Of the sixth king who reigned in Cuzco and of what happened in his time; and of the fable or history they relate touching the river that passes through the midst of the city of Cuzco.

CAPAC Yupanqui being dead in the way that has been related, he was succeeded in the lordship by Inca Rocca his son; and a vast concourse of people came from all directions to be present at the ceremony of his taking the fringe. Great sacrifices were offered up at the oracles and temples in accordance with their blindness. These Indians relate that when the ears of this Inca were bored, to place in them those round plates which are worn by the Orejones to this day, one of them hurt him very much. The pain was such that he went forth from the city to a very high hill which they call Chaca, where he summoned his women and the Coya his sister, named Macay Cuca, whom he had received as his wife in his father’s time. They further relate that, at the time, there happened a mysterious event, which was this. Previously, neither stream nor river flowed by the city, and this was felt to be no small want and inconvenience. For, when it was warm, the inhabitants went to bathe in the rivers that flowed in the neighbourhood of the city, and they even bathed when it was not warm; and there were small fountains for the use of the people, as there are at the present day.

The Inca being on this hill, somewhat apart from his people, he began to offer up a prayer to the great Ticiviracocha and to Guanacauri, and to the Sun, and to the Incas his ancestors, that they would be pleased to declare how and from what direction, a river could be brought by human labour to the city. While he was praying he heard a great peal of thunder, insomuch that all present were terrified. The Inca himself, owing to the fright he received, bowed his head until the left ear touched the ground, from which flowed much blood. Suddenly he heard a great noise of running water underneath that place. So, with great joy, he ordered many Indians of the city to come, who quickly dug down until they reached the water which had opened for itself a way in the bowels of the earth, and had hitherto flowed without being of any use.

Continuing this narrative, they say further that, after they had dug much and seen the source of the water, solemn sacrifices were offered to the gods, for they believed that this benefit had come to them through divine interposition. With great rejoicing they contrived so skilfully that they led the water through the centre of the city, having first paved the ground with large flags, and raised walls with strong foundations on either side of the watercourse, placing some bridges of stone across, to pass from one side to the other.

I have seen this river, and it is true that it flows in the way they describe, coming from its source in the direction of that hill. But, as for the rest, I know not the truth, and merely write down what they assert. Yet a stream might well flow under the ground without being either seen or heard; for, in many parts of this great kingdom, both large and small rivers flow under the ground, as those report who have travelled over the plains and mountains. In these days there are large sewers on the banks of this river, full of filth and refuse. But, in the time of the Incas, it was kept very clean, the water flowing over the large flags, and occasionally the Inca and his women went to bathe there. At divers times some Spaniards have found a quantity of gold, not crude, but worked into small ornaments and topus, which had been left or had fallen when the Incas and their retinue bathed in the river.[165]

After this event, the Inca Rocca came forth from Cuzco to make sacrifices, contriving by great subtilty and kind words to bring as many people as he could into friendship with him. He advanced towards the region called Condesuyo, where, in a place called Pomatambo,[166] he fought a battle with the natives of that district, and remained conqueror and lord of them all. He pardoned them, conferred many benefits on them, instructed them in his rules and order of government, and they offered to become his subjects and to pay tribute. After having been for some days in Condesuyo, and having visited the oracles and temples in that region, the Inca returned in triumph to Cuzco, the principal chiefs marching before him to guard his person, with axes and halberds of gold.

This Inca had many sons and not a single daughter. After having ordained some important matters relating to the government, he died, having first married his eldest son, named Inca Yupanqui, to a lady who was a native of Ayamarca, named Mama Chiquia.[167]