How Atahualpa set out from Quito with his army and captains, and how he gave battle to Atoc in the villages of Ambato.

AS the posts on the royal roads were so numerous, nothing happened in any part of the empire that was unknown, and when it was understood that Atahualpa had escaped by such good luck, and was in Quito assembling his troops, it was known that a war was certain. Hence there were divisions into parties; great disturbances; and thoughts directed to evil ends. Huascar had no one who would not obey him, and did not desire that he should come out of the affair with honour and power. Atahualpa had, on his side, the captains and men of the army, and many native lords and mitimaes of the Quito provinces. They relate that, being in Quito, he made haste to prepare his army to march, swearing, in their manner, that he would inflict great punishment on the CaÑaris for the affront he had received from them. He knew that Atoc was approaching with his army, which exceeded, according to what they say, forty huarancas or thousands of men, and he made haste to come forth and meet him.

Atoc advanced because Atahualpa had not been able to assemble the men in the provinces. He addressed his men, exhorting them to do honour to the Inca Huascar, and to exert themselves to chastise the shameless conduct of Atahualpa. To justify his cause, Atoc sent certain Indians as messengers to Atahualpa, urging him to rest satisfied with what he had already done, and not to plunge the empire into civil war; but to submit to the Inca, as the wisest course for him. Although these messengers were principal Orejones, they relate that Atahualpa laughed at what they had to say, and that, after many threats, he ordered them to be killed. He then pursued his road in a rich litter, carried on the shoulders of his principal and favourite followers.

They say that Atahualpa entrusted the conduct of the war to his Captain-General Chalcuchima, and to two other chiefs, named Quizquiz and Ucumari.[255] As Atoc did not halt with his army, they encountered him near the town called Ambato, where the battle began, and was hotly contested. Chalcuchima, having occupied a hill, came down with 5,000 chosen men, at an opportune moment, and attacked the tired enemy, killing a great number, while the rest fled in confusion. They were pursued, and many were captured, including Atoc himself. Those who gave me this information say that he was fastened to a post, where they killed him with great cruelty. Chalcuchima made a drinking-cup out of his skull, adorned with gold. The most correct estimate, in my judgment, is that 15,000 or 16,000 men were killed in this battle, on both sides. Those who were taken prisoners were killed without mercy, by order of Atahualpa. I have passed by this town of Ambato, where they say that the battle was fought, and, judging from the number of bones, it would appear that even more people were killed than they state.

With this victory Atahualpa remained in great renown. The news was divulged in all parts of the kingdom. His adherents were called together, and hailed him as Inca. He said that he would assume the fringe at Tumebamba, though, if this ceremony was not performed at Cuzco, it was considered absurd and invalid. He ordered his wounded to be cured, he was served as a king, and he marched to Tumebamba.