the emerald eyes that were set in its head to sparkle terribly, which
frightened me so much that had it not been for shame's sake I would have
run away, but because of this stood still and prayed to St. Hubert
to protect me from the devil and his works. Presently I prayed still
harder, for the image began to speak--yes, in a horrid, whistling voice
it spoke, although no one was near to it. These were the words it said:

"Who is this clad in silver whose skin is white and whose hair is
yellow? Such an one I have not seen for a thousand years, and such as he
it is that shall possess themselves of the Land of Tavantinsuyu, shall
steal its wealth, shall slay its people, and shall cast down its gods.
But not yet, not yet! Therefore this is the command of Pachacamac,
uttered by the voice of Rimac the Speaker, that none do harm to or cross
the will of this mighty seaborn lord, since he shall be as a strong wall
to many and his sword shall be red with the blood of the wicked."

The whistling voice ceased while the priests and all there stared at
me, for they seemed to think its words fateful. Then suddenly it began
again:

"And who is this that came out of the sea with the Shining One, having
wandered further than any of his ancient blood? I know. I know, yet I
may not say, since the Spirit of spirits whose image he wears upon his
heart bids me be silent. Be bold! Be bold! Prosper and grow great, Child
of Pachacamac, for thy wanderings are not yet done. Still there is
a mountain to be climbed, and on the crest of it hangs a fringe of
Heaven's gold."

Again the voice ceased, while this time all stared at Kari, who shook
his head humbly as though bewildered by what he could not understand.
Once more the image spoke:

"Who is this daughter of the Sun, in whose veins play moonbeams and who
is fairer than the evening star? One, I think, whom men shall desire and
because of whom shall flow the blood of the great. One whose thought
is swift as the lightning and subtle as the snake, one in whom passion
burns like fire in the womb of the mountain, but who is filled with
spirit that dances above the fire and who longs for things that are
afar. Daughter of the Sun in whose blood run the moonbeams, thou shalt
slip from the hated arms and the Sun shall be thy shelter, and in the
beloved arms thou shalt sleep at last. Yet from the vengeance of the god
betrayed fly fast and far!"

Again the voice ceased, and I thought that all was over.