The precious metals, which before
served only for purposes of state or religious decoration, were now
hoarded up and buried in caves and forests. The gold and silver
concealed by the natives were affirmed greatly to exceed in quantity that
which fell into the hands of the Spaniards.3 The remote provinces now
shook off their allegiance to the Incas. Their great captains, at the head
of distant armies, set up for themselves. Ruminavi, a commander on the
borders of Quito, sought to detach that kingdom from the Peruvian
empire, and to reassert its ancient independence. The country, in short,
was in that state, in which old things are passing away, and the new order
of things has not yet been established. It was in a state of revolution.
The authors of the revolution, Pizarro and his followers, remained
meanwhile at Caxamalca. But the first step of the Spanish commander
was to name a successor to Atahuallpa. It would be easier to govern
under the venerated authority to which the homage of the Indians had
been so long paid; and it was not difficult to find a successor. The true
heir to the crown was a second son of Huayna Capac, named Manco, a
legitimate brother of the unfortunate Huascar. But Pizarro had too little
knowledge of the dispositions of this prince; and he made no scruple to
prefer a brother of Atahuallpa, and to present him to the Indian nobles as
their future Inca.
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