"We found Prince Huaca, the heir to the throne," he said, "an
enlightened and intelligent man, filled with enthusiasm for the
betterment of his people and very desirous of learning of the many
wonders and marvels in our country.
"But"--and pausing deliberately and significantly, Mr. Hampton stared
directly at the High Priest Cinto--"but," he added, "he told us evil
counsellors surrounded the throne. He was captured and imprisoned. And
now, O Inca, we ask that the evil men be punished and Prince Huaca be
restored to the favor of your countenance."
It was too much for the High Priest. His face became convulsed with
rage. He made a step forward. But the Inca, whose eyes though old were
shrewd, and who showed none of the senility of age, lifted his hand. The
gesture was sufficient.
"O Ambassador of the Lord Beyond the Mountains," said he, in a thin,
clear voice, "you speak with a fearless tongue. But, tell me, by what
right do you thus seek to interfere in the affairs of Cusco Hurrin? Why
should I not command my soldiers to seize you at once?"
"O Inca," answered Mr. Hampton, stoutly, betraying no sign of
trepidation, "we have your safe conduct. Moreover, if any evil befall
us, the Lord Beyond the Mountains will know of it instantly and will
send his lightnings through the air for our protection."
"What mean you?" asked the Inca, staring at him keenly. "This talk of
knowing instantly is folly. Is not Cusco Hurrin a sealed city whence no
messengers may depart? And are we not separated from this Lord of whom
you speak by many leagues of wild land? And what means this talk of
lightnings? Is the Inca of Cusco Hurrin a child to be frightened by
foolish tales?"
"Nay, Sire," said Mr. Hampton, imperturbably, bowing, "this is no
foolish talk. Great is the power of the Lord Beyond the Mountains, and
such power also dwells in us his ambassadors."
"This talk of power does not please me," said the Inca, harshly. "Again
I ask, what mean you?"
"Would you have evidence of our power, O Inca," said Mr. Hampton, "then
behold. For I have brought with me certain marvels with which to
convince you. Shall I proceed, or is the Court of the Inca of Cusco
Hurrin timid as a child and unwilling to look upon these marvels?"
"Nay, nay, stranger, we are not fearful. For our power, too, is great,"
said the Inca. "Behold, here is my High Priest, who communes with our
Lord, the Sun, and knows many secrets."
On being thus indicated, Cinto assumed an expression of satisfaction.
"Ah," said Mr. Hampton, composedly. "But can he order a man to pluck out
his eye, to take his teeth from his mouth, or to remove the hair from
his head, and be obeyed without injuring that man? Can he do this, and
then restore that man to his original appearance?"
There was a renewed stir of interest among the members of the Council, a
renewed rustling in the audience. Cinto looked supercilious and haughty,
but Mr. Hampton thought he detected a gleam of worry. As for the Inca,
he leaned forward a bit and stared more sharply than before.
"Nay," said he, "and be cautious, O Ambassador, lest your tongue lead
you into idle boasting. For these matters of which you speak are for the
God Himself alone to perform."
"O Inca, I do not boast," said Mr. Hampton. "If you would behold, then
observe closely."
It was their cue. Pedro and Carlos advanced to take station beside Don
Ernesto. Mr. Hampton faced them, arms extended.
"Behold, O Inca," said he. "I speak, too, in the tongue of the Lord
Beyond the Mountains--a tongue of power."
And rapidly he began, in English:
"Hocus pocus, abracadabra, Pedro, give me your eye."
Pedro passed his hand over his glass eye, plucked it out, and then, good
actor that he was, and thoroughly enjoying the situation, he turned so
that the sightless cavity stared at the Inca and held up the eye between
thumb and forefinger.
A gasp of amazement and horror came from the audience. The boys who were
watching the proceedings with keenest enjoyment had difficulty in
restraining their laughter.
"Look at the High Priest. He's going to faint."
"Yes, and the Inca is paralyzed."
Not pausing, Mr. Hampton next cried his incantations over Carlos, and
the latter opened his mouth wide and brought forth his false teeth. He
held them up, so that all could see. And, indeed, they were a gruesome
sight, with the red rubber palate resembling the roof of the mouth. He,
too, profiting from Pedro's example, stared toward the throne, lips wide
apart, toothless gums displayed.
If before had been horror and amazement, now was stupefaction. Whimpers
of panic ran around the audience. The soldiers before the throne
trembled, so that their erect spears waved like saplings in a strong
wind. The Inca, the High Priest, the members of the Council, all were
endeavoring to restrain their fright, but they were palsied with terror.
"Good night," murmured Jack, suffocatingly. "He's got them. Oh, I'm
going to blow up if I can't laugh soon."
Mr. Hampton also realized he had his audience in his grip, and he
proceeded to strike while the iron was hot.
