about his Neck Francisco Hernandez at the importunity of so many friends rather than his own inclinations gave him his Pardon This particular passed in the manner before related for afterwards in the time of peace I have heard the Story repeated in my Father's house both in the presence and in the absence of this Pero Hernandez the Loyal whose escape out of the hands of the Rebels unto his Majesty's Camp we shall relate in its due place CHAP. XIX The great Trouble and Disturbance which the News of the loss of the Marshal caused in his Majesty's Camp. The means which the Justices took to repair this Loss The Disputes and Differences amongst the Officers whether the Army ought to march or not to march against the Rebels One of the Captains of the Rebels revolts to the King's Forces THE same rumour which at the Battel of Chuquinca affrighted Antonio de Carrillo Serjeant Major to Francisco Hernandez and Albertos de Ordunna and caused them to fly upon a groundless report that Hernandez was slain and which afterwards was contradicted and the truth divulged of the Victory he had gained the same rumour being spread amongst the Indians was related to the Spaniards who lived in the Countries thereabouts who taking the News upon Hear-say wrote it to the Justices with demands of a reward for their good tydings but it was not long before winged fame brought the true relation of the fatal overthrow of the Marshal and his Forces which raised great consternation and trouble in his Majesty's Army and came to that height that as Palentino saith Chap. 46. a Council was held amongst the three Justices without any reason or cause for it either to put the Justice Santillan to death or to send him Prisoner into Spain upon pretence that this Santillan had caused the loss of the Battel but Doctour Saravia differing from the rest in his opinion nothing was determined against him And indeed we are not to think it strange that men should imagine some foul play in this matter for this Victory of Hernandez was so contrary to the expectation of all men who had any knowledge in the Affairs of Peru that no man would believe but that the Marshal was betrayed and sold by his own people and consequently they pitched upon the persons whom they suspected and imagined to be the Contrivers of it And herein they so confidently stood and believed that if an Angel from Heaven had come and revealed the truth they would not have been persuaded into another belief untill they saw many of those whom they suspected of this Treachery and who were fled from the Battel to come to his Majesty's Camp for refuge showing the Wounds they received and the Marks of their ill treatment and then they were convinced of the Errour they had received and begun to entertain a good opinion of their faithfulness and loyalty so soon as the people were recovered from their amazement the Justices ordered Antonio de Quinnones a Citizen of Cozco with a party of sixty Musquetiers to march to the City of Huamanca for the defence thereof and to receive such as were fled thither from the Battel and to hinder the Enemy from taking any refreshments or succours from thence of which they might stand in need and so it happened accordingly for Hernandez sent Captain Cobo to the City for Provisions and Medicines to cure his wounded men but Cobo having intelligence that Antonio Quinnones was coming thither he retired from Huamanca without doing what he designed At this time two Letters were brought to the Justices from divers parts almost at the same instant one was from the Marshal de Alvarado complaining of his ill fortune and the refractariness of the People who would not obey his Orders nor follow his Directions the other was from Lorenço de Aldana which in very few words gave an account of the ill success of the Battel saying that it was done against the sense and opinion of all the principal Officers of the Army as Palentino writes Chap. 47. in these words Upon Monday last I wrote to your Lordship signifying what I then suspected and feared for I had no sooner concluded my Letter than Lucifer entered into the Marshal and moved him to resolve instantly to assault Hernandez in the Post where he had fortified himself against the sense and opinion of all his Officers and particularly against mine the which was performed with that disadvantage to us that Hernandez shot and killed our people and defeated us without moving out of the covert of his Fortification many of our principal men and persons of Quality are killed the precise number I cannot tell because the Marshal retired before Hernandez sallied out of his Fortification they say the Marshal is wounded but I am sure it was neither with fighting nor giving encouragement to his Souldiers c. Thus far Palentino The News of the loss which the Marshal sustained being now confirmed by all hands the Justices commanded that the Army should march and follow Hernandez and resolved that the Court of Justice should accompany the Army to give greater authority and reputation as Palentino saith to their Cause and Proceedings and to take off the murmurings of the Souldiery who perhaps might complain of the hardships they underwent whilst the Justices were solacing and enjoying themselves at home but Judge Altamirano opposed this resolution alledging that his Majesty having confined the Court of Judicature to Lima the Bench had no power or authority without the Precincts of that Jurisdiction nor ought they to remove from thence without express command from his Majesty But Doctour Saravia earnestly insisting that the Court was in this emergency obliged to move with the Army Altamirano positively declared that he was resolved not to stir for that the King had not given him a Commission to fight but to sit upon his Bench and there to judge such Causes as should be brought before him To which Doctour Saravia replyed that he would suspend him of his Office in case he followed not the Army and that he would send Orders to the Officers of the King's Treasury to stop the payment of his Salary and accordingly the fame was notified though afterwards it was made good by a particular Warrant from his Majesty Thus far Palentino After long Disputes of this kind it was at length determined that the three Justices viz. Doctour Saravia Judge Santillan and Mercado should attend the Royal Army and that Altamirano who had professed himself ignorant and unskilfull of Arms and would wage no other War than civil Pleadings at the Bar should remain in the City of Los Reyes in quality of Lord Chief Justice and that Diego de Mora a Citizen of Truxillo who as we have said brought a good company of Musquetiers to the Army was appointed Governour of the City and his Company given to another Captain called Pedro de Carate Things being ordered and disposed in this manner and a sufficient Guard
Mankind The Inca having taken notice of this advice ordered the Ambassadours to be dispatched that they might return again into their own Countrey Thence he proceeded forward on his progress through all the Provinces of Collasuyu dispersing his Favours and Rewards to the Curacas and Captains not neglecting the Commonalty and people of low degree and condition so that all sorts from the highest to the lowest received particular satisfaction and contentment from the presence of the Inca For so much had the Fame of his Divine Dream and his Victory at Yahuarpampa raised his Esteem in the minds of the people that they not onely received him with Joy and Acclamations but paid him Divine Honours and Veneration as if he had been some New God though now by the Mercies of the true God they have quitted that Idolatry and being disabused and rightly informed in Religion they onely conserve a gratefull Memory of that King who was so fortunate and propitious to them both in War and Peace From Collasuyu he passed into Antisuyu where the people being poor and mean were not able to demonstrate such Ostentation and Magnificence as others had done howsoever according to their degree and quality they shewed as joyfull hearts as their simplicity was capable to express In evidence of which they erected Triumphal Arches in the way by which he was to pass the which being formed of Timber they covered with Rushes and crowned with Garlands strowing all the ways with Flowers expressing the joyfulness of their hearts after the custome of their Countrey and as was usual at their greatest Festivals In these visits the Inca spent three years not omitting at the due seasons to celebrate the Feasts of the Sun which they called Raymi and Citua And though they could not be performed with such Solemnity as at Cozco yet in compliance with their Religion they expressed their Devotion with such Rites and Ceremonies as the circumstances of time and place would admit And now having accomplished his Progress he returned to the City where his Presence was greatly desired as the Protectour and Defender of it or rather as he who had laid a new foundation of an abandoned and ruined place And therefore the Court and City associated together with new Sonnets and Panegyricks composed in his praise to meet and conduct their Adored King to his place of Residence CHAP. XXVI The Valiant Hanco-huallu flies out of the Empire of the Incas THus in the manner which we have declared this Inca travelled twice through all Quarters of his Dominions and when that in his second Progress he passed through the Province of the Chichas which is the most remote part of Peru to the Southward News was brought him of the flight of the brave Hanco-huallu at which he was greatly concerned wondring at the reason or cause for such a resolution This Man it seems was King of the Chancas and though for nine or ten Years he had proved the gentle Government of the Incas who in revenge or punishment of his late offence had not diminished the least point of his Power or Jurisdiction but rather on the contrary treated him with due honour and respect yet in regard that he and his Forefathers had reigned as absolute Lords and Princes over many Nations whom they had subdued by their Arms and Power his generous spirit could not yield to any Subordination or hold his Countrey in feud to a Superiour He also envied the Quechuas for the Esteem they had gained in the favour of the Inca by the Services which in the late War they had performed and by whose means and assistence the Victory was wrested from himself Nor could he endure to behold that people which was Inferiour and once truckled to him to stand now in equality and in competition with him for Honour and Power the which unpleasing imaginations so possessed his disquiet mind that contrary to the sense and opinion of the Lords and Nobles of his Countrey he resolved to purchase his own Liberty and absolute Power though with the loss and resignation of the Estate he possessed in his own Dominions In order hereunto he imparted his Resolutions to certain Indians who were his Friends and faithfull to his Interest giving them to understand that he could not support a Subjection to the Will and Dominion of another and therefore was resolved to Abandon his Native Patrimony and Inheritance to recover an Absolute Sovereignty in remote parts or dye in prosecution of it This design of Hanco-huallu being rumoured abroad amongst his people it was agreed that such Men as inclined to his party should with their Wives and Children depart privately in small Companies lest Numbers of People and Troops should make a noise and give jealousie to the Inca and that at length they should assemble and meet at a general Rendezvous in some place beyond the Dominions of the Inca where he himself would follow after them and appear in the Head of them as their King and Leader This seemed to be the most agreeable counsel and best expedient to recover their Liberty for that it were a folly and rashness to endeavour it by force or to set up their Power against the Puissance of the Inca Nay though such a design should seem feasible and practicable yet considering the gentleness of the Inca and with what kindness and humanity he had returned the Acts of Hostilities which they had offered him it would seem a part of ingratitude and perfidiousness which could not enter into the Breast of a Generous Prince to rise again in Arms against him But then to recover their Liberty by a peaceable surrender of their Estates and Power was not onely innocent and inoffensive but allowable also under the strictest circumstances and obligations by which they were bound to the Inca than whom there could not be a more benign and more indulgent King in the whole Universe With these Arguments and Reasons the brave Hanco-huallu prevailed on the minds of those to whom he first communicated his design and they whispering it one to the other it became the common discourse and found such a general approbation and concurrence that the Chancas who naturally loved their Lord and Sovereign were easily persuaded to run the fortune of their Prince so that in a short time they numbred 8000 fighting Men which in a Body marched out of their Countrey besides Women and Children under the Command and Conduct of the Valiant Hanco-huallu the fame of whose Courage and the fierceness of the Chancas who were always reputed for a fighting and warlike Nation struck such terrour in all places and regions through which they marched that none durst oppose or interrupt them in their passage The fear likewise of them caused the Inhabitants to furnish them with Provisions untill they came to the Provinces of Jarma and Pumpu which are about 70 Leagues distant from their own Countrey And though in this March they encountred certain inconsiderable Skirmishes and could
