"Chief? What chief?"
"The chief of the village! And the war-chiefs."
She gurgled with laughter.
"You are own brother to the Awataba, Englishman! We do not have such chiefs. We look down on warriors. When we must fight, we all do; but we make no practice of war. The priests and the council govern the village."
"Who are the council?" I pressed.
"Oh, the priests—and the elders—the priests select them. But I am tired of talking with you, Englishman. I came here to learn Tawannears' speech. I told Wiki I should. He told me I must not, and I said if I could not I should marry Kokyan to-night. Wiki does not want me to marry Kokyan."
She sank down betwixt the Seneca and me, pointing a finger at Peter.
"What is that houaw's* name?"
* Bear's.
"Wait, wait!" I pleaded. "Tell me why you left us on the ladder and went ahead into the village."