How Huascar was acknowledged as King in Cuzco, after the death of his father.

HUAYNA CAPAC being dead, and the mourning and lamentation having been performed, although he left more than forty sons, none attempted to deviate from their allegiance to Huascar, to whom, as they well knew, the kingdom belonged. Although it was known that the order of Huayna Capac was that the uncle of Huascar should govern, there were not wanting those who advised the young Inca to assume the fringe at once, and with it the government of the whole country as king. As most of the native lords of provinces had come to Cuzco for the obsequies of Huayna Capac, it was represented that the feast of the coronation might be very grand, and thus he resolved to act. Leaving the government of the city in the hands of the officer to whom it had been entrusted by his father, he entered upon the fast with the accustomed observances. He came forth with the fringe, and there were great festivities. The cable of gold was brought out into the square, with the images of the Incas, and, in accordance with their usage, they spent some days in drinking-bouts. At the end of these days of feasting, the news was sent to all parts of the kingdom, with the orders of the new king, and certain Orejones were sent to Quito to bring back his father’s women and household.

Atahualpa received the news that Huascar had assumed the fringe, and that he desired that all should yield him obedience. The captains of Huayna Capac had not yet departed from Quito and its neighbourhood, and there were secret communications between them as to the possibility of remaining in those lands of Quito, without going to Cuzco at the call of Huascar, for they had found the land of Quito to be as good as that of Cuzco. Some among them hesitated, saying that it was not lawful to refrain from recognising the great Inca, who was lord of all. But Illa Tupac[251] was not loyal to Huascar, as Huayna Capac had requested, and he had promised; for they say that he engaged in secret negotiations and discussions with Atahualpa, He said that, among the sons of Huayna Capac, this one showed the most spirit and valour, and that his father ordered that he should govern Quito and its territory. He spoke in this way to the captains Chalcuchima, Acla-hualpa, Rumi-Ñaui,[252] Quizquiz, Pecopagua,[253] and many others, urging them to assist in making Atahualpa the Inca of those parts, as his brother was of Cuzco. These, with Illa Tupac who was a traitor to his natural lord Huascar, having been left as governor until the Inca should be of full age, agreed to recognise Atahualpa, who was then declared to be lord. The women of his father were delivered to him, whom he received as his own, and his father’s household and house service were handed over to him, to do with them according to his will.

Some say, that some of the sons of Huayna Capac, brothers of Huascar and Atahualpa, with other Orejones, fled to Cuzco, and reported what had happened to the Inca. Huascar, and the other Orejones of Cuzco, felt what had been done by Atahualpa to be an evil act worthy of reprobation, contrary to the will of their gods, and to the laws and ordinances of the departed kings. They said that they would not consent or endure that the bastard should take the name of Inca, and that he must be punished for the favour he had obtained from the captains and soldiers of his father’s army. Huascar, therefore, ordered that a summons should be sent to all the provinces, that arms should be made, and the store-houses provided with all things necessary, because he had to make war on the traitors, if they would not recognise him as their lord. He sent ambassadors to the CaÑaris, inviting their friendship. It is also said that he despatched an Orejon to Atahualpa himself, to persuade him not to persist in his intentions, being so evil. The envoy was also to speak with Colla Tupac, the Inca’s uncle, to advise him that he should become loyal. These things being done, Huascar named one of the principal lords of Cuzco, named Atoc,[254] as his Captain-General.