There was silence. "Then," continued the leader of the Seven, "I must have the answer of each one of the Five."
Brush again signified his assent, and the rest of us followed. Having arrived at a mutual understanding which awakened in each one a fraternal feeling, there ensued among all the boys a lively chattering. When the fervor of the friendly demonstration abated, Aleck, in his deep voice, said, "Wa'-tha-dae shu-ge'ha!" (The Word of Command approaches.)
Immediately there was silence, and each one held his breath expectantly, for we recognized the ritual words of "the Leader" in the game, "Obeying the Command," words which had been sacred to generations of boys who had preceded us.
"Those are the very words," whispered Edwin to me; "now listen, hear where the Command will come from, and where it will go."
"The Word of Command approaches," continued Aleck, with unmoved face; "from the head of the Ne-shu-de [the Missouri] it comes, wrapped in a black cloud, the mantle of thunder, like the mighty whirlwind it comes; the great trees of the pine-clad mountains bend to its fury; its voice echoes through the valleys, and the animals, big and little, tremble with fear. On it comes, sweeping over the wide plains; the angry lightnings dart from the cloud; it approaches the village of the Ponkas, at the mouth of the Niobrara, passes it and continues its course down the Ne-shu'-de; now it has come to the pictured rocks; it reaches the bluffs of the Cut-lake; but on it comes, swifter and swifter it comes; it is now at the old Omaha village, at the graves of the little ones; it comes—it is here!"
There was a pause, and we all waited in suspense. Just then the wind rattled the windows and the owl up in the graveyard hooted.
"George!" called the leader, in a solemn tone.
"Present!" promptly responded George in English, as though answering Gray-beard's roll-call. A ripple of suppressed laughter spread among the boys. Aleck, I doubt not, was giggling inside.
"Edwin!" continued the leader, in the same tone.