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"So have I, and he promised to be wise." "Had we not better speak to Zashue?" suggested Say Koitza. Hayoue remained thoughtful for a while; then he said, "I dislike to say aught against my own brother, but in this matter I dislike to speak to him." "He is Okoya's father," objected Say. "True, but he is Koshare, and completely under Tyope's influence.
At the close the drum rumbled again within the cliffs above her, and the chant rose strong and rude. Covering her head, shaking and shivering with sudden fear, Say Koitza rushed from the spot. Ere day broke she had reached home again, and extended her weary frame by the side of her sleeping children. Say slept for the remainder of the night a long sleep of exhaustion.
But she felt more than usually excited and worn out. It was not fear; it was the natural longing of a soul replete with energy and activity to see a matter ended that kept her in suspense. In regard to Say Koitza she felt perfectly reassured; the woman had not shown herself at her cave, and must feel quiet, cautious, and careful.
"The Koshare know all." Unconsciously the cave-dweller uttered these words while staring into the remnant of gleaming coals on the hearth; then she became silent. Neither could Say Koitza utter a word; only from time to time her spasmodic sobs broke the stillness of the room.
It was a sad disappointment to the boy, and yet was he not staying at home in defence of his mother and of Mitsha? Say Koitza had ceased to weep, but the persistent neglect which she thought she suffered from Shotaye grieved her. At last she asked Okoya whether he had seen anything of the cave-woman. His reply, that he thought she had gone, explained everything.
Still we miss among that little band of Queres fugitives those with whom we have become more closely acquainted. In vain we look for Say Koitza, for Mitsha, for Okoya. Can it be true, as Hayoue surmised, that his bosom friend, Zashue's eldest son, is dead? The throwing about of fruit has ceased; the dance is resumed, and new figures may appear.
"I and my brother are alone," Zashue asserted. "Why did your koitza and makatza leave you?" "The Moshome drove them off." "The Moshome?" The inquisitor criticised his words. Hayoue had recovered from his surprise. He interjected in a loud, blunt voice, "While the men went out to strike the Tehuas, the Moshome Dinne came upon us.
"If he is such a bad man why do you want to throw away Okoya, that jewel," he said with a grin of irony, "on that bad man's daughter? It seems that you have called me in, only in order to slander the best of my brethren. I am Koshare, and will remain Koshare, whether it pleases you, koitza, or not. He is Cuirana and has his people; I am Koshare and have my people. Okoya may do as he pleases.
"Tyuonyi koitza," then in the direction of the Rito, made the gesture-sign for killing, and looked at the stranger inquiringly and with an anxious face. Now the Indian understood her. His eyes sparkled; he shook his head emphatically, uttering, "Nyo nyo tema, uan save, uan save;" at the same time he pointed to the west and brandished his war-club.
Say Koitza was too much absorbed by her work to notice the change in her husband's manner at once. After a few moments of silence she reiterated her question. Zashue appeared to wake up; he started, saying, "I don't know; but why do you ask this?" The woman realized that her inquiry might have been imprudent, but with great assurance explained, "Because he is nashtio, and a great one at that.
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