Mamacunas or Matrons to oversee them as those had which lived at Cozco and were governed by the same rules excepting that those who lived at Cozco were all of the true Royal Bloud and obliged to a perpetual Cloister and Virginity but these were Maids of all sorts and conditions provided that they were beautifull being not designed for Wives of the Sun but Concubines to the Inca. The same rigour of Law was practised against those who debauched and defiled the Women of the Inca as against those who became Adulterers with the Virgins espoused to the Sun for the crime being the same required the same punishment but as there was never any such offence committed so there was never any such severity executed but to confirm that there was such a Law we have the authority of Augustin de Carate who in the seventh Chapter of his second Book discoursing of the causes of the violent Death of Atahualpa hath these very words which I have copied out Verbatim being very much to our purpose And as saith he all the Allegations which were made hereupon were all pronounced by the Tongue of the same Filipillo he interpreted nothing but what made to his own purpose What might be the cause which moved him hereunto can never be certainly determined though it must be one of these two things either that this Indian entertained private Amours with one of the Wives of Atabaliba and expected by his death to enjoy her with more security which being come to the knowledge of Atabaliba he complained thereof to the Governour saying That he was more sensible of that misfortune than he was of his imprisonment and that no misery though accompanied with Death could touch him so nearly as this for that a common Indian of base extraction should esteem him at so mean a rate as to make him the subject of so high an affront in despight of that Law of their Countrey which assigned no less a punishment for it than that such offendour should be burnt alive with his Wives Fathers Children Brothers and all the rest of his Kindred nay the very Flocks and Herds of such an Adulterer were to be destroyed his Lands laid desolate and sowed with Salt his Trees eradicated from the very Roots his Houses demolished with many other inflictions of the like nature Thus far are the words of Augustin de Carate which serve to confirm what I have wrote concerning this matter and indeed I was pleased to have my words avouched by the testimony of this Spanish Cavalier For though other Historians mention this Law yet they onely say that it was with the Death of the Offendour omitting that of his Wife and Father and Relations and all the other Solemnities of this punishment whereby we may understand how grievous that offence was esteemed and how deeply that poor Inca Atahualpa resented it when in the Agony of his Heart he said That he felt it more than his Imprisonment and all other infelicities though attended with Death it self Those Women who had the honour to be extracted from these Houses for Concubines to the King were made uncapable of ever returning thither again but remained in the Court as Ladies and Attendants on the Queen untill such time as they were dismissed and licence given them to return into their own Countries where for ever afterwards they were provided with Houses and Revenue agreeable to their Quality and to the Dignity and Honour they had acquired by having been Mistresses to the Inca. Those who could not attain to this Honour were obliged to remain in their Cloister untill they were ancient and then had liberty either to continue till the time of their Death or to return to their own Countrey where they were treated with such respect as was due to the profession they had made CHAP. V. Of the Quality and Ornament of these Select Virgins and that they were not to be given unto any person whatsoever in Marriage THose Virgins which were dedicated or designed for the present King had the Title after his Death of Mothers to the Successour with the Addition also of Mamacuna which was a Name properly belonging to their Office which obliged them to teach and oversee the young Novices who were admitted for Concubines of the New Inca and treated by them as their Children and Daughters-in-law Every one of these Convents had its Governour or Superiour who was an Inca and whose business it was to provide all Necessaries for the use of these Wives of the Inca for though in reality they were but Concubines yet in respect and courtesie they gave them the Honourable title of Wives In every one of these Houses belonging to these Maidens separated for the use of the Inca all their Utensils and Services of the House were made of Gold and Silver as those were which belonged to the Wives of the Sun and to the famous Temple and as we shall hereafter declare to the Royal Palaces for indeed all the Gold and Silver and pretious Stones which were found and amassed in that great Empire were for the most part employed to no other use than to the Service and Adornment of the Temples of the Sun which were very numerous and of the Cloisters of those Virgins which were equally considerable and to embellish the Royal Palaces with agreeable pomp and magnificence the quantity consumed in the Services of Curacas and great Men was little and that chiefly in their Cups or drinking Vessels which was also limited and moderated according to such a degree of Weight and Number as the Inca was pleased to allow them there was also some small matter licensed for their Garments and Cloathing when the grand Festivals were celebrated It is a great errour and mistake of those who report that any of these separated Virgins might lawfully be given for Wives to the great Commanders and Captains by any favour or dispensation of the Inca for being once dedicated and consecrated for Wives of the Inca and admitted to that profession they were ever after rendred uncapable of so low a condescension as to own any other Husband for that were to prophane that Sacred Character whereby they were dedicated to the Inca and an injury to the Woman who thereby would be forced to renounce all the grandeur and privileges she enjoyed under the Reverend Title of one Married to the Inca that she might receive the less honourable condition of a private person And since it was a fundamental Law amongst them That none was to be injured much less ought any diminution to be offered to their Kings who as we have said were honoured and adored by them under the Notion of Gods. CHAP. VI. What Women those were whom the Inca presented and bestowed in Marriage THE truth is there were some Women of whom the Inca made Presents to such Curacas and Captains who by their Services had merited rewards from him but then these were but the Daughters of other Curacas which the Inca
Battel which followed and the Courage with which the Prince overcame his Enemies THE Prince Viracocha sent his Ambassadours to the Enemy then encamped at Sacsahuana with offers of peace and friendship promising to them Pardon and an Act of Oblivion for all that was past But the Chancas being well informed that the Inca Yahuar-huacac had left his City and retired into some remote part they were so encouraged thereby that though they knew that the Prince his Son was in Arms and in a posture to defend the City yet they so slighted his Ambassadours that they would not so much as hear them or give them Audience for being puft up with the vain opinion that the Father being fled the Son would speedily give place promised to themselves an assurance of Victory with these hopes next day following they removed their Camp from Sacsahuana and marched towards Cozco and though they made what haste they were able yet in regard they were to March in order of Battel the night came on before they could arrive at the Prince's Camp and therefore they pitched about half a League short of the Enemies Quarter Notwithstanding which the Inca Viracocha dispatched other Messengers to them with Tenders of Peace and Pardon but the Chancas still continued obstinate not vouchsasing other Answer than with great scorn and disdain saying That to morrow it should be determined who deserved the Title of King and in whose power it was to offer Peace and Conditions of Pardon This Answer being given both Armies remained the whole night upon their Guard with Centinels set on each side and in the morning by break of day the Squadrons Arming themselves with great Noise and Shouts with sound of Trumpets and Timbrels and Cornets they began the on-set The Inca Viracocha marching in the head of his Army was he that threw the first Dart at the Enemy with which the Battel began The Chancas in hopes of Victory of which they seemed to be assured fought with great resolution And the Incas who did not despair neither of success adventured to rescue the Life of their Prince and revenge the affront which the Rebels offered The Fight continued untill Noon being maintained with equal Courage on both sides the slaughter was great and not as yet determined to which party the Victory inclined At length the 5000 Indians which lay in Ambush made their sally and with extraordinary resolution and shouts attacking the right Wing of the Enemy began to give a turn to Fortune for being fresh they so pressed the Chancas that they were forced to give way and retreat with great loss and slaughter Howsoever animating one the other they engaged a second time endeavouring to recover the Ground which they had lost being enraged to meet that opposition which they never expected and so much difficulty in attaining a Victory which they promised to themselves with so much ease and assurance After this second onset they fought two hours longer the advantage still continuing doubtfull and uncertain At length the Chancas growing tired and weary began to faint and observing that fresh recruits continually re-inforced the Army of the Incas the Chancas became discouraged and desperate of Victory For those people who before were fled from the City with fear and the Neighbouring Countries thereabouts having received intelligence that the Prince Viracocha was returned and made head against the Enemy in defence of the Temple of the Sun they joined together into small Bodies of fifty and a hundred in a Company and in such Troops rushed into the Battel with more noise than numbers The Incas observing these unexpected succours to come in cried out that the Sun and the God Viracocha had converted the Rocks and Stones of the Countrey into Men and had raised them up to fight in defence of his own cause and people the which report took the easier impression in the minds of that people who being accustomed to the belief of superstitious Fables were willing in this exigence to support their courage with the power of a Miracle The Chancas also who were a people of the like superstitious fancy giving ready credence to this rumour were strook and affrighted with a strange amazement and this belief so far dilated and radicated it self afterwards in the minds of the simple people of the whole Kingdom that it was accounted an Impiety and a piece of Atheism and Prophaneness to distrust or question the truth of this report Of which Geronimo Roman writing in his Treatise of the West-Indies and in the 11th Chapter of his second Book speaking particularly of this Battel hath these very words It is certain according to the report of all the Indians who discourse of that famous Battel that the Inca remained Master of the Field and won the day and they farther believe that by a miraculous power of the Sun the Stones of the Field were Metamorphosed or transformed into Men and arose up in Battel against the Enemy and that this