without advantage on either side. At last Pachacuti, with his immediate guards, hewed his way through the hostile ranks to where Asto-huaraca was fighting. There was a duel, and the Chanca chief was slain. His colleague, Tomay-huaraca, was already killed. The Inca ordered the heads of the two chiefs to be raised up on their own lances. This caused a panic, and the hostile army broke and fled. The Orejones followed in pursuit, doing great execution, few escaping over the terrific gorge of the Apurimac in their rear.
The power of the great confederacy was completely broken. It was a death struggle. For a long time the balance seemed to incline to the Chancas. The valour and genius of Cusi, the Pachacuti, turned the scale, and the empire of the Incas was the result. The tributary vassals of the Chancas, over a vast area, soon changed their allegiance, some after slight resistance, but the greater number voluntarily and with good will.
Pachacuti went in person to his father, who had now taken refuge in his stronghold called Caquia Saquis-ahuana, with the prisoners and spoils, requesting the old man to tread upon them according to custom. He still desired that his favourite son Urco should perform the ceremony, but was at last persuaded to comply with the custom himself. It was called Muchanacu.
On his return to Cuzco there was a solemn sacrifice to the sun, and the Inca Pachacuti was crowned with the fringe, and proclaimed
