CHAPTER XLIX

_How Gonzalo Pizarro appointed Francisco de Carbajal to be Master of the Camp, how it was notified to him that Gaspar Rodriguez wanted to kill him and what else happened._

After he had been encamped in the valley of Xaquixaguana for some days, Gonzalo Pizarro determined to march onwards to Lima, and ordered the tents to be struck. They marched by the main road until they came to a place called Lucumaes. It was there that Pizarro, knowing how wise and skilful Francisco de Carbajal was, in all matters relating to war, determined to appoint him Master of the Camp. For truth to tell the Procurator did not feel much confidence in Alonso de Toro. For these reasons, after consulting his principal officers, he gave the post of Master of the Camp to the Captain Francisco de Carbajal.

At about this time Gaspar Rodriguez de Camporedondo, Alonso de Mendoza, Alonso de Toro, Villacastin, Diego Centeno and the others who, as we have stated, sent Beltasar de Loaysa for their pardons from the Viceroy, began to exchange ideas by word of mouth or by the play of their countenances, in such a way that Pizarro got wind of what had been going on. They even affirm that it was intended to kill him, the author of the conspiracy being Gaspar Rodriguez. When Pizarro came to know it he was much disturbed and even frightened. At once, and without waiting, he sent for the Master of the Camp, Francisco de Carbajal, and gave him a detailed account of what he had heard, asking his opinion on so important a matter. After Carbajal had given himself a little time to think over the matter, he replied as follows. “Even before Blasco Nuñez arrived at Tierra Firme, when I understood that he intended to enforce the new laws, I knew that great troubles and disturbance would arise, which are the armouries from which civil wars are equipped. Foreseeing these things I tried by every means in my power to leave the country. I conjectured that there would be two extremes in the business, one allied to reason and the other to justice. The one allied to reason was that which would lead those in Peru to defend their property, while that allied to justice would be the duty to obey the order of the King, as natural lord. I desired to take part neither with one extreme nor with the other. But I was unable to find a ship to take me away, either at the ports of Lima or Arequipa. This desire lasted until I found you to be my friend. But it must be understood that if the demand you bring leads to war, it will be a very cruel war, and its fury will extend over the whole kingdom, like a very contagious pestilence. For if there should be a battle in which the Viceroy is defeated, there can be no doubt that another will arrive from Spain, while if the insurgents are defeated they will have little chance of repairing their losses. There is, however, a way out of the difficulty. Let the Viceroy be sent to Spain while the Judges remain at their posts, all the past being condoned, and no one being deprived of his property. Afterwards affairs will be likely to progress more satisfactorily. Now, without considering these things, having taken the demand to my heart, I shall be faithful to the cause and to my comrades: as Lentulus said to Pompey--death makes an end of all evil. Touching the question of Gaspar Rodriguez I am of opinion that this is not a moment for severity. It will be best to use vigilance. Gaspar Rodriguez should be secretly watched until Pedro de Puelles arrives and further news about the Viceroy comes from Lima.” When Pizarro had heard what Carbajal said, he told his friends to keep an eye on Gaspar Rodriguez, and to prevent him from escaping, which was done from that time.

At this time the events which took place in all parts were so numerous, that I find great difficulty in conveying a clear idea of the general course of history. The next occurrence was the arrival at the rebel camp of Pedro de Puelles, Villegas, and Gonzalo Diaz, one of the Viceroy’s captains who had joined Puelles. It is necessary that the curious reader should remember what has gone before, and in payment for the trouble I have taken in collecting the information and in writing, I expect that amount of attention; I am forced to take one thread and drop another, which I will do as methodically as I possibly can.