_What more passed between Francisco de Almendras and those who were
bringing the royal provisions._
After what happened which I have described in the last chapter, the
Captain Francisco de Almendras and his arquebusiers returned a day’s
journey towards Guamanga. Almendras reflected within himself that it
would not be desirable to leave Pero Lopez alive, lest he should bear
testimony to what had been done. He ordered the messenger to be killed,
a shameful piece of cruelty. Finally he said that Pero Lopez and Simon
de Alzate should travel alone so that the Andahuaylas natives or others,
seeing that they were unprotected, might kill them. He ordered them to
depart, but he kept Ampuero until Gonzalo Pizarro should come. Pero
Lopez, quite understanding the intention of Almendras, said that his
horse was so tired that he could not go on, asking to be allowed to rest
for two or three days, and that then he would begin the return journey.
Francisco de Ampuero said that Pero Lopez and Alzate should not go
without him, and that he would not remain unless by force. Almendras, in
a great rage, said that if they remained for the night he would kill
them, and with this he went into his tent. Ampuero, seeing the great
danger in which Pero Lopez was, went to Almendras and, speaking
affectionately, entreated him to let him go back. Almendras was very
angry and menaced Pero Lopez with his words. Certainly it cannot be
denied that Pero Lopez did notable service in this expedition, for his
life was in great danger. He passed that night without any sleep
whatever, fearing that he might be killed, telling Alzate and the others
also to keep awake.
As Ampuero had so much friendship with the Pizarros he succeeded, in the
morning, in persuading Almendras to let them all return. So they all
went back together very joyfully, praising God for having delivered them
out of the hands of Almendras. Soon after starting they met Diego Martin
the clergyman, and with him the Father Provincial Friar Tomas de San
Martin[54], who told them of the evil intentions of Gonzalo Pizarro and
how he had appointed captains and was preparing to march against the
Viceroy. This Provincial was the Regent who had gone from Lima to Cuzco,
with a strong desire to induce Pizarro to abandon such a mad enterprise.
He had not succeeded in his good attempt though, by all means, he strove
to turn many principal adherents of Pizarro from continuing with him. He
understood that one Juan de Ribas, a native of Zaragoza, had been hanged
for taking messages to one and another, from the Regent.