Chapter LIII (2)

Vela Nuñez, the Viceroy’s brother, had been brought back to Lima. There was also at Lima one Juan de la Torre who had married a daughter of a Curaca near Puerto Viejo. He got with her a large treasure, and he wanted to return to Spain to enjoy it. He proposed to Vela Nuñez to join him and seize a ship to which Vela Nuñez agreed. The ruffian then thought he might gain more by betraying his victim to Pizarro. Vela Nuñez was beheaded.

When Carbajal heard of the arrival of Gonzalo Pizarro at Lima, he came from Charcas where he had restored tranquillity. Pizarro came out some distance to meet him. He brought with him great store of treasure, and had a grand reception. Alonso de Mendoza was left as Pizarro’s Lieutenant in Charcas.

All seemed hopeful for the future, with a good administration under a most popular Governor. The treachery of Hinojosa and Aldana in delivering up the fleet to Gasca at Panama, renewed all the trouble, with six more years of civil war.

LETTER FROM FRANCISCO DE CARBAJAL TO GONZALO PIZARRO.

Most illustrious Sir,

As God alone is the true master of all things and knows what He says, arranging all things according to His will and pleasure, although I wrote to you the other day, by Diego Lopez de Segura, that we should enter Guamanga on the day that you received the letter, He was not served that we should do so. For on the following Tuesday, in the night, after I had despatched Segura, we were to sleep at Lucumaes, I had a pain in the stomach followed by a severe pain in the side, with which I was unable to take the road, though there was no want of doctors and medicines.

Feeling a little better I left Lucumaes where I was taken ill, and came to Andahuaylas. I was there attacked again so severely that it would have been desperation to continue the journey, so I remained to be cured. I give your honour an account of this, that you may not think I am enjoying myself.

Your honour’s page Burgos arrived at Andahuaylas, who gave me two despatches sent by you, and I saw all that they contained. Your honour need have no anxiety, for I have brought Cuzco to a healthy state as well in one part as another, bringing with me all those who are suspected and can do anything, that they may be known to you and serve you, and leaving there the sowing that seemed convenient. In fine, until I can see your honour, and can tell you all by word of mouth that seems advisable for the security of all, it will be well to be as secret as such affairs require.

From this same place I sent Burgos to Cuzco to accompany the escort bringing some treasure from your Honour’s estate, and I shall send it forward with the care that is necessary, doing all in my power to forward your service.

With regard to the pikes which you ordered me to burn, I have sent for them that they may be brought to Guamanga by little and little, and thence they shall be sent to Lima. I beseech your Honour that you will deem that I do well in this. For the kingly crowning with which we are, in a few days, to crown your Honour there will be a great concourse of people, and on that occasion I wish to have charge of such details as may be convenient. I assure your Excellency that the most terrible war that can be made for the security of your army and your person, and for the rout of an enemy, is with pikes, and I know very well what I am saying.

Rodrigo de Zamudio arrived here last night, who resides at Chuquiapu (La Paz). He came with Father Ortun Sanchez from your Honour’s estates, bringing 35,000 _pesos_ of gold from Chuquiapu and in silver from Potosi, respecting which the Father informed me. I have sent it from here with the best escort I could arrange. I pray that you will give the bearers good treatment and presents, for it is true that much work is done each day, backwards and forwards, in your Honour’s service, and I will look upon it as a reward to myself. May the illustrious person of your Honour be maintained with all the health and increase of prosperity that you can desire. From this station of Andahuaylas to-day Thursday the 17th of March 1547.

Your Servant who kisses

Your Honour’s hands

FRANCISCO DE CARBAJAL.

LA GASCA’S VOYAGE.

Document in the special library of the King of Spain (_16 f^{s} cuaderna 17_), in the handwriting of one of La Gasca’s secretaries, quoted by the Palentino. Neither Prescott nor Barros Arana had seen it.

_Abridged._

We arranged that Lorenzo de Aldana should sail with two ships and a frigate, and in his company Palomino and Juan de Illanes, and the Provincial of the Dominicans with letters, provisions, and pardons, and 300 soldiers.

Finding all quiet in Peru, and himself popular, while Tierra Firme was in his hands, for he was ignorant of the treason there, his Council advised Gonzalo Pizarro to become King by an Act similar to that made at Avila by Alonso, in the time of his brother Henry IV, to be approved by all the citizens and principal persons in Peru. Carbajal, who was at Cuzco, was ordered to Lima. Meanwhile the Licentiates Cepeda and Carbajal, and Juan de Acosta a great favourite of Gonzalo, tried to persuade Gonzalo that the Camp Master was a traitor and advised Gonzalo to kill him. Carbajal set out, but was taken very ill at Andahuaylas. He wrote to Gonzalo of the Kingship he was about to assume, and of the great concourse of people there would be at Lima. The letter is dated at Andahuaylas 17 March 1547.

