Round the litter marched the king’s guard with the archers and halberdiers, and in front went five thousand slingers, while in rear there were lancers with their captains. On the flanks of the road, and on the road itself, there were faithful runners who kept a lookout and announced the approach of the lord. So many people came out to see him pass, that the hill sides were covered, and they all blessed their sovereign, raising a great cry and shouting their accustomed saying, which was:--“_Ancha hatun apu intip churi, canqui zapalla, apu tucuy pacha ccampa uyay sullull._”[131] This means, “Very great and powerful lord, son of the Sun, thou only art lord, all the world hears thee in truth.” Besides this they said other things in a loud voice, insomuch that they went little short of worshipping their king as a god. Along the whole road Indians went in front, cleaning it in such a way that neither weed nor loose stone could be seen, but all was made smooth and clean. The Inca travelled as far as he chose each day, but generally about four leagues. He stopped at certain places where he could examine into the state of the country; hearing cheerfully those who came with complaints, punishing those who had been unjust, and doing justice to those who had suffered. Those who came with him, did not demand anything, neither did they go a single pace off the road. The natives supplied what was necessary, besides which there was more than enough of all provisions in the storehouses, so that nothing was wanting. By the way, many men and women and lads came to do personal service if it was needed. The lords were thus carried from one village to another, where they were taken up by those of the next village, and as it was only one day, or at most two, they did not feel this service to be any hardship. Travelling in this way, the lord went over his dominions for as long a time as pleased him, seeing what was going on with his own eyes, and giving necessary instructions on great and important matters. He then returned to Cuzco, the principal city of the whole empire. CHAPTER XXI. _How the Posts of the Kingdom were arranged._