[88] The Quichua tribe which inhabited the Jauja province.
[89] Of Magellan.
[90] I.e., the tropics.
[91] Actual murderers of the Marquis.
[92] Accomplices who waited outside.
[93] "Muy lucidos." It is to be feared that the prejudices of Cieza de León were very strong.
[94] Two old captains who served under the elder Almagro.
[95] They had already murdered his son, the gallant boy who defended the Marquis.
[96] Other authorities called him Rada, and they were followed by Prescott and Helps. Cieza de León is right. The name was Herrada. I am unable to concur in Mr. Prescott's estimate of the character of this man. I cannot find any authority for that historian's statement that Herrada was of good family, and he certainly had no experience in high military commands.
Herrada came to Peru with Pedro de Alvarado as a common soldier of mature years. Deserting Alvarado he entered the service of the elder Almagro, remained with him until his death, and then attended his young half-caste son to Lima, obtaining unbounded influence over him. He originated the plot for the murder of Pizarro, and was the ringleader in that atrocious crime. None of Almagro's old captains, except Chaves, and no man of honour, would have anything to do with it. Herrada had force of character, but neither prudence nor ability. By inducing young Almagro to make him his General above the heads of better men, he affronted and estranged the old captains and friends of the young half-caste's late father. His murders of Pizarro's secretary, of Francisco de Chaves and others, were acts of folly which no able conspirator would have perpetrated. The murder of Pizarro may have been partly to avenge the death of his old master, but he and his accomplices were far more influenced by anger at not being provided for. Herrada's last advice to appoint two Generals showed his incapacity. For young Almagro the death of this ruffian was nought but a good riddance.