Page:The Incas of Peru.djvu/287

Rh Quizquiz gave up all hope of crossing the profound gorge of the Apurimac in the face of an enemy. He detached Chalcuchima to approach Cuzco by way of Chumpivilcas. He then attacked the main division of Huascar's army, and was repulsed with heavy loss.

What followed is a little obscure. It would seem that the Inca conducted a reconnaissance in force up a ravine opening on to the Cotabambas valley. It was in reality a carefully arranged ambuscade. The Inca was suddenly surrounded, dragged out of his litter, and taken prisoner. When this became known, all resistance ceased, and the Incarial army was dissolved. Atahualpa's generals marched in triumph to the capital, encamping outside at a place called Quisipay. The chiefs of Cuzco and the Inca's mother, Rahua Ocllo, submitted and acknowledged Atahualpa as their sovereign. The old queen even upbraided her son for his injustice and cruelties, and told him that his own wickedness was the cause of his misfortunes. The unhappy prince certainly paid dearly for his sins. All those who were near and dear to him were massacred before his eyes. Then an order came from Atahualpa that his brother Huascar, with his mother and principal councillors, were to be brought to him at Caxamarca.

But the terrible drama was drawing to its astounding close. News came to Cuzco of the arrival of the mighty strangers, then that Atahualpa himself was a prisoner in their hands, next that a