Lorenzo de Aldana, Hernan Mexia, Palomino, and Juan de Illanes, and the Regent Friar Tomas San Martin sailed from Panama with two ships and a frigate 17 Feb. 1547. I made sail from Panama to Taboga 10 April 1547, where there were 22 other ships. April 12 we left Taboga, I, General Pedro de Hinojosa, Diego Garcia de Paredas, &c. in the _capitana_.

Aldana, joined by Paniagua with another ship, put into Guayaquil.

Gasca encountered bad weather and put into Buenaventura. The captain wanted to return to Panama. There were very heavy seas, thunder and lightning, and a downpour of rain, wet through fore and aft. Those with him entreated him to let the captain shorten sail. He refused. At last he went to his cabin to see how his papers had fared with the water. Then Paredes and others told the sailors that I had ordered the mainsail to be lowered. Having done my best to protect the papers from wet, I came out and found the men on the yard and the sail being lowered. I shouted that it was not to be done, but no one wanted to hear me. At this juncture a number of lights of St Elmo appeared on all the yards, which gave great consolation, all the sailors falling on their knees and saying their St Elmo prayer. This led to silence, and I and Pedro de Hinojosa, with some others, got the sail up again. This reminded me of what Aristotle and Pliny said that when there are many of these lights, it is a sign that the tempest will cease. Next day we were able to anchor under the shelter of Gorgona. Don Pedro Cabrera’s ship reached Buenaventura, where he and his people landed and marched by Popayan and Quito, reaching Xauxa after seven months, in November. I found 12 ships at Gorgona. The Bishop of Lima, Hinojosa, and Paredes went in the galliot. April 30th all sailed from Gorgona, I also in the galley with 30 of the best arquebusiers, to go by rowing if sails were of no use. Paniagua met me off Gallo with a letter from Gonzalo Pizarro. He dwelt on the services of his brothers and himself, on the necessity for expelling Blasco Nuñez, and on his care of the royal treasury.

MURDER OF THE INCA MANCO DESCRIBED BY HIS SON.

Titu Cusi Yupanqui, younger son of the murdered Inca Manco, being a neophyte in the beginning of 1570, dictated to an Augustine friar named Marcos Garcia, who was with him at Vilcapampa, the following “Narrative of the entry of the Spaniards into Peru, and of what happened to him when they were living with him.”

All these things having happened, both those which I have mentioned and many others which I have not touched upon to avoid prolixity, my father returned to Vilcapampa as head of all this province, where he rested for some days. From this place, because he did not like to be without me, he sent to Cuzco for me, where I was, until they took me to Viticos, in the house of Oñate[78]. The messengers took me and my mother secretly to the town of Viticos, where my father had come for fresh air, it being a cold land. There I and my Father stayed for many days. At different times seven Spaniards arrived, saying that they were fugitives owing to having committed offences, and they protested that they would serve my Father with all their power, for the remainder of their lives. They prayed that they might be allowed to remain in that land and end their days there. My Father, thinking that they came with good intentions, ordered his captains to do them no harm, for he wished to keep them as his servants, and that they should have houses in which to live. The captains would much rather have put an end to them, but obeyed my Father’s orders. My Father had them with him for many days and years, treating them very well, and giving them all that they needed, even ordering his own women to prepare their food and their beverage, and taking his meals with them. He treated them as if they were his own brothers.

After these Spaniards had been with my Father for several years in the said town of Viticos they were one day, with much good fellowship, playing at quoits with him: only them, my Father, and me, who was then a boy. Without having any suspicion, although an Indian woman, named Banba, had said that the Spaniards wanted to murder the Inca, my Father was playing with them as usual. In this game, just as my Father was raising the quoit to throw, they all rushed upon him with knives, daggers, and some swords. My Father, feeling himself wounded, strove to make some defence, but he was one and unarmed, and they were seven fully armed; he fell to the ground covered with wounds, and they left him for dead. I, being a little boy, and seeing my Father treated in this manner, wanted to go where he was to help him. But they turned furiously upon me, and hurled a lance which only just failed to kill me also. I was terrified and fled amongst some bushes. They looked for me, but could not find me. The Spaniards, seeing that my Father had ceased to breathe, went out of the gate, in high spirits, saying, “Now that we have killed the Inca we have nothing to fear.” But at this moment the captain Rimachi Yupanqui arrived with some Antis, and presently chased them in such sort that, before they could get very far along a difficult road, they were caught and pulled from their horses. They all had to suffer very cruel deaths and some were burnt. Notwithstanding his wounds my Father lived for three days. Before he died, he sent for me and all his captains, and spoke these words....[79]

All the above writing was done and ordered to give the information
dictated by the most illustrious Lord Don Diego de Castro Titu Cusi
Yupanqui, son of Manco Inca Yupanqui late natural Lord of these
kingdoms of Peru, to the Reverend Father Friar Marcos Garcia, Friar
Presbyter of the order of Saint Augustine, who resides in that
province of Vilcapampa, having in charge the cure of all the souls
within it, to the honour and glory of Almighty God.

