Page:The Incas of Peru.djvu/323

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been validated.

CHAPTER XVIII

THE LAST OF THE INCAS

The terrible doom of the unfortunate Peruvians and their beloved Incas was now inevitable. It came upon them in one crushing blow a very little more than ten years after the departure of the Inca Garcilasso de la Vega for Europe. On the death of Sayri Tupac, his brother Titu Cusi Yupanqui was acclaimed as sovereign Inca in Vilcapampa—a man of very different mould. Juan de Betanzos and Rodriguez were sent to persuade him to follow his elder brother's example, but without effect. He was firm in the resolve to maintain his independence.[1]

The Inca Garcilasso's old schoolfellow, Carlos Inca, had succeeded his father, Prince Paullu, at the palace of the Colcampata, and was married to a Spanish lady born in Peru, named Maria de Esquivel. Little of the palace now remains, but it is a very interesting spot and closely connected with the last days of the Incas.

  1. A letter dictated by Titu Cusi Yupanqui and addressed to the licentiate Castro (who was Governor of Peru from 1564 to 1569) has been unearthed and will be published.

285