was done in accomplishment of that promise which was given to the Valiant Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui for so also they give this Title to the Prince Viracocha These are the Words of that curious Arthour of the aforementioned Book who in the said Chapter touches many points in brief of which we have recited some and shall farther have occasion to touch on others in the Sequel of this History of the Kings of Peru. In like manner Acosta mentions the Vision which appeared to Viracocha though there be some difference in the proper Names belonging to the Kings of that Age. And indeed both he and other Writers mention this Battel as other matters with such brevity that they seem almost to pass it by as a matter inconsiderable And indeed for the most part all the Relations which the Spaniards give of the Indians are very intricate and confused the which we may lawfully attribute to the little knowledge they had of their Language and the loss of those Knots which were the Monuments and Characters of their History howsoever they deliver the substance of them without any regard either to time or order but in what manner or method soever that they are wrote I am yet pleased to recite the passages which they deliver that so by their Authority I may be acquitted of the Scandal of writing Fables for if they prove such they ought to be esteemed the Fictions of my Parents and such as the Spaniards themselves have heard and perhaps believed though not with such Faith as I have done who sucked in those Stories with my Milk and received a deep impression of them in the time of my tender Infancy This Acosta farther proceeds in these words which I have copied from the 21st Chapter of his sixth Book Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui reigned 70 Years and made great Conquests the principal cause and original of his success was occasioned by his Elder Brother who taking upon him the Government by consent of his Father was overthrown
Wisedom to answer all their Enquiries From which time it became a Custome to consult all matters of State with the Oracle Pachacamac and to make common and vulgar Enquiries at Rimac which because they were many and that this Oracle was ever solicited with a multitude of Demands he was called the prating Oracle for being obliged to answer all it was necessary for him to talk much the which passage Blas Valera touches briefly in his History And now at length the Inca Pachacutec thought it convenient to desist for some years from farther progress in his Conquests over the new Provinces by which time of Peace his Armies would be able to recover and refresh themselves and he having leisure thereby to attend his Civil Government might also have means to enoble his Kingdoms with magnificent Edifices Laws and Rites and Ceremonies agreeable to the new Reformation he was making in Religion that so his Actions might correspond with the signification of his Name and his Fame eternized for a great and wife King in Government for a sanctified High-Priest in Religion and for a great Captain in War and indeed the truth is he gained more Provinces than any of his Fore-fathers and enriched the Temple more than any particular Inca before him for he plated all the Walls with Leaves of Gold both of the Temple and Chambers and Cloisters about it In that place where formerly was the Image of the Sun is now the Altar of the Blessed Sacrament and those Cloisters serve now for Processions at the times of Festivals that Fabrick being now the Convent of St. Dominick For which happy Alteration may the blessed Name of the Eternal Majesty be for ever praised and exalted CHAP. XXXII Of the Conquest over the King Chimu and the cruel War against him AT the end of six years the Inca Pachacutec finding his Kingdoms rich and happy by the advantages of so long a Peace commanded an Army of thirty thousand Men to be raised to subdue those Vallies which lie along the Coast of Cassamarca and which were the confines of his Empire on the side or at the foot of the high Mountain The Anny being raised was commanded by four Major Generals under his Son the Prince Yupanqui for he having been exercised for some years under the Instructions and Example of that famous Commander his Uncle was now become so good a Proficient in War that he was capable to conduct and lead an Army on the most difficult and hazardous Design And for Yupanqui Brother to the Inca and whom he justly called his Right-hand he desired to stay and keep company with him that so he might rest and take repose after his many and great labours in reward of which and for his Royal Vertues he bestowed upon him the Name and Title of his Lieutenant General and second Person in all matters and causes relating to War and Peace with absolute Power and Command in all parts of his Empire The Army being in a readiness the Prince marched with a Detachment of about ten thousand Men by way of the Mountain untill he came to the Province of Yauyu which lies overagainst the City of the Kings or Kings-town where he made some stay untill the rest of his Army was come up to him with which being joined he marched to Rimac where the prating Oracle had its Temple To this Prince Yupanqui the Indians attribute the honour of being the first who made Discovery of the South-Sea and subdued many Provinces in those parts as will appear more at large in the History of his Life The Prince being in those parts was met by the Curaca of Pachacamac called Cuysmancu and of Runahuanac named Chuquimancu who with their Souldiers received him with much Honour and with intention to serve him in the War and the Prince on the other side gratified them with demonstrations of his usual Favours and Bounty From the Valley of Rimac they went to visit the Temple of Pachacamac where they entred with a profound silence without vecal Prayer or Sacrifice onely with signs of mental Devotion as we have before expressed Thence he made his Visit to the Temple of the Sun where he offered many Sacrifices and other gifts both of Gold and Silver And to please the Yuncas he visited the Idol Rimac and in compliance with the late Capitulations between the Inca and them he commanded many Sacrifices to be offered and enquiry to be made of that Oracle concerning the success of that expedition to which having received answer that the design should be prosperous he marched forward to that Valley which the Indians called Huaman and named now by the Spaniards the Barranca from whence he sent his usual Summons to a certain Lord called Chimu who commanded all the Vallies reaching from the Barranca to the City Truxillo and are many in number but the chief and most principal of them are five namely Parmunca Huallmi Santa Huanapu and Chimu which is the Countrey in which Truxillo is situated and are all five most pleasant and fruitfull Vallies and well peopled the Prince giving himself the Title of the powerfull Chimu from the name of that Province where he kept his Court. He also took on himself the Title of King being feared and honoured by all his Neighbours who bordered on his Countrey that is to the East North and South for to the West he was confined by the Sea. This great and powerfull Chimu having received these Summons gave a quick Answer That he was ready with his Weapons in his Hands to desend his Countrey Laws and Liberties that he would not know nor receive new Gods and that the Inca should take this for a positive Answer without seeking farther Resolution or Query in the case Upon this Answer the Prince Yupanqui marched as far as the Valley Parmunca where he expected to meet and engage with his Enemy and had not long attended before they appeared with a strong band of Souldiers who readily made trial of the Force and Valour of the Incas the Fight was sharp and long in defence of a Pass which notwithstanding the resistence made by them the Incas possessed and lodged themselves in it many being slain and wounded on both sides At length the Prince observing the resolution with which these Yuncas defended themselves and that this confidence proceeded from a contempt of his small numbers sent unto his Father an account of all his proceedings desiring him to supply him with a recruit of twenty thousand Men not that he would relieve his Army as he had formerly done and thereby give time and breath to the Enemy but that he might be enabled to fall upon them with a double force These Advices being dispatched to the Inca the Prince closely attended to all the advantages of War in which he sound himself much assisted by the two Curacas of Pachacamac and Runahuanac who having formerly been mortal Enemies to Chimu on the old Quarrels about their Confines and Pasturage making
and sometimes of another though the generality followed the Advice of Quizquiz who was of opinion that the Inca ought to be well guarded lest his Fate should be like to that of his Brother Atahualpa who trusting to the good Nature and generous Disposition of Strangers fell into those snares wherein he perished But whilst they were thus in Dispute and controverting the matter the Inca spake to them in this manner Sons and Brethren of mine We are now going to demand Justice of those whom we esteem for Persons who are descended from our God Viracocha and who at their first entrance into these our Countries declared that it was their sole and proper Design to administer Justice to all the World so that I cannot imagine that they should refuse the concession and grant of that which is so just and reasonable as our Claim and Title to the Kingdom for if these people are of the true Race and Off-spring of the Sun as our Forefathers were who taught us Truth for a Principle and that our Actions are to square and correspond with our Words and Promises then certainly they cannot deny what they have so solemnly engaged to perform for if they do why should we longer esteem them Godlike or to have any thing of Divinity in them who so palpably disown it by their Tyranny and falseness For my part I would rather confide in the Reason and Justice of our Cause than in our Power and Arms for if they be as they pretend Messengers from the God Pachacamac they will fear to offend him knowing that there is nothing more inconsistent with the Divine Nature than Injustice and especially in those who being made his Ministers for the execution thereof do usurp that to themselves which is the Right and Property of another Let us therefore go to them armed with the Justice of our Cause for if they are Gods as we believe them to be they will act like the true and legitimate Off-spring of the Sun and like our Incas will readily yield our Empire to us For our Ancestours did never deprive the Curacas of their Hereditary Rights nor take a Forfeiture of them in the Case of Rebellion much less ought these Spaniards to devest us of our Inheritance and of our Empire who did never oppose them but rather yield and resign up all upon their first Summons Let us therefore go to them in a peaceable manner for if we go armed they will imagine we intend to make War upon them and with that pretence deny the most reasonable thing we can demand for covetous Men armed with Power are glad of the least excuse or pretence to deny that which is required of them Instead of our Arms let us carry such Presents with us as may serve to appease the Anger of enraged Men and pacifie the Displeasure of offended Gods. Let us gather what Gold and Silver and pretious Stones we can gather let us take what Birds and Beasts we can get as also the best and most delitious Fruits that our Countrey yields and with these let us in the best manner we are able present our selves before them for though the Ancient Power and force of our Kings is low and failing yet let us still keep up the Honour of a truly Noble and Royal Spirit of the Incas And if all this will not prevail with them to restore unto us our Empire we may then absolutely conclude that the Prophecy left unto us by our Father Huayna Capac is accomplished that our Monarchy is to be translated to a foreign and stranger Nation our political Government destroyed and our Religion abolished part of which Prophecy we our selves have seen fulfilled and if the Pachacamac hath so ordained these things what can we doe but submit and obey Let them doe what they please but let not us be wanting either to the Rules of Reason or Justice When the Inca had uttered these Words with a Majesty becoming his Quality and Condition the Captains and Curacas burst out into Tears lamenting to consider that the time was now coming which would be the ultimate Term and Period of their Empire Having wept a while and dried their Eyes the