1. The bloody work being over, and the day advancing, Lope de Aguirre called the people together in an open place, from whence he could be heard by all. He was armed from head to foot, and surrounded by eighty of his best fighting friends, fully armed. He then gave an account of the late severity, adding that they ought not to be surprised, nor be tumultuous on account of the deaths they had witnessed, because such were the natural consequences brought on by wars, and that war could not be called by that name if such acts did not take place; that their Prince, and the rest who had fallen, had been thus treated, because they did not know how to govern, nor to direct the expedition to the favourable end they all desired; that for the safety of the army, the death of Don Fernando was most necessary; for had he been allowed to live, they would all have perished through his bad government, which fact must be so manifest to all, that he would not trouble them further on the matter, but that henceforth they should consider him as their friend and companion, and be well assured that for the future, the war would be prosecuted to the satisfaction of all; that they would not be sorry for having chosen him for their General, for that they could scarcely conceive the extent of the desire he felt to administer to their pleasure and contentment.