Beyond these valleys of Nasca is that of Acari, and further on are those of Ocoña, Camana, and Quilca, in which there are great rivers.[387] Notwithstanding that at the present time these valleys contain few inhabitants, in former times they were populous, but the wars and calamities have reduced their numbers of late years until there are now few left. These valleys are as fruitful and abundant as the others, and are well adapted for breeding stock.
Beyond this valley of Quilca,[388] which is the port of the city of Arequipa, are those of Chuli, Tambopalla, and Ylo. Further on are the rich valleys of Tarapaca. Out of the sea, in the neighbourhood of these valleys, rise some islands much frequented by seals. The natives go to them in balsas, and bring a great quantity of the dung of birds from the rocks, to apply to their crops of maize, and they find it so efficacious that the land, which formerly was sterile, becomes very rich and fruitful. If they cease to use this manure they reap little maize. Indeed the people could not be supported if the birds, lodging on the rocks round these islands, did not leave that which is afterwards collected, and considered so valuable as to become an article of trade between the natives.[389]
It does not appear to me necessary to dwell longer on the things concerning these valleys, for I have already written down the principal things I saw or was able to obtain notice of. I will conclude, therefore, by saying that there are now few natives, and that in ancient times there were palaces and store-houses in all the valleys, the tribute rendered to the Kings Yncas being conveyed partly to Cuzco, partly to Hatuncolla, partly to Vilcas, and partly to Caxamalca. The principal grandeur of the Yncas was in the Sierra. I now pass on to the valleys of Tarapaca.
It is certain that there are very rich mines in these valleys of Tarapaca, of white and resplendent silver. Further on, I am told by those who have travelled in these parts, there are some deserts which extend to the borders of the government of Chile.[390] Along all this coast they kill fish, some of them good, and the Indians make balsas of sealskin for their fishing; and in some parts there are so many seals that the noise they make when congregating together is a thing worth hearing.
CHAPTER LXXVI.
Of the founding of the city of Arequipa, how it was founded, and who was its founder.
THE distance from the City of the Kings to that of Arequipa is one hundred and twenty leagues. The city of Arequipa is built in the valley of Quilca, fourteen leagues from the sea, in the most healthy and best part for building. The situation and climate of this city is so good that it is praised as the most healthy in all Peru, and the most pleasant. The country yields very good wheat, of which they make excellent bread. The jurisdiction of the city extends from Acari to Tarapaca, and there are also some villages belonging to it in the province of Condesuyo. Hubinas, Chiquiguanita, Quimistaca, and Collaguas are villages belonging to this city, which were formerly very populous, and possessed many flocks of sheep. The civil wars of the Spaniards have now destroyed the greater part both of the natives and of the sheep. The Indians who were natives of these mountain villages worshipped the sun, and buried their chiefs in great tombs, in the same manner as was practised by other Indians. They all go about clothed in shirts and mantles. Ancient royal roads traversed these parts, made for the Kings; there were palaces and store-houses, and all the natives gave tribute of their crops. This city of Arequipa, being so near a seaport, is well supplied with Spanish goods, and most of the treasure which is sent from Charcas comes here, and is put on board ships which are generally lying off Quilca, to be taken to the city of the Kings.
Some Indians and Christians declare that, opposite to Acari, but very far out at sea, there are some large and rich islands, and it is publicly reported that much gold is brought from them to trade with the natives of this coast. I left Peru in 1550, and in that year the Lords of the Royal Audience charged the captain Gomez de Solis with the discovery of these islands. It is believed that they must be rich, if they exist.
Concerning the founding of the city of Arequipa I have only to say that, when it was founded, it was in another place, and that it was removed to its present site, as being more convenient.[391] Near it there is a volcano, which some fear will burst forth and do mischief.[392] Sometimes there are great earthquakes in this city,[393] which the Marquis Don Francisco Pizarro founded and settled, in the name of his Majesty, in the year of our redemption 1540.