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June 6, 2005 [Dedicated to the folks in San Jerrónimo; and their Mayor] Advance: It is not my intention to recount the history of the long and weary campaign of the Spanish vs. the Inca Empire, but to summarize the swift and shrewdness of Catalina Wanka, in the following lines; in this sketch that is, if in deed, I may call it that the reader will find out, Pizarro’s power over Peru during this period of the 16th Century, did not get Catalina’s’ gold, although it got the head of the Inca King’s. By the mountains surrounding San Jerrónimo, Peru [by Huancayo], in the Mantaro Valley, Catalina Wanka had stopped her caravan of llamas carrying her contribution of gold to Cajamarca; the amount was immense. It would be used to buy the freedom of Atahualpa, the Inca King of Peru, whom had promised his captors a room full of Gold. The caravan stood waiting. Hernando de Soto, and Riquelme, were playing chess in the early afternoon in Cajamarca, in a room being used to incarcerate the Inca king (as he was being held for ransom). Across the shoulder of Soto, Atahualpa stood, said he in a whisper “No…the rook!” He had studied the game of chess quite closely these past several months while in captivity, and surprised the few that stood by watching the chess game, as well as surprising the players, likewise. As history has recorded, Soto took the Inca kings advise, and won the game. When it came time to vote to let the king live or execute him, it was Riquelme who was the deciding vote that brought the king to his death. Thus, comes my poem, which should suite, the occasion: Atahualpa’s Game Sometimes, it’s not wise To share your wisdom —as did, Atahualpa (The Inca King) in the Game of chess; thereafter, He was condemned to death. —“Oh!” said Catalina Wanka in grief, still in the Mantaro Valley, beyond the Andes, having just heard of the execution of the king. Thus, bewildered, and downtrodden, she walked back and forth in the little village of San Jerrónimo, and mumbled painstakingly, “I must hide my gold, for it will not be given to the Spaniards.” Oh, no, oh no, she surmised, this could not happen. One might say at this point of the game: why couldn’t the Spaniards have waited until the gold arrived, than kill the king, but as you can see, pride comes before destruction, and thus, the Spanish government of the day lost its golden apple. In any case, it was in the dark of the night, Catalina carrying a lantern, found a location on her property to hide her gold, within the makings of an ancient cavern was discovered, which was decaying; here then, she planted her gold among its roots—hid it deep within its vaults, and swiftly covered the opening up before daybreak. These tunnels which held many vaults, were connecting—that is to say, they transverses South America two-thousand miles, from where she put the gold, to the coast of Brazil, to the Gate of the Sun, at Tiwanaku, all the way back to Macho Picchu, and under the mountains of the Andes. The Treasure of Catalina Wanka There, by the lofty mountains fair Hidden under the earth by Huancayo In San Jerónimo de Tunan— Is Catalina’s treasure of gold! Whereupon, the Spaniards killed Atahualpa, the Inca King—; Hence, Catalina turned around to seek And found-her new, sacred ground! … And, a glutted steam swept- This little adobe church Called San Sebastian-ever since In the lofty mountains by Huancayo! … Thereafter, an adobe church was built on that spot, now called, Saint Sebastian. A ruins that is most beautiful, in its mixed shaded brownish brick adobe colors that sits against the victorious hills beyond its walls in this little village called San Jerrónimo that is nestled within. ------------ About the author: Mr. Siluk is a world traveler, a lover of the mysteries around the world, and has visit many World Heritage Sites, his most recent being Easter Island, the Galapagos and Mesa Verde. His books can be seen on/at Barns and Noble.com, Amazon.com, Wal-Mart, Abe.com Alibis, Boarders and several other sites and book stores. Many of his books can be purchased through the English Bookdealers. He spends his time between Lima, Peru and St. Paul, Minnesota, and has just finished working on two new books: "The Macabre Poems,” and “Perhaps it’s Love,” and continues to work on "Curse of the Abyss Worm,” a suspenseful mystery, and “Cold Kindness,” a tragic love affair. Visit http://dennissiluk.tripod.com Email: dlsiluk@msn.com Tell a friend about this site! ------------ All articles are EXCLUSIVE to Useless-Knowledge.com and are not allowed to be posted on other websites. ARTICLE THIEVES WILL BE PROSECUTED! |
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