In which it is told how the Yncas ordered that the storehouses should be well provided, and how these were kept in readiness for the troops.
The royal road of the Yncas goes from this province of Huamachuco to the province of the Conchucos, a distance of two short days’ journey, and half-way there were buildings and store-houses prepared for the reception of the Kings when they travelled this way; for it was their custom, when they visited any part of this kingdom, to travel in great state, and to be served with all things appertaining to their rank; and it is said that, except on occasions when their service required it, the Yncas did not travel more than four leagues each day. In order that there might be sufficient food to support their retinue, there were buildings and store-houses at every four leagues, with great abundance of all the provisions that the surrounding districts could supply. The lieutenants and overseers who resided at the chief stations in the provinces took special care that the natives kept these _tampus_ well provisioned. And that one might not have to contribute more of this tribute than another, accounts were kept by a kind of knots, called _quipu_, which were understood, and thus there was no fraud. Certainly, although to us it may appear confusing and obscure, this is a good way of keeping accounts, as I will more fully show in the second part.[410] Between Huamachuco and the Conchucos, although it was two days’ journey, there were store-houses and _tampus_ in two places on the road, which is always kept very clean. If some of the mountains were rocky, the road was made in steps, having great resting places and paved ways, which are so strong that they will endure for many ages.
In the Conchucos there were buildings and other things, as in the provinces we have passed, and the natives are of middle height. They and their wives go dressed, and they wear distinguishing cords or fringes on their heads. It is said that the Indians of this province were warlike, and that the Yncas would have had some trouble in subjugating them if they had not always managed to conciliate their enemies by kind deeds and friendly speeches. Some of these Indians, on various occasions, have killed Spaniards, insomuch that the Marquis Don Francisco Pizarro sent the captain Francisco de Chaves[411] against them with some Christians, who waged a terrible and awful war. Some say that he burnt and impaled a great number of Indians. At about this time, or a little earlier, the general insurrection of all the other provinces took place, when more than seven hundred Christian Spaniards were put to cruel deaths by the Indians between Cuzco and Quito. God delivered us from the fury of the Indians, which is truly fearful when they can effect their desires. Howbeit, the Indians said that they fought for their liberty, and to escape from the cruel treatment they received from the Spaniards, who had become lords of their land and of themselves.[412]