_Of the concern shown by Don Diego and many of the Chile party
at the death of the captain Cristóbal de Sotelo; and of how
García de Alvarado and others fortified themselves in his
quarters, and Don Diego wanted to attack them there._
The news of the murder of Captain Cristóbal de Sotelo soon spread
throughout the city, and great was the excitement, for he was beloved
by many soldiers for his valour, by the veterans who had served under
the old Adelantado, and by those others who had recently chosen to
follow the banners of Don Diego. They were so affected that it did
not fail to be evident from their sad countenances and from the tears
that flowed from their eyes. With sorrowful lamentations they girded
on their arms and repaired to the quarters of Don Diego, abandoning
García de Alvarado, and calling him vile and cowardly for murdering
Sotelo when he was disabled by sickness. They desired to have the
traitor delivered into their hands that they might put him to death
for daring to take the life of the captain they so greatly adored.
Presently Juan Balsa went to young Don Diego's quarters and apprised
him of what had happened, though he was out at the time. Don Diego was
much concerned, because some told him that García de Alvarado wanted
to deal with him in the same way, and revolt against him with the
whole camp. Although Don Diego showed no weakness, but was anxious to
go and seize or kill the murderer there and then, they advised him to
enter the house of Pedro de Oñate, who was afterwards Camp Master,
whence he ordered the alarm to be given through the city. He went to
the great square, with those who rallied round him, whence it was his
intention to go and attack the house where García de Alvarado was
ensconced. The captain Felipe Gutiérrez and other prudent cavaliers
urged him not to do this, because it was not a time for expending
men's lives, they said, and it might give rise to a mutiny against Don
Diego himself, for it was known that some captains and many soldiers
had a true friendship for García de Alvarado, and that if things came
to blows, all their fury would be against Don Diego. He was thus
persuaded not to attack the house in which García de Alvarado had shut
himself up with the others who stood by him. Martín Carrillo, although
he no longer enjoyed the post of Camp Master, but was only a private
person, went out and about the city, without any authority whatever,
forbidding everyone, on pain of death, to quit their houses. Don
Diego, observing the luke-warmness and lack of will to carry out his
wishes in those who were with him, returned very sadly to his house.
When the quarrelsome García de Alvarado saw how prosperously, and
favourably to his wishes, the affair of the murder of Sotelo had
turned out, he sent some of his friends to induce as many as they
could to side with him; and since the Spaniards in Peru are so
changeable and fickle, and hold to no faith but their own private
interests, seeing that García de Alvarado had more power than he whom
they had chosen and appointed as their Governor, they joined him who
seemed the stronger in greater numbers than he expected, offering
their arms and their persons as far as he might wish to avail himself
of them. Don Diego was now in his house, as we said, feeling very
deeply the death of Cristóbal de Sotelo, and the fact that he was not
strong enough to punish the author of so foul a deed. Taking counsel
with his captains and principal persons as to what it would be best to
do, they agreed that it was not expedient, nor was it a time to form
themselves into cliques and parties, for the enemy was at their gates.
So a truce was arranged between Don Diego and García de Alvarado.
Don Diego covertly sent to say that García de Alvarado had better
stay in his house and not come out of it, because no other course was
convenient. García de Alvarado was so haughty and presumptuous that
he cared very little for any words or commands of Don Diego; but he
answered, in bad faith, that he would do as he was ordered, and would
not leave his house until it should be Don Diego's pleasure.