How Huascar was acknowledged as King in Cuzco, after the death of his father.
HUAYNA CAPAC being dead, and the mourning and lamentation having been performed, although he left more than forty sons, none attempted to deviate from their allegiance to Huascar, to whom, as they well knew, the kingdom belonged. Although it was known that the order of Huayna Capac was that the uncle of Huascar should govern, there were not wanting those who advised the young Inca to assume the fringe at once, and with it the government of the whole country as king. As most of the native lords of provinces had come to Cuzco for the obsequies of Huayna Capac, it was represented that the feast of the coronation might be very grand, and thus he resolved to act. Leaving the government of the city in the hands of the officer to whom it had been entrusted by his father, he entered upon the fast with the accustomed observances. He came forth with the fringe, and there were great festivities. The cable of gold was brought out into the square, with the images of the Incas, and, in accordance with their usage, they spent some days in drinking-bouts. At the end of these days of feasting, the news was sent to all parts of the kingdom, with the orders of the new king, and certain Orejones were sent to Quito to bring back his father’s women and household.
Atahualpa received the news that Huascar had assumed the fringe, and that he desired that all should yield him obedience. The captains of Huayna Capac had not yet departed from Quito and its neighbourhood, and there were secret communications between them as to the possibility of remaining in those lands of Quito, without going to Cuzco at the call of Huascar, for they had found the land of Quito to be as good as that of Cuzco. Some among them hesitated, saying that it was not lawful to refrain from recognising the great Inca, who was lord of all. But Illa Tupac[251] was not loyal to Huascar, as Huayna Capac had requested, and he had promised; for they say that he engaged in secret negotiations and discussions with Atahualpa, He said that, among the sons of Huayna Capac, this one showed the most spirit and valour, and that his father ordered that he should govern Quito and its territory. He spoke in this way to the captains Chalcuchima, Acla-hualpa, Rumi-ñaui,[252] Quizquiz, Pecopagua,[253] and many others, urging them to assist in making Atahualpa the Inca of those parts, as his brother was of Cuzco. These, with Illa Tupac who was a traitor to his natural lord Huascar, having been left as governor until the Inca should be of full age, agreed to recognise Atahualpa, who was then declared to be lord. The women of his father were delivered to him, whom he received as his own, and his father’s household and house service were handed over to him, to do with them according to his will.
Some say, that some of the sons of Huayna Capac, brothers of Huascar and Atahualpa, with other Orejones, fled to Cuzco, and reported what had happened to the Inca. Huascar, and the other Orejones of Cuzco, felt what had been done by Atahualpa to be an evil act worthy of reprobation, contrary to the will of their gods, and to the laws and ordinances of the departed kings. They said that they would not consent or endure that the bastard should take the name of Inca, and that he must be punished for the favour he had obtained from the captains and soldiers of his father’s army. Huascar, therefore, ordered that a summons should be sent to all the provinces, that arms should be made, and the store-houses provided with all things necessary, because he had to make war on the traitors, if they would not recognise him as their lord. He sent ambassadors to the Cañaris, inviting their friendship. It is also said that he despatched an Orejon to Atahualpa himself, to persuade him not to persist in his intentions, being so evil. The envoy was also to speak with Colla Tupac, the Inca’s uncle, to advise him that he should become loyal. These things being done, Huascar named one of the principal lords of Cuzco, named Atoc,[254] as his Captain-General.
CHAPTER LXXI.
How the differences between Huascar and Atahualpa began, and how great battles were fought between them.
IT was understood throughout the realm of Peru that Huascar was Inca, and as such that he gave orders, and sent Orejones to the chief places in all the provinces to provide what he required. He was so intelligent, and was so popular, that he was much beloved by his people. When he began to reign, his age was about twenty-five, a little more or less. Having appointed Atoc to be his Captain-General, he ordered him, after having taken the people he would require from places along the road, as well mitimaes as natives, to march to Quito and put down the rebellion of the Inca’s brother.
The Indians recount the subsequent events in several ways. I always follow the best version, which is held by the oldest and best informed among them, who are lords. For the common people, in all they say, cannot be relied upon as affirming the truth. Some relate that Atahualpa, not only resolved to refuse obedience to his brother, who was king, but even pretended to the sovereignty, seeing that the captains and soldiers of his father were on his side. He went to the country of the Cañaris, where he spoke with the native chiefs and with the mitimaes, telling them a plausible story. He said that his desire was not to injure his brother, as he wished for his welfare; but to keep friends with all, and to make another Cuzco at Quito, where all could enjoy themselves. He said that he had such good affection for them, that he would cause edifices and lodgings to be made for himself in Tumebamba. There, as Inca and lord, he would be able to amuse himself with his women, as did his father and grandfather. He made other speeches on this subject, which were not listened to with such pleasure as he supposed. For the messenger from Huascar had arrived, and spoken to the Cañaris and mitimaes, saying that the Inca sought their friendship, and that he implored the favour of the Sun and of his gods for them. He told the Cañaris that they should not consent to such an evil deed as the Inca’s brother meditated. They replied by declaring their desire to see Huascar, and raising up their hands, they promised to remain loyal.
This being their wish, Atahualpa was unable to obtain his object, and they say that the Cañaris, with the captain and mitimaes, seized him, with the intention of delivering him up to Huascar. But having placed him in a room of the tampu, he escaped, and went to Quito, where he gave out that it had been the will of his God to turn him into a serpent, to enable him to escape from his enemies. He told his adherents that all should be got ready to begin a war. Other Indians affirm as a certain fact that the captain Atoc, with his troops, arrived at the country of the Cañaris, where Atahualpa was, and that it was he who took the Inca’s brother prisoner, before he escaped in the way that has already been mentioned. For my part, I believe, although I may be wrong, that Atoc found that Atahualpa had escaped from his prison, and, much disturbed at this, he collected all the men he could from the Cañaris, and marched towards Quito, sending to all parts to strengthen the governors and mitimaes in their loyalty to Huascar. It is related, as a fact, that Atahualpa escaped by means of a coa or tool which a Quella woman gave him. He made a hole with it at a time when those who were in the tampu were heated with what they had drunk. By using great haste; he reached Quito before he could be overtaken by his enemies, who wanted very much to get him again into their power.