But it was the city itself which caused each man to gasp at first sight.

Everywhere nearby, showing the Acropolis was at the center of things, were great stone palaces, some private dwellings and some quite obviously public buildings. And the roofs shone in the sun as if made of gold.

"Copper," explained Mr. Hampton, succinctly. "Probably they have a mine somewhere near."

Beyond the palaces could be seen streets and squares and smaller houses, all of stone. Trees grew everywhere, adding to the charm of the scene.

Greatest sight of all, however, was the huge central square at the base of the Acropolis. Due to their height, only that part of the square opposite could be seen. Yet that view was sufficient to give an idea of the size of the square.

Opposite the fortress stood the Temple, a broad stone structure approached by a great flight of steps, at the top of which was a sacrificial altar. A lesser stone building on one side were the cloister of the vestal virgins. On the other side was the Inca's palace. From his knowledge of Inca history, Ferdinand was enabled to guess that such was the character of the buildings, and in this supposition they were later confirmed.

In all the square, however, and in those thoroughfares of the city which they could observe, was no sign of life and movement.

"It looks like a city of the dead," said Jack. "If I didn't know differently, I would believe we had stumbled upon an abandoned city. But the fortress certainly has occupants, as we have seen. What do you make of it, Dad?" he inquired, walking over toward his father.

Mr. Hampton shook his head, and Jack turned inquiringly to Don Ernesto.

The latter looked thoughtful.

"There is a possibility," he said, as one cudgeling his brains to recall something once known but long out of memory. "Yet--I don't know--it seems foolish."

"What?"

"That these descendants of the Incas should be keeping the great annual religious ceremony of their ancestors? Yet, it is the same time of year."

"Oh, Father. The annual festival of the Sun?" cried Ferdinand.

Don Ernesto nodded.

"Tell us about it," said Jack. "I'd like to learn all I can about these people."

"Very well," said Don Ernesto. "Sit down, and I'll tell you what I can recall. The religion of the Peruvian Empire," he continued, when all had found seats around him, "expressed the feelings of the people toward their heavenly protector and their earthly ruler. They worshipped the sun and adored the reigning Inca as his descendant upon earth. For the term of Inca, you will doubtless recall, did not apply to every member of the empire, but only to those of royal blood. The legend was that the sun looking down upon the savages took pity upon them for their mode of living, and sent to earth a son, Manco Capac, and a daughter, Mama Oello, children of his own, to civilize and instruct mankind. They came to earth near the Lake of t.i.ticaca. He gave them a rod of gold and bade them go whither they pleased, but, to remember that when they came to a place where this rod should sink into the earth, that was the place at which he wished them to abide. The legend has it that the rod disappeared in the earth at Cusco. Therefore, there they stayed, bringing the savages together, instructing them, and building up the great city that afterwards became the capital of the empire.

"The worship of the sun was inevitable. Yet, you must remember, Sun-worship was not confined to Peru, but was universal. The Chaldeans, the Babylonians, the early Hindus--all worshipped the sun. Yet Sun-worship, with most races and tribes, in time pa.s.sed either into some lower form of idolatry or became humanized and spiritualized. It was only amongst a few, the most remarkable of which were the Persians and the Peruvians, that the development of religion was arrested at a period when the sun was the visible, un-humanized Deity, not translated into manlike terms.

"The princ.i.p.al religious ceremony was the annual celebration of the Feast of Raymi, at Cusco. To that great city, where the palaces were all built of huge blocks of stone of a dark slate color, came every year from all quarters of the empire the princ.i.p.al n.o.bles and military men, as well as the great men of each subject race. For the Incas, you know, did not blot out the subjugated, as did their Spanish conquerors, but absorbed all that was best of the conquered into the empire. Preceding that feast was a fast, emblematic of the suffering which precedes great joy. This fast lasted three days, and during that time, Fire, which was related to the Sun, and, therefore, divine, was not used by anyone."

He paused, evidently having concluded his explanation, so Frank spoke up quickly.

"But, Senor, you say the use of fire was not permitted. If these descendants of the Incas keep their fast now, how is it our food has been cooked?"

"I cannot say," smiled Don Ernesto. "Perhaps, though, it was some especial provision made for us prisoners."

By now it was late afternoon. Already the sun had disappeared behind the western rampant of mountains, and twilight had come over the city below.

Only the tops of the eastern mountains were tipped with fire.

The two older men drew apart, conversing in low tones. The Chilian huachos, Pedro and Carlos, already had disposed themselves upon a couch and were asleep. The four boys stood for a long time at the loopholes, gazing down at the dimming city, in which no sign of movement was to be observed, until it was too dark longer to see.

"Not a light in all that city," said Frank the sensitive. "This is certainly an eerie experience."

"I wonder what tomorrow will bring," said Jack.

"Prince Huaca said he would call then," added Bob.

"Well," said Ferdinand, philosophically, "I suppose we might as well dispose ourselves for sleep. There is nothing else to do."

"Here's my flashlight," said Bob, throwing its rays about. "Had it on me when I was captured. At least we can see our way to the couches."

CHAPTER XIII--THE FEAST OF RAYMI

"Fellows, what's that?"

Bob rolled over drowsily, then fell to the stone floor with a thump that effectually awakened him. He looked up. Jack stood above him, grinning.

Bob rubbed his hip ruefully, then got to his feet. Frank, with whom he had been sleeping, also clambered out of bed.

Gray light coming in through the loopholes to the east lighted the room only dimly. Ferdinand and his father still slept on the couch which they had shared together. Mr. Hampton, who had slept with Jack, was not awake, nor were the two huachos.

"What in---"

Bob was still rubbing his hip.

"Listen," said Jack. "There. That dull humming sound. What is it? I lay awhile, half asleep, half waking, before I got up. Then I stopped to shake you fellows awake. Come on, let's look out of these loopholes."

"The Sun's not yet up," grumbled big Bob. "Why in the world do you have to beat him? Having such a good time of it, that you hate to miss a minute?"

Nevertheless, he followed Jack and Frank to the loopholes.

The humming sound referred to was louder. For several moments they stared through the apertures, unable to see anything in the dark square below. But the light grew momentarily stronger, as the sun neared the top of the eastern rampart of the valley. Then objects began to grow and took form in the lessening shadows.

"Whew," exclaimed Bob, in an awed tone. "Did you ever----"

"And I said last night it looked like a city of the dead," said Frank.

As for Jack, he deserted his loophole and, gaining his father's side, shook him into wakefulness.

"Come here, Dad. What a sight."

What a sight, indeed! The others were roused and summoned, too. For the great square was packed with humanity, rank upon rank of people, on their knees, facing the Temple and the east. At that moment, the sun shot above the horizon. And all that great mult.i.tude of people bowed forward, touching their hands to their lips, and then flinging their arms wide to the Sun.

The serried ranks were dressed in gorgeous costumes. Many wore wreaths upon their heads. Many wore ornaments of gold and silver that reflected back the light of the sun in myriad flashings. And on standards high above the mult.i.tude flapped great imperial banners, stirring lazily in the breeze that brought the dawn.

"Ah," said Don Ernesto, breaking the silence of stupefaction which had enthralled them, "I was right. Now we shall see something. It is their great festival. The fast has come to an end."

"Look," said Jack excitedly, "Who is that?"

He pointed to a figure, upright amidst all those kneeling figures, the only dark spot, moreover, amidst those gaily-clad hosts. He wore a robe descending to his feet, so darkly crimson that it appeared to be black.