_How the General, Felipe Gutiérrez, and the Camp-master set
out from Cuzco, and how Diego de Rojas went to explore in the
direction indicated by the Indians._
The General Felipe Gutiérrez and the Camp-master Nicolás de Heredia
had remained in the city of Cuzco, and, as soon as Diego de Rojas
departed, they sent the Spaniards outside, because, being in small
parties, they would gain supplies more easily, and the Indians would
suffer less hardship. When everyone else had gone, the captains
departed likewise. It is very commonly the case that the men who roam
about this country are ill disposed, friends to turmoil and enemies of
concord, without having any reason for breeding strife; and thus, some
of those who had arrived at the place where Diego de Rojas was waiting
told him that Felipe de Gutiérrez was coming with some of his friends,
and harboured an intention of murdering him, when they arrived, so as
to gain the sole command. Diego Rojas did not fail to be disturbed
on hearing what we have said, but, being a prudent man, he did not
believe it to be altogether true, nor did he put all suspicion aside,
but took warning to look out for himself. As those who were with
him were eager to go forward with the expedition, he ordered forty
Spaniards to get ready to go with him, at the same time writing to
Felipe Gutiérrez to make haste and join him. He left Diego Pérez
Becerra in charge of the camp, and secretly instructed Pero López de
Ayala to go back and meet Felipe Gutiérrez, ascertain his intention
and proceedings, and report the result to Diego himself. Pero López de
Ayala went, with three mounted companions. As soon as these messengers
had departed, Diego de Rojas left Chiquana and, guided by what the
Indians had told him, made his way over pretty difficult country until
he reached a province called _Tucumá_,[152] which lies beyond the
cordillera of the Andes, and at the foot of very rugged hills, which,
however, are not more than four leagues across. To reach this province
they followed down the course of a stream. The distance from there to
Chiquana, where the camp was left, is fifty leagues.
In some parts of this province there are dense forests; the rest is
open plain, and there the Indians have built round houses of heavy
timber framing, thatched with straw. The natives knew of the coming
of the Spaniards, rumours of it having spread far and wide, but they
had not the courage to oppose them. On the contrary, they fled from
their homes like cowards, through fear of the invaders. When Diego de
Rojas arrived at Tucumá and found that the natives did not come out
to him, having intelligence of a more populous district farther on,
he decided to continue his march to another village called _Capayán_.
The Chief of that place, when he heard that the Christians were
coming, ordered 1,500 of his vassals to assemble, all loaded with
straw, besides carrying their ordinary weapons. When they came near
to where Diego de Rojas and his comrades were advancing, the Chief
ordered the straw to be laid down as a mark beyond which the Spaniards
must not advance, and warned them that if they passed it they would
all be killed, for that they had no right to invade the land which
belonged to the Indians and had been in their occupation without let
or hindrance for many ages. The captain Diego de Rojas, seeing what
the Indians did and said, told his companions to be mounted and ready
for whatever might happen, as he wanted to speak to the natives, and
to explain to them the cause of his coming. After the Chief had made
his speech, all the Indians took up their bows and arrows, while Diego
de Rojas, moving to where the Chief stood, explained that he and those
other Christians were subjects of the Emperor Don Carlos, and that
they came from other places where he also was lord. If the Indians
would believe in our God, and have the Emperor for their natural lord
and king, there would be peace and true friendship between them;
if not, war could not be avoided until, forced by necessity, they
themselves should pray for peace. Diego de Rojas made them understand
this through the interpreters present.
The Chief, and those who had come with him, answered by repeating
what they had said before, being astonished at seeing the horses and
their swiftness of foot, and at the appearance of the Spaniards and
their being so silent. After spending a short time in contemplating
them, the Indians made up their minds to approach Diego de Rojas, and
presently, by gathering round him, tried to cut him off. He was by
no means off his guard, but, understanding the Indians' cunning, he
chided them for what they had done, and told the interpreter to repeat
what he said, to the Chief. The Chief replied that his Indians were so
ill-behaved that even when he gave an order they would not obey, nor
give up doing what they were about. When Diego de Rojas heard this, he
put spurs to his horse, and began capering about in all directions.
The natives were astounded at seeing the swiftness of the horse and
the fury with which it galloped. The Spaniards, when they saw that
their captain no longer held discourse with the Indians, pointed
their lances, and charged among the Indians, and began to drive them
into their naked bodies. When the latter saw that the game was up,
they began to run away in great terror. Diego de Rojas ordered the
Spaniards to cease the slaughter, because the Chief had been sorry
for the impudence of his people. When the Spaniards heard the order,
they desisted from wounding those who had fallen, and the Indians also
refrained and gave heed by command of their Chief.
FOOTNOTE:
[152] Tucumán. It was then a common practice to substitute the _â_
for the terminal _an_. The name of the Chilean commander Villagran is
often spelt without the n--Villagrâ.