Vela Nuñez was always surrounded by Barrionuevo and the other loyal knights. As they proceeded on their journey they met the Regent Friar Tomas de San Martin, the Secretary Pero Lopez and the others who were returning from their unsuccessful mission. They had encountered Pedro de Puelles and Jeronimo de Villegas in the valley of Xauxa, who were going with great speed to join Pizarro, and they had some conversation with them. When the Provincial heard that the General Vela Nuñez was going to attack Pedro de Puelles, he took him aside and told him that he should not go further, and that he should be careful of his person, because those who were with him had a plot to murder him. He had overheard words to this effect, spoken by Gonzalo Diaz. Besides, Pedro de Puelles had already passed the bridge of Xauxa. The General, much disturbed and in great trepidation, said to Gonzalo Diaz and the other officers that, as Pedro de Puelles had already passed Xauxa, there was no longer any use in marching against him. He intended, therefore, to turn back and rejoin the Viceroy. He there and then turned the bridle of his horse, though he knew that Gomez de Solis, with ten or twelve others, would go on to Xauxa to join Gonzalo Pizarro. With great speed and as much fear they returned to sleep at Huarochiri in great terror of treachery and lest any of their loyal friends should be murdered. Gonzalo Diaz, arriving at Huarochiri late, after sunset, as one who brought intended crime with him, did not see his way to accomplishing the treason with the others who had conceived it. So they assumed a careless appearance, saying they were much fatigued by the road. Vela Nuñez with his friends went back to Lima with all speed. Gonzalo Diaz and his accomplices spoke to the rest of the men who were there, advising them to go with them to join Pizarro, as he would treat them well, while the Viceroy was cruel and wanted to take away all their properties. Several, having heard his discourse, replied that they wished to serve the Viceroy, and not to go with him and lose their lives. When Gonzalo Diaz heard this he was annoyed, and agreed with his friends to disarm those who would not go, and to take away their horses. This they did, and in this condition, disarmed and on foot, Rivadeneira, Sebastian de Coca, Rodrigo Niño and others had to return to Lima. Gonzalo Diaz and his friends took the road to Guamanga. They entered that city and at first there was some disturbance, Pedro de Puelles thinking they had come from Lima against him, but when the truth was known they all rejoiced, saying one to another that Pizarro would certainly be Governor, and from that time they would give him the title of lordship. They ordered Cristoval de Torres to go with all this news to Gonzalo Pizarro, who had then arrived near the valley of Andahuaylas, and he rejoiced to know that Gonzalo Diaz was in Guamanga. CHAPTER LIII