USE OF MESSENGERS. 409 



CHAP. x. How tJie Indians dispatched their Messengers. 



To finish the manor they had of writing, some may, with LIB. vi. 

 reason, doubt how the Kings of Mexico and Peru had 

 intelligence from all those realmes that were so great, or by 

 what means they could dispatch their affaires in Court, 

 seeing they had no vse of any letters, nor to write pacquets : 

 wherein we may be satisfied of this doubt, when wo under 

 stand that by wordes, pictures, and these memorialles, they 

 were often advertised of that which passed. For this cause 

 there were men of great agilitie, which served as curriers, 

 to goo and come, whom they did nourish in this exercise of 

 running from their youth, labouring to have them well 

 breathed, that they might runne to the toppo of a high hill 

 without wearines. And therefore in Mexico they gave the 

 prize to three or foure that first mounted vp the staircs of 

 the Temple, as hath beene said in the former Booke. And 

 in Cusco, when they made their solcmno feast of Capa- 

 crayme, the novices did runne who could fastest vp the 

 rocke of Yanacauri. And the exercise of running is gen 

 erally much vscd among the Indians. AVhenas there 

 chauuced any matter of importaunce, they sent vnto the 

 Lordcs of Mexico, the thing painted, whereof they would 

 advertise them, as they did when the first Spanish ship ap 

 peared to their sight, and when they tooko Toponchan. In 

 Peru they were very curious of footemcn, and the Yuca had 

 them in all parts of the real me as ordinary Posts, called 

 Chasquis, whereof shall be spoken in his place. 



CHAT. XL Of the manner of governement, and of the Kinys 

 wJticli the Indians had. 



It is apparant that the thing wherein these barbarous 

 people shew their barbarisme, was in their governement 