I Martin Pando, clerk, commissioned by the Illustrious Lord the
Licentiate Lope Garcia de Castro, late Governor of these kingdoms,
solemnly declare that all that is above written was composed and
ordered by the said Father under the instructions of the said Don
Diego de Castro, and which I myself wrote with my proper hands in
the manner dictated by the said Father, being witnesses the
Reverend Father Friar Diego Ortiz, professed presbyter of the said
order, who jointly resides in company with the author of this, and
three captains of the said Don Diego de Castro, named Suta
Yupanqui, Rimachi Yupanqui, and Sullca Huarac. In token of the good
faith of all the aforesaid, I signed my name. Done in the town of
San Salvador of Vilcapampa, on the 6th of February 1570, which, to
make it more authentic is also signed with the names of Father
Friar Martin Garcia and Father Diego Ortiz.

I Don Diego de Castro Titu Cusi Yupanqui, natural son of Manco Inca
Yupanqui late Lord of these kingdoms of Peru declare that, as it
is necessary for me to make this statement to the King Don Philip
our Lord, containing things of importance to me and my successors,
and not knowing the style and manner used by Spaniards in such
reports, I requested the very Reverend Father Friar Marcos Garcia
and Martin de Pando that, in conformity with the usage on such
occasions, they would order and compose the above narrative, for
the very illustrious Lord, the Licentiate Lope Garcia de Castro to
send to Spain; that for me, in my name, holding, as I do hold, my
power, all may be explained to his Majesty Don Philip our King and
Lord, that he, seeing the grounds of my request, may show favour to
me, to my sons and my descendants and I sign my name on the day
aforesaid.

Don Diego de Castro Titu Cusi Yupanqui.

To Don Lope Garcia de Castro,

Having received letters from your Lordship, asking me to become a Christian and saying that it would conduce to the security of the country, I enquired of Diego Rodriguez and Martin de Pando, who was the principal monk among those who were in Cuzco, and who were the most approved and of most weight among the religious orders. They replied that the most flourishing were those of St Augustine, and their Prior was the most important religious in Cuzco. Having heard this, I became more attached to the order of St Augustine than to any other. I wrote letters to the Prior, requesting him to come in person to baptize me, because I would rather be baptized by him than by anyone else. He took the trouble to come to my country and to baptize me, bringing with him another monk, and Gonzalo Perez de Vivero and Atilano de Anaya who arrived at Rayangalla on the 12th of August 1568, whither I came from Vilcapampa to receive baptism. There, in that village of Rayangalla, were the said Prior named Juan de Vivero and his companions. I was instructed in the things of the faith for a fortnight, at the end of which time, on the day of the famous Dr St Augustine, the Prior baptized me. My godfather was Gonzalo Perez de Vivero and my godmother Doña Angelina Zica Ocllo. After I was baptized the Prior remained for eight days to instruct me in the holy catholic church and to initiate me into its mysteries. He then departed with Gonzalo Perez de Vivero, leaving me a companion named Friar Marcos Garcia, that he might little by little instil into my mind what the Prior had taught, that I might not forget, and also to teach the word of God to the people of my land. Before he departed I explained to my followers the reason why I had been baptized, and had brought these people into my land. All replied that they rejoiced at my baptism, and that the friar should remain. In effect the friar did remain with me[80].

DIEGO RODRIGUEZ DE FIGUEROA.

_Notice._

[Sidenote: Thin 4^{to} MS.]

The manuscript of the Report of Diego Rodriguez de Figueroa on his mission to Titu Cusi Yupanqui Inca, came into the possession of Eugene Jacquet, a French orientalist, who gave it to Alexander von Humboldt, in 1833. Humboldt left it to the Royal Library at Berlin. The text was published by Dr Pietschmann of Göttingen in 1910.

Rodriguez came to Peru in about 1552. The Count of Nieva, Viceroy from 1561 to 1564, appointed him _Defensor de todos los Indios_.

Rodriguez took part in the subjugation of Vilcapampa by order of the Viceroy Toledo in 1571, and an _encomienda_ of 100 Indians was given to him, in that province, where he was Alguazil Mayor. He was there four years, but quarrelled with the Governor. In a petition to the Viceroy Don Martin Henriquez, successor to Toledo (1 Dec. 1582), Rodriguez mentions that he has five daughters and three sons, that he had lived many years at Potosi, and had fought in three battles for the King. He had occupied himself with writings and pictures representing the history of the Incas and all sorts of reports and memoirs. He had been Corregidor of Potosi.

