Page:The principal navigations, voyages, traffiques and discoveries of the English nation 16.djvu/272

 From these mountaines issue great store of riuers into the South sea, with the waters whereof drawen by certaine sluces and chanels they moisten their vineyardes and corne-fields, and by this meanes the land is so exceeding fruitfull. Betweene these mountaines and the mountaines of Chili that stretch vnto the Streits of Magellan, lyeth a plaine of 60 leagues ouer, being so cold that it yeeldeth no Wheat, but good store of other victuals. This countrey of Peru is full of people well apparelled and of ciuill behauiour.

It hath many mines of gold and more of siluer, as also great store of copper, and tinne mines, with abundance of salt peter, and of brimstone to make gun-powder.

There are likewise cattell of all sorts, among which there is a beast in shape somewhat resembling a camel, but no bigger then a steere of a yeere olde; they serue to carry burthens, their flesh being good to eate, and their wooll apt for many purposes. This beast is accounted the most profitable of al others for the vse of man: howbeit the Spaniards since their first comming haue replenished this countrey with horses, kine, sheepe, and goates, and likewise with plentie of wheat. So that in fewe words this land hath abundance of riches and victuals, and is the healthfullest place in the world. There were in times past kings of this land which were mighty Monarchs, whose dominions stretched 1200. leagues, and their lawes were very ciuill, saue that they were worshippers of the Sunne.

At what time the Spaniards first entred this land there were two brethren of the blood royall which stroue who should haue the kingdome, the one called Guascar, and the other Atabalipa. Nowe Guascar had possession of all the mountaines and the lands within them: and Atabalipa was lord of all the sea coast and of the valleys situate betweene the said mountaines and the sea. The Indians seeing the Spaniards at the first arriue vpon the shore called them Vera coche, which in their language signifieth, The fome of the sea. Also Atabalipa the Indian prince sent vnto them to know what they did in his land, and what they sought for: the Spaniards made answere that they were the messengers of a great lord, and that they came to speake with the prince himselfe: who sent them word that they should come with a very good will; and so Atabalipa stayed for them at a citie called Caxamalca, being thirtie leagues