scarcity of water, for the troops had to cross extensive tracts of sand.
One day, at dawn, the Inca army found itself surrounded by an immense
crowd of people, not knowing who they were. In fear of the unknown
enemy, the troops began to retreat towards the Inca. Just as they were
preparing for flight a boy came to Huayna Ccapac, and said: "My Lord!
fear not, those are the people for whom we are in search. Let us attack
them." This appeared to the Inca to be good advice and he ordered an
impetuous attack to be made, promising that whatever any man took should
be his. The _orejones_ delivered such an assault on those who surrounded
them that, in a short time, the circle was broken. The enemy was routed,
and the fugitives made for their habitations, which were on the sea
coast towards Coaques, where the Incas captured an immense quantity of
rich spoils, emeralds, turquoises, and great store of very fine _mollo_,
a substance formed in sea shells, more valued amongst them than gold or
silver.
Here the Inca received a message from the Sinchi or Curaca of the island
of Puna with a rich present, inviting him to come to his island to
receive his service. Huayna Ccapac did so. Thence he went to
Huancavilca, where he joined the reserves who had been left there. News
came to him that a great pestilence was raging at Cuzco of which the
governors Apu Hilaquito his uncle, and Auqui Tupac Inca his brother had
died, also his sister Mama Cuca, and many other relations. To establish
order among the conquered nations, the Inca went to Quito, intending to
proceed from thence to Cuzco to rest.
On reaching Quito the Inca was taken ill with a fever, though others say
it was small-pox or measles. He felt the disease to be mortal and sent
for the _orejones_ his relations, who asked him to name his successor.
His reply was that his son Ninan Cuyoche was to succeed, if the augury
of the _calpa_ gave signs that such succession would be auspicious, if
not his son Huascar was to succeed.
Orders were given to proceed with the ceremony of the _calpa_, and Cusi
Tupac Yupanqui, named by the Inca to be chief steward of the Sun, came
to perform it. By the first _calpa_ it was found that the succession of
Ninan Cuyoche would not be auspicious. Then they opened another lamb and
took out the lungs, examining certain veins. The result was that the
signs respecting Huascar were also inauspicious. Returning to the Inca,
that he might name some one else, they found that he was dead. While the
_orejones_ stood in suspense about the succession, Cusi Tupac Yupanqui
said: "Take care of the body, for I go to Tumipampa to give the fringe
to Ninan Cuyoche." But when he arrived at Tumipampa he found that Ninan
Cuyoche was also dead of the small-pox pestilence[119].
[Note 119: Ninan Cuyoche is said by Cobos to have been legitimate, a
son of the first wife Cusi Rimay Huaco, who is said by Sarmiento and
others not to have borne a male heir.]
Seeing this Cusi Tupac Yupanqui said to Araua Ocllo--"Be not sad, O
Coya! go quickly to Cuzco, and say to your son Huascar that his father
named him to be Inca when his own days were over." He appointed two
_orejones_ to accompany her, with orders to say to the Incas of Cuzco
that they were to give the fringe to Huascar. Cusi Tupac added that he
would make necessary arrangements and would presently follow them with
the body of Huayna Ccapac, to enter Cuzco with it in triumph, the order
of which had been ordained by the Inca on the point of death, on a
staff.
Huayna Ccapac died at Quito at the age of 80 years. He left more than 50
sons. He succeeded at the age of 20, and reigned 60 years. He was
valiant though cruel.
He left a lineage or _ayllu_ called _Tumipampa Ayllu_. At present the
heads of it, now living, are Don Diego Viracocha Inca, Don Garcia Inguil
Tupac, and Gonzalo Sayri. To this _ayllu_ are joined the sons of Paulu
Tupac, son of Huayna Ccapac. They are Hanan-cuzcos.
Huayna Ccapac died in the year 1524 of the nativity of our Lord Jesus
Christ, the invincible Emperor Charles V of glorious memory being King
of Spain, father of your Majesty, and the Pope was Paul III.
The body of Huayna Ccapac was found by the Licentiate Polo in a house
where it was kept concealed, in the city of Cuzco. It was guarded by two
of his servants named Hualpa Titu and Sumac Yupanqui. His idol or
_guauqui_ was called _Huaraqui Inca_. It was a great image of gold,
which has not been found up to the present time.
LXIII
THE LIFE OF HUASCAR, THE LAST INCA, AND OF ATAHUALPA.
