“Stop, chasqui!” commanded the officer in charge as Tom ran close to the resting soldiers. “Where run you so fast?”
Tom showed the quipu Bill had made up.
“I run for the Inca,” he said.
The officer studied his face: while the light was only that coming from the stars he peered closely.
“I do not know you,” he declared.
Tom drew himself up to his full height. He stared at the officer, trying to be haughty.
The officer was not impressed. At the same time, he did not quite dare to delay a messenger with the royal proof, the quipu that seemed to indicate Tom’s errand as genuine.
He did not release the grip he had taken on Tom’s arm.
A soldier stepped forward and made a salute.
“Let me run with the chasqui,” he said. “Thus the Inca’s message will not be delayed and if the fellow is carrying the royal token without warrant I can bring him back.”