. 8, cap. 15. — The anonymous154 author of the Relacion del Primer. Descub., Ms., was also detached on this service.
Between the city and the imperial camp was a causeway, built in a substantial manner across the meadow land that intervened. Over this the cavalry galloped155 at a rapid pace, and, before they had gone a league, they came in front of the Peruvian encampment, where it spread along the gentle slope of the mountains. The lances of the warriors were fixed156 in the ground before their tents, and the Indian soldiers were loitering without, gazing with silent astonishment157 at the Christians cavalcade, as with clangor of arms and shrill158 blast of trumpet159 it swept by, like some fearful apparition160, on the wings of the wind.
The party soon came to a broad but shallow stream, which, winding161 through the meadow, formed a defence for the Inca’s position. Across it was a wooden bridge; but the cavaliers, distrusting its strength, preferred to dash through the waters, and without difficulty gained the opposite bank. A battalion162 of Indian warriors was drawn163 up under arms on the farther side of the bridge, but they offered no molestation164 to the Spaniards; and these latter had strict orders from Pizarro — scarcely necessary in their present circumstances — to treat the natives with courtesy. One of the Indians pointed119 out the quarter occupied by the Inca. 15
15 Pedro Pizarro, Descub. y Conq., Ms. — Carta de Hern Pizarro, Ms.]
It was an open court-yard, with a light building or pleasure-house in the centre, having galleries running around it, and opening in the rear on a garden. The walls were covered with a shining plaster, both white and colored, and in the area before the edifice165 was seen a spacious166 tank or reservoir of stone, fed by aqueducts that supplied it with both warm and cold water. 16 A basin of hewn stone — it may be of a more recent construction — still bears, on the spot, the name of the “Inca’s bath.” 17 The court was filled with Indian nobles, dressed in gayly ornamented167 attire, in attendance on the monarch, and with women of the royal household. Amidst this assembly it was not difficult to distinguish the person of Atahuallpa, though his dress was simpler than that of his attendants. But he wore on his head the crimson168 borla or fringe, which, surrounding the forehead, hung down as low as the eyebrow169. This was the well-known badge of Peruvian sovereignty, and had been assumed by the monarch only since the defeat of his brother Huascar. He was seated on a low stool or cushion, somewhat after the Morisco or Turkish fashion, and his nobles and principal officers stood around him, with great ceremony, holding the stations suited to their rank. 18
16 Xerez, Conq. del Peru, ap. Barcia. tom. III. p. 202.
“Y al estanque venian dos canos de agua, uno caliente y otro frio, y alli se templava la una con la otra, para quando el Senor se queria banar o sus mugeres que otra persona no osava entrar en el so pena de la vida.” Pedro Pizarro, Descub. y. Conq., Ms.]
17 Stevenson, Residence in South America, vol. II. p. 164.]
18 Xerez, Conq. del Peru, ap. Barcia, tom. III. p. 196. — Carta de Hern. Pizarro, Ms.
The appearance of the Peruvian monarch is described in simple but animated style by the Conqueror so often quoted, one of the party. “Llegados al patio170 de la dicha casa que tenia delante della, vimos estar en medio de gran muchedumbre de Indios asentado aquel gran Senor Atabalica (de quien tanta noticia, y tantas cosas nos habian dicho) con una corona171 en la cabeza, y una borla que le salia della, y le cubria toda la frente, la cual era la insinia real, sentado en una sillecita muy baja del suelo, como los turcos y moros acostumbran sentarse, el cual estaba con tanta magestad y aparato cual nunca se ha visto jamas, porque estaba cercado de mas de seiscientos Senores de su tierra.” Relacion del Primer. Descub., Ms.]
The Spaniards gazed with much interest on the prince, of whose cruelty and cunning they had heard so much, and whose valor172 had secured to him the possession of the empire. But his countenance exhibited neither the fierce passions nor the sagacity which had been ascribed to him; and, though in his bearing he showed a gravity and a calm consciousness of authority well becoming a king, he seemed to discharge all expression from his features, and to discover only the apathy173 so characteristic of the American races. On the present occasion, this must have been in part, at least, assumed. For it is impossible that the Indian prince should not have contemplated174 with curious interest a spectacle so strange, and, in some respects, appalling175, as that of these mysterious strangers, for which no previous description could have prepared him.
