“What is it, Caya?” Cliff asked as the girl came to fall on her knees before him. He signed for her to rise.
“Use your magic to return to the skies,” she begged. “They talked after you went. I went near. I heard. They let you show them the magic for the corn and then the high priest says he can make greater magic to destroy you!”
Cliff whispered to Mr. Whitley and Bill, then in his slow quichua he said to the trembling girl: “We are not from the stars, Caya. We are here to save my father, the pale man who has been a prisoner for so long.”
The girl clasped her hands and stared. Slowly his words penetrated her understanding.
“Oh!” she gasped. “See then—! I can help! You saved my sister! I will help you—save you and your father also if it shall please Raymi that one so humble shall do so much!”
“How?” asked Tom, always practical.
“There is a secret way—it is not known to me, but I shall learn from one who knows!”
“We saved her sister and now she will save us,” Nicky exulted. “The Spaniard queered us”—he was so excited he used slang, but they did not notice. “We paid him back. Just as I said.”
“Yes,” said Cliff. “It’s ‘tit for tat’ all around!”