Michac came running down the steps to meet them. He and Prince Huaca embraced. Then the prince led the way up through the tunneled stairway, lighted by torches taken from the guard room at the gate, to the fortress above.
Another moving scene was enacted in the main guard room, where the soldiers, laughing or weeping, according to their various temperaments, gathered about their leader. The prince was as much moved at this demonstration of esteem. At length, he broke away from them and, asking Michac and the others to accompany him, led the way to his apartment.
There, while servants brought them refreshments of wine and cooling drinks made from fruit juices, the various threads of their intertwined adventures were straightened out.
“First of all,” said he to Michac, “how came you here, my friend?”
When Michac explained, Prince Huaca embraced him.
“The fortress would have fallen but for you,” he said. “And these good friends here and I would have been slain.”
Michac flushed and turned the subject to that of the exploits of the others, whom he heartily praised. When he told of how they had ventured forth to the Inca’s court and put themselves in the power of Cinto and the Palace Guard, in order to endeavor to obtain Prince Huaca’s release, the latter was much affected.
Mr. Hampton in his turn related what had occurred at their audience. And when he spoke of the impression created by the false eye, false teeth and false hair, nothing would do but that the whole performance be restaged for Prince Huaca. The key had been supplied him and, of course, he was not frightened. At Jack’s explanation, added to by the others, of the consternation which this exhibition had caused, he laughed heartily.
“Indeed, I can well believe it,” he said. Then he sobered: “Ah, but how wonderful that men should be able to do these things. I myself had an aching tooth for long. Certainly, these blessings must come to Cusco Hurrin.”
He, in turn, related his own adventures. Surprised the previous night while he slept, he had been bound and gagged and carried out of the fortress by the sally port, the officer of which had turned traitor. For the occasion, this officer had reduced the guard to a half dozen men and had sent these into the guard room on some pretext. That he intended to admit the enemy as soon as Prince Huaca’s capture was assured, the prince was convinced. Why, he asked, had plans miscarried? Why had the enemy not entered?