_How the differences between Huascar and Atahualpa began, and how great
battles were fought between them._
It was understood throughout the realm of Peru that Huascar was Inca,
and as such that he gave orders, and sent Orejones to the chief places
in all the provinces to provide what he required. He was so intelligent,
and was so popular, that he was much beloved by his people. When he
began to reign, his age was about twenty-five, a little more or less.
Having appointed Atoc to be his Captain-General, he ordered him, after
having taken the people he would require from places along the road, as
well _mitimaes_ as natives, to march to Quito and put down the rebellion
of the Inca’s brother.
The Indians recount the subsequent events in several ways. I always
follow the best version, which is held by the oldest and best informed
among them, who are lords. For the common people, in all they say,
cannot be relied upon as affirming the truth. Some relate that
Atahualpa, not only resolved to refuse obedience to his brother, who was
king, but even pretended to the sovereignty, seeing that the captains
and soldiers of his father were on his side. He went to the country of
the Cañaris, where he spoke with the native chiefs and with the
_mitimaes_, telling them a plausible story. He said that his desire was
not to injure his brother, as he wished for his welfare; but to keep
friends with all, and to make another Cuzco at Quito, where all could
enjoy themselves. He said that he had such good affection for them, that
he would cause edifices and lodgings to be made for himself in
Tumebamba. There, as Inca and lord, he would be able to amuse himself
with his women, as did his father and grandfather. He made other
speeches on this subject, which were not listened to with such pleasure
as he supposed. For the messenger from Huascar had arrived, and spoken
to the Cañaris and _mitimaes_, saying that the Inca sought their
friendship, and that he implored the favour of the Sun and of his gods
for them. He told the Cañaris that they should not consent to such an
evil deed as the Inca’s brother meditated. They replied by declaring
their desire to see Huascar, and raising up their hands, they promised
to remain loyal.
This being their wish, Atahualpa was unable to obtain his object, and
they say that the Cañaris, with the captain and _mitimaes_, seized him,
with the intention of delivering him up to Huascar. But having placed
him in a room of the _tampu_, he escaped, and went to Quito, where he
gave out that it had been the will of his God to turn him into a
serpent, to enable him to escape from his enemies. He told his adherents
that all should be got ready to begin a war. Other Indians affirm as a
certain fact that the captain Atoc, with his troops, arrived at the
country of the Cañaris, where Atahualpa was, and that it was he who took
the Inca’s brother prisoner, before he escaped in the way that has
already been mentioned. For my part, I believe, although I may be wrong,
that Atoc found that Atahualpa had escaped from his prison, and, much
disturbed at this, he collected all the men he could from the Cañaris,
and marched towards Quito, sending to all parts to strengthen the
governors and _mitimaes_ in their loyalty to Huascar. It is related, as
a fact, that Atahualpa escaped by means of a _coa_ or tool which a
Quella woman gave him. He made a hole with it at a time when those who
were in the _tampu_ were heated with what they had drunk. By using great
haste; he reached Quito before he could be overtaken by his enemies, who
wanted very much to get him again into their power.