cantut and amancay, where the noise of bubbling fountains mingled with the songs of many birds. Lofty mountains surrounded the little valley, and here all but love was forgotten.
All too soon the spell was broken. An order came for Quilacu and his embassy to proceed at once to Calca, in the vale of Vilcamayu, where the Inca was then residing. The young envoy placed the presents at the feet of Huascar, and assured him of his brother's loyalty. The Inca looked at him with disdain, spurned the presents, and accused him of being a spy. His four colleagues were put to death, and he was sent to Cuzco to await further orders. An old servant was sent to report his treatment and the murder of his friends to Mama Rahua Ocllo while he remained in suspense. At length Quilacu received his dismissal. He was ordered to return to Atahualpa and to warn him that he would soon have to render an account of his conduct to his sovereign.
A secret message reached Siquillapampa that Quilacu would, if possible, turn off the road and claim Curi Coyllur from her aunt and guardian, the princess Cahua Ticlla. The beautiful girl looked out anxiously for her lover. When she saw a labourer in the far distance with a plough (taclla) on his shoulder, she thought it was him. At last a troop of wayfarers was seen, wending their way along the Chinchay-suyu road. Standing under the molle trees, by the side of the waving corn, she saw the travellers disappearing over the crest of the
