_How the Viceroy appointed captains and assembled troops._
I know well that I digressed in the preceding chapter, but I could not
do less in dealing with the materials. There are those who, when the
author is long in his chapters and tedious in relating events, throw the
book on the bench, not thinking well of the writer. On this I will quote
what the glorious Doctor St Jerome[51] says, in his treatise on the
instruction of virgins, “Keep thy tongue from evil speaking, and put the
bit and bridle of reason on thy mouth. If thou must speak because it
would be sin to keep silent, take care not to say anything that can be
blamed.” Leaving off any further remarks on this, we will proceed with
the course of our history.
The Viceroy, now having news of what was occurring in the city of Cuzco,
appointed Don Alonso de Montemayor to be captain of cavalry, a native of
Seville and a very loyal knight. His brother-in-law Diego Alvarez de
Cueto was also appointed a captain of cavalry. He was a native of Avila.
The captain of arquebusiers was Diego de Urbina, a Biscayan. Afterwards
he was appointed to the post of Camp Master, the captaincy of
arquebusiers being given to Gonzalo Diaz de Pineda, a native of the
Montaña[52]. Captains of infantry were Pablo de Meneses of Talavera and
Martin de Robles. Juan Velasquez Vela Nuñez was appointed Captain of the
Guard. After the Viceroy had made these appointments he addressed the
officers, saying that they were to be captains in the service of the
King our Lord in order that if any tyrant should rise in rebellion with
an armed force, they should give such a lesson that, the leaders having
been punished, the province might remain quiet. He had placed his eyes
upon them, taking them to be his companions and special friends into
whose keeping he confided his person and his honour. As a man arrived
from Spain in this new kingdom, he had not known who to trust. The
Captain Don Alonso answered, that for his part he would die in the
service of the Viceroy, and all the captains said the same, showing a
strong desire to serve him. There then began the beating of drums,
displaying of colours, and enlisting of men. Don Antonio de Ribera,
Alonso Palomino and other citizens sent news of all this to Gonzalo
Pizarro, putting their letters in very small calabashes, that they might
not be seen by anyone. They even say that when Don Antonio could not
send them, his wife did it. Sayavedra was appointed as Serjeant-Major,
and at the sound of the drum 500 men were assembled, their pay being
$300 or 400. Many horses were bought at $500 to 600 each, and more. In
the end about $100,000 were spent.
Vasco de Guevara, the citizen of Guamanga, came to Lima to clear himself
of what was said against him about the artillery. The Viceroy appeared
to be angry, but accepted his excuses, and took him into favour.
Francisco de Cardenas was at Huaytara, knew all that was happening, and
promptly sent the news to Gonzalo Pizarro. They say also that the
clergyman Juan de Losa, who went with the Bishop, when he arrived at
Guamanga sent a letter to Pizarro advising him to begin his march, as
the Viceroy was disliked, and he said other things not in accordance
with his profession. If I was to recount all the intrigues of friars and
clergy at this time I should never finish, and Christian ears would feel
pain in hearing them. This Losa also wrote advising the rebels not to
allow the Bishop to come to them, because he came to deceive them,
adding that he would advise them of everything that happened, with all
diligence.