It is not to be wondered at that these two conquerors were
very cautious of their dealings with one another. Spain
was so far removed by time and distance that the central
authority was very slack, and in most cases could only
exercise a moral influence, for the kings of Spain had not
resources to fit out expeditions to reduce revolting governors.
In the case of the Licentiate La Gasca in Peru, he arrived
without a single soldier, and raised an army solely by his
own force of character^ under the aegis of the king.
All the time this curious and unexpected meeting of
Belalcazar and Hernan Perez de Quesada was taking place,
poor Captain Lazaro Fonte still was in exile, with the
Indian girl who had preserved his life for sole companion.
As he lived quietly, and gave himself no airs of being a

1 La Gasca was a priest who belonged to the Inquisition. Charles V.
