Tupac Inca, when he arrived at Nasca, on the coast, received and despatched embassies, and there were some encounters and skirmishes; but they consented to what the Inca required of them, that they should build strong forts, receive mitimaes, and pay the tribute imposed on them. From thence the Inca went to the valley of Yca, where he met with more resistance than at Nasca; but his prudence enabled him, without fighting, to turn enemies into friends, and these were conciliated like the others. In Chincha, the people were waiting for the arrival of the Inca in their valley, with more than 30,000 armed men, and they expected support from their neighbours. Tupac Inca, when he knew it, sent messengers, with great presents, to the chiefs and principal captains, instructing the ambassador to make great offers in his name, to assure them that he did not desire war, but rather peace and brotherhood, and other messages of that kind. The Chinchas heard what the Inca said, and received his presents. Some of their principal men then visited him, and treated of peace with such success, that it was concluded. The Chinchas laid down their arms and received Tupac Inca, who presently proceeded to Chincha. This account is given both by the Chinchas themselves, and by the Orejones of Cuzco. Other Indians of other provinces, whom I have heard, tell the story in a different manner, for they say that there was a great war. But I believe that Tupac Inca became Lord of Chincha without fighting.[225]

When the Inca arrived in that valley, he found it to be so beautiful and so extensive, that he rejoiced greatly. He praised the customs of the natives, and with loving words he asked them to adopt such of the customs of Cuzco as fitted with their own. They were well content, and obeyed him in all things. Having made all suitable arrangements, he went back to Yca, whence he marched to the valley called Huarco,[226] because he heard that the people were waiting for him in warlike guise. This, indeed, was the truth, for the natives of that valley, despising their neighbours for having submitted to a strange king without reason, and given up possession of their lands to him, had assembled with great resolution, and had erected strong forts or pucaras within their boundaries, near the sea shore. Here they put their women and children. The Inca, marching with his army in battle array, came in sight of the enemy, and sent ambassadors with menaces and threats. They, however, would not adopt the rule of their neighbours, which was to submit to strangers, but prepared for war. As the summer was approaching, and the heat was great, the soldiers of the Inca fell sick, which induced him to retire as cautiously as possible. The Huarcos came forth from their valley, collected their harvests, and sowed their fields. They also got their arms ready, that they might be ready to receive the people of Cuzco, if they again came to attack them.

Tupac Inca returned to Cuzco; and as men have little constancy, when they saw that the Huarcos remained in possession of their liberties, there began to be changes among them, while some rebelled and threw off the yoke of the Inca. These were natives of the valleys on the sea coast. All this came to the knowledge of the king, and during the remainder of that summer he was engaged in assembling troops, and sending Orejones to visit the provinces in all parts of the empire. He was resolved to gain the lordship of Huarco, even if it should cost very dear. When autumn was come, and the heats of summer were passed, he descended to the coast with the largest army that he could collect. He sent ambassadors into the valleys, upbraiding the people for their weakness of purpose in presuming to rise against him, urging them to be firm in their friendship henceforward, for that if not, they would be visited by cruel war. When he reached the borders of the valley of Huarco, on the skirts of a mountain, he ordered a city to be founded, to which he gave the name of Cuzco, intending it to be his principal residence. The streets, and hills, and open square received the same names as those of the real city. He said that until Huarco was conquered, and the people had become his subjects, he would remain in that place, and that a garrison should always be maintained there. When his directions had been carried out, he advanced with his troops in the direction of the enemy, and surrounded their position. He was so firm in his purpose, that he never sent any one to treat with them; but carried on the war, which was so obstinate, that, they say, it lasted for three years. In the summers the Inca went to Cuzco, leaving a garrison in the new Cuzco that he had built, so that there might always be troops opposed to the enemy.

