FOOTNOTE:
[106] This gives a wrong impression. The captains of the old
Adelantado Almagro had not all come to an end. Most of them had
declined to take part with the murderers of Pizarro. Francisco de
Chaves, it is true, had been murdered by Juan de Herrada. Of the
others Diego de Alvarado had returned to Spain. Gómez de Alvarado and
Juan de Sayavedra had left the young Almagro at Jauja, and returned to
Lima. Montemayor and Guevara were actually with the army of Vaca de
Castro. Sotelo alone had remained with young Almagro, from devotion to
his father's memory, although he had protested against the murder of
the Marquis.
García de Alvarado was not an old captain of Almagro. He is first
heard of in history as one of the accomplices of the murderers--a
truculent young ruffian.
CHAPTER LXV
_Of the concern shown by Don Diego and many of the Chile party
at the death of the captain Cristóbal de Sotelo; and of how
García de Alvarado and others fortified themselves in his
quarters, and Don Diego wanted to attack them there._
The news of the murder of Captain Cristóbal de Sotelo soon spread
throughout the city, and great was the excitement, for he was beloved
by many soldiers for his valour, by the veterans who had served under
the old Adelantado, and by those others who had recently chosen to
follow the banners of Don Diego. They were so affected that it did
not fail to be evident from their sad countenances and from the tears
that flowed from their eyes. With sorrowful lamentations they girded
on their arms and repaired to the quarters of Don Diego, abandoning
García de Alvarado, and calling him vile and cowardly for murdering
Sotelo when he was disabled by sickness. They desired to have the
traitor delivered into their hands that they might put him to death
for daring to take the life of the captain they so greatly adored.
Presently Juan Balsa went to young Don Diego's quarters and apprised
him of what had happened, though he was out at the time. Don Diego was
much concerned, because some told him that García de Alvarado wanted
to deal with him in the same way, and revolt against him with the
whole camp. Although Don Diego showed no weakness, but was anxious to
go and seize or kill the murderer there and then, they advised him to
enter the house of Pedro de Oñate, who was afterwards Camp Master,
whence he ordered the alarm to be given through the city. He went to
the great square, with those who rallied round him, whence it was his
intention to go and attack the house where García de Alvarado was
ensconced. The captain Felipe Gutiérrez and other prudent cavaliers
urged him not to do this, because it was not a time for expending
men's lives, they said, and it might give rise to a mutiny against Don
Diego himself, for it was known that some captains and many soldiers
had a true friendship for García de Alvarado, and that if things came
to blows, all their fury would be against Don Diego. He was thus
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account