Towards the eastern limits he sent instructed Orejones, in the dress of merchants, to see what lands there were in that direction, and what kind of people dwelt there. Having arranged these things, he returned to Cuzco, whence they affirm that he set out again at the end of a few days. With the troops he had ordered to assemble he then entered the region of the Antis, and suffered great hardships in forcing his way through the dense forests. He conquered some of the tribes, and ordered large plantations of coca to be cultivated for the supply of Cuzco, to which place he returned.

They affirm that after a few days the Inca was attacked by an illness, of which he died, leaving to his son the government of his kingdom, his wives and children; and, after saying a few other things, he expired. There was great lamentation, and such strong feeling, from Quito to Chile, that it is wonderful to listen to the Indians who relate the events of that time.

Where or in what place he was interred they do not say. They relate that a great number of women, servants, and pages were killed, to be buried with him, with so much treasure that it must have amounted to more than a million: for ordinary lords have been buried with upwards of 100,000 castellanos. Besides the people who were put into his tomb, they put to death and buried many men and women in divers parts of the kingdom; and in all parts they mourned for an entire year. Most of the women shaved their heads, putting on ropes of grass; and at the end of the year they came to do him honour. The other things which they used to do, I prefer not to repeat, because they savour of heathenism. But the Christians who were in Cuzco in 1550 will remember what they saw of the honours done at the end of the year of mourning for Paullu Inca,[228] who had himself become a Christian. So that they can imagine what it must have been in the days when the departed kings were reigning, and before they lost their empire.

CHAPTER LXI.

How Huayna Ccapac reigned in Cuzco, who was the twelfth King Inca.

WHEN the great King Tupac Inca Yupanqui died, they prepared to perform the obsequies and ceremonies of his interment after the manner of his ancestors, and with great pomp. The Orejones relate that some provinces conspired to recover their liberty, and shake off the yoke of the Incas, but the good management of the Inca governors, assisted by the captains and mitimaes, kept order during a trying time. Huayna Capac was not careless, nor did he fail to understand that it would be necessary for him to display valour in order to preserve that which his father had gained with so much labour. Shortly he entered upon the fast, and he who governed the city proved loyal and faithful. There did not fail to be some disturbance among the Incas themselves, for some sons of Tupac Inca, begotten on other women than the Coya, wished to set up a claim to the royal dignity. The people, however, were loyal to Huayna Capac, and not only would not consent, but applauded the punishment inflicted on them. When the fast was ended, Huayna Capac came forth with the fringe, very richly adorned, and performed the ceremonies according to the custom of his ancestors, at the end of which his name was declared with great acclamations: “Huayna Capac,” “Inca zapalla tucuillacta uya,” which is as much as to say—“Huayna Capac alone is king; let all the city hear him.”[229]

Huayna Capac, according to the account of many Indians who had seen and knew him, was not of any great stature, but well-built, with good features and much gravity. He was a man of few words but many deeds, a severe judge, who punished without mercy. He wished to be so feared that the Indians should dream of him at night. He ate according to the custom of his people. He listened to those who spoke well to him, and believed very easily. Parasites and flatterers, who are not wanting among those people, had much influence. He gave ear to lies, which was the reason that many died without fault. The youths who, tempted by the flesh, slept with his wives or damsels, or with those who lived in the temple of the Sun, were ordered to be put to death, and the women suffered the same punishment. The penalties for making disturbances and for insubordination were deprivation of property, and the bestowal on another. For other offences there was merely corporal chastisement. His father looked over many of these crimes, especially with regard to women; for when any one was detected with them, he said that he was only a boy.

The mother of Huayna Capac, principal queen, wife, and sister of Tupac Inca Yupanqui, was named Mama Ocllo. They say that she was a very prudent lady, and that she informed her son respecting many things that she had seen Tupac Inca do. She was so fond of her son that she entreated him not to go to Quito or Chile, until she was dead. They relate, that to please her and to comply with her request, he was in Cuzco, without leaving it, until she died and was interred with great pomp. Much treasure and fine clothes, with women and servants were put into her tomb. All the treasures of the deceased Incas, and the fields which they call chacaras, were kept entire from the first, without being used or touched; for among these people there were neither wars nor other needs for which money would be of any use. For this reason we believe that there are vast treasures in the bowels of the earth which are lost for ever, unless peradventure some one building, or doing some other work, should hit upon some out of the great quantity that must exist.

CHAPTER LXII.

How Huayna Capac departed from Cuzco, and what he did.