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Time to Leave. Savoy and Santander spent two weeks exploring the first plateau, made a quick survey of the second. Then their increasingly frightened Indian helpers started deserting. "Normally, they would be friendly and smiling," says Savoy. "But when we got them into those woods, they changed." On the 15th day, Savoy hurt his leg dodging a falling tree cut by one of the Indians. He decided to pull out. "We thought it was better to come back with pictures and maps than not get back at all."
In Lima, Savoy's find created the greatest stir among archaeologists since the discovery of Machu Picchu. "Although we have yet to explore the ruins carefully," said Dr. Luis E. Valcarcel, director of the National Museum of History, "I am almost certain this is Vilcabamba." Peru's President Fernando Belaunde Terry, himself an ardent amateur archaeologist, chatted with Savoy about possible government help for a full-scale return expedition.
"The city has been rumored to exist for so long that it had almost passed from history to myth," said Savoy.
"Now we have turned it back to history."