Topanashka took the trouble of satisfying her curiosity by dryly answering,—
"About our own business." The icy look with which he accompanied his retort subdued the woman.
The Hotshanyi, or chief penitent, lived with the people of the Prairie-wolf clan. His abode consisted of two caves on the lower and one on the upper tier. The two officers of the tribe wandered slowly along the cliffs, past the abodes of the Sun clan, Topanashka walking as usual,—erect, with his head bent slightly forward,—Hoshkanyi with a pompous air, glad to display himself in company with his much more respected colleague, to whom all the pleasant greetings which the two received on their peregrination were really directed. When they reached the cave wherein the cacique resided, Hoshkanyi entered first.
Close to the fireplace, which was one of those primitive chimneys like the one we have seen in the home of Shotaye, an old man was seated on the floor. His age was certainly greater than Topanashka's; he was of middle height, lean and even emaciated. His eyes were dim, and he received the greetings of his visitors with an air of indifference or timidity; it was difficult to determine which. Pointing to the floor he said,—
"What brings you to my house, children!" and he coughed a hollow, hectic cough.
The tapop began,—
"We wish—"
"Do not say we," the maseua corrected him, "you wish, not I."
Hoshkanyi bit his lips and began anew,—
"I and my brother here have come because I want to ask you something. But if you are at work, grandfather, then we will go."