The Peruvian empire was now resting after an internal struggle between the sons of Huayna Capac, the conqueror of _Quito_, and who had left the two kingdoms of his empire to his sons Huascar and Atahualpa. Five years later the brothers went to war with each other, and their two years’ contest had but recently been decided in favour of the latter, who had now assumed the scarlet _borla_ or diadem of the _Incas_. On leaving _San Miguel_, Pizarro and his band marched through primeval forests, broken here and there by barren shoots of the _Andes_. The country was as fertile as it was lovely, and was cultivated with no mean skill. Wherever the Spaniards came to, they were received by the natives with unsuspecting hospitality, which for their own sake they were careful not to abuse. In every considerable place a royal _caravanserai_, or resting-place for provisions, was found, in which the _Inca_ was wont to lodge on his royal progresses. Halting on the fifth day, Pizarro found that his band numbered one hundred and seventy-seven, of which sixty-seven were horsemen. Of these, however, nine, being faint-hearted or lukewarm, were permitted to return to _San Miguel_. The rest volunteered to follow their captain whithersoever he might lead them. Again resuming his march, Pizarro neared the _Andes_. De Soto was despatched in advance to reconnoitre, but on the eighth day he returned, accompanied by an envoy from the _Inca_. The Peruvian had brought with him some valuable gifts for Pizarro, whom Atahualpa welcomed to his country and invited to visit him at his camp. The march was now resumed, and the Spanish leader sent forward one of his Indians to the royal camp across the mountains with instructions to observe and report upon the route, and more particularly if the passes were guarded. After three days’ further march the base of the _Andes_ was reached, and Pizarro had now the final choice before him of proceeding to the south along a broad and level road to _Cuzco_, the southern capital, or of climbing the steep and narrow way across the _Cordilleras_, to the camp of Atahualpa. As was to be expected from his daring character, he chose the latter.