The incredible true story of how a few hundred Spanish Conquistadors invaded and conquered the millions-strong Inca Empire of South America, a tale so incredible that if it had not actually happened, might well be considered an unbelievable work of fiction.Led by Francisco Pizarro-who was already over 50 years of age at the start of his adventures-the Conquistadors, who never numbered more than 500 men, along with native allies and confederates, used a combination of weapons, horses, and superior military tactics to overcome Inca armies which were at least tens of thousands strong.Using a gripping narrative style, this book tells of the failed first attempts to invade the Inca empire, the seizure of the Incan emperor Atahulpa, the infamous "gold ransom" and the Emperor's execution. The final battles around the city of Cuzco then followed, which ensconced the Spanish conquerors in what became the country of Peru.Pizarro's tale did not however end there: in keeping with the Conquistadors' brutal behavior, the conquerors then fell out with one another, and almost all of the original expedition's leaders-Pizarro included-were murdered by other Spaniards.This work remains one of the finest retellings of the incredible adventures of the most famous Conquistador in South America. This new edition has been completely reset, contains all the original illustrations, and a new index.ContentsAuthorities on Francisco PizarroI: In the Land of Poisoned ArrowsII: With Balboa in DarienIII: Sailing the Unknown SeaIV: The Desperate AdventurerV: Success in Sight at LastVI: An Appeal to the CrownVII: On the Peruvian FrontierVIII: A Glance at the PeruviansIX: A March to the MountainsX: In the Inca's StrongholdXI: How Atahuallpa was CapturedXII: The Prisoner and his RansomXIII: The Inca and his MurderersXIV: In the Heart of PeruXV: In the City of the SunXVI: Quarrels of the ConquerorsXVII: The Inca Raises His StandardXVIII: The Downfall of AlmagroXIX: How Pizarro was AssassinatedIndex