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knotted cords that were the proof of Larico's treachery； bidding him
if aught of evil overtook me； or if I could not be found； to deliver
them to the Inca on my behalf and with them the prisoned messenger who
was in his keeping； but meanwhile to show them to no man。 He bowed and
swore by the Sun to do my bidding； thinking doubtless that； my work
finished in this land； I purposed to return into the sea out of which
I had risen； as doubtless a god could do。
Next I summoned the captains of the Chancas who had fought under me
throughout the civil war； of whom about half remained alive； and bade
them gather their men upon the ridge where I had stood at the
beginning of the battle of the Field of Blood； and wait until I joined
them there。 If it chanced； however； that I did not appear within six
days I commanded that they should march back to their own country and
make report to King Huaracha that I had 〃returned into the sea〃 for
reasons that he would guess。 Also I commanded that eight famous
warriors whom I named； men of my own bodyguard who had fought with me
in all our battles and would have followed me through fire or water or
the gates of Hell themselves； should come to the courtyard of my
palace after nightfall； bringing a litter and disguised as its
bearers； but having their arms hidden beneath their cloaks。
These matters settled； I waited upon the Inca Kari and craved of him
leave to take a journey。 I told him that I was weary with so much
fighting and desired to rest amidst my friends the Chancas。
He gazed at me awhile； then stretched out his sceptre to me in token
that my request was granted； and said in a sad voice：
〃So you would leave me； my brother； because I cannot give you that
which you desire。 Bethink you。 You will be no nearer to the Moon （by
which he meant Quilla） at Chanca than you are at Cuzco and here； next
to the Inca； you are the greatest in the Empire who by decree are
named his brother and the general of his armies。〃
Now； though my gorge rose at it； I lied to him； saying：
〃The Moon is set for me； so let her sleep whom I shall see no more。
For the rest； learn； O Kari； that Huaracha has sworn to me that I
shall be； not his brother but his son； and Huaracha is sickthey say
to death。〃
〃You mean that you would choose to be King over the Chancas rather
than stand next to the throne among the Quichuas？〃 he said； scanning
me sharply。
〃Aye； Kari；〃 I replied； still lying。 〃Since I must dwell in this
strange land； I would do so as a kingno less。〃
〃To that you have a right； Brother； who are far above us all。 But when
you are a king； what is your plan？ Do you purpose to strive to conquer
me and rule over Tavantinsuyu； as perchance you could do？〃
〃Nay； I shall never make war upon you； Kari； unless you break your
treaty with the Chancas and strive to subdue them。〃
〃Which I shall never do； Brother。〃
Then he paused awhile and spoke again with more passion that I had
ever known in him； saying：
〃Would that this woman who comes between us were dead。 Would that she
had never been born。 In truth； I am minded to pray to my father； the
Sun； that he will be pleased to take her to himself； for then
perchance we two might be as we were in the old time yonder in your
England； and when we faced perils side by side upon the ocean and in
the forests。 A curse on Woman the Divider； and all the curses of all
the gods upon this woman whom I may not give to you。 Had she been of
my Household I would have bidden you to take her； yes； even if she
were my wife； but she is the wife of the god and therefore I may not
alas！ I may not；〃 and he hid his face in his robe and groaned。
Now when I heard these words I grew afraid who knew well that she of
whom the Inca prays the Sun that she may die； does die； and swiftly。
〃Do not add to this lady's wrongs by robbing her of life as well as of
sight and liberty； Kari；〃 I said。
〃Have no fear； Brother；〃 he answered； 〃she is safe from me。 No word
shall pass my lips though it is true that in my heart I wish that she
would die。 Go your ways； Brother and Friend； and when you grow weary
of kingship if it comes to you； as to tell truth already I grow weary；
return to me。 Perchance； forgetting that we had been kings； we might
journey hence together over the world's edge。〃
Then he stood up on his throne and bowed towards me； kissing the air
as though to a god； and taking the royal chain that every Inca wore
from about his neck； set it upon mine。 This done； turning； he left me
without another word。
With a heavy heart I returned to my palace where I dwelt。 At sundown I
ate according to my custom； and dismissed those who waited upon me to
the servants' quarters。 There were but two of them for my private life
was simple。 Then I slept till past midnight and rising； went into the
courtyard where I found the eight Chanca captains disguised as litter…
bearers and with them the litter。 I led them to an empty guard…house
and bade them stay there in silence。 After this I returned to my
chamber and waited。
About two hours before the dawn Larico came； knocking on the side…door
as we had planned。 I opened to him and he entered disguised in a
hooded cloak of sheep's wool which covered his robes and his face；
such as priests wear when the weather is cold。 He gave to me the
garments of a priest of the Sun which he had brought with him in a
cloth。 I clothed myself in them though because of the fashion of them
to do this I must be rid of my armour which would have betrayed me。
Larico desired that I should take off the sword Wave…Flame also； but；
mistrusting him； this I would not do； but made shift to hide it and my
dagger beneath the priest's cloak。 The armour I wrapped in a bundle
and took with me。
Presently we went out； having spoken few words since the time for
speech had gone by and peril or some fear of what might befall weighed
upon our tongues。 In the guard…house I found the Chancas at whom
Larico looked curiously but said nothing。 To them I gave the bundle of
armour to be hidden in the litter and with it my long bow； having
first revealed myself to them by lifting the hood of my cloak。 Then I
bade them follow me。
Larico and I walked in front and after us came the eight men； four of
them bearing the empty litter； and the other four marching behind。
This was well planned since if any saw us or if we met guards as once
or twice we did； these thought that we were priests taking one who was
sick or dead to be tended or to be made ready for burial。 Once；
however； we were challenged； but Larico spoke some word and we passed
on without question。
At length in the darkness before the dawn we came to the private
palace of dead Upanqui。 At its garden gate Larico would have had me
leave the litter with the eight Chanca warriors disguised as bearers。
I refused； saying that they must come to the doors of the palace； and
when he grew urgent； tapped my sword； whispering to him fiercely that
he had best beware lest it should be he who stayed at the gate。 Then
he gave way and we advanced all of us across the garden to the door of
the palace。 Larico unlocked the door with a key and we entered； he an