1. Don Fernando considered it necessary to call his friends, and the less evil intentioned soldiers in the camp together to hold a council, without letting Aguirre know of it, whom he hated much more than his own sins; the object being to countermand the return to Pirú. They all met in the house of Don Fernando, that each might give his opinion as to whether the expedition should return to Pirú, or go in search of the land of the Omaguas. The last measure was considered by the council to be the wisest; but there was a great difficulty to surmount, namely, the opposite views entertained by Aguirre. As long as he and his familiars opposed, nothing could be done, for they were more in numbers, and the most daring. The council then agreed to remove this great obstacle, by taking Aguirre's life, and this was to be done by sending for him at once. It was expected that he would come unprepared, not being aware of his danger, and when he came before them, they intended to kill him; for if he was not got rid of thus briefly, it would be impossible to prevent his becoming aware of their intentions, and then they could not be carried into effect.

They were all agreed; when the devil, who is always ready, God willing, to favour his own, and sustain them for some time, to commit greater sins, prompted Alonso de Montoya, one of the council, to say, that it was not prudent at that moment to kill Aguirre.