pained me to keep back part of the truth even
from Kari. Yet, what was I to do, who knew that if I told him all and he
became Inca, or the Inca's acknowledged heir, he would work against me
because of his superstitious madness, and perhaps cause Quilla to
be killed by the priests, as one whose feet were set in the path of
sacrilege? So on this matter I held my peace, nor did he ask me anything
concerning Quilla who, I think, wished to hear nothing of that lady and
what had befallen her.

When he had learned all, he said:

"This may be a trap, Lord. I do not trust yonder Larico, who has always
been my enemy and Urco's friend."

"I think he is his own friend first," I answered, "who knows that if
Urco recovers he will kill him, because he has taken the part of your
father, Upanqui, in their quarrels, and suspects him."

"I am not sure," said Kari. "Yet something must be risked. Did I not
tell you when we were sailing down the English river that we must put
faith in our gods, yes, afterwards also, and more than once? And did not
the gods save us? Well, now again I trust to my god," and drawing out
the image of Pachacamac, which he wore round his neck, he kissed it,
then turning, bowed and prayed to the Sun.

"I will come with you," he said, when he had finished his devotions, "to
live to be Inca, or to die, as the Sun decrees."

So he came and with him some of his friends, captains of those who had
deserted to him in the battle. But the five thousand soldiers, or those
who were left of them, did not come as yet because they feared lest they
should be set upon and butchered by the regiments of Urco.

That night, when we were back safe in Cuzco, Kari and the high-priest,
Larico talked together in secret. Of what passed between them he only
told me that they had come to an agreement which satisfied them both.
Larico said the same to me when next I saw him, adding:

"You have kept your word and served my turn, Lord-from-the-Sea,
therefore I will keep mine and serve yours when the time comes. Yet be
warned by me and say nothing of a certain lady to the prince Kari, since
when I spoke a word to him on the matter, hinting that her surrender to
her father Huaracha would make peace with him more easy and lasting, he
answered that first would he fight Huaracha, and the Yuncas as well, to
the last man in Cuzco.

"To the Sun she has gone," he said, "and with the Sun she must stay,
lest the curse of the Sun and of Pachac