of his troops, he courageously resolved to run the risk of battle, and even to expose himself personally to all its dangers.  In this determination, he boldly marched from the city of Quito directly towards the enemy, as if assured of gaining a victory.  To Don Alfonzo de Montemayor, who commanded his first company with the royal standard, he assigned the office of lieutenant-general, commanding every one to obey him in that capacity.  Cepeda and Bazan led the cavalry, and Ahumada carried the great standard.  Sancho Sanchez de Avila, Hernandez Giron, Pedro Heredia, and Rodrigo Nunnez de Bonilla were captains of infantry, over which Juan de Cabrera commanded as major-general.  The viceroy was earnestly requested by all his officers not to engage in the front of battle as he intended, but to take post in the rear with fifteen horsemen, whence he might send succours to wherever they might be required; yet, when the engagement was about to commence, the viceroy rode up to the vanguard, and took his place beside the lieutenant-general, Don Alfonzo, in front of the royal standard.  On this occasion the viceroy was mounted on a grey horse, dressed in an upper garment of white muslin, with large slashes, shewing an under vest of crimson satin fringed with gold.  Just before beginning the engagement, he addressed his troops to the following effect:  “I do not pretend, my loyal friends, to encourage you by my words and example, as I rather look for an example of bravery from your courageous efforts, and am fully convinced you will do your duty as brave and faithful subjects of our gracious sovereign.  Knowing therefore your inviolable fidelity to the king our common master, I have only to say that we are engaged in the cause of God.”  These last words he repeated several times, exclaiming, “It is the cause of God!  It is the cause of God!”

After this short exhortation, the viceroy with Don Alfonzo and Bazan advanced to the charge, being opposed on the other side by the licentiate Carvajal.  Gonzalo Pizarro had likewise intended to have taken post in the front of battle, but his officers insisted upon his remaining in the rear with eight or ten horsemen.  In the first charge the cavalry shivered their lances, after which they continued to fight obstinately with swords, battle-axes and war-clubs or maces.  In this part of the battle the cavalry of the viceroy were much galled by a line of musqueteers of the adverse army which plied them in flank.  While fighting bravely, the viceroy beat down one of the insurgents named Montalva; but immediately afterwards received so severe a blow on the head with a battle-axe from Ferdinand de Torres, that he fell stunned from his horse.  Indeed, both he and his horse had been so excessively fatigued by the difficult march of the preceding night, in which they had neither been able to take food or rest, that they were both easily overthrown.  While this was passing with the cavalry of the van, the infantry on both sides advanced to