ABSTRACT

Doubtless there were occasions for the inhabitants to escape from the city, and to fly from the dangers that always menaced their lives. This was known to Aguirre, and, as his efforts to catch them were insufficient, he took vengeance on their houses and estates by robbing and destroying them, rooting up their crops, cutting down their trees and demo­ lishing their orchards; and, as it appeared to him that these

punishments did not fill up the measure of his will, because they were not mixed with human blood, he decided upon killing one Martin Diaz de Armendariz, cousin of the gover­ nor, Pedro de Ursua, who came with the traitor very much against his will.1 He was considered a sort of prisoner, and Aguirre thought of leaving him behind, and sent him out of the city, to remain on an estate, with orders not to leave it until the traitor should have left the island. There this soldier lived, doing harm to no one, when the traitor changed his mind, it appearing to him that it would not be politic to leave enemies in the rear, so he sent certain of his soldiers to where Armendariz was, with orders to strangle him, which was done, without confession, for the murderers knew that this would give greater pleasure to their general, Aguirre.