Four leagues further on is the valley of Chimu,[360] which is broad and very large, and here the city of Truxillo is built. Some Indians relate that, in ancient times, before the Yncas extended their sway so far, there was a powerful lord in this valley, who was called Chimu, as the valley is now. He did great things, was victorious in many battles, and built certain edifices which even now, though so ancient, clearly appear to have been very grand. When the Kings Yncas made themselves lords of these coast valleys, they held that of Chimu in great estimation, and ordered large buildings and pleasure-houses to be erected in it. The royal road, built with its walls, also passes through the valley. The native chiefs of this valley were always esteemed and held to be rich. This is known to be true, for in the tombs of the principal men much gold and silver have been found.[361] But at present there are few Indians in the valley, most of the land being divided amongst Spaniards who are citizens of the new city of Truxillo, to form their estates. The sea port, called the roadstead of Truxillo, is not very far from the valley, and all along the coast they kill much fish for the supply of the city and of the Indians themselves.
CHAPTER LXIX.
Of the founding of the city of Truxillo, and who was the founder.
THE city of Truxillo is founded in the valley of Chimu, near a large and beautiful river, whence they draw channels by which the Spaniards irrigate their orchards and flower gardens. This city of Truxillo is situated in a region which is considered healthy, and on all sides it is surrounded by estates which the Spaniards call granges and farms, where the citizens have their flocks and crops. All the land is irrigated, and in all parts there are many vines, fig and pomegranate trees, and other fruits of Spain, great abundance of wheat, and many orange trees, and it is a pleasant thing to see the flowers. There are also lemons, limes, and citrons, besides plenty of excellent fruits of the country, and they breed many fowls and rear capons. It may be said that the Spanish inhabitants of this city are provided with all they require, having abundance of all the things which I have enumerated. There is no want of fish, as they have the sea not much more than half a league off. The city is built in a level part of the valley, in the midst of a refreshing grove of trees. It is well built, with broad streets and a large open square.[362] The Indians of the Sierra come down from their provinces to serve those Spaniards who hold them in encomienda,[363] and they supply the town with the things they have in their own villages. Vessels sail from the port, laden with cotton cloth made by the Indians, for sale in other parts. The Adelantado Don Francisco Pizarro, governor and captain-general in the kingdoms of Peru, founded this city of Truxillo, in the name of the Emperor Charles our Lord, in the year of the birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ 1535.
CHAPTER LXX.
Of the other valleys and villages along the coast road, as far as the City of the Kings.
IN the mountains, before reaching the City of the Kings, are the cities of the frontier of Chachapoyas, and that of Leon de Huanuco. I have determined that I will say nothing of these until I begin to give an account of the villages and provinces in the mountains, which still await my notice. I will then write conceiving their foundation, with as much brevity as I can, but at present we must pass forward on our road.
The distance from the city of Truxillo to that of the Kings is eighty leagues, over sandy deserts and intervening valleys.[364] After leaving Truxillo the first village is Guanape, being seven leagues on the road. This valley was no less noted among the natives in times past for the chicha which was brewed there, than Madrigal or San Martin in Castille are for the good wine that they yield. In ancient times the valley of Guanape was very populous, and was the residence of chiefs, who were honourably and well treated by the Yncas after they submitted to their rule. The Indians who have survived the wars and troubles are skilful in their labour, drawing channels of water from the river to irrigate their fields. The remains may be clearly seen of the buildings and store-houses erected by the Kings Yncas. There is a useful port at this valley, where many of the ships which sail on the South Sea, from Panama to Peru, call for supplies.
From Guanape the road leads to the valley of Santa, but before reaching it there is a valley with no river, but a small well at which travellers quench their thirst. This well may be caused by some river which flows through the bowels of the earth. In former days the valley of Santa was very populous, and there were great chiefs who, at first, even defied the Yncas. They say of them that it was more by intrigue and a display of friendship than by force of arms, that they were induced to acknowledge the Yncas as their lords. Afterwards the Yncas honoured them, and held them in great esteem, and the chiefs erected grand edifices by order of the Yncas. This valley is one of the largest of any we have passed. A great and rapid river flows through it, which is much swollen when the season in the Sierra is winter, so that some Spaniards have been drowned in crossing from one side to the other.[365] There are now balsas for crossing in. The valley contained many thousands of Indians in former times, but now there are only four hundred; and this is a lamentable thing to contemplate. That which I most admired, in passing through this valley, was the great number of burial-places, and that in all parts of the barren hills above the valley there were quantities of tombs made according to the custom of the Indians, and full of the bones of the dead. Thus the things that are most worthy of notice in the valley are the tombs of the dead and the fields which they cultivated when alive. They used to take great channels of water from the river, with which they irrigated the land. But now there are few Indians, and most of the fields which were once cultivated, are converted into woods, ground overgrown with brambles, and such dense thickets that, in some places, it is difficult to make a way through them. The natives go dressed in shirts and mantles, and the women also. They wear a head-dress on their heads to distinguish them from other tribes. All the fruits I have already mentioned grow well in this valley, and the pulses of Spain; and the Indians kill much fish. The ships sailing along the coast always take in water at the river of Santa. And as there are many thickets and few inhabitants, the mosquitos swarm in such numbers as to be grievous to those who pass through or sleep in this valley.
Two days’ journey further on is the valley of Huambacho, of which I shall say no more than that it resembles those already described, that there were buildings in it erected by its chiefs, and that the inhabitants drew channels of water from the river which flows through it, to irrigate their crops.