In a bay near Tumbes where they have taken shelter for the night, our friends are surprised by Spanish soldiers and borne off to the fortress. Pizarro threatens Zia with torture if she does not decipher a quip that he shows her. The girl refuses when she sees that the quip indicates that one of the cities of Gold is situated beside her native village. Mendoza intervenes and promises the governor that he will make her talk. In the meantime the girl is locked up in a tower and Esteban, Tao, Pedro and Sancho are imprisoned with the Incas from surrounding villages. An old Inca notices Esteban's pendant. Esteban explains where it came from and the old man tells him, "Our people passed the insignia that you are wearing down from generation to generation. It represented the coming of the divine savior of the Incas. Legend has it that we will recognize him by this medallion". Esteban protests but the Inca carries on: "Forever my people have been waiting for the white-skinned god. That is why when Pizarro came, we greeted him as a god". At that moment, Mendoza arrives and announces his plan to get them all out. He is going to set the powder store on fire. They can then take advantage of the ensuing panic to escape. Aided by the Inca prisoners, the little group reaches the Solaris safely where they find Zia, whom Mendoza has rescued already, and, of course, Pichu the parrot.
—Anonymous