CHAPTER XLV

_How the Viceroy made preparations encouraging those who were with him in case Gonzalo Pizarro should come._

As the things that were passing at Cuzco were published and the news of the preparations of Pizarro became known, the Viceroy said to Diego de Urbina: “Captain, there can be no longer doubt. We must put on the leathern doublets and cloaks, and shoulder our pikes.” Diego de Urbina replied that it was very good, and from that time he doffed his peaceful garb. He was appointed Master of the Camp. From boards of cedar they made long pikes. Metal was collected to manufacture arquebuses, and the master gunner was expected to turn out four daily. As there was not sufficient metal, a bell which was placed in the principal church by the Marquis Pizarro, for divine worship, and had pleasantly rung ever since it was founded, was taken away and made into arquebuses. Oh miserable land! Great must have been thy sins, that such evils should befall thee. Prosperous and in great majesty in times of peace, it seems to me that thou now sailest in tempestuous seas, and cruel fortune turns foul and furious winds against thee, leaving thee in the high seas. Few of thy sons will escape without colouring the sea with their blood. Those who do escape will be left saddened, sombre, altered, thoughtful, and I see them walking deaf to all around. In Cuzco they are arming, in Lima they pull down the bell to make arms. In all the province they think of nothing but the search for arms and armour, that the time of trouble may come more quickly.

The Father Losa, who, as we have already said, left Lima with the Bishop, went as far as the bridge of Abancay, where Francisco de Almendras was stationed with the artillery. Thence he was allowed to go on to Pizarro’s camp, and was well received by him and his captains. Pizarro said that he rejoiced much to see him and thanked him for the news he sent in his letters, asking him for the latest news from Lima, and for the intentions of Blasco Nuñez with regard to the ordinances. The clergyman Losa answered that Pizarro and his captains were all knights who ought, with valorous hearts, promptly to assert their liberties, considering well what honour they will lose if the ordinances are fully enforced, and what profit will be gained if they are revoked. Continuing his discourse Losa went on to say that for brave hearts, such as those of the men he saw before him, many reasons were not needed. Let them assemble as many men as possible, collecting all the arms, and expending all the gold in the land. The Viceroy had not more than 300 men all armed, and few of them are his friends. This speech of the priest did no little harm, for many of those who were with Pizarro, their first anger having subsided, were beginning to regret that they had made him Procurator, saying one to another, “Where are we going? what do we want? are we to attack the King in arms?” and similar questions.