_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]