Huayna Ccapac being dead, and the news having reached Cuzco, they raised
Titu Cusi Hualpa Inti Illapa, called Huascar, to be Inca. He was called
Huascar because he was born in a town called Huascar-quihuar, four and a
half leagues from Cuzco. Those who remained at Tumipampa embalmed the
body of Huayna Ccapac, and collected the spoils and captives taken in
his wars, for a triumphal entry into the capital.
It is to be noted that Atahualpa, bastard son of Huayna Ccapac by Tocto
Coca, his cousin, of the lineage of Inca Yupanqui, had been taken to
that war by his father to prove him. He first went against the Pastos,
and came back a fugitive, for which his father rated him severely. Owing
to this Atahualpa did not appear among the troops, and he spoke to the
Inca _orejones_ of Cuzco in this manner. "My Lords! you know that I am a
son of Huayna Ccapac and that my father took me with him, to prove me in
the war. Owing to the disaster with the Pastos, my father insulted me in
such a way that I could not appear among the troops, still less at Cuzco
among my relations who thought that my father would leave me well, but I
am left poor and dishonoured. For this reason I have determined to
remain here where my father died, and not to live among those who will
be pleased to see me poor and out of favour. This being so you need not
wait for me." He then embraced them all and took leave of them. They
departed with tears and grief, leaving Atahualpa at Tumipampa[120].
[Note 120: Atahualpa is said by Sarmiento and Yamqui Pachacuti to
have been an illegitimate son of Huayna Ccapac by Tocto Coca his cousin,
of the ayllu of Pachacuti. Cieza de Leon says that he was a son by a
woman of Quilaco named Tupac Palla. Gomara, who is followed by Velasco,
says that Atahualpa was the son of a princess of Quito. As Huayna Ccapac
only set out for the Quito campaign twelve years before his death, and
Atahualpa was then grown up, his mother cannot have been a woman of
Quito. I, therefore, have no doubt that Sarmiento is right.]
The _orejones_ brought the body of Huayna Ccapac to Cuzco, entering with
great triumph, and his obsequies were performed like those of his
ancestors. This being done, Huascar presented gold and other presents,
as well as wives who had been kept closely confined in the house of the
_acllas_ during the time of his father. Huascar built edifices where he
was born, and in Cuzco he erected the houses of Amaru-cancha, where is
now the monastery of the "Name of Jesus," and others on the Colcampata,
where Don Carlos lives, the son of Paulo.
After that he summoned Cusi Tupac Yupanqui, and the other principal
_orejones_ who had come with the body of his father, and who were of the
lineage of Inca Yupanqui and therefore relations of the mother of
Atahualpa. He asked them why they had not brought Atahualpa with them,
saying that doubtless they had left him there, that he might rebel at
Quito, and that when he did so, they would kill their Inca at Cuzco. The
_orejones_, who had been warned of this suspicion, answered that they
knew nothing except that Atahualpa remained at Quito, as he had stated
publicly, that he might not be poor and despised among his relations in
Cuzco. Huascar, not believing what they said, put them to the torture,
but he extracted nothing further from them. Huascar considered the harm
that these _orejones_ had done, and that he never could be good friends
with them or be able to trust them, so he caused them to be put to
death. This gave rise to great lamentation in Cuzco and hatred of
Huascar among the Hanan-cuzcos, to which party the deceased belonged.
Seeing this Huascar publicly said that he divorced and separated himself
from relationship with the lineages of the Hanan-cuzcos because they
were for Atahualpa who was a traitor, not having come to Cuzco to do
homage. Then he declared war with Atahualpa and assembled troops to send
against him. Meanwhile Atahualpa sent his messengers to Huascar with
presents, saying that he was his vassal, and as such he desired to know
how he could serve the Inca. Huascar rejected the messages and presents
of Atahualpa and they even say that he killed the messengers. Others say
that he cut their noses and their clothing down to their waists, and
sent them back insulted.
While this was taking place at Cuzco the Huancavilcas rebelled.
Atahualpa assembled a great army, nominating as captains--Chalco Chima,
Quiz-quiz, Incura Hualpa, Rumi-ñaui, Yupanqui, Urco-huaranca and Uña
Chullo. They marched against the Huancavilcas, conquered them, and
inflicted severe punishment. Returning to Quito, Atahualpa sent a report
to Huascar of what had taken place. At this time Atahualpa received news
of what Huascar had done to his messengers, and of the death of the
_orejones_; also that Huascar was preparing to make war on him, that he
had separated himself from the Hanan-cuzcos, and that he had proclaimed
him, Atahualpa, a traitor, which they call _aucca_. Atahualpa, seeing
the evil designs entertained by his brother against him, and that he
must prepare to defend himself, took counsel with his captains. They
were of one accord that he should not take the field until he had
assembled more men, and collected as large an army as possible, because
negotiations should be commenced when he was ready for battle.