Curacas and Officers made provision of such things as the Inca had appointed and prepared such an Equipage as might become the Majesty of their King though inferiour to the Train and Magnificence of his Ancestours In this manner he travelled to Cozco attended with many Curacas and Lords together with their Relations and Dependents for of his own Kindred there remained but few who had escaped from the Cruelty and Tyranny of Atahualpa At the News of their near approach all the Spaniards both Horse and Foot came forth to meet and receive them at a far distance from the City So soon as the Governour was come near to the Inca he alighted from his Horse as also the Inca did from his Chair which was not as formerly made of Gold but of Wood for though the Counsellours of the Inca advised him to take his Chair of Gold and march in that State which became the Dignity and wear the coloured Wreath about his Head yet he refused both one and the other esteeming it very improper for him who was a Petitioner and came to ask the Restitution of his Kingdom to appear before them with the Ensigns of his Regality as if he intended in despight of the Spaniards by appearing with the Badge of his Regal Power to assume and vindicate the Possession and Dominion of his Empire wherefore he judged it more proper for him to wear the Wreath of a pale yellow Colour for that as he said the Viracochas meaning the Spaniards would understand him thereby to be the true Heir apparent of the Kingdom In short being come near one to the other the Governour made his Reverence to the Inca after the Castilian manner and bid him welcome and the Inca replied that he was come to serve and adore those whom they esteemed for Gods and as Messengers sent from the supreme Pachacamac Their Words were few and their Discourse short for want of good Interpreters after which the Governour presently retired to give place to the other Spaniards and to his two Brothers John and Gonçalo Piçarro The Inca being advertised that these two were Brothers of the Apu which is Captain General he embraced and shewed them great respect for it is observable that the Inca before he came to this Interview with the Spaniards had provided himself with a certain Indian who was well acquainted with the Spaniards and gave him notice of the several Captains and Commanders and Officers and of their Degrees and Qualities This Indian was Servant to a Spaniard and informed a Curaca which stood near to the King of every Man's condition which he accordingly whispered him so that being advertised thereof he treated every Man with some kind of difference testifying to all in general his Love and Affection for them which he
persons that he had confiscated the Goods and Estates of other Men and converted them to his own use that he had made a division of Indians and reparted them amongst his friends without any Commission from his Majesty that at present he came with an Army against the Standard-Royal and gave defiance to the Governour who was established by the King's Commission And farther to justifie his cause he did there in hearing of all his Army by virtue of the Power committed to him by his Majesty pronounce sentence against Almagro proclaiming him Rebel and Traytor and for his crimes did condemn him to die and lose all his estate both real and personal requiring all the Captains and the whole Army to be aiding and assisting to him in the execution of this Sentence which he declared by virtue of a Commission from his Majesty whereby he was constituted and appointed Chief Minister and Governour of that Empire The Sentence being given Vaca de Castro concluded that according to the Answer of Almagro which evidenced a resolution to persist in his rebellion there was no farther place to hope for Peace by way of Treaty Wherefore he put his people into a posture of defence having received intelligence that Almagro and his Army were approaching near Having drawn his Forces into the Field he made them a Speech telling them That they were to consider who they were from whence they came and for whom and for what cause they were to fight that the possession and enjoyment of that whole Empire was held up to them for a reward and prize to the Conquerours if they were overcome neither he nor they could escape death and if on the contrary they won the Field they would be for ever happy for besides the duty and obligation incumbent on them as true and loyal Subjects to serve their King they would remain Lords and Possessours of all the Divisions of Land which had been already made with the vast Wealth and Riches thereof and for ever to enjoy the same in peace and quietness And so to those who were not as yet so well provided with possessions he did promise them in the Name and Word of his Majesty to divide and set out Lands to them for reward of their Loyalty and Service to their King. In short he told them that he knew there was no need of long Speeches and Exhortations to incite Courage in such Noble Cavaliers and Valiant Souldiers and though he was well assured they would be forward in action yet they should see him their Leader to be the first who should break his Lance in the Front against his Enemies Answer was made hereunto with common voice that they would all dye rather than be overcome and since every Man esteemed himself equally concerned in this Enterprize they earnestly intreated the Governour not to hazard himself in the Front of the Battel but rather conserve his own Person on whose safety the Welfare of the whole Army did greatly depend and that he would please with a Guard of thirty Horse to retire to some place in the Rere from whence he might see how the Battel went and accordingly order and apply Succours to that part which he judged to be most hardly beset and oppressed in compliance with the importunity of his Captains the Governour consented to take his station in the Rere in which posture they expected the coming of Almagro whose Quarters were about two Leagues from thence and the day following the Scouts returned with news that the Enemy was come within half a League with design to give them Battel Hereupon the Governour immediately drew out his Forces into Battalia On the right hand of the Infantry he placed the Royal Standard desended by Alonso de Alvarado and carried by Christopher de Barrientos Native of Ciudad-rodrigo and Inhabitant of Truxillo where Pedro Alvarez Holguin was possessed of a great Estate and Jurisdiction over the Indians Gomez de Alvarado Garçilasso de la Vega and Pedro Ançures who were Captains of Horse flanked the Foot on the left Wing Carate saith in the 18th Chapter of his fourth Book That these Commanders marched very orderly keeping their Colours and Companies in an equal line they themselves being in the first rank and that the Infantry Commanded by the Captains Pedro de Vergara and John Valez de Guevara marched between the two Wings and Squadrons of Horse and that Nunno de Castro who Commanded the Harquebusiers was placed in the Van to begin the Fight and being repulsed to retire into the main Body Vaca de Castro remained with his thirty Horse in the Rere at some distance from the main Body from whence he might be able to observe all that passed and accordingly apply succours and relief where occasion did most require Thus far Carate Pedro de Alvarado wore over his Arms a Coat of white Satten slashed and pinked saying That when Archers shoot at Butts there are very few which hit the white Mark. In this posture they remained in expectation of the coming of Almagro who by this time was entred the Plain and encamped on the ridge of a Hill so far distant from the Royal Army as was out of Cannon-shot Pedro Suarez Serjeant-Major who had been long a Souldier in Italy and trained up to the War soon perceived the advantage they had of the ground and drew up his Squadrons in form and manner to answer those of the Enemy His Insantry he flanked on one side and the other with Wings of Horse Commanded by his Captain-General John Balsa and Major-General Pedro d' Onnate and the Captains were John Tello de Guzman Diego Mendez John de Onna Martin de Bilbao Diego de Hojeda and Malavez All which were brave fellows and well resolved to conquer the Empire and acquire Dominion over the poor Vassals of that Countrey The Serjeant-Major placed all the Artillery in the Front of which Pedro de Candia was chief Master or Captain bearing directly on that side of the Enemy where it was possible for them to be attacked And then he went to Almagro who with a Guard of eight or ten Men was placed in the midst between the Horse and Foot and said to him in this manner Sir your Lordship hath now all your Forces so advantageously drawn up under the defence of your Cannon that if you please but to continue in this order and not to move from it you may overcome your Enemies either without push of the Lance or stroke of Sword For let the Enemy come which way they will you must break and destroy them with your Cannon before they can come within shot of Musquet But by that time that things could be thus ordered and disposed it was towards the Evening when the Sun was onely two hours high Vaca de Castro and his Council were much divided in their opinions whether they should engage that day or not Francisco de Carvajal who was Serjeant-Major and an experienced Souldier was of opinion that
obeyed laying a Tax or Imposition on the People according to the numbers of those Indians they held and taking them away from others caused them all to be held as of the King. In this manner he passed through Piura and Truxillo proclaiming the new Laws as he went and causing them to be executed without admitting any Petition or Argument thereupon And though the Inhabitants alledged that this method of proceeding was not justifiable without hearing the Objections they had to produce unto the contrary and that the Laws were not to be enforced without knowledge of the Cause or publication of his Power or Commission in a Court of Judicature it being expresly signified by his Majesty that those new Laws were to be published in Court in presence of the Vice-king and four Judges Howsoever the Vice-king unmoved by any reasons or persuasions proceeded resolutely to execute them threatning those who refused to obey them the which struck great terrour and confusion into the minds of the People considering that the Laws were general and comprehensive of all sort of People without any qualification or restriction And herein this Vice-king was so positive that so soon as he was landed on the Coast of Peru he dispatched his Emissaries before him to the City of Los Reyes and to Cozco giving them to understand that he being arrived within those Dominions the whole power and authority as Vice-king devolved upon him and that thereupon the Commission and Command of Vaca de Castro was superseded Some few days before these advices were brought to the City of Los Reyes the whole tenure of the new Regulations dispatched from the King by Blasco Nunnez Vela were made known by the Copies which were dispersed in all places so that the Corporation of Los Reyes dispatched away the Advices thereof to Antonio de Ribera and John Alonso Palomino desiring them to make Vaca de Castro acquainted therewith but he was not ignorant before of all that passed for his Servant in Spain called James de Aller being informed of the new Statutes and Regulations speedily posted with them to his Master in Cozco so that he was informed of every particular before the Vice-king arrived Thus far is reported by the Writings of Fernandez de Palentino and generally all the Historians agree with him in the same Relation CHAP. II. Judge Vaca de Castro goes to the City of Los Reyes and discharges those who went with him upon the way The great noise and disturbance which the Execution of the new Laws occasioned and the mutinous words which the People uttered thereupon THE Governour Vaca de Castro having received information of the approach of the Vice-king Blasco Nunnez Vela and of the tenure of the Laws which he brought with him and that he put them in execution with all the vigour imaginable without hearing any man speak or admitting any Petition to the contrary he thought fit to secure his own interest and party by a due compliance with him in order whereunto he went to the City of Los Reyes there to receive him for Vice-king And though the Corporation of the City of Rimac sent their Emissaries Antonio de Ribera and John Alonso Palamino to him and also others from the City of Cozco and other parts persuading him not to goe in person to the Vice-king but rather to send a Message to him in the name of all the People desiring