_Of other things that were done by the Captain Gonzalo Pizarro, and
how many letters came to him from all parts._
The Captain Gonzalo Pizarro was much agitated by what the people said,
and, being a man of little forethought, he did not calculate on future
developments. At one time he thought he would remain in his house and
not show the head of the wolf to the people as the saying is.
Afterwards, mindful that his affairs were prospering, he would refuse to
put himself within the lasso. At other times he thought it would show a
want of valour to consider only his own position, when the eyes of all
were turned to him, and felt that they would not be so ungrateful as not
to think of his welfare, if he entered upon the business. He also
considered that he had undertaken the discovery of Canela, whence he
had come out unsuccessful and so seriously embarrassed that $50,000
would not pay his debts. It would have been just if his Majesty had
named him as Governor, for all his services, alleging his claim as based
on the testament of the Marquis and on a royal provision, he being still
absent in Quito. These reflections aroused in him a desire to go to
Cuzco, and assemble forces to oppose the Viceroy. Meanwhile letters
continued to arrive from all parts, inciting him to set out speedily,
striving to excite his anger, and urging him to undertake the enterprise
as his own, for it was to liberate the province and befriend the people,
as their patron and as he who, jointly with the Marquis, had discovered
the kingdom. They told him that he should feel the misery and ruin which
his Majesty’s orders would bring upon them. That he might have a
stronger inducement to interfere, it was hinted to him that he himself,
with all who had been concerned in the recent troubles, were to be
beheaded and all their property confiscated.
Having considered all these things, and being a man of little knowledge,
Gonzalo Pizarro was inclined to approach the city of Cuzco, without
thinking that it was madness to oppose the royal officers. At Cuzco he
had faithful friends who would do what seemed best for his service. So
he wrote cheerful letters to all parts, saying that he would come and
attend to their wishes, adventuring his life for their welfare. Having
collected all the silver, of which there were such quantities that 100
_marcs_ or more were extracted daily, he determined to set out for the
great city of Cuzco, leaving orders that what more of the precious metal
was extracted should be speedily sent after him. About fourteen men, all
being his own servants, accompanied him, and one who was his brother,
having the name of Blas de Soto. As he approached Cuzco there came many
letters from Lima and other parts and he, keeping in his breast what he
intended to do, held his tongue, showing by his silence that he would do
that which had been urged upon him in the letters.