NARRATIVE

OF THE ROUTE AND JOURNEY MADE BY

DIEGO RODRIGUEZ

FROM THE CITY OF CUZCO TO THE LAND OF WAR OF MANCO[81] INCA WHO WAS IN THE ANDES IN INSURRECTION AGAINST THE SERVICE OF HIS MAJESTY, AND OF THE AFFAIRS TOUCHING WHICH HE TREATED WITH THE OBJECT OF ESTABLISHING PEACE, AS WELL AS TO INDUCE THE PEOPLE TO RECEIVE THE EVANGELICAL DOCTRINE OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST

as follows:

I left Cuzco on the 8th of April after having received letters from the Judge Matienzo to the Inca Titu Cusi Yupanqui, with leave to make an entrance, after having offered my services to go by that route. I went to sleep at Tambo, where they gave me seven Indian carriers to show me the way. Three men of this town were to enter with me, after the cacique had told them that if the Inca asked them whence they came they were to say they came from another part and that they were not natives of Tambo, because it was a garrison of the Inca frontier, and he might kill them, if they said they came from thence.

On the 9th of April I went to the other part of the cordillera, crossed the uninhabited snowy region and slept at Yanamachi, where there are large caves. There I heard that the runners of the Inca had arrived at Chuquichaca which is near the land of peace, and ready to pass to the other side of the river which is subject to the Spaniards. I encouraged the Indians and told them to fear nothing as I would go with them to see what people they were and what they wanted; but they were unwilling. That night seven Indians fled from fear. They carried loads containing some presents for the Inca, bought with my own money and at my cost. Considering one thing and another, I should have wished to return, if it had not been that I was ashamed, and for other secret reasons.

I concealed the loads under some straw, and went on for five leagues to the valley of Amaibamba, three leagues within the land of the Inca, where they gather much coca, and where there are always many Indians at harvest time. The place was devoid of inhabitants, because all had concealed themselves in the forests. There was no one to show me the ford over the river, but I passed, I and the horse, God seeing fit to guide the horse miraculously, the depth being more than 300 _estados_.

Later in April some of the Indians who had fled, as well as the runners, came to me. I encouraged them and said that I would go to the bridge to see what was going on. I said to them that those others were infidels and were not Christians, and that one Christian could fight all the infidels put together; because those others were infidels and they were Christians. They answered that they had been robbed more than ten or fifteen times, and some of those others had got their wives and children, that they were not men but devils with no fear of God, and that when they had stolen everything they burnt the house, and to insult the Christians they burnt the churches, and had broken the images, and with the cross placed in front they had made a fire and cooked a sheep. It is true that I saw the burnt church, and the pieces they showed me, which may have been bits of the cross. I explained to them that God permitted this for our sins, but that He would inflict a great punishment on those others. I told them that I was going to speak to the Inca on the part of the President of the Municipality and of the Royal Audience of the city of La Plata, and to warn him that if he would not live in conformity with our Holy Catholic Faith and in obedience to his Majesty, war would be declared. While I should be there, they were to keep a good watch on the bridge to see when the runners should arrive, that I might speak with them. They replied that they did not dare, and they also advised me not to, because those others would kill me, and give my body to be eaten by the Anti Indians.

Seeing the small courage of these Indians, I sent them for the loads, to the place where they were hidden, and left the horse here, in the valley of Amaibamba, as the road was very rough, and in places one could not even walk on foot, but like cats. I arrived at the bridge, which is between two great hills, on the 11th of April. I made great lights on the banks of the river to see if any of the Inca’s runners had arrived. I also made a flag of a pocket handkerchief, and put it on the top of a tree as a sign of peace, and a very large cross on the bridge, that they might understand that a Spaniard and Christian had come. Then two runners came from Yucay, which is in the land of peace. They told me that my luggage had arrived and was waiting at Amaibamba, that the Indians who had fled to the mountains had now returned, that they were not frightened now that I was at the bridge, that they would feel safe while I was there, and that the Inca had gone back with his captains.

On the 11th they made great fires, and there was much smoke on the other side of the river. That night two Indian runners fled to the mountains because they did not dare to sleep where I slept, which was close to the bridge. There I was, in much trouble with the mosquitos, which bit me by night and by day, but in no trouble about the Inca’s people. This being the case I determined to return to Amaibamba, and wait there for the runners. If they made any remark I could say that it was three leagues away, and that the bites of mosquitos had swollen my hands and feet, and brought on a fever.

