commended the adroit way in which the Spaniards
had entrapped him, adding that since the landing of the white men he had
been made aware of all their doings, but had felt sure of being easily
able to overpower them as soon as he thought fit to do so, and had
allowed them to reach Caxamalca unmolested because he desired to see
them for himself, and to obtain possession of their arms and horses.
This, at least, was the interpretation of what the Inca said given by
Felipillo; but he was a malicious youth, who bore Atahuallpa no good
will, and the Spaniards were only too ready to believe anything that
seemed to justify their cruel deeds. Pizarro replied that the fate of
the Inca was the lot that fell to all who resisted the white men, but he
bade Atahuallpa take courage, for the Spaniards were a generous race,
warring only against those who would not submit themselves. That same
night the general reviewed his men, congratulating them upon the success
of their stratagem, but warning them to be strictly upon their guard,
since they were but a handful of strangers in the heart of a mighty
kingdom, encompassed by foes who were deeply attached to their own
sovereign. Next morning, the prisoners, of whom there were many in the
camp, were employed in burying the dead and removing all traces of the
massacre, while a troop of Spaniards was despatched to spoil the camp of
Atahuallpa and scatter the remnant of the Peruvian forces. At noon this
party returned, bringing the wives and attendants of the Inca, and a
rich booty in gold, silver, emeralds, and other treasures, beside droves
of llamas.

Pizarro would now have liked to march directly upon the capital, but the
distance was great and his force was small. So after sending a message
to San Miguel for reinforcements, he set his men to work at rebuilding
the walls of Caxamalca, and fitting up a church, in which mass was
celebrated daily. Atahuallpa soon discovered that gold was what the
Spaniards chiefly coveted, and he determined to try and buy his freedom,
for he greatly feared that Huascar might win back his liberty and his
kingdom if the news once reached him of his brother's captivity. So he
one day promised Pizarro to fill with gold the room in which they stood,
not merely covering the floor, but piling it up to a line drawn round
the walls as high as he could reach, if he would in return set him free.
The general hardly knew how to answer. All he had seen confirmed the
rumours