How Tupac Inca again set out from Cuzco, and of the fierce war he waged with those of Huarco; and how, after he had conquered them, he returned to Cuzco.

THE province of Chincha was, in former days, an important part of this kingdom of Peru, and very populous, insomuch that, before the time of Tupac Inca, the Chinchas, with their captains, had made incursions as far as the Collao, whence they returned to their province with great spoils.[222] Hence they had always been respected and feared by their neighbours. It is said that the Inca, father of Tupac Inca, had sent from the country of the Soras a captain named Ccapac Inca, to persuade the Chinchas to come under his dominion. Although he went and induced some of them to agree, it was but a small part, for the rest rose up in arms, and prepared to defend their country in such sort that the Orejon made the best of his way back again.[223] They had not again seen a captain of the Incas, as they themselves declare, until they were subjugated by Tupac Inca. In this matter, I know no more than what the people themselves relate.

Returning to the narrative, after the Inca had gone back to Cuzco, as has been mentioned, and had devoted as many days as he pleased to enjoying himself and to amusements, he gave orders for the assembly of another army, to complete the conquest of the coast region. His commands were obeyed; and soon the captains of the provinces with their contingents of troops arrived at Cuzco. After having made arrangements for the government of the city, he set out from Cuzco, and came down to the coast by the road of Huatara.[224] His approach being known, many waited with the intention of accepting him as their lord, and many others were resolved to make war, and, if possible, to maintain their liberties. In the valley of Nasca there were many people and preparations for war.

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

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

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

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

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