“No signs of anything happening yet,” uneasily. “I wonder if Soncco told the truth about the open link in the chains. He may have said that simply to pacify us, so we would submit to being bound without a struggle.”
“Wait a little while longer. Then—well, I believe Soncco told the truth. We must get Villac Umu. If there is a fight, any one and every one else will do for the next, but I think that with the high priest out of the way Soncco can handle the crowd; he is the one they really hold in superstitious fear. Snap the chain suddenly and jump to one side so far as you can. Remember that Pizarro conquered the whole nation of millions of people by capturing the leader; we have a chance of doing the same thing on a smaller scale with that beast out of the way.”
Minutes passed; they waited in vain.
“I must have been mistaken, after all,” Stanley said gloomily as he caught an impatient look from Soncco. “Look! he is signalling us now. Let’s break away. Are you ready?”
“Yes. Give the word.”
A crash halted the reply on Stanley’s lips.
“Cursed drink that has dimmed my vision,” Quizquiz shouted, at the same time dashing his heavy golden goblet to the floor of his litter, “for it must be my blurred eyes that deceive me. Look, Villac Umu! Do you see anything?”
The Inca and the high priest were anxiously scanning the heavens, shielding their eyes with jewel-bedecked hands. Concern and fear were plainly pictured in their faces.
“It is not the drink.” Stanley was quick enough to comprehend the situation and to make use of it to their advantage. “What you see is a giant hand grasping the neck of your helpless Sun-God. Soon his light will fade and you will be floundering in the darkness. Your time has come!”
Then to Ted in a joyous shout: “I was right! I was right! Look! The eclipse; it is starting.”