The squadron under Aldana (Pizarro’s ambassador to Spain) was now off _Callao_, the commander having been welcomed at all the ports of _Peru_ at which he had landed, receiving at the same time numerous promises of assistance on the part of those who were nominally Pizarro’s officers. Aldana, who had no rival ships to oppose him, caused copies of the President’s manifestoes to be circulated amongst the citizens of _Lima_, and they were not long in producing their effect, for indeed few persons there had been aware of the full powers entrusted to Gasca. The only general thought was for each one to secure his own safety. It was a case of _sauve qui peut_. Some escaped to the forests; some took refuge with the fleet; and others, essaying to escape, did not succeed in doing so, but fell into the hands of the subordinates of Carbajal, from whom they had little to hope. In this dilemma, Pizarro, seeing that whilst he should remain at _Lima_ every day would add to the desertions from his cause, resolved to occupy _Arequipa_, where, however, owing to the frequent desertions, he found that his force did not muster more than five hundred men. [Sidenote: June 1547.] Pizarro and his forces having quitted _Lima_, the gates of the city were forthwith opened to Aldana, as the forerunner of the President. Gasca himself, however, had sailed from _Panamá_ on April 10th, 1547. He encountered a stormy voyage, during which he displayed his habitual coolness and perseverance. In due time his storm-battered vessels arrived at _Tumbez_, where he was received with open arms; indeed thenceforth he was master of the situation, and had only to instruct his officers to execute his orders. He made his way towards _Xauxa_, where he was later joined by reinforcements from all quarters. On his arrival there the war was, in point of fact, to all appearance terminated, for he found advices to the effect that Gonzalo Pizarro was hemmed in on every side. In reply to the offers of service which he received, he had given a general rendezvous of _Caxamalca_, to which place he despatched Hinojosa with the soldiers at his disposal, with orders to take command of the levies and to join him at _Xauxa_. He then proceeded towards the same place by way of _Truxillo_. The President now found himself in sufficient strength to counter-order the force which he had summoned to his assistance from _Guatemala_ and _Mexico_. [Sidenote: 1547.]