CHAPTER XL

_How the Viceroy appointed captains and assembled troops._

I know well that I digressed in the preceding chapter, but I could not do less in dealing with the materials. There are those who, when the author is long in his chapters and tedious in relating events, throw the book on the bench, not thinking well of the writer. On this I will quote what the glorious Doctor St Jerome[51] says, in his treatise on the instruction of virgins, “Keep thy tongue from evil speaking, and put the bit and bridle of reason on thy mouth. If thou must speak because it would be sin to keep silent, take care not to say anything that can be blamed.” Leaving off any further remarks on this, we will proceed with the course of our history.

The Viceroy, now having news of what was occurring in the city of Cuzco, appointed Don Alonso de Montemayor to be captain of cavalry, a native of Seville and a very loyal knight. His brother-in-law Diego Alvarez de Cueto was also appointed a captain of cavalry. He was a native of Avila. The captain of arquebusiers was Diego de Urbina, a Biscayan. Afterwards he was appointed to the post of Camp Master, the captaincy of arquebusiers being given to Gonzalo Diaz de Pineda, a native of the Montaña[52]. Captains of infantry were Pablo de Meneses of Talavera and Martin de Robles. Juan Velasquez Vela Nuñez was appointed Captain of the Guard. After the Viceroy had made these appointments he addressed the officers, saying that they were to be captains in the service of the King our Lord in order that if any tyrant should rise in rebellion with an armed force, they should give such a lesson that, the leaders having been punished, the province might remain quiet. He had placed his eyes upon them, taking them to be his companions and special friends into whose keeping he confided his person and his honour. As a man arrived from Spain in this new kingdom, he had not known who to trust. The Captain Don Alonso answered, that for his part he would die in the service of the Viceroy, and all the captains said the same, showing a strong desire to serve him. There then began the beating of drums, displaying of colours, and enlisting of men. Don Antonio de Ribera, Alonso Palomino and other citizens sent news of all this to Gonzalo Pizarro, putting their letters in very small calabashes, that they might not be seen by anyone. They even say that when Don Antonio could not send them, his wife did it. Sayavedra was appointed as Serjeant-Major, and at the sound of the drum 500 men were assembled, their pay being $300 or 400. Many horses were bought at $500 to 600 each, and more. In the end about $100,000 were spent.

Vasco de Guevara, the citizen of Guamanga, came to Lima to clear himself of what was said against him about the artillery. The Viceroy appeared to be angry, but accepted his excuses, and took him into favour. Francisco de Cardenas was at Huaytara, knew all that was happening, and promptly sent the news to Gonzalo Pizarro. They say also that the clergyman Juan de Losa, who went with the Bishop, when he arrived at Guamanga sent a letter to Pizarro advising him to begin his march, as the Viceroy was disliked, and he said other things not in accordance with his profession. If I was to recount all the intrigues of friars and clergy at this time I should never finish, and Christian ears would feel pain in hearing them. This Losa also wrote advising the rebels not to allow the Bishop to come to them, because he came to deceive them, adding that he would advise them of everything that happened, with all diligence.