him to suspend the execution of the new Laws And whereas this Vice-king by reason of his rough and obstinate humour had rendred himself uncapable of Office by not giving ear to the complaints and aggrievances which his Majesty's good Subjects offered to him shewing nothing but fierceness in the execution of matters of the smallest moment they were generally of opinion that he should be rejected and not admitted to the Government and that in case Vaca de Castro would not concurr with them herein they did not doubt but to fix upon another person who should join with them in the opposition which they intended to make By this obstinacy and fierceness of the Vice-king all Peru was put into a flame and the humours of the people into a fermentation there was now no other talk or discourse over all Peru than of the new Laws the contents of which the Messengers of the Vice-king whom he had sent before to take up his quarters had openly divulged in all places and thereunto the rumour of the people as is common in such cases had aggravated the severity thereof the more to provoke and incense the people Hereupon Vaca de Castro prepared himself for his Journey to Los Reyes and being upon his departure from Cozco he was accompanied with a numerous Train of Citizens and Souldiers for being a person well beloved there would not have remained so much as one person in the City if he would have accepted of their attendance and being on his way he was met by Messengers from the Vice-king giving him to understand that his Commission for the Government was now superseded by his arrival in those parts and that he was to receive and acknowledge him for the chief Governour of that Countrey to all which Vaca de Castro chearfully submitted and desisted from exercising the power of his Office but before that time by a Writing under his hand he had bestowed and settled several Plantations of Indians on certain persons who had by their services and sufferings well deserved the favour and reward of his Majesty being such of whose merits he had been an eye-witness or at least had received sufficient Testimonials of their loyalty and good services before he came to the administration of the Government The Messengers which the Vice-king sent before to provide for his entertainment gave a relation in all places in what manner the new Laws were put in practice and how enforced how he had freed the Indians in Panama from their duty and vassalage to the Spaniards against whose will and in despight of whom he had embarked and sent them away to Peru how he had in Tumpiz St. Michael's and Truxillo laid a Tax upon some Lands and freed others and settled them all in Capite to be held of the King according to the rules prescribed by the new Laws without any consideration of difference or distinction of cases but made all things equal without admitting of provisoes or reservations or hearing what any man had to alledge but with an unshaken resolution pretended that so was his Majesty's pleasure The which so much enraged the people who accompanied Vaca de Castro that most of them returned back to Cozco without so much as taking their leave of the Governour pretending that they could not appear before a man so fierce and arbitrary without danger of being by him condemned to the Gallows Howsoever they gave out that when the Auditours and Justices came they would then appear to give in their plea and reasons against such proceedings yet in the
opposition to the King's service or accept the charge of Procuratour or Captain for them but they on the other side insisted on the justice of their cause and the lawfulness of the enterprize arguing that if the design of conquering the Indians were justifiable then likewise it was lawfull to bring them into vassalage that it was not in the power of the Emperour to deprive them of the people and slaves which he once had given them or recall his donation having bestowed them on several persons in consideration of marriage That it was as lawfull for them to defend the vassals which they had gained and privileges as for the Gentlemen of Castile their liberties which were granted to them by the Kings for having been aiding to them in the Wars against the Moors and on the same terms might they insist who had wrested those dominions out of the hands of Idolaters In fine they concluded that they were not resolved to trouble themselves about these Laws or supplicate or intreat against them for that they found no obligation in the least to acknowledge or receive them notwithstanding all which there were some who maintained the honour and the Loyalty which was owing to the King and declared the folly of these men who upon pretence of maintaining their own rights and immunities contradicted and opposed that Loyalty to which they were all engaged and made themselves States-men in matters of which they were all ignorant but all this was to no purpose to inculcate matters unto men who were deaf and resolved not to hear or understand but this rash language stopped not here but proceeded to farther extravagances and Souldiers began to speak ill of the Government and reflect upon the Emperour himself imagining that such threats would mollifie his displeasure and incline him to favour towards such brutes as themselves To aggravate all which they reported that Blasco Nunnez was an unexperienced person in affairs obstinate an enemie to the rich men an Almagrian who had hanged a Priest in Tumbez and hanged and quartered a servant of Gonçalo Piçarro because he was an enemie to Diego de Almagro for having brought the command for putting Piçarro to death and for the punishment of those who had joyned with him in the battel of Salines And to accomplish all the evil sayings which could be alledged against him they reported that he prohibited wine and to eat spices and sugar and to wear silk cloaths and to travail with Hamocks or Bedding And thus with these reports some true and some false Piçarro made his ends and advantages being willing and ready to take hold of any pretence to ground his Title of Captain General or Procuratour General supposing that he might according to our Proverb be enabled hereby To enter in at the sleeve and come out at the collar Thus was Piçarro chosen and elected Procuratour General of Cozco which was the Metropolis of Peru in like manner the Corporations of Guamanga the Town of Plate and other places concurred in the same choice and the Souldiery gave him the Title of their Captain General with full and ample Authority to be their Agent and Plenipotentiary promising to stand to whatsoever he should agree and consent unto in their names And on the other side he took the usual Oath which is commonly administred on such occasions After this Piçarro set up his Standard beat up his Drums and seized all the Gold in the Exchequer belonging to the King and there being a good Magazine of Arms at Chupas he made use of them and armed 400 men therewith both of Horse and Foot. Those persons who were concerned in the Government namely Altamirano Maldonado Garçilasso de la Vega and others considering farther of this matter did upon second thoughts begin to repent of the power they had passed over unto Gonçalo Piçarro knowing how fast he had them by the hand when they onely had hold of him by the finger howsoever they thought not fit to revoke their power though privately and in their hearts they wished that they could handsomely have retracted it Thus far are the words of Francisco Lopez extracted verbatim from his own Writings But to explain the meaning of these Authours who write something confusedly upon this point and seem to describe the minds of these people as if they were overmuch prompted to rebellion which afterwards too manifestly appeared by the success Howsoever we are to understand that when Gonçala Piçarro was by consent of the people elected and chosen Procuratour or Adjutant General they entertained no imagination or thought of vindicating their rights and privileges with the Sword but their meaning onely was in an humble and plain manner to make their Address and lay their case before the Chief Governour representing as Loyal Subjects their great merit in the conquest of that Empire and annexing of it to the Crown of Spain supposing that in case the Vice-king would onely vouchsafe to hear them their cause was so just as could not be rejected even at the Bar or Judicature of the most barbarous Nations of the World. This was certainly the true meaning and original intentions of the four Cities at the beginning when they dispatched their Agents with full and ample power to signifie their concurrence in the election and choice of Gonçalo Piçarro to be their Representative but such was the rude and turbulent spirit of the Vice-king and the rumours and reports which every day filled the City of Cozco concerning the extravagances which he acted that Gonçala Piçarro thought it not fit to trust the safety of his person to bare Papers or the dead letter of Laws though never so much in his favour but rather to provide in prudence to secure his person with Arms and a forcible defence as we shall understand by the sequel of this Story And indeed herein Gonçalo Piçarro wisely considered that he had to doe with a wild brute Beast rigorous and positive to execute the new Laws against whom there was no defence but power for the Vice-king had often declared that he brought with him a Command from the Emperour to take off his head to secure which he resolved to goe attended with a company of about two hundred Souldiers appointed for a guard to his person but that he would neither carry Ensigns or Colours or name Captains lest it should look too much like a martial force or savour of a rebellion And this doctrine was notified and interpreted by the Judges of every City declaring that their intention was nothing but to act by way of Petition for conservation of their own rights which being so reasonable they could not doubt but to obtain favour from their King and Prince therein and upon this ground they advised Piçarro to dispose himself to act in form and manner of one who was by way of Address to represent the state and condition of the peoples aggrievances in regard they entertained no other thoughts and intentions than
Fernandez Palentino adds as follows When news was brought to the Vice-king of these ill Successes he greatly resented them clearly now perceiving that his Affairs went cross and that the affections of the people were tainted with rebellion Howsoever that he might in some manner revenge the disloyalty of Captain Gançalo Diaz who had so ignominiously broken his faith and word with him and since he could not inflict a punishment on his person he caused the Colours or Ensign of his Company to be trailed along through the Market-place in the sight and view of the Captains Souldiers and of all the City and commanded the Serjeants and Ensign of the Company of Gonçalo Diaz and of all the other Companies to run the points of their Lances into his Colours and tear them in pieces in dishonour and to the ignominy of the absent Captain but Gomez Estacio who was Ensign to that Company and other the Associates who were to support the Colours were not a little netled at this Affront as if it had in some manner reflected upon themselves and more particularly Gomez Estacio found himself aggrieved because the Vice-king had commanded him to trail the Colours with his own hand and from that time he became disaffected to the Vice-king and a friend to the Cause and Party of Gonçalo Piçarro And though it be granted that many did approve the action of Gonçalo Diaz and did agree that the dishonour shewed to his Colours was but just and no more than what his infidelity deserved Howsoever they were well enough pleased to see the power of the Vice-king weakened whose ruine and down-fall they desired by the better fortune and success of Gonçalo Piçarro Thus did nothing thrive which the Vice-king acted but all turned to his prejudice of which he was sensible though he strove to conceal his inward trouble and put the best face upon it that he could Thus far are the words of Diego Fernandez And now men who were disaffected began to blame the Council which was given to the Vice-king to send Gonçalo Diaz against his Father-in-law and as other Authours say it was much wondered that the Vice-king should be so much overseen as not to consider the inconvenience of engaging the Son-in-law against the Father between whom there had been no quarrel or ground of displeasure And in like manner reflecting on the concernment of Gomez Estacio Ensign of Gonçalo divers were of opinion that it was an Affront