Alvarado’s Exploits.
Notable Stratagem of the Peruvians.
Wickedness of a Woman.
Guatimala destroy’d by a flood.
Velasques’ Journey.
Peter Alvarado inform’d concerning the Riches of Peru, and well knowing how to insinuate with the Emperor in his fawning Letters, at last by his Friends so prevail’d, that he also got leave to go thither; in pursuance of which, Anno 1534. he Weigh’d Anchor with seven Ships from Guatimala, a City built by him between two Mountains. But Landing at Puerto Viejo, and Marching Easterly over Snowy Mountains, he was met by Almagro, between whom a bloody incounter was like to have happen’d, but after some time, a Treaty being set a Foot, they came to a Composition on these Articles: That Alvarado upon the receipt of a hundred thousand Duckets, should leave his Men with Almagro, and depart from Peru; with which sum, being inrich’d, he soon after fitted out fourteen Sail to discover new Countreys to the West; but being busie in his preparations, was sent for to Mexico by Don Antonio Mendoza the Vice-Roy, to undertake a Voyage with him to the new-discover’d Countrey of Sibolla, abounding in Gold and Saffron, according to the report of four Dominican Monks; and having already rais’d seven hundred Men, news came to Mexico, that Peter Zunica had receiv’d an overthrow by the Indians of Salisco; to whose assistance Alvarado March’d with all speed, and found the Indians incamp’d on a high Mountain, fortifi’d with conjoyn’d Trees, and great Stones ty’d together with Rushes, behind which they were secure from Shot. The Spaniards climbing up the Mountain, approach’d their Works, when on a sudden the Defendants giving a great Shout, cut the Cords which held their Fortification together, whereupon the Stones and Trees tumbled down with such force, that they kill’d both Men and Horse, few escaping alive: In this conflict Alvarado himself was lost. His Wife Beatrix Cuova made a stately Funeral for her Husband, and caus’d her House to be Painted black, refusing either to Eat or Drink for a set time, yet notwithstanding, all her pretence of sorrow, she so minded her business, that she took the Government of Guatimala into her own hands; but her Dominion lasted not long, for on the eighteenth of September, Anno 1541. happen’d a hideous Tempest of Wind and Rain, mixt with continual Lightning, and horrible claps of Thunder, and what was more terrible, was answer’d with roars and horrid bellowings from the caverns of the Mountain, at whose foot Guatimala stood. About midnight the Mountain was deliver’d, whose Birth was the irruption of an Inundating River, a precipitate torrent tumbling down full of Rocks and Stones, which carry’d all before it, so that in few minutes Guatimala was utterly swept away, not the least mark remaining, nor any left alive except Alvarado’s Bastard Daughter by an Indian; and in the adjacent Fields, some few, and they maim’d, with broken Arms or Legs; after this utter destruction, they re-built another Guatimala, three Leagues more Easterly. But though Alvarado was lost in this Enterprize, yet the Voyage to Sibolla was not laid aside, for Francisco Velasques March’d thither with eight hundred Men, of which most were Horse, but found nought else but Snowy Mountains and barren Plains, insomuch, that his Men and Horses were starv’d for want of Provision; wherefore he return’d without success to Mexico, having onely burnt some Villages, and had several Rencounters with the Natives.
Attabaliba’s message to Pizarro.
But Attabaliba a Peruan Prince, inform’d of Pizarro and Almagro’s coming, commanded them both to depart out of his Kingdom; but they not regarding it, march’d directly to Caxamalca, where Attabaliba kept his Court, who again sent other Messengers to them with command to leave his Dominions. Pizarro made answer, that he could not obey any Commands but those of his Master the Emperor, who had order’d him to speak with the King himself at his own Palace.
Attabaliba hearing that Pizarro resolv’d to come forward, sent him a pair of Painted Shooes and Armlets, that he might put them on when he appear’d before his Throne: Captain Ferdinand Sotto march’d before with twenty Horse, passing close on the Flank of Attabaliba’s Army: The Indians amaz’d at the prauncing of their Horses, retreated into their Fortifications, but were for their cowardize immediately slain by the King’s Order.
His discourse with a Spanish Bishop, and his apparel.