CHAPTER XLVII

_How the Viceroy was informed of the departure of Puelles and Villegas, and what he did in consequence._

We have already seen how the Viceroy Blasco Nuñez Vela sent Jeronimo de Villegas to Huanuco to convey the despatch to Pedro de Puelles, ordering him to come with as many Spaniards as he could collect, to serve his Majesty, and what else happened until they set out to join Gonzalo Pizarro. Don Antonio de Garay remained behind at Huanuco, of which place he was a citizen, and he wrote to tell the Viceroy what had happened. A servant of the Viceroy named Felix, who, by his master’s order was making pikes in the valley of Xauxa, also sent the news.

When the news came to Lima and was reported to the Viceroy he showed much feeling, not ceasing to complain of the disloyalty of Puelles, and the treachery of Villegas, praying to our Lord to show his justice by not suffering them to go without punishment. He called the Judges and captains together for consultation, and heard them all in silence, for the sad news left little to say. The Viceroy, however, told them that he sent Villegas, trusting to his honesty, for he had always shown so loyal a disposition that he had no reason to suspect him. He further told them that Pedro de Puelles, being a governor and captain in the service of the King, had gone to join Gonzalo Pizarro. This grave offence and treason should be punished, and he asked the assembly what steps should be taken before the traitors had time to form a junction with Gonzalo Pizarro. He added that he sent Hernando de Alvarado to the city of Truxillo, having himself volunteered to go, and his conduct is already known. He also sent the Treasurer of New Toledo to the city of Arequipa, but neither would they obey him. These things show how little loyalty there is in the land. If only those who were assembled in Lima were really loyal, they would suffice to chastise Gonzalo Pizarro and the traitors who had joined him. He meditated a march into the interior, not only to deal with Villegas and Puelles but also to rally his supporters and alarm the enemy.

The Judges and captains, assembled in council, after some debate, decided upon sending a force of arquebusiers under the command of Captain Gonzalo Diaz de Pineda[56] to the bridge over the river that passes by Xauxa where, without doubt, they would intercept and kill the traitors. In order to make this enterprise more effectual, General Vela Nuñez was to go, with speed, as far as the river Xauxa. The Viceroy enjoined great diligence, so as to prevent the traitors from carrying out their evil intent. He reminded them that the King had sent him to administer justice and execute the laws, that he suspended the laws without the king’s orders, and yet the country was in a disturbed state, only to be remedied by the punishment of those supporting such absurd demands as those made by Pizarro. In thus doing his duty the Viceroy said that he was obliged to put it before his wife Doña Brianda or his sons[57]. Vela Nuñez prayed him not to go further in that discourse, declaring that they would do all that was possible.

The Viceroy then called to Gonzalo Diaz and, after embracing him, urged him to be a good knight and captain, that the Viceroy’s own brother went as his soldier, and that he must so conduct the enterprise as that the traitors who went to join Pizarro might be killed or taken. Gonzalo Diaz answered well, but his real desire was to reach a position whence he could most easily join Pizarro. He had told Villegas of his intention when they were both in Lima.

Departing from Lima they took the road of Huarochiri, and during the march Gonzalo Diaz, Juan de la Torre, Cristoval de Torres, Piedrahita, Alonso de Aviles and others consulted together when would be the best time to pass over to Pizarro. It may thus be seen what sort of loyalty was maintained by the captains in Peru.