_How Huayna Capac entered the country of Bracamoros, and returned
flying, and of the other events that happened until he arrived at
Quito._
It is well known to many natives of these parts that Huayna Capac
entered the country which we call Bracamoros, and that he returned
flying before the fury of the men who dwell there. They had chosen
leaders, and assembled to defend themselves against any one who should
attack them. This is stated, not only by the Orejones, but also by the
Lord of Chincha, and some principal men of the Collao and of Xauxa. They
all say that, while Huayna Capac was engaged in settling the districts
which had been traversed and subjugated by his father, it came to his
knowledge how that, in the Bracamoros, there were many men and women who
possessed fertile lands; that far in the interior of that land, there
were many rivers and a lake; and that this region was well peopled.
Desirous of discovery, and anxious to extend his dominion, he ordered a
chosen band, with little baggage, to march with him into that country,
leaving the camp under command of a Captain-General. Entering the
country, they advanced, opening the road with great labour, for, after
passing the snowy cordillera, they found themselves in the forests of
the Andes. They came to great rivers which they had to cross, and heavy
rains fell from the heavens. The Inca came to where the natives were
watching in their strongholds, whence they insolently defied him. The
war began, and so many of the savages came forth, most of them naked,
that the Inca determined to retire, which he did without gaining
anything in that land. The natives harassed his retreat in such sort
that his soldiers, sometimes flying, at others facing their pursuers, at
others sending them presents, returned flying to their own territory,
saying that they had avenged themselves on the long-tailed ones. They
said this because some of them had brought away the long strips of cloth
which the natives wore between their legs.
From these lands they also affirm that the Inca sent captains, with a
sufficient force, to explore the sea-coast in a northerly direction, and
to bring under the Inca’s dominion the natives of Guayaquil and Puerto
Viejo. The captains marched into these districts, where they waged war
and fought some battles, sometimes being victorious and at others
sustaining reverses. Thus, they advanced as far as Collique, where they
met with people who went about naked and fed on human flesh, having the
customs which are now practised and used by the dwellers on the river of
San Juan. From this point they returned, not wishing to penetrate
further, but to report what they had done to the king. Meanwhile, he had
arrived at the country of the Cañaris, where he enjoyed himself
exceedingly. For they say that this was the place of his birth, and that
he found that great lodgings and store-houses had been built, and
abundant supplies collected. He sent embassies to inspect the districts,
and ambassadors came to him from many provinces, with presents.
I am given to understand that, owing to a tumult which took place in
certain towns of the district of Cuzco, the Inca was so incensed that,
after having caused the leaders to be beheaded, he gave express orders
that the Indians of those places should bring the quantity he should
specify of the stones of Cuzco, to make edifices of the first importance
in Tumebamba, and that they should drag them with cables; and his orders
were obeyed. Huayna Capac often said that to keep the people of those
kingdoms well under subjection, it was a good thing, when they had no
other work to do, to make them remove a hill from one place to another.
He even ordered stones and slabs to be brought from Cuzco, for the
edifices of Quito, and to this day they remain in the buildings where
they were placed.
Huayna Capac set out from Tumebamba, and went by Purnaes, resting for
some days at Riobamba, in Mocha and Tacunga, and his people were allowed
to drink of the beverages that had been prepared for them in all parts.
The Inca was visited and saluted by many captains and lords of those
parts. He sent Orejones of his own lineage to the provinces of the coast
and of the mountains, to inspect the accounts of the _quipu-camayos_,
who are their accountants, to see what was stored in the government
houses, to ascertain how the governors treated the natives, and whether
the temples of the Sun, the oracles, and _huacas_ were properly
maintained. He also sent messengers to Cuzco to see that all his orders
were duly attended to. There was not a day that runners did not arrive,
not a few but many, from Cuzco, the Collao, Chile, and all parts of the
empire.
From Tacunga the Inca continued his journey to Quito, where he was
received, according to the mode and usage, with great festivities. His
father’s governor delivered up the treasures to him, which were
numerous, with the fine cloth and other things that he had charge of.
The Inca honoured him, praising his fidelity, calling him father, and
assuring him that he would always esteem him for the great services he
performed for his father and himself. The towns in the neighbourhood of
Quito sent many presents and provisions for the king, and he ordered
that more and stronger edifices should be built there than there were
before. The works were at once commenced, and those were finished which
we found when our people conquered that land.