_How the Viceroy was informed of the departure of Puelles and
Villegas, and what he did in consequence._
We have already seen how the Viceroy Blasco Nuñez Vela sent Jeronimo de
Villegas to Huanuco to convey the despatch to Pedro de Puelles, ordering
him to come with as many Spaniards as he could collect, to serve his
Majesty, and what else happened until they set out to join Gonzalo
Pizarro. Don Antonio de Garay remained behind at Huanuco, of which place
he was a citizen, and he wrote to tell the Viceroy what had happened. A
servant of the Viceroy named Felix, who, by his master’s order was
making pikes in the valley of Xauxa, also sent the news.
When the news came to Lima and was reported to the Viceroy he showed
much feeling, not ceasing to complain of the disloyalty of Puelles, and
the treachery of Villegas, praying to our Lord to show his justice by
not suffering them to go without punishment. He called the Judges and
captains together for consultation, and heard them all in silence, for
the sad news left little to say. The Viceroy, however, told them that he
sent Villegas, trusting to his honesty, for he had always shown so loyal
a disposition that he had no reason to suspect him. He further told them
that Pedro de Puelles, being a governor and captain in the service of
the King, had gone to join Gonzalo Pizarro. This grave offence and
treason should be punished, and he asked the assembly what steps should
be taken before the traitors had time to form a junction with Gonzalo
Pizarro. He added that he sent Hernando de Alvarado to the city of
Truxillo, having himself volunteered to go, and his conduct is already
known. He also sent the Treasurer of New Toledo to the city of Arequipa,
but neither would they obey him. These things show how little loyalty
there is in the land. If only those who were assembled in Lima were
really loyal, they would suffice to chastise Gonzalo Pizarro and the
traitors who had joined him. He meditated a march into the interior, not
only to deal with Villegas and Puelles but also to rally his supporters
and alarm the enemy.
The Judges and captains, assembled in council, after some debate,
decided upon sending a force of arquebusiers under the command of
Captain Gonzalo Diaz de Pineda[56] to the bridge over the river that
passes by Xauxa where, without doubt, they would intercept and kill the
traitors. In order to make this enterprise more effectual, General Vela
Nuñez was to go, with speed, as far as the river Xauxa. The Viceroy
enjoined great diligence, so as to prevent the traitors from carrying
out their evil intent. He reminded them that the King had sent him to
administer justice and execute the laws, that he suspended the laws
without the king’s orders, and yet the country was in a disturbed state,
only to be remedied by the punishment of those supporting such absurd
demands as those made by Pizarro. In thus doing his duty the Viceroy
said that he was obliged to put it before his wife Doña Brianda or his
sons[57]. Vela Nuñez prayed him not to go further in that discourse,
declaring that they would do all that was possible.
The Viceroy then called to Gonzalo Diaz and, after embracing him, urged
him to be a good knight and captain, that the Viceroy’s own brother went
as his soldier, and that he must so conduct the enterprise as that the
traitors who went to join Pizarro might be killed or taken. Gonzalo Diaz
answered well, but his real desire was to reach a position whence he
could most easily join Pizarro. He had told Villegas of his intention
when they were both in Lima.
Departing from Lima they took the road of Huarochiri, and during the
march Gonzalo Diaz, Juan de la Torre, Cristoval de Torres, Piedrahita,
Alonso de Aviles and others consulted together when would be the best
time to pass over to Pizarro. It may thus be seen what sort of loyalty
was maintained by the captains in Peru.