Thus it was that one side maintained their resolve to be lords, and the other side was equally determined not to be slaves. But at last, at the end of three years, the Huarcos became weak; and the Inca, knowing their condition, sent new ambassadors, proposing that they should be his friends and comrades, and saying that he had no wish but that their children should intermarry, and that thus their alliance should be one of perfect equality. Other things were said with intent to deceive, for in reality Tupac Inca considered that these people deserved severe punishment for having caused so much trouble. The Huarcos, feeling that they could not hold out for many days longer, and that, with the conditions offered by the Inca, it would be better to enjoy tranquillity and repose, agreed to what the Inca proposed. Evacuating the fortress, their principal men went to make reverence to the Inca, who, without more ado, ordered his people to kill them all. This was done with great cruelty. All the principal and most honoured chiefs who came were put to death, and the sentence was also executed on those who had remained away. They killed a great number, as their descendants relate to this day, and the great heaps of bones testify to the truth of what they say. We believe that what is related by the people on this subject, is what you see written down.

This being done, the Inca ordered an important fortress to be erected, in such manner as I have related in my First Part.[227] The valley having been subdued, and governors established in it, with mitimaes, the Inca received embassies, who came from the Yuncas, as well as from many tribes in the mountains. He then ordered the new Cuzco which he had built to be pulled down, and returned with his army to the city of Cuzco, where he was received with great demonstration of joy. They offered up sacrifices in his honour, both in the temple and where the oracles spoke, afterwards making the people joyful with feasts, drinking-bouts, and solemn recitations.

CHAPTER LX.

How Tupac Inca once more set out from Cuzco, and how he went to the Collao, and from thence to Chile, subjugating the nations in that direction, and of his death.

TUPAC Inca, having returned to Cuzco after having gained the great victories which have been described, was enjoying himself at banquets and drinking-bouts, with his wives, damsels, and children, for several days. Among his children was Huayna Ccapac, he who was to succeed as king, and who was growing up very vigorous and brave. After the festivities, Tupac Inca thought of visiting the Collao and subduing the region beyond. With this object, he ordered the soldiers to be summoned from all parts, and many tents to be prepared for passing the night in the desert places. The troops began to arrive with their captains, and were lodged round the city, those whom the law prohibited not entering Cuzco. Both one and the other were provided with all that was necessary, the governors and purveyors of the city keeping a full account. When all who had to go to the war were assembled, sacrifices were offered up to their gods in conformity with their blindness, making the soothsayers seek an answer touching the war from the oracles. After a general and very splendid feast, Tupac Inca set out from Cuzco, leaving his eldest son Huayna Ccapac as his lieutenant; and with great splendour and state, he travelled to Colla-suyu, visiting his garrisons and royal tampus, and being entertained in the villages of the Canas and Canchis.

Entering the Collao, he advanced as far as Chucuito, where the chiefs of the land assembled to make a festival. Owing to the good order that was established, they had sufficient provisions ready for the 300,000 men who composed the army. Some chiefs of the Collao offered to go in person with the Inca. He went on the lake of Titicaca, with some lords whom he selected, and approved of the edifices which his father had ordered to be built, and of the excellence of the work. He offered up great sacrifices in the temple, and presented rich gifts to the priests and to the idol, worthy of so great a lord as he was. He then returned to the army, and marched through the whole province of the Collao until he came to the end of it. He sent his messengers to all the nations of the Charcas, Carangas, and other inhabitants of that region. Of these, some consented to submit, while others resisted; but the Inca’s power was such that the latter were easily subdued. The conquered were treated with great clemency, and those who submitted with much affection. In Paria, the Inca ordered edifices to be built, and also in other parts. Certainly great events must have taken place in connection with Tupac Inca, many of which have been forgotten, owing to the want of letters; and I set down briefly some few out of many that we know, having been heard by us who are in those parts.

Having been victorious in the country beyond Charcas, the Inca traversed many provinces, and vast snow-covered deserts, until he arrived in the country we call Chile. He conquered, and became lord over all that land; and they say that he advanced as far as the river Maule. In Chile he built some edifices, and received, as tribute from those parts, much gold. He left governors and mitimaes, put the conquered country in good order, and returned to Cuzco.