At this time an Orejon named Hancu and another named Atoc came to
Tumipampa to offer sacrifices before the image of Huayna Ccapac, by
order of Huascar. They took the wives of Huayna Ccapac and the insignia
of Inca without communication with Atahualpa. For this Atahualpa seized
them and, being put to the torture, they confessed what orders Huascar
had given them, and that an army was being sent against Atahualpa. They
were ordered to be killed, and drums to be made of their skins. Then
Atahualpa sent scouts along the road to Cuzco, to see what forces were
being sent against him by his brother. The scouts came in sight of the
army of Huascar and brought back the news.
Atahualpa then marched out of Quito to meet his enemies. The two armies
encountered each other at Riopampa where they fought a stubborn and
bloody battle, but Atahualpa was victorious. The dead were so numerous
that he ordered a heap to be made of their bones, as a memorial. Even
now, at this day, the plain may be seen, covered with the bones of those
who were slain in that battle.
At this time Huascar had sent troops to conquer the nations of
Pumacocha, to the east of the Pacamoros, led by Tampu Usca Mayta and by
Titu Atauchi, the brother of Huascar. When the news came of this defeat
at Riopampa, Huascar got together another larger army, and named as
captains Atoc, Huaychac, Hanco, and Huanca Auqui. This Huanca Auqui had
been unfortunate and lost many men in his campaign with the Pacamoros.
His brother, the Inca Huascar, to insult him, sent him gifts suited to a
woman, ridiculing him. This made Huanca Auqui determine to do something
worthy of a man. He marched to Tumipampa, where the army of Atahualpa
was encamped to rest after the battle. Finding it without watchfulness,
he attacked and surprised the enemy, committing much slaughter.
Atahualpa received the news at Quito, and was much grieved that his
brother Huanca Auqui should have made this attack, for at other times
when he could have hit him, he had let him go, because he was his
brother. He now gave orders to Quiz-quiz and Chalco Chima to advance in
pursuit of Huanca Auqui. They overtook him at Cusi-pampa, where they
fought and Huanca Auqui was defeated, with great loss on both sides.
Huanca Auqui fled, those of Atahualpa following in pursuit as far as
Caxamarca, where Huanca Auqui met a large reinforcement sent by Huascar
in support. Huanca Auqui ordered them to march against Chalco Chima and
Quiz-quiz while he remained at Caxamarca. The troops sent by Huanca
Auqui were Chachapoyas and many others, the whole numbering 10,000. They
met the enemy and fought near Caxamarca. But the Chachapoyas were
defeated and no more than 3000 escaped. Huanca Auqui then fled towards
Cuzco, followed by the army of Atahualpa.
In the province of Bombon[121], Huanca Auqui found a good army composed
of all nations, which Huascar had sent to await his enemies there, who
were coming in pursuit. Those of Atahualpa arrived and a battle was
fought for two days without either party gaining an advantage. But on
the third day Huanca Auqui was vanquished by Quiz-quiz and Chalco Chima.
[Note 121: Correctly Pumpu.]
Huanca Auqui escaped from the rout and came to Xauxa, where he found a
further reinforcement of many Indians, Soras, Chancas, Ayamarcas, and
Yanyos, sent by his brother. With these he left Xauxa and encountered
the pursuing enemy at a place called Yanamarca. Here a battle was fought
not less stubbornly than the former one. Finally, as fortune was against
Huanca Auqui, he was again defeated by Chalco Chima, the adventurous
captain of the army of Atahualpa.
The greater part of the forces of Huanca Auqui was killed. He himself
fled, never stopping until he reached Paucaray. Here he found a good
company of _orejones_ of Cuzco, under a captain named Mayta Yupanqui
who, on the part of Huascar, rebuked Huanca Auqui, asking how it was
possible for him to have lost so many battles and so many men, unless he
was secretly in concert with Chalco Chima. He answered that the
accusation was not true, that he could not have done more; and he told
Mayta Yupanqui to go against their enemy, and see what power he brought.