Hernando Pizarro and Soto, with two or three only of their followers176, slowly rode up in front of the Inca; and the former, making a respectful obeisance178, but without dismounting, informed Atahuallpa that he came as an ambassador from his brother, the commander of the white men, to acquaint the monarch with their arrival in his city of Caxamalca. They were the subjects of a mighty179 prince across the waters, and had come, he said, drawn thither180 by the report of his great victories, to offer their services, and to impart to him the doctrines181 of the true faith which they professed182; and he brought an invitation from the general to Atahuallpa that the latter would be pleased to visit the Spaniards in their present quarters. quarter. To all this the Inca answered not a word; nor did he make even a sign of acknowledgment that he comprehended it; though it was translated for him by Felipillo, one of the interpreters already noticed. He remained silent, with his eyes fastened on the ground; but one of his nobles, standing183 by his side, answered, “It is well.” 19 This was an embarrassing situation for the Spaniards, who seemed to be as wide from ascertaining184 the real disposition148 of the Peruvian monarch towards themselves, as when the mountains were between them.
19 “Las cuales por el oidas, con ser su inclinacion pereguntarnos y saber de donde veniamos, y que queriamos, y ver nuestras personas y caballos, tubo tanta serenidad en el rostro, y tanta gravedad en su persona, que no quiso responder palabra a lo que se le decia, salvo que un Senor de aquellos que estaban par3 de el respondia: bien esta.” Relacion del Primer. Descub., Ms.]
In a courteous95 and respectful manner, Hernando Pizarro again broke the silence by requesting the Inca to speak to them himself, and to inform them what was his pleasure. 20 To this Atahuallpa condescended185 to reply, while a faint smile passed over his features, — “Tell your captain that I am keeping a fast, which will end tomorrow morning. I will then visit him, with my chieftains. In the mean time, let him occupy the public buildings on the square, and no other, till I come, when I will order what shall be done.” 21
20 “Visto por el dicho Hernando Pizarro que el no hablaba y que aquella tercera persona respondia de suyo, torno le a suplicar, que el hablase por su boca, y le respondiese lo que quisiese.” Ibid., Ms., ubi supra.]
21 “El cual a esto volvio la cabeza a mirarle sonriendose y le dijo: Decid a ese Capitan que os embia aca; que yo estoy en ayuno, y le acabo manana por la manana, que en bebiendo una vez, yo ire con algunos destos principales mios a verme con el, que en tanto el se aposente en esas casas que estan en la plaza que son comunes a todos, y que no entren en otra ninguna hasta que Yo vaya, que Yo mandare lo que se ha de hacer.” Ibid., Ms., ubi supra.
In this singular interview I have followed the account of the cavalier who accompanied Hernando Pizarro, in preference to the latter, who represents himself as talking in a lordly key, that savours too much of the vaunt of the hidalgo.]
Soto, one of the party present at this interview, as before noticed, was the best mounted and perhaps the best rider in Pizarro’s troop. Observing that Atahuallpa looked with some interest on the fiery186 steed that stood before him, champing the bit and pawing the ground with the natural impatience187 of a war-horse, the Spaniard gave him the rein188, and, striking his iron heel into his side, dashed furiously over the plain; then, wheeling him round and round, displayed all the beautiful movements of his charger, and his own excellent horsemanship. Suddenly checking him in full career, he brought the animal almost on his haunches, so near the person of the Inca, that some of the foam189 that flecked his horse’s sides was thrown on the royal garments. But Atahuallpa maintained the same marble composure as before, though several of his soldiers, whom De Soto passed in the course, were so much disconcerted by it, that they drew back in manifest terror, an act of timidity for which they paid dearly, if, as the Spaniards assert, Atahuallpa caused them to be put to death that same evening for betraying such unworthy weakness to the strangers. 22
22 Pedro Pizarro, Descub. y Conq., Ms. — Relacion del Primer. Descub., Ms.
“I algunos Indios, con miedo, se desviaron de la Carrera, por lo qual Atabalipa los hico luego matar.” (Zarate, Conq. del Peru, lib. 2, cap. 4.) — Xerez states that Atahuallpa confessed this himself, in conversation with the Spaniards after he was taken prisoner. — Soto’s charger might well have made the Indians start, if, as Balboa says, he took twenty feet at a leap, and this with a knight190 in armour191 on his back! Hist. du Perou, chap. 22.