On Good Friday, the 20th of April, in the evening, a runner arrived with the news that six Indians of the Inca had arrived at the bridge, and there appeared to be more behind. It did not appear what object they had, but they had left the cross which I had set up. All the Indians armed themselves and some, from fear, fled to the mountains. I presently went to the bridge, commending myself to our Lord. I went by a very bad road and in the night, having several falls by the way, and much hard work. I took with me two Indians against their will, with coca, bread, and other things to eat. I arrived at the bridge at about 3 o’clock in the morning, and began to cry out and struck a light. The runners then came together and, with many torches of straw alight, we began to talk. I said that I came, with peaceful intent, to speak to the Inca, bringing letters from the Municipality and Judges of the city of La Plata, and another from the Judge Matienzo, requesting permission for me to enter the country, speak to the Inca, and deliver the letters into his hands. They replied that they were satisfied. The letters were thrown over the river with a sling, and coca and bread were passed over on a rope, that they might eat. I asked them to let me leave one of the two Indians until the reply came from the Inca, to which they agreed.

On the 28th of April the Inca replied in a very brief letter. He thanked me for the trouble I had taken, but for the rest he said that he did not want any Spaniard to enter his territory either in peace or in war, for they would only come as spies and to deceive him. He ordered me not to enter, and that if I did his captains would kill me. Further he kissed the hands of the Judge Matienzo and of all the others who had written, and did not reply as he was in bad health. I was to return with this message. I was to be so good as to send him the letters, which I told him I was bringing, that he might have them in his hand. On the day that I received this reply from the Inca, I reflected that if I returned they would say at Cuzco that I was afraid and sought an excuse for not going to the Inca. So I determined to give the letters to the runners, as well as some presents which I had brought, such as raisins and comfits, quince jam, three pieces of cloth, three pairs of scissors, four knives with sheaths, some needles and other things. I wrote that I was his friend, and that he should understand that I had no wish to deceive him, but to tell him what it would be convenient for him to know. If he would give me permission I would enter his territory to recognize him as a Lord. I further said that if I could serve him in anything I would do so. That he might know this to be the truth I sent him a provision appointing me Defender of all the Indians of this kingdom signed by the Count of Nieva[82].

On the 5th of May ten captains came to the bridge, richly dressed with diadems of plumes, and lances in their hands which they brandished, and wearing masks on their faces. They came to the passage of the bridge where I was, and asked if I was the man who had the audacity to want to come and speak to the Inca. I said yes. They replied that I could not fail to be much afraid, and if I felt fear I could not come, because the Inca was a great enemy of cowards. To this I answered that if he was an elephant or a giant I might be afraid, but as he was a man like myself I had no fear, but I would offer him respect. If he would let me enter under his word, I would do so, for I knew that he would keep it. On this they produced two letters. One was from a mestizo who is there, named Pando, and the other from the Inca. They sent them across to me. Some of the Indians who were with me then fled. In both letters there were expressions of joy to understand, from the Provision, that I was not a spy and that I did not come to deceive them. They were pleased that I should come as far as a town called Aramcalla, and that the Inca would come there with his Governor and Master of the Camp.

On the 6th of May I crossed the river in a basket travelling along a cable, and seven Indians came with me. The ten Indians of the Inca helped me to cross, and accompanied me. That night I slept at the foot of a snowy mountain, in an uninhabited village called Condormarca, where there had been a bridge in ancient times, which crossed the river to go to Tambo, Sapamarca, and Viticos in the country of peace.

On the 7th of May as many as a hundred Indians came to meet me and accompany me over the road of Marainiyo, a very rough country with much vegetation and some swamps. They asked me if it was I who had put up the flag which I mentioned before. I said yes and that I had hoisted it as a signal that I came on an errand of peace. They answered that it was a great piece of insolence for anyone to hoist a flag in the territory of the Inca, and if it had not been that the Inca had given orders for me to enter, they would have killed me there and then. Each one then began to brandish his arms, calling the Spaniards bearded cowards and thieves. Others said, “May we not kill this little bearded one, to avenge what his brethren have done to us.” I appeased them by saying it was true than when the Spaniards came they did much harm; but that now there was justice, that the people were favoured and had their liberty. They then asked me if I was one of those who came first, or whether I had arrived recently. I answered that it was seventeen years since I came from Spain, that in all times there were some good and some bad, and that now they deserved much honour for it seemed to me that they were good men. As to what others had done, the fault did not lie with me. I then gave them some drink, and I gave some of them needles, ornaments, knives, and other things, so we made friends. I then wrote to the Inca to say that I had entered his country, but had not yet come to where he was, and that in token of friendship I sent him two glass jars and two dozen buttons of green glass that looked like emeralds.