He said that Atahualpa was determined to advance if they could not
hinder his captains. Then Mayta Yupanqui went on to encounter Chalco
Chima, and met him at the bridge of Anco-yacu where there were many
skirmishes, but finally the _orejones_ were defeated[122].
[Note 122: This campaign is also fully described by Balboa, and in
some detail by Yamqui Pachacuti, pp. 113--116.]
LXIV.
HUASCAR INCA MARCHES IN PERSON TO FIGHT CHALCO CHIMA AND QUIZ-QUIZ, THE
CAPTAINS OF ATAHUALPA.
As the fortune of Huascar and his captains, especially of Huanca Auqui,
was so inferior to that of Atahualpa and his adventurous and dexterous
captains Chalco Chima and Quiz-quiz, one side meeting with nothing that
did not favour them, the other side with nothing that was not against
them, such terrible fear took possession of Huanca Auqui and the other
Inca captains after the battle of Anco-yacu bridge, that they fled
without stopping to Vilcas, 20 and more leagues from Anco-yacu, on the
road to Cuzco.
Over the satisfaction that the captains of Atahualpa felt at the glory
of so many victories that they had won, there came the news sent by
Atahualpa that he had come in person to Caxamarca and Huamachuco, that
he had been received as Inca by all the nations he had passed, and that
he had assumed the fringe and the _Ccapac-uncu_. He was now called Inca
of all the land, and it was declared that there was no other Inca but
him. He ordered his captains to march onwards conquering, until they
encountered Huascar. They were to give him battle, conquer him like the
rest, and if possible take him prisoner. Atahualpa was so elated by his
victories, and assumed such majesty, that he did not cease to talk of
his successes, and no one dared to raise his eyes before him. For those
who had business with him he appointed a lieutenant called "Inca Apu,"
which means "the Inca's lord," who was to take his place by the Inca
when he was seated. Those who had business transacted it with him,
entering with a load on their backs, and their eyes on the ground, and
thus they spoke of their business with the _Apu_. He then reported to
Atahualpa, who decided what was to be done. Atahualpa was very cruel, he
killed right and left, destroyed, burnt, and desolated whatever opposed
him. From Quito to Huamachuco he perpetrated the greatest cruelties,
robberies, outrages, and tyrannies that had ever been done in that land.
When Atahualpa arrived at Huamachuco, two principal lords of his house
came to offer sacrifice to the _huaca_ of Huamachuco for the success
that had attended their cause. These _orejones_ went, made the
sacrifice, and consulted the oracle. They received an answer that
Atahualpa would have an unfortunate end, because he was such a cruel
tyrant and shedder of so much human blood. They delivered this reply of
the devil to Atahualpa. It enraged him against the oracle, so he called
out his guards and went to where the _huaca_ was kept. Having surrounded
the place, he took a halberd of gold in his hand, and was accompanied by
the two officers of his household who had made the sacrifice. When he
came to where the idol was, an old man aged a hundred years came out,
clothed in a dress reaching down to the ground, very woolly and covered
with sea shells. He was the priest of the oracle who had made the reply.
When Atahualpa knew who he was, he raised the halberd and gave him a
blow which cut off his head. Atahualpa then entered the house of the
idol, and cut off its head also with many blows, though it was made of
stone. He then ordered the old man's body, the idol, and its house to be
burnt, and the cinders to be scattered in the air. He then levelled the
hill, though it was very large, where that oracle, idol or _huaca_ of
the devil stood.
All this being made known to Chalco Chima and Quiz-quiz, they celebrated
festivals and rejoicings, and then resumed their march towards Cuzco.
Huascar received reports of all that had happened, and mourned over the
great number of men he had lost. He clearly saw that there only remained
the remedy of going forth in person to try his fortune, which had
hitherto been so adverse. In preparation he kept some fasts--for these
gentiles also have a certain kind of fasting, made many sacrifices to
the idols and oracles of Cuzco, and sought for replies. All answered
that the event would be adverse to him. On hearing this he consulted his
diviners and wizards, called by them _umu_, who, to please him, gave him
hope of a fortunate ending. He got together a powerful army, and sent
out scouts to discover the position of the enemy. The hostile army was
reported to be at a place, 14 leagues from Cuzco, called Curahuasi[123].
They found there Chalco Chima and Quiz-quiz, and reported that they had
left the main road to Cuzco, and had taken that of Cotabamba, which is
on the right, coming from Caxamarca or Lima to Cuzco. This route was
taken to avoid the bad road and dangerous pass by the Apurimac bridge.
