TRIBUTE TO TMK YNCAS. 417 



is so deep as they can not settle any foundation, and so broade LlB v 

 that it is impossible to make an arch to passe it, so as it 

 was altogether impossible to make a bridge eyther of wood 

 or stone. But the wit and industry of the Indians invented 

 a meanes to make a fir mo and assured bridge, being only 

 of strawe, which seemeth fabulous, yet is it very true. For 

 as we have said before, they did binde together certaine 

 bundles of reedes, and weedes, which do grow in the lake 

 that they call Totora, and being a light matter that sinkes 

 not in the water, they cast it vppon a great quantity of 

 reedes; then, having tied those bundles of weedes to either 

 side of the river, both men and beasts goe over it with 

 ease. Passing over this bridge I wondered, that of so. 

 common and easie a thing, they had made a bridge, better, 

 and more assured than the bridge of boates from Seville 

 to Triana. I have measured the length of this bridge, and, 

 as I remember, it was above three hundred foote, and they 

 say that the depth of this current is very great; and it 

 seemes above, that the water hath no motion, yet they say, 

 that at the bottome it hath a violent and very furious 

 course. And this shall suffice for buildings. 



CHAP. xv. Of tJtc Yncas revenues, and the order of Tribute* 



flu 1 // imposed I jHDi the Indians. 



The Yucas riches was incomparable, for although no king 

 did inherite the riches and treasure of his predecessor, 

 yet had he at commaund all the riches of his realmes, 

 as well silver and gold, as the stufte of Cumbi, 1 and cattell 

 wherein they abounded, and their greatest riches of all, was 

 their innumerable number of vassals, which were all 

 imployed as it pleased the King. They brought out of every 

 province what he had chosen for tribute. The Chichas sent 

 him sweete and rich woods; the Lucanas sent bearers to 



1 Fine cloth. 



