Cristoval interrupted him with a savage oath. "The Ñusta Rava? Is she again in the power of those hell-hounds?" "All who were within the palace. Guards were put around it the moment it was known that the Inca had left the city." Cristoval stood glowering, observed with some astonishment by the strangers, who, although already aware of his identity, were unprepared for his demonstration, and still less so for his vehement demand:— "Matopo, what dost purpose? Whatever it may be must be quickly done, for I tell thee, the Inca’s life is not worth a hair among those miscreants, and should they suspect preparations for war it would not be worth—" and he snapped his fingers. "What is thy purpose?" "Viracocha, this is my Lord Quehuar," said Matopo, indicating the noble beside him. "In the absence of the Inca he is in command." The cavalier turned to him with as much force as he had addressed Matopo. "Lord Quehuar, if the movement of thy troops is known in Cuzco, there is not an hour to lose. The Pizarros will hesitate less to kill the Inca than in killing Atahualpa. Thou must act without delay. Have measures been taken for his rescue?" The old noble hesitated before replying. But there was that in Cristoval’s manner, in his vigorous intensity of speech, and his total unconsciousness of any consideration other than the Inca’s danger, that banished doubt and commanded deference. The old Indio felt it, and without loss of dignity. "No steps have yet been taken, Viracocha," he said, "for we have just been released from Cuzco. Nothing is known of the assembling of the Inca’s troops. We have arrived at no determination. The calamity is overpowering." Cristoval took a step forward as he answered, "The calamity will grow hourly, Lord Quehuar. The Inca must be released. Is the fortress strongly garrisoned?" "Not strongly. Some thirty Viracochas." "Good!" cried Cristoval. "Give me a hundred men and some one who knoweth the fortress, and we will release him.—_Hola_, Pedro!" "_Aqui_! Here!" answered the approaching cook. "What is to do now? I have been shaken and thumped, and despoiled of sleep worth a _castellano_ the minute. What is wrong, Cristoval?" Cristoval replied in Quichua, "The Inca hath been imprisoned, and the Ñusta Rava is again in toils." Pedro halted with an exclamation, and Cristoval continued, "I say that with a hundred followers we can release him, Pedro. What sayst thou—wilt go?" "Thou knowest, Cristoval!" replied the cook, with force. "But hast forgotten that I am myself a prisoner?" Cristoval faced Matopo and demanded, "What of this, my lord? Wilt accept his word?" The general signified his willingness emphatically, and Cristoval again turned to Quehuar with impetuosity: "My Lord Quehuar, permit us to march to-night." Mocho, the fiery, strode forward. "Let me take a battalion of my Antis, General. I know the fortress to the last stone."