The royal commentaries of Peru : in two parts / written originally in spanish by the Inca Garcilasso de la Vega; rendred into english by sir Paul Rycaut.

BooK III. Royal Commentaries. the floar of the Bridge, which Bridge was about thirreen or fourceen Foot broad, and about a Yard rhick, and about an hundred and fifcy Paces in lengrh; fü chat we may imagine what a vaíl: quantity of Rufhes is required for a work of chis na- ture. le is moreover obfervable, thar chis Bridge requires reparacions every fix Momhs, or rather, to ee made new, for the whole compofttion of ir being no- thing bue Straw and Rufhes, wlúch are fading and decaying materials, mufr be ofcen renewed, efpecially the Ropes or Cables, which are the main traves of che work, muíl: be maintained, and kept in good repair. This Bridge, .as likewife ali other publick conveniences, were in che times of the Inc~ kep.t up, and main- tained ar che charge and labour of the neighbouring Coumríes ; fo that many Hands making light work, and che materials prov~ded from year to year, the good order obferved, made it a matter without muero_trouble or difficulty. The end of chefe main Cables, which were the Foundatiort of chis forc ofBridge, were fixed in che ground, and not feifed , or made faíl: to Rocks of Stone, as fome -others were; and che Jndians [ay, that this is the better invemion, for that this Bridge may be removed, and carried either higher or lower on .the River, as oc- cafion requires. The Bridge being thus made and compleced, the Inca, with his eldeíl: Son and Heir_, deparced from Couo, cravelling by fhorc journies, untill they arrived at che remotefr pares of chofe Provinces which belonged to Cari and Chipana, being chofe Coumries which we formerly mentioned by the names of Tapacri and Cochapampfl, where•the CaciqHu attended in a readinefs with.their Souldiers ~o receive the Inca. From Coch11piimpa they proceeded forward to Chqyanta, and in their way thither they paffed a moíl: defolate and barren Countrey, where is not one Foot of good Ground, bm onely Stones and Rocks; and which produces nothing but Bufhes b~aring Thorns, as long as a·Man's finger, and which the l.ndians ufe for Needles to fow che poor Drapery chey wear; and which forr otThorn grows common in ali pares of Peru: Having paífed this defart, which contains about twency Leagues in Jength, and about as.much in breadth, they encred into Chayanta; where che Inca commanded the Prince hís Son to [end the Summons which were ufüal, ancf accufromary to thdnhabitancs of that Province. At the receipts of thefe Summ~os the Indians ~ere divjde.d inco 9ifferent opini· ons; fome were for prefent Subm1ílion and Obed1ence to chis celefüal Race which was defcended from the Sun, being aífured all chofe La;vs which were given and impofed by fuch an infallible Light, could not be other than juít, gentle, and füch as tended ratber to tbe Liberty and Security of che Subjefü, than co the lntereíl: and·Advamage of the Governour. Howfoever ochers that were of a differenr femimem, and more ilubborn in their humour, argued, That they had no n ed of a King, or riew Laws, fince that chofe which they had already were good and profitable, and foch as their Anceítours had lived under with great happinefs and fecurity; that they had Gods already of their own, whom they worfhipped and ferved, and knew no neceílity that time 1 was of a new Religion, or Cufloms ;- and what was moíl: grievous, that they muíl: fubmit to the pleafure si a~rince, who preached ReHgion and Sanétity to them, and made them promifes of Privilege and Liberty; whenas perhaps to morrow, fo fooq as he had gainec) chem under his power, he would then impofe fuch Laws as were ílavifh and agreeable to his own Lufl: anp Pleafüre; and therefore they concluded, that it was better not to truíl: to füch a hazard, but rather to live in their own freedom; or elfe die in the defence of it. In this Sufpem:e matters remained for fome days, both parties infifüng on che truth of their. opinions, umill at length che.fear of rnrnpulfion from che Inca, and the hopes of receiving good and wílolfome Laws from him, extorced an aní\l\ler which was dubious, and favouring fomething of both opinions; for they declared that they were willing to receive the Inca for their King and Lord, but as. to his Laws, rhey were ignoram of them, not lmowing whecher they conduced co their Benefit or Damage; untill which time, that rhey were informed of the fubfrance and form of them , tl\ey defired a ceffation of Arms, and of ali violence, and that the Inr:a, with his Army, mighr emer into their Councrey upon parole, thac in cafe bis Laws proved not to their concentmenc, thac then he would quit bis fiation, and leave them to cheir O\\ n freedom and libercy; bue if they appeared as good as he avouched and affirmed them to be, tbat then immediacely they would . 79