A few faces could be seen, peeping from windows and from between trees. He motioned.
“All villagers,” he ordered. “Here before me. Now!” He waited
impatiently as people reluctantly came from their huts and out of the trees, to approach the clearing.
At last, the villagers were assembled. Barra looked them over, identifying each as he looked at him. Apart from the others, one of the younger herd guards stood close to his woman. Barra looked at him thoughtfully.
This man, he had noted, was obeyed by both herds and herdsmen. He had seen him at work, as he had seen all the villagers, and obviously, the man was capable of quick decisions—as quick, that was, as any pseudoman could be. He pointed.
“This village needs a new headman,” he thought peremptorily. “You will take charge of it.”
The man looked toward the huddled mass in the center of the litter of rocks, then looked back at his woman. A faint wave of reluctance came to Barra, who stared sternly.
“I said you are the new headman,” he thought imperiously. “Take charge.” He waved a hand.
“And get this mess cleaned up. I want a neat village from now on.”
As the man lowered his head submissively, Barra turned away, rose from the ground, and drifted majestically toward the lake shore. He could check on the progress of the village from his view crystal back at the Residence.