The travels of Pedro de Cieza de Léon; part 2

by Pedro de Cieza de León

The Canas, when they heard the message, caused plenty of provisions to be placed along the road, and came down from their villages to serve the Inca, who, with much regard to justice, took care that they should not be injured in any way. They were supplied with flocks and—— [181] which is their wine. On arriving at their vain temple, they made sacrifices in accordance with their heathen practices, killing many lambs. Thence the army advanced to Ayavire, where the Canas had brought more provisions. The Inca spoke to them lovingly, and arranged his peaceful pact, as was his custom with other tribes. The Canas, holding it to be an advantage to them to be governed by such wise and just laws, did not object to the payment of tribute, and the duty of going to Cuzco.

This being done, Viracocha Inca determined to set out for the Collao, where by this time it was known what had happened with the Canches and Canas. They were waiting in Chucuito, and in Hatun Colla. Zapana was aware that Cari had been received well by Viracocha, and that he was expecting the Inca. He, therefore, determined to attack him before he became more powerful by a junction with the forces of the Inca. Cari was equally spirited, and came out with his followers to a town called Paucar-colla. Near this place the armies of the two most powerful tyrants of the district faced each other, in such numbers that it was said they amounted to one hundred and fifty huarancas.[182] They joined in battle, and it is related that it was fiercely contested, and that the dead numbered more than 30,000. After it had lasted for a long time, Cari remained the victor, while Zapana and his people were defeated, with the death of many. Zapana himself was killed in this battle.

CHAPTER XLIII.

How Cari returned to Chucuito; of the arrival of the Inca Viracocha; and of the peace that was agreed to between them.

AS soon as Zapana was dead, Cari took possession of his camp, and seized upon everything that was in it, with which he quickly returned to Chucuito. There he waited for Viracocha Inca, and ordered lodgings to be got ready and provisions to be supplied. The Inca, while he was on the road, heard of the victory gained by Cari and of the end of the war. Although he gave out that he was pleased, in secret he felt regret at the course things had taken, because he thought that, while there were differences between the two chiefs, he would easily make himself lord of the Collao; and he intended to return quickly to Cuzco, that no untoward event might happen.

When he approached Chucuito, Cari came forth with his principal men to receive him, and he was lodged and attentively served. As he wished to return to Cuzco, he spoke with Cari, telling him how much he had rejoiced at his good success, and that he was coming to his assistance. In order to make sure that they should always be good friends, he expressed a desire to give him a daughter of his own for a wife. Cari answered that he was very old and very weary, and he prayed the Inca to marry his daughter to a youth, seeing that there were many to choose from, and that he would have him as his lord and friend, and consent that he should rule, and that in this way he would help him in wars and other affairs of moment. Then, in presence of the principal men who were assembled, the Inca Viracocha ordered a large cup of gold to be brought, and the plighted homage between the two was taken in this way. They drank a draught of the wine which the women had, and the Inca took the cup, and put it on the top of a very loose stone, saying:—“The sign is this, that the cup shall be here, and I do not move it nor you touch it, in token that that which is agreed upon shall be observed.” Then kissing, they made a reverence to the sun, and they had a great taqui, with much noise. Then the priests, having uttered certain words, carried the cup to one of their vain temples, where they deposit similar tokens of oaths made by their kings and lords. Having passed some days in Chucuito, Viracocha Inca returned to Cuzco, being attentively waited upon and well received in all parts.

And now many provinces were organized, and the people wore better clothes and had better customs than before, being ruled according the laws of Cuzco. Inca Urco, the son of Viracocha Inca had remained there as governor, of whom they relate that he was very cowardly, remiss, full of vices, and with few virtues. As he was the eldest he had to succeed his father in the kingdom. His father knew his character, and desired much to deprive him of the lordship, and to give it to Inca Yupanqui, his second son, a youth of great valour and of good conduct, resolute and fearless, and endowed with grand and lofty aspirations. But the Orejones and principal men of the city did not wish the laws to be broken, which were observed as having been ordained by their ancestors. Although they knew how evil were the inclinations of Inca Urco, still they desired that he, and not another should be the king after the death of his father. I relate this so fully because those who told me, also say that Viracocha Inca sent from Urcos, his messengers to the city, to treat on this matter, but that he could not obtain what he wanted. When he entered Cuzco, he had a grand reception. But he was now very old and weary, so he determined to leave the government of his kingdom to his son, to deliver up the fringe, and to retire to the valley of Yucay and to that of Xaquixaguana to amuse himself and enjoy the rest of his life. He announced his intention to the people of the city, but he was not able to secure the succession for Inca Yupanqui.

CHAPTER XLIV.

How Inca Urco was received as supreme ruler of the whole empire, and assumed the crown at Cuzco, and how the Chancas determined to come forth and make war on those of Cuzco.

THE Orejones, and even all the other natives of these provinces, laughed at the proceedings of the Inca Urco.[183] Owing to his trivialities, they prefer that he should not be looked upon as having enjoyed the dignity of the kingdom. Thus we see that in the narrative derived from the quipus and traditions, which they have of the kings who reigned at Cuzco, they are silent as to this one. This I will not be; for in fact, well or ill, with vices or virtues, he governed and reigned over the kingdom for several days. When Viracocha Inca departed for the valley of Xaquixaguana, he sent the fringe or crown to Cuzco, that the elders of the city might deliver it to Inca Urco, having said that what he had done for the city of Cuzco must suffice, and that he wished to pass what remained of life in the enjoyment of rest, for that he was old and unfit for war. His wishes being understood, presently Inca Urco began the fasts and other observances in conformity with their customs and, having finished, he came forth with the crown, and went to the temple of the Sun to perform sacrifices, and there were the usual feasts and drinking bouts at Cuzco.