The governor displayed much coolness, and paid close attention during this strange and almost comic interview.  He thought he understood that a man from the Rito, probably called Topanashka, had been murdered by the Dinnes on the trail leading to the Puye from the south.  He also thought that the Queres were on the war-path to avenge the murder.  In what manner this was connected with the excited state of the woman he could not clearly see, unless she was perhaps the widow of the murdered man.  In that event she might have become insane from fright and despair!  Her violent gesticulations and the expression of passion and agitation on her features confirmed his suspicion that Shotaye was distracted.

A growing coldness in his manner at last showed the woman what sort of an impression she had been creating, and she felt very uneasy.  Not that her life became endangered thereby; on the contrary, the Indian is very considerate and charitable toward such unfortunates.  But from the moment that the Tehuas were convinced of her insanity they would attach no longer any importance to her warnings, and a precious lapse of time that should be improved for immediate preparations for defence was irretrievably lost.  The Queres might be allowed to approach, and their onslaught would find the Tehuas utterly unprepared.  If only Cayamo had been present!  But he dared not approach a woman now, for he was at work purifying himself and fasting, in anticipation of the great day when the scalp which he had taken would be feasted over, danced over, prayed at, and sung to.  Shotaye found herself in a most painful situation.  She noticed how complacently the tuyo smiled, the more she attempted to insist.  At last he turned to Teanyi and said a few words to the latter.  Teanyi shook his head, and Shotaye followed the discussion that ensued between the two men with eager eyes and ears.

It soon became clear to her that they were of different opinions, and that each one persisted in his own.  Finally Teanyi spoke alone, and for quite a while in a low voice; and the governor listened attentively and with growing interest.  Though Teanyi’s voice was muffled, Shotaye still overheard the word Cayamo several times.  Straining her sense of hearing, she caught the words tupoge, tema quio, finally Shotaye also.  The tuyo listened, smiled, winked slyly, and at last laughed aloud.  At the same time he turned his face to her and nodded most pleasantly; thereupon he said a few words to Teanyi aloud, and the latter turned to his family, which had little by little congregated in the room, and repeated, as appeared to Shotaye, his statements.  At the close of his talk all broke out in a joyful laugh.  The housewife, who until then had rather frowned at the visitor, now smiled and nodded too, repeating the words,—­

“Not Queres; Tehua woman, wife of Cayamo.”

All laughed, and the governor exclaimed,—­

“It is well.”

The case was clear to all.  Cayamo, on his expedition to secure scalps, had picked up a sweetheart.  Food was placed before Shotaye, and the woman caressed her, inviting her to eat.