The Marquis Was At First Considerably Agitated
By His Intelligence:
But after a moments reflection, he said that he could
not credit the story, as Herrada had been with
Him only a few days before,
and had conversed with him with much humility; for which reason he was
convinced that the man who now brought this intelligence had some secret
end to serve, and had invented this story to assume merit. He sent however,
for his lieutenant, the doctor Juan Velasquez[4] meaning to consult with
him; but as Velasquez was ill in bed, the marquis went to his house, and
told him all that he had heard. Velaquez used every argument to convince
him that the story was false, and that he had nothing to fear. Taking up
his rod of office, he declared that no one dared to revolt so long as he
held that badge in his hand, and that the marquis might rest in security.
He may be said in some measure to have kept his word; for when the
Almagrians came next day to kill the marquis, Velasquez made his escape
over a window, and took his rod of office in his teeth, that he might use
both his hands to assist himself in his descent.
In spite of all these assurances the marquis was somewhat alarmed,
insomuch that next day, being Sunday the 26th June 1541, he determined not
to go to church, and had the mass said in his own house. After church, the
doctor Velasquez and captain Francisco de Chaves, who were the principal
persons in the colony, went along with several other persons to visit the
marquis.
Enter page number
PreviousNext
Page 709 of 796
Words from 196613 to 196888
of 221091
