The Virgin of the Sun eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 351 pages of information about The Virgin of the Sun.

The Virgin of the Sun eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 351 pages of information about The Virgin of the Sun.

Throwing back the bow to the Chanca, for now it was useless, we charged.  That business was soon over, for presently all those of Urco’s men who remained there were dead, save one who, being cut off, fled down hill towards the city, taking with him the news of what had passed in the palace of dead Upanqui.

We entered the mouth of the gorge, plunging towards the gloom, though as it chanced this place faced towards the east, so that the low sun, which now was fully up, shone down it and gave us light that later would have been lacking.

I, who was very swift of foot and to whom rage and fear gave wings, outran my companions.  Swinging myself round a rock which lay in the pathway, I saw the litter again not a hundred yards ahead.  It halted because, as it seemed to me, one or more of the bearers stumbled and fell among the stones.  I rushed at them, roaring.  Perhaps it had been wiser to wait for my companions, but I was mad and feared nothing.  They saw me and a cry went up of: 

“The White God!  The terrible White God!”

Then fear took hold of them and they fled, leaving the litter on the ground.  Yes, all of them fled save one, Urco himself.

He stood there rolling his eyes and gnashing his teeth, looking huge and awful in those shadows, looking like a devil from hell.  Suddenly a thought seemed to take him, and leaping at the litter he tore aside its curtains and dragged out Quilla, who fell prone upon the ground.

“If I may not have her, you shall not, White Thief.  See!  I give back his bride to the Sun,” he shouted, and lifted his copper sword to pierce her through.

Now I was still ten paces or so away and saw that before I could reach him that sword would be in her heart.  What could I do?  Oh!  St. Hubert must have helped me then for I knew in an instant.  In my hand was Wave-Flame and with all my strength I hurled it at his head.

The great blade hurtled hissing through the air.  I saw the sunlight shine on it.  He strove to leap clear, but too late, for it caught him on the hand that he had lifted to protect his head, and shore off two of his fingers so that he dropped his sword.  Next instant, still roaring, as doubtless old Thorgrimmer, my forefather, used to do when he fought to the death, for blood is very strong, I leapt on the giant, who like myself was swordless.  There in the gulf we wrestled.  He was a mighty man, but now my strength was as that of ten.  I threw him to the ground by a Sussex trick I knew and there we rolled over and over each other.  Once he had me undermost and I think would have choked me, had it not been that his right hand lacked two fingers.

With a mighty heave I lifted him so that now we lay side by side.  He was groping for a knife—­I did not see, but knew it.  Near his head a sharp-edged stone rose in the path to the height of a man’s hand or more.  I saw it and bethought me what to do if I could.  Again I heaved and as at length he found the knife and stabbed at me, scratching my face, I got his bull’s neck upon that stone.  Then I loosed my hand and caught him by the hair.  Back I pressed his great head, back and back with all my might till something snapped.

Copyrights
Project Gutenberg
The Virgin of the Sun from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.