_How the King Huayna Capac returned to Quito, and how he knew of the
arrival of Spaniards on the coast, and of his death._
In this same year[245] Francisco Pizarro was on this coast with thirteen
Christians,[246] and the tidings of them was brought to Huayna Capac at
Quito. Particulars were reported of the dress they wore, of their ship,
and how they were white and bearded, how that they spoke little, were
not so fond of drinking as the natives, and other things which the
people had observed. Anxious to see such men, they say that the Inca
ordered that one of two of these men who had been left behind, should be
brought to him, the rest having gone back with their leader to the Isle
of Gorgona, where he had left certain Spaniards with their Indians, as
we shall explain in its place.[247] Some Indians say that after the
others had gone, they killed the two that were left behind, at which
Huayna Capac was much displeased. Others relate that they were sent to
the Inca; but that they were put to death on the road when the news came
that the Inca was no more. Others, again, declare that the two men died.
What we believe to be most probable is, that the Indians killed them
shortly after they had been left behind.
Huayna Capac was in Quito with a great company of people. He was very
powerful, his dominion extending from the river of Ancasmayu to the
river of Maule, a distance of more than 1,200 leagues. He was so rich,
that they relate that he had caused to be brought to Quito over 500
loads of gold, more than 1,000 of silver, many precious stones, and much
fine cloth. He was feared by all his subjects, because he was a stern
dispenser of justice. In the midst of his power, they say that a great
pestilence broke out, which was so contagious, that over 200,000 souls
died throughout the provinces, for it prevailed in all parts. The Inca
caught the disease, and all that was said to free him from death was of
no avail, because the great God was not served by his recovery. When he
felt that the pestilence had touched him, he ordered great sacrifices to
be offered up for his health throughout the land, and at all the
_huacas_ and temples of the Sun. And as he became worse, he called his
captains and relations, and addressed them on several subjects. Among
other things, they relate that he foretold that the people who had been
seen in the ship, would return with great power, and would conquer the
country. This was probably a fable, and if he said so, it must have been
through the mouth of a devil, for who could know that the Spaniards went
to arrange their return as conquerors? Others say that, considering the
extensive territory of the Quillacingas and Popayan, and that the empire
was very extensive for one person to rule, he ordained that from Quito
to the north, the dominion should be under his son Atahualpa, whom he
loved dearly, because he had always accompanied him in his wars. He
desired that the rest of the empire should be ruled by Huascar, the
sole heir of the whole. Other Indians say that he did not divide the
kingdom; but that he said to those who were present, that they well knew
how he had wished that his son Huascar, by his sister Chimpu Ocllo,[248]
should be lord after his own time, at which all the people of Cuzco were
well contented. He had other sons of great valour, among whom were
Nanque Yupanqui, Tupac Inca, Huanca Auqui, Tupac Hualpa, Titu, Huaman
Hualpa, Manco Inca, Huascar, Cusi Hualpa, Paullu Tupac Yupanqui, Conono,
Atahualpa. He did not desire to give them anything of the great
possessions he left, but that they should receive all from their
brother, as he had inherited all from his father. For he trusted much
that his son would keep his promise, and that he would fulfil all that
his heart desired, although he was still a boy. He ordered his chiefs to
love him and treat him as their sovereign, and that, until he was of
full age to govern, Colla Tupac, his uncle, should be his guardian. When
he had said this, he died.
As soon as Huayna Capac was dead, the lamentations were so great that
the shouting rose up to the clouds, and the noise so stupefied the birds
that they fell from a great height to the ground. The news was carried
to all parts, and everywhere the sorrow was deep. In Quito, as they
relate, the people mourned for ten days, while the lamentations of the
Cañaris continued for a whole month. Many principal lords accompanied
the body to Cuzco, all the men and women along the road coming out to
weep and groan. In Cuzco there was more lamentation. Sacrifices were
offered up in the temples, and preparations were made for the interment
in accordance with custom, the soul being supposed to be in heaven. They
killed, to be buried in the same tomb, more than 4,000 souls, women,
pages, and other servants; as well as treasure, precious stones, and
fine cloth. It was truly a very great sum that was buried with him. They
do not say where, nor in what manner he was interred; but they concur in
stating that his sepulchre was in Cuzco. Some Indians told me that they
buried him in the river Ancasmayu, diverting it from its course to make
the tomb. But I do not believe it. My impression is that those are right
who say that he was buried in Cuzco.[249]
The Indians relate many things relating to this king, insomuch that what
I have written and narrated is nothing. Assuredly, I believe that there
are so many things left to write touching this king, his fathers and
grandfathers, that it would form another history larger than what has
already been recorded.