Huascar divided his army into three divisions. One consisted of the men
of Cunti-suyu, Charcas, Colla-suyu, Chuys, and Chile under the command
of a captain named Arampa Yupanqui. His orders were to advance over
Cotabamba towards another neighbouring province of the Omasayos, to
harass the enemy on the side of the river of Cotabamba and the Apurimac
bridge. The survivors of the former battles, under Huanca Auqui, Ahua
Panti, and Pacta Mayta, were to attack the enemy on one flank, and to
march into Cotabamba. Huascar in person commanded a third division. Thus
all the forces of both Huascar and Atahualpa were in Cotabamba.
[Note 123: Curahuasi is near the bridge over the Apurimac.]
Arampa Yupanqui got news that the forces of Atahualpa were passing
through a small valley or ravine which leads from Huanacu-pampa. He
marched to oppose them, and fought with a strong squadron of the troops
under Chalco Chima. He advanced resolutely to the encounter, and slew
many of the enemy, including one of their captains named Tomay Rima.
This gave Huascar great satisfaction and he said laughingly to the
_orejones_--"The Collas have won this victory. Behold the obligation we
have to imitate our ancestors." Presently the captains-general of his
army, who were Titu Atauchi, Tupac Atao his brother, Nano, Urco Huaranca
and others, marshalled the army to fight those of Atahualpa with their
whole force. The armies confronted each other and attacked with skill
and in good order.
The battle lasted from morning nearly until sunset, many being slain on
both sides, though the troops of Huascar did not suffer so much as those
of Chalco Chima and Quiz-quiz. The latter seeing their danger, many of
them retreated to a large grassy plateau which was near, in
Huanacu-pampa. Huascar, who saw this, set fire to the grass and burnt a
great part of Atahualpa's forces.
Chalco Chima and Quiz-quiz then retreated to the other side of the river
Cotabamba. Huascar, satisfied with what he had done, did not follow up
his advantages, but enjoyed the victory which fortune had placed in his
hands. For this he took a higher position. Chalco Chima and Quiz-quiz,
who were experienced in such manoeuvres, seeing that they were not
followed, decided to rest their troops, and on another day to attack
those who believed themselves to be conquerors. They sent spies to the
camp of Huascar, and found from them that Huascar would send a certain
division of his troops to take Atahualpa's captains, without their being
able to escape.
LXV.
THE BATTLE BETWEEN THE ARMIES OF HUASCAR AND ATAHUALPA HUASCAR MADE
PRISONER.
When the morning of the next day arrived Huascar determined to finish
off the army of his brother at one blow. He ordered Tupac Atao to go
down the ravine with a squadron, discover the position of the enemy, and
report what he had seen. Tupac Atao received this order and entered the
ravine in great silence, looking from side to side. But the spies of
Chalco Chima saw everything without being seen themselves and gave
notice to Chalco Chima and Quiz-quiz. Chalco Chima then divided his men
into two parts and stationed them at the sides of the road where the
_orejones_ would pass. When Tupac Atao came onwards, they attacked him
to such purpose that scarcely any one escaped, Tupac Atao himself was
taken, badly wounded, by whom Chalco Chima was informed that Huascar
would follow him with only a squadron of 5000 men, while the rest of his
army remained in Huanacu-pampa.
Chalco Chima sent this information to Quiz-quiz, who was at a little
distance, that they might unite forces. He told him that Tupac Atao was
taken, that Huascar was expected with a small force, and that Quiz-quiz
was wanted that both might take this enemy on the flanks. This was done.
They divided their forces, placing them on both sides as in the attack
on Tupac Atao. A short time after they entered the ravine, Huascar and
his men came upon the dead bodies of the men of Tupac Atao who, being
known to Huascar he wished to turn back, understanding that they were
all dead and that there must have been some ambush. But it was too late,
for he was surrounded by his enemies. Then he was attacked by the troops
of Chalco Chima. When he tried to fly from those who fell upon his rear,
he fell into the hands of Quiz-quiz who was waiting for him lower down.
Those of Chalco Chima and those of Quiz-quiz fought with great ferocity,
sparing none, and killing them all. Chalco Chima, searching for Huascar,
saw him in his litter and seized him by the hands, and pulled him out of
his litter. Thus was taken prisoner the unfortunate Huascar Inca,
twelfth and last tyrant of the Inca Sovereigns of Peru, falling into the
power of another greater and more cruel tyrant than himself, his people
defeated, killed, and scattered.