_How the Captains of the Inca left Xauxa, and what happened; and how
Ancoallo departed from among them._
The inhabitants of Bonbon, according to what they relate, had heard of
the events of Xauxa, and how the Huancas had been defeated, and,
suspecting that the conquerors intended to continue their march, they
determined to be prepared, so that they might not be taken unawares.
Putting their women and children, with the property they could collect,
on a lake[196] which is near their abode, they waited for what might
happen. The Inca Captains, when they had arranged the affairs at Xauxa,
set out and advanced as far as Bonbon, but as the people had taken
refuge on the lake, they were unable to do other harm than eat their
provisions. They then passed onwards and came to Tarama, where they
found the people in arms. There was a battle, in which many of the
people of Tarama were killed and taken prisoners, and those of Cuzco
remained victors. As it was the will of the king that those of Tarama
should pay tribute and serve like the people of other provinces, in
return for which they would be favoured and well treated, they agreed to
all that was demanded from them. An account was then sent to Cuzco of
all that had been done in this province of Tarama.
The Chancas relate that, as the Indians who came forth from the province
of Andahuaylas with the chief Ancoallo had performed great deeds in
these wars the Inca captains were jealous. They also bore a grudge
against him for what had happened before during the seige of Cuzco. So
they determined to kill him. They ordered him to be sent for; but as
they came in large numbers with their captain, the Chancas understood
their intention and, taking up arms, they defended themselves against
those of Cuzco. Although some were killed, others were able, owing to
the stoutness and bravery of Ancoallo, to get away. They complained to
their gods of the bad faith of the Orejones, and of their ingratitude,
declaring that, to see them no more, they would go into voluntary exile.
Taking their women with them, they marched through the provinces of
Huanuco and Chachapoyas, and, passing the forests of the Andes, they
arrived at a very large lake which, I believe, must be that described in
the story of El Dorado. Here they established their settlement, and
multiplied. The Indians relate great things of that land and of the
chief Ancoallo.[197]
The Inca captains, after what has been written had come to pass,
returned to the valley of Xauxa, where already great presents and many
women had been got together to be sent to Cuzco, and the people of
Tarama did the same. The news of all this arrived at Cuzco, and when the
Inca heard it, he rejoiced at the success of his captains, although it
showed that he was displeased at what had happened respecting Ancoallo.
But this was, as it is believed, a kind of dissimulation, for some
declared that what was done by the captains was in accordance with his
orders. As Tupac Uasco and the other Chancas had gone to make war in the
Collao, and had been victorious, the Inca reflected that, when they knew
what had happened to Ancoallo, they would turn against their sovereign
and commit treason. So he sent messengers with orders to desire that
they would come to him, and he commanded, on pain of death, that no one
should tell the Chancas what had happened.
The Chancas, as soon as they received the command of the Inca, came to
Cuzco; and when they arrived the Inca spoke to them lovingly but with
much dissimulation, concealing his evil dealings with Ancoallo, and
making it appear, by his words, that he had been himself displeased. The
Chancas, when they understood, did not fail to feel the affront, but
seeing how little satisfaction could be obtained, they asked permission
to return to their province. Having been granted leave, they set out,
the Inca giving their principal lord the privilege of sitting in a chair
enriched with gold; and other favours.
The Inca took care to adorn the temple of Curi-cancha with great riches,
as has already been mentioned. And as Cuzco possessed many provinces in
all directions, he gave several to the temple, and he ordered posts to
be stationed, that all his subjects should speak one language, and that
the royal road should be constructed. Other things are related of this
king. It is said that he had great knowledge of the stars, and that he
had some acquaintance with the movements of the sun. Hence he took the
name of Inca Yupanqui, which means a name of counting[198] and of much
understanding. Finding himself so powerful, and notwithstanding that he
had great edifices and royal houses in Cuzco, he ordered three walls of
most excellent masonry to be built, that it might be a memorial work.
And so it appears to this day, no one seeing it without praising it, and
recognizing the genius of the masters who conceived it. Each wall has a
length of 300 paces.[199] They call one Pucamarca, another Hatun-cancha,
and the third Cassana.[200] The walls are of excellent stones, so well
adjusted that there is no disproportion, and so admirably laid and
fitted that the joining between them cannot be discerned. The great
part of these edifices is so strong and solid that, if they are not
demolished, they will endure for many ages.
Within these walls there were buildings like the others they use, where
there were a number of mamaconas and other women and damsels of the
king, who worked and wove the fine cloth, and there were many pieces of
gold and silver, and vases of those metals. I saw many of these stones
in the walls, and I was amazed how, being so enormous, they could have
been so admirably set in position.
When they had their dances and great festivals in Cuzco much chicha was
made by these women; and as people came to Cuzco from so many parts,
there was an order that overseers should be placed to watch that none of
the gold and silver that was brought in should be taken out again. And
governors were placed over different parts of the kingdom, who ruled
with great justice and order.
As at this time the Inca ordered the fortress of Cuzco to be built, I
will say something concerning it, it being so worthy of notice.