lines of defence and the outer wall, which was composed of
five. But at the entrance the Cayambis killed Auqui Toma, captain of the
Cuzcos, who had fought most valorously. This attack and defence was so
obstinate and long continued that an immense number of men fell, and the
survivors had nowhere to fight except upon heaps of dead men. The desire
of both sides to conquer or die was so strong that they gave up their
lances and arrows and took to their fists. At last, when they saw that
their captain was killed, the Incas began to retreat towards a river,
into which they went without any care for saving their lives. The river
was in flood and a great number of men were drowned. This was a heavy
loss for the cause of Huayna Ccapac. Those who escaped from drowning and
from the hands of the enemy, sent the news to the Inca from the other
side of the river. Huayna Ccapac received the news of this reverse with
heavier grief than ever, for he dearly loved his brother Auqui Toma, who
had been killed with so many men who were the pick of the army.

Huayna Ccapac was a brave man, and was not dismayed. On the contrary it
raised his spirit and he resolved to be avenged. He again got ready his
forces and marched in person against the fortress of the Cayambis. He
formed the army in three divisions. He sent Michi with a third of the
army to pass on one side of the fortress without being seen. This
detachment consisted of Cuzco _orejones_, and men of Chinchay-suyu. They
were to advance five marches beyond the fortress and, at a fixed time,
return towards it, desolating and destroying. The Inca, with the rest of
his army marched direct to the attack of the fortress, and began to
fight with great fury. This continued some days, during which the Inca
lost some men. While the battle was proceeding, Michi and those of
Chinchay-suyu turned, desolating and destroying everything in the land
of the Cayambis. They were so furious that they did not leave anything
standing, making the very earth to tremble. When Huayna Ccapac knew that
his detachment was near the fortress, he feigned a flight. The Cayambis,
not aware of what was happening in their rear, came out of the fortress
in pursuit of the Inca. When the Cayambis were at some distance from
their stronghold, the Chinchay-suyus, commanded by Michi, came in sight.
These met with no resistance in the fortress as the Cayambis were
outside, following Huayna Ccapac. They easily entered it and set it