1. The evil example, treasons and roving life of the tyrants, was the cause that some of the soldiers belonging to the city and island followed their example, having the same inclinations, and not being punished for their violence, robberies, and insolence, like unto the soldiers of the traitor, for such had become their trade; they were rather favoured by Aguirre, particularly those who exceeded the others in mischief, and boasted that they were against the king. Aguirre considered this a most important political element, that the more culpable his soldiers were, the firmer hold had he on them, and that they would not leave his protection, fearing the justice of the king. So some soldiers, on the island, determined to put themselves under Aguirre's banner, offering to follow him wherever he went, and to lay down their lives as his vassals, and with no less loyalty than those followers whom he had brought with him. The tyrant gladly admitted them into his band, advancing their pay out of the government funds he had robbed. Thus he bound them to serve him, as they had promised, for any other conduct would have cost them their heads. He then gave them permission to become as great villains as the rest, and this was exactly what they desired. They joined the other soldiers, and led them to those spots, of which they knew, where the inhabitants had hidden some of their property, merchandize, clothes, jewels, and strings of pearls.