_How the Governor Vaca de Castro quitted the province of Jauja
for the city of Guamanga, where the captain Diego de Rojas then
was._
After the Governor, Vaca de Castro, had adroitly restored friendship
between the captains Alonso de Alvarado and Pero Alvarez Holguin, and
had distributed among the soldiers all the arms that were there, he
addressed them, urging them to prove themselves strong men, and so
firm that, by chastising the insurgents, the country might be free
from oppression and his Majesty absolute lord of the land. For the
despatch of business he brought with him as his secretary Pero López,
a native of Llerena, as we have already said, and he ordered him to
keep the letters which the licentiate de La Gama and the assessor
Gonzalo Hernández had brought. And as the infantry had already begun
to march out, an order was given to the cavalry to do the same, and
the Guancas were requested, in friendly words, to provide Indians for
carrying the munitions and camp baggage, which they did. When all was
in order, the Governor set out, with the royal standard of the eagle
carried by Rodrigo de Campo. They marched in good order until they
reached the village of _Picoy_, where they had a short rest, being
anxious to get on to Guamanga, where Diego de Rojas had taken up a
position and prudently built a fortress for his garrison to remain
entrenched in if he should be attacked by the enemy. As it was thought
certain throughout the Realm that there would be a battle between the
factions of Pachacama and Chile,[119] public prayers were offered up,
especially in the city of Lima, where they made great sacrifices to
our God, the monks of all the orders going forth in processions, and
praying for Divine aid, and that the victory might be given to Vaca de
Castro, because he was waging war in the name of the king. The Spanish
women, on their part, did the same, and fearing lest victory might
fall to the Chile party, they put their goods and chattels on board
the ships, intending, if the news should prove bad, to embark also
themselves.
Diego de Rojas received word that Don Diego was at Vilcas, and sent
messengers to Vaca de Castro, urging him to come to Guamanga with all
possible speed, to forestall the enemy's approach. When this news
reached the Governor at Parcos it caused great excitement, as if the
enemy were already charging lance in hand, and the alarm was given at
once. The Governor, in a state of perturbation, went from place to
place, ordering his troops to march off in haste and occupy Guamanga.
He ordered Captain Pedro Anzures to rush back and call up Alonso de
Alvarado, who had dropped behind with his company of lancers, as well
as the rest of the people who were still on the road. Pedro Anzures
went back and gave the news to Alonso de Alvarado, who presently
arrived at Parcos. The Governor then advanced, going down by the way
where Juan Chico was killed, when the ill-fated de Morgobejo retired
to die on the heights of _Lunahuana_. From there Vaca de Castro
ordered Lope Martín to push forward on horseback to Guamanga and find
out whether Diego de Rojas had any further news. He came back with the
same news they had before. As some of the companies of foot had gone
far ahead, the Governor gave orders for them to be halted until the
whole force was together. At _Vinaque_ he pitched the camp with them
all united. From the scouts sent out by Diego de Rojas, the news came
that Don Diego was marching down from Vilcas to occupy Guamanga. This
report caused more excitement than the former one, and Vaca de Castro
held a consultation with his captains, whereat it was decided to push
briskly forwards so as to reach Guamanga before Don Diego could enter
it. They began their march in great disorder, so that, if the enemy
had been near, they would easily have been routed. On arriving at
Guamanga, the various sections entered the _plaza_, and mounted the
culverins they had brought with them, at the ingress to the streets.
They remained there that night, and next day the truth was learned,
which was that Don Diego was still at Vilcas, and had not started nor
moved his men the distance of an arquebus shot. The Governor passed
out from the city on the side towards Vilcas, the tents were pitched,
and the captain Pedro Anzures arrived with the laggers behind and the
baggage train, so that all were united.
FOOTNOTE:
[119] _i.e._ of Vaca de Castro and Diego de Almagro.