A Perfidious Conqueror
The feuding between the rival sons reached its pinnacle in 1532; at that moment
Francisco Pizzaro came onto the scene. A native of Spain, he was sojouring in
Panama when he heard of the riches to be found in that far off land. overwhelmed
with cupidity, but still a tyro when it came to wresting power and wealth from
hapless people, he joined with an inveterate adventurer. They gathered a small
band of mercenaries. The first two attempts failed and Pizzaro returned to 
Spain to request authority and money in order to conquer the West Coast of South
America. whether by sophistry or cajolery he was given the requisite aid. With
a force of 180 men, the dregs of society, he invaded the Inca territory. He 
reached the city where the current ruler, Atahualpa, was holding court. The Incas
welcomed Pizzaro who, in a fictitious display of friendship, heaped encomiums
upon Atahualpa. Unknown to the Incas, he had brought guns that were still beyond
the technology of these people. The obloquy of his next act, ambushing the Incas
and taking Atahualpa prisoner, would live in the history book which are replete
with the tales of conquest.


to draw in one's horns--to become cautious.
He knew he was out of his depth, so he drew in his horns and quit the poker
game.