ote
provinces threw off their allegiance to the Incas; the great captains at
the head of distant armies set up for themselves--one named Ruminavi
sought to detach Quito from the Peruvian Empire and assert its
independence. Pizarro, still in Caxamalca, looked round for a successor
to Atahuallpa, and chose his young brother Toparca, who was crowned with
the usual ceremonies; and then the Spaniards set out for Cuzco, taking
the new Inca with them, and after a toilful journey and more than one
encounter with hostile natives reached Xanxa in safety. Here Pizarro
remained for a time, sending one of his captains, named Hernando de
Soto, forward with a small body of men to reconnoitre. This cavalier
found villages burnt, bridges destroyed, and heavy rocks and trees
placed in the path to impede his cavalry, and realised at length that
the natives had risen to resistance. As he neared the Sierra of
Vilcaconga he heard that a considerable body of Indians lay in wait for
him in its dangerous passes; but though his men and horses were weary,
he rashly determined to push on and pass it before nightfall if
possible. No sooner had they fairly entered the narrow way than he was
attacked by a multitude of armed warriors, who seemed to spring from
every bush and cavern, and rushed down like a mountain torrent upon the
Spaniards as they struggled up the steep and rocky pathway. Men and
horses were overthrown, and it was only after a severe struggle that
they succeeded in reaching a level spot upon which it was possible to
face the enemy. Night fell while the issue of the fight was still
uncertain, but fortunately Pizarro, when he heard of the unsettled state
of the country, had despatched Almagro to the support of De Soto. He,
hearing that there was the chance of a fight, had pushed on hastily, and
now advanced under cover of the darkness, sounding his trumpets, which
were joyfully answered by the bugles of De Soto.

[Illustration: IN ONE CAVE THE SOLDIERS FOUND VASES OF PURE GOLD, ETC.]

When morning broke and the Peruvians saw that their white enemies had
been mysteriously reinforced in the night, they hastily retreated,
leaving the passes open, and the two cavaliers continued their march
through the mountains, and took up a secure position in the open country
beyond, to await Pizarro. Their losses had not been very great, but they
were quite unprepared to meet with any resistance; and as this seemed a
well-organised attack, suspicion f