Ch. 2. B.XVIII. against the Factor was that these men lived with him in his house. The Viceroy sent his brother, Vela Nuñez, with a party of arquebusiers, to bring the Factor before him. 66 They found Illan Suarez in his bed, made him get up and dress, and brought him instantly to the palace of the Viceroy. The Viceroy was lying in his armour upon his bed. As the Factor entered the room the Viceroy rose, and thus addressed him. "So, Don traitor, you have sent your nephews to serve Gonzalo Pizarro." The Factor answered, "Let not your Lordship call me traitor, for in truth I am not one." 'I vow to God," exclaimed the Viceroy, "that you are a traitor to the King." The Factor boldly replied, "I vow to God that I am as good a servant to the King as your Lordship is." Upon these words the Viceroy sprang upon him, drawing forth a dagger. Some say that he struck him with this dagger. The Viceroy always declared that he did not; but that his servants and halberdiers, hearing how rudely the Factor answered, Murder of struck him down with their partisans and halberds, and slew him. The Viceroy did not venture to send the body out through the Guards who were in the principal vestibule; but it was put forth from a corridor which led into the great square. Some Indians and negroes were sent to receive it, and they carried it to the church and buried it there, the Factor's purple robe serving as a shroud. The date of these important transactions, namely the flight of the twenty-five, and the Factor. Ch. 2. the murder of the Factor, was on Sunday, the B. XVIII. 13th of September, 1544. The Viceroy's anger was calmed, and from that moment grief took possession of him for this unjustifiable deed. He was wont to say that the death of Illan Suarez brought terror on his soul, and made him almost mad. He cursed his brother, who, knowing the fierceness of his temper, and seeing that it was provoked, had still conducted Illan Suarez before him on that fatal night. Though such were his inward terrors and regrets, the Viceroy outwardly maintained a brave demeanour. He called the principal inhabitants of Lima before him, and justified the murder of the Factor, attributing his death to the insolence of his language. Finally, the Viceroy told them that nobody should be scandalized by this deed, for, whether he had done well or ill in it, he would render an account of it to his King and to his God. Brave words! but the deed itself was such as must have loosened still more the hold which Blasco Nuñez had upon those who remained in appearance loyal to him, and were unwilling to oppose their Emperor's representative. It is even said that Blasco Nuñez himself admitted that this murder would be fatal to his authority. CHAPTER III. B. XVIII. Ch. 3. The Vice THE AUDITORS SEIZE UPON THE PERSON OF THE ZALO PIZARRO IS APPOINTED GOVERNOR-DE- IN N the meantime Gonzalo Pizarro had become more powerful. The traitors in his own camp had been discovered and punished; Pedro de Puelles with some forces had joined him; the twenty-five from Lima had come over to him; and,-which was not the least circumstance in his favour, it was at this time that Francisco de Carvajal became his Master of the Camp, who ever afterwards stood by him, and whose advice on most occasions was so judicious that, if followed, it might have placed upon Pizarro's head a crown of independent sovereignty. The Viceroy, hearing that Pizarro was gaining strength, and knowing well that he himself was losing it, resolved to suspend the New Laws for pends the two years. This was a wise step, but the Viceroy New Laws. could not do anything in a wise manner. roy sus He made a protest, and registered it in the Minutes of the Council, stating that the suspension was a measure adopted upon compulsion, and that he would execute the royal ordinances when he should have pacified the country. The virtue The Viceroy wishes to abandon Lima. 179 of secrecy was unknown to the unfortunate B. XVIII. Viceroy, and this protest was noised abroad at Ch. 3. the same time that the suspension of the New Laws was made known throughout the country. The suspension, therefore, was naturally of little or no effect. The Viceroy now gave notice by herald that leave was granted to put to death Pizarro and his followers, and he promised to assign their estates as rewards to any persons who should slay them. roy wishes After this the Viceroy made preparations in anticipation of an attack upon Lima. He stored up provisions; he barricaded the streets; and formed several batteries. The news, however, of Pizarro's increase of force induced the Viceroy to take a step of a different kind, which might have been feasible if attempted by a popular monarch, or a triumphant general, but which could only hasten the downfal of a man so much dreaded and abhorred as Blasco Nuñez Vela. He resolved The Viceto dismantle the fortifications of Lima, to break to abandon up the mills, to carry off whatever could be of Lima. use to the enemy, to cause the women and children to embark in the vessels which he had in port, while he, with the men, should march by land up the coast northwards. The Auditors opposed this determination. The citizens of Lima sided with the Auditors, and objected strongly to their wives and daughters being put on board these vessels, and left at the mercy of mariners and soldiers. The Viceroy, always ready to take the most imprudent measures, seized upon the sons and daughters of the late Marquis Pizarro, and 180 The Auditors resist the Viceroy. B. XVIII. had them conveyed to the ships. He also had Ch. 3. the former Governor, Vaca de Castro, conveyed thither. The Auditors resist This step was the signal for a very great disturbance in the city. The Auditors were more opposed than ever to the Viceroy; and one of them, who was his friend, particularly begged of him to bring back Donna Francisca Pizarro, saying that it was not a decent or proper thing that a young lady should be left amongst the mariners and soldiers. The Viceroy listened neither to him nor to anyone else, but persevered in hi intention to dispeople and desert Lima. The Auditors resolved upon resistance. They the Vices accordingly lost no time in coming to some con roy. cert with an officer, named Martin de Robles, who was the second in command of the army; and they urged him to seize upon the person of the Viceroy. This officer was naturally much averse from such a proceeding. The Auditors declared to him that it was for the service of His Majesty, and for the quiet of the whole country. He demanded an order, signed by them all, for the apprehension of the Viceroy. This order they gave him. They also drew up a proclamation ordering the inhabitants of Lima not to obey the Viceroy in the demand which he had made respecting the embarkation of their wives and daughters, and, on the contrary, to give all favour and aid to Martin Robles in securing the person of Blasco Nuñez Vela. They did not, however, publish the order or the proclamation. All that day the people of Lima were in |