It began to dawn on Okoya’s mind; still he had not fully grasped his uncle’s meaning.

“Who is going to do evil things to us?  Are there Moshome about?”

Hayoue was struck by the remark.  He had not thought of this possibility.  It might be that the older men had learned something of the approach or presence of Navajos.  A few moments of reflection, however, convinced him of the utter improbability of the suggestion.  If there were danger of this the warriors, to whom he belonged,—­that is, the special group of war magicians,—­would have been the first to be informed of it; and they would all be now in the estufa preparing themselves for duty, and the maseua first of all.  Instead of it the old man was up and about as usual.  No, it could not be; and he accordingly said,—­

“It may be that some sneaking wolf is lurking about, but I do not believe it.  See here, satyumishe, I belong to those who know of war, and I should certainly have heard if there were any signs of the Dinne.  And our father the maseua would not have remained about the big house.  No, umo, it is not on account of the Moshome that the yaya and nashtio take no food.”

“But if there are no Moshome about, whence could there come danger to us?”

“From there;” and Hayoue pointed to distant cliffs where some of the cave-dwellings of Shyuamo were visible at the diminutive openings in the rock.

“Why from there?”

“From Shyuamo hanutsh.”

“What can Shyuamo want to do harm for?”

Hayoue grew really impatient.

“You think of nothing else but your girl,” he grumbled.  “Have you forgotten already what I told you of Tyope and of that old sand-viper, the Naua?”

It thundered in the distance; a shower was falling south of the Rito, and its thunder sounded like low, subterranean mutterings.  Hayoue called out,—­

“Do you hear the Shiuana?  They remind you of what I said.”

The parts were reversed.  It was now the uncle who reminded the nephew of the voices from the higher world.  Okoya hung his head.

“Listen to me,” continued Hayoue; “I know that you do not like it that I speak against Tyope, but I am right nevertheless.  He is a bad man and a base man; he only looks at what he desires and to the welfare of his hanutsh.  Toward others he is ill-disposed; and his companion is worse yet, the old fiend.”

“Yes, but what can they gain by doing evil to others?” Okoya asked.

“I don’t know.”

“How can I know it, then?  I am much younger, much less wise than you.”

Hayoue saw the candour of the boy and it troubled him.  It was true; Okoya was too young yet, too inexperienced; he could not fully understand what Hayoue was suspecting, and could not give him any light or advice.  It was useless to press him any further.  But one thing Hayoue had achieved, at all events.  He had enjoyed an opportunity to vent his feelings in full confidence, and that alone afforded him some relief.  After musing a while he spoke again,—­