On the 28th of April the Inca replied in a very brief letter. He thanked me for the trouble I had taken, but for the rest he said that he did not want any Spaniard to enter his territory either in peace or in war, for they would only come as spies and to deceive him. He ordered me not to enter, and that if I did his captains would kill me. Further he kissed the hands of the Judge Matienzo and of all the others who had written, and did not reply as he was in bad health. I was to return with this message. I was to be so good as to send him the letters, which I told him I was bringing, that he might have them in his hand. On the day that I received this reply from the Inca, I reflected that if I returned they would say at Cuzco that I was afraid and sought an excuse for not going to the Inca. So I determined to give the letters to the runners, as well as some presents which I had brought, such as raisins and comfits, quince jam, three pieces of cloth, three pairs of scissors, four knives with sheaths, some needles and other things. I wrote that I was his friend, and that he should understand that I had no wish to deceive him, but to tell him what it would be convenient for him to know. If he would give me permission I would enter his territory to recognize him as a Lord. I further said that if I could serve him in anything I would do so. That he might know this to be the truth I sent him a provision appointing me Defender of all the Indians of this kingdom signed by the Count of Nieva[82]. On the 5th of May ten captains came to the bridge, richly dressed with diadems of plumes, and lances in their hands which they brandished, and wearing masks on their faces. They came to the passage of the bridge where I was, and asked if I was the man who had the audacity to want to come and speak to the Inca. I said yes. They replied that I could not fail to be much afraid, and if I felt fear I could not come, because the Inca was a great enemy of cowards. To this I answered that if he was an elephant or a giant I might be afraid, but as he was a man like myself I had no fear, but I would offer him respect. If he would let me enter under his word, I would do so, for I knew that he would keep it. On this they produced two letters. One was from a mestizo who is there, named Pando, and the other from the Inca. They sent them across to me. Some of the Indians who were with me then fled. In both letters there were expressions of joy to understand, from the Provision, that I was not a spy and that I did not come to deceive them. They were pleased that I should come as far as a town called Aramcalla, and that the Inca would come there with his Governor and Master of the Camp.