CHAPTER I.

THE CONQUERORS OF CENTRAL AMERICA.

I.

Hojeda--Americus Vespucius--The New World named after him--Juan de la Cosa--Vincent Yanez Pinzon--Bastidas--Diego de Lepe--Diaz de Solis--Ponce de Leon and Florida--Balboa discovers the Pacific Ocean--Grijalva explores the coast of Mexico . . . . . . 207

II.

Ferdinand Cortes--His character--His appointment--Preparations for the expedition, and attempts of Velasquez to stop it-- Landing at Vera-Cruz--Mexico and the Emperor Montezuma--The republic of Tlascala--March upon Mexico--The Emperor is made prisoner--Narvaez defeated--The _Noche Triste_--Battle of Otumba--The second siege and taking of Mexico--Expedition to Honduras--Voyage to Spain--Expeditions on the Pacific Ocean-- Second Voyage of Cortes to Spain--His death . . . . . . . . . . 224

III.

The triple alliance--Francisco Pizarro and his brothers--Don Diego d'Almagro--First attempts--Peru, its extent, people, and kings--Capture of Atahualpa, his ransom and death--Pedro d'Alvarado--Almagro in Chili--Strife among the conquerors--Trial and execution of Almagro--Expeditions of Gonzalo Pizarro and Orellana--Assassination of Francisco Pizarro--Rebellion and execution of his brother Gonzalo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253