The judges, meanwhile, who had tasted the
sweets of office too short a time to be content to resign them, after
considerable delay, sent an embassy to the Procurator. They announced
to him the revolution that had taken place, and the suspension of the
ordinances. The great object of his mission had been thus accomplished;
and, as a new government was now organized, they called on him to
show his obedience to it, by disbanding his forces, and withdrawing to
the unmolested enjoyment of his estates. It was a bold demand, though
couched in the most courteous and complimentary phrase,--to make of
one in Pizarro's position. It was attempting to scare away the eagle just
ready to stoop on his prey. If the chief had faltered, however, he would
have been reassured by his lion-hearted lieutenant. "Never show faint
heart," exclaimed the latter, "when you are so near the goal. Success has
followed every step of your path. You have now only to stretch forth
your hand, and seize the government. Every thing else will follow."--
The envoy who brought the message from the judges was sent back with
the answer, that "the people had called Gonzalo Pizarro to the
government of the country, and, if the Audience did not at once invest
him with it, the city should be delivered up to pillage.
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