AFTER the events we have related had passed in the city of Cuzco, there did not cease to be some tumult2 in the city following the death of Cristóbal de Sotelo. Don Diego, who felt most keenly the insolence3 of García de Alvarado, reflected within himself what scheme would lead to the satisfaction of his desire, which was that no one else, with the example of García de Alvarado before him, should attempt another treason such as that person had perpetrated. He also wanted to get rid of García de Alvarado as a companion, in order to advance his desire and give effect to his plans. Summoning to a consultation4 the captains and old soldiers who were entirely5 faithful to him, through having followed the banners of the Adelantado his father, Juan Balsa was with the assent6 of them all nominated Captain-General—a man unworthy of such a charge; and the troop lately Cristóbal de Sotelo's was entrusted7 to Diego Méndez, because he was known to cherish enmity against García de Alvarado, who was still[223] esconced in the fortified8 house with his supporters. As the soldiers in Cuzco had now received news of the entry of Vaca de Castro into the Realm, they felt the necessity for peace among themselves in order to be in a position to resist attack, come whence it might; and they therefore approached their captains, with a view to mediation9 between Don Diego and García de Alvarado. But as the latter knew he was to blame in reference to past transactions, he asked that Don Diego would make him his Captain-General and give him sufficient power to govern the camp in Don Diego's name. Failing that, Alvarado would not trust to promises, but in that way his person would be secure and he would serve Don Diego loyally. The latter desired to punish Alvarado, but, seeing there was no other course open, he agreed to give him the power that was requested and to appoint him his General, first arranging with Juan Balsa and others to concert crafty10 and cautious plans to kill him. So Alvarado was presently sent a commission naming him General and Deputy-Governor. When they delivered it to him he tore it up in front of the officer who had brought it, and spoke11 ugly words against Don Diego because it did not include power to displace and appoint captains, declaring that he was not the man to be contented12 with limited power. And as he had heard it said that Juan Balsa had previously13 been named for General, he conceived that Balsa must have intrigued14 with Don Diego not to give the full powers he claimed. So he talked with some friends about a way to kill Balsa, by sending to call him up and then stabbing him. His friends replied they would execute his command.
So Alvarado sent one of his henchmen to Juan Balsa, requesting him to be so particularly kind as to come to his house, as he wished to talk some things over with him. When the messenger arrived and Juan Balsa, who was not a little wary15 and cunning, learnt the nature of his errand,[224] he immediately guessed it was to complain about the commission Don Diego had sent to Alvarado; and he thought that he might soothe16 him by means of smooth words and lure17 him to the house of Don Diego, where he could be killed. So he went with the messenger to García de Alvarado's house, where he was courteously18 received with outward goodwill19, though with the real object and intention we have mentioned. When he had come in, García de Alvarado said to him: "I am astonished, Juan Balsa, that Don Diego should have wished every one to know that he does not show me the friendship due for the splendid things I have done in his service and the loyalty20 with which I have followed him. Ingratitude21 is a sin which is not easily forgiven. The leaders who take part in wars like this, and whom Don Diego treats as if they were his vassals22, endure much at the hands of his friends, and put up with many things to avoid coming to a rupture23 with them and losing his favour. He has chosen to show as much anger with me for the death of Sotelo, as if his happiness depended wholly upon that captain's life, and his troubles and misfortunes arose solely24 from his death. He does not consider the good reason I had for killing25 Sotelo, and the little cause he had to oust26 me from his service. But after all, neither does my honour nor my personal existence require that I should change my fortunes or deny him my friendship. If Don Diego will consider the times, and how profitable it is to have friends, and will send me the commission with adequate power, as I asked for it to be, he shall keep me as devoted27 to his service as I have been from after the death of the old Marquis until now."
García de Alvarado believed that Juan Balsa would answer peevishly28, which would afford an occasion for killing him. But Juan Balsa, who well knew what he was about, replied very blandly29, saying that if Don Diego had not sent Alvarado power in the commission to appoint[225] and discharge captains, it was owing to an omission30 by the scrivener, and that he himself should draw the commission and have it written out for him, Balsa, to then bring back signed by Don Diego. As for himself, added Balsa, he wished it so, knowing that it would be advantageous31 for them all to have Don García as General. It was true that Don Diego had nominated him, Balsa, as General some few days previously, but he had voluntarily declined the charge, desiring that Alvarado should be the lord and chief over them all, because he was so much looked up to by the people.