given him without any Cause and that it was improperly done to command him who had in no manner been engaged in the Treason of his Captain to be an Executioner of a disgrace which could not be acted without great reflexion on himself Thus did the hatred which men had conceived against the Vice-king turn all the actions he did to a bad interpretation CHAP. XII A Pardon and safe Conduct is given to Gaspar Rodriguez and his Friends His death and of divers others NOW to set forth what these Authours report of Gaspar Rodriguez whom Carate sometimes mentions by the name of Gaspar de Rojas we are to observe that he was a brother of the good Capain Perançures de Campo rotondo who was slain in the battel of Chupas and after his death he came to the inheritance and possession of his Indians which Vaca de Castro bestowed upon him by special Grant. This was the Gentleman who rashly and without consideration seized upon the Cannon which were at Huamanca and carried them to Cozco and was greatly engaged in the designs of Gonçalo Piçarro but observing that many of the principal Citizens who had taken part with Piçarro had relinquished his Cause and fled from him he also resolved to follow their example and revolt to the Vice-king but being conscious of his Crime in carrying away the Cannon he thought it best and most secure to obtain a Pardon for the same both as to life and estate before he trusted himself in the hands of the Vice-king whom he knew to be a man of a morose and severe disposition and one who would not spare him in case he fell into his hands without such a Precaution and to make his access and pardon the more easie by an appearance of some signal service he treated with some friends of his persuading them to pass over to the other party following the example of those other noble Citizens who had lately done the like and with them he so prevailed that they resolved on the point and as a preparation thereunto to demand their Pardon first and to receive a Protection or Letter of safe conduct freely to come and offer their service But whilst these Matters were in agitation Pedro de Puelles as the Authours report arrived very opportunely for had his coming been delayed but three days longer it is the general opinion that all the Army of Gonçalo Piçarro had of themselves been dispersed and disbanded Howsoever these new recruit did not alter and remove the intentions of Gaspar Rodriguez and his Companions from their former purpose in pursuance of which they communicated their design to a certain Priest a Native of Madrid called Baltasar de Loaysa with whom after I was acquainted in Madrid in the year 1563. I cannot say that I knew him before being very young though he knew me very well when I was a child being a friend of my father's and one who had a general acquaintance with all the noble families of that Empire Gaspar de Rodriguez and his friends treated with this Priest who was more fit for a Souldier than a Priest and persuaded him to take a journey in their behalf to Los Reyes and to obtain a Pardon for them with a Letter of Licence for their Security and with that occasion that he should give an account of the number of those who were come lately to join with Piçarro and of those who were gone off and to assure him that the Affairs of Piçarro stood on that uncertain foundation that so soon as he and his accomplices were gone off that all the other Forces of Gonçalo Piçarro would speedily disband With this Message Baltasar de Loaysa privately departed from the Camp of which so soon as Piçarro had notice he immediately sent after him to fetch him back but having taken a by-way out of the common road they missed of him and he got safe to Rimac where the good news he brought made him welcome to the Vice-king for the intention of Gaspar Rodriguez and his Companions was of great importance to him the joy whereof the Vice-king not being able to suppress and esteeming it necessary to be divulged for the encouragement of his people the secret took air and was made publick which being with all expedition wrote back to Gonçalo Piçarro Gaspar Rodriguez was seized with his Companions and were all afterwards put to death Howsoever before that was known Baltasar de Loaysa was dispatched with the Pardon and Letters of safe-conduct which he desired
which was no sooner done but it was divulged over all the City as Carate reports whose authority we rather follow in these passages than any other because he was present at these transactions and thereupon the Citizens and other persons who were inclined and secretly well-affected to the Cause of Gonçalo Piçarro and his Party did really imagine that in case he were deserted by Gaspar Rodriguez and his Accomplices it would strike so great a damp to Gonçalo Piçarro and his Souldiers as would cause them to disperse and break up their Camp as despairing of their design and then the Vice-king would remain triumphant to execute his new Laws without any contradiction or restraint upon him to prevent which some of the Citizens and Souldiers resolved amongst themselves to send a party of light Horse after him hoping speedily to overtake him It was in the month of September 1544 when Loaysa with one person onely in his company called Hernando de Cavallos left the Town and the next night afterwards was pursued by twenty five light Horsemen the principal of which were Don Baltasar de Castilla the Son of Count Gomera Lorenço Mexia Rodrigo de Salazar well known for his crouch-back and was the person famous for taking Don Diego de Almagro Junior in Cozco there were also with them Diego de Carvajal surnamed the Gallant and Francisco de Escobedo Francisco de Carvacal Pedro Martin de Cicilia alias Pedro Martin de Don Benito with others to the number of twenty five all which company together travailed with so much expedition and diligence that in less than fourty Leagues distance from Los Reyes they overtook Loaysa and took all his papers and dispatches from him and sent them away by a Souldier who crossing the Countrey came by a shorter cut than the common road to the Camp of Piçarro and acquainted him with the whole matter who at first secretly communicated it to Francisco de Carvajal who was lately made his Major General in the place of Alonso de Poro who was fallen sick then he imparted it to other Captains and Persons of quality who were not privy nor concerned in the Confederacy and having considered of the matter amongst themselves they all generally agreed some from a principle of particular enmity others from envy others from covetousness fearing to lose their Indians and their Possessions that it was necessary for example unto others and to deter them from the like perfidiousness to punish this act of Treachery with the greatest severity and accordingly it was concluded amongst those who were unconcerned in this safe Conduct and Pardon to kill Gaspar de Rojas Philip de Gutierez the son of Alonso de Gutierez who was Treasurer to his Majesty and born at Madrid and also Arias Maldonado a Gentleman of Galicia who with Philip Gutierez had loitered two or three days Journey behind in Guamanga upon pretence of certain businesses to be done there in order to their Journey but during their stay at that place Gonçalo Piçarro dispeeded Pedro de Puelles with a party of Horse to take off their Heads but the execution of Gaspar Rodriguez was more difficult for he was then a Captain in the Field and actually at the head of almost two hundred Lances and being a person very rich of great interest and very popular they could not act their design publickly upon him and therefore they had recourse to this Strategeme Gonçalo Piçarro commanded an hundred and fifty Harquebusiers of Captain Cermenno's Company to be in a readiness and having given out to each of them private Arms and placed the Artillery in good order he called the Captains to come to him telling them that he had certain advices which he had lately received from Los Reyes to communicate to them And being all come and amongst the rest Gaspar Rodriguez Gonçalo Piçarro stept out of his Tent which was well guarded with Cannon and pretending as it were some other business in the mean time the Major-General Carvajal comes to Gaspar Rodriguez and laying his hand on the hilt of his Sword drew it out of the Scabbard advising him to call for a Priest and confess for that he was to die immediately Gaspar Rodriguez resisted a while pretending to be innocent and to clear himself of those accusations which were against him but that would not serve his turn for immediately they cut off his head The execution of these men terrified the whole Camp and more particularly those who were conscious to themselves of being Complices in the same Action for which those were put to death and these acts of severity were the more affrighting because they were the first which Gonçalo Piçarro had committed since the usurpation of his tyrannical Power Some few days afterwards Don Baltasar and his Comrades came to the Camp bringing Baltasar de Loaysa and Hernando Cavallos as we have said Prisoners but the day before he knew that they were to enter into the Camp he sent his Major General Carvajal before him with orders that wheresoever he met them he should put them to death but such was the good fortune of Loaysa and Cavallos that they mistaking their way the Major General was disappointed of his prize and the Prisoners were brought to the Camp where so many intercessours appeared in favour of the two Delinquents that Loaysa was released and sent away without any provision made for him but Hernando de Cavallos was continued and carried away with the rest of the Army Thus far is the account given by Carate in the fifth Book and the eleventh Chapter In fine they killed Gaspar Rodriguez and his Accomplices whose death was hastened and occasioned by their applications to the Vice-king for a Pardon and a safe Conduct which he and his adherents demanded for safety of their lives as Gomara confirms in the 164th Chapter of his Book The Vice-king's Pardon and a safe Conduct was general for all Piçarro Francisco de Carvajal Benito de Carvajal and some few others onely excepted at which Piçarro and his Major-General were so much offended that they immediately hanged up Gaspar Rodriguez Philip Gutierez with the rest which are the words of Gomara In this manner this poor Gentleman Gaspar Rodriguez de Campo Rotondo ended his days for being of an unquiet spirit he was neither well with those who were called Tyrants and Rebels nor with those who were esteemed for Loyalists CHAP. XIII Of the Death of Agent Yllen Suarez de Carvajal and of the great mutiny and disturbance he caused in Peru. DUring all these troubles and slaughters in the Camp of Gonçalo Piçarro there happened an accident sad and tragical in the City of Los Reyes which Gomara in the 159th Chapter of his Book relates to have been in this manner Lewis Garcia San Manes who was Postmaster in Xauxa brought certain Letters which were wrote in Cyphers by Benito de Carvajal to the Agent Yllen Suarez his Brother the Vice-king presently took a jealousie upon the
