_Of what further took place between the captains, Felipe
Gutiérrez and Francisco de Mendoza, and how, after having
explored some provinces down the river, Felipe Gutiérrez was
arrested by Francisco de Mendoza._
The reader will remember how, in previous chapters, we said that the
general Felipe Gutiérrez went exploring down the _Soconcho_ river,
taking Francisco de Mendoza with him. Having formed his camp among
people there, well supplied with provisions, Felipe Gutiérrez turned
his attention to his plan of depriving Mendoza of the command he held.
He sent to ask him for his papers, representing that he did so of a
purpose, and because he wished him well, in order that the soldiers
should not influence him to any step that might give rise to a renewal
of mischief in the camp which would cause them all to be lost, for
in no way was it possible for two leaders to govern the same force.
Francisco de Mendoza was in no mind to resign the post that had been
given to him, and replied to Felipe Gutiérrez that he would not
consider any such proposal, because he would rather lose his life than
his command. After this exchange of views the friends of Francisco de
Mendoza warned him to look out for himself, because Felipe Gutiérrez
wanted to kill him. He was astonished to hear such things and always
kept men in his tent to help him if they should see him in any pass.
The general Felipe Gutiérrez moved from there to another large
province; and, leaving Sotomayor on guard over the camp, set out in
quest of discoveries, taking Francisco de Mendoza with him and such
men as he thought fit. He followed the river towards the west,[168]
and they found the land flat and covered with trees and explored it
for fifty leagues, where he came to a well-peopled country. They had
great battles with the barbarians in which, although a few Christians
and horses were wounded, many of the natives were left dead upon the
field. After having advanced the distance stated, they found no more
inhabitants, and Felipe Gutiérrez wanted to go in search of some,
either in one direction or another. The soldiers murmured against him,
saying that if they had gone to explore in the direction of sunrise
they would have found rich settlements where all might gain advantage,
and that he had neither the sagacity nor the prudence requisite for
undertaking this conquest.
Francisco de Mendoza, glad to hear these things, cunningly began to
give out that it was not Felipe Gutiérrez who was to blame, but the
soldiers themselves for having him as their general, since he had not
the ability to command them. In fine he said such things that he moved
their minds to do a very disgraceful deed, and one deserving of severe
punishment, for, revealing himself as the author of the stroke, this
infatuated youth Francisco de Mendoza, accompanied by those who were
his accomplices, went to the tent of his courageous though careless
leader Felipe Gutiérrez and, raising the flap of his tent, shouted at
him: "Why, Felipe Gutiérrez, do you wish to kill me?" Aroused from
a deep sleep by the loud voice, Felipe Gutiérrez said, "I kill you,
Señor Captain Francisco de Mendoza? I have never thought of such a
thing." Without more words they all rushed in upon him, seized him,
and put him in chains, robbing him of all he possessed, which was no
small quantity. Not content with his capture they cried out that he
should be killed. Francisco de Mendoza answered that there was no
cause to kill him, and that it would be enough to turn him out of the
country. Felipe Gutiérrez, finding himself thus treated, and seeing
the disgraceful conduct of the people, fearing they would kill him,
begged Francisco de Mendoza to spare his life, and this he promised
to do. From thence Francisco de Mendoza turned back towards the
place where Sotomayor had remained with the camp, carrying Felipe de
Gutiérrez, and four others who were suspected, as prisoners. These
were Diego Alvarez, Juan Gutiérrez Valderrama and another. When they
were near the camp, Mendoza left Ruy Sánchez de Hinojosa in charge
of the prisoners, and went to the camp himself at night. On entering
it he gave orders that no person was to go outside of his house on
pain of death, and then Francisco de Mendoza managed his affair with
such adroitness, that he got all the people over to his side. In the
morning Mass was said, and when it was finished all took the oath
to him as Lieutenant for the Governor, just as Felipe Gutiérrez had
ordered when Diego de Rojas died. He then ordered Hinojosa to come in
with the prisoners, and a close watch was kept over them.
FOOTNOTE:
[168] _Poniente._