The next expedition met with great vicissitudes, and it was only the invincible spirit of Pizarro which carried them as far as the Gulf of Guayaquil and the rich city of Tumbez.  Hence they returned once more to Panama, carrying this time better tidings, and again seeking reinforcements.  But the governor of the colony gave them no encouragement, and at last it was decided that Pizarro should go to Spain and apply for help from the Crown.  He did so, and in 1529 was executed the memorable “Capitulation” which defined the powers and privileges of Pizarro.  It granted to Pizarro the right of discovery and conquest in the province of Peru, (or New Castile as it was then called,) the title of Governor, and a salary, with inferior honours for his associates; all these to be enjoyed on the conquest of the country, and the salaries to be derived from its revenues.  Pizarro was to provide for the good government and protection of the natives, and to carry with him a specified number of ecclesiastics to care for their spiritual welfare.

On Pizarro’s return to America, he had to contend with the discontent of Almagro at the unequal distribution of authority and honours, but after he had been somewhat appeased by the efforts of Pizarro the third expedition set sail in January, 1531.  It comprised three ships, carrying 180 men and 27 horses—­a slender enough force for the conquest of an empire.

After various adventures, the Spaniards landed at Tumbez, and in May, 1532, set out from there to march along the coast.  After founding a town some thirty leagues south of Tumbez, which he named San Miguel, he marched into the interior with the bold design of meeting the Inca himself.  He came at a moment when Peru was but just emerging from a civil conflict, in which Atahuallpa had routed the rival and more legitimate claimant to the throne of the Incas, Huascar.  On his march, Pizarro was met by an envoy from the Inca, inviting him to visit him in his camp, with, as Pizarro guessed, no friendly intent.  This coincided, however, with the purpose of Pizarro, and he pressed forward.  When his soldiers showed signs of discouragement in face of the great dangers before them, Pizarro addressed them thus: 

“Let every one of you take heart and go forward like a good soldier, nothing daunted by the smallness of your numbers.  For in the greatest extremity God ever fights for His own; and doubt not He will humble the pride of the heathen, and bring him to the knowledge of the true faith, the great end and object of the Conquest.”  The enthusiasm of the troops was at once rekindled.  “Lead on!” they shouted as he finished his address.  “Lead on wherever you think best!  We will follow with goodwill; and you shall see that we can do our duty in the cause of God and the king!”