amac, the Spirit above the sun,
should fall on me and all of us."

Larico told me also that, fearing something, the great lords, who were
of Urco's party, had borne him away in a litter to a strong city in the
mountains about five leagues from Cuzco, escorted by thousands of picked
men who would stay in and about that city.

On the next morning I was summoned to wait upon the Inca Upanqui,
and went, wearing my armour. I found him in the same great chamber as
before, only now he was more royally arrayed, and with him were sundry
of his high lords of the Inca blood, also certain priests, among them
the _Villaorna_ Larico.

The old king, who on that day seemed clear in his mind and well, greeted
me in his kindly fashion and bade me set out all that had passed between
me and Huaracha in the Chanca camp. This I did, only I hid from him how
great had been the Chanca losses in the battle and how glad they were to
declare a truce and rest.

Upanqui said that the matter should be attended to, speaking in a royal
fashion as though it were one of little moment, which showed me how
great an emperor he must be. Great he was, indeed, seeing that all
the broad land of England would have made but one province of his vast
dominions, which in every part were filled with people who, unless they
chanced to be in rebellion like the Yuncas, lived but to do his will.

After this, when I thought the audience was ended, a chamberlain
advanced to the foot of the throne, and kneeling, said that a suppliant
prayed speech with the Inca. Upanqui waved his sceptre, that long
staff which I have described, in token that he should be admitted. Then
presently up the chamber came Kari arrayed in the tunic and cloak of an
Inca prince, wearing in his ear a disc carved with the image of the Sun,
and a chain of emeralds and gold about his neck. Nor did he come alone,
for he was attended by a brilliant band of those lords and captains
who had deserted to him on the day of the great battle. He advanced and
knelt before the throne.

"Who is this that carries the emblems of the Holy Blood and is clothed
like a Prince of the Sun?" asked Upanqui, affecting ignorance and
unconcern, though I saw the colour mount to his cheeks and the sceptre
shake in his withered hand.

"One who is indeed of the holy Inca blood; one sprung from the purest
lineage of the Sun," answered the stately Kari in his quiet voice.

"How then is he named?" asked the Inca again.

"He