Refreshments were now offered by the royal attendants to the Spaniards, which they declined, being unwilling to dismount. They did not refuse, however, to quaff84 the sparkling chicha from golden vases of extraordinary size, presented to them by the dark-eyed beauties of the harem. 23 Taking then a respectful leave of the Inca, the cavaliers rode back to Caxamalca, with many moody192 speculations193 on what they had seen; on the state and opulence194 of the Indian monarch; on the strength of his military array, their excellent appointments, and the apparent discipline in their ranks, — all arguing a much higher degree of civilization, and consequently of power, than any thing they had witnessed in the lower regions of the country. As they contrasted all this with their own diminutive195 force, too far advanced, as they now were, for succour to reach them, they felt they had done rashly in throwing themselves into the midst of so formidable an empire, and were filled with gloomy forebodings of the result. 24 Their comrades in the camp soon caught the infectious spirit of despondency, which was not lessened196 as night came on, and they beheld the watch-fires of the Peruvians lighting197 up the sides of the mountains, and glittering in the darkness, “as thick,” says one who saw them, “as the stars of heaven.” 25
23 Relacion del Primer. Descub., Ms. — Xerez, Conq. del Peru, ap. Barcia, tom. III. p. 196.]
24 “Hecho esto y visto y atalayado la grandeza del ejercito, y las tiendas que era bien de ver, nos bolvimos a donde el dicho capitan nos estaba esperando, harto espantados de lo que habiamos visto, habiendo y tomando entre nosotros muchos acuerdos y opiniones de lo que se debia hacer, estando todos con mucho temor por ser tan pocos, y estar tan metidos en la tierra donde no podiamos ser socorridos.” (Relacion del Primer. Descub., Ms.) Pedro Pizarro is honest enough to confirm this account of the consternation198 of the Spaniards. (Descub. y Conq., Ms.) Fear was a strange sensation for the Castilian cavalier. But if he did not feel some touch of it on that occasion, he must have been akin177 to that doughty199 knight who, as Charles V. pronounced, “never could have snuffed a candle with his fingers.”]
25 “Hecimos la guardia en la plaza, de donde se vian los fuegos del ejercito de los Indios, lo cual era cosa espantable, que como estaban en una ladera la mayor parte, y tan juntos unos de otros, no pa recia sino un cielo muy estrellado.” Relacion del Primer. Descub., Ms]
Yet there was one bosom in that little host which was not touched with the feeling either of fear or dejection. That was Pizarro’s, who secretly rejoiced that he had now brought matters to the issue for which he had so long panted. He saw the necessity of kindling200 a similar feeling in his followers, or all would be lost. Without unfolding his plans, he went round among his men, beseeching201 them not to show faint hearts at this crisis, when they stood face to face with the foe whom they had been so long seeking. “They were to rely on themselves, and on that Providence202 which had carried them safe through so many fearful trials. It would not now desert them; and if numbers, however great, were on the side of their enemy, it mattered little when the arm of Heaven was on theirs.” 26 The Spanish cavalier acted under the combined influence of chivalrous203 adventure and religious zeal204. The latter was the most effective in the hour of peril205; and Pizarro, who understood well the characters he had to deal with, by presenting the enterprise as a crusade, kindled206 the dying embers of enthusiasm in the bosoms207 of his followers, and restored their faltering208 courage.
26 Xerez, Conq. del Peru, ap. Barcia, tom. III. p. 197. — Nanarro Relacion Sumaria, Ms]
He then summoned a council of his officers, to consider the plan of operations, or rather to propose to them the extraordinary plan on which he had himself decided209. This was to lay an ambuscade for the Inca, and take him prisoner in the face of his whole army! It was a project full of peril, — bordering, as it might well seem, on desperation. But the circumstances of the Spaniards were desperate. Whichever way they turned, they were menaced by the most appalling dangers; and better was it bravely to confront the danger, than weakly to shrink from it, when there was no avenue for escape.
