scended to the plain, determined to try a pitched battle, in which of course they were overthrown. Great numbers were slain, and the remainder, among whom was the cacique Guajicar, fled into the neighboring glens for refuge.
Torre, who during the engagement had displayed the usual soldierly qualities of a Spaniard, now rode with his pursuing troops, encouraging them as they toiled over the difficult ground. While so occupied he was thrown from his horse, which falling upon him inflicted a mortal injury.[1] He was carried back to Tonalá,ref>Mota Padilla says to Tetlan, situated four leagues from the site occupied by Guadalajara in that author's time. Tello, writing in the middle of the 17th century, places this town one league from the Guadalajara of his time. Hist. N. Gal., 369. The site of Guadalajara was changed several times.</ref> where were his family, and they laid him on his death-bed.
After several days of suffering, and conscious that his end was near, Torre formally appointed Christóbal de Oñate his successor pending instructions from the viceroy,[2] and having given him advice regarding the administration, and commended to his care his bereaved family, he yielded up his spirit and was buried in the convent of San Francisco at Tetlan.[3]
Torre is described as possessing a robust frame, with
- ↑ 'Tenia lastimadas las entrañas de la caida,' according to Tello, who does not mention that the horse fell upon Torre. Id. Mota Padilla says, 'Cayó del caballo, el que se echó encima y le lastimó.' Cong. N. Gal., 108. Parra states that Torre, riding at random over the plain, plunged into a swamp, and in his endeavors to get out of it his horse fell upon him breaking a rib and injuring his spine. Cong. Xal., 230-1.
- ↑ According to orders received from the king providing for such emergency the cabildo was consulted with regard to the appointment of a successor. Torre, however, excepted his son, Melchor Perez de la Torre, on the ground of his youth and inexperience, from the number of those whom he considered. fit to occupy the position. Id., 368.
- ↑ Torre was 56 years of age when he died. His remains were afterward removed to Guadalajara when the convent was transferred thither. The date of his death is not known; but it was probably during the latter part of 1538, inferred from an expression of the escribano of the audiencia, that as late as July 30th of that year no news of his death had reached the capital; 'visto que el lisenciado de la Torre juez de residencia de la Nueva Galicia no estaba en esta dicha cibdad.' Ramirez, Proceso, 275. Two marriageable daughters were especially intrusted to the protection of Oñate, who did not fail in the discharge of his trust. One was married to Jacinto de Pineda y Ledesma, a person of good birth, and the other to the alférez mayor, Fernando Flores, from whom Mota Padilla claims to be descended. Cong. N. Gal., 109.
