You don't really
want to die, Huaracha, do you, after seeing most of your people killed
and your country wasted? For you know that is what must happen. If you
do not send your daughter as you promised, within a few hours a hundred
thousand men will be marching on you and another hundred thousand
gathering behind them. Anyhow, please make up your mind one way or
another, as I wish to leave this place."
Huaracha thought on awhile. Then he descended from his throne and
beckoned to Quilla. She came and he led her towards the back part of
the pavilion behind and a little to the left of the chair on which I sat
where none could hear their talk save me, of whom he seemed to take no
note, perhaps because he had forgotten me, or perhaps because he desired
that I should know all.
"Daughter," he said in a low voice, "what word? Before you answer
remember that if I refuse to send you, now for the first time I break my
oath."
"Of such oaths I think little," answered Quilla. "Yet of another thing I
think much. Tell me, my father, if the Inca declares war and attacks us,
can we withstand his armies?"
"No, Daughter, not until the Yuncas join us for we lack sufficient
men.
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