_How the Comendador Hernán Rodríguez de Sosa came to the rock,
and of the number of people he captured and killed, and of the
great cruelty perpetrated on those natives._
It is my well-used custom to praise the good deeds of the captains
and people of my nation, but also not to pardon their evil deeds. How
much affection soever I may feel for some of them, it may be believed
that I shall not fail to blame their errors. I saw this conquest and
war and was present at it, and I shared in the love which all felt
for Robledo: the more so because I used to go to his house at that
time. And I speak the purest truth, though many things also happened
which I do not mention, because I am so tired and bored with treating
of the provinces to the westward. Although, as I say, I care so much
for the honour of Robledo, I shall not hesitate to affirm that there
was committed, in this province of Pozo, one of the greatest acts of
cruelty that have been perpetrated in these Indies. This was that,
because the unlucky natives wounded Robledo, the Spaniards felt
such hatred towards them that those who went to inflict punishment
resolved to kill them all.
At the time when they were defeated on the first hill, their principal
Chief, much disturbed at such a calamity, retreated to the banks of
the great river, with his women and principal followers, while others
of his captains went to form a garrison on the summit of a very
inaccessible rock, which rose from the crest of one of the hills. Here
a thousand persons were collected, men and women with many children,
boys and girls, and a supply of provisions. The Christians, who came
with the _Comendador_, sent the news of how they had beleaguered
those people in their fort, and they marched towards it. When they
were near, those of Pozo wished to defend themselves, but they were
astonished and dismayed at so many coming against them. Our friendly
Indians, from below, encircled the rock, and the Christians farther
up sent forward the dogs, which were so fierce that in two bites with
their cruel teeth they laid open their victims to the entrails. It
was no small grief to see that, for taking up arms to defend their
country against those who came to deprive them of it, they were
treated in that manner. The little children, terrified at the noise
and confusion, running hither and thither, were torn to pieces by the
dogs, a horrible sight to witness. The cross-bows also made holes
through their bodies, through which their souls could depart, while
they groaned and cried for help to their parents and their gods; or
in fleeing from the Spaniards they threw themselves over the cliffs.
Those fugitives who escaped from these perils fell into a worse
danger, namely, into the power of the Indians of Carrapa and Picara,
who treated them with even greater cruelty. For they spared none,
neither ugly nor beautiful women, neither old nor young, killing all.
They took the children by their feet, and dashed their heads against
the rocks, and promptly, like dragons, ate them raw. They killed most
of the men they took, and the rest, with hands securely tied, they
carried off. Baltasa de Ledesma and the _Comendador_ acted here in
such a manner that one must believe it was for this crime that they
were killed in course of time at this same place, when they and the
captain were eaten by these very Indians.
After this no people remained on the rock. More than three hundred
of those who had been there were killed. The _Comendador_, with the
other "Christians," returned to the camp. Our native friends made
more than 200 loads of human flesh, and with it and their prisoners
they also returned to their camp, eating the lungs and hearts raw, as
they went, and entrails too. When they arrived at the buildings they
sent to their villages large presents of this flesh, as well as many
of the Indians they had kept alive. Those who remained were forced to
bend their heads and were killed by blows on the occiput with cudgels.
And the only reproach they got from us was to be laughed at and asked
whether that food tasted good to them. I saw that they brought more
than twenty pots as big as our large earthen jars, and filled them all
with this human flesh, which they devoured among them, sending the
heads to their villages. A time came, when God permitting, the Pozos
did more damage than this to their enemies, as we shall relate farther
on.
When the news of the great injury the Christians had done spread to
all parts of the province of Pozo, the people were astounded and
afraid, and, that there might not be such a sad day again, the Chiefs
determined to send to the captain and ask for peace. This was done.
They came to the camp with presents of gold ornaments, and were
well received by the captain, who promised them peace, provided the
principal Chiefs came in, and rendered obedience to his Majesty. After
some negotiation they did so, and after begging pardon for having
taken up arms they asked the captain that no more harm might be
done to them. The captain agreed, the Indians of Carrapa and Picara
returning to their own countries. When the captain's wounds were
healed, he arranged to depart from Pozo, and they brought him many
Indians to carry the baggage of the Spaniards. And so, leaving all in
peace, we departed from Pozo.