“Its women and its children are well!  But we, at the lower end of the cliffs,”—­he extended his arm to the east,—­“starve in order that your daughters and the little ones whom we have begotten to the other clans shall not perish.  We had no more than food enough to pray for, to fast for, in order that the Shiuana might not let our brethren be lost.”  Here the Koshare Naua, as well as the representative of the Panther clan, uttered an audible “[=A]-[=a];” and even the Shkuy Chayan nodded.  “How many Koshare are there in Tzitz hanutsh?  How many in Tanyi?  How many in Tyame who would sacrifice themselves for the ripening of fruit?  How many in Huashpa?  Shyuamo alone has as many Delight Makers as the remainder of the Zaashtesh.  One single clan as many as eleven others together!  And”—­he drew himself up to his full height and fastened on the delegate of the Water clan a glance of strange fierceness, as he cried—­“while your Koshare feed themselves well between the fasts, ours starve to regain strength after they have watched, prayed, and starved!”

This explosion of bitter reproach was again followed by deep silence.  Tyope was indeed a fascinating speaker.  The maseua and the Hishtanyi Chayan were the only ones whom his oratorical talent could not lead astray.  He proceeded in a quieter tone,—­

“We need more land.  Some of our fathers have suggested that we should extend our territory to the eastward and open the soil there.  They mean well; but there is not enough, and the pines are too near.  Shall we go as far as Cuapa, where there is enough soil, or where the kauaush descends to the painted cave?  Shall we go and live where the Moshome would surround us and howl about like hungry wolves?  No!  Ere we do this we have thought to say to our brethren, ’Tzitz has more land than it needs; Tzitz is our brother; and we will ask them, “Satyumishe, give us some of that of which you have too much, so that we may not be lost."’ But not to the Water people alone did we wish to speak; no, to all of you, to the yaya nashtio and the tapop, that you all may know it and assist us in our need.  For rather than starve we shall leave the Tyuonyi and look for another place.  And then,” he concluded, “you will become weak and we shall be weak; and the Moshome, the Tehuas, and the Puyatye will be stronger than the Queres, for we shall be divided!”

He resumed his seat in token that his speech was ended.  From all sides sounded the affirmative grunt “[=A]-[=a]-[=a];” the Shkuy Chayan and the Cuirana Naua even nodded.  Tyope had spoken very well.

Hoshkanyi Tihua was delighted with the talk of his clan-brother.  Forgetful of his position as chairman he looked around the circle proudly, as if to say, “He can do it better than any one of you.”  The stillness that followed was suddenly broken by the voice of the Hishtanyi Chayan, who called out in a dry, business-like manner,—­

“Our brother Tyope has spoken well, and all the others have spoken as their hearts directed them to speak; but my brother”—­he emphasized the my—­“the maseua has not yet said what he thinks.  My brother is very wise.  Let him open his heart to us.”