As I did so I looked back.  The battle still raged but it seemed to me with less fury than before.  It was as though both sides were weary of slaughter, their leaders being fallen.  The litter was borne forward, till at length the noise of shouting and tumult grew low.  Twisting myself round I peered through the back curtains and saw that the Inca host and that of the Chancas were separating sullenly, neither of them broken since they carried their wounded away with them.  It was plain that the battle remained drawn for there was no rout and no triumph.

I saw, too, that I was entering the great city of Cuzco, where women and children stood at the doors of the houses gazing, and some of them wringing their hands with tears upon their faces.

Passing down long streets and across a bridge, I came to a vast square round which stood mighty buildings, low, massive, and constructed of huge stones.  At the door of one of these the litter halted and I was helped to descend.  Men beautifully clad in broidered linen led me through a gateway and across a garden where I noted a marvellous thing, namely:  that all the plants therein were fashioned of solid gold with silver flowers, or sometimes of silver with golden flowers.  Also there were trees on which were perched birds of gold and silver.  When I saw this I thought that I must be mad, but it was not so, for having no other use for the precious metals, of which they had so much abundance, thus did these Incas adorn their palaces.

Leaving the golden garden, I reached a courtyard surrounded by rooms, to one of which I was conducted.  Passing its door, I found myself in a splendid chamber hung with tapestries fantastically wrought and having cushioned seats, and tables of rich woods incrusted with precious stones.  Here servants or slaves appeared with a chamberlain who bowed deeply and welcomed me in the name of the Inca.

Then, as though I were something half divine, gently enough, they loosed the sword from my wrist, took the long bow from my back, with the few arrows that remained, also my dagger, and hid them away.  They unbound me, and freeing me from my armour, as I told them how, and the garments beneath, laved me with warm, scented water, rubbed my bruised limbs, and clothed me in wonderful soft garments, also scented and fastened about my middle with a golden belt.  This done, food and spiced drinks of their native wine were brought to me in golden vessels.  I ate and drank and, being very weary, laid myself down upon one of the couches to sleep.  For now I no longer took any thought as to what might befall me, but received all as it came, good and ill together, entrusting my body and soul to the care of God and St. Hubert.  Indeed, what else could I do who was disarmed and a prisoner?

When I awoke again, very stiff and bruised, but much refreshed, night had fallen, for hanging lamps were lit about the room.  By their light I saw the chamberlain of whom I have spoken standing before me.  I asked him his errand.  With many bows he said that if I were rested the Inca Upanqui desired my presence that he might speak with me.