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28 kindred in the imperial city of Cuzco, who were discoursing of their ancestors, it came into his mind to ask the most elderly person amongst them, by interrupting him in his discourse, the following questions:—“Inca and my uncle,” said I, “How is it possible, since you have no writings, that you have been able to preserve the memory of things past, and the origin of our kings? I observe that the Spaniards and their kindred nations have their sacred and profane histories, whereby they learn the time that their own kings, and the princes of other countries began their reigns; when and how empires were changed and transferred; nay, so far they go, as to tell us how many thousand years are past since God created the heavens and the earth; all of which, and much more, they have learned from their books; but as to yourselves—In what manner can you retain the memory of your ancestors, or be informed of the origin of the Incas? As, for instance, who was the first of them, or what was his name? Of what lineage, or in what manner did he begin his reign? What nations did he conquer, and when did he give a being to this great empire, and with what exploits did our ancestors achieve their greatness?

“The Inca was much pleased to hear me make these inquiries, because he took great delight in recounting these matters, and turning to me, said, ‘Cousin, I most willingly comply with your request; for it concerns you to hear them, and keep them in your heart. Remember, then, that in ages past, all this region or country, you see around us, was nothing but mountains and wild forests, and the people in those times were like so many brutes, without any religion or government, with no understanding of property, or a single enjoyment of them; neither did they sow, plough, nor clothe themselves, because they had no idea of tilling the earth, and knew not the art of weaving either cotton or wool. They dwelt two by two, or three and three together, as they chanced to meet, in caves, or holes in the rocks and mountains.