“When, at your command, the sun became darkened, I was seized with panic and fled, blinded by fear and terror. I knew not where I went. And when daylight came again I found myself in this frightful place. Fearing pursuit, I hid in the first crevice in the rocks—it would scarcely admit my body—and waited. Darkness came and with it great monsters emerged from their lairs in the caves. First one, then another, found my hiding-place, but the opening was too small to admit their massive heads. There they stood, screaming and roaring, and blowing their hot breath into my face until I fainted. When I came to, the demons had gone; soon they returned carrying in their mouths the bodies of the luckless soldiers they had slain in the valley. One stopped not ten paces from my place of concealment and, in full view, proceeded to eat its victim; for minutes that seemed like ages I was compelled to lie quietly with the sound of tearing flesh and splintering bones in my ears. And then it came to me suddenly, like the lightning flash in the sky. I was to blame for all this. It was my wrong-doings that had caused untold discontent and suffering in my kingdom. With vainglorious pride I had listened to the flatterers, had followed their suggestions, and had rewarded them lavishly at the expense of the wise, the just, and the good. It was too late to undo these wrongs or to right the injustices of which I had been guilty; but I still had the opportunity to prove to myself that I could be a worthy son of Huayna Capac, then return and ask for a merited punishment. My spirit is now at ease.”
“Villac Umu was the cause of your downfall, was he not?”
“He was my instructor and adviser so long back as I can remember.”
“Were you not governed entirely by his advice?”
“I blame only myself. As king, I was not compelled to listen to any one. I alone am responsible for everything, and deserve the most merciless punishment.”
“Of course you realize that you are no longer king. You are a fugitive from justice, while we are now masters. The tables are turned. You prepared the most fiendish torture that could be devised for us; naturally you must expect us to treat you in the same manner.”
“I am in your hands. Do as you see fit.”
Quizquiz fumbled at his belt; then he fell upon his knees.
“On bended knees I give to you the crimson fringe to which I have no further right. Take it, wear it, and may your God and mine protect you.”
His head was bowed in deepest humiliation. In his extended hand he held the borla, the Inca’s badge of authority.