_How Atahualpa set out from Quito with his army and captains, and how he
gave battle to Atoc in the villages of Ambato._
As the posts on the royal roads were so numerous, nothing happened in
any part of the empire that was unknown, and when it was understood that
Atahualpa had escaped by such good luck, and was in Quito assembling his
troops, it was known that a war was certain. Hence there were divisions
into parties; great disturbances; and thoughts directed to evil ends.
Huascar had no one who would not obey him, and did not desire that he
should come out of the affair with honour and power. Atahualpa had, on
his side, the captains and men of the army, and many native lords and
_mitimaes_ of the Quito provinces. They relate that, being in Quito, he
made haste to prepare his army to march, swearing, in their manner, that
he would inflict great punishment on the Cañaris for the affront he had
received from them. He knew that Atoc was approaching with his army,
which exceeded, according to what they say, forty _huarancas_ or
thousands of men, and he made haste to come forth and meet him.
Atoc advanced because Atahualpa had not been able to assemble the men in
the provinces. He addressed his men, exhorting them to do honour to the
Inca Huascar, and to exert themselves to chastise the shameless conduct
of Atahualpa. To justify his cause, Atoc sent certain Indians as
messengers to Atahualpa, urging him to rest satisfied with what he had
already done, and not to plunge the empire into civil war; but to submit
to the Inca, as the wisest course for him. Although these messengers
were principal Orejones, they relate that Atahualpa laughed at what
they had to say, and that, after many threats, he ordered them to be
killed. He then pursued his road in a rich litter, carried on the
shoulders of his principal and favourite followers.
They say that Atahualpa entrusted the conduct of the war to his
Captain-General Chalcuchima, and to two other chiefs, named Quizquiz and
Ucumari.[255] As Atoc did not halt with his army, they encountered him
near the town called Ambato, where the battle began, and was hotly
contested. Chalcuchima, having occupied a hill, came down with 5,000
chosen men, at an opportune moment, and attacked the tired enemy,
killing a great number, while the rest fled in confusion. They were
pursued, and many were captured, including Atoc himself. Those who gave
me this information say that he was fastened to a post, where they
killed him with great cruelty. Chalcuchima made a drinking-cup out of
his skull, adorned with gold. The most correct estimate, in my judgment,
is that 15,000 or 16,000 men were killed in this battle, on both sides.
Those who were taken prisoners were killed without mercy, by order of
Atahualpa. I have passed by this town of Ambato, where they say that the
battle was fought, and, judging from the number of bones, it would
appear that even more people were killed than they state.
With this victory Atahualpa remained in great renown. The news was
divulged in all parts of the kingdom. His adherents were called
together, and hailed him as Inca. He said that he would assume the
fringe at Tumebamba, though, if this ceremony was not performed at
Cuzco, it was considered absurd and invalid. He ordered his wounded to
be cured, he was served as a king, and he marched to Tumebamba.