How the differences between Huascar and Atahualpa began, and how great battles were fought between them.

IT was understood throughout the realm of Peru that Huascar was Inca, and as such that he gave orders, and sent Orejones to the chief places in all the provinces to provide what he required. He was so intelligent, and was so popular, that he was much beloved by his people. When he began to reign, his age was about twenty-five, a little more or less. Having appointed Atoc to be his Captain-General, he ordered him, after having taken the people he would require from places along the road, as well mitimaes as natives, to march to Quito and put down the rebellion of the Inca’s brother.

The Indians recount the subsequent events in several ways. I always follow the best version, which is held by the oldest and best informed among them, who are lords. For the common people, in all they say, cannot be relied upon as affirming the truth. Some relate that Atahualpa, not only resolved to refuse obedience to his brother, who was king, but even pretended to the sovereignty, seeing that the captains and soldiers of his father were on his side. He went to the country of the CaÑaris, where he spoke with the native chiefs and with the mitimaes, telling them a plausible story. He said that his desire was not to injure his brother, as he wished for his welfare; but to keep friends with all, and to make another Cuzco at Quito, where all could enjoy themselves. He said that he had such good affection for them, that he would cause edifices and lodgings to be made for himself in Tumebamba. There, as Inca and lord, he would be able to amuse himself with his women, as did his father and grandfather. He made other speeches on this subject, which were not listened to with such pleasure as he supposed. For the messenger from Huascar had arrived, and spoken to the CaÑaris and mitimaes, saying that the Inca sought their friendship, and that he implored the favour of the Sun and of his gods for them. He told the CaÑaris that they should not consent to such an evil deed as the Inca’s brother meditated. They replied by declaring their desire to see Huascar, and raising up their hands, they promised to remain loyal.

This being their wish, Atahualpa was unable to obtain his object, and they say that the CaÑaris, with the captain and mitimaes, seized him, with the intention of delivering him up to Huascar. But having placed him in a room of the tampu, he escaped, and went to Quito, where he gave out that it had been the will of his God to turn him into a serpent, to enable him to escape from his enemies. He told his adherents that all should be got ready to begin a war. Other Indians affirm as a certain fact that the captain Atoc, with his troops, arrived at the country of the CaÑaris, where Atahualpa was, and that it was he who took the Inca’s brother prisoner, before he escaped in the way that has already been mentioned. For my part, I believe, although I may be wrong, that Atoc found that Atahualpa had escaped from his prison, and, much disturbed at this, he collected all the men he could from the CaÑaris, and marched towards Quito, sending to all parts to strengthen the governors and mitimaes in their loyalty to Huascar. It is related, as a fact, that Atahualpa escaped by means of a coa or tool which a Quella woman gave him. He made a hole with it at a time when those who were in the tampu were heated with what they had drunk. By using great haste; he reached Quito before he could be overtaken by his enemies, who wanted very much to get him again into their power.