These things, and others of like plausibility32, said Juan Balsa—resourceful man that he was in such contingencies—to García de Alvarado, under an artful veil of great caution. Alvarado, believing what Balsa told him, replied very graciously, giving him to know that he had sent for him to kill him, but now that he understood his views and good wishes he would always look upon him as a true friend. He asked him to procure33 the commission he desired from Don Diego, and let him know how truly he was his servant and friend. Juan Balsa, after promising34 that he would do this, departed for the house of Don Diego, where he gave him an account of all that had passed between him and Alvarado. He and others then advised that the commission should be sent to García de Alvarado in the form he wanted, and that, when time and place should subserve, he should be killed. Don Diego did not like it, feeling that the scheme betrayed a lack of courage, and that he was losing his authority; but, seeing that it was advisable, he ordered the commission to be made out in the form García de Alvarado wanted and, after he had signed it, he sent it to him. With this García de Alvarado felt himself secure, and was content. He went forth35 from his quarters well escorted, and was proclaimed in the public square of the city, to the sound of many[226] trumpets36, and was acknowledged by all the soldiers. Meanwhile Don Diego bided37 his time for a chance to kill Alvarado, fearing lest this person might want to do the same with him as he had done to Cristóbal de Sotelo.
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1
avenged
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| v.为…复仇，报…之仇( avenge的过去式和过去分词 )；为…报复 | |
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2
tumult
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| n.喧哗；激动，混乱；吵闹 | |
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3
insolence
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| n.傲慢；无礼；厚颜；傲慢的态度 | |
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consultation
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| n.咨询；商量；商议；会议 | |
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entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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assent
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| v.批准，认可；n.批准，认可 | |
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entrusted
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| v.委托，托付( entrust的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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fortified
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| adj. 加强的 | |
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mediation
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| n.调解 | |
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crafty
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| adj.狡猾的，诡诈的 | |
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11
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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12
contented
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| adj.满意的，安心的，知足的 | |
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13
previously
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| adv.以前，先前（地） | |
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14
intrigued
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| adj.好奇的，被迷住了的v.搞阴谋诡计(intrigue的过去式)；激起…的兴趣或好奇心；“intrigue”的过去式和过去分词 | |
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15
wary
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| adj.谨慎的，机警的，小心的 | |
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16
soothe
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| v.安慰；使平静；使减轻；缓和；奉承 | |
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17
lure
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| n.吸引人的东西，诱惑物；vt.引诱，吸引 | |
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18
courteously
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| adv.有礼貌地，亲切地 | |
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19
goodwill
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| n.善意，亲善，信誉，声誉 | |
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20
loyalty
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| n.忠诚，忠心 | |
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21
ingratitude
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| n.忘恩负义 | |
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vassals
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| n.奴仆( vassal的名词复数 )；（封建时代）诸侯；从属者；下属 | |
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rupture
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| n.破裂；(关系的)决裂；v.(使)破裂 | |
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24
solely
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| adv.仅仅，唯一地 | |
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25
killing
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| n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财 | |
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26
oust
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| vt.剥夺，取代，驱逐 | |
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devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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28
peevishly
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| adv．暴躁地 | |
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blandly
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| adv.温和地，殷勤地 | |
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30
omission
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| n.省略，删节；遗漏或省略的事物，冗长 | |
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31
advantageous
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| adj.有利的；有帮助的 | |
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32
plausibility
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| n. 似有道理, 能言善辩 | |
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33
procure
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| vt.获得，取得，促成；vi.拉皮条 | |
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34
promising
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| adj.有希望的，有前途的 | |
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35
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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36
trumpets
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| 喇叭( trumpet的名词复数 )； 小号； 喇叭形物； （尤指）绽开的水仙花 | |
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37
bided
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| v.等待，停留( bide的过去式 )；居住；等待；面临 | |
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