In the preceding chapters we mentioned how Captain Pero Alvarez
Holguin, after he had been sworn in as Captain General, moved from the
place where he was, with the intention of approaching the province
of Jauja to obtain fuller knowledge of the proceedings of the men
of Chile. Those twelve men sent by Don Diego from Lima, had arrived
at Jauja to attend to the things we have said they were sent to do.
They endeavoured to cement their friendship with the Guancas. But
those Indians are very knowing, and were already aware of the arrival
of Vaca de Castro, and of how Alonso de Alvarado had declared in
Chachapoyas, and Pero Alvarez in Cuzco against the insurgents. So
they concluded that it would be prudent to keep in with the Pachacama
party. They were asked whether they had received word or knew anything
of whether the Christians of Cuzco were coming. They replied that they
knew nothing. And though they were well aware that Pero Alvarez was
near their valley, they would not tell. Indeed certain Indians went
to Pero Alvarez to report the state of affairs, and on this knowledge
he sent Gaspar Rodríguez de Camporedondo to Jauja, to reconnoitre
and see if any agents of Don Diego were there; and if so to arrest
them. Gaspar Rodríguez, keen to serve the King, set out for Jauja,
and surprised the Spaniards there at night and made them prisoners.
He returned with them to Pero Alvarez, who ordered two to be hanged.
He then took counsel with his officers, and they resolved to deceive
the enemy by telling the truth. It was in this way. As they would
pass a place quite near the city of Lima, it would be natural to
believe that they intended to march in and occupy the city and take
possession of it. But if they should give out that they were going on
by the mountain road, they would not be believed; and the enemy would
come out the more readily to seek them. And thus they would be able
to edge off on the road to Caxamarca without danger. So Pero Alvarez
released the aforesaid Chile men, and told them to say to Don Diego
and his followers that they ought to content themselves with the wrong
they had already done, and not lay themselves out to commit more
misdeeds; for punishment would surely overtake them. He was marching
to Caxamarca because he did not wish to contend with them or give
battle--not from any fear of them, but to see whether, having fallen
into the error they had, they would turn to seek pardon from the King.
Then, as I said, he sent them away and, entering the province of
Jauja, he spoke to the Guancas, admonishing them that they should be
his loyal friends, and not those of the men of Chile, who were going
about opposing the King's interest. After saying some other things to
them Pero Alvarez presently departed from Jauja.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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