besides several servants of the Marquis and of others. The Marquis
was conversing with the Bishop of Quito, when his page Diego de
Vargas, son of Gómez de Tordoya, being at the street door, saw the
murderers coming across the _plaza_, and rushed into the room in great
perturbation, crying "Arm! Arm! for all the men of Chile are coming to
murder the Marquis my master." This alarmed the Marquis and those who
were with him. They went down to the first landing on the staircase
to see what was happening. At the same moment the men of Chile
entered the second court-yard shouting, "Long live the King! Death to
tyrants." Jerónimo de Almagro wounded Hurtado badly. The _Mayor-domo_
gallantly opposed them, but being alone his valour availed little;
but, through the intercession of Diego Méndez he was not killed. Those
who were with the Marquis retreated into the _sala_; most of them
showing great cowardice and taking to flight in a dastardly way. The
Doctor, with his wand of office, got out through a window, and dropped
into the garden. The overseer García de Salcedo did the same. Others
were in such fear and trembling that it seemed as if the men of Chile
had thrust their swords into them. Some sought refuge between the beds
or under the furniture.
The Marquis, his brother Francisco Martín, Gómez de Luna, and the two
pages Vargas and Cardona went into an inner chamber to arm themselves.
Francisco de Chaves, Diego Ortíz de Guzmán, Juan Ortíz, Pedro López de
Cazalla, and Bartolomé de Vergara, and a few others who stood their
ground, remained in the _sala_ much alarmed and not knowing what to
do. The Marquis, with a brave spirit, throwing off a long purple robe
he was wearing, went into his dressing room, put on a breast-plate or
two, and taking up the broad-sword he had used in his expeditions, he
drew it out of its sheath, exclaiming, "Come along, my good sword,
companion of my labours!" They had closed the door of the _sala_,
but the men of Chile came up the stairs. Juan de Herrada, being in
front, exclaimed: "Oh joyful and happy day! Let all men know that
Almagro was worthy to have such friends, since they know so well how
to avenge his death on the cruel tyrant who caused it." Don Francisco
de Chaves came forward from where he had been standing with the
Bishop, and called for the door to be opened. Though they said that
it was better to keep it shut, because if it was defended for a short
time help would be sure to come, he was not satisfied; and ordered it
to be opened. It was opened, and Don Francisco de Chaves met Juan de
Herrada and the others face to face. With much humility and without a
sign of resistance, not even putting his hand on his sword hilt, he
said: "Sirs! what is this? You cannot feel the same anger toward me as
you do towards the Marquis, for I was always a friend." Those in front
answered not a word, but, Juan de Herrada turning his head to those
who were behind, Arbolancha gave Chaves a mortal thrust. He instantly
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