To fly was now too late. Whither could they fly? At the first signal of retreat, the whole army of the Inca would be upon them. Their movements would be anticipated by a foe far better acquainted with the intricacies of the sierra than themselves; the passes would be occupied, and they would be hemmed210 in on all sides; while the mere211 fact of this retrograde movement would diminish the confidence and with it the effective strength of his own men, while it doubled that of his enemy.
Yet to remain long inactive in his present position seemed almost equally perilous212. Even supposing that Atahuallpa should entertain friendly feelings towards the Christians, they could not confide131 in the continuance of such feelings. Familiarity with the white men would soon destroy the idea of any thing supernatural, or even superior, in their natures. He would feel contempt for their diminutive numbers. Their horses, their arms and showy appointments, would be an attractive bait in the eye of the barbaric monarch, and when conscious that he had the power to crush their possessors, he would not be slow in finding a pretext213 for it. A sufficient one had already occurred in the high-handed measures of the Conquerors, on their march through his dominions.
But what reason had they to flatter themselves that the Inca cherished such a disposition towards them? He was a crafty214 and unscrupulous prince, and, if the accounts they had repeatedly received on their march were true, had ever regarded the coming of the Spaniards with an evil eye. It was scarcely possible he should do otherwise. His soft messages had only been intended to decoy them across the mountains, where, with the aid of his warriors, he might readily overpower them. They were entangled215 in the toils40 which the cunning monarch had spread for them.
Their only remedy, then, was to turn the Inca’s arts against himself; to take him, if possible, in his own snare216. There was no time to be lost; for any day might bring back the victorious217 legions who had recently won his battles at the south, and thus make the odds218 against the Spaniards far greater than now.
Yet to encounter Atahuallpa in the open field would be attended with great hazard; and even if victorious, there would be little probability that the person of the Inca, of so much importance, would fall into the hands of the victors. The invitation he had so unsuspiciously accepted to visit them in their quarters afforded the best means for securing this desirable prize. Nor was the enterprise so desperate, considering the great advantages afforded by the character and weapons of the invaders, and the unexpectedness of the assault. The mere circumstance of acting219 on a concerted plan would alone make a small number more than a match for a much larger one. But it was not necessary to admit the whole of the Indian force into the city before the attack; and the person of the Inca once secured, his followers, astounded220 by so strange an event, were they few or many, would have no heart for further resistance; — and with the Inca once in his power, Pizarro might dictate221 laws to the empire.
In this daring project of the Spanish chief, it was easy to see that he had the brilliant exploit of Cortes in his mind, when he carried off the Aztec monarch in his capital. But that was not by violence, at least not by open violence, — and it received the sanction, compulsory222 though it were, of the monarch himself. It was also true that the results in that case did not altogether justify223 a repetition of the experiment; since the people rose in a body to sacrifice both the prince and his kidnappers224. Yet this was owing, in part, at least, to the indiscretion of the latter. The experiment in the outset was perfectly226 successful; and, could Pizarro once become master of the person of Atahuallpa, he trusted to his own discretion225 for the rest. It would, at least, extricate227 him from his present critical position, by placing in his power an inestimable guaranty for his safety; and if he could not make his own terms with the Inca at once, the arrival of reinforcements from home would, in all probability, soon enable him to do so.
Pizarro having concerted his plans for the following day, the council broke up, and the chief occupied himself with providing for the security of the camp during the night. The approaches to the town were defended; sentinels were posted at different points, especially on the summit of the fortress, where they were to observe the position of the enemy, and to report any movement that menaced the tranquillity228 of the night. After these precautions, the Spanish commander and his followers withdrew to their appointed quarters, — but not to sleep. At least, sleep must have come late to those who were aware of the decisive plan for the morrow; that morrow which was to be the crisis of their fate, — to crown their ambitious schemes with full success, or consign229 them to irretrievable ruin!
