Lloque Yupanqui died,[156] leaving orders that the fringe or crown of the empire should be deposited in the temple of Curi-cancha until his son was of an age to reign. The name given to the son was Mayta Capac, and, as governors, they say that the old Inca nominated two of his brothers, whose names I did not hear.
The Ynca Lloque Yupanqui was mourned for by all the servants of his household, and in many parts of the city, and, in conformity with their heathen blindness, they killed many women and boys, in the belief that they would go to serve the dead lord in heaven, where they held it to be certain that his soul rested. Considering him to be a saint, the chief people of the city ordered that his image should be made, to be brought out at their festivals. Assuredly the preparations they make for the obsequies of one of these kings are very great. Generally they mourned in all the provinces, and in many of them the women were shorn, and their heads bound with cords of reed. At the end of a year they make greater lamentations and heathen sacrifices than can be imagined. As regards this, those who were at Cuzco in the year 1550, beheld what took place in honour of Paullu,[157] when they celebrated the end of his mourning year. It was such that most of the ladies of the city went to his house to see the ceremony, and I was myself present. Certainly it was calculated to excite admiration, and we were given to understand that it was nothing compared to what used to take place in former days. Now I will speak of Mayta Capac.
CHAPTER XXXIII.
Of the fourth Inca who reigned at Cuzco, named Mayta Capac, and of what happened during his reign.
WHAT has been described having taken place, Mayta Capac[158] began to increase in stature. So, after the usual ceremonies, his ears were bored. Then, when he was still nearer to man’s estate, he received the crown or fringe of empire in presence of a great multitude, as well natives as strangers, who assembled for the purpose. As he had no sister with whom to marry, he took for his wife the daughter of a lord or captain of a place called Oma, which is at a distance of two leagues from Cuzco. Her name was Mama Cahua Pata.[159]
After the marriage, there was a district near the city where dwelt a tribe called Alcaviquiza,[160] who had shown no desire to form a friendship with those of Cuzco. They were full of suspicion, the one of the other. It is related that, when a woman went to certain springs to draw water, a boy came forth from the other district, and broke her pitcher, making use of I know not what words. She went back to Cuzco shrieking; and presently the two parties came forth with their arms, which they had taken up on hearing the noise. The Inca, with his followers, arrived, and they put themselves in array to fight, having taken as the pretext so slight a cause as this quarrel between the woman and the boy. This was the motive for subjugating that tribe, and for making all memory of it to disappear.
The object was well understood by those of Alcaviquiza, and, as valiant men, they resolutely came forth to the battle, which was the first that took place in those days. They fought together for a long time, and, as the affair had arisen so suddenly, those of Alcaviquiza had not been able to seek for help. Though they fought well, they were defeated in such sort that nearly all were killed, scarcely fifty of them escaping with life. Then the king Mayta Capac took possession of the fields and inheritances of the dead as conqueror, and divided them among the people of Cuzco. There was great rejoicing for the victory, and sacrifices were offered up to the oracles, which they held to be sacred.
Of this Inca the Orejones do not relate more than that Mayta Capac reigned in Cuzco several years; and, when people were arriving to set out for the province called Condesuyo, he became so ill that he died,[161] leaving, as his heir, his eldest son, named Capac Yupanqui.
CHAPTER XXXIV.
Of the fifth king who reigned at Cuzco, named Capac Yupanqui.