Some of the fleetest of foot ran until they came to the Inca, to whom alone they reported the disaster, which annoyed him not a little. Considering the matter prudently, he came to a decision becoming a great man. This was to order those who had brought the news to keep silence, and to tell no one what they knew. They were directed to return along the road, and tell the fugitives to stop at the first hill they came to, without fear, for that the Inca would attack the enemy with fresh troops, and avenge the affront. With this message they returned. The Inca felt anxiety, because he reflected that if his soldiers heard the news in the place where they were encamped, all would be in confusion and he would be in greater straits. But he dissimulated, and told them to prepare, as he wished to march against a certain tribe whom they would see when they reached their country. Getting out of his litter, he marched in front of his army for a day and a half, and those who were flying in great numbers, when they saw that the approaching army consisted of their own people, stopped on one side, while the pursuers began to attack them, and killed many. But Huayna Capac surrounded them on three sides, which amazed them not a little, and even those who had been conquered, rallied and fought in such sort that the ground was covered with dead. When the pursuers wished to retreat, they found the pass occupied, and so many were slain that very few remained alive except the prisoners, who were numerous. So that all was altered, the Inca himself having defeated and killed those who came to defeat him. When the result was known the conquerors were very well satisfied.
Huayna Capac recovered those of his people who were still alive, and ordered tombs to be made over those who were dead, and honours to be paid them according to their heathen practices. For they all know that the soul is immortal. They also set up figures and heaps of stones on the battle-field, as a memorial of what had been done. Huayna Capac then sent the news to Cuzco, re-organised his army, and advanced to Caranque.
The people of Otavalo, Cayambi, Cochasqui, Pifo, and other districts had made a league with many other tribes, to resist subjugation by the Inca, preferring death to the loss of their liberty. They made strong forts in their country, and resisted the payment of tribute, or the sending of presents to so distant a place as Cuzco. Having agreed on this between themselves, they awaited the approach of the Inca, who came to make war upon them. The army advanced to their frontier, where the Inca caused forts (called pucaras) to be constructed, and sent messages to the people with presents, asking them not to make war, as he only desired peace with fair conditions; that they would always find favour from him, as from his father; that he desired to take nothing from them, but rather to confer benefits. These kind words availed nothing, for their reply was that he should leave their country at once, and if not, they would drive him out by force. They then advanced against the Inca, who was much incensed, and put his army in battle array. They attacked him with such fury, that if it had not been for the fortress he had caused to be built, his troops would have been defeated at all points. But, knowing the danger, they retired into the pucara, where all who had not been killed or captured were assembled.
CHAPTER LXVII.
How Huayna Capac assembled all his power, gave battle to his enemies, and defeated them; and of the great cruelty with which he treated them.
WHEN the natives saw how they had shut up the Inca in his fortress, and had killed many of the Orejones, they were very joyful, and they made so great a noise that they could not hear themselves. They brought drums, and drank and sang, sending messengers over all the country, with the news that they had the Inca shut up with all his people. Many believed it and rejoiced, and some even came to help their friends.
Huayna Capac had provisions in the fort, and he had sent to summon the governors of Quito to come with reinforcements, for the enemy would not desist from their attacks. He tried, many times, to pacify them, sending embassies with presents; but it was all of no avail. The Inca increased his army, and the enemy did the same, resolutely determined to attack and defeat him, or die in the attempt. They assaulted the fortress, and broke through two lines of defence. If there had not been others round the hill, without doubt the enemy would have been victorious. But it was the custom of the Incas, in their defensive works, to make a circle with two doorways, and further up another, and so on until there were seven or eight, so that if one was lost, the defenders could retire to the next. Thus the Inca and his army retreated to the strongest part of the hill, whence, at the end of some days, he came forth and attacked the enemy with great courage.
They relate that, when his captains arrived with reinforcements, he took the field, but the battle was long doubtful. At length, those of Cuzco, by a stratagem, killed a great number of the enemy, and those who remained turned and fled. The tyrannical king was so enraged against them for having taken up arms to defend their country from conquest, that he ordered his soldiers to seek them all out, and with great diligence they searched for and captured them all. Very few were able to hide themselves. Near the banks of a lake, he ordered them all to be beheaded in his presence, and their bodies to be thrown into the water. The blood of those who were killed was in such quantity that the water lost its colour, and nothing could be seen but a thick mass of blood. Having perpetrated this cruelty, and most evil deed, Huayna Capac ordered the sons of the dead men to be brought before him, and, looking at them, he said, “Campa manan pucula tucuy huambracuna”, which means, “You will not make war upon me, for you are all boys now.”[243] From that time the conquered people were called “Huambra-cuna (Huayna-cuna) to this day, and they were very valiant. The lake received the name it still bears, which is Yahuar-cocha, or ‘the lake of blood’.” In this country governors and mitimaes were stationed, as in all other parts.[244]
After he had re-organised the country, the Inca passed onwards with great renown from his past victory, and proceeded with his discoveries until he reached the river Ancasmayu, which was the northern limit of the empire. He learnt from the natives that further on there were many tribes who went naked without any shame, and that all fed on human flesh. He made some defensive works in the district of Pasto, and ordered the principal men to pay tribute. They replied that they had nothing to give; so he issued his command that each house should be obliged to give, every month, a rather large basket full of lice, as tribute. At first they laughed at this order; but afterwards, notwithstanding the quantity of lice they had, they could not fill so many baskets. They bred from the sheep which the Inca ordered to be given to them, and paid tribute from the increase, as well as of the food and roots of that country. For certain reasons which influenced him, Huayna Capac returned to Quito, ordering that there should be a temple of the Sun and a garrison, with a captain-general and governor in Caranque, to guard the frontier.