aking sacrifices and
blowing out the lungs of an animal, which they call _calpa_. This they
did not well understand, from what happened afterwards. Marching on
towards Cuzco, they arrived at a place called Conchacalla, where they
took a prisoner. From him they learnt what was happening at Cuzco, and
he offered to guide them there secretly. Thus he conducted them half
way. But then his conscience cried out to him touching the evil he was
doing. So he fled to Cuzco, and gave the news that the Chancas were
resolutely advancing. The news of this Indian, who was a Quillis-cachi
of Cuzco, made Viracocha hasten his flight to Chita, whither the Chancas
sent their messengers summoning him to surrender, and threatening war if
he refused. Others say that these were not messengers but scouts and
that Inca Viracocha, knowing this, told them that he knew they were
spies of the Chancas, that he did not want to kill them, but that they
might return and tell their people that if they wanted anything he was
there. So they departed and at the mouth of a channel of water some of
them fell and were killed. At this the Chancas were much annoyed. They
said that the messengers had been ordered to go to Inca Viracocha, and
that they were killed by his captain Quequo Mayta.

While this was proceeding with the messengers of the Chancas, the Chanca
army was coming nearer to Cuzco. Inca Yupanqui made great praying to
Viracocha and to the Sun to protect the city. One day he was at
Susurpuquio in great affliction, thinking over the best plan for
opposing his enemies, when there appeared a person in the air like the
Sun, consoling him and animating him for the battle. This being held up
to him a mirror in which the provinces he would subdue were shown, and
told him that he would be greater than any of his ancestors: he was to
have no doubt, but to return to the city, because he would conquer the
Chancas who were marching on Cuzco. With these words the vision animated
Inca Yupanqui. He took the mirror, which he carried with him ever
afterwards, in peace or war, and returned to the city, where he began to
encourage those he had left there, and some who came from afar[79]. The
latter came to look on, not daring to declare for either party, fearing
the rage of the conqueror if they should join the conquered side. Inca
Yupanqui, though only a lad of 20 or 22 years, provided for everything
as one who was about to fight for his life.

[Note 79: Susurpuquio