In which the things of this city of Cuzco are described more in detail.
As this city was the most important and principal place in the kingdom,
the Indians of the neighbourhood were assembled at certain seasons of
the year to clean the streets, and perform other duties. Near the city,
on one side and the other, there were the same storehouses as are to be
found in all parts of the kingdom, some larger, and some stronger than
others. As these Yncas were so rich and powerful, some of their edifices
were gilded, and others were adorned with plates of gold. Their
ancestors held, as a sacred place, a great hill near the city called
Huanacaure, and they say that human blood and many lambs and sheep were
sacrificed on it. The city was full of strangers from all parts, Indians
of Chile and Pasto, Cañaris, Chachapoyas, Huancas, Collas, and men of
all the tribes in the provinces, each living apart in the quarter
assigned by the governors of the city. They all retained the costumes of
their fathers, and went about after the manner of their native land;
and, even when one hundred thousand men were assembled together, the
country of each Indian was easily known by the peculiar head-dress which
distinguished him.[457] Some of these strangers buried their dead in
high mountains, others in their houses, and others in tombs with live
women, precious things, and plenty of food. The Yncas, as I was given to
understand, interfered in none of these things, so long as their vassals
adored and venerated the sun, and this adoration they called
_mocha_.[458] In many parts of the city there are great edifices under
the ground, and even now some tiles and pieces of gold are found buried
in the bowels of the earth. Assuredly there must be great treasure
buried within the circuit of the city, but those who are living know not
where to find it. As there was so large a concourse of people here, and
as the devil, by the permission of God, had such complete mastery over
them, there were many soothsayers, sorcerers, and idolaters. Even now
the city is not yet entirely free of them, especially as regards
witchcraft. Near the city there are many warm valleys where there are
fruit and other trees which grow well, and most of the fruit is brought
to the city for sale. They also reap much wheat, of which they make
bread; and they have planted many orange trees and other fruit trees
both of Spain and of the country. They have mills over the stream which
flows through the city, and at a distance of four leagues may be seen
the quarry from which the stones were conveyed of which the city is
built, a sight well worth seeing. They rear fowls in Cuzco, and capons
as fat and good as those of Granada, and in the valleys there are herds
of cattle, and flocks, both of Spanish sheep and of those of the
country. Although there are no trees round the city, the pulses of Spain
ripen very well.