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attack and intended to starve us out； but they were incapable of a decision so sensible。
Many hours had passed； and we had alternated on four watches。
We had plenty of rest and were really quite fit。 The gash on my leg had proven a mere trifle； I was a little stiff； but there was no pain。
Desiree's foot was almost entirely well； she was able to walk with ease； and had insisted on taking a turn at watch； making such a point of it that we had humored her。
Something had to happen； and I suppose it was as well that the Incas should start it。 For we had met with a misfortune that made us see the beginning of the end。 Our fish was no longer fit to eat； and we had been forced to throw the remainder of it in the lake。
Then we held a council of war。 The words we uttered； standing together at the mouth of the crevice； e to me now as in a dream； if my memory of them were not so vivid I should doubt their reality。 We discussed death with a calmness that spoke eloquently of our experience。
Desiree's position may be given in a word…she was ready for the end； and invited it。
I was but little behind her； but advised waiting for one more watch…a sop to Harry。 And there was one other circumstance that moved me to delay…the hope for a sight of the Inca king and a chance at him。
Desiree had refused to tell us her experiences between the time of our dive from the column and our rescue of her； but she had said enough to cause me to guess at its nature。 There was a suppressed but ever present horror in her eyes that made me long to stand once more before the Child of the Sun； then to go； but not alone。
Harry advised retreat。 I have mentioned that when he and I had started on our search for Desiree we had found two exits from the cavern…the one which we had taken and another which led through the maze of boulders and chasms back of us to a passage full of twists and turns and choked with massive rocks； almost impassable。
Through this he advised making our way to whatever might await us beyond。
The question was still undecided when our argument was brought to a halt and the decision was taken away from us。 Through the crevice I saw a band of Incas emerge from the passage opposite and advance to the water's edge。 At their head was the Inca king。
Soon the landing was pletely covered with them…probably three hundred or more…and others could be seen in the mouth of the passage。 Each one carried a spear； their heads of copper； upraised in a veritable forest； shone dully in the light of the urns on the wall above。
Harry and Desiree stood close behind me； looking through at the fantastic sight。 I turned to him：
〃This time they mean business。〃
He nodded。
〃But what can they do？ Except get knocked on the head； and I'm sick of it。 If we had only left an hour ago！〃
〃For my part；〃 I retorted； 〃I'm glad we didn't。 Desiree； I'm going to put you in my debt； if fortune will only show me one last kindness and let me get within reach of him。〃
I pointed to where the Inca king stood in the forefront； at the very edge of the lake。
She shuddered and grew pale。
〃He is a monster；〃 she said in a voice so low that I scarcely heard； 〃and…I thank you； Paul。〃
Harry seemed not to have heard。
〃But what can they do？〃 he repeated。
They did not leave us long in doubt。 As he spoke there was a sudden sharp movement in the ranks of the Incas。 Those in front leaped in the water； and others after them； until； almost before we had time to realize their purpose； hundreds of the hairy brutes were swimming with long； powerful strokes directly toward the ledge on which we stood。 Between his teeth each man carried his spear。
I left Harry to guard the crevice； and ran to repel the attack at the water。 Desiree stood just behind me。 I called to her to go back； but she did not move。 I grasped her by the arm and led her forcibly to a break in the rock at our rear； and pointed out a narrow ascending lane in the direction of the other exit。
When I returned to the ledge of the water the foremost of the Incas were but a few feet away。 But I looked in vain for the one face I wanted to see and could recognize； the king was not among them。 A hasty glance across the landing opposite discovered him standing motionless with folded arms。
The entire surface of the lake before me was one mass of heads and arms and spears as far as I could see。 There were hundreds of them。 I saw at once that the thing was hopeless； but I grasped my spear firmly and stood ready。
The first two or three reached the ledge。 At the same instant I heard Harry call：
〃They're ing through； Paul！ It's you alone！〃
I did not turn my head； for I was busy。 My spear was whirling about my head like a circle of flame。 Black； dusky forms swam to the ledge and grasped its slippery surface； but they got no farther。 The shaft of the spear bent in my hand； I picked up another； barely losing a second。
A wild and savage delight surged through me at the sight of those struggling； writhing； slipping forms。 I swung the spear in vicious fury。 Not one had found footing on the ledge。
Something suddenly struck me in the left arm and stuck there； I shook it loose impatiently and it felt as though my arm went with it。
I did not care to glance up even for an instant； they were pressing me closer and closer； but I knew that they had begun to hurl their spears at me from the water； and that the game was up。
Another struck me on the leg； soon they were falling thick about me。
Calling to Harry to follow； I turned and ran for the opening in the rock to which I had led Desiree。 In an instant he had joined me。
By that time scores of the Incas had scrambled out of the water onto the ledge and started toward us； and as many more came rushing through the crevice； finding their way no longer contested。
Harry carried three spears。 I had four。 We sprang up a lane encircling the rock to the rear and at its top found Desiree。
A projecting bit of rock gave us some protection from the spears that were being hurled at us from below； but they came unfortably close； and black forms began to appear in the lane through which we had e。
Harry shouted something which I didn't hear； and； taking Desiree in his arms； sprang from the rock to another ledge some ten feet below。
I followed。 At the bottom he stumbled and fell； but I helped him to his feet and then turned barely in time to beat back three or four of the Incas who had tumbled down almost on our very heads。
Immediately in front of us was a chasm several feet across。
Harry cried to Desiree； 〃Can you make it？〃 and she shook her head； pointing to her injured foot。
〃To me！〃 I shouted desperately； they were ing down from above despite my efforts to hold them back。
Then； in answer to a call from Harry； I turned and leaped across the chasm； throwing the spears ahead of me。 Harry took Desiree in his arms and swung her far out； I braced myself for the shock and caught her on my feet。
I set her down unhurt； and a minute later Harry had joined us and we were scrambling up the face of a boulder nearly perpendicular； while the spears fell thick around us。
Desiree lost her footing and fell against Harry； who rolled to t