Chapter of his Book CHAP. XVII The Summons which the Judges sent to Gonçalo Piçarro and the misfortunes which befell those who deserted his Cause A Lvarez having set Sail and at Sea it was reported at Los Reyes that he and the Vice-king were agreed to which they gave the greater credit by some circumstances in his behaviour before he departed and more especially because he did not expect the dispatches which the Judges were preparing and which Carate had purposely delayed with pretence that they should be forwarded the day following This matter much troubled the Judges for that this Alvarez had been the chief promoter and instrument of the Vice-king's imprisonment and had been more concerned therein than any of the others but whilst they were doubtfull of the meaning and intention of Alvarez it was thought fit to send a message to Gonçalo Piçarro giving him information of what had succeeded and to require him by virtue of their Commission from the King whereby they were authorised and impowered to administer Justice and to order and command such things as tended to the peace and welfare of that Countrey that he should immediately disband his Army and repair to the City in regard they had already suspended the execution of the new Laws which was the sum of the Petition for which they came and had sent the Vice-king into Spain which was a point of higher satisfaction than they had demanded or pretended unto before wherefore in regard all matters were appeased they required him to come in a peaceable manner without an Army and in case he should desire to have a Guard for the security of his Person he might if he pleased come attended with fifteen or twenty Horse This command being dispatched away the Judges would have seconded it by some Citizens for the better countenance of the matter but there was none that would accept the Office apprehending some danger might be in it saying that they might be blamed by Gonçalo Piçarro and his Party for taking upon them such a message to them who pretended to come for the security of their Estates against such as in general were enemies to them Hereupon the Judges sent Instructions to Augustine Carate Accountant General of the Kingdom that he together in company with Don Antonio de Ribera an inhabitant of that City should go and signifie these matters for which he was authorised by the Credentials which were given him and accordingly they departed and travelled as far as the Valley of Xauxa where Gonçalo Piçarro was encamped who being already informed of the message which they brought which he knew would be unwelcome to his People for they apprehending that this message was brought with intention to disband them and thereby defeat them of the hopes they had to sack and plunder the City of Lima might probably thereupon fall into a mutiny to prevent which Jeronimo Villegas Captain of Piçarro's own Company was dispeeded away with thirty Musquetiers mounted on Horseback to intercept the messengers in their way and having met them coming they suffered Antonio de Ribera to proceed to the Camp but they stopped Augustine de Carate and took his dispatches from him and returned him back by the same way that he came as far as the Province of Pariacaca where they detained him Prisoner for the space of ten days with terrours and threats unless he desisted from farther prosecution of his Message and in this condition he remained untill such time as Gonçalo Piçarro arrived there with his Camp. Thus far are the words of Carate which are again confirmed by other Authours who proceed and say That those of the Corporation of the City of Los Reyes made choice of Don Antonio de Ribera and Augustine de Carate Accountant General because they were both men acceptable to Gonçalo Piçarro and the least suspected by him for that Don Antonio was as it were his Brother-in-law having married the Widow of Francisco Martin de Alcantara Brother to the Marquis Don Francisco Piçarro and Carate was a Person who being a stranger in the Countrey had no engagements or obligations in any part of the Countrey for which cause as we said they suffered Don Antonio to pass by reason of his alliance but the Accountant Carate was stopped by them Thus much is confirmed by Diego Fernandez who adds farther in the twenty fourth Chapter of his Book That at the Council held by Gonçalo Piçarro and his Captains to consider of the Answer which was to be returned to the Message sent by the Judges they onely touched upon one point thereof to which Francisco de Carvajal like a great Officer and Souldier made this reply That whereas the Judges did require that Gonçalo Piçarro should come to them with a Guard onely of fifteen or twenty Horse they understood it to be so many in a Rank to which interpretation all the Captains in the Council agreed and concluded that it was necessary for the welfare of the Publick to create Gonçalo Piçarro chief Governour and in all other things they would comply with the Judges and that in case they should refuse to accept these Proposals they were resolved to put the City to Fire and Sword c. Thus far Diego Fernandez Palentino But now to return to Graviel de Rojas and Garcilasso de la Vega and other Inhabitants and Gentlemen of Cozco who deserted Gonçalo Piçarro and were fled to Arequepa whence not finding passage by Sea they travelled along by the Sea coast and being at length arrived at Los Reyes they found themselves much at a loss for that the Vice-king whose fortune they intended to follow was already taken and embarked by force for Spain and whereas the Judges had a chief hand in this Conspiracy against the Vice-king and thereby seemed rather to incline to the Faction of Gonçalo Piçarro than to Blasco Nunnez Vela they were resolved not to engage with them Though if we impartially consider of these matters we shall find that the intention of the Judges was not as ill Tongues scandalously reported but was to prevent worse and more dangerous consequences proceeding from the Vice-king who was abhorred and hated by all men of Estates and Interest in that Countrey against whom he came chiefly to put the new Laws in execution Howsoever these Gentlemen looking with a prejudicial eye upon those things which the Judges had acted refused to joyn with them whom they esteemed to be favourers of the cause of Piçarro And whereas no Party appeared to set up the Royal interest they knew not unto whom they might adhere for they found themselves in the power of their enemies not being able to escape from them either by Sea or Land for after the Vice-king's imprisonment all the Countrey declared for Piçarro but the greatest number of the contrary party remained in the City of Los Reyes not having any other place whereunto to repair others absconded themselves amongst their Friends and Relations for having been
Marquis had performed to the Crown as also for other Causes which they alledged in favour and honour of Gonçalo Piçarro himself For now fortune being of his side the people began to speak favourably of him and he carrying himself with pretences of restoring to them their Liberty was generally cryed up and beloved of all and especially succeeding the Vice-king who was hated and detested by all mankind Thus far are the words of Diego Fernandez After which Carate in the thirteenth Chapter of his Book proceeds and says The Instrument for constituting Piçarro Governour being passed he made his Entry into the City in State and triumph In the first place Captain Bachicao led the Van-guard with two and twenty Pieces of Cannon made for the field which were carried on the Shoulders of six thousand Indians as we have mentioned before with all the other train of Artillery and Ammunition thereunto belonging and as they marched they fired the Cannon in the Streets and for Guard to the Artillery thirty Musquetiers and fifty Gunners were appointed After which followed the Company under command of Captain Diego Gumiel which consisted of two hundred Pique-men after which followed Captain Guevara with a hundred and fifty Musquetiers and then came the Company of Pedro Cermenno consisting of two hundred Harquebusiers immediately after which followed Gonçalo Picarro himself with three Companies of Foot attending like Foot-men by his side and he mounted on a very fine Horse and cloathed with a Coat of Mail over which he wore a thin Coat of cloth of gold after him marched three Captains with their Troops of Horse in midst of which Don Pedro Porto Carrero supported the Royal Standard on his right hand Antonio Altamirano carried the Ensign of Cozco and on the left Pedro de Puelles carried the Colours in which the Arms of Piçarro were painted after which all the Cavalry followed armed in form and point of War. And in this order they marched to the house of Licenciado Carate where the other Judges were assembled which was a default on Carate's side for he ought rather to have received him in the place of publick Judicature but here Piçarro leaving his Forces drawn up in the open Market-place went up into the Chamber where the Judges attended and received him with due order and respect and having taken the Oath and given the Security which is usual he went to the Town-house where the Mayor Sheriffs and other Officers received him with the accustomary Solemnities and thence he went to his own Lodgings and in the mean time the Officers quartered the Souldiers both Horse and Foot in the private houses of the Citizens giving order that they should entertain them upon Free-quarter This entry of Piçarro into the City and his reception there happened towards the end of the month of October 1544 being forty days after the imprisonment of the Vice-king and from that time forward Piçarro attended wholly to the management of his martial Affairs and to matters relating thereunto leaving all civil Causes and proceedings in Law to the Judges who held their Courts in the House of the Treasurer Alonso Riquelme And then he sent to Cozco for his Deputy Alonso de Toro to Arequepa for Pedro de Tuentes to the Villa de Plata for Francisco de Almendras and to other Cities for the principal Governours thereof Thus far are the words of Augustine Carate To which Fernandez Palentino in the sixteenth Chapter of his Book adds and says That Diego Centeno having accompanied Gonçalo Piçarro in quality of Procuratour for the Town of Plate as far as Los Reyes he there found that Piçarro had preferred his great Friend Francisco de Almendras to be Captain and chief Justiciary of that Town and therefore he desired him to move Piçarro that he might be dismissed and go along with him to the Villa de la Plata because his House and Estate was in those parts which license being obtained they travelled together to the Charcas where some time afterwards when Diego Centeno declared for the King he surprised and killed him and though in excuse hereof it may be alledged that it was done for the King's service yet he can never wipe off that blot of Ingratitude for during the time of the Conquest when Diego Centeno came very young into the Countrey he was supported and provided for in all his necessities and in the time of his sickness by Francisco de Almendras who was a rich and a principal person of quality in those days and took the same care of him as if he had been his Son the which benefits and kindnesses Diego Centeno publickly owned and when they were in private he called him Father as Almendras called him Son and therefore he ought for ever to be branded with Ingratitude unless the publick concernment for his Prince be able to untie and abolish all other private obligations and endearments whatsoever Gonçalo Piçarro finding himself now invested in his Power and Government which he held both by virtue of the Royal Grant given to his Brother the Marquis in whose right he pretended thereunto and now by the consent and election of the Judges began to give out his own Commission to Officers both Military and Civil and to sit and hear Causes which he dispatched with great readiness administring Justice with Reputation and Authority to the contentment and satisfaction of the whole City but these smooth and chearfull proceedings were mixed with their troubles and misfortunes For Captain Diego Gumiel who untill this time had always shewed himself zealous and passionate in the cause of Piçarro began to alter his humour and speak against him because he had refused to grant him a piece of Land with a Command over Indians which he asked of him in behalf of a certain Friend of his and with that occasion he railed against the Judges saying that they had unjustly taken away the Government from the Son of Marquis Francisco Piçarro to whom it appertained by lawfull inheritance descended from his Father in virtue of a Grant from his Majesty to confer it upon one who had no right nor title thereunto and for that reason he declared that he would use his utmost endeavours that the Son of the Marquis might recover his own Inheritance Gumiel frankly discoursing at this rate without regard to the place where or the person to whom he vented his passion at length the reports thereof coming to the ears of Piçarro he gave his immediate Orders to his Major-General that he should examine this matter and take such course as might restrain the licentious Tongue of that Captain for the future It is certain that the meaning of Piçarro was not to put Gumiel to death though Carvajal put that interpretation upon it and having asked some questions about the matter and hearing them confirmed went directly to Gumiel's Lodgings where without more to doe he strangled him and drew his Body into the Market-place saying give way Gentlemen for
