There is no evidence that Pizarro showed any particular
alacrity in the cause. Nor were his own funds such as to warrant any
expectation of success without great assistance from others. He found
this in two individuals of the colony, who took too important a part in the
subsequent transactions not to be particularly noticed.
One of them, Diego de Almagro, was a soldier of fortune somewhat
older, it seems probable, than Pizarro; though little is known of his birth,
and even the place of it is disputed. It is supposed to have been the town
of Almagro in New Castile, whence his own name, for want of a better
source was derived; for, like Pizarro, he was a foundling.8 Few
particulars are known of him till the present period of our history; for he
was one of those whom the working of turbulent times first throws upon
the surface,--less fortunate, perhaps, than if left in their original
obscurity. In his military career, Almagro had earned the reputation of a
gallant soldier. He was frank and liberal in his disposition, somewhat
hasty and ungovernable in his passions, but, like men of a sanguine
temperament, after the first sallies had passed away, not difficult to be
appeased. He had, in short, the good qualities and the defects incident to
an honest nature, not improved by the discipline of early education or
self-control.
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