d of Huaracha, King of the People of the
Chancas, born of his wife, a princess of the Inca blood who now has been
gathered to her Father, the Sun. I am here on a visit to my mother's
kinsman, Quismancu, the Chief of the Yuncas of the Coastlands, to whom
my father, the King, has sent an embassy on matters of which I know
nothing. Behind yonder rock is my _balsa_ and with it are the two
maidens. Say, is it your wish to bide here upon this isle, or to return
into the sea, or to accompany me back to the town of Quismancu? If so,
we must sail ere the weather breaks, lest we should be drowned."

"Certainly it is my wish to accompany you, Lady, though a god of the sea
cannot be drowned," I said quickly before Kari could speak. Indeed, he
did not speak at all, he only shrugged his shoulders and sighed, like
one who accepts some evil gift from Fate because he must.

"So be it!" exclaimed Quilla. "Now I go to make ready the _balsa_ and to
warn the maidens lest they be frightened. When you are prepared you will
find us yonder behind the rock."

Then she bowed in a stately fashion an departed, walking with the proud,
light step of a deer.

From our little hut I took out my armour and with Kari's help, put
it on, because he declared that thus it would be more easily carried,
though I think he had other reasons in his mind.

"Yes," I answered, "unless the _balsa_ oversets, when I shall find mail
hard to swim in."

"The _balsa_ will not overset, sailing beneath the moon with that
Moon-lady for a pilot," he replied heavily. "Had the sun been up, it
might have been different. Moreover, the path into a net is always wide
and easy."

"What net?" I asked.

"One that is woven of women's hair, I think. Already, if I mistake not,
such a net has been about your throat, Master, and next time it will
stay there. Hearken now to me. The gods thrust us into high matters. The
Yuncas of whose chief this lady is a guest are a great people whom my
people have conquered in war, but who wait the opportunity to rebel,
if they have not already done so. The Chancas, of those king she is the
daughter, are a still greater people who for years have threatened war
upon my people."

"Well, what of it, Kari? With such questions this lady will have nothing
to do."

"I think she has much to do with them. I think that she knows more than
she seems to know, and that she is an envoy from the Chancas to the
Yuncas. To whom is she affianced, I wonder? Some