POSTS AND MESSENGERS. 423 



CHAP. xvii. Of the Posts and Chanqnia the Indians 

 dul vse. 



There were many Posts and couriers which the Ynca LlB - vl 

 maintained throughout his realine, whom they called Chas 

 quis, and they carried commaundements to the Governours, 

 and returned their advises and advertisements to the Court. 

 These Chasquis were placed at every fn^u, wliich was a 

 league and a halfe one from an other in two small houses, 

 where were foure Indians. These were furnished by different 

 districts, and changed monthly. Having received the packet 

 or message, they ranne with all their force vntill they had 

 delivered it to the other Chasquis, such as were to runno 

 being ready and watchfull. They ran fifty leagues in a day 

 and night, although the greatest parte of that count rey bo 

 very rough. They served also to carry such things as the 

 Ynca desired to have with speede. Therefore they had always 

 sea- fish in Cusco, of two dayes old or little more, although it 

 were above a hundred leagues off. Since the Spaniardes 

 entred, they have vsed of these Chasquis in time of seditions, 

 whereof there was great need. Don Martin, 1 the Viceroy, 

 appoynted ordinary posts at every foure leagues, to carry 

 and recarry despatches, which were very necessary in this 

 real me, though they run not so swiftly as the auntients did, 

 neither are there so many, yet they are well payed, and 

 serve as the ordinaries of Spaine, delivering letters, which 

 they each carry foure or rive leagues. 



CHAP, xvin. Of the, iustice, lawes, and punishments which the 



Yncas have established, and of their marriages. 

 Even as such as had done any good service in warre, or 

 in the governeinent of the common-weale, were honoured 

 1 Don Martin Henriquez. 



