atform and addressed the multitude in eloquent words,
setting out the matter as he had done in the temple. He ended his speech
by asking the formal question:

"Do you, Children of the Sun, accept the prince Kari, my first-born, to
be Inca after me?"

There was a roar of assent, and as it died away Upanqui turned to call
Kari to him that he might present him to the people.

At this very moment in the gathering twilight I saw a great fierce-faced
man with a bandaged head, whom I knew to be Urco, leap over the golden
chain. He sprang upon the platform and with a shout of "I do not accept
him, and thus I pay back treachery," plunged a gleaming copper knife or
sword into the Inca's breast.

In an instant, before any could stir in that packed crowd, Urco had
leapt back over the golden chain, and from the edge of the platform, to
vanish amongst those beneath, who doubtless were men of his following
disguised as citizens or peasants.

Indeed all who beheld seemed frozen with horror. One great sigh went up
and then there was silence, since no such deed as this was known in
the annals of that empire. For a moment the aged Upanqui stood upon his
feet, the blood pouring down his white beard and jewelled robe. Then he
turned a little and said in a clear and gentle voice:

"Kari, you will be Inca sooner than I thought. Receive me, O God my
Father, and pardon this murderer who, I think, can be no true son of
mine."

Then he fell forward on his face and when we lifted him he was dead.

Still the silence hung; it was as though the tongues of men were smitten
with dumbness. At length Kari stepped forward and cried:

"The Inca is dead, but I, the Inca, live on to avenge him. I declare war
upon Urco the murderer and all who cling to Urco!"

Now the spell was lifted, and from those dim hordes there went up a yell
of hatred against Urco the butcher and parricide, while men rushed to
and fro searching for him. In vain! for he had escaped in the darkness.

On the following day, with more ceremonies, though many of these were
omitted because of the terror and trouble of the times, Kari was crowned
Inca, exchanging the yellow for the crimson Fringe and taking the throne
name of Upanqui after his father. In Cuzco there was none to say him nay
for the whole city was horror-struck because of the sacrilege that had
been committed. Also those who clung to Urco had fled away with him to
a town named Huarina on the borders of the great lake