Hayoue denied any knowledge concerning the Navajos, adding,—­

“I did not like it when that fellow Nacaytzusle ran away from us.  He knew too much of our ways.”

“He can do no harm.  He is glad to stay among his people.”

“Still I don’t trust him,” Hayoue muttered.

“Neither would I, if I were in your place,” Zashue taunted, and a good-natured though mischievous smile lit up his features.  “If I were you I would keep still better guard over Mitsha Koitza.”

“What have I to do with the child of Tyope,” exclaimed the other, rather contemptuously.

“Indeed?” queried Zashue, “so you, too, are against Tyope?  What has he done to you?”

“Nothing, but I mistrust him as much as I do the Navajo.”

These last words were uttered in such a positive manner—­they were so earnestly emphasized—­that they cut off the conversation.  It was plain that Hayoue had made up his mind on the subject, and that he did not wish to have it broached again.

“Sa nashtio,” called Shyuote over to where the brothers were weeding in silence, “come over here; I must tell you something, but I must tell it to you alone.”

Hayoue at once turned away, while Zashue called the lad to him.  But Shyuote protested, saying that only his father was to hear his communication, and Zashue at last went where the boy was standing.  It vexed him, and he inquired rather gruffly what he had to say.  Shyuote made a very wise and important face, placed a finger to his lips, and whispered,—­

“The Koshare Naua told me to tell you that you should go to see him, not to-morrow, but the day after, when the moon goes behind the mountains.”

“Is that all!” exclaimed Zashue, disappointed and angry,—­“is that all you had to say?  That much you might have shouted to me.  There was no need of being so secret about it, and”—­he glanced at the insignificant and careless work the boy had performed—­“is that all you have done since you came?  You are lazy, uak!  Go home.  Go home at once to your mother and tell her that I shall not return for the evening, but will stay with Hayoue in the caves.”  And as Shyuote, dismayed and troubled, appeared loath to go, Zashue turned to him again, commanding in a very angry tone,—­

“Go home!  Go home at once!”

[Illustration:  (Upper picture) A Navajo Hogan]

[Illustration:  (Lower picture) The Heart of the Tyuonyi:  The excavated lower story of the great terraced Communal House]

Shyuote left in haste; he felt very much like crying.  Hayoue said to his brother,—­

“Didn’t I tell you that Shyuote was lazy?  Okoya is far, far more useful.”

“Let me alone about Okoya,” growled Zashue; and both went on with the work as before.