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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con
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| n.反对的观点，反对者，反对票，肺病；vt.精读，学习，默记；adv.反对地，从反面；adj.欺诈的 | |
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par
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| n.标准，票面价值，平均数量；adj.票面的，平常的，标准的 | |
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judicious
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| adj.明智的，明断的，能作出明智决定的 | |
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rugged
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| adj.高低不平的，粗糙的，粗壮的，强健的 | |
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cavalry
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| n.骑兵；轻装甲部队 | |
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scrambling
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| v.快速爬行( scramble的现在分词 )；攀登；争夺；（军事飞机）紧急起飞 | |
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bridle
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| n.笼头，束缚；vt.抑制，约束；动怒 | |
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eminence
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| n.卓越，显赫；高地，高处；名家 | |
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verge
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| n.边，边缘；v.接近，濒临 | |
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precipice
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| n.悬崖，危急的处境 | |
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ledge
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| n.壁架，架状突出物；岩架，岩礁 | |
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precipitate
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| adj.突如其来的；vt.使突然发生；n.沉淀物 | |
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nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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circumspect
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| adj.慎重的，谨慎的 | |
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mule
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| n.骡子，杂种，执拗的人 | |
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encumbered
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| v.妨碍，阻碍，拖累( encumber的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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panoply
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| n.全副甲胄，礼服 | |
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fissures
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| n.狭长裂缝或裂隙( fissure的名词复数 )；裂伤；分歧；分裂v.裂开( fissure的第三人称单数 ) | |
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frightful
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| adj.可怕的；讨厌的 | |
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asunder
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| adj.分离的，化为碎片 | |
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primitive
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| adj.原始的；简单的；n.原(始)人，原始事物 | |
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partially
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| adv.部分地，从某些方面讲 | |
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mantled
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| 披着斗篷的，覆盖着的 | |
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torrents
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| n.倾注；奔流( torrent的名词复数 )；急流；爆发；连续不断 | |
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savannas
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| n.（美国东南部的）无树平原( savanna的名词复数 )；（亚）热带的稀树大草原 | |
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defiles
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| v.玷污( defile的第三人称单数 )；污染；弄脏；纵列行进 | |
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apprehension
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| n.理解，领悟；逮捕，拘捕；忧虑 | |
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foe
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| n.敌人，仇敌 | |
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ambush
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| n.埋伏(地点)；伏兵；v.埋伏；伏击 | |
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gorge
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| n.咽喉，胃，暴食，山峡；v.塞饱，狼吞虎咽地吃 | |
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32
beheld
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| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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fortress
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| n.堡垒，防御工事 | |
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defiance
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| n.挑战，挑衅，蔑视，违抗 | |
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invaders
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| 入侵者，侵略者，侵入物( invader的名词复数 ) | |
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warriors
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| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
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resolute
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| adj.坚决的，果敢的 | |
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monarch
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| n.帝王，君主，最高统治者 | |
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refreshing
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| adj.使精神振作的，使人清爽的，使人喜欢的 | |
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toils
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| 网 | |
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ascent
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| n.(声望或地位)提高；上升，升高；登高 | |
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masonry
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| n.砖土建筑；砖石 | |
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excavated
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| v.挖掘( excavate的过去式和过去分词 )；开凿；挖出；发掘 | |
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gorges
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| n.山峡，峡谷( gorge的名词复数 )；咽喉v.（用食物把自己）塞饱，填饱( gorge的第三人称单数 )；作呕 | |
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severely
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| adv.严格地；严厉地；非常恶劣地 | |
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funereal
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| adj.悲哀的；送葬的 | |
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stunted
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| adj.矮小的；发育迟缓的 | |
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alpine
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| adj.高山的；n.高山植物 | |
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hardy
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| adj.勇敢的，果断的，吃苦的；耐寒的 | |
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genial
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| adj.亲切的，和蔼的，愉快的，脾气好的 | |
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dreary
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| adj.令人沮丧的，沉闷的，单调乏味的 | |
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solitudes
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| n.独居( solitude的名词复数 )；孤独；荒僻的地方；人迹罕至的地方 | |
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brute
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| n.野兽，兽性 | |
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loathsome
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| adj.讨厌的，令人厌恶的 | |
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condor
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| n.秃鹰；秃鹰金币 | |
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crest
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| n.顶点；饰章；羽冠；vt.达到顶点；vi.形成浪尖 | |
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bleak
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| adj.(天气)阴冷的；凄凉的；暗淡的 | |
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vestige
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| n.痕迹，遗迹，残余 | |
