_Of what passed in the camp of Pero Alvarez Holguin, and how the
Camp Master Gómez de Tordoya and the captain Garcilaso de la
Vega set out from thence and went to meet the Governor Vaca de
Castro._
We related, in previous chapters, how the General Pero Alvarez Holguin
arrived in the province of Guaraz with his people, and how Gómez de
Tordoya was Camp Master and second in command. When they got there and
learnt for certain that Vaca de Castro was coming nearer to Quito they
sent messengers to him, and also to Captain Alonso de Alvarado. Now
Carreño, who went with the Governor's commission to the city of Lima,
had passed that way and spread the report that Vaca de Castro and all
who were coming with him said publicly that the credit of all that had
been done in Cuzco and the Charcas was due to Gómez de Tordoya, and to
no other. Although Tordoya heard this, he was prudent and desirous to
serve the King, so he did not pay any heed to it. Pero Alvarez felt
differently, and appeared much annoyed on hearing of such gossip; and
to excite him the more, his friends made trouble between him and Gómez
de Tordoya by saying that the latter ought to be turned out of the
camp and not be allowed in it, that it might be learnt and understood
whether he was a party to the statement, or had given countenance to
it, that it might work his own ends. Pero Alvarez inconsiderately
sent Captain Castro to arrest Gómez de Tordoya, and this was done.
Castro went one morning to the lodging of Gómez de Tordoya, with some
soldiers, and carried out his orders, whereby Tordoya was caused great
hardship. Without letting his intention be known Tordoya left Guaraz,
armed and mounted, to go and join Vaca de Castro. As the captain
Garcilaso de la Vega was a first cousin of Tordoya,[98] and so highly
esteemed by all present there, Pero Alvarez consented that he also
should leave the camp. Garcilaso did so, giving the banner of his
company to his ensign Pedro de Fuentes. The two knights having met
together, took the road towards Truxillo, where they believed Vaca de
Castro was.
After they had gone, the General Pero Alvarez Holguin made an
explanation in presence of the soldiers, in order that they might not
blame him for his treatment of Tordoya. He also wrote a letter to the
latter, inviting him very earnestly to come back, for that it was by
the speeches of prejudiced men that he had been induced to act as
he did, for which he now felt regret. Tordoya, when he had seen the
letter, replied that he would go to meet Vaca de Castro, and he would
be a good friend to him, and of that he might be assured. So he went
on until he found Vaca de Castro. The captain Alonso de Alvarado came
several times from his camp to that of Pero Alvarez to enjoy friendly
intercourse with those who were there, and they remained more than
four months collecting supplies in the neighbourhood whilst waiting
for the arrival of the Governor Vaca de Castro, with a strong desire
to start at once in search of their enemies. So we will quit speaking
of them, and say a little about the Governor Vaca de Castro.
FOOTNOTE:
[98]
Hernando de Vargas = Beatriz de Tordoya
|
Alonso de Vargas
|
+-------------+-------------+
| |
Alonso Hinestrosa de Vargas Fernando de Vargas
| |
Garcilaso de la Vega Gómez de Tordoya
| |
Garcilaso Inca de la Vega Alonso de Vargas (_Page_
_to the Marquis_ Pizarro)