e life of Inca Viracocha, that he had four
legitimate sons. Of these the third named Cusi, and as surname Inca
Yupanqui, was raised to the Incaship by the famous captains Apu Mayta
and Vicaquirau, and by the rest of the legitimate sons, and against the
will of his father. In the course of their intrigues to carry this into
effect, the times gave them the opportunity which they could not
otherwise have found, in the march of the Chancas upon Cuzco. It
happened in this way.

Thirty leagues to the west of Cuzco there is a province called
Andahuaylas, the names of the natives of it being Chancas. In this
province there were two Sinchis, [_robbers and cruel tyrants_] named
Uscovilca and Ancovilca who, coming on an expedition from near Huamanca
with some companies of robbers, had settled in the valley of
Andahuaylas, and had there formed a state. They were brothers. Uscovilca
being the elder and principal one, instituted a tribe which he called
Hanan-chancas or upper Chancas. Ancovilca formed another tribe called
Hurin-chancas or lower Chancas. These chiefs, after death, were
embalmed, and because they were feared for their cruelties in life, were
kept by their people. The Hanan-chancas carried the statue of Uscovilca
with them, in their raids and wars. Although they had other Sinchis,
they always attributed their success to the statue of Uscovilca, which
they called Ancoallo.

The tribes and companies of Uscovilca had multiplied prodigiously in the
time of Viracocha. It seemed to them that they were so powerful that no
one could equal them, so they resolved to march from Andahuaylas and
conquer Cuzco. With this object they elected two Sinchis, one named
Asto-huaraca, and the other Tomay-huaraca, one of the tribe of
Hanan-chanca, the other of Hurin-chanca. These were to lead them in
their enterprise. The Chancas and their Sinchis were proud and insolent.
Setting out from Andahuaylas they marched on the way to Cuzco until they
reached a place called Ichu-pampa, five leagues west of that city, where
they halted for some days, terrifying the neighbourhood and preparing
for an advance.

The news spread terror among the _orejones_ of Cuzco, for they doubted
the powers of Inca Viracocha, who was now very old and weak. Thinking
that the position of Cuzco was insecure, Viracocha called a Council of
his sons and captains Apu Mayta and Vicaquirau. These captains said to
him--"Inca Viracocha! we have understood what you have proposed