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ardent
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，强烈的，烈性的 | |
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pinnacles
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| 顶峰( pinnacle的名词复数 )； 顶点； 尖顶； 小尖塔 | |
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burnished
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| adj.抛光的，光亮的v.擦亮（金属等），磨光( burnish的过去式和过去分词 )；被擦亮，磨光 | |
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sterile
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| adj.不毛的，不孕的，无菌的，枯燥的，贫瘠的 | |
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quarries
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| n.（采）石场( quarry的名词复数 )；猎物（指鸟，兽等）；方形石；（格窗等的）方形玻璃v.从采石场采得( quarry的第三人称单数 )；从（书本等中）努力发掘（资料等）；在采石场采石 | |
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gems
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| growth； economy； management； and customer satisfaction 增长 | |
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gem
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| n.宝石，珠宝；受爱戴的人 [同]jewel | |
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ridgy
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| adj.有脊的；有棱纹的；隆起的；有埂的 | |
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huddling
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| n. 杂乱一团, 混乱, 拥挤 v. 推挤, 乱堆, 草率了事 | |
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repose
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| v.(使)休息；n.安息 | |
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laborious
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| adj.吃力的，努力的，不流畅 | |
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envoy
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| n.使节，使者，代表，公使 | |
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unwilling
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| adj.不情愿的 | |
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refreshments
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| n.点心,便餐;(会议后的)简单茶点招 待 | |
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celebrated
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| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
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tract
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| n.传单，小册子，大片(土地或森林) | |
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politic
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| adj.有智虑的；精明的；v.从政 | |
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awe
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| n.敬畏，惊惧；vt.使敬畏，使惊惧 | |
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subduing
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| 征服( subdue的现在分词 )； 克制； 制服； 色变暗 | |
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dominions
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| 统治权( dominion的名词复数 )； 领土； 疆土； 版图 | |
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postpone
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| v.延期，推迟 | |
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glorification
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| n.赞颂 | |
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brag
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| v./n.吹牛，自夸；adj.第一流的 | |
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civilized
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| a.有教养的，文雅的 | |
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antagonist
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| n.敌人，对抗者，对手 | |
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quaff
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| v.一饮而尽；痛饮 | |
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quaffing
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| v.痛饮( quaff的现在分词 )；畅饮；大口大口将…喝干；一饮而尽 | |
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fermented
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| v.（使）发酵( ferment的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）激动；骚动；骚扰 | |
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maize
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| n.玉米 | |
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goblets
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| n.高脚酒杯( goblet的名词复数 ) | |
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rapacious
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| adj.贪婪的，强夺的 | |
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90
transcript
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| n.抄本，誊本，副本，肄业证书 | |
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91
behold
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| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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92
wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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93
vented
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| 表达，发泄（感情，尤指愤怒）( vent的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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94
courteously
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| adv.有礼貌地，亲切地 | |
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95
courteous
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| adj.彬彬有礼的，客气的 | |
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96
retaliated
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| v.报复，反击( retaliate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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97
envoys
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| 使节( envoy的名词复数 )； 公使； 谈判代表； 使节身份 | |
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98
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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99
evacuated
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| 撤退者的 | |
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100
credentials
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| n.证明，资格，证明书，证件 | |
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101
plausible
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| adj.似真实的，似乎有理的，似乎可信的 | |
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102
reiterated
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| 反复地说，重申( reiterate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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103
cultivation
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| n.耕作，培养，栽培（法），养成 | |
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104
variegated
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| adj.斑驳的，杂色的 | |
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105
attire
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| v.穿衣，装扮[同]array；n.衣着；盛装 | |
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106
dwellings
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| n.住处，处所( dwelling的名词复数 ) | |
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107
diligent
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| adj.勤勉的，勤奋的 | |
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108
thrifty
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| adj.节俭的；兴旺的；健壮的 | |
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109
copious
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| adj.丰富的，大量的 | |
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110
verdant
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| adj.翠绿的，青翠的，生疏的，不老练的 | |
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111
checkered
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| adj.有方格图案的 | |
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112
stimulating
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| adj.有启发性的，能激发人思考的 | |
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113
temperate
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| adj.温和的，温带的，自我克制的，不过分的 | |
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114
latitudes
