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.
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.”