Extending a knife to Don Ernesto, he gestured with his hand to indicate
the latter was to scalp himself. Don Ernesto complied. And a thorough
job he did of it. Then he lifted off his toupee and held it, poised
above his head. The lights from the pillar behind him gleamed on his
shining bald head.
It was too much for Inca nerves. The courtiers in the audience cried out
whimperingly like frightened children and there was a great scurrying to
get behind pillars. The soldiers before the throne, as if with one
accord, threw themselves prone before this worker of wonders. There was
a rush of feet away from their party in the rear, and the boys, turning,
saw some of the soldiers of the rear guard, forgetful of discipline,
forgetful of everything, stricken by blind fear, dashing madly for the
doorway.
"You've got them, Dad," cried Jack. "Look at the Inca. Look at the High
Priest."
The High Priest had fallen back a step or two, and assumed a crouching
position. His attitude betokened not only fear, but desperation and
hatred. Plain as if he had spoken the words, could be read in his
expression the fear that here was a greater magician than he, the ruin
of his hopes. As for the Inca, he had attempted to rise from his throne,
but had fallen back and now cowered in the great chair, his hands over
his eyes.
Mr. Hampton's voice rang out.
"Behold, O Inca," he cried, "your people flee before these wonders. But
there are greater wonders to come. Bid them stay."
His voice had the effect of arresting the panic. The Inca withdrew his
hands, and by a tremendous effort pulled himself together. In a shaky
voice, he said:
"Continue."
"You will observe," said Mr. Hampton, "that though one of these men has
plucked out his eye, another his teeth, and a third has removed his
hair, yet none have suffered pain nor bled. This itself is a great
marvel, and by order of the beneficent Lord Beyond the Mountains, who
protects his children from all harm. Now I shall restore them to their
original appearance."
He clapped his hands three times, and at this, the previously
agreed-upon signal, Pedro replaced his eye, Carlos his teeth, and Don
Ernesto his toupee.
An audible shudder ran through the audience, most of whom, fascinated by
the promise of more wonders, had halted in their flight and returned.
The soldiers of the rear guard also had slunk back into place.
"Captain Guascar is going to overlook their having started to flee,"
whispered Bob to Frank. "He's not paying any attention to them."
"No wonder," whispered Frank, in reply. "He almost died of fright
himself, and he's not over it yet, either."
In truth, the doughty captain had a staring, hysterical look in his
eyes, as if he had seen some frightful apparition, and his limbs still
trembled.
"These, O Inca," said Mr. Hampton, "are simple matters. It surprises me
that your people should be surprised, for in my country any child can
perform them. Indeed, any of my young men"--waving toward the boys--"can
perform them as easily as I. Aye, if you so desire, I shall ask one of
them to do so. And, if it be your wish"--he added, daringly--"I shall ask
one of my young men to demonstrate upon one of your subjects. Shall we
tell this lad"--laying his hand on Jack's shoulder--"to pluck forth the
High Priest's eye?"
"Hey, Dad, you're taking a long chance," whispered Jack, anxiously.
He need not have worried.
With a howl, Cinto leaped to the Inca's side, hands outspread.
"O August One," he cried, "Representative of the Sun God, protect me
from these evil spirits who be not men but demons."
"Nay," said Mr. Hampton, "if the High Priest fears----" And he pushed Jack
back into column. He had produced the effect he desired. He had unmasked
the High Priest's fear, and publicly humiliated him. It would be better
not to press the matter. They were skating on thin ice. What if the Inca
should point to some man in disfavor and ask that they blind him, render
him toothless or scalp him?
He hurried on to another matter. Holding up his hand, index finger
extended, he said:
"O Inca, a greater marvel have I. Above me I can hear the voice of the
Lord Beyond the Mountains. He wishes to speak to you. This great Lord
speaks every tongue known to man; aye, even the Inca speech he knows,
even though for hundreds of years none have spoken it in the world
Beyond the Mountains. And this voice which I now hear, but which is
inaudible to you within this hall, commands that I invite you to appear
upon the terrace before your palace, where----"
Mr. Hampton paused. He had been wracking his brain for a good reason to
assign for urging the Inca to appear on the terrace in order to hear the
radio. Now, as by inspiration, it came to him. "----Where," he added, "you
will be under the protection of the Sun God and need fear no dark magic.
This Lord Beyond the Mountains would speak to you now, within this hall,
except that he desires you to feel secure.
"He will speak to you in your own tongue," he added. "And this," he
added, pointing to the radio outfit, "is the medium of his voice."
He turned to his own party.
"Come on, quick. Take up the outfit and let us march out. If we waver,
there may be trouble. If we put on a bold front, I think the Inca will
follow."