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| 纬度 | |
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115
vapor
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| n.蒸汽，雾气 | |
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116
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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117
conqueror
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| n.征服者，胜利者 | |
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118
conquerors
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| 征服者，占领者( conqueror的名词复数 ) | |
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119
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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120
stoutest
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| 粗壮的( stout的最高级 )； 结实的； 坚固的； 坚定的 | |
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121
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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122
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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123
pueblo
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| n.（美国西南部或墨西哥等）印第安人的村庄 | |
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124
martial
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| adj.战争的，军事的，尚武的，威武的 | |
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125
cavalcade
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| n.车队等的行列 | |
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126
Christians
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| n.基督教徒( Christian的名词复数 ) | |
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127
panoplies
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| n.全套礼服( panoply的名词复数 )；盛装；全副甲胄；雄伟的阵式 | |
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128
glistening
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| adj.闪耀的，反光的v.湿物闪耀，闪亮( glisten的现在分词 ) | |
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129
domain
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| n.(活动等)领域，范围；领地，势力范围 | |
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130
populous
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| adj.人口稠密的，人口众多的 | |
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131
confide
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| v.向某人吐露秘密 | |
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132
mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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133
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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134
narrative
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| n.叙述，故事；adj.叙事的，故事体的 | |
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135
corps
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| n.(通信等兵种的)部队；(同类作的)一组 | |
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136
deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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137
virgins
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| 处女，童男( virgin的名词复数 )； 童贞玛利亚（耶稣之母） | |
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138
dedicated
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| adj.一心一意的；献身的；热诚的 | |
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139
deity
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| n.神，神性；被奉若神明的人(或物) | |
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140
grove
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| n.林子，小树林，园林 | |
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141
triangular
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| adj.三角（形）的，三者间的 | |
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142
plaza
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| n.广场，市场 | |
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143
encompassed
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| v.围绕( encompass的过去式和过去分词 )；包围；包含；包括 | |
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144
animated
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| adj.生气勃勃的，活跃的，愉快的 | |
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145
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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146
predilection
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| n.偏好 | |
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147
ascertain
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| vt.发现，确定，查明，弄清 | |
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148
disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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149
dispositions
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| 安排( disposition的名词复数 )； 倾向； （财产、金钱的）处置； 气质 | |
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150
demonstrations
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| 证明( demonstration的名词复数 )； 表明； 表达； 游行示威 | |
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151
bland
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|
| adj.淡而无味的，温和的，无刺激性的 | |
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152
affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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153
indefatigable
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| adj.不知疲倦的，不屈不挠的 | |
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154
anonymous
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| adj.无名的；匿名的；无特色的 | |
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155
galloped
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| （使马）飞奔，奔驰( gallop的过去式和过去分词 )； 快速做[说]某事 | |
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156
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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157
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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158
shrill
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| adj.尖声的；刺耳的；v尖叫 | |
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159
trumpet
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| n.喇叭，喇叭声；v.吹喇叭，吹嘘 | |
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160
apparition
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| n.幽灵，神奇的现象 | |
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161
winding
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| n.绕，缠，绕组，线圈 | |
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162
battalion
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| n.营；部队；大队(的人) | |
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163
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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164
molestation
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| n.骚扰，干扰，调戏；折磨 | |
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165
edifice
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| n.宏伟的建筑物(如宫殿，教室) | |
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166
spacious
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| adj.广阔的，宽敞的 | |
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167
ornamented
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| adj.花式字体的v.装饰，点缀，美化( ornament的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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168
crimson
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| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
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169
eyebrow
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| n.眉毛，眉 | |
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170
patio
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| n.庭院，平台 | |
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171
corona
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| n.日冕 | |
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172
valor
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| n.勇气，英勇 | |
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173
apathy
