After the rout at the battle of Chupas, Don Diego de Almagro and
Diego Méndez rode away together, with the intention of seeking refuge
with the Inca Manco. They could have done this easily, if Diego
Méndez had not caused delay by going to see a woman he kept as his
mistress at Cuzco. To induce Don Diego to go to that city, he said
that without fresh shoeing the horses could not take them anywhere,
and that they must go to Cuzco to provide themselves with what they
required, and that, after that, they could go to where the Inca was
staying. Don Diego had to consent, although it was against his will,
and they arrived in the city. Diego Méndez went off to the arms of his
mistress, just as if he had come home victorious, but at that time
the news of what had happened had not reached Cuzco. Don Diego made
haste to start; but, when at last they did, the result of the war was
public knowledge. When Don Diego and Diego Méndez had got clear of
Cuzco, they took the road to the valley of Yucay, intending to make
their way thence into the mountains, in search of the Inca. Barragán,
who had been left as Lieutenant at Cuzco, had by this time been made
a prisoner; and when they heard that Don Diego was gone, Rodrigo
Salazar, Juan Gutiérrez Malaver, and some others went in chase. After
some exigencies he was captured, with Diego Méndez, in the valley of
Yucay, brought back to Cuzco, and lodged in custody.
Garcilaso de la Vega, and those who left Chupas with him, proceeded
to Cuzco and at once took possession of the city in the name of the
King, to keep order there until the Governor should arrive. Vaca
de Castro left Guamanga as we have related, and travelled until he
arrived at the ruined edifices of Vilcas. He remained there a few days
to provide for the despatch of Pedro de Puelles as his Lieutenant to
install settlers in the city of León. He selected those who were to
go, gave them warrants for _encomiendas_, and ordered Pedro de Puelles
to proceed on this duty. News arrived that Juan de Vargas, a veteran
_conquistador_ in those parts, had, after much trouble, cleverly
captured Illa Tupac, one of the Inca's captains who had risen in
rebellion and done much mischief. This was, indeed, a notable service
that Juan de Vargas, who was a native of La Higuera, near Fregenal de
la Sierra, performed; and the Governor approved of it. Having received
his warrants, Pedro de Puelles set out from Vilcas with the Spaniards
who had been told off to accompany him, and travelled until he reached
the province of Huanuco, where, in the name of his Majesty, he founded
the city of León.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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