_How Huayna Ccapac reigned in Cuzco, who was the twelfth King Inca._
When the great King Tupac Inca Yupanqui died, they prepared to perform
the obsequies and ceremonies of his interment after the manner of his
ancestors, and with great pomp. The Orejones relate that some provinces
conspired to recover their liberty, and shake off the yoke of the Incas,
but the good management of the Inca governors, assisted by the captains
and _mitimaes_, kept order during a trying time. Huayna Capac was not
careless, nor did he fail to understand that it would be necessary for
him to display valour in order to preserve that which his father had
gained with so much labour. Shortly he entered upon the fast, and he who
governed the city proved loyal and faithful. There did not fail to be
some disturbance among the Incas themselves, for some sons of Tupac
Inca, begotten on other women than the Coya, wished to set up a claim to
the royal dignity. The people, however, were loyal to Huayna Capac, and
not only would not consent, but applauded the punishment inflicted on
them. When the fast was ended, Huayna Capac came forth with the fringe,
very richly adorned, and performed the ceremonies according to the
custom of his ancestors, at the end of which his name was declared with
great acclamations: “_Huayna Capac_,” “_Inca zapalla tucuillacta uya_,”
which is as much as to say--“Huayna Capac alone is king; let all the
city hear him.”[229]
Huayna Capac, according to the account of many Indians who had seen and
knew him, was not of any great stature, but well-built, with good
features and much gravity. He was a man of few words but many deeds, a
severe judge, who punished without mercy. He wished to be so feared that
the Indians should dream of him at night. He ate according to the custom
of his people. He listened to those who spoke well to him, and believed
very easily. Parasites and flatterers, who are not wanting among those
people, had much influence. He gave ear to lies, which was the reason
that many died without fault. The youths who, tempted by the flesh,
slept with his wives or damsels, or with those who lived in the temple
of the Sun, were ordered to be put to death, and the women suffered the
same punishment. The penalties for making disturbances and for
insubordination were deprivation of property, and the bestowal on
another. For other offences there was merely corporal chastisement. His
father looked over many of these crimes, especially with regard to
women; for when any one was detected with them, he said that he was only
a boy.
The mother of Huayna Capac, principal queen, wife, and sister of Tupac
Inca Yupanqui, was named Mama Ocllo. They say that she was a very
prudent lady, and that she informed her son respecting many things that
she had seen Tupac Inca do. She was so fond of her son that she
entreated him not to go to Quito or Chile, until she was dead. They
relate, that to please her and to comply with her request, he was in
Cuzco, without leaving it, until she died and was interred with great
pomp. Much treasure and fine clothes, with women and servants were put
into her tomb. All the treasures of the deceased Incas, and the fields
which they call _chacaras_, were kept entire from the first, without
being used or touched; for among these people there were neither wars
nor other needs for which money would be of any use. For this reason we
believe that there are vast treasures in the bowels of the earth which
are lost for ever, unless peradventure some one building, or doing some
other work, should hit upon some out of the great quantity that must
exist.