How Huascar sent new captains and troops against his enemy, and how Atahualpa arrived at Tumebamba, where he perpetrated great cruelties; also what happened between him and the captains of Huascar.

FEW days elapsed after the Captain Atoc was defeated at Ambato, before the disaster was known, not only in Cuzco, but throughout the empire. Huascar was much alarmed, and from that time he feared that the end of the trouble might be fatal. His councillors decided that Cuzco should not be abandoned, but that a fresh army with new captains should take the field. But there were great lamentations for the dead, and sacrifices were offered up in the temples and to the oracles, according to custom. Huascar summoned many native chiefs of the Collao, of the Canchis, Canas, Charcas, Cavangas, those of Condesuyo, and many of those of Chincha-suyo. When they had assembled, he spoke to them of what his brother had done, and appealed to them to be good friends and companions. They answered as he desired, because they venerated the religious custom not to receive any one as Inca, except him who had assumed the fringe at Cuzco, which Huascar had done some days before. As it was necessary to arrange for the continuance of the war, the Inca appointed his brother, Huanca Auqui, to be his Captain-General. Some Orejones say that he was not a brother of the Inca, but a son of Ilaquito.[256] With him other principal chiefs were sent as captains, named Ahuapanti,[257] Urco Huaranca, and Inca Rocca. These captains set out from Cuzco with all the soldiers they could collect, and accompanied by many native lords and mitimaes, and Huanca Auqui reinforced his army on the road, as he advanced. He marched in search of Atahualpa, who was at Tumebamba, with his captains and many principal men who had come to gain his favour, seeing that he was a conqueror. The CaÑaris were afraid of Atahualpa, because they had imprisoned him and despised his commands, and they knew him to be vindictive and very blood-thirsty. When he came near the principal edifices, I heard from many Indians that, to appease his anger, they sent a great company of children, and another of men of all ages, to go forth to his richly-adorned litter, in which he travelled with great pomp, bearing green branches and palm leaves in their hands, and praying for grace and friendship, and that past injuries might be forgiven. They besought him with such clamour and with such humility, that it would have broken a heart of stone. But it made little impression on the cruel Atahualpa, for they say that he ordered his captains and soldiers to kill all who had come out to him, which was done, only sparing a few children and the women dedicated to the service of the temple, who were kept without shedding any of their blood, to preserve the honour of their deity the Sun.

This being done, he ordered some particular chiefs in the province to be killed, and placed a captain of his own to govern it. Assembling his principal adherents, he then assumed the fringe and took the title of Inca in Tumebamba, although the act was invalid, as has been explained, because it was not performed in Cuzco. However, he had the right of his arms, which he held to be good law. I have also heard from some Indians of position that Atahualpa assumed the fringe in Tumebamba before Atoc was defeated or even set out from Cuzco, and that Huascar knew it and provided accordingly. But on the whole it seems to me that the version I first wrote is the most probable.

Huanca Auqui made rapid marches, wishing to arrive at the country of the CaÑaris before Atahualpa could do the harm which he actually did. Some of those who escaped from the battle of Ambato had joined him. All authorities affirm that he had with him more than 80,000 soldiers, and Atahualpa assembled little less at Tumebamba, whence he set out, declaring that he would not stop until he reached Cuzco. The two armies encountered each other in the province of the Paltas, near Caxabamba, and after the captains had addressed their troops, the battle began. They say that Atahualpa was not present; but that he witnessed the conflict from an adjacent hill. God was served in that, notwithstanding that there were many Orejones and captains well instructed in the art of war in the army of Huascar, and that Huanca Auqui did his duty like a loyal and good servant of the king, Atahualpa should be victorious, with the death of many of his adversaries. They declare that in both armies more than 35,000 were killed, besides many wounded.

The victors followed up the fugitives, killing and taking prisoners, and plundering the camp. Atahualpa was so joyful that he declared the gods were fighting for him. The reason he did not advance to Cuzco in person was that the Spaniards had entered the country a few days before, and that he had received the news of their arrival.[258]

We will not give the conclusion of this war between the Indians, because it would not be according to the order of events, and the narrative can wait for insertion in its proper place.

Down to this point is what it has seemed well for me to write concerning the Incas, which is all derived from the account which I took down in Cuzco. If another should undertake to tell it more in detail and with greater accuracy the road is open to him. For I have not attempted what I was unable to perform; although for what I have done, I have worked in a way known to God, who lives and reigns for ever. Most of what I have written was seen by the Doctor Bravo de Saravia,[259] and the Licentiate Hernando de Santillan,[260] Judges of the Royal Audience of the city of the Kings.