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doubtless。 Well； we shall learn in time； and meanwhile； I pray you；
Master； remember that she says she /is/ affianced； and that in this
land men are very jealous even of a white god who rises from the sea。〃
〃Of course I shall remember；〃 I answered sharply。 〃Have I not had
enough of women who are affianced？〃
〃By your prayer of the moon this night； which the moon answered so
well and quickly； one might think not。 Also this daughter of hers is
fair； and perchance when she gave her hand she kept her heart。 Listen
again； Master。 Of me and of whom I am； say nothing； save that you
found me on this island where I dwelt a hermit when you rose from the
sea。 As for my name； why； it is Zapana。 Remember that if you breathe
my rank and history； however much sweet lips may try to cozen them out
of you； you bring me to my death； who now do not wish to die； having a
vengeance to accomplish and a throne to win。 Therefore treat me as a
dog； as one of no account； and be silent even in your sleep。〃
〃I will remember； Kari。〃
〃That is not enoughswear it。〃
〃Good。 I swear itby the moon。〃
〃Nay； not by the moon； for the moon is woman and changes。 Swear it by
this；〃 and from beneath his skin robe he drew out the golden image of
Pachacamac。 〃Swear it by the Spirit of the Universe； of whom Sun and
Moon and Stars are but servants； the Spirit whom all men worship in
this shape or in that。〃
So to please him I laid my hand upon the golden symbol and swore。
Then； very hurriedly； we made up a tale of how； clad in my armour； I
had risen from the sea and found him on the island； and how knowing me
for a white god who once in ages past had visited that land and who；
as prophecy foretold； should return to it in days to come； he had
worshipped me and become my slave。
This done we went down to the rock； Kari walking after me and bearing
all our small possessions and with them Deleroy's sword。 Passing round
the rock we saw the /balsa/ drawn up to the sand； and by it the lady
Quilla； who now had put off her fine robes and again was attired as a
fishing…girl as I had seen her in my dream； and with her two tall
girls in the same scanty garments。 When these saw me in the glittering
armour； which in our long idle hours we had polished till it shone
like silver； with the shield upon my arm and the casque upon my head
and the great sword girded about my middle and the black bow in my
hand； they screamed with fear and fell upon their faces； while even
Quilla started back and glanced towards the boat。
〃Fear not；〃 I said。 〃The gods are kind to those who do them service；
though to those who would harm them they are terrible。〃
Kari also went to them and whispered in their ears what tale I know
not。 In the end they rose trembling； and having motioned to me to be
seated in it； with the help of Kari pushed the /balsa/； which I noted
with joy was large and well made； down into the sea。 Then one by one
they climbed in； Quilla taking the steering…oar； while Kari and the
two maidens hoisted the little sail and paddled till we were clear of
the island； where the gentle wind caught the /balsa/。 Then they
shipped the paddles； and although full laden； we sailed quietly
towards the mainland。
Now I was at the bow of the /balsa/ and Quilla was at its stern； and
between us were the others； so that during all that long night's
journey I had no speech with her and must content myself with gazing
over my shoulder at her beauty as best I could； which was not well；
because of Kari； who ever seemed to come between my eyes and hers。
Thus the long hours went by till at length when we were near the land
the moon sank； and we sailed on through the twilight。 Then came the
dawn； and there in front of us we saw the lovely strand green with
palms within a ring of snow…clad mountains； two of them the great
peaks that we had seen from our isle。
On the shore was a city of white； flat…roofed houses； and rising above
it； perchance the half of a mile from the sea； a hill four or five
hundred feet in height and terraced。 On the top of the hill stood a
mighty building； painted red； that from the look of it I took to be
one of the churches of these people； in the centre of which gleamed
great doors that； as I found afterwards； were covered with plates of
gold。
〃Behold the temple of Pachacamac； Master；〃 whispered Kari； bowing his
head and kissing the air in token of reverence。
By this time watchmen； who had been set there to search the sea or the
boat of Quilla； had noted our approach。 They shouted and pointed to me
who sat in the prow clad in my armour upon which the sun glittered；
then began to run to and fro as though in fear or excitement； so that
ere we reached the shore a great crowd had gathered。 Meanwhile； Quilla
had put on her silver…broidered mantle and her head…dress of feathers；
crowned with the crescent of the moon。 As we touched the beach she
came forward； and for the first time during that night spoke to me
saying：
〃Remain here in the /balsa/； Lord； while I talk with these people； and
when I summon you be pleased to come。 Fear notnone will harm you。〃
Then she sprang from the prow of the /balsa/ to the shore； followed by
her two maidens； who dragged it further up the beach； and went forward
to talk with certain white…robed men in the crowd。 For a long while
she talked； turning now and again to point at me。 At length these men；
accompanied by a number of others； ran forward。 At first I thought
they meant mischief and grasped my sword…hilt； then； remembering what
Quilla had said； remained seated and silent。
Indeed； there was no cause for fear； for when the white…robed chiefs
or priests and their following were close to me； suddenly they
prostrated themselves and beat their heads upon the sand； from which I
learned that they； too； believed me to be a god。 Thereon I bowed to
them and； drawing my swordat the sight of which I saw them stare and
shiver； for to these people steel was unknownheld it straight up in
front of me in my right hand； the shield with the cognizance of the
three arrows being on my left arm。
Now all the men rose； and some of them of the humbler sort； creeping
to the /balsa/； suddenly seized it and lifted it on to their
shoulders； which； being but a light thing of reeds and blown…out
skins； they could do easily enough。 Then； preceded by the chiefs； they
advanced up the beach into the town； I still remaining seated in the
boat with Kari crouching behind me。 So strange was the business that
almost I laughed aloud； wondering what those grave merchants of the
Cheap whom I had known in London would think if they could see me
thus。
〃Kari；〃 I said； without turning my head； 〃what are they going to do
with us？ Set us in yonder temple to be worshipped with nothing to
eat？〃
〃I think not； Master；〃 answered Kari； 〃since there the lady Quilla
could not come to speak with you if she would。 I think that they will
take you to the house of the king of this country where； I understand；
she is dwelling。〃
This； indeed； proved to be the case； for we were borne solemnly up the
main street of the town； that now was packed with thousands of people；
some of whom thre