_How Don Diego de Almagro, with his General García de Alvarado,
went in pursuit of Pero Alvarez Holguin, and how, after getting
near to Bombon, they turned back: also of the death of Juan de
Herrada, and how Pero Alvarez continued his march._
The men of Chile having decided to go in pursuit of Pero Alvarez
Holguin in the hope of defeating him, they set out, as related, from
Jauja. Juan de Herrada was greatly weakened by his illness, and, being
unable to go on with Don Diego, he stayed behind in that valley. But
after leaving there and marching with great speed in expectation of
overtaking their enemies, as explained before, they were unable, owing
to the great difficulties of the road, to come up with the troops of
Pero Alvarez, although they overtook his baggage and did some mischief
to it. The general opinion now was that they would do well to go back
to Jauja, and continue their march from thence direct to Guamanga and
the great city of Cuzco. The object was to increase their army with
the men they might find in those cities, make artillery, and wait to
see how Vaca de Castro would enter the Realm, and whether he would
join hands with the partisans of the Pizarros. And then, according
to his policy, they would decide what they had best do. The enmity
and hatred they felt against Gómez de Tordoya was very great, because
they said he was the principal cause of Pero Alvarez having abandoned
his expedition to the Chunchos and returned to Cuzco. They wanted to
take revenge on him for that.[95] So when they resolved to give up the
chase after Pero Alvarez, they returned to Jauja, and there found
that Juan de Herrada[96] had died of his infirmity; at which all were
deeply sorrowful. Here they rested awhile and begged supplies of food
from the Indians.
Pero Alvarez Holguin continued his march at this point with great
labour. The ground was very steep and rugged, the mountain passes
were snow-covered and excessively cold, the rivers much swollen, and
in many places without bridges. He heard how near the enemy had been,
and kept his men in good order, animating them to show a bold front
to those who were in pursuit. But all the captain's soldiers were so
resolved to die in maintaining their cause that exhortations were
hardly necessary. They were constantly on the alert, and never tired
of keeping their arms by them, to see if those men of Chile would join
issue with them. When those in the rear guard knew that the enemy
had turned back, the march was continued in splendid order, with
scouts always in advance to keep them informed. The Indians being so
addicted to lying, and caring so little for speaking the truth, spread
reports that parties were coming against them from in front, and that
the men of Chile were still pressing forward in their rear. This
caused some trouble and disquiet, for they received many false alarms.
The ensigns went forward with the banners and the royal standard.
The way, as we have said, was very difficult and the rivers swollen
and many without bridges, so that, in the hurry of crossing, some
Spaniards, horses, and Indians were drowned. They marched on until
they came to an ancient fortress of the Incas, former kings of these
regions. The name of it is Tambo, and it stands half way between
Jauja and Caxamarca. The position where the fortress and its barracks
stood, was a strong one, and Pero Alvarez resolved to rest there,
both Spaniards and horses being much fatigued. While they were there
the General, his captains, and head men consulted together as to what
should be done, and it was agreed that messengers should be sent
from thence to the licentiate Vaca de Castro, to let him know what
had been done in the service of his Majesty, and that they were then
in search of him, and to ask also for his commands as to what they
should further do in the king's interests. They chose Luis de León
as their messenger, a citizen of Arequipa; Juan Alonso Palomino and
Diego de Torres were ordered to go to Guaraz and ascertain where the
captain Alonso de Alvarado was, for they now knew from the men they
had captured at Jauja, and from the Indians, that he had raised the
banner in the service of the King and was awaiting, with a strong
force of Spaniards, the arrival of Vaca de Castro. The messengers
took letters from Pero Alvarez and his captains to persuade Alonso de
Alvarado to come and join forces with them, the one wish and desire
of all being to serve the king. And then they could move forward with
all despatch, that Vaca de Castro might know what had happened. The
messengers, taking the letters and their credentials, eagerly set
out to find Vaca de Castro. They passed through very great danger,
for the natives, at a village called _Taca_, seeing them so few in
number, came out to kill them. Scarcely had they got there with their
despatches when the Indians attacked them with great boldness; but in
the end, as they were valiant soldiers, they passed on and arrived
at the camp of Alonso de Alvarado. When that captain heard that Pero
Alvarez was coming with such a brilliant company, and whole-hearted
readiness to serve the King, he rejoiced. But for them to suppose that
he would place himself under the command of Pero Alvarez and be his
subordinate, when he had formerly been his superior, he looked upon
as folly, and determined that it should not be. Instead, he answered
the messengers equivocally, and furthermore offered excuses in his
letters, which appeared fair, in order that no discord should arise.
As soon as Pero Alvarez Holguin had despatched the messengers, he
departed from that fortress and took the same road they went by,
always maintaining good order among his troops. The Indians came out
to attack the rear-guard and see if they could plunder any part of
the baggage. In this manner, and with very great labour owing to the
rugged nature of the track, they arrived at a village named _Guaraz_
in the province of Guaylas, where they found plenty of food. They then
consulted about what should be done next, and decided upon waiting
there for the reply of Vaca de Castro, to see whether he would come
quickly to that part. For with the enemy in rear, nothing was to be
gained in despoiling the country and consuming supplies, since they
must perforce go back the way they came. And so with the approval of
all, Pero Alvarez established his camp there, fixed the standard in
the midst of the officers' quarters, and the banners in their order,
leaving an open space for any needs that might arise. Pero Alvarez
ordered that there was to be no ill-treatment of the Indians, on pain
of severe punishment, but that they were to be treated fairly and
their food supplies taken only in moderation; but this order was of
little avail. The flocks and other things that were robbed and taken
from the Indians cannot lightly be told; yet there is no other way for
it in such times.
FOOTNOTES:
[95] They had already murdered his son, the gallant boy who defended
the Marquis.
[96] Other authorities called him Rada, and they were followed by
Prescott and Helps. Cieza de León is right. The name was Herrada. I am
unable to concur in Mr. Prescott's estimate of the character of this
man. I cannot find any authority for that historian's statement that
Herrada was of good family, and he certainly had no experience in high
military commands.
Herrada came to Peru with Pedro de Alvarado as a common soldier of
mature years. Deserting Alvarado he entered the service of the elder
Almagro, remained with him until his death, and then attended his
young half-caste son to Lima, obtaining unbounded influence over
him. He originated the plot for the murder of Pizarro, and was the
ringleader in that atrocious crime. None of Almagro's old captains,
except Chaves, and no man of honour, would have anything to do with
it. Herrada had force of character, but neither prudence nor ability.
By inducing young Almagro to make him his General above the heads of
better men, he affronted and estranged the old captains and friends
of the young half-caste's late father. His murders of Pizarro's
secretary, of Francisco de Chaves and others, were acts of folly which
no able conspirator would have perpetrated. The murder of Pizarro
may have been partly to avenge the death of his old master, but he
and his accomplices were far more influenced by anger at not being
provided for. Herrada's last advice to appoint two Generals showed his
incapacity. For young Almagro the death of this ruffian was nought but
a good riddance.