CHAPTER X - CCAPAC YUPANQUI, THE FIFTH KING, GAINS MANY PROVINCES IN CUNTI-SUYU

Summary

The Ynca Ccapac Yupanqui, whose names, having been used by his ancestors, have already been interpreted, took the emblem of power, the crimson fringe, on the death of his father, and having celebrated the obsequies, he set out to visit all his dominions, travelling through the provinces, and inquiring into the conduct of the governors. He was occupied for two years in this inspection, and then returned to Cuzco, where he ordered provisions to be collected, and an army to be assembled, intending to extend his conquests to the westward of Cuzco, in the Cunti-suyu region, in the ensuing year, for he heard that there were still many large and populous provinces still unsubdued in that direction. He ordered another bridge to be made across the great river Apurimac at a place called Huaca-chaca, lower down than that of Accha, which was completed with all diligence, and was broader than the older bridge, the width of the river being greater.

The Ynca departed from Cuzco with nearly 20,000 armed men, and reached the bridge, which is eight leagues from that city, by a very rugged and difficult road. The descent to the river alone is three leagues long, and nearly perpendicular, the actual height being half a league; and the ascent on the opposite side is another three leagues. After passing the bridge, the Ynca entered a beautiful province called Yana-huara, which now contains more than thirty towns, though it is not known how many it then had.