good fellows with him being merry without thoughts of State matter or black designs of Rebellion so that his whole design of sending these messengers was onely to be truly informed of all particulars relating to this Rebellion of Hernandez how many and who were the Citizens that were fled and who were those who remained and sided with the factious party For he and his Companions being resolved to go to Los Reyes they thought it necessary to inform themselves of all things at Cozco so as to give a distinct account and not in a confused blind manner both on the way and at Los Reyes when they arrived there and to take off all suspicion from the messengers which he sent to Hernandez he gave them Letters of credence that he might permit them to return with the answer Then as to the Road towards Los Reyes Don Pedro had well secured it for Pedro's place of residence was seated fifteen leagues on the way from Cozco to Los Reyes the River Apurimac being between of which when the Bridge was burnt it cut off all passage from the enemy and thus Don Pedro and his Companions having received information of all they desired travelled securely to Los Reyes and laughed at the Rebels The Orders given by Hernandez to John Piedrahita were to conduct the Governour Gil Ramirez de Avalos with six Musquetiers not by the way of Lima which is Northward but by the way of Arequepa which is to the South with farther Instructions that when he had brought him at the distance of forty leagues from the City that he should then leave him at liberty and suffer him to take his own course and way as he pleased but this journey of Piedrahita was not made within the time of the first eight or ten days after the Insurrection but forty days afterwards And the cause why the Governour was sent by the way of Arequepa and not by the direct way was to prolong his journey to Los Reyes and make him to miss the company of those Citizens who were going to Rimac By all which it appears that the relations given to Diego Hernandez of these matters were as the vulgar sort report them to be who always speak with variety and as they fansie and desire things to be but what I have here said I know to be true both having seen them and heard them from undoubted witnesses CHAP. VI. Francisco Hernandez causes himself to be chosen Captain and Procurator-General of the whole Empire The Judges appoint Officers for their Army and the Marshal doth the like FIfteen days were now past since the Rebellion first began when Hernandez finding himself strengthened with a number of Souldiers and dreaded by all for the cruelty he had executed on Don Baltasar de Castilla he thought it now time to fortifie his authority as he foolishly imagined with some specious name and title which might sound great in the ears of the people who seeing him owned by the City which was the Metropolis of the Empire might be more easily induced to follow his cause and designs which he knew not himself what they were or what they were likely to prove To this end he summoned a general Assembly of the whole City at which were present twenty five Citizens and Lords of Indians as Diego Hernandez counted them and I was acquainted with them all amongst which there was but one head Constable and two Justices and none of the others had any Office or right to sit in that Assembly The Court being set he acquainted them that the reason he had to call them together was to lay before them the frequent Orders and Commands sent from the Justices to the great damage and prejudice of the people to free them from which he proposed to them as the best expedient to elect him for Procurator-General of the whole Empire and to authorise him in their names humbly to petition and supplicate his Majesty to take off such aggrievances as they should judge most oppressive and to enable him farther in this Office that they would elect him for Captain-General and chief Justiciary of that City and of the whole Kingdom to protect and govern them in War and Peace All which was granted to him without any scruple or demurr more out of fear as Children say than shame or love being over-awed by a Band of about an hundred and fifty Souldiers commanded by two Captains called Diego Gavilan and Nunno Mediola who were drawn up in the Market-place at the door of the Tholsey where the Council was assembled So soon as the Court was risen Proclamation was made of the Power and Authority which was given to Francisco Hernandez with which not being fully satisfied he forced the Citizens and Inhabitants to declare themselves well contented with all his actions and that what they acted was by their own free will and consent without any force or compulsion upon them Whilst things were thus acting in Cozco the news and intelligence thereof was carried to Los Reyes which the Judges would not believe at first conceiving it to be a strategeme of the Messenger who was a great Friend and as they say Foster Brother with Francisco Hernandez Giron to try how the people would take it and to see how they stood affected to his cause and interest and upon this belief they apprehended Hernando Chacon being the person who brought the news which when they found verified and confirmed from other hands and places they then set him again at liberty and thought it time to provide for War and to make choice of Officers and Commanders of their Army We cannot here specifie the names of them particularly because many of them refused the Commands which were offered to them esteeming them inferiour to their worth and dignities who deserved to be Generals and to command in Chief wherefore we will pass over these Elections for the present and onely say that all was carried on with heat and faction as is usual in tumultuous meetings where every one commands and rules by this time also news of the Rebellion raised by Hernandez was come to Potocsi where the Marshal Alonso de Alvarado was actually employed in doing justice upon Offenders guilty of the Murther of Pedro de Hinojosa and Conspiratours with Don Sebastian de Castilla but so soon as this news came a stop was given to farther prosecution of those who deserved death as well as those against whom Sentence was already given and instead of punishment it was thought fit to convert all into clemency and pardon which tended much to the quiet of the people who were greatly troubled and scandalized to see such daily effusions of bloud and slaughters amongst their friends and acquaintance Hereupon such as were condemned had their reprieves granted and by way of punishment were to serve his Majesty at their own cost and charges amongst these was a certain Souldier called de Bilbao whom a friend of his seeing at liberty congratulated
Arts To which answer was made that their General had no Opinion of the Magick and Witchcraft of the Indians which were fooleries rather than any real contract or dealing with the Devil And herein they had some reason as we have proved and evinced by several Instances in the first part of these Commentaries Book the 4. Chap 16. One of which was their Prognostication of good or bad Fortune by the palpitation or twinkling of the Eye and another sort of Divination they took from the buzzing or singing of the Ears which as we mentioned in the foregoing Chapter so we shall hear repeat it again having the Authority of a Synod held in that Empire whereby this vain Superstition is condemned by a Catholick Cannon and Advertisements are given to Confessors to let them know that the Indians take their Superstitious Divinations from seeing and hearing That of the hearing I have observed many of them to use in this manner when they found at any time a humming or buzzing in their right Ear they said that some Friend or Kinsman was speaking well of them and to know who this Friend was they would clap the Palm of their right hand to their Mouth and breathing hard upon it they would think of some Friend and then carry it close to the Ear and if the humming did not presently cease they would think of another Friend and do as before and then of another and he with thoughts of whom the humming went away it was concluded that he was the person who spake well of the Party In like manner when they found a humming in their left Ear they would say that an Enemy spake ill of them and to find out who it was they used the like application of their left hand and he with whom in their thoughts the humming ceased they concluded such person to be the evil speaker and from that time they would conceive malice against him and for ever prove his Enemy And upon such fooleries as these the Friends of Hernandez declared that the Indians had no Art in Necromancy nor was any Faith to be given to their Prognostications The Rebel Hernandez overtook his Army in a plain which is behind the Fortress of Cozco where as Palentino saith he made a visit to Francisco Rodriguez de Villa fuerte who was Justice in ordinary of that City complaining highly of the Citizens of Cozco and swearing that he would kill and destroy them because they had done him all the mischief that they were able but he had a mind to quarrel with them because they espoused not his Cause nor followed him as he desired From thence he marched his Army over those Hills which are Eastward from the City as his Astrologers had directed and carried his Wife with him to the great grief of all her Friends and Relations saying That he would not leave her in the power of his Enemy to revenge themselves on her for the Crimes of which he himself was only guilty and so he proceeded to the Valley of Orcos about five Leagues from the City And here I will leave him for a while to speak of the Present which the Son of this Francisco Rodriguez de Villa fuerte made me in Spain though I had formerly never seen him nor had any other acquaintance with him than by intercourse of Letters The second Son I say of this Gentleman was sent into Spain to study and lived in Salamanca several years where he improved greatly in all Sciences he was called Don Feliciano Rodriguez de Villa fuerte which name agreed properly with the Gallantry and Ingenuity of his Spirit At the beginning of this Year 1611 this Gentleman did me the favour to send me a little Box about the length and breadth of half a Sheet of Paper all filled with Holy Reliques wrapt up in several parcels with Inscriptions thereon what and of whom they were and amongst the rest there was a little piece of the Holy Cross put into a Frame of Wood curiously Carved and covered with a Glass and gilded about the Cross which was easie to be seen With this Box of Reliques he sent me two Dials made by his own Hand one of the Sun with a Needle turning to the North the Shadow on which perfectly shews the Hour of the Day Another Dial was of the Moon curiously wrought according to the exact Rules of Astrology with all the Circular Motions divided into twenty nine parts which make up the Days of the Lunary Moneth It hath also the true Figure of the Moon with its Increase and Decrease its Conjunction and Full It also by the shadow cast on it the Gnomen thereof being altered according to the age of the Moon shews the Hour of the Night it hath also many other Curiosities which I shall omit in this place all which was made by his own Hand without any other aid or directions whatsoever both as to the Material Part as also to the Mathematical to the great admiration of many curious Men as well Virtuosi as others And for my part I cannot but glory and boast very much to see a Man born in my Country and my City to have been the Master of so excellent a piece of Ingenuity and Learning so much admired by the Artists of this part of the World the which may serve for a demonstration of the Natural Genius of the People of Peru and their capacity to receive all Arts and Sciences as well those who are of Mongrel Race between Spaniards and Indians as all others born there the which we touched upon before and signified how much some have been improved therein by the Industry and Authority of our Schoolmaster John de Cuellar who was a Canon of the Holy Church of Cozco who taught Grammar in that City though but for a short time Praised be our Lord God for the same Amen Which having said we shall return to Peru to relate the success of his Majesties Army in their March having left them formerly in the City of Huamanca CHAP. XXIII The Royal Army passes the Rivers of Amancay and Apurimac with more facility and ease than was expected The Scouts and Van of the Army come to Cozco WHen the Kings Army marched out of Huamanca in pursuit of Francisco Hernandez of whom they had received intelligence that he had taken the way towards Cozco they proceeded with all care and due circumspection having their Scouts and Spies before them When they came to the River Amancay they forded it over where it was most shallow but for their Footmen who were laden and such as carried the Artillery they made a Bridge at a place with much ease where the River is very narrow At this place an unlucky accident fell out which was this Captain Antonio Luxan having passed the River stooped down on the side of the Bank to drink and taking up the Water with his Hands as he was rising up both his Feet slid from under him on the Rock whereon