Prince Huaca made a slight gesture with his right hand, as if to dismiss the subject.
“Senor, sit here with me,” he said, indicating a couch. “I would talk with you. Let these others watch a little longer. Then my servants will bring you food, so that you, too, may feast.”
“I am honored,” said Don Ernesto. However, he hesitated to be seated.
“Pardon me,” he said, “if I point out that these”—indicating Mr. Hampton and the boys, who were at the far end of the room—“are my son and my very good friend and his young men. Perhaps, what you wish to say is for their ears, too?”
“Ah, I did not understand,” said Prince Huaca, courteously. “Then they are not your servants?”
“No, only these two,” answered Don Ernesto, indicating Pedro and Carlos, who had withdrawn from their vicinity. “And they are old family servants.”
Prince Huaca considered.
At that moment the great bronze door again was opened, and a number of servants entered, bowed low before Prince Huaca, removed the dishes from the table and then returned bearing other dishes, this time including meat. Throughout the process, Prince Huaca sat silent, nor did Ernesto venture to disturb him. When the servants at length had withdrawn, the prince arose.
“Eat,” said he, “and, when you have refreshed yourselves, my servants shall bring you and your friends to me. Assure your old servants they have nothing to fear in being separated from you.”
When he had gone, Don Ernesto lost no time in communicating the purport of the conversation to Mr. Hampton and the boys. Pedro and Carlos took the news philosophically. The food was excellent, the meat roasted and hot. All ate with good appetite. There were goblets of mild, honey-like wine, which Don Ernesto recommended highly. At the conclusion of the meal, the servants returned bearing ewers of water and rough towels, with which they bathed face and hands. Then, one of the servants gestured that Don Ernesto and his companions were to follow, and, bidding Pedro and Carlos have no worry, the party set out.