Читать книгу The War of Quito - Pedro de Cieza de León - Страница 17

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How letters were sent to Gonzalo Pizarro from many persons, being in Charcas, brought by Bustillo, urging him to come as Procurator of the kingdom.

The Captain Gonzalo Pizarro had departed from the city of Cuzco, and had gone to the town of Plata which is in the region of Charcas, where he possessed a very productive grant of Indians. He was at a place called Chaqui, arranging to work the silver mines of Potosi which had lately been discovered. There came to him a servant of the Comendador Hernando Pizarro, named Bustillo, sent to him by Antonio de Ribera, Alonso Palomino, Villacorta, and many others, with letters. Luis de Almao, a servant of Gonzalo Pizarro, also told me that Vaca de Castro wrote to his master advising him to remain quiet although things were looking bad with regard to the ordinances, for his Majesty would be informed of the truth, and would order what would be best for his service.

But the letters of Don Antonio, of Palomino, of Villacorta, of Alonso de Toro and others urged him to come forward promptly and relieve them from so great an evil as that which was impending. They also sent him the ordinances. The messengers arrived when Pizarro was hunting eight leagues away, at a place called Palcocon, his servants being quite unprepared for such a thing. When Bustillo arrived at the town, he found Luis de Almao and asked him to go to where Gonzalo Pizarro was. Almao replied that he would go with all speed, for he surmised that they would cut off his head. He reached the place at the second vigil, and Gonzalo Pizarro called for a light, asking who came there in such haste? Almao answered: “Arise, for Bustillo has come bringing news and letters for you, for they want to cut off your head.” Thinking that he spoke of Vaca de Castro, Gonzalo Pizarro replied: “I will cut off his first, I swear by our Lady.” Then he got out of bed without asking any more questions and, before the dawn appeared, he galloped off to the town of Chaqui, where he found the messenger. Taking the despatches he was reading them all that day, until midnight; and when he knew the provisions of the new laws he was much agitated. Without finishing their perusal he went out, saying to those who were with him that such bad news had arrived that neither they would understand it, nor did he know how to tell them. Saying this he brought out the letters and the ordinances that they might read them. He then despatched Juan Ramirez to the city of Arequipa, that certain money might be detained which he had previously sent for transmission to Spain. I know not whether his tears were feigned or not, for those who intend to rebel and become tyrants deceive those who follow them in many ways. After a few days Gonzalo Pizarro went to the mines of Porco, where he collected all the money he could.