Sotto sent a Message to Attabaliba, That the Spaniards desir’d peaceably to Treat with him, to which he receiv’d answer, That no Peace could be made, unless they restor’d the Gold and Silver to the Owners, which they had Plunder’d from them, and forsook his Territories; which so doing, they should have Audience the next day: Hereupon the Bishop Vincent de Villa Viridi was conducted into the Royal Palace, in the City of Caxamalca, and brought before Attabaliba, who came thither in great State, with a Guard of twenty five thousand Men; he was carry’d on the Shoulders of his prime Nobles in a Sedan, about which hung Garlands of Gold, and divers colour’d Feathers; himself was cloth’d in a white loose Vest, without Sleeves; his Temples were bound with a red Ribbon, with a long Tassel on his left Cheek; on his Fore-head stuck three curious Feathers; before him March’d three hundred of his Life-Guard, all in one Livery, who clear’d the way through which the King was to pass. The before-mention’d Bishop carry’d in one Hand a Cross, in the other a Book, discoursing with the King to this effect; That God is the Trinity, Adam the first Man; Christ Born of a Virgin, dy’d on the Cross; the Pope God’s Vice-Gerent, who according to the Power he had from Heaven, had given Peru to the Emperor Charles, as also all other Countreys in America; and if he should prove obstinate, and resist, he must expect nothing less than utter ruine. Attabaliba reply’d, That he serv’d Pachamaca, being the Creator of all things; and next to him the Sun and Moon: How glorious do they appear (said he) in comparison of a Crucifi’d God? To make Peace and Alliance with mighty Princes, was the true Foundation of wise Government: But the Pope must needs be senseless, devoy’d of all reason, and withal highly unjust, to give away what was none of his own, viz. other mens Kingdoms, in which he never had the least or smallest concern. Moreover, he would not desert that Religion which he and his Ancestors had maintain’d so many Ages, and the rather, because there are no apparent or sufficient Testimony of the truth of Christianity. The latter clause was thus answer’d, saying, This Book, O King, which I hold in my hand, proves and declares all that you question. Attabaliba looking upon it, turn’d it over Leaf by Leaf, then look’d more intentively upon the Print, which done he clap’d it to either Ear, and at last as altogether unsatisfi’d, in disdainful manner threw it away.
But Pizarro gaining time while the King and Bishop thus discours’d, had drawn his Men in Battel-Array, his sixty Horse he divided into three Wings, Commanded by his three Brothers, Ferdinand, John, and Gonzalvo Pizarro, left the Captains Sotto and Bavalcazar in an Ambuscade; Peter de Canada march’d in the Van, and he himself in the main Body, leaving Sotto in the Rear.
Pizarro fights with Attabaliba.
Attabaliba taken prisoner.
Bids for his ransom an unvaluable treasure.
So soon as the Bishop could acquaint them in what scornful manner Attabaliba had thrown his Holy Book, The Word of God, upon the ground; both Armies were Engaged, whilst their Trumpets sounded, their Drums beat, their Canons roar’d, the Horses neigh’d, and the Dogs bark’d, they made a speedy march up against the Walls of Taxamalca, which dreadful mixture of terrible noises struck such a Pannick fear into the hearts of the Indians, that they all presently broke, in their flight crowding one another to death at the Gates of the City, which being too narrow to receive them, they themselves made breaches in their own Walls to enter; which opportunity the Spaniards no ways neglected, but entering with them, shot and kill’d all they could reach; their Dogs also having no little share in the slaughter; whole companies of Indians were trode under the Horses feet, yet near Attabaliba’s Chair was the greatest resistance, for no sooner fell one of the Bearers, but immediately another supply’d the place; so that the King was surrounded with heaps of his own slain Subjects, to whom Pizarro himself Charg’d up so close, that having seiz’d him by his long Hair, he pull’d him out of his Throne, and having gotten him under him, secur’d immediately in Fetters; whereupon all his Life-Guard forsook him, and fled: But the loss of the Battel, which was Attabaliba’s utter ruine, was laid upon Runninagui, a Captain appointed to lie in Ambush, so to fall in the Rear of the Spaniards with five thousand men; but was so far from performing his Orders, that terrifi’d at the uncouth noise of the Guns, and the rest, that he fled one hundred and fifty Leagues Southerly, before he stopt, or scarce ever look’d behind him in so long a flight. Mean while, Attabaliba compounded with Pizarro for his Ransom, viz. to pay him as much Gold as that Hall in his Court (where they made the Agreement) could hold to the top; they first measur’d the heighth, then the length, which was found to be fifty four Foot, and the breadth nine: In pursuance of this composition, Gold was brought thither from all places, according to Attabaliba’s order; yet he could not raise so much as would perform his bargain, which made the Spaniards to grumble: But Attabaliba desiring some longer time to perform it, telling Pizarro, that most of the Gold was brought on Slaves Shoulders, a long and troublesome way, of two hundred Leagues long, from the City Cusco, and if this would not satisfie, Pizarro might send some of his own people thither, to inform him, that he need not fear the least danger, as long as he was Prisoner with his Wife and Children.
The two Captains, Sotto, and Peter del Baro being sent away to that purpose, met after some days Journey with one of Attabaliba’s Leaders, who was bringing the King’s Brother Guascar with a Party, Prisoner to Caxamalca.
Burns his Brother Guascar alive.
Guascar had now a fair opportunity to crave assistance of the Spaniards, telling them, that he and Attabaliba were the Sons of Guaynacava, so that the Kingdom was to be divided betwixt both. But Attabaliba had by force made himself Master of all, whereas he being the youngest, ought to be satisfi’d with that share which Guascar, being the eldest, would assign him; for the right of Inheritance belong’d justly to him, and yet he was carry’d away bound to slaughter: But if Pizarro would do justice in delivering him out of his Brothers bloody Hands, he would raise him thrice as much Gold as Attabaliba had promis’d: To which purpose he desir’d Sotto and Baro to put off their Journey to Cusco; which they not daring to do, went on their way, and Guascar descending the Valley Sucsuhuana, was burnt alive by Attabaliba’s Soldiers.