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| n.漠不关心，无动于衷；冷淡 | |
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174
contemplated
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|
| adj. 预期的 动词contemplate的过去分词形式 | |
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175
appalling
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| adj.骇人听闻的，令人震惊的，可怕的 | |
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176
followers
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| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
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177
akin
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| adj.同族的，类似的 | |
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178
obeisance
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| n.鞠躬，敬礼 | |
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179
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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180
thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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181
doctrines
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| n.教条( doctrine的名词复数 )；教义；学说；（政府政策的）正式声明 | |
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182
professed
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| 公开声称的，伪称的，已立誓信教的 | |
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183
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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184
ascertaining
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| v.弄清，确定，查明( ascertain的现在分词 ) | |
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185
condescended
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| 屈尊，俯就( condescend的过去式和过去分词 )； 故意表示和蔼可亲 | |
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186
fiery
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|
| adj.燃烧着的，火红的；暴躁的；激烈的 | |
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187
impatience
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| n.不耐烦，急躁 | |
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188
rein
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| n.疆绳，统治，支配；vt.以僵绳控制，统治 | |
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189
foam
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| v./n.泡沫，起泡沫 | |
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190
knight
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| n.骑士，武士；爵士 | |
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191
armour
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| （=armor）n.盔甲；装甲部队 | |
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192
moody
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| adj.心情不稳的，易怒的，喜怒无常的 | |
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193
speculations
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| n.投机买卖( speculation的名词复数 )；思考；投机活动；推断 | |
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194
opulence
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| n.财富，富裕 | |
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195
diminutive
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| adj.小巧可爱的，小的 | |
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196
lessened
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| 减少的，减弱的 | |
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197
lighting
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| n.照明，光线的明暗，舞台灯光 | |
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198
consternation
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| n.大为吃惊，惊骇 | |
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199
doughty
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| adj.勇猛的，坚强的 | |
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200
kindling
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| n. 点火, 可燃物 动词kindle的现在分词形式 | |
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201
beseeching
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| adj.恳求似的v.恳求，乞求（某事物）( beseech的现在分词 ) | |
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202
providence
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| n.深谋远虑，天道，天意；远见；节约；上帝 | |
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203
chivalrous
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| adj.武士精神的；对女人彬彬有礼的 | |
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204
zeal
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| n.热心，热情，热忱 | |
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205
peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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206
kindled
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| （使某物）燃烧，着火( kindle的过去式和过去分词 )； 激起（感情等）； 发亮，放光 | |
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207
bosoms
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| 胸部( bosom的名词复数 )； 胸怀； 女衣胸部（或胸襟）； 和爱护自己的人在一起的情形 | |
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208
faltering
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| 犹豫的，支吾的，蹒跚的 | |
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209
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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210
hemmed
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| 缝…的褶边( hem的过去式和过去分词 )； 包围 | |
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211
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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212
perilous
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| adj.危险的，冒险的 | |
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213
pretext
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| n.借口，托词 | |
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214
crafty
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| adj.狡猾的，诡诈的 | |
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215
entangled
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| adj.卷入的；陷入的；被缠住的；缠在一起的v.使某人（某物/自己）缠绕，纠缠于（某物中），使某人（自己）陷入（困难或复杂的环境中）( entangle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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216
snare
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| n.陷阱，诱惑，圈套；（去除息肉或者肿瘤的）勒除器；响弦，小军鼓；vt.以陷阱捕获，诱惑 | |
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217
victorious
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| adj.胜利的，得胜的 | |
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218
odds
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| n.让步，机率，可能性，比率；胜败优劣之别 | |
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219
acting
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| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
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220
astounded
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| v.使震惊(astound的过去式和过去分词)；愕然；愕；惊讶 | |
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221
dictate
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| v.口授；(使)听写；指令，指示，命令 | |
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222
compulsory
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| n.强制的，必修的；规定的，义务的 | |
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223
justify
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| vt.证明…正当(或有理)，为…辩护 | |
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224
kidnappers
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| n.拐子，绑匪( kidnapper的名词复数 ) | |
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225
discretion
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| n.谨慎；随意处理 | |
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226
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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227
extricate
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| v.拯救，救出；解脱 | |
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228
tranquillity
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| n. 平静, 安静 | |
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229
consign
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| vt.寄售（货品），托运，交托，委托 | |
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