the cut in the face
that I had received from Urco's dagger was but slight. We reached the
mouth of the gorge and took counsel.

To return to Cuzco after what I had done, would be to seek death. So we
bore away to the right and, making a round, came about ten o'clock of
the morning unmolested by any, to that ridge on which I had stood at the
beginning of the battle of the Field of Blood. There I found the Chancas
encamped, some three thousand of them, as I had commanded. When they
saw me, living and but little hurt, they shouted for joy, and when they
learned who was in that litter they went well-nigh mad.

Then the eight warriors with me told them all the tale of the saving
of Quilla and the death of the giant Urco at my hands, whereon their
captains came and kissed my feet, saying that I was in truth a god,
though heretofore some of them had held me to be but a man.

"God or man," I answered, "I must rest. Let the women tend to lady
Quilla, and give me food and drink, after which I will sleep. At sunset
we march home to Huaracha, your king and mine, to give him back his
daughter. Till then there is naught to fear, since Kari has no troops at
hand with which to attack us. Still, set outposts."

So I ate and drank, but little of the former and much of the latter, I
fear, and after that I slept as soundly as one who is dead, for I was
outworn.

When the sun was within an hour of setting, captains awakened me and
said that an embassy from Cuzco, ten men only, waited outside our lines,
seeking speech with me. So I rose, and my face and wound having been
dressed, caused water to be poured over my body, and was rubbed with
oil; after which, clothed in the robes of a Chanca noble, but wearing no
armour, I went out with nine Chanca captains to receive the embassy on
the plain at the foot of the hill, at that very spot where first I had
fought with Urco.

When we drew near, from out of the group of nobles advanced one man. I
looked and saw that he was Kari, yes, the Inca himself.

I went forward to meet him and we spoke together just out of earshot of
our followers.

"My brother," said Kari, "I have learned all that has passed and I
give you praise who are the most daring among men and the first among
warriors; you who slew the giant Urco with your naked hands."

"And thus made your throne safe for you, Kari."

"And thus made my throne safe for me. You also who clove Larico to the
breast in the death-house of Upanqui