MAYTA CAPAC, THE fourth Inca from Manco Capac, is distinguished in Peruvian history for the conquests by which he added to the territories of the empire. On coming to the throne, he took the field with an army of twelve thousand men, and penetrated into the level district of Collao, near the lake Titicaca. The inhabitants being of an unwarlike character, and the country offering no obstacles to his march, the conquest was easily effected. Having established his authority here, the Inca proceeded to Cacyaviri, a district occupied by a scattered population without towns. The country was perfectly level, with the exception of a single steep and lofty mountain. When the petty chieftains understood that it was the intention of the Inca to subjugate them, they constructed a fort on this mountain, the men carrying stones, and the women turf. Here they all entrenched themselves, with a copious supply of provisions. The Inca summoned them to surrender, but they replied that he might go and conquer other nations, as they were resolved not to change their manner of life. Mayta Capac, finding them proof against all his solicitations, prepared to attack the fortress. He divided his army into four bodies, and surrounded the mountain. The Indians made several sallies, but without effect; and after they had weakened themselves by repeated efforts, the Inca led his troops on to a general assault, which was pushed with such vigor that the besieged began to lose their courage. The Curacas, one of the tribes, deserted and went over to the Inca in a body, marching barefoot, with halters round their necks, and every token of submission, acknowledging that they merited death for presuming to oppose the Descendants of the Sun. The Inca received them with affability, saying, "I did not come hither to deprive you of your lives or property, but rather to enrich you, and to teach you to live according to the laws of reason and nature, to quit your idols, and adore the Sun as your benefactor and your god." He then permitted them to embrace his right knee in token of protection,-a remarkable favor, as it was sacrilege for any one, not of the imperial family, to touch the person of the sovereign. This act of clemency assured the conquest of the remaining tribes, who all submitted on learning how favorably the Curacas had been received. On his march back to Cuzco, Mayta Capac made other conquests toward the west. There was in his route a nation that used poisoned weapons in warfare: the poison did not kill, but caused a perpetual torture which continued for life. The Inca totally abolished this savage custom, ordering that every man found guilty of practising it should be burnt alive. In one of his marches toward the west, he found it necessary to cross the river Apurimac. For this purpose he constructed a suspension bridge of withes twisted together into five cables as thick as a man's body these were stretched across the river six hun dred feet in length, hanging high in the air. The whole army, accompanied with droves of domestic animals, passed over it in safety. Bridges of this kind are at this day common in South America. When he captured the town of Tiahuanaca, near the lake Chucuytu, he found there a large pyramid, having a foundation of immense masses of stone, sustaining terraces of earth. Near it were two gigantic statues of stone, with garments reaching to the ground, and caps on their heads; they appeared much defaced by time. There was also a long wall, built of immensely large stones, which excited the astonishment of the Peruvians, as there were neither quarries nor rocks in the neighborhood. In another place were many extraordinary buildings; some of which contained stones thirty feet long, fifteen feet wide, and six feet thick. The walls of these buildings were covered with sculptures. The Indians knew nothing of the origin of these structures. Mayta Capac was one of the greatest of the Peruvian conquerors; the acquisitions which he made to the empire were permanent, and he appears to have accomplished the great object of his reign,-the extension of the arts, sciences, civilization, and religion of Peru. He died at Cuzco, in the height of his glory, and was succeeded by his son, Capac Yupanaqui. B |