`` Oh , folly of men ! '' said the king , solemnly ; then he cried : `` Lead me to the Inca ; this day you shall not perish . Is it not predicted in the Cord of the Venerable Knots that I shall slay this monster ? '' `` Hasten , oh Pachacamac , for the shadow shortens ! '' said the priest . `` Lead me to the Inca , '' answered Prigio . At this the people arose with a great shout , for they , too , had been kneeling ; and , sending a flag of truce before King Prigio , the priest led him into the palace . The ground was strewn with bodies of the slain , and through them Prigio rode slowly into the courtyard , where the Inca was sitting in the dust , weeping and throwing ashes on his long hair and his golden raiment . The king bade the priest remain without the palace gates ; then dismounted , and , advancing to the Inca , raised him and embraced him . `` I come , a king to a king , '' he said . `` My cousin , take courage ; your sorrows are ended . If I do not slay the Earthquaker , sacrifice me to your gods . '' `` The Prophecy is fulfilled , '' said the Inca , and wept for joy . `` Yet thou must hasten , for it draws near to noon . '' Then Prigio went up to the golden battlements , and saying no word , waved his hand . In a moment the square was empty , for the people rushed to give thanks in the temples . `` Wait my coming , my cousin , '' said Prigio to the Inca ; `` I shall bring you back the daughter that was lost , when I have slain your enemy . '' The Inca would have knelt at his feet ; but the king raised him , and bade him prepare such a feast as had never been seen in Manoa . `` The lost are found to-day , '' he said ; `` be you ready to welcome them . '' Then , mounting the Flying Horse , with Dick beside him , he rose towards the peak of the hill where the Earthquaker had his home .
Already the ground was beginning to tremble ; the Earthquaker was stirring in his sleep , for the maiden of the new song had not been sent to him , and the year ended XXXXX noon , and then he would rise and ruin Manoa .
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