*25 But he was neither vindictive nor habitually cruel. I
have mentioned one atrocious outrage which he committed on the
natives. But insensibility to the rights of the Indian he shared
with many a better-instructed Spaniard. Yet the Indians, after
his conviction, bore testimony to his general humanity, by
declaring that they had no such friend among the white men. *26
Indeed, far from being vindictive, he was placable, and easily
yielded to others. The facility with which he yielded, the
result of good-natured credulity, made him too often the dupe of
the crafty; and it showed, certainly, a want of that
self-reliance which belongs to great strength of character. Yet
his facility of temper, and the generosity of his nature, made
him popular with his followers. No commander was ever more
beloved by his soldiers. His generosity was often carried to
prodigality. When he entered on the campaign of Chili, he lent a
hundred thousand gold ducats to the poorer cavaliers to equip
themselves, and afterwards gave them up the debt. *27 He was
profuse to ostentation. But his extravagance did him no harm
among the roving spirits of the camp, with whom prodigality is
apt to gain more favor than a strict and well-regulated economy.
[Footnote 25: "Hera vn hombre muy profano, de muy mala lengua,
que en enojandose tratava muy mal a todos los que con el andavan
aunque fuesen cavalleros. "(Descub. y Conq., Ms.) It is the
portrait drawn by an enemy.
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