CHAPTER XLII

_What more passed between Francisco de Almendras and those who were bringing the royal provisions._

After what happened which I have described in the last chapter, the Captain Francisco de Almendras and his arquebusiers returned a day’s journey towards Guamanga. Almendras reflected within himself that it would not be desirable to leave Pero Lopez alive, lest he should bear testimony to what had been done. He ordered the messenger to be killed, a shameful piece of cruelty. Finally he said that Pero Lopez and Simon de Alzate should travel alone so that the Andahuaylas natives or others, seeing that they were unprotected, might kill them. He ordered them to depart, but he kept Ampuero until Gonzalo Pizarro should come. Pero Lopez, quite understanding the intention of Almendras, said that his horse was so tired that he could not go on, asking to be allowed to rest for two or three days, and that then he would begin the return journey. Francisco de Ampuero said that Pero Lopez and Alzate should not go without him, and that he would not remain unless by force. Almendras, in a great rage, said that if they remained for the night he would kill them, and with this he went into his tent. Ampuero, seeing the great danger in which Pero Lopez was, went to Almendras and, speaking affectionately, entreated him to let him go back. Almendras was very angry and menaced Pero Lopez with his words. Certainly it cannot be denied that Pero Lopez did notable service in this expedition, for his life was in great danger. He passed that night without any sleep whatever, fearing that he might be killed, telling Alzate and the others also to keep awake.

As Ampuero had so much friendship with the Pizarros he succeeded, in the morning, in persuading Almendras to let them all return. So they all went back together very joyfully, praising God for having delivered them out of the hands of Almendras. Soon after starting they met Diego Martin the clergyman, and with him the Father Provincial Friar Tomas de San Martin[54], who told them of the evil intentions of Gonzalo Pizarro and how he had appointed captains and was preparing to march against the Viceroy. This Provincial was the Regent who had gone from Lima to Cuzco, with a strong desire to induce Pizarro to abandon such a mad enterprise. He had not succeeded in his good attempt though, by all means, he strove to turn many principal adherents of Pizarro from continuing with him. He understood that one Juan de Ribas, a native of Zaragoza, had been hanged for taking messages to one and another, from the Regent.