CHAPTER L

_How Gonzalo Pizarro advanced very cautiously, and how there were some movements in Cuzco._

Gonzalo Pizarro advanced very cautiously and with much trepidation, notwithstanding the news he had received of the adherence of Pedro de Puelles. On all sides he seemed to be navigating a tempestuous sea. It is said that he had thoughts of taking flight back to Charcas and submitting privately to the Viceroy, for his mind, in the evil course he had taken, was no longer firm. The people round him saw this by his words, and even by the expression of his face, so that they did not all proceed willingly on the enterprise, feeling that it was a rash thing to attempt to treat with their King in arms, and it might well end in disaster. They also feared that the Viceroy might have gathered together a force sufficient not only to defend himself, but to exact summary vengeance. Though it was late, some of the citizens began to say--“this is a great piece of folly that we are committing, coming thus with such a demand. For although our enterprise may have some colour of justice, it must appear very ugly and bad to all. For Pizarro not only discourses of the new laws but also of affairs of government. If we advance to battle, for which there is no excuse, and we are defeated, few of us will remain alive, and all without our Indians and without hope of mercy. And if Gonzalo Pizarro and we succeed, so many evils will spring up, that we shall be consumed in the wars.” The soldiers did not cease to talk, looking upon themselves as ignorant in being moved by the citizens to make war against the King.

Gaspar Rodriguez could easily have killed Pizarro at this time, if he had entertained the idea, although Gonzalo Pizarro had been warned. Pedro de Hinojosa, captain of Pizarro’s guard, continued to watch him. Talking to Alonso de Mendoza, Gaspar Rodriguez was advised to act, and Mendoza said that he would be the first to run his sword through Pizarro, though he might pay for his treason by his death. It is said that Gaspar Rodriguez, Alonso de Mendoza, and others went to the tent of Gonzalo Pizarro who was on his bed, but the bed clothes being aside they saw that he was armed and that he was not ignorant of the intentions of Gaspar Rodriguez. Affairs were in such a state in the camp that, if the news of the adherence of Pedro de Puelles had not arrived, the mutineers would have risen, and Pizarro would have been killed or a prisoner. Of this he felt assured, presently writing to the city of Cuzco that it might be known.

After the departure of Gonzalo Pizarro from Cuzco certain provisions appeared, sent by the Viceroy and to be obeyed by all, as well horse as foot, on pain of being declared traitors. Pizarro had intercepted most of them, but some got into the hands of a clergyman named Fortun Sanchez de Olave who, after waiting for some days, fastened them on the door of the church. Diego Maldonado, the King’s Alcalde, who had been left at Cuzco by Pizarro to act as Justice in his place, had not approved of Pizarro’s enterprise. He had made this quite clear from the time that he gave his vote at the meeting of the municipality. He was, therefore, anxious to serve the King, although he had great fear of the Viceroy, because he had adhered to the Marquis Pizarro in the differences and debates with the Adelantado Diego de Almagro, and because they said that it was owing to him that Manco Inca rose in arms. He feared that for these reasons some harm would come to him, though he had always shown that, in the matter of the Inca, he was not culpable. But, uninfluenced by these considerations, with a ready and loyal mind for the service of the King, he announced that all who desired to go to Lima and serve the Viceroy were quite free to do so.

There was a scrivener in the city of Cuzco named Gomez de Chaves who was very cautious. They say that he spoke to a citizen named Alonso de Mesa, insisting that he should raise the banner of the King. Alonso de Mesa heard this very joyfully, because he thought that it would be sufficient to gain him favour, and some soldiers who were there promised to help. But the scheme came to nothing. Two soldiers, one named Rebdona, and the other Santa Cruz, who were at Cuzco, looking upon the suggestion as a thing actually done, said that they should take for their wives those of Alonso de Toro and Tomas Vasquez who had gone with Gonzalo Pizarro.

The friends of Gomez de Chaves affirm that he went to Diego de Maldonado to report what had passed, while Alonso de Mesa undertook to raise the flag in the great square, shouting “Long live the King.” But things did not happen as was intended and he found himself on the point of losing his life. Rebdona and Santa Cruz were made prisoners, and Diego Maldonado sentenced them to be hanged. After this Maldonado, believing that the Viceroy was powerful, and that Gonzalo Pizarro would not be strong enough to prevent him from complying with the royal orders, and also because his desire was no other, came out into the great square, saying in a loud voice “Long live the King, and I raise this banner for his service. I again give permission to all who desire to do so to go and serve the Viceroy.”