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.