he holy Inca blood in her
veins, that she should become his _Coya_, or Queen, and the mother of
him who shall succeed to the throne."

"The embassy came, and received my answer, O Inca," said Huaracha.

"Yes, and the answer was that the lady Quilla should be given in
marriage to the Prince Urco, but as she was absent on a visit, this
could not happen until she returned. But since then, O Huaracha, more
rumours have reached me that you still prepare for war and seek to
make alliances among my subjects, tempting them to rebel against me.
Therefore I am here myself to lead away the lady Quilla and to deliver
her to the Prince Urco."

"Why did not the Prince Urco come in person, O Inca?"

"For this reason, Huaracha, from whom I desire to hide nothing. If the
Prince had come, you might have set a trap for him and killed him, who
is the hope of the Empire."

"So I might for you, his father, O Inca."

"Aye, I know it, but what would that avail you while the Prince sits
safe at Cuzco ready to assume the Fringe? Also I am old and care not
when or how I die, whose work is done. Moreover, few would desire to
anger the gods by the murder of an aged guest, and therefore I visit
you sitting here in the midst of your armies with but a handful of
followers, trusting to your honour and to my father the Sun to protect
me. Now answer me--will you give the hand of your daughter to my son and
thereby make alliance with me, or will you wage war upon my empire and
be destroyed, you and your people together?"

Here Upanqui, who hitherto had been listening in silence to the words of
Larico, spoken on his behalf, broke in, saying:

"Yes, yes, that is right, only make him understand that the Inca will be
his over-lord, since the Inca can have no rivals in all the land."

"My answer is," said Huaracha, "that I will give my daughter in marriage
as I have promised, but that the Chancas are a free people and accept no
over-lord."

"Foolishness, foolishness!" said Upanqui. "As well might the tree say
that it would not bend before the wind. However, you can settle that
matter afterwards with Urco, and indeed with your daughter, who will be
his queen and is your heiress, for I understand you have no other lawful
child. Why talk of war and other troubles when thus your kingdom falls
to us by marriage? Now let me see this lady Quilla who is to become my
daughter."

Huaracha, who had listened to all this babble with a stern set face,
turned t