“But, Dad, don’t you see? Now we need have no scruples about going armed.”
“I know, Jack,” said his father, gravely. “But don’t you realize that if we go now, we go as prisoners, and not under the protection of a flag of truce?”
“I hadn’t thought of that,” said Jack, and fell silent.
They looked at each other, but none spoke for the moment.
“Senor Hampton,” said Michac, resolutely, “I shall not comply with the Inca’s command, though it be for the first time in my life I have failed to do so, and have put myself in open defiance of our supreme authority. Let him declare my life forfeit and place a price upon my head in the hope of finding traitors among the fortress garrison to slay me. I care not. I am concerned solely for the life of my friend, Prince Huaca. I do not ask that you go voluntarily and endanger yourselves in the hope of saving him, but I do appeal to you to help me save him in some manner. You are wiser men than I, with many wonders and marvels at your command, and——”
“Think you, Senor Michac,” interrupted Don Ernesto, “that if we reply to the Inca that we come as delegates from a great lord beyond the mountains with many marvels at his command, and that we wish to have an audience with him, but not as prisoners, he will give us safe conduct?”
Michac’s worried expression lightened.
“And then——”
“Having obtained an audience,” said Don Ernesto, “we shall seek to so impress him with our power that he will be overawed and will either surrender Prince Huaca or promise that his life be spared.”
“It may be,” said Michac.