Beyond the sunset

by Arthur D. Howden Smith

I told her, and Tawannears, at sound of his name, suspended cleaning his knife-blade and gave her a long look.

"Ask the maiden who she is, brother," he said.

I did so, and she answered without hesitation—

"I am Kachina.* Is Tawannears a priest, too, or only a warrior?"

* The Sacred Dancer.

"He is a great chief, a war-captain," I answered. "He guards the Western Door of the Long House in which his people dwell."

She pursed her lips contemptuously.

"Anybody can be a warrior," she commented. "The warriors must have priests to pray for them and secure them victory."

I smiled at this naïve view.

"In my red brother's country the warrior is honored above the priest," I said.