On the 8th of May we departed from the station of the Inca called Marainiyo, and marched to an Indian village named Lucuma where four Indians came to see me from a captain, who was on that frontier, named Cayanbi. I sent him salt and knives, and in return he supplied me with maize and chicha, asking me not to pass on, because he had not sent to tell the Inca anything about my arrival, but that he would come and sleep that night, to accompany me. Considering the abominable road, and the discomfort of having to travel on foot, and seeing that though I was near the goal they would not let me reach it, I sent to say that I would not go, and that I wanted to return to Cuzco. So I ordered the Indians to take the road by which we had come, and I wrote a very angry letter to the Inca saying that I had arrived at Lucuma by his order, and that one of his captains, who was on that frontier, had refused to receive me in his land. With the letter I sent a hat with two plumes of feathers. When the captain saw my determination to return to Cuzco he came to me, on the road, and begged me not to go until a reply came from the Inca. He also brought plenty of food of the country.

I remained with the captain until another day when the reply of the Inca came, the runner having covered 40 leagues in two days, saying in his letter that he was very angry with the captain who would be well punished. He sent another in his place named Vilcapaniguana, with a hundred Indians to help in my journey. I was lodged in Arancalla, a village of a hundred Indians, in a very rough country near the snows, where there was a large fort.

I arrived there on the 9th of May, and they made me two houses on a hill two arquebus shots from the village. Presently the inhabitants of the village came with provisions for my party. Above all things they asked me to show them the contents of my loads, because they desired much to know. At first I refused, but as it seemed to me that they would manage to find out, against my will, I thought that it would be well to let them see. So they looked at everything. They saw that I carried a sword and dagger, and said that I should show them to the Inca as he would rejoice to see them. The same day a servant of the Inca arrived, with two baskets of earth nuts[83], to visit me on his part. I received him well and gave him a head cloth and an ornament; and for the Inca two packs of cards and two pair of scissors. I understood that he came to see what manner of man I was, and to learn from those who came with me what I had asked, said, and done. They took leave, very well contented.

On the next day, the 11th of May, I received another letter from the Inca, in which he made great offers to me, owing to the good report he had heard of me from Cuzco, and that I was to come to a village further on called Bambacona that we might sooner meet, and that he would be there in two days.

I set out on the 12th of May and went on to Viticos where the seven Spaniards killed the Inca, and their heads are exposed. The Indians told me that those Spaniards had killed him to raise the land, and that they determined to kill him while playing at _la herradura_. One Mendez[84] did it with four or five stabs behind until he killed him; and to Titu Cusi, the Inca who is now, they would have done the same, but he escaped down some rocks, which they showed me. They, however, succeeded in giving him a stab in the leg, the mark of which he afterwards showed me. If they had wanted to kill some Indians they could have done so, but their object was to kill the Inca. Then many Indians and captains assembled, who seized the Spaniards and killed them.

On the 13th of May I sent two of my Indians to the Inca with some refreshments of raisins, figs, and other things. The Inca received them well, and gave them two baskets of earth nuts which they were to take to me, with a message that next day he would arrive, so that we should see each other soon, and that I need not travel further.

On the 14th of May the Indians of Bambacona had made a large house on a strong height surrounded by entrenchments. Below were the houses of the inhabitants. The road by which he was to come was very clean and passed over a great plain. The three hundred Indians with their lances, and others from the surrounding country, had made a great theatre for the Inca, of red clay. They were awaiting his arrival, and wished me to go out to meet him. They told me that the people of the village would wait on the plain, and that they would show me a place where they had brought two loads of straw, half a stone’s throw from the rest of the people. They told me to wait there, and see the entry of the Inca, and not to move until the Inca sent for me.

Many lances were drawn up on a hill, and messengers arrived to say that the Inca was coming. Presently the escort of the Inca began to appear. The Inca came in front of all, with a head-dress of plumes of many colours, a silver plate on his breast, a golden shield in one hand, and a lance all of gold. He wore garters of feathers and fastened to them were small wooden bells. On his head was a diadem and another round the neck. In one hand he had a gilded dagger, and he came in a mask of several colours. Arriving on the plateau where the places of the people were, and his seat was set up, and mine, he gazed where the sun was, making a sort of reverence with his hand, which they call _mucha_, and then went to his seat. There came with him a mestizo with a shield and sword, and in a Spanish dress and a very old cloak. Presently he turned his eyes in the direction where I was, and I took off my hat. The Indians did not notice this. I held up an image of our Lady which I carried in my bosom, and though the Indians saw it, they took no notice. Then two _orejones_ came near the Inca with two halberds, dressed in diadems of plumes with much adornment of gold and silver. These made obeisance and reverence to the sun and then to the Inca. All the rest were standing near his seat, encircling him in good order. Presently the governor came, named Yamqui Mayta, with 60 or 70 attendants with their silver plates, lances, belts of gold and silver, the same dresses as were worn by all who came with the Inca. Then came the Master of the Camp with the same gaily dressed following: and all made obeisance first to the sun and then to the Inca, saying, “Child of the Sun thou art the child of the day[85].” Then they took up their positions round the Inca. Then another captain entered, named Vilcapari Guaman, with about thirty Indians bearing lances adorned with feathers of many colours. Then twenty men with axes, making reverences to the sun like the rest. All wore masks of different colours, which they put before their faces. Next a little Indian entered who, after making reverences to the sun and the Inca, came towards me, brandishing a lance, and raising it with great audacity. He then began to cry out in Spanish “Get out! get out!” and to menace me with his lance. Next another captain entered named Cusi Puma, with about 50 archers; who are Antis eating human flesh. Presently all these warriors took off their plumes of feathers and put down their lances. With their daggers of bronze and their shields of silver, or leather, or of feathers, each one came to do reverence to the Inca who was seated, and then returned to their places.

