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[A] "Sudden, while frantic zeal, &c." PIZARRO, who during a long
conference, had with difficulty restrained his soldiers, eager to
seize the rich spoils of which they had now so near a view,
immediately gave the signal of assault. At once the martial music
struck up, the cannon and muskets began to fire, the horse sallied
out fiercely to the charge, the infantry rushed on sword in hand.
The Peruvians, astonished at the suddenness of an attack which they
did not expect, and dismayed with the destructive effects of the
fire-arms, fled with universal consternation on every side. PIZARRO,
at the head of his chosen band, advanced directly towards the Inca;
and though his Nobles crowded around him with officious zeal, and
fell in numbers at his feet, while they vied one with another in
sacrificing their own lives, that they might cover the sacred person
of their Sovereign, the Spaniards soon penetrated to the royal seat;
and PIZARRO seizing the Inca by the arm, dragged him to the ground,
and carried him a prisoner to his quarters.
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