“Every one is asking that. They are begging that you, their king, enlighten them. On my knees I am presenting their humble petition.”
The sound of heavy footfalls attracted their attention and hushed their conversation. A moment later some one clapped his hands before the entrance.
“Enter!” Stanley commanded.
Toparca and Huascar, followed by a dozen other nobles, in bare feet and carrying their sandals on their left shoulders as a sign of homage, filed into the tent. Their faces were pale and they could hardly suppress their excitement.
“Speak quickly and freely, for I know what is on your minds,” Stanley encouraged.
“Lords, lords, who have mastered the air and to whose wishes even the Sun-God bows, save us or we shall all be killed,” cried one of the party as they all fell upon their knees and stretched their hands toward Stanley and Ted.
“Stand up. Now explain just what you mean. What do you want us to save you from?” Stanley was losing patience.
“We do not know. But having seen and heard the events of the past day, and having been shown the great power of the men from the outer world, we came to beg for help and for mercy. A new horror is stalking through the valley. Every one is terror-stricken. An undefinable dread clutches at each heart. The air is heavy with forebodings and vibrates with the rumblings from monster throats that bespeak death and destruction. We are in your power. If this be a punishment, let it be inflicted upon those of us who deserve it, but spare those who are innocent the anguish and the suffering they are compelled to endure awaiting an unknown fate.”
“Wait,” Stanley said simply. Then, turning to Ted: “This is awful. Have you any idea what the trouble is?”
“This is so bewildering I can hardly think. There it is again.”