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formed a plan of the same kind, for getting the person of Atahualpa into his possession. He resolved that the next day, when he had invited this prince to visit him, he would put his scheme, if possible, into execution.

The monarch, or Inca, (as he was called,) made great preparations for his visit to the Spaniards. Pizarro grew so impatient, that he sent him several messages, to assure him of his friendly intentions; at the same time, arranging his soldiers in such a manner as seemed most likely to secure his success.

At length the Inca came. Four hundred men, in a uniform dress, walked first, in procession, to clear the way before him. He himself appeared, sitting on a throne, or couch, almost covered with plates of gold and silver, and precious stones. He was followed by his officers and troops, in all amounting, it was supposed, to 60,000 men.

As he drew nigh, a Spanish priest advanced, and read to the poor prince a long account of the doctrines of religion, and informed him that the pope had given the kingdom of Peru to the Spaniards, who were come to take possession of it; promising, that if he submitted to them, and embraced the Christian faith, he should be treated with kindness, and enjoy their favor and protection; but if not, he denounced war against him, and threatened him with the most dreadful vengeance.

The Inca, very much surprised at all this, which was imperfectly interpreted to him, at last answered, that he did not understand what right the pope, of whom he knew nothing, had to give away his kingdom; that he had been brought up in the religion of Peru, and as yet had seen no reason for changing it; but he begged to know where the priest had learned all he told him.

"From this book," said the priest, holding out his prayer book to him. The Inca eagerly took the book,

opened it, and turned over the leaves.

This," said

he, "is silent; it tells me nothing." And he threw it

The priest, angry at this, ex

down on the ground.

Christians, to arms! the word

claimed, "To arms! of God is profaned."

His

Pizarro instantly gave the signal for attack. soldiers fell upon the poor, defenceless, astonished people; the muskets and cannon were fired; the cavalry rode in among them. Pizarro himself advanced to seize the Inca. The Peruvians gathered round offering themselves willing to die for him; but Pizarro seizing him by the arm, dragged him away a prisoner to the Spanish quarters; still the bloody work went on; and the Spaniards are said to have killed on that day, four thousand of the natives of Peru!

The captive Inca, as soon as he had recovered a little from the deep distress into which he was plunged at finding himself a prisoner, began to think how he could regain his liberty; and soon observing the Spaniard's thirst for gold, he offered an immense ransom for his freedom. He undertook to fill the apartment in which he was confined, which was twenty-two feet in length, and sixteen in breadth, with vessels of gold as high as he could reach.

Pizarro, delighted, eagerly accepted the offer; and the prince sent orders to his subjects, in all parts of the kingdom, to collect these vessels of gold. The Spaniards were astonished at the expedition with which his orders were executed. Every day, parties of the natives arrived, bringing in their contributions; and when all were collected, and the gold melted, it amounted to an immense sum of money.

After this you will expect to hear that Pizarro set at liberty the poor monarch, according to his agreement. Alas, no! that was far from his thoughts. Almagro, who was not so hardened, begged earnestly, that so wicked and base a part might not be acted towards this prince. But Pizarro was determined on

the death of Atahualpa; and regardless of what could be said, he brought him to a formal trial, and then caused him to be put to death.

This cruel action greatly disgusted Almagro and many of his friends; and, at length, struck with abhorrence at this and other instances of Pizarro's cruelty, they revolted from him. Thus a civil war began between the conquerors of Peru. Almagro after a time, was taken prisoner by Pizarro and strangled; but his death was revenged by his son, who assassinated Pizarro in the year 1541.

LESSON SEVENTY-FIRST.

Ode on Solitude.

Thou gentle nurse of pleasing wo!
To thee, from crowds, and noise, and show,
With eager haste I fly.
Thrice welcome, friendly Solitude!
O let no busy foot intrude,

Nor list'ning ear be nigh.

Soft, silent, melancholy maid!
With thee to yon sequestered shade
My pensive steps I bend;

Still, at the mild approach of night,
When Cynthia lends her sober light,
Do thou my walk attend!

To thee alone my conscious heart
Its tender sorrow dares impart,
And ease my lab'ring breast;
To thee I trust the rising sign,
And bid the tear that swells, mine eye
No longer be suppressed.

Oh, guide me to the humble cell
Where Resignation loves to dwell,
Contentment's bower in view.
Nor pining Grief with Absence drear,
Nor sick Suspense nor anxious Fear,
Shall there my steps pursue.

Then let my soul to Him aspire
Whom none e'er sought with vain desire,
Nor loved in sad despair!
There, to his gracious will divine,
My dearest, fondest hope resign,
And all my tend'rest care!

Then peace shall heal this wounded breast,
That pants to see another blest,

From selfish passion pure;

Peace, which when human wishes rise
Intense, for aught beneath the skies,
Can never be secure.

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LESSON SEVENTY-SECOND.

North American Indians.

Dr. Franklin says we call the North American Indians savages, because their manners differ from ours, which we think the perfection of civility; they think the same of theirs. Perhaps, if we could examine the manners of different nations with impartiality, we should find no people so rude as to be without any rules of politeness; nor any so polite as not to have some remains of rudeness.

The Indian men, when young, are hunters and warriors; when old, counsellors; for all their government is by the counsel or advice of the sages; there is no force, there are no prisons, no officers to compel obe

dience, or inflict punishment. Hence they generally study oratory; the best speaker having the most influence. The Indian women till the ground, dress the food, nurse and bring up the children, and preserve and hand down to posterity the memory of public transactions.

These employments of men and women are accounted natural and honorable. Having few artificial wants, they have abundance of leisure for improvement by conversation. Our laborious manner of life, compared with theirs, they esteem slavish and base; and the learning on which we value ourselves, they regard as frivolous and useless. An instance of this occurred at the treaty of Lancaster, in Pennsylvania, A. D. 1744, between the government of Virginia and the Six Nations.

After the principal business was settled, the commissioners from Virginia acquainted the Indians by a speech, that there was at Williamsburg, a college, with a fund, for educating Indian youth; and that if the chiefs of the Six Nations would send down half a dozen of their sons to that college, the government would take care that they should be well provided for, and instructed in all the learning of the white people.

It is one of the Indian rules of politeness not to answer a public proposition the same day that it is made; they think it would be treating it as a light matter, and that they show it respect by taking time to consider it, as of a matter important. They therefore deferred their answer till the day following; when their speaker began, by expressing their deep sense of the kindness of the Virginia government,. in making them that offer.

For we know," says he, "that you highly esteem the kind of learning taught in those colleges, and that the maintenance of our young men, while with you, would be very expensive to you. We are con

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