428 ORIGIN OF THE YNCAS. 



LIB. vi. bum for the defence of the frontire towards tlie East. 

 The Yncas advanced no farther on that side, for the abound- 

 ance of water, marshes, lakes, and rivers, which runne in 

 those partes. These Yncas passed all the other Nations of 

 America in policy and government, and much more in 

 valour and arrnes, although the Canaris which were their 

 mortall enemies, and favoured the Spaniardes, would never 

 confesse it, nor yeelde them this advantage; so as even at 

 this day, if they fall into any discourse or comparisons, and 

 that they be a little chafed and incensed, they kill one 

 another by thousands vpon this quarrel, which are the most 

 valiant, as it hath happened in Cusco. The practice and 

 meanes which the Yncas had to make themselves Lords of 

 all this Countrie, was in faining that since the generall 

 deluge, whereof all the Indians have knowledge, the world 

 had beene preserved, restored, and peopled by these Yncas, 

 and that seven of them came foorth of the cave of Pacari- 

 tambo, by reason whereof, all other men owed them tribute 

 and vassalage, as their progenitors. Besides, they said 

 and affirmed, that they alone held the true religion, and 

 knew how God should be served and honoured; and for this 

 cause they should instruct all men. It is a strange thing 

 the ground they give to their customes and ceremonies. 

 There were in Cusco above foure hundred Oratories, as in a 

 holy land, and all places were filled with their mysteries. 

 As they continued in the conquests of Provinces, so they 

 brought in the like ceremonies and customes. In all this 

 realm e the chiefe idol they did worship was Yiracocha 

 Pachayachachic, 1 which signifies the Creator of the world, 

 and after him the Sunne. And therefore they said, that 

 the Sunne received his vertue and being from the Creator, 

 as the other idolls do, and that they were intercessors to 



him. 



1 Teacher of the world ; from Yacliani, I teach. 



