_The Spaniardes are sent vnto the citie of Hucheofu,
and doo declare what happened there vnto them._
From the citie of Sancheofu they were sent vnto Hucheofu, the which is
more principall and greater than the first, alwayes hauing with them in
companie and garde the number of souldiers aforesaid: sometimes they
trauailed by lande and sometimes by water, whereas they saw so many rich
thinges, which in respect to them, all that they had seene vnto that
time was nothing. Of the which, although I haue had particular relation
of many of them, I leaue off here the declaring thereof, for that of an
itinerario or commentarie I will not make a historie. But principally
for that many of them doo seeme to be incredible, and will be more vnto
those that haue not had any notice of the mightinesse of this kingdome.
In the discourse of this their iourney, the cities and townes they sawe
were many and verie bigge, and all compassed with strong walles: and at
one of them there was a mightie riuer, on the which was edified more
than five hundreth engynes or wheeles, and they were made with so much
art, that alonely with the violence of the streame of the riuer that
dooth force them, they water all the groundes there abouts for the space
of two leagues and more, without any other helpe or humaine force.
In this citie they were certaine daies in visiting and complementes,
after the which they were commaunded to goe vnto Canton, of the which in
the two relations before, is made particular mention. So when they came
vnto the citie they were carried vnto the prison of the Thequixi, which
is whereas are put such as are condemned to die, the which they plainely
perceiued. There they remayned verie manie dayes, and the most part of
them were carried vnto the tribunall seate of the iudges, in companie
with others that were condemned to die.
At this time there was in the citie the Tutan, who was the viceroye of
the prouince, and the Chacu, who is the generall visitor, and that was
at such time as was doone great iustice for to cleare the prisons,
whereas were thousandes of men, and some that had beene there more than
tenne yeares. There was some day at that time that in the presence of
our people were brought foorth to be iudged, two thousand prisoners,
some to the death, and others to be whipped, and other to be banished,
with other kinde of penalties, according vnto the disposition and rigor
of their lawes. That day wherein they make capitall audience, they vse
particular ceremonies, as shooting of certaine peeces of artilerie, and
to shut the gates of the citie, not permitting anie to enter in, neither
go foorth, till such time as that act and iustice be finished, and many
other thinges, as hath beene declared in the first part of this
historie.
The Spaniards being in the citie at this time of so great calamitie, it
so fell out that the same time there was a gentleman of Portingall
called Arias Gonsalo de Miranda, chiefe captaine of the citie of Machao
(very deuout vnto religious men, and a friende vnto Spaniardes), who
vnderstanding the great trouble and danger wherein they were, hee tooke
order by all meanes possible to set them at libertie, and had so great
care therein, that hee went through with his intent, in such sort that
they were deliuered out of pryson, and from the great feare in which
they were, and all by the intercession of this gentleman, who did vse so
good persuasions for the loue he did beare vnto them, that he made voyde
the euill opinion they had against them, and with compulsion to reuoke
the rigorous sentence of death pronounced against them. I do not here in
particular treate of such thinges as happened vnto these religious men
the servants of God, as well in the prison as on their iourney, for
that they were many, and to declare them is requisite a long time, and
to make a new historie.
And although in the bookes before, haue been declared the riches of that
kingdome, and all thinges in particular, yet for the better
certification, I thought it good (and not without purpose) to declare in
the chapter following some of those which the father fryer Martin
Ignatio did communicate with me, vsing in the treating thereof so much
breuitie, that it shall seeme rather an epilogo then a new relation. And
for a more verification of the truth, whereby better credite may be
giuen therevnto, seeing that the persons who did see it doo agree in
that which shall be here declared; and again, for that the saide father
and his companions did see more thinges than the others, whose relations
be alreadie set downe. The occasion wherefore they put confidence in
them, and to let them see and vnderstand many secretes, was for that
they were sentenced and condemned to die: for without all doubt if they
had vnderstood that they should haue returned out of the kingdom, they
should neuer haue seene them, for they haue great care that any other
nations should know their secrets, their manner of gouernement, and
liuing.