Many things have been told about Lope de Aguirre. Once, he was sentenced to be flogged at the main square. It was a huge mistake. A man like him, would rather have been killed, than put to a public shame. For three years, he silently went after the responsible of his anger and never rested till the day he stabbed the man to death. However, the grudge seemed to stay in his heart for the rest of his life. Afterwards, he endured the hazardous fugitive way of life, until he showed up at the Cusco city, in 1552. Aguirre participated into a revolt against the Viceroy of Peru. There, he was involved in the murder of the governor, Pedro de Hinojosa. This time, he got a death sentence, but it was commuted, on one condition. He must stand with the Viceroy, against the Hernandez Giron´s rebellion. But in the middle of a combat, one of his legs resulted badly wounded. Crippled and poor, his future looked anything but promising...
Nothing was going well with the expedition to El Dorado. Between the men, a growing impulse of coming back to Peru was evident. But the governor Ursua definitely refused the idea. To make things worse, he spent most of his time with his lover, Ines de Atienza. He did everything to please her. In his love blindness, he was unable to notice what was going on in his camp. Even more, another factor played against him... more than one of those ruffians coveted the beautiful woman´s love.
Lope de Aguirre knew well how to obtain profits from the situation. So he began to plan Ursua's death. His rage seemed to find a proper scenario in the hostile jungle, plenty of dangerous creatures, with an exasperating vapor all the time. From then on, his road was traced with blood and death. On purpose, he made sure that in the murdering of the governor, some of the most violent men participated. So, sharing the guilty, he thought he could control them all.
After the crime, on the New Year´s eve of 1561, Lope de Aguirre ordered to prepare a document, to be signed by everyone. There, he explained the motivations to kill the governor Ursua. It had to be sent to Felipe II, king of Spain. Aguirre signed first, writing the word "traitor" beside. As expected, it triggered the fear among the group. But, he explained that after the governor’s assassination, there would be no absolution for anyone. So, the best thing to do, was to keep all together. The path they were taking, had no return. ¡They were declaring in rebellion against the King! Aguirre was in absolute control, but he still wanted to keep the appearances a little longer. He named a young noble from Sevilla, as king of Peru and El Dorado. His name was Fernando de Guzman. In the meantime, he kept the maestre de campo assignment for himself.
Very soon, the overblown and new kinglet was unfit for his plans. And Aguirre also got rid of him. The same happened to Ines de Atienza (someone he deeply despised) and her new lover, Lorenzo Zalduendo. By that time, Lope de Aguirre had definitely taken his mask off... He crowned himself as king and strong leader of the marañones, the name he gave to his army. But in fact, it was fear who ruled there. Any kind of meeting or low voice conversation were strictly forbidden. That way, he tried to prevent any possible intrigue against him. To look away when he passed, could be enough motive to die. One of his men, accused to be a “little rioter”and another who was sick most of the time, were also killed. Every day, his mood was turning darker. He hardly could sleep and never took off his arms.
By that time, Aguirre's will, was the only law. Every men had no other choice than obey the old crippled. He also had changed the original plans of the expedition. Instead, they would follow the course of the river, to find the sea. In that manner, they would leave all those fantasies about El Dorado behind. Then, always sailing near the coastal line, would go to Panama. There, he would recruit more people and take on some other ships, to fall over Peru, so declaring themselves free from Spain. There was no time to hesitate, there was no space for turning back.
In June of the year 1561, finally the Atlantic Ocean appeared before their eyes. They had bored the worst deprivations, struggling with the nature and the ferocious tribes of that green hell. Behind, they left a red stained road. By then, all of them looked like starving beggars, also the ship was in an awful condition. They set sail to La Margarita island, in the Province of Venezuela, to recover the energies. On June 20th, they arrived there.
After a cautious reception, the authorities and the people became confident with the poor strangers. It was a terrible mistake. Aguirre and his men, soon began with their abuses. In a blink, their hosts turned into their victims. Immersed in a wicked orgy, he ordered to kill the main authorities. There was no pity for women, or sick persons, even for priests. It was told, that he hanged doña Ana de Rojas at the square, and his men used her body as target for their arquebuses. The sack and violence was such, that his pass by the island would never be forgotten. The place where he landed, would be known as El Tirano's Bay (today Puerto Fermin). On the other hand, in the two months they stayed there, some of his men began to desert. The unfortunate who were caught, were tortured and massacred. Nonetheless, many of the others were waiting for the first opportunity, to run away. Only fear was holding them.
to be continued...
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