th a tower overlooking the city on one hand and the Inca's
camp on the other.

Without hesitation, the weary Spaniards made themselves at home in the
vacant buildings around the square; guards were posted in order that
the strictest {77} watch might be kept, and other preparations made for
defence. Here they prepared for the repose of the night. Meanwhile
Hernando de Soto with twenty horse was sent as an ambassador to
Atahualpa's camp. He had been gone but a short time when Pizarro, at
the suggestion of his brother Hernando, who made the point that twenty
horsemen were not sufficient for defense and too many to lose,
despatched the latter with twenty more cavalrymen to reenforce the
first party.

The two cavaliers and their escort found the Inca in the midst of his
camp. The monarch was seated and surrounded by a brilliant assemblage
of nobles in magnificent vestments. He was guarded by a great army of
soldiers armed with war-clubs, swords and spears of tempered copper,
and bows and slings. He received the deputation with the impassivity
of a stone image, vouchsafing no answer to their respectful address
until it had been several times repeated. At last he declared he would
visit the strangers on the morrow, and directed them to occupy the
buildings in the public square, and none other until he came to make
arrangements. His demeanor was cold and forbidding to the last degree.
The results of the embassy were highly unsatisfactory. One incident
connected with the interview is worthy of mention.

De Soto, who was a most accomplished cavalier, a perfect centaur in
fact, noticing the amazed and somewhat alarmed glances of the Inca's
men at the movements of his restless horse, suddenly determined to
exhibit his skill at the manege. Striking spurs to his charger, he
caused him to curvet and prance in the open before the Inca, showing at
the same time {78} his own horsemanship and the fiery impetuosity of
the high-spirited animal. He concluded this performance--shall I say
circus?--by dashing at full speed toward the Inca, reining in his steed
with the utmost dexterity a few feet from the royal person. What the
Inca thought of this has not been recorded. I imagine he must have
been terribly affronted. Some of his nobles and soldiers, less able to
preserve their iron composure than their master, shrank back from the
onrushing avalanche of steed and steel presented by De Soto and his
horse. The Spaniards found