Presently he sent for me, and passing through that multitude of Indians, I took off my hat and made a speech to him. I said that I had come from Cuzco solely to know and serve him. If I wore a sword and dagger it was to serve him with them, and not to offend him. To this he answered that it was for men to bear arms and not for women or cowards, and he did not, therefore, hold me in more esteem for that. But he said he was pleased at the trouble I had taken to come from such a distance to him, adding that he had come 40 leagues only to see and converse with me. Then he gave me a cup of chicha, asking me to drink it for his service. I drank a quarter of it, and then began to make faces, and wipe my mouth with a handkerchief. He began to laugh, understanding that I did not know that liquor. Then he spoke to the mulatto, asking him how this was, and that our Lord Jesus Christ should be remembered for he had blessed such work. He said that he would show me the governor Yamqui Mayta, that I might talk to him. He came and embraced me as the Inca had done, and he was seated on the Inca’s right hand.

Presently I returned to my lodging, with permission of the Inca, and he sent me, by the governor, a macaw and two baskets of earth nuts. Then the mestizo came with a very small cup of chicha, with a message from the Inca asking me to drink it, that he looked upon me as a friend, and that when I liked, we could treat of the matters about which I had come. I took a sip, and gave the rest to one of the Indians who had come with me. He sent a message by the mestizo that I must rest, that I must be tired, and that another day he would do all that I desired. I sent him four pieces of glass, and a case of comfits, which were the presents the Judge Matienzo had sent, and had mentioned in his letter. I also sent half an _arroba_ of crystals and pearls, and seven bracelets of silver, saying that the glass was sent by Matienzo, because it was a thing held in high estimation and that as the comfits gave a pleasant taste to the tip of the tongue, so I trusted that my words would give satisfaction, and that I wished to be of service as the messenger and ambassador who came to him. He took it all in, and rejoiced greatly. That he might not hesitate to eat the comfits, I said that they were very good, and that he might be sure that they would do him no harm, I wished to eat some in his presence. I did eat with the mestizo and invited him, who ate them also. Then I gave two sheathed knives, a head cloth, and other things to the governor Yamqui Mayta. I distributed presents to all the other captains pointed out to me by the mestizo, embraced them all, and returned to my lodging.

Then the people of the village brought much food and presented it to the Inca, and to those who had come with him. The Inca did not eat on cloths, but on green rushes, and the rest on the ground.

The Inca was a man of forty years of age, of middle height, and with some marks of small-pox on his face. His mien rather severe and manly. He wore a shirt of blue damask, and a mantle of very fine cloth. He is served on silver, and there are also twenty or thirty fairly good-looking women, waiting behind him. He sent for me to eat where he was with his women and his governor. The food consisted of maize, potatoes, small beans, and the other products of the country, except that there was very little meat, and what there was consisted of venison, fowls, macaws, and monkeys, both boiled and roasted. When night came on he asked me whether I had made the acquaintance of his captains. I replied in the affirmative, and he then took leave of me. He went to the house that had been prepared for him, in exactly the same order as when he arrived, with music of silver flutes and trumpets. That night there was a guard of a hundred Indians who were divided into watches, and flutes and drums were played to call each watch. They placed a guard of fifteen Indians over me with their lances, I being in a house outside the village. I calculate that all the Indians who came with the Inca, and those of the village, numbered 450.

In the morning of the 14th of May the Inca sent for me to his house, for it was raining. The greater part of his troops were seated round a large fire. The Inca was seated, dressed in a shirt of crimson velvet, with a mantle of the same. All his captains had taken off the masks they wore on the day before. As I entered I saluted, making many compliments, and taking off my cap. He saluted me in his language. The mestizo was on a seat in front. I presented the Inca with a very good looking glass, two necklaces of coral beads, and a paper book. He was very much pleased with the presents, and ordered my seat to be placed near him, next to the governor and two captains. I understood that the Inca had been told by one of the captains who came with me, respecting what I had said and asked, and that I had expressed discontent at the want of proper respect shown to me by the Indians. Presently he asked for the letter I brought, and what I had come for. I answered that he had already seen the letters, before my arrival, and that he had then read what I now wished to put before him in words. He said that that was true. I then said that what I had to communicate to him was a matter of great importance, both for the salvation of his body and his soul; and that it might be seen that I did not wish to deceive on any point as regards what I had to say, I suggested that he should send for all the wisest men he had with him, that what I had to say might be better understood. At the same time he was himself a man of such sound judgment, his own understanding would be quite sufficient to deal with all that might be submitted to him. He replied that all were there present, and that I might now say what I wanted, as on another day I should have to return to Cuzco with his reply. The Christians, he added, had never given more than one day for audience and another for departure. If they stayed longer his people might kill them from fear and terror, without his permission to kill. I answered that it would occupy more than two days to complete the negotiations, and to make what I had come to say clearly understood. Especially this was the case when I did not wish to cause discontent by being given so short a time, my intention being rather to cause satisfaction and not annoyance. The Inca was pleased and said to me that he and his captains would not answer until I had represented everything, and after that I could make answer to their view of what I had said.

Presently I said to the mestizo, who was the interpreter, that I requested permission to say something in praise of God and of our holy Christian religion. The Inca gave permission. I then said many things which were the fruits of study in books I had brought, but to avoid prolixity I will not write down my discourse. I have it written in a little book with other things. The Inca and all his captains expressed themselves pleased at having heard it, and enquired whether there were any Christians among the Indians who were there. If so they were ordered to stand up. Twenty or twenty-five among the chiefs did so. I asked each one his name, and every one of them gave me Christian names. So I asked the permission of the Inca to animate and console them, which he was pleased to give. I said to them that they should not turn back but trust in our Lord Jesus Christ, remaining firm in what they had professed when they received baptism. And I told them to serve the Inca as he was their Lord, and also God the creator of all things. I said many other things to them until they began to cry, in presence of all those captains of the Inca, and the Inca himself was moved to anger. He spoke very fiercely to me, saying that no Spaniard who had entered his territory had dared to treat of these things and to praise their Lord Jesus Christ, nor in the time of his father, that it was great insolence on my part, and that he was disposed to order me to be killed. I answered that I came as a man who had to do this, that I had confessed and taken the sacrament as a Christian, and that no time could be better for me to die than the present. I reminded him that what I had said, was said with his permission. Then I delivered a discourse in praise of truth and against what was false, representing that so I must deal with him, being as truthful as if I was on oath. I then spoke of the Judge Matienzo who had given permission for me to come with a letter from him to the Inca. I told him how well fitted I was to manage affairs for the Indians, and I showed them some papers I had brought with me, by which the Inca would be convinced of it. He should not think that I came as a spy, or for a bad object, nor would he believe it when he knew what I had done for him in his absence. They had all thought that the entries into their lands on foot or on horseback had been secret, but we had known of them and they were quite public. For this there was indeed no need of spies, and presently I would tell them all, and how I desired to take up the negotiation from further back.

During this discussion three of their Indians arrived who had been sent as messengers to the President. They brought eight yards of yellow damask, half a dozen masks, and a letter from the President in which he said that if the Inca would come peacefully to Cuzco, he should have a grant of certain villages of Indians with a revenue of over $15,000, which the Treasurer Merlo would show, sending the account in three or four days, and showing what the rents are from those Indians, which would be paid in the name of his Majesty. Merlo also wrote out a translation of what was in the decrees respecting the Indians. Another letter was sent, signed by the President, which was for Merlo. It said that the letter was written by the President and that if the Inca did not wish to accept the grant that was offered to him, he was requested to reply at once, because an officer, on the part of the city of Cuzco was to force an entry and make war. The question should be settled for his word had been given. There were letters saying that the chiefs of Xauxa and of the whole kingdom were arrested, and that the municipalities of Cuzco and Guamanga wished to make war.

The Inca and his captains received the news bravely. The Inca rose up and declared that they were not afraid of the Spaniards. He said, before his assembly, all he could think of in abuse of the Spaniards and in praise of his Indians. Then all the Indians arose and began to worship, and those Indian captains began to make offerings, each one for himself, with daggers of bronze or iron in their hands. Some said they would kill four Spaniards, others five, others six, and others ten. One of them, named Chinchero, said that as I was there, why was he not ordered to kill me, for he wanted to stab me with the dagger in his hand. The Inca kept silence, answering nothing, so the Indian went back to his seat.

As daylight was now appearing, and they had all drunk freely, I asked permission of the Inca to return to my lodging and get something to eat, and that on another day I would state frankly what I had come for. So I departed, leaving them to boast loudly, but all much disturbed in their minds.

Soon afterwards they sent me a sheep of Castille, many fowls and partridges, and the other food which their country produces. To those who brought them I gave some trinkets, needles, and other Spanish things. Presently the Inca sent for me. I went there, and was there until night, without a word being spoken, when I returned to my lodging. The